The 2007–08 National Division Three South was the eighth season (21st overall) of the fourth division (south) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three South. New teams to the division included Barking who were relegated from the 2006–07 National Division Two while promoted sides included London Scottish (champions) and Ealing (playoffs) who came up from London Division 1 , Mounts Bay who came up as champions of South West Division 1 and Luton who were Midlands Division 1 champions.[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] [ 4] National Division Three North but due to number imbalances in that division, for this season, they would go into National Division Three South instead. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three North (at the home ground of the club with the superior league record) for the final promotion place.
2007–08 National Division Three South Countries Champions Mounts Bay Runners-up Cinderford (also promoted)Relegated Luton , North Walsham , Clifton Attendance 58,060 (average 348 per match)[ b 1] Highest attendance 2,100 Lowest attendance 66 Top point scorer Lee Jarvis (Mounts Bay)Top try scorer Owen Bruynseels (Ealing Trailfinders)
In what was a very competitive league there were a number of teams tipped to go up but in the end it was Mounts Bay who came out on top as champions 12 points clear and sealing promotion to the 2008–09 National Division Two – part of an incredible sequence of six successive promotions stretching back to Cornwall 1 in 2003–04.[ 5] [ 6] Cinderford and newly promoted Ealing Trailfinders but in the end the Gloucestershire side took second spot despite losing their final game to the west Londoners. Cinderford would join Mounts Bay in National Division Two after defeating 2007–08 National Division Three North runners up Darlington Mowden Park in a very close playoff game viewed by over 2,000 spectators at Dockham Road.[ 7] [ 8] North Walsham . The third and final relegation spot was very closely contested but eventually Clifton went down just 1 point behind relegation rivals Barking and Havant – a last gasp away victory against relegation rivals Havant not being enough as Barking had a shock win against champions Mount Bays to keep them up instead.[ 5] [ 9] [ 10]
Participating teams and locations
edit
Locations of the 2007-08 National Division Three South teams
Greater London National Division Three South clubs
Team
Stadium
Capacity
City/Area
Barking
Goresbrook
1,000
Barking , London
Bridgwater & Albion
Bath Road
5,000
Bridgwater , Somerset
Canterbury
Merton Lane
1,000
Canterbury , Kent
Cinderford
Dockham Road
2,500
Cinderford , Gloucestershire
Clifton
Station Road
2,500 (400 seats)
Clifton , Bristol
Dings Crusaders
Landseer Avenue
1,500
Lockleaze , Bristol
Ealing Trailfinders
Trailfinders Sports Ground
3,020
Ealing , London
Havant
Hook's Lane
1,500
Havant , Hampshire
London Scottish
Athletic Ground
4,500
Richmond , London
Luton
Newlands Road
Luton , Bedfordshire
Lydney
Regentsholme
1,500
Lydney , Gloucestershire
Mounts Bay
Mennaye Field
3,500
Penzance , Cornwall
North Walsham
Norwich Road
1,200
Scottow , North Walsham , Norfolk
Rosslyn Park
The Rock
2,000
Roehampton , London
2007–08 National Division Three South table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
TB
LB
Pts
Qualification
1
Mounts Bay (C)
26
23
0
3
772
337
+435
13
2
107
Promoted
2
Cinderford (P)
26
20
2
4
719
305
+414
9
2
95
Promotion play-off
3
Ealing
26
18
1
7
689
402
+287
13
4
91
4
Canterbury
26
18
0
8
608
473
+135
10
3
83[ a]
5
London Scottish
26
17
0
9
633
410
+223
12
3
83
6
Dings Crusaders
26
13
1
12
492
441
+51
7
6
67
7
Lydney
26
13
0
13
501
485
+16
6
5
63
8
Bridgwater & Albion
26
13
0
13
495
558
−63
6
4
62
9
Rosslyn Park
26
12
0
14
502
463
+39
5
6
59
10
Havant
26
8
0
18
394
567
−173
3
6
41
11
Barking
26
8
1
17
488
708
−220
3
4
41
12
Clifton (R)
26
8
1
17
476
852
−376
4
2
40
Relegated
13
North Walsham (R)
26
6
0
20
384
711
−327
3
6
33
14
Luton (R)
26
2
0
24
380
821
−441
3
5
16
Updated to match(es) played on 19-04-2008. Source:
Statbunker (C) Champion;
(P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Notes:
^ Canterbury deducted two points for unnecessarily going to uncontested scrums in their match against Mounts Bay on 16 February 2008.[ 11]
(BP) Canterbury 43–13 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Merton Lane Steve Walters
Station Road Luke Pearce
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 31–52 Cinderford (BP) Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground David Sainsbury
(BP) London Scottish 36–3 Luton Report
Richmond Athletic Ground Philip Davis
(BP) Lydney 38–8 North Walsham Report
Regentsholme Nigel Higginson
(BP) Mounts Bay 63–10 Barking Report
Mennaye Field Matthew Daubney
(BP) Rosslyn Park 13–18 Dings Crusaders Report
The Rock Michael Tutty
Barking 13–13 Ealing Trailfinders Report
Goresbrook P.W Davies
Bridgwater & Albion 18–42 Mounts Bay (BP) Report
Bath Road Ross Campbell
Dockham Road Mark Liddell
(BP) Dings Crusaders 38–8 Clifton Report
Landseer Avenue Andrew Taylorson
Hook's Lane Steve Walters
(BP) North Walsham 36–13 Luton Report
Norwich Road Paul Kimber
Rosslyn Park 15–27 London Scottish (BP) Report
The Rock Luke Pearce
Canterbury 29–22 Dings Crusaders (BP) Report
Merton Lane Mark Varnon
(BP) Clifton 27–31 Rosslyn Park Report
Station Road Richard Kelly
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 34–10 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Michael Tutty
(BP) London Scottish 58–10 North Walsham Report
Richmond Athletic Ground Andrew Bickle
Luton 17–50 Cinderford (BP) Report
Newlands Road Chris Seeley
Regentsholme Luke Pearce
(BP) Mounts Bay 47–17 Havant Report
Mennaye Field D Edmunds
(BP) Barking 22–29 Luton (BP) Report
Goresbrook Eric Woodmason
Bridgwater & Albion 15–9 Lydney (BP) Report
Bath Road Andrew Bickle
(BP) Cinderford 61–0 North Walsham Report
Dockham Road Richard Kelly
Clifton 12–44 London Scottish (BP) Report
Station Road G O'Hara
(BP) Dings Crusaders 10–13 Mounts Bay Report
Landseer Avenue Philip Davis
Havant 21–19 Ealing Trailfinders Report
Hook's Lane Paul Kimber
Rosslyn Park 18–29 Canterbury (BP) Report
The Rock Steve Harland
(BP) Canterbury 37–11 Clifton Report
Merton Lane Paul Kimber
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 37–7 Dings Crusaders Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground David Sainsbury
London Scottish 8–6 Cinderford (BP) Report
Richmond Athletic Ground Michael Tutty
(BP) Luton 17–18 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Newlands Road Mark Varnon
Regentsholme Gareth Hodges
(BP) Mounts Bay 29–19 Rosslyn Park Report
Mennaye Field Mick Reid
North Walsham 10–20 Barking Report
Norwich Road Steve Walters
Barking 5–33 Cinderford (BP) Report
Goresbrook Paul Kimber
(BP) Bridgwater & Albion 46–0 North Walsham Report
Bath Road Mark Varnon
Canterbury 17–14 London Scottish (BP) Report
Merton Lane Steve Walters
Clifton 19–55 Mounts Bay (BP) Report
Station Road Ross Campbell
Dings Crusaders 13–10 Lydney (BP) Report
Landseer Avenue Michael Tutty
Hook's Lane Andrew Bickle
Rosslyn Park 21–10 Ealing Trailfinders Report
The Rock Luke Pearce
Cinderford 22–39 Bridgwater & Albion (BP) Report
Dockham Road G O'Hara
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 71–17 Clifton Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Guy Steel Bodger
(BP) London Scottish 54–10 Barking Report
Richmond Athletic Ground P.W Davies
Luton 8–25 Dings Crusaders Report
Newlands Road Matthew Daubney
Regentsholme Richard Kelly
Mounts Bay 29–21 Canterbury Report
Mennaye Field Eric Woodmason
North Walsham 10–30 Havant (BP) Report
Norwich Road Ed Turnill
(BP) Bridgwater & Albion 37–19 Barking Report
Bath Road Gareth Hodges
Canterbury 0–22 Ealing Trailfinders (BP) Report
Merton Lane P.W Davies
Station Road Luke Pearce
(BP) Dings Crusaders 42–19 North Walsham Report
Landseer Avenue G O'Hara
Havant 0–39 Cinderford (BP) Report
Hook's Lane Andrew Bickle
Mounts Bay 20–5 London Scottish Report
Mennaye Field Paul Kimber
(BP) Rosslyn Park 32–3 Luton Report
The Rock Michael Tutty
Goresbrook David Burnett
Cinderford 16–13 Dings Crusaders (BP) Report
Dockham Road Mark Liddell
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 16–18 Mounts Bay Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Andrew Bickle
(BP) London Scottish 27–18 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Richmond Athletic Ground Adam Friend
Newlands Road Philip Davis
Regentsholme Steve Harland
North Walsham 10–27 Rosslyn Park (BP) Report
Norwich Road Paul Kimber
(BP) Canterbury 34–24 Luton Report
Merton Lane Paul Bretz
Clifton 26–20 North Walsham (BP) Report
Station Road Mark Varnon
(BP) Dings Crusaders 48–22 Barking Report
Landseer Avenue Eric Woodmason
Ealing Trailfinders 27–13 London Scottish Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Nigel Higginson
(BP) Havant 15–20 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Hook's Lane G O'Hara
Mounts Bay 18–13 Lydney (BP) Report
Mennaye Field Paul Knowles
(BP) Rosslyn Park 20–23 Cinderford Report
The Rock Marcus Caton
Barking 12–10 Rosslyn Park (BP) Report
Goresbrook Adam Friend
Bridgwater & Albion 12–9 Dings Crusaders (BP) Report
(BP) Cinderford 53–5 Clifton Report
Dockham Road Matt Kemp
(BP) London Scottish 26–5 Havant Report
Richmond Athletic Ground Eric Woodmason
(BP) Luton 18–24 Mounts Bay Report
Newlands Road Chris Seeley
Lydney 10–31 Ealing Trailfinders Report
Regentsholme Simon Harding
North Walsham 28–22 Canterbury (2BP) Report
Norwich Road Steve Walters
Canterbury 3–24 Cinderford Report
Merton Lane Paul Knowles
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 36–15 Luton Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Joey Salmons
Lydney 6–15 London Scottish Report
Regentsholme P.W Davies
Mounts Bay 26–7 North Walsham Report
Mennaye Field Eric Woodmason
Rosslyn Park 27–20 Bridgwater & Albion (BP) Report
The Rock Steve Walters
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 February 2008. Dings Crusaders P – P Havant
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 12 January 2008. Barking 14–28 Canterbury (BP) Report
Goresbrook Steve Walters
(BP) Bridgwater & Albion 35–15 Clifton Report
Bath Road Andrew Bickle
Cinderford 17–0 Mounts Bay Report
Dockham Road P.W Davies
(BP) Havant 24–13 Rosslyn Park Report
Hook's Lane G O'Hara
(BP) London Scottish 29–14 Dings Crusaders Report
Richmond Athletic Ground David Sainsbury
Newlands Road David Stephens
North Walsham 12–7 Ealing Trailfinders (BP) Report
Norwich Road Paul Kimber
Canterbury 17–15 Havant (BP) Report
Merton Lane James Fisher
Clifton 22–35 Dings Crusaders (BP) Report
Station Road Paul Knowles
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 38–9 Barking Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Luke Pearce
London Scottish 15–5 Rosslyn Park Report
Richmond Athletic Ground G O'Hara
Luton 18–32 North Walsham (BP) Report
Newlands Road Matthew Daubney
Regentsholme Nigel Higginson
(BP) Mounts Bay 34–17 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Mennaye Field Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Goresbrook Eric Woodmason
(2BP) Bridgwater & Albion 22–27 Ealing Trailfinders (BP) Report
Bath Road P.W Davies
(BP) Cinderford 46–7 Luton Report
Dockham Road Steve Harland
(BP) Dings Crusaders 8–13 Canterbury Report
Landseer Avenue Andrew Smith
Hook's Lane Andrew Bickle
(BP) North Walsham 12–17 London Scottish Report
Norwich Road Paul Knowles
(BP) Rosslyn Park 39–13 Clifton Report
The Rock Tom Davis
edit
(BP) Dings Crusaders 27–0 Havant Report
Landseer Avenue Steve Walters
Game rescheduled from 1 December 2007. Canterbury 25–19 Rosslyn Park (BP) Report
Merton Lane Paul Kimber
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 25–20 Havant (BP) Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Mark Liddell
(BP) London Scottish 60–26 Clifton Report
Richmond Athletic Ground Steve Walters
Newlands Road Mark Varnon
Lydney 28–21 Bridgwater & Albion (BP) Report
Regentsholme Mike Beech
(BP) Mounts Bay 26–5 Dings Crusaders Report
Mennaye Field G O'Hara
(BP) North Walsham 15–16 Cinderford Report
Norwich Road Gareth Hodges
(BP) Barking 37–29 North Walsham (BP) Report
Goresbrook David Sainsbury
Bridgwater & Albion 15–12 Luton (BP) Report
Bath Road G O'Hara
(BP) Cinderford 39–10 London Scottish Report
Dockham Road Richard Parker-Sedgmore
(BP) Clifton 11–18 Canterbury Report
Station Road Ed Turnill
Dings Crusaders 18–12 Ealing Trailfinders (BP) Report
Landseer Avenue Paul Knowles
Hook's Lane Luke Pearce
Rosslyn Park 17–27 Mounts Bay (BP) Report
The Rock Mick Reid
edit
(BP) Clifton 25–22 Barking (BP) Report
Station Road JP Doyle
Game rescheduled from 1 December 2007. Dockham Road Matthew Daubney
Ealing Trailfinders 26–20 Rosslyn Park (BP) Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Lee Towers
(BP) London Scottish 18–22 Canterbury Report
Richmond Athletic Ground P.W Davies
Newlands Road Mick Reid
Lydney 21–18 Dings Crusaders (BP) Report
Regentsholme G O'Hara
(BP) Mounts Bay 57–5 Clifton Report
Mennaye Field Eric Woodmason
(BP) North Walsham 18–19 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Norwich Road Steve Walters
(BP) Barking 34–5 London Scottish Report
Goresbrook Luke Pearce
Bridgwater & Albion 9–23 Cinderford Report
Bath Road Paul Kimber
(BP) Canterbury 15–16 Mounts Bay Report
Merton Lane Paul Knowles
Clifton 22–36 Ealing Trailfinders Report
Station Road Chris Seeley
(BP) Dings Crusaders 30–21 Luton Report
Landseer Avenue Guy Steel Bodger
Havant 16–26 North Walsham Report
Hook's Lane Andrew Bickle
(BP) Rosslyn Park 11–12 Lydney Report
The Rock Tom Davis
(BP) Barking 16–17 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Goresbrook Mark Liddell
(BP) Cinderford 33–7 Havant Report
Dockham Road Steve Walters
Ealing Trailfinders 20–9 Canterbury Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Mick Reid
London Scottish 18–35 Mounts Bay (BP) Report
Richmond Athletic Ground Michael Tutty
(BP) Luton 29–40 Rosslyn Park (BP) Report
Newlands Road D Edmunds
Regentsholme Matthew Daubney
North Walsham 27–8 Dings Crusaders Report
Norwich Road Ed Turnill
(BP) Bridgwater & Albion 15–22 London Scottish (BP) Report
Bath Road Andrew Bickle
(BP) Canterbury 37–32 Lydney (2BP) Report
Merton Lane David Sainsbury
Station Road Mark Varnon
(BP) Dings Crusaders 20–20 Cinderford Report
Landseer Avenue Paul Kimber
Hook's Lane Guy Steel Bodger
(BP) Mounts Bay 13–15 Ealing Trailfinders Report
Mennaye Field Eric Woodmason
Rosslyn Park 14–0 North Walsham Report
The Rock Chris Seeley
(BP) Barking 18–21 Dings Crusaders Report
Goresbrook Paul Knowles
(BP) Bridgwater & Albion 29–25 Havant (BP) Report
Bath Road Steve Walters
Cinderford 20–6 Rosslyn Park Report
Dockham Road G O'Hara
London Scottish 20–3 Ealing Trailfinders Report
Richmond Athletic Ground Guy Steel Bodger
Luton 20–41 Canterbury (BP) Report
Newlands Road Pedro Montoya
Lydney 6–30 Mounts Bay (BP) Report
Regentsholme Steve Harland
(BP) North Walsham 17–21 Clifton Report
Norwich Road Terry Hall
(BP) Canterbury 34–7 North Walsham Report
Merton Lane Paul Kimber
Station Road Gareth Hodges
Dings Crusaders 15–7 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Landseer Avenue Simon McConnell
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 43–13 Lydney Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground Eric Woodmason
Havant 12–11 London Scottish (BP) Report
Hook's Lane Luke Pearce
(BP) Mounts Bay 64–12 Luton Report
Mennaye Field Andrew Bickle
(BP) Rosslyn Park 32–24 Barking Report
The Rock Ed Turnill
(BP) Barking 42–15 Clifton Report
Goresbrook Richard Phillips
Bridgwater & Albion 7–18 Rosslyn Park Report
Bath Road David Stephens
Cinderford 19–3 Canterbury Report
Dockham Road Mark Newton
Havant 11–3 Dings Crusaders Report
Hook's Lane Luke Pearce
(BP) London Scottish 36–12 Lydney Report
Richmond Athletic Ground Mark Liddell
Luton 7–24 Ealing Trailfinders (BP) Report
Newlands Road Chris Seeley
North Walsham 5–20 Mounts Bay Report
Norwich Road Paul Knowles
(BP) Canterbury 36–19 Barking Report
Merton Lane Richard Parker-Sedgmore
(BP) Clifton 26–0 Bridgwater & Albion Report
Station Road Darren Gamage
Dings Crusaders 20–10 London Scottish Report
Landseer Avenue Nigel Higginson
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders 52–12 North Walsham Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground David Sainsbury
Regentsholme Steve Harland
(BP) Mounts Bay 28–16 Cinderford Report
Mennaye Field Nick Williams
Rosslyn Park 19–18 Havant (BP) Report
The Rock John Meredith
Goresbrook Mick Reid
Bridgwater & Albion 16–15 Canterbury (BP) Report
Bath Road Andrew Bickle
(BP) Cinderford 8–12 Ealing Trailfinders Report
Dockham Road Eric Woodmason
Dings Crusaders 5–16 Rosslyn Park Report
Landseer Avenue Mark Varnon
Hook's Lane Terry Hall
Luton 12–35 London Scottish (BP) Report
Newlands Road Steve Walters
(BP) North Walsham 22–23 Lydney Report
Norwich Road Guy Steel Bodger
The league runners up of National Division Three South and North would meet in a playoff game for promotion to National Division Two. Cinderford were the southern division runners up and as they had a superior league record than northern runners-up, Darlington Mowden Park , they hosted the play-off match.
Cinderford 15–14 Darlington Mowden Park Report
Dockham Road Adrian Hartwell
[ 7]
Total season attendances
edit
Club
Home
Total
Average
Highest
Lowest
% Capacity
Barking
10[ b 2]
1,766
177
300
100
18%
Bridgwater & Albion
13
8,109
624
973
375
12%
Canterbury
13
3,049
254
436
164
25%
Cinderford
13
5,918
455
2,100
200
18%
Clifton
11[ b 3]
1,499
136
312
66
5%
Dings Crusaders
13
1,920
148
276
105
10%
Ealing Trailfinders
13
3,624
279
506
134
9%
Havant
13
3,351
258
350
180
17%
London Scottish[ b 4]
11
5,670
515
1,320
300
11%
Luton
12[ b 5]
3,256
271
626
150
Lydney
12[ b 6]
5,795
483
675
340
32%
Mounts Bay
10[ b 7]
5,408
541
1,000
300
15%
North Walsham
11[ b 8]
4,191
381
1,400
230
30%
Rosslyn Park
12[ b 9]
4,504
375
560
170
19%
^ Note that 15 home attendances are missing (see below) – so the total attendance will not be 100% accurate. The average attendance has also been taken into account with the missing games not included.
^ Missing home attendances v Cinderford on 6 October 2007, Havant on 3 November 2007 and Lydney on 5 January 2008.
^ Missing home attendances v Mounts Bay on 6 October 2007 and North Walsham on 10 November 2007.
^ Missing home attendances v Mounts Bay on 23 February 2008 and Ealing Trailfinders on 8 March 2008.
^ Missing home attendance v Havant on 9 February 2008.
^ Missing home attendance v Cinderford on 22 December 2007.
^ Missing home attendances v Havant on 15 September 2007, Rosslyn Park on 29 September 2007 and North Walsham on 1 December 2007.
^ Missing home attendances v Ealing Trailfinders on 15 December 2007 and Bridgwater & Albion on 9 February 2008.
^ Missing home attendance v Luton on 27 October 2007.
Individual statistics
edit
Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.
Largest home win – 61 pts 61 – 0 Cinderford at home to North Walsham on 22 September 2007
Largest away win – 39 pts 39 – 0 Cinderford away to Havant on 27 October 2007
Most points scored – 71 pts 71 – 17 Ealing Trailfinders at home to Clifton on 20 October 2007
Most tries in a match – 10 (x4) Cinderford at home to North Walsham on 22 September 2007
Ealing Trailfinders at home to Clifton on 20 October 2007
Most conversions in a match – 9 (x2) Ealing Trailfinders at home to Clifton on 20 October 2007
Most penalties in a match – 6 (x2) Mounts Bay away to Ealing Trailfinders on 3 November 2007
Most drop goals in a match – 1 N/A – multiple teams
[ 14] [ 15] [ 16] [ 17]
Most points in a match – 27 Lee Jarvis for Mounts Bay away to Bridgwater & Albion on 8 September 2007
Most tries in a match – 4 (x2) Stuart Peel for London Scottish at home to Barking on 20 October 2007 Gert De Kock for Canterbury at home to Barking on 12 April 2008
Most conversions in a match – 9 (x2) Lee Jarvis for Mounts Bay at home to Barking on 1 September 2007 Ben Ward for Ealing Trailfinders at home to Clifton on 20 October 2007
Most penalties in a match – 6 (x3) Tim Mosey for Mounts Bay away to Ealing Trailfinders on 3 November 2007 Lee Jarvis for Mounts Bay at home to Lydney on 10 November 2007 Andy Davey for Luton at home to North Walsham on 22 December 2007
Most drop goals in a match – 1 N/A – multiple players
[ 18] [ 19] [ 20] [ 21] [ 22]
Highest – 2,100 Cinderford at home to Lydney on 8 September 2007
Lowest – 66 Clifton at home to Barking on 2 February 2008
Highest Average Attendance – 624 Bridgwater & Albion
Lowest Average Attendance – 136 Clifton
[ 23]
Lee Jarvis (Mounts Bay)
