Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North

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Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North / Central
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2024–25 Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1987;38 years ago (1987)(as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2)
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
Most titles Bournemouth University, Frome II, Minety, Marlborough, Pewsey Vale, Sutton Benger (2 titles)
Website englandrugby.com

Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North (formerly Dorset & Wilts 2 North) and Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central are English Rugby Union leagues, forming part of the South West Division, for clubs based primarily in Wiltshire, sitting at tier 9 of the English rugby union system. From these leagues teams are promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North or occasionally Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central. Historically relegation had been to Dorset & Wilts 3 North but following the RFU Adult Competition Review this ceased with teams demoted to their county merit leagues.

Contents

2025–26

North

Departing were Supermarine, promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North. Also leaving were Swindon College Old Boys II (6th), relegated to Counties 4 Berks/Bucks & Oxon.

Central

Departing were Melksham II promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North. Also leaving were Corsham II (4th) on a level transfer to the North division. Melksham III joined the league for the first time [1]

2024–25

North

Departing were Fairford, promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North.

Central

Departing were Bradford-on-Avon (champions) and Colerne (runners-up), promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central and Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North respectively. Joining were Warminster who suffered a voluntary relegation after losing a significant number of players at the end of the 2023–24 season [2]

2023–24

North

Departing were Supermarine, promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North. Colerne (3rd) went on a level transfer to Counties 3 D&W Central. Minety II (6th) did not return for the new season.

Central

Departing were Corsham II (champions) [3] and Warminster II (5th) who did not return for the new season. Sherborne II (3rd) left on a level transfer to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South.

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review.

North

Departing were Pewsey Vale, Devizes II and Royal Wootton Bassett III, all promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North. Corsham II (9th) were relegated.

Central

Departing were Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew, Amesbury, Bradford-on-Avon and North Dorset II (who finished 1st-4th respectively) all promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central. Salisbury III (9th) left on a level transfer to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South.

Sherborne II re-joined the league pyramid having withdrawn from Dorset & Wilts 1 South part way through the 2021-22 season.

2021–22

Ahead of the new season a Central division was introduced.

North

Amesbury, Combe Down II, Melksham II and Trowbridge II did not return as all were level transferred to the newly formed Central division.

Central

For its inaugural year the league was formed of seven clubs moving on level transfers, whilst two - Warminster II and Bath Saracens [4] - were promoted from Dorset & Wilts 3 North, and one (Bradford-on-Avon) dropped down from Dorset & Wilts 1 North [5]

2020–21

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

2019–20

2018–19

2017–18

2016–17

2015–16

The 2015–16 Dorset & Wilts 2 North consisted of twelve teams; most of them based in the northern part of Wiltshire but also three teams based just across the county border in Somerset. The season started on 12 September 2015 and was due to end on 23 April 2016.

Seven of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions, Royal Wootton Bassett II were promoted to Dorset & Wilts 1 North along with runners up Colerne while Supermarine II and Chippenham III were relegated to Dorset & Wilts 3 North.

Participating clubs 2012–13

Participating clubs 2009–10

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2) contained the following teams from Berkshire, Dorset and Wiltshire:

Dorset & Wilts 2 North honours

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 (1987–1993)

Originally Dorset & Wilts 2 North and Dorset & Wilts 2 South were combined in a single division known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2, involving clubs based in Berkshire [a] , Dorset and Wiltshire. It was a tier 9 league with promotion to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 and, from the 1988–89 season onward, relegation was to either Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 East or Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 West.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1987–8812 Chippenham Corsham No relegation [6]
1988–8911 North Dorset Puddletown Minety [7]
1989–9011 Melksham Lytchett Minster Poole [8]
1990–9111 D.I.H.E. Swindon College Old Boys R.E.M.E. Arborfield, Trowbridge, Westbury [9]
1991–9211 Aldermaston Lytchett Minster [b] No relegation [c] [10]
1992–9313 Supermarine Marlborough Berkshire Shire Hall [11]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 (1993–1996)

The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 dropped to become a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, while relegation was now to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 [d] .

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1993–9413 Blandford Thatcham Minety, Hungerford [12]
1994–9513 Bournemouth University [e] North Dorset Poole [13]
1995–9613 Trowbridge Calne [f] Bournemouth University, Puddletown, Warminster [g] [14]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 reverted to being a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 and relegation to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3.

Berks/Dorset/ Wilts 2
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1996–978 Tadley Ivel Barbarians Pewsey Vale
1997–9810 Swindon College Old Boys Portcastrians Supermarine, Berkshire Shire Hall
1998–999 Minety Bridport Hungerford, Puddletown, Marlborough [15]
1999–20008 Thatcham Oakmeadians No relegation [h] [16]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 2 North (2000–2004)

At the end of the 1999–2000 season Berks/Wilts/Dorset 2 was restructured following the departure of Berkshire clubs to join the Bucks & Oxon leagues. It was now split into two tier 9 regional leagues – Dorset & Wilts 2 North and Dorset & Wilts 2 South. Promotion from Dorset & Wilts 2 North was now to Dorset & Wilts 2 and there was no relegation due to the cancellation of Berks/Wilts/Dorset 3.

Dorset & Wilts 2 North
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2000–017 Calne Supermarine No relegation [17]
2001–027 Bradford-on-Avon Supermarine No relegation [18]
2002–037 Minety Supermarine No relegation [19]
2003–0410 Cricklade Marlborough No relegation [20]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 2 North (2004–2009)

Ahead of the 2004–05 season, local league restructuring meant that promotion from Dorset & Wilts 2 North was now to Dorset & Wilts 1 North (formerly Dorset & Wilts 1) and relegation to the newly introduced Dorset & Wilts 3 North (last known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3). It remained a tier 9 league.

Dorset & Wilts 2 North
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2004–0512 Colerne Malmesbury Multiple teams [i] [21]
2005–0610 Frome II Chippenham III Royal Wootton Bassett III [22]
2006–0710 Marlborough Warminster Swindon III, Hungerford [23]
2007–089 Sutton Benger Corsham II Malmesbury [24]
2008–0910 Trowbridge II Avonvale Calne II, Royal Wootton Bassett III [25]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 2 North (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Dorset & Wilts 2 North remained a tier 9 league, with promotion continuing to Dorset & Wilts 1 North and relegation to Dorset & Wilts 3 North.

Dorset & Wilts 2 North
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2009–1011 Pewsey Vale Fairford Minety II [26]
2010–1112 Swindon II Bath Saracens Multiple teams [j] [27]
2011–1210 Combe Down Devizes II Swindon III, Westbury II, Melksham II [28]
2012–1312 Fairford Chippenham III [k] Westbury II, Combe Down II [29]
2013–1412 Marlborough Cricklade Corsham II, Swindon College Old Boys II [30]
2014–1511 Royal Wootton Bassett II Colerne Supermarine II, Chippenham III [31]
2015–1611 Pewsey Vale Calne Bradford-on-Avon II, Swindon College Old Boys II [32]
2016–1712 Avonvale Trowbridge II Chippenham III, Bath Saracens [33]
2017–1812 Sutton Benger Calne Combe Down II [34]
2018–1912 Frome II Marlborough II Royal Wootton Bassett III, Cricklade [35]
2019–2012 Westbury Swindon College II No relegation [l] [36]
2020–2112
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Since 2000, Berkshire clubs have played in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon leagues.
  2. ↑ Restructuring of the south-west leagues from 11 to 13 teams for the following season, meant that four teams were promoted, including Bradford-on-Avon and Puddleton.
  3. ↑ The restructuring of Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 East and Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 West into a single season called Berks/Dorsets/Wilts 3, meant that there was no relegation.
  4. ↑ Prior to the 1992–93 season Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 was divided into two regional divisions – Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 East and Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 West.
  5. ↑ Champions Bournemouth University were not promoted.
  6. ↑ 3rd place Westbury also promoted.
  7. ↑ Restructuring of the Berks, Dorset & Wilts leagues, including a reduction of teams in each division, meant that more teams were relegated than usual.
  8. ↑ There would be no relegation due to the cancellation of Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 at the end of the season.
  9. ↑ Minety II, Supermarine II, Sutton Benger, Devizes III, Trowbridge III and Bradford-on-Avon II were the relegated sides this year. The reason for such a lot of teams being relegated were due to the creation of a new division (Dorset & Wilts 3 North & South) for the following season.
  10. ↑ Trowbridge III, Colerne, Combe Down II, Bradford-on-Avon II and Marlborough II were the relegated sides this year. The reason lot of teams were relegated were due to the creation of a new Dorset & Wilts 4 division for the following season.
  11. ↑ Not promoted as Chippenham 2nd team in division above.
  12. ↑ No relegation due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
  13. ↑ Bournemouth University were formerly known as Dorset Institute of Higher Education (D.I.H.E.). Both titles were won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  14. ↑ One of Minety's titles was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  15. ↑ Aldermaston's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  16. ↑ Blandford's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  17. ↑ Chippenham's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  18. ↑ Melksham's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  19. ↑ North Dorset's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  20. ↑ Supermarine's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  21. ↑ Swindon College Old Boys title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  22. ↑ Tadley's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  23. ↑ Thatcham's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  24. ↑ Trowbridge's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2. As a club Trowbridge have won the title twice – once by the first team (Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2) and once by the 2nd XV (Dorset & Wilts 2 North).

References

  1. ↑ "The Leagues Are Out!". Combe Down RFC. 29 May 2025.
  2. ↑ "Warminster Rugby Club on the rise after season of rebuilding". Warminster Journal. 26 March 2025.
  3. ↑ "Corsham seniors secure promotion and top both there leagues for the 22-23 season!". Corsham RFC. 11 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "Sarries crowned League Champions for 2019/20 season". Bath Saracens RFC. 5 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "The final tables for 2019 – 2020". Minety RFC. 4 April 2020.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN   0 7472 7850 4.
  13. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN   0 7472 7816 4.
  14. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN   0 7472 7771 0.
  15. ↑ "1998–99 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  16. ↑ "1999-00 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  17. ↑ "2000–01 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  18. ↑ "2001–02 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "2002–03 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "2003–04 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  21. ↑ "2004–05 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  22. ↑ "2005–06 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  23. ↑ "2006–07 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "2007–08 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "2008–09 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  26. ↑ "2009–10 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "2010–11 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  28. ↑ "2011–12 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  29. ↑ "2012–13 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  30. ↑ "2013–14 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  31. ↑ "2014–15 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  32. ↑ "2015–16 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  33. ↑ "2016–17 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  34. ↑ "2017–18 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  35. ↑ "2018–19 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  36. ↑ "Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
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