Misplaced Pages

2018–19 National League 2 South
Countries	England  Guernsey
Date	1 September 2018 – 4 May 2019
Champions	Rams (1st title)
Runners-up	Canterbury (also promoted)
Relegated	London Irish Wild Geese, Guernsey, Birmingham & Solihull
Matches played	240
Attendance	81,988 (average 342 per match)
Highest attendance	1,160 Henley v Rams 5 January 2019
Lowest attendance	68 Redcliffians v Worthing 8 December 2018
Top point scorer	Matthew McLean (Worthing) 341 points
Top try scorer	Henry Bird (Redcliffians) 26 tries
← 2017–182019–20 →

The 2018–19 National League 2 South is the tenth season (32nd overall) of the fourth tier (south) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. At the end of the season, Rams became champions when they won away to Clifton on 6 April 2019, sealing promotion with two games to go. It was a fitting reward for the Berkshire club, who were by far the strongest side in the division. The runners up were Canterbury who claimed second spot after beating off stiff competition from the likes of Tonbridge Juddians and Henley Hawks. Despite finishing 21 points behind Rams, Canterbury's league results were still strong enough to enough to book a home promotion playoff against National League 2 North runners up, Chester. On 4 May 2019, Canterbury defeated Chester 19–10 to join Rams in the 2019–20 National League 1. For both clubs, National League 1 is the highest level they have ever reached since the leagues began back in 1987.

At the other end of the table, London Irish Wild Geese became the first team to be relegated after they suffered a heavy loss away to Henley Hawks on 30 March 2019. They were followed a week later by league newcomers Guernsey, who also went down after just one season, following a heavy defeat away to Henley on 6 April 2019. One week later still, Birmingham & Solihull became the third and final team to go down with one round still to play after they lost away to champions, Rams, on 13 April 2019, with a try bonus not enough to keep them up due to results elsewhere. London Irish Wild Geese and Guernsey will drop into London & South East Premier, while Birmingham & Solihull, who had initially been supposed to drop to Midlands Premier, decided to become an amateur club and drop out of the league system altogether.

A final point of note was Worthing's Matthew McLean, who once again finished as the league's top scorer – this time for a record-breaking 3rd time. McLean scored 341 points, including 22 tries – an outstanding total for a Worthing side that finished 9th.

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 2019–20 National League 1 and the runners-up play the second-placed team in the 2018–19 National League 2 North with the winner being promoted. The last three teams are relegated to either London & South East Premier or South West Premier depending on the geographical location of the team (in some cases teams may join the Midlands 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 2017–18 National League 2 South season. The 2017–18 champions Cinderford and play-off winners Chinnor, who won the promotion play-off against Sedgley Park, were promoted into the 2018–19 National League 1, while Old Albanian were relegated into the division from the 2017–18 National League 1. Sides relegated from the 2017–18 National League 2 South included Broadstreet (to Midlands Premier), Wimbledon (London & South East Premier) and Barnstaple (South West Premier).

The promoted teams are Dings Crusaders who finished as champions of South West Premier while Barnes (champions) and Guernsey (play-off) came up from London & South East Premier. Birmingham & Solihull were also included from the division when they were level transferred from National League 2 North having been promoted as champions of Midlands Premier. They were transferred to address an imbalance of teams in National League 2 caused by both Cinderford and Chinnor being promoted, with only Old Albanian dropping down to the south, and as the most southerly club in the northern division, Birmingham & Solihull were deemed the most suitable for a level transfer.

League table

1. Number of matches won
2. Difference between points for and against
3. Total number of points for
4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
   Notes:

1. Birmingham & Solihull were deducted 5 points as a result of fielding an ineligible player from the previous season in Midlands Premier which carried over into the 2018-19 season.

Fixture & Results

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Round 15

Round 16

Round 17

Round 18

Round 19

Round 20

Round 21

• Postponed due to poor weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 23 February 2019.

• Postponed due to poor weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 23 February 2019.

• Postponed due to poor weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 23 February 2019.

Round 22

Round 23

Round 21 (rescheduled games)

• Game rescheduled from 2 February 2019.

• Game rescheduled from 2 February 2019.

• Game rescheduled from 2 February 2019.

Round 24

Round 25

Round 26

Round 27

• London Irish Wild Geese are relegated.

Round 28

• Guernsey are relegated.

• Rams are champions.

Round 29

• Birmingham & Solihull are relegated.

• Canterbury qualify for promotion play-off.

Round 30

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 League 1. Canterbury were runners up in the 2018–19 National League 2 South, and because they had a better record than the 2018–19 National League 2 North runners up, Chester, they host the play-off match.

Attendances

• Does not include promotion play-off.

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 play-off.

Top points scorers Rank Player Team Appearances Points 1 Matthew McLean Worthing Raiders 30 341 2 Will Robinson Tonbridge Juddians 30 327 3 Daniel Watt Old Albanian 28 210 4 Jack Jolly Birmingham & Solihull 30 199 5 Ollie Best Canterbury 24 191 6 Alex Seers Rams 26 186 7 Kieran Hill Old Redcliffians 24 178 8 Gary Kingdom Taunton Titans 25 176 9 Ben Bolster Dings Crusaders Henley Hawks 20 157 10 Bradley Barnes Clifton 20 131

Top try scorers Rank Player Team Appearances Tries 1 Henry Bird Old Redcliffians 27 26 2 Matthew McLean Worthing Raiders 30 22 3 Ben Henderson Rams 29 21 4 Jak Rossiter Rams 29 18 Matthew Dight Birmingham & Solihull 29 18 5 Curtis Barnes Worthing Raiders 24 17 6 Nick Mason Taunton Titans 23 16 George Owen London Irish Wild Geese 25 16 Mark Kohler Bury St Edmunds 26 16 Ricky Mackintosh Canterbury 28 16

Season records

Notes

1. Birmingham & Solihull were level transferred into National League 2 South from National League 2 North due to an imbalance of teams.
2. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 851 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 850. As the Rugby Statbunker figure seems rounded down, the Rugby Paper stat will be used instead.
3. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 187 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 200. As the Rugby Statbunker figure seems rounded down, the Rugby Paper stat will be used instead.
4. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 181 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 200. As the Rugby Statbunker figure seems rounded up, the Rugby Paper stat will be used instead.
5. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 253 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 200. As the Rugby Paper figure seems more precise, this figure will be used instead.
6. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 150 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 159. As the Rugby Paper figure seems rounded down, the Rugby Statbunker stat will be used instead.
7. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 157 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 150. As the Rugby Paper figure seems more precise, this figure will be used instead.
8. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 75 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 100. As the Rugby Paper figure seems more precise, this figure will be used instead.
9. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 287 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 230. As the Rugby Paper figure seems more precise, this figure will be used instead.
10. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 121 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 150. As the Rugby Paper figure seems more precise, this will be used instead.
11. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 200 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 163. As the Rugby Statbunker figure seems more precise, this will be used instead.
12. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 620 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 375. On consultation with a Taunton official, it turns out the Rugby Statbunker figure was accurate.
13. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 318 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 200. As Taunton are relatively near and fairly well supported and 200 is lower than Ding's average attendance, the higher figure will be used until more is revealed.
14. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 471 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 300. As this is a Christmas fixture the larger figure will be used until more can be revealed.
15. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 850 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 552. As this was the first ever league meeting between Dings and Clifton at Shaftsbury Avenue, the larger figure will be used until more is revealed.
16. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 287 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 250. As the Rugby Statbunker figure seems rounded down, The Rugby Paper attendance will be used.
17. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 182 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 150. As the Rugby Statbunker figure seems rounded down, The Rugby Paper attendance will be used.
18. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 287 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 250. As the Rugby Statbunker figure seems rounded down, The Rugby Paper attendance will be used.
19. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 157 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 150. As the Rugby Statbunker figure seems rounded down, The Rugby Paper attendance will be used.
20. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 823 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of just 200. From speaking to Dings officials it turns out that The Rugby Paper figure is correct.
21. The Rugby Paper gives an attendance of 271 while Rugby Statbunker gives a figure of 280. As the Rugby Statbunker figure seems rounded up, The Rugby Paper figure will be used.

See also

• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

References

1. ^ "Rams wrap up the title in fine style at Clifton". The RugbyPaper. No. 551. 7 April 2019. pp. 34–35.
2. ^ "Canterbury 19-10 Chester". Kent Sports News. 4 May 2019.
3. ^ "Wild Geese relegated but Bees and Guernsey still fighting". Talking Rugby Union. 1 April 2018.
4. ^ "Play-off in touching distance for Canterbury and Bees battle for survival". Talking Rugby Union. 12 April 2018.
5. ^ "Loss at Rams finally consigns Bees to the drop". Birmingham & Solihull RFC (Pitchero). 16 April 2019.
6. "Bees apply to join Greater Birmingham Merit League for 2019/20 season". Birmingham & Solihull RFC (Pitchero). 5 June 2019.
7. "Brave Bury push champions Cinderford all the way in a thriller". East Anglian Daily Times. 22 April 2018.
8. "National Leagues". The RUGBYPaper. No. 503. Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 May 2018. pp. 26 & 30.
9. "Brave Old Albanian lose battle with National One drop after Plymouth Albion loss". Herts Advertiser. 26 April 2018.
10. "Chinnor clinch top two spot, Broadstreet relegated". Talking Rugby Union. 9 April 2018.
11. "Barnstaple and Wimbledon fail to beat the drop". Talking Rugby Union. 30 April 2018.
12. "South West Premier 2017–2018". England Rugby. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
13. "2017–2018 London South-East Division". England Rugby. 21 April 2018.
14. "Reynolds' half-time blast does the trick". Guernsey Press. 30 April 2018.
15. "Midlands Premier 2017–2018". England Rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
16. "All roads lead south for the Bees next season". Birmingham & Solihull RFC. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
17. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 520. Rugby Paper Ltd. 2 September 2018. pp. 32–33 & 41.
18. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 521. Rugby Paper Ltd. 9 September 2018. pp. 34–35 & 39.
19. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 522. Rugby Paper Ltd. 16 September 2018. pp. 34–35 & 38.
20. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 523. Rugby Paper Ltd. 23 September 2018. pp. 32–33 & 39.
21. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 524. Rugby Paper Ltd. 30 September 2018. pp. 32–33 & 39.
22. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 525. Rugby Paper Ltd. 7 October 2018. pp. 34–35 & 39.
23. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 526. Rugby Paper Ltd. 14 October 2018. pp. 36–37 & 41.
24. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 527. Rugby Paper Ltd. 21 October 2018. pp. 34–35 & 39.
25. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 528. Rugby Paper Ltd. 28 October 2018. pp. 34–35 & 39.
26. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 529. Rugby Paper Ltd. 4 November 2018. pp. 34–35 & 39.
27. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 531. Rugby Paper Ltd. 18 November 2018. pp. 34–35 & 39.
28. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 532. Rugby Paper Ltd. 25 November 2018. pp. 36–37 & 41.
29. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 533. Rugby Paper Ltd. 2 December 2018. pp. 34–35 & 39.
30. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 534. Rugby Paper Ltd. 9 December 2018. pp. 34–35 & 39.
31. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 535. Rugby Paper Ltd. 16 December 2018. pp. 34–35 & 39.
32. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 536. Rugby Paper Ltd. 23 December 2018. pp. 30–31 & 35.
33. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 538. Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 January 2019. pp. 34–35 & 39.
34. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 539. Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 January 2019. pp. 34–35 & 39.
35. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 540. Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 January 2019. pp. 34–35 & 39.
36. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 541. Rugby Paper Ltd. 27 January 2019. pp. 36–37 & 41.
37. "Bar open, 6 nations games on the TV". Birmingham & Solihull RFC (Pitchero). 2 February 2019.
38. "Henley Hawks vs Taunton Titans - postponed". Henley RFC. 1 February 2019.
39. "02/02/2019 - MATCHES POSTPONED". Old Albanian RFC. 2 February 2019.
40. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 542. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 February 2019. pp. 30–31 & 35.
41. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 543. Rugby Paper Ltd. 10 February 2019. pp. 32–33 & 39.
42. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 544. Rugby Paper Ltd. 17 February 2019. pp. 34–35 & 39.
43. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 545. Rugby Paper Ltd. 23 February 2019. pp. 37 & 41.
44. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 546. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 March 2019. pp. 34–35 & 39.
45. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 547. Rugby Paper Ltd. 10 March 2019. pp. 30–31 & 35.
46. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 549. Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 March 2019. pp. 34–35 & 47.
47. "National League 2 South". The RUGBYPaper. No. 550. Rugby Paper Ltd. 31 March 2019. pp. 26–27 & 31.
48. "National League 2 South". The RugbyPaper. No. 551. 7 April 2019. pp. 34–35 & 39.
49. "Sterling at the double as Cant go for broke". The RugbyPaper. No. 552. 14 April 2019. pp. 34–35.
50. "National League 2 South". The RugbyPaper. No. 552. 14 April 2019. pp. 34–35 & 39.
51. ^ "National League 2 South". The RugbyPaper. No. 554. 28 April 2019. pp. 30–31 & 35.
52. "National Two South 18/19 Leading top scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
53. "National Two South 18/19 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
54. "National Two South 18/19 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
55. "National Two South 18/19 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
56. "National Two South 18/19 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
57. "National Two South 18/19 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
58. "National Two South 18/19 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
59. "National Two South 18/19 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
60. "National Two South 18/19 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
61. "National Two South 18/19 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
62. "National Two South 18/19 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.

External links

• NCA Rugby Archived 2015-07-01 at the Wayback Machine

v t e Rugby union in England
Governing body	Rugby Football Union Rugby Football Union for Women (merged into the RFU)
National teams	Men's England England A 7's U-21 U-20 U-18 British & Irish Lions England Counties XV Women's Women's 7's
International competitions	Men's World Cup Six Nations Rugby World Cup Sevens Sevens World Series Sevens Grand Prix Series Commonwealth Games Women's World Cup Six Nations World Series Sevens
Competition divisions	Men's Premiership Championship National Leagues London and SE Division Northern Division Midland Division South West Division United Hospitals Cup Women's Premiership Women's Rugby
European competitions	European Rugby Champions Cup European Rugby Challenge Cup
National competitions	Premiership Rugby Premiership Cup RFU Championship Championship Cup National League 1 National League 2 East National League 2 North National League 2 West RFU Intermediate Cup RFU Senior Vase RFU Junior Vase Premiership Rugby Sevens Series Women's Premiership Premier 15s
London and South East competitions	Regional 1 South East Regional 1 South Central Regional 2 Anglia Regional 2 South Central Regional 2 South East Regional 2 Thames London 1 North London 2 North East London 2 North West London 2 South East London 2 South West London 3 North West London 3 South East London 3 South West Counties 2 Eastern Counties London 3 Essex Eastern Counties 1 Eastern Counties 2 Eastern Counties 3 Counties 2 Essex Counties 2 Hampshire Counties 3 Hampshire Counties 4 Hampshire Hampshire Cups Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex Herts/Middlesex 2 Hertfordshire Cups Middlesex Cups Counties 3 Kent Counties 4 Kent Counties 5 Kent Kent Cups Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex Counties 2 Surrey Counties 3 Surrey Counties 4 Surrey Counties 5 Surrey Surrey Cups Counties 2 Sussex Sussex 1 Sussex Cups
Midland competitions	Regional 1 Midlands Regional 2 North Midlands Regional 2 West Midlands Regional 2 East Midlands Counties 1 Midlands West (North) Counties 1 Midlands West (South) Midlands 2 East (North) Midlands 2 East (South) Midlands 3 West (North) Midlands 3 West (South) Midlands 3 East (North) Midlands 3 East (South) Midlands 4 West (North) Midlands 4 West (South) Midlands 4 East (North) Midlands 4 East (South) Midlands 5 West (South) Leicestershire Cups North Midlands Cups Staffordshire Cups Warwickshire Cups
Northern competitions	Regional 1 North East Regional 1 North West Regional 2 North Regional 2 North East Regional 2 North West North 1 East North 1 West North 2 West Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire Lancs/Cheshire 1 Lancs/Cheshire 2 Cheshire Cups Lancashire Cups Counties 1 Cumbria Cumbria Cups Counties 1 Durham & Northumberland Counties 2 Durham & Northumberland Counties 3 Durham & Northumberland Durham Cups Northumberland Cups Counties 1 Yorkshire Counties 2 Yorkshire Counties 3 Yorkshire Counties 4 Yorkshire Yorkshire Cups
South West competitions	Regional 1 South West Regional 2 Severn Regional 2 South West Counties 1 Southern North Counties 1 Southern South Counties 1 Western North Counties 1 Western West Counties 2 Cornwall Counties 3 Cornwall Cornwall Cups Counties 2 Devon Counties 3 Devon East Counties 3 Devon West Devon Cups Gloucester Premier Gloucester 1 Gloucester 2 North Gloucester 2 South Gloucestershire Cups Counties 2 Somerset Somerset 1 Somerset 2 North Somerset 2 South Somerset 3 North Somerset 3 South Somerset Cups Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier Oxfordshire Cups Dorset & Wilts 1 North Dorset & Wilts 1 South Dorset & Wilts 2 North Dorset & Wilts 2 South Dorset & Wilts 3 North
County competitions	Division 1 Division 2 Division 3
Discontinued competitions	Anglo-Welsh Cup Cornwall/Devon League Divisional Championship National League 2 South North Premier RFU Knockout Cup South West 1 East
Related articles	International players Clubs Churchill Cup Calcutta Cup Millennium Trophy Ella-Mobbs Trophy Hillary Shield
Other	English rugby union system Timeline of rugby union on UK television

• National League 2 South seasons
• 2018–19 in English rugby union leagues