The 2002–03 National Division Two was the third version (sixteenth overall) of the third division of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Two. New teams to the division included Henley Hawks and Bracknell who were relegated from the 2001–02 National Division One while promoted teams included Doncaster who were champions of the 2001–02 National Division Three North as well as Cornish teams Penzance & Newlyn (champions) and Launceston (playoffs) who came up from the 2001–02 National Division Three South .[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
Penzance & Newlyn finished the season as champions with Henley Hawks six points behind as runners up, both sides being convincingly the best in the division and would be promoted to the 2003–04 National Division One for the next season.[ 5] [ 6] Fylde and Kendal were the first two sides to be relegated but the battle for the last relegation spot was very tight with just three points separating 12th from 8th in the division.[ 7] Nottingham and Wharfedale , but while those sides won their games, Launceston lost their home game against league champions and local rivals Penzance & Newlyn to condemn the Polson Bridge side to the drop – dead level with Nottingham but with a worse points difference.[ 5] [ 6] 2003–04 National Division Three North while Launceston returned to the 2003–04 National Division Three South .[ 8] [ 9]
Participating teams and locations [ edit ] Locations of the 2002-03 National Division Two teams
Team
Stadium
Capacity
City/Area
Bracknell
Lily Hill Park
1,250 (250 seats)
Bracknell , Berkshire
Doncaster
Castle Park
3,075
Doncaster , South Yorkshire
Esher
Molesey Road
3,000
Hersham , Surrey
Fylde
Woodlands Memorial Ground
9,000
Lytham St. Annes , Lancashire
Harrogate
Claro Road
3,000
Harrogate , North Yorkshire
Henley Hawks
Dry Leas
4,000
Henley-on-Thames , Oxfordshire
Kendal
Mint Bridge
3,000 (300 stand)
Kendal , Cumbria
Launceston
Polson Bridge
3,000
Launceston , Cornwall
Newbury Blues
Monk's Lane
8,000
Newbury , Berkshire
Nottingham
Ireland Avenue
4,950
Beeston , Nottinghamshire
Penzance & Newlyn
Mennaye Field
3,500
Penzance , Cornwall
Sedgley Park
Park Lane
3,000
Whitefield , Greater Manchester
Stourbridge
Stourton Park
3,500 (499 seats)
Stourbridge , West Midlands
Wharfedale
The Avenue
2,000
Threshfield , Craven , North Yorkshire
Updated to match(es) played on 26-04-2003. Source:
englandrugby.com (C) Champions;
(P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Bracknell 16 - 9 Launceston Report
Lily Hill Park [ 10] Alan Biggs
Doncaster 33 - 15 Stourbridge Report
Castle Park [ 10] Bruce Robertson
Henley Hawks 36 - 26 Esher Report
Dry Leas Nick Williams
Mint Bridge [ 10] Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Nottingham 33 - 22 Newbury Blues Report
Ireland Avenue [ 10] Chris Sharp
Penzance & Newlyn 46 - 7 Fylde Report
Mennaye Fields Paul Dix
Wharfedale 14 - 38 Sedgley Park Report
The Avenue [ 10] Sean Davey
Esher 26 - 31 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Molesey Road David Sainsbury
Harrogate 49 - 12 Doncaster Report
Claro Road Wayne Barnes
Mint Bridge [ 11]
Polson Bridge [ 11] Nick Williams
Newbury Blues 8 - 37 Bracknell Report
Monk's Lane [ 11] Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Sedgley Park 11 - 13 Nottingham Report
Park Lane D Edmunds
Stourbridge 20 - 52 Henley Hawks Report
Stourton Park [ 11]
Bracknell 31 - 12 Stourbridge Report
Lily Hill Park [ 12] Nigel Higginson
Doncaster 18 - 49 Wharfedale Report
Castle Park [ 12] Graham Hughes
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 12] Bruce Robertson
Henley Hawks 39 - 12 Sedgley Park Report
Dry Leas [ 12] Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Polson Bridge Paul Dix
Nottingham 6 - 22 Harrogate Report
Ireland Avenue [ 12] Alan Hughes
Penzance & Newlyn 35 - 19 Newbury Blues Report
Mennaye Field [ 12] Andrew Pearce
Molesey Road Martin Fox
Harrogate 21 - 42 Henley Hawks Report
Claro Road [ 13] Graham Hughes
Mint Bridge [ 13] Chris Sharp
Newbury Blues 11 - 8 Fylde Report
Monk's Lane [ 13] Tim Beddow
Sedgley Park 17 - 16 Bracknell Report
Park Lane Nick Williams
Stourbridge 22 - 24 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Stourton Park [ 13] Tim Wigglesworth
Wharfedale 30 - 12 Nottingham Report
The Avenue [ 13]
Bracknell 28 - 25 Harrogate Report
Lily Hill Park [ 14] D Edmunds
Molesey Road [ 14] Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 14] Chris Sharp
Henley Hawks 48 - 3 Wharfedale Report
Dry Leas [ 14] Alan Biggs
Launceston 36 - 7 Newbury Blues Report
Polson Bridge [ 14] Nick Williams
Nottingham 35 - 19 Doncaster Report
Ireland Avenue [ 14]
Penzance & Newlyn 42 - 16 Sedgley Park Report
Mennaye Field Andrew Pearce
Doncaster 11 - 20 Henley Hawks Report
Castle Park [ 15] Tim Beddow
Harrogate 31 - 29 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Claro Road Nick Williams
Mint Bridge [ 15]
Monk's Lane Alan Biggs[ 15]
Sedgley Park 53 - 28 Fylde Report
Park Lane Eric Woodmason
Stourbridge 28 - 32 Launceston Report
Stourton Park [ 15] Rowan Kitt
Wharfedale 3 - 17 Bracknell Report
The Avenue Alan Hughes[ 15]
Bracknell 33 - 14 Doncaster Report
Lily Hill Park [ 16] Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Molesey Road [ 16] Bruce Robertson
Woodlands Memorial Ground D Edmunds
Henley Hawks 10 - 20 Nottingham Report
Dry Leas [ 16] Tim Beddow
Launceston 30 - 33 Sedgley Park Report
Polson Bridge [ 16] Eric Woodmason
Newbury Blues 54 - 9 Kendal Report
Monk's Lane [ 16] Paul Dix
Penzance & Newlyn 34 - 34 Wharfedale Report
Mennaye Field Steve Harland
Doncaster 9 - 5 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Castle Park [ 17] Tim Beddow
Harrogate 34 - 11 Launceston Report
Claro Road Graham Hughes
Kendal 9 - 16 Henley Hawks Report
Mint Bridge [ 17] Alan Hughes
Nottingham 21 - 14 Bracknell Report
Ireland Avenue [ 17] D Edmunds
Sedgley Park 11 - 26 Esher Report
Park Lane [ 17] Chris Sharp
Stourbridge 9 - 15 Newbury Blues Report
Stourton Park [ 17] Tim Wigglesworth
The Avenue [ 17] Chris Seeley
Bracknell 46 - 26 Henley Hawks Report
Lily Hill Park David Sainsbury
Molesey Road [ 18] Tim Beddow
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 18] Nick Williams
Launceston 30 - 14 Newbury Blues Report
Polson Bridge [ 18] Steve Harland
Newbury Blues 28 - 40 Sedgley Park Report
Monk's Lane [ 18] Rowan Kitt
Penzance & Newlyn 24 - 19 Nottingham Report
Mennaye Field [ 18]
Stourbridge 28 - 13 Kendal Report
Stourton Park [ 18] Paul Dix
Doncaster 40 - 7 Launceston Report
Castle Park S Makinson
Harrogate 16 - 13 Newbury Blues Report
Claro Road [ 19] Andrew Canning
Henley Hawks 16 - 12 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Dry Leas Tim Wigglesworth
Mint Bridge Chris Sharp
Ireland Avenue Graham Hughes
Sedgley Park 30 - 14 Stourbridge Report
Park Lane D Edmunds
The Avenue [ 19] Graham Hughes
Molesey Road [ 20] Nick Cousins
Fylde 20 - 21 Henley Hawks Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 20] Alan Biggs
Launceston 15 - 13 Nottingham Report
Polson Bridge [ 20] Tim Beddow
Newbury Blues 23 - 13 Wharfedale Report
Monk's Lane [ 20] Steve Harland
Penzance & Newlyn 32 - 22 Bracknell Report
Mennaye Field Paul Dix
Sedgley Park 29 - 0 Kendal Report
Park Lane Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Stourbridge 27 - 25 Harrogate Report
Stourton Park [ 20] Andrew Pearce
Lily Hill Park David Sainsbury
Doncaster 20 - 11 Newbury Blues Report
Castle Park [ 21] Nick Williams
Harrogate 29 - 3 Sedgley Park Report
Claro Road [ 21] Mark Wilson
Henley Hawks 43 - 13 Launceston Report
Dry Leas [ 21]
Kendal 12 - 54 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Mint Bridge [ 21] Alan Hughes
Ireland Avenue [ 21] Rowan Kitt
Wharfedale 11 - 25 Stourbridge Report
The Avenue [ 21] Dean Richards
Esher 26 - 26 Henley Hawks Report
Molesey Road [ 22] Tim Beddow
Fylde 15 - 33 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 22] Graham Hughes
Claro Road [ 22] D Edmunds
Launceston 30 - 21 Bracknell Report
Polson Bridge [ 22] Nick Williams
Newbury Blues 28 - 20 Nottingham Report
Monk's Lane [ 22] Bruce Robertson
Sedgley Park 22 - 6 Wharfedale Report
Park Lane [ 22] Rowan Kitt
Stourbridge 26 - 25 Doncaster Report
Stourton Park [ 22] Chris Sharp
Lily Hill Park [ 23] Alan Biggs
Doncaster 30 - 35 Sedgley Park Report
Castle Park D Edmunds
Henley Hawks 17 - 3 Newbury Blues Report
Dry Leas [ 23] Dean Richards
Nottingham 17 - 20 Stourbridge Report
Ireland Avenue [ 23] Paul Dix
Penzance & Newlyn 22 - 11 Launceston Report
Mennaye Field Rowan Kitt
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 28 December 2002. Postponed. Game rescheduled to 28 December 2002. [ edit ] Mint Bridge [ 24] Chris Sharp
Game rescheduled from 21 December 2002. Wharfedale 11 - 12 Harrogate Report
The Avenue [ 24] Tim Wigglesworth
Game rescheduled from 21 December 2002. Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 25] Trevor Fisher
Launceston 17 - 21 Henley Hawks Report
Polson Bridge [ 25] Steve Harland
Newbury Blues 25 - 21 Doncaster Report
Monk's Lane Paul Dix
Penzance & Newlyn 51 - 21 Kendal Report
Mennaye Field Nick Williams
Sedgley Park 43 - 7 Harrogate Report
Park Lane Graham Hughes
Stourbridge 25 - 20 Wharfedale Report
Stourton Park [ 25] Eric Woodmason
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 15 February 2003. Castle Park Bruce Robertson
Nottingham 25 - 8 Launceston Report
Ireland Avenue [ 26]
Bracknell P - P Penzance & Newlyn
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 15 February 2003. Harrogate P - P Stourbridge
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003. Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003. Postponed. Game rescheduled to 22 March 2003. Wharfedale P - P Newbury Blues
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 15 February 2003. Lily Hill Park [ 27] Mark Varnon
Molesey Road [ 27] Alan Biggs
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 27] Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Launceston 10 - 15 Doncaster Report
Polson Bridge [ 27] Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Newbury Blues 8 - 26 Harrogate Report
Monk's Lane [ 27] David Sainsbury
Penzance & Newlyn 16 - 14 Henley Hawks Report
Mennaye Fields Nigel Higginson
Stourbridge 45 - 24 Sedgley Park Report
Stourton Park [ 27] Rowan Kitt
Castle Park Paul Dix
Claro Road [ 28] Tim Wigglesworth
Henley Hawks 35 - 5 Bracknell Report
Dry Leas David Grashoff
Kendal 24 - 24 Stourbridge Report
Mint Bridge D Edmunds
Nottingham 10 - 29 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Ireland Avenue [ 28] Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Sedgley Park 47 - 5 Newbury Blues Report
Park Lane Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Wharfedale 15 - 6 Launceston Report
The Avenue [ 28] Alan Hughes
Esher 12 - 10 Sedgley Park Report
Molesey Road David Sainsbury
Henley Hawks 31 - 3 Kendal Report
Dry Leas [ 29]
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 29] Tim Beddow
Launceston 23 - 22 Harrogate Report
Polson Bridge Nick Williams
Newbury Blues 25 - 26 Stourbridge Report
Monk's Lane [ 29] Mark Varnon
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003. Penzance & Newlyn P - P Doncaster
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003. Doncaster 31 - 0 Bracknell Report
Castle Park [ 30] D Edmunds
Claro Road [ 30] Chris Sharp
Kendal 12 - 11 Newbury Blues Report
Mint Bridge [ 30] Alan Hughes
Nottingham 15 - 16 Henley Hawks Report
Ireland Avenue [ 30] Paul Dix
Sedgley Park 67 - 18 Launceston Report
Park Lane [ 30] Mark Wilson
Stourton Park [ 30] Eric Woodmason
Wharfedale 7 - 35 Penzance & Newlyn Report
The Avenue [ 30] Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
[ edit ] Molesey Road [ 31] Geraint Ashton-Jones
Game rescheduled from 4 January 2003. Wharfedale 25 - 22 Newbury Blues Report
The Avenue Tim Wigglesworth
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003. Bracknell 27 - 46 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Lily Hill Park Mark Wilson
Game rescheduled from 15 January 2003. Bracknell 20 - 19 Wharfedale Report
Lily Hill Park [ 32] David Grashoff
Esher 39 - 8 Newbury Blues Report
Molesey Road [ 32]
Fylde 11 - 27 Sedgley Park Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 32] Trevor Fisher
Henley Hawks 19 - 30 Doncaster Report
Dry Leas Nick Cousins
Launceston 28 - 33 Stourbridge Report
Polson Bridge [ 32] Paul Dix
Ireland Avenue [ 32] Tim Wigglesworth
Penzance & Newlyn 40 - 5 Harrogate Report
Mennaye Field [ 32] Nigel Higginson
Doncaster 19 - 33 Nottingham Report
Castle Park [ 33] Guy Steel Bodger
Harrogate 29 - 17 Bracknell Report
Claro Road [ 33] Bruce Robertson
Mint Bridge [ 33] Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Newbury Blues 23 - 18 Launceston Report
Monk's Lane [ 33] Tim Beddow
Sedgley Park 9 - 34 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Park Lane Paul Dix
Stourton Park [ 33] D Edmunds
Wharfedale 13 - 29 Henley Hawks Report
The Avenue [ 33] Tim Wigglesworth
[ edit ] Bracknell 25 - 23 Nottingham Report
Lily Hill Park [ 34] Rowan Kitt
Game rescheduled from 1 February 2003. Harrogate 35 - 5 Stourbridge Report
Claro Road [ 34] Wayne Barnes
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003. Dry Leas [ 34] Guy Steel Bodger
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003. Penzance & Newlyn 38 - 15 Doncaster Report
Mennaye Field Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Game rescheduled from 1 February 2003. Bracknell 24 - 17 Sedgley Park Report
Lily Hill Park [ 35] David Sainsbury
Castle Park Gareth Copsey
Fylde 23 - 41 Newbury Blues Report
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 35] Chris Sharp
Henley Hawks 36 - 24 Harrogate Report
Dry Leas Rowan Kitt
Polson Bridge [ 35] Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Nottingham 3 - 40 Wharfedale Report
Ireland Avenue [ 35] Eric Woodmason
Penzance & Newlyn 44 - 18 Stourbridge Report
Mennaye Field Andrew Pearce
[ edit ] Kendal 12 - 29 Sedgley Park Report
Mint Bridge [ 36] Brendan Fitzmaurice
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003. Molesey Road [ 37] Mark Wilson
Harrogate 19 - 17 Nottingham Report
Claro Road [ 37] Brendan Fitzmaurice
Mint Bridge [ 37] Graham Hannah
Newbury Blues 15 - 32 Cornish Pirates Report
Monk's Lane [ 37] Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Sedgley Park 42 - 27 Henley Hawks Report
Park Lane Bruce Robertson
Stourbridge 14 - 33 Bracknell Report
Stourton Park [ 37] Richard Parker-Sedgmore
Wharfedale 14 - 9 Doncaster Report
The Avenue [ 37] Chris Seeley
Bracknell 22 - 24 Newbury Blues Report
Lily Hill Park [ 38] Alan Biggs
Doncaster 24 - 8 Harrogate Report
Castle Park Bruce Robertson
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 38] Nick Williams
Henley Hawks 74 - 24 Stourbridge Report
Dry Leas [ 38]
Nottingham 29 - 25 Sedgley Park Report
Ireland Avenue [ 38] Rowan Kitt
Penzance & Newlyn 36 - 29 Esher Report
Mennaye Field Andrew Pearce
The Avenue [ 38] Alan Hughes
Molesey Road [ 39] Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Woodlands Memorial Ground [ 39] Chris Seeley
Harrogate 9 - 27 Wharfedale Report
Claro Road [ 39] Tim Wigglesworth
Launceston 13 - 25 Penzance & Newlyn Report
Polson Bridge Paul Dix
Newbury Blues 33 - 26 Henley Hawks Report
Monk's Lane [ 39] Nick Williams
Sedgley Park 12 - 28 Doncaster Report
Park Lane [ 39] D Edmunds
Stourbridge 38 - 40 Nottingham Report
Stourton Park [ 39] Mark Wilson
Total season attendances [ edit ]
Club
Home
Total
Average
Highest
Lowest
% Capacity
Bracknell
12[ a 2]
2,775
231
350
120
18%
Doncaster
11[ a 3]
7,600
691
850
500
22%
Esher
13
5,000
385
500
250
13%
Fylde
12[ a 4]
3,800
317
450
200
4%
Harrogate
13
7,103
546
1,500
276
18%
Henley Hawks
13
6,655
512
1,025
250
13%
Kendal
13
4,289
330
483
156
11%
Launceston
13
5,950
458
2,000
200
15%
Newbury Blues
13
6,575
506
1,055
300
6%
Nottingham
13
4,622
356
575
230
7%
Penzance & Newlyn
7[ a 5]
11,300
1,614
2,200
1,000
46%
Sedgley Park
9[ a 6]
4,370
486
750
250
16%
Stourbridge
13
4,100
315
400
200
9%
Wharfedale
13
5,954
458
800
304
23%
^ Note that 15 home attendances are missing (see below) - so the total attendance will not be 100% accurate. The average attendance has also been taken into account with the missing games not included.
^ Missing home attendance v Penzance & Newlyn on 16 February 2003.
^ Missing home attendances v Kendal on 15 March 2003 & Harrogate on 12 April 2003.
^ Missing home attendance v Harrogate on 26 October 2002.
^ Missing home attendances v Sedgley Park on 28 September 2002, Wharfedale on 26 October 2002, Kendal on 4 January 2003, Doncaster on 8 March 2003, Stourbridge on 15 March 2003 & Esher on 12 April 2003.
^ Missing home attendance v Nottingham on 7 September 2002, Bracknell on 21 September 2002, Fylde on 12 October 2002 & Harrogate on 4 January 2003.
Individual statistics [ edit ] Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.
Largest home win — 50 pts 74 - 24 Henley Hawks at home to Stourbridge on 12 April 2003
Largest away win — 42 pts 54 - 12 Penzance & Newlyn away to Kendal on 7 December 2002
Most points scored — 74 pts 74 - 24 Henley Hawks at home to Stourbridge on 12 April 2003
Most tries in a match — 10 Henley Hawks at home to Stourbridge on 12 April 2003
Most conversions in a match — 9 Henley Hawks at home to Stourbridge on 12 April 2003
Most penalties in a match — 7 (x2) Sedgley Park away to Wharfedale on 31 August 2002
Most drop goals in a match — 2 (x3) Esher at home to Kendal on 28 September 2002
[ 42] [ 43] [ 44] [ 45]
Most points in a match — 28 (x2) Chris Glynn for Sedgley Park away to Wharfedale on 31 August 2002Jonathon Davies for Wharfedale at home to Kendal on 12 April 2003
Most tries in a match — 4 (x2) Victor Olonga for Penzance & Newlyn away to Kendal on 7 December 2002Nash Shumba for Esher away to Stourbridge on 8 February 2003
Most conversions in a match — 9 Barry Reeves for Henley Hawks at home to Stourbridge on 12 April 2003
Most penalties in a match — 7 (x2) Chris Glynn for Sedgley Park away to Wharfedale on 31 August 2002Ben Harvey for Stourbridge at home to Kendal on 16 November 2003
Most drop goals in a match — 2 (x3) Chris Finch for Esher at home to Kendal on 28 September 2002Mike Scott for Kendal at home to Henley Hawks on 2 November 2002Mike Scott for Kendal at home to Newbury Blues on 8 February 2003
[ 46] [ 47] [ 48] [ 49] [ 50]
Highest — 2,200 Penzance & Newlyn at home to Henley Hawks on 18 January 2003
Lowest — 120 (x2) Bracknell against Nottingham 8 March 2003 and Sedgley Park on 15 March 2003
Highest Average Attendance — 1,614 Penzance & Newlyn
Lowest Average Attendance — 231 Bracknell
[ 51]
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