The title race was extremely tight and went to the last game with Orrell winning their rescheduled game away to Nottingham to draw dead level with Plymouth Albion at the top of the table and take the title by virtue of a better points difference – the fact Orrell had won both of their games against Plymouth was largely responsible for their victory.

[5] Both sides would be promoted to the 2002–03 National Division One with Orrell making an instant return following their relegation at the start of the season while Plymouth would make it a second promotion in a row.

At the opposite end of the table Preston Grasshoppers and Waterloo would be the first sides to be relegated, followed by Rosslyn Park who battled to the end but never had quite enough to overtake relegation rivals Stourbridge and Kendal.

[6] Preston and Waterloo would drop down to the 2002–03 National Division Three North while Rosslyn Park went down to the 2002–03 National Division Three South, with Waterloo suffering their second consecutive relegation.

92 - 0 Plymouth Albion at home to Esher on 30 March 2002 67 - 8 Orrell away to Preston Grasshoppers on 16 March 2002 67 - 8 Orrell away to Preston Grasshoppers on 16 March 2002 Orrell away to Preston Grasshoppers on 16 March 2002 Plymouth Albion at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 23 February 2002 Orrell away to Nottingham on 20 April 2002 Esher at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 1 December 2001 Kendal away to Esher on 10 November 2001 Sedgley park away to Fylde on 1 December 2001 [36][37][38][39] Colin Stephens for Sedgley Park at home to Wharfedale on 15 December 2001 Ben Harvey for Stourbridge at home to Esher on 6 April 2002 Mark Farrar for Harrogate against Preston Grasshoppers on 6 April 2002 Chris Atkinson for Plymouth Albion at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 23 February 2002 Richard Welding for Orrell away to Nottingham on 20 April 2002 Jonathon Gregory for Esher at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 1 December 2001 Mike Scott for Kendal away to Esher on 10 November 2001 Colin Stephens for Sedgley park away to Fylde on 1 December 2001 [40][41][42][43][44] Plymouth Albion at home to Fylde on 5 January 2002 Preston Grasshoppers at home to Newbury Blues on 2 March 2002 Plymouth Albion Waterloo [45]