National League 1

This article is about the rugby union competition. For the rugby league competition formerly known as National League One, see Championship (rugby league).
National League 1
Current season or competition:
2016–17 National League 1
Sport Rugby union
Instituted 1987 (1987)
Number of teams 16
Country  England
Holders Richmond (2015–16)
Most titles Otley (3 titles)
Website National League 1

National League 1, (which was known before September 2009 as National Division Two), is the third level of domestic rugby union competition in England. It was known as Courage League National Division Three when founded in 1987.[1] This is the lowest level of the English rugby union league system which is nationwide. The league consists of sixteen teams with all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of thirty matches each. There is one promotion place and three relegation places. The champions are promoted to the Greene King IPA Championship and the bottom three teams are relegated to either National League 2 North or National League 2 South (formerly National Division Three North and South) depending on the geographical location of the team.

Richmond are the champions and return to the RFU Championship, for the first time since 1996–97 season. Cinderford, Henley Hawks and Wharfedale are relegated.

Current season

Participating teams and locations

Twelve of the sixteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2015–16 champions, Richmond, are promoted to the 2016–17 RFU Championship and are replaced by Birmingham Moseley (who changed their name from Moseley prior to the season) who are relegated from the 2015–16 RFU Championship. The three teams relegated last season, are Henley Hawks and Cinderford (both to the 2016–17 National League 2 South) and Wharfedale (2016–17 National League 2 North) - with Wharfedale dropping from the third tier for the first time in 20 years.[2][3][4] The promoted teams are Cambridge and Macclesfield champions of the 2015–16 National League 2 South and 2015–16 National League 2 North respectively, and Old Albanian who won the promotion play-off against Sedgley Park.[5][6][7]

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
Ampthill Dillingham Park Ampthill, Bedfordshire 4th
Birmingham Moseley Billesley Common 3,000+ Birmingham, West Midlands relegated from RFU Championship
Blackheath Well Hall Eltham, Greenwich, Greater London 3rd
Blaydon Crow Trees Swalwell, Tyne and Wear 11th
Cambridge Grantchester Road 1,250 Cambridge, Cambridgeshire promoted from National League 2 South (champions)
Coventry Butts Park Arena 4,000 Coventry, West Midlands 9th
Darlington Mowden Park Northern Echo Arena 25,000 Darlington, County Durham 6th
Esher Molesey Road 3,000 Hersham, Surrey 7th
Fylde Woodlands Memorial Ground 9,000 Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire 10th
Hartpury College College Stadium 2,000 Hartpury, Gloucestershire 2nd
Hull Ionians Brantingham Park 300 (seated) Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire 12th
Loughborough Students Loughborough University Stadium 3,000 Loughborough, Leicestershire 13th
Old Albanian Woollam Playing Fields 1,000 St Albans, Hertfordshire promoted from National League 2 South (play-off)
Macclesfield Priory Park Macclesfield, Cheshire promoted from National League 2 North (champions)
Plymouth Albion The Brickfields 8,500 Plymouth, Devon 8th
Rosslyn Park Priory Lane 2,000 Roehampton, London 5th

League table

2016–17 National League 1 Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Losing bonus Points
1 Hartpury College 16 16 0 0 723 222 501 15 0 79
2 Plymouth Albion 16 11 0 5 474 319 155 9 4 57
3 Ampthill 16 12 0 4 432 323 109 7 1 56
4 Birmingham Moseley 16 12 0 4 449 342 107 6 2 56
5 Blackheath 16 11 0 5 411 292 119 9 1 54
6 Coventry 16 9 1 6 484 397 87 6 2 46
7 Rosslyn Park 16 8 1 7 452 314 138 6 5 45
8 Loughborough Students 16 7 1 8 497 508 −11 8 2 40
9 Old Albanian 16 7 0 9 394 431 −37 8 3 39
10 Cambridge 16 6 0 10 395 521 −126 8 2 34
11 Fylde 16 6 0 10 364 515 −151 7 3 34
12 Darlington Mowden Park 16 6 1 9 301 437 −136 3 2 31
13 Esher 16 5 0 11 393 442 −49 6 5 31
14 Hull Ionians 16 5 0 11 310 489 −179 2 5 27
15 Blaydon 16 2 1 13 327 595 −268 5 4 19
16 Macclesfield 16 2 1 13 317 576 −259 4 3 17
  • Points system: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 point if a team loses by seven points or less (losing bonus); 1 point if the team scores four or more tries in a match (try bonus)
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled

    Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places.
    Updated: 17 December 2016
    Source: "National League 1". NCA Rugby. 

    History

    When the rugby union leagues were introduced in 1987 the division was known as Courage League National Division Three. Ten years later, in 1997, the league was restructured and the Premiership was introduced, which consisted of the top two divisions. Therefore, National 3 became the top league outside of the Premiership structure, and was renamed as National 1. In 2000–01 the Premiership was reduced to a single division and National 1 was renamed National 2. Following the formation of the professional RFU Championship in 2009 the league, once again, became known as National League One, and is currently the lowest tier that is nationwide. The league previously consisted of fourteen clubs, but from 2009–10 increased to sixteen. Only one team is now promoted to the RFU Championship and since 2009–10 three teams are relegated to National League 2 North and/or National League 2 South depending on geographical location.

    Summary of tier three format

    Year Name No of teams No of matches
    1987–90 Courage National 3 12 11
    1990–92 Courage National 3 13 12
    1992–93 Courage National 3 12 11
    1993–96 Courage National 3 10 18
    1996–97 Courage National 3 16 30
    1997–2000 Jewson National League 1 14 26
    2000–09 National Division 2 14 26
    2009– National Division 1 16 30

    Original teams

    When the league system was formed in 1987, the following teams participated in the league, which was known as National 3. Twenty-nine years on only two teams, Fylde and Plymouth Albion are currently playing at this level. (Updated to 2016–17)

    List of champions

    National Division Three
    Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
    1987–88 12 11 Wakefield West Hartlepool Morley, Birmingham [8]
    1988–89 12 11 Plymouth Albion Rugby Metropolitan Police, Maidstone [9]
    1989–90 12 11 London Scottish Wakefield London Welsh [9]
    1990–91 13 12 West Hartlepool Morley Metropolitan Police, Vale of Lune [10]
    1991–92 13 12 Richmond Fylde Nuneaton, Lydney [11]
    1992–93 12 11 Otley Havant Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool St Helens, Clifton, Aspatria, Askeans, Broughton Park, Plymouth Albion [12]
    1993–94 10 18 Coventry Fylde Havant, Redruth [13]
    1994–95 10 18 Bedford Blackheath Clifton, Exeter [14]
    1995–96 10 18 Coventry Richmond, (Rugby and Rotherham also promoted) Fylde in last place (no relegation) [15]
    1996–97 16 30 Exeter Fylde Walsall, Havant, Redruth, Clifton [16]
    National League One
    Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
    1997–98 14 26 Worcester Leeds Tykes also promoted: London Welsh, Rugby (no relegation) [17]
    1998–99 14 26 Henley Manchester Morley, Liverpool St Helens [18]
    1999–00 14 26 Otley Birmingham & Solihull Reading, Blackheath [19]
    National Division Two
    Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
    2000–01 14 26 Bracknell Rugby Camberley, Lydney, West Hartlepool [20]
    2001–02 14 26 Orrell Plymouth Albion Rosslyn Park, Waterloo, Preston Grasshoppers [20]
    2002–03 14 26 Penzance-Newlyn Henley Launceston, Kendal, Fylde [21]
    2003–04 14 26 Sedgley Park Nottingham Rugby, Lydney [22]
    2004–05 14 26 Doncaster Newbury Nuneaton, Bracknell, Rosslyn Park [23]
    2005–06 14 26 Moseley Waterloo Orrell [24]
    2006–07 14 26 Esher Launceston Bradford & Bingley, Barking, Harrogate [25]
    2007–08 14 26 Otley Manchester Nuneaton, Henley Hawks, Halifax [26]
    2008–09 14 26 Birmingham & Solihull Cambridge Westcombe Park, Southend, Mounts Bay, Waterloo [27]
    National League One
    Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
    2009–10 16 30 Esher London Scottish Newbury, Nuneaton, Manchester [28]
    2010–11 16 30 London Scottish Barking Redruth, Otley, Launceston [29]
    2011–12 16 30 Jersey Ealing Trailfinders Birmingham & Solihull, Stourbridge, Barking
    2012–13 16 30 Ealing Trailfinders Esher Macclesfield, Sedgley Park, Cambridge [30]
    2013–14 16 30 Doncaster Knights Rosslyn Park Henley Hawks, Worthing Raiders, Hull Ionians [31]
    2014–15 16 30 Ealing Trailfinders Rosslyn Park Tynedale, Macclesfield, Old Albanian
    2015–16 16 30 Richmond Hartpury College Henley Hawks, Cinderford, Wharfedale
    Green background are the promotion places.

      League results

      League information Start of season End of season
      Season Name Teams Relegated to league Promoted to league Promoted from league Relegated from league
      2000–01 National Division Two 14
      2001–02 National Division Two 14
      2002–03 National Division Two 14
      2003–04 National Division Two 14
      2004–05 National Division Two 14
      2005–06 National Division Two 14
      2006–07 National Division Two 14 None
      • Bradford & Bingley
      • Harrogate
      2007–08 National Division Two 14
      2008–09 National Division Two 14
      2009–10 National League 1 16
      2010–11 National League 1 16
      2011–12 National League 1 16
      2012–13 National League 1 16
      2013–14 National League 1 16
      2014–15 National League 1 16
      2015–16 National League 1 16
      2016–17 National League 1 16

      Records

      Note that all records are from 1996–97 season onwards as this is widely held as the dawn of professionalism across the English club game. It also offers a better comparison between seasons as the division team numbers are roughly equal (for example when league rugby union first started in 1987–88 the Courage League National Division Three had only 12 teams playing 11 games each, compared to 16 teams in 1996–97 playing 30 games (home & away)). Attendance records are from 2000 onwards unless otherwise specified. All records are up to date up till the end of the 2015–16 season.

      League records

      Match records

      Player records

      Attendance records

      [a 1]

      1. ↑ Note that due to poor attendance keeping by press and online sources means that the 2000–01 and 2003–04 seasons are excluded from these statistics due to lack of information expect in the case of lowest recorded league game attendance.

      Top ten point scorers

      As of the end of the games of 30 April 2016. Stats taken from 1996–97 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 1 (no cup games). Points scored includes tries, drop kicks, penalties and conversions.[58]
      Rank Nat Name Years Club(s) Points Apps Ratio
      1 England Andrew Baggett 2001–08
      2008–      		Wharfedale
      Blaydon      		1,6423854.3
      2 England Neil Hallett 1999–02
      2002–04
      2004–10
      2011–12      		Rosslyn Park
      Bracknell
      Esher
      Ealing Trailfinders      		1,4401818.0
      3 England Alastair Bressington 2004–05
      2005–10, 2010–12
      2010      		Moseley
      Stourbridge
      Cinderford      		1,2011478.2
      4 England Lee Cholewa 1996–97
      1998–99, 2000–05
      2005–07
      2010–11      		Rotherham
      Harrogate
      London Welsh
      London Scottish      		1,1681468.0
      5 England Mark Bedworth 2005–10Wharfedale1,0241149.0
      6 South Africa Clifford Hodgson 2012–Coventry1,0129310.9
      7 England Chris Johnson 2012–Fylde9901109.0
      8 England Ben Harvey 1996–97
      1999–00
      2000–01
      2001–05      		Richmond
      Worcester Warriors
      Moseley
      Stourbridge      		9871188.4
      9 England Jonathon Gregory 1996–97
      2000–04      		Richmond
      Esher      		9708411.5
      10 England Jonathon Davies 1997–07Wharfedale9461984.8

      (Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)

      Top ten try scorers

      As of the end of the games of 30 April 2016. Stats taken from 1996–97 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 1 (no cup games).[59]
      Rank Nat Name Years Club(s) Tries Apps Ratio
      1 England David Allen 2004–16Blackheath1472740.5
      2 England Ollie Brennand 2011–Fylde1161460.8
      3 England Phil Chesters 2011–13, 2014–15Ealing Trailfinders105821.3
      4 South Africa Chris Malherbe 1998–99
      2001–02
      2002–11      		Camberley
      Kendal
      Wharfedale      		952220.4
      5 England Andrew Hodgson 1997–99, 2000–04, 2005–13, 2014–Wharfedale952640.4
      6 England Jason Smithson 2007–Blaydon891970.5
      7 England Hugo Ellis 2012–Rosslyn Park84980.9
      8 South Africa Christoff Lombaard 2006–07, 2008–10
      2012–15      		Cambridge
      Old Albanian      		781310.6
      9 England Ed Smithies 1999–07Harrogate771870.4
      10 England Simon Horsfall 2003–2008, 2009–13Wharfedale732100.3

      (Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)

      See also

      References

      1. ↑ Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. London: Rothmans Publications Ltd.
      2. ↑ "HAWKS ARE RELEGATED BACK INTO NATIONAL 2 SOUTH". Henley Hawks. 9 April 2016.
      3. ↑ "Cinderford's relegation confirmed by defeat at Rosslyn Park". Gloucester Citizen. 17 April 2016.
      4. ↑ "Wharfedale relegated from English rugby's third tier after 20 years". Telegraph & Argus. 18 April 2016.
      5. ↑ "Cambridge promoted as National League 2S champions". Cambridge News. 30 April 2016.
      6. ↑ "Macclesfield crowned National Two North champions". Talking Rugby Union. 16 April 2016.
      7. ↑ "Old Albanian back in National One after play-off win secures promotion". The Herts Advertiser. 16 May 2016.
      8. ↑ Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Courage Leagues 1988–89. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0356158845.
      9. 1 2 Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Horsham: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1873057024.
      10. ↑ Stephen Jones, ed. (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0356202496.
      11. ↑ "Courage Club Championship 1991/92". Moseley Rugby club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
      12. ↑ "Courage Clubs Championship-1992/93". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
      13. ↑ "Courage Clubs Championship 1993/94". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
      14. ↑ "Courage Club Championships 1994/95". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
      15. ↑ Mick Cleary, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0747277710.
      16. ↑ Mick Cleary, ed. (1987). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishers. ISBN 074727732X.
      17. ↑ "1997/98: Jewson National Division (formerly Courage League National Division 3)". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
      18. ↑ Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1999). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1999–2000. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0747275319.
      19. ↑ Stephen McCormack, ed. (2000). The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916273.
      20. 1 2 Stephen McCormack, ed. (2001). The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002. Harpender: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916400.
      21. ↑ Stephen McCormack (2002). The Official RFU Club Directory 2002–2003. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916451.
      22. ↑ "National Division 1 2003/04". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
      23. ↑ "2004/05: National League 2.". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
      24. ↑ "2005/06: National League 2.". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
      25. ↑ "2006/07: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
      26. ↑ "2007/08: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
      27. ↑ "2008/09: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
      28. ↑ "2009/10: National League 1". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
      29. ↑ "Final League Tables 2010 – 2011". Trelawneys Army. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
      30. ↑ "English National League One Table". BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
      31. ↑ "SSE National League 1". NCA. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
      32. ↑ "Jewson National League 1 1998/99". rugbyarchive.net. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
      33. ↑ "Maka'afi stars in Greens' 20-try romp". Telegraph and Argus. 27 September 2009.
      34. ↑ "Esher begin with record victory". BBC News. 7 September 2009.
      35. ↑ "National One 09/10 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 15 May 2010.
      36. ↑ "National One 09/10 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 15 May 2010.
      37. ↑ "National Two 01/02 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 20 April 2002.
      38. ↑ "National Two 03/04 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 24 April 2004.
      39. ↑ "National One 15/16 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2016.
      40. ↑ "National One 15/16 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2016.
      41. ↑ "National Two 05/06 Leading top scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2007.
      42. ↑ "National Two 06/07 Leading top scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2007.
      43. 1 2 "National One 11/12 Leading Try Scorers". Statbunker. 28 April 2012.
      44. ↑ "National One 12/13 Leading Try Scorers". Statbunker. 11 May 2013.
      45. ↑ "National League 1". The RUGBYPaper (344). 26 April 2015. pp. 32–33 & 41.
      46. ↑ "National One 09/10 Leading top scorers". Statbunker. 8 May 2010.
      47. ↑ "National One 09/10 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 15 May 2010.
      48. ↑ "National One 12/13 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 2013.
      49. ↑ "National One 09/10 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 15 May 2010.
      50. ↑ "National Two 01/02 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 20 April 2002.
      51. ↑ "National Two 03/04 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 24 April 2004.
      52. ↑ "National One 15/16 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2016.
      53. ↑ "National One 15/16 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2016.
      54. 1 2 3 "National One 11/12 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2012.
      55. ↑ "National Two 00/01 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2001.
      56. ↑ "National One 13/14 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 3 May 2014.
      57. ↑ "National Two 04/05 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2005.
      58. ↑ "National One All time leading scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2016.
      59. ↑ "National One All time try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2016.
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