2013–14 RFU Championship

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The 2013–14 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, was the fifth season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of the English rugby union league system run by the Rugby Football Union. It was held between 14 September 2013 and 4 June 2014. It was contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. It was also the first Championship season with a title sponsor, as the Rugby Football Union and Greene King Brewery reached a deal by which the brewery would become the competition's main sponsor from 2013–14 through to 2016–17.[3]

2013–14 Greene King IPA Championship
Countries England
 Jersey
Date14 September 2013 – 4 June 2014
ChampionsLondon Welsh
Runners-upBristol
RelegatedEaling Trailfinders
Matches played138
Attendance289,423
(average 2,097 per match)
Highest attendance10,905 Bristol at home to London Welsh on 4 June 2014
Lowest attendance473 Ealing Trailfinders at home to Nottingham on 12 April 2014
Tries scored807
(average 5.8 per match)
Top point scorerArgentina Juan Pablo Socino
(Rotherham) 300 points[1]
Top try scorerEngland Miles Mantella
(London Scottish) 19 tries[2]

After being promoted after an appeal in the previous season, London Welsh were relegated back into the RFU Championship after finishing last in the 2012-13 English Premiership.[4] As a result of relegation, they remained at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford instead of returning to their home ground of Old Deer Park in London in order to strengthen their support base.[5] London Welsh replaced Newcastle Falcons who were promoted into the English Premiership after winning the play-off final against Bedford Blues.[6] Doncaster Knights were relegated to the 2013–14 National League 1[7] and were replaced by the champions of National League 1, Ealing Trailfinders who played in the RFU Championship for the first time.[8]

The twelve clubs in the 2013–14 RFU Championship also participated in the 2013–14 edition of the British and Irish Cup along with clubs from Wales, Scotland and Ireland.[9] Matches in the RFU Championship were broadcast on Sky Sports.[10]

Structure

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The Championship's structure had all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis. In a change to previous years, this season commenced with an extra round of games in the "Greene King IPA Big Rugby Weekend". Matches were played on the weekend of 14 and 15 September with three double headers at neutral grounds: Saracens' Allianz Park, Doncaster's Castle Park and Exeter's Sandy Park.[11]

The play–off structure remained the same as the previous year.[12] The top four teams at the end of the home–and–away season qualified for the promotion play–offs, which followed a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system. The winners had to meet the RFU's Minimum Standards Criteria in order to be promoted to the Premiership. If they had failed to meet the criteria, then there would have been no promotion from the RFU Championship.[13] However, on 9 May 2014, the RFU announced that all four play-off participants had met the Minimum Standards Criteria, assuring that the champion would indeed be promoted to the 2014–15 Premiership.[14] There was no relegation play–off; the bottom team was automatically relegated.[12] Following an agreement with the RFU in 2012, each RFU Championship club received £355,000 in funding from the RFU for the season.[15]

Participating teams

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Club Stadium Capacity Area
Bedford Blues Goldington Road 6,000 Bedford, Bedfordshire
Bristol Memorial Stadium 12,100 Bristol
Cornish Pirates Mennaye Field 4,000 (2,200 Seats) Penzance, Cornwall
Ealing Trailfinders Trailfinders Sports Ground 3,020 (1,200 seats) West Ealing, London
Jersey St. Peter 5,000 Saint Peter, Jersey
Leeds Carnegie Headingley Rugby Stadium 20,250 Leeds, West Yorkshire
London Scottish Athletic Ground, Richmond 4,500 Richmond, London
London Welsh Kassam Stadium 12,500 Oxford, Oxfordshire[n 1]
Moseley Billesley Common 3,000+ Birmingham, West Midlands
Nottingham Meadow Lane 19,588 Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Plymouth Albion The Brickfields 8,500 Plymouth, Devon
Rotherham Titans Clifton Lane
Abbeydale Park[n 2]
2,500
3,200
Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Notes
  1. ^ Despite being relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2012–13 season, London Welsh remained at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford instead of returning to their home ground of Old Deer Park in London in order to strengthen their support base.[5] However, they played two matches at their traditional home:[16]
    • against Moseley in Round 18 on 9 March 2014
    • against Nottingham in Round 23 on 26 April 2014
  2. ^ Rotherham would have to play their final league game and any playoff games at Abbeydale Park in Sheffield due to a dispute with Rotherham Cricket Club over ground sharing at Clifton Lane.[17][18]

League table

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2013–14 Greene King IPA Championship Table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Bristol (RU) 23 19 0 4 786 505 +281 18 3 96[a] Promotion play-off
2 London Welsh (CH) 23 19 0 4 724 348 +376 10 2 88
3 Leeds Carnegie (SF) 23 18 0 5 700 387 +313 10 2 84
4 Rotherham Titans (SF) 23 17 0 6 718 474 +244 11 1 80
5 London Scottish 23 14 0 9 554 423 +131 10 2 68
6 Cornish Pirates 23 10 2 11 456 554 −98 4 3 51
7 Moseley 23 9 1 13 449 575 −126 4 2 44
8 Plymouth Albion 23 6 1 16 467 588 −121 5 9 40
9 Bedford Blues 23 7 0 16 472 624 −152 5 5 38
10 Nottingham 23 5 1 17 413 610 −197 3 9 34
11 Jersey 23 6 0 17 423 629 −206 1 6 29[b]
12 Ealing Trailfinders (R) 23 5 1 17 365 810 −445 5 1 28 Relegation
Updated to match(es) played on 5 June 2014. Source: RFU
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    Notes:
  1. ^ Bristol were deducted 1 competition point for failing to reduce to 14 men when going to uncontested scrums against Bedford on 6 October.[19]
  2. ^ Jersey were deducted 2 competition points for fielding an ineligible player.[20]

Regular season

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The 2013–14 RFU Championship kicked off on the weekend of 14 and 15 September with the "Greene King IPA Big Rugby Weekend", an extra round of matches played as three double headers at neutral grounds.[11] Thereafter, each team played the other twice on a home and away basis with the top four qualifying for the promotion phase.

Round 1 (Big Rugby Weekend)

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14 September 2013
13:00
Ealing Trailfinders13 – 44London Scottish (BP)
Ealing
Scottish
Allianz Park
Attendance: 1,550
Referee: Darren Gamage
14 September 2013
13:00
Moseley24 – 42Rotherham (BP)
Rotherham
Moseley
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,050
Referee: Ian Tempest
14 September 2013
15:15
London Welsh23 – 14Bedford Blues
Welsh
Bedford
Allianz Park
Attendance: 1,550
Referee: Matthew Carley
14 September 2013
15:15
Nottingham24 – 16Leeds Carnegie
Nottingham
Leeds
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,098
Referee: Greg MacDonald
15 September 2013
13:15
Plymouth Albion (BP)41 – 27Jersey
Plymouth
Jersey
Sandy Park
Attendance: 3,752
Referee: Simon Harding
15 September 2013
15:30
Cornish Pirates23 – 21Bristol (BP)
Pirates
Bristol
Sandy Park
Attendance: 3,752
Referee: David Rose

Round 2

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20 September 2013
19:45
Cornish Pirates (BP)20 – 27Leeds Carnegie (BP)
Pirates
Leeds
The Mennaye
Attendance: 1,844
Referee: Ross Campbell
20 September 2013
19:45
Plymouth Albion (BP)34 – 34Moseley (BP)
Plymouth
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,746
Referee: Matthew Carley
21 September 2013
15:00
Jersey26 – 14Bedford Blues
Jersey
Bedford
St Peter
Attendance: 2,265
Referee: Luke Pearce
21 September 2013
15:00
Rotherham (BP)79 – 9Ealing Trailfinders
Rotherham
Ealing
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,257
Referee: John Meredith
22 September 2013
15:00
Bristol (BP)31 – 18London Scottish
Bristol
Scottish
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 5,320
Referee: Greg MacDonald
22 September 2013
15:00
Nottingham19 – 46London Welsh (BP)
Nottingham
Welsh
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,164
Referee: Ian Tempest

Round 3

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28 September 2013
14:30
London Welsh (BP)40 – 9Plymouth Albion
Welsh
Plymouth
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 999
Referee: Ross Campbell
28 September 2013
15:00
Bedford Blues (2 BP)28 – 29Leeds Carnegie
Bedford
Leeds
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,754
Referee: Steve Lee
28 September 2013
15:00
Ealing Trailfinders17 – 31Cornish Pirates (BP)
Ealing
Pirates
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Matthew Carley
28 September 2013
15:00
Jersey17 – 26Bristol (BP)
Jersey
Bristol
St Peter
Attendance: 2,590
Referee: Ian Tempest
28 September 2013
15:00
London Scottish27 – 6Nottingham
Scottish
Nottingham
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,394
Referee: Simon Harding
28 September 2013
15:00
Moseley21 – 47Rotherham (BP)
Moseley
Rotherham
Billesley Common
Attendance: 938
Referee: Greg MacDonald

Round 4

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4 October 2013
19:45
Cornish Pirates (BP)28 – 13Moseley
Pirates
Moseley
The Mennaye
Attendance: 1,374
Referee: Simon Harding
4 October 2013
19:45
Plymouth Albion (BP)20 – 22London Scottish
Plymouth
Scottish
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,904
Referee: Darren Gamage
4 October 2013
20:00
Leeds Carnegie (BP)64 – 3Ealing Trailfinders
Leeds
Ealing
Headingley
Attendance: 2,194
Referee: Ian Tempest
5 October 2013
15:00
Rotherham (2 BP)27 – 32London Welsh
Rotherham
Welsh
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,828
Referee: Steve Lee
6 October 2013
15:00
Bristol (BP)45 – 27Bedford Blues (BP)
Bristol
Bedford
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,817
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
6 October 2013
15:00
Nottingham (BP)19 – 22Jersey
Nottingham
Jersey
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,562
Referee: Ross Campbell

Round 5

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25 October 2013
19:30
London Scottish (BP)23 – 24Rotherham
Scottish
Rotherham
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,103
Referee: David Rose
26 October 2013
14:30
(BP) Jersey18 – 23Plymouth Albion
Jersey
Plymouth
St Peter
Attendance: 2,216
Referee: Martin Fox
26 October 2013
15:00
Moseley18 – 27Leeds Carnegie (BP)
Moseley
Leeds
Billesley Common
Attendance: 774
Referee: Darren Gamage
26 October 2013
18:30
(BP) London Welsh41 – 6Cornish Pirates
Welsh
Pirates
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 1,203
Referee: Ian Tempest
27 October 2013
15:15
(BP) Bedford Blues31 – 14Ealing Trailfinders
Bedford
Ealing
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,923
Referee: Dean Richards
27 October 2013
15:15
(BP) Bristol33 – 18Nottingham
Bristol
Nottingham
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 5,071
Referee: Matthew Carley

Round 6

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1 November 2013
19:45
Cornish Pirates16 – 8London Scottish
Pirates
Scottish
The Mennaye
Attendance: 1,449
Referee: Dean Richards
1 November 2013
19:45
Ealing Trailfinders6 – 15Moseley
Ealing
Moseley
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 692
Referee: Simon Harding
2 November 2013
14:00
Rotherham25 – 16Jersey
Rotherham
Jersey
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,287
Referee: John Meredith
2 November 2013
15:00
(2BP) Plymouth Albion31 – 38Bristol (BP)
Plymouth
Bristol
Brickfields
Attendance: 2,216
Referee: David Rose
3 November 2013
15:00
(BP) Leeds Carnegie24 – 31London Welsh
Leeds
Welsh
Headingley
Attendance: 2,444
Referee: Steve Lee
3 November 2013
15:00
Nottingham26 – 24Bedford Blues (BP)
Nottingham
Bedford
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,614
Referee: Darren Gamage

Round 7

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8 November 2013
19:45
Ealing Trailfinders5 – 20Plymouth Albion
Ealing
Plymouth
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 562
Referee: Greg MacDonald
9 November 2013
15:00
Moseley29 – 15Nottingham
Moseley
Nottingham
Billesley Common
Attendance: 712
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
10 November 2013
14:00
(BP) London Scottish29 – 3Jersey
Scottish
Jersey
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 928
Referee: Thomas Foley
10 November 2013
14:30
London Welsh22 – 7Bristol
Welsh
Bristol
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 1,821
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
10 November 2013
15:00
Cornish Pirates16 – 13Bedford Blues (BP)
Pirates
Bedford
The Mennaye
Attendance: 1,609
Referee: Simon Harding
10 November 2013
15:00
Leeds Carnegie19 – 10Rotherham
Leees
Rotherham
Headingley
Attendance: 2,345
Referee: Ross Campbell

Round 8

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15 November 2013
19:45
Bedford Blues13 – 26Moseley
Bedford
Moseley
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,545
Referee: Ross Campbell
16 November 2013
12:30
London Scottish26 – 15Leeds Carnegie
Scottish
Leeds
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 797
Referee: John Meredith
16 November 2013
15:00
Jersey27 – 25Cornish Pirates (BP)
Jersey
Pirates
St Peter
Attendance: 2,185
Referee: Matthew Carley
17 November 2013
14:30
(BP) London Welsh28 – 0Ealing Trailfinders
Welsh
Ealing
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 1,004
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
17 November 2013
15:00
(BP) Bristol36 – 26Rotherham
Bristol
Rotherham
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,655
Referee: Tom Foley
17 November 2013
15:00
Nottingham15 – 10Plymouth Albion (BP)
Nottingham
Plymouth
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,261
Referee: Dean Richards

Round 9

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22 November 2013
19:45
Plymouth Albion16 – 27Bedford Blues
Plymouth
Bedford
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,548
Referee: Ian Tempest
23 November 2013
14:00
Rotherham17 – 11Nottingham (BP)
Rotherham
Nottingham
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,390
Referee: Greg MacDonald
23 November 2013
15:00
Moseley8 – 24London Welsh
Moseley
Welsh
Billesley Common
Attendance: 1,081
Referee: Darren Gamage
24 November 2013
15:00
Cornish Pirates21 – 15Bristol (BP)
Pirates
Bristol
The Mennaye
Attendance: 2,176
Referee: John Meredith
24 November 2013
15:00
Ealing Trailfinders10 – 36London Scottish (BP)
Ealing
Scottish
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 669
Referee: Ross Campbell
24 November 2013
15:00
Leeds Carnegie29 – 13Jersey
Leeds
Jersey
Headingley
Attendance: 2,120
Referee: Steve Lee

Round 10

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29 November 2013
19:45
Plymouth Albion17 – 28Rotherham
Plymouth
Rotherham
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,349
Referee: Tom Foley
30 November 2013
14:30
Jersey18 – 28Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
Jersey
Ealing
St Peter
Attendance: 1,902
Referee: Darren Gamage
30 November 2013
15:00
Bedford Blues28 – 26London Welsh (BP)
Bedford
Welsh
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,599
Referee: John Meredith
30 November 2013
15:00
(BP) London Scottish38 – 17Moseley
Scottish
Moseley
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,128
Referee: Steve Lee
1 December 2013
15:00
(2BP) Bristol22 – 28Leeds Carnegie (BP)
Bristol
Leeds
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 5,029
Referee: Greg MacDonald
1 December 2013
15:00
Nottingham27 – 27Cornish Pirates
Nottingham
Pirates
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,229
Referee: Ross Cambell

Round 11

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21 December 2013
14:30
London Welsh5 – 13London Scottish
Welsh
Scottish
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 1,359
Referee: Ian Tempest
21 December 2013
15:00
Ealing Trailfinders7 – 21Bristol
Ealing
Bristol
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 724
Referee: Simon Harding
21 December 2013
15:00
Moseley10 – 3Jersey (BP)
Moseley
Jersey
Billesley Common
Attendance: 948
Referee: Ross Campbell
26 December 2013
14:00
(BP) Rotherham35 – 6Bedford Blues
Rotherham
Bedford
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 2,217
Referee: Steve Lee
26 December 2013
15:00
Cornish Pirates10 – 3Plymouth Albion (BP)
Pirates
Plymouth
The Mennaye
Attendance: 3,050
Referee: Darren Gamage
28 December 2013
15:00
(BP) Leeds Carnegie30 – 19Nottingham
Leeds
Nottingham
Headingley
Attendance: 3,168
Referee: Dean Richards

Round 12

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28 December 2013
15:00
(BP) Bristol29 – 8Moseley
Bristol
Moseley
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 6,860
Referee: Thomas Foley
1 January 2014
15:00
Bedford Blues21 – 13London Scottish
Bedford
Scottish
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,555
Referee: John Meredith
4 January 2014
14:00
(BP) Jersey26 – 33London Welsh
Jersey
Welsh
St Peter
Attendance: 1,617
Referee: Greg MacDonald
4 January 2014
14:00
(BP) Rotherham35 – 30Cornish Pirates (BP)
Rotherham
Pirates
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,735
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
4 January 2014
15:00
(BP) Plymouth Albion14 – 15Leeds Carnegie
Plymouth
Leeds
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,835
Referee: Martin Fox
5 January 2014
15:00
(2 BP) Nottingham27 – 28Ealing Trailfinders
Nottingham
Ealing
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,367
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

Round 13

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25 January 2014
15:00
Bedford Blues14 – 9Nottingham (BP)
Bedford
Nottingham
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,189
Referee: Ross Campbell
25 January 2014
15:00
Jersey22 – 35Rotherham (BP)
Jersey
Rotherham
St Peter
Attendance: 2,044
Referee: John Meredith
25 January 2014
15:00
(BP) London Scottish25 – 6Cornish Pirates
Scottish
Pirates
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,675
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
25 January 2014
15:00
(BP) Moseley22 – 12Ealing Trailfinders
Moseley
Ealing
Billesley Common
Attendance: 700
Referee: Thomas Foley
26 January 2014
14:30
London Welsh19 – 10Leeds Carnegie
Welsh
Leeds
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 1,538
Referee: Martin Fox
26 January 2014
15:00
BristolP – PPlymouth Albion
Memorial Stadium
Referee: Andrew Jackson
  • This match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[21][22] It was rescheduled to 23 February.[23]

Round 14

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31 January 2014
20:00
Nottingham15 – 3London Scottish
Nottingham
Scottish
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,197
Referee: Andrew Small
1 February 2014
14:00
Rotherham16 – 6Moseley
Rotherham
Moseley
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,287
Referee: Dean Richards
1 February 2014
15:00
(BP) Plymouth Albion36 – 15London Welsh
Plymouth
Welsh
Brickfields
Attendance: 2,024
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
2 February 2014
14:00
Cornish Pirates18 – 18Ealing Trailfinders
Pirates
Ealing
The Mennaye
Attendance: 1,127
Referee: Luke Pearce
2 February 2014
15:00
(BP) Bristol54 – 14Jersey
Bristol
Jersey
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,657
Referee: Francisco Pastrana (UAR)
2 February 2014
15:00
(BP) Leeds Carnegie50 – 6Bedford Blues
Leeds
Bedford
Headingley
Attendance: 2,086
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

Round 15

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7 February 2014
19:30
MoseleyP – PCornish Pirates
Billesley Common
  • This match was postponed, as the surface of many parts of the pitch is under water.[24] It has been rescheduled to 21 February.[25]
8 February 2014
14:30
(BP) London Scottish38 – 27Plymouth Albion (BP)
Scottish
Plymouth
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 819
Referee: David Procter
8 February 2014
15:00
Bedford Blues19 – 32Bristol (BP)
Bedford
Bristol
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,009
Referee: Darren Gamage
8 February 2014
15:00
Ealing Trailfinders11 – 46Leeds Carnegie (BP)
Ealing
Leeds
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 631
Referee: Greg MacDonald
8 February 2014
15:00
Jersey17 – 13Nottingham (BP)
Jersey
Nottingham
St Peter
Attendance: 1,592
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
9 February 2014
14:30
(BP) London Welsh47 – 16Rotherham
Welsh
Rotherham
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 1,061
Referee: Steve Lee

Round 16

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14 February 2014
19:45
Ealing TrailfindersP – PBedford Blues
Trailfinders Sports Ground
  • This match was postponed as the pitch was deemed unplayable. It has been rescheduled to 22 February.[26]
15 February 2014
14:00
Rotherham15 – 12London Scottish (BP)
Rotherham
Scottish
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,342
Referee: Greg MacDonald
15 February 2014
15:00
Plymouth AlbionP – PJersey
Brickfields
  • This match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[27]
16 February 2014
15:00
Cornish PiratesP – PLondon Welsh
The Mennaye
  • This match was postponed after a pitch inspection at The Mennaye.[28] It has been rescheduled to 16 March.[29]
16 February 2014
15:00
(BP) Leeds Carnegie62 – 5Moseley
Leeds
Headingley
Attendance: 3,902
Referee: Andrew Jackson
16 February 2014
15:00
(BP) Nottingham24 – 25Bristol
Nottingham
Bristol
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,305
Referee: John Meredith

Postponed matches

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21 February 2014
19:30
Moseley28 – 20Cornish Pirates
Pirates
Billesley Common
Attendance: 626
Referee: Ross Campbell
  • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 15 on 7 February 2014 – was postponed as many parts of the pitch was under water.[24]

22 February 2014
14:00
Ealing TrailfindersP – PBedford Blues
Trailfinders Sports Ground
  • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 16 on 14 February 2014 – was postponed as the pitch was deemed unplayable.[30] The match was again postponed due to an unplayable pitch.[26] It will now be played on 15 March.[31]

23 February 2014
15:00
(BP) Bristol43 – 12Plymouth Albion
Bristol
Plymouth
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,408
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
  • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 13 on 26 January 2014 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[21][22]

Round 17

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28 February 2014
19:45
Plymouth Albion22 – 12Nottingham
Plymouth
Nottingham
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,436
Referee: Steve Lee
1 March 2014
15:00
Ealing Trailfinders6 – 39London Welsh (BP)
Ealing
Welsh
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,571
Referee: Andrew Jackson
1 March 2014
15:00
Moseley24 – 13Bedford Blues
Moseley
Bedford
Billesley Common
Attendance: 1,090
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
1 March 2014
15:00
Rotherham26 – 34Bristol (BP)
Rotherham
Bristol
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 2,349
Referee: Ian Tempest
2 March 2014
15:00
Cornish Pirates19 – 15Jersey (BP)
Pirates
Jersey
The Mennaye
Attendance: 1,183
Referee: Greg MacDonald
2 March 2014
15:00
Leeds Carnegie27 – 18London Scottish
Leeds
Scottish
Headingley
Attendance: 1,960
Referee: Darren Gamage

Round 18

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8 March 2014
15:00
Bedford Blues18 – 33Plymouth Albion
Bedford
Plymouth
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,199
Referee: Greg MacDonald
8 March 2014
15:00
(BP) Jersey13 – 18Leeds Carnegie
Jersey
Leeds
St Peter
Attendance: 2,012
Referee: Martin Fox
9 March 2014
12:00
(BP) London Welsh42 – 18Moseley
Welsh
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 2,006
Referee: Dean Richards
9 March 2014
12:30
(BP) London Scottish42 – 13Ealing Trailfinders
Scottish
Ealing
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 856
Referee: Thomas Foley
9 March 2014
13:00
(BP) Bristol46 – 33Cornish Pirates (BP)
Bristol
Pirates
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 5,035
Referee: John Meredith
9 March 2014
13:00
Nottingham7 – 51Rotherham
Nottingham
Rotherham
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,329
Referee: Darren Gamage

Postponed matches (2)

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15 March 2014
15:00
Ealing Trailfinders23 – 39Bedford Blues (BP)
Ealing
Bedford
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 528
Referee: John Meredith
  • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 16 on 14 February 2014 – was postponed as the pitch was deemed unplayable.[30] The pitch was again found to be unplayable on the new date of 22 February, and the match was postponed for the second time.[26]

15 March 2014
15:00
(BP) Plymouth Albion23 – 30Jersey
Plymouth
Jersey
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,036
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
  • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 16 on 15 February 2014 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[27]

16 March 2014
15:00
Cornish Pirates5 – 20London Welsh
Pirates
Welsh
The Mennaye
Attendance: 1,387
Referee: Martin Fox
  • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 16 on 16 February 2014 – was postponed after a pitch inspection at The Mennaye.[28]

Round 19

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21 March 2014
19:45
Ealing Trailfinders25 – 23Jersey (BP)
Ealing
Jersey
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 843
Referee: Matthew Carley
22 March 2014
15:00
(BP) Moseley20 – 23London Scottish
Moseley
Scottish
Billesley Common
Attendance: 902
Referee: Andrew Jackson
22 March 2014
15:00
(BP) Rotherham45 – 10Plymouth Albion
Rotherham
Plymouth
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,386
Referee: Martin Fox
23 March 2014
14:30
(BP) London Welsh29 – 11Bedford Blues
Welsh
Bedford
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 1,353
Referee: Darren Gamage
23 March 2014
15:00
Cornish Pirates17 – 11Nottingham (BP)
Pirates
Nottingham
The Mennaye
Attendance: 1,235
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
23 March 2014
15:00
(BP) Leeds Carnegie27 – 33Bristol (BP)
Leeds
Bristol
Headingley
Attendance: 3,297
Referee: Thomas Foley

Round 20

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29 March 2014
15:00
Jersey8 – 39Moseley (BP)
Jersey
Moseley
St Peter
Attendance: 2,664
Referee: Steve Lee
29 March 2014
15:00
(BP) Plymouth Albion20 – 26Cornish Pirates
Plymouth
Pirates
Brickfields
Attendance: 2,598
Referee: Darren Gamage
29 March 2014
17:00
Bedford Blues12 – 33Rotherham
Bedford
Rotherham
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,844
Referee: Thomas Foley
30 March 2014
14:00
London Scottish21 – 32London Welsh
Scottish
Welsh
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,807
Referee: John Meredith
  • This result means that London Welsh will finish in the top four and therefore are into the playoffs.
30 March 2014
15:00
(BP) Bristol82 – 28Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
Bristol
Ealing
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,852
Referee: David Procter
  • This result means that Bristol will finish in the top four and therefore are into the playoffs.
30 March 2014
15:00
(BP) Nottingham20 – 27Leeds Carnegie
Nottingham
Leeds
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,315
Referee: Martin Fox

Round 21

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12 April 2014
14:00
(BP) London Welsh45 – 7Jersey
Welsh
Jersey
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 1,082
Referee: Greg MacDonald
12 April 2014
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders37 – 35Nottingham (2BP)
Ealing
Nottingham
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 473
Referee: Dean Richards
12 April 2014
15:00
Moseley24 – 33Bristol (BP)
Moseley
Bristol
Billesley Common
Attendance: 1,437
Referee: Thomas Foley
13 April 2014
14:00
London Scottish19 – 15Bedford Blues (BP)
Scottish
Bedford
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,057
Referee: Martin Fox
13 April 2014
15:00
Cornish Pirates20 – 40Rotherham (BP)
Pirates
Rotherham
The Mennaye
Attendance: 1,372
Referee: Andrew Jackson
13 April 2014
15:00
(BP) Leeds Carnegie40 – 14Plymouth Albion
Leeds
Plymouth
Headingley
Attendance: 1,870
Referee: Ian Tempest

Round 22

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18 April 2014
19:45
(BP) Bristol25 – 21London Welsh (BP)
Bristol
Welsh
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 8,061
Referee: Luke Pearce
18 April 2014
20:00
(BP) Nottingham29 – 24Moseley (2 BPs)
Nottingham
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,402
Referee: Ian Tempest
19 April 2014
14:00
Jersey17 – 25London Scottish
Jersey
Scottish
St Peter
Attendance: 2,345
Referee: Darren Gamage
19 April 2014
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues48 – 36Cornish Pirates (BP)
Bedford
Pirates
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,365
Referee: Thomas Foley
19 April 2014
15:00
(BP) Plymouth Albion21 – 26Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
Plymouth
Ealing
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,555
Referee: Steve Lee
19 April 2014
15:00
Rotherham17 – 34Leeds Carnegie
Rotherham
Leeds
Abbeydale Park, Sheffield
Attendance: 2,477
Referee: Martin Fox

Round 23

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25 April 2014
20:00
(BP) Leeds Carnegie36 – 3Cornish Pirates
Leeds
Pirates
Headingley
Attendance: 2,017
Referee: Greg MacDonald
26 April 2014
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues31 – 41Jersey (BP)
Bedford
Jersey
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,659
Referee: Andrew Small
26 April 2014
15:00
(2 BPs) Ealing Trailfinders29 – 36Rotherham (BP)
Ealing
Rotherham
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 842
Referee: Dean Richards
26 April 2014
15:00
(BP) London Scottish31 – 55Bristol Rugby (BP)
Scottish
Bristol
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 2,155
Referee: Ian Tempest
26 April 2014
15:00
(BP) London Welsh64 – 12Nottingham
Welsh
Nottingham
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 1,236
Referee: John Meredith
26 April 2014
15:00
Moseley16 – 11Plymouth Albion (BP)
Plymouth
Billesley Common
Attendance: 1,105
Referee: Andrew Jackson

Play–offs

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Semi–finals

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The semi–finals followed a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system - with the games being played over two legs and the higher placed team deciding who played at home in the first leg.[3]

First leg

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10 May 2014
14:45
Bristol Rugby17 – 14Rotherham
Bristol
Rotherham
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 5,839
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

11 May 2014
13:00
Leeds Carnegie38 – 31London Welsh
Leeds
Welsh
Headingley
Attendance: 2,844
Referee: Andrew Small

Second leg

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17 May 2014
18:05
Rotherham11 – 22Bristol Rugby
Rotherham
Bristol
Abbeydale Sports Club (Sheffield RUFC)
Attendance: 3,267
Referee: Matthew Carley
  • Bristol won 39 — 25 on aggregate

18 May 2014
12:45
London Welsh29 – 20Leeds Carnegie
Welsh
Leeds
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 2,324
Referee: Greg Garner
  • London Welsh won 60 — 58 on aggregate

Final

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28 May 2014
19:45
London Welsh27 – 8Bristol Rugby
Welsh
Bristol
Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 5,021
Referee: Wayne Barnes

4 June 2014
19:45
Bristol Rugby20 – 21London Welsh
Bristol
Welsh
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 10,905
Referee: Luke Pearce

Total attendances

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  • Note attendance statistics include 1st round with each team playing at the neutral venue considered the 'home team' as well as playoff games
Club Home Matches Total Average Highest Lowest % Capacity
Bedford Blues 12 27,137 2,261 2,754 1,550 37%
Bristol 14 79,261 5,662 10,905 3,752 47%
Cornish Pirates 12 21,558 1,797 3,752 1,127 40%
Ealing Trailfinders 12 10,085 840 1,571 473 25%
Jersey 12 27,184 2,265 3,752 1,592 42%
Leeds Carnegie 13 30,028 2,310 3,902 1,098 13%
London Scottish 12 15,269 1,272 2,155 797 27%
London Welsh 14 24,121 1,723 5,021 999 16%
Moseley 12 11,363 947 1,437 626 29%
Nottingham 12 15,843 1,320 1,614 1,098 9%
Plymouth Albion 12 22,999 1,917 3,752 1,036 22%
Rotherham Titans 13 22,872 1,759 3,267 1,050 66%

[32][33]

Top scorers

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Season records

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "RFU Championship Statistics - Top Point Scorers". Rugby Round Up. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b "RFU Championship Statistics - Top Try Scorers". Rugby Round Up. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Greene King IPA to sponsor RFU Championship" (Press release). Rugby Football Union. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  4. ^ Mick Cleary (16 April 2013). "London Welsh's agony proves that relegation is a must in the Aviva Premiership". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  5. ^ a b Ed Mezzetti (31 May 2013). "Most fans want London Welsh to stay in Oxford, says chairman". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  6. ^ Matt Newsum (29 May 2013). "Newcastle beat Bedford to seal promotion to Premiership". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  7. ^ "FT Bedford 38 Knights 26 - Doncaster Knights relegated to National One". Doncaster Free Press. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  8. ^ John Wilkinson (29 April 2013). "Ealing Trailfinders 41 Coventry 17". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Rugby Football Union to fund travel for Cup games". BBC Sport. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  10. ^ "RaboDirect Pro12 games to be shown on Sky Sports from 2014". Sky Sports. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Tickets on sale for Greene King IPA Big Rugby Weekend". Rugby Football Union. 10 July 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Championship: RFU to abolish play-off pool stages". BBC Sport. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  13. ^ Jonathan Reilly (13 March 2011). "Premiership is no go for now admits chief Irvine". Bedfordshire News. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  14. ^ "Minimum Standards Criteria audit results" (Press release). Rugby Football Union. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  15. ^ Pilnick, Brent (22 August 2012). "RFU unveils new funding deal for Championship clubs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  16. ^ "Rugby - Fixtures & Results". London Welsh RFC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  17. ^ "Rugby Union: Damage fears for Abbeydale outfield". thestar.co.uk. 10 April 2014.
  18. ^ "Titans secure Abbeydale for massive semi final against Bristol". rotherhamrugby.co.uk. 30 April 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  19. ^ "Bristol Rugby deducted one point for breach of regulations". BBC Sport. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  20. ^ "Championship: Jersey docked two points and fined £5,000". BBC Sport. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  21. ^ a b "POSTPONED: Bristol Rugby Vs Plymouth Albion". Bristol. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  22. ^ a b "Bristol v Plymouth Albion Postponed". Plymouth Albion. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on January 27, 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  23. ^ "Bristol Match Rearranged". Plymouth Albion. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  24. ^ a b "Moseley POSTPONED". Cornish Pirates. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  25. ^ "1st XV Team Fixtures for 2013 - 2014". Moseley Rugby Football Club. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  26. ^ a b c "ETRFC v Bedford Blues – Rescheduled for Saturday 22 Feb". Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  27. ^ a b "Plymouth Albion v Jersey match Postponed". Plymouth Albion. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  28. ^ a b "Welsh Home". Cornish Pirates. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  29. ^ "Welsh Home : New Match Date". Cornish Pirates. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  30. ^ a b "EALING TRAILFINDERS RESCHEDULED". Bedford Blues. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  31. ^ "Bedford visit rescheduled for 15 March". Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  32. ^ a b "Championship 13/14 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  33. ^ a b "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
  34. ^ "Championship 13/14 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  35. ^ "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
  36. ^ "Championship 13/14 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  37. ^ "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
  38. ^ "Championship 13/14 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  39. ^ "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
  40. ^ "Championship 13/14 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  41. ^ "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
  42. ^ "Championship 13/14 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  43. ^ "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
  44. ^ "Championship 13/14 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  45. ^ "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
  46. ^ "Championship 13/14 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  47. ^ "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
  48. ^ "Championship 13/14 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  49. ^ "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
  50. ^ "Championship 13/14 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
  51. ^ "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
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