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Somerset Premier (known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) is an English
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 which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of
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_ ...
as well as some teams based in
Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire/Somerset, in 2000 the division split into two county leagues called
Gloucester Premier Gloucester Premier is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England with teams largely being based in the county of Gloucestershire and Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire ...
and Somerset Premier. The league champions of Somerset Premier are automatically promoted to
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 ...
while the runners up play the runners up of Gloucester Premier for their place. Relegated teams drop into
Somerset 1 Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bris ...
. Only 1st XV sides can be promoted into Western Counties North, although any side can fall to Somerset 1. Each season a 1st XV side from Somerset Premier is picked to take part in the
RFU Senior Vase The RFU Senior Vase is a rugby union national knockout cup competition in England run by the Rugby Football Union, which has been competed for since the 2006–07 season. It is contested for by teams at level 8 of the English rugby union system, ...
- a national competition for clubs at level 8.


Teams 2021-22


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 2020–21 season was cancelled.


Teams 2019–20


Teams 2018–19


Teams 2017–18


2016-17


Participating teams

* Bridgwater & Albion II *Bristol Harlequins (relegated from
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 ...
) *Crewkerne (promoted from Somerset 1) *Gordano *Keynsham II * Hornets II *Nailsea & Backwell *Oldfield Old Boys * Old Redcliffians II *St Bernadettes Old Boys *
Stothert & Pitt RFC Stothert & Pitt RFC (Rugby Football Club) is a men's rugby union football club situated at the edge of Bath, in the county of Somerset, UK. The club was formed in 1903 and currently competes in Tribute Somerset Premier - a league at level 8 of ...
*Tor * Weston-super-Mare II *
Winscombe Winscombe is a large village in the North Somerset unitary district of Somerset, South West England, close to the settlements of Axbridge and Cheddar, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, southeast of Weston-super-Mare and southwest of Bri ...
*Wiveliscombe


1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues


Somerset 1

*Bristol Barbarians *Castle Cary *Imperial *Minehead Barbarians (relegated from Somerset Premier) *Old Sulians *Wyvern


Somerset 2 North

*Bath Old Edwardians (promoted from Somerset 3 North) *Cheddar Valley (transferred from Somerset 2 South) *Old Culverhaysians


Somerset 2 South

*Martock *Morganians *Somerton


Somerset 3 North

*Avon II * Barton Hill II *Bristol Telephone Area *Imperial II *Keynsham IV *Nailsea & Backwell II *Old Bristolians III *Oldfield Old Boys III


Somerset 3 South

*Wincanton


2015–16

The 2015–16 Somerset Premier consists of fourteen teams from
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 south-west
Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
. The season began on the 5 September 2015 and ended on the 30 April 2016.


Participating teams and location

Eleven of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Gordano were promoted to
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 ...
while Bristol Imperial and Clevedon II were relegated to Somerset 1.


1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues


Somerset 1

*Bristol Barbarians *Castle Cray *Crewkerne *Imperial *Old Sulians *Wyvern


Somerset 2 North

*Old Culverhaysians


Somerset 2 South

*Cheddar Valley *Martock *Morganians *Somerton


Somerset 3 North

*Bath Old Edwardians


Participating Clubs 2014/15

*Clevedon II (promoted from Somerset 1) *Gordano *Imperial *Minehead Barbarians *Oldfield Old Boys (relegated from
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 ...
) * Old Redcliffians II *Nailsea & Backwell *St Bernadettes Old Boys * Taunton II *Tor * Weston-super-Mare II *
Winscombe Winscombe is a large village in the North Somerset unitary district of Somerset, South West England, close to the settlements of Axbridge and Cheddar, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, southeast of Weston-super-Mare and southwest of Bri ...
*Wiveliscombe *Yatton


Participating Clubs 2013/14

*Bristol Barbarians *Gordano *Keynsham II *Minehead Barbarians *Nailsea & Backwell * Old Redcliffians II *St Bernadettes Old Boys (promoted from Somerset 1) *Stothert & Pitt * Taunton II *Tor * Weston-super-Mare II *
Winscombe Winscombe is a large village in the North Somerset unitary district of Somerset, South West England, close to the settlements of Axbridge and Cheddar, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, southeast of Weston-super-Mare and southwest of Bri ...
*Wiveliscombe *Yatton (relegated from
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 ...
)


Participating Clubs 2012/13

*Chew Valley *Gordano *Imperial *Keynsham *Midsomer Norton *Minehead Barbarians *Nailsea & Backwell * Old Redcliffians II *Stothert & Pitt * Taunton II *Tor * Weston-super-Mare II *
Winscombe Winscombe is a large village in the North Somerset unitary district of Somerset, South West England, close to the settlements of Axbridge and Cheddar, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, southeast of Weston-super-Mare and southwest of Bri ...
*Wiveliscombe


Participating Teams 2010/11

*Avon *
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; ...
*Chew Valley *Gordano *Imperial *Midsomer Norton *Minehead Barbarians *St Bernadettes *Stothert & Pitt * Taunton II *Tor *Wells *Weston Hornets *
Winscombe Winscombe is a large village in the North Somerset unitary district of Somerset, South West England, close to the settlements of Axbridge and Cheddar, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, southeast of Weston-super-Mare and southwest of Bri ...


Standings 2009/10

*1 Bristol Harlequins 40 *2
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; ...
34 *3 Taunton II 33 *4 Avon 33 *5 Wells 32 *6 Stothert & Pitt 18 *7 Tor 18 *8 Midsomer Norton 18 *9 Chew Valley 16 *10 St Bernadettes 9 *11
Winscombe Winscombe is a large village in the North Somerset unitary district of Somerset, South West England, close to the settlements of Axbridge and Cheddar, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, southeast of Weston-super-Mare and southwest of Bri ...
8 *12 Old Sulians 3


Standings 2008/09

*1 Burnham on Sea 35 *2 North Petherton 34 *3 Tor 30 *4 Bristol Harlequins 28 *5 Stothert & Pitt 26 *6 Chew Valley 20 *7
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; ...
19 *8 Midsomer Norton 18 *9
Winscombe Winscombe is a large village in the North Somerset unitary district of Somerset, South West England, close to the settlements of Axbridge and Cheddar, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, southeast of Weston-super-Mare and southwest of Bri ...
18 *10 Wells 17 *11 Avon 15 *12 Old Sulians 4


Standings 2007/08

*1 Keynsham 40 *2 Chew Valley 32 *3
Winscombe Winscombe is a large village in the North Somerset unitary district of Somerset, South West England, close to the settlements of Axbridge and Cheddar, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, southeast of Weston-super-Mare and southwest of Bri ...
28 *4 Wells 26 *5 Midsomer Norton 26 *6 Avon 22 *7 Old Sulians 20 *8 Stothert & Pitt 20 *9
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; ...
18 *10 Tor 16 *11 Gordano 8 *12 St Bernadettes 6


Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Gloucestershire/Somerset) contained the following teams: *
Avonmouth Old Boys Avonmouth Old Boys Rugby Football Club is an England, English rugby union team based in Shirehampton in Bristol. The club run three men senior teams, a vets side, a ladies team, a colts side and a youth section featuring the full range of age-gro ...
* Cleve *
Combe Down Combe Down is a village on the outskirts of Bath, England in the Bath and North East Somerset unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Somerset. Combe Down village consists predominantly of 18th and 19th century Bath stone-built villas ...
* Coney Hill * Gordano *
Keynsham Keynsham ( ) is a town and civil parish located between Bristol and Bath in Somerset, England. It has a population of 16,000. It was listed in the Domesday Book as ''Cainesham'' (as it is pronounced), which is believed to mean the home of Sai ...
*
Midsomer Norton Midsomer Norton is a town near the Mendip Hills in Bath and North East Somerset, England, south-west of Bath, north-east of Wells, north-west of Frome, west of Trowbridge and south-east of Bristol. It has a population of around 13,000. ...
* Minehead Barbarians * St. Brendan's Old Boys * Tredworth *
Whitehall Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London. The road forms the first part of the A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme, A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea, London, Chelsea. It is the main ...


Somerset Premier honours


Gloucestershire/Somerset (1987–1993)

Originally
Gloucester Premier Gloucester Premier is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England with teams largely being based in the county of Gloucestershire and Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire ...
and Somerset Premier were combined in a single division known as Gloucestershire/Somerset, involving teams based in
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 ...
,
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
Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
. It was tier 8 league with promotion to Western Counties and relegation to either Gloucestershire 1 or
Somerset 1 Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bris ...
.


Gloucestershire/Somerset (1993–1996)

The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Western Counties and relegation to either
Gloucester 1 Gloucester 1 is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England for teams based primarily in the county of Gloucestershire but also on occasion teams from Bristol. Promoted clubs move into Gloucester ...
or
Somerset 1 Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bris ...
.


Gloucestershire/Somerset (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to
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 ...
, while relegation continued to either
Gloucester 1 Gloucester 1 is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England for teams based primarily in the county of Gloucestershire but also on occasion teams from Bristol. Promoted clubs move into Gloucester ...
or
Somerset 1 Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bris ...
.


Somerset Premier (2000–2009)

Gloucestershire/Somerset was reorganised into two county leagues at the end of the 1999–00 season,
Gloucester Premier Gloucester Premier is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England with teams largely being based in the county of Gloucestershire and Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire ...
and Somerset Premier, with both leagues remaining at level 8. Promotion from Somerset Premier was to
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 ...
and relegation to
Somerset 1 Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bris ...
. From the 2007–08 season onward the league sponsor would be
Tribute A tribute (; from Latin ''tributum'', "contribution") is wealth, often in kind, that a party gives to another as a sign of submission, allegiance or respect. Various ancient states exacted tribute from the rulers of land which the state conqu ...
.


Somerset Premier (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructing 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 ...
at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset Premier remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to
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 ...
and relegation to
Somerset 1 Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bris ...
. The league would continued to be sponsored by
Tribute A tribute (; from Latin ''tributum'', "contribution") is wealth, often in kind, that a party gives to another as a sign of submission, allegiance or respect. Various ancient states exacted tribute from the rulers of land which the state conqu ...
.


Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of the
Gloucester Premier Gloucester Premier is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England with teams largely being based in the county of Gloucestershire and Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire ...
and Somerset Premier for the third and final promotion place to
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 ...
. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season Gloucester Premier teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the Somerset Premier teams six; and the home team has won promotion on twelve occasions compared to the away teams seven.


Number of league titles

* Gordano (3) * Bristol Harlequins (2) *
Burnham-on-Sea Burnham-on-Sea is a seaside town in Somerset, England, at the mouth of the River Parrett, upon Bridgwater Bay. Burnham was a small fishing village until the late 18th century when it began to grow because of its popularity as a seaside resort. ...
(2) *
Keynsham Keynsham ( ) is a town and civil parish located between Bristol and Bath in Somerset, England. It has a population of 16,000. It was listed in the Domesday Book as ''Cainesham'' (as it is pronounced), which is believed to mean the home of Sai ...
(2) *
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 ...
(2) * Avon (1) *
Avonmouth Old Boys Avonmouth Old Boys Rugby Football Club is an England, English rugby union team based in Shirehampton in Bristol. The club run three men senior teams, a vets side, a ladies team, a colts side and a youth section featuring the full range of age-gro ...
(1) * Barton Hill (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) *
Combe Down Combe Down is a village on the outskirts of Bath, England in the Bath and North East Somerset unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Somerset. Combe Down village consists predominantly of 18th and 19th century Bath stone-built villas ...
(1) * Coney Hill (1) * Dings Crusaders (1) * Gloucester Old Boys (1) *
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 ...
(1) * Minehead Barbarians (1) *
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 ...
(1) * Old Culverhaysians (1) * Old Patesians (1) * Oldfield Old Boys (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. Bernadette's Old Boys (1) * St. Mary's Old Boys (1) *
Stothert & Pitt Stothert & Pitt was a British engineering company founded in 1855 in Bath, England. It was the builder of various engineering products ranging from Dock cranes to construction plant and household cast iron items. It went out of business in 1989 ...
(1) * Walcot (1) *
Winscombe Winscombe is a large village in the North Somerset unitary district of Somerset, South West England, close to the settlements of Axbridge and Cheddar, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, southeast of Weston-super-Mare and southwest of Bri ...
(1) *
Wiveliscombe Wiveliscombe (, ) is a small town and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated west of Taunton in the Somerset West and Taunton district. The town has a population of 2,893. The Square, fronted by several listed structures, held the former ...
(1) *
Yatton Yatton is a village and civil parish within the unitary authority of North Somerset, which falls within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located south-west of Bristol. Its population in 2011 was 7,552. The parish includes Clav ...
(1)


Notes


See also

* South West Division RFU * Somerset RFU *
Somerset 1 Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bris ...
*
Somerset 2 North Somerset 2 North (known as Tribute Somerset 2 North for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the tenth level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 2 South. When the division was founde ...
*
Somerset 2 South Somerset 2 South (known as Tribute Somerset 2 South for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the tenth level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 2 North. When the division was founde ...
*
Somerset 3 North Somerset 3 North (known as Tribute Somerset 3 North for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the eleven level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 3 South. When the division was found ...
*
Somerset 3 South Somerset 3 South (known as Tribute Somerset 3 South for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the eleven level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 3 North. When the division was found ...
*
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 ...
*
Rugby union in England Rugby union in England is one of the leading professional and recreational team sports. In 1871 the Rugby Football Union, the governing body for rugby union in England, was formed by 21 rugby clubs, and the first international match, which involv ...


References

*RFU(2008) "Rugby First" Available at: http://clubs.rfu.com/Fixtures/ Accessed:8 August 2009 {{Rugby union in England 8 Rugby union in Somerset Rugby union in Bristol