London & South East Premier
London & South East Premier (up until 2016-17 known as National League 3 London & South East) is a level five league in the English rugby union system.[1] It is one of four leagues at this level, with its counterparts; South West Premier, Midlands Premier and North Premier. When this division began in 1987 it was known as London Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following re-organisation by the Rugby Football Union while the name change from National League 3 to Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season to make it more obvious that it is a regional league.[1] London & South East Premier is the highest regional rugby union league covering London and south east England.
Current season or competition: 2019–20 London & South East Premier | |
Sport | Rugby union |
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Instituted | 1987 | (as London 1)
Number of teams | 14 |
Country | England |
Holders | Rochford Hundred (1st title) (2019–20) (promoted to National League 2 South)) |
Most titles | Barnes, Basingstoke, Canterbury, Havant (2 titles) |
Website | clubs.rfu.com |
The club that finishes in first place is automatically promoted to National League 2 South. The runner-up meets the second placed team of South West Premier with the winner also gaining promotion. Relegated teams drop down to either London 1 North or London 1 South depending on location, and other factors such as the location of relegated and promoted teams in other divisions.
2020–21
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Sutton & Epsom who were relegated from National League 2 South, along with three promoted sides; Havant, North Walsham and Westcombe Park. Maidenhead who played in South West Premier in 2019-20 were level transferred into London & South East Premier as the nearest club geographically to address an imbalance of teams in the league. Teams leaving the division included Rochford Hundred who were promoted into National League 2 South as champions along with Guernsey Raiders who won the virtual promotion playoff against Weston-super-Mare RFC on points, while teams relegated from the league included Bedford Athletic (Midlands 1 East), Guildford (London 1 South) and London Irish Wild Geese (London 1 South).
Ahead of the season the RFU announced[2] that "To best manage the uncertainties around a start date, leagues will be split into conferences from the start of the season i.e. a 14 team league will be split into two groups of 7 teams. In most cases the conferences will be organised geographically to keep travel down to a minimum in the early part of the season, which could also present the opportunity for more revenue generating derby/local fixtures and support player availability." Consequently CS Rugby 1863, Hertford, Maidenhead, North Walsham, Sidcup, Tring and Wimbledon were grouped together in one half with Brighton, Dorking, Havant, Sevenoaks, Sutton & Epsom, Tunbridge Wells and Westcombe Park grouped in the other. The intention was for clubs in each conference to play one another home and away - a total of twelve fixtures to be completed. If there had been opportunity to do so, then teams would have then faced the sides in the other conference home or away - a total of seven fixtures. Then, if had there been sufficient time in the season, teams would have played those other sides a second time home or away - the remaining seven fixtures.
On 30th October the RFU further announced [3] that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season. As such London & South East Premier will not be contested in season 2020/21.
Participating teams
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2019–20
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Guernsey and London Irish Wild Geese who were relegated from National League 2 South, along with three promoted sides; Brighton, Rochford Hundred and Sevenoaks.[4][5][6][7] [8] Teams leaving the division included Sutton & Epsom who were promoted into National League 2 South as champions and Westcliff who won the promotion playoff, while teams relegated from the league included Brentwood, Chingford and Shelford (all London 1 North).
Participating teams
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Final league table
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On 4 April, the Rugby Football Union confirmed the final table for the season.[9]
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2018–19
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Wimbledon who were relegated from National League 2 South, along with four promoted sides; Bedford Athletic, Brentwood, Chingford and CS Rugby 1863. Bedford Athletic had initially been promoted into Midlands Premier but were level transferred into London & South East Premier as the nearest club geographically to address an imbalance of teams in the league. Teams leaving the division included Barnes who were promoted into National League 2 South as champions along with Guernsey who won the promotion playoff, while teams relegated from the league included Southend Saxons (London 1 North), Towcestrians (Midlands 1 East) and Westcombe Park (London 1 South).
Participating teams
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Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in the London & South East Premier (National League 3 London & South East) and South West Premier (formerly National League 3 South West) participate in a play-off for the third promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Westcliff, hosted the match and beat their opponents Barnstaple 44 – 5 to win promotion to National League 2 South for the first time. This was Westcliff's first appearance in the play-offs and Barnstaple's second; in 2016 Barnstaple beat Tonbridge Juddians 31 – 30 at Tonbridge. The home team have won fifteen out of nineteen play-off matches and the south-east team have won the play-off thirteen times.
Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
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Westcliff (P) | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 808 | 425 | 383 | 17 | 5 | 98 |
Barnstaple | 26 | 19 | 1 | 6 | 747 | 541 | 206 | 12 | 1 | 91 |
2017–18
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Barnes who were relegated from National League 2 South along with three promoted teams Sidcup, Tring and Tunbridge Wells.[11][12][13][14] Tonbridge Juddians were promoted into National League 2 South as champions along with Wimbledon who won the promotion playoff.[15][16] Teams relegated from the league included Amersham & Chiltern and Colchester (London 1 North) and Chichester (London 1 South).[17] To address an imbalance of teams, Towcestrians were level transferred into the league from the Midlands Premier, as they were the nearest team geographically.[18]
Participating teams
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
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Barnes | Barn Elms | Barnes, London | Relegated from National League 2 South (15th) | |
Dorking | The Big Field | 1,000+ | Dorking, Surrey | 8th |
Guernsey | Footes Lane | 5,000 (720 seats) | Saint Peter Port, Guernsey | 5th |
Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | 9th | |
Hertford | Highfields | Ware, Hertfordshire | 3rd | |
Shelford | The Davey Field | 2,000 (150 seats) | Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire | 6th |
Sidcup | Crescent Farm | Sidcup, London | Promoted from London 1 South (champions) | |
Southend Saxons | Warners Bridge Park | Southend, Essex | 11th | |
Sutton & Epsom | Rugby Lane | Cheam, London | 10th | |
Towcestrians | Greens Norton Road | Towchester, Northamptonshire | Level transfer from Midlands Premier (10th) | |
Tring | Pendley Sports Centre | 750 | Tring, Hertfordshire | Promoted from London 1 North (champions) |
Tunbridge Wells | St Marks Recreation Ground | 3,000 | Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent | Promoted from London 1 South (playoffs) |
Westcliff | The Gables | 1,000 | Eastwood, Southend-on-Sea, Essex | 7th |
Westcombe Park | Goddington Dene | 3,200 (200 seats) | Orpington, London | 4th |
Final league table
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Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | |||||||
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1 | Barnes (P) | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 944 | 380 | 564 | 20 | 3 | 111 | ||||||
2 | Guernsey (P) | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 962 | 446 | 516 | 19 | 3 | 110 | ||||||
3 | Tring | 26 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 783 | 414 | 369 | 16 | 3 | 105 | ||||||
4 | Hertford | 26 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 896 | 484 | 412 | 20 | 3 | 105 | ||||||
5 | Tunbridge Wells | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 681 | 557 | 124 | 16 | 5 | 77 | ||||||
6 | Westcliff | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 816 | 555 | 261 | 15 | 4 | 75 | ||||||
7 | Shelford | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 672 | 688 | -16 | 12 | 3 | 59 | ||||||
8 | Sidcup | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 654 | 790 | -136 | 11 | 4 | 59 | ||||||
9 | Dorking | 26 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 646 | 725 | -79 | 11 | 4 | 57 | ||||||
10 | Sutton & Epsom | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 634 | 875 | -241 | 13 | 4 | 57 | ||||||
11 | Guildford | 26 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 604 | 834 | -230 | 15 | 7 | 52 | ||||||
12 | Westcombe Park (R) | 26 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 511 | 759 | -248 | 8 | 3 | 49 | ||||||
13 | Southend Saxons (R) | 26 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 458 | 1052 | -594 | 6 | 4 | 30 | ||||||
14 | Towcestrians (R) | 26 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 386 | 1088 | -702 | 5 | 1 | 20 | ||||||
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 07 June 2018 Source: 2017-2018 |
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in the London & South East Premier, and South West Premier participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Guernsey RFC, hosted the match and beat their opponents Bournemouth 38 – 23 to win promotion.
Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
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Guernsey (P) | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 962 | 446 | 516 | 19 | 3 | 110 |
Bournemouth | 26 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 761 | 635 | 126 | 9 | 4 | 83 |
2016–17
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Dorking and Southend Saxons who were relegated from National 2 South while three promoted teams, Amersham & Chiltern, Guildford and Sutton & Epsom were promoted into the league. London Irish Wild Geese were promoted to National League 2 South as champions while Eton Manor and Gravesend were relegated to London 1 North and London 1 South respectively. Originally, Westcliff were supposed to go down as the 14th placed team, but they were granted a reprieve when East Grinstead (who had finished 3rd) decided to take voluntary relegation, due to the loss of a key sponsor and dropped five leagues to Sussex Spitfire 1.[19][20] Finally Bracknell were level transferred back to National League 3 South West after just one season to address an imbalance in teams after having finished 11th.[21]
Current results see:- National League 3 London & South East results
Participating teams
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
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Amersham & Chiltern | Weedon Lane | Amersham, Buckinghamshire | promoted from London 1 North (champions) | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 10th | |
Colchester | Mill Road Playing Fields | Colchester, Essex | 9th | |
Dorking | The Big Field | 1,000+ | Dorking, Surrey | relegated from National League 2 South (14th) |
Guernsey | Footes Lane | 5,000 (720 seats) | Saint Peter Port, Guernsey | 6th |
Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | promoted from London 1 South (play-off) | |
Hertford | Highfields | Ware, Hertfordshire | 4th | |
Shelford | The Davey Field | 2,000 (150 seats) | Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire | 7th |
Southend Saxons | Warners Bridge Park | Southend, Essex | relegated from National League 2 South (15th) | |
Sutton & Epsom | Rugby Lane | Cheam, London | promoted from London 1 South (champions) | |
Tonbridge Juddians | The Slade | 1,500 | Tonbridge, Kent | 2nd (lost play-off) |
Westcliff | The Gables | 1,000 | Eastwood, Southend-on-Sea, Essex | 12th |
Westcombe Park | Goddington Dene | 3,200 (200 seats) | Orpington, London | 5th |
Wimbledon | Beverley Meads | Raynes Park, Merton, London | 8th | |
Final league table
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Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | |||||||
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1 | Tonbridge Juddians (P) | 26 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 887 | 352 | 535 | 20 | 0 | 120 | ||||||
2 | Wimbledon (P) | 26 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 936 | 399 | 537 | 21 | 2 | 115 | ||||||
3 | Hertford | 26 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 726 | 471 | 255 | 13 | 4 | 85 | ||||||
4 | Westcombe Park | 26 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 719 | 392 | 327 | 11 | 5 | 84 | ||||||
5 | Guernsey | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 756 | 618 | 138 | 14 | 5 | 74 | ||||||
6 | Shelford | 26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 622 | 642 | −19 | 8 | 1 | 67 | ||||||
7 | Westcliff | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 539 | 613 | −74 | 7 | 6 | 57 | ||||||
8 | Dorking | 26 | 11 | 1 | 14 | 553 | 663 | –110 | 6 | 4 | 56 | ||||||
9 | Guildford | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 533 | 689 | −156 | 7 | 3 | 54 | ||||||
10 | Sutton & Epsom | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 547 | 707 | −160 | 5 | 6 | 51 | ||||||
11 | Southend | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 509 | 626 | −117 | 6 | 2 | 50 | ||||||
12 | Chichester (R) | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 528 | 683 | −155 | 9 | 7 | 47 | ||||||
13 | Colchester (R) | 26 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 465 | 791 | −326 | 5 | 7 | 28 | ||||||
14 | Amersham & Chiltern (R) | 26 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 370 | 1045 | −675 | 1 | 2 | 7 | ||||||
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 26 April 2017 Source: |
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Wimbledon RFC, hosted the match and beat their opponents Dings Crusaders RFC 55 – 5 to win promotion.
Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
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Wimbledon (P) | 26 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 936 | 399 | 537 | 21 | 2 | 115 |
Dings Crusaders | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 676 | 448 | 228 | 8 | 3 | 87 |
2015–16
Participating clubs
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Final league table
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Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Bonus Points | Points | ||||||||
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1 | London Irish Wild Geese (C) | 26 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 791 | 442 | 349 | 16 | 108 | |||||||
2 | Tonbridge Juddians | 26 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 833 | 395 | 438 | 21 | 102 | |||||||
3 | East Grinstead (R)[lower-alpha 2] | 26 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 687 | 337 | 350 | 17 | 99 | |||||||
4 | Hertford | 26 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 749 | 431 | 318 | 15 | 89 | |||||||
5 | Westcombe Park | 26 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 738 | 421 | 317 | 17 | 87 | |||||||
6 | Guernsey | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 666 | 592 | 74 | 16 | 76 | |||||||
7 | Shelford | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 597 | 542 | 55 | 17 | 73 | |||||||
8 | Wimbledon | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 635 | 492 | 143 | 12 | 64 | |||||||
9 | Colchester | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 567 | 616 | –49 | 11 | 59 | |||||||
10 | Chichester | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 484 | 609 | –125 | 12 | 52 | |||||||
11 | Bracknell | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 478 | 702 | –224 | 10 | 46 | |||||||
12 | Westcliff[lower-alpha 3] | 26 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 427 | 814 | –387 | 8 | 28 | |||||||
13 | Gravesend (R) | 26 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 378 | 809 | –431 | 8 | 20 | |||||||
14 | Eton Manor (R) | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 277 | 1,105 | –828 | 5 | 5 | |||||||
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 23 April 2016 Source: 2015-16 |
Promotion play-off
The runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Tonbridge Juddian, host the match and their opponents are Barnstaple. Juddians lost the match 31 – 30 to a penalty in the last minute of the match and will stay in National 3 London and SE for next season.[22]
Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
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Tonbridge Juddian | 26 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 833 | 395 | 438 | 13 | 2 | 102 |
Barnstaple (P) | 26 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 715 | 378 | 337 | 12 | 2 | 98 |
2014–15
Participating clubs
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Final league table
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Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Bonus pts | Points | ||||||||
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1 | Bury St Edmunds (C) | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 800 | 401 | 399 | 18 | 98 | |||||||
2 | Barnes (P) | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 638 | 492 | 146 | 15 | 91 | |||||||
3 | London Irish Wild Geese | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 681 | 524 | 157 | 14 | 90 | |||||||
4 | East Grinstead | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 599 | 429 | 170 | 14 | 78 | |||||||
5 | Westcombe Park | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 630 | 473 | 157 | 22 | 73 | |||||||
6 | Hertford | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 615 | 565 | 50 | 12 | 68 | |||||||
7 | Chichester | 26 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 547 | 612 | –65 | 13 | 63 | |||||||
8 | Tonbridge Juddians | 26 | 11 | 1 | 14 | 582 | 591 | –9 | 15 | 61 | |||||||
9 | Gravesend | 26 | 11 | 1 | 14 | 509 | 614 | –105 | 9 | 55 | |||||||
10 | Guernsey | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 617 | 650 | –33 | 14 | 53 | |||||||
11 | Westcliff | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 516 | 681 | –165 | 12 | 48 | |||||||
12 | Tring (R) | 26 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 500 | 695 | –195 | 10 | 48 | |||||||
13 | Amersham & Chiltern (R) | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 489 | 610 | –121 | 11 | 47 | |||||||
14 | CS Rugby 1863 (R) | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 481 | 867 | –386 | 11 | 35 | |||||||
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 7 October 2015 Source: 2014-15 |
Promotion play-off
The runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Exmouth, hosts the match; their opponents were Barnes and the match was played on 25 April 2015. At the end of full-time the match score was 22 – 22, and Barnes scored the only points in extra-time, to win the match 27– 22.[23]
Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
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Exmouth | 26 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 820 | 426 | 394 | 13 | 2 | 99 |
Barnes (P) | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 638 | 492 | 146 | 13 | 2 | 91 |
25 April 2015 14:30 |
Exmouth | 22 – 27 | Barnes |
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Imperial Recreation Ground Attendance: 1,000 |
After extra time (80 mins: 22 – 22)
2013–14
Participating clubs
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Final league table
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Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Bonus Points | Points | ||||||||
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1 | Dorking (C) | 26 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 1048 | 384 | 664 | 21 | 111 | |||||||
2 | Old Elthamians (P) | 26 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 961 | 376 | 585 | 19 | 111 | |||||||
3 | East Grinstead | 26 | 19 | 1 | 6 | 792 | 379 | 413 | 17 | 95 | |||||||
4 | Tonbridge Juddian | 26 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 712 | 583 | 129 | 13 | 85 | |||||||
5 | Guernsey | 26 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 733 | 487 | 246 | 17 | 79 | |||||||
6 | Tring | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 667 | 574 | 93 | 14 | 70 | |||||||
7 | Bury St Edmunds | 26 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 729 | 687 | 42 | 16 | 70 | |||||||
8 | Hertford | 26 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 645 | 557 | 88 | 14 | 68 | |||||||
9 | CS Rugby 1863 | 26 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 622 | 695 | –73 | 14 | 60 | |||||||
10 | Westcombe Park | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 611 | 649 | –38 | 11 | 55 | |||||||
11 | Barnes | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 519 | 790 | –271 | 15 | 51 | |||||||
12 | Basingstoke (R) | 26 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 583 | 838 | –255 | 13 | 43 | |||||||
13 | Thurrock (R) | 26 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 441 | 1016 | –575 | 6 | 20 | |||||||
14 | Barking (R) | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 329 | 1377 | –1048 | 6 | 6 | |||||||
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 20 May 2014 Source: and[24] |
2012–13
Participating clubs
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Results
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2011–12
Participating clubs
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Results
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2010–11
Participating clubs
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2009–10
Participating clubs
First season as a national league
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as London 1) contained the following teams:
- Dartfordians
- Ealing
- Esher
- Guildford & Godalming[lower-alpha 4]
- Ipswich
- Lewes
- Old Gaytonians[lower-alpha 5]
- Ruislip
- Sutton & Epsom
- Upper Clapton[lower-alpha 6]
- United Services Portsmouth
London & South East Premier honours
In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. These were London Division 1, Midland Division 1, North Division 1 and South West Division 1. In 1987 the geographical area for teams in the south-east of England was known as the London and South East Division and covered the counties of Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey and Sussex. The league was also known as London League 1 and London 1. There were eleven teams in the league and they played each team once, giving each team ten matches.[27] This system prevailed for five seasons, and in 1992–93 the number of teams increased from eleven to thirteen. The following season (1993–94) the league was reorganised and the four tier five leagues became two; National 5 North and National 5 South.[28] After three seasons, in 1996–97, a further reorganisation occurred, and there was a return to four, tier five leagues; with London Division One covering the same area as before.[29] This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three London & South East. The league name changed once more for the 2017–18, when it was renamed to London & South East Premier.[1]
London Division One (1987–93)
The original London Division One was a tier five league with promotion up to Area League 2 South and relegation down to either London 2 North or London 2 South.
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Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Reference | |||||||
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1987–88 | 11 | 10 | Ealing | Ruislip | Esher, Upper Clapton | [30] | |||||||
1988–89 | 11 | 10 | Basingstoke | Sutton & Epsom | Guildford & Godalming, Dartfordians | [27] | |||||||
1989–90 | 11 | 10 | North Walsham | Ealing | No relegation | [27] | |||||||
1990–91 | 11 | 10 | Sidcup | Cheshunt | US Portsmouth | [27] | |||||||
1991–92 | 11 | 10 | Thurrock | Eton Manor | Cheshunt, Ruislip, Lewes | [31] | |||||||
1992–93 | 13 | 12 | Tabard | Ealing | Barking, Old Colfeians, Old Mid-Whitgiftian, Old Alleynian, Dorking, Old Gaytonians, Sidcup | [32] |
London Division One
The top six teams from London Division One and the top six from South West Division One were combined to create National 5 South. London Division 1 was now the name of a tier six league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 South.
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Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Reference | |||||||
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1993–94 | 13 | 12 | Barking | Ealing | Thurrock, Dorking, Old Alleynian | [33] | |||||||
1994–95 | 13 | 12 | Camberley | Esher | Streatham-Croydon, Eton Manor, Maidstone | [34] | |||||||
1995–96 | 13 | 12 | Charlton Park | Southend | Ealing |
London Division One
For the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 South was discontinued and London Division One returned to being a tier five league. Promotion was up to National 4 South (renamed to National 3 South in 2000–01), while relegation continued to London 2 North and London 2 South.
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Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Reference | |||||||
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1996–97 | 14 | 13 | Esher | Norwich | Southend, Thurrock | [35] | |||||||
1997–98 | 17 | 16 | Norwich | Staines | Askeans | [36] | |||||||
1998–99 | 17 | 16 | Westcombe Park | Staines | Southend, Charlton Park | [37] | |||||||
1999–00 | 17 | 16 | Basingstoke | Staines | Cheshunt, Sudbury, Old Mid-Whitgiftian, Wimbledon, Ruislip, Woodford | [38][lower-alpha 7] | |||||||
2000–01 | 11 | 20 | Old Colfeians | Havant | Guildford & Godalming, Thurrock | [39][lower-alpha 8] | |||||||
2001–02 | 12 | 22 | Havant | Basingstoke | Cambridge | [40] | |||||||
2002–03 | 12 | 22 | Southend | Haywards Heath | Cheshunt, Northwich, Winchester | [41] | |||||||
2003–04 | 12 | 22 | Havant | Hertford | Harlow, Camberley, Staines | [42] | |||||||
2004–05 | 12 | 22 | Cambridge | Worthing | Thanet Wanderers, Sutton & Epsom, London Nigerian | [43] | |||||||
2005–06 | 12 | 22 | Canterbury | Richmond | Tabard, Old Colfeians | [44] | |||||||
2006–07 | 12 | 22 | London Scottish | Ealing Trailfinders | Guildford, Haywards Heath, Staines | [45] | |||||||
2007–08 | 12 | 22 | Richmond | Worthing | Thanet Wanderers, Basingstoke, CS Rugby 1863 | [46] | |||||||
2008–09 | 12 | 22 | Shelford | Barnes | No relegation | [47] |
National League 3 London & SE
The division was renamed National League 3 London & SE following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It continued as a tier 5 league with promotion to National League 2 South (formerly National 3 South) and relegation to either London 1 North or London 1 South (formerly London 2 North and London 2 South).
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Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | ||||||||
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2009–10 | 14 | 26 | Jersey | Old Albanian | Haywards Heath, Portsmouth, Sutton & Epsom | [48] | ||||||||
2010–11 | 14 | 26 | Barnes | Hertford | Diss, North Walsham, Basingstoke | [49] | ||||||||
2011–12 | 14 | 26 | Canterbury | Tonbridge Juddian | Havant, Luton, Bracknell | [50] | ||||||||
2012–13 | 14 | 26 | Bishop's Stortford | Dorking | Staines, Westcliff, Gravesend | [51] | ||||||||
2013–14 | 14 | 26 | Dorking | Old Elthamians | Barking, Thurrock, Basingstoke | [52] | ||||||||
2014–15 | 14 | 26 | Bury St Edmunds | Barnes | CS Rugby 1863, Amersham & Chiltern, Tring | [53] | ||||||||
2015–16 | 14 | 26 | London Irish Wild Geese | Tonbridge Juddians | Eton Manor, Gravesend, East Grinstead[lower-alpha 9] | [54] | ||||||||
2016–17 | 14 | 26 | Tonbridge Juddians | Wimbledon | Amersham & Chiltern, Colchester, Chichester | [55] | ||||||||
Green background are the promotion places. |
London & South East Premier
The division was renamed London & South East Premier in order to make it more obvious that it was a regional league and the pinnacle of the London & South East region. It continued to be a tier 5 league with promotion to National League 2 South and relegation to London 1 North or London 1 South.
| ||||||||||||||
Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017–18 | 14 | 26 | Barnes | Guernsey | Towcestrians, Southend Saxons, Westcombe Park | [56] | ||||||||
2018–19 | 14 | 26 | Sutton & Epsom | Westcliff | Shelford, Brentwood, Chingford | [57] | ||||||||
2019–20 | 14 | 22[lower-alpha 10] | Rochford Hundred | Guernsey | Guildford, Bedford Athletic, London Irish Wild Geese | [60] | ||||||||
2020–21 | 14 | 26 | ||||||||||||
Green background are the promotion places. |
Promotion play-offs
Since season 2000–01 there has been a play-off between the runners-up of London & South East Premier and South West Premier for the third and final promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the London and south-east teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the south-west teams six; and the home team has won promotion on fifteen occasions compared to the away teams four.
| ||||||||||||||
Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Attendance | Reference | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000–01 | Cinderford (SW) | 26–10 | Havant (LSE) | Dockham Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire | ||||||||||
2001–02 | Basingstoke (LSE) | 29–13 | Dings Crusaders (SW) | Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire | [61] | |||||||||
2002–03 | Haywards Heath (LSE) | 34–21 | Reading (SW) | Whiteman's Green, Cuckfield, West Sussex | [62][63] | |||||||||
2003–04 | Hertford (LSE) | 25–14 | Cinderford (SW) | Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire | [64] | |||||||||
2004–05 | Worthing Raiders (LSE) | 26–30 | Bridgwater & Albion (SW) | Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex | 1,200 | [65][66] | ||||||||
2005–06 | Richmond (LSE) | 3–12 | Clifton (SW) | Athletic Ground, Richmond, Greater London | 1,100 | [67][68] | ||||||||
2006–07 | Ealing Trailfinders (LSE) | 48–16 | Cleve (SW) | Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing, Greater London | [69][70] | |||||||||
2007–08 | Worthing Raiders (LSE) | 18–5 | Bracknell (SW) | Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex | [71][72] | |||||||||
2008–09 | Barnes (LSE) | 39–18 | Bracknell (SW) | Barn Elms, Barnes, Greater London | [73][74] | |||||||||
2009–10 | Old Albanian (LSE) | 15–0 | Old Patesians (SW) | Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire | [75][76] | |||||||||
2010–11 | Hertford (LSE) | 23–22 | Bournemouth (SW) | Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire | 1,000 | [77][78] | ||||||||
2011–12 | Chinnor (SW) | 19–8 | Tonbridge Juddians (LSE) | Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire | [79][80] | |||||||||
2012–13 | Exmouth (SW) | 21–20 | Dorking (LSE) | Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon | [81][82] | |||||||||
2013–14 | Old Elthamians (LSE) | 17–10 | Redingensians (SW) | Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, Kent | 1,350 | [83][84] | ||||||||
2014–15 | Exmouth (SW) | 22–27 (aet) | Barnes (LSE) | Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon | 1,000 | [85][86] | ||||||||
2015–16 | Tonbridge Juddians (LSE) | 30–31 | Barnstaple (SW) | The Slade, Tonbridge, Kent | 600 | [87][88] | ||||||||
2016–17 | Wimbledon (LSE) | 55–5 | Dings Crusaders (SW) | Beverley Meads, Raynes Park, Greater London | 350 | [89] | ||||||||
2017–18 | Guernsey (LSE) | 38–23 | Bournemouth (SW) | Footes Lane, Saint Peter Port, Guernsey | [90] | |||||||||
2018–19 | Westcliff (LSE) | 44–5 | Barnstaple (SW) | The Gables, Eastwood, Essex | 750[91] | [92] | ||||||||
2019–20 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Guernsey (LSE) - promoted instead. | |||||||||||||
2020–21 | ||||||||||||||
Green background is the promoted team. (LSE = London & South East teams while SW = South West teams). | ||||||||||||||
Number of league titles
- Barnes (2)
- Basingstoke (2)
- Canterbury (2)
- Havant (2)
- Barking (1)
- Bishop's Stortford (1)
- Bury St Edmunds (1)
- Camberley (1)
- Cambridge (1)
- Charlton Park (1)
- Dorking (1)
- Ealing (1)
- Esher (1)
- Jersey (1)
- London Irish Wild Geese
- London Scottish (1)
- London Welsh (1)[lower-alpha 11]
- North Walsham (1)
- Norwich (1)
- Old Colfeians (1)
- Richmond (1)
- Rochford Hundred (1)
- Shelford (1)
- Sidcup (1)
- Southend (1)
- Sutton & Epsom (1)
- Tabard
- Thurrock (1)
- Tonbridge Juddians (1)
- Westcombe Park
Notes
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the promotion playoff game was cancelled and the winners were determined on final points tally.
- Despite finishing 3rd in the league, East Grinstead decided to take voluntary relegation due to being left insolvent after their director (and financial backer) pulled out of the club. They will be relegated all the way down to level 10 (Sussex Intermediate League) giving a reprieve to Westcliff who would have been relegated in 12th position had it not been for East Grinstead's demotion.[20]
- Following East Grinsteads voluntary relegation, 12th placed Westcliff were granted a reprieve and would not be relegated this season.[19]
- Guildford & Godalming would merge with Old Guildfordians in 2003 to form Guildford Rugby Club.
- Gaytonians would later merge with Kingsburians and Roxeth Manor to form West London RFC.
- Upper Clapton are currently known as Epping Upper Clapton RFC.
- The reduction of this division from 17 teams to 12 resulted in more relegation places than is usual.
- Metropolitan Police withdrew and their fixtures and results expunged.
- Despite finishing 3rd in the league, East Grinstead decided to take voluntary relegation due to being left insolvent after their director (and financial backer) pulled out of the club. The will be relegated all the way down to level 10 (Sussex Intermediate League) giving a reprieve to Westcliff who would have been relegated in 12th position had it not been for East Grinstead's demotion.[20]
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with most clubs in London & South East Premier having played 22 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table.[58][59]
- London Welsh's league title was won during the period when tier 5 was divided into 2 regional divisions - National 5 North and National 5 South (1993-96).
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