2002–03 National Division One

2002–03 National Division One
Countries  England
Champions Rotherham
Runners-up Worcester
Relegated Moseley and Rugby Lions
Attendance 190,949 (average 1,081 per match)[a 1]
Highest attendance 5,700 Worcester at home to Rotherham on 12 April 2003
Lowest attendance 250 Wakefield at home to Rugby Lions on 2 November 2002
Top point scorer CanadaJames Pritchard
(Bedford Blues) 374 points
Top try scorer EnglandDuncan Roke
(Worcester) 26 tries

The 2002–03 National Division One (for sponsorship reasons known as the Jewson National Division One) was the 16th full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. New teams to the division included Orrell and Plymouth Albion who were promoted from 2001–02 National Division Two while no team was relegated from the 2001-02 Zurich Premiership as Rotherham's ground was not deemed suitable for top flight games.[1][2]

For the second year in a row Rotherham, were champions, and this year they were promoted to the Zurich Premiership for season 2003–04 with Worcester finishing as runners–up for the third consecutive season. Moseley and Rugby were relegated to the 2003–04 National Division Two.[3][4][5][6]

Participating teams

Team Stadium Capacity City/Area
Bedford Blues Goldington Road 7,000 Bedford, Bedfordshire
Birmingham & Solihull Sharmans Cross 1,000+ Solihull, West Midlands
Coventry Coundon Road 9,000+ Coventry, West Midlands
Exeter Chiefs County Ground 5,200 Exeter, Devon
London Welsh Old Deer Park 5,850 Richmond, London
Manchester Grove Park 4,000 Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester
Moseley Bournbrook Birmingham, West Midlands
Orrell Edge Hall Road 3,000 Orrell, Greater Manchester
Otley Cross Green 5,000 Otley, West Yorkshire
Plymouth Albion Beacon Park 3,500 Plymouth, Devon
Rotherham Millmoor 8,300 Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Rugby Lions Webb Ellis Road 1,000 Rugby, Warwickshire
Wakefield College Grove 3,000 Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Worcester Sixways 8,477 Worcester, Worcestershire

Table

2002–03 National Division One Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Points Bonus Points
1 Rotherham 26 24 0 2 1077 336 741 20 116
2 Worcester 26 23 0 3 1185 431 754 22 114
3 Exeter Chiefs 26 20 2 4 940 459 481 20 104
4 Orrell 26 18 2 6 854 595 259 15 91
5 London Welsh 26 15 0 11 627 565 62 16 76
6 Coventry 26 14 0 12 761 684 77 12 68
7 Bedford Blues 26 13 1 12 675 760 –85 10 64
8 Birmingham & Solihull 26 12 2 12 630 569 61 11 63
9 Plymouth Albion 26 10 1 15 679 697 –18 18 60
10 Wakefield 26 9 0 17 451 710 –259 11 47
11 Otley 26 9 0 17 597 839 –242 11 47
12 Manchester 26 7 0 19 484 791 –307 11 39
13 Moseley 26 4 0 22 399 1178 –779 7 23
14 Rugby 26 0 0 26 422 1167 –745 7 7
  • Points are awarded as follows: four points for a win; two points for a draw; no points for a loss; one bonus point for scoring four tries or more in a match; one bonus point for losing by seven points or less.
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: (1) difference between points for and against; (2) total number of points for.
Green background are promotion places. Pink background are relegation places.

Results

Round 1

31 August 2002
Bedford Blues 21 - 15 Moseley
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,722
Referee: Eric Woodmason
31 August 2002
Birmingham & Solihull 35 - 10 London Welsh
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 500
Referee: Nigel Higginson
31 August 2002
Coventry 23 - 29 Worcester
Report
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,495
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
31 August 2002
Exeter Chiefs 51 - 15 Wakefield
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 840
Referee: Wayne Barnes
31 August 2002
Manchester 15 - 24 Plymouth Albion
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 750
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
1 September 2002
Orrell 70 - 23 Rugby Lions
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 707
Referee: David Grashoff
1 September 2002
Otley 6 - 53 Rotherham
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Rob Debney

Round 2

7 September 2002
Coventry 50 - 0 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Coundon Road
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Tim Miller
7 September 2002
Moseley 19 - 31 London Welsh
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 422
Referee: Mark Wilson
7 September 2002
Plymouth Albion 49 - 29 Bedford Blues
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: David Rose
7 September 2002
Wakefield 18 - 13 Manchester
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 350
Referee: Malcom Changleng
7 September 2002
Worcester 35 - 10 Orrell
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 2,074
Referee: Ashley Rowden
8 September 2002
Rotherham 35 - 30 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,600
Referee: Tim Fisher
8 September 2002
Rugby Lions 25 - 38 Otley
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 454
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

Round 3

14 September 2002
Bedford Blues 47 - 14 Wakefield
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,490
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
14 September 2002
Birmingham & Solihull 68 - 14 Moseley
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 750
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
14 September 2002
Exeter Chiefs 89 - 17 Rugby Lions
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 786
Referee: Tim Miller
14 September 2002
London Welsh 29 - 19 Plymouth Albion
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 1,100
Referee: Sean Davey
14 September 2002
Manchester 15 - 39 Rotherham
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: David Rose
14 September 2002
Orrell 28 - 24 Coventry
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 747
Referee: Rob Debney
14 September 2002
Otley 24 - 62 Worcester
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 800
Referee: Mark Wilson

Round 4

21 September 2002
Coventry 57 - 15 Otley
Report
Coundon Road
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Malcolm Changeleng
21 September 2002
Orrell 18 - 27 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 742
Referee: Eric Woodmason
21 September 2002
Plymouth Albion 46 - 15 Moseley
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 1,676
Referee: Trevor Fisher
21 September 2002
Wakefield 13 - 20 London Welsh
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 275
Referee: David Grashoff
21 September 2002
Worcester 28 - 25 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 3,026
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
22 September 2002
Rotherham 51 - 6 Bedford Blues
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,380
Referee: Wayne Barnes
22 September 2002
Rugby Lions 14 - 27 Manchester
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 400
Referee: Alan Biggs

Round 5

28 September 2002
Bedford Blues 37 - 13 Rugby Lions
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,675
Referee: Mark Wilson
28 September 2002
Birmingham & Solihull 31 - 8 Plymouth Albion
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 500
Referee: Martin Fox
28 September 2002
Exeter Chiefs 35 - 0 Coventry
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 1,450
Referee: David Rose
28 September 2002
London Welsh 22 - 49 Rotherham
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 1,150
Referee: Tim Miller
28 September 2002
Manchester 22 - 66 Worcester
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 785
Referee: Trevor Fisher
28 September 2002
Moseley 10 - 25 Wakefield
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 750
Referee: Nigel Higginson
28 September 2002
Otley 47 - 24 Orrell
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 750
Referee: Sean Davey

Round 6

5 October 2002
Coventry 14 - 12 Manchester
Report
Coundon Road
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
5 October 2002
Orrell 24 - 24 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 486
Referee: Mark Wilson
5 October 2002
Otley 23 - 30 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 600
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
5 October 2002
Rugby Lions 19 - 39 London Welsh
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 348
Referee: Wayne Barnes
5 October 2002
Wakefield 22 - 16 Plymouth Albion
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 304
Referee: Tim Miller
5 October 2002
Worcester 69 - 10 Bedford Blues
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Sean Davey
6 October 2002
Rotherham 102 - 3 Moseley
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Rob Debney

Round 7

12 October 2002
Bedford Blues 26 - 28 Coventry
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,642
12 October 2002
Birmingham & Solihull 23 - 20 Wakefield
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 400
12 October 2002
Exeter Chiefs 69 - 11 Otley
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 900
12 October 2002
London Welsh 7 - 53 Worcester
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 1,475
Referee: Mark Wilson
12 October 2002
Manchester 26 - 48 Orrell
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 850
Referee: David Sainsbury
12 October 2002
Moseley 24 - 15 Rugby Lions
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 433
Referee: Sean Davey
12 October 2002
Plymouth Albion 13 - 23 Rotherham
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 1,940
Referee: David Grashoff

Round 8

26 October 2002
Coventry 17 - 26 London Welsh
Report
Coundon Road
Attendance: 1,700
Referee: Nigel Higginson
26 October 2002
Exeter Chiefs 35 - 35 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 1,213
Referee: David Sainsbury
26 October 2002
Orrell 43 - 23 Bedford Blues
Report
Edge Hall Lane
Attendance: 801
Referee: Alan Biggs
26 October 2002
Otley 23 - 16 Manchester
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 740
Referee: Andrew Pearce
26 October 2002
Rugby Lions 36 - 39 Plymouth Albion
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 390
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
26 October 2002
Worcester 74 - 8 Moseley
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 2,469
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
27 October 2002
Rotherham 44 - 6 Wakefield
Report
Millmoor
Referee: Sean Davey

Round 9

2 November 2002
Bedford Blues 24 - 16 Otley
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,471
Referee: Wayne Barnes
2 November 2002
Birmingham & Solihull 10 - 20 Rotherham
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 700
Referee: David Grashoff
2 November 2002
London Welsh 18 - 28 Orrell
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 980
Referee: David Sainsbury
2 November 2002
Manchester 5 - 45 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 475
Referee: Rob Debney
2 November 2002
Moseley 7 - 23 Coventry
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 650
Referee: Sean Davey
2 November 2002
Plymouth Albion 12 - 30 Worcester
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 1,786
Referee: David Rose
2 November 2002
Wakefield 31 - 9 Rugby Lions
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 250
Referee: Alan Biggs

Round 10

15 November 2002
Exeter Chiefs 28 - 12 Bedford Blues
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 1,450
Referee: Alan Biggs
15 November 2002
Rugby Lions 0 - 31 Rotherham
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Referee: Rob Debney
16 November 2002
Coventry 28 - 27 Plymouth Albion
Report
Counden Road
Attendance: 900
Referee: Wayne Barnes
16 November 2002
Manchester 10 - 21 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 350
Referee: David Rose
16 November 2002
Otley 25 - 17 London Welsh
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 450
Referee: Nigel Higginson
16 November 2002
Worcester 36 - 0 Wakefield
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 800
Referee: David Grashoff
17 November 2002
Orrell 57 - 6 Moseley
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 402
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

Round 11

23 November 2002
Bedford Blues 54 - 28 Manchester
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,159
Referee: Andrew Pearce
23 November 2002
Birmingham & Solihull 23 - 3 Rugby Lions
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 300
Referee: Trevor Fisher
23 November 2002
Plymouth Albion 27 - 27 Orrell
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 1,056
Referee: Eric Woodmason
23 November 2002
Rotherham 38 - 13 Worcester
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Martin Fox
23 November 2002
Wakefield 17 - 22 Coventry
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 250
Referee: Nigel Higginson
24 November 2002
London Welsh 17 - 15 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 500
Referee: Mark Wilson
24 November 2002
Moseley 30 - 19 Otley
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 328
Referee: Nick Williams

Round 12

7 December 2002
Bedford Blues 19 - 7 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,510
Referee: Martin Fox
7 December 2002
Coventry 23 - 37 Rotherham
Report
Coundon Road
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Tim Miller
7 December 2002
Exeter Chiefs 73 - 0 Moseley
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 1,100
Referee: Nigel Higginson
7 December 2002
Manchester 10 - 32 London Welsh
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 350
Referee: David Grashoff
7 December 2002
Orrell 22 - 8 Wakefield
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 760
Referee: Steve Lander
7 December 2002
Otley 21 - 40 Plymouth Albion
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 500
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
7 December 2002
Worcester 67 - 3 Rugby Lions
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 1,939
Referee: Trevor Fisher

Round 13

14 December 2002
Birmingham & Solihull 17 - 37 Worcester
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Sean Davey
14 December 2002
London Welsh 24 - 26 Bedford Blues
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 1,130
Referee: David Rose
14 December 2002
Moseley 16 - 20 Manchester
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 521
Referee: Trevor Fisher
14 December 2002
Plymouth Albion 5 - 12 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 3,420
Referee: Martin Fox
14 December 2002
Rotherham 29 - 17 Orrell
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,250
Referee: Wayne Barnes
14 December 2002
Rugby Lions 20 - 31 Coventry
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 682
Referee: David Sainsbury
15 December 2002
Wakefield 12 - 3 Otley
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 300
Referee: Tim Miller

Round 14

3 January 2003
Rugby Lions 17 - 46 Orrell
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 400
4 January 2003
London Welsh 30 - 25 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 600
Referee: Malcom Changleng
4 January 2003
Moseley P - P Bedford Blues

4 January 2003
Plymouth Albion 47 - 20 Manchester
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 1,246
Referee: Sean Davey
4 January 2003
Rotherham P - P Otley

4 January 2003
Wakefield P - P Exeter Chiefs

4 January 2003
Worcester 62 - 14 Coventry
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 2,733
Referee: David Sainsbury

Round 15

11 January 2003
Bedford Blues P - P Plymouth Albion

11 January 2003
Birmingham & Solihull P - P Coventry

11 January 2003
Exeter Chiefs P - P Rotherham

11 January 2003
London Welsh P - P Moseley

11 January 2003
Manchester P - P Wakefield

11 January 2003
Orrell P - P Worcester

11 January 2003
Otley 41 - 15 Rugby Lions
Report
Cross Green
Referee: Tim Beddow

Round 16

17 January 2003
Rugby Lions 10 - 27 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 280
Referee: Rob Debney
18 January 2003
Coventry 22 - 41 Orrell
Report
Coundon Road
Referee: Martin Fox
18 January 2003
Moseley 0 - 55 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 514
Referee: Mark Wilson
18 January 2003
Plymouth Albion 0 - 15 London Welsh
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 1,590
Referee: Wayne Barnes
18 January 2003
Wakefield 24 - 18 Bedford Blues
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 400
Referee: Tim Beddow
18 January 2003
Worcester 61 - 12 Otley
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 2,354
Referee: David Rose
19 January 2003
Rotherham 34 - 10 Manchester
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,210
Referee: Sean Davey

Round 17

25 January 2003
Bedford Blues P - P Rotherham

25 January 2003
Birmingham & Solihull 10 - 38 Orrell
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 350
Referee: Rob Debney
25 January 2003
Exeter Chiefs 16 - 20 Worcester
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 2,288
Referee: Ashley Rowden
25 January 2003
London Welsh 29 - 8 Wakefield
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 750
Referee: Nigel Higginson
25 January 2003
Manchester 39 - 17 Rugby Lions
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 350
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
25 January 2003
Moseley 25 - 24 Plymouth Albion
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 326
Referee: Trevor Fisher
25 January 2003
Otley 32 - 25 Coventry
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 600
Referee: Mark Wilson

Round 18

1 February 2003
Coventry P - P Exeter Chiefs

1 February 2003
Orrell 42 - 8 Otley
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 807
Referee: David Rose
1 February 2003
Plymouth Albion 27 - 24 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 1,625
Referee: S Leyshon
1 February 2003
Rotherham 18 - 12 London Welsh
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Rob Debney
1 February 2003
Rugby Lions 23 - 35 Bedford Blues
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 580
Referee: Nigel Higginson
1 February 2003
Wakefield 19 - 14 Moseley
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 300
Referee: Alan Biggs
1 February 2003
Worcester 57 - 5 Manchester
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 2,224
Referee: Wayne Barnes

Round 19

8 February 2003
Bedford Blues 9 - 45 Worcester
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,227
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
8 February 2003
Birmingham & Solihull 7 - 21 Otley
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 200
Referee: Tim Beddow
8 February 2003
Exeter Chiefs 27-13 Orrell
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 1,150
Referee: Sean Davey
8 February 2003
London Welsh 67 - 17 Rugby Lions
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 890
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
8 February 2003
Manchester 17 - 34 Coventry
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 350
Referee: David Sainsbury
8 February 2003
Moseley 7 - 75 Rotherham
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 453
Referee: Nigel Higginson
8 February 2003
Plymouth Albion 27 - 22 Wakefield
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 1,719
Referee: Tim Miller

Round 14 & 15 (rescheduled games)

16 February 2003
Birmingham & Solihull 36 - 25 Coventry
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 300
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
16 February 2003
Moseley 31 - 51 Bedford Blues
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 451
Referee: David Sainsbury
16 February 2003
Orrell 27 - 24 Worcester
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 746
Referee: Ashley Rowden
16 February 2003
Rotherham 34 - 20 Otley
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: David Grashoff

Round 21 (rescheduled game)

19 February 2003
Bedford Blues 26 - 37 Orrell
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,420
Referee: Wayne Barnes

Round 20

22 February 2003
Coventry 22 - 25 Bedford Blues
Report
Coundon Road
Referee: Sean Davey
22 February 2003
Otley 27 - 29 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 720
Referee: Rob Debney
22 February 2003
Rugby Lions 18 - 21 Moseley
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 401
Referee: Eric Woodmason
22 February 2003
Wakefield 6 - 16 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 300
Referee: Mark Wilson
22 February 2003
Worcester 35 - 12 London Welsh
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 2,252
23 February 2003
Orrell 32 - 25 Manchester
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 607
23 February 2003
Rotherham 55 - 6 Plymouth Albion
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Robin Goodliffe

Round 21

1 March 2003
Bedford Blues P - P Orrell

1 March 2003
Birmingham & Solihull P - P Exeter Chiefs

1 March 2003
London Welsh 36 - 16 Coventry
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 1,400
1 March 2003
Manchester 18 - 9 Otley
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 372
Referee: P De Luca
1 March 2003
Moseley P - P Worcester

1 March 2003
Plymouth Albion 56 - 12 Rugby Lions
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 1,380
Referee: Mark Wilson
1 March 2003
Wakefield P - P Rotherham


Round 15, 17 & 21 (rescheduled games)

8 March 2003
Bedford Blues 13 - 40 Rotherham
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,744
Referee: Trevor Fisher
8 March 2003
Birmingham & Solihull 22 - 24 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 350
Referee: Malcom Changleng
8 March 2003
London Welsh 29 - 0 Moseley
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 400
Referee: Nigel Higginson
8 March 2003
Manchester 15 - 13 Wakefield
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 125
Referee: Robin Goodliffe

Round 22

15 March 2003
Coventry 60 - 40 Moseley
Report
Coundon Road
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Mark Wilson
15 March 2003
Exeter Chiefs 49 - 5 Manchester
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 1,139
Referee: Nigel Higginson
15 March 2003
Orrell 30 - 27 London Welsh
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 550
Referee: Trevor Fisher
15 March 2003
Otley 41 - 32 Bedford Blues
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 740
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
15 March 2003
Rotherham 38 - 16 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Sean Davey
15 March 2003
Rugby Lions 36 - 39 Wakefield
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 280
Referee: Tim Miller
15 March 2003
Worcester 55 - 36 Plymouth Albion
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 2,018
Referee: David Grashoff

Rounds 15 & 21 (rescheduled games)

22 March 2003
Exeter Chiefs 30 - 19 Rotherham
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 1,165
Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
23 March 2003
Bedford Blues 31 - 16 Plymouth Albion
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: Nick Williams
Referee: 1,442
23 March 2003
Moseley 14 - 70 Worcester
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 685
Referee: Wayne Barnes

Round 23

29 March 2003
Bedford Blues 23 - 32 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,359
Referee: Eric Woodmason
29 March 2003
Birmingham & Solihull 27 - 29 Manchester
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 250
Referee: S Leyshon
29 March 2003
London Welsh 36 - 27 Otley
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 680
Referee: Jean Matheu
29 March 2003
Moseley 18 - 52 Orrell
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 323
Referee: David Grashoff
29 March 2003
Plymouth Albion 19 - 20 Coventry
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 2,360
Referee: Rob Debney
29 March 2003
Rotherham 76 - 13 Rugby Lions
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 1,050
Referee: Tim Beddow
29 March 2003
Wakefield 36 - 55 Worcester
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 450
Referee: David Rose

Rounds 18, 21 & 26 (rescheduled games)

5 April 2003
London Welsh 13 - 10 Manchester
Report
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 1,100
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
5 April 2003
Wakefield 0 - 55 Rotherham
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 850
Referee: Rob Debney
9 April 2003
Coventry 31 - 34 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Coundon Road
Attendance: 850
Referee: Bruce Robertson

Round 24

12 April 2003
Coventry 63 - 28 Wakefield
Report
Coundon Road
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Tim Beddow
12 April 2003
Exeter Chiefs 32 - 11 London Welsh
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 1,224
Referee: Rob Debney
12 April 2003
Manchester 22 - 35 Bedford Blues
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 303
Referee: Nigel Higginson
12 April 2003
Orrell 48 - 24 Plymouth Albion
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 400
Referee: P Bellett
12 April 2003
Otley 65 - 27 Moseley
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 435
12 April 2003
Rugby Lions 23 - 35 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 275
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
12 April 2003
Worcester 9 - 21 Rotherham
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 5,700
Referee: S Leyshon

Round 25

19 April 2003
Bedford Blues 19 - 18 London Welsh
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,835
Referee: Tim Beddow
19 April 2003
Coventry 63 - 10 Rugby Lions
Report
Coundon Road
Attendance: 1,400
Referee: Nigel Harrison
19 April 2003
Exeter Chiefs 39 - 22 Plymouth Albion
Report
County Ground
Attendance: 2,958
Referee: David Sainsbury
19 April 2003
Manchester 50 - 10 Moseley
Report
Grove Park
Attendance: 452
Referee: Robin Goodliffe
19 April 2003
Orrell 10 - 36 Rotherham
Report
Edge Hall Road
Attendance: 1,410
Referee: Martin Fox
19 April 2003
Otley 10 - 14 Wakefield
Report
Cross Green
Attendance: 730
Referee: Malcom Changleng
19 April 2003
Worcester 17 - 6 Birmingham & Solihull
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 1,895
Referee: Eric Gauzins

Round 14 (rescheduled game)

21 April 2003
Wakefield 27 - 34 Exeter Chiefs
College Grove
Attendance: 250
Referee: Nick Williams

Round 26

26 April 2003
Birmingham & Solihull 24 - 24 Bedford Blues
Report
Sharmans Cross
Attendance: 700
Referee: Bruce Robertson
26 April 2003
London Welsh P - P Manchester

26 April 2003
Moseley 25 - 36 Exeter Chiefs
Report
Bournbrook
Attendance: 358
Referee: Alan Biggs
26 April 2003
Plymouth Albion 50 - 13 Otley
Report
Beacon Park
Attendance: 2,780
Referee: Rowan Kitt
26 April 2003
Rotherham 25 - 26 Coventry
Report
Millmoor
Attendance: 3,233
Referee: Wayne Barnes
26 April 2003
Rugby Lions 24 - 76 Worcester
Report
Webb Ellis Road
Attendance: 480
Referee: David Sainsbury
26 April 2003
Wakefield 14 - 22 Orrell
Report
College Grove
Attendance: 400
Referee: Tim Beddow

Total Season Attendances

Club Home
Games
Total Average Highest Lowest % Capacity
Bedford Blues 13 20,696 1,592 2,227 1,159 23%
Birmingham & Solihull 13 6,500 500 1,200 200 48%
Coventry 11[a 2] 16,745 1,522 2,500 850 17%
Exeter Chiefs 13 17,663 1,359 2,958 786 26%
London Welsh 13 12,155 935 1,475 400 16%
Manchester 13 6,712 516 1,200 125 13%
Moseley 13 6,214 478 750 323 N/A
Orrell 13 9,165 705 1,410 400 24%
Otley 12 9,065 755 2,000 435 15%
Plymouth Albion 13 24,578 1,891 3,420 1,056 54%
Rotherham 12[a 3] 19,823 1,652 4,000 1,000 20%
Rugby Lions 12[a 4] 4,970 414 682 275 41%
Wakefield 13 4,679 360 850 250 12%
Worcester 13 31,984 2,460 5,700 800 29%

[7]

  1. Note that 4 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.
  2. Missing home attendances v Orrell on 18 January 2003 and Bedford Blues on 22 February 2003.
  3. Missing home attendance v Wakefield on 27 October 2002.
  4. Missing home attendance v Rotherham on 15 January 2003.

Individual Statistics

Top points scorers

Rank Player Team Appearances Points
1 Canada James Pritchard Bedford Blues 26 374
2 England Tony Yapp Exeter Chiefs 23 349
3 England Phil Jones Orrell 26 346
4 England Simon Binns Otley 23 269
5 Italy Ramiro Pez Rotherham 17 265
6 South Africa Luke Smith Rotherham / Birmingham & Solihull 24 166
7 England Brett McCormack Plymouth Albion 22 152
8 England Simon Verbickas Manchester 20 137
9 England Jon Boden Rugby Lions 21 134
10 England Jon Benson Rotherham 21 133

[8]

Top try scorers

Rank Player Team Appearances Tries
1 England Duncan Roke Worcester 25 26
2 England Michael Wood Rotherham 22 22
3 England Dan Ward-Smith Plymouth Albion 26 21
4 England Nmandi Ezulike Worcester 23 19
5 Scotland David Officer Worcester 15 16
6 England Wes Davies Orrell 22 16
7 England Nick Baxter Birmingham & Solihull 26 16
8 Scotland Andy Craig Orrell 14 15
9 Australia Chris Garrard Worcester 21 15
10 England Phil Jones Orrell 26 15

[9]

Season records

Team

Largest home win — 99 pts

102 - 3 Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002

Largest away win — 68 pts

75 - 7 Rotherham away to Moseley on 8 February 2003

Most points scored — 102 pts

102 - 3 Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002

Most tries in a match — 14 (x2)

Exeter Chiefs at home to Rugby Lions on 14 September 2002
Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002

Most conversions in a match — 10 (x3)

Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002
Rotherham away to Moseley on 8 February 2003
Worcester away to Moseley on 22 March 2003

Most penalties in a match — 8 (x2)

Bedford Blues at home to Otley on 2 November 2002
Coventry at home to Exeter Chiefs on 9 April 2003

Most drop goals in a match — 2 (x3)

Plymouth Albion at home to Wakefield on 8 February 2003
Bedford Blues at home to Plymouth Abion on 23 March 2003
Exeter Chiefs at home to Plymouth Albion on 19 April 2003

[10][11][12][13]

Player

Most points in a match — 37

Italy Ramiro Pez for Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002

Most tries in a match — 4 (x4)

Australia Drew Hickey for Orrell at home to Rugby Lions on 1 September 2002
England Dan Ward-Smith for Plymouth Albion away to Rugby Lions on 26 October 2002
England Dan Ward-Smith for Plymouth Albion at home to Manchester on 4 January 2003
England Duncan Roke for Worcester away to Rugby Lions on 26 April 2003

Most conversions in a match — 10 (x2)

Italy Ramiro Pez for Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002
England Jon Benson for Rotherham away to Moseley on 8 February 2003

Most penalties in a match — 8 (x2)

Canada James Pritchard for Bedford Blues at home to Otley on 2 November 2002
South Africa Luke Smith for Coventry at home to Exeter Chiefs on 9 April 2003

Most drop goals in a match — 2 (x3)

England Tom Barlow for Plymouth Albion at home to Wakefield on 8 February 2003
England Ed Barnes for Bedford Blues at home to Plymouth Abion on 23 March 2003
England Tony Yapp for Exeter Chiefs at home to Plymouth Albion on 19 April 2003

[14][15][16][17][18]

Attendances

Highest — 5,700

Worcester at home to Rotherham on 12 April 2003

Lowest — 250

Wakefield at home to Rugby Lions on 2 November 2002

Highest Average Attendance — 2,460

Worcester

Lowest Average Attendance — 360

Wakefield

[19]

See also

References

  1. "Rotherham denied promotion". BBC News. 9 May 2002.
  2. "Rugby Union round-up". Liverpool Echo. 22 April 2002.
  3. "Rotherham promoted". The Telegraph. 12 May 2003.
  4. "Local rivals have plenty to play for". Coventry Telegraph. 18 April 2003.
  5. "RUGBY UNION: Struggling Moseley miss their last chance; OTLEY 65 MOSELEY 27". Birmingham Evening Mail. 14 April 2003.
  6. "Leagues 2002/03". Moseley Rugby club. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  7. "National One 02/03 Home attendances". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  8. "National One 02/03 Leading point scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  9. "National One 02/03 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  10. "National One 02/03 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  11. "National One 02/03 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  12. "National One 02/03 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  13. "National One 02/03 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  14. "National One 02/03 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  15. "National One 02/03 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  16. "National One 02/03 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  17. "National One 02/03 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  18. "National One 02/03 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
  19. "National One 02/03 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
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