2015–16 National League 2 North Explained

2015–16 National League 2 North
Date:5 September 2015 – 14 May 2016
Champions:Macclesfield
Count:3
Runnersup:Sedgley Park
Relegated:Huddersfield, Broadstreet, Sandal
Matches:239
Highest Attendance:1,050
Harrogate v Otley
5 September 2015
Attendance:65338
Lowest Attendance:50
South Leicester v Sedgley Park
12 September 2015
South Leicester v Caldy
10 October 2015
Top Point Scorer: Lewis Minikin (Harrogate)
299 points
Top Try Scorer: Nick Royle (Caldy)
25 tries
Prevseason:2014–15
Nextseason:2016–17

The 2015–16 National League 2 North is the seventh season (29th overall) of the fourth tier of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. There was talk of this being the last season in this format due to RFU changes to tier four which were supposed to result in a restructuring of the league from two regional divisions (north and south) to three (north, south-east and south-west) for the 2016–17 season but this seems to have been put on hold due to protests from the northern clubs who stood to lose revenue from a smaller fixture list.[1] [2] [3]

Teams joining the division include Macclesfield and Tynedale (both relegated from National League 1), Sale and Sandal (both promoted from National League 3 North) and South Leicester (promoted from National League 3 Midlands).[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] A further change this season saw Harrogate play their first game at their new ground at Rudding Lane – a move from their previous ground of Claro Road where they had been stationed for the past 119 years – beating local rivals Otley in front of a club record crowd of 1,050.[9] [10]

At the end of the season, Macclesfield made an instant return to National League 1 after their relegation the previous season by winning the championship with three games to go, defeating Chester 40-12 to take the title at Priory Park – the club's third National League 2 North title and a record so far in the division.[11] The two bottom clubs at the end of the season were Huddersfield, who went down in Round 27, and Broadstreet, who followed one week later. While both teams were fairly competitive (gaining 7 and 8 wins apiece) the third relegation spot was much more keenly fought with five teams facing the drop up on the last round of the season. In the end it was Sandal who went down after one season spent in National League 2 North, losing their final game against Luctonians, while their relegation rivals all won. It was a particularly interesting contest between Sandal and fellow promoted club, Sale, who were actually in the final relegation spot on the last day (although they did have a rescheduled game still to play) but the Heywood Road side won against high flying Caldy to stay in the division. Another interesting feature of the season was Caldy's Nick Royle whose 25 tries saw him finish not only as the top try scorer in the league but also as the record all-time try scorer in the division with 161 tries overall.[12] [13]

As league runners up to Macclesfield by some distance, Sedgley Park had to travel down to Hertfordshire to face the 2015–16 National League 2 South runners up, Old Albanian, who hosted the game due to a superior league record. In the end Old Albanian were too good for Sedgley Park, winning 24 – 0 to claim the final promotion place to the 2016–17 National League 1.[14] [15]

Structure

The league consists of sixteen teams with all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of thirty matches each. There is one automatic promotion place, one play-off place and three relegation places. The champions are promoted to the 2016–17 National League 1 and the runners-up play the second-placed team in the 2015–16 National League 2 South with the winner being promoted. The last three teams are relegated to either National League 3 Midlands or National League 3 North depending on the geographical location of the team.

Participating teams and locations

Eleven of the teams listed below participated in the 2014–15 National League 2 North season; Macclesfield and Tynedale were relegated from the 2014–15 National League 1, Sale (champions) and Sandal (play-offs) were promoted from National League 3 North while South Leicester (champions) were promoted from National League 3 Midlands.

TeamStadiumCapacityCity/AreaPrevious Season
BroadstreetIvor Preece Field1,500 (250 seats)Coventry, West Midlands7th
CaldyPaton Field4,000Thurstaston, Wirral, Merseyside6th
ChesterHare Lane2,000 (500 seats)Chester, Cheshire5th
HarrogateRudding LaneHarrogate, North Yorkshire4th
HuddersfieldLockwood Park1,500 (500 seats)Huddersfield, West Yorkshire9th
Leicester LionsWestleigh Park2,000Blaby, Leicestershire11th
LuctoniansMortimer Park2,500 (300 seats)Kingsland, Herefordshire13th
MacclesfieldPriory Park1,250 (250 seats)Macclesfield, CheshireRelegated from 2014–15 National League 1 (16th)
OtleyCross Green5,000Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire8th
Preston GrasshoppersLightfoot Green5,000Preston, Lancashire12th
SaleHeywood Road5,400Sale, Greater ManchesterPromoted from National League 3 North (1st)
SandalMilnthorpe GreenSandal Magna, Wakefield, West Yorkshirepromoted from National League 3 North via the play-off
Sedgley ParkPark Lane3,000Whitefield, Bury, Greater Manchester3rd
South LeicesterWelford Road GroundLeicester, Leicestershirepromoted from National League 3 Midlands (1st)
StourbridgeStourton Park3,500 (499 seats)Stourbridge, West Midlands10th
TynedaleTynedale Park
Kingston Park
2,000 (400 seats)
10,200
Corbridge, Northumberland
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Relegated from National League 1 (15th)

Fixtures

Round 1

[16] ----

Round 2

[17] ----

Round 3

[18] ----

Round 4

[19] ----

Round 5

[20] ----

Round 6

[21] ----

Round 7

[22] ----

Round 8

[23] ----

Round 9

[24] ----

Round 10

[25] ----

Round 11

[26] ----

Round 12

[27] ----

Round 13

[30] ----

Round 14

[33] ----

Round 15

[34] ----

Round 16

[36] ----

Round 17

[38] ----

Round 18

[44] ----

Round 19

[45] ----

Round 20

[47] ----

Round 21

[52] ----

Round 22

[53] ----

Round 23

[54] ----

Rounds 13, 14 & 18 (rescheduled games)

[55] ----

Round 24

[57] ----

Rounds 16, 17 & 18 (rescheduled games)

[58] ----

Round 25

[59] ----

Rounds 18, 20 & 21 (rescheduled games)

[60] ----

Round 26

[61] ----

Round 27

[63] ----

Round 28

[65] ----

Round 29

[66] ----

Round 30

[68] ----

Round 21 (rescheduled games)

[69] ----

Round 24 (rescheduled game)

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Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 2 North and National League 2 South and participate in a play-off for promotion to National Division 1. Old Albanian were runners-up in the 2015–16 National League 2 South and because they had a better record than the 2015–16 National League 2 North runners-up, Sedgley Park, they hosted the play-off match.[70] [71]

[15]

Season attendances

ClubHome
Games
TotalAverageHighestLowest% Capacity
Broadstreet 15 2,693 180 276 98 12%
Caldy 15 2,819 188 295 120 5%
Chester 15 5,354 357 890 210 18%
Harrogate 15 4,710 314 1,050 180
Huddersfield 15 4,091 273 385 148 18%
Leicester Lions 15 1,836 122 193 89 6%
Luctonians 15 5,637 376 821 220 15%
Macclesfield 14 4,381 313 452 207 25%
Otley 15 4,553 304 573 192 6%
Preston Grasshoppers 15 5,070 338 552 232 7%
Sale 15 3,829 255 420 185 5%
Sandal 15 3,414 228 350 100
Sedgley Park 15 3,546 236 300 160 8%
South Leicester 15 1,644 110 300 50
Stourbridge 15 6,052 403 570 260 12%
Tynedale 15 5,709 381 584 210 9%
[72]

Individual statistics

Top points scorers

Rank Player Team Appearances Points
1 28 299
2 28 279
3 27 247
4 25 241
5 20 209
6 27 205
7 28 203
8 22 197
9 25 169
10 26 166
[69] [73]

Top try scorers

Rank Player Team Appearances Tries
1 30 25
2 29 21
3 28 19
4 27 18
5 26 17
6 25 16
28 16
7 28 15
8 24 14
26 14
28 14
28 14
[69] [74]

Season records

Team

Largest home win – 66 pts83 – 17 Sedgley Park at home to Sandal on 26 March 2016
  • Largest away win – 47 pts53 – 6 Sedgley Park away to Harrogate on 7 May 2016
  • Most points scored – 8383 – 17 Sedgley Park at home to Sandal on 26 March 2016
  • Most tries in a match – 13Sedgley Park at home to Sandal on 26 March 2016
  • Most conversions in a match – 9Sedgley Park at home to Sandal on 26 March 2016
  • Most penalties in a match – 6 (x3)Stourbridge at home to Caldy on 19 September 2015
    Preston Grasshoppers away to Stourbridge on 3 October 2015
    Caldy away to South Leicester on 10 October 2015
  • Most drop goals in a match – 1N/A – multiple teams
  • [75] [76] [77] [78]

    Player

    Most points in a match – 28 (x2) Lewis Barker for Macclesfield away to Huddersfield on 28 November 2015
    Matt Riley for Sedgley Park at home to Sandal on 26 March 2016
  • Most tries in a match – 3N/A – multiple players
  • Most conversions in a match – 9 Matt Riley for Sedgley Park at home to Sandal on 26 March 2016
  • Most penalties in a match – 6 (x2) Christopher Scott for Stourbridge at home to Caldy on 19 September 2015
    Sean Taylor for Preston Grasshoppers away to Stourbridge on 3 October 2015
  • Most drop goals in a match – 1N/A – multiple players
  • [79] [80] [81] [82] [83]

    Attendances

    Highest – 1,050Harrogate at home to Otley on 5 September 2015
  • Lowest – 50 (x2)South Leicester at home to Sedgley Park on 12 September 2015
    South Leicester at home to Caldy on 10 October 2015
  • Highest Average Attendance – 403Stourbridge
  • Lowest Average Attendance – 110South Leicester
  • [84]

    See also

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Rugby re-shuffle will see league changes . Newbury Today . 5 June 2014 . 6 May 2015 . 7 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150707222441/http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/sport/11202/Rugby-re-shuffle-will-see-league.html . dead .
    2. Web site: Rugby Football Union faces threat of a rebellion from northern clubs . The Telegraph . 8 April 2015 .
    3. Web site: RFU forced to climb down over lower-league rugby reform . The Telegraph . 10 April 2015 .
    4. Web site: Coach calls for strong finish to a disappointing season . Macclesfield Express . 12 March 2015 .
    5. Web site: Tynedale relegated for the first time after defeat at title-chasing Rosslyn Park . Chronicle Live . 12 April 2015 .
    6. Web site: McGovern gets his hands on league trophy after fine team victory . Messenger Newspapers . 23 April 2015 .
    7. Web site: Rugby Union: Sandal promoted after Hinckley play-off victory . Wakefield Express . 27 April 2015 . 6 May 2015 . 7 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150707213510/http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport/more-local-sport/rugby-union-sandal-promoted-after-hinckley-play-off-victory-1-7230481 . dead .
    8. Web site: Local rugby: South Leicester celebrate their best season ever . Leicester Mercury . 24 April 2015 . 6 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150707200047/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/South-celebrate-best-season/story-26381214-detail/story.html . 7 July 2015 . dead .
    9. Web site: Harrogate Rugby Club launches new ground in style with local derby . Harrogate News . 1 September 2015 .
    10. Web site: Rugby Union: Harrogate edge out Otley in front of record crowd . Yorkshire Evening Post . 7 September 2015 .
    11. Web site: Macclesfield crowned National Two North champions. Talking Rugby Union. 16 April 2016 .
    12. Web site: Former England Sevens star Nick Royle makes history. The Rugby Paper. 27 February 2016 .
    13. Web site: National Two North All time try scorers . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    14. Web site: Old Albanian back in National One after play-off win secures promotion. The Herts Advertiser . 16 May 2016 .
    15. News: National League 2 play-off. The RUGBYPaper. 400. Rugby Paper Ltd. 15 May 2016. 26 & 36.
    16. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 364. Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 September 2015. 34–35 & 41.
    17. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 365. Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 September 2015. 32–33 & 39.
    18. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 366. Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 September 2015. 40–41 & 47.
    19. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 367. Rugby Paper Ltd. 27 September 2015. 40–41 & 47.
    20. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 368. Rugby Paper Ltd. 4 October 2015. 42–43 & 49.
    21. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 369. Rugby Paper Ltd. 11 October 2015. 40–41 & 47.
    22. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 370. Rugby Paper Ltd. 18 October 2015. 34–35 & 41.
    23. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 371. Rugby Paper Ltd. 25 October 2015. 34–35 & 41.
    24. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 373. Rugby Paper Ltd. 8 November 2015. 32–33 & 39.
    25. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 374. Rugby Paper Ltd. 15 November 2015. 32–33 & 39.
    26. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 375. Rugby Paper Ltd. 22 November 2015. 32–33 & 39.
    27. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 376. Rugby Paper Ltd. 29 November 2015. 32–33 & 41.
    28. Web site: TYNEDALE v LUCTONIANS MATCH ABANDONED . Luctonians Facebook Account . 5 December 2015.
    29. Web site: Unfortunately the weather has proved too much and the 1st XV game against Leicester Lions has been postponed. . Preston Grasshoppers Twitter Account . 5 December 2015.
    30. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 377. Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 December 2015. 32–33 & 39.
    31. Web site: Harrogate vs South Leicester – POSTPONED . Harrogate Rugby . 11 December 2015 .
    32. Web site: TODAYS GAME IS OFF . Pitchero . 12 December 2015 . 13 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103344/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/sedgleyparktigers/news/todays-game-is-off-1539643.html . 22 December 2015 . dead .
    33. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 378. Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 December 2015. 32–33 & 39.
    34. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 379. Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 December 2015. 32–33 & 39.
    35. Web site: Luctonians game postponed – Georgians on at Wharfedale . Harrogate Rugby . 1 January 2016 .
    36. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 381. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 January 2016. 30–31 & 37.
    37. Web site: MACCLESFIELD GAME OFF . Preston Grasshoppers . 9 January 2016.
    38. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 382. Rugby Paper Ltd. 10 January 2016. 29–30 & 35.
    39. Web site: XV game v @TynedaleRFC POSTPONED . Chester RUFC Twitter Account . 16 January 2016.
    40. Web site: 1st XV Game at Sale FC is OFF . Pitchero . 16 January 2016 .
    41. Web site: TODAYS FIRST XV GAME IS OFF . Pitchero . 16 January 2016 . 16 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170305000950/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/sedgleyparktigers/news/todays-first-xv-game-is-off-1553120.html . 5 March 2017 . dead .
    42. Web site: GAME OFF – HRUFC v LUCTONIANS . Huddersfield Rugby . 16 January 2016.
    43. Web site: GAME OFF! . Macclesfield RUFC Twitter Account . 16 January 2016.
    44. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 383. Rugby Paper Ltd. 17 January 2016. 34–35 & 39.
    45. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 384. Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 January 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    46. Web site: TIGERS GAME AGAINST SANDAL HAS BEEN POSTPONED . Pitchero . 30 January 2016 . 30 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170305000957/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/sedgleyparktigers/news/tigers-game-against-sandal-has-been-postponed-1560107.html . 5 March 2017 . dead .
    47. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 385. Rugby Paper Ltd. 31 January 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    48. Web site: THE FIRST XV GAME AGAINST HARROGATE AWAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED . Pitchero . 6 February 2016 . 6 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160207061857/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/sedgleyparktigers/news/the-first-xv-game-against-harrogate-away-has-been--1563745.html . 7 February 2016 . dead .
    49. Web site: GAME OFF LUCTONIANS RFC v SALE FC . Luctonians RFC Twitter Account . 6 February 2016.
    50. Web site: Sat 6th Feb, 1st team game is OFF . Pitchero . 6 February 2016.
    51. Web site: TIGERS GAME AGAINST SANDAL HAS BEEN POSTPONED . Pitchero . 6 February 2016.
    52. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 386. Rugby Paper Ltd. 7 February 2016. 32–33 & 37.
    53. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 387. Rugby Paper Ltd. 14 February 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    54. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 388. Rugby Paper Ltd. 21 February 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    55. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 389. Rugby Paper Ltd. 28 February 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    56. Web site: Todays first team game against Harrogate has been called off . Macclesfield RUFC Twitter Account . 5 March 2016.
    57. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 390. Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 March 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    58. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 391. Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 March 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    59. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 392. Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 March 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    60. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 393. Rugby Paper Ltd. 27 March 2016. 28–29 & 33.
    61. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 394. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 April 2016. 28–29 & 35.
    62. Web site: Huddersfield RUFC relegated from National II North after home defeat by Caldy. The Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 10 April 2016 .
    63. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 395. Rugby Paper Ltd. 10 April 2016. 28–29 & 35.
    64. News: Broadstreet Run out of Road. Coventry Evening Telegraph. Coventry Evening Telegraph. 18 April 2016.
    65. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 396. Rugby Paper Ltd. 17 April 2016. 30–31 & 39.
    66. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 397. Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 April 2016. 28–29 & 35.
    67. Web site: Sandal relegated from National Two North while its glory for Cambridge in the South . Talking Rugby Union . 30 April 2016 .
    68. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 398. Rugby Paper Ltd. 1 May 2016. 34–35 & 41.
    69. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 399. Rugby Paper Ltd. 8 May 2016. 34–35 & 41.
    70. Web site: National League 2 South Final Standings. England Rugby. RFU. 30 April 2016.
    71. Web site: National League 2 North Final Standings. England Rugby. RFU. 30 April 2016.
    72. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Home attendance . Rugby Statbunker. 7 May 2016.
    73. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Leading top scorers . Rugby Statbunker. 7 May 2016.
    74. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Leading try scorers . Rugby Statbunker. 7 May 2016.
    75. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Most tries in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    76. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Most conversions in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    77. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Most penalties in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    78. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Most drop goals in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    79. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Most points in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    80. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Most tries in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    81. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Most conversions in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    82. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Most penalties in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    83. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Most drop goals in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .
    84. Web site: National Two North 15/16 Home attendance . Rugby Statbunker . 7 May 2016 .