South_West_Premier
Regional 1 South West
Level five rugby union league in England
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.[1] It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union, and the name change from National League 3 to South West Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season by the RFU in order to lessen confusion for what is a series of regional leagues.[1] Regional 1 South West, is the highest regional rugby union league covering South West England. The club finishing in first place is automatically promoted to National League 2 West. Relegated teams drop down to either Regional 2 South West or Regional 2 Severn, depending on their location.
Current season or competition: 2023–24 Regional 1 South West | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987; 37 years ago (1987) (as South West 1) |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country |  England |
| Holders | Devonport Services (1st title) (2023–24 (promoted to National League 2 West)) |
| Most titles | Bournemouth, Chinnor, Clifton, Dings Crusaders, Reading (2 titles) |
| Website | England Rugby – South West Division |
Devonport Services are the current champions.
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
Nine of last years teams participate in this season's competition. Champions, Camborne were promoted to National League 2 West while Old Centralians (11th) and Drybrook (12th) were both relegated to Regional 2 Severn. Six of the teams are from Devon, while Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Somerset each have two clubs.
Participating teams and locations
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League table
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | Adj | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Devonport Services | 22 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 793 | 403 | +390 | 16 | 2 | 94 | |||||
| 2 | Barnstaple | 22 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 727 | 341 | +386 | 14 | 2 | 88 | |||||
| 3 | Chew Valley | 22 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 787 | 426 | +361 | 14 | 2 | 84 | |||||
| 4 | Brixham | 22 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 840 | 554 | +286 | 16 | 2 | 80 | |||||
| 5 | Launceston | 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 616 | 457 | +159 | 11 | 3 | 66 | |||||
| 6 | Exmouth | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 517 | 522 | –5 | 8 | 2 | 55 | |||||
| 7 | Lydney | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 567 | 642 | –75 | 14 | 4 | 50 | |||||
| 8 | St Austell | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 485 | 643 | –158 | 9 | 6 | 45 | |||||
| 9 | Ivybridge | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 505 | 786 | −281 | 6 | 4 | 38 | |||||
| 10 | Matson | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 432 | 653 | −221 | 8 | 3 | 35 | –5 | ||||
| R | Okehampton | 22 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 414 | 797 | –383 | 3 | 3 | 26 | |||||
| R | Weston-super-Mare | 22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 441 | 900 | −459 | 6 | 2 | 24 | |||||
| ||||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 6 April 2024 Source:[2] | ||||||||||||||||
Results
| Home \ Away | BAR | BRI | CHV | DEV | EXM | IVY | LAU | LYD | MAT | OKE | SAU | WSM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstaple | — | 33–20 | 20–19 | 41–16 | 21–17 | 55–7 | 26–8 | 29–10 | 55–0 | 45–14 | 31–17 | 57–14 |
| Brixham | 39–38 | — | 39–36 | 28–24 | 22–45 | 40–12 | 46–31 | 45–20 | 77–7 | 88–12 | 34–34 | 54–28 |
| Chew Valley | 35–19 | 32–27 | — | 12–11 | 21–10 | 60–31 | 12–3 | 36–7 | 41–0 | 80–6 | 44–12 | 61–6 |
| Devonport Services | 23–12 | 39–22 | 27–17 | — | 33–17 | 61–12 | 28–18 | 38–18 | 39–31 | 48–7 | 50–24 | 55–7 |
| Exmouth | 3–26 | 34–21 | 27–47 | 17–20 | — | 60–14 | 12–23 | 40–36 | HWO | 33–3 | 27–22 | 43–18 |
| Ivybridge | 16–68 | 25–42 | 46–19 | 17–25 | 20–11 | — | 10–24 | 23–20 | 18–24 | 37–23 | 36–35 | 29–27 |
| Launceston | 20–17 | 21–28 | 31–22 | 6–26 | 44–5 | 48–31 | — | 36–26 | 46–3 | 15–20 | 39–19 | 62–12 |
| Lydney | 10–18 | 32–29 | 24–42 | 20–24 | 22–31 | 34–32 | 38–15 | — | 44–28 | 38–19 | 33–24 | 34–19 |
| Matson | 25–34 | 10–21 | 12–17 | 34–42 | 31–32 | 17–14 | 20–35 | 27–14 | — | 29–21 | 26–20 | 38–12 |
| Okehampton | 8–45 | 15–41 | 19–56 | 19–35 | 21–22 | 34–30 | 30–29 | 36–10 | 14–38 | — | 16–17 | 12–24 |
| St Austell | 8–15 | 14–19 | 26–35 | 5–60 | 19–3 | 19–20 | 19–34 | 26–24 | 24–18 | 27–24 | — | 41–24 |
| Weston-super-Mare | 12–22 | 12–58 | 23–43 | 19–69 | 38–28 | 40–25 | 7–28 | 25–53 | 33–14 | 10–41 | 31–33 | — |
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.
Participating teams and locations
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Final league table
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | Camborne | 22 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 815 | 474 | 341 | 20 | 3 | 95 | |||||
| 2 | Chew Valley | 22 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 755 | 459 | 296 | 16 | 3 | 83 | |||||
| 3 | Brixham | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 629 | 572 | 57 | 12 | 3 | 71 | |||||
| 4 | Devonport Services | 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 507 | 516 | −9 | 5 | 4 | 61 | |||||
| 5 | Exmouth | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 592 | 504 | 88 | 7 | 4 | 59 | |||||
| 6 | Ivybridge | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 582 | 645 | −63 | 11 | 5 | 56 | |||||
| 7 | Lydney | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 507 | 544 | −37 | 6 | 6 | 52 | |||||
| 8 | Launceston | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 494 | 538 | −44 | 6 | 6 | 52 | |||||
| 9 | Okehampton | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 445 | 567 | −122 | 6 | 2 | 48 | |||||
| 10 | Weston-super-Mare RFC | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 491 | 661 | −170 | 6 | 5 | 43 | |||||
| R | Old Centralians | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 420 | 604 | −184 | 5 | 7 | 36 | |||||
| R | Drybrook | 22 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 414 | 567 | −153 | 4 | 7 | 31 | |||||
| ||||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 26 March 2023 Source:[3] | ||||||||||||||||
Results
| Home \ Away | BRI | CAM | CHV | DEV | DRY | EXM | IVY | LAU | LYD | OKE | OCE | WSM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brixham | — | 38–42 | 43–27 | 52–13 | 57–18 | 16–14 | 29–15 | 36–11 | 20–15 | 32–14 | 8–14 | 22–26 |
| Camborne | 33–35 | — | 38–28 | 32–19 | 38–0 | 44–24 | 78–18 | 39–7 | 42–25 | 20–26 | 67–12 | 37–21 |
| Chew Valley | 51–21 | 18–14 | — | 34–32 | 41–26 | 25–29 | 48–27 | 40–9 | 26–8 | 41–22 | 69–19 | 51–10 |
| Devonport Services | 37–18 | 27–35 | 16–10 | — | 19–13 | 18–15 | 41–29 | 25–24 | 24–17 | 20–24 | 17–16 | 24–22 |
| Drybrook | 43–0 | 10–31 | 28–33 | 20–31 | — | 22–35 | 12–16 | 12–29 | 9–12 | 36–14 | 18–16 | 21–20 |
| Exmouth | 25–45 | 30–39 | 20–15 | 35–23 | 27–10 | — | 25–18 | 22–12 | 17–15 | 31–17 | 67–11 | 68–14 |
| Ivybridge | 24–25 | 26–29 | 29–30 | 18–13 | 37–26 | 15–13 | — | 31–30 | 34–39 | 42–18 | 29–18 | 45–27 |
| Launceston | 17–18 | 20–39 | 30–14 | 18–13 | 33–20 | 29–24 | 44–27 | — | 22–28 | 17–38 | 36–22 | 14–5 |
| Lydney | 50–33 | 43–35 | 15–53 | 13–18 | 13–10 | 41–23 | 22–10 | 22–27 | — | 57–33 | 20–14 | 17–27 |
| Okehampton | 27–7 | 15–17 | 0–27 | 7–21 | 21–17 | 17–21 | 41–25 | 25–24 | 22–8 | — | 19–17 | 28–24 |
| Old Centralians | 27–29 | 10–40 | 10–27 | 28–15 | 20–22 | 30–13 | 13–25 | 10–15 | 26–10 | 41–7 | — | 34–23 |
| Weston-super-Mare | 29–44 | 22–26 | 13–47 | 36–41 | 24–21 | 27–14 | 24–42 | 28–26 | 19–17 | 22–10 | 28–12 | — |
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.
The first matches were played on 4 September 2021 and the final league matches on 23 April 2022.[4] Exeter University (as champions), Old Redcliffians (as runner-up) and Hornets (3rd) are all promoted to National League 2 West (formerly National League 2 South).[5] The RFU will announce the format of the tier 5 leagues during the summer of 2022.
Participating teams
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in the previous competition (2019–20). The champions, Barnstaple were promoted to National League 2 South, while Newbury and Bracknell were both relegated to South West 1 East. Maidenhead have been level transferred to London & South East Premier. The teams coming into this season's competition are Old Redcliffians and Bournemouth, both relegated from National League 2 South in 15th and 16th position respectively. Teams promoted into this season's competition are Hornets, champions of South West 1 West, and two teams from South West 1 East, Royal Wootton Bassett and Old Centralians (1st and 2nd respectively).
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Final league table
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exeter University | 26 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 1132 | 501 | 631 | 22 | 2 | 116 | |||||
| 2 | Old Redcliffians | 26 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 989 | 517 | 472 | 21 | 1 | 114 | |||||
| 3 | Hornets | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 890 | 517 | 373 | 17 | 2 | 107 | |||||
| 4 | Weston-super-Mare | 26 | 18 | 0 | 8 | 726 | 485 | 241 | 12 | 4 | 88 | |||||
| 5 | Exmouth | 26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 639 | 657 | −18 | 11 | 5 | 74 | |||||
| 6 | Launceston | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 602 | 728 | −126 | 12 | 8 | 64 | |||||
| 7 | Brixham | 26 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 582 | 695 | −113 | 12 | 6 | 60 | |||||
| 8 | Bournemouth | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 639 | 663 | −24 | 11 | 9 | 60 | |||||
| 9 | Ivybridge | 26 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 746 | 834 | −88 | 16 | 6 | 60 | |||||
| 10 | Drybrook | 26 | 11 | 1 | 14 | 542 | 662 | −120 | 6 | 6 | 58 | |||||
| 11 | Camborne | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 582 | 818 | −236 | 8 | 5 | 49 | |||||
| 12 | Old Centralians | 26 | 7 | 2 | 17 | 619 | 864 | −245 | 11 | 4 | 47 | |||||
| 13 | Royal Wootton Bassett | 26 | 6 | 1 | 19 | 503 | 863 | −360 | 5 | 4 | 35 | |||||
| 14 | Okehampton | 26 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 509 | 896 | −387 | 6 | 3 | 31 | |||||
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| Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 3 May 2022 Source:[6] | ||||||||||||||||
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
The season ended before all the matches were completed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the RFU used a best playing record formula to decide the final table.[7] Barnstaple are the champions.
Participating teams
Ten of the thirteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by three promoted sides; Launceston, Newbury Blues and Okehampton.[8][9][10] Bournemouth were promoted to National League 2 South, while relegated sides included Newton Abbot and Cleve (both South West 1 West), and Old Patesians (South West 1 East). Initially, Bromsgrove were due to be level transferred from Midlands Premier but the withdrawal of Birmingham & Solihull from the league system meant that they stayed put, leaving South West Premier with just thirteen teams.[11]
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Final league table
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | Final position |
Team | Points (adjusted) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnstaple | 21 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 542 | 316 | 226 | 10 | 3 | 77 | 1 | Barnstaple | 89 | |||
| 2 | Maidenhead | 19 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 534 | 432 | 102 | 9 | 6 | 59 | 2 | Weston-super-Mare | 73 | |||
| 3 | Weston-super-Mare | 19 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 458 | 352 | 106 | 8 | 5 | 57 | 3 | Maidenhead | 73 | |||
| 4 | Okehampton | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 380 | 364 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 56 | 4 | Okehampton | 67 | |||
| 5 | Brixham | 20 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 398 | 440 | −42 | 4 | 3 | 53 | 5 | Brixham | 64 | |||
| 6 | Exeter University | 21 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 577 | 547 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 53 | 6 | Exeter University | 60 | |||
| 7 | Drybrook | 20 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 369 | 386 | −17 | 4 | 7 | 47 | 7 | Drybrook | 56 | |||
| 8 | Ivybridge | 20 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 503 | 468 | 35 | 5 | 4 | 47 | 8 | Ivybridge | 56 | |||
| 9 | Camborne | 20 | 9 | 1 | 10 | 389 | 477 | −88 | 5 | 3 | 46 | 9 | Camborne | 55 | |||
| 10 | Exmouth | 20 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 440 | 473 | −33 | 5 | 6 | 45 | 10 | Exmouth | 54 | |||
| 11 | Launceston | 19 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 372 | 526 | −154 | 3 | 5 | 42 | 11 | Launceston | 54 | |||
| 12 | Newbury Blues | 20 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 395 | 484 | −89 | 3 | 6 | 37 | 12 | Newbury Blues | 44 | |||
| 13 | Bracknell | 19 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 326 | 418 | −92 | 4 | 4 | 32 | 13 | Bracknell | 39 | |||
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| Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 7 August 20210 Source:[12] | |||||||||||||||||
Participating teams
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Barnstaple, who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by three promoted sides; Drybrook, Exeter University and Old Patesians.[13][14][15][16] Dings Crusaders (last seasons champions) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Hornets and Lydney were both relegated to South West 1 West, and Newbury Blues relegated to South West 1 East.
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Final league table
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bournemouth (P) | 26 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 999 | 352 | 647 | 18 | 0 | 118 | |||||
| 2 | Barnstaple | 26 | 19 | 1 | 6 | 747 | 541 | 206 | 12 | 1 | 91 | |||||
| 3 | Maidenhead | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 | 750 | 581 | 169 | 16 | 4 | 86 | |||||
| 4 | Exeter University | 26 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 776 | 650 | 126 | 13 | 5 | 80 | |||||
| 5 | Ivybridge | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 656 | 601 | 55 | 14 | 4 | 78 | |||||
| 6 | Exmouth | 26 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 698 | 684 | 14 | 15 | 4 | 75 | |||||
| 7 | Weston-super-Mare | 26 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 765 | 619 | 146 | 14 | 5 | 73 | |||||
| 8 | Brixham | 26 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 742 | 642 | 100 | 14 | 7 | 71 | |||||
| 9 | Camborne | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 707 | 746 | −39 | 15 | 7 | 70 | |||||
| 10 | Bracknell | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 597 | 601 | −4 | 9 | 4 | 65 | |||||
| 11 | Drybrook | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 533 | 621 | −88 | 6 | 2 | 56 | |||||
| 12 | Cleve (R) | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 642 | 841 | −199 | 11 | 8 | 43 | |||||
| 13 | Newton Abbot (R) | 26 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 543 | 940 | −397 | 7 | 10 | 35 | |||||
| 14 | Old Patesians (R) | 26 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 398 | 1134 | −736 | 4 | 3 | 19 | |||||
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| Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 9 January 2021 Source:[17] | ||||||||||||||||
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in the South West Premier (formerly National League 3 South West) and London & South East Premier (National League 3 London & South East) participate in a play-off for the third promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Westcliff, hosted the match and beat their opponents Barnstaple 44 – 5 to win promotion to National League 2 South for the first time. This was Westcliff's first appearance in the play-offs and Barnstaple's second; in 2016 Barnstaple beat Tonbridge Juddians 31 – 30 at Tonbridge. The home team have won fifteen out of 19 play-off matches and the south-east team have won the play-off thirteen times.
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westcliff (P) | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 808 | 425 | 383 | 17 | 5 | 98 |
| Barnstaple | 26 | 19 | 1 | 6 | 747 | 541 | 206 | 12 | 1 | 91 |
Participating teams
Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition (when it was known as National League 3 South West). They are joined by Exmouth, who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by three promoted sides; Weston-super-Mare, Maidenhead and Newbury Blues.[19][20][21][22] Old Redcliffians (champions) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Launceston were relegated to (South West 1 West), Salisbury to (South West 1 East) and Bromsgrove to (Midlands 1 West).[23][24][25][26]
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Final league table
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ding Crusaders (P) | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 837 | 438 | 399 | 16 | 4 | 100 | |||||
| 2 | Bournemouth | 26 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 761 | 635 | 126 | 9 | 4 | 83 | |||||
| 3 | Maidenhead | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 780 | 825 | −45 | 18 | 4 | 74 | |||||
| 4 | Newton Abbot | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 858 | 713 | 145 | 14 | 5 | 71 | |||||
| 5 | Bracknell | 26 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 635 | 653 | −18 | 10 | 5 | 69 | |||||
| 6 | Cleve | 26 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 693 | 699 | −6 | 12 | 7 | 69 | |||||
| 7 | Camborne | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 578 | 558 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 66 | |||||
| 8 | Weston-super-Mare | 26 | 11 | 2 | 13 | 652 | 705 | −53 | 14 | 4 | 66 | |||||
| 9 | Ivybridge | 26 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 639 | 620 | 19 | 10 | 6 | 65 | |||||
| 10 | Brixham | 26 | 12 | 2 | 12 | 630 | 619 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 65 | |||||
| 11 | Exmouth | 26 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 706 | 737 | −31 | 11 | 4 | 65 | |||||
| 12 | Newbury Blues (R) | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 569 | 522 | 47 | 7 | 5 | 64 | |||||
| 13 | Hornets (R) | 26 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 536 | 933 | −397 | 9 | 2 | 45 | |||||
| 14 | Lydney (R) | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 516 | 733 | −217 | 7 | 6 | 37 | |||||
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| Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 2 January 2021 Source:[27] | ||||||||||||||||
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in the South West Premier (formerly National League 3 South West) and London & South East Premier (formerly National League 3 London & SE) participate in a play-off for the third promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Guernsey, hosted the match and beat their opponents Bournemouth 38 – 23 to win promotion. This was Guernsey's first appearance in the play-offs and Bournemouth's second. Bournemouth's previous appearance was in 2011 when they lost to Hertford 23 – 22.
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guernsey (P) | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 962 | 446 | 516 | 19 | 3 | 110 |
| Bournemouth | 26 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 761 | 635 | 126 | 9 | 4 | 83 |
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Launceston who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by two promoted sides: Camborne and Salisbury. Exmouth (champions) and Barnstaple (play-off) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Chippenham were relegated to South West 1 West, and Old Patesians and Old Centralians to South West 1 East. To address a league imbalance due to only one team coming down from National League 2 South, both Bromsgrove and Bracknell have been level transferred into the league from National League 3 Midlands and National League 3 London & SE respectively, Bromsgrove having finished 9th and Bracknell 11th.[28][29]
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Final league table
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Redcliffians (P) | 26 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 737 | 467 | 270 | 14 | 2 | 106 | |||||
| 2 | Ding Crusaders | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 676 | 448 | 228 | 8 | 3 | 87 | |||||
| 3 | Camborne | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 | 685 | 547 | 138 | 12 | 4 | 77 | |||||
| 4 | Newton Abbot | 26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 702 | 717 | −15 | 11 | 6 | 75 | |||||
| 5 | Bournemouth | 26 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 777 | 551 | 226 | 11 | 7 | 72 | |||||
| 6 | Ivybridge | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 646 | 618 | 28 | 10 | 5 | 71 | |||||
| 7 | Brixham | 26 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 590 | 594 | −4 | 10 | 5 | 71 | |||||
| 8 | Hornets | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 714 | 559 | 155 | 13 | 4 | 69 | |||||
| 9 | Bracknell | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 568 | 625 | −57 | 8 | 4 | 68 | |||||
| 10 | Cleve | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 643 | 616 | 27 | 10 | 3 | 65 | |||||
| 11 | Lydney | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 454 | 653 | −199 | 7 | 4 | 51 | |||||
| 12 | Launceston (R) | 26 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 390 | 619 | −229 | 2 | 9 | 41 | |||||
| 13 | Salisbury (R) | 26 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 500 | 807 | −307 | 4 | 7 | 39 | |||||
| 14 | Bromsgrove (R) | 26 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 511 | 772 | −261 | 4 | 11 | 24 | |||||
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| Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 28 April 2017 Source:[31] | ||||||||||||||||
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London & SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for the third promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Wimbledon, hosted the match and destroyed their opponents Dings Crusaders 55 – 5 to win promotion.
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wimbledon (P) | 26 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 936 | 399 | 537 | 21 | 2 | 115 |
| Dings Crusaders | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 676 | 448 | 228 | 8 | 3 | 87 |
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by two teams relegated from National League 2 South, Dings Crusaders and Lydney; and by three promoted teams Cleve, Chippenham and Ivybridge. The teams leaving the league were the 2014–15 champions, Redingensians who were promoted to National League 2 South and the relegated teams, Chard and Weston-super-Mare to play in South West 1 West, and Oxford Harlequins to South West 1 East. Bracknell, who finished 3rd last season, transferred to National League 3 London and SE.
Participating teams
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstaple | Pottington Road | 2,000 (575 seats) | Barnstaple, Devon | 8th |
| Bournemouth | Chapel Gate | 1,500 | Bournemouth, Dorset | 9th |
| Brixham | Astley Park | 1,800 (300 stand) | Brixham, Devon | 5th |
| Cleve | The Hayfields | Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire | promoted from South West 1 West (champions) | |
| Chippenham | Allington Fields | Chippenham, Wiltshire | promoted from South West 1 East (champions) | |
| Dings Crusaders | Landseer Avenue | 1,500 | Lockleaze, Bristol | relegated from 2014–15 National League 2 South (16th) |
| Exmouth | Imperial Recreation Ground | 1,250 (250 stand) | Exmouth, Devon | 2nd |
| Hornets | Hutton Moor Park[30] | Weston-super-Mare, Somerset | 6th | |
| Ivybridge | Cross-in-Hand | Ivybridge, Devon | promoted from South West 1 West (play-off) | |
| Lydney | Regentsholm | 1,500 | Lydney, Gloucestershire | relegated from 2014–15 National League 2 South (14th) |
| Newton Abbot | Rackerhayes | 1,150 (150 stand) | Newton Abbot, Devon | 7th |
| Old Centralians | Saintbridge Sports Centre | Gloucester, Gloucestershire | 4th | |
| Old Patesians | Everest Road | Cheltenham, Gloucestershire | 10th | |
| Old Redcliffians | Scotland Lane[30] | Brislington, Bristol | 11th |
Final league table
| ||||||||||||||||
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exmouth (P) | 26 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 921 | 466 | 455 | 17 | 2 | 103 | |||||
| 2 | Barnstaple (P) | 26 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 715 | 378 | 337 | 12 | 2 | 98 | |||||
| 3 | Lydney | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 | 547 | 488 | 59 | 9 | 4 | 79 | |||||
| 4 | Brixham | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 553 | 517 | 36 | 9 | 4 | 77 | |||||
| 5 | Bournemouth | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 630 | 441 | 189 | 8 | 7 | 75 | |||||
| 6 | Old Redcliffians | 26 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 474 | 437 | 37 | 7 | 4 | 75 | |||||
| 7 | Hornets | 26 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 647 | 508 | 139 | 13 | 5 | 74 | |||||
| 8 | Ivybridge | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 518 | 467 | 51 | 7 | 7 | 70 | |||||
| 9 | Cleve | 26 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 598 | 595 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 63 | |||||
| 10 | Ding Crusaders | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 485 | 568 | −83 | 5 | 4 | 53 | |||||
| 11 | Newton Abbot | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 573 | 560 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 53 | |||||
| 12 | Old Centralians (R) | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 494 | 600 | −106 | 6 | 2 | 52 | |||||
| 13 | Old Patesians (R) | 26 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 466 | 950 | −484 | 5 | 5 | 22 | |||||
| 14 | Chippenham (R) | 26 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 353 | 999 | −646 | 4 | 3 | 15 | |||||
| ||||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 30 April 2016 Source: "National League 3 South West". England Rugby. | ||||||||||||||||
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Tonbridge Juddians, host the match and their opponents were Barnstaple, who won the match 30 – 31, scoring the winning points with a penalty in the last seconds of the match.[32]
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge Juddians | 26 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 833 | 395 | 438 | 13 | 2 | 102 |
| Barnstaple (P) | 26 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 715 | 378 | 337 | 12 | 2 | 98 |
| 30 April 2016 15:00 |
| Tonbridge Juddians | 30 – 31 | Barnstaple |
| Juddians Barnstaple |
| The Slade Attendance: 600 Referee: Matt Turvey |
Participating teams
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstaple | Pottington Road | 2,000 (575 seats) | Barnstaple, Devon | 8th |
| Bournemouth | Chapel Gate | 1,500 | Bournemouth, Dorset | relegated from National League 2 South |
| Bracknell | Lily Hill Park | 1,250 | Bracknell, Berkshire | 3rd |
| Brixham | Astley Park | 1,800 (300 stand) | Brixham, Devon | 7th |
| Chard | The Park, Essex Close[30] | Chard, Somerset | promoted from South West 1 West | |
| Exmouth | Imperial Recreation Ground | 1,250 (250 stand) | Exmouth, Devon | relegated from National League 2 South |
| Hornets | Hutton Moor Park[30] | Weston-super-Mare, Somerset | promoted from South West 1 West | |
| Newton Abbot | Rackerhayes | 1,150 (150 stand) | Newton Abbot, Devon | 4th |
| Old Centralians | Saintbridge Sports Centre | Gloucester, Gloucestershire | 11th | |
| Old Patesians | Everest Road | Cheltenham, Gloucestershire | 10th | |
| Old Redcliffians | Scotland Lane[30] | Brislington, Bristol | 6th | |
| Oxford Harlequins | Marston Ferry Road | North Hinksey, Oxfordshire | promoted from South West 1 East | |
| Redingensians | Old Bath Road | Sonning, Berkshire | 2nd | |
| Weston-super-Mare | Recreation Ground[30] | 6,000 | Weston-super-Mare, Somerset | 9th |
Final league table
| ||||||||||||||||
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redingensians | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 934 | 359 | 575 | 18 | 2 | 108 | |||||
| 2 | Exmouth | 26 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 820 | 426 | 394 | 13 | 2 | 99 | |||||
| 3 | Bracknell | 26 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 747 | 565 | 182 | 13 | 6 | 87 | |||||
| 4 | Old Centralians | 26 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 672 | 551 | 121 | 7 | 3 | 84 | |||||
| 5 | Brixham | 26 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 692 | 577 | 115 | 12 | 4 | 84 | |||||
| 6 | Hornets | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 695 | 557 | 138 | 13 | 5 | 82 | |||||
| 7 | Newton Abbot | 26 | 11 | 1 | 14 | 654 | 670 | −16 | 11 | 7 | 64 | |||||
| 8 | Barnstaple | 26 | 11 | 2 | 13 | 605 | 582 | 23 | 10 | 5 | 63 | |||||
| 9 | Bournemouth | 26 | 11 | 1 | 14 | 590 | 630 | −40 | 9 | 4 | 59 | |||||
| 10 | Old Patesians | 26 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 533 | 755 | −222 | 10 | 6 | 54 | |||||
| 11 | Old Redcliffians | 26 | 10 | 2 | 14 | 439 | 642 | −203 | 2 | 4 | 50 | |||||
| 12 | Weston-super-Mare | 26 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 469 | 652 | −183 | 5 | 6 | 39 | |||||
| 13 | Oxford Harlequins | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 431 | 825 | −394 | 6 | 3 | 33 | |||||
| 14 | Chard | 26 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 409 | 899 | −490 | 2 | 4 | 14 | |||||
| ||||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 4 May 2015 Source: "National League 3 South West". England Rugby. | ||||||||||||||||
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Exmouth, hosts the match; their opponents were Barnes and the match was played on 25 April 2015. At the end of full-time the match score was 22 – 22, and Barnes scored the only points in extra-time, to win the match 27– 22.[33]
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exmouth | 26 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 820 | 426 | 394 | 13 | 2 | 99 |
| Barnes (P) | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 638 | 492 | 146 | 13 | 2 | 91 |
| 25 April 2015 14:30 |
| Exmouth | 22 – 27 | Barnes |
| Imperial Recreation Ground Attendance: 1,000 |
After extra time (80 mins: 22 – 22)
- Amersham & Chiltern RFC
- Avonmouth Old Boys
- Barnstaple
- Bracknell (promoted from South West 1 East)
- Brixham
- Chippenham
- Lydney (relegated from National League 2 South)
- Newton Abbot
- Old Centralians (promoted from South West 1 East)
- Old Patesians
- Old Redcliffians (promoted from South West 1 West)
- Redingensians
- Weston-super-Mare
- Worcester Wanderers (promoted from Midlands 1 West)
League winners
- Lydney (promoted to National League 2 South)
Relegated
- Avonmouth Old Boys (relegated to South West 1 West)
- Chippenham (relegated to South West 1 East)
- Worcester Wanderers (relegated to Midlands 1 West)
Transferred
- Amersham & Chiltern RFC (transferred to National League 3 London & SE)
Final league table
| |||||||||||||||||
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Points | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lydney (C) | 26 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 919 | 385 | 534 | 20 | 1 | 119 | ||||||
| 2 | Redingensians | 26 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 719 | 363 | 356 | 16 | 2 | 102 | ||||||
| 3 | Bracknell | 26 | 19 | 1 | 6 | 706 | 425 | 281 | 14 | 3 | 95 | ||||||
| 4 | Newton Abbot | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 663 | 603 | 60 | 12 | 3 | 75 | ||||||
| 5 | Amersham & Chiltern RFC | 26 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 595 | 409 | 186 | 13 | 6 | 69 | ||||||
| 6 | O Redcliffians | 26 | 14 | 2 | 10 | 501 | 500 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 68 | ||||||
| 7 | Brixham | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 591 | 618 | −27 | 10 | 6 | 68 | ||||||
| 8 | Barnstaple | 26 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 508 | 585 | −77 | 7 | 2 | 63 | ||||||
| 9 | Weston-super-Mare | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 612 | 645 | –33 | 8 | 6 | 58 | ||||||
| 10 | O Patesians | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 516 | 778 | −262 | 9 | 5 | 50 | ||||||
| 11 | O Centralians | 26 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 500 | 640 | −140 | 7 | 6 | 46[lower-alpha 1] | ||||||
| 12 | Worcester Wanderers (R) | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 440 | 696 | −256 | 7 | 3 | 46 | ||||||
| 13 | Avonmouth Old Boys (R) | 26 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 373 | 617 | −244 | 2 | 7 | 31 | ||||||
| 14 | Chippenham (R) | 26 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 381 | 760 | −379 | 5 | 6 | 27 | ||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion places. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 9 May 2014 Source:[34][35] | |||||||||||||||||
The first season as a national league
When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:
In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. The geographical area for teams in South West Division One covered an area of south-west England from Oxfordshire and Berkshire in the east to Cornwall in the west. There were eleven teams in the league and they played each team once, giving each team ten matches. The other tier five leagues were London 1, Midlands 1 and North 1.[36] This system prevailed for five seasons, and in 1992–93 the number of teams increased from eleven to thirteen. The following season (1993–94) the league was reorganised and the four tier five leagues became two; National 5 North and National 5 South.[37] After three seasons, in 1996–97, a further reorganisation occurred, and there was a return to four, tier five leagues; with South West Division One covering the area of south-west England from Berkshire westwards.[38] This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three South West. There was a name change for the beginning of season 2017–18 when the division was renamed the South West Premier.
South West 1 (1987–1993)
The original South West 1 was a tier 5 league with promotion up to Area League 2 South and relegation down to South West 2 (presently split into two leagues known as South West 1 East and South West 1 West).
| |||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | 11 | 10 | Redruth | High Wycombe | Bournemouth | [39] | |||||||
| 1988–89 | 11 | 10 | Clifton | High Wycombe | Torquay Athletic, Bridgwater & Albion | [36] | |||||||
| 1989–90 | 11 | 10 | Maidenhead | Weston-super-Mare | Oxford | [36] | |||||||
| 1990–91 | 11 | 10 | High Wycombe | Reading | Matson, Stroud, Taunton | [36] | |||||||
| 1991–92 | 11 | 10 | Berry Hill | Cinderford | No relegation | [40] | |||||||
| 1992–93 | 13 | 12 | Reading | Henley | Penryn | [41] | |||||||
South West 1 (1993–96)
The top six teams from South West 1 and the top six from London 1 were combined to create National 5 South. South West 1 dropped to become a tier six league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 South. Relegation continued to South West 2 (currently South West 1 East and South West 1 West).
South West 1 (1996–2009)
At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 South was discontinued and South West 1 returned to being a tier 5 league. Promotion was up to National 4 South (now known as National League 2 South), while the splitting of South West 2 into two regional divisions, meant that relegation was now down to either South West 2 East or South West 2 West (currently South West 1 East / South West 1 West).
| |||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 12 | 22 | Bridgwater & Albion | Launceston | Brixham, Camborne | [45] | |||||||
| 1997–98 | 12 | 22 | Bracknell | Launceston | High Wycombe, St Ives | [46] | |||||||
| 1998–99 | 12 | 22 | Penzance & Newlyn | Launceston | Salisbury | [47] | |||||||
| 1999–00 | 12 | 22 | Launceston | Keynsham | Matson, Stroud | [48] | |||||||
| 2000–01 | 12 | 22 | Old Patesians | Cinderford | Berry Hill, Truro, Torquay Athletic, Gloucester Old Boys | [49] | |||||||
| 2001–02 | 12 | 22 | Weston-super-Mare | Dings Crusaders | Stroud, Maidenhead, Swanage & Warham, Dorcester | [50] | |||||||
| 2002–03 | 12 | 22 | Dings Crusaders | Reading | Berry Hill, Marlow | [51] | |||||||
| 2003–04 | 12 | 22 | Reading | Cinderford | Barnstaple, Truro | [52] | |||||||
| 2004–05 | 12 | 22 | Cinderford | Bridgwater & Albion | St Mary's Old Boys, Gloucester Old Boys, Keynsham | [53] | |||||||
| 2005–06 | 12 | 22 | Chinnor | Clifton | Penryn, Cheltenham, Spartans | [54] | |||||||
| 2006–07 | 12 | 22 | Mounts Bay | Cleve | Chippenham, Clevedon, Reading Abbey | [55] | |||||||
| 2007–08 | 12 | 22 | Chinnor | Bracknell | Reading, Maidenhead, St Ives | [56] | |||||||
| 2008–09 | 12 | 22 | Clifton | Bracknell | No relegation | [57] | |||||||
National League 3 South West (2009–2017)
The division was renamed National League 3 South West following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It remained a tier 5 league with promotion up to National League 2 South (formerly National League 3 South) and relegation to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West (formerly South West 2 East / South West 2 West).
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Ref | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 14 | 26 | Taunton | Old Patesians | Maidenhead, Chippenham, Reading | [58] | ||||||||
| 2010–11 | 14 | 26 | Hartpury College | Bournemouth | Cleve, Coney Hill, Cheltenham | [59] | ||||||||
| 2011–12 | 14 | 26 | Bournemouth | Chinnor | Bridgwater & Albion, Newbury Blues, Old Redcliffians | [60] | ||||||||
| 2012–13 | 14 | 26 | London Irish Amateur | Exmouth | Maidenhead, Oxford Harlequins, Malvern | [61] | ||||||||
| 2013–14 | 14 | 26 | Lydney | Redingensians | Chippenham, Avonmouth Old Boys, Worcester Wanderers | [62] | ||||||||
| 2014–15 | 14 | 26 | Redingensians | Exmouth | Chard, Oxford Harlequins, Weston-super-Mare | [63] | ||||||||
| 2015–16 | 14 | 26 | Exmouth | Barnstaple | Chippenham, Old Patesians, Old Centralians | [64] | ||||||||
| 2016–17 | 14 | 26 | Old Redcliffians | Dings Crusaders | Bromsgrove, Salisbury, Launceston | [65] | ||||||||
| Green background are the promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
South West Premier (2017–2022)
For the 2017–18 season all divisions at tier 5 were renamed from National League 3 to Premier meaning that National League 3 South West became known as South West Premier.[1] Promotion continued to National League 2 South and relegation to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Ref | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | 14 | 26 | Dings Crusaders | Bournemouth | Lydney, Hornets, Newbury Blues | [66] | ||||||||
| 2018–19 | 14 | 26 | Bournemouth | Barnstaple | Old Patesians, Newton Abbot, Cleve | [67] | ||||||||
| 2019–20 | 13[lower-alpha 2] | 20[lower-alpha 3] | Barnstaple | Weston-super-Mare | Bracknell, Newbury Blues | [70] | ||||||||
| 2020–21 | 14 | 26 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. | |||||||||||
| 2021–22 | 14 | 26 | Exeter University | Old Redcliffians | Hornets also promoted. | |||||||||
| Green background are the promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Regional 1 South West (2022–)
From 2022–33 season the number of tier 5 leagues was increased from four to six.
| |||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 12 | 22 | Camborne | Chew Valley | Old Centralians and Drybrook | [3] | |||||||
| 2023–24 | 12 | 22 | Devonport Services | Barnstaple | Okehampton and Weston-super-Mare | [3] | |||||||
From 2000–01 season there has been a promotion play-off game between the runners-up of London & South East Premier and South West Premier for the third and final promotion place to National League 2 South, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage. As of the 2018–19 season, the London and south-east teams have been most successful with thirteen wins to the south-west teams six, while the home side have won fifteen of the nineteen ties. The last play-off was in 2018–19, with the next two seasons cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom and following the increase of leagues at this level to three, only the champions are promoted.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Attendance | Reference | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | Cinderford (SW) | 26–10 | Havant (LSE) | Dockham Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire | ||||||||||
| 2001–02 | Basingstoke (LSE) | 29–13 | Dings Crusaders (SW) | Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire | [71] | |||||||||
| 2002–03 | Haywards Heath (LSE) | 34–21 | Reading (SW) | Whiteman's Green, Cuckfield, West Sussex | [72][73] | |||||||||
| 2003–04 | Hertford (LSE) | 25–14 | Cinderford (SW) | Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire | [74] | |||||||||
| 2004–05 | Worthing Raiders (LSE) | 26–30 | Bridgwater & Albion (SW) | Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex | 1,200 | [75][76] | ||||||||
| 2005–06 | Richmond (LSE) | 3–12 | Clifton (SW) | Athletic Ground, Richmond, Greater London | 1,100 | [77][78] | ||||||||
| 2006–07 | Ealing Trailfinders (LSE) | 48–16 | Cleve (SW) | Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing, Greater London | [79][80] | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | Worthing Raiders (LSE) | 18–5 | Bracknell (SW) | Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex | [81][82] | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | Barnes (LSE) | 39–18 | Bracknell (SW) | Barn Elms, Barnes, Greater London | [83][84] | |||||||||
| 2009–10 | Old Albanian (LSE) | 15–0 | Old Patesians (SW) | Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire | [85][86] | |||||||||
| 2010–11 | Hertford (LSE) | 23–22 | Bournemouth (SW) | Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire | 1,000 | [87][88] | ||||||||
| 2011–12 | Chinnor (SW) | 19–8 | Tonbridge Juddian (LSE) | Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire | [89][90] | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | Exmouth (SW) | 21–20 | Dorking (LSE) | Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon | [91][92] | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | Old Elthamians (LSE) | 17–10 | Redingensians (SW) | Queen Mary Sports Ground, Chislehurst, Kent | 1,350 | [93][94] | ||||||||
| 2014–15 | Exmouth (SW) | 22–27 (aet) | Barnes (LSE) | Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon | 1,000 | [95][96] | ||||||||
| 2015–16 | Tonbridge Juddian (LSE) | 30–31 | Barnstaple (SW) | The Slade, Tonbridge, Kent | 600 | [97][98] | ||||||||
| 2016–17 | Wimbledon (LSE) | 55–5 | Dings Crusaders (SW) | Beverley Meads, Raynes Park, Greater London | 350 | [99] | ||||||||
| 2017–18 | Guernsey (LSE) | 38–23 | Bournemouth (SW) | Footes Lane, Saint Peter Port, Guernsey | [100] | |||||||||
| 2018–19 | Westcliff (LSE) | 44–5 | Barnstaple (SW) | The Gables, Eastwood, Essex | 750 | [101][102] | ||||||||
| 2019–20 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up – Guernsey (LSE) – promoted instead. | |||||||||||||
| 2021–22 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. | |||||||||||||
| 2022–23 | Cancelled due to national league reorganisation. | |||||||||||||
| Green background represent the promoted teams. (LSE = London & South East teams while SW = South West teams). | ||||||||||||||
- Bournemouth (2)
- Chinnor (2)
- Clifton (2)
- Dings Crusaders (2)
- Reading (2)
- Barnstaple (1)
- Berry Hill (1)
- Bracknell (1)
- Bridgwater & Albion (1)
- Camborne (1)
- Cheltenham (1)
- Cinderford (1)
- Devonport Services (1)
- Exeter University (1)
- Exmouth (1)
- Hartpury College (1)
- Henley (1)
- High Wycombe (1)
- Launceston (1)
- London Irish Amateur (1)
- Lydney (1)
- Maidenhead (1)
- Mounts Bay (1)
- Newbury (1)
- Old Patesians (1)
- Old Redcliffians (1)
- Penzance & Newlyn (1)[lower-alpha 4]
- Redingensians (1)
- Redruth (1)
- Taunton (1)
- Weston-super-Mare (1)
- League reduced to 13 teams following the withdrawal of Birmingham & Solihull from Midlands Premier, leaving level 5 with an imbalance of teams.[11]
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with most clubs in South West Premier having played 20 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table.[68][69]
- "Renaming of RFU National 3 Leagues". Oxfordshire RFU. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- "Regional 1 South West". England Rugby. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- "Regional 1 South West". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- "Tribute South West Premier. Fixtures & Results". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
- "Update on Structural Changes to National League Rugby". National League Rugby. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- "South West Premier Final Standings". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- "RFU ends the 2019/20 rugby season in England". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- "Cornish All Blacks promoted after epic comeback over Old Centralians at Polson Bridge". Cornish & Devon Post. 1 May 2019.
- "Tribute South West 1 West 2018–2019". England Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- "2018-2019 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- "Bees apply to join Greater Birmingham Merit League for 2019/20 season". Birmingham & Solihull RFC (Pitchero). 5 June 2019.
- "South West Premier Final Standings". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- "Barnstaple and Wimbledon fail to beat the drop". Talking Rugby Union. 30 April 2018.
- "Tribute South West 1 West 2017–2018". England Rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- "2017-2018 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- "Bulls' journey comes to an end in play-off defeat". Banbury Guardian. 30 April 2018.
- "South West Premier". England Rugby. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- Phillips, Chief. "Westcliff Rugby Club secure promotion after big win in play-off final". Basildon Canvey Southend Echo. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- "Contrasting fortunes for relegation candidates". Talking Rugby Union. 10 April 2017.
- "PROMOTION FOR 1st XV and WANDERERS!!". Weston-super-Mare RFC. 2 April 2017.
- "Rugby round-up: Maidenhead RFC and Marlow RFC are both champions while win for Windsor RFC keeps survival hopes alive". Maidenhead Advertiser. 8 April 2017.
- "Blues win promotion". Newbury Blues (Pitchero). 29 April 2017.
- "Spiller set for first Bournemouth start against champions Old Redcliffians". Bournemouth Echo. 7 April 2017.
- "Cornish All Blacks relegated after narrow defeat at Lydney". Bude Today. 7 April 2017.
- "Relegation's confirmed for Salisbury RFC despite coming close to stunning the champions". Salisbury Journal. 4 April 2017.
- "Bromsgrove Rugby Club to return to the Midlands Leagues next season". Bromsgrove Advertiser. 6 June 2017.
- "South West Premier". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- "Bromsgrove Rugby Club lose appeal against level transfer to South West leagues". Worcester News. 3 July 2016.
- "Senior leagues". Bracknell Rugby Club. 16 May 2016.
- Handbook Season 2014–2015 (PDF). Somerset County Rugby Football Union Limited. 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- "National League 3 South West 2016–2017". England Rugby. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- "National League Three Round-up". The RugbyPaper. No. 378. 1 May 2016. p. 37.
- "Exmouth's promotion hopes shattered with extra-time play-off defeat to Barnes". Express & Echo. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- "Results". The RUGBYPaper. 27 April 2014. p. 33.
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