2045-46 Darmeni Rugby Union Season: National Rugby Championship
NRC-Northern Conference Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Coastal Golden Chiefs 14 13 0 1 267 59 +208 52 Semifinals
2 Northern Sharks 14 11 0 3 185 60 +125 44 Semifinals
3 Liverpool RFU 14 9 1 4 207 106 +101 38
4 Tempala Harlequins 14 6 2 6 150 182 −32 28
5 Aylesbury RFU 14 5 1 8 119 173 −54 22
6 Springfield RFU 14 5 0 9 81 140 −59 20
7 Northwestern RFU 14 3 1 10 74 213 −139 14
8 CFR United Cotdelapomais 14 1 1 12 45 195 −150 6
NRC-Southern Conference Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Metro Saracens 14 13 0 1 225 30 +195 52 Semifinals
2 Southwestern Blue Tigers 14 11 0 3 217 69 +148 44 Semifinals
3 Rogerton Blues 14 9 0 5 174 72 +102 36
4 Western Border Warriors 14 7 1 6 138 107 +31 30
5 Brham Titans 14 4 1 9 119 173 −54 18
6 Johnho RFU 14 4 0 10 40 200 −160 16
7 East Coast Black Knights 14 3 1 10 56 182 −126 14
8 Menomonie RFU 14 3 1 10 71 207 −136 14
RUCT
Another season in the RUCT, another dominating run through the group stage for the Golden Chiefs. A lone hiccough occurred on Matchday 7 in Lisander against Saracens, but besides that, it was smooth sailing for the reigning champions. Advancing to the Quarterfinals, the Golden Chiefs were paired with Linville Athletic RFC, another team from Lisander. Linville made it through Group D in second place, advanced to the Intermediate round where they would face the Molnitha Madmen, and emerged winners 44-11 on aggregate.
The matches between the Golden Chiefs and Linville were expected to be close fought encounters and after the first match, things seemed exactly as expected. The Golden Chiefs won at home 20-7, two late penalties widening the gap in an otherwise tight encounter. Hooker Lee Perez suffered a knee injury in the second half and would be out for the second leg a week later.
In Lisander, the matchup took an unexpected turn. The Lisanderians dominated the scrum from start to finish, Perez's absence being dearly felt. Ironically, it was his replacement, Pete Zhimo that scored the Golden Chiefs' sole try, as the franchise squandered its 13 point aggregate lead, losing 27-38 on aggregate.
NRC
The top four in each conference remained the same and the gap between fourth and fifth grew wider in the Southern Conference compared to last season. The NRC appears to have a growing problem with regards to a lack of parity, a problem that isn't helped by the fact that attendances are down and franchises throughout the country are bracing for poor annual financial reports.
The Semifinals were repeats of the same matches from last season, down to the locations, kickoff times and choices of kit. Even the winners were the same. To avoid a carbon copy of the previous year's final, the higher-ups at the Darmeni Rugby Union switched the location of the final from Tim City to Scott City. 50,000 fans filled the National Rugby Stadium, many of them cheering on the home franchise as they shut out the visitors, 14-0. The victory marks the Metro Saracens' second championship in a row and third overall.
