Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South

Last updated

Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2024–25 Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1987;38 years ago (1987)(as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2)
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
Most titles Blandford, Bournemouth III, Bournemouth University, Bridport, East Dorset, North Dorset, Oakmeadians II, Sherborne II (2 titles)
Website englandrugby.com

Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South (formerly Dorset & Wilts 2 South) is an English Rugby Union league, forming part of the South West Division, for clubs primarily based in Dorset, sitting at tier 9 of the English rugby union system.

Contents

Promoted teams typically move up to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South or occasionally to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central. Relegated teams used to drop to Dorset & Wilts 3 South but since that division was cancelled at the end of the 2018–19 season there has been no relegation.

2025–26

Departing were Bournemouth III promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South. Also leaving were Ellingham & Ringwood II (3rd) on a level transfer to Counties 3 Hampshire.

2024–25

Departing were Swanage & Wareham II and Puddletown, both promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South while Salisbury III (7th) returned to merit league rugby.

2023–24

Departing were Ellingham & Ringwood II promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South.

Bournemouth III re-joined the league pyramid having most recently competed in Dorset & Wilts 1 South in season 2021–22.

2022–23

Departing were Lytchett Minster promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South, Christchurch (runners-up) moved to Counties 4 Hampshire whilst Wimborne III (7th), Swanage & Wareham III (8th) and East Dorset Dockers II (9th) returned to merit league rugby.

2021–22

Dorset Dockers and East Dorset (11th in 2019–20) merged ahead of the current season to form East Dorset Dockers.

North Dorset II, Salisbury III and Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew did not return as all were level transferred to the newly formed Dorset & Wilts 2 Central for the current season.

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 South consisted of twelve teams; seven based in Dorset, three from Hampshire and one each from Somerset and Wiltshire. The season started on 12 September 2015 and ended on 23 April 2016.

Eight of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions, East Dorset were promoted to Dorset & Wilts 1 South along with Salisbury II (2nd) and Swanage & Wareham II (3rd), while North Dorset III and Wimborne III were relegated to Dorset & Wilts 3 South.

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Locations of the 2015–16 Dorset & Wilts 2 South teams in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset & Wiltshire
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Bournemouth III Chapel Gate Bournemouth, Dorset 7th
Bridport Brewery Fields Bridport, Dorset 5th
Dorchester II Coburg Road Dorchester, Dorset 8th
Ellingham & Ringwood II Parsonage Barn Lane Ringwood, Hampshire 9th
Fordingbridge II The Recreation Ground Fordingbridge, Hampshire Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 3 South (3rd)
New Milton II Normans Way Ashley, New Milton, Hampshire 10th
North Dorset III Slaughtergate1,000 Gillingham, Dorset 12th (not relegated)
Poole Recreation Ground Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 3 South (runners up)
Puddletown Enterprise Park Piddlehinton, Dorset 6th
Weymouth & Portland Monmouth Avenue Weymouth, Dorset 4th
Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew Netherhampton Road Netherhampton, Salisbury, Wiltshire Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 3 South (champions)
Yeovil Yeovil Showground Yeovil, Somerset Relegated from Dorset & Wilts 1 South (11th)

2012–13

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 South 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, [d] 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 [1]
1988–8911 North Dorset Puddletown Minety [2]
1989–9011 Melksham Lytchett Minster Poole [3]
1990–9111 D.I.H.E. Swindon College Old Boys R.E.M.E. Arborfield, Trowbridge, Westbury [4]
1991–9211 Aldermaston Lytchett Minster [e] No relegation [f] [5]
1992–9313 Supermarine Marlborough Berkshire Shire Hall [6]
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. [g]

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1993–9413 Blandford Thatcham Minety, Hungerford [7]
1994–9513 Bournemouth University [h] North Dorset Poole [8]
1995–9613 Trowbridge Calne [i] Bournemouth University, Puddletown, Warminster [j] [9]
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 [10]
1999–008 Thatcham Oakmeadians No relegation [k] [11]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 2 South (2000–2004)

At the end of the 1999–00 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 South was now to Dorset & Wilts 2 and there was no relegation due to the cancellation of Berks/Wilts/Dorset 3.

Dorset & Wilts 2 South
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2000–018 Blandford Martock No relegation [12]
2001–026 Sherborne Weymouth & Portland No relegation [13]
2002–036 North Dorset Bridport No relegation [14]
2003–049 Bridport Martock No relegation [15]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 2 South (2004–2009)

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

Dorset & Wilts 2 South
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2004–0511 Wincanton Salisbury III Multiple teams [l] [16]
2005–0610 Salisbury III [m] Swanage & Wareham III Bridport II, Oakmeadians Vets, Poole [17]
2006–0710 Bournemouth III [n] North Dorset III Wincanton, Sherborne II, Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew [18]
2007–089 Sherborne II Wimborne III Chard II [19]
2008–0910 Oakmeadians II Bridport II Wimborne III [20]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 2 South (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Dorset & Wilts 2 South remained a tier 9 league, with promotion continuing to Dorset & Wilts 1 South and relegation to Dorset & Wilts 3 South until that division was abolished at the end of the 2018–19 season.

Dorset & Wilts 2 South
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2009–1011 Bournemouth III Sherborne II Lytchett Minster II [21]
2010–1112 Salisbury II Ellingham & Ringwood II Multiple teams [o] [22]
2011–1210 Oakmeadians II Wimborne II Wincanton, Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew [23]
2012–1310 East Dorset Frome II Fordingbridge II [24]
2013–1411 Dorset Dockers Lytchett Minster Frome III [p] , Oakmeadians II, Poole [25]
2014–1512 East Dorset Salisbury II North Dorset III, Wimborne III [26]
2015–1612 Yeovil Weymouth & Portland Fordingbridge II, Poole [27]
2016–1710 New Milton II Salisbury III (not promoted) [q] Lytchett Minster II, Dorchester II [28]
2017–1811 Sherborne II Puddletown Blandford II, New Milton III [r] [29]
2018–1912 Dorchester II [s] Lytchett Minster [t] No relegation [u] [30]
2019–2011 [v] Bridport Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew No relegation [31]
2020–2111
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Dinton would later drop out of the 2019–20 Dorset & Wilts 2 South.
  2. ↑ Despite finishing as champions Dorchester II were denied promotion due to the Dorcester 1st XV being relegated into Dorset & Wilts 1 South from Southern Counties South.
  3. ↑ Despite finishing 7th Swanage & Wareham II were relegated due to the Swanage & Wareham 1st XV being relegated into Dorset & Wilts 1 South from Southern Counties South.
  4. ↑ Since 2000, Berkshire clubs have played in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon leagues.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Champions Bournemouth University were not promoted.
  9. ↑ 3rd place Westbury also promoted.
  10. ↑ Restructuring of the Berks, Dorset & Wilts leagues, including a reduction of teams in each division, meant that more teams were relegated than usual.
  11. ↑ There would be no relegation due to the cancellation of Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 at the end of the season.
  12. ↑ Weymouth & Portland II, North Dorset III, Dorchester III and Blandford II were the relegated teams this year. The reason so many teams were relegated was due to the creation of a new division (Dorset & Wilts 3 North & South) for the following season.
  13. ↑ Not promoted as Salisbury 2nd team in division above.
  14. ↑ Not promoted as Bournemouth 2nd team in division above.
  15. ↑ Bridport II, Dorchester II, South Wilts and Swanage & Wareham III were the relegated teams this year. The reason for so many relegated teams was due to the creation of a new Dorset & Wilts 4 division for the following season.
  16. ↑ After finishing the season bottom of the league - Frome III chose to drop to Tribute Somerset 3 South instead of Dorset & Wilts 3 South.
  17. ↑ Salisbury III finished as runners up but were not promoted as Salisbury II were in the division above. 3rd place Bridport were promoted instead.
  18. ↑ Despite finishing 8th New Milton III were relegated due to New Milton II being relegated into Dorset & Wilts 2 South from Dorset & Wilts 1 South.
  19. ↑ Champions Dorchester II were not promoted into Dorset & Wilts 1 North due to the Dorcester 1st XV being relegated into that division from Southern Counties South.
  20. ↑ 3rd place Swanage & Wareham II also promoted.
  21. ↑ No relegation due to dissolution of Dorset & Wilts 3 South at the end of the season. As North Dorset II were relegated into the division, North Dorset III dropped out of the league.
  22. ↑ League reduced from 12 to 11 teams after Dinton drop out of the league. New Milton II would also transfer into Hampshire 2.
  23. ↑ One of Blandford's titles was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ One of North Dorset's titles was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  26. ↑ Sherborne have won three titles overall - two by the 2nd team and one by the 1st team.
  27. ↑ Aldermaston's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  28. ↑ Chippenham's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  29. ↑ Melksham's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  30. ↑ Minety's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  31. ↑ Salisbury have won two titles overall - one by the 2nd team and one by the 3rd team.
  32. ↑ Supermarine's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  33. ↑ Swindon College Old Boys title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  34. ↑ Tadley's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  35. ↑ Thatcham's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
  36. ↑ Trowbridge's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.

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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