Regional 2 West Midlands

Last updated

Regional 2 Midlands West
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2024–25 Regional 2 Midlands West
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1987;38 years ago (1987)(as Midlands 2 West)
Number of teams12
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
HoldersNewent (1st title) (2024–25)
Most titles Burton, Bromsgrove (4 titles)
Website England RFU

Regional 2 Midlands West is an English level 6 rugby union league for rugby clubs in the western region of the Midlands. It includes sides from Birmingham, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands, Worcestershire and occasionally Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire. When this division began in 1987 it was known as Midlands 2 West, and has been restructured several times, most notably as a single division known as Midlands 2 between 1992 and 2000. It has been called Regional 2 Midlands West since 2022–23. The 2024–25 champions are Newent.

Contents

2025–26

Departing were Newent, promoted to Regional 1 Midlands while Ledbury (11th) and Whitchurch (12th) were relegated to Counties 1 Midlands West (South) and Counties 1 Midlands West (North) respectively. Also leaving were Cheltenham on a level transfer to Regional 2 Severn.

2024–25

Participating teams and locations

Departing were Silhillians, promoted to Regional 1 Midlands while Worcester Wanderers and Berkswell & Balsall were relegated. Stow-on-the-Wold moved on a level transfer to Regional 2 Severn. Joining were Old Halesonians (relegated from Regional 1 Midlands), two promoted sides in Edwardians, promoted as champions from Counties 1 Midlands West (North), and Ledbury (runner-up in Counties 1 Midlands West (South) – (Luctonians 2XV won the league but owing to league regulations were not permitted to be promoted to Level 6)) and Whitchurch on a level transfer from Regional 2 North West.

2023–24

Participating teams and locations

Departing were Old Halesonians, promoted to Regional 1 Midlands whilst Droitwich and Evesham were relegated. There were level transfers for Wolverhampton and Walsall to Regional 2 Midlands North while Crewe & Nantwich and Whitchurch moved to Regional 2 North West. Joining were Berkswell & Balsall, Moseley Oak, Shipston-on-Stour, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham and Newent as the league moved further south in its reach.

Final league table

Regional 2 Midlands West 2023–24
TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPointsPoints deducted
1 Silhillians (P)22190371832739113291
2Stow-on-the-Wold22151659535224314379
3 Newent 22161564534030511577
4Cheltenham2213275725502210268
5 Hereford 2212195555163912567
6Stratford-upon-Avon221201059245014213566
7 Moseley Oak 2212285644461189364
8Ludlow2211110465513−489156
9 Shipston-on-Stour 22901357044412612654
10 Malvern 225314399675−2766234
11 Worcester Wanderers (R)221120359795−4364515
12Berkswell & Balsall (R)221021254880−626318
  • 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: 7 December 2024
Source: [2]

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league rebranded as Regional 2 Midlands West. The league was reduced from 14 to 12 clubs.

Participating teams and locations

Final league table

Regional 2 West Midlands 2022–23
TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPointsPoints deducted
1 Old Halesonians (P)22190365239226015091
2 Walsall 22170572028543515286
3Ludlow22170576230745514183
4Stratford-upon-Avon22130959643616011265
5 Hereford 2213095024643810365
6 Malvern 221309512485278265
7 Worcester Wanderers 2211011521571−509356
8Crewe2210012567558911354
9 Whitchurch 2290135634937011552
10Wolverhampton228014422493−717443
11Evesham (R)222020354772−4183410−5
12 Droitwich (R)2200221701085−915000
  • 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: 25 June 2023
Source: "Regional 2 West Midlands". England Rugby.

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.

Participating teams and locations

2020–21

On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced [3] 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 Midlands 1 West was not contested.

2019–20

Participating teams and locations

2018–19

Participating teams and locations

Teams 2017–18

2016–17

2015–16

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCity/AreaPrevious season
Bournville Birmingham, West Midlands relegated from National League 3 Midlands
Bridgnorth Bridgnorth, Shropshire promoted from Midlands 2 West (North)
Burton Peel Croft Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire relegated from National League 3 Midlands
Crewe & NantwichVagrants Sports Ground Willaston, Cheshire
Dudley Kingswinford Heathbrook Kingswinford, West Midlandsrelegated from National League 3 Midlands
Hereford Wyeside Hereford, Herefordshire
Kenilworth Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Leek Post and Time Park Cheddleton, Staffordshire
Silhillians Memorial Ground Solihull, West Midlands
Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire
Stratford upon AvonPearcecorft Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Walsall Broadway Ground Walsall, West Midlands
Whitchurch Edgeley Park Whitchurch, Shropshire
Worcester Wanderers Sixways Worcester, Worcestershire

2014–15

2013–14

2012–13

2011–12

2010–11

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Midlands 2 West) contained the following teams:

Regional 2 West Midlands honours

Midlands 2 West (1987–1992)

The original Midlands 2 West (along with its counterpart Midlands 2 East) was a tier 6 league with promotion to Midlands Premier and relegation to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire.

Midlands 2 West
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1987–8811 Hereford Dixonians Evesham, Leamington [5]
1988–8911 Sutton Coldfield Bedworth Worcester, Tamworth [6]
1989–9011 Camp Hill Wolverhampton Dixonians [7]
1990–9111 Leamington Keresley Dudley Kingswinford, Old Yardleians [8]
1991–9211 Bedworth Wolverhampton Bromsgrove, Sutton Coldfield, Newbold-on-Avon [a] [9]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 2 (1992–1993)

Restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 1992–93 season saw Midlands 2 West and Midlands 2 East combined in a single tier 6 division known as Midlands 2. Promotion continued to Midlands 1 while relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands West 1 [b] .

Midlands 2
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1992–9312 Burton Worcester Biggleswade, Nottingham Moderns [10]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 2 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 2 dropped to become a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands Premier and Midlands West 1 [c] .

Midlands 2
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1993–9413 Whitchurch Stafford Vipers [11]
1994–9513 Leighton Buzzard Broadstreet Willenhall, Newark, Peterborough [12]
1995–9613 Scunthorpe Hinckley [d] No relegation [e] [13]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 2 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands 2 returned to being a tier 6 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands Premier and Midlands West 1 [f] .

Midlands 2
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1996–9717 Banbury Kenilworth Bedworth, Matlock, Long Buckby, Keresley [14]
1997–9817 Bedford Athletic Dudley Kingswinford Paviors [15]
1998–9917 Longton Newbold-on-Avon Leamington, Towcestrians, Stafford
1999–0017 Malvern [g] Bromsgrove [h] No relegation [i]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 2 West (2000–2009)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands 2 split back into two tier 6 regional leagues – Midlands 2 West and Midlands 2 East. Promotion continued to Midlands 1 while relegation was now to either Midlands 3 West (North) or Midlands 3 West (South) (both formerly part of Midlands West 1).

Midlands 2 West
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
2000–0112 Malvern Luctonians Lichfield, Belgrave, Moseley Oak [16]
2001–0212 Bromsgrove Old Laurentians Newport, Stoke-on-Trent, Shrewsbury [17]
2002–0312 Old Laurentians Derby Lordswood Dixonians, Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury [18]
2003–0412 Bromsgrove Derby Bedworth, Hereford, Barkers Butts [19]
2004–0512 Burton Malvern Nuneaton Old Edwardians, Old Coventrians, Aston Old Edwardians [20]
2005–0612 Broadstreet Kenilworth Old Laurentians, Leamington, Stoke-on-Trent [21]
2006–0712 Kenilworth Newport Stafford, Camp Hill, Bridgnorth [22]
2007–0812 Malvern Hereford Newbold-on-Avon, Barkers Butts, Lichfield [23]
2008–0912 Bromsgrove Hereford No relegation [j] [24]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 1 West (2009–2022)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 2 West and Midlands 2 East were renamed as Midlands 1 West and Midlands 1 East, with both leagues remaining at tier 6. Promotion was now to National League 3 Midlands [k] (formerly Midlands 1) and relegation to either Midlands 2 West (North) or Midlands 2 West (South) [l] .

Midlands 1 West
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
2009–1013 Burton Bournville Cheltenham North, Stoke-on-Trent [25]
2010–1114 Dudley Kingswinford Sutton Coldfield Leamington, Banbury, Old Laurentians [26]
2011–1214 Sutton Coldfield Bournville Dunlop, Bedworth, Kenilworth [27]
2012–1314 Old Halesonians Worcester Wanderers Camphill, Northwich, Ludlow [28]
2013–1414 Lichfield Burton Market Bosworth, Malvern, Old Laurentians [29]
2014–1514 Newport (Salop) Worcester Wanderers Berkswell & Balsall, Earlsdon, Barkers Butts [30]
2015–1614 Bridgnorth Bournville Walsall, Silhillians, Leek [31]
2016–1714 Newport (Salop) Bournville Kenilworth, Crewe & Nantwich, Whitchurch [32]
2017–1814 Burton Dudley Kingswinford Wolverhampton, Camp Hill, Melbourne [33]
2018–1914 Bromsgrove Dudley Kingswinford Moseley Oak, Malvern, Longton [34]
2019–2014 Dudley Kingswinford Kenilworth Kidderminster Carolians, Stourbridge Lions [35]
2020–2114Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Regional 2 Midlands West (2022–present)

Regional 2 Midlands West
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
2022–2312 Old Halesonians Walsall Evesham and Droitwich [36]
2023–2412 Silhillians Stow-on-the-Wold Worcester Wanderers and Berkswell & Balsall [2]

Promotion play-offs

From 2000–01 until 2018–19 there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 1 East and Midlands 1 West for the third and final promotion place to National League 3 Midlands. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2018–19 season the Midlands 1 East teams have been the most successful with eleven wins to the Midlands 1 West teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six.

Midlands 1 East v Midlands 1 West promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
2000–01 [37] Luctonians (W)20–13Wellingborough (E)Mortimer Park, Kingsland, Herefordshire
2001–02 [38] Old Laurentians (W)10–32 Spalding (E)Fenley Field, Rugby, Warwickshire
2002–03 [39] Luton (E)16–11 Derby (W)Newlands Road, Luton, Bedfordshire
2003–04 [40] Derby (W)29–12 Hinckley (E)Haslams Lane, Derby, Derbyshire
2004–05 [41] Market Bosworth (E)40–7 Malvern (W)Cadeby Lane, Market Bosworth, Warwickshire
2005–06 [42] Peterborough (E)23–21 Kenilworth (W)Fortress Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire 1,000
2006–07 [43] Newport (Salop) (W)20–5 Matlock (E)The Old Showground, Newport, Shropshire 500
2007–08 [44] Hereford (W)13–43 Hinckley (E)Wyeside, Hereford, Herefordshire
2008–09 [45] Scunthorpe (E)9–16 Hereford (W)Heslam Park, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
2009–10 [46] Bournville (W)AWO [m] Old Northamptonians (E)Rowheath, Bournville, Birmingham, West Midlands N/A
2010–11 [48] Sutton Coldfield (W)27–33 Mansfield (E)Roger Smoldon Ground, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
2011–12 [49] Bournville (W)42–11 Paviors (E)Bournbrook, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands
2012–13 [50] Worcester Wanderers (W)27–17 (aet) Ilkeston (E)Weston's Field, Worcester, Worcestershire
2013–14 [51] Burton (W)24–20 Derby (E) Peel Croft, Burton, Staffordshire 1,000 [52]
2014–15 [53] Old Northamptonians (E)20–5 Worcester Wanderers (W)Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion, Northampton, Northamptonshire
2015–16 [54] Derby (E)28–23 Bournville (W)Haslams Lane, Derby, Derbyshire 200 [55]
2016–17 [56] Kettering (E)19–55 Bournville (W)Waverley Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire
2017–18 [57] Dudley Kingswinford (W)33–37 Syston (E)Heathbrook, Swindon Road, Wall Heath, Kingswinford
2018–19 [58] Paviors (E)33–30 Dudley Kingswinford (W)The Ron Rossin Ground, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up – Oundle (E) – promoted instead.
Green background is the promoted team. E = Midlands 1 East (formerly Midlands 2 East) and W = Midlands 1 West (formerly Midlands 2 West)

Number of league titles

Notes

  1. All relegated to new Midlands West 1 division.
  2. Not to be confused with Midlands 1 West, Midlands West 1 is currently split into two regional leagues - Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South).
  3. Midlands West 1 is currently split into two regional leagues - Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South).
  4. Due to widespread restructuring, 3rd and 4th place Derby and Stockwood Park were also promoted.
  5. Nationwide league restructuring meant that there was no relegation this season.
  6. Midlands West 1 is currently split into two regional leagues - Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South).
  7. Due to the restructuring of Midlands 2 into two regional divisions champions Malvern were not promoted, instead being transferred to the new Midlands 2 West division.
  8. Midlands 2 was due to be restructured into two regional divisions for the following season. Malvern, Bromsgrove, Luctonians, Old Laurentians, Newport (Salop), Sutton Coldfield, Derby and Wolverhampton would transfer into Midlands 2 West, while Wellingborough, Kettering, Ampthill, Mansfield, Huntingdon & District, Lincoln, Nottingham Moderns, Leighton Buzzard and Stockwood Park would go into Midlands 2 East.
  9. Due to the restructuring of Midlands 2 into two regional divisions there was no relegation.
  10. No relegation due to nationwide league restructure.
  11. National League 3 Midlands is currently known as Midlands Premier.
  12. Prior to the 2009–10 season Midlands 2 West (North) or Midlands 2 West (South) were both known as Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South).
  13. Old Northamptonians were promoted by default as Bournville were unable to field a front row for the 2009-10 play-off game. [47]
  14. One of Burton's titles was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  15. One of Malvern's titles was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  16. Banbury's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  17. Bedford Athletic's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  18. Leighton Buzzard's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  19. Longton's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  20. Scunthorpe's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  21. Whitchurch's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.

See also

References

  1. "Mortimer Park". Luctonians Sports Club. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Regional 2 Midlands West". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  3. "RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season". RFU. 20 October 2020. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  4. "Gloucester v. Leicester (PDF, opens in a new window)" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  5. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988-89. Queen Anne Press. pp. 130–134. ISBN   0-356-15884-5.
  6. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989-90. Queen Anne Press. pp. 136–139. ISBN   0-356-17862-5.
  7. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1990). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990-91. Queen Anne Press. pp. 140–143. ISBN   0-356-19162-1.
  8. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991-92. Queen Anne Press. pp. 161–164. ISBN   0-356-20249-6.
  9. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992-93. Headline. pp. 183–185. ISBN   0-7472-7907-1.
  10. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993-94. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN   0-7472-7891-1.
  11. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN   0-7472-7891-1.
  12. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. Headline. pp. 176–179. ISBN   0-7472-7850-4.
  13. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. Headline. pp. 192–195. ISBN   0-7472-7816-4.
  14. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. Headline. pp. 156–159. ISBN   0-7472-7771-0.
  15. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998-99. Headline. pp. 90–93. ISBN   0-7472-7653-6.
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  32. "2016-17 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
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  34. "2018-19 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
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  38. "RUGBY: Spalding go up after storming comeback". Peterborough Telegraph. 30 April 2002.
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  53. "PLAY OFF WIN FOR THE ONS". Old Northamptonians RFC (Pitchero). 25 April 2015.
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  55. "Derby rugby union". Derby County Fans. 30 April 2017.
  56. "PROMOTION ACHIEVED AFTER AN ASSURED PERFORMANCE AT KETTERING". Bourneville Rugby (Pitchero). 29 April 2017.
  57. "A GAME TOO FAR". Dudley Kingswinford RFC. 12 May 2018.
  58. "Dudley Kingswinford suffer more play-off disappointment". Halesowen News. 1 May 2019.