1987–88 Courage League National Division Two Explained

1987–88 Courage League National Division Two
Champions:Rosslyn Park (1st title)
Runnersup:Liverpool St Helens
Relegated:No relegation
Matches:65
Top Point Scorer:75 - Andy Finnie
Bedford
Top Try Scorer:10 - Dave McLagan
Saracens[1]
Nextseason:1988–89

The 1987–88 Courage League National Division Two was the first full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. Each team played one match against the other teams, playing a total of eleven matches each. There was no set date for matches, clubs having to arrange the fixtures amongst themselves.[2] Rosslyn Park, the first champions, were promoted to the Courage League National Division One for season 1988–89 along with the runner-up, Liverpool St Helens. Although Northampton finished in last place they were not relegated to Courage League National Division Three for the following season. Almost all clubs in the national divisions reported an increase in attendances.[3] [4]

Participating teams

width=25%Teamwidth=25%Stadiumwidth=25%Capacitywidth=25%City/Area
BedfordGoldington Road7,000Bedford, Bedfordshire
BlackheathRectory Field6,000Greenwich, London
GosforthNorth RoadNewcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
HeadingleyBridge RoadLeeds, West Yorkshire
Liverpool St HelensMoss LaneSt Helens, Merseyside
London IrishThe Avenue6,600Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey
London ScottishAthletic Ground4,500Richmond, London
London WelshOld Deer Park5,850Richmond, London
Northampton SaintsFranklin's Gardens10,000Northampton, Northamptonshire
RichmondAthletic Ground4,500Richmond, London
Rosslyn ParkThe Rock2,000Roehampton, London
SaracensBramley Road2,000[5] Enfield, London

Statistics

Team

50 – 3     London Scottish v Northampton

48 – 12     Saracens at Blackheath

38 – 3     Headingley v Northampton

34 – 0     Saracens v London Scottish

48 – 12     Saracens at Blackheath

60      12 – 48     Blackheath v Saracens

58      25 – 33     Bedford v Liverpool St Helens

25      28 – 25     Richmond v Bedford

25      33 – 25     Bedford v Liverpool St Helens

24     24 – 24     London Welsh v London Scottish

6      6 – 0     Bedford v Blackheath

Player

26   Andy Mitchell for London Scottish v Northampton

75   Andy Finnie for Bedford

3   Jerry Macklin for London Scottish v Northampton
     Orsen Blewitt for Northampton v Bedford
     John Roberts for Headingley v Northampton
     Peter Shillingford for London Scottish v Northampton

10   Dave McLagan for Saracens[1] [4]

Sponsorship

National Division Two is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Official RFU Club Directory 2002–2003. 2002. Queen Anne Press.. Harpenden. 15th. Stephen McCormack.
  2. Web site: Courage Club Championship 1987/88. Moseley Rugby Club. 13 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084702/http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=94. 19 August 2014. dead.
  3. Book: Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. 1988. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. Stephen Jones.
  4. Book: Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. 1990. Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. Windsor. Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell.
  5. Web site: Saracens aim for bigger Wembley crowds following Premiership defeat of Worcester . The Telegraph . 15 February 2010 .