1983–84 Rugby Football League season
Slalom Lager Championship | ||||
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Number of teams | 16 | |||
Champions | Hull Kingston Rovers | |||
Premiership winners | Hull Kingston Rovers | |||
Man of Steel | Joe Lydon | |||
Top point-scorer(s) | John Woods 355 | |||
Top try-scorer(s) | Garry Schofield 38 | |||
Promotion and relegation | ||||
Promoted from Second Division | Barrow Workington Town Hunslet Halifax | |||
Relegated to Second Division | Fulham Wakefield Trinity Salford Whitehaven | |||
Second Division | ||||
Champions | Barrow | |||
Top try-scorer(s) | Graham King 28 | |||
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The 1983–84 Rugby Football League season was the 89th ever season of professional rugby league football in Britain. Sixteen teams competed from August, 1983 until May, 1984 for the Slalom Lager Championship.
The Second Division was increased to 18 clubs with the introduction of Kent Invicta, who played their home fixtures at Maidstone, this season.
Rule changes
End of possession:
- A "handover" was introduced after the sixth tackle, replacing the scrum that had previously been formed at that point.[1] The team receiving possession would now play-the-ball to carry on play.
- Scrum rules were changed which meant the non offending side had head and ball advantage, effectively making the scrum a non contest.
Value of a try:
- The number of points a team scored from a try increased from three to four.[1] The aim of this change was to "incentivise scoring tries" over kicking penalty goals, which were worth two points, because the tries were more entertaining.[1]
Temporary suspension:
- The 10-minute "sin bin" was introduced.
Season summary
Slalom Lager League Champions: Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers finished on top of the First Division table to claim their fifth championship, and also the Rugby League Premiership competition.
State Express Challenge Cup Winners: Widnes (19-6 v Wigan)
John Player Special Trophy Winners: Leeds (18-10 v Widnes). During the competition, Danny Wilson of Swinton scored a record 5 drop goals in the tie against Hunslet on 6 Nov 1983.[2]
Slalom Lager Premiership Trophy Winners: Hull Kingston Rovers (18-10 v Castleford)
Barrow (from Cumbria) beat Widnes 12–8 to win the Lancashire Cup, and Hull beat Castleford 13–2 to win the Yorkshire Cup.
League Tables
ChampionshipFinal Standings
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Second Division
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Challenge Cup
The 1983-84 State Express Challenge Cup was won by Widnes after defeating Wigan 19-6 in the final.
The Final was played at Wembley before a crowd of 80,116.