# 1997–98 National League 2 South

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 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

| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
| Barking | Goresbrook | 1,000 | Becontree, Dagenham, London | 3rd |
| Bridgwater & Albion | Bath Road | 5,000 | Bridgwater, Somerset | Promoted from South West 1 (champions) |
| Camberley | Watchetts | | Camberley, Surrey | 4th |
| Cheltenham | Newlands Park | | Southam, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire | 5th |
| Clifton | Station Road | 2,500 | 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 | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | Relegated from National 3 (14th) |
| Henley | Dry Leas | 4,000 | Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire | Runners up (not promoted) |
| Metropolitan Police | Imber Court | | East Molesey, Surrey | 7th |
| North Walsham | Norwich Road | 1,200 | Scottow, Norfolk | 10th |
| Plymouth Albion | Beacon Park | 3,500 | 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

1997–98 National League 2 South table :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Camberley (C) | 26 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 803 | 372 | +431 | 47 | Promoted |
| 2 | Henley Hawks (P) | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 772 | 384 | +388 | 44 | Promoted |
| 3 | Barking | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 762 | 450 | +312 | 40 | |
| 4 | Esher | 26 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 651 | 448 | +203 | 37 | |
| 5 | Cheltenham | 26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 627 | 514 | +113 | 29 | |
| 6 | Tabard | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 556 | 532 | +24 | 28 | |
| 7 | North Walsham | 26 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 431 | 373 | +58 | 25 | |
| 8 | Bridgwater & Albion | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 535 | 664 | −129 | 24 | |
| 9 | Redruth | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 720 | 580 | +140 | 20 | |
| 10 | Weston-super-Mare | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 468 | 651 | −183 | 20 | |
| 11 | Clifton | 26 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 414 | 611 | −197 | 17 | |
| 12 | Havant | 26 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 388 | 643 | −255 | 17 | |
| 13 | Plymouth Albion | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 472 | 756 | −284 | 12 | |
| 14 | Metropolitan Police | 26 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 320 | 941 | −621 | 2 | |
* ↑ 2 points deducted

## 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.