The 1995–96 Courage League Division 4 was the ninth full season of rugby union within the fourth tier of the English league system, currently the regional divisions National League 2 South and National League 2 North, and the third using the name Division 4. Impending changes to the league structure by the RFU meant that this would be the last season for Courage League Division 4 as a national league with it reverting to the previous incarnation of two regional leagues - Courage League Division 4 South and Courage League Division 4 North. It would also herald the elimination of Courage League 5 North and South, which was to be divided into four regional divisions - North 1, Midlands 1, London 1 and South West 1. These changes meant that the top 8 teams would be promoted to an expanded Courage League National 3 while the bottom teams would be transferred into the new-look Courage 4 North or South depending on location, where they would be joined by teams from the discontinued Courage 5 North/South divisions.[1]
| 1995–96 Courage League Division 4 | |
|---|---|
| Countries |  England |
| Champions | Exeter (1st title) |
| Runners-up | London Welsh (also promoted)[a 1] |
| Relegated | No relegation[a 2] |
| Matches played | 162 |
By the end of the campaign Exeter finished as champions, 4 points ahead of runners up London Welsh. Both champions and runners up were joined by the teams ranked 3rd through to 8th in claiming promotion to the 1996–97 National Division 3. The bottom two sides were Plymouth Albion and Aspatria who would be transferred to National Division 4 South and National Division 4 North respectively.[2]
Structure
editEach team played home and away matches against each of the other teams, playing a total of eighteen matches each. Changes to the league structure by the RFU for the 1996-97 season meant that the top eight sides were promoted to Courage League National 3 while the bottom two were transferred to the new-look Courage League Division 4 South or Courage League Division 4 North depending on locality.
Participating teams and locations
edit
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspatria | Bower Park | Aspatria, Cumbria | 5th | |
| Clifton | Station Road | 2,500 | Cribbs Causeway, Henbury, Bristol | Relegated from National 3 (9th) |
| Exeter | County Ground | 5,200 | Exeter, Devon | Relegated from National 3 (10th) |
| Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 4th |
| Leeds | Clarence Field / Chandos Park | Kirkstall / Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 6th | |
| London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850 | Richmond, London | Promoted from Courage 5 South (champions) |
| Liverpool St Helens | Moss Lane | 3,000[3] | St Helens, Merseyside | 3rd |
| Plymouth Albion | Beacon Park | 3,500 | Plymouth, Devon | 4th |
| Redruth | Recreation Ground | 12,000 | Redruth, Cornwall | 7th |
| Walsall | Broadway Ground | 1,150 | Walsall, West Midlands | Promoted from Courage 5 North (champions) |
League table
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exeter (C, P) | 18 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 448 | 230 | +218 | 28 | Promoted |
| 2 | London Welsh (P) | 18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 424 | 269 | +155 | 24 | |
| 3 | Liverpool St Helens (P) | 18 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 471 | 343 | +128 | 23 | |
| 4 | Walsall (P) | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 406 | 324 | +82 | 20 | |
| 5 | Leeds (P) | 18 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 311 | 345 | −34 | 19 | |
| 6 | Clifton (P) | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 283 | 298 | −15 | 16 | |
| 7 | Redruth (P) | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 358 | 391 | −33 | 16 | |
| 8 | Havant (P) | 18 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 287 | 368 | −81 | 15 | |
| 9 | Aspatria | 18 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 356 | 497 | −141 | 11 | |
| 10 | Plymouth Albion | 18 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 266 | 545 | −279 | 8 |
Rules for classification: Points are awarded as follows: 2 pts for a win, 1 pt for a draw, 0 pts for a loss. If teams are level at any stage, difference between points for and against applies.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Sponsorship
editCourage League Division 4 is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery.
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ The re-organization of the English league system by the RFU meant that the top 8 teams would be promoted to Courage League National 3 for the 1996-97 season.
- ^ This re-organization also meant that there was no relegation with the bottom 2 teams instead being transferred to the new-look Courage League Division 4 South or Courage League Division 4 North for the 1996-97 season.
References
edit- ^ "Courage League - Division 5 1995/96". The Rugby Archive. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Courage League - Division 4 1995/96". The Rugby Archive. 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ "Liverpool St Helens". Rugby Journal. Retrieved 22 October 2024.