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.
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.
Participating teams and locations
Final league table
Results
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 4 February 2006.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 4 February 2006.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 4 February 2006.
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 18 March 2006.
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
Round 14
Round 15
Round 16
Round 17
Round 7 (rescheduled games)
Game rescheduled from 5 November 2005.
Game rescheduled from 5 November 2005.
Game rescheduled from 5 November 2005.
Round 18
Round 19
Round 20
Round 21
Round 22
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 18 March 2006.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 18 March 2006.
Rounds 10 & 22 (rescheduled games)
Game rescheduled from 11 March 2006.
Game rescheduled from 11 March 2006.
Game rescheduled from 26 November 2005.
Round 23
Round 24
Round 25
Round 26
Promotion play-off
The league runners up of National Division Three South and North would meet in a playoff game for promotion to National Division Two. North Walsham were the southern division runners up and as they had a superior league record than northern runners-up, Nuneaton, they hosted the play-off match.
Total season attendances
Does not include promotion playoff game.
Individual statistics
Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.
Top points scorers
Top try scorers
Season records
Team
Largest home win — 71 pts
71 - 0 Bridgwater & Albion at home to Cinderford on 4 March 2006
Largest away win — 42 pts
47 - 5 North Walsham away to Bracknell on 28 January 2006
Most points scored — 75 pts
75 - 14 Bridgwater & Albion at home to Bracknell on 1 April 2006
Most tries in a match — 13
Bridgwater & Albion at home to Bracknell on 1 April 2006
Most conversions in a match — 8 (x3) North Walsham at home to Bracknell on 22 October 2005 Cambridge at home to Cinderford on 5 November 2005 Bridgwater & Albion at home to Cinderford on 4 March 2006 Most penalties in a match — 6 Lydney at home to Bridgwater & Albion on 24 September 2005 Most drop goals in a match — 2 Rosslyn Park at home to Westcombe Park on 11 February 2006