1988–89 Courage League National Division Two

The 1988–89 Courage League National Division Two was the second full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. Each team played one match against each of the other teams in the league, playing a total of eleven matches. For the first time matches were played on fixed Saturdays. Joining the ten teams that remained in the division were Coventry and Sale who finished 11th and 12th respectively in last seasons Courage League Division One.[2]

1988–89 Courage League National Division Two
Countries England
ChampionsSaracens (1st title)
Runners-upBedford Blues
RelegatedLondon Scottish and London Welsh
Matches played66
Top point scorer138   Andy Kennedy
Saracens[1]

Saracens, the champions, were promoted to the Courage League National Division One for season 1989–90 along with the runners–up Bedford. Bottom team London Welsh and London Scottish who finished 11th were relegated to Courage League National Division Three for season 1989–90. They were replaced by Plymouth Albion and Rugby.[3]

Participating teams
Locations of the 1988–89 Courage League National Division Two teams
Greater London Courage League National Division Two clubs
Team Stadium Capacity City/Area
Bedford Goldington Road 7,000 Bedford, Bedfordshire
Blackheath Rectory Field 6,000 Greenwich, London
Coventry Coundon Road 9,000+ Coventry, West Midlands
Gosforth North Road Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Headingley Bridge Road Leeds, West Yorkshire
London Irish The Avenue 6,600 Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey
London Scottish Athletic Ground 4,500 Richmond, London
London Welsh Old Deer Park 5,850 Richmond, London
Northampton Saints Franklin's Gardens 10,000 Northampton, Northamptonshire
Richmond Athletic Ground 4,500 Richmond, London
Sale Heywood Road 5,400 Sale, Greater Manchester
Saracens Bramley Road 2,000[4] Enfield, London

Table
1988–89 Courage League National Division Two Table[5]
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Diff Points
1Saracens1111002888020822
2Bedford11623141187–4614
3Northampton116141651313413
4Sale115241951524312
5Coventry11605150143712
6London Irish11524194222–2812
7Headingley115151791364311
8Blackheath11416181144379
9Richmond11416112216–1049
10Gosforth11407176246–708
11London Scottish11317146160–147
12London Welsh11119125235–1103
  • Points are awarded as follows:
  1. 2 pts for a win
  2. 1 pt for a draw
  3. 0 pts for a loss
Green background are teams promoted. Pink background are teams relegated.

Sponsorship

National Division Two is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery

See also

References
  1. Stephen McCormack, ed. (2002). The Official RFU Club Directory 2002–2003 (15th ed.). Harpenden: Queen Anne Press.
  2. Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988-89. London: Rothmans Publications Ltd.
  3. Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd.
  4. "Saracens aim for bigger Wembley crowds following Premiership defeat of Worcester". The Telegraph. 15 February 2010.
  5. "Courage Club Championship 1988–89". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
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