Midlands 1 West

Midlands 1 West is an English level 6 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in the western region of the Midlands, including sides from Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Birmingham and the West Midlands, Worcestershire and occasionally Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire. When this division began in 1987 it was known as Midlands 2 West, and has been restructured several times, most notably as a single division known as Midlands 2 between 1992 and 2000, before regionalising again to its present format.

Midlands 1 West
Current season or competition:
2019–20 Midlands 1 West
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987) (as Midlands 2 West)
Number of teams14
Country England
HoldersDudley Kingswinford (2nd title) (2019–20)
(promoted to Midlands Premier)
Most titlesBurton, Bromsgrove (4 titles)
WebsiteEngland RFU

The league champions are promoted to Midlands Premier and the runner-up play against the second placed team from Midlands 1 East for the second promotion place. The bottom three teams are relegated to Midlands 2 West (North) or Midlands 2 West (South) depending on geographical location.

Teams 2019–20

Teams 2018–19

Teams 2017–18

2016-17

2015–16

Participating teams and locations
Team Ground City/Area Previous season
BournvilleBirmingham, West Midlandsrelegated from National League 3 Midlands
BridgnorthBridgnorth, Shropshirepromoted from Midlands 2 West (North)
BurtonPeel CroftBurton upon Trent, Staffordshirerelegated from National League 3 Midlands
Crewe & NantwichVagrants Sports GroundWillaston, Cheshire
Dudley KingswinfordHeathbrookKingswinford, West Midlandsrelegated from National League 3 Midlands
HerefordWyesideHereford, Herefordshire
KenilworthKenilworth, Warwickshire
LeekPost and Time ParkCheddleton, Staffordshire
SilhilliansMemorial GroundSolihull, West Midlands
Stoke-on-TrentStaffordshire
Stratford upon AvonPearcecorftStratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
WalsallBroadway GroundWalsall, West Midlands
WhitchurchEdgeley ParkWhitchurch, Shropshire
Worcester WanderersSixwaysWorcester, Worcestershire

2014–15

2013–14

2012–13

2011–12

2010–11

Original teams

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

Midlands 1 West honours

Midlands 2 West (1987–1992)

The original Midlands 2 West (along with its counterpart Midlands 2 East) was a tier 6 league with promotion up to Midlands Premier and relegation down to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire.

Midlands 2 West
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1987–8811HerefordDixoniansEvesham, Leamington[1]
1988–8911Sutton ColdfieldBedworthWorcester, Tamworth[2]
1989–9011Camp HillWolverhamptonDixonians[3]
1990–9111LeamingtonKeresleyDudley Kingswinford, Old Yardleians[4]
1991–9211BedworthWolverhamptonBromsgrove, Sutton Coldfield, Newbold-on-Avon[lower-alpha 1][5]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 2 (1992–1993)

Restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 1992–93 season saw Midlands 2 West and Midlands 2 East combined in a single tier 6 division known as Midlands 2. Promotion continued to Midlands 1 while relegation as now was now to the newly introduced Midlands West 1[lower-alpha 2].

Midlands 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1992–9312BurtonWorcesterBiggleswade, Nottingham Moderns[6]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 2 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 2 dropped to become a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands Premier and Midlands West 1[lower-alpha 3].

Midlands 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1993–9413WhitchurchStaffordVipers[7]
1994–9513Leighton BuzzardBroadstreetWillenhall, Newark, Peterborough[8]
1995–9613ScunthorpeHinckley[lower-alpha 4]No relegation[lower-alpha 5][9]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 2 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands 2 returned to being a tier 6 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands Premier and Midlands West 1[lower-alpha 6].

Midlands 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1996–9717BanburyKenilworthBedworth, Matlock, Long Buckby, Keresley[10]
1997–9817Bedford AthleticDudley KingswinfordPaviors[11]
1998–9917LongtonNewbold-on-AvonLeamington, Towcestrians, Stafford
1999–0017Malvern[lower-alpha 7]Bromsgrove[lower-alpha 8]No relegation[lower-alpha 9]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 2 West (2000–2009)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands 2 split back into two tier 6 regional leagues - Midlands 2 West and Midlands 2 East. Promotion continued to Midlands 1 while relegation was now to either Midlands 3 West (North) or Midlands 3 West (South) (both formerly part of Midlands West 1).

Midlands 2 West
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
2000–0112MalvernLuctoniansLichfield, Belgrave, Moseley Oak[12]
2001–0212BromsgroveOld LaurentiansNewport, Stoke-on-Trent, Shrewsbury[13]
2002–0312Old LaurentiansDerbyLordswood Dixonians, Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury[14]
2003–0412BromsgroveDerbyBedworth, Hereford, Barkers Butts[15]
2004–0512BurtonMalvernNuneaton Old Edwardians, Old Coventrians, Aston Old Edwardians[16]
2005–0612BroadstreetKenilworthOld Laurentians, Leamington, Stoke-on-Trent[17]
2006–0712KenilworthNewportStafford, Camp Hill, Bridgnorth[18]
2007–0812MalvernHerefordNewbold-on-Avon, Barkers Butts, Lichfield[19]
2008–0912BromsgroveHerefordNo relegation[lower-alpha 10][20]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 1 West (2009–present)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 2 West and Midlands 2 East were renamed as Midlands 1 West and Midlands 1 East, with both leagues remaining at tier 6. Promotion was now to National League 3 Midlands[lower-alpha 11] (formerly Midlands 1) and relegation to either Midlands 2 West (North) or Midlands 2 West (South)[lower-alpha 12].

Midlands 1 West
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
2009–1013BurtonBournvilleCheltenham North, Stoke-on-Trent[21]
2010–1114Dudley KingswinfordSutton ColdfieldLeamington, Banbury, Old Laurentians[22]
2011–1214Sutton ColdfieldBournvilleDunlop, Bedworth, Kenilworth[23]
2012–1314Old HalesoniansWorcester WanderersCamphill, Northwich, Ludlow[24]
2013–1414LichfieldBurtonMarket Bosworth, Malvern, Old Laurentians[25]
2014–1514Newport (Salop)Worcester WanderersBerkswell & Balsall, Earlsdon, Barkers Butts[26]
2015–1614BridgnorthBournvilleWalsall, Silhillians, Leek[27]
2016–1714Newport (Salop)BournvilleKenilworth, Crewe & Nantwich, Whitchurch[28]
2017–1814BurtonDudley KingswinfordWolverhampton, Camp Hill, Melbourne[29]
2018–1914BromsgroveDudley KingswinfordMoseley Oak, Malvern, Longton[30]
2019–2014Dudley KingswinfordKenilworthKidderminster Carolians, Stourbridge Lions[31]
2020-2114
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 1 East and Midlands 1 West for the third and final promotion place to National League 3 Midlands. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Midlands 1 East teams have been the most successful with eleven wins to the Midlands 1 West teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six.

Midlands 1 East v Midlands 1 West promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000–01[32]Luctonians (W)20-13Wellingborough (E)Mortimer Park, Kingsland, Herefordshire
2001–02[33]Old Laurentians (W)10-32Spalding (E)Fenley Field, Rugby, Warwickshire
2002–03[34]Luton (E)16-11Derby (W)Newlands Road, Luton, Bedfordshire
2003–04[35]Derby (W)29-12Hinckley (E)Haslams Lane, Derby, Derbyshire
2004–05[36]Market Bosworth (E)40-7Malvern (W)Cadeby Lane, Market Bosworth, Warwickshire
2005–06[37]Peterborough (E)23-21Kenilworth (W)Fortress Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire1,000
2006–07[38]Newport (Salop) (W)20-5Matlock (E)The Old Showground, Newport, Shropshire500
2007–08[39]Hereford (W)13-43Hinckley (E)Wyeside, Hereford, Herefordshire
2008–09[40]Scunthorpe (E)9-16Hereford (W)Heslam Park, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
2009–10[41]Bournville (W)AWO[lower-alpha 13]Old Northamptonians (E) Rowheath, Bournville, Birmingham, West MidlandsN/A
2010–11[43]Sutton Coldfield (W)27-33Mansfield (E)Roger Smoldon Ground, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
2011–12[44]Bournville (W)42-11Paviors (E)Bournbrook, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands
2012–13[45]Worcester Wanderers (W)27-17 (aet)Ilkeston (E)Weston's Field, Worcester, Worcestershire
2013–14[46]Burton (W)24-20Derby (E)Peel Croft, Burton, Staffordshire1,000[47]
2014–15[48]Old Northamptonians (E)20-5Worcester Wanderers (W)Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion, Northampton, Northamptonshire
2015–16[49]Derby (E)28-23Bournville (W)Haslams Lane, Derby, Derbyshire200[50]
2016–17[51]Kettering (E)19-55Bournville (W)Waverley Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire
2017–18[52]Dudley Kingswinford (W)33-37Syston (E)Heathbrook, Swindon Road, Wall Heath, Kingswinford
2018–19[53]Paviors (E)33-30Dudley Kingswinford (W)The Ron Rossin Ground, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Oundle (E) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. E = Midlands 1 East (formerly Midlands 2 East) and W = Midlands 1 West (formerly Midlands 2 West)

Number of league titles

Notes
  1. All relegated to new Midlands West 1 division.
  2. Not to be confused with Midlands 1 West, Midlands West 1 is currently split into two regional leagues - Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South).
  3. Midlands West 1 is currently split into two regional leagues - Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South).
  4. Due to widespread restructuring, 3rd and 4th place Derby and Stockwood Park were also promoted.
  5. Nationwide league restructuring meant that there was no relegation this season.
  6. Midlands West 1 is currently split into two regional leagues - Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South).
  7. Due to the restructuring of Midlands 2 into two regional divisions champions Malvern were not promoted, instead being transferred to the new Midlands 2 West division.
  8. Midlands 2 was due to be restructured into two regional divisions for the following season. Malvern, Bromsgrove, Luctonians, Old Laurentians, Newport (Salop), Sutton Coldfield, Derby and Wolverhampton would transfer into Midlands 2 West, while Wellingborough, Kettering, Ampthill, Mansfield, Huntingdon & District, Lincoln, Nottingham Moderns, Leighton Buzzard and Stockwood Park would go into Midlands 2 East.
  9. Due to the restructuring of Midlands 2 into two regional divisions there was no relegation.
  10. No relegation due to nationwide league restructure.
  11. National League 3 Midlands is currently known as Midlands Premier.
  12. Prior to the 2009–10 season Midlands 2 West (North) or Midlands 2 West (South) were both known as Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South).
  13. Old Northamptonians were promoted by default as Bournville were unable to field a front row for the 2009-10 play-off game.[42]
  14. One of Burton's titles was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  15. One of Malvern's titles was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  16. Banbury's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  17. Bedford Athletic's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  18. Leighton Buzzard's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  19. Longton's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  20. Scunthorpe's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.
  21. Whitchurch's title was when league was single division known as Midlands 2.

See also

References
  1. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988-89. Queen Anne Press. pp. 130–134. ISBN 0-356-15884-5.
  2. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989-90. Queen Anne Press. pp. 136–139. ISBN 0-356-17862-5.
  3. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1990). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990-91. Queen Anne Press. pp. 140–143. ISBN 0-356-19162-1.
  4. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991-92. Queen Anne Press. pp. 161–164. ISBN 0-356-20249-6.
  5. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992-93. Headline. pp. 183–185. ISBN 0-7472-7907-1.
  6. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993-94. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
  7. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
  8. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. Headline. pp. 176–179. ISBN 0-7472-7850-4.
  9. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. Headline. pp. 192–195. ISBN 0-7472-7816-4.
  10. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. Headline. pp. 156–159. ISBN 0-7472-7771-0.
  11. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998-99. Headline. pp. 90–93. ISBN 0-7472-7653-6.
  12. "2000-01 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  13. "2001-02 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  14. "2002-03 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  15. "2003-04 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  16. "2004-05 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  17. "2005-06 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  18. "2006-07 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  19. "2007-08 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  20. "2008-09 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  21. "2009-10 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  22. "2010-11 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  23. "2011-12 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  24. "2012-13 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  25. "2013-14 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  26. "2014-15 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  27. "2015-16 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  28. "2016-17 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  29. "2017-18 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  30. "2018-19 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  31. "Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  32. "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2000-01". England Rugby. 12 May 2001.
  33. "RUGBY: Spalding go up after storming comeback". Peterborough Telegraph. 30 April 2002.
  34. "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2002-03". England Rugby. 26 April 2003.
  35. "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2003-04". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  36. "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2004-05". England Rugby. 30 April 2005.
  37. "RUGBY: Borough up after promotion thriller". Peterborough Telegraph. 2 May 2006.
  38. "Newport are on the up". Shropshire Star. 1 May 2007.
  39. "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2008-09". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  40. "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2008-09". England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
  41. "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2009-10". England Rugby. 1 May 2010.
  42. "Level Transfers". Rolling Maul. 19 May 2010.
  43. "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2010-11". England Rugby. 30 April 2011.
  44. "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2011-12". England Rugby. 28 April 2012.
  45. "Elks Defeated In Extra Time". Worcester Wanderers (Pitchero). 27 April 2013.
  46. "1st XV Match Report Sat 26th Apr'14: Burton 24 v 20 Derby (National 3 Midlands Playoff)". Derby RFC. 26 April 2014.
  47. "Brewers 0 Chesterfield 2 (Burton 24 Derby 20) Sun 27 April 2014". Beer and Bovril Blogspot. 30 April 2014.
  48. "PLAY OFF WIN FOR THE ONS". Old Northamptonians RFC (Pitchero). 25 April 2015.
  49. "Rugby union: Derby RFC promoted to National League Three after play-off victory over Bournville". Derby Telegraph. 1 May 2017.
  50. "Derby rugby union". Derby County Fans. 30 April 2017.
  51. "PROMOTION ACHIEVED AFTER AN ASSURED PERFORMANCE AT KETTERING". Bourneville Rugby (Pitchero). 29 April 2017.
  52. "A GAME TOO FAR". Dudley Kingswinford RFC. 12 May 2018.
  53. "Dudley Kingswinford suffer more play-off disappointment". Halesowen News. 1 May 2019.

*English RFU (2008). "Rugby First". RFU. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2008.

  • Rugby First: To view previous seasons in the league, search for any club within that league then click on to club details followed by fixtures and then select the appropriate season.
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