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1994–95 Rugby Football League season

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The 1994–95 Rugby Football League season was the 100th ever season of professional rugby league football in Britain. Sixteen teams competed from August 1994 until May 1995 for a number of titles, primarily the Stones Bitter Championship.

1994–95 Rugby Football League season
LeagueChampionship
Duration30 Rounds
TeamsFirst Division: 16
Second Division: 16
Broadcast partnersSky Sports
First Division
ChampionsWigan
Premiership winnersWigan
Man of SteelDenis Betts
Top point-scorer(s)Frano Botica (408)
Top try-scorer(s)Martin Offiah (53)
Demoted to Third DivisionDoncaster
Promotion and relegation
Relegated to Second DivisionFeatherstone Rovers
Salford
Wakefield Trinity
Widnes
Hull
Second Division
ChampionsKeighley Cougars
Promotion and relegation
Promoted from {{{promote_from2}}}London Broncos
Relegated to new Third DivisionHull Kingston Rovers
Ryedale-York
Hunslet
Leigh
Swinton
Bramley
Carlisle
Barrow
Highfield

Season summary

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The record for most points scored by one team in a match was broken by Huddersfield when they clocked up 142 against Blackpool Gladiators' 4 in a Regal Trophy match on 26 November 1994. This is also the record for widest margin.

The 1995 Man of Steel Award for the player of the season went to Wigan's Denis Betts. Wigan also set a new record for most points in all matches in one season with 1,735 from 45 matches as follows:

  • Division One Championship: 1,148 (from 30 games)
  • Challenge Cup 230 (from 6 games)
  • Regal Trophy 170 (from 5 games)
  • Premiership Trophy 167 (from 3 games)
  • Tour match (Australia) 20 (from 1 game)

Rule changes

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The following rule changes were introduced this season by the referees' coaching director, Greg McCallum:

  • Referees were given the power to put a player suspected of foul play "on report" with the incident to be reviewed later by the disciplinary panel.[1] The system was based on the one already operating in Australian rugby league.[1] Referees signalled that an incident had been put "on report" by crossing their raised arms above their heads.[2]
  • In-goal judges were trialled, these two additional match officials are positioned behind the dead-ball line at each end of the playing field and aim to aid the referee in judging if a try has been scored.[1] The in-goal judges had been used in Australia for two years.[1]
  • McCallum ordered referees to penalise defending players lifting attackers in the tackle in a way that could lead to an illegal spear tackle.[1]

Leeds' Gary Mercer (dangerous throw), Sheffield Eagles' Paul Broadbent and Doncaster's Gordon Lynch (tripping) became the first players cited under the reporting system to be found to have a case to answer.[1]

Structural reform

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Framing the Future

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In prevision of the RFL's impending centennial season, a state-of-the-league report titled Framing the Future was produced by its board of directors, based on the findings of a one-year investigation commissioned from the Global Sports Marketing agency, with the aim of propelling the financially shaky sport into a new era.[3] Among the more consensual recommendations were the hiring of at least one full-time press officer, which The Daily Telegraph's John Whalley found badly needed, pointing that only six First Division clubs bothered to allow the BBC's Ceefax teletext service to relay their game results.[4] More controversially, the plan would nullify the existing revenue sharing scheme directed at second-tier teams, give two-to-one voting powers to top-flight clubs and limit promotion opportunities to one spot (the second would be conditioned to a playoff), which would likely not be guaranteed due to the implementation of more stringent stadium standards in the elite.[5][6]

Those proposals drew the ire of many smaller clubs, with only one second-division member, the big-market London Broncos, reportedly in favour.[5] The rebel faction convened in Rochdale and asked the vote to be delayed.[7] Opposition leaders Batley and Ryedale-York proposed several amendments.[8] Concurrently, the leading clubs also hardened their stance: Wigan threatened to form a breakaway loop, however it was accepted that only three or four clubs could afford to follow them.[5] Following a protracted meeting in Leeds, a compromise was found. It gave three votes to top-flight clubs, two to second-tier clubs, and one to some eligible third-tier clubs, while revenue sharing would be phased out within four years. However, the two promotion spots would be preserved.[3] Seventy-five per cent of a projected £25 million public grant for stadium improvements was also allocated to top-tier members. While it was decided to rebrand the First Division as "Premier League" in 1995–96, the number of teams remained at sixteen. Those changes were viewed by some as underwhelming.[6] Star player Paul Hulme was unimpressed by the new policy and criticised the lack of obligations placed on clubs regarding player development, compared to what existed in Australia.[9]

Super League Europe

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Throughout the 1994–95 season, news of media mogul Rupert Murdoch's interest in an extension of his projected Australian circuit to Europe made their way to the press,[10] and were formalised during an RFL Council meeting on 5 April 1995. Three days later, the clubs unanimously voted to accept Murdoch's proposal, effectively superseding much of the previous fall's moderate reform. Per the agreement, the final 1995–96 First Division season would serve as a transition year, and use a condensed roster of teams which would prefigure the Super League format.[11] The possible aggregation of local rivals into a single regional side to reach the desired team quota—which was later rescinded—led to some protests, including a pitch invasion during half-time of the Greater Manchester derby between Salford and Oldham on 14 April.[12]

Tables

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First Division

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In preparation for the switch to summer for the Super League, the position teams finished would determine what division they would play next season. The team finishing bottom would be relegated to the new Third Division and teams finishing 11th to 15th would be relegated to the existing Second Division.[13]

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Wigan (C) 30 28 0 2 1148 386 +762 56 Qualification for the Premiership first round
2 Leeds 30 24 1 5 863 526 +337 49
3 Castleford 30 20 2 8 872 564 +308 42
4 St Helens 30 20 1 9 893 640 +253 41
5 Halifax 30 18 2 10 782 566 +216 38
6 Warrington 30 18 2 10 753 570 +183 38
7 Bradford Northern 30 17 1 12 811 650 +161 35
8 Sheffield Eagles 30 15 0 15 646 699 −53 30
9 Workington Town 30 12 1 17 538 743 −205 25
10 Oldham 30 11 1 18 534 746 −212 23
11 Featherstone Rovers (R) 30 10 1 19 582 687 −105 21 Relegation to Second Division
12 Salford (R) 30 10 1 19 613 775 −162 21
13 Wakefield Trinity (R) 30 9 0 21 434 807 −373 18
14 Widnes (R) 30 8 1 21 481 767 −286 17
15 Hull F.C. (R) 30 7 1 22 594 880 −286 15
16 Doncaster (R) 30 5 1 24 469 1007 −538 11 Relegation to Third Division
Source: [14]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated

Second Division

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The teams finishing in the top 7 would remain in the Second Division. London Broncos were promoted into the First Division as they were to be part of the new Super League in 1996. The remaining teams were relegated to form the new Third Division.[13]

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Keighley Cougars (C) 30 23 2 5 974 337 +637 48 Qualified for Divisional Premiership first round
2 Batley 30 23 0 7 754 423 +331 46
3 Huddersfield 30 19 3 8 870 539 +331 41
4 London Broncos (P) 30 20 1 9 732 480 +252 41
5 Whitehaven 30 19 0 11 766 507 +259 38
6 Rochdale Hornets 30 18 0 12 805 544 +261 36
7 Dewsbury 30 17 1 12 744 538 +206 35
8 Hull Kingston Rovers (R) 30 16 1 13 824 516 +308 33 Relegation to Third Division
Qualified for Divisional Premiership first round
9 Ryedale-York (R) 30 15 2 13 720 602 +118 32 Relegation to Third Division
10 Hunslet (R) 30 16 0 14 611 783 −172 32
11 Leigh (R) 30 12 0 18 622 787 −165 24
12 Swinton (R) 30 12 0 18 576 768 −192 24
13 Bramley (R) 30 10 0 20 554 655 −101 20
14 Carlisle (R) 30 8 0 22 546 877 −331 16
15 Barrow (R) 30 6 0 24 449 811 −362 12
16 Highfield (R) 30 1 0 29 224 1604 −1380 2
Source: [14]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Premiership

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Main article: 1995 Rugby League Premiership

Regal Trophy

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Main article: 1994–95 League Cup (rugby league)

[15]

Key
† Replayed - 1st match in brackets
Second round Third round Quarter-final Semi-final Final
               
Hull 26
Barrow 16
Hull 14
Wigan 38
Wigan 34
Rochdale Hornets 12
Wigan 24
St Helens 22
Batley 36
Ryedale-York 8
Batley† (22)
22
St Helens† (22)
50
Huddersfield 11
St Helens 52
Wigan 34
Castleford 6
Workington Town 24
Wakefield Trinity 8
Workington Town 14
Leeds 18
Leeds 54
Swinton 24
Leeds 14
Castleford 34
Carlisle 16
Dewsbury 30
Dewsbury 2
Castleford 30
Castleford 32
Halifax 26
Wigan 40
Warrington 10
Highfield 2
Widnes 50
Widnes 20
Oldham 6
Oldham 28
Hull Kingston Rovers 0
Widnes 23
Bradford Northern 10
Whitehaven 18
Featherstone Rovers 12
Whitehaven 14
Bradford Northern 34
Bradford Northern 32
St Esteve 6
Widnes 4
Warrington 30
Keighley 28
Bramley 4
Keighley 26
Sheffield Eagles 10
Sheffield Eagles 46
Leigh 10
Keighley 18
Warrington 20
Salford 16
London Broncos 14
Salford 24
Warrington 31
Warrington 44
Doncaster 14

Challenge Cup

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Main article: 1994–95 Challenge Cup

Rounds One and Two were contested between amateur clubs only. Millom were the biggest winners in Round One when they defeated Northampton Knights by 62–4. The biggest win in Round Two was Wigan St Patricks who defeated Crown Malet 42–6.

Round Three saw teams from Division Two matched at home against an amateur opponent. There was one shock result, when Beverley beat Highfield by 27–4. Dewsbury recorded the most points in Round Three when they defeated Kells by 72–12, though the biggest margin of victory went to Keighley who beat Chorley 68–0.

In Round Four, the Division One sides entered the competition with no seeding. There were two shock results when Huddersfield defeated Halifax 36-30 and Whitehaven beat Wakefield Trinity by 24–12. Hunslet drew with Salford 32–32 to take them to a replay before going down by 52–10.[16]

Results from Fifth round:[17]

Fifth round Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
            
Batley 4
Wigan 70
Widnes 12
Wigan 26
Sheffield Eagles 7
Widnes 19
Wigan 48
Oldham 20
Warrington 6
Oldham 17
Oldham 23
Huddersfield 12
Keighley 0
Huddersfield 30
Wigan 30
Leeds 10
Hull Kingston Rovers 14
Whitehaven 18
Whitehaven 14
Featherstone Rovers 42
Salford 10
Featherstone Rovers 30
Leeds 39
Featherstone Rovers 22
Workington Town 94
Leigh 4
Leeds 50
Workington Town 16
Leeds 44
Ryedale-York 14

Statistics

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The following are the top points scorers in all competitions in the 1994–95 season.[18]

Kangaroo Tour

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Main article: 1994 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France

The months of October and November also saw the appearance of the Australian team in Britain on their 1994 Kangaroo Tour. Other than the three test Ashes series against Great Britain (won 2–1 by Australia), The Kangaroos played and won matches against 8 Championship teams (Leeds, Wigan, Castleford, Halifax, Sheffield, St Helens, Warrington and Bradford Northern), 1 county side (Cumbria), 1 game against the Great Britain U/21 side and non-test international against Wales in Cardiff. The team was coached by 1973 tourist and 1978 tour captain Bob Fulton and was captained by Mal Meninga who was making his record 4th Kangaroo Tour as a player.

Illawarra Steelers winger Rod Wishart, was the leading point scorer on the tour with a modern record of 174 points (beating Michael O'Connor's 170 from 1986) from 8 tries and 71 goals. For the second Kangaroo Tour in a row, Cronulla-Sutherland outside back Andrew Ettingshausen was the leading try scorer with 15, the same number he had scored in 1990.

Great Britain's win in the first test at Wembley emulated the Lions first test win over the Kangaroos in 1990 and was the Kangaroos only loss of the tour. Wembley also saw the largest ever rugby league test attendance (not including World Cup games) in Great Britain with 57,034 on hand. This beat the opening test of the 1990 Tour at Wembley that had attracted a crowd of 54,569.

game Date Result Venue Attendance
1 2 October   Australia def.   Cumbria 52–8 Derwent Park, Workington 4,277
2 5 October   Australia def.   Leeds 48–6 Headingley, Leeds 18,581
3 8 October   Australia def.   Wigan 30–20 Central Park, Wigan 20,057
4 12 October   Australia def.   Castleford 38–12 Wheldon Road, Castleford 11,073
5 16 October   Australia def.   Halifax 22–10 Thrum Hall, Halifax 8,352
6 22 October   Great Britain def.   Australia 8–4 Wembley Stadium, London 57,034
7 26 October   Australia def.   Sheffield Eagles 80–2 Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield 7,423
8 30 October   Australia def.   Wales 46–4 Ninian Park, Cardiff 8,729
9 1 November   Australia def.   St Helens 32–14 Knowsley Road, St Helens 13,911
10 6 November   Australia def.   Great Britain 38–8 Old Trafford, Manchester 43,930
11 9 November   Australia def.   Warrington 24–0 Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington 11,244
12 13 November   Australia def.   Bradford Northern 40–0 Odsal Stadium, Bradford 9,080
13 15 November   Australia def.   Great Britain U/21 54–10 Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead 4,118
14 20 November   Australia def.   Great Britain 23–4 Elland Road, Leeds 39,468

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Dave Hadfield (1995-03-22). "Trio face referee reports". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  2. ^ BBC Sport (2004-10-27). "Referee signals: Incident on report/holding down a tackled player". BBC. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  3. ^ a b Fitzpatrick, Paul (6 October 1994). "Leading clubs win Premier battle". The Guardian. p. 25  – via newspapers.com (subscription required) .
  4. ^ Whalley, John (18 October 1994). "Wembley offers game best stage to attract crucial new spectators". The Daily Telegraph. p. 34  – via newspapers.com (subscription required) .
  5. ^ a b c "Plans still under fire". Hull Daily Mail. 1 October 1994. p. 26  – via newspapers.com (subscription required) .
  6. ^ a b Burke, David (8 October 1994). "Diluted plan better than breakaway". Manchester Evening News. p. 25  – via newspapers.com (subscription required) .
  7. ^ Burke, David (1 October 1994). "Minnows' vote plea". Manchester Evening News. p. 7  – via newspapers.com (subscription required) .
  8. ^ Fieldhouse, John (1 October 1994). "Battle lines re-drawn in 'Super League' debate". Hull Daily Mail. p. 45  – via newspapers.com (subscription required) .
  9. ^ Bettley, Dave (13 October 1994). "Alive and kicking?". Runcorn Weekly News. p. 77  – via newspapers.com (subscription required) .
  10. ^ Smith, David (December 12, 1994). "Smaller clubs could pay a high price for Super League". Evening Standard. London. p. 61  – via newspapers.com (subscription required) .
  11. ^ Dawson, George (April 10, 1995). "Old Trafford movie is Salford target". Manchester Evening News. p. 48  – via newspapers.com (subscription required) .
  12. ^ "Oldham fan-fare". Manchester Evening News. 15 April 1995. p. 45.
  13. ^ a b Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 304.
  14. ^ a b Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 302.
  15. ^ Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 211.
  16. ^ Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 189.
  17. ^ Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 190.
  18. ^ Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 150.

References

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