1987–88 Courage Area League South

The 1987–88 Courage Area League South was the first full season of rugby union within the fourth tier of the English league system, currently known as the National League 2 South, and was the counterpart to Courage Area League South (now National League 2 North). Each team played one match against the other teams, playing a total of ten matches each. There was no set date for matches, clubs having to arrange the fixtures amongst themselves.[1][2] Askeans were the first ever champions, gaining promotion to the 1988–89 National Division Three while Streatham-Croydon were the only relegated side, dropping to London 1.

1987–88 Courage Area League South
Countries England
ChampionsAskeans (1st title)
Runners-upSidcup
RelegatedStreatham-Croydon
Matches played110

Structure

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Each team played one match against each of the other teams, playing a total of ten matches each. The champions are promoted to National Division 3 and the bottom team was relegated to either London 1 or South West 1 depending on their locality.

Participating teams and locations

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Locations of the 1987–88 Courage Area League South teams
Team Ground Capacity City/Area
Askeans Broad Walk 2,000 Kidbrooke, London
Camborne Recreation Ground 9,000 Camborne, Cornwall
Cheltenham Prince of Wales 2,000 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Havant Hook's Lane 1,500 Havant, Hampshire
Lydney Regentsholme 1,500 Lydney, Gloucestershire
Salisbury Castle Road 1,500 Salisbury, Wiltshire
Sidcup Crescent Farm Sidcup, London
Southend Warners Park Southend, Essex
Streatham-Croydon Frant Road 1,400 Thornton Heath, Croydon, London
Stroud Fromehall Park Stroud, Gloucestershire
Sudbury Moorsfield Sudbury, Suffolk

[1][2]

League table

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1987–88 Courage Area League South table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Askeans (C) 10 8 1 1 141 83 +58 17 Promoted
2 Sidcup 10 7 2 1 130 58 +72 16
3 Lydney 10 7 0 3 173 99 +74 14
4 Camborne 10 5 2 3 113 119 −6 12
5 Havant 10 5 0 5 116 102 +14 10
6 Stroud 10 5 0 5 112 114 −2 10
7 Southend 10 5 0 5 63 108 −45 10
8 Sudbury 10 3 2 5 125 106 +19 8
9 Salisbury 10 3 1 6 84 94 −10 7
10 Cheltenham 10 3 0 7 95 152 −57 6
11 Streatham-Croydon (R) 10 0 0 10 70 173 −103 0 Relegated
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: Points are awarded as follows:
  1. 2 pts for a win
  2. 1 pt for a draw
  3. 0 pts for a loss
If teams are level at any stage, difference between points for and against applies
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated

Sponsorship

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Area League South is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. London: Rothmans Publications Ltd.
  2. ^ a b Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd.