1992–93 National Division 4 North
Rugby union competition in England
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The 1992–93 National Division 4 North was the sixth full season of rugby union within the fourth tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 2 North, and counterpart to the National Division 4 South (now National League 2 South).
Impending changes to the league structure by the RFU meant that several new leagues were to be introduced at the end of the season. This meant that champions Harrogate were promoted into the 1993–94 National Division 4, clubs ranked 2nd to 11th dropped to the 1993–94 National Division 5 North and bottom club Towcestrians two levels to Midlands 1. Relegation was particularly tough on newly promoted Rotherham as they finished level with Harrogate only to lose out to their Yorkshire rivals by virtue of a worse for/against record.[1]
Structure
Each team played one match against each of the other teams, playing a total of twelve matches each. Changes to the league structure by the RFU for the 1993–94 season meant that the champions are promoted to National Division 4, clubs ranked 2nd to 11th went into National Division 5 North and the bottom side down to either Midlands 1 or North 1 depending on locality.
Participating teams and locations
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham City | Hollow Drift | 3,000 (500 seats)[2] | Durham, County Durham | 10th |
| Harrogate | Claro Road | 4,500 (500 seats)[3] | Harrogate, North Yorkshire | 7th |
| Hereford | Wyeside | 3,200 (200 seats)[4] | Hereford, Herefordshire | Runners up (not promoted) |
| Kendal | Mint Bridge | 4,600 (600 seats)[5] | Kendal, Cumbria | 3rd |
| Lichfield | Cooke Fields | 5,460 (460 seats)[6] | Lichfield, Staffordshire | 5th |
| Nuneaton | Harry Cleaver Ground | 5,000 (650 seats)[7] | Nuneaton, Warwickshire | Relegated from National 3 (12th) |
| Preston Grasshoppers | Lightfoot Green | 2,250 (250 seats)[8] | Preston, Lancashire | 4th |
| Rotherham | Clifton Lane | 2,500 | Rotherham, South Yorkshire | Promoted from North 1 (1st) |
| Stoke-on-Trent | Hartwell Lane | 2,000[9] | Barlaston, Staffordshire | Promoted from Midlands 1 (1st) |
| Stourbridge | Stourton Park | 2,000[10] | Stourbridge, West Midlands | 6th |
| Towcestrians | Greens Norton Road | Towchester, Northamptonshire | 9th | |
| Walsall | Broadway | 2,500 (500 seats)[11] | Walsall, West Midlands | 11th |
| Winnington Park | Burrows Hill | 5,000[12] | Norwich, Cheshire | 8th |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrogate (C) | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 363 | 115 | +248 | 21 | Promoted |
| 2 | Rotherham (R) | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 259 | 123 | +136 | 21 | Relegated |
| 3 | Preston Grasshoppers (R) | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 157 | 135 | +22 | 16 | |
| 4 | Stoke-on-Trent (R) | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 193 | 168 | +25 | 14 | |
| 5 | Lichfield (R) | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 221 | 224 | −3 | 13 | |
| 6 | Kendal (R) | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 182 | 189 | −7 | 12 | |
| 7 | Walsall (R) | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 160 | 192 | −32 | 12 | |
| 8 | Durham City (R) | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 179 | 219 | −40 | 12 | |
| 9 | Stourbridge (R) | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 161 | 144 | +17 | 11 | |
| 10 | Winnington Park (R) | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 167 | 165 | +2 | 11 | |
| 11 | Hereford (R) | 12 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 147 | 216 | −69 | 6 | |
| 12 | Nuneaton (R) | 12 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 138 | 269 | −131 | 4 | |
| 13 | Towcestrians (R) | 12 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 118 | 286 | −168 | 3 |
Sponsorship
Division 4 North is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery.
Notes
- The re-organization of the English league system by the RFU meant that all teams other than the champions would be relegated to the new look National Division 5 North for the 1993–94 season.