1982–83 Rugby Union County Championship Explained

1982–83 Thorn EMI County Championship
Champions:	Gloucestershire
Count:	14
Prevseason:	1981–82
Nextseason:	1983–84

The 1982–83 Thorn EMI Rugby Union County Championship was the 83rd edition of England's County Championship rugby union club competition.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Gloucestershire won their 14th title after defeating Yorkshire in the final.^{[4] [5]}

A new format was introduced which consisted of the counties being organised into four divisions with relegation and promotion.^[6]

Semi finals

width=70	Date	width=150	Team One	width=150	Team Two	width=100	Score
26 Nov	Gloucestershire	Surrey	19-16
26 Nov	Middlesex	Yorkshire	7-18

Final

15 Phil Cue Bristol 14 John Carr Bristol 13 Simon Hogg Bristol 12 Bristol 11 Bristol 10 Dave Sorrell Bristol 9 Bristol 1 Gloucester 2 Kevin Bogira Bristol 3 Bristol 4 Gloucester 5 Gloucester 6 John Gadd Gloucester 7 Mike Rafter (capt) Bristol 8 Bristol Replacements: 16 C Price Lydney 17 T Davis Stroud 18 Nick Price Gloucester 19 Kevin White Gloucester 20 Lydney 21 Nigel Pomphrey Bristol

15 D Norton Headingley 14 Wakefield 13 Wakefield 12 S Townend Wakefield 11 Middlesbrough 10 Alan Old (capt) Sheffield 9 Wakefield 1 Paul Huntsman Headingley 2 P Lazenby Morley 3 J Tinker Harrogate 4 P Lockyer Blackheath 5 R Walters Huddersfield 6 P Buckton Liverpool 7 Headingley 8 J Ellison Headingley Replacements: 16 P J Squires Harrogate 17 H Jarzyna Morley 18 A Mason Roundhay 19 A Machell Headingley 20 T C Sinclair Headingley 21 S R Tipping Roundhay

See also

• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

Notes and References

1. Book: Jones, Stephen. Rothmans Rugby Yearbook. 1991. 1990. 152-153. Rothmans Publications Ltd. 0-356-19162-1.
2. Web site: English County Championship. Rugby Football History.
3. Web site: The County Finals. County Rugby.com.
4. Web site: Hands, David. "Championship final a clash of style and tradition." Times, 29 Jan. 1983, p. 17. Times Digital Archives.
5. Web site: Hands, David. "Forward power decisive for Gloucestershire." Times, 31 Jan. 1983, p. 17. Times Digital Archives.
6. Web site: "Club and county clash." Times, 1 Feb. 1982, p. 16. Times Digital Archives.