They have been determined by awarding league points to a team’s remaining matches based on their home and away playing record in fixtures played up to the cancellation of the 2019-20 season (fixtures up to the 16 March). Below is a link to the final table for the Northern Premier.

https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/1d/1d602337-7f0c-401d-89b3-4ea9b38fecb6/Levels%205%20-%207.pdf

Director of Rugby, Dino Radice, has given his thoughts on the season.

‘Our final league standing is sixth, which I think is a great achievement for all involved. This was our first season playing at Level 5, following our historic promotion last year. We knew that what lay in front of us was going to be tough, history shows that the Northern Premier is a hard league to maintain your position after promotion. Last season Vale of Lune and Wilmslow were relegated back to North West One after only one season at Level 5.

Despite the step up, from the start of the season I was proud about how quickly we acclimatised to Level 5, we secured a losing bonus point away at Lymm in our first game and we had our first win in just our second game, as we beat eventual champions, Blaydon at Ramsgreave Drive. This gave the team great confidence that they could compete and win games at this level and we followed up with another two wins on the bounce, while some tough losses followed, they were often narrow and were games we could have won. As the season progressed rather than looking over our shoulder at relegation, we settled into a comfortable mid-table position and I doubt if anyone looked forward to playing us.

While we will always strive to be as high up the table as possible, I think most at the club would have settled at the start of the season to remain in the league, so to finish sixth is beyond many expectations, especially when you consider that Carlisle and Morpeth who were promoted with us, have both been relegated this year.

We cannot rest on our laurels and must continue to improve. Preparation is underway for next season and it shows how far we have come together as a club that we will be facing local rivals Preston in the 2020-21 season.

On top of the success of the 1st XV, the 2nd and 3rd XV’s also had excellent seasons. The 2nd XV established themselves in the top conference of their league in which they completed against National league 2nd XV’s. While the 3rd XV secured a superb second-place finish in their league, which saw them promoted.

All that we have achieved on and off the pitch is impossible without the effort and commitment from the players, coaches, staff and volunteers. And as ever we are eternally grateful to all our supporters and sponsors.

With the premature end to the season, it has resulted in financial challenges for the club, so if anyone can help in anyway, no matter how small, it would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to seeing you all soon, however in the meantime please stay safe.’