Counties 1 Western North

Last updated

Counties 1 Tribute Western North
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2022–23 Counties 1 Tribute Western North
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1987;37 years ago (1987)
Number of teams13
CountryEngland
Holders Matson (3rd title) (2021–22 promoted to Regional 2 Tribute Severn)
Most titles Coney Hill (4 titles)
Website Western Counties North

Counties 1 Western North (known as Counties 1 Tribute Western North for sponsorship purposes) is an English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues called Western Counties North and Western Counties West. Western Counties North was renamed Counties 1 Western North prior to the 2022–23 season and is currently a seventh tier league for clubs based in the south-west of England; mainly Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset. The champions are promoted to South West 1 West and the runner-up plays the second team in Western Counties West, with the winning team gaining promotion. The number of teams relegated depends on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above, but is usually two or three to Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier. Although 2nd XV rugby is part of the Somerset regional league system, only 1st XV teams are allowed in Tribute Western Counties North. Since 2021/22 2nd xv teams have been allowed in Counties 1 Tribute Western North but under current RFU Rules they are unable to be promoted beyond here.

Contents

The current champions are Matson and they are promoted to Regional 2 Tribute Severn. Due to the reorganisation of the leagues, Cheltenham, Chosen Hill Former Pupils, Gordano and Winscome are also promoted. There is no relegation and the eight remaining teams, along with four promoted teams form the new level 7 Counties 1 Tribute Western North.

Teams also participate in the RFU Intermediate Cup – a national competition for clubs at level 7 - with all clubs affiliated with the Gloucestershire RFU involved and a representative being sent from the Somerset RFU.

Format

The champions are promoted to either Regional 2 South West or Regional 2 Severn, depending on location. The teams finishing in the last two or three places are relegated to the appropriate Counties 2 leagues in Gloucester or Somerset (awaiting confirmation by the RFU) The season runs from September to March 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:

2024-25

Departing were Longlevens, promoted as runners-up since although Cinderford 2XV finished top owing to league regulations they were not permitted to be promoted to Level 6, whilst Chipping Sodbury and Clevedon and Midsomer Norton were relegated.

With four teams leaving and five joining the league was restored to twelve sides.

2023–24

Departing were Burnham-on-Sea, promoted as runners-up since although Cinderford 2XV finished top owing to league regulations they were not permitted to be promoted to Level 6, whilst Avonmouth Old Boys and Cheltenham North were relegated. Barton Hill, 7th in 2022-23, did not return for the new season. With four teams departing and three joining the league ran with eleven sides.

2022–23

League table

2022–23 Counties 1 Western North League Table [1]
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
1 Cinderford II 212001102430172317198
2Burnham-on-Sea (P)22170581447334115285
3Longlevens22170590541049515184
4Nailsea & Backwell22161568544623915283
5Midsomer Norton2212196665907611566
6Clevedon221309473555−829263
7Barton Hill2211011452642−1909154
8 Cleve 21701450150108743
9Chipping Sodbury228014440779−3397140
10 Old Bristolians 224018441525−8481020
11Cheltenham North (R)223019448973−5258020
12 Avonmouth Old Boys (R)222020319973−6542515
  • 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: 1 August 2023

2021–22

Participating teams

League table

2021–22 Tribute Western Counties North League Table [2]
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPointsPts adj
1 Matson 2424001019192827220119
2Cheltenham242013932456476161100
3Chosen Hill Former Pupils24170776245530715184
4Gordano24151865354410913277
5 Winscombe 24142863152610514175
6 Old Bristolians 241311069051817214472
7Midsomer Norton24120126906652514467
8Chipping Sodbury24120147847345013561
9 Cleve 249114485561−767651
10Barton Hill248016462680−2189445
11Clevedon247017492780−2886337
12 Avonmouth Old Boys 242022373826−4532818
13Cheltenham North2420223561126−77010412−10
  • 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 are the promotion places to 2 Severn and 2 South West Pink background there was no relegation.
Updated: 25 June 2022

2020–21

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic the season was cancelled.

2019–20

Participating teams

2018–19

Participating teams

Promotion play-off

In the play-off for promotion, Midsomer Norton played Crediton from Western Counties West for promotion to South West 1 West. Midsomer Norton had the best playing record and hosted the match, losing 15 – 19. This was the first time either team had participated in the play-offs, at this level, and Crediton's win was the sixth time the away team had won match. Teams from Western Counties North lead 10–9 in the nineteen play-off matches played since 2001.

PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
Midsomer Norton262006750595155202102
Crediton (P)262123643423220121101
27 April 2019
15:00
Midsomer Norton15 – 19Crediton
Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset

[3]

2017–18

The season started on 2 September and the final league matches were due to be completed by 21 April 2018, with the promotion play-off the following week.

Participating teams

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties West and Western Counties North, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Chew Valley, host the match, and for the second successive season they lost, this time to Devonport Services 12 – 22. It is the first time Devonport Services are promoted to a level six league. [4] This match was the eighteenth play-off for promotion; the northern sides lead with ten victories to the west's eight and the home teams are leading thirteen to five.

PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
Chew Valley26180879845834015592
Devonport Services (P)26171871945626314690
April 2018
15:00
Chew Valley 12 – 22Devonport Services
Chew Lane, Chew Magna

2016–17

Participating teams

TeamGroundTown/CityPrevious season
Avon Ashley Lane Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire 11th
Avonmouth Old Boys Barracks Lane Shirehampton, Bristol relegated from Tribute South West 1 West (13th)
Bristol SaracensBakewell Memorial Ground Cribbs Causeway, Bristolpromoted from Gloucester Premier (champions)
Cheltenham Newlands Park Sports & Social Venue Southam, Cheltenham 8th
Chew Valley Chew Lane Chew Magna, Somerset 3rd
Chosen Hill Former Pupils Brookfield Road Churchdown, Gloucestershire 9th
Cirencester The Whiteway Cirencester, Wiltshirepromoted from Gloucester Premier (via play-off)
Coney Hill Metz Hill Gloucester relegated from Tribute South West 1 West (14th)
Keynsham Bristol Road Keynsham, Somerset
Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand, Somerset4th
Stroud Fromehall Park Stroud, Gloucestershire5th
WellsCharter Way Wells, Somersetrelegated from Tribute South West 1 West (12th)
Whitehall Foundry Lane Whitehall, Bristol7th
YattonThe Park Yatton, Somersetpromoted from Tribute Somerset Premier (champions)

League table

2016–17 Tribute Western Counties North League Table [5]
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
1Keynsham(P)262303718316402151109
2 Chew Valley 262204822493329180106
3Chosen Hill Former Pupils26190772842330515596
4 Avonmouth Old Boys 26180871847224612488
5Stroud261501184653431215479
6 Old Bristolians 261501162149912211677
7Bristol Saracens2613013596592410567
8Yatton26120147847345013561
9Wells2611015442687−24510357
10Cheltenham2610016588806−21811455
11 Coney Hill 2612014547558−118753
12 Cirencester 266020356817−4614533
13Whitehall263023433923−4907625
14Avon263023439784−3453722
  • 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. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 24 May 2017

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties North and Western Counties West, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Chew Valley, host the match and they lost to their opponents Cullompton 12 – 29.

PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
Chew Valley 262204822493329180106
Cullompton (P)262204659311348112101
29 April 2017
15:00
Chew Valley12 – 29Cullompton
Chew Lane

2015–16

The 2015–16 Tribute Western Counties North consists of fourteen teams; six from Somerset, four from Gloucestershire, three from Bristol and one from Wiltshire. The season started on 5 September 2015 and is finishes on 30 April 2016.

Participating teams and location

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Coney Hill and runners up Newent (who won their playoff game) were promoted to Tribute South West 1 West while Bristol Saracens and North Bristol were relegated to the Gloucester Premier and Stothert & Pitt to the Tribute Somerset Premier.

Bristol UK location map.svg
2015-16 Bristol & surrounding area Tribute Western Counties North teams
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Avon Ashley Lane Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire 5th
Barton Hill Duncombe Road Speedwell, Bristol 10th
Bristol Harlequins Broomhill Road Brislington, Bristol 3rd
Burnham-on-Sea BASC Ground Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset 11th
Cheltenham Newlands Park Sports & Social Venue Southam, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 9th
Chew Valley Chew Lane Chew Magna, Somerset 4th
Chosen Hill Former Pupils Brookfield Road Churchdown, Gloucester, Gloucestershire 6th
Gordano Caswell Lane Portbury, Somerset promoted from Tribute Somerset Premier (champions)
Keynsham Bristol Road Keynsham, Somerset 8th
Matson Redwell Road Gloucester, Gloucestershire relegated from Tribute South West 1 West (12th)
Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand, Somerset 7th
Stroud Fromehall Park Stroud, Gloucestershire promoted from Gloucester Premier (champions)
Wellington Athletic Ground Wellington, Somerset level transfer from Tribute Western Counties West
Whitehall Foundry Lane Whitehall, Bristol promoted from Gloucester Premier (play-off)

Participating teams 2014–15

Participating teams 2013–14

Participating teams 2012–13

Participating teams 2011–12

Participating teams 2010–11

Participating teams 2009–10

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Western Counties) contained the following teams:

Western Counties North honours

Western Counties (1987–1993)

Originally Western Counties North and Western Counties West was a single division called Western Counties (sponsored by Courage), involving teams based in the south-west of England including Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucester and Somerset. Each team played one match against each of the other teams with the winning team awarded two points; there was one point for each team in a drawn match. [6] It was a tier 7 league with promotion up to South West 2 [a] and relegation to either Cornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset. [b]

Western Counties
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated team(s)Ref
1987–881110 Matson Gordon League Avon & Somerset Police, Sidmouth [7]
1988–891110 Gordon League Avonmouth Old Boys Devonport Services, Crediton [8]
1989–901110 Penryn Avonmouth Old Boys Cirencester, Devon & Cornwall Police [8]
1990–911110 Coombe Down Avonmouth Old Boys Truro
1991–921110 Clevedon Bridgwater & Albion [c] Newquay Hornets [9]
1992–931312 Gloucester Old Boys Launceston Plymouth Civil Service, Devon & Cornwall Police [10]

Western Counties (1993–1996)

At the end of the 1992–93 season the top six teams from London Division 1 and the top six from South West Division 1 were combined to create National 5 South. This meant that Western Counties dropped from a tier 7 league to a tier 8 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to South West 2 and relegation down to either Cornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset. [d] The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.

Western Counties
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated team(s)Ref
1993–941312 Old Patesians Tiverton Wiveliscombe [11]
1994–951312 Launceston Devonport Services Avonmouth Old Boys [12]
1995–961312 Dings Crusaders Spartans [e] No relegation [f] [13]
Green background are the promotion places.

Western Counties North (1996–2000)

Major restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Western Counties split into two separate leagues, Western Counties North and Western Counties West, which reverted to tier 7 leagues due to the cancellation of National 5 South. [14] Promotion from Western Counties North was to the new South West 2 West division (formerly South West 2) [g] while relegation was to Gloucestershire/Somerset. [h] [i]

Western Counties North
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated team(s)Ref
1996–971615 Keynsham St Mary's Old Boys Chard [14]
1997–981716 St Mary's Old Boys Cleve Old Culverhays [15]
1998–991716 Hornets Coney Hill Avonmouth Old Boys [16]
1999–001716 Coney Hill Cheltenham North Multiple teams [j] [17]
Green background are the promotion places.

Western Counties North (2000–2009)

Western Counties North remained a tier 7 league, with promotion continuing to South West 2 West. Relegation was to either Gloucester Premier or Somerset Premier following the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season. From the 2008–09 season the league sponsor was Tribute.

Western Counties North
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated team(s)Ref
2000–011222 Cleve Taunton Barton Hill, Cirencester, Spartans [18]
2001–021222 Clevedon St Mary's Old Boys North Bristol, Chew Valley [19]
2002–031222 Coney Hill Thornbury Cheltenham North, Old Redcliffians [20]
2003–041222 Gordon League Spartans Gordano, Old Richians, Barton Hill [21]
2004–051222 Taunton Thornbury Matson, Nailsea & Backwell, Drybrook [22]
2005–061222 Cheltenham North Walcot Old Redcliffians, Whitehall, Avonmouth Old Boys [23]
2006–071222 Yatton Barton Hill Keynsham, North Bristol, Gloucester Old Boys [24]
2007–081222 Avonmouth Old Boys Old Redcliffians Spartans, Pershore, Bristol Harlequins [25]
2008–091222 Hartpury College Chosen Hill Former Pupils No relegation [k] [26]
Green background are the promotion places.

Western Counties North (2009–present)

Despite widespread league restructuring by the RFU, Western Counties North continues as a tier 7 league, with promotion to South West 1 West (formerly South West 2 West) and relegation to either Gloucester Premier or Somerset Premier. Tribute continue to sponsor the league.

Western Counties North
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated team(s)Ref
2009–101426 Old Redcliffians Thornbury Widden Old Boys, Southmead, Hornets [27]
2010–111426 Berry Hill Thornbury Drybrook, St Mary's Old Boys [28]
2011–121426 Chard Old Centralians Stroud, Gordon League, Whitehall [29]
2012–131426 Hornets Wells Yatton, Keynsham [30]
2013–141426 Drybrook Matson Oldfield Old Boys, Berry Hill, Cirencester, Midsomer Norton [31]
2014–151426 Coney Hill Newent Stothert & Pitt, North Bristol, Bristol Saracens [32]
2015–161426 Matson Keynsham Barton Hill, Gordano, Bristol Harlequins [33]
2016–171426 Keynsham Chew Valley Avon, Whitehall, Cirencester [34]
2017–181426 Coney Hill Chew Valley Oldfield Old Boys, Yatton, Bristol Saracens [35]
2018–191426 Chew Valley Midsomer Norton Wells, Old Richians, Chosen Hill Former Pupils [36]
2019–201426 Stroud Matson Coney Hill, Bristol Saracens [37]
2020–211426Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–221324 Matson CheltenhamAlso promoted: Chosen Hill FP, Gordano and Winscombe. There was no relegation.
Green background are the promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a one-off promotion play-off game played between the league runners-up of Western Counties North and Western Counties West for the third and final promotion place to South West 1 West, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage in the tie. As of the end of the 2018–19 season the northern sides have been the more successful with ten victories to the west's nine while the home team has won thirteen times compared to the away teams six.

Western Counties (north v west) promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
2000–01 [38] Taunton Titans (N)24–16 Withycombe (W)Hyde Park, Taunton, Somerset
2001–02 [39] St Mary's Old Boys (N)43–7 Penryn (W)Trench Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol
2002–03 [40] Thornbury (N)12–5 Withycombe (W)Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
2003–04 [41] Spartans (N)18–7 Torquay Athletic (W)Lansdown Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
2004–05 [42] St Ives (W)27–5 Thornbury (N)Alexandra Road, St Ives, Cornwall
2005–06 [43] Newton Abbot (W)24–12 Walcot (N)Rackerhayes, Newton Abbot, Devon
2006–07 [44] Hayle (W)11–27 Barton Hill (N)Memorial Park, Hayle, Cornwall
2007–08 [45] [46] Sidmouth (W)23–20 Old Redcliffians (N)Blackmore Field, Sidmouth, Devon
2008–09 [47] [48] Chosen Hill Former Pupils (N)33–25 Ivybridge (W)Brookfield Road, Churchdown, Gloucester
2009–10 [49] [50] Wadebridge Camels (W)25–21 Thornbury (N)Molesworth Field, Wadebridge, Cornwall
2010–11 [51] [52] Thornbury (N)54–7 Kingsbridge (W)Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
2011–12 [53] [54] Old Centralians (N)39–7 Torquay Athletic (W)Saintbridge Sports Centre, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
2012–13 [55] [56] Wells (N)20–27 Bideford (W)Charter Way, Wells, Somerset 400
2013–14 [57] [58] Teignmouth (W)10–35 Matson (N)Bitton Park Sports Ground, Teignmouth, Devon
2014–15 [59] [60] Newent (N)28–26 Kingsbridge (W)Recreation Ground, Newent, Gloucestershire
2015–16 [61] Kingsbridge (W)16–10 Keynsham (N)High House, Kingsbridge, Devon
2016–17 [62] Chew Valley (N)12–29 Cullompton (W)Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset 700
2017–18 [63] Chew Valley (N)12–22 Devonport Services (W)Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset
2018–19 [64] Midsomer Norton (N)15–19 Crediton (W)Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner-up – St Austell (W) – promoted instead.
2020–21Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22Cancelled due to league reorganisation.
Green backgrounds represent promoted teams. WCN stands for Western Counties North while WCW stands for Western Counties West.

Number of league titles

Sponsorship

The Western Counties League and South West 2 were part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery from the first season, 1987–88 to season 1996–97. [65] The league was unsponsored until season 2007–08 when St Austell Brewery sponsored South-west based leagues under the Tribute Ale label.

See also

Notes

  1. South West 2 is currently two regional divisions - South West 1 East and South West 1 West.
  2. Gloucestershire/Somerset is currently two separate leagues - Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  3. Old Culverhaysians also promoted.
  4. Currently split into Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  5. League restructuring meant that five teams were promoted, including 3rd to 5th place Penzance & Newlyn, Devonport Services and Tiverton.
  6. There was no relegation as Western Counties was due to split into Western Counties North and Western Counties West.
  7. From the 1996–97 season South West 2 was split into two regional divisions – South West 2 East and South West 2 West.
  8. Currently Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  9. Relegated Western Counties West clubs dropped to Cornwall/Devon.
  10. Oldfield Old Boys, Drybrook, Bristol Harlequins, St Bernadettes Old Boys, Wiveliscombe and Thornbury were the relegated sides this season. The reason for so many relegations was because the league would be reduced from 17 to 12 teams for the 2000-01 season.
  11. There was no relegation this year as the league changed from 12 to 14 teams for the 2009-10 season due to restructuring of the league system by the RFU.
  12. One of Matson's title wins were back when the league was known as Western Counties.
  13. One of Gordon League's title wins was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  14. Clevedon's title was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  15. Coombe Down's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  16. Coombe Down's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  17. Gloucester Old Boys title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  18. Launceston's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  19. Old Patesians title win was back when the league was known as Western Counties.
  20. Penryn's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.

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Counties 3 Somerset is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. 1st, 2nd and even 3rd XV sides can participate in the division as long as they are not from the same club.

Somerset 2 North is an English rugby union league which sits at the tenth level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 2 South. When the division was founded in 1987 it was a single league known as Somerset 2, but since 2006 it has been split into two regional divisions.

Somerset 2 South is an English rugby union league which sits at the tenth level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 2 North. When the division was founded in 1987 it was a single league known as Somerset 2, but since 2006 it has been split into two regional divisions.

Somerset 3 North is an English rugby union league which sits at the eleven level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 3 South. When the division was founded in 1987 it was a single league known as Somerset 3, but since 2006 it has been split into two regional divisions.

Somerset 3 South is an English rugby union league which sits at the eleven level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 3 North. When the division was founded in 1987 it was a single league known as Somerset 3, but since 2006 it has been split into two regional divisions.

References

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