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| relegated = [[Rugby Lions R.F.C.|Rugby Lions]] and [[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]]
| relegated = [[Rugby Lions R.F.C.|Rugby Lions]] and [[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]]
| matches = 132
| matches = 132
| highest attendance = 8,000 Coventry at home to Newcastle Falcons on 2 November 1996
| attendance =
| attendance =
| lowest attendance =
| tries =
| tries =
| top point scorer = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}}[[Simon Mason (Rugby)|Simon Mason]],<br>([[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]) 334 points
| top try scorer = {{flagicon|ENG}}[[John Bentley (rugby)|John Bentley]], <br>([[Newcastle Falcons]]) 23 tries<ref name=McCormack>{{cite book|title=The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001|year=2000|publisher=[[Queen Anne Press]]|location=Harpenden|editor=Stephen McCormack}}</ref>
| top point scorer = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Simon Mason (rugby union)|Simon Mason]],<br>([[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]) 334 points
| top try scorer = {{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Bentley (rugby)|John Bentley]], <br>([[Newcastle Falcons]]) 23 tries<ref name=McCormack>{{cite book|title=The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001|year=2000|publisher=[[Queen Anne Press]]|location=Harpenden|editor=Stephen McCormack}}</ref>
| prevseason = [[1995–96 Courage League National Division Two|1995–96]]
| prevseason = [[1995–96 Courage League National Division Two|1995–96]]
| nextseason = [[1997–98 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two|1997–98]]
| nextseason = [[1997–98 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two|1997–98]]
}}
}}


The '''[[RFU Championship|1996–97 Courage League National Division Two]]''' was the tenth full season of [[rugby union]] within the second tier of the [[English rugby union system|English league system]], currently known as the [[RFU Championship]] and was season that saw professional rugby openly introduced into the English game. Joining the eight teams who participated in the division in 1995–96 were [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]], [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]], [[Rugby Lions|Rugby]] and [[Rotherham R.U.F.C.|Rotherham]] all of whom were promoted from [[National League One|National Division Three]] with no teams coming down from National Division One due to league restructuring. The league was sponsored by [[Courage Brewery]] for the tenth consecutive year.
The '''[[RFU Championship|1996–97 Courage League National Division Two]]''' was the tenth full season of [[rugby union]] within the second tier of the [[English rugby union system|English league system]], currently known as the [[RFU Championship]] and was season that saw professional rugby openly introduced into the English game. Joining the eight teams who participated in the division in 1995–96 were [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]], [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]], [[Rugby Lions|Rugby]] and [[Rotherham R.U.F.C.|Rotherham]] all of whom were promoted from [[National League 1|National Division Three]] with no teams coming down from National Division One due to league restructuring. The league was sponsored by [[Courage Brewery]] for the tenth consecutive year.


The top two teams, [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] and [[Newcastle Falcons]] were automatically promoted, and for the first time there was play–offs between the third and fourth placed teams, and the ninth and tenth placed teams in Division One, for a place in the top tier.<ref name=Moseley>{{cite web|title=Courage League Championship 1996/97|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=103|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|accessdate=8 August 2012}}</ref> The Division Two sides played at home first with the winners of the two matches, on aggregate score, playing in the top division the following season. [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] and [[Bedford Blues|Bedford]] both failed to win promotion. [[Rugby Lions R.F.C.|Rugby Lions]] and [[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]] were relegated to Division 3 for the 1997–98 season. Last season Nottingham finished in the bottom two and escaped relegation due to the division being increased from ten clubs to twelve clubs. This season they were not so lucky and next season will be their first in Division Three.<ref name=Cleary>{{cite book|title=Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98|year=1997|publisher=Headline Book Publishing|location=London|isbn=0 7472 7732 X|editor=Mick Cleary and John Griffiths}}</ref>
The top two teams, [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] and [[Newcastle Falcons]] were automatically promoted, and for the first time there were play–offs between the third and fourth placed teams, and the ninth and tenth placed teams in Division One, for a place in the top tier for season [[1997–98 English Premiership (rugby union)|1997–98]].<ref name=Moseley>{{cite web|title=Courage League Championship 1996/97|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=103|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|accessdate=8 August 2012}}</ref> The Division Two sides played at home first with the winners of the two matches, on aggregate score, playing in the top division the following season. [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] and [[Bedford Blues|Bedford]] both failed to win promotion. [[Rugby Lions R.F.C.|Rugby Lions]] and [[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]] were relegated to Division 3 for the 1997–98 season. Last season Nottingham finished in the bottom two and escaped relegation due to the division being increased from ten clubs to twelve clubs. This season they were not so lucky and next season will be their first in Division Three.<ref name=Cleary>{{cite book|title=Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98|year=1997|publisher=Headline Book Publishing|location=London|isbn=0 7472 7732 X|editor=Mick Cleary and John Griffiths}}</ref>


{{horizontal TOC|nonum=yes}}
{{horizontal TOC|nonum=yes}}
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== Participating teams ==
== Participating teams ==


{{location map+ |England |float= |width=395 |caption= Locations of the 1996–97 Courage League National Division Two teams |places=
{{location map+ |England |float= |width=500 |caption= Locations of the 1996–97 Courage League National Division Two teams |places=
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.1337 |long=-0.4577 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Bedford Blues|Bedford]]</div>|position=right|mark=Arrows 12x12 ne.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.1337 |long=-0.4577 |label_size=70|label=[[Bedford Blues|Bedford]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat= 51.470000 | long=0.009000000000014552 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Blackheath F.C.|Blackheath]]</div>|position=right|mark=Arrows 12x12 e.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.4068 |long=-1.5197 |label_size=70|label=[[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.4068 |long=-1.5197 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]]</div>|position=right|mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=51.531908 |long=0.039406 |label_size=70|label= London|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=51.272708 |long=-0.174226 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[London Scottish F.C.|London Scottish]]</div>|position=right|mark=Arrows 12x12 e.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.483056 |long=-1.893611 |label_size=70|label=[[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]]|position=top}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.483056 |long=-1.893611 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]]</div>|position=top|mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=55 |long=-1.6 |label_size=70|label=[[Newcastle Falcons|Newcastle]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=55 |long=-1.6 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Newcastle Falcons|Newcastle]]</div>|position=left|mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.923920 |long=-1.212394 |label_size=70|label=[[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.923920 |long=-1.212394 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]]</div>|position=right|mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.4301 |long=-1.3572 |label_size=70|label=[[Rotherham R.U.F.C.|Rotherham]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=51.272708 |long=-0.174226 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]</div>|position=left|mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.370878 |long=-1.265032 |label_size=70|label=[[Rugby Lions|Rugby]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.4301 |long=-1.3572 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Rotherham R.U.F.C.|Rotherham]]</div>|position=right|mark=Arrows 12x12 nw.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.683298 |long=-1.505924 |label_size=70|label=[[Wakefield RFC|Wakefield]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.370878 |long=-1.265032 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Rugby Lions|Rugby]]</div>|position=bottom|mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.490429 |long=-3.053955 |label_size=70|label=[[Waterloo R.F.C.|Waterloo]]|position=bottom}}

{{location map~ |England |lat=53.683298 |long=-1.505924 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Wakefield RFC|Wakefield]]</div>|position=right|mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg}}
{{Location map~ |England |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=50.7 |long=-0.5 |label_size=80|label='''[[London]] teams:'''<br>[[Blackheath F.C.|Blackheath]]<br>[[London Scottish F.C.|London Scottish]]<br>[[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.490429 |long=-3.053955 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Waterloo R.F.C.|Waterloo]]</div>|position=bottom|mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg}}
}}

{{Location map+|Greater London
|caption=Greater London Courage League National Division Two clubs
|alt=Greater London Courage League National Division Two
|float=right
|width=350
|places =
{{Location map~|Greater London|lat=51.478056|long=0.028056|label='''[[Blackheath F.C.|Blackheath]]'''|label_size=75|marksize=|position=right}}
{{Location map~|Greater London|lat=51.46647 |long=-0.30334|label='''[[London Scottish F.C.|London&nbsp;Scottish]]'''<br>'''[[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]'''|label_size=75|marksize=|position=bottom}}
}}
}}


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
!width=25%|Team
!width=25%|Team
!width=25%|Stadium
!width=25%|Stadium
!width=25%|Capacity
!width=25%|Capacity
!width=25%|City/Area
!width=25%|City/Area
|-
|-
|[[Bedford Blues|Bedford]]
|[[Bedford Blues|Bedford]]
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|-
|-
|[[London Scottish FC|London Scottish]]
|[[London Scottish FC|London Scottish]]
|[[Athletic Ground, Richmond]]
|[[Athletic Ground, Richmond|Athletic Ground]]
|4,500
|4,500
|[[Richmond, London|Richmond]], [[London]]
|[[Richmond, London|Richmond]], [[London]]
|-
|-
|[[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]]
|[[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]]
|[[The Reddings (stadium)|The Reddings]]
|The Reddings
|10,000 (est)
|10,000 (est)
|[[Birmingham]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]]
|[[Birmingham]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]]
|-
|-
Line 76: Line 88:
|-
|-
|[[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]]
|[[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]]
|[[Ireland Avenue]]
|Ireland Avenue
|4,950
|4,950
|[[Beeston, Nottinghamshire|Beeston]], [[Nottinghamshire]]
|[[Beeston, Nottinghamshire|Beeston]], [[Nottinghamshire]]
|-
|-
|[[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]
|[[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]
|[[Athletic Ground, Richmond]]
|[[Athletic Ground, Richmond|Athletic Ground]]
|4,500
|4,500
|[[Richmond, London|Richmond]], [[London]]
|[[Richmond, London|Richmond]], [[London]]
Line 91: Line 103:
|-
|-
|[[Rugby Lions|Rugby]]
|[[Rugby Lions|Rugby]]
|[[Webb Ellis Road]]
|Webb Ellis Road
|1,000
|1,000
|[[Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby]], [[Warwickshire]]
|[[Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby]], [[Warwickshire]]
Line 101: Line 113:
|-
|-
|[[Waterloo R.F.C.|Waterloo]]
|[[Waterloo R.F.C.|Waterloo]]
|[[St Anthony's Road]]
|St Anthony's Road
|9,000
|9,000
|[[Blundellsands]], [[Merseyside]]
|[[Blundellsands]], [[Merseyside]]
Line 108: Line 120:


==Table==
==Table==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|-
|res_col_header=Q
|colspan="15" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"|'''1996–97 Courage League National Division Two Table'''<ref name=Moseley/>
|title=1996–97 Courage League National Division Two table
|-
|winpoints=2
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|
|for_against_style=points
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="195"|Club
|team1=RIC|name_RIC=[[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Played
|team2=NEW|name_NEW=[[Newcastle Falcons]]
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Won
|team3=COV|name_COV=[[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]]
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Drawn
|team4=BED|name_BED=[[Bedford Blues|Bedford]]
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Lost
|team5=LOS|name_LOS=[[London Scottish F.C.|London Scottish]]
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Points For
|team6=WAK|name_WAK=[[Wakefield RFC|Wakefield]]
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Points Against
|team7=ROT|name_ROT=[[Rotherham R.U.F.C.|Rotherham]]
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Points Difference
|team8=MOS|name_MOS=[[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]]
!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Points
|team9=WAT|name_WAT=[[Waterloo R.F.C.|Waterloo]]
|- bgcolor=#d8ffeb
|team10=BLA|name_BLA=[[Blackheath Rugby Club|Blackheath]]
|| 1 ||align=left| '''[[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]]''' || 22 || 19 || 2 || 1 || 986 || 410 || 576 || '''40'''
|team11=RUG|name_RUG=[[Rugby Lions R.F.C.|Rugby Lions]]
|- bgcolor=#d8ffeb
|team12=NOT|name_NOT=[[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]]
|| 2 ||align=left|[[Newcastle Falcons]] || 22 || 19 || 1 || 2 || 1255 || 346 || 909 ||'''39'''
|win_RIC=19|draw_RIC=2|loss_RIC=1|pf_RIC=986|pa_RIC=410|status_RIC=C
|- style="background:#ffe6bd;"
|win_NEW=19|draw_NEW=1|loss_NEW=2|pf_NEW=1255|pa_NEW=346
|| 3 ||align=left| [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] || 22 || 16 || 1 || 5 || 738 || 394 || 344 || '''33'''
|win_COV=16|draw_COV=1|loss_COV=5|pf_COV=738|pa_COV=394
|- style="background:#ffe6bd;"
|win_BED=15|draw_BED=0|loss_BED=7|pf_BED=720|pa_BED=482
|| 4 ||align=left| [[Bedford Blues|Bedford]] || 22 || 15 || 0 || 7 || 720 || 482 || 238 ||'''30'''
|win_LOS=11|draw_LOS=0|loss_LOS=11|pf_LOS=549|pa_LOS=568
|-
|win_WAK=11|draw_WAK=0|loss_WAK=11|pf_WAK=504|pa_WAK=557
|| 5 ||align=left| [[London Scottish F.C.|London Scottish]] || 22 || 11 || 0 || 11 || 549 || 568 || –19 || '''22'''
|win_ROT=10|draw_ROT=0|loss_ROT=12|pf_ROT=525|pa_ROT=661
|-
|win_MOS=9|draw_MOS=0|loss_MOS=13|pf_MOS=492|pa_MOS=741
|| 6 ||align=left| [[Wakefield RFC|Wakefield]] || 22 || 11 || 0 || 11 || 504 || 557 || –53 || '''22'''
|win_WAT=8|draw_WAT=0|loss_WAT=14|pf_WAT=506|pa_WAT=661
|-
|win_BLA=7|draw_BLA=0|loss_BLA=15|pf_BLA=412|pa_BLA=641
|| 7 ||align=left| [[Rotherham R.U.F.C.|Rotherham]] || 22 || 10 || 0 || 12 || 525 || 661 || –136 || '''20'''
|win_RUG=3|draw_RUG=0|loss_RUG=19|pf_RUG=317|pa_RUG=1060
|-
|win_NOT=2|draw_NOT=0|loss_NOT=20|pf_NOT=344|pa_NOT=827
|| 8 ||align=left| [[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]] || 22 || 9 || 0 || 13 || 492 || 741 || –249 || '''18'''

|-
|col_P=#d8ffeb|text_P=Promoted
|| 9 ||align=left| [[Waterloo R.F.C.|Waterloo]] || 22 || 8 || 0 || 14 || 506 || 661 || –155 || '''16'''
|result1=P|result2=P
|-
|col_PP=#ffe6bd|text_PP=[[#Promotion play–offs|Promotion play–offs]]
|| 10 ||align=left| [[Blackheath Rugby Club|Blackheath]] || 22 || 7 || 0 || 15 || 412 || 641 || –229 || '''14'''
|result3=PP|result4=PP
|- bgcolor=#ffcccc
|col_R=#ffcccc|text_R=Relegated
|| 11 ||align=left| [[Rugby Lions R.F.C.|Rugby Lions]] || 22 || 3 || 0 || 19 || 317 || 1060 || –743 || '''6'''
|result11=R|result12=R
|- bgcolor=#ffcccc
|update=complete|source=<ref name=Moseley/>
|| 12 ||align=left| [[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]] || 22 || 2 || 0 || 20 || 344 || 827 || –483 || '''4'''
|class_rules=Points are awarded as follows:
|- bgcolor=#ffffff align=center
|colspan="15"|
* Points are awarded as follows:
# two points for a win
# two points for a win
# one point for a draw
# one point for a draw
# no points for a loss
# no points for a loss
*If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
# difference between points for and against
# difference between points for and against
# total number of points for
# total number of points for
}}

|-|align=left|
|colspan="15" style="border:0px"| <small>Green background are promotion places. Buff background are promotion play–off places. Pink background are relegation places. <br>
|}


==Promotion play–offs==
==Promotion play–offs==
For the first time play–offs took place between the third and fourth placed teams in Division Two and the ninth and tenth placed teams in Division One. The play–offs followed a 4th v 9th, 3rd v 10th system - with the games being played over two legs and the second tier team playing at home in the first leg.<ref name=Cleary/>
For the first time play–offs took place between the third and fourth placed teams in Division Two and the ninth and tenth placed teams in Division One. The play–offs followed a 4th v 9th, 3rd v 10th system - with the games being played over two legs and the second-tier team playing at home in the first leg.<ref name=Cleary/>


===First leg===
===First leg===
Line 170: Line 177:
|score = 11 – 20
|score = 11 – 20
|report =
|report =
|away = [[Bristol Rugby|Bristol]]
|away = [[Bristol Bears|Bristol]]
|try1 =
|try1 =
|con1 =
|con1 =
Line 243: Line 250:
* London Irish won 42 – 23 on aggregate to retain their place in Division One
* London Irish won 42 – 23 on aggregate to retain their place in Division One


== Individual Statistics ==
== Individual statistics ==


* Note if players are tied on tries or points the player with the lowest number of appearances will come first. Also note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.
* Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}


=== Top points scorers<ref>http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/LeadingTopScorers?comp_id=122</ref>===
=== Top points scorers===


{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
! Player !! Team !! Appearances !! Points
!Rank !! Player !! Team !! Appearances !! Points
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Simon Mason (rugby)|Simon Mason]] || [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] || 22 || 324
| 1 ||{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Simon Mason (rugby union)|Simon Mason]] || [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] || 22 || 324
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Rob Andrew]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 22 || 297
| 2 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Rob Andrew]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 22 || 297
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Steele (rugby union)|John Steele]] || [[London Scottish F.C.|London Scottish]] || 18 || 256
| 3 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Steele (rugby union)|John Steele]] || [[London Scottish F.C.|London Scottish]] || 18 || 256
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Mike Rayer]] || [[Bedford Blues|Bedford]] || 21 || 238
| 4 ||{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Mike Rayer]] || [[Bedford Blues|Bedford]] || 21 || 238
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jez Harris]] || [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] || 20 || 236
| 5 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jez Harris]] || [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] || 20 || 236
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Michael Jackson (rugby league)|Mike Jackson]] || [[Wakefield R.F.C.|Wakefield]] || 19 || 199
| 6 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Michael Jackson (rugby league)|Mike Jackson]] || [[Wakefield R.F.C.|Wakefield]] || 19 || 199
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|NZ}} [[Richard Le Bas]] || [[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]] || 14 || 177
| 7 ||{{flagicon|NZ}} [[Richard Le Bas]] || [[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]] || 14 || 177
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Chris Braithwaite (rugby union)|Chris Braithwaite]] || [[Blackheath F.C.|Blackheath]] || 14 || 137
| 8 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Chris Braithwaite (rugby union)|Chris Braithwaite]] || [[Blackheath F.C.|Blackheath]] || 14 || 137
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tim Stimpson]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 21 || 116
| 9 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tim Stimpson]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 21 || 116
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Bentley (rugby)|John Bentley]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 18 || 115
| 10 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Bentley (rugby)|John Bentley]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 18 || 115
|-
|-
|}
|}
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/LeadingTopScorers?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Leading points scorers |publisher=Rugby Statbunker|date=11 May 1997}}</ref>
{{Col-2}}


=== Top try scorers<ref>http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/LeadingTryScorers?comp_id=122</ref>===
=== Top try scorers===


{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
! Player !! Team !! Appearances !! Tries
! Rank !! Player !! Team !! Appearances !! Tries
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Bentley (rugby)|John Bentley]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 18 || 23
| 1 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Bentley (rugby)|John Bentley]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 18 || 23
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gary Armstrong]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 21 || 21
| rowspan=2| 2 ||{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gary Armstrong (rugby)|Gary Armstrong]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 21 || 21
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Scott Quinnell]] || [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] || 21 || 21
| {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Scott Quinnell]] || [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] || 21 || 21
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jim Fallon (rugby)|Jim Fallon]] || [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] || 21 || 19
| 3 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jim Fallon (rugby)|Jim Fallon]] || [[Richmond F.C.|Richmond]] || 21 || 19
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Andy Smallwood]] || [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] || 20 || 17
| 4 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Andy Smallwood]] || [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] || 20 || 17
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|SAM}} [[Pat Lam]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 11 || 15
| rowspan=2| 5 ||{{flagicon|SAM}} [[Pat Lam]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 11 || 15
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Darragh O'Mahony]] || [[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]] || 13 || 15
| {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Darragh O'Mahony]] || [[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]] || 13 || 15
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Andy McAdam]] || [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] || 18 || 14
| rowspan=2| 6 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Andy McAdam]] || [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] || 18 || 14
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tim Stimpson]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 18 || 14
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tim Stimpson]] || [[Newcastle Falcons]] || 18 || 14
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ben Whetstone]] || [[Bedford Blues|Bedford]] || 18 || 13
| rowspan=2| 7 ||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ben Whetstone]] || [[Bedford Blues|Bedford]] || 18 || 13
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Guy Easterby]] || [[Rotherham R.U.F.C.|Rotherham]] || 21 || 13
| {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Guy Easterby]] || [[Rotherham R.U.F.C.|Rotherham]] || 21 || 13
|-
|-
|}
|}
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/LeadingTryScorers?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Leading try scorers |publisher=Rugby Statbunker|date=11 May 1997}}</ref>
{{Col-end}}

==Season records==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}

===Team===
;Largest home win — 151 pts
156 - 5 Newcastle Falcons at home to Rugby Lions on 5 October 1996
;Largest away win — 72 pts
87 - 15 Richmond away to Moseley on 5 October 1996
;Most points scored — 151 pts
156 - 5 Newcastle Falcons at home to Rugby Lions on 5 October 1996
;Most tries in a match — 24
Newcastle Falcons at home to Rugby Lions on 5 October 1996
;Most conversions in a match — 18
Newcastle Falcons at home to Rugby Lions on 5 October 1996
;Most penalties in a match — 7
Rotherham away to Richmond on 14 September 1996
;Most drop goals in a match — 2 (x3)
Coventry at home to Wakefield on 21 September 1996<br>
London Scottish away to Blackheath on 8 February 1997<br>
Blackheath at home to Nottingham on 22 March 1997

<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/TeamMostTryInMatch?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Most tries in a match (Team) |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/TeamMostConversionsInMatch?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Most conversions in a match (Team) |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/TeamMostPenaltiesInMatch?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Most penalties in a match (Team) |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/TeamMostDropGoalInMatch?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Most drop goals in a match (Team) |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref>
{{Col-2}}

===Player===
;Most points in a match — 42
{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jez Harris]] for Coventry at home to Nottingham on 5 October 1996
;Most tries in a match — 5
{{flagicon|SAM}} [[Pat Lam]] for Newcastle Falcons at home to Rotherham on 4 May 1997
;Most conversions in a match — 18
{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Rob Andrew]] for Newcastle Falcons at home to Rugby Lions on 5 October 1996
;Most penalties in a match — 7
{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Matt Inman]] for Rotherham away to Richmond on 14 September 1996
;Most drop goals in a match — 2 (x2)
{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jez Harris]] for Coventry at home to Wakefield on 21 September 1996<br>
{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Chris Braithwaite (rugby union)|Chris Braithwaite]] for Blackheath at home to Nottingham on 22 March 1997

<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/MostPointsScorerInMatch?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Most points in a match (Player) |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/MostTryScorerInMatch?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Most tries in a match (Player) |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/MostConversionsScorerInMatch?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Most conversions in a match (Player) |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/MostPenaltiesScorerInMatch?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Most penalties in a match (Player) |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/MostDropGoalScorerInMatch?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Most drop goals in a match (Player) |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref>

===Attendances===

*''Note that attendances were very poorly documented this season and aside from a few big games there is almost no information available''

;Highest — 8,000
Coventry at home to Newcastle Falcons on 2 November 1996<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-harris-has-the-drop-on-tough-newcastle-1350637.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-harris-has-the-drop-on-tough-newcastle-1350637.html |archive-date=2022-05-01 |url-access=subscription |title=Rugby Union: Harris has the drop on tough Newcastle |publisher=The Independent |date=4 November 1996}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesouthstandchoir.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/falcons-in-division-two-199697/ |title=Falcons in Division Two 1996/97 |publisher=thesouthstandchoir.wordpress.com |date=9 August 2012}}</ref>
;Lowest — N/A
K.A.
;Highest Average Attendance — N/A
K.A.
;Lowest Average Attendance — N/A
K.A.

<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/competitions/HomeAttendance?comp_id=122 |title=National Two 96/97 Home attendance |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=11 May 1997 }}</ref>
{{col-end}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[1996–97 Courage League National Division One]]
* [[English rugby union system]]
* [[1996–97 Courage League National Division Three]]
* [[1996–97 Courage League Division 4 North]]
* [[1996–97 Courage League Division 4 South]]


==References==
==References==
Line 313: Line 385:


{{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Courage League National Division Two}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Courage League National Division Two}}
[[Category:1996–97 in English rugby union|2]]
[[Category:1996–97 in English rugby union leagues|N2]]
[[Category:1996–97 rugby union tournaments for clubs|Courage League]]
[[Category:RFU Championship seasons]]
[[Category:RFU Championship seasons]]

Latest revision as of 15:35, 1 July 2024

1996–97 Courage League National Division Two
Countries England
ChampionsRichmond (1st title)
Runners-upNewcastle Falcons
RelegatedRugby Lions and Nottingham
Matches played132
Highest attendance8,000 Coventry at home to Newcastle Falcons on 2 November 1996
Top point scorerIrland Simon Mason,
(Richmond) 334 points
Top try scorerEngland John Bentley,
(Newcastle Falcons) 23 tries[1]

The 1996–97 Courage League National Division Two was the tenth full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship and was season that saw professional rugby openly introduced into the English game. Joining the eight teams who participated in the division in 1995–96 were Richmond, Coventry, Rugby and Rotherham all of whom were promoted from National Division Three with no teams coming down from National Division One due to league restructuring. The league was sponsored by Courage Brewery for the tenth consecutive year.

The top two teams, Richmond and Newcastle Falcons were automatically promoted, and for the first time there were play–offs between the third and fourth placed teams, and the ninth and tenth placed teams in Division One, for a place in the top tier for season 1997–98.[2] The Division Two sides played at home first with the winners of the two matches, on aggregate score, playing in the top division the following season. Coventry and Bedford both failed to win promotion. Rugby Lions and Nottingham were relegated to Division 3 for the 1997–98 season. Last season Nottingham finished in the bottom two and escaped relegation due to the division being increased from ten clubs to twelve clubs. This season they were not so lucky and next season will be their first in Division Three.[3]

Participating teams

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Locations of the 1996–97 Courage League National Division Two teams
class=notpageimage|
Greater London Courage League National Division Two clubs
Team Stadium Capacity City/Area
Bedford Goldington Road 7,000 Bedford, Bedfordshire
Blackheath Rectory Field 6,000 Greenwich, London
Coventry Coundon Road 9,000+ Coventry, West Midlands
London Scottish Athletic Ground 4,500 Richmond, London
Moseley The Reddings 10,000 (est) Birmingham, West Midlands
Newcastle Falcons Kingston Park 10,000 Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Nottingham Ireland Avenue 4,950 Beeston, Nottinghamshire
Richmond Athletic Ground 4,500 Richmond, London
Rotherham Clifton Lane 2,500 Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Rugby Webb Ellis Road 1,000 Rugby, Warwickshire
Wakefield College Grove 3,000 Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Waterloo St Anthony's Road 9,000 Blundellsands, Merseyside

Table

[edit]
1996–97 Courage League National Division Two table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Richmond (C) 22 19 2 1 986 410 +576 40 Promoted
2 Newcastle Falcons 22 19 1 2 1255 346 +909 39
3 Coventry 22 16 1 5 738 394 +344 33 Promotion play–offs
4 Bedford 22 15 0 7 720 482 +238 30
5 London Scottish 22 11 0 11 549 568 −19 22
6 Wakefield 22 11 0 11 504 557 −53 22
7 Rotherham 22 10 0 12 525 661 −136 20
8 Moseley 22 9 0 13 492 741 −249 18
9 Waterloo 22 8 0 14 506 661 −155 16
10 Blackheath 22 7 0 15 412 641 −229 14
11 Rugby Lions 22 3 0 19 317 1060 −743 6 Relegated
12 Nottingham 22 2 0 20 344 827 −483 4
Source: [2]
Rules for classification: Points are awarded as follows:
  1. two points for a win
  2. one point for a draw
  3. no points for a loss

If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

  1. difference between points for and against
  2. total number of points for
    (C) Champions

Promotion play–offs

[edit]

For the first time play–offs took place between the third and fourth placed teams in Division Two and the ninth and tenth placed teams in Division One. The play–offs followed a 4th v 9th, 3rd v 10th system - with the games being played over two legs and the second-tier team playing at home in the first leg.[3]

First leg

[edit]
7 May 1997
Bedford11 – 20Bristol
Goldington Road
7 May 1997
Coventry16 – 14London Irish
Coundon Road

Second leg

[edit]
11 May 1997
Bristol19 – 12Bedford
Memorial Ground
  • Bristol won 39 – 23 on aggregate to retain their place in Division One
11 May 1997
London Irish28 – 7Coventry
The Avenue
  • London Irish won 42 – 23 on aggregate to retain their place in Division One

Individual statistics

[edit]
  • Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.

Season records

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Stephen McCormack, ed. (2000). The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press.
  2. ^ a b "Courage League Championship 1996/97". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  3. ^ a b Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7732 X.
  4. ^ "National Two 96/97 Leading points scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  5. ^ "National Two 96/97 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  6. ^ "National Two 96/97 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  7. ^ "National Two 96/97 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  8. ^ "National Two 96/97 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  9. ^ "National Two 96/97 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  10. ^ "National Two 96/97 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  11. ^ "National Two 96/97 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  12. ^ "National Two 96/97 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  13. ^ "National Two 96/97 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  14. ^ "National Two 96/97 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
  15. ^ "Rugby Union: Harris has the drop on tough Newcastle". The Independent. 4 November 1996. Archived from the original on 2022-05-01.
  16. ^ "Falcons in Division Two 1996/97". thesouthstandchoir.wordpress.com. 9 August 2012.
  17. ^ "National Two 96/97 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 1997.
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