Counties 1 Midlands East (South)

Last updated

Counties 1 Midlands East (South)
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2024-25 Counties 1 Midlands East (South)
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1992;33 years ago (1992)(as Midlands East 1)
Number of teams12
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
Website England RFU

Counties 1 Midlands East (South) (formerly Midlands 2 East (South)) is a level 7 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the East Midlands region including sides from Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and occasionally Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire, who play home and away matches throughout the season. 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 (South) and post the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name.

Contents

Promoted teams tend to move up to Regional Midlands 2 East or occasionally to Regional 2 Midlands North. Relegated teams drop to Counties 2 Midlands East (South).

2025–26

Departing were Stamford promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East, whilst Stockwood Park (10th), Peterborough Lions (11th) and Old Laurentians (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (South).

Also leaving were Bourne (8th) and Spalding (7th) who moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands East (North).

2024–25

Departing were Daventry and Market Bosworth, both promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East, whilst Oakham and Long Buckby were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (South). Joining were Newbold-on-Avon and Towcestrians, both relegated from Regional 2 Midlands East together with Stewarts & Lloyds and Biggleswade, both promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (South).

Participating teams & locations

League table

2024–25 Counties 1 Midlands East (South) [2]
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPointsPts adj
1Stamford(P)22190375230045216695
2Vipers2215165153951208171
3 Towcestrians 221021056542414111863
4Bugbrooke2211296175605711362
5 Newbold-on-Avon 2212010508561−5311262
6 Biggleswade 2211011452534−826252
7Spalding221147451417348449−15
8Bourne2210111464480−168444−10
9Stewarts & Lloyds229211485550−658443−5
10Stockwood Park (R)226115467537−706739
11 Peterborough Lions (R)227015378762−3845235
12Old Laurentians (R)224117390524−1345730
  • 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: 8 December 2025

2023–24

Departing were Wellingborough, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East, whilst Dunstablians, St. Ives and Northampton Casuals were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (South). Joining were Peterborough Lions and Old Laurentians, both relegated from Regional 2 Midlands East together with Daventry and Spalding, both promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (South).

Participating teams & locations

League table

2023–24 Counties 1 Midlands East (South) [3]
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPointsPts adj
1Daventry(P)22210174027546513097
2 Market Bosworth (P)22190382735147618296
3Stamford22180460136923211285
4Bourne22141754536817710473+1
5Vipers22131853338914411571+1
6Old Laurentians2211011485556−715554
7Spalding228212440424167647+2
8Stockwood Park227015431667−2364537
9Bugbrooke226016412603−1916535
10 Peterborough Lions 224117279703−4244222−2
11Long Buckby (R)224117336545−2095321−5
12Oakham (R)224218369748−3792220−4
  • 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: 7 December 2025

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review [4] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands East (South)).

Participating teams & locations

League table

2022–23 Counties 1 Midlands East (South) [5]
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPointsPts adj
1Wellingborough(P)222002834257577182100
2Vipers22180457832425412288+2
3 Market Bosworth 22160659932227713483+2
4Bourne2217055363661709376−4
5Stamford22130956143512610567
6Stockwood Park22111105355092612462
7Bugbrooke228212449505−5610447−3
8Long Buckby228113433541−1089341−5
9Oakham227114415589−1745439
10St Ives (R)225116321641−3204330+1
11Northampton Casuals (R)225017286644−3582527
12 Dunstablians (R)220220231645−41412−8−15
  • 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: 6 December 2025

2021–22

Participating teams & locations

[6]

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

Teams 2016–17

Teams 2015–16

Teams 2014–15

Teams 2013–14

Teams 2012–13

After leading the division from matchday 1, Huntingdon & District were pipped to the title by Bugbrooke by way of bonus points on the season's final day. Huntingdon were promoted alongside Bugbrooke to Midlands 1 East following a playoff victory over the second placed team from Midlands 2 East (North), Oakham. Biggleswade joined Vipers in the relegation places following a final day defeat to Oadby Wyggestonians.

Teams 2011–12

Teams 2010–11

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 (South) 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 [7]
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 dropped to become 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 [8]
1994–9513 Scunthorpe Long Buckby Chesterfield, Northampton BBOB, Wellingborough [9]
1995–9613 Kettering Huntingdon & District [b] No relegation [c] [10]
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 [11]
1997–9817 Lincoln Northampton Old Scouts Ashbourne [12]
1998–9917 Wellingborough Dunstablians Coalville, Vipers
1999–0017 Dunstablians Luton No relegation [d]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 3 East (South) (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 (South) (formerly Midlands East 2) [e] .

Midlands 3 East (South)
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
2000–0110 South Leicester Stewarts & Lloyds Lutterworth, Old Northamptonians [13]
2001–0210 Northampton Old Scouts Stewarts & Lloyds Vipers, Stockwood Park [14]
2002–0310 Huntingdon & District Peterborough Long Buckby, Market Harborough [15]
2003–0410 Old Northamptonians Peterborough No relegation [f] [16]
2004–0512 Towcestrians Stewarts & Lloyds Stoneygate, Rushden & Higham [17]
2005–0612 Northampton Old Scouts Banbury Stockwood Park [18]
2006–0712 Ampthill Banbury Bugbrooke, Northampton Mens Own [19]
2007–0812 Wellingborough Leighton Buzzard Daventry, Northampton Casuals [20]
2008–0912 Old Northamptonians Stewarts & Lloyds [g] No relegation [21]
2009–1012 Banbury Market Harborough Old Newtonians [22]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 2 East (South) (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 (South) (formerly Midlands 4 East (South)).

Midlands 2 East (South)
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
2010–1112 Towcestrians Peterborough Lions Northampton BBOB, Stewarts & Lloyds [23]
2011–1212 Peterborough Lions Lutterworth Long Buckby, Stockwood Park [24]
2012–1312 Bugbrooke Huntingdon & District Vipers, Biggleswade [25]
2013–1412 Leighton Buzzard Newbold-on-Avon Northampton BBOB, Rushden & Higham [26]
2014–1512 Northampton Old Scouts Wellingborough Dunstablians, Stewarts & Lloyds [27]
2015–1612 Melton Mowbray Lutterworth Biggleswade, Leicester Forest [28]
2016–1712 Peterborough Oundle Rushden & Higham, Vipers [29]
2017–1812 Oadby Wyggestonians Luton Pinley, Stamford [30]
2018–1912 Olney Market Harborough Huntingdon & District, Oakham [31]
2019–2012 Leighton Buzzard Belgrave Melton Mowbray, Stewarts & Lloyds [32]
2020–2112
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

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 (asides 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 has 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 has 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 [33]
2001–02 Nottingham Moderns (N)26–8Stewarts & Lloyds (S)Ferryfields, Wilford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire [34]
2002–03 Peterborough (S)3–59 Loughborough Students (N)Fortress Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire [35]
2003–04 Peterborough (S)33–13Matlock (N)Fortress Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire [36]
2004–05Matlock (N)25–10Stewarts & Lloyds (S)Cromford Meadows, Cromford, Derbyshire [37]
2005–06Ilkeston (N)24–21 Banbury (S)The Stute, Ilkeston, Derbyshire [38]
2006–07 Lutterworth (N)3–21 Banbury (S)Ashby Lane, Lutterworth, Leicestershire [39]
2007–08 Leighton Buzzard (S)16–15Spalding (N)Wright's Meadow, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire [40]
2008–09Promotion play-offs different for this season only. [h]
2009–10Spalding (N)25–10Market Harborough (S)Memorial Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire 400 [41]
2010–11 Peterborough Lions (S)17–20 Loughborough (N)Bretton Woods, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire [42]
2011–12Market Bosworth (S)17–14 Lutterworth (N)Cadeby Lane, Market Bosworth, Warwickshire [43]
2012–13Huntingdon (S)30–17 Oakham (N)The Racecourse, Brampton, Cambridgeshire [44]
2013–14Spalding (N)24–14 Newbold-on-Avon (S)Memorial Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire 400 [45]
2014–15Coalville (N)25–36Wellingborough (S)Memorial Ground, Coalville, Leicestershire [46]
2015–16 Lutterworth (S)43–17 West Bridgford (N)Ashby Lane, Lutterworth, Leicestershire [47]
2016–17 Oundle (S)30–12Coalville (N)Occupation Road, Oundle, Northamptonshire 400 [48]
2017–18 Luton (S)35-22Matlock (N)Newlands Road, Luton, Bedfordshire [49]
2018–19Market Harborough (S)25–21 [i] Dronfield (N)Cadeby Lane, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire [50]
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner-up – Belgrave (S) – promoted instead.
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))

Number of league titles

Note

  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. ↑ Due to the RFU restructuring the league system for the 2009-10 season, runners up Stewarts & Lloyds were automatically promoted as one of the two best runners up of the four Midlands 3 divisions, meaning they did not have to face a playoff.
  8. ↑ The 2008–09 promotion play-offs 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. [21]
  9. ↑ after extra time.
  10. ↑ One of Wellingborough's titles was when league was single division known as Midlands East 1.
  11. ↑ Belgrave's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 1.
  12. ↑ Dunstablians title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 1.
  13. ↑ Hinckley's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 1.
  14. ↑ Kettering's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 1.
  15. ↑ Lincoln's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 1.
  16. ↑ Nottingham Moderns title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 1.
  17. ↑ Scunthorpe's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 1.

See also

References

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