1997–98 National League 2 North


The 1997–98 National League 2 North was the eleventh full season of rugby union within the fourth tier of the English league system, previously known as Division 4 North, and was the first to be sponsored by Jewson who replaced former sponsor Courage. It is counterpart to National League 2 South, which covers the southern half of the country.
The title battle was keenly contested between Birmingham & Solihull and Manchester but in the end it was the West Midlands side that was triumphant, finishing two points clear to finish as champions. Both clubs would gain promotion to the 1998–99 National League 1. There was no relegation this season in order to prevent an imbalance of teams in the leagues due to RFU changes for the following season which would see tier 2 increased from 12 to 14 teams and tier 3 reduced from 16 to 14 teams.

Structure

Each team played home and away matches against each of the other teams, playing a total of twenty-six matches each. The league champions and runners up were promoted to National League 1. There was no relegation this season due to changes higher up in the English league system.

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AspatriaBower ParkAspatria, Cumbria10th
Birmingham & SolihullSharmans Cross2,500Solihull, West MidlandsRunners up
HinckleyLeicester Road2,000Hinckley, LeicestershirePromoted from Midlands 1
KendalMint Bridge3,000Kendal, Cumbria9th
LichfieldCooke FieldsLichfield, Staffordshire11th
ManchesterGrove Park4,000Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester4th
NuneatonHarry Cleaver GroundNuneaton, Warwickshire12th
Preston GrasshoppersLightfoot Green5,000Preston, Lancashire3rd
SandalMilnthorpe GreenSandal Magna, Wakefield, West Yorkshire5th
Sedgley ParkPark Lane3,000Whitefield, Greater ManchesterPromoted from North 1
SheffieldAbbeydale Park3,200Dore, Sheffield, South Yorkshire8th
StourbridgeStourton Park3,500Stourbridge, West Midlands6th
WalsallBroadway1,150Walsall, West MidlandsRelegated from National 3
Winnington ParkBurrows HillNorthwich, Cheshire7th

League table

Sponsorship

National League 2 North is part of the Jewson National Leagues is sponsored by Jewson. It was the first year they would sponsor the league.