2017–18 National League 2 North Countries England Date 2 September 2017 – May 2018 Champions Sale FC (1st title)Runners-up Sedgley Park (not promoted)Relegated Sheffield , Blaydon , Luctonians Matches played 237 Attendance 76,227 (average 322 per match) Highest attendance 1,820 Sheffield v Sheffield Tigers 23 December 2017 Lowest attendance 57 Sedgley Park v Otley 17 March 2018 Top point scorer Rickie Aley (South Leicester) 343 pointsTop try scorer Myles Bean (South Leicester) 27 tries
The 2017–18 National League 2 North is the ninth season (31st overall) of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced.
On 21 April 2018 Sheffield became the first side to be relegated after losing heavily to promotion chasing Sedgley Park away from home.[ 1] This meant that Sheffield would equal the unwanted record set by Morley of being the most demoted side in tier 4 (north) history with what was their third relegation from this level since the leagues started in 1987. The championship took a little longer to decide when on 28 April 2018 Sale FC clinched the title by winning 37-5 away to Leicester Lions , with a (rescheduled) game to spare. Sale FC were deserving winners, although runners up Sedgley Park kept the title race going to the wire thanks to their outstanding bonus points tally of 30 (a divisional record), helping Park to the runners up spot and a place in the promotion playoff game. On the same day the second relegation spot was sealed when Blaydon suffered their second successive relegation, losing a tight game 36-40 at Kingston Park to Hinckley .[ 2]
Runners up Sedgley Park failed to join Sale FC in the 2018–19 National League 1 after they lost 30-41 away to 2017–18 National League 2 South runners up Chinnor in the promotion play-off game played on 5 May 2018.[ 3] Due to poor weather causing delays to the end of the season it took till 12 May 2018 to determine the final relegation spot with Luctonians losing 21-22 to champions Sale FC at home in their re-arranged fixture, condemning the Herefordshire side to the drop, 3 points below 13th placed Wharfedale , who could have gone down instead had Luctonians won via a bonus point.[ 4]
Structure
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 automatic promotion place, one play-off place and three relegation places. The champions are promoted to the 2018–19 National League 1 and the runners up play the second-placed team in the 2017–18 National League 2 South with the winner also being promoted. The last three teams are relegated to either North Premier or Midlands Premier depending on the geographical location of the team (in some cases teams may join the southern regional leagues).
The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:
4 points are awarded for a win
2 points are awarded for a draw
0 points are awarded for a loss, however
1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.
Participating teams and locations
Eleven of the teams listed below participated in the 2016–17 National League 2 North season. The 2016–17 champions, Caldy , were promoted into the 2017–18 National League 1 , replacing Blaydon and Macclesfield who were relegated from the 2016–17 National League 1 .[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] The three teams relegated last season were Preston Grasshoppers and Harrogate (both to North Premier ) and Scunthorpe (Midlands Premier ).
The promoted teams are Huddersfield , who were promoted as champions of National League 3 North (now North Premier) and Sheffield (play-offs) who came up from National League 3 Midlands (now Midlands Premier).[ 8] [ 9] Broadstreet (champions of National League 3 Midlands) would have usually have come into this division but due to an imbalance of teams they were instead level transferred to the 2017–18 National League 2 South as they were considered the most southerly team in the division.[ 10]
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Blaydon
Crow Trees[ a 1]
2,000 (400 seats)
Swalwell , Tyne and Wear
Relegated from National League 1 (15th)
Chester
Hare Lane
2,000 (500 seats)
Chester , Cheshire
5th
Hinckley
Leicester Road
2,000
Hinckley , Leicestershire
9th
Huddersfield
Lockwood Park
1,500 (500 seats)
Huddersfield , West Yorkshire
Promoted from National League 3 North (champions)
Leicester Lions
Westleigh Park
2,000
Blaby , Leicestershire
3rd
Luctonians
Mortimer Park
2,500 (300 seats)
Kingsland , Herefordshire
12th
Macclesfield
Priory Park
1,250 (250 seats)
Macclesfield , Cheshire
Relegated from National League 1 (16th)
Otley
Cross Green
5,000
Otley , Leeds , West Yorkshire
9th
Sale FC
Heywood Road
3,387
Sale , Greater Manchester
2nd (lost playoff)
Sedgley Park
Park Lane
3,000
Whitefield , Bury, Greater Manchester
4th
Sheffield
Abbeydale Park
3,200 (100 seats)
Sheffield , South Yorkshire
Promoted from National League 3 Midlands (playoffs)
Sheffield Tigers
Dore Moor
Sheffield , South Yorkshire
13th
South Leicester
Welford Road Ground
Leicester , Leicestershire
7th
Stourbridge
Stourton Park
3,500 (499 seats)
Stourbridge , West Midlands
8th
Tynedale
Tynedale Park
2,000 (400 seats)
Corbridge , Northumberland
6th
Wharfedale
The Avenue
2,000
Threshfield , North Yorkshire
10th
Locations of the 2017–18 National League 2 North teams
League table
2017–18 National League 2 North table
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Points for
Points against
Points diff
Try bonus
Losing bonus
Points
1
Sale FC (C)
30
27
1
2
1010
356
654
20
1
131
2
Sedgley Park
30
24
0
6
1111
674
437
26
4
126
3
Stourbridge
30
20
1
9
909
723
186
23
2
107
4
Tynedale
29[ a 2]
20
0
9
997
658
339
21
6
107
5
Hinckley
29[ a 3]
20
0
9
877
553
324
20
5
105
6
Huddersfield
30
15
1
14
732
758
-26
12
3
77
7
Chester
29[ a 4]
15
0
14
599
646
-47
10
3
73
8
Macclesfield
29[ a 5]
13
0
16
663
711
-48
12
4
68
9
South Leicester
29[ a 6]
12
3
14
744
834
-90
9
5
68
10
Sheffield Tigers
30
11
0
19
622
942
-320
9
6
59
11
Otley
30
11
1
18
615
838
-223
8
4
58
12
Leicester Lions
30
10
1
19
557
720
-163
10
6
58
13
Wharfedale
30
11
0
19
631
755
-124
7
5
56
14
Luctonians (R)
30
9
0
21
640
829
-189
8
9
53
15
Blaydon (R)
30
8
0
22
684
1019
-335
16
5
53
16
Sheffield (R)
29[ a 7]
7
0
22
465
840
-375
2
7
37
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
Number of matches won
Difference between points for and against
Total number of points for
Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
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. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.Updated: 12 May 2018 Source: "National League 2 North" . NCA Rugby.
Results
Round 1
Otley 21 – 42 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Cross Green Attendance: 369 Referee: Jonathan Cook
(BP) Hinckley 52 – 26 Blaydon (BP) Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 512 Referee: Benjamin Davis
(BP) Macclesfield 41 – 15 Wharfedale Report
Priory Park Attendance: 527 Referee: Harry Wallbaume
(BP) Sale FC 48 – 10 Leicester Lions Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 403 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
(2BP) Sheffield 31 – 32 Luctonians (BP) Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 250 Referee: Ieuan Davies
Sheffield Tigers 5 – 38 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Dore More Attendance: 158 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) South Leicester 44 – 36 Huddersfield (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 110 Referee: Ben Rayner
(BP) Tynedale 52 – 21 Chester Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 560 Referee: James O'Brien
[ 12]
Round 2
Leicester Lions 18 – 31 South Leicester Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 120 Referee: Luke Davies
Blaydon 12 – 33 Tynedale (BP) Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 650 Referee: Luke Haskins
Sedgley Park 24 – 16 Sale FC Report
Park Lane Attendance: 300 Referee: Ieuan Davies
Chester 25 – 22 Macclesfield (BP) Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 364 Referee: Chris Bennett
Huddersfield 3 – 24 Hinckley Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 212 Referee: Jonathan Cook
Sheffield Tigers 22 – 18 Sheffield (BP) Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 724[ a 8] Referee: Harry Walbaum
(BP) Stourbridge 30 – 25 Luctonians (BP) Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 400 Referee: George Selwood
(BP) Wharfedale 14 – 17 Otley Report
The Avenue Attendance: 592 Referee: Callum Sharp
[ 13]
Round 3
(BP) Otley 31 – 16 Chester Report
Cross Green Attendance: 349 Referee: Ben Rayner
(BP) Hinckley 37 – 34 Leicester Lions (2BP) Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 400 Referee: Richard Haughton
Luctonians 26 – 14 Wharfedale Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 296 Referee: Ben Davis
(BP) Macclesfield 41 – 15 Blaydon Report
Priory Park Attendance: 282 Referee: Jonathan Cook
(BP) Sale FC 52 – 15 Sheffield Tigers Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 337 Referee: Callum Sharp
Sheffield 17 – 38 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 198 Referee: Luke Davies
(BP) South Leicester 47 – 37 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 103 Referee: Michael Harris
(BP) Tynedale 26 – 25 Huddersfield (BP) Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 470 Referee: Chris Bennett
[ 14]
Round 4
(2BP) Leicester Lions 26 – 28 Tynedale Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 80 Referee: Robert Bourke
(BP) Blaydon 35 – 24 Otley (BP) Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 320 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
(BP) Sedgley Park 49 – 29 Hinckley (BP) Report
Park Lane Attendance: 150 Referee: Callum Sharp
(BP) Chester 31 – 15 Luctonians Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 364 Referee: Daniel Woods
Huddersfield 22 – 13 Macclesfield Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 200 Referee: Ieuan Davies
(BP) Sale FC 31 – 17 Sheffield Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 279 Referee: Harry Walbaum
Sheffield Tigers 29 – 22 South Leicester (BP) Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 163 Referee: Jack Sutton
Wharfedale 10 – 45 Stourbridge (BP) Report
The Avenue Attendance: 380 Referee: Jonathan Cook
[ 15]
Round 5
Otley 20 – 20 Huddersfield Report
Cross Green Attendance: 396 Referee: James O'Brien
(BP) Hinckley 56 – 7 Sheffield Tigers Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 380 Referee: Matthew Astle
Mortimer Park Attendance: 287 Referee: Jack Sutton
Macclesfield 12 – 25 Leicester Lions (BP) Report
Priory Park Attendance: 218 Referee: Ben Rayner
(BP) Sheffield 10 – 17 Wharfedale Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 300 Referee: Matt Turvey
South Leicester 22 – 22 Sale FC (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 100 Referee: Adam Wookey
(BP) Stourbridge 36 – 12 Chester Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 300 Referee: Callum Sharp
(BP) Tynedale 46 – 24 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 580 Referee: Neil Chivers
[ 16]
Round 6
(BP) Leicester Lions 38 – 13 Otley Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 120 Referee: Alexis Manley
Blaydon 11 – 40 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 185 Referee: Benjamin Davis
(BP) Sedgley Park 35 – 15 Macclesfield Report
Park Lane Attendance: 350 Referee: Harry Walbaum
Chester 10 – 3 Wharfedale (BP) Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 389 Referee: Lylr ApGeraint-Roberts
(BP) Huddersfield 32 – 15 Luctonians Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 317 Referee: Jamie Leahy
Heywood Road Attendance: 243 Referee: Mick Harris
Sheffield Tigers 10 – 29 Tynedale (BP) Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 148 Referee: James O'Brien
(BP) South Leicester 35 – 26 Sheffield (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 100 Referee: Ieuan Davies
[ 17]
Round 7
(BP) Otley 46 – 57 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Cross Green Attendance: 429 Referee: Callum Sharp
(BP) Hinckley 36 – 32 South Leicester (BP) Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 255 Referee: James O'Brien
Luctonians 3 – 40 Leicester Lions (BP) Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 447 Referee: Shane Lewis
(BP) Macclesfield 45 – 55 Sheffield Tigers (BP) Report
Priory Park Attendance: 251 Referee: Mick Harris
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 250 Referee: Claire Hodnett
(BP) Stourbridge 32 – 17 Huddersfield Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 375 Referee: Harry Walbaum
Tynedale 7 – 5 Sale FC (BP) Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 540 Referee: Benjamin Davis
Wharfedale 19 – 27 Blaydon Report
The Avenue Attendance: 425 Referee: Callum Sharp
[ 18]
Round 8
Leicester Lions 13 – 27 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 128 Referee: Charlie Jeavons-Fellows
(BP) Blaydon 29 – 14 Chester Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 220 Referee: Michael Harris
(BP) Sedgley Park 31 – 13 Luctonians Report
Park Lane Attendance: 200 Referee: Ieuan Davies
(BP) Hinckley 36 – 22 Sheffield Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 235 Referee: Charles Gayther
(BP) Huddersfield 43 – 27 Wharfedale (BP) Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 341 Referee: Ben Davies
Sale FC 19 – 3 Macclesfield Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 390 Referee: Matt Turvey
(BP) Sheffield Tigers 35 – 21 Otley Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 143 Referee: Jack Sutton
South Leicester 25 – 17 Tynedale Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 100 Referee: Chris Bennett
[ 19]
Round 9
Otley 13 – 31 Sale FC (BP) Report
Cross Green Attendance: 326 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
(BP) Chester 34 – 20 Huddersfield Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 378 Referee: Ieuan Davies
(BP) Luctonians 33 – 46 Sheffield Tigers (BP) Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 381 Referee: Benjamin Russell
Macclesfield 18 – 9 South Leicester Report
Priory Park Attendance: 210 Referee: George Selwood
Sheffield 20 – 14 Blaydon (BP) Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 150 Referee: Tim Allatt
(BP) Stourbridge 33 – 31 Sedgley Park (2BP) Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 350 Referee: Richard Haughton
(BP) Tynedale 18 – 20 Hinckley Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 560 Referee: Matthew Turvey
Wharfedale 10 – 24 Leicester Lions (BP) Report
The Avenue Attendance: 376 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
[ 20]
Round 10
(BP) Leicester Lions 35 – 14 Chester Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 117 Referee: George Selwood
Sheffield Tigers 20 – 14 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 175 Referee: Chris Bennett
(BP) Tynedale 47 – 11 Sheffield Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 420 Referee: Michael Harris
(BP) Sale FC 48 – 5 Luctonians Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 419 Referee: Ieuan Davies
(BP) South Leicester 44 – 34 Otley (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 199 Referee: Jack Lewars
(BP) Sedgley Park 43 – 30 Wharfedale Report
Park Lane Attendance: 300 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
(BP) Hinckley 42 – 7 Macclesfield Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 605 Referee: Callum Sharp
(BP) Huddersfield 48 – 22 Blaydon (BP) Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 350 Referee: Ben Rayner
[ 21]
Round 11
(BP) Blaydon 13 – 17 Leicester Lions Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 220 Referee: Harry Walbaum
Otley 15 – 38 Hinckley (BP) Report
Cross Green Attendance: 245 Referee: Dave Charlton
(BP) Wharfedale 33 – 53 Sheffield Tigers (BP) Report
The Avenue Attendance: 418 Referee: Daniel Woods
(2BP) Luctonians 25 – 28 South Leicester Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 302 Referee: Ieuan Davies
Sheffield 16 – 31 Huddersfield Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 150 Referee: Matthew Astle
Chester 7 – 31 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 329 Referee: Ben Rayner
(2BP) Macclesfield 35 – 38 Tynedale (BP) Report
Priory Park Attendance: 198 Referee: Chris Bennett
Stourbridge 16 – 39 Sale FC (BP) Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 450 Referee: Callum Sharpe
[ 22]
Round 12
Leicester Lions 17 – 31 Huddersfield Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 117 Referee: Timothy Allat
(BP) Sheffield Tigers 10 – 13 Chester Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 131 Referee: Ben Davis
(BP) Tynedale 69 – 10 Otley Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 480 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) Sale FC 48 – 16 Wharfedale Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 250 Referee: David Charlton
South Leicester 26 – 26 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 100 Referee: Ben Rayner
(BP) Sedgley Park 48 – 26 Blaydon (BP) Report
Park Lane Attendance: 300 Referee: James O'Brien
(BP) Hinckley 52 – 12 Luctonians Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 490 Referee: George Selwood
Macclesfield P – P Sheffield
Postponed due to bad weather. Game rescheduled for 24 February 2018.[ 23]
[ 24]
Round 13
(BP) Blaydon 36 – 34 Sheffield Tigers (2BP) Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 195 Referee: Callum Sharp
Otley 23 – 17 Macclesfield (BP) Report
Cross Green Attendance: 247 Referee: Benjamin Davis
Wharfedale 28 – 25 South Leicester (BP) Report
The Avenue Attendance: 372 Referee: Chris Bennett
(2BP) Luctonians 38 – 40 Tynedale (BP) Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 312 Referee: Tim Allatt
Sheffield 14 – 7 Leicester Lions (BP) Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 150 Referee: Ben Rayner
Chester 10 – 40 Sale FC (BP) Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 322 Referee: James O'Brien
Huddersfield 32 – 30 Sedgley Park (2BP) Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 350 Referee: Steve Gammage
Stourbridge 0 – 35 Hinckley (BP) Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 475[ 25] Referee: Phil Davis
[ 26]
Round 14
Cross Green Attendance: 198 Referee: Matthew Astle
(2BP) Sheffield Tigers 33 – 36 Huddersfield (BP) Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 142 Referee: George Selwood
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game rescheduled to 24 February 2018.[ 27]
(BP) Sale FC 54 – 12 Blaydon Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 213 Referee: Daniel Woods
South Leicester 21 – 20 Chester (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 100 Referee: Jack Sutton
Sedgley Park P – P Leicester Lions
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game rescheduled to 24 February 2018.[ 28]
(BP) Hinckley 20 – 17 Wharfedale (BP) Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 520 Referee: Adam Wookey
Macclesfield P – P Luctonians
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game rescheduled to 17 March 2018.[ 29]
[ 30]
Round 15
Blaydon P – P South Leicester
Postponed due to unplayable pitch caused by recent bad weather. Game rescheduled to 24 February 2018.[ 31]
Leicester Lions 11 – 5 Sheffield Tigers (BP) Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 120 Referee: Ieuan Davies
Postponed due to unplayable pitch caused by bad weather. Game rescheduled to 17 March 2018.[ 32]
(BP) Luctonians 18 – 23 Otley Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 268 Referee: Jack Sutton
Sheffield 0 – 31 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 100 Referee: George Selwood
Chester 12 – 8 Hinckley (BP) Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 384 Referee: Daniel Woods
Postponed due to frozen pitch caused by bad weather. Game rescheduled to 24 February 2018.[ 33]
(BP) Stourbridge 39 – 25 Macclesfield (BP) Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 324 Referee: Shane Lewis
[ 34]
Round 16
Otley 20 – 13 Wharfedale (BP) Report
Cross Green Attendance: 1,106 Referee: Harry Walbaum
(BP) Tynedale 32 – 31 Blaydon (2BP) Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 850 Referee: Callum Sharp
(2BP) Luctonians 36 – 39 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 461 Referee: Charles Gayther
Sale FC 20 – 13 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 1,500[ a 9] Referee: Benjamin Davies
Sheffield 25 – 21 Sheffield Tigers (BP) Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 1,820[ a 10] Referee: Chris Bennett
South Leicester 25 – 25 Leicester Lions Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 150 Referee: Daniel Woods
(BP) Hinckley 41 – 18 Huddersfield Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 640 Referee: James O'Brien
(BP) Macclesfield 24 – 14 Chester Report
Priory Park Attendance: 372 Referee: Matt Turvey
[ 37]
Round 17
(BP) Blaydon 34 – 52 Macclesfield (BP) Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 145 Referee: Chris Bennett
Leicester Lions 0 – 27 Hinckley (BP) Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 170 Referee: Andrew MacNeaney
Sheffield Tigers 16 – 27 Sale FC (BP) Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 149 Referee: Jack Sutton
(BP) Wharfedale 34 – 15 Luctonians Report
The Avenue Attendance: 357 Referee: Callum Sharp
(BP) Sedgley Park 26 – 21 South Leicester (BP) Report
Park Lane Attendance: 212 Referee: Daniel Woods
Chester 22 – 19 Otley (BP) Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 328 Referee: James O'Brien
(BP) Huddersfield 29 – 20 Tynedale Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 316 Referee: Ben Raynor
(BP) Stourbridge 41 – 17 Sheffield Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 324 Referee: Ben Davies
[ 38]
Round 18
(BP) Otley 40 – 17 Blaydon Report
Cross Green Attendance: 289 Referee: Ieuan Davies
(BP) Tynedale 39 – 10 Leicester Lions Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 300 Referee: Ben Davis
Mortimer Park Attendance: 317 Referee: Shane Lewis
Sheffield 10 – 47 Sale FC (BP) Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 150 Referee: Michael Harris
South Leicester 22 – 16 Sheffield Tigers (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 75 Referee: Matthew Astle
(BP) Hinckley 23 – 26 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 525 Referee: Andrew Wigley
Macclesfield 20 – 15 Huddersfield (BP) Report
Priory Park Attendance: 372 Referee: Timothy Allatt
(BP) Stourbridge 29 – 19 Wharfedale Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 400 Referee: Chris Bennett
[ 39]
Round 19
Postponed due to snow. Game rescheduled for 31 March 2018.[ 40]
(BP) Leicester Lions 7 – 14 Macclesfield Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 108 Referee: Jack Lewars
Sheffield Tigers 5 – 36 Hinckley (BP) Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 121 Referee: Ben Rayner
Wharfedale 16 – 10 Sheffield (BP) Report
The Avenue Attendance: 379 Referee: James O'Brien
(BP) Sale FC 39 – 7 South Leicester Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 300 Referee: George Selwood
Sedgley Park 23 – 22 Tynedale (2BP) Report
Park Lane Attendance: 250 Referee: Callum Sharp
Chester (BP) 24 – 12 Stourbridge Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 376 Referee: Matthew Riley
Huddersfield 18 – 22 Otley Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 408 Referee: Daniel Woods
[ 41]
Round 20
(BP) Otley 20 – 25 Leicester Lions (BP) Report
Cross Green Attendance: 309 Referee: Chris Bennett
(BP) Tynedale 71 – 20 Sheffield Tigers Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 360 Referee: Ross Mabon
Wharfedale 22 – 20 Chester (BP) Report
The Avenue Attendance: 433 Referee: Michael Harris
Luctonians 18 – 30 Huddersfield (BP) Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 307 Referee: Tim Allat
Sheffield 10 – 3 South Leicester (BP) Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 120 Referee: Ben Rayner
Leicester Road Attendance: 789 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Macclesfield 18 – 28 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Priory Park Attendance: 320 Referee: Matt Turvey
(BP) Stourbridge 89 – 17 Blaydon Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 375 Referee: Harry Walbaum
[ 42]
Round 21
Blaydon 14 – 30 Wharfedale Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 320 Referee: Benjamin Davis
Leicester Lions P – P Luctonians
Postponed due to unplayable pitch caused by heavy rain. Game to be rescheduled for 5 May 2018.
Sheffield Tigers 10 – 0 Macclesfield Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 81 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
(BP) Sale FC 34 – 10 Tynedale Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 423 Referee: Nicholas Wood
South Leicester 15 – 34 Hinckley (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 120 Referee: Timothy Allatt
Game postponed due to unplayable pitch caused by rain. Game to be rescheduled for 17 March 2018.[ 43]
(BP) Chester 24 – 5 Sheffield Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 324 Referee: Chris Bennett
Huddersfield 13 – 26 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 248 Referee: Andrew Wigley
[ 44]
Round 22
(BP) Otley 28 – 17 Sheffield Tigers Report
Cross Green Attendance: 248 Referee: Owen Taylor
(BP) Tynedale 52 – 33 South Leicester (BP) Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 380 Referee: Chris Bennett
(BP) Wharfedale 43 – 5 Huddersfield Report
The Avenue Attendance: 372 Referee: Ben Rayner
(BP) Luctonians 17 – 22 Sedgley Park Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 288 Referee: Timothy Allatt
Sheffield 14 – 8 Hinckley (BP) Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 300 Referee: Michael Harris
(BP) Chester 29 – 7 Blaydon Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 376 Referee: Callum Sharp
Postponed due to semi-frozen and waterlogged pitch caused by bad weather (rain and snow). Game to be rescheduled for 31 March 2018.[ 45]
Stourbridge 23 – 12 Leicester Lions Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 300 Referee: Ben Davis
[ 46]
Round 23
(BP) Blaydon 29 – 23 Sheffield (BP) Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 179 Referee: Daniel Woods
(BP) Leicester Lions 37 – 28 Wharfedale (BP) Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 147 Referee: Alex Manley
(BP) Sheffield Tigers 25 – 20 Luctonians (BP) Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 137 Referee: James O'Brien
Heywood Road Attendance: 287 Referee: Callum Sharp
South Leicester 24 – 38 Macclesfield (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 100 Referee: Ben Rayner
(BP) Sedgley Park 34 – 41 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Park Lane Attendance: 320 Referee: Chris Bennett
(BP) Hinckley 29 – 26 Tynedale (2BP) Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 625 Referee: Robert Bourke
Huddersfield 10 – 19 Chester Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 368 Referee: Michael Harris
[ 47]
Rounds 12, 14 & 15 (rescheduled games)
(BP) Blaydon 45 – 20 South Leicester (BP) Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 247 Referee: Michael Harris
Game rescheduled from 16 December 2017.
(BP) Tynedale 52 – 29 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 300 Referee: Callum Sharp
Game rescheduled from 9 December 2017.
(BP) Sedgley Park 34 – 12 Leicester Lions Report
Park Lane Attendance: 175 Referee: Daniel Woods
Game rescheduled from 9 December 2017.
Huddersfield 7 – 28 Sale FC Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 150 Referee: Tim Allatt
Game rescheduled from 16 December 2017.
(BP) Macclesfield 31 – 15 Sheffield Report
Priory Park Attendance: 290 Referee: Ben Davis
Game rescheduled from 25 November 2017.
[ 48]
Round 24
Otley P – P South Leicester
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 31 March 2018.
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 12 May 2018.
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 17 March 2018.
Chester P – P Leicester Lions
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 17 March 2018.
Macclesfield P – P Hinckley
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 5 May 2018.
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 31 March 2018.
Stourbridge P – P Sheffield Tigers
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 17 March 2018.
Wharfedale P – P Sedgley Park
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 29 March 2018.
[ 49]
Round 25
Leicester Lions 15 – 8 (BP) Blaydon Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 112 Referee: Timothy Allatt
(BP) Tynedale 35 – 12 Macclesfield Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 350 Referee: Ieuan Davies
(BP) Sedgley Park 45 – 0 Chester Report
Park Lane Attendance: 208 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) Hinckley 13 – 15 Otley Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 635 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts
(BP) Huddersfield 44 – 10 Sheffield Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 341 Referee: Harry Walbaum
(BP) Sale FC 29 – 0 Stourbridge Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 390 Referee: Benjamin Davis
Sheffield Tigers 0 – 16 Wharfedale Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 124 Referee: Chris Bennett
(BP) South Leicester 26 – 20 Luctonians (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 100 Referee: Thomas Davis
[ 50]
Rounds 14, 15, 21 & 24 (rescheduled games)
(2BP) Stourbridge 26 – 28 Sheffield Tigers (BP) Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 250 Referee: Charlie Gayther
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
(BP) Sedgley Park 24 – 21 Otley (BP) Report
Park Lane Attendance: 57 Referee: Timothy Allatt
Game rescheduled from 3 February 2018.
Blaydon 15 – 26 Huddersfield (BP) Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 125 Referee: Michael Harris
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
Chester P – P Leicester Lions
Game originally rescheduled from 3 March 2018 but postponed again due to waterlogged pitch caused by heavy rain. Game to be rescheduled for 31 March 2018.[ 51]
(BP) Macclesfield 28 – 12 Luctonians Report
Priory Park Attendance: 145 Referee: Dan Parrott
Game rescheduled from 9 December 2017.
Wharfedale 14 – 33 Tynedale (BP) Report
The Avenue Attendance: 315 Referee: Ben Davis
Game rescheduled from 16 December 2017.
[ 52]
Round 26
(BP) Otley 27 – 38 Tynedale (BP) Report
Cross Green Attendance: 400 Referee: Harry Walbaum
(BP) Blaydon 24 – 52 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Crow Trees Attendance: 217 Referee: Ben Rayner
(BP) Chester 59 – 7 Sheffield Tigers Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 335 Referee: Daniel Woods
(BP) Huddersfield 29 – 12 Leicester Lions Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 173 Referee: Matthew Riley
(BP) Luctonians 33 – 32 Hinckley (2BP) Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 311 Referee: Adam Wookey
(BP) Sheffield 17 – 21 Macclesfield Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 200 Referee: Gregg Dawson
(BP) Stourbridge 37 – 26 South Leicester Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 400 Referee: Andrew MacNeaney
The Avenue Attendance: 526 Referee: George Selwood
[ 53]
Rounds 19, 22 & 24 (rescheduled games)
(BP) Wharfedale 24 – 31 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
The Avenue Attendance: 578 Referee: Harry Walbaum
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
(BP) Blaydon 30 – 0 Luctonians Report
Game rescheduled from 20 January 2018.
(BP) Otley 29 – 3 South Leicester Report
Cross Green Attendance: 183 Referee: Michael Harris
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
(BP) Chester 34 – 5 Leicester Lions Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 330 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
Game originally rescheduled from 3 March 2018 & then 17 March 2018 when it was postponed again.
Macclesfield 0 – 37 Sale FC (BP) Report
Priory Park Attendance: 214 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Game rescheduled from 10 February 2018.
Originally rescheduled from 3 March 2018 but postponed again due to a waterlogged pitch caused by heavy rain. Game to be rescheduled for 5 May 2018.[ 54]
[ 55]
Round 27
(BP) Leicester Lions 17 – 21 Sheffield Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 126 Referee: Matt Astle
(BP) Sedgley Park 43 – 10 Huddersfield Report
Park Lane Attendance: 210 Referee: Ben Rayner
(BP) Hinckley 26 – 0 Stourbridge Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 725 Referee: Harry Walbaum
(BP) Macclesfield 28 – 21 Otley (BP) Report
Priory Park Attendance: 178 Referee: Matthew Riley
Sale FC 30 – 28 Chester (2BP) Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 321 Referee: Chris Bennett
(BP) Sheffield Tigers 26 – 34 Blaydon (BP) Report
Dore Moor Attendance: 109 Referee: Matt Turvey
South Leicester 27 – 16 Wharfedale Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 120 Referee: James O'Brien
Tynedale 28 – 12 Luctonians Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 480 Referee: Benjamin Davis
[ 56]
Round 28
(BP) Blaydon 24 – 36 Sale FC (BP) Report
(BP) Leicester Lions 29 – 50 Sedgley Park (BP) Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 127 Referee: Ben Wilde
Chester P – P South Leicester
Postponed due to waterlogged pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 5 May 2018.[ 57]
(BP) Huddersfield 31 – 10 Sheffield Tigers Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 263 Referee: Michael Woods
Luctonians 17 – 12 Macclesfield (BP) Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 412 Referee: Chris Bennett
(BP) Sheffield 12 – 17 Otley Report
Abbeydale Park Attendance: 250 Referee: James O'Brien
(BP) Stourbridge 35 – 34 Tynedale (2BP) Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 300 Referee: Charlie Gayther
(BP) Wharfedale 44 – 19 Hinckley Report
The Avenue Attendance: 564 Referee: Jamie Leahy
[ 58]
Round 29
Cross Green Attendance: 320 Referee: Callum Sharp
(BP) Sedgley Park 75 – 14 Sheffield Report
Park Lane Attendance: 300 Referee: Chris Bennett
Sheffield are relegated.[ 1]
(BP) Hinckley 40 – 24 Chester (BP) Report
Leicester Road Attendance: 790[ a 11] Referee: Joe James
(BP) Macclesfield 50 – 33 Stourbridge (BP) Report
Priory Park Attendance: 205 Referee: Tim Allat
(BP) Sale FC 45 – 10 Huddersfield Report
Heywood Road Attendance: 392 Referee: Benjamin Davis
Sheffield Tigers 23 – 10 Leicester Lions
Dore Moor Attendance: 168 Referee: Ben Rayner
(BP) South Leicester 48 – 34 Blaydon (BP) Report
Welford Road Ground Attendance: 150 Referee: Daniel Parrott
(BP) Tynedale 22 – 24 Wharfedale (BP) Report
Tynedale Park Attendance: 640 Referee: Michael Harris
[ 59]
Round 30
(2BP) Blaydon 36 – 40 Hinckley (BP) Report
Blaydon are relegated.[ 2]
(BP) Chester 34 – 33 Tynedale (2BP) Report
Hare Lane Attendance: 236 Referee: James O'Brien
(BP) Huddersfield 41 – 33 South Leicester (BP) Report
Lockwood Park Attendance: 298 Referee: Tim Allatt
Leicester Lions 5 – 37 Sale FC Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 235 Referee: Alexis Manley
Sale FC are champions.[ 2]
(BP) Luctonians 76 – 12 Sheffield Report
Mortimer Park Attendance: 347 Referee: Charles Gayther
(BP) Sedgley Park 80 – 19 Sheffield Tigers Report
Park Lane Attendance: 295 Referee: Michael Harris
(BP) Stourbridge 31 – 5 Otley Report
Stourton Park Attendance: 550 Referee: Cliff Bennett
Wharfedale 30 – 21 Macclesfield Report
The Avenue Attendance: 830 Referee: Neil Chivers
[ 60]
Rounds 21 & 24 & 28 (rescheduled games)
(BP) Leicester Lions 21 – 22 Luctonians (BP) Report
Westleigh Park Attendance: 230 Referee: Matt Turvey
Game rescheduled from 3 February 2018.
Macclesfield C – C Hinckley
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018 but cancelled as result would not adversely affect league standings.
Game originally rescheduled from 3 March 2018 and then again from 31 March 2018. Would eventually be cancelled as result would not adversely affect league standings.
Chester C – C south Leicester
Game rescheduled from 14 April 2018 but cancelled as result would not adversely affect league standings.
[ 61]
Round 24 (rescheduled game)
(BP) Luctonians 21 – 22 Sale FC
Mortimer Park Attendance: 942 Referee: Harry Walbaum
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018. Luctonians are relegated.[ 4]
[ 62]
Each season, the runners-up in the National League 2 North and National League 2 South participate in a play-off for promotion to National Division 1 . Chinnor were runners up in the 2017–18 National League 2 South , and because they had a better record than the 2017–18 National League 2 North runners up, Sedgley Park , they host the play-off match.
Club
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Points for
Points against
Points diff
Try bonus
Loss bonus
Points
Chinnor (P)
30
26
1
3
1010
679
331
25
0
131
Sedgley Park
30
24
0
6
1111
674
437
26
4
126
Chinnor 40 – 31 Sedgley Park Report
Kingsey Road Attendance: 1,378 Referee: Neil Chivers
[ 3]
Attendances
Does not include promotion play-off.
Club
Home games
Total
Average
Highest
Lowest
% Capacity
Blaydon
15
3,733
249
650
125
11%
Chester[ a 12]
14
4,835
345
389
236
17%
Hinckley
15
8,126
542
790
235
27%
Huddersfield
15
4,335
289
408
150
19%
Leicester Lions
15
2,057
137
235
80
7%
Luctonians
15
5,678
379
942
268
15%
Macclesfield[ a 13]
14
3,782
270
527
145
22%
Otley
15
5,414
361
1,106
183
7%
Sale FC
15
6,147
410
1,500
213
12%
Sedgley Park
15
3,627
242
350
57
8%
Sheffield[ a 14]
14
4,388
313
1,820
100
10%
Sheffield Tigers
15
2,673
178
724
81
South Leicester
15
1,727
115
199
75
Stourbridge
15
5,573
372
550
250
11%
Tynedale
15
7,215
481
850
300
24%
Wharfedale
15
6,917
461
830
315
23%
[ 12] [ 13] [ 14] [ 15] [ 16] [ 17] [ 18] [ 19] [ 20] [ 21] [ 22] [ 24] [ 26] [ 30] [ 34] [ 37] [ 38] [ 39] [ 41] [ 42] [ 44] [ 46] [ 47] [ 48] [ 49] [ 50] [ 52] [ 53] [ 55] [ 56] [ 58] [ 59] [ 60] [ 61] [ 62]
Individual statistics
Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals. Appearance figures also include coming on as substitutes (unused substitutes not included). Does not include promotion play-off.
Top points scorers
[ 63]
Top try scorers
[ 64]
Season records
Team
Largest home win — 72 points
89 – 17 Stourbridge at home to Blaydon on 27 January 2018
Largest away win — 37 points (3)
40 – 3 Leicester Lions away to Luctonians on 14 October 2017
47 – 10 Sale FC away to Sheffield on 13 January 2018
37 – 0 Sale FC away to Macclesfield on 31 March 2018
Most points scored — 89 points
89 – 17 Stourbridge at home to Blaydon on 27 January 2018
Most tries in a match — 14
Stourbridge at home to Blaydon on 27 January 2018
Most conversions in a match — 10 (2)
Sedgley Park at home to Sheffield on 21 April 2018
Sedgley Park at home to Sheffield Tigers on 28 April 2018
Most penalties in a match — 6 (2)
South Leicester at home to Tynedale on 21 October 2017
Huddersfield at home to Sedgley Park on 2 December 2017
Most drop goals in a match — 2
Wharfedale at home to Luctonians on 6 January 2018
[ 65] [ 66] [ 67] [ 68]
Attendances
Highest — 1,820
Sheffield at home to Sheffield Tigers on 23 December 2017
Lowest — 57
Sedgley Park at home to Otley on 17 March 2018
Highest average attendance — 542
Hinckley
Lowest average attendance — 115
South Leicester
[ 12] [ 13] [ 14] [ 15] [ 16] [ 17] [ 18] [ 19] [ 20] [ 21] [ 22] [ 24] [ 26] [ 30] [ 34] [ 37] [ 38] [ 39] [ 41] [ 42] [ 44] [ 46] [ 47] [ 48] [ 49] [ 50] [ 52] [ 53] [ 55] [ 56] [ 58] [ 59] [ 60] [ 61] [ 62]
Player
Most points in a match — 35
Stephen Collins for Sedgley Park at home to Sheffield Tigers on 28 April 2018
Most tries in a match - 5
Myles Bean for South Leicester at home to Blaydon on 21 April 2018
Most conversions in a match - 10
Stephen Collins for Sedgley Park at home to Sheffield Tigers on 28 April 2018
Most penalties in a match — 6 (2)
Rickie Aley for South Leicester at home to Tynedale on 21 October 2017
Harry Davey for Huddersfield at home to Sedgley Park on 2 December 2017
Most drop goals in a match — 2
Tom Barrett for Wharfedale at home to Luctonians on 6 January 2018
[ 69] [ 70] [ 71] [ 72] [ 73]
Notes
^ Blaydon would also play 3 home games at the 10,200 capacity Kingston Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne towards the end of the league campaign. This was to give the pitch at the club's regular ground at Crow Trees extended recovery time for next season.[ 11]
^ Tynedale would only play 29 games as their rescheduled game away at Sheffield was cancelled as the result would not adversely affect the final league standings.
^ Hinckley would only play 29 games as their rescheduled game away at Macclesfield was cancelled as the result would not adversely affect the final league standings.
^ Chester would only play 29 games as their rescheduled game at home to South Leicester was cancelled as the result would not adversely affect the final league standings.
^ Macclesfield would only play 29 games as their rescheduled game at home to Hinckley was cancelled as the result would not adversely affect the final league standings.
^ South Leicester would only play 29 games as their rescheduled game away at Chester was cancelled as the result would not adversely affect the final league standings.
^ Sheffield would only play 29 games as their rescheduled game at home to Tynedale was cancelled as the result would not adversely affect the final league standings.
^ Attendances vary according to sources. The Rugby Paper had the attendance as 724 for the Sheffield v Sheffield Tigers on 23 December 2017 while NCA/Rugby Statbunker gave a figure of 485. However, given that this was a derby game that would get over 1,800 in the return fixture later that December, the higher figure seems more realistic.
^ Attendances vary depending on sources for the game between Sale FC and Sedgley Park on 23 December 2017. The NCA gave a figure of 307, the Rugby Paper a figure of 546, and Sale FC a figure of 1,500. Confusion may have arisen as Sale FC do not charge for under-16's (they had 150 minis as mascots at the game) so the Rugby Paper figure may have only included money taken from the gate, while the NCA figure remains a mystery.[ 35] [ 36]
^ Attendances vary according to sources. The Rugby Paper had the attendance as 496 for the Sheffield v Sheffield Tigers on 23 December 2017 while NCA/Rugby Statbunker gave a figure of 320. However from talking to the chairman of Sheffield RUFC it turns out the actual attendance was 1,820.
^ The Rugby Paper reported an attendance of 790 for the game between Hinckley and Chester on 21 April 2018 while the NCA had 690. From talking to the Hinckley chairman it turns out that the 790 figure reported in The Rugby Paper was correct.
^ Chester would only play 14 home games as their rescheduled game against South Leicester was cancelled as the result would not adversely affect the final league standings.
^ Macclesfield would only play 14 home games as their rescheduled game against Hinckley was cancelled as the result would not adversely affect the final league standings.
^ Sheffield would only play 14 home games as their rescheduled game against Tynedale was cancelled as the result would not adversely affect the final league standings.
See also
References
External links
2024–25 teams Former clubs Seasons
Area League North National 4 North National Division 4 National Division 4 North National Division 2 North National Division 3 North National League 2 North
Governing body National teams
International competitions
Competition divisions
European competitions National competitions London and South East competitions Midland competitions Northern competitions South West competitions County competitions Discontinued competitions Related articles Other