National Division Two 2008–09
| 2008–09 National Division Two | |
|---|---|
| Countries |
 England
|
| Champions | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Runners-up | Cambridge |
| Relegated | Waterloo, Mounts Bay, Southend, Westcombe Park |
| Matches played | 181 |
| Attendance | 98,968 (average 547 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 2,218 Redruth at home to Mounts Bay on 20 December 2008 |
| Lowest attendance | 131 Westcombe Park at home to Wharfedale on 29 November 2008 |
| Top point scorer |
Mark Woodrow Birmingham & Solihull 373 points |
| Top try scorer |
Simon Hunt Birmingham & Solihull 31 tries |
|
← 2007-08
2009-10 →
|
|
The 2008-09 National Division Two was the ninth and final version (twenty second overall) of the third division of the English rugby union league system using the name National Division Two. The RFU was planning to introduced a new professionalized format of the second division for the 2009-10 season which would lead to widespread league changes throughout the English league system including National Two being renamed National One and being increased from the 14 teams to 16 teams – a decision they made halfway through the season (more information on these changes is provided in the Divisional Changes section below). New teams to the division included Birmingham & Solihull (known the following season as Pertemps Bees) and Launceston who were relegated from the 2007–08 National Division One while promoted teams included Tynedale coming up from the 2007–08 National Division Three North while Mounts Bay (champions) and Cinderford (playoffs) both from the 2007–08 National Division Three South.
At the end of the season Birmingham & Solihull made an instant return to the (newly named) 2009-10 RFU Championship. They edged out runners up Cambridge by just 3 points due to the virtue of a superior bonus points record after both sides finished with 22 wins and 4 defeats each. At the bottom of the table Waterloo, Mounts Bay, Southend and Westcombe Park were relegated with Westcombe Park and Southend dropping to the 2009–10 National League 2 South and Waterloo falling to the 2009–10 National League 2 North. The relegation of Mounts Bay was particularly potent as it led to the club going out of business in June 2009 due to spiraling debts and an inability to cope with the increase of professionalism in the game.
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