1973-1974 saw two division rugby re-introduced. The Championship playoffs were discontinued and the league leaders were declared the champions. A "Club Championship" was played in place of the playoffs but this was a one-off precursor to what became the end of season Premiership. It was a complicated format that involved sides from both divisions. On 25 April,
David Watkins of
Salford scored the last of 929 points (41 tries, 403 goals) in a record run of scoring in 92 consecutive games for one club.
Keith Mumby made his début for
Bradford Northern this season as the club's youngest ever player, aged 16. In a match against
Doncaster this season he scored 12 goals and a try. He went on to become the club's record appearance holder, playing 576 games.
Salford won their fifth Championship.
Oldham,
Hull Kingston Rovers,
Leigh and
Whitehaven were demoted to the Second Division. The
Challenge Cup winners were
Warrington who beat
Featherstone Rovers 24-9 in the final. The
Club Championship was won by
Warrington who beat
St. Helens 13-12 in the final. 2nd Division Champions were:
Bradford Northern, and they
York,
Keighley and
Halifax were promoted to the First Division. ==League Tables==