2015–16 National League 2 South Explained

2015–16 National League 2 South
Date:5 September 2015 – 14 May 2016
Champions:Cambridge
Count:2
Runnersup:Old Albanian (also promoted)
Relegated:Launceston, Southend Saxons, Dorking
Highest Attendance:1,145
Cambridge v Dorking
30 April 2016
Attendance:88,674 (average 369 per match)
Lowest Attendance:72
Barnes v Taunton Titans
2 January 2016
Top Point Scorer: Gary Kingdom (Taunton Titans)
283 points
Top Try Scorer: Albert Portsmouth (Cambridge)
31 tries
Prevseason:2014–15
Nextseason:2016–17

The 2015–16 National League 2 South is the seventh season (29th overall) of the fourth tier (south) 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]

New faces to the division include Old Albanians (relegated from National League 1), Bury St Edmunds and Barnes (both promoted from National League 3 London & SE) and Redingensians Rams (promoted from National League 3 South West).[4] [5] [6] [7] The league system is 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 are promoted to National League 1 while the second-placed team play-off against the second-placed team from National League 2 North (at the home ground of the club with the superior league record) for the final promotion place. During the course of the season the two league derby games between the Launceston and Redruth also double up as the Cornish Super Cup with Redruth being the defending 2014–15 champions. Redruth retained the cup, winning the Christmas fixture at the Recreation Ground 17 – 0 before winning away at Polson Bridge 34 – 17 to take the cup 51 – 17 on aggregate.[8] [9]

After a truly dreadful season, Launceston were the first team to be relegated, losing 13 – 19 away to relegation rivals Southend Saxons on the 5 March 2016 with seven games still left to play. The relegation of the Cornish club was not surprising to many of the fans at Polson Bridge as they had lost almost a full team to Plymouth Albion during the pre-season — victims of both Albion's relegation from the Championship and that the Albion director of rugby, Graham Dawe, having coached (and subsequently signed) many of the Launceston players while in charge of the Cornwall team that had won the 2015 Bill Beaumont Cup.[10] [11] This, coupled by the club being on their third head coach in a little over a year, contributed to what was perhaps the worst season in the club's league history with the club failing to win a game and conceding over 1,000 points (it was also one of the poorest performances in National League 2, comparable with Newbury in 2010–11 who at least managed to win a game).[12] [13] [14]

The remaining relegation places were much more keenly contested with Southend Saxons — who had only just survived the previous season — being the next team to be relegated with three games to go after losing 36 – 15 away to high flying Cambridge. The third and final relegation place fell to Dorking — who had finished 6th the previous season — losing 32 – 20 away to relegation rivals Worthing Raiders in round 29 of the competition, to condemn the Surrey-based club to the drop with one game still to go. Launceston would drop to National League 3 South West while Southend and Dorking would go into National League 3 London & SE.

While the relegation spots were fairly cut and dried, the championship went right to the wire, being keenly contested by two sides — Cambridge and Old Albanian — who were way ahead of the trailing pack. Cambridge ended up the league champions by just two points, after both sides won their last games, having almost blown it the week before by losing their derby fixture against Bury St Edmunds, but managed to claim two bonus points during the defeat. This, combined with Cambridge's home and away victories against Old Albanian, meant that they claimed the title and a return to National League 1 after a three-year absence.[15] After just missing out on the league title, Old Albanian had a second shot at promotion when they hosted the promotion playoff game against 2015–16 National League 2 North runners up, Sedgley Park, with home advantage given due to having the superior league record. Old Albanian proved their class by defeating the northern side, 24 - 0, and returned to the 2016–17 National League 1 after just one year away.[16] [17]

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 North with the winner being promoted. The last three teams are relegated to either National League 3 London & SE or National League 3 South West depending on the geographical location of the team (in some cases teams may join the Midlands regional leagues).

Participating teams and locations

Twelve of the teams listed below participated in the 2014–15 National League 2 South season; Old Albanians were relegated from the 2014–15 National League 1, Bury St Edmunds (champions) and Barnes (play-off) were promoted from National League 3 London & SE, Redingensians Rams (champions) were promoted from National League 3 South West.

TeamStadiumCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BarnesBarn Elms500Barnes, Londonpromoted from National 3 London & SE (play-off)
Bishop's StortfordSilver Leys1,600Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire2nd (lost promotion playoff)
Bury St EdmundsThe Haberden3,000 (135 seats)Bury St Edmunds, Suffolkpromoted from National 3 London & SE (1st)
CambridgeGrantchester Road2,200 (200 seats)Cambridge, Cambridgeshire7th
CanterburyMerton Lane1,500 (75 seats)Canterbury, Kent11th
ChinnorKingsey Road2,000Thame, Oxfordshire6th
CliftonStation Road2,500 (400 seats)Cribbs Causeway, Patchway, Bristol12th
DorkingThe Big Field1,000+Dorking, Surrey4th
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 (194 seats)Launceston, Cornwall10th
Old AlbanianWoollam Playing Fields1,000St Albans, Hertfordshirerelegated from National League 1 (14th)
Old ElthamiansQueen Mary Sports Ground500Chislehurst, Kent8th
Redingensians RamsOld Bath Road1,250Sonning, Reading, Berkshirepromoted from National 3 South West (1st)
RedruthThe Recreation Ground3,500 (580 seats)Redruth, Cornwall9th
Southend SaxonsWarners Bridge ParkSouthend, Essex13th
Taunton TitansHyde Park2,000 (198 seats)Taunton, Somerset3rd
Worthing RaidersRoundstone Lane1,500 (100 seats)Angmering, West Sussex5th

Results

Round 1

[18] ----

Round 2

[19] ----

Round 3

[20] ----

Round 4

[21] ----

Round 5

[22] ----

Round 6

[23] ----

Round 7

[24] ----

Round 8

[25] ----

Round 9

[26] ----

Round 10

[27] ----

Round 11

[28] ----

Round 12

[29] ----

Round 13

[30] ----

Round 14

[31] ----

Round 15

[32] ----

Round 16

[34] ----

Round 17

[36] ----

Round 18

[37] ----

Round 19

[38] ----

Round 20

[39] ----

Round 21

[43] ----

Round 22

[45] ----

Round 23

[46] ----

Rounds 16 & 21 (rescheduled games)

[47] ----

Round 24

[49] ----

Rounds 17 & 22 (rescheduled games)

[50] ----

Round 25

[51] ----

Round 26

[52] ----

Round 27

[53] ----

Round 28

[55] ----

Round 29

[57] ----

Round 30

[58] ----

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 2 South and National League 2 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National Division 1. Old Albanian having the best record hosted the match against the north runner-up, Sedgley Park.[59] [60]

[17]

Attendances

ClubHome
Games		TotalAverageHighestLowest% Capacity
Barnes 15 2,053 137 253 72 27%
Bishop's Stortford 15 6,678 445 900 160 28%
Bury St Edmunds 15 7,377 492 997 300 16%
Cambridge 15 7,583 506 1,145 350 23%
Canterbury 15 4,740 316 532 187 21%
Chinnor 15 4,480 299 515 193 15%
Clifton 15 2,541 169 243 101 7%
Dorking 15 5,247 350 535 200 35%
Launceston 15 7,268 485 882 288 16%
Old Albanian 15 5,232 349 480 245 35%
Old Elthamians 15 3,421 228 330 132 46%
Redingensians Rams 15 4,033 269 359 195 22%
Redruth 15 11,937 796 1,120 610 23%
Southend Saxons 15 2,390 159 287 93
Taunton Titans 15 5,795 386 625 250 19%
Worthing Raiders 15 7,899 527 933 335 35%
[61]

Individual statistics

Top points scorers

Rank Player Team Appearances Points
1 29 283
2 28 240
3 28 234
4 30 200
5 28 184
6 23 182
7 14 166
29 166
8 27 163
9 19 161
[55] [62] [63]

Top try scorers

Rank Player Team Appearances Tries
1 30 31
2 20 24
3 28 20
30 20
4 22 19
5 27 18
29 18
6 28 17
29 17
7 23 16
[55] [64] [65]

Season records

Team

Largest home win — 109 pts109 - 0 Cambridge at home to Launceston on 2 April 2016
  • Largest away win — 79 pts79 - 0 Bury St Edmunds away to Launceston on 19 March 2016
  • Most points scored — 79 pts79 - 0 Bury St Edmunds away to Launceston on 19 March 2016
  • Most tries in a match — 17Cambridge at home to Launceston on 2 April 2016
  • Most conversions in a match — 12Cambridge at home to Launceston on 2 April 2016
  • Most penalties in a match — 5 (x3)Worthing Raiders at home to Taunton Titans on 12 December 2015
    Canterbury at home to Redingensians Rams on 9 January 2016
    Old Elthamians at home to Canterbury on 23 April 2016
  • Most drop goals in a match — 1N/A - multiple teams

    • [66] [67] [68] [69]

    Player

    Most points in a match — 30 Oscar Heath for Chinnor at home to Southend Saxons on 30 April 2016
  • Most tries in a match — 5 (x2) Nick Mason for Taunton Titans at home to Launceston on 12 March 2016
    Michael Ayrton for Cambridge at home to Launceston on 2 April 2016
  • Most conversions in a match — 12 Gerhard Boshoff for Cambridge at home to Launceston on 2 April 2016
  • Most penalties in a match — 5 (x2) Matthew McLean for Worthing Raiders at home to Taunton Titans on 12 December 2015
    Tom Best for Canterbury at home to Redingensians Rams on 9 January 2016
    Tom White for Old Elthamians at home to Canterbury on 23 April 2016
  • Most drop goals in a match — 1N/A - multiple players

    • [70] [71] [72] [73] [74]

    Attendances

    Highest — 1,145Cambridge at home to Dorking on 30 April 2016
  • Lowest — 72 Barnes at home to Taunton Titans on 2 January 2016
  • Highest Average Attendance — 796Redruth
  • Lowest Average Attendance — 129Barnes

    • [75]

    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: Cinderford confirm Old Albanian's relegation . The Herts Advertiser . 25 April 2015 .
    5. Web site: Coach wants Bury St Edmunds title-winners to remain at National 2 new-boys . Bury Mercury . 23 April 2015 .
    6. Web site: Exmouth's promotion hopes shattered with extra-time play-off defeat to Barnes . Exeter Express and Echo . 26 April 2015 . 2015-05-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150429125639/http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Exmouth-s-promotion-hopes-shattered-extra-time/story-26392256-detail/story.html . 2015-04-29 . dead .
    7. Web site: Redingensians Rams seal league title for the first time . getreading . 13 April 2015 .
    8. Web site: Redruth 'comfortable' in 17-0 Launceston derby victory . BBC Sport . 21 December 2015 .
    9. Web site: CORNISH ALL BLACKS 17 REDRUTH 34 . West Briton . 23 April 2015 .
    10. Web site: Cornwall win County Championship with superb win over Lancashire . West Briton . 31 May 2015 . 2016-03-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150602193239/http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Cornwall-v-Lancashire/story-26606326-detail/story.html . 2015-06-02 . dead .
    11. Web site: More Cornish All Blacks players poised for Plymouth Albion moves . Cornish Guardian . 1 July 2015 .
    12. Web site: Cornish All Blacks turn to Jimmy Tucker after losing faith in Mike Lewis . Western Morning News . 10 November 2015 .
    13. Web site: Launceston head coach Mike Lewis leaves Cornish All Blacks . BBC Sport . 16 November 2015 .
    14. Web site: Launceston future 'sound' despite relegation, says Jimmy Tucker . BBC Sport . 7 March 2016 .
    15. Web site: Cambridge promoted as National League 2S champions. Cambridge News . 30 April 2016 .
    16. Web site: Old Albanian back in National One after play-off win secures promotion. The Herts Advertiser . 16 May 2016 .
    17. News: National League 2 play-off. The RUGBYPaper. 400. Rugby Paper Ltd. 15 May 2016. 26 & 36.
    18. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 364. Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 September 2015. 36–37 & 41.
    19. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 365. Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 September 2015. 34–35 & 39.
    20. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 366. Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 September 2015. 42–43 & 47.
    21. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 367. Rugby Paper Ltd. 27 September 2015. 42–43 & 47.
    22. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 368. Rugby Paper Ltd. 4 October 2015. 36–37 & 41.
    23. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 369. Rugby Paper Ltd. 11 October 2015. 42–43 & 47.
    24. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 370. Rugby Paper Ltd. 18 October 2015. 36–37 & 41.
    25. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 371. Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 October 2015. 34–35 & 41.
    26. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 373. Rugby Paper Ltd. 8 November 2015. 34–35 & 39.
    27. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 374. Rugby Paper Ltd. 15 November 2015. 34–35 & 49.
    28. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 375. Rugby Paper Ltd. 22 November 2015. 36–37 & 39.
    29. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 376. Rugby Paper Ltd. 29 November 2015. 34–35 & 41.
    30. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 377. Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 December 2015. 34–45 & 39.
    31. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 378. Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 December 2015. 34–35 & 39.
    32. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 379. Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 December 2015. 34–35 & 39.
    33. Web site: This Saturday's National League 2 South fixture has been postponed. . Pitchero . 1 January 2016 . 1 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073139/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/launcestonrugbyclub/news/match-off-1546139.html . 4 March 2016 . dead . dmy-all .
    34. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 381. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 January 2016. 32–33 & 37.
    35. Web site: Game is Off . Pitchero . 9 January 2016.
    36. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 382. Rugby Paper Ltd. 10 January 2016. 30–31 & 35.
    37. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 383. Rugby Paper Ltd. 17 January 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    38. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 384. Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 January 2016. 34–35 & 39.
    39. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 385. Rugby Paper Ltd. 31 January 2016. 34–35 & 39.
    40. Web site: Redruth's fixture at home to Dorking is postponed . Western Morning News . 5 February 2016 .
    41. Web site: NEWS - Clifton vs Southend match postponed . Clifton Rugby . 6 February 2016.
    42. Web site: Taunton Titans at home to Cambridge is postponed . Western Morning News . 6 February 2016 .
    43. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 386. Rugby Paper Ltd. 7 February 2016. 32–33 & 37.
    44. Web site: REDRUTH v OLD ALBANIAN - POSTPONED. Pitchero . 11 February 2016.
    45. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 387. Rugby Paper Ltd. 14 February 2016. 34–35 & 39.
    46. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 388. Rugby Paper Ltd. 21 February 2016. 34–35 & 39.
    47. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 389. Rugby Paper Ltd. 28 February 2016. 34–35 & 39.
    48. Web site: Defeat will confirm All Blacks relegation . Cornish Guardian . 2 March 2016 .
    49. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 390. Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 March 2016. 34–35 & 41.
    50. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 391. Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 March 2016. 33 & 39.
    51. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 392. Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 March 2016. 34–35 & 39.
    52. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 394. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 April 2016. 30–31 & 35.
    53. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 395. Rugby Paper Ltd. 10 April 2016. 30–31 & 35.
    54. Web site: Southend Saxons start rebuilding job following relegation . Echo News . 20 April 2016 .
    55. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 396. Rugby Paper Ltd. 17 April 2016. 32–33 & 39.
    56. Web site: Dorking suffer relegation with defeat at Worthing . Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser . 23 April 2016 .
    57. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 397. Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 April 2016. 30–31 & 35.
    58. News: National League 2 South. The RUGBYPaper. 398. Rugby Paper Ltd. 1 May 2016. 34–35 & 41.
    59. Web site: National League 2 South Final Standings. England Rugby. RFU. 30 April 2016.
    60. Web site: National League 2 North Final Standings. England Rugby. RFU. 30 April 2016.
    61. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Home attendance . Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2016.
    62. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Leading top scorers . Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2016.
    63. Web site: TOP POINTS SCORER NATIONAL 2 SOUTH 2015/2016 . Rugby Roundup . 30 April 2016 .
    64. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Leading try scorers . Rugby Statbunker. 16 April 2016.
    65. Web site: TOP TRY SCORERS NATIONAL 2 SOUTH 2015/2016. Rugby Roundup. 30 April 2016.
    66. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Most tries in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .
    67. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Most conversions in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .
    68. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Most penalties in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .
    69. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Most drop goals in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .
    70. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Most points in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .
    71. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Most tries in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .
    72. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Most conversions in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .
    73. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Most penalties in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .
    74. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Most drop goals in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .
    75. Web site: National Two South 15/16 Home attendance . Rugby Statbunker . 30 April 2016 .

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