1995–96 Courage League Division 4

The 1995–96 Courage League Division 4 was the ninth full season of rugby union within the fourth tier of the English league system, currently the regional divisions National League 2 South and National League 2 North, and the third using the name Division 4. Impending changes to the league structure by the RFU meant that this would be the last season for Courage League Division 4 as a national league with it reverting to the previous incarnation of two regional leagues - Courage League Division 4 South and Courage League Division 4 North. It would also herald the elimination of Courage League 5 North and South, which was to be divided into four regional divisions - North 1, Midlands 1, London 1 and South West 1. These changes meant that the top 8 teams would be promoted to an expanded Courage League National 3 while the bottom teams would be transferred into the new-look Courage 4 North or South depending on location, where they would be joined by teams from the discontinued Courage 5 North/South divisions.[1]

1995–96 Courage League Division 4
Countries England
ChampionsExeter (1st title)
Runners-upLondon Welsh (also promoted)[a 1]
RelegatedNo relegation[a 2]
Matches played162

By the end of the campaign Exeter finished as champions, 4 points ahead of runners up London Welsh. Both champions and runners up were joined by the teams ranked 3rd through to 8th in claiming promotion to the 1996–97 National Division 3. The bottom two sides were Plymouth Albion and Aspatria who would be transferred to National Division 4 South and National Division 4 North respectively.[2]

Structure

Each team played home and away matches against each of the other teams, playing a total of eighteen matches each. Changes to the league structure by the RFU for the 1996-97 season meant that the top eight sides were promoted to Courage League National 3 while the bottom two were transferred to the new-look Courage League Division 4 South or Courage League Division 4 North depending on locality.

Participating teams and locations

League table
1995–96 Courage League Division 4 Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Points
1Exeter (C)18140444823021828
2London Welsh (P)18120642426915524
3Liverpool St Helens (P)18111647134312823
4Walsall (P)1810084063248220
5Leeds (P)18918311345-3419
6Clifton (P)18729283298-1516
7Redruth (P)18729358391-3316
8Havant (P)187110287368-8115
9Aspatria185112356497-14111
10Plymouth Albion184014266545-2798
  • Points are awarded as follows:
  1. 2 pts for a win
  2. 1 pt for a draw
  3. 0 pts for a loss
  4. If teams are level at any stage, difference between points for and against applies

Green background are promotion places. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 15 December 2017

[2]

Sponsorship

Courage League Division 4 is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery.

Notes
  1. The re-organization of the English league system by the RFU meant that the top 8 teams would be promoted to Courage League National 3 for the 1996-97 season.
  2. This re-organization also meant that there was no relegation with the bottom 2 teams instead being transferred to the new-look Courage League Division 4 South or Courage League Division 4 North for the 1996-97 season.

References
  1. "Courage League - Division 5 1995/96". The Rugby Archive. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  2. "Courage League - Division 4 1995/96". The Rugby Archive. 15 December 2017.
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