1998–99 National League 2 North Explained

1998–99 National League 2 North
Champions:Preston Grasshoppers (1st title)
Runnersup:Stourbridge (not promoted)
Relegated:Winnington Park, Lichfield, Hinckley
Matches:182
Prevseason:1997–98
Nextseason:1999–00

The 1998–99 National League 2 North was the twelfth full season of rugby union within the fourth tier (north) of the English league system. It is counterpart to National League 2 South, which covers the southern half of the country.

As with the previous season, the battle for the league was very competitive, with Preston Grasshoppers edging out Stourbridge by just 2 points to claim the title and only promotion spot to the 1999–00 National League 1. At the other end of the table Winnington Park, Lichfield, Hinckley were the three sides to be relegated, with newly promoted Hinckley being the most competitive of the three.[1] Winnington Park would drop to North 1 while Lichfield and Hinckley fell to Midlands 1. The reason National League 2 North had so many relegation places compared to National League 2 South (3 to 1) was that both of the two teams relegated from the division above were based in the north of the country, requiring more places to accommodate for their arrival the following season.

Structure

Each team played home and away matches against each of the other teams, playing a total of twenty-six matches each. The league champions were promoted to National League 1 while the bottom three sides dropped to either North 1 or Midlands depending on locality.

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Bower Park 9th
Leicester Road 2,000 12th
Mint Bridge 3,000 3rd
Cooke Fields 14th
Hartsfield 2,000 Promoted from North 1 (champions)
Harry Cleaver Ground 7th
Lightfoot Green 5,000 4th
Milnthorpe Green 8th
3,000 5th
3,200 10th
Stourton Park 3,500 6th
Broadway 1,150 11th
Edgeley Park Promoted from Midlands 1 (champions)
Burrows Hill 13th

Sponsorship

National League 2 North is part of the Jewson National Leagues is sponsored by Jewson.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jewson National League 2 North 1998/99. The Rugby Archive. 22 January 2018. 30 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171230232916/http://www.rugbyarchive.net/Pagine/StagioneCompetizioni.aspx?ID=24. dead.