The 2002–03 National Division One (for sponsorship reasons known as the Jewson National Division One) was the 16th full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship.  New teams to the division included Orrell and Plymouth Albion who were promoted from 2001–02 National Division Two while no team was relegated from the 2001–02 Zurich Premiership as Rotherham's ground was not deemed suitable for top flight games.[1][2]
For the second year in a row Rotherham, were champions, and this year they were promoted to the Zurich Premiership for season 2003–04 with Worcester finishing as runners–up for the third consecutive season. Moseley and Rugby were relegated to the 2003–04 National Division Two.[3][4][5][6]
Participating teams
Locations of the 2002–03 National Division One teams
| Team | Stadium | Capacity | City/Area | 
| Bedford Blues | Goldington Road | 7,000 | Bedford, Bedfordshire | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | Sharmans Cross | 2,500 | Solihull, West Midlands | 
| Coventry | Coundon Road | 9,000 | Coventry, West Midlands | 
| Exeter Chiefs | County Ground | 5,200 | Exeter, Devon | 
| London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850 | Richmond, London | 
| Manchester | Grove Park | 4,000 | Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester | 
| Moseley | Bournbrook |  | Birmingham, West Midlands | 
| Orrell | Edge Hall Road | 5,500 | Orrell, Greater Manchester | 
| Otley | Cross Green | 5,000 | Otley, West Yorkshire | 
| Plymouth Albion | Beacon Park | 3,500 | Plymouth, Devon | 
| Rotherham | Millmoor | 8,300 | Rotherham, South Yorkshire | 
| Rugby Lions | Webb Ellis Road | 4,000 (200 seats)[7] | Rugby, Warwickshire | 
| Wakefield | College Grove | 3,000 | Wakefield, West Yorkshire | 
| Worcester | Sixways | 8,477 | Worcester, Worcestershire | 
Table
Source: 
rugbyarchive.netRules for classification: Points are awarded as follows: four points for a win; two points for a draw; no points for a loss; one bonus point for scoring four 
tries or more in a match; one bonus point for losing by seven points or less.
- If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: (1) difference between points for and against; (2) total number of points for.
 (C) Champion
Results
Round 1
| Bedford Blues | 21 - 15 | Moseley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,722
 Referee: Eric Woodmason
 | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | 35 - 10 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 500
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| Coventry | 23 - 29 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 2,495
 Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 51 - 15 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 840
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
| Manchester | 15 - 24 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 750
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
| Orrell | 70 - 23 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 707
 Referee: David Grashoff
 | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 2,000
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
Round 2
| Coventry | 50 - 0 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Coundon Road Attendance: 2,500
 Referee: Tim Miller
 | 
| Moseley | 19 - 31 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 422
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 49 - 29 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 2,000
 Referee: David Rose
 | 
| Wakefield | 18 - 13 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 350
 Referee: Malcom Changleng
 | 
| Sixways Attendance: 2,074
 Referee: Ashley Rowden
 | 
| Rotherham | 35 - 30 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,600
 Referee: Tim Fisher
 | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 454
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
Round 3
| Bedford Blues | 47 - 14 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,490
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | 68 - 14 | Moseley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 750
 Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 89 - 17 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 786
 Referee: Tim Miller
 | 
| London Welsh | 29 - 19 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,100
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
| Manchester | 15 - 39 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 1,200
 Referee: David Rose
 | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 747
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 800
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
Round 4
| Coundon Road Attendance: 2,000
 Referee: Malcolm Changeleng
 | 
| Orrell | 18 - 27 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 742
 Referee: Eric Woodmason
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 46 - 15 | Moseley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 1,676
 Referee: Trevor Fisher
 | 
| Wakefield | 13 - 20 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 275
 Referee: David Grashoff
 | 
| Worcester | 28 - 25 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sixways Attendance: 3,026
 Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
 | 
| Rotherham | 51 - 6 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,380
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 14 - 27 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 400
 Referee: Alan Biggs
 | 
Round 5
| Bedford Blues | 37 - 13 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,675
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | 31 - 8 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 500
 Referee: Martin Fox
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 35 - 0 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 1,450
 Referee: David Rose
 | 
| London Welsh | 22 - 49 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,150
 Referee: Tim Miller
 | 
| Manchester | 22 - 66 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 785
 Referee: Trevor Fisher
 | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 750
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 750
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
Round 6
| Coventry | 14 - 12 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Coundon Road Attendance: 1,500
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
| Orrell | 24 - 24 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 486
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
| Otley | 23 - 30 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 600
 Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 19 - 39 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 348
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
| Wakefield | 22 - 16 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 304
 Referee: Tim Miller
 | 
| Worcester | 69 - 10 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sixways Attendance: 2,500
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,200
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
Round 7
| Bedford Blues | 26 - 28 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,642
 | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | 23 - 20 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 400
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 69 - 11 | Otley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 900
 | 
| London Welsh | 7 - 53 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,475
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 850
 Referee: David Sainsbury
 | 
| Moseley | 24 - 15 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 433
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 13 - 23 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 1,940
 Referee: David Grashoff
 | 
Round 8
| Coventry | 17 - 26 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Coundon Road Attendance: 1,700
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 35 - 35 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 1,213
 Referee: David Sainsbury
 | 
| Orrell | 43 - 23 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Edge Hall Lane Attendance: 801
 Referee: Alan Biggs
 | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 740
 Referee: Andrew Pearce
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 36 - 39 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 390
 Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
 | 
| Sixways Attendance: 2,469
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
| Rotherham | 44 - 6 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
Round 9
| Bedford Blues | 24 - 16 | Otley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,471
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | 10 - 20 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 700
 Referee: David Grashoff
 | 
| London Welsh | 18 - 28 | Orrell | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 980
 Referee: David Sainsbury
 | 
| Manchester | 5 - 45 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 475
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 650
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 12 - 30 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 1,786
 Referee: David Rose
 | 
| Wakefield | 31 - 9 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 250
 Referee: Alan Biggs
 | 
Round 10
| Exeter Chiefs | 28 - 12 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 1,450
 Referee: Alan Biggs
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 0 - 31 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
| Coventry | 28 - 27 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Counden Road Attendance: 900
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
| Manchester | 10 - 21 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 350
 Referee: David Rose
 | 
| Otley | 25 - 17 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 450
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| Worcester | 36 - 0 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sixways Attendance: 800
 Referee: David Grashoff
 | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 402
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
Round 11
| Bedford Blues | 54 - 28 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,159
 Referee: Andrew Pearce
 | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | 23 - 3 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 300
 Referee: Trevor Fisher
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 27 - 27 | Orrell | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 1,056
 Referee: Eric Woodmason
 | 
| Rotherham | 38 - 13 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 4,000
 Referee: Martin Fox
 | 
| Wakefield | 17 - 22 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 250
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| London Welsh | 17 - 15 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 500
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 328
 Referee: Nick Williams
 | 
Round 12
| Bedford Blues | 19 - 7 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,510
 Referee: Martin Fox
 | 
| Coventry | 23 - 37 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Coundon Road Attendance: 1,200
 Referee: Tim Miller
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 73 - 0 | Moseley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 1,100
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| Manchester | 10 - 32 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 350
 Referee: David Grashoff
 | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 760
 Referee: Steve Lander
 | 
| Otley | 21 - 40 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 500
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
| Worcester | 67 - 3 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sixways Attendance: 1,939
 Referee: Trevor Fisher
 | 
Round 13
| Birmingham & Solihull | 17 - 37 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 1,200
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
| London Welsh | 24 - 26 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,130
 Referee: David Rose
 | 
| Moseley | 16 - 20 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 521
 Referee: Trevor Fisher
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 5 - 12 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 3,420
 Referee: Martin Fox
 | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,250
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 20 - 31 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 682
 Referee: David Sainsbury
 | 
| College Grove Attendance: 300
 Referee: Tim Miller
 | 
Round 14
| Rugby Lions | 17 - 46 | Orrell | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 400
 | 
| London Welsh | 30 - 25 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 600
 Referee: Malcom Changleng
 | 
| Moseley | P - P | Bedford Blues | 
|  |  |  | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 16 February 2003.
| Plymouth Albion | 47 - 20 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 1,246
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 16 February 2003.
| Wakefield | P - P | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  |  |  | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 21 April 2003.
| Worcester | 62 - 14 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sixways Attendance: 2,733
 Referee: David Sainsbury
 | 
Round 15
| Bedford Blues | P - P | Plymouth Albion | 
|  |  |  | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 23 March 2003.
| Birmingham & Solihull | P - P | Coventry | 
|  |  |  | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 16 February 2003.
| Exeter Chiefs | P - P | Rotherham | 
|  |  |  | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 22 March 2003.
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003.
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003.
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 16 February 2003.
| Cross Green Referee: Tim Beddow
 | 
Round 16
| Rugby Lions | 10 - 27 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 280
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
| Coundon Road Referee: Martin Fox
 | 
| Moseley | 0 - 55 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 514
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 0 - 15 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 1,590
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
| Wakefield | 24 - 18 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 400
 Referee: Tim Beddow
 | 
| Sixways Attendance: 2,354
 Referee: David Rose
 | 
| Rotherham | 34 - 10 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,210
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
Round 17
| Bedford Blues | P - P | Rotherham | 
|  |  |  | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003.
| Birmingham & Solihull | 10 - 38 | Orrell | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 350
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 16 - 20 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 2,288
 Referee: Ashley Rowden
 | 
| London Welsh | 29 - 8 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 750
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| Manchester | 39 - 17 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 350
 Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
 | 
| Moseley | 25 - 24 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 326
 Referee: Trevor Fisher
 | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 600
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
Round 18
| Coventry | P - P | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  |  |  | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 9 April 2003.
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 807
 Referee: David Rose
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 27 - 24 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 1,625
 Referee: S Leyshon
 | 
| Rotherham | 18 - 12 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,200
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 23 - 35 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 580
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| College Grove Attendance: 300
 Referee: Alan Biggs
 | 
| Worcester | 57 - 5 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sixways Attendance: 2,224
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
Round 19
| Bedford Blues | 9 - 45 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,227
 Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
 | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | 7 - 21 | Otley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 200
 Referee: Tim Beddow
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 27-13 | Orrell | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 1,150
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
| London Welsh | 67 - 17 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 890
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
| Manchester | 17 - 34 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 350
 Referee: David Sainsbury
 | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 453
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 27 - 22 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 1,719
 Referee: Tim Miller
 | 
Round 14 & 15 (rescheduled games)
| Birmingham & Solihull | 36 - 25 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 300
 Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003..
| Moseley | 31 - 51 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 451
 Referee: David Sainsbury
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 4 January 2003.
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 746
 Referee: Ashley Rowden
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,500
 Referee: David Grashoff
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 4 January 2003.
Round 21 (rescheduled game)
| Bedford Blues | 26 - 37 | Orrell | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,420
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
- Game brought forward from 1 March 2003.
Round 20
| Coventry | 22 - 25 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Coundon Road Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
| Otley | 27 - 29 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 720
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 18 - 21 | Moseley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 401
 Referee: Eric Woodmason
 | 
| Wakefield | 6 - 16 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 300
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
| Worcester | 35 - 12 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 607
 | 
| Rotherham | 55 - 6 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,000
 Referee: Robin Goodliffe
 | 
Round 21
- Game brought forward to 19 February 2003.
| Birmingham & Solihull | P - P | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  |  |  | 
- Game postponed.  Rescheduled to 8 March 2003.
| London Welsh | 36 - 16 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,400
 | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 372
 Referee: P De Luca
 | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 23 March 2003.
| Plymouth Albion | 56 - 12 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 1,380
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
- Postponed.  Game rescheduled to 5 April 2003.
Round 15, 17 & 21 (rescheduled games)
| Bedford Blues | 13 - 40 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,744
 Referee: Trevor Fisher
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 25 January 2003.
| Birmingham & Solihull | 22 - 24 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 350
 Referee: Malcom Changleng
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 1 March 2003.
| London Welsh | 29 - 0 | Moseley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 400
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
| Manchester | 15 - 13 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 125
 Referee: Robin Goodliffe
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
Round 22
| Coundon Road Attendance: 1,200
 Referee: Mark Wilson
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 49 - 5 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 1,139
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| Orrell | 30 - 27 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 550
 Referee: Trevor Fisher
 | 
| Otley | 41 - 32 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 740
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
| Rotherham | 38 - 16 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,200
 Referee: Sean Davey
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 36 - 39 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 280
 Referee: Tim Miller
 | 
| Worcester | 55 - 36 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sixways Attendance: 2,018
 Referee: David Grashoff
 | 
Rounds 15 & 21 (rescheduled games)
| Exeter Chiefs | 30 - 19 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 1,165
 Referee: Geraint Ashton-Jones
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
| Bedford Blues | 31 - 16 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: Nick Williams
 Referee: 1,442
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
| Bournbrook Attendance: 685
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 1 March 2003.
Round 23
| Bedford Blues | 23 - 32 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,359
 Referee: Eric Woodmason
 | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | 27 - 29 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 250
 Referee: S Leyshon
 | 
| London Welsh | 36 - 27 | Otley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 680
 Referee: Jean Matheu
 | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 323
 Referee: David Grashoff
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 19 - 20 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 2,360
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
| Rotherham | 76 - 13 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 1,050
 Referee: Tim Beddow
 | 
| Wakefield | 36 - 55 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 450
 Referee: David Rose
 | 
Rounds 18, 21 & 26 (rescheduled games)
| London Welsh | 13 - 10 | Manchester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,100
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
- Game brought forward from 26 April 2003.
| Wakefield | 0 - 55 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 850
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 1 March 2003.
| Coventry | 31 - 34 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Coundon Road Attendance: 850
 Referee: Bruce Robertson
 | 
- Game rescheduled from 1 February 2003.
Round 24
| Coventry | 63 - 28 | Wakefield | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Coundon Road Attendance: 1,000
 Referee: Tim Beddow
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 32 - 11 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 1,224
 Referee: Rob Debney
 | 
| Manchester | 22 - 35 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 303
 Referee: Nigel Higginson
 | 
| Orrell | 48 - 24 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 400
 Referee: P Bellett
 | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 435
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 23 - 35 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 275
 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
 | 
| Worcester | 9 - 21 | Rotherham | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sixways Attendance: 5,700
 Referee: S Leyshon
 | 
Round 25
| Bedford Blues | 19 - 18 | London Welsh | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,835
 Referee: Tim Beddow
 | 
| Coventry | 63 - 10 | Rugby Lions | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Coundon Road Attendance: 1,400
 Referee: Nigel Harrison
 | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 39 - 22 | Plymouth Albion | 
|  | Report |  | 
| County Ground Attendance: 2,958
 Referee: David Sainsbury
 | 
| Manchester | 50 - 10 | Moseley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Grove Park Attendance: 452
 Referee: Robin Goodliffe
 | 
| Edge Hall Road Attendance: 1,410
 Referee: Martin Fox
 | 
| Cross Green Attendance: 730
 Referee: Malcom Changleng
 | 
| Worcester | 17 - 6 | Birmingham & Solihull | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sixways Attendance: 1,895
 Referee: Eric Gauzins
 | 
Round 14 (rescheduled game)
| Wakefield | 27 - 34 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  |  |  | 
| College Grove Attendance: 250
 Referee: Nick Williams
 | 
Round 26
| Birmingham & Solihull | 24 - 24 | Bedford Blues | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Sharmans Cross Attendance: 700
 Referee: Bruce Robertson
 | 
| London Welsh | P - P | Manchester | 
|  |  |  | 
- Game brought forward to 5 April 2003.
| Moseley | 25 - 36 | Exeter Chiefs | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Bournbrook Attendance: 358
 Referee: Alan Biggs
 | 
| Plymouth Albion | 50 - 13 | Otley | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Beacon Park Attendance: 2,780
 Referee: Rowan Kitt
 | 
| Rotherham | 25 - 26 | Coventry | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Millmoor Attendance: 3,233
 Referee: Wayne Barnes
 | 
| Rugby Lions | 24 - 76 | Worcester | 
|  | Report |  | 
| Webb Ellis Road Attendance: 480
 Referee: David Sainsbury
 | 
| College Grove Attendance: 400
 Referee: Tim Beddow
 | 
Total Season Attendances
| Club | Home Games
 | Total | Average | Highest | Lowest | % Capacity | 
| Bedford Blues | 13 | 20,696 | 1,592 | 2,227 | 1,159 | 23% | 
| Birmingham & Solihull | 13 | 6,500 | 500 | 1,200 | 200 | 20% | 
| Coventry | 11[a 2] | 16,745 | 1,522 | 2,500 | 850 | 17% | 
| Exeter Chiefs | 13 | 17,663 | 1,359 | 2,958 | 786 | 26% | 
| London Welsh | 13 | 12,155 | 935 | 1,475 | 400 | 16% | 
| Manchester | 13 | 6,712 | 516 | 1,200 | 125 | 13% | 
| Moseley | 13 | 6,214 | 478 | 750 | 323 | N/A | 
| Orrell | 13 | 9,165 | 705 | 1,410 | 400 | 13% | 
| Otley | 12 | 9,065 | 755 | 2,000 | 435 | 15% | 
| Plymouth Albion | 13 | 24,578 | 1,891 | 3,420 | 1,056 | 54% | 
| Rotherham | 12[a 3] | 19,823 | 1,652 | 4,000 | 1,000 | 20% | 
| Rugby Lions | 12[a 4] | 4,970 | 414 | 682 | 275 | 10% | 
| Wakefield | 13 | 4,679 | 360 | 850 | 250 | 12% | 
| Worcester | 13 | 31,984 | 2,460 | 5,700 | 800 | 29% | 
[8]
- ^ Note that 4 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 Orrell on 18 January 2003 and Bedford Blues on 22 February 2003.
- ^ Missing home attendance v Wakefield on 27 October 2002.
- ^ Missing home attendance v Rotherham on 15 January 2003.
 
Individual statistics
- Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.
| Top points scorers[9]
 | Top try scorers[10]
 
 | 
 
Season records
| TeamLargest home win — 99 pts
 102 - 3 Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002
 Largest away win — 68 pts
 75 - 7 Rotherham away to Moseley on 8 February 2003
 Most points scored — 102 pts
 102 - 3 Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002
 Most tries in a match — 14 (x2)
 Exeter Chiefs at home to Rugby Lions on 14 September 2002Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002
 Most conversions in a match — 10 (x3)
 Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002Rotherham away to Moseley on 8 February 2003
 Worcester away to Moseley on 22 March 2003
 Most penalties in a match — 8 (x2)
 Bedford Blues at home to Otley on 2 November 2002Coventry at home to Exeter Chiefs on 9 April 2003
 Most drop goals in a match — 2 (x3)
 Plymouth Albion at home to Wakefield on 8 February 2003Bedford Blues at home to Plymouth Albion on 23 March 2003
 Exeter Chiefs at home to Plymouth Albion on 19 April 2003
 [11][12][13][14]
 | PlayerMost points in a match — 37
  Ramiro Pez for Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002
 Most tries in a match — 4 (x4)
 .svg.png) Drew Hickey for Orrell at home to Rugby Lions on 1 September 2002 
  Dan Ward-Smith for Plymouth Albion away to Rugby Lions on 26 October 2002 
  Dan Ward-Smith for Plymouth Albion at home to Manchester on 4 January 2003 
  Duncan Roke for Worcester away to Rugby Lions on 26 April 2003
 Most conversions in a match — 10 (x2)
  Ramiro Pez for Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002 
  Jon Benson for Rotherham away to Moseley on 8 February 2003
 Most penalties in a match —  8 (x2)
 .svg.png) James Pritchard for Bedford Blues at home to Otley on 2 November 2002 
  Luke Smith for Coventry at home to Exeter Chiefs on 9 April 2003
 Most drop goals in a match —  2 (x3)
  Tom Barlow for Plymouth Albion at home to Wakefield on 8 February 2003 
  Ed Barnes for Bedford Blues at home to Plymouth Albion on 23 March 2003 
  Tony Yapp for Exeter Chiefs at home to Plymouth Albion on 19 April 2003
 [15][16][17][18][19]
 AttendancesHighest — 5,700
 Worcester at home to Rotherham on 12 April 2003
 Lowest — 250
 Wakefield at home to Rugby Lions on 2 November 2002
 Highest Average Attendance — 2,460
 Worcester
 Lowest Average Attendance — 360
 Wakefield
 [20]
  
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See also
References
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| 2025–26 teams |  | 
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| Related articles |  | 
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| Other |  | 
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