Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier

Last updated

Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2024-25 Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon North/South
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1987;38 years ago (1987)(as Bucks/Oxon 1)
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
Most titles Amersham & Chiltern, Bicester, Chipping Norton, Gosford All Blacks, Newbury Stags, Slough (2 titles)
Website englandrugby.com

Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (formerly Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier) is a division at level 8 of the English rugby union system featuring teams principally from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Promoted teams usually move up to Counties 1 Southern North while relegated teams drop to Counties 3 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (North) or Counties 3 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (South) depending on location.

Contents

When the league was introduced in 1987 it was known as Bucks/Oxon 1 and was set up originally for teams from Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. It was expanded to include teams from Berkshire (who had been playing teams from Dorset and Wiltshire) from the 2000–01 season onwards.

Teams 2024-25

North

Departing were High Wycombe, promoted to Counties 1 Southern North. Banbury (11th) and Oxford Harlequins III (12th) were relegated.

South

Departing were Reading Abbey, promoted to Counties 1 Southern North.

Teams 2023-24

North

Departing were Oxford Harlequins II, promoted to Counties 1 Southern North. Faringdon (10th) together with Amersham & Chiltern II (11th) were relegated.

South

Departing were Rams III, promoted to Counties 1 Southern North. Abingdon (3rd) left on a level transfer to Counties 2 BBO (North).

Reading II (10th) and Aldermaston (11th) were relegated to Counties 3 Berks Bucks & Oxon South. Henley III (6th) also dropped to Counties 3 Berks Bucks & Oxon South to be replaced by Henley II who joined from Division 1 of the Halbro Raging Bull Shield league.

Maidenhead III (8th) did not return for the new season.

Teams 2022-23

This was the first team following the RFU Adult Competition Review which saw the league split into North and South divisions.

Departing were Bletchley, were promoted to Counties 1 Southern North and Crowthorne who finished bottom and were relegated to Counties 3 Berks/Bucks & Oxon South.

North

South

Teams 2021–22

In February 2022 Drifters RFC withdrew from the league with their fixtures liquidated meaning it will be completed with eleven teams.

2020–21

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

Teams 2019–20

Teams 2018–19

Teams 2017–18

Teams 2016–17

2015–16

The 2015–16 Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier consisted of twelve teams; five from Oxfordshire, four from Berkshire and three from Buckinghamshire. The season started on 12 September 2015 and the last league matches were played on 23 April 2016.

Participating teams and location

Seven of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Reading Abbey were promoted to the Southern Counties North along with runner-up, Swindon College Old Boys, while Phoenix were relegated to the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Championship.

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Locations of the 2015–16 Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier teams in Oxfordshire
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Locations of the 2015–16 Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier teams in Berkshire
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Locations of the 2015–16 Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier teams in Buckinghamshire
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Abingdon Southern Sports Park Abingdon, Oxfordshire 4th
Alchester Fritwell Playing Fields Fritwell, Oxfordshire relegated from Southern Counties North (11th)
Chesham Chiltern Hills Academy Playing Fields Chesham, Buckinghamshire 8th
Chipping Norton Greystones Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire 6th
Crowthorne The Crows New Nest Reading, Berkshire promoted from Berks/Bucks & Oxon Championship (runner-up)
Driftera One Pin LaneAs many as you like. Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire relegated from Southern Counties North
Gosford All Blacks Stratfield Brake Kidlington, Oxfordshire 3rd
Hungerford Triangle Field Hungerford, Berkshire 5th
Milton Keynes Emerson Valley Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Relegated from Southern Counties North (12th)
Risborough Princes Risborough School Playing Fields Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire promoted from Berks/Bucks & Oxon Championship (champions)
Slough Tamblyn Fields Slough, Berkshire 9th
Tadley Tigers Red Lane Aldermaston, Berkshire relegated from London 2 South West (12th) & level transferred to league
Wheatley Holton Playing Fields Holton, Wheatley, Oxfordshire 7th

2014–15

Participating teams

2013–14

Participating teams

2012–13

Participating teams

2011–12

Participating teams

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Bucks/Oxon 1) contained the following teams from Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire:

Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier honours

Bucks/Oxon 1 (1987–1993)

Originally known as Bucks/Oxon 1, it was a level 8 league for clubs based in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. [d] Promotion was to Southern Counties and relegation to Bucks/Oxon 2.

Bucks/Oxon 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1987–8812 Slough Bicester Didcot, Abingdon [7]
1988–8911 Chiltern Littlemore Buckingham, Witney [8]
1989–9011 Grove Littlemore Cholsey, Bicester [9]
1990–9111 Olney Oxford Marathon Didcot, Drifters, Littlemore [10]
1991–9211 Bicester Slough No relegation [e] [11]
1992–9313 Oxford Marathon [f] Chiltern Wheatley, Buckingham [12]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Bucks/Oxon 1 (1993–1996)

The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Bucks/Oxon 1 dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Southern Counties and relegation to Bucks/Oxon 2.

Bucks/Oxon 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1993–9413 Amersham & Chiltern Chinnor Chipping Norton [13]
1994–9513 Chinnor Oxford Old Boys Abingdon, Littlemore, Drifters [14]
1995–9613 Oxford Old Boys [g] Witney [h] No relegation [i] [15]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Bucks/Oxon (1996–1997)

The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Bucks/Oxon 1 renamed as Bucks/Oxon and once more was a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Southern Counties North [j] and relegation was to Bucks/Oxon 2. [k]

Bucks/Oxon
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1996–9713 Chipping Norton Beaconsfield Didcot, Harwell, Gosford All Blacks, Abingdon
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Bucks/Oxon 1 (1997–1999)

Bucks/Oxon would revert to its former name of Bucks/Oxon 1 for the 1997–98 season, remaining a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Southern Counties North and relegation to Bucks/Oxon 2

Bucks/Oxon 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1997–987 Cholsey Pennanians Grove, Wheatley
1998–997 Witney Drifters No relegation [l] [16]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Bucks/Oxon (1999–2000)

Once again Bucks/Oxon 1 became a single league known as Bucks/Oxon, remaining at tier 8. Promotion continued to Southern Counties North, while relegation would be to the new Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2. [m]

Bucks/Oxon
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1999–0011 Phoenix Grove Multiple teams [n] [17]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 (2000–2004)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season would see Berkshire based clubs join the Bucks & Oxon leagues. [o] This meant that Bucks/Oxon 1 would be renamed Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1, remaining a tier 8 league. Promotion would continue to Southern Counties North, while relegation was to Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2.

Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2000–018 Oxford Milton Keynes Berkshire Shire Hall, Littlemore [18]
2001–0210 Bicester Wallingford Wheatley, Chesham, Bletchley [19]
2002–0310 Henley Wanderers Phoenix Pennanians, Littlemore, Drifters [20]
2003–049 Bletchley Beaconsfield No relegation [p] [21]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Berks/Bucks & Oxon (2004–2009)

Ahead of the 2004–05 season Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 was renamed to Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier, remaining a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Southern Counties North and relegation was now to Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 (formerly Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2).

Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2004–0512 Swindon Chipping Norton Thatcham, Harwell [22]
2005–0612 Newbury Stags Milton Keynes Farnham Royal, Chesham, Littlemore [23]
2006–0711 Wallingford Slough Swindon College Old Boys [24]
2007–0812 Chipping Norton Bicester Wheatley, Farnham Royal, Crowthorne [25]
2008–0911 Newbury Stags Amersham & Chiltern No relegation [26]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Southern Counties South and relegation to the newly introduced Berks/Bucks & Oxon Championship (last known as Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2 [q] ).

Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2009–1011 Crowthorne Oxford Abingdon, Harwell [27]
2010–1110 Alchester Slough No relegation [28]
2011–1211 Drifters Thatcham Phoenix [29]
2012–1311 Stow-on-the-Wold Swindon College Old Boys Risborough, Harwell [30]
2013–1411 Tadley Bicester Farnham Royal, Aylesbury Athletic [31]
2014–1510 Reading Abbey Swindon College Old Boys Phoenix [32]
2015–1612 Gosford All Blacks Milton Keynes Chipping Norton, Wheatley [33]
2016–1711 Swindon College Old Boys Drifters Phoenix, Risborough [34]
2017–1810 Slough Littlemore Abingdon [35]
2018–1911 Chesham Didcot Risborough [36]
2019–2011 [r] Gosford All Blacks Milton Keynes Oxford [37]
2020–2111
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

Notes

  1. ↑ Littlemore dropped out of the league in December 2019. [1]
  2. ↑ Chiltern were renamed as Amersham & Chiltern in 1992. [5]
  3. ↑ Pennanians were renamed as Farnham Royal RFC in 2005. [6]
  4. ↑ Berkshire based clubs would not join the division until 2000, having originally been involved in the Berks/Dorset/Wilts leagues.
  5. ↑ Due to restructuring of the majority of south west leagues increasing from 11 to 13 teams for the following season, there was no relegation.
  6. ↑ Despite winning the league, champions Oxford Marathon would not be promoted.
  7. ↑ Oxford Old Boys would merge with Oxford Marathon the following season to form Oxford Harlequins.
  8. ↑ The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that seven clubs were promoted including Slough, Buckingham, Oxford Marathon, Grove and Milton Keynes.
  9. ↑ Restructuring caused by the cancellation of National League 5 South meant that there was no relegation.
  10. ↑ Southern Counties was split into Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South as part of RFU restructuring at the end of the 1995–96 season.
  11. ↑ Although Bucks/Oxon 2 was cancelled for the 1996–97 season it would return the following year, meaning that was still relegation from Bucks/Oxon.
  12. ↑ No relegation as Bucks & Oxon would merge with Bucks & Oxon 2 to reform as a single division – Bucks & Oxon – for the following season.
  13. ↑ Berkshire based clubs would leave the Dorset & Wilts leagues at the end of the 1999–00 season to join the Bucks/Oxon leagues.
  14. ↑ The reintroduction of Bucks/Oxon 2 for the following season, meant that fives clubs were relegated, including Gosford All Blacks, Harwell, Abingdon, Didcot and Wheatley.
  15. ↑ Previously Berkshire clubs played in the Berks/Dorset/Wilts leagues.
  16. ↑ No relegation as league would expand to 12 teams for the next season.
  17. ↑ Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2 was cancelled at the end of the 2003–04 season.
  18. ↑ League reduced from 12 to 11 teams by December 2019 when Littlemore dropped out of the league. [1]
  19. ↑ Both of Amersham & Chiltern's titles were won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon 1, and one of the titles when the club was Chiltern RFC.
  20. ↑ One of Bicester's titles was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon 1.
  21. ↑ One of Chipping Norton's titles was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon.
  22. ↑ One of Slough's titles was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon 1.
  23. ↑ Chinnor's title was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon 1.
  24. ↑ Cholsey's title was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon 1.
  25. ↑ Grove's title was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon 1.
  26. ↑ Olney's title was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon 1.
  27. ↑ Oxford's title was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon 1.
  28. ↑ Oxford Marathon merged with Oxford Old Boys in 1996 to form Oxford Harlequins.
  29. ↑ Oxford Old Boys merged with Oxford Marathon in 1996 to form Oxford Harlequins.
  30. ↑ Phoenix's title was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon.
  31. ↑ Witney's title was won back when the league was known as Bucks/Oxon 1.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "NEW LEAGUE STRUCTURES ANNOUNCED". Littlemore RFC. 1 June 2020.
  2. ↑ Drifters RFC
  3. ↑ Gosford All Blacks RFC
  4. ↑ Stow-on-the-Wold and District RFC
  5. ↑ "80 seasons at Amersham & Chiltern RFC" (PDF). Roger Cook. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "HISTORY". Farnham Royal RFC. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89 (17th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 123–139. ISBN   0 356 15884 5.
  8. ↑ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989–90 (18th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 133–136. ISBN   0 356 17862 5.
  9. ↑ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1990). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990–91 (19th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 143–146. ISBN   0 356 19162 1.
  10. ↑ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92 (20th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 164–167. ISBN   0 356 20249 6.
  11. ↑ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93 (21st ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 176–179. ISBN   0 7472 7907 1.
  12. ↑ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94 (22nd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing Ltd. pp. 157–160. ISBN   0 7472 7891 1.
  13. ↑ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN   0 7472 7850 4.
  14. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN   0 7472 7816 4.
  15. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN   0 7472 7771 0.
  16. ↑ "1998–99 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  17. ↑ "1999-00 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  18. ↑ "2000–01 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "2001–02 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "2002–03 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  21. ↑ "2003–04 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  22. ↑ "2004–05 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  23. ↑ "2005–06 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "2006–07 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "2007–08 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  26. ↑ "2008–09 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "2009–10 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  28. ↑ "2010–11 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  29. ↑ "2011–12 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  30. ↑ "2012–13 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  31. ↑ "2013–14 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  32. ↑ "2014–15 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  33. ↑ "2015–16 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  34. ↑ "2016–17 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  35. ↑ "2017–18 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  36. ↑ "2018–19 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  37. ↑ "Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
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