Somerset 1

Last updated
Counties 3 Somerset
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2024-25 Counties 3 Somerset
Sport Rugby union
Instituted1987;37 years ago (1987)
Number of teams12
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
Most titles Minehead Barbarians (3 titles)
Website englandrugby.com

Counties 3 Somerset (formerly known as Somerset 1 or Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. 1st, 2nd and even 3rd XV sides can participate in the division as long as they are not from the same club.

Contents

The league champions and runners up are promoted to Counties 1 Somerset while relegated teams drop to either Counties 4 Somerset North or Counties 4 Somerset South depending on location. Each year clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase – a level 9–12 national competition.

Teams 2024-25

North

Departing were Nailsea & Backwell II, promoted to Counties 1 Somerset, while Imperial II were relegated.

Joining were Walcott II, Yatton and Chew Valley III.

South

Departing were Burnham-on-Sea II (12th) and Wiveliscombe II (11th) both relegated to Counties 4 Somerset South.

There was no promotion as Hornets II were already in Counties 1 Somerset meaning Hornets III could not compete in the same league.

Joining were Wyvern and Weston-super-Mare II.

Teams 2023-24

North

Departing were Chew Valley II, promoted to Counties 1 Somerset, while Stothert & Pitt (9th) and Bristol Telephone Area (12th) were relegated.

Joining were Imperial II and Old Redcliffians III..

South

Departing were Huish Tigers, promoted to Counties 1 Somerset. Wells II (10th) were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset South.

Joining were Burnham-on-Sea II, Cheddar Valley, Crewkerne and Tor.

Teams 2022-23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review [1] with the league split into North and South divisions.

Departing were Old Redcliffians II, promoted, together with Cheddar Valley (7th) who took a voluntary relegation to Counties 4 Somerset South and Morganians (11th) who withdrew from league competition.

North

Joining were Bristol Harlequins, Bristol Telephone Area, Clevedon II, Gordano II, Oldfield Old Boys II, Stothert & Pitt and Winscombe II.

South

Joining were Castle Cary, Chard II, Hornets III, Huish Tigers (double promotion), Somerton, Wells II and Wiveliscombe II.

Teams 2021-22

Taunton II (11th in 2019-20) started but did not complete the season leaving eleven sides to contest the remaining fixtures.

2020–21

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

Teams 2019–20

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:

Somerset 1 honours

Somerset 1 (1987–1993)

The original Somerset 1 was a tier 9 league with promotion to Gloucestershire/Somerset and relegation to Somerset 2.

Somerset 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1987–8812 Old Culverhaysians Frome Wellington, Crewkerne, Yeovil [7]
1988–8911 Frome Oldfield Old Boys St. Brendan's Old Boys, Burnham-on-Sea [8]
1989–9011 Oldfield Old Boys Walcot Old Boys Avonvale, Gordano [9]
1990–9111 Wiveliscombe Old Redcliffians Yeovil, Imperial [10]
1991–9211 Old Sulians Old Redcliffians [f] No relegation [g] [11]
1992–9313 Hornets Walcot Old Boys Westland, Gordano [12]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 1 (1993–1996)

The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Somerset 1 dropped to become a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Gloucestershire/Somerset 1 and relegation to Somerset 2.

Somerset 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1993–9413 Midsomer Norton Yatton Stothert & Pitt, Imperial [13]
1994–9513 Wellington Walcot Old Boys Yeovil, North Petherton, Wells [14]
1995–9613 Chard [h] Wiveliscombe [i] No relegation [j] [15]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 1 (1996–2000)

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

Somerset 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1996–9710 Wells Frome Crewkerne [16]
1997–9810 Chew Valley Frome Avonvale, Blagdon
1998–9910 Avon North Petherton Winscombe, Minehead Barbarians [17]
1999–0010 Frome [k] Wells No relegation [l] [18]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 1 (2000–2006)

The cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season, saw Somerset 1 remain at tier 9, with promotion now to the new Somerset Premier [m] and relegation continuing to Somerset 2.

Somerset 1
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated TeamsRef
2000–0112 Minehead Barbarians Wells Bristol Barbarians [19]
2001–0212 Nailsea & Backwell North Petherton Burnham-on-Sea [20]
2002–0312 Chard Stothert & Pitt Bath Old Edwardians, Avonvale [21]
2003–0412 Winscombe Combe Down Old Sulians [22]
2004–0511 Minehead Barbarians Old Culverhaysians Avonvale. Blagdon [23]
2005–0611 Gordano Wells No relegation [n] [24]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 1 (2006–2009)

Somerset 1 remained a tier 9 league with promotion to Somerset Premier but the splitting of Somerset 2 into two regional divisions, meant that relegation was now to either Somerset 2 North or Somerset 2 South. From the 2007–08 season onward the league sponsor would be Tribute.

Somerset 1
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated TeamsRef
2006–0712 Winscombe Old Sulians Somerton [25]
2007–0812 Burnham-on-Sea North Petherton Martock, Crewkerne [26]
2008–0912 St. Bernadette's Old Boys Taunton II Bristol Barbarians [27]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 1 (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset 1 remained a tier 9 league, with promotion continuing to Somerset Premier, while relegation to either Somerset 2 North or Somerset 2 South. The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute.

Somerset 1
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated TeamsRef
2009–1012 Gordano Imperial St. Mary's Old Boys II, Broad Plain [o] [28]
2010–1114 Nailsea & Backwell Weston-super-Mare II Old Culverhaysians [29]
2011–1214 Old Redcliffians II Wiveliscombe No relegation [30]
2012–1314 St. Bernadette's Old Boys Bristol Barbarians Walcot II [31]
2013–1414 Clevedon II Imperial Old Redcliffians III, Wells II [32]
2014–1514 Hornets II Chew Valley II Cheddar Valley, Midsomer Norton II [33]
2015–1614 Bridgwater & Albion II Crewkerne Chard II, North Petherton II [34]
2016–1714 Minehead Barbarians Imperial Castle Cary, Bristol Harlequins II, Yatton II [35]
2017–1813 Bristol Barbarians Bristol Harlequins Wyvern, Clevedon II, Old Bristolians II [36]
2018–1912 Tor Stothert & Pitt Castle Cary [37]
2019–2012 Bristol Harlequins Crewkerne Bath Old Edwardians [38]
2020–2112
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

Notes

  1. ↑ Old Boys side for Culverhay School (now Bath Academy). [2]
  2. ↑ Old Boys side for Oldfield School. [3]
  3. ↑ Old Boys side for City of Bath Boys School (now Beechen Cliff School). [4]
  4. ↑ Now known as Walcot Rugby.
  5. ↑ Yeovil would later merge with Westland to form Ivel Barbarians in 1995. [5] Ivel Barbarians would in turn be renamed as Yeovil Rugby Club in 2014. [6]
  6. ↑ Due to restructuring of the majority of south west leagues from 11 to 13 teams for the following season, 3rd place Bristol Harlequins were also promoted.
  7. ↑ Due to the restructuring of Somerset 1 from 11 to 13 teams for the following season, there was no relegation.
  8. ↑ League restructuring caused by the cancellation of National 5 South meant that champions Chard were promoted two divisions up into Western Counties North (formerly Western Counties).
  9. ↑ The cancellation of National 5 South meant that clubs ranked 3rd to 9th were also promoted one level up into Gloucestershire/Somerset including Tor, Yatton, Old Sulians, St. Bernadette's Old Boys, Midsomer Norton, Walcot Old Boys and Gordano.
  10. ↑ Widespread league restructuring meant that there was no relegation.
  11. ↑ Restructuring caused by the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season meant that champions Frome were not promoted.
  12. ↑ League restructuring meant there was no relegation.
  13. ↑ Gloucestershire/Somerset was split into Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier at the end of the 1999–00 season.
  14. ↑ No relegation as league due to increase from 11 to 12 teams for the 2006–07 season.
  15. ↑ Broad Plain were relegated to Gloucester 3 instead of Somerset 2.
  16. ↑ As a club Hornets have won Somerset 1 twice - once by the 1st XV, once by the 2nd XV.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 2022-06-13.
  2. ↑ "HISTORY 1". Old Culverhaysians RFC. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "HISTORY". Oldfield Old Boys RFC. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "Help raise funds for Old Sulians RFC". Crowd Funder. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "Yeovil Rugby Club History". Yeovil Rugby Club. 3 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "RUGBY: Ivel Barbarians are becoming Yeovil Rugby Club". Yeovil Press. 15 August 2014.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN   0-7472-7850-4.
  14. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN   0-7472-7816-4.
  15. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN   0-7472-7771-0.
  16. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN   0-7472-7732-X.
  17. ↑ "1998-99 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  18. ↑ "1999-00 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "2000-01 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "2001-02 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  21. ↑ "2002-03 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  22. ↑ "2003-04 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  23. ↑ "2004-05 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "2005-06 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "2006-07 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  26. ↑ "2007-08 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "2008-09 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  28. ↑ "2009-10 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  29. ↑ "2010-11 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  30. ↑ "2011-12 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  31. ↑ "2012-13 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  32. ↑ "2013-14 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  33. ↑ "2014-15 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  34. ↑ "2015-16 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  35. ↑ "2016-17 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  36. ↑ "2017-18 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  37. ↑ "2018-19 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  38. ↑ "Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
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