Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North

Last updated

Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North / Central
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2024-25 Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1987;38 years ago (1987)(as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1)
Number of teams9
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
Most titles Bradford-on-Avon, Corsham (3 titles)
Website englandrugby.com

Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North (formerly Dorset & Wilts 1 North) is an English rugby union league, forming part of the South West Division, for clubs primarily based in Wiltshire, sitting at tier 8 of the English rugby union system. Originally consisting of one league, Dorset & Wilts 1 split into North and South regional divisions in 2004. It had even had teams based in Berkshire participating until 2001, at which time they left to join the Buckinghamshire & Oxon leagues. At the start of the 2022-23 campaign a new Central Division was introduced, before being disbanded ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Contents

Promoted teams move up into Counties 1 Southern South while relegated teams tend to drop down into Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North or Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central depending on location.

2025–26

Ahead of the new season the Central division was disbanded with the teams reallocated to the North and Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South leagues. Trowbridge II were the last champions of that league, promoted to Counties 1 Southern South. Amesbury, Bradford-on-Avon and Westbury all moved on a level transfer to the North division while Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew and Yeovil level transferred to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South. Salisbury II, Frome II and Avondale were relegated to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central.

Departing from the North league were Alfred's Nomads (Marlborough 2nd XV) who defeated Oakmedians, champions of Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South 55-31 to be promoted to Counties 1 Southern South whilst Swindon College Old Boys (8th), Colerne (9th) and Devizes II (10th) were relegated to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North.

2024–25

North

Departing were Chippenham II promoted to Counties 1 Southern South whilst Supermarine (9th), were relegated to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North.

Central

Departing were Melksham, promoted to Southern Counties South, whilst Devizes II (7th) left on a level transfer to Counties 2 D&W North. Warminister (3rd) suffered a voluntary relegation to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central.

2023–24

North

Departing were Devizes II (8th) who were level transferred to the Central division together with Swindon II (9th), relegated to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North.

Central

Departing were Corsham, promoted to Southern Counties South, Bradford-on-Avon (9th) were relegated to Counties 3 Tribute Dorset & Wilts Central, whilst North Dorset II (5th) and Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew (6th) left on a level transfer to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South.

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review which saw the introduction of a new Central division.

North

Departing were Frome II, Trowbridge II and Royal Wootton Bassett II all promoted to Counties 1 Southern South. Melksham (4th), Westbury (10th) and Warminster (7th) moved to the new Central division.

Central

2021–22

2020–21

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

2019–20

2018–19

2017–18

2016–17

Participating clubs

2015–16

The 2015–16 Dorset & Wilts 1 North consists of twelve teams—most of which are based in the northern part of Wiltshire but also two teams that are based just across the county border in Gloucestershire and Somerset. The season starts on 12 September 2015 and is due to end on 23 April 2016.

Participating teams and location

Eight of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014-15 champions, Marlborough were promoted to Southern Counties South while Calne, Cricklade and Pewsey Vale were all relegated to Dorset & Wilts 2 North.

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Chippenham II Allington Fields Chippenham, Wiltshire 6th
Colerne Higgins Field Colerne, Wiltshire Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (runners up)
Combe Down Holly's Corner Combe Down, Bath, Somerset 2nd
Corsham Lacock Road Corsham, Wiltshire Relegated from Southern Counties South (11th)
Devizes II The Sports Club Devizes, Wiltshire 4th
Fairford Coln House School Playing Fields Fairford, Gloucestershire 9th
Melksham The Conigre1,000 Melksham, Wiltshire 3rd
Minety Minety Playing Fields Minety, Wiltshire 8th
Royal Wootton Bassett II Ballard's Ash Sports Ground5,000 Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (champions)
Supermarine Supermarine Sports and Social Club South Marston, Swindon, Wiltshire Relegated from Southern Counties South (12th)
Swindon II Greenbridge Road Swindon, Wiltshire 5th
Trowbridge II Doric Park Hilperton, Trowbridge, Wiltshire 7th

Participating clubs 2014–15

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1) contained the following teams from Berkshire, Dorset and Wiltshire:

Dorset & Wilts 1 North honours

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1987–1993)

Originally Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South were combined in a single division known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, involving clubs based in Berkshire [b] , Dorset and Wiltshire. It was a tier 8 league with promotion to Southern Counties and relegation to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1987–8810 Swanage & Wareham Devizes Hungerford [1]
1988–8911 Bracknell Dorchester Marlborough [2]
1989–9011 Sherborne Corsham R.E.M.E. Arborfield [3]
1990–9111 Dorchester Devizes Lytchett Minster, Puddletown, Aldermaston [4]
1991–9211 Bracknell Chippenham No relegation [c] [5]
1992–9313 Royal Wootton Bassett Swindon Bournemouth University [6]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1993–1996)

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

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1993–9413 Devizes Swindon Puddletown, Bradford-on-Avon, North Dorset [7]
1994–9513 Swindon Melksham Swindon College [8]
1995–9613 Blandford Royal Wootton Bassett [d] No relegation [e] [9]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Southern Counties South [f] , while relegation continued to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1996–9710 Weymouth Westbury Supermarine, Lytchett Minster
1997–9810 Tadley Redingensians Marlborough, Aldermaston
1998–9910 Ivel Barbarians Swindon College Old Boys Weymouth, East Dorset, Thatcham [10]
1999–200010 Swindon Corsham Calne, Blandford [11]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 1 (2000–2004)

At the end of the 1999–2000 season the division became known as Dorset & Wilts 1 following the departure of Berkshire clubs to join the Bucks & Oxon leagues. It remained a tier 8 league with promotion to Southern Counties South and relegation to either Dorset & Wilts 2 North or Dorset & Wilts 2 South (both formerly part of Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2).

Dorset & Wilts 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2000–018 Frome Oakmeadians North Dorset [12]
2001–028 Westbury Calne Bridport [13]
2002–038 Trowbridge Swindon College Old Boys No relegation [g] [14]
2003–0410 Sherborne Bradford-on-Avon No relegation [h] [15]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 1 North (2004–2009)

Ahead of the 2004–05 season, local league restructuring saw Dorset & Wilts 1 split into two tier 8 regional divisions - Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South. Promotion continued to Southern Counties South, while relegation was now to Dorset & Wilts 2 North.

Dorset & Wilts 1 North
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2004–0510 Corsham Melksham Marlborough, Hungerford [16]
2005–0611 Supermarine Calne Malmesbury, Pewsey Vale [17]
2006–0711 Corsham Calne Colerne [18]
2007–0812 Bradford-on-Avon Minety Trowbridge II [19]
2008–0912 Devizes Chippenham II Fairford [20]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 1 North (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Dorset & Wilts 1 North remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Southern Counties South and relegation to Dorset & Wilts 2 North.

Dorset & Wilts 1 North
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated TeamsRef
2009–1012 Marlborough Chippenham II Corsham II, Swindon II [21]
2010–1112 Melksham Chippenham II Cricklade, Royal Wootton Bassett II [22]
2011–1212 Chippenham II [i] Supermarine Bath Saracens, Fairford, Sutton Benger [23]
2012–1312 Chippenham II [j] Pewsey Vale Avonvale, Marlborough [24]
2013–1412 Bradford-on-Avon Minety No relegation [25]
2014–1512 Marlborough Combe Down Calne, Cricklade [26]
2015–1612 Combe Down Corsham Colerne, Fairford [27]
2016–1712 Corsham Bradford-on-Avon Devizes II, Frome II [28]
2017–1812 Bradford-on-Avon Combe Down Swindon II [29]
2018–1912 Combe Down Avonvale Supermarine, Pewsey Vale [30]
2019–2012 Avonvale Melksham Bradford-on-Avon, Chippenham II [31]
2020–2112
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

Notes

  1. ↑ Weymouth RFC would later be known as Weymouth & Portland RFC.
  2. ↑ Since 2000, Berkshire clubs have played in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon leagues.
  3. ↑ There was no relegation as league due to increase from 11 to 13 teams for the following season.
  4. ↑ The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that six clubs were promoted including Marlborough, Corsham, North Dorset and Redingensians.
  5. ↑ Restructuring caused by the cancellation of National League 5 South meant that there was no relegation.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ No relegation due to league expansion from 8 teams to 10.
  8. ↑ No relegation due to league restructure the following season as the league would split into 2 regional leagues - Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South.
  9. ↑ Not promoted as Chippenham 1st team in the league above.
  10. ↑ Not promoted as Chippenham 1st team in the league above.
  11. ↑ Both of Bracknell's titles were won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
  12. ↑ One of Devizes titles was when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
  13. ↑ One of Sherborne's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, the other when the league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
  14. ↑ Both of Swindon's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
  15. ↑ Blandford's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
  16. ↑ Dorchester's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
  17. ↑ Frome's title was won when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
  18. ↑ Ivel Barbarians title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1. Ivel Barbarians are now known as Yeovil Rugby Club.
  19. ↑ Royal Wootton Bassett's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
  20. ↑ Swanage & Wareham's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
  21. ↑ Tadley's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
  22. ↑ Trowbridge's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
  23. ↑ Westbury's title was won when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
  24. ↑ Weymouth's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN   0 7472 7850 4.
  8. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN   0 7472 7816 4.
  9. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN   0 7472 7771 0.
  10. ↑ "1998-99 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  11. ↑ "1999-00 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  12. ↑ "2000-01 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  13. ↑ "2001-02 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  14. ↑ "2002-03 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  15. ↑ "2003-04 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  16. ↑ "2004-05 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  17. ↑ "2005-06 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  18. ↑ "2006-07 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "2007-08 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "2008-09 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  21. ↑ "2009-10 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  22. ↑ "2010-11 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  23. ↑ "2011-12 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "2012-13 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "2013-14 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  26. ↑ "2014-15 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "2015-16 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  28. ↑ "2016-17 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  29. ↑ "2017-18 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  30. ↑ "2018-19 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  31. ↑ "Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
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