The 2017–18 National League 1 , known for sponsorship reasons as the SSE National League 1 is the ninth season of the third tier of the English rugby union system , since the professionalised format of the second tier RFU Championship was introduced; and is the 31st season since league rugby began in 1987.
Following defeat at Blackheath on 10 March, Fylde are the first team to be relegated.[ 1] [ 2] A week later Coventry became the league champions with five games to go after beating Caldy away on the 17 March.[ 3] On 21 April Old Albanian became the second team to go down with a game to go, losing 21–24 away to Plymouth Albion.[ 4] The third and final relegation spot went to the taken by Hull Ionians who lost 21–38 away to champions Coventry on 28 April 2018 in front of a divisional record attendance of 3,758.[ 5] As champions, Coventry are promoted into the 2018–19 RFU Championship , while relegated sides Fylde and Hull Ionians drop to the 2018–19 National League 2 North , and Old Albanian into the 2018–19 National League 2 South .
Of further interest were a number of divisional records set or equalled during the course of the season. These included a record crowd (3,758 at Coventry) and record overall league average attendance (653), while Coventry's promotion meant they now had 3 tier titles (equal with Otley ). Ampthill also equalled a more obscure record of four league draws previously achieved by both Wharfedale and Richmond .
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 promotion place with the champions promoted to the Greene King IPA Championship . There are usually three relegation places with the bottom three teams relegated to either National League 2 North or National League 2 South depending on the geographical location of the team.
Participating teams and locations
2017–18 National 1 teams in England
2017–18 Greater London National League 1 clubs
Twelve of the sixteen teams participated in the preceding season's competition. The 2016–17 champions, Hartpury College , were promoted to the 2017–18 RFU Championship , replacing London Welsh who went into liquidation, in the second half of the season, and ceased to exist as a professional team.[ 6] Due to London Welsh's liquidation only two teams (instead of the usual three) were relegated last season – Macclesfield and Blaydon – both of whom drop to the 2017–18 National League 2 North .
The promoted teams are Bishop's Stortford and Caldy , champions of the 2016–17 National League 2 South and 2016–17 National League 2 North respectively, and Old Elthamians who won the promotion play-off against Sale FC .[ 7] [ 8] [ 9] National League 1 is the highest level all three of these sides have ever reached.
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Ampthill
Dillingham Park
3,000
Ampthill , Bedfordshire
3rd
Birmingham Moseley
Billesley Common
5,000 (1,300 seated)
Birmingham , West Midlands
5th
Bishop's Stortford
Silver Leys
1,600
Bishop's Stortford , Hertfordshire
Promoted from National League 2 South (champions)
Blackheath
Well Hall
1,650 (550 seats)
Eltham , Greenwich , Greater London
7th
Caldy
Paton Field
4,000
Thurstaston , Wirral , Merseyside
Promoted from National League 2 North (champions)
Cambridge
Grantchester Road
2,200 (200 seats)
Cambridge , Cambridgeshire
14th
Coventry
Butts Park Arena
4,000 (3,000 seats)
Coventry , West Midlands
4th
Darlington Mowden Park
Northern Echo Arena
25,500
Darlington , County Durham
10th
Esher
Molesey Road
3,500 (1,200 seats)
Hersham , Surrey
8th
Fylde
Woodlands Memorial Ground
9,000
Lytham St. Annes , Lancashire
12th
Hull Ionians
Brantingham Park
1,500 (240 seats)
Brantingham , East Riding of Yorkshire
13th
Loughborough Students
Loughborough University Stadium
3,000
Loughborough , Leicestershire
11th
Old Albanian
Woollam Playing Fields
1,000
St Albans , Hertfordshire
9th
Old Elthamians
College Meadow
1,800
Eltham , Greenwich , London
Promoted from National League 2 South (play-off)
Plymouth Albion
The Brickfields
8,500
Plymouth , Devon
2nd
Rosslyn Park
The Rock
2,000
Roehampton , London
6th
League table
Updated to match(es) played on 12 May 2018. Source:
[ 10] Rules for classification: Points system: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 point if a team loses by seven points or less (losing bonus); 1 point if the team scores four or more tries in a match (try bonus)
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
Number of matches won
Difference between points for and against
Total number of points for
Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled(C) Champion; (R) Relegated
Fixtures
Round 1
Birmingham Moseley 21 – 21 Ampthill Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 717 Referee: Calum Howard
(BP) Bishop's Stortford 49 – 26 Caldy (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 720 Referee: Robert Bourke
(BP) Blackheath 32 – 31 Plymouth Albion (2 BP) Report
Well Hall Attendance: 563 Referee: Veryan Boscawen
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 33 – 23 Loughborough Students Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 878 Referee: Daniel Collins
(BP) Esher 39 – 14 Old Elthamians Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 621 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 537 Referee: Ian Tempest
Hull Ionians 20 – 63 Coventry (BP) Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 324 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Old Albanian 0 – 58 Rosslyn Park (BP) Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 345 Referee: Simon Harding
[ 11] [ 12]
Round 2
(BP) Ampthill 28 – 24 Old Albanian (BP) Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 311 Referee: Philip Davies
Paton Field Attendance: 423 Referee: Michael Harris
(BP) Cambridge 9 – 14 Loughborough Students Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 412 Referee: Thomas Davis
(BP) Coventry 50 – 11 Birmingham Moseley Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 2,242 Referee: Jamie Leahy
Hull Ionians 15 – 27 Darlington Mowden Park (BP) Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 224 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
(BP) Old Elthamians 13 – 19 Bishop's Stortford Report
College Meadow Attendance: 688 Referee: James Clarke
(BP) Plymouth Albion 43 – 10 Esher Report
Brickfields Attendance: 1,080 Referee: Calum Howard
Rosslyn Park 6 – 25 Blackheath Report
The Rock Attendance: 621 Referee: Matt Turvey
[ 13]
Round 3
(BP) Birmingham Moseley 38 – 24 Hull Ionians Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 683 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 35 – 18 Cambridge Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 777 Referee: Michael Harris
Bishop's Stortford 17 – 36 Plymouth Albion (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 350 Referee: Fergus Kirby
Blackheath 16 – 15 Ampthill (BP) Report
Well Hall Attendance: 530 Referee: James Clarke
(BP) Esher 32 – 17 Rosslyn Park Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 620 Referee: Robert Bourke
Fylde 7 – 43 Old Elthamians (BP) Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 524 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) Loughborough Students 26 – 31 Caldy (BP) Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 342 Referee: Alexander Thomas
(BP) Old Albanian 19 – 21 Coventry Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 420 Referee: Daniel Collins
[ 14]
Round 4
(BP) Ampthill 45 – 5 Esher Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 285 Referee: Shane Lewis
Birmingham Moseley 17 – 31 Darlington Mowden Park (BP) Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 714 Referee: James Clarke
(BP) Caldy 16 – 20 Cambridge (BP) Report
Paton Field Attendance: 769 Referee: Benjamin Davis
(BP) Coventry 37 – 10 Blackheath Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,455 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Hull Ionians 26 – 36 Old Albanian (BP) Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 157 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) Old Elthamiams 36 – 20 Loughborough Students Report
College Meadow Attendance: 454 Referee: Thomas Davos
(BP) Plymouth Albion 68 – 15 Fylde Report
Brickfields Attendance: 996 Referee: Christophe Ridley
(2BP) Rosslyn Park 24 – 31 Bishop's Stortford (BP) Report
The Rock Attendance: 610 Referee: Fergus Kirby
[ 15]
Round 5
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 32 – 26 Caldy (2BP) Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 822 Referee: Jamie Leahy
Bishop's Stortford 22 – 41 Ampthill (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 700 Referee: Stephen Light
(BP) Blackheath 46 – 13 Hull Ionians Report
Well Hall Attendance: 578 Referee: Sara Cox
(2BP) Cambridge 28 – 29 Old Elthamians (BP) Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 395 Referee: Calum Howard
(BP) Esher 26 – 61 Coventry (BP) Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 733 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
(BP) Fylde 29 – 20 Rosslyn Park Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 483 Referee: Michael Harris
(BP) Loughborough Students 28 – 49 Plymouth Albion (BP) Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 326 Referee: Daniel Collins
Old Albanian 19 – 38 Birmingham Moseley (BP) Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 324 Referee: Veryan Boscawen
[ 16]
Round 6
(BP) Old Elthamians 23 – 21 Caldy (BP) Report
College Meadow Attendance: 295 Referee: Daniel Collins
(BP) Ampthill 35 – 12 Fylde Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 386 Referee: Calum Howard
Birmingham Moseley 14 – 55 Blackheath (BP) Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 750 Referee: Gareth John
(BP) Coventry 30 – 27 Bishop's Stortford (BP) Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,703 Referee: Dewi Phillips
(BP) Hull Ionians 43 – 28 Esher (BP) Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 183 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Old Albanian 33 – 31 Darlington Mowden Park (BP) Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 370 Referee: Robert Bourke
Plymouth Albion 17 – 10 Cambridge (BP) Report
Brickfields Attendance: 901 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
(BP) Rosslyn Park 49 – 12 Loughborough Students Report
The Rock Attendance: 540 Referee: Veryan Boscawen
[ 17]
Round 7
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 36 – 21 Old Elthamians Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 807 Referee: Matt Turvey
(BP) Bishop's Stortford 35 – 31 Hull Ionians (2BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 760 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
(BP) Blackheath 31 – 3 Old Albanian Report
Well Hall Attendance: 736 Referee: Calum Howard
Caldy 17 – 34 Plymouth Albion (BP) Report
Paton Field Attendance: 436 Referee: Alexander Thomas
(BP) Cambridge 50 – 23 Rosslyn Park Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 453 Referee: James Clarke
(2BP) Esher 27 – 32 Birmingham Moseley (BP) Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 768 Referee: Daniel Collins
Fylde 0 – 64 Coventry (BP) Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 506 Referee: Jamie Leahy
Loughborough Students 14 – 36 Ampthill (BP) Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 213 Referee: Robert Bourke
[ 18]
Round 8
(BP) Ampthill 7 – 8 Cambridge Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 424 Referee: Daniel Collins
(BP) Birmingham Moseley 25 – 27 Bishop's Stortford (BP) Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 665 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Blackheath 39 – 24 Darlington Mowden Park (BP) Report
Well Hall Attendance: 787 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
(BP) Coventry 36 – 0 Louthborough Students Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,552 Referee: James Clarke
(BP) Hull Ionians 33 – 14 Fylde Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 255 Referee: Lylr ApGeraint-Roberts
(BP) Old Albanian 29 – 15 Esher Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 320 Referee: Philip Davies
Plymouth Albion 17 – 17 Old Elthamians Report
Brickfields Attendance: 1,120 Referee: Robert Bourke
(BP) Rosslyn Park 36 – 32 Caldy (2BP) Report
The Rock Attendance: 618 Referee: Calum Howard
[ 19]
Round 9
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 33 – 31 Plymouth Albion (2BP) Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 890 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Old Elthamians 34 – 27 Rosslyn Park (2BP) Report
College Meadow Attendance: 445 Referee: Finlay Brown
Bishop's Stortford 18 – 14 Old Albanian (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 743 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Caldy 22 – 39 Ampthill (BP) Report
Paton Field Attendance: 531 Referee: Michael Harris
Cambridge 7 – 40 Coventry (BP) Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 912 Referee: Thomas Davis
Molesey Road Attendance: 1,022 Referee: Daniel Collins
(BP) Fylde 22 – 26 Birmingham Moseley (BP) Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 476 Referee: Benjamin Davis
(BP) Loughborough Students 58 – 29 Hull Ionians (BP) Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 251 Referee: Philip Davies
[ 20]
Round 10
(BP) Blackheath 19 – 21 Bishop's Stortford Report
Well Hall Attendance: 624 Referee: Matthew Carley
(BP) Hull Ionians 27 – 21 Cambridge (BP) Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 367 Referee: Matt Turvey
(BP) Ampthill 33 – 7 Old Elthamians Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 273 Referee: Aled Evans
(BP) Birmingham Moseley 36 – 10 Loughborough Students Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 861 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) Coventry 38 – 14 Caldy Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,587 Referee: Veryan Boscawen
(BP) Esher 33 – 26 Darlington Mowden Park (2BP) Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 869 Referee: Angus Gardner
Old Albanian 15 – 16 Fylde Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 310 Referee: Michael Hudson
(BP) Rosslyn Park 26 – 26 Plymouth Albion (BP) Report
The Rock Attendance: 683 Referee: Ben Breakspear
[ 21]
Round 11
(BP) Caldy 27 – 26 Hull Ionians (2BP) Report
Paton Field Attendance: 278 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
(BP) Cambridge 15 – 22 Birmingham Moseley Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 417 Referee: Calum Howard
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 36 – 7 Rosslyn Park Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 1,150 Referee: Alexander Thomas
(BP) Old Elthamians 16 – 20 Coventry Report
College Meadow Attendance: 454 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
Bishop's Stortford 24 – 17 Esher (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 505 Referee: Philip Davies
(BP) Fylde 19 – 26 Blackheath (BP) Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 479 Referee: Benjamin Davis
(BP) Loughborough Students 37 – 18 Old Albanian Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 234 Referee: Matt Turvey
Plymouth Albion 16 – 9 Ampthill (BP) Report
Brickfields Attendance: 1,118 Referee: Veryan Boscawen
[ 22]
Round 12
Bishop's Stortford 22 – 22 Darlington Mowden Park (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 367 Referee: Calum Howard
(BP) Hull Ionians 27 – 11 Old Elthamians Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 277 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Ampthill 29 – 23 Rosslyn Park (BP) Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 235 Referee: Dan Parrott
Birmingham Moseley 13 – 11 Caldy (BP) Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 663 Referee: Alex Thomas
(BP) Blackheath 21 – 22 Loughborough Students (BP) Report
Well Hall Attendance: 474 Referee: Daniel Collins
(BP) Coventry 29 – 14 Plymouth Albion Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 2,065 Referee: Matt Turvey
Molesey Road Attendance: 469 Referee: Veryan Boscawen
Old Albanian 7 – 54 Cambridge (BP) Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 270 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
[ 23]
Round 13
Paton Field Attendance: 312 Referee: Simon Mills
Cambridge 16 – 27 Blackheath Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 417 Referee: Robert Bourke
Darlington Mowden Park 21 – 15 Ampthill (BP) Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 877 Referee: Matthew Turvey
(BP) Old Elthamians 47 – 17 Birmingham Moseley Report
College Meadow Attendance: 341 Referee: Aled Evans
(BP) Fylde 29 – 22 Bishop's Stortford (BP) Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 571 Referee: Michael Harris
(BP) Loughborough Students 49 – 38 Esher (BP) Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 243 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
(BP) Plymouth Albion 29 – 3 Hull Ionians Report
Brickfields Attendance: 956 Referee: Dan Parrott
Rosslyn Park 13 – 43 Coventry (BP) Report
The Rock Attendance: 840 Referee: Calum Howard
[ 24]
Round 14
(BP) Bishop's Stortford 43 – 12 Loughborough Students Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 502 Referee: Thomas Davis
Hull Ionians P – P Rosslyn Park
Postponed due to bad weather (snow), game rescheduled to 24 February 2018.[ 25]
Birmingham Moseley P – P Plymouth Albion
Postponed due to bad weather (snow), game rescheduled to 24 February 2018.[ 26]
(BP) Blackheath 29 – 17 Caldy Report
Well Hall Attendance: 380 Referee: Philip Davies
(BP) Coventry 63 – 14 Ampthill Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,776 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Esher 10 – 13 Cambridge Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 955 Referee: Dan Parrott
(BP) Fylde 10 – 13 Darlington Mowden Park Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 583 Referee: Benjamin Davis
Old Albanian 15 – 24 Old Elthamians Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 312 Referee: Daniel Collins
[ 27]
Round 15
(BP) Ampthill 45 – 17 Hull Ionians Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 207 Referee: Jonathan Cook
Paton Field Attendance: 278 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Cambridge 22 – 21 Bishop's Stortford (BP) Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 620 Referee: Callum Howard
(BP) Old Elthamians 32 – 7 Blackheath Report
College Meadow Attendance: 1,653[ a 1] Referee: Veryan Boscawen
Darlington Mowden Park P – P Coventry
Postponed due to a frozen pitch, game rescheduled for 24 February 2018.[ 28]
Loughborough Students 21 – 0 Fylde Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 143 Referee: Dan Parrott
(BP) Plymouth Albion 29 – 8 Old Albanian Report
Brickfields Attendance: 1,232 Referee: Robert Bourke
Rosslyn Park 30 – 26 Birmingham Moseley (2BP) Report
The Rock Attendance: 620 Referee: Dan Collins
[ 29]
Round 16
(BP) Bishop's Stortford 34 – 20 Old Elthamians Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 742 Referee: Daniel Collins
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 26 – 0 Hull Ionians Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 1,122 Referee: Mike Harris
Birmingham Moseley 17 – 41 Coventry (BP) Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 2,130 Referee: Veryan Boscawen
Blackheath 17 – 17 Rosslyn Park Report
Well Hall Attendance: 737 Referee: Dan Parrott
(2BP) Esher 29 – 33 Plymouth Albion (BP) Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 780 Referee: Calum Howard
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 723 Referee: Jonathan Cook
(BP) Loughborough Students 21 – 28 Cambridge Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 103 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Old Albanian 35 – 35 Ampthill (BP) Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 360 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
[ 30]
Round 17
(BP) Caldy 71 – 14 Loughborough Students Report
Paton Field Attendance: 321 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Cambridge P – P Darlington Mowden Park
Postponed due to waterlogged pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 17 March 2018.[ 31]
Hull Ionians 13 – 29 Birmingham Moseley (BP) Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 331 Referee: Matt Turvey
(BP) Old Elthamians 55 – 10 Fylde Report
College Meadow Attendance: 266 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Ampthill 21 – 14 Blackheath (BP) Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 292 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Coventry 52 – 5 Old Albanian Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,721 Referee: Tom Davis
Plymouth Albion P – P Bishop's Stortford
Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 17 March 2018.[ 32]
(BP) Rosslyn Park 44 – 37 Esher (2BP) Report
The Rock Attendance: 862 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
[ 33]
Round 18
(BP) Bishop's Stortford 20 – 22 Rosslyn Park (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 551 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Match rescheduled for 24 February 2018.[ 34]
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 42 – 7 Birmingham Moseley Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 943 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Blackheath 61 – 29 Coventry (BP) Report
Well Hall Attendance: 1,008 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
(BP) Esher 29 – 29 Ampthill (BP) Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 711[ a 2] Referee: Jonathan Cook
Fylde 0 – 26 Plymouth Albion (BP) Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 477 Referee: Matt Turvey
Loughborough Students 21 – 25 Old Elthamians (BP) Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 219 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) Old Albanian 50 – 28 Hull Ionians (BP) Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 345 Referee: Calum Howard
[ 35]
Round 19
(BP) Caldy 8 – 10 Darlington Mowden Park Report
Paton Field Attendance: 254 Referee: Matt Turvey
(BP) Hull Ionians 32 – 21 Blackheath Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 257 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
Old Elthamians 12 – 7 Cambridge (BP) Report
College Meadow Attendance: 277 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
Ampthill 22 – 12 Bishop's Stortford Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 155 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
Birmingham Moseley 34 – 13 Old Albanian Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 696 Referee: Dan Parrott
(BP) Coventry 57 – 12 Esher Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,626 Referee: Alex Thomas
Plymouth Albion P – P Loughborough Students
Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Game rescheduled for 31 March 2018.[ 36]
(BP) Rosslyn Park 31 – 15 Fylde Report
The Rock Attendance: 653 Referee: Robert Bourke
[ 37]
Round 20
Bishop's Stortford 10 – 36 Coventry (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 420 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Caldy 32 – 24 Old Elthamians Report
Paton Field Attendance: 277 Referee: Callum Sharp
Cambridge 16 – 14 Plymouth Albion (BP) Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 476 Referee: James Clarke
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 52 – 24 Old Albanian (BP) Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 855 Referee: Matt Dudman
Blackheath 20 – 12 Birmingham Moseley Report
Well Hall Attendance: 586 Referee: Robert Bourke
(BP) Esher 38 – 27 Hull Ionians (BP) Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 661 Referee: Philip Davison
Fylde 5 – 26 Ampthill (BP) Report
Woodlands Playing Fields Attendance: 413 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) Loughborough Students 37 – 15 Rosslyn Park Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 278 Referee: Lylr ApGeraint-Roberts
[ 38]
Round 21
(BP) Hull Ionians 14 – 21 Bishop's Stortford Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 203 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) Old Elthamians 14 – 19 Darlington Mowden Park Report
College Meadow Attendance: 208 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Ampthill 17 – 17 Loughborough Students Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 162 Referee: Robert Bourke
Birmingham Moseley 20 – 20 Esher Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 576 Referee: Matt Turvey
(BP) Coventry 47 – 3 Fylde Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,357 Referee: Callum Sharp
Old Albanian 6 – 32 Blackheath (BP) Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 290 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
Plymouth Albion 21 – 16 Caldy Report
Brickfields Attendance: 777 Referee: Daniel Parrott
Rosslyn Park 10 – 7 Cambridge (BP) Report
The Rock Attendance: 680 Referee: Calum Howard
[ 39]
Round 22
(BP) Bishop's Stortford 10 – 15 Birmingham Moseley Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 313 Referee: Nicholas Wood
(BP) Caldy 33 – 3 Rosslyn Park Report
Paton Field Attendance: 376 Referee: Harry Walbaum
Grantchester Road Attendance: 415 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 33 – 19 Blackheath Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 979[ 40] Referee: Matt Turvey
Old Elthamians 16 – 12 Plymouth Albion (BP) Report
College Meadow Attendance: 255 Referee: Benjamin Russell
(BP) Esher 24 – 8 Old Albanian Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 561 Referee: Robert Bourke
(BP) Fylde 12 – 14 Hull Ionians Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 412 Referee: Alexander Thomas
(BP) Loughborough Students 24 – 31 Coventry (BP) Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 512 Referee: Phillip Davis
[ 41]
Round 23
Hull Ionians 15 – 15 Loughborough Students Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 247 Referee: Matt Turvey
(BP) Ampthill 30 – 14 Caldy Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 327 Referee: Dan Parrott
(BP) Birmingham Moseley 36 – 21 Fylde Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 594 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Blackheath 29 – 28 Esher (2BP) Report
Well Hall Attendance: 787 Referee: James Clarke
(BP) Coventry 40 – 10 Cambridge Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,689 Referee: Jamie Leahy
(BP) Old Albanian 36 – 17 Bishop's Stortford Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 349 Referee: Jonathan Cook
(BP) Plymouth Albion 34 – 19 Darlington Mowden Park Report
Brickfields Attendance: 906 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
(2BP) Rosslyn Park 29 – 36 Old Elthamians (BP) Report
The Rock Attendance: 647 Referee: George Selwood
[ 42]
Rounds 14, 15 & 18 (rescheduled matches)
Grantchester Road Attendance: 390 Referee: Philip Davies
Game rescheduled from 13 January 2018.
Darlington Mowden Park 0 – 42 Coventry (BP) Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 1,879 Referee: Neil Chivers
Game rescheduled from 16 December 2017.
Hull Ionians 27 – 26 Rosslyn Park (2BP) Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 127 Referee: Dan Parrott
Game rescheduled from 9 December 2017.
(BP) Birmingham Moseley 16 – 20 Plymouth Albion Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 475 Referee: Alexander Thomas
Game rescheduled from 9 December 2017.
[ 43]
Round 24
Darlington Mowden Park P – P Esher
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game rescheduled for 31 March 2018.
Old Elthamians P – P Ampthill
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game rescheduled for 30 March 2018.
Bishop's Stortford P – P Blackheath
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game rescheduled for 30 March 2018.
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game rescheduled for 17 March 2018.
Cambridge P – P Hull Ionians
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game rescheduled for 31 March 2018.
Fylde 21 – 31 Old Albanian (BP) Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 451 Referee: Matt Turvey
(2 BP) Loughborough Students 32 – 33 Birmingham Moseley (BP) Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 158 Referee: Alex Thomas
Plymouth Albion P – P Rosslyn Park
Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game rescheduled for 5 May 2018.
[ 44]
Round 25
(BP) Old Albanian 34 – 19 Loughborough Students Report
Woolham Playing Fields Attendance: 303 Referee: Dan Parrott
(BP) Ampthill 33 – 28 Plymouth Albion (2 BP) Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 297 Referee: Daniel Coles
Birmingham Moseley 14 – 13 Cambridge (BP) Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 571 Referee: Benjamin Russell
(BP) Blackheath 36 – 5 Fylde Report
Well Hall Attendance: 293 Referee: Jack Lewars
(BP) Coventry 48 – 13 Old Elthamians Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,473 Referee: Matt Turvey
Esher 17 – 28 Bishop's Stortford Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 622 Referee: Andrew MacNeaney
(BP) Hull Ionians 29 – 24 Caldy (BP) Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 408 Referee: Alexander Thomas
(BP) Rosslyn Park 38 – 26 Darlington Mowden Park (BP)
The Rock Attendance: 517 Referee: Nick Wood
[ 45]
Rounds 17 & 24 (rescheduled matches)
Plymouth Albion 17 – 10 Bishop's Stortford (BP) Report
Brickfields Attendance: 671 Referee: Calum Howard
Game rescheduled from 6 January 2018.
Cambridge 15 – 25 Darlington Mowden Park Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 331 Referee: Jonathan Cook
Game rescheduled from 6 January 2018.
Caldy 12 – 55 Coventry (BP) Report
Paton Field Attendance: 546 Referee: Jame Leahy
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018. Coventry win league title.[ 3]
[ 46]
Round 26
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 41 – 35 Bishop's Stortford (2 BP) Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 894 Referee: Michael Harris
(BP) Old Elthamians 42 – 26 Hull Ionians (BP) Report
College Meadow Attendance: 253 Referee: Gareth Holsgrove
Caldy 21– 20 Birmingham Moseley (BP) Report
Paton Field Attendance: 385 Referee: Matt Turvey
(BP) Cambridge 50 – 26 Old Albanian (BP) Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 463 Referee: Calum Howard
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 380 Referee: Calum Sharpe
(BP) Loughborough Students 34 – 34 Blackheath (BP) Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 247 Referee: Nick Wood
(BP) Plymouth Albion 21 – 24 Coventry Report
Brickfields Attendance: 2,898 Referee: Dan Parrott
Rosslyn Park 21 – 31 Ampthill (BP) Report
The Rock Attendance: 324 Referee: Andrew Thomas
[ 47]
Rounds 19 & 24 (rescheduled matches)
Old Elthamians 6 – 18 Ampthill Report
College Meadow Attendance: 186 Referee: Neil Chivers
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
Bishop's Stortford 15 – 5 Blackheath Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 749 Referee: Veryan Boscawen
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
Darlington Mowden Park 18 – 16 Esher (BP) Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 622 Referee: George Selwood
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
(BP) Cambridge 29 – 19 Hull Ionians Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 313 Referee: James Clarke
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
Plymouth Albion P – P Loughborough Students
Game rescheduled from 20 January 2018 but postponed again due to a waterlogged pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 12 May 2018.[ 48]
[ 49]
Round 27
(BP) Ampthill 15 – 17 Darlington Mowden Park Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 385 Referee: Veryan Boscawen
(2BP) Birmingham Moseley 28 – 32 Old Elthamians (BP) Report
Billesley Common Attendance: 752 Referee: George Selwood
(BP) Bishop's Stortford 70 – 24 Fylde (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 571 Referee: Luke Davies
(BP) Blackheath 23 – 12 Cambridge Report
Well Hall Attendance: 827 Referee: Andrea Piardi
(BP) Coventry 32 – 27 Rosslyn Park (2BP) Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 2,088 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
(BP) Esher 23 – 25 Loughborough Students Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 769 Referee: James Clarke
(BP) Hull Ionians 33 – 14 Plymouth Albion Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 275 Referee: Alexander Thomas
(BP) Old Albanian 43 – 25 Caldy Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 320 Referee: Robert Bourke
[ 50]
Round 28
(BP) Darlington Mowden Park 40 – 7 Fylde Report
Northern Echo Arena Attendance: 933 Referee: Benjamin Davis
Dillingham Park Attendance: 738 Referee: Alexander Thomas
(BP) Caldy 42 – 18 Blackheath Report
Paton Field Attendance: 329 Referee: Lylr ApGeraint-Roberts
Cambridge 22 – 32 Esher (BP) Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 425 Referee: Harry Walbaum
(BP) Loughborough Students 32 – 14 Bishop's Stortford Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 329 Referee: Matt Turney
(2BP) Old Elthamians 29 – 34 Old Albanian (BP) Report
College Meadows Attendance: 274 Referee: Philip Davies
(BP) Plymouth Albion 28 – 24 Birmingham Moseley (BP) Report
Brickfields Attendance: 1,563 Referee: Robert Bourke
(2BP) Rosslyn Park 36 – 37 Hull Ionians Report
The Rock Attendance: 582 Referee: Dan Parrott
[ 51]
Round 29
(BP) Birmingham Moseley 34 – 19 Rosslyn Park Report
Billesley Commn Attendance: 1,158 Referee: Jack Lewars
(BP) Bishop's Stortford 27 – 33 Cambridge (BP) Report
Silver Leys Attendance: 1,152 Referee: Jonathan Cook
Blackheath 28 – 23 Old Elthamians (2BP) Report
Well Hall Attendance: 1,650 Referee: Jack Walsh
(BP) Coventry 36 – 46 Darlington Mowden Park (BP) Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,938 Referee: Daniel Collins
(BP) Esher 42 – 28 Caldy (BP) Report
Molesey Road Attendance: 1,203 Referee: Luke Davies
(BP) Fylde 33 – 81 Loughborough Students (BP) Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground Attendance: 550 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Hull Ionians 16 – 42 Ampthill (BP) Report
Brantingham Park Attendance: 402 Referee: Neil Chivers
(BP) Old Albanian 21 – 24 Plymouth Albion Report
Woollam Playing Fields Attendance: 325 Referee: Callum Howard
Old Albanian are relegated.[ 4]
[ 52]
Round 30
(BP) Ampthill 36 – 5 Birmingham Moseley Report
Dillingham Park Attendance: 342 Referee: Calum Howard
Caldy 18 – 28 Bishop's Stortford Report
Paton Field Attendance: 784 Referee: Benjamin Davis
(BP) Cambridge 29 – 7 Fylde Report
Grantchester Road Attendance: 524 Referee: Thomas Davies
(BP) Coventry 38 – 21 Hull Ionians Report
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 3,758 Referee: Alex Thomas
Hull Ionians are relegated. Coventry's attendance of 3,758 is a divisional record.[ 5]
(BP) Loughborough Students 17 – 24 Darlington Mowden Park Report
Loughborough University Stadium Attendance: 253 Referee: Dan Parrott
Old Elthamians 0 – 30 Esher (BP) Report
College Meadow Attendance: 311 Referee: Jack Lewars
(BP) Plymouth Albion 29 – 5 Blackheath Report
Brickfields Attendance: 1,171 Referee: George Selwood
(BP) Rosslyn Park 55 – 14 Old Albanian Report
The Rock Attendance: 780 Referee: Jamie Leahy
[ 53]
Round 24 (rescheduled game)
(BP) Plymouth Albion 55 – 14 Rosslyn Park Report
Brickfields Attendance: 695 Referee: Ben Russell
Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
[ 54]
Round 19 (rescheduled game)
(BP) Plymouth Albion 33 – 19 Loughborough Students
Brickfields Attendance: 750 Referee: Charlie Gayther
Game originally rescheduled from 20 January 2018 and then from 31 March 2018.
[ 55]
Attendances
Club
Home games
Total
Average
Highest
Lowest
% Capacity
Ampthill
15
4,819
321
738
155
11%
Birmingham Moseley
15
12,005
800
2,130
475
16%
Bishop's Stortford
15
9,145
610
1,152
313
38%
Blackheath
15
10,560
704
1,650
293
43%
Caldy
15
6,299
420
784
254
10%
Cambridge
15
6,963
464
912
313
21%
Coventry
15
28,030
1,869
3,758
1,357
47%
Darlington Mowden Park
15
14,428
962
1,879
622
4%
Esher
15
11,364
758
1,203
469
22%
Fylde
15
7,565
504
723
380
6%
Hull Ionians
15
4,037
269
408
127
18%
Loughborough Students
15
3,851
257
512
103
9%
Old Albanian
15
4,963
331
420
270
33%
Old Elthamians
15
6,360
424
1,653
186
24%
Plymouth Albion
15
16,834
1,122
2,898
671
13%
Rosslyn Park
15
9,577
638
862
324
32%
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).
Top points scorers
[ 56]
Top try scorers
[ 57]
Season records
Team
Largest home win — 53 pts
68 – 15 Plymouth Albion at home to Fylde on 23 September 2017
Largest away win — 64 pts
64 – 0 Coventry away to Fylde on 14 October 2017
Most points scored — 81
81 – 33 Loughborough Students away to Fylde on 21 April 2018
Most points scored away from home — 81
81 – 33 Loughborough Students away to Fylde on 21 April 2018
Most tries in a match — 11 (2)
Bishop's Stortford at home to Fylde on 7 April 2018
Loughborough Students away to Fylde on 21 April 2018
Most tries in an away match — 11
Loughborough Students away to Fylde on 21 April 2018
Most conversions in a match — 9 (3)
Plymouth Albion at home to Fylde on 23 September 2017
Coventry at home to Ampthill on 9 December 2017
Caldy at home to Loughborough Students on 6 January 2018
Most penalties in a match — 7
Cambridge away to Loughborough Students on 23 December 2017
Most drop goals in a match — 1 (4)
Cambridge away to Fylde on 2 September 2017
Hull Ionians at home to Cambridge on 4 November 2017
Old Albanian at home to Ampthill on 23 December 2017
Hull Ionians at home to Rosslyn Park on 24 February 2018
[ 58] [ 59] [ 60] [ 61]
Attendances
Highest — 3,758
Coventry at home to Hull Ionians on 28 April 2018
Lowest — 103
Loughborough Students at home to Cambridge on 23 December 2017
Highest average attendance — 1,869
Coventry
Lowest average attendance — 257
Loughborough Students
[ 62]
Player
Most points in a match — 26
Wales Gavin Roberts for Caldy at home to Loughborough Students on 6 January 2018
Most tries in a match — 5
England Ryan Hutler for Bishop's Stortford at home to Fylde on 7 April 2018
Most tries in an away match — 4
England Mark Harrison for Birmingham Moseley away to Esher on 14 October 2017
Most conversions in a match — 9
England Dan Mugford for Plymouth Albion at home to Fylde on 23 September 2017
Wales Gavin Roberts for Caldy at home to Loughborough Students on 6 January 2018
Most penalties in a match — 6
England Isaac Green for Hull Ionians away to Rosslyn Park on 14 April 2018
Most drop goals in a match — 1 (4)
England Jack Green for Cambridge away to Fylde on 2 September 2017
England Chris Bell for Hull Ionians at home to Cambridge on 4 November 2017
England Tom Bednall for Old Albanian at home to Ampthill on 23 December 2017
England Greg Lound for Hull Ionians at home to Rosslyn Park on 24 February 2018
[ 63] [ 64] [ 65] [ 66] [ 67]
Notes
↑ The Rugby Paper reported an attendance of 1,653 while the NCA and Rugby Statbunker had an attendance of 1,453 for the game between Old Elthamians and Blackheath on 16 December 2017. From discussion with Old Elthamians chairman he says the Rugby Paper's version is accurate.
↑ The Rugby Paper reported an attendance of 380 while the NCA and Rugby Statbunker had an attendance of 711 for the game between Esher and Ampthill on 13 January 2018. Given that the NCA is using an official figure from the club, and the Rugby Paper source tends to underestimate Esher's attendances quite drastically, The 711 figure seems more accurate.
See also
References
External links
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