The 1999–2000 National League 2 South (sponsored by Jewson) was the thirteenth full season of rugby union within the fourth tier (south) of the English league system, and the last until 2009–10 to use the name National League 2 South. It is counterpart to National League 2 North, which covers the northern half of the country.
At the end of the season, Esher were crowned as champions gaining promotion a to the 2000–01 National Division 2 (former National League 1), 5 points clear of second place Penzance & Newlyn. At the other end of the table, the first side to go down were Metropolitan Police who did not perform well with 26 losses from 26 games despite having finished 5th the previous season. They were followed by Norwich and Bridgwater & Albion who were competitive but still somewhat short of 12th placed Weston-super-Mare, who finished four points clear. Metropolitan Police and Norwich would fall to London 1 while Bridgwater Albion would fall to South West 1.
The reason National League 2 South had three relegation places compared to National League 2 North (who had one) was that both of the two teams relegated from the division above were based in the south of the country, requiring more places to accommodate for their arrival the following season.
Structure
Each team played home and away matches against each of the other teams, playing a total of twenty-six matches each. The league champions were promoted to National Division 2 while the bottom three sides dropped to either London 1 or South West 1 depending on locality.
Participating teams and locations
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious seasonBarking Goresbrook 1,000 Becontree, Dagenham, London 4thBridgwater & Albion Bath Road 5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset 10thCheltenham Newlands Park Southam, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 13thCliftonStation Road 2,200 (200 seats) Cribbs Causeway, Henbury, Bristol 7thEsher Molesey Road 3,500 Hersham, Surrey 2nd (not promoted) Metropolitan Police Imber Court 3,500 (500 seats) East Molesey, Surrey 5th North Walsham Norwich Road 1,200 Scottow, Norfolk 3rd Norwich Beeston Hyrne Norwich, Norfolk 6th Penzance & Newlyn Mennaye Field 4,000 Penzance, Cornwall Promoted from South West 1 (champions) Plymouth Albion Beacon Park1,950 (450 seats) Plymouth, Devon 12th Redruth Recreation Ground 12,000 Redruth, Cornwall 11th Tabard Cobden Hill Radlett, Hertfordshire 8th Westcombe Park Goddington Dene 3,200 Orpington, London Promoted from London 1 (champions) Weston-super-Mare Recreation Ground 3,000 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 9th
League table
Sponsorship National League 2 South is part of the Jewson National Leagues is sponsored by Jewson.
See also 1999–00 Premiership 1 1999–00 Premiership 2 1999–00 National League 1 1999–00 National League 2 North
References