Eastern Counties 2

Eastern Counties 2 is an English level 10 Rugby Union League - currently divided into 3 regional divisions (north, south, west). Promoted teams move up to Eastern Counties 1 with teams in this league tending to be from Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk. Currently a three divisions, Eastern Counties 2 has previously been divided into North and South divisions with teams from Essex taking part, and had relegation to Eastern Counties 3. In 2003-04 the Essex teams broke away, forming a new league - with Essex 2 being the equivalent division to Eastern Counties 2.

Eastern Counties 2
Current season or competition:
2019–20 Eastern Counties 2
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987)
Number of teams29 (across 3 regional divisions)
Country England
HoldersHolt II (North - 1st title)
Stowmarket (South - 1st title)
Shelford IV (West - 1st title) (2018–19)
(promoted to Eastern Counties 1)
Most titlesCantabrigian, Hadleigh, Ipswich Y.M., Thetford, Wanstead (2 titles)
Websiteecrurugby.com

In 2014-15 Eastern Counties 2 split into three regional divisions - north, south and west[1] to allow for more 2nd and 3rd teams to take part. Due to the reorganization of the divisions, relegation is now possible to Eastern Counties 3.

Participating Clubs 2013-14
  • Fakenham
  • Felixstowe
  • Hadleigh (relegated from Eastern Counties 1)
  • Haverhill & District
  • Mildenhall Red Lodge
  • Mistley
  • Norwich Medics
  • Norwich Union
  • Thetford
  • Thurston (relegated from Eastern Counties 1)

Participating Clubs 2012–13
  • Broadland – Great Yarmouth
  • Felixstowe
  • Haverhill & District
  • Mildenhall Red Lodge
  • Mistley
  • Norwich Medics
  • Norwich Union
  • Sawston
  • Swaffham
  • Thetford

Original teams

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

  • Basildon
  • Braintree
  • Canvey Island
  • Chelmsford
  • Diss
  • East London
  • Ilford Wanderers
  • Port of London Authority[lower-alpha 1]
  • Upminster
  • Wanstead
  • Woodbridge

Eastern Counties 2 Honours

Eastern Counties 2 (1987–1993)

The original Eastern Counties 2 was a tier 9 league with promotion up to Eastern Counties 1 and relegation down to Eastern Counties 3.[3]

Eastern Counties 2
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
1987–8811BasildonCanvey IslandIlford Wanderers
1988–8911Old EdwardiansBraintreeThetford
1989–9011ChelmsfordWoodbridgeWanstead
1990–9111CampionPort of London Authority[lower-alpha 2]Ipswich YMCA
1991–9211MaldonUpminster[lower-alpha 3]No relegation[lower-alpha 4]
1992–9313WymondhamHarwich & DovercourtRedbridge, South Woodham Ferrers
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Eastern Counties 2 (1993–96)

The creation of National 5 South meant that Eastern Counties 2 dropped from a tier 9 league to a tier 10 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion and relegation continued to Eastern Counties 1 and Eastern Counties 3 respectively.

Eastern Counties 2
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
1993–9413DissHoltIpswich YMCA, Crusaders
1994–9512Ilford WanderersLoughtonEast London
1995–9613CantabrigianWansteadOld Bealonians, Lakenham Hewett
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Eastern Counties 2 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Eastern Counties 2 reverted back to being a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Eastern Counties 1, while relegation was to Eastern Counties 3, which would split into two regional divisions - north and south - ahead of the 1997–98 season.

Eastern Counties 2
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
1996–9713HadleighBancroft[lower-alpha 5]Ravens
1997–9810Met Police ChigwellThetfordLoughton, Fakenham
1998–99[4]9BillericayOld CooperiansSouthwold, Old Palmerians
1999–00[5]9WansteadMersea IslandHarwich & Dovercourt
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Eastern Counties 2: North / South (2000–2003)

East Counties 2 was split into two regional divisions - north and south - and the introduction of London 4 North East ahead of the 2000–01 season meant the divisions dropped to become tier 10 leagues. Promotion was to Eastern Counties 1 and relegation to Eastern Counties 3 - north or south.

Eastern Counties 2: North / South
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams League Name
2000–01
[6][7]		10BecclesIpswich Y.M.Brightlingsea, Norwich Union, SouthwoldEast Counties 2 North
9Stanford Le HopeEpping Upper ClaptonOld CooperiansEast Counties 2 South
2001–02
[8][9]		10ColchesterStowmarketHarwich & DovercourtEast Counties 2 North
10WansteadEast LondonMay & Baker, MillwallEast Counties 2 South
2002–03
[10][11]		10Ipswich Y.M.Southwold[lower-alpha 6]No relegationEast Counties 2 North[lower-alpha 7]
10Westcliff[lower-alpha 8]East London[12]No relegationEast Counties 2 South[lower-alpha 9]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Eastern Counties 2 (2003–2009)

Eastern Counties 2 re-merged into a single division ahead of the 2003–04 season, continuing to be a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Eastern Counties 1 and after the cancellation of Eastern Counties 3 at the end of the 2003–04 season, there was no relegation.

Eastern Counties 2
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
2003–04[13]8CrusadersWisbechNo relegation
2004–05[14]9NewmarketFakenhamNo relegation
2005–06[15]11WoodbridgeDerehamNo relegation
2006–07[16]11CantabrigianElyNo relegation
2007–08[17]11ThetfordNewmarketNo relegation
2008–09[18]10SouthwoldElyNo relegation
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Eastern Counties 2 (2009–2014)

Eastern Counties 2 remained a tier 10 league despite national restructuring by the RFU. Promotion continued to Eastern Counties 1 and there was no relegation.

Eastern Counties 2
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
2009–10[19]10Harwich & DovercourtHaverhill & DistrictNo relegation
2010–11[20]10Ipswich Y.M.Broadland - Great YarmouthNo relegation
2011–12[21]9HadleighThurstonNo relegation
2012–13[22]9SwaffhamBroadland - Great YarmouthNo relegation
2013–14[23]10ThetfordThurstonNo relegation
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Eastern Counties 2: North / South / West (2014–present)

Eastern Counties 2 was once again restructured - this time into three regional divisions - north, south and west. It remained a tier 10 league with promotion to Eastern Counties 1 and the reintroduction of Eastern Counties 3 meant there was once again relegation to one of its regional divisions - north, south or west.

Eastern Counties 2: North / South / West
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams League Name
2014–15
[24]		10Diss IIBroadland-Great YarmouthWattonEastern Counties 2 North
10Colchester IIHarwich & DovercourtBrightlingseaEastern Counties 2 South
10Cantabrigian IIBury St Edmunds IIISawstonEastern Counties 2 North
2015–16
[25][26][27]		10Broadland - Great YarmouthNorwich MedicsBeccles IIEastern Counties 2 North
10Colchester IIIHarwich & DovercourtAldeburgh & ThorpenessEastern Counties 2 South
10Bury St Edmunds IIICantabrigian IIMarch BearsEastern Counties 2 West
2016–17
[28][29][30]		10FakenhamDiss IIDerehamEastern Counties 2 North
9Mersea IslandIpswich IIFelixstoweEastern Counties 2 South
9Cottenham RenegadesShelford IIIEly IIEastern Counties 2 West
2017–18
[31][32][33]		11Wymondham IINorwich IIBroadland - Great Yarmouth IIEastern Counties 2 North
9Halstead TemplarsColchester IVIpswich Y.M. IIEastern Counties 2 South
6March BearsSt Ives IINo relegationEastern Counties 2 West
2018–19
[34][35][36]		10Holt II WattonWest Norfolk IIEastern Counties 2 North
9StowmarketBraintree IIMersea Island IIEastern Counties 2 South
10Shelford IV[lower-alpha 10]Haverhill & DistrictSawstonEastern Counties 2 West
2019–2010Eastern Counties 2 North
9Eastern Counties 2 South
10Eastern Counties 2 West
2020–2110Eastern Counties 2 North
9Eastern Counties 2 South
10Eastern Counties 2 West
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

From 2000 to 2002 there was a playoff between the runners-up of Eastern Counties 2 North and Eastern Counties 2 South for the third and final promotion place to Eastern Counties 1 with the team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. The promotion playoffs were discontinued when a single Eastern Counties 2 division was created for the 2002-03 season.

Eastern Counties 2 North v Eastern Counties 2 North promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000-01[37]Epping Upper Clapton (S)21-15Ipswich Y.M. (N)Upland Road, Thornwood, Essex
2001-02[38]Stowmarket (N)21-12East London (S)Chilton Fields, Stowmarket, Suffolk
Green background is the promoted team. N = Eastern Counties 2 North and S = Eastern Counties 2 South

Number of league titles

Notes
  1. Runners up and promoted side Port of London Authority would be renamed as Ravens for the following season when they competed in Eastern Counties 1.[2]
  2. Runners up and promoted side Port of London Authority would be renamed as Ravens for the following season when they competed in Eastern Counties 1.[2]
  3. 3rd place Lowestoft & Yarmouth also promoted.
  4. There was no relegation as the league was to increase from 11 to 13 teams for the following season.
  5. League restructuring meant that four clubs were promoted including Felixstowe and Westcliff.
  6. 3rd and 4th place Thurston and Cantabrigian were also promoted.
  7. This was the last season for East Counties 2 North due to restructuring of the Eastern Counties league as a new Essex league was introduced. Teams from East Counties 2 North would stay in the league and would move into either Eastern Counties 1 or Eastern Counties 2 for the next season depending on league position.
  8. Westcliff transferred to Essex 1 for next season.
  9. This was the last season for East Counties 2 South due to re-structuring of the Eastern Counties league. A new Essex league would be introduced for the next season with teams from East Counties 2 south joining either Essex 1 or Essex 2 for the next year depending on league position.
  10. Champions Shelford IV cannot be promoted as Shelford III in Eastern Counties 1.
  11. As a club Cantabrigian has won 3 titles - 2 by the 1st XV, 1 by the 2nd XV.
  12. As a club Colchester has won 3 titles - 1 each by the 1st XV, 2nd XV and 3rd XV.
  13. As a club Diss has won 2 titles - 1 by the 1st XV, the other by the 2nd XV.
  14. As a club Wymondham has won 2 titles - 1 by the 1st XV, the other by the 2nd XV.

See also

References
  1. Andrew Sarek (23 May 2014). "Revised Eastern Counties Leagues for 2014/15". Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  2. Barry Birkett (29 July 2013). "THE HISTORY OF RAVENS(PLA) RFC". Ravens RFC.
  3. "EASTERN COUNTIES RUGBY UNION HANDBOOK 2015/16" (PDF). Eastern Counties RU. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  4. "1998-19 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  5. "1999-20 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  6. "2000-01 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  7. "2000-01 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  8. "2001-02 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  9. "2001-02 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  10. "2002-03 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  11. "2002-03 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  12. East London transferred to Essex 1 for next season.
  13. "2003-04 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  14. "2004-05 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  15. "2005-06 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  16. "2006-07 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU n. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  17. "2007-08 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  18. "2008-09 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  19. "2009-10 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  20. "2010-11 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  21. "2011-12 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  22. "2012-13 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  23. "2013-14 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  24. "London & SE Division - 2014-15 Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two North". Pitchero. Eastern Counties Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  25. "London & SE Division - 2015-16 Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two North". Pitchero. Eastern Counties Rugby Union. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  26. "London & SE Division - 2015-16 Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two South". Pitchero. Eastern Counties Rugby Union. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  27. "London & SE Division - 2015-16 Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two West". Pitchero. Eastern Counties Rugby Union. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  28. "London & SE Division - 2016-17 Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two North". Pitchero. Eastern Counties Rugby Union. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  29. "London & SE Division - 2016-17 Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two South". Pitchero. Eastern Counties Rugby Union. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  30. "London & SE Division - 2016-17 Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two West". Pitchero. Eastern Counties Rugby Union. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  31. "Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two North 2017-18". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  32. "Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two South 2017-18". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  33. "Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two West 2017-18". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  34. "Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two North 2018-19". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  35. "Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two South 2018-19". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  36. "Eastern Counties Greene King Division Two West 2018-19". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  37. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2000-01". England Rugby. 19 May 2001.
  38. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2001-02". England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
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