1997–98 National League 1


The 1997–98 National League 1, sponsored by Jewson, was the eleventh full season of rugby union within the third tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 1.

Structure

The league consisted of fourteen teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of twenty-six matches for each team. There were four promotion places with the top four teams promoted to the 1998–99 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two. There was no relegation, this season, to either National Division 4 North or South due to an increase, from twelve teams to fourteen, in the top two divisions.

Participating teams and locations

National Division Three was reduced from sixteen teams to fourteen with ten of the clubs participating in last seasons competition. To make up the numbers two of the teams were relegated from National League 2, and the champions of National 4 North and National 4 South were both promoted.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaLast season
HarrogateClaro RoadHarrogate, North Yorkshire5th
Leeds TykesHeadingley Stadium22,250Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire3rd
Liverpool St HelensMoss LaneSt Helens, Merseyside12th
London WelshOld Deer Park5,850Richmond, London11th
LydneyRegentsholm1,500Lydney, Gloucestershire10th
MorleyScatcherd LaneMorley, Leeds, West Yorkshire4th
NewburyMonks Lane8,000Newbury, BerkshirePromoted from National 4 South
NottinghamIreland Avenue4,950Nottingham, NottinghamshireRelegated from Courage National League 2
OtleyCross Green5,000Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire9th
ReadingHolme ParkSonning, Berkshire6th
Rosslyn ParkThe Rock2,000Roehampton, London8th
Rugby LionsWebb Ellis Road1,000Rugby WarwickshireRelegated from Courage National League 2
WharfedaleThe Avenue2,000Threshfield, North Yorkshire7th
WorcesterSixways8,477Worcester, WorcestershirePromoted from National 4 North

League table

Sponsorship

For the first ten seasons Courage Brewery sponsored the league. Following reorganisation the top two divisions are sponsored by the assurance company Allied Dunbar and the rest of the divisions, including National League 1 is sponsored by the building suppliers, Jewson.