Counties 1 Midlands East (North)

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Counties 1 Midlands East (North)
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2025–26 Counties 1 Midlands East (North)
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1992;33 years ago (1992)(as Midlands East 1)
Number of teams12
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
HoldersBelgrave (2024–25)
Most titlesBelgrave and Hinckley. (3 titles)
Website England RFU

Counties 1 Midlands East (North) (formerly Midland 2 East (North)) is a level 7 English rugby union league and at level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the East Midlands region, including clubs from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the occasional team from Leicestershire. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, saw it changed to Midlands 2 East (North) and post the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022–23 it adopted its current name

Contents

The current champions are Belgrave, who are promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North.

Format

The first-placed team (or runner-up if a reserve team wins the league) is promoted to Regional 2 North Midlands. Teams are relegated to either Counties 2 Midlands East (North) or Counties 2 Midlands West (West), depending on location; with the number of teams relegated depending on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above.

The season runs from September to April 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:

2025–26

Departing were Belgrave, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North while Burton 2XV (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (West) together with Loughborough (10th) and Mansfield (11th), both relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North). Also leaving were Manor Park (8th) who returned on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands West (South), together with Nuneaton Old Edwardians (6th) and Hinckley 2XV (runner-up) who both moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands East (South).

Participating teams & locations

2024–25

Departing were Ilkeston, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North as runners-up; Hinckley Staghounds (2XV) finished top but were not permitted to be promoted to level 6, owing to the league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues. Boston and Birstall were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North). Joining were Kesteven and Nottingham Moderns promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North), whilst Manor Park moved on a level transfer from Counties 1 Midlands West (South).

Participating teams & locations

League table

2024–25 Counties 1 Midlands East (North) [3]
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPointsPts adj
1Belgrave(P)22200258127230915198−2
2 Hinckley II 22180486037948118393
3Market Rasen & Louth22141765944621315478+1
4Southwell22140868347520815172
5Lincoln22120106956524314365
6Nuneaton Old Edwardians22120105434548912459−5
7Kesteven22101115885196911558
8Manor Park2210012550634−849352
9 Nottingham Moderns 228014404716−3126240
10 Loughborough (R)227015382680−2986438
11 Mansfield (R)224018359690−3313524
12 Burton II (R)222020363750−3873516
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against1
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place Pink background are the relegation places
Updated: 1 December 2025

2023–24

Departing were Mellish, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North [4] as runners-up (Hinckley Staghounds (2XV) finished top but were not permitted to be promoted on Level 6 owing to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues). Ashbourne and Ashby and were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North) whilst Coalville dropped to Counties 2 Midlands West (East).

Joining were Belgrave and Nuneaton Old Edwardians, both relegated from Regional 2 Midlands North, whilst Boston and Mansfield were both promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North).

Participating teams & locations

League table

2023–24 Counties 1 Midlands East (North) [5]
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPointsPts adj
1 Hinckley II (C)2221011003264739181104+1
2Ilkeston (P)22180492430362119395+1
3Lincoln22170583548335218086
4Belgrave22150758146811314276
5Market Rasen & Louth2212194944276710264−2
6 Loughborough 2210111508548−409455
7Nuneaton Old Edwardian2210012561703−14212355
8 Mansfield 229112471613−1426448
9Southwell226115422675−2536335
10 Burton II 226016381644−2634533
11 Boston (R)225017245685−4402210−14
12 Birstall (R)221021212824−61201−5−10
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place Pink background are the relegation places
Updated: 30 November 2025

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands East (North). [6]

Departing were Long Eaton, Melbourne, Matlock and Newark – all promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North. Joining were Mellish and Birstall, both promoted from Midlands 3 East (North), together with Burton 2XV and Hinckley 2XV, both new entries.

Participating teams & locations

League table

2022–23 Counties 1 Midlands East (North) [8]
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPointsPts adj
1 Hinckley II (C)222101838285553181104+1
2Mellish (P)22170563142420715184
3 Loughborough 22170548335512812183+2
4Lincoln22150770734835914276
5Ilkeston22140860739721012270
6Market Rasen & Louth22100125654828313356
7Southwell229013402561−1596245+1
8 Burton II 227015476586−11010644
9 Birstall 227114410496−864539
10Ashbourne (R)227015339695−3563334
11Ashby (R)225116358568−2103429
12Coalville (R)222020239858−6192212
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place Pink background are the relegation places
Updated: 29 November 2025

2021–22

Participating teams & locations

2020–21

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

2019–20

Participating teams & locations

2018–19

Participating teams & locations

2017–18

Participating teams & locations

2016–17 teams

2015–16 teams

2014–15 teams

2013–14 teams

2012–13 teams

2011–12 teams

2010–11 teams

Market Rasen and Louth have won the league this season and are promoted to Midlands 1 East as champions for the season 2011–12. Loughborough finished second and also gained promotion by beating Peterborough Lions, who placed 2nd in Midlands 2 East (South) in the promotion play-off. Lincoln and Ashby finished in the bottom two positions and have therefore been relegated for the coming season.

Original teams

Teams in Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 1 East, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:

Midlands 2 East (North) honours

Midlands East 1 (1992–1993)

Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single tier 7 division called Midlands East 1. Promotion was to Midlands 2 and relegation to Midlands East 2 [a] .

Midlands East 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1992–9313 Belgrave Hinckley Dronfield, West Bridford [9]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands East 1 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 1 East became a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.

Midlands East 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1993–9413 Hinckley Scunthorpe Nottingham Moderns, Luton [10]
1994–9513 Scunthorpe Long Buckby Chesterfield, Northampton BBOB, Wellingborough [11]
1995–9613 Kettering Huntingdon & District [b] No relegation [c] [12]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands East 1 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands East 1 returned to being a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.

Midlands East 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1996–9717 Nottingham Moderns Old Northamptonians Northampton BBOB, Biggleswade, Amber Valley [13]
1997–9817 Lincoln Northampton Old Scouts Ashbourne [14]
1998–9917 Wellingborough Dunstablians Coalville, Vipers
1999–0017 Dunstablians Luton No relegation [d]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 3 East (North) (2000–2009)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands East 1 split into two tier 7 regional leagues – Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 2 East (formerly Midlands 2) and relegation to Midlands 4 East (North) (formerly Midlands East 2) [e] .

Midlands East 3 (North)
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
2000–0110 Spalding Ilkeston Paviors, Long Eaton, Oadby Wyggestonians [15]
2001–0210 Market Bosworth Nottingham Moderns Market Rasen & Louth [16]
2002–0310 Newark Loughborough Students Lincoln [17]
2003–0410 Melton Mowbray Matlock No relegation [f] [18]
2004–0512 Paviors Matlock West Bridgford, Mellish [19]
2005–0612 Melton Mowbray Ilkeston Ashfield, Grimsby [20]
2006–0712 Syston Lutterworth Ashbourne, Belgrave [21]
2007–0812 Mansfield Spalding Oakham, Grimsby [22]
2008–0912 Ilkeston Spalding No relegation [23]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 2 East (North) (2009–present)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) were renamed as Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 7. Promotion was now to Midlands 1 East (formerly Midlands 2 East) and relegation to Midlands 3 East (North) (formerly Midlands 4 East (North)).

Midlands 2 East (North)
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
2009–1012CoalvilleSpalding Grimsby and Sleaford [24]
2010–1112Market Rasen & Louth Loughborough Ashby and Lincoln [25]
2011–1212Newark Market Bosworth Nottingham Moderns and West Bridgford [26]
2012–1311CoalvilleOakhamAylestone St James [27]
2013–1412BelgraveSpaldingMelton Mowbray and Kesteven [28]
2014–1512MatlockCoalvilleAshby and Loughborough [29]
2015–1612Dronfield West Bridgford Bakewell Mannerians and Mansfield [30]
2016–1712 Melbourne CoalvilleSpalding and Kesteven [31]
2017–1812 West Bridgford MatlockNottingham Casuals and Bakewell Mannerians [g] [33]
2018–1912 Melbourne DronfieldAshby and Southwell [34]
2019–2012DronfieldMatlockAshfield and Nottingham Casuals [35]
2020–2114Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–2214 Long Eaton Melbourne Matlock and Newark (also promoted); No relegation
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Counties 1 Midlands East (North) (2022– )

Following league reorganisation, Midland 2 East (North) is renamed Counties 1 Midlands East (North) and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is to Regional 2 North Midlands and relegation to either Counties 2 Midlands East (North) or Counties 2 Midlands West (West), depending on location.

Counties 1 Midland East (North)
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated team(s)Ref
2022–231222 Hinckley II MellishAshbourne (10th), Ashby (11th) and Coalville (12th) [8]
2023–241120 Hinckley II Ilkeston Boston (11th) and Birstall (12th) [5]
2024–251222Belgrave Hinckley II Loughborough (10th), Mansfield (11th) and Burton II (12th) [3]
Green background is the promotion place.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 1 East (aside from 2008–09 which was played between the runners-up of Midlands 2 West (South) and Midlands 2 East (North) due to RFU restructuring). The team with the superior league record had home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Midlands 2 East (South) teams have ten wins to the Midlands 2 East (North) teams eight; and the home team won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams five.

Midlands 2 East (North) v Midlands 2 East (South) promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance/ Ref
2000–01Stewarts & Lloyds (S)9–13Ilkeston (N)Occupation Road, Corby, Northamptonshire [36]
2001–02 Nottingham Moderns (N)26–8Stewarts & Lloyds](S)Ferryfields, Wilford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire [37]
2002–03 Peterborough (S)3–59 Loughborough Students (N)Fortress Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire [38]
2003–04 Peterborough (S)33–13Matlock (N)Fortress Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire [39]
2004–05Matlock (N)25–10Stewarts & Lloyds (S)Cromford Meadows, Cromford, Derbyshire [40]
2005–06Ilkeston (N)24–21 Banbury (S)The Stute, Ilkeston, Derbyshire [41]
2006–07 Lutterworth (N)3–21 Banbury (S)Ashby Lane, Lutterworth, Leicestershire [42]
2007–08 Leighton Buzzard (S)16–15Spalding (N)Wright's Meadow, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire [43]
2008–09Promotion play-off different for this season only (see below). [h]
2009–10Spalding (N)25–10Market Harborough (S)Memorial Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire 400 [44]
2010–11 Peterborough Lions (S)17–20 Loughborough (N)Bretton Woods, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire [45]
2011–12Market Bosworth (S)17–14 Lutterworth (N)Cadeby Lane, Market Bosworth, Warwickshire [46]
2012–13Huntingdon (S)30–17Oakham (N)The Racecourse, Brampton, Cambridgeshire [47]
2013–14Spalding (N)24–14Newbold on Avon (S)Memorial Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire 400 [48]
2014–15Coalville (N)25–36Wellingborough (S)Memorial Ground, Coalville, Leicestershire [49]
2015–16 Lutterworth (S)43–17 West Bridgford (N)Ashby Lane, Lutterworth, Leicestershire [50]
2016–17 Oundle (S)30–12Coalville (N)Occupation Road, Oundle, Northamptonshire 400 [51]
2017–18 Luton (S)35–22Matlock (N)Newlands Road, Luton, Bedfordshire [52]
2018–19Market Harborough (S)25-21 [i] Dronfield (N)Cadeby Lane, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire [53]
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner-up – Belgrave (S) – promoted.
2020–21Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22Cancelled due to league reorganisation.
Green background is the promoted team. N = Midlands 2 East (North) (formerly Midlands 3 East (North)) and S = Midlands 2 East (South) (formerly Midlands 3 East (South))

2008–09 promotion play-off

As mentioned above the 2008–09 promotion play-off in Midlands 3 were different due to RFU restructuring for the following season. The two runners-up with the worst league records in the four regional divisions at this level played each other for the final promotion spot, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage.

Midlands 2 West (South) v Midlands 2 East (North) promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueRef
2008–09Spalding (N)12–14Nuneaton Old Edwardians (S)Memorial Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire [54]
Green background is the promoted team. S = Midlands 2 West (South) (formerly Midlands 3 West (South)) and N = Midlands 2 East (North) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North))

Number of league titles

Notes

  1. ↑ Midlands East 2 is currently split into two regional divisions – Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South).
  2. ↑ Due to the cancellation of National 5 North at the end of the season, four clubs were promoted including Ampthill and Long Buckby.
  3. ↑ Due to widespread restructuring caused by the cancellation of National 5 North there was no relegation.
  4. ↑ Due to the restructuring of the Midlands leagues for the following season, there was no relegation.
  5. ↑ Ahead of the 2000–01 Midlands East 2 was also split into two regional leagues – Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South).
  6. ↑ No relegation as the division would be increased from 10 to 12 teams for the following season.
  7. ↑ Bakewell Mannerians dropped out of the league part way through the season and were relegated in bottom spot. [32]
  8. ↑ The 2008–09 promotion playoffs were different as the RFU was reorganizing the leagues across the country including the Midlands division. Usually the winners of each of the four regional divisions would go up automatically along with two of the runners-up who won their respective play-offs, meaning six teams were promoted. This year one extra was required to be promoted so the top two runners-up by league points – Bourneville (40) and Stewarts & Lloyds (40) went up – leaving the other two runners-up – Nuneaton Old Edwardians]] (34) and Spalding (38) – to compete for the final promotion spot. [23]
  9. ↑ after extra time.
  10. ↑ Hinckley's One by the first team and two by the reseves.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Burton Rugby Football Club". Burton Rugby Football Club. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  2. ↑ "Leicester Road". Hinkley Rugby Club. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Counties 1 Midlands East (North)". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "Mellish Looking To Build On Recent Success". Nottingham Sport. 3 July 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Counties 1 Midlands East (North)". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  6. ↑ "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 13 June 2022.
  7. ↑ "Burton Rugby Football Club". Burton Rugby Football Club. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Counties 1 Midlands East (North)". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  9. ↑ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993-94. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN   0-7472-7891-1.
  10. ↑ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN   0-7472-7891-1.
  11. ↑ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. Headline. pp. 176–179. ISBN   0-7472-7850-4.
  12. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. Headline. pp. 192–195. ISBN   0-7472-7816-4.
  13. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. Headline. pp. 156–159. ISBN   0-7472-7771-0.
  14. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998-99. Headline. pp. 90–93. ISBN   0-7472-7653-6.
  15. ↑ "2000–2001 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  16. ↑ "2001–2002 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "2002–2003 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "2003–2004 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  19. ↑ "2004–2005 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  20. ↑ "2005–2006 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  21. ↑ "2006–2007 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  22. ↑ "2007–2008 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  23. 1 2 "2008–2009 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  24. ↑ "2009–2010 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  25. ↑ "2010–2011 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  26. ↑ "2011–2012 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  27. ↑ "2012–2013 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  28. ↑ "2013–2014 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  29. ↑ "2014–2015 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  30. ↑ "2015–2016 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  31. ↑ "2016–2017 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  32. ↑ "Bakewell drop out of league". Ilkeston Rugby. RFU. 19 February 2018.
  33. ↑ "2017–2018 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  34. ↑ "2018–19 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  35. ↑ "Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  36. ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2000–01". England Rugby. 19 May 2001.
  37. ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2001–02". England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
  38. ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2002-03". England Rugby. 26 April 2003.
  39. ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2003–04". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  40. ↑ "Matlock RFC up after play-off win". Matlock Mercury. 4 May 2005.
  41. ↑ "RUGBY: Play-off heartbreak for Banbury". Oxford Mail. 2 May 2006.
  42. ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2006–07". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  43. ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2008–09". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  44. ↑ "Spalding go up in fine style". The Peterborough Evening Telegraph. 4 May 2010.
  45. ↑ "Rugby Union: Loughborough secure promotion to Midlands One (East)". This is Leicestershire. 27 April 2011.
  46. ↑ "Market Bosworth 17 Lutterworth 14: Bosworth RFC are promoted thanks to win over Lutterworth". Hinckley Times. 3 May 2012.
  47. ↑ "Oaks' promotion push falls at the final hurdle". Hinckley Times. 11 May 2013.
  48. ↑ "Spalding RFC win promotion after gutsy victory". Spalding Today. 26 April 2014.
  49. ↑ "Play off winners! #playofffever #upsetcity". Wellingborough RFC. 25 April 2015.
  50. ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2015-16". England Rugby. 23 April 2016.
  51. ↑ "Oundle Make It To Midlands 1!". Oundle RFC (Pitchero). 29 April 2017.
  52. ↑ "Midlands 2 East Play-off: Luton 35–22 Matlock". Luton RFC (Pitchero). 5 May 2018.
  53. ↑ "Extra-time drama before Harborough win play-off". Harborough Mail. 2 May 2018.
  54. ↑ "Nuneaton Old Edwardians clinch rugby promotion". England Rugby. 29 April 2009.
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