Many of the clubs featured in the Graduate Club information section play in the Rugby League Conference (RLC), which has just finished another season. Although there have been a few problems in the league this year, I think there is no doubt that the general trend is positive. Problems have to be expected in any league, but perhaps are more likely to occur in one still in it’s infancy and one which is likely to be experiencing yet more changes in the not too distant future. It is testament to the ability and quality of so many people involved in the RLC at a variety of levels, that the league has been able to cope with the rate of change and expectancy experienced during the course of its short history. Obviously, however, there remains, in my view, a need to ‘keep feet on the ground’ and progress in a workable and feasible manner. How this relates to practical action in the next few months and in the lead up to next season will perhaps be the biggest test for the Rugby League Conference so far.
Final RLC Composite Table 1999
|
No. |
Team |
Division (Division Position) |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
Points |
|
1. |
Chester Wolves |
Northern (1st) |
12 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
20 |
|
2. |
Cheltenham Warriors |
Western (1st) |
12 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
20 |
|
3. |
Manchester Knights |
Northern (2nd) |
12 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
20 |
|
4. |
Crawley Jets |
Southern (1st) |
12 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
18 |
|
5. |
Leicester Phoenix |
Western (2nd) |
12 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
18 |
|
6. |
Oxford Cavaliers |
Southern (2nd) |
12 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
18 |
|
7. |
West London Sharks |
Southern (3rd) |
12 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
18 |
|
8. |
Nottingham Outlaws |
Northern (3rd) |
12 |
8 |
0 |
4 |
16 |
|
9. |
Birmingham Bulls |
Western (3rd) |
12 |
7 |
0 |
5 |
|
|
10. |
Ipswich Rhinos |
Eastern (1st) |
12 |
7 |
0 |
5 |
14 |
|
11. |
Hemel Hempstead Stags |
Eastern (2nd) |
12 |
8 |
0 |
4 |
12* |
|
12. |
South Norfolk Saints |
Eastern (3rd) |
12 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
12 |
|
13. |
North London Skolars |
Southern (4th) |
12 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
12 |
|
14. |
St. Albans Centurions |
Southern (5th) |
12 |
4 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
|
15. |
Worcestershire Saints |
Western (4th) |
12 |
4 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
|
16. |
Derby City |
Northern (4th) |
12 |
2 |
0 |
10 |
4 |
|
17. |
Cambridge Eagles |
Eastern (4th) |
12 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
2 |
|
18. |
Bedford Swifts |
Eastern (5th) |
12 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
2 |
|
19. |
Crewe Wolves |
Northern (5th) |
12 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
|
20. |
Wolverhampton Wizards |
Western (5th) |
12 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
* Hemel Hempstead Stags deducted four points for breach of rules
RLC South/East Semi-Finals RLC North/West Semi-Finals
Crawley Jets 16-18 Hemel Hempstead Stags** Cheltenham Warriors 41-6 Manchester Knights
Ipswich Rhinos 16-31 Oxford Cavaliers Chester Wolves 30-10 Leicester Phoenix
** Hemel Hempstead Stags withdrawn from competition
RLC South/East Regional Final RLC North/West Regional Final
Crawley Jets 56-10 Oxford Cavaliers Cheltenham Warriors 16-27 Chester Wolves
(at The Stoop Memorial Ground, London) (at Woolston Rovers)
Rugby League Conference Grand Final
Crawley Jets 24 - 26 Chester Wolves
(at New River Stadium, London)