The 1995–96 Courage League National Division Three was the ninth full season of rugby union within the third tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 1. Following relegation last season, Coventry won the division by three points to finish as champions and are promoted back to National Division Two. Richmond, as runner-up, was also promoted and owing to an increase in the number of teams in the above divisions, next season, Rugby and Rotherham were also promoted. There was no relegation because National Division Three will consist of sixteen teams next season.[2]
| 1995–96 Courage League National Division Three | |
|---|---|
| Countries |  England |
| Champions | Coventry (2nd title) |
| Runners-up | Richmond (also promoted) |
| Matches played | 90 |
| Top point scorer | 215 Ralph Zoing (Harrogate) |
| Top try scorer | 12 Collin Phillips (Reading)[1] |
Structure
editThe league consists of ten teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of eighteen matches for each team. There are usually two promotion places and two relegation places, with the champions and runner-up promoted to National League 2 and the last two teams relegated to National Division 4. Owing to a reorganisation of the league system four teams are promoted and none relegated this season.[2]
Participating teams and locations
edit
Six of the clubs participated in last seasons competition.
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coventry | Coundon Road | 9,000 | Coventry, West Midlands | Relegated from Courage League Division 2 (10th) |
| Fylde | Woodlands | 9,000 | Lytham St Annes, Lancashire | Relegated from Courage League Division 2 (9th) |
| Harrogate | Claro Road | 3,000 | Harrogate, North Yorkshire | 7th |
| Morley | Scatcherd Lane | Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 5th | |
| Otley | Cross Green | 5,000 | Otley, West Yorkshire | 6th |
| Reading | Holme Park | Reading, Berkshire | Promoted from Division 4 (champions) | |
| Richmond | Athletic Ground | 4,500 | Richmond, London | 8th |
| Rosslyn Park | The Rock | 2,000 | Roehampton, London | 4th |
| Rotherham | Clifton Lane | 2,500 | Rotherham, South Yorkshire | Promoted from Division 4 (runners up) |
| Rugby | Webb Ellis Road | 4,000[3] | Rugby, Warwickshire | 3rd |
League table
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry (C) | 18 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 524 | 264 | +260 | 30 | Promoted |
| 2 | Richmond | 18 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 476 | 266 | +210 | 27 | |
| 3 | Rugby | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 395 | 284 | +111 | 25 | |
| 4 | Rotherham | 18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 384 | 368 | +16 | 24 | |
| 5 | Morley | 18 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 336 | 328 | +8 | 20 | |
| 6 | Harrogate | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 333 | 387 | −54 | 15 | |
| 7 | Otley | 18 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 278 | 441 | −163 | 13 | |
| 8 | Reading | 18 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 397 | 484 | −87 | 11 | |
| 9 | Rosslyn Park | 18 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 290 | 426 | −136 | 8 | |
| 10 | Fylde | 18 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 283 | 448 | −165 | 7 |
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, the following tiebreaker is applied: Difference between points for and against.
(C) Champions
Sponsorship
editNational Division Three is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ McCormack, Stephen (2000). The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. pp. 313–319. ISBN 1 85291 627 3.
- ^ a b Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7472-7771-2.
- ^ "Gloucester v. Leicester (PDF, opens in a new window)" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Courage Clubs Championship 1995/96". Moseley Rugby Club. Archived from the original on 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2 September 2016.