1980–81 Divisional Championship (rugby union)

Rugby union competition in England October 2020 1980-81 Divisional Championship England North 2 Midlands 1977-78 1985-86 The 1980–81 Divisional Championship was the second edition of the tournament launched by the RFU to help prepare England players for test rugby and was contested across two weekends in December 1980. Following its commencement in 1977, the Divisional Championship had had a two-season break owing to the demands of fixtures against touring teams, but returned in 1980–81. The season's final was held on 20 December 1980 in poor weather conditions at Twickenham, and the North retained the title they won in 1977 with a 6–0 win over the Midlands. Earlier in the day London beat the South & South-West 13–4 in the play-off for third and fourth place.Jenkins, Vivian (Editor). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1981-82. Rothmans Publications Limited. pp 130-131. 0 907574 05 X. Results Semi-finals 13 Dec 1980 North 10-4 South & South-West Birkenhead Park J A G Trigg (London) 13 Dec 1980 Midlands 17–13 London Northampton M Morgan (Bristol) 3rd/4th play-off 20 Dec 1980 London 13–4 South & South-West Twickenham C J High (Lancashire) Final 20 Dec 1980 North 6-0 Midlands Pens: JohnsonPatrick Twickenham Roger Quittenton (London) FB 15 Brian Patrick (Gosforth)RW 14 ENG John Carleton (Orrell)OC 13 A J Wright (Sale)IC 12 N McDowall (Gosforth)LW 11 ENG Mike Slemen (Liverpool)FH 10 A D Johnson (Gosforth)SH 9 ENG Steve Smith (Sale)N8 8 L Connor (Waterloo)OF 7 P H Moss (Orrell)BF 6 T Morris (Liverpool) RL 5 Steve Bainbridge (Orrell)LL 4 ENG Bill Beaumont (Fylde) (c)TP 3 Jeff Bell (Gosforth)HK 2 Andy Simpson (Sale)LP 1 ENG Fran Cotton (Sale)No Replacements flag denotes international (at time of match) FB 15 ENG Peter Rossborough (Coventry)RW 14 Steve Holdstock (Nottingham) OC 13 ENG Paul Dodge (Leicester)IC 12 ENG Clive Woodward (LeicesterLW 11 Tim Barnwell (Leicester)FH 10 ENG Les Cusworth (Leicester)SH 9 Steve Kenney (Leicester)N8 8 Graham Robbins (Coventry)OF 7 Toby Allchurch (Cambridge University)BF 6 P Cook (Nottingham)RL 5 R Field (Moseley)LL 4 Vince Cannon (Northampton)TP 3 ENG Gary Pearce (Northampton)HK 2 ENG Peter Wheeler (Leicester) (c)LP 1 K Astley (Moseley)No Replacements flag denotes international (at time of match) Report The 1981–82 Rothmans Rugby Yearbook noted that the championship's final round of matches was ruined by weather variously described as 'vile' and 'unspeakable'. Only a small crowd braved the atrocious weather and witnessed players struggling to come to terms with the conditions. In a repeat of the tournament's previous final, the North once again beat the Midlands to retain the title they won at the inaugural staging of the competition in 1977–78. The pitch was reported as "wet and muddy" and the difference between the teams identified as the North pack managing the conditions slightly better than their opponents under the guidance of England's Grand Slam captain Bill Beaumont. Penalty goals were kicked by North's Johnson and Patrick. References Category:Divisional Championship (rugby union) Divisional Championship