2005–06 National Division Three South
The 2005–06 National Division Three South was the sixth season (19th overall) of the fourth division (south) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three South. New teams to the division included Bracknell and Rosslyn Park who were relegated from 2004–05 National Division Two while Cambridge came up as champions of London Division 1 along with Cinderford (champions) and Bridgwater & Albion (playoffs) who were promoted from South West Division 1. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three North (at the home ground of the club with the superior league record) for the final promotion place.
| 2005–06 National Division Three South | |
|---|---|
| Countries | |
| Champions | Cambridge |
| Runners-up | North Walsham (not promoted) |
| Relegated | Bracknell, Reading |
| Attendance | 48,647 (average 335 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 1,150 Cambridge v North Walsham 11 March 2006 |
| Lowest attendance | 40 Old Patesians v Southend 7 January 2006 |
| Top point scorer | Andy Frost (Southend) 258 points |
| Top try scorer | Tom Hayman (Westcombe Park) 24 tries |
At the end of the season Cambridge made it two successive promotions in a row, finishing league champions just 2 points ahead of runners up North Walsham (who actually beat them home and away) and gaining promotion to the 2006–07 National Division Two. North Walsham were unable to join Cambridge in National Division Two as they lost their promotion playoff at home to the 2005–06 National Division Three North runners up Nuneaton. At the other end of the table, Bracknell were the first side to be relegated, going down for the second year in a row with just two wins all season. They were followed by Reading who were more competitive but still two wins off the 12th placed team Old Patesians. Both Reading and Bracknell would drop down to South West Division 1.