2017–18 National League 2 South
The 2017–18 National League 2 South is the ninth season (31st overall) of the fourth tier (south) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced.
| 2017–18 National League 2 South | |
|---|---|
| Countries | England |
| Date | 2 September 2017 – 5 May 2018 |
| Champions | Cinderford (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Chinnor (also promoted) |
| Relegated | Broadstreet, Wimbledon, Barnstaple |
| Matches played | 240 |
| Attendance | 86,522 (average 361 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 1,016 Chinnor v Henley Hawks 9 September 2017 |
| Lowest attendance | 89 Clifton v Bury St Edmunds 17 March 2018 |
| Top point scorer | Matthew McLean (Worthing Raiders) 295 points |
| Top try scorer | George Owen (London Irish WG) 27 tries |
On 7 April 2018 Broadstreet became the first club to be relegated, a 12–16 defeat away to fellow strugglers Barnstaple condemning them to the drop with three games to go. On 21 April Cinderford became champions with a game to go following a narrow 21–19 win away to Bury St Edmunds. Cinderford were easily the best team in the division, finishing 12 points clear of second place Chinnor, who on most other seasons would have been good enough to finish champions but instead had to settle for the promotion playoff game. In winning the league title Cinderford set several National League 2 South records including winning the most games (29) and gaining the most points (143).
The battle for the final two relegation spots was one of the most keenest in several years with three teams threatened by the drop on the last day of the season. In the end it was Wimbledon and Barnstaple who went down on the 28 April, despite Barum getting a 17–14 win at home against the Londoners, as Old Redcliffians managed to win at home to Redruth. Old Reds had looked dead certs for relegation earlier in the season but turned it around with eight wins in the second half (compared to just 2 before Christmas) of the season to stay safe by 3 points, even leapfrogging 13th placed London Irish Wild Geese who had secured safety the week before. Wimbledon also did well in the second half of the season getting eight wins (compared to one in the first half) but were ultimately left with two much to do and were 7 points from safety after their defeat at Pottingham Road. Barnstaple, by contrast, had looked safe earlier in the season but endured a torrid second half with just four wins after Christmas (for a total of ten overall). Injuries, along with poor try scoring and improvements from the teams around them, were primary contributors to Barum's downfall.
On 5 May 2018 Chinnor would join Cinderford in the 2018–19 National League 1 after they defeated 2017–18 National League 2 North runners up Sedgley Park 40–31 in the promotion play-off game played at Kingsey Road.