WRU Division Three South West

Last updated

WRU Division Three South West
Founded1995
No. of teams12
CountryWales
Most recent
champion(s)
Maesteg Harlequins RFC
(2011–12)
Level on pyramid4
Promotion to WRU Division Two West
Relegation to WRU Division Four South West
Official website www.wru.co.uk/1151_2144.php/WRU

The Welsh Rugby Union Division Three South West (also called the SWALEC Division Three South West for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union league in Wales.

Contents

Competition format and sponsorship

Competition

There are 12 clubs in the WRU Division Three South West. During the course of a season (which lasts from September to May) each club plays the others twice, once at their home ground and once at that of their opponents for a total of 22 games for each club, with a total of 132 games in each season. Teams receive four points for a win and two point for a draw, an additional bonus point is awarded to either team if they score four tries or more in a single match. No points are awarded for a loss though the losing team can gain a bonus point for finishing the match within seven points of the winning team. Teams are ranked by total points, then the number of tries scored and then points difference. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned as champion. If points are equal the tries scored then points difference determines the winner. The team who is declared champion at the end of the season is eligible for promotion to the WRU Division Two West. The two lowest placed teams are relegated to the WRU Division Four South West.

Sponsorship

In 2008 the Welsh Rugby Union announced a new sponsorship deal for the club rugby leagues with SWALEC valued at £1 million (GBP). [1] The initial three year sponsorship was extended at the end of the 2010/11 season, making SWALEC the league sponsors until 2015. [2] The leagues sponsored are the WRU Divisions one through to seven.

2011/2012 Season

League teams

2011/2012 Table

2011–2012 WRU Division Three South West League Table
ClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstTries forTries againstTry bonusLosing bonusPoints
1 Maesteg Harlequins RFC 202000630235862112092
2 Seven Sisters RFC 201505610268813013477
3 Taibach RFC 20150546634953396167
4 Ystalyfera RFC 20130759234978356361
5 Pencoed RFC 20911050742762537550
6 Mumbles RFC 20801248539459437544
7 Bryncoch RFC 20811137845351534341
8 Brynamman RFC 20801236041038514440
9 Morriston RFC 20601433851139672127
10 Vardre RFC 20501532947133612224
11 Aberavon Green Stars RFC 2020182081036261533112
12 BP Llandarcy RFC 00000000000
Correct as of 27 May 2012

2010/2011 Season

League teams

2010/2011 Table

2010–2011 WRU Division Three South West League Table
ClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstTries forTries againstTry bonusLosing bonusPoints
1 Glynneath RFC 222101665251952814199
2 Kenfig Hill RFC 2220028982961323315196
3 Aberavon Green Stars RFC 22151662426388248272
4 Seven Sisters RFC 221309621350824110769
5 Ystalyfera RFC 22150756543771507168
6 Brynamman RFC 221101151744059535554
7 Pencoed RFC 22911245953657675245
8 Morriston RFC 22711438459650855338
9 Bryncoch RFC 22611545561451864434
10 Taibach RFC 22601629651834682430
11 Nantyffyllon RFC 22411729467935922222
12 Cwmavon RFC 2221192371035251520212
Correct as of 27 May 2012

2009/2010 Season

League teams

2009/2010 Table

2009–2010 WRU Division Three South West League Table
ClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstTries forTries againstTry bonusLosing bonusPoints
Skewen RFC 222101680183961312197
Tondu RFC 221912618243832413192
Kenfig Hill RFC 221606654321923311277
Glynneath RFC 221516593229782310274
Seven Sisters RFC 221201044437754414355
Ystalyfera RFC 221101140153742744351
Bryncoch RFC 22901341858246804141
Nantyffyllon RFC 22801425450531631235
Cwmavon RFC 22611533848343613534
Brynamman RFC 22511634964237933631
Briton Ferry RFC 22501728949634593326
Maesteg Harlequins RFC 223019264704301023318
Correct as of 3 August 2010

2008/2009 Season

League teams

2008/2009 Table

2008–2009 WRU Division Three South West League Table
ClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstTries forTries againstTry bonusLosing bonusPoints
Aberavon Quins RFC 22181357219470209285
Tondu RFC 22171472022098279281
Glynneath RFC 22151647934559407271
Skewen RFC 22141753123964257570
Nantyffyllon RFC 22151647829462315269
Kenfig Hill RFC 22121947738372436359
Morriston RFC 221111044148661647053
Maesteg Harlequins RFC 22721337339333473641
Briton Ferry RFC 22601630054135643431
Seven Sisters RFC 22511625561127792428
Maesteg Celtic RFC 22501729754435672527
Tonna RFC 222020263936271361110
Correct as of 2 June 2009

2007/2008 Season

BP Llandarcy were named champions at the end of the season and were promoted to Division Two West. Vadre were relegated to Division Four South West for finishing second from last while Banwen dropped two leagues to Division Five Central for failing to raise a team on more than one occasion.

League teams

2007/2008 Table

2007–2008 WRU Division Three South West League Table
ClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstTries forTries againstTry bonusLosing bonusPoints
BP RFC 201523450227622710175
Aberavon Quins RFC 20140650723666288468
Tondu RFC 20141545421962257368
Nantyffyllon RFC 20131641023055256363
Skewen RFC 20130736428148355360
Maesteg Harlequins RFC 20911035639340544648
Seven Sisters RFC 201001023539428522143
Briton Ferry RFC 20811135839145465342
Kenfig Hill RFC 20401630151242716426
Tonna RFC 20501531552835691425
Vardre RFC 20201820254124752313
Banwen RFC *00000000000
Correct as of 11:23 5 June 2008

* Banwen RFC failed to raise a team on more than one occasion and were relegated to division five. All matches played against opposition in Division Three South West were declared null and void. [4]

2006/2007 Season

League teams

2006/2007 Table

2006–07 WRU Division Three League South West Table
ClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstTFPoints
Mumbles RFC 24220287523012766
Heol y Cyw RFC 2416175984248949
Tondu RFC 2416085493877148
Aberavon Quins RFC 24140105473457042
Nantyffyllon RFC 24130115034106539
Vardre RFC 24120125104897836
Kenfig Hill RFC 24120125465276836
Amman United RFC 24120123695124636
Skewen RFC 24111124034875134
Banwen RFC 2480163464714024
Cwmgors RFC 2470173367235121
Bryncoch RFC 2470173556934621
Brynamman RFC 2450193716104315
Correct as of 2007-10-04

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Having returned to Division 3 and celebrating 125 years of competitive rugby, the ‘Fera finished in 6th place, the highest level to date in the National League. The season began early with six wins and three defeats into October. This was similar to the promotion season a year before, the defeats being two friendlies versus Glamorgan County and Welsh Cup holders Neath. Glynneath home was the other. In this run was a comprehensive first ever win at Seven Sisters at the 25th time of asking. This performance was one of the best of the season, when the ‘Fera outplayed respected opponents in every facet of the game, not allowing any opportunity for the home team to make any impact, and dominating proceedings throughout. The Swansea Valley Cup began with a Preliminary Round win over Glais 29–7. The remaining October games were against who would prove to be the final top three sides Tondu, Skewen and Kenfig Hill. Having played 12 games in 8 weeks did leave a mark against these well organised sides, Ystalyfera settling in 5th position out of 12 in the Division. In November, being the highest placed Swansea Valley side, success in the Cup competition was anticipated, however on a wet night at Vardre plans went astray and despite a late fight back the semi-final game was lost 14–20. December started with a hard earned 12–9 victory away at Bryncoch. A 2nd Round Welsh Plate defeat against in form Skewen, was followed by a commendable boxing day ‘revenge’ 6–5 victory at Glynneath. Four home games in January and February saw capable wins versus Briton Ferry, Seven Sisters and Cwmavon, losing to the well structured Tondu side. Throughout the remainder of the season, only two more wins would be achieved, both at home. Defeats away at Brynamman and at Nantyffyllon were close run affairs, the ‘Fera team more than earning the right to claim victory in both games. In summary consolidation at the higher level augur's well for the club, onwards and upwards being the order of the day.

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References

  1. "SWALEC becomes new power behind Welsh rugby". WRU. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  2. Cutler, Matt (18 August 2011). "Energy company SWALEC has extended its partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) through to 2015". WRU. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  3. "ASDA Join Welsh Rugby Community Programmes". WRU. 30 August 2005. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  4. WRU disciplinary report Sourced 05/06/2008