Super League II

Super League II
League Super League
Duration 22 Rounds
Number of teams 12
Highest attendance 19,137
Leeds Rhinos vs Bradford Bulls (29 July)
Lowest attendance 500
Paris Saint-Germain vs Salford Reds (2 July)
Broadcast partners United Kingdom Sky Sports
1997 Season
Champions Bradford Bulls
1st Super League title
3rd English title
Premiership winners Wigan Warriors
Man of Steel James Lowes
Top point-scorer(s) Andrew Farrell (243)
Top try-scorer(s) Nigel Vagana (17)
Promotion and relegation
Promoted from First Division Huddersfield Giants
Hull Sharks
Relegated to First Division Oldham Bears
Left League
Dissolved Paris Saint-Germain
< 1996 Seasons 1998 >

Stones Bitter Super League II was the official name for the year 1997's Super League championship season, the 103rd season of top-level professional rugby league football in Britain, and the second championship run by Super League.

Teams

Twelve teams were selected to play in the second Super League season, however Salford were promoted into the League, taking the place of relegated Workington Town.

Legend
  Reigning Champions
  Challenge Cup Holders
  Promoted
Team Stadium Capacity City/Area
Bradford Bulls Odsal 27,000 Bradford, West Yorkshire
Castleford Tigers Wheldon Road 11,750 Castleford, West Yorkshire
Halifax Blue Sox Thrum Hall 9,832 Halifax, West Yorkshire
Leeds Rhinos Headingley 21,500 Leeds, West Yorkshire
London Broncos The Stoop 11,000 Twickenham, Greater London
Oldham Bears Watersheddings 9,000 Oldham, Greater Manchester
Paris Saint-Germain Sébastien Charléty Stadium 20,000 Paris, France
Salford Reds The Willows 11,363 Salford, Greater Manchester
Sheffield Eagles Don Valley Stadium 25,000 Sheffield, South Yorkshire
St Helens Knowsley Road 17,500 St Helens, Mersyside
Warrington Wolves Wilderspool 9,200 Warrington, Chesire
Wigan Warriors Central Park 18,000 Wigan, Greater Manchester

Season summary

For this season, the Leeds club added 'Rhinos' to their name for the first time.

During the year a secondary title, known as the Stone's Premiership, was also played for the last time on Sunday 28 September, with the final being contested between Wigan Warriors and St. Helens with Wigan coming out victorious 33-20 after a Harry Sunderland Trophy-winning performance by captain Andy Farrell.[1]

At the end of the season Bradford Bulls were crowned League champions by virtue of finishing the season at the top of the table.[2]

At the end of the 1997 season the Paris Saint-Germain club was dissolved. A post-season Super League Test series between Australia and Great Britain was also held in England.

Final Standings

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Bradford Bulls 222002769397+37240
2London Broncos 221534616418+19833
3 St. Helens 221417592506+8629
4 Wigan Warriors 221408683398+28528
5 Leeds Rhinos 221318544463+8127
6 Salford Reds 2211011428495-6722
7 Halifax Blue Sox 228212524549-4918
8 Sheffield Eagles 229013415574-15918
9 Warrington Wolves 228014437647-21016
10 Castleford Tigers 225215334515-18112
11Paris Saint-Germain 226016362572-21012
12 Oldham Bears 224117461631-1709
Champions Relegated

Premiership

All 12 teams competed in a knockout play-off series for the Premiership Trophy. Wigan defeated St Helens in the final at Old Trafford.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dave Hadfield (29 September 1997) Farrell keeps Wigan's trophy cabinet stocked The Independent
  2. ↑ "Bradford Bulls Honours List". Bradford Bulls official website. 2007-01-26. Archived from the original on 2007-02-05. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
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