Regional 2 South West, (formerly known as South West 1 West) is an
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
,
level six,
rugby union
Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...
league for clubs based in the south-west of England; i.e.
Cornwall
Cornwall (; kw, Kernow ) is a historic county and ceremonial county in South West England. It is recognised as one of the Celtic nations, and is the homeland of the Cornish people. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic ...
,
Devon
Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devon is ...
,
Dorset
Dorset ( ; archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The ceremonial county comprises the unitary authority areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset (unitary authority), Dors ...
and
Somerset
( en, All The People of Somerset)
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, region = South West England
, established_date = Ancient
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. It is one of twelve leagues at this level in England. When league rugby started in 1986 it was known as South West 2, but in 1996 the division was split into two leagues — South West 1 West and
South West 1 East
South West 1 East is an English, level six, rugby union league in south and south-west England; mainly Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Gloucester, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Wiltshire. Originally a si ...
. The champions are promoted to
Regional 1 South West
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
(formerly South West Premier) and the bottom two sides are relegated, depending on location, to either
Counties 1 Western West,
Counties 1 Western North
Counties 1 Western North (known as Counties 1 Tribute Western North for sponsorship purposes) is an English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues called W ...
or
Counties 1 Southern South.
Chew Valley are the current champions.
Format
The season runs from September to May and comprises twenty-two rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:
* 4 points are awarded for a win
* 2 points are awarded for a draw
* 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
* 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
* 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match
Current season
Participating teams and location
2021–22
Participating teams and location
Ahead of the new season, Stroud RFC (promoted as
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
champions in 2019–20) withdrew from the league, leaving thirteen teams in this seasons competition. Ten of the teams in this seasons competition competed in 2019–20. The 'previous season' column in the table below refers to 2019–20 not 2020–21, which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Of the thirteen teams competing in this seasons competition, five are from
Somerset
( en, All The People of Somerset)
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, region = South West England
, established_date = Ancient
, established_by =
, preceded_by =
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, lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset
, lord_ ...
, four from
Gloucester
Gloucester ( ) is a cathedral city and the county town of Gloucestershire in the South West of England. Gloucester lies on the River Severn, between the Cotswolds to the east and the Forest of Dean to the west, east of Monmouth and east ...
, three from
Devon
Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devon is ...
and one from
Cornwall
Cornwall (; kw, Kernow ) is a historic county and ceremonial county in South West England. It is recognised as one of the Celtic nations, and is the homeland of the Cornish people. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic ...
. The season started on 4 September 2021 and the final matches were played on 23 April 2022.
Chew Valley won the competition for the first time, just one point ahead of both Devonport Services and Lydney, in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Owing to the
reorganisation of the league system for next season, an announcement is awaited from the RFU as to which league teams will be allocated to.
League table
2020–21
Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
the season was cancelled.
2019–20
Participating teams and location
League table
2018–19
Participating teams and location
League table
Promotion play-off
This seasons play-off for promotion to the South West Premier was between Launceston and
Old Centralians
Old Centralians Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club based at Saintbridge Sports Center in Gloucester. The club operates three senior sides with the first XV playing in South West Premier, a level five league in the English rugby u ...
. Launceston had the better playing record and hosted the match at Polson Bridge, winning 33 – 22. This was the 19th play-off match, the first for Launceston and the second for Old Centralians who won promotion 2013. It was the 13th win for the home team and south-west teams have also won the match on 13 occasions.
2017–18
Participating teams and location
The 2017–18 South West 1 West consists of fourteen teams; five from
Devon
Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devon is ...
, four each from
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean.
The county town is the city of Gl ...
and
Somerset
( en, All The People of Somerset)
, locator_map =
, coordinates =
, region = South West England
, established_date = Ancient
, established_by =
, preceded_by =
, origin =
, lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset
, lord_ ...
, and one from
Cornwall
Cornwall (; kw, Kernow ) is a historic county and ceremonial county in South West England. It is recognised as one of the Celtic nations, and is the homeland of the Cornish people. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic ...
. Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The season started on 2 September 2016 and the last league matches were played on 21 April 2017. The play-off match was played a week later on 28 April 2017.
League table
Promotion play-off
This seasons play-off for promotion to the South West Premier was between Exeter University and Banbury. Over the season Exeter University had the better playing record and hosted the match at Topsham Sports Ground, winning 41 – 32. This was the 18th play-off match and the first for each of the teams; it was the 12th win for the home team and south-west teams have also won the match on 12 occasions. Banbury's total of 32 points was the most by a losing team and also the most by an away team.
2016–17
Participating teams and location
The 2016–17 South West 1 West consists of fourteen teams; six from Somerset and four each from Devon and Gloucestershire. Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The season started on 3 September 2016 and the last league matches were played on 22 April 2017. The play-off match was played a week later on 29 April 2017.
League table
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in South West 1 East and South West 1 West, participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 3 South West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Newbury Blues, host the match and they beat their opponents Clevedon 25 – 22.
2015–16
Camborne became champions on 9 April 2016, with two matches to play. Thornbury lost the play-off for promotion 24 – 26 at Salisbury and will continue to play in this league next season. Avonmouth OB, Coney Hill and Wells are all relegated to Western Counties North.
Participating teams and location
The 2015–16 South West 1 West consisted of fourteen teams; six from Somerset, four from Gloucestershire, two from Devon and one each from Bristol and Cornwall. Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Cleve, and Ivybridge (via the play-off) were promoted to National League 3 South West. The relegated teams, Cullompton and St Austell will play in Western Counties West, and Matson will play in Western Counties North. The season started on 5 September 2015 and the last matches were played on 30 April 2016.
League table
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in South West 1 East and South West 1 West, participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 3 South West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Salisbury, host the match and their opponents are Thornbury.
2014–15
Cleve became champions with two matches to play and are promoted to National League 3 South West for next season. The team in second place, Ivybridge beat Towcestrians (the runner-up of South West 1 East) 25 – 20 in the play-off for promotion. St Austell and Cullompton are relegated to Western Counties West and Matson are relegated to Western Counties North.
Participating teams and location
The 2014–15 South West 1 West League consists of fourteen teams; four from Somerset, three each from Devon and Gloucestershire and two each from Bristol and Cornwall. The season started on 6 September 2014 and the last league matches were played on 18 April 2015; the play-off match was played a week later. Nine of the teams listed below participated in the South West 1 West last season. They were joined by Avonmouth OB who were relegated from National League 3 South West, Drybrook and Matson both promoted from Western Counties North, Ivybridge promoted from Western Counties West and Wells promoted from Southern Counties South.
League table
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in South West 1 East and South West 1 West, participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 3 South West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Towcestrians, hosts the match; their opponents were Ivybridge who won 25 – 20.
2013–14
Participating teams and location
2012–13
*
Bridgwater & Albion (relegated from
National League 3 South West
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
)
*
Camborne
Camborne ( kw, Kammbronn) is a town in Cornwall, England. The population at the 2011 Census was 20,845. The northern edge of the parish includes a section of the South West Coast Path, Hell's Mouth and Deadman's Cove.
Camborne was formerl ...
*
Chard
Chard or Swiss chard (; ''Beta vulgaris'' subsp. ''vulgaris'', Cicla Group and Flavescens Group) is a green leafy vegetable. In the cultivars of the Flavescens Group, the leaf stalks are large and often prepared separately from the leaf blade; ...
*
Cleve
*Clevedon
*Cullompton
*
North Dorset
North Dorset was a local government district in Dorset, England. It was largely rural, but included the towns of Blandford Forum, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Stalbridge and Sturminster Newton. Much of North Dorset was in the River Stour vall ...
*North Petherton
*
Old Redcliffians
Old Redcliffians Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Brislington, a suburb of Bristol. The club runs four senior sides and a sevens team as well as a ladies side and the full range of junior teams. The first XV currently ...
(relegated from
National League 3 South West
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
)
*Oldfield Old Boys
*Paignton Saxons
*Sidmouth
*Thornbury
*Wadebridge Camels
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as South West 2) contained the following teams:
*
Barnstaple
Barnstaple ( or ) is a river-port town in North Devon, England, at the River Taw's lowest crossing point before the Bristol Channel. From the 14th century, it was licensed to export wool and won great wealth. Later it imported Irish wool, bu ...
*
Berry Hill
*
Brixham
Brixham is a coastal town and civil parish, the smallest and southernmost of the three main population centres (the others being Paignton and Torquay) on the coast of Torbay in the county of Devon, in the south-west of England. Commercial fish ...
*
Cinderford
Cinderford is a town and civil parish on the eastern fringe of the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, England. The population was 8,777 at the 2021 Census.
The town came into existence in the 19th century, following the rapid expansion of Cind ...
*
Devon & Cornwall Police
Devon and Cornwall Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the ceremonial counties of Devon and Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly) in England. The force serves approximately 1.8 million people over an area of .
Hi ...
*
Devonport Services
*
Henley
*
Launceston
*
Newbury
*
Reading
Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of Letter (alphabet), letters, symbols, etc., especially by Visual perception, sight or Somatosensory system, touch.
For educators and researchers, reading is a multifaceted process invo ...
*
Reading Abbey
Reading Abbey is a large, ruined abbey in the centre of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. It was founded by Henry I in 1121 "for the salvation of my soul, and the souls of King William, my father, and of King William, m ...
South West 1 West honours
South West 2 (1987–1993)
Originally South West 1 West and
South West 1 East
South West 1 East is an English, level six, rugby union league in south and south-west England; mainly Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Gloucester, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Wiltshire. Originally a si ...
were combined in a single division called South West 2. It was a tier 6 league with promotion up to
South West 1
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
and relegation down to either Western Counties or Southern Counties.
South West 2
The top six teams from South West 1 and the top six from
London 1
Regional 1 South East (up until 2022-23 known as London & South East Premier and up until 2016-17 known as National League 3 London & South East) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. ...
were combined to create
National 5 South, meaning that South West 2 dropped to become a tier 7 league. Promotion continued to
South West 1
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
and relegation to either Western Counties or Southern Counties.
South West 2 West (1996–2009)
League restructuring by the
RFU
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for rugby union in England. It was founded in 1871, and was the sport's international governing body prior to the formation of what is now known as World Rugby (WR) in 1886. It pro ...
for the 1996–97 season saw South West 2 split into two regional divisions known as South West 2 West and
South West 2 East, and the cancellation of
National 5 South meant that both divisions became tier 6 leagues. Promotion continued to
South West 1
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
, while relegation was now to either
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
or
Western Counties West
Counties 1 Western West (formerly known as Western Counties West for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues called Wester ...
.
South West 1 West (2009–present)
League restructuring by the
RFU
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for rugby union in England. It was founded in 1871, and was the sport's international governing body prior to the formation of what is now known as World Rugby (WR) in 1886. It pro ...
meant that South West 2 West and
South East 2 East were renamed as South West 1 West and South West 1 East, with both leagues remaining at tier 6. Promotion was to
National League 3 South West
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
, while relegation continued to either
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
or
Western Counties West
Counties 1 Western West (formerly known as Western Counties West for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues called Wester ...
.
Promotion play-offs
From season 2000–01 through to 2018–19 there has been a play-off, between the league runners-up of
South West 1 East
South West 1 East is an English, level six, rugby union league in south and south-west England; mainly Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Gloucester, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Wiltshire. Originally a si ...
and South West 1 West, for the third and final promotion place to
South West Premier
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
. The team with the superior league record had home advantage. At the end of the 2018–19 season the South West 1 West teams' have been the stronger with thirteen wins to the South West 1 East teams' six, while the home team has won promotion thirteen times to the away teams six.
Number of league titles
*
Cinderford
Cinderford is a town and civil parish on the eastern fringe of the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, England. The population was 8,777 at the 2021 Census.
The town came into existence in the 19th century, following the rapid expansion of Cind ...
(2)
*
Hornets
Hornets (insects in the genus ''Vespa'') are the largest of the eusocial wasps, and are similar in appearance to their close relatives yellowjackets. Some species can reach up to in length. They are distinguished from other vespine wasps by th ...
(2)
*
Matson (2)
*
Old Patesians (2)
*
Truro
Truro (; kw, Truru) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and civil parishes in England, civil parish in Cornwall, England. It is Cornwall's county town, sole city and centre for administration, leisure and retail trading. Its ...
(2)
*
Berry Hill (1)
*
Camborne
Camborne ( kw, Kammbronn) is a town in Cornwall, England. The population at the 2011 Census was 20,845. The northern edge of the parish includes a section of the South West Coast Path, Hell's Mouth and Deadman's Cove.
Camborne was formerl ...
(1)
*
Chew Valley
The Chew Valley is an affluent area in North Somerset, England, named after the River Chew, which rises at Chewton Mendip, and joins the River Avon at Keynsham. Technically, the area of the valley is bounded by the water catchment area of t ...
(1)
*
Chippenham
Chippenham is a market town
A market town is a settlement most common in Europe that obtained by custom or royal charter, in the Middle Ages, a market right, which allowed it to host a regular market; this distinguished it from a village ...
(1)
*
Cleve (1)
*
Coney Hill (1)
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
(1)
*
Exmouth
Exmouth is a harbor, port town, civil parishes in England, civil parish and seaside resort, sited on the east bank of the mouth of the River Exe and southeast of Exeter.
In 2011 it had a population of 34,432, making Exmouth the List of town ...
(1)
*
Gloucester Old Boys (1)
*
Gordon League (1)
*
Hartpury College
Hartpury University and Hartpury College, formerly Hartpury College, is a provider of further and higher education which describes itself as specialising in the "agriculture, animal, equine, sport and veterinary nursing" sectors. The university a ...
(1)
*
Henley (1)
*
Launceston (1)
*
Mounts Bay Mount's Bay or Mounts Bay may refer to:
*Mount's Bay, Cornwall UK
* Mounts Bay RFC, a defunct rugby club formerly based in Penzance
* Mounts Bay Road, Perth, Western Australia
*Mounts Bay, in the Swan River Estuary, Perth, see Swan River (Western A ...
(1)
*
Okehampton
Okehampton ( ) is a town and civil parishes in England, civil parish in West Devon in the English county of Devon. It is situated at the northern edge of Dartmoor, and had a population of 5,922 at the 2011 census. Two electoral wards are based i ...
(1)
*
Old Redcliffians
Old Redcliffians Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Brislington, a suburb of Bristol. The club runs four senior sides and a sevens team as well as a ladies side and the full range of junior teams. The first XV currently ...
(1)
*
Penzance-Newlyn (1)
*
Spartans
Sparta (Doric Greek: Σπάρτα, ''Spártā''; Attic Greek: Σπάρτη, ''Spártē'') was a prominent city-state in Laconia, in ancient Greece. In antiquity, the city-state was known as Lacedaemon (, ), while the name Sparta referred t ...
(1)
*
St Mary's Old Boys (1)
*
Stroud
Stroud is a market town and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It is the main town in Stroud District. The town's population was 13,500 in 2021.
Below the western escarpment of the Cotswold Hills, at the meeting point of the Five ...
(1)
*
Taunton Titans (1)
*
Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare, also known simply as Weston, is a seaside town in North Somerset, England. It lies by the Bristol Channel south-west of Bristol between Worlebury Hill and Bleadon Hill. It includes the suburbs of Mead Vale, Milton, Oldmixon ...
(1)
Summary of tier six format since 1987
Notes
See also
*
South West Division RFU
*
Cornwall RFU
*
Devon RFU
*
Gloucestershire RFU
*
Somerset RFU
*
English rugby union system
Men's Rugby union in England consists of 106 leagues, which includes professional leagues at the highest level, down to amateur regional leagues. Promotion and relegation are in place throughout the system.
Women's Rugby union in England cons ...
References
* RFU(2011) "Rugby First" Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20101104233314/http://clubs.rfu.com/Fixtures/MatchByDivision.aspx?DivID=69886542 Accessed:29 January 2011
{{Rugby union in England
Recurring sporting events established in 1987
6
Rugby union in Bristol
Rugby union leagues in Cornwall
Rugby union in Devon
Sport in Gloucester
Rugby union in Gloucestershire
Rugby union in Somerset
Sports leagues established in 1987