London_1_South
Regional 2 South East
English rugby union regional league
Regional 2 South East, previously known as London 1 South, is an English level 6 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in London and the south-east of England including sides from East Sussex, south Essex, south Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex.[1] When this division began in 1987 it was known as London 2 South, changing to London 1 South ahead of the 2009–10 season. It was the feeder league for London & South East Premier into which the champion team each season is promoted. The second-placed team entered a play-off against the runner-up of London 1 North. Three teams were relegated into either London 2 South East and London 2 South West depending on their location.
Current season or competition: 2023–24 Regional 2 South East | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987; 37 years ago (1987) (as London 2 South) |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country |  England |
| Holders | Horsham (2022–23) (promoted to Regional 1 South Central) |
| Most titles | Basingstoke, Canterbury, Gravesend, Haywards Heath, Sutton & Epsom, Wimbledon, Camberley (2 titles) |
| Website | englandrugby.com |
The current champions are Horsham and are promoted to Regional 1 South Central.
The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April, making a total of twenty-two matches each. 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
There is one automatic promotion place and two relegation places. The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to either Regional 1 South Central or Regional 1 South East
- Battersea Ironsides
- Beckenham
- Cobham (promoted from Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex)
- Gravesend
- London Cornish
- Medway (relegated from Regional 1 South East)
- Old Alleynians (promoted from Counties 1 Kent)
- Old Colfeians
- Old Reigatian
- Reeds Weybridge
- Sidcup (relegated from Regional 1 South East)
- Sutton & Epsom
Departing were London Welsh and Camberley who were promoted to Regional 1 South Central and Medway, promoted to Regional 1 South East. Also leaving the league were Hammersmith & Fulham, London Cornish, Cobham and London Irish Wild Geese - all level transferred to Regional 2 Thames.
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battersea Ironsides | Burntwood Lane | Earlsfield, London | 9th | |
| Beckenham | Balmoral Avenue | Beckenham, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (runners-up) | |
| Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 10th | |
| Dartfordians | Bourne Road | Bexley, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (4th) | |
| Farnham | Wilkinson Way | Farnham, Surrey | 11th | |
| Gravesend | Rectory Field | Gravesend, Kent | Promoted from London 2 SE (3rd) | |
| Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | 5th | |
| Horsham | Coolhurst Ground | Horsham, West Sussex | 6th | |
| KCS Old Boys | Dornan Fields | Motspur Park, London | 8th | |
| Old Colfeians | Horn Park | Lee, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (champions) | |
| Old Reigatian | Geoffrey Knight Fields | Reigate, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (3rd) | |
| Reeds Weybridge | Whiteley Village | Hersham, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (runners-up) | |
The teams competing in 2021–22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019–20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020–21. Ahead of the season Haywards Heath (promoted as London 2 SE champions in 2019–20) withdrew from the league leaving London 1 South with thirteen teams.
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battersea Ironsides | Burntwood Lane | Earlsfield, London | Promoted from London 2 SW (champions) | |
| Camberley | Watchetts Recreation Ground | Camberley, Surrey | 3rd | |
| Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 8th | |
| Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 5th | |
| Farnham | Wilkinson Way | Farnham, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (runners up) | |
| Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | Relegated from L&SE Premier (14th) | |
| Hammersmith & Fulham | Hurlingham Park | Fulham, London | Promoted from London 2 NW (runners up) | |
| Horsham | Coolhurst Ground | Horsham, West Sussex | 7th | |
| KCS Old Boys | Dornan Fields | Motspur Park, London | 9th | |
| London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | 11th | |
| London Irish Wild Geese | Hazelwood | 2,000 | Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey | Relegated from L&SE Premier (12th) |
| London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850 (1,000 seats) | Richmond, London | Promoted from London 2 NW (champions) |
| Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | 4th | |
On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020–21 season meaning London 1 South was not contested.[2]
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckenham | Balmoral Avenue | Beckenham, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (champions) | |
| Belsize Park | Regent's Park | Belsize Park, London | Promoted from London 2 NW (champions)[lower-alpha 1] | |
| Camberley | Watchetts Recreation Ground | Camberley, Surrey | 3rd | |
| Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 9th | |
| Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 10th | |
| Dartfordians | Bourne Road | Bexley, London | 11th | |
| H.A.C. | Artillery Ground | Finsbury, London | Level transfer from London 1 North (5th)[lower-alpha 2] | |
| Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 6th |
| Horsham | Coolhurst Ground | Horsham, West Sussex | Promoted from London 2 SE (playoff) | |
| KCS Old Boys | Dornan Fields | Motspur Park, London | Promoted from London 2 SW (champions) | |
| London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | 8th | |
| Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | 4th | |
| Thurrock | Oakfield | Grays, Essex | 5th | |
| Westcombe Park | Goddington Dene | 3,200 (200 seats) | Orpington, London | 7th |
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | Waterhall Playing Fields | Brighton, East Sussex | 6th | |
| Camberley | Watchetts Recreation Ground | Camberley, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (champions) | |
| Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 4th | |
| Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 10th | |
| Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 5th | |
| Dartfordians | Bourne Road | Bexley, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (champions) | |
| Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 3rd |
| Hove | Hove Recreation Ground | Hove, East Sussex | Promoted from London 2 SE (playoff) | |
| London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | 8th | |
| Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | Runner up (lost playoff) | |
| Sevenoaks | Knole Paddock | 1,000 | Sevenoaks, Kent | 9th |
| Thurrock | Oakfield | Grays, Essex | 11th | |
| Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | 7th | |
| Westcombe Park | Goddington Dene | 3,200 (200 seats) | Orpington, London | Relegated from LSE Premier (12th) |
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | Waterhall Playing Fields | Brighton, East Sussex | 11th | |
| Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | Relegated from National League 3 London & SE (12th) | |
| Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 10th | |
| Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 6th | |
| CS Rugby 1863 | King's House Sports Ground | Chiswick, London | 5th | |
| Gravesend | Rectory Field | Gravesend, Kent | 8th | |
| Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 3rd |
| London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | Promoted from London 2 South West (champions) | |
| Maidstone | William Davey Memorial Ground | Maidstone, Kent | 9th | |
| Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | Promoted from London 2 South East (champions) | |
| Old Colfeians | Horn Park | Lee, London | Promoted from London 2 South East (playoff) | |
| Sevenoaks | Knole Paddock | 1,000 | Sevenoaks, Kent | 7th |
| Thurrock | Oakfield | Grays, Essex | Level transfer from London 1 North (6th) | |
| Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | 4th | |
Sutton & Epsom, the current champions were promoted to National 3 London & South East for the 2016–17 season, while the second-placed team, Guildford beat Tring, the runner-up from London 1 North, in a play-off for the second promotion place. Twickenham and Charlton Park are relegated. Medway were also relegated despite finishing third due to an RFU punishment for incorrect registration of, and illegal payments to, players[3] thus granting a reprieve from relegation for Gosport and Fareham.[4]
Medway were replaced by Gravesend who were relegated from National 3 London & SE. Promoted into the league were winners of London 2 South East, Tunbridge Wells[5] as well as Cobham as champions of London 2 South West and play-off winners Sevenoaks.[6] CS Rugby 1863 were transferred from London 1 North because they were the most southern team in London 1 North due of an imbalance in North and South teams in the leagues.[6]
| Team | Ground | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | Waterhall | Brighton, East Sussex | 5th |
| Chiswick | Dukes Meadows | Chiswick, Hounslow, London | 10th |
| Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 8th |
| Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | promoted from London 2 South West as champions |
| CS Rugby 1863 | King's House Sports Ground | Chiswick, London | level transferred from London 1 North |
| Dover | Crabble Athletic Ground | Dover, Kent | 11th |
| Gosport & Fareham | Gosport Park | Gosport, Hampshire | 12th |
| Gravesend | Donald Biggs Drive | Gravesend, Kent | relegated from National League 3 London & SE |
| Havant | Hook's Lane | Havant, Hampshire | 9th |
| Maidstone | William Day Memorial Ground | Maidstone, Kent | 6th |
| Sevenoaks | Knole Paddock | Sevenoaks, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East via play-off |
| Sidcup | Crescent Farm | Sidcup, Kent | 4th |
| Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | 7th |
| Tunbridge Wells | St Marks Recreation Ground | Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East as champions |
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