The 1997–98 National League 2 South was the eleventh full season of rugby union within the fourth tier (south) of the English league system, previously known as National Division 4 South, and was the first to be sponsored by Jewson who replaced former sponsor Courage. It is counterpart to National League 2 North, which covers the northern half of the country.
At the end of the campaign Camberley were the league champions, finishing 3 points clear of runners up Henley Hawks, with both teams promoted 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 seasonBarking Goresbrook 1,000 Becontree, Dagenham, London 3rdBridgwater & Albion Bath Road 5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset Promoted from South West 1 (champions)Camberley Watchetts Camberley, Surrey 4thCheltenham Newlands Park Southam, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 5thClifton Station Road 2,200 (200 seats) Cribbs Causeway, Henbury, Bristol Relegated from National 3 (16th) Esher Molesey Road 3,500 Hersham, Surrey Promoted from London 1 (champions) Havant Hook's Lane 2,000 (200 seats) Havant, Hampshire Relegated from National 3 (14th) Henley Dry Leas 4,000 Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire Runners up (not promoted) Metropolitan Police Imber Court 3,500 (500 seats) East Molesey, Surrey 7th North Walsham Norwich Road 1,200 Scottow, Norfolk 10th Plymouth Albion Beacon Park1,950 (450 seats) Plymouth, Devon 6th Redruth Recreation Ground 12,000 Redruth, Cornwall Relegated from National 3 (15th) Tabard Cobden Hill Radlett, Hertfordshire 9th Weston-super-Mare Recreation Ground 3,000 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 8th
League table
Sponsorship National League 2 South is part of the Jewson National Leagues is sponsored by Jewson. It was the first year they would sponsor the league.
See also 1997–98 Premiership 1 1997–98 Premiership 2 1997–98 National League 1 1997–98 National League 2 North
References