2016–17 National League 2 North Explained

2016–17 National League 2 North
Date:	September 2016 – May 2017
Champions:	Caldy
Count:	1
Runnersup:	Sale
Relegated:	Preston Grasshoppers, Scunthorpe, Harrogate
Matches:	240
Highest Attendance:	1,432 Caldy v Sale (8 April 2017)
Attendance:	78160
Lowest Attendance:	50 South Leicester v Caldy (22 October 2016)
Top Point Scorer:	Jack Lavin (Caldy) 378
Top Try Scorer:	Nick Royle (Caldy) 32
Prevseason:	2015–16
Nextseason:	2017–18

The 2016–17 National League 2 North is the eighth season (30th overall) of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. New teams to the division include Wharfedale who were relegated from National League 1 while Sheffield Tigers were promoted as champions of National League 3 North along with Scunthorpe (champions) and Hinckley (play-off) from National League 3 Midlands.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Caldy were crowned champions on the 8 April 2017 with two games to go, after beating second place Sale 28–26 in front of a crowd of 1,432 at Paton Field (the biggest in the league that season) to make sure that the Heywood Road side could not catch them.^[5] It was the first time Caldy had won National League 2 North and the highest level they have reached in the club's history. Up until the last few games, Sale had been neck and neck with Caldy but in the end two defeats to the Wirral-based club meant that they finished 9 points adrift in second place. However, a strong finish by Sale meant that they would go into the promotion play-off against the runner-up from the 2016–17 National League 2 South, Old Elthamians, with home advantage as they gained more league points (124) than the southern based side (122). Despite home advantage Sale were unable to join Caldy in the 2017–18 National League 1 as they lost a close game 14–19 to Old Elthamians in front of a crowd of 1,297 at Heywood Road.^[6]

The liquidation of London Welsh in January 2017, and their expulsion from the RFU Championship, meant that there were only five teams relegated from National League 2 South and National League 2 North this season – meaning that one league would have three teams going down and the other having just two depending on league points at the end of the season.^[7] On the same day that Caldy won the league title, Preston Grasshoppers were the first team to be relegated, losing 32–48 to relegation rivals Harrogate and ending the club's 12-year stay in the division.^[8]

The battle for the other relegation places was much closer as on the last day of the season three sides could still go down. In the end it was Harrogate and newly promoted Scunthorpe who were relegated as both teams lost their matches, while another newly promoted side, Sheffield Tigers, won theirs.^{[9] [10]} With regards to the Tigers, who at one point looked likely to go down, they had an absolute fantastic finish to the season, winning four out of five games to remain in National League 2 North. There had been some hope that the 14th placed team might have been kept safe but the equivalent side in the 2016–17 National League 2 South, Barnstaple, escaped relegation as they gained more points (51) than their northern counterparts (47). Following their relegation, Preston Grasshoppers and Harrogate will start next season in National League 3 North, while Scunthorpe will drop back down to National League 3 Midlands.

There were other points to contemplate at the end of the campaign. Attendances in National League 2 North were very good this season - up to 78,160 (or 326 per game) from 65,338 (273 per game) the previous year - which was the best support since the 2013-14 campaign when sides such as Darlington Mowden Park were taking part. This was mostly due to the consistent support which went to watch Wharfedale, Tynedale and Hinckley (two of whom were new to the division), along with several good individual attendances at both Caldy and Sale who benefited from being involved in a tightly contested title battle. A second point of note went to Nick Royle of Caldy who had another record breaking campaign. Firstly, his 32 tries equaled a season best for the division (Gareth Collins and Royle himself had previously achieved this),and secondly he finished as the top try scorer in the division for the third time in his career - a National League 2 North record. Finally, another record was equaled in the division by Wharfedale's Tom Barrett, who scored 3 drop kicks in a game - twice during the season.

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 2017–18 National League 1 and the runner-up play the second-placed team in the 2016–17 National League 2 South with the winner also being promoted. The last three teams are relegated to either National League 3 North or National League 3 Midlands depending on the geographical location of the team (in some cases teams may join the southern regional leagues).

The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:

• 4 points are awarded for a win
• 2 points are awarded for a draw
• 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
• 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
• 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

Participating teams and locations

Eleven of the teams listed below participated in the 2015–16 National League 2 North season; Wharfedale were relegated from the 2015–16 National League 1 while Sheffield Tigers were promoted as champions of National League 3 North and Scunthorpe (champions) and Hinckley came up from National League 3 Midlands.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
		4,000		5th
		2,000 (500 seats)		11th
				7th
		2,000		Promoted from National League 3 Midlands (play-off winner)
		2,000		3rd
		2,500 (300 seats)		6th
		5,000		8th
		5,000		9th
		3,387		13th
				Promoted from National League 3 Midlands (champions)
		3,000		2nd (lost play-off)
				Promoted from National League 3 North (champions)
				12th
		3,500 (499 seats)		4th
		2,000 (400 seats)		10th
		2,000		Relegated from National League 1 (14th)

Results

Round 1

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Round 2

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Round 3

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Round 4

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Round 5

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Round 6

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Round 7

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Round 8

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Round 9

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Round 10

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Round 11

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Round 12

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Round 13

• Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 25 February 2017.^[23]

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Round 14

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Round 15

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Round 16

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Round 17

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Round 18

• Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 25 February 2017.^[29]

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Round 19

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Round 20

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Round 21

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Round 22

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Round 23

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Rounds 13 & 18 (rescheduled games)

• Game rescheduled from 14 January 2017.

• Game rescheduled from 26 November 2016.

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Round 24

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Round 25

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Round 26

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Round 27

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Round 28

• Preston Grasshoppers are relegated.^[8]

• Caldy are champions.^[5]

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Round 29

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Round 30

• Scunthorpe are relegated.^[10]

• Harrogate are relegated.^[9]

^[43]

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 2 North and National League 2 South participate in a play-off for promotion to National Division 1. Sale finished second in the 2016–17 National League 2 North and because they had a better record than the 2016–17 National League 2 South runners-up, Old Elthamians, they hosted the play-off match.

^[6]

Attendances

• Does not include promotion play-off.

Club	Home Games	Total	Average	Highest	Lowest	% Capacity
Caldy	15	4,792	319	1,432	135	8%
Chester	15	5,376	358	462	244	18%
Harrogate	15	4,865	324	750	200
Hinckley	15	7,152	477	750	250	24%
Leicester Lions	15	1,795	120	189	80	6%
Luctonians	15	5,279	352	462	274	14%
Otley	15	5,999	400	673	206	8%
Preston Grasshoppers	15	4,759	317	487	109	6%
Sale	15	5,832	389	706	217	11%
Scunthorpe	15	2,736	182	500	110
Sedgley Park	15	3,235	216	344	150	7%
Sheffield Tigers	15	4,445	296	410	200
South Leicester	15	1,487	99	200	50
Stourbridge	15	5,683	379	550	237	11%
Tynedale	15	7,335	489	700	375	24%
Wharfedale	15	7,390	493	847	287	25%

^[44]

Individual statistics

• Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals. Appearance figures also include coming on as substitutes (unused substitutes not included). Does not include promotion playoff.

Top points scorers

Rank	Player	Team	Appearances	Points
1			26	378
2			30	329
3			30	327
4			28	240
5			29	213
6			28	209
7			29	201
8			23	190
9			22	188
10			30	160

^{[43] [45]}

Top try scorers

Rank	Player	Team	Appearances	Tries
1			30	32
2			29	28
3			28	24
			28	24
4			26	21
5			24	20
6			25	18
			29	18
7			25	17
9			29	16

^{[43] [46]}

Season records

Team

Largest home win — 53 points67 – 14 Sedgley Park at home to Scunthorpe on 3 December 2016

Largest away win — 54 points61 - 7 Sale away to Scunthorpe on 4 March 2017

Most points scored — 76 points76 - 35 Sedgley Park at home to Luctonians on 15 October 2016

Most tries in a match — 12Sedgley Park at home to Luctonians on 15 October 2016

Most conversions in a match — 9Sale at home to Wharfedale on 11 March 2017

Most penalties in a match — 6Scunthorpe away to Harrogate on 22 October 2016

Most drop goals in a match — 3 (x2)Wharfedale at home to Scunthorpe on 19 November 2016
Wharfedale at home to Luctonians on 28 January 2017

^{[47] [48] [49] [50]}

Player

Most points in a match — 37 Jack Lavin for Caldy at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 14 January 2017

Most tries in a match — 5 (x3) Johnny Matthews for Sedgley Park at home to Luctonians on 15 October 2016
Andrew Riley for Sedgley Park at home to Scunthorpe on 3 December 2016
Jack Lavin for Caldy at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 14 January 2017

Most conversions in a match — 9 Luke McGovern for Sale at home to Wharfedale on 11 March 2017

Most penalties in a match — 6 Steve Johnson for Scunthorpe away to Harrogate on 22 October 2016

Most drop goals in a match — 3 (x2) Tom Barrett for Wharfedale at home to Scunthorpe on 19 November 2016
Tom Barrett for Wharfedale at home to Luctonians on 28 January 2017

^{[51] [52] [53] [54] [55]}

Attendances

Highest — 1,432Caldy at home to Sale on 8 April 2017

Lowest — 50South Leicester at home to Caldy on 22 October 2016

Highest Average Attendance — 493Wharfedale

Lowest Average Attendance — 99South Leicester

^[44]

See also

• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

External links

• NCA Rugby

Notes and References

1. Web site: Wharfedale relegated from English rugby's third tier after 20 years . Telegraph & Argus . 18 April 2016 .
2. Web site: Rugby union round-up: Tigers celebrate after promotion secured in style! . The Star . 5 April 2016 .
3. Web site: Scunthorpe RUFC PROMOTED: Coach Tim Robinson hails Greens' 'extraordinary' achievement . Scunthorpe Telegraph . 17 April 2016 .
4. Web site: Hinckley seal promotion with play-off victory over Wirral RFC . Hinckley Times . 3 May 2016 .
5. News: Caldy land title after stunning fightback. The RUGBYPaper. 447. Rugby Paper Ltd. 9 April 2017. 32.
6. News: National League 2 play-off. The RUGBYPaper. 451. Rugby Paper Ltd. 7 May 2017. 28.
7. Web site: London Welsh: RFU refuses permission for Exiles to stay in Championship. BBC Sport. 24 January 2017.
8. Web site: Leicester Lions 40, Grasshoppers 14 . Lancashire Post . 8 April 2017 .
9. Web site: Harrogate relegated from National Two North. Harrogate Advertiser. 1 May 2017 .
10. Web site: Battling display from Scunthorpe RUFC at Chester is not enough to save them from relegation. Scunthorpe Telegraph. 1 May 2017.
11. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 416. Rugby Paper Ltd. 4 September 2016. 30–31 & 41.
12. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 417. Rugby Paper Ltd. 11 September 2016. 30–31 & 39.
13. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 418. Rugby Paper Ltd. 18 September 2016. 30–31 & 39.
14. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 419. Rugby Paper Ltd. 25 September 2016. 30–31 & 39.
15. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 420. Rugby Paper Ltd. 2 October 2016. 32–33 & 39.
16. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 421. Rugby Paper Ltd. 9 October 2016. 30–31 & 39.
17. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 422. Rugby Paper Ltd. 16 October 2016. 34–35 & 41.
18. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 423. Rugby Paper Ltd. 23 October 2016. 32–33 & 39.
19. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 424. Rugby Paper Ltd. 30 October 2016. 32–33 & 39.
20. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 425. Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 November 2016. 32–33 & 39.
21. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 426. Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 November 2016. 34–35 & 41.
22. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 427. Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 November 2016. 32–33 & 39.
23. Web site: HOPPERS V LEICESTER LIONS POSTPONED. Preston Grasshoppers RFC. 23 November 2016 .
24. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 428. Rugby Paper Ltd. 27 November 2016. 32–33 & 39.
25. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 429. Rugby Paper Ltd. 4 December 2016. 34–35 & 41.
26. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 430. Rugby Paper Ltd. 11 December 2016. 32–33 & 39.
27. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 431. Rugby Paper Ltd. 18 December 2016. 32–33 & 39.
28. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 434. Rugby Paper Ltd. 8 January 2017. 28–29 & 35.
29. Web site: Wharfedale Away Fixture POSTPONED . Tynedale RFC (Pitchero) . 14 January 2017 .
30. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 435. Rugby Paper Ltd. 15 January 2017. 32–33 & 39.
31. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 436. Rugby Paper Ltd. 22 January 2017. 32–33 & 39.
32. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 437. Rugby Paper Ltd. 29 January 2017. 34–35 & 41.
33. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 438. Rugby Paper Ltd. 5 February 2017. 34–35 & 39.
34. News: National League 2 North. The RUGBYPaper. 439. Rugby Paper Ltd. 12 February 2017. 34–35 & 41.
35. News: National League North. The RUGBYPaper. 440. Rugby Paper Ltd. 19 February 2017. 30–31 & 49.
36. News: National League North. The RUGBYPaper. 441. Rugby Paper Ltd. 26 February 2017. 34–35 & 39.
37. News: National League North. The RUGBYPaper. 442. Rugby Paper Ltd. 5 March 2017. 32–33 & 39.
38. News: National League North. The RUGBYPaper. 443. Rugby Paper Ltd. 12 March 2017. 32–33 & 39.
39. News: National League North. The RUGBYPaper. 444. Rugby Paper Ltd. 26 March 2017. 32–33 & 39.
40. News: National League North. The RUGBYPaper. 446. Rugby Paper Ltd. 2 April 2017. 32–33 & 39.
41. News: National League North. The RUGBYPaper. 447. Rugby Paper Ltd. 9 April 2017. 32–33 & 39.
42. News: National League North. The RUGBYPaper. 449. Rugby Paper Ltd. 23 April 2017. 34–35 & 41.
43. News: National League North. The RUGBYPaper. 450. Rugby Paper Ltd. 30 April 2017. 30–31 & 37.
44. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Home attendance . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .
45. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Leading top scorers . Rugby Statbunker. 29 April 2017.
46. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Leading try scorers . Rugby Statbunker. 29 April 2017.
47. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Most tries in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .
48. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Most conversions in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .
49. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Most penalties in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .
50. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Most drop goals in a match (Team) . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .
51. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Most points in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .
52. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Most tries in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .
53. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Most conversions in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .
54. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Most penalties in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .
55. Web site: National Two North 16/17 Most drop goals in a match (Player) . Rugby Statbunker . 29 April 2017 .