North 1 West

Last updated

North 1 West
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2019–20 North 1 West
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1987;37 years ago (1987)
Number of teams14
CountryFlag of England.svg  England, Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man
Holders Burnage (1st title) (2019–20)
(promoted to North Premier)
Most titles Altrincham Kersal, Birkenhead Park, Vale of Lune (2 titles)
Website England RFU

North 1 West is a rugby union league at the sixth level within the English league system. The league is made up of teams from north west England and the Isle of Man; principally consisting of the English counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. The league was known as North Division 2 when it was first created back in 1987 and was a single division. It has since split into two regional leagues, with North West 1 and its compatriot North 1 East being the longest running versions of the division.

Contents

Promotion and relegation determine the makeup of the league each season, with the top team automatically moving into North Premier and the second-placed team entering into a play-off match with the second-placed team in North 1 East. Occasionally, depending on promotion and relegation, teams from either North 1 East and North 1 West may be required to compete in the opposite league to ensure that the number of teams in the east and west leagues remains at 14 teams each. Teams dropping from the league go into North 2 West.

Teams 2021–22

The teams competing in 2021-22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019–20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020–21.

2020–21

On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced [1] that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning North 1 West was not contested.

Teams 2019–20

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this was a single division containing the following teams from the north of England:

North 1 West honours

North Division 2 (1987–1993)

The original North Division 2 was a tier 6 league with promotion up to North Division 1 and relegation down to either North East 1 or North West 1.

North Division 2
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teams
1987–8811 Aspatria Halifax Wilmslow, Manchester
1988–89 [3] 11 Bradford & Bingley Middlesbrough Davenport
1989–90 [3] 11 Rotherham Widnes No relegation
1990–91 [3] 11 Stockton Sandal New Brighton
1991–92 [3] 11 Wharfedale Lymm No relegation
1992–9313 Manchester Huddersfield Sandbach
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

North Division 2 (1993–1996)

The creation of National 5 North for the 1993–94 season, meant that North Division 2 dropped from being a tier 6 league to a tier 7 league for the years that National 5 North was active.

North Division 2
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teams
1993–9413 York West Park Bramhope Carlise, Wigan, Lymm
1994–9513 Macclesfield Bridlington Northwich
1995–9613 New Brighton Sedgley Park Birkenhead Park, West Park St Helens, Old Crossleyeans, Hartlepool Rovers [b]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

North Division 2 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National 5 North at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that North Division 2 reverted to being a tier 6 league.

North Division 2 honours
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teams
1996–9712 Doncaster Middlesbrough Durham City
1997–9812 Northern Blaydon Halifax
1998–99 [4] 12 Bradford & Bingley Driffield York, Percy Park
1999–00 [5] 12 Darlington Mowden Park Chester No relegation
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

North 2 West

For the 2000–01 season, North Division 2 was split into two regional divisions - North 2 East and North 2 West. While promotion continued up into North Division 1, the cancellation of the North West 1, North West 2 and North West 3 meant that relegation was to either North Lancashire/Cumbria or South Lancs/Cheshire 1.

North 2 West
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teams
2000–01 [6] 12 West Park St Helens Aldwinians Widnes, Penrith, Blackburn
2001–02 [7] 12 Birkenhead Park Vale of Lune Caldy, Workington, Warrington
2002–03 [8] 12 Vale of Lune Rochdale Wilmslow, Aldwinians
2003–04 [9] 12 Altrincham Kersal Caldy Broughton Park, Rochdale, Wigton
2004–05 [10] 12 Caldy Stockport Blackburn, Aspull, Oldham
2005–06 [11] 12 Stockport Winnington Park Widnes, Rossendale, Fleetwood
2006–07 [12] 12 Liverpool St Helens Lymm Stoke-on-Trent, Wilmslow, Bowdon
2007–08 [13] 12 Chester Stockport Tyldesley, Winnington Park, Vale of Lune
2008–09 [14] 12 Rochdale Rossendale No relegation due to league restructure [c]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

North 1 West

For the 2009–10 season the division would be renamed North 1 West as part of wholesale national restructure of the league system by the RFU leading to mass changes at all levels including in the north.

North 1 West
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teams
2009–10 [15] 14 Lymm Northwich Aspatria, Blackburn, Tyldesley
2010–11 [16] 14 Altrincham Kersal Burnage West Park St Helens, Kirkby Lonsdale, New Brighton
2011–12 [17] 14 Sandbach Liverpool St Helens Aspatria, Broughton Park, Wigton
2012–13 [18] 14 Sale FC Liverpool St Helens Fleetwood, Manchester, Anselmians
2013–14 [19] 14 Wirral Birkenhead Park Altrincham Kersal, Leigh, Liverpool St Helens
2014–15 [20] 14 Birkenhead Park Kirkby Lonsdale Wigton, New Brighton, Bolton
2015–16 [21] 14 Kendal Kirkby Lonsdale Broughton Park, Widnes, Carlisle
2016–17 [22] 14 Kirkby Lonsdale Birkenhead Park Eccles, Leigh, West Park St Helens
2017–18 [23] 13 [d] Vale of Lune Wilmslow Rochdale, Altrincham Kersal [e]
2018–19 [25] 14 Carlisle Blackburn De La Salle, Anselmians, Manchester
2019–20 [26] 14 Burnage Northwich Warrington, Keswick
2020–2114
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of North 1 East and North 1 West for the third and final promotion place to North Premier. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the North 1 East have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the North 1 West teams six; and the home team has won promotion on fifteen occasions compared to the away teams five.

North 1 East v North 1 West promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
2000–01 [27] Darlington (E)49-0 Aldwinians (W)Blackwell Meadowns, Darlington, County Durham
2001–02 [28] Huddersfield (E)26-10 Vale of Lune (W)Lockwood Park, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
2002–03 [29] Sheffield (E)32-15 Rochdale (W) Abbeydale Park, Dore, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
2003–04 [30] Middlesbrough (E)21-13 Caldy (W)Acklam Park, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
2004–05 [31] Huddersfield (E)22-13 Stockport (W)Lockwood Park, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
2005–06 [32] Beverley (E)21-16 Winnington Park (W)Beaver Park, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire
2006–07 [33] Sheffield Tigers (E)50-10 Lymm (W)Dore Moor, Dore, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
2007–08 [34] Durham City (E)13-18 Stockport (W)Hollow Drift, Durham, County Durham
2008–09 [35] Old Crossleyans (E)25-31 Rossendale (W)Broomfield Avenue, Halifax, West Yorkshire
2009–10 [36] Sandal (E)30-22 Northwich (W)Milnthorpe Green, Sandal Magna, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
2010–11 [37] Percy Park (E)26-27 Burnage (W)Preston Avenue, North Shields, Tyne and Wear
2011–12 [38] Percy Park (E)18-12 Liverpool St Helens (W)Preston Avenue, North Shields, Tyne and Wear 500
2012–13 [39] Liverpool St Helens (W)17-28 Morley (E)Moss Lane, St Helens, Merseyside
2013–14 [40] Birkenhead Park (W)19-29 Huddersfield Y.M.C.A. (E)Upper Park, Birkenhead, Merseyside
2014–15 [41] Kirkby Lonsdale (W)29-35 Sheffield (E)Underley Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria 1,000
2015–16 [42] Kirkby Lonsdale (W)33-38 (aet) Morley (E)Underley Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
2016–17 [43] Birkenhead Park (W)29-21 Penrith (E)Upper Park, Birkenhead, Merseyside
2017–18 [44] Driffield (E)21-24 Wilmslow (W)Show Ground, Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire
2018–19 [45] Blackburn (W)17-7 Scarborough (E)Ramsgreave Drive, Blackburn, Lancashire
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Northwich (W) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. E = North 1 East (formerly North 2 East) and W = North 1 West (formerly North 2 West)

Number of league titles

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Davenport would be renamed as Stockport RUFC in 1992. [2]
  2. ↑ The introduction of a number of new leagues in the north for the 1996–97 season meant that more teams than normal were relegated between leagues to populate the new divisions.
  3. ↑ The division would be renamed North Division 1 West for the next season and along with the whole national restructure of the league system by the RFU lead to mass changes at all levels.
  4. ↑ The division started with 14 teams but St Benedicts decided to quit the league in April 2018 due to fixture buildup and issues with their home pitch. They would automatically be relegated. [24]
  5. ↑ St Benedicts also relegated due to quitting the league - all league results involving the club were wiped out. [24]
  6. ↑ Aspatria's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  7. ↑ Bradford & Bingley's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  8. ↑ Darlington Mowden Park's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  9. ↑ Doncaster's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  10. ↑ Manchester's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  11. ↑ Manchester's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  12. ↑ New Brighton's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  13. ↑ Northern's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  14. ↑ Rotherham's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  15. ↑ Stockton's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  16. ↑ Wharfedale's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.
  17. ↑ York's title was won when league was a single division known as North Division 2.

Related Research Articles

North 1 East was a sixth tier league in the English rugby union domestic competition, formed in 1987 using the name North Division 2, involving clubs from the north of the country. There was also a division known as North East 1 that began in 1987 for clubs based in the north-east but this was a seventh tier league. North Division 2 would later split into two regional divisions, known as North 1 East and North 1 West. North 1 East was made up of teams from around the North East and Yorkshire, playing home and away matches throughout a winter season.

Counties 4 Midlands West (South) (formerly Midlands 5 West (South)) is a level 10 English Rugby Union league and level 5 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the West Midlands region including clubs from parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and even (on occasion) Cheshire and Oxfordshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.

North Premier was a level five league in the English rugby union system, with the fourteen teams drawn from across Northern England. The other leagues at this level were London & South East Premier, Midlands Premier and South West Premier. The RFU reorganised the level five leagues for season 2022–23, with an increase from four to six and reducing the teams in each from fourteen to twelve. The teams in this league now play in either Regional 1 North East or Regional 1 North West.

National League 2 North is one of three level four leagues in the English rugby union system and provides semi-professional competition for teams in Northern England. The remainder of England is covered by the two counterpart leagues National League 2 East and National League 2 West. The champion club is promoted to National One. Relegation is to either the Regional 1 Midlands, Regional 1 North East or Regional 1 North West, depending on their location. Sedgley Park are the current champions.

Counties 1 Southern South is a level 7 league in the Rugby Football Union South West Division, the rugby union governing body for South West England, part of the Rugby Football Union. When league rugby first began in 1987 it was a single league known as Southern Counties but in 1996 the division was split into two regional leagues: Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South. Counties 1 Southern South currently sits at the seventh tier of club rugby union in England and primarily features teams based in Dorset and Wiltshire.

Counties 1 Southern North is a division at level 7 of the English rugby union system. When league rugby first began in 1987 it was known as Southern Counties but since 1996 the division was split into two regional leagues – Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South. Counties 1 Southern North currently sits at the seventh tier of club rugby union in England and features teams based in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The league champions at the end of each season are automatically promoted to Regional 2 South Central. Relegated teams usually drop to Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon North or Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon South.

Counties 1 Western North 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.

National One, up until 2023 known as National League 1 and previously known before September 2009 as National Division Two), is the third of three national leagues in the domestic rugby union competition of England. It was known as Courage League National Division Three when founded in 1987. Chinnor are the current champions.

Counties 1 Midlands West (South) (formerly Midlands 2 West (South)) is a level seven English rugby union league and level three of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the West Midlands region including Herefordshire, parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (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 West (South) and post the Rugby Football Union (RFU)'s Adult Competition Review, from season 2022–23 it adopted its current name.

Counties 1 Durham & Northumberland, formerly known as Durham/Northumberland 1 is an English amateur rugby union competition. The league consists of twelve clubs, and is the seventh tier of the English rugby union system, as one of the 16 regional leagues, though is the highest level of local rugby in the North East of England. The champions are automatically promoted to Regional 2 North, a division with a wider geographical area that also encompasses the Yorkshire region. The runners-up participate in a play-off against the runners-up from the equivalent regional league, Counties 1 Yorkshire, for promotion. The bottom two are relegated to Counties 2 Durham & Northumberland.

Counties 1 Midlands West (North) (formerly Midands 2 West (North)) is a level 7 English rugby union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of clubs from the northern part of the West Midlands region including Shropshire, Staffordshire, parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands and occasionally Cheshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (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 West (North) and post the Rugby Football Union (RFU)'s Adult Competition Review, from season 2022–23 it adopted its current name.

Counties 1 Cumbria is a competitive rugby union league at level 7 of the English rugby union system run by the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) for club sides based in Cumbria. It was previously a tier 7 league but the creation of North 2 West demoted it to level 8. Promoted teams typically go up to North 2 West and since Cumbria 2 was cancelled at the end of the 2018–19 season there is no relegation. Each season a team from Cumbria 1 is picked to take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a national competition for clubs at level 8. The original Cumbria league was formed at the start of the 1992–93 season when the North-West North 1 division was cancelled.

Counties 1 Yorkshire is an English rugby union division, the seventh tier of the domestic competition, and the top level for local rugby union in parts of Yorkshire. The champions are automatically promoted to Regional 2 North East, a division with a wider geographical area that also encompasses northeast England. The runners-up participate in a playoff against the 2nd place team from the equivalent regional league, Counties 1 Durham & Northumberland, for promotion to Regional 2 North East. The bottom two clubs are relegated to Counties 2 Yorkshire.

Yorkshire 5 was an English Rugby Union league at the eleventh tier of the domestic competition and was the basement league of club rugby in Yorkshire. This league was not always the bottom division as for a while there was a Yorkshire 6 but this league merged with Yorkshire 5. Also, for a short period, Yorkshire 5 was split into two parallel leagues based on geographical location. Promoted teams moved up to Yorkshire 4.

Counties 3 Durham & Northumberland, previously known as Durham/Northumberland 3, is an English rugby union league at the ninth tier of the domestic competition and is currently the basement league of club rugby in North East England. Any club in the north east wishing to join the rugby union club hierarchy must begin at the bottom so all new teams from the north east start in this division - although until 2005-06 there was relegation to the now defunct Durham/Northumberland 4. The champions and runner-up are promoted to Counties 2 Durham & Northumberland.

Counties 2 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire is a regional English Rugby Union league for teams from Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, ranked at tier 8 of the English league system.

Lancs/Cheshire 3 was an English rugby union league. Promoted teams entered South Lancs/Cheshire 2, ranked at tier 9 of the English league system. This was the basement level for club rugby union for teams in the South Lancashire, Manchester and Cheshire areas and any team from this area wanting to begin in club rugby union had to join this league. Up until 2008–09 there was relegation with teams dropping down and coming up from South Lancs/Cheshire 4.

North Lancashire/Cumbria was an English Rugby Union League at the seventh tier of club rugby union for teams from North Lancashire and Cumbria that ran until the end of 2017–18 season. Promotion from this division used to be into North 1 West with the champions going straight up and the league runners up facing the league runners up from South Lancs/Cheshire 1 for their place. Clubs at the bottom of the table were relegated either to North Lancashire 1, South Lancs/Cheshire 2 or the Cumbria League depending on their geographical location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beverley RUFC</span> Rugby team

Beverley Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. The club runs two senior men's sides, Colts, Ladies and a full set of junior teams. The first XV currently plays in Counties 1 Yorkshire.

Counties 3 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire is a regional English Rugby Union league for teams in Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester at level 9 of the English rugby union system.

References

  1. ↑ "RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season". RFU. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "History". Stockport RUFC. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Sheet1 - Wharfedale". Wharfedale RUFC. Wharfedale RUFC. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  4. ↑ "1998-99 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  5. ↑ "1999-00 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "2000–2001 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "2001–2002 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "2002–2003 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "2003–2004 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "2004–2005 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "2006–2007 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  12. ↑ "2006–2007 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  13. ↑ "2007–2008 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "2008–2009 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "2009–2010 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  16. ↑ "2010–2011 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  17. ↑ "2011–2012 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  18. ↑ "2012–2013 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  19. ↑ "2013–2014 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  20. ↑ "2014–2015 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  21. ↑ "2015–2016 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  22. ↑ "2016–2017 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "2017-18 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  24. 1 2 "Northwich's rivals lose points after St Benedicts drop out". York Press. 1 April 2018.
  25. ↑ "2018-19 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  26. ↑ "Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  27. ↑ "2000-01 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 19 May 2001.
  28. ↑ "2001-02 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 18 May 2002.
  29. ↑ "2002-03 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 26 April 2003.
  30. ↑ "2003-04 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  31. ↑ "2004-05 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 30 April 2006.
  32. ↑ "2005-06 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 29 April 2006.
  33. ↑ "2006-07 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  34. ↑ "2007-08 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  35. ↑ "2008-09 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
  36. ↑ "2009-10 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 1 May 2010.
  37. ↑ "2010-11 North Playoffs". England Ruby. 23 April 2011.
  38. ↑ "Percy Park 18 Liverpool St Helens 12". St Helens Star. 3 May 2012.
  39. ↑ "2012-13 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 27 April 2013.
  40. ↑ "2013-14 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 26 April 2014.
  41. ↑ "Kirkby defeated as Sheffield step it up at end of hard game". The Westmorland Gazette. 1 May 2015.
  42. ↑ "Rugby Union: Morley edge thriller to earn promotion". Morley Observer & Advertiser. 30 April 2016.
  43. ↑ "Birkenhead Park promoted back to National League Three after 'winner-take-all' clash with Penrith". Wirral Globe. 30 April 2017.
  44. ↑ "Escapologists Never Say Die". Wimslow RUFC (Pitchero). 12 May 2018.
  45. ↑ "Scarborough RUFC battle hard but edged out in play-off at Blackburn". The Scarborough News. 27 April 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.