Suvarna Garge (Editor)

2008–09 National Division Two

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Countries
  
England

Runners-up
  
Cambridge

Champions
  
Birmingham & Solihull

Matches played
  
181

2008–09 National Division Two

Attendance
  
98,968 (average 547 per match)

Highest attendance
  
2,218 Redruth at home to Mounts Bay on 20 December 2008

Lowest attendance
  
131 Westcombe Park at home to Wharfedale on 29 November 2008

Champion
  
Birmingham & Solihull R.F.C.

Relegated
  
Waterloo FC, Mounts Bay RFC, Southend RFC, Westcombe Park RFC

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The 2008-09 National Division Two was the ninth and final version (twenty second overall) of the third division of the English rugby union league system using the name National Division Two. The RFU was planning to introduced a new professionalized format of the second division for the 2009-10 season which would lead to widespread league changes throughout the English league system including National Two being renamed National One and being increased from the 14 teams to 16 teams – a decision they made halfway through the season (more information on these changes is provided in the Divisional Changes section below). New teams to the division included Birmingham & Solihull (known the following season as Pertemps Bees) and Launceston who were relegated from the 2007–08 National Division One while promoted teams included Tynedale coming up from the 2007–08 National Division Three North while Mounts Bay (champions) and Cinderford (playoffs) both from the 2007–08 National Division Three South.

Contents

At the end of the season Birmingham & Solihull made an instant return to the (newly named) 2009-10 RFU Championship. They edged out runners up Cambridge by just 3 points due to the virtue of a superior bonus points record after both sides finished with 22 wins and 4 defeats each. At the bottom of the table Waterloo, Mounts Bay, Southend and Westcombe Park were relegated with Westcombe Park and Southend dropping to the 2009–10 National League 2 South and Waterloo falling to the 2009–10 National League 2 North. The relegation of Mounts Bay was particularly potent as it led to the club going out of business in June 2009 due to spiraling debts and an inability to cope with the increase of professionalism in the game.

Divisional Changes

Halfway through the season the RFU proposed to have a total restructuring of the league system. Resulting in many changes to the division:

  • The league will be increased to 16 teams
  • The league will be renamed National Division One
  • Only one team would be promoted instead of the usual two, to the new Guinness Championship
  • Five teams would be relegated into the division instead of the usual two
  • Fours teams would be promoted from National Division Three North and National Division Three South (two teams each) instead of the usual three

    • Round 12

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 14 April 2009.

    • Round 13

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 28 February 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 7 February 2009.

    • Round 14

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 14 March 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 17 January 2009.

    • Round 15

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 11 April 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 May 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 28 February 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 10 April 2009.

    • Round 16

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 14 March 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 14 March 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 May 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 May 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 28 February 2009.

    • Round 14 (Rescheduled game)

  • Game rescheduled from 20 December 2008.

    • Round 13 (Rescheduled game)

  • Game rescheduled from 6 December 2008.

    • Round 19

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 11 April 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 9 May 2009.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 11 April 2009.

    • Rounds 13, 15 & 16 (Rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 6 December 2008.
  • Game rescheduled from 10 January 2009.
  • Game rescheduled from 3 January 2009.

    • Rounds 14 & 16 (Rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 10 January 2009.
  • Game rescheduled from 10 January 2009.
  • Game rescheduled from 20 December 2008.

    • Rounds 15 & 19 (Rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 14 February 2009.
  • Game rescheduled from 3 January 2009.
  • Game rescheduled from 3 January 2009.
  • Game rescheduled from 14 February 2009.

    • Round 12 (Rescheduled game)

  • Game rescheduled from 29 November 2008.

    • Rounds 15 & 16 (Rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 3 January 2009.
  • Game rescheduled from 10 January 2009.
  • Game rescheduled from 10 January 2009.

    • Round 19 (Rescheduled game)

  • Game rescheduled from 14 February 2009.

    • Individual statistics

  • Note if players are tied on tries or points the player with the lowest number of appearances will come first. Also note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.

    • References

    2008–09 National Division Two Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA