London 1 South

London 1 South is an English level 6 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in London and the south-east of England including sides from East Sussex, south Essex, south Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex.[1] When this division began in 1987 it was known as London 2 South, changing to its current name ahead of the 2009–10 season.

London 1 South
Current season or competition:
2019–20 London 1 South
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987) (as London 2 South)
Number of teams14
Country England
HoldersHavant (1st title) (2019–20)
(promoted to London & South East Premier)
Most titlesBasingstoke, Canterbury, Gravesend, Haywards Heath, Sutton & Epsom, Wimbledon (2 titles)
Websiteclubs.rfu.com

It is the feeder league for London & South East Premier into which the champion team each season is promoted. The second-placed team enters a play-off against the runner-up of London 1 North. Three teams are relegated into a mixture of London 2 South East and London 2 South West.

Structure and format

The fourteen teams play home and away matches from September through to April, making a total of twenty-six matches each. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:

  • 4 points are awarded for a win
  • 2 points are awarded for a draw
  • 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
  • 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
  • 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match

There is one automatic promotion place, one play-off place for promotion and (usually) three relegation places. The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to London & South East Premier while the runner-up plays the second-placed team from London 1 North, with the winner also being promoted. The last three placed clubs are usually relegated to either London 2 South East or London 2 South West depending on location.[2]

Teams 2020–21

Ahead of the season the RFU announced[3] 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 Battersea Ironsides, Hammersmith & Fulham, KCS Old Boys, London Cornish, London Irish Wild Geese, London Welsh and Medway were grouped together in one half with Camberley, Chichester, Cobham, Farnham, Guildford, Haywards Heath and Horsham 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 there had 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 [4] that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season. As such London 1 South will not be contested in season 2020/21.

Teams 2019–20

Teams 2018–19

Teams 2017–18

2016–17

Sutton & Epsom, the current champions were promoted to National 3 London & South East for the 2016–17 season, while the second-placed team, Guildford beat Tring, the runner-up from London 1 North, in a play-off for the second promotion place. Twickenham and Charlton Park are relegated. Medway were also relegated despite finishing third due to an RFU punishment for incorrect registration of, and illegal payments to, players[5] thus granting a reprieve from relegation for Gosport and Fareham.[6]

They were replaced by Gravesend who were relegated from National 3 London & SE. Promoted into the league were national RFU Intermediate Cup champions and unbeaten league winners of London 2 South East, Tunbridge Wells[7] as well as Cobham as champions of London 2 South West and play-off winners Sevenoaks.[8] CS Rugby 1863 were transferred from London 1 North because they were the most southern team in London 1 North due of an imbalace in North and South teams in the leagues.[8]

Participating teams and locations
Team Ground City/Area Previous season
BrightonWaterhallBrighton, East Sussex5th
ChiswickDukes MeadowsChiswick, Hounslow, London10th
ChobhamFowlers WellsChobham, Surrey8th
CobhamOld Surbitonians Memorial GroundCobham, Surreypromoted from London 2 South West as champions
CS Rugby 1863King's House Sports GroundChiswick, Londonlevel transferred from London 1 North
DoverCrabble Athletic GroundDover, Kent11th
Gosport & FarehamGosport ParkGosport, Hampshire12th
GravesendDonald Biggs DriveGravesend, Kentrelegated from National League 3 London & SE
HavantHook's LaneHavant, Hampshire9th
MaidstoneWilliam Day Memorial GroundMaidstone, Kent6th
SevenoaksKnole PaddockSevenoaks, Kentpromoted from London 2 South East via play-off
SidcupCrescent FarmSidcup, Kent4th
TottoniansWater LaneTotton, Hampshire7th
Tunbridge WellsSt Marks Recreation GroundRoyal Tunbridge Wells, Kentpromoted from London 2 South East as champions

2015–16

Participating teams and locations
Team Ground City/Area Previous season
BrightonWaterhallBrighton, East Sussex6th
Charlton ParkBroad WalkKidbrooke, London8th
ChiswickDukes MeadowsChiswick, Londonpromoted from London 2 North West via play-off
ChobhamFowlers WellsChobham, Surrey2nd
DoverCrabble Athletic GroundDover, Kent10th
Gosport & FarehamGosport ParkGosport, Hampshire9th
GuildfordBroadwater Sports ClubFarncombe, Surrey5th
HavantHook's LaneHavant, Hampshire7th
MaidstoneWilliam Davey Memorial GroundMaidstone, Kentpromoted from London 2 South East as champions
MedwayPriestfields Recreation GroundRochester, Kentpromoted from London 2 South East via play-off
SidcupCrescent FarmSidcup, Kent4th
Sutton & EpsomRugby LaneCheam, London3rd
TottoniansWater LaneTotton, Hampshirepromoted from London 2 South West as champions
TwickenhamParkfieldsHampton, London11th

Final league table
2015–16 London 1 South Table
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Sutton & Epsom (C)262312853415438171112
2Guildford (P)26200680248132115398
3Medway (R)[lower-alpha 3]26190771049421612391
4Sidcup26181773547725813491
5Brighton261601066148018113784
6Maidstone26162873354119211180
7Tottonans261601074146427712379
8Chobham261301372059812213873
9Havant26120147246883613768
10Chiswick2610115496707−2115249
11Dover266020425748−3236737
12Gosport & Fareham265021458959−5018129
13Twickenham (R)262024424859−4357621
14Charlton Park (R)263122413984−5712420

  • 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. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 12 June 2016
Source: 2014–15

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in London 1 South and London 1 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National 3 London & SE. The team with the best playing record, in this case Tring, from London 1 North, was the home team and the away team Guildford, won the match 26 – 21, with a try in the 79th minute.[9][10]

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Tring262303987360627170109
Guildford (P)26200680248132115398
30 April 2016
15:00
Tring 21 – 26 Guildford
Tring Rangers
Guildford
Pendley Sports Centre
Attendance: 700

2014–15

Participating teams and locations

2013–14

Participating teams and locations

2012–13

Participating teams and locations

2011–12

Participating teams and locations

Original teams

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

London 1 South honours

London 2 South (1987–1993)

In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was six, tier six leagues. The initial name was London 2 South and was for teams based in London and the counties of Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. There was eleven teams in the league and each team played one match against each of the other teams, giving each team five home matches and five away matches. The winning team was awarded two points, and there was one point for each team in a drawn match.[11]

The original London 2 South was a tier 6 league with promotion up to London 1 and relegation down to either London 3 South East or London 3 South West.

London 2 South
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1987–881110BasingstokeOld Mid-WhitgiftianOld Juddian, Portsmouth[11]
1988–891110Old AlleynianWorthingOld Reigatian, KCS Old Boys, Purley[11]
1989–901110Old Mid-WhitgiftianCamberleyAlton[11]
1990–911110DorkingWestcombe ParkOld Brockleians, Dartfordians[12]
1991–921110Old ColfeiansGuildford & GodalmingTunbridge Wells[13]
1992–931312CamberleyWestcombe ParkNo relegation[lower-alpha 6][14]

London 2 South (1993–1994)

At the end of the 1992–93 season the top six teams from London Division 1 and the top six from South West Division 1 were combined to create National 5 South. This meant that London 2 South dropped from a tier 6 league to a tier 7 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to London 1 and relegation down to either London 3 South East or London 3 South West.

London 2 South
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1993–941312EsherWestcombe ParkKCS Old Boys, Worthing, Lewes
1994–951312Charlton ParkOld BluesPortsmouth, Old Alleynians, Sidcup
1995–961312WimbledonThanet WanderersMaidstone

London 2 South (1996–2009)

The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that London 2 South reverted to being a tier 6 league.[15] Promotion continued to London 1 and relegation down to either London 3 South East or London 3 South West (renamed to London 2 South East and London 2 South West from the 2000–01 season onward).

London 2 South
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1996–971312Thanet WanderersGravesendNo relegation[lower-alpha 7][16]
1997–981715Westcombe ParkWinchesterBrockleians[lower-alpha 8], Streatham-Croydon, Old Reigatian[17]
1998–991514WinchesterSevenoaksNo relegation[lower-alpha 9][18]
1999–001716CanterburyHaywards HeathMultiple teams[lower-alpha 10][19]
2000–011222Haywards HeathCanterburyTonbridge Juddian, Alton, Old Guildfordians[20]
2001–021222CanterburyPortsmouthGravesend, Guildford & Godalming[21]
2002–031222WorthingPortsmouthSevenoaks, Effingham & Leatherhead, Maidstone[22]
2003–041222RichmondBarnesCobham, Andover, Winchester[23]
2004–051222BarnesPortsmouthCamberley, Tunbridge Wells, Dartfordians[24]
2005–061222PortsmouthGuildfordOld Mid-Whitgiftian, Sidcup, Gosport & Fareham[25]
2006–071222Sutton & EpsomThanet WanderersLondon Irish Amateur, Lewes, Andover[26]
2007–081222Haywards HeathJerseySevenoaks, Wimbledon, Guildford[27]
2008–091222BasingstokeDorkingNo relegation[lower-alpha 11][28]

London 1 South

London 2 South was renamed to London 1 South from the 2009–10 season onward. It continued as a tier 6 league with promotion to National League 3 London & South East (formerly London 1 and currently known as London & South East Premier) and relegation to London 2 South East and London 2 South West (formerly London 3 South East and London 3 South West).

London 1 South
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
2009–101426GravesendDoverAylesford Bulls, Maidstone, Old Elthamians[29]
2010–111426Tonbridge JuddiansLondon Irish AmateurTunbridge Wells, Wimbledon[30]
2011–121426GuernseyOld ElthamiansSutton & Epsom, Thanet Wanderers, Portsmouth[31]
2012–131426East GrinsteadBasingstokeOld Colfeians, Trojans, Gosport & Fareham[32]
2013–141426GravesendChichesterHaywards Heath, Staines, Beckenham[33]
2014–151426WimbledonChobhamBasingstoke, Hove, Cobham[34]
2015–161426Sutton & EpsomGuildfordCharlton Park, Twickenham, Medway[35]
2016–171426SidcupTunbridge WellsGosport and Fareham, Dover, Chiswick[36]
2017–181426CS Rugby 1863MedwayGravesend, Maidstone, Old Colfeians[37]
2018–191426SevenoaksBrightonHove, Chobham, Tottonians[38]
2019–201422[lower-alpha 12]HavantWestcombe ParkBeckenham, Dartfordians, H.A.C.[41]
2020–211426
Green background are the promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of London 1 North and London 1 South for the third and final promotion place to London & South East Premier. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the London 1 South teams have been the most successful with eleven wins to the London 1 North teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six.

London 1 (north v south) promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000-01[42]Canterbury (S)21-27London Nigerian (N)Merton Lane, Canterbury, Kent
2001-02[43]Southend (N)37-15Portsmouth (S)Warners Bridge Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
2002-03[44]Old Albanian (2nd XV) (N)28-12Portsmouth (S)Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire
2003-04[45]Cambridge (N)21-19Barnes (S)Grantchester Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
2004-05[46]Staines (N)55-12Portsmouth (S)The Reeves, Hanworth, Greater London
2005-06[47]Guildford (S)27-14CS Rugby 1863 (N)Broadwater Sports Club, Farncombe, Surrey
2006-07[48]Tring (N)7-20Thanet Wanderers (S)Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire
2007-08[49]Jersey (S)15-0Staines (S)St. Peter, Saint Peter, Jersey
2008-09[50]Staines (N)7-11Dorking (S)The Reeves, Hanworth, Greater London
2009-10[51]Civil Service (N)31-14Dover (S)King's House Sports Ground, Chiswick, Greater London
2010-11[52]London Irish Wild Geese (S)21-14Sidcup (N)Hazelwood, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey1,000
2011-12[53]Old Elthamians (S)16-8Colchester (N)Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, Greater London600
2012-13[54]Basingstoke (S)27-3Eton Manor (N)Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire
2013-14[55]Chichester (S)25-16Eton Manor (N)Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex
2014-15[56]Eton Manor (N)17-14Chobham (S)The New Wilderness, Redbridge, London400
2015-16[57]Tring (N)21-26Guildford (S)Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire700
2016–17[58]Chingford (N)33-35 (AET)Tunbridge Wells (S)Lea Valley Playing Fields, Chingford, London500
2017-18[59]Chingford (N)21-17Medway (S)Lea Valley Playing Fields, Chingford, London500[60]
2018-19[61]Colchester (N)26-33Brighton (S)Mill Road Playing Fields, Colchester, Essex
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Westcombe Park (S) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. N = London 1 North (formerly London 2 North) and S = London 1 South (formerly London 2 South).

Number of league titles

Notes
  1. Likely level transfer from London 2 North West - this may change.
  2. Likely level transfer from London 1 North - this may change.
  3. Despite finishing third in the league, Medway were forcibly relegated by the RFU to London 2 South East and banned from playing in the Kent County Cup after being found guilty of illegal payments to players and incorrect registration of players.[5]
  4. Currently known as Brockleians RFC.
  5. In 1999 Old Juddian merged with Tonbridge to form Tonbridge Juddians.
  6. US Portsmouth finished in last place but there was no relegation due to a restructuring of the league system across all levels.
  7. Brockleians finished in last place but there was no relegation this season.
  8. Brockleians dropped out with all results expunged.
  9. Askean finished in last place but there was no relegation due to expansion of league from 15 to 17 teams for the following season.
  10. Askean, Warlington, Dorking, Charlton Park, Lewes, Old Blues and Old Wimbledonians were the relegated teams this year. A restructuring of the league system including a reduction of this division from 17 teams to 12 resulting in more teams relegated than usual.
  11. Maidstone finished in last place but no relegation due to national restructuring of the league system leading to changes at all levels.
  12. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with all clubs in London 1 South having played 22 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table.[39][40]

See also

References
  1. "League Make up". Sussex Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 12 January 2010.
  2. "Competition Details". RFU. 23 April 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  3. "Return to Competitive Playing for 2020/21 Season". RFU. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  4. "RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season". RFU. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  5. Cawdell, Luke (7 April 2016). "Medway rugby club receive a reduction in their punishment from the RFU". Kent Online. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  6. "Long-serving 'Sumo' bids farewell to Gosport & Fareham". Portsmouth News. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  7. Garrett, Glenn (7 May 2016). "RECAP! Tunbridge Wells v St Benedict's – Wells put on a masterclass at Twickenham". Kent and Sussex Courier. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  8. "London 1 South fixtures 2016–17" (PDF). RFU. Retrieved 10 June 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. "Fixtures & Results". English Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  10. Ellson, Simon. "Belated report on the 1st XV's final battle against Guildford last season". Tring Rugby. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  11. Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (eds.). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 (3rd ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1 873057 01 6.
  12. Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (eds.). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92 (4th ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1 869833 15 5.
  13. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 170–185. ISBN 0 7472 7907 1.
  14. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94 (22nd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing Ltd. pp. 151–167. ISBN 0 7472 7891 1.
  15. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97 (25th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 150–163. ISBN 0 7472 7771 0.
  16. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 87–100. ISBN 0 7472 7732 X.
  17. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998–99. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 84–98. ISBN 0 7472 7653 6.
  18. "1998–1999 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  19. "1999–2000 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  20. "2000–2001 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  21. "2001–2002 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  22. "2002–2003 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  23. "2003–2004 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  24. "2004–2005 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  25. "2005–2006 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  26. "2006–2007 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  27. "2007–2008 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  28. "2008–2009 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  29. "2009–2010 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  30. "2010–2011 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  31. "2011–2012 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  32. "2012–2013 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  33. "2013–2014 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
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  35. "2015–2016 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  36. "2016–2017 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  37. "2017–2018 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  38. "2018-2019 London & South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  39. "Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level". England Rugby. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  40. "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  41. "Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
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  43. "Rugby: Scratch Portsmouth pipped for promotion". The News (Portsmouth). 29 April 2002.
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  46. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2004-05". England Rugby. 30 April 2005.
  47. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2005-06". England Rugby. 28 April 2006.
  48. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2006-07". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  49. "Jersey rugby club gain promotion". BBC Sport. 27 April 2008.
  50. "Staines 7 - Dorking 11". Everything Rugby. 27 April 2009.
  51. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2009-10". England Rugby. 28 April 2012.
  52. "London Irish Wild Geese Rugby I XV 21 – 14 Sidcup Rugby I XV: London Division 1 Promotion play off – 23rd April 2011". In Touch Rugby. 23 April 2011.
  53. "Old Elthamians 16 Colchester 8". Old Elthamians RFC (Pitchero). 28 April 2012.
  54. "Honour in defeat to Basingstoke". Eton Manor RFC (Pitchero). 27 April 2013.
  55. "Chichester 25 - Eton Manor 16 - Match Report by Roger Gould". Eton Manor RFC (Pitchero). 26 April 2014.
  56. "Manor promoted after titanic battle". Eton Manor RFC (Pitchero). 25 April 2015.
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