2013–14 National League 1
The 2013–14 National League 1, known for sponsorship reasons as the SSE National League 1 is the fifth season of the third tier of the English domestic rugby union competitions, since the professionalised format of the second tier RFU Championship was introduced. After being relegated last season, Doncaster Knights are the champions and became the first team to be promoted straight back to the RFU Championship for the 2014-15 season. The teams promoted last season from 2012–13 National League 2 South and 2012–13 National League 2 North, Henley Hawks, Hull Ionians and Worthing Raiders finished in the bottom three places with Henley and Worthing to join the 2014–15 National League 2 South and Ionians to the 2014–15 National League 2 North.
Participating teams and locations
After eight seasons in the second tier, Doncaster Knights find themselves playing in this league following their relegation from the RFU Championship. Henley Hawks and Hull Ionians were promoted as champions of their respected leagues National League 2 South and National League 2 North respectively. The third team to win promotion to the league was Worthing Raiders who beat Stourbridge in the promotion play-off 28–26. It is the first appearance at this level for both Hull Ionians and Worthing Raiders.| Team | Stadium | Capacity | City/Area |
| Blackheath | Rectory Field | 6,000 | Blackheath, London |
| Blaydon | Crow Trees | 2,000 | Swalwell, Tyne and Wear |
| Cinderford | Dockham Road | 2,500 | Cinderford, Gloucestershire |
| Coventry | Butts Park Arena | 4,000 | Coventry |
| Doncaster Knights | Castle Park | 3,075 | Doncaster |
| Esher | Molesey Road | 3,000 | Hersham, Surrey |
| Fylde | Woodlands Memorial Ground | 9,000 | Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire |
| Henley Hawks | Dry Leas | 4,000 | Henley-on-Thames |
| Hull Ionians | Brantingham Park | 1,500 | Brantingham, East Riding of Yorkshire |
| Loughborough Students | Loughborough University Stadium | 3,000 | Loughborough, Leicestershire |
| Old Albanian | Woollam Playing Fields | 1,000 | St Albans, Hertfordshire |
| Richmond | Athletic Ground | 4,500 | Richmond, London |
| Rosslyn Park | The Rock | 2,000 | Roehampton, London |
| Tynedale | Tynedale Park | 2,000 | Corbridge, Northumberland |
| Wharfedale | The Avenue | 2,000 | Threshfield, Craven, North Yorkshire |
| Worthing Raiders | Roundstone Lane | 1,500 | Angmering, West Sussex |
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 and three relegation places.League table
Fixtures
Round 1
----Round 2
----Round 3
----Round 4
----Round 5
----Round 6
----Round 7
----Round 8
----Round 9
----Round 10
----Round 11
----Round 12
----Round 13
----Round 14
----Round 15
----Round 16
----Round 17
----Round 18
----Round 19
----Round 20
----Round 21
----Round 22
----Round 23
Postponed matches (1)
----Round 24
----Round 25
- The above match was the 150th anniversary of rugby's oldest fixture.
Postponed matches (2)
Round 26
----Round 27
----Round 28
----Round 29
Postponed match (3)
----Round 30
Postponed match (4)
Season records
Team
;Largest home win — 53 pts67 – 14 Coventry v Hull Ionians on 26 April
;Largest away win — 48 pts
12 – 60 Rosslyn Park at Hull Ionians on 12 April
;Most points scored — 67pts
67 – 14 Coventry v Hull Ionians on 26 April
;Most points scored away from home — 60 pts
12 – 60 Rosslyn Park at Hull Ionians on 12 April
;Most tries in a match — 10
63 – 21 Coventry v Blackheath on 26 October
12 – 60 Rosslyn Park at Hull Ionians on 12 April
67 – 14 Coventry v Hull Ionians on 26 April
;Most conversions in a match — 8
Esher home to Tynedale on 9 November
Fylde home to Loughborough Students on 26 January
;Most penalties in a match — 7
Wharfdale v Loughborough Students on 21 September
Wharfdale at Tynedale on 28 September
;Most drop goals in a match — 1
N/A - multiple teams
Player
;Most points in a match — 28 ptsClifford Hodgson for Coventry at home to Blackheath on 26 October
;Most tries in a match — 4
Ben Frankland for Tynedale home to Blackheath on 18 January
Howe for Rosslyn Park at Hull Ionians on 12 April
;Most conversions in a match — 8
Luke Daniels for Esher home to Tynedale on 9 November
;Most penalties in a match — 7
Tom Barrett for Wharfdale at home to Loughborough Students on 21 September
Tom Barrett for Wharfdale at Tynedale on 28 September
;Most drop goals in a match — 1
N/A - multiple players
;Fastest try from kick-off
7.24 seconds by Tyson Lewis for Doncaster Knights at Old Albanians – the fastest ever try by a professional rugby union player. The try was originally timed at 8.13 seconds, but Guinness World Records recorded it as 7.24 seconds. The previous record was 8.28 seconds by Lee Blackett for Leeds Carnegie at home to Newcastle Falcons in the 2007–08 English Premiership.
Cliff Hodgson
Tom Barrett
Dougie Flockhart