1994–95 Rugby Football League season
| 1994–95 Rugby Football League season | |
|---|---|
| League | |
The 1994–95 Championship.
Season summary
The summer Super League concept was agreed to commence in 1996.
- Stones Bitter League Champions: Wigan (16th title)
- Silk Cut Challenge Cup Winners: Wigan (30-10 v Leeds)
- Stones Bitter Premiership Trophy Winners: Wigan (69-12 v Leeds)
- Regal TrophyWinners: Wigan (7 - 40-10 v Warrington)
- 2nd Division Champions: Keighley
The record for most points scored by one team in a match was broken by Huddersfield when they clocked up 142 against Blackpool Gladiators' 4 in a
Regal Trophy
match on 26 November 1994. This is also the record for widest margin.
The 1995
Man of Steel Award for the player of the season went to Wigan's Denis Betts
. Wigan also set a new record for most points in all matches in one season with 1,735 from 45 matches as follows:
- Division One Championship: 1,148 (from 30 games)
- Challenge Cup 230 (from 6 games)
- Regal Trophy 170 (from 5 games)
- Premiership Trophy 167 (from 3 games)
- Tour match (Australia) 20 (from 1 game)
Rule changes
The following rule changes were introduced this season by the referees' coaching director, Greg McCallum:
- Referees were given the power to put a player suspected of foul play "on report" with the incident to be reviewed later by the disciplinary panel.[1] The system was based on the one already operating in Australian rugby league.[1] Referees signalled that an incident had been put "on report" by crossing their raised arms above their heads.[2]
- In-goal judges were trialled, these two additional match officials are positioned behind the dead-ball line at each end of the playing field and aim to aid the referee in judging if a try has been scored.[1] The in-goal judges had been used in Australia for two years.[1]
- McCallum ordered referees to penalise defending players lifting attackers in the tackle in a way that could lead to an illegal spear tackle.[1]
Sheffield Eagles' Paul Broadbent and Doncaster's Gordon Lynch (tripping) became the first players cited under the reporting system to be found to have a case to answer.[1]
Tables
First Division
In preparation for the switch to summer for the Super League, the position teams finished would determine what division they would play next season. The team finishing bottom would be relegated to the new Third Division and teams finishing 11th to 15th would be relegated to the existing Second Division.[3]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wigan (C) | 30 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 1148 | 386 | +762 | 56 | Qualification for the Premiership first round
|
| 2 | Leeds | 30 | 24 | 1 | 5 | 863 | 526 | +337 | 49 | |
| 3 | Castleford | 30 | 20 | 2 | 8 | 872 | 564 | +308 | 42 | |
| 4 | St Helens
|
30 | 20 | 1 | 9 | 893 | 640 | +253 | 41 | |
| 5 | Halifax | 30 | 18 | 2 | 10 | 782 | 566 | +216 | 38 | |
| 6 | Warrington | 30 | 18 | 2 | 10 | 753 | 570 | +183 | 38 | |
| 7 | Bradford Northern
|
30 | 17 | 1 | 12 | 811 | 650 | +161 | 35 | |
| 8 | Sheffield Eagles | 30 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 646 | 699 | −53 | 30 | |
| 9 | Workington Town | 30 | 12 | 1 | 17 | 538 | 743 | −205 | 25 | |
| 10 | Oldham
|
30 | 11 | 1 | 18 | 534 | 746 | −212 | 23 | |
| 11 | Featherstone Rovers (R) | 30 | 10 | 1 | 19 | 582 | 687 | −105 | 21 | Relegation to Second Division
|
| 12 | Salford (R) | 30 | 10 | 1 | 19 | 613 | 775 | −162 | 21 | |
| 13 | Wakefield Trinity (R) | 30 | 9 | 0 | 21 | 434 | 807 | −373 | 18 | |
| 14 | Widnes (R) | 30 | 8 | 1 | 21 | 481 | 767 | −286 | 17 | |
| 15 | Hull F.C. (R) | 30 | 7 | 1 | 22 | 594 | 880 | −286 | 15 | |
| 16 | Doncaster (R)
|
30 | 5 | 1 | 24 | 469 | 1007 | −538 | 11 | Relegation to Third Division
|
Source: [4]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Second Division
The teams finishing in the top 7 would remain in the Second Division. London Broncos were promoted into the First Division as they were to be part of the new Super League in 1996. The remaining teams were relegated to form the new Third Division.[3]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keighley Cougars (C) | 30 | 23 | 2 | 5 | 974 | 337 | +637 | 48 | Qualified for Divisional Premiership first round |
| 2 | Batley | 30 | 23 | 0 | 7 | 754 | 423 | +331 | 46 | |
| 3 | Huddersfield | 30 | 19 | 3 | 8 | 870 | 539 | +331 | 41 | |
| 4 | London Broncos (P) | 30 | 20 | 1 | 9 | 732 | 480 | +252 | 41 | |
| 5 | Whitehaven | 30 | 19 | 0 | 11 | 766 | 507 | +259 | 38 | |
| 6 | Rochdale Hornets | 30 | 18 | 0 | 12 | 805 | 544 | +261 | 36 | |
| 7 | Dewsbury | 30 | 17 | 1 | 12 | 744 | 538 | +206 | 35 | |
| 8 | Hull Kingston Rovers (R) | 30 | 16 | 1 | 13 | 824 | 516 | +308 | 33 | Relegation to Third Division first round
Qualified for Divisional Premiership |
| 9 | Ryedale-York (R) | 30 | 15 | 2 | 13 | 720 | 602 | +118 | 32 | Relegation to Third Division
|
| 10 | Hunslet (R) | 30 | 16 | 0 | 14 | 611 | 783 | −172 | 32 | |
| 11 | Leigh (R)
|
30 | 12 | 0 | 18 | 622 | 787 | −165 | 24 | |
| 12 | Swinton (R) | 30 | 12 | 0 | 18 | 576 | 768 | −192 | 24 | |
| 13 | Bramley (R) | 30 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 554 | 655 | −101 | 20 | |
| 14 | Carlisle (R) | 30 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 546 | 877 | −331 | 16 | |
| 15 | Barrow (R) | 30 | 6 | 0 | 24 | 449 | 811 | −362 | 12 | |
| 16 | Highfield (R) | 30 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 224 | 1604 | −1380 | 2 |
Source: [4]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Premiership
Regal Trophy
| Key |
|---|
| † Replayed - 1st match in brackets |
| Second round | Third round | Quarter-final | Semi-final | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Hull | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barrow | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hull | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wigan | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wigan | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rochdale Hornets | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wigan | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| St Helens | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batley | 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ryedale-York | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batley† | (22) 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| St Helens† | (22) 50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Huddersfield | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| St Helens | 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wigan | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Castleford | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workington Town | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wakefield Trinity | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workington Town | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leeds | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leeds | 54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swinton | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leeds | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Castleford | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carlisle | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dewsbury | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dewsbury | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Castleford | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Castleford | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Halifax | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wigan | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrington | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highfield | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Widnes | 50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Widnes | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oldham | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oldham | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hull Kingston Rovers | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Widnes | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bradford Northern | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whitehaven | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Featherstone Rovers | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whitehaven | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bradford Northern | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bradford Northern | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| St Esteve | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Widnes | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrington | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keighley | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bramley | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keighley | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sheffield Eagles | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sheffield Eagles | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leigh | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keighley | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrington | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salford | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| London Broncos | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salford | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrington | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrington | 44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Doncaster | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Challenge Cup
Rounds One and Two were contested between amateur clubs only.
Millom were the biggest winners in Round One when they defeated Northampton Knights by 62–4. The biggest win in Round Two was Wigan St Patricks
who defeated Crown Malet 42–6.
Round Three saw teams from Division Two matched at home against an amateur opponent. There was one shock result, when Beverley beat Highfield by 27–4. Dewsbury recorded the most points in Round Three when they defeated Kells by 72–12, though the biggest margin of victory went to Keighley who beat Chorley 68–0.
In Round Four, the Division One sides entered the competition with no seeding. There were two shock results when
Halifax 36-30 and Whitehaven beat Wakefield Trinity by 24–12. Hunslet drew with Salford 32–32 to take them to a replay before going down by 52–10.[6]
Results from Fifth round:[7]
| Fifth round | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||||||||||
| Batley | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Wigan | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Widnes | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Wigan | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sheffield Eagles | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Widnes | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Wigan | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Oldham | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Warrington | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Oldham | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Oldham | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Huddersfield | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Keighley | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Huddersfield | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Wigan | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Leeds | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hull Kingston Rovers | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Whitehaven | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Whitehaven | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Featherstone Rovers | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Salford | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Featherstone Rovers | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Leeds | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Featherstone Rovers | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Workington Town | 94 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Leigh | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Leeds | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Workington Town | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Leeds | 44 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ryedale-York | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||
Statistics
The following are the top points scorers in all competitions in the 1994–95 season.[8]
|
Most tries
|
Most goals (including drop goals)
|
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f Dave Hadfield (1995-03-22). "Trio face referee reports". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ^ BBC Sport (2004-10-27). "Referee signals: Incident on report/holding down a tackled player". BBC. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ^ a b Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 304.
- ^ a b Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 302.
- ^ Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 211.
- ^ Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 189.
- ^ Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 190.
- ^ Fletcher & Howes (1995), p. 150.
References
- Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1995-96. London: Headline Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-7472-7817-7.
- "Club-by-club guide to the new season", The Independent, 19 August 1994
- 1994–95 Rugby Football League season at rlhalloffame.org.uk
- 1994–95 Rugby Football League season at wigan.rlfans.com
- Wigan's record Cup run at news.bbc.co.uk
- Great Britain Competitions 1994-1995 at hunterlink.net.au
- Championship 1994/95 at rugbyleagueproject.org