2009–10 RFU Championship
The 2009–10 RFU Championship was the 1st season (of the professionalised format) of the second division of the English domestic rugby union competitions, played between August 2009 and May 2010. The league had been restructured from the 16 teams of the previous season down to just 12.[1] New teams included Bristol who had been relegated from the Guinness Premiership 2008–09 and Birmingham and Solihull who had been promoted from National Division Two 2008–09.[2][3] As well as a decrease in teams, the league would now consist of three parts - a standard league section, promotion/relegation pools and then playoffs to determine who would go up as champions.
| 2009–10 RFU Championship | |
|---|---|
| Countries |  England |
| Champions | Exeter Chiefs |
| Runners-up | Bristol |
| Relegated | Coventry |
| Attendance | 402,209 (average 2,260 per match)[a 1] |
| Highest attendance | 11,550 Bristol at home to Exeter Chiefs on 26 May 2010 |
| Lowest attendance | 200 Birmingham & Solihull at home to Doncaster Knights on 17 February 2010 |
| Top point scorer |  Gareth Steenson(Exeter Chiefs) 280 points |
| Top try scorer |  Blair Cowan(Cornish Pirates)  Errie Claassens(London Welsh) Matthew Jess (Exeter Chiefs) 14 tries |
During this season, Exeter Chiefs won promotion to the Aviva Premiership 2010–11 by beating Bristol in the playoff final.[4] This marked Exeter's first ever promotion to the Premiership, which they would later win in 2017.
Despite finishing 11th of 12 after the first stage Coventry were relegated to the 2010–11 National League 1 as they finished bottom of the relegation pool.[5]
Participating teams
Locations of the 2009–10 RFU Championship teams
| Team | Stadium | Capacity | City/Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Blues | Goldington Road | 6,000 | Bedford, Bedfordshire |
| Birmingham & Solihull | Sharmans Cross[b 1] | 2,500 | Solihull, West Midlands |
| Bristol | Memorial Stadium | 12,100 | Bristol |
| Cornish Pirates | Recreation Ground | 9,000 | Camborne, Cornwall |
| Coventry | Butts Park Arena[b 2] | 4,000 | Coventry, West Midlands |
| Doncaster Knights | Castle Park | 3,075 | Doncaster, South Yorkshire |
| Exeter Chiefs | Sandy Park | 10,000 | Exeter, Devon |
| London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850 | Richmond, London |
| Moseley | Billesley Common | 3,000+ | Birmingham, West Midlands |
| Nottingham | Meadow Lane[b 3] | 19,588 | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire |
| Plymouth Albion | The Brickfields | 6,500 | Plymouth, Devon |
| Rotherham Titans | Clifton Lane | 2,500 | Rotherham, South Yorkshire |
- Notes
- Birmingham & Solihull would play a home game on 2 January 2010 at Goldington Road in Bedford, as well as two more home games at Billesley Common on 2 and 17 February 2010 due to adverse weather conditions effecting the Sharmans Cross pitch.[6]
- Coventry would play a home game on 4 December 2009 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.[7]
- Nottingham would play a home game on 7 November 2009 at Welford Road in Leicester due to the Notts County football team playing a home match in the FA Cup on that date.[8]
Stage 1 League Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol | 22 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 630 | 337 | +293 | 16 | 92 | Promotion playoffs |
| 2 | Exeter Chiefs | 22 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 699 | 360 | +339 | 12 | 88 | |
| 3 | London Welsh | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 483 | 376 | +107 | 9 | 62[lower-alpha 1] | |
| 4 | Bedford Blues | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 581 | 436 | +145 | 9 | 59 | |
| 5 | Nottingham | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 539 | 520 | +19 | 11 | 59 | |
| 6 | Cornish Pirates | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 555 | 463 | +92 | 9 | 55 | |
| 7 | Doncaster Knights | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 394 | 386 | +8 | 8 | 48 | |
| 8 | Plymouth Albion | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 389 | 462 | −73 | 6 | 48 | |
| 9 | Moseley | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 444 | 543 | −99 | 6 | 46 | Relegation playoffs |
| 10 | Rotherham Titans | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 451 | 520 | −69 | 15 | 43 | |
| 11 | Coventry | 22 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 346 | 565 | −219 | 5 | 12[lower-alpha 2] | |
| 12 | Birmingham & Solihull | 22 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 293 | 836 | −543 | 4 | −9[lower-alpha 2] |
Updated to match(es) played on 13 March 2010. Source:
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
- Number of matches won
- Difference between points for and against
- Total number of points for
- Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
- Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Notes:
- 5 points deducted
- 15 points deducted
Results
Round 1
| 4 September 2009 |
| Coventry | 21 - 12 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,390 Referee: Darren Gamage |
| 5 September 2009 |
| Doncaster Knights | 12 - 26 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,248 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 5 September 2009 |
| Moseley | 25 - 50 | Exeter Chiefs (BP) |
| Report |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 842 Referee: Martin Fox |
| 5 September 2009 |
| (BP) Plymouth Albion | 33 - 10 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 2,176 Referee: Luke Pearce |
| 6 September 2009 |
| Bristol | 28 - 23 | London Welsh (BP) |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,025 Referee: Sean Davey |
| 6 September 2009 |
| Nottingham | 13 - 24 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,232 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
Round 2
| 12 September 2009 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 42 - 6 | Coventry |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,852 Referee: Michael Tutty |
| 12 September 2009 |
| (BP) Birmingham & Solihull | 36 - 40 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 1,223 Referee: Chris Sharp |
| 12 September 2009 |
| Exeter Chiefs | 32 - 20 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 3,573 Referee: Rob Debney |
| 13 September 2009 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 57 - 24 | Moseley (BP) |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,632 Referee: David Rose |
| 13 September 2009 |
| Nottingham | 23 - 16 | London Welsh (BP) |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,006 Referee: JP Doyle |
| 13 September 2009 |
| Rotherham Titans | 29 - 16 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,125 Referee: Terry Hall |
Round 3
| 18 September 2009 |
| Coventry | 13 - 27 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Sean Davey |
| 18 September 2009 |
| Doncaster Knights | 10 - 21 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,728 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
| 19 September 2009 |
| (BP) London Welsh | 37 - 12 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,650 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 19 September 2009 |
| Moseley | 20 - 31 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Report |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 754 Referee: Adrian Hartwell |
| 19 September 2009 |
| Plymouth Albion | 3 - 38 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 2,303 Referee: Keith Lewis |
| 20 September 2009 |
| (BP) Bristol | 36 - 10 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,305 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
Round 4
| 26 September 2009 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 5 - 6 | Bristol |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 4,067 Referee: Greg Garner |
| 26 September 2009 |
| Exeter Chiefs | 30 - 24 | Plymouth Albion (BP) |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 5,072 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 26 September 2009 |
| (BP) Moseley | 33 - 25 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 749 Referee: Paul Knowles |
| 26 September 2009 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 22 - 28 | London Welsh |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,262 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
| 27 September 2009 |
| Cornish Pirates | 20 - 14 | Coventry (BP) |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,695 Referee: JP Doyle |
| 27 September 2009 |
| (BP) Nottingham | 53 - 17 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,210 Referee: Mark Wilson |
Round 5
| 2 October 2009 |
| (2BP) Coventry | 25 - 28 | Moseley (BP) |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 2,003 Referee: Luke Pearce |
| 3 October 2009 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 0 - 29 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 377 Referee: Rob Debney |
| 3 October 2009 |
| Doncaster Knights | 7 - 23 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,323 Referee: Keith Lewis |
| 3 October 2009 |
| London Welsh | 28 - 17 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 2,240 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
| 3 October 2009 |
| Plymouth Albion | 16 - 8 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 4,004 Referee: David Rose |
| 4 October 2009 |
| Bristol | 26 - 35 | Exeter Chiefs (BP) |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 6,895 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
Round 6
| 9 October 2009 |
| (BP) Nottingham | 46 - 0 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,049 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
| 10 October 2009 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 53 - 25 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 3,180 Referee: Terry Hall |
| 10 October 2009 |
| Exeter Chiefs | 13 - 9 | London Welsh (BP) |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 4,378 Referee: David Rose |
| 10 October 2009 |
| Moseley | 26 - 15 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 950 Referee: Darren Gamage |
| 11 October 2009 |
| Cornish Pirates | 13 - 35 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 4,115 Referee: Keith Lewis |
Round 7
| 16 October 2009 |
| (BP) Coventry | 13 - 18 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,313 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 17 October 2009 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 21 - 51 | Exeter Chiefs (BP) |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 367 Referee: Chris Sharp |
| 17 October 2009 |
| Plymouth Albion | 6 - 21 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 2,395 Referee: Roy Maybank |
| 17 October 2009 |
| (BP) London Welsh | 34 - 10 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,980 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
| 17 October 2009 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 25 - 27 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,304 Referee: Michael Tutty |
Round 8
| 23 October 2009 |
| Coventry | 26 - 10 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,076 Referee: Graham Knox |
| 24 October 2009 |
| Doncaster Knights | 26 - 22 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,907 Referee: Mark Wilson |
| 24 October 2009 |
| (BP) Exeter Chiefs | 43 - 10 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 3,828 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
| 24 October 2009 |
| (BP) Moseley | 17 - 21 | London Welsh |
| Report |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 964 Referee: Rob Debney |
| 25 October 2009 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 62 - 10 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,530 Referee: Paul Knowles |
| 25 October 2009 |
| Nottingham | 30 - 29 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,584 Referee: Greg Garner |
Round 9
| 30 October 2009 |
| (BP) Bristol | 46 - 28 | Coventry |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,839 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
| 31 October 2009 |
| Bedford Blues | 11 - 20 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 3,297 Referee: Rob Debney |
| 31 October 2009 |
| (BP) Birmingham & Solihull | 16 - 23 | Moseley |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 1,084 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
| 31 October 2009 |
| London Welsh | 9 - 20 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,690 Referee: Greg Garner |
| 31 October 2009 |
| (BP) Plymouth Albion | 31 - 25 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 2,078 Referee: JP Doyle |
| 31 October 2009 |
| Rotherham Titans | 29 - 20 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,287 Referee: Andrew Small |
Round 10
| 6 November 2009 |
| Coventry | 10 - 19 | London Welsh |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,133 Referee: Paul Knowles |
| 7 November 2009 |
| Moseley | 31 - 27 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| Report |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 978 Referee: Andrew Small |
| 7 November 2009 |
| Nottingham | 11 - 42 | Exeter Chiefs (BP) |
| Report |
| Welford Road, Leicester[8] Attendance: 1,216 Referee: Keith Lewis |
| 7 November 2009 |
| Plymouth Albion | 8 - 33 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 2,993 Referee: Terry Hall |
| 8 November 2009 |
| Cornish Pirates | 25 - 24 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,465 Referee: David Rose |
Round 11
| 13 November 2009 |
| Bedford Blues | 23 - 7 | Moseley |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,282 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 14 November 2009 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 6 - 21 | Coventry |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 477 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
| 14 November 2009 |
| Exeter Chiefs | 22 - 15 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 6,158 Referee: Mark Wilson |
| 14 November 2009 |
| London Welsh | 12 - 24 | Plymouth Albion (BP) |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 874 Referee: D May |
| 14 November 2009 |
| Rotherham Titans | 11 - 7 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,610 Referee: Adrian Hartwell |
| 15 November 2009 |
| (BP) Bristol | 35 - 11 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,784 Referee: David Pearson |
Round 12
| 4 December 2009 |
| Coventry | 15 - 15 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Ricoh Arena[7] Attendance: 1,306 Referee: Darren Gamage |
| 5 December 2009 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 9 - 14 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,565 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
| 5 December 2009 |
| London Welsh | 19 - 14 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 910 Referee: Adrian Hartwell |
| 5 December 2009 |
| (BP) Moseley | 19 - 20 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 901 Referee: Luke Pearce |
| 5 December 2009 |
| Plymouth Albion | 20 - 15 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 1,795 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 6 December 2009 |
| (BP) Bristol | 28 - 0 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,440 Referee: Paul Knowles |
Round 13
| 12 December 2009 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 16 - 19 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,353 Referee: Luke Pearce |
| 12 December 2009 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 6 - 29 | London Welsh (BP) |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 407 Referee: Chris Sharp |
| 12 December 2009 |
| (BP) Exeter Chiefs | 45 - 11 | Coventry |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 3,952 Referee: Terry Hall |
| 13 December 2009 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 10 - 12 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,667 Referee: Roy Maybank |
| 13 December 2009 |
| (BP) Nottingham | 30 - 15 | Moseley |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,303 Referee: Dean Richards |
Round 14
| 18 December 2009 |
| (BP) Bristol | 37 - 16 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,869 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 18 December 2009 |
| Coventry | 12 - 27 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 802 Referee: Mark Wilson |
| 19 December 2009 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | P - P | Nottingham |
- Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 February 2010.
| 19 December 2009 |
| Doncaster Knights | 14 - 3 | Moseley |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,334 Referee: Keith Lewis |
| 19 December 2009 |
| (BP) London Welsh | 30 - 24 | Rotherham Titans (2BP) |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 961 Referee: Sean Davey |
| 19 December 2009 |
| Plymouth Albion | 23 - 13 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 4,430 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
Round 15
| 26 December 2009 |
| Bedford Blues | 30 - 23 | London Welsh (BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 4,033 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
| 27 December 2009 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 46 - 7 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 5,654 Referee: Terry Hall |
| 27 December 2009 |
| Exeter Chiefs | 16 - 25 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 7,405 Referee: Greg Garner |
| 28 December 2009 |
| Nottingham | P - P | Doncaster Knights |
- Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 January 2010.
| 28 December 2009 |
| Rotherham Titans | P - P | Birmingham & Solihull |
- Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 January 2010.
Round 16
| 1 January 2010 |
| (BP) Bristol | 31 - 15 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 7,714 Referee: JP Doyle |
| 2 January 2010 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 10 - 49 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road, Bedford[6] Attendance: 1,407 Referee: Darren Gamage |
| 2 January 2010 |
| Coventry | P - P | Doncaster Knights |
- Postponed. Game rescheduled to 10 February 2010.
| 2 January 2010 |
| London Welsh | 12 - 10 | Exeter Chiefs (BP) |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,632 Referee: Mark Williams |
| 2 January 2010 |
| Plymouth Albion | 10 - 20 | Moseley |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 2,168 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
| 2 January 2010 |
| Rotherham Titans | P - P | Nottingham |
- Postponed. Game rescheduled to 11 February 2010.
Round 17
| 15 January 2010 |
| Bristol | P - P | Doncaster Knights |
- Postponed. Game rescheduled to 24 February 2010.
| 16 January 2010 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 51 - 19 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,088 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
| 16 January 2010 |
| Plymouth Albion | 20 - 3 | Coventry |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 2,151 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 17 January 2010 |
| (BP) Birmingham & Solihull | 31 - 31 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 916 Referee: Wayne Barnes |
| 17 January 2010 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 18 - 24 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,076 Referee: Michael Tutty |
Round 15 (Rescheduled Games)
| 20 January 2010 |
| Nottingham | 27 - 21 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 808 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
- Game rescheduled from 28 December 2009.
| 20 January 2010 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 42 - 15 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 812 Referee: Mark Wilson |
- Game rescheduled from 28 December 2009.
Round 18
| 23 January 2010 |
| Coventry | 16 - 27 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,240 Referee: Darren Gamage |
| 23 January 2010 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 10 - 17 | London Welsh |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,250 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 23 January 2010 |
| (BP) Exeter Chiefs | 45 - 19 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 3,781 Referee: Chris White |
| 23 January 2010 |
| Moseley | 25 - 24 | Birmingham & Solihull (BP) |
| Report |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 1,051 Referee: Paul Knowles |
| 24 January 2010 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 29 - 24 | Rotherham Titans (2BP) |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,459 Referee: Rob Debney |
| 24 January 2010 |
| Nottingham | 20 - 19 | Plymouth Albion (BP) |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,219 Referee: Terry Hall |
Round 19
| 30 January 2010 |
| Bedford Blues | 19 - 16 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,817 Referee: Keith Lewis |
| 30 January 2010 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | P - P | Doncaster Knights |
- Postponed. Game rescheduled to 17 February 2010.
| 30 January 2010 |
| (BP) Exeter Chiefs | 42 - 12 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 4,084 Referee: Mathieu Raynal |
| 30 January 2010 |
| (BP) London Welsh | 51 - 13 | Coventry |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,027 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
| 30 January 2010 |
| Rotherham Titans | 7 - 19 | Moseley |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,214 Referee: Andrew Small |
| 31 January 2010 |
| (BP) Bristol | 24 - 14 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,537 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
Round 14 (Rescheduled Game)
| 2 February 2010 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 0 - 39 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Report |
| Billesley Common[6] Referee: Luke Pearce |
- Game rescheduled to 19 December 2009.
Round 20
| 5 February 2010 |
| Coventry | 24 - 7 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,012 Referee: Andrew Small |
| 6 February 2010 |
| (BP) Moseley | 19 - 26 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 759 Referee: Terry Hall |
| 6 February 2010 |
| Plymouth Albion | 13 - 13 | London Welsh |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 2,155 Referee: Rob Debney |
| 7 February 2010 |
| Cornish Pirates | 15 - 30 | Exeter Chiefs (BP) |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,661 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
| 7 February 2010 |
| Doncaster Knights | 27 - 20 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 2,174 Referee: Martin Fox |
Round 16 & 19 (Rescheduled Games)
| 10 February 2010 |
| Coventry | 7 - 27 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 618 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
- Game rescheduled from 2 January 2010.
| 16 February 2010 |
| Rotherham Titans | 28 - 24 | Nottingham (2BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 521 Referee: Chris Sharp |
- Game rescheduled from 2 January 2010.
| 17 February 2010 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 7 - 33 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| Billesley Common[6] Attendance: 200 Referee: Michael Tutty |
- Game rescheduled from 30 January 2010.
Round 21
| 20 February 2010 |
| Bedford Blues | 12 - 23 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,241 Referee: Cedric Marchat |
| 20 February 2010 |
| (BP) Exeter Chiefs | 36 - 19 | Moseley |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 3,525 Referee: Darren Gamage |
| 20 February 2010 |
| London Welsh | 3 - 28 | Bristol |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 2,150 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
| 20 February 2010 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 41 - 11 | Coventry |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,019 Referee: Paul Knowles |
| 21 February 2010 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 47 - 19 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,321 Referee: Terry Hall |
Round 17 (Rescheduled Game)
| 24 February 2010 |
| (BP) Bristol | 42 - 7 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,315 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
- Game rescheduled from 15 January 2010.
Round 22
| 13 March 2010 |
| Bedford Blues | 33 - 26 | Rotherham Titans (2BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,642 Referee: Keith Lewis |
| 13 March 2010 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 24 - 28 | London Welsh |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 1,560 Referee: Wayne Barnes |
| 13 March 2010 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 13 - 20 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,642 Referee: JP Doyle |
| 13 March 2010 |
| (BP) Exeter Chiefs | 62 - 12 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 3,477 Referee: Michael Tutty |
| 13 March 2010 |
| (BP) Nottingham | 37 - 10 | Coventry |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 790 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
Stage 2: Playoffs
Promotion
Winner of Pool A to play Runner-Up of Pool B, and Winner of Pool B to play Runner-Up of Pool A.
Group A:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 189 | 86 | 4 | 24 |
| 2 | Bedford | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 154 | 125 | 4 | 20 |
| 3 | Cornish Pirates | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 98 | 158 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 | Plymouth Albion | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 57 | 129 | 1 | 5 |
Round 1
| 19 March 2010 |
| Bristol | 19 - 12 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,892 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
| 20 March 2010 |
| (BP) Plymouth Albion | 9 - 10 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 1,384 Referee: David Rose |
Round 2
| 27 March 2010 |
| Bedford Blues | 17 - 16 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,611 Referee: JP Doyle |
| 28 March 2010 |
| Cornish Pirates | 17 - 0 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,849 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
Round 3
| 2 April 2010 |
| Bristol | 15 - 3 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 7,020 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
| 4 April 2010 |
| Cornish Pirates | 22 - 18 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,359 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
Round 4
| 10 April 2010 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 42 - 18 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,599 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
Round 5
| 16 April 2010 |
| Plymouth Albion | 19 - 14 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Brickfields Attendance: 4,141 Referee: David Rose |
| 18 April 2010 |
| (BP) Bristol | 41 - 32 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium Attendance: 6,701 Referee: Rob Debney |
Round 6
| 1 May 2010 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 35 - 19 | Plymouth Albion |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 3,302 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
| 1 May 2010 |
| Cornish Pirates | 15 - 60 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,190 Referee: Michael Tutty |
Group B:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exeter | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 181 | 86 | 4 | 20 |
| 2 | London Welsh | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 108 | 110 | 2 | 18 |
| 3 | Nottingham | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 98 | 141 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 | Doncaster | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 108 | 158 | 1 | 9 |
Round 1
| 20 March 2010 |
| (BP) London Welsh | 26 - 10 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 520 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
Round 2
| 27 March 2010 |
| Doncaster Knights | 25 - 15 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,011 Referee: Chris Sharp |
| 27 March 2010 |
| (BP) Exeter Chiefs | 32 - 6 | London Welsh |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 4,342 Referee: Keith Lewis |
Round 3
| 3 April 2010 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 19 - 21 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,050 Referee: Dean Richards |
Round 4
| 10 April 2010 |
| (BP) Exeter Chiefs | 51 - 15 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Sandy Park Attendance: 4,181 Referee: David Rose |
| 10 April 2010 |
| (BP) Nottingham | 10 - 17 | London Welsh |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,339 Referee: Sean Davey |
Round 5
| 17 April 2010 |
| London Welsh | 16 - 15 | Exeter Chiefs (BP) |
| Report |
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,100 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts |
| 18 April 2010 |
| Nottingham | 14 - 25 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,354 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
Round 6
| 1 May 2010 |
| Doncaster Knights | 14 - 31 | London Welsh (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,389 Referee: Rob Debney |
Relegation
Bottom club in Group C relegated to National League 1
Group C:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rotherham | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 188 | 116 | 7 | 27 |
| 2 | Moseley | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 153 | 132 | 7 | 15 |
| 3 | Birmingham & Solihull | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 158 | 169 | 3 | 13* |
| 4 | Coventry (R) | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 82 | 164 | 2 | 10 |
- Birmingham & Solihull deducted 2 points for fielding an unregistered player
Coventry are relegated to National League 1.
Round 1
| 20 March 2010 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 19 - 12 | Moseley (BP) |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 350 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 20 March 2010 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 29 - 3 | Coventry |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 872 Referee: Shane Lewis |
Round 2
| 27 March 2010 |
| (BP) Coventry | 18 - 25 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,344 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
| 27 March 2010 |
| (2BP) Moseley | 29 - 30 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| Report |
| Billesley Attendance: 832 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
Round 3
| 3 April 2010 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 33 - 20 | Birmingham & Solihull |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,223 Referee: Michael Tutty |
Round 4
| 11 April 2010 |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 19 - 29 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 250 Referee: Andrew Taylorson |
| 11 April 2010 |
| Moseley | P - P | Coventry |
- Postponed. Game rescheduled to 24 April 2010.
Round 5
| 17 April 2010 |
| (2BP) Rotherham Titans | 29 - 33 | Moseley (BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,302 Referee: Rowan Kitt |
| 18 April 2010 |
| (2BP) Birmingham & Solihull | 35 - 38 | Coventry (BP) |
| Report |
| Sharmans Cross Referee: Greg Garner |
Round 4 (Rescheduled Game)
Stage 3
Semi-finals
The semifinals were one-off single ties held between the winner of Group A and the runner-up of Group B, and the winner of Group B and the runner-up of Group A. The matches took place at the home ground of the group winners.
| 7 May 210 |
| Bristol | 28 – 15 | London Welsh |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium, Bristol Attendance: 5,717 Referee: David Rose |
| 8 May 210 |
| Exeter Chiefs | 37 – 8 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Sandy Park, Exeter Attendance: 4,549 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
Final
The two-legged final took place at the home grounds of the two clubs involved, rather than at Twickenham.
| 19 May 2010 |
| Exeter Chiefs | 9 - 6 | Bristol |
| Report |
| Sandy Park, Exeter Attendance: 10,021 Referee: David Pearson |
| 26 May 2010 |
| Bristol | 10 - 29 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Report |
| Memorial Stadium, Bristol Attendance: 11,550 Referee: Andrew Small |
Exeter Chiefs win the Championship and earn promotion to the 2010–11 Premiership.[4]
Total Season Attendances
- Figures include playoff semi finals and final
| Club | Home Games |
Total | Average | Highest | Lowest | % Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Blues | 14 | 39,364 | 2,812 | 4,067 | 1,642 | 47% |
| Birmingham & Solihull | 12[a 2] | 7,984 | 665 | 1,407 | 200 | 23% |
| Bristol | 16 | 94,752 | 5,922 | 11,550 | 4,305 | 49% |
| Cornish Pirates | 14 | 42,157 | 3,011 | 5,654 | 1,560 | 33% |
| Coventry | 14 | 17,473 | 1,248 | 2,003 | 618 | 29% |
| Doncaster Knights | 14 | 20,243 | 1,446 | 2,174 | 1,011 | 47% |
| Exeter Chiefs | 16 | 77,670 | 4,854 | 10,021 | 3,477 | 49% |
| London Welsh | 14 | 18,604 | 1,329 | 2,240 | 520 | 23% |
| Moseley | 14 | 13,652 | 975 | 1,564 | 749 | 33% |
| Nottingham | 14 | 16,978 | 1,213 | 1,796 | 790 | 6% |
| Plymouth Albion | 14 | 37,448 | 2,675 | 4,430 | 1,384 | 41% |
| Rotherham Titans | 14 | 15,884 | 1,135 | 1,610 | 521 | 45% |
- Note that 2 home attendances are missing (see below) - so the total attendance will not be 100% accurate. The average attendance has also been taken into account with the missing games not included.
- Missing home attendances v Nottingham on 2 February 2010 and Coventry on 18 April 2010.
Individual statistics
- Player stats include playoff games as well as regular season games. Also note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.
Top points scorers
|
Top try scorers
|
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Season records
Team
62 - 10 Cornish Pirates at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 25 October 2009
60 - 15 Bristol away to Cornish Pirates on 1 May 2010
62 - 10 Cornish Pirates at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 25 October 2009
Bristol away to Cornish Pirates on 1 May 2010
Cornish Pirates at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 25 October 2009
Exeter Chiefs at home to Doncaster Knights on 12 September 2009
Doncaster Knights at home to Bristol on 24 October 2009 |
Player
Attendances
Bristol at home to Exeter Chiefs on 26 May 2010
Birmingham & Solihull at home to Doncaster Knights on 17 February 2010
Bristol
Birmingham & Solihull
|
References
- "Championship plan gains support". BBC News. 14 November 2008.
- "Bristol relegated after defeat at London Irish". Reuters. 4 April 2009.
- "Birmingham & Solihull win promotion on glorious day". Birmingham Post. 27 April 2009.
- Tuckett, Phil (2010-05-26). "Bristol 10–29 Exeter (Exeter win 38–16 on aggregate)". BBC Sport. Memorial Stadium, Bristol: BBC. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
- "Coventry promise to play on despite relegation from the Championship". The Telegraph. 2 May 2010.
- "Championship round-up: Exeter's slump gives Bristol advantage". The Telegraph. 3 January 2010.
- "Coventry Rugby Club play on at Ricoh Arena". rugbynetwork.net. 3 December 2009.
- "Nottingham switch Chiefs match to Welford Road". Nottingham Post. 27 October 2009.
- "Championship 09/10 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Leading top scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Leading top scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
- "Championship 09/10 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2010.
- "Championship Playoffs 09/10 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 May 2010.
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