Somerset Premier

Somerset Premier (known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire/Somerset, in 2000 the division split into two county leagues called Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.

Somerset Premier
Current season or competition:
2019–20 Somerset Premier
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987) (as Gloucestershire/Somerset)
Number of teams14
CountryEngland
HoldersBurnham-on-Sea (2nd title) (2019–20 promoted to Western Counties North)
Most titlesGordano (3 titles)
Websiteenglandrugby.com

The league champions of Somerset Premier are automatically promoted to Western Counties North while the runners up play the runners up of Gloucester Premier for their place. Relegated teams drop into Somerset 1. Only 1st XV sides can be promoted into Western Counties North, although any side can fall to Somerset 1. Each season a 1st XV side from Somerset Premier is picked to take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a national competition for clubs at level 8.

Teams 2019–20

Teams 2018–19

Teams 2017–18

2016-17

Participating teams

Somerset 1
  • Bristol Barbarians
  • Castle Cary
  • Imperial
  • Minehead Barbarians (relegated from Somerset Premier)
  • Old Sulians
  • Wyvern

Somerset 2 North
  • Bath Old Edwardians (promoted from Somerset 3 North)
  • Cheddar Valley (transferred from Somerset 2 South)
  • Old Culverhaysians

Somerset 2 South
  • Martock
  • Morganians
  • Somerton

Somerset 3 North
  • Avon II
  • Barton Hill II
  • Bristol Telephone Area
  • Imperial II
  • Keynsham IV
  • Nailsea & Backwell II
  • Old Bristolians III
  • Oldfield Old Boys III

Somerset 3 South
  • Wincanton

2015–16

The 2015–16 Somerset Premier consists of fourteen teams from Somerset and south-west Bristol. The season began on the 5 September 2015 and ended on the 30 April 2016.

Participating teams and location

Eleven of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Gordano were promoted to Western Counties North while Bristol Imperial and Clevedon II were relegated to Somerset 1.

Chew Valley II
Minehead
Nailsea & Backwell
Oldfield OB
St Bernadettes
Tor
Wiveliscombe
Yatton
Locations of the 2015-16 Somerset Premier teams
Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
Chew Valley IIChew LaneChew Magna, SomersetPromoted from Somerset 1 (runners up)
Hornets IIHutton Moor ParkWeston-super-Mare, SomersetPromoted from Somerset 1 (champions)
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, Somerset8th
Nailsea & BackwellWest End ParkNailsea, Somerset9th
Oldfield Old BoysShaft RoadBath, Somerset10th
Old Redcliffians IIScotland LaneBrislington, Bristol6th
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol12th
Stothert & PittAdams FieldBath, SomersetRelegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Taunton IIHyde Park2,000Taunton, Somerset11th
TorBrian Harbinson Memorial ParkGlastonbury, Somerset4th
Weston-super-Mare IIRecreation Ground2,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset3rd
WinscombeWinscombe Recreation Ground1,200Winscombe, Somerset2nd (lost promotion playoff)
WiveliscombeRecreational GroundWiveliscombe, Somerset7th
YattonOff North EndYatton, Somerset5th

Somerset 1
  • Bristol Barbarians
  • Castle Cray
  • Crewkerne
  • Imperial
  • Old Sulians
  • Wyvern

Somerset 2 North
  • Old Culverhaysians

Somerset 2 South
  • Cheddar Valley
  • Martock
  • Morganians
  • Somerton

Somerset 3 North
  • Bath Old Edwardians

Participating Clubs 2014/15

Participating Clubs 2013/14

Participating Clubs 2012/13

Participating Teams 2010/11
  • Avon
  • Chard
  • Chew Valley
  • Gordano
  • Imperial
  • Midsomer Norton
  • Minehead Barbarians
  • St Bernadettes
  • Stothert & Pitt
  • Taunton II
  • Tor
  • Wells
  • Weston Hornets
  • Winscombe

Standings 2009/10
  • 1 Bristol Harlequins 40
  • 2 Chard 34
  • 3 Taunton II 33
  • 4 Avon 33
  • 5 Wells 32
  • 6 Stothert & Pitt 18
  • 7 Tor 18
  • 8 Midsomer Norton 18
  • 9 Chew Valley 16
  • 10 St Bernadettes 9
  • 11 Winscombe 8
  • 12 Old Sulians 3

Standings 2008/09
  • 1 Burnham on Sea 35
  • 2 North Petherton 34
  • 3 Tor 30
  • 4 Bristol Harlequins 28
  • 5 Stothert & Pitt 26
  • 6 Chew Valley 20
  • 7 Chard 19
  • 8 Midsomer Norton 18
  • 9 Winscombe 18
  • 10 Wells 17
  • 11 Avon 15
  • 12 Old Sulians 4

Standings 2007/08
  • 1 Keynsham 40
  • 2 Chew Valley 32
  • 3 Winscombe 28
  • 4 Wells 26
  • 5 Midsomer Norton 26
  • 6 Avon 22
  • 7 Old Sulians 20
  • 8 Stothert & Pitt 20
  • 9 Chard 18
  • 10 Tor 16
  • 11 Gordano 8
  • 12 St Bernadettes 6

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Gloucestershire/Somerset) contained the following teams:

Somerset Premier honours

Gloucestershire/Somerset (1987–1993)

Originally Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier were combined in a single division known as Gloucestershire/Somerset, involving teams based in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Bristol. It was tier 8 league with promotion to Western Counties[lower-alpha 2] and relegation to either Gloucestershire 1[lower-alpha 3] or Somerset 1.

Gloucestershire/Somerset
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated team(s) Ref
1987–8811Avonmouth Old BoysCombe DownSt Brendan's Old Boys, Tredworth[1]
1988–8911Old CulverhaysiansCombe DownMinehead Barbarians[2]
1989–9010[lower-alpha 4]Combe DownMidsomer NortonOld Redcliffians[3]
1990–9111SpartansWhitehallMidsomer Norton[4]
1991–9211Gloucester Old BoysDrybrook[lower-alpha 5]Cleve[5]
1992–9313Old PatesiansKeynshamOld Sulians[6]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Gloucestershire/Somerset (1993–1996)

The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Western Counties and relegation to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1.

Gloucestershire/Somerset
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated team(s) Ref
1993–9413Dings CrusadersSt. Mary's Old BoysConey Hill, Frome[7]
1994–9513KeynshamWhitehallMidsomer Norton, Wiveliscombe[8]
1995–9613St. Mary's Old BoysCleve[lower-alpha 6]No relegation[9]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Gloucestershire/Somerset (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Western Counties North[lower-alpha 7], while relegation continued to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1.

Gloucestershire/Somerset
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated team(s) Ref
1996–9716Coney HillOld RichiansOld Cryptians
1997–9817St. Bernadette's Old BoysWiveliscombeBristol Saracens
1998–9917Barton HillChew ValleyOld Sulians
1999–0017Old Centralians[lower-alpha 8]Yatton[lower-alpha 9]Chard, Frampton Cotterell
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset Premier (2000–2009)

Gloucestershire/Somerset was reorganised into two county leagues at the end of the 1999–00 season, Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier, with both leagues remaining at level 8. Promotion from Somerset Premier was to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1. From the 2007–08 season onward the league sponsor would be Tribute.

Somerset Premier
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams Ref
2000–0112WalcotGordanoCombe Down[10]
2001–0212Bristol HarlequinsYattonWells[11]
2002–0312GordanoMidsomer NortonOld Culverhaysians, Minehead Barbarians[12]
2003–0412Oldfield Old BoysNailsea & BackwellNorth Petherton[13]
2004–0512Old RedcliffiansTorWiveliscombe, Gordano[14]
2005–0612Minehead BarbariansTorOld Culverhaysians, Winscombe[15]
2006–0712Old RedcliffiansMidsomer NortonCombe Down, Nailsea & Backwell[16]
2007–0812KeynshamChew ValleySt Bernadettes Old Boys, Gordano[17]
2008–0912Burnham-on-SeaNorth PethertonOld Sulians, Avon, Wells[18]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset Premier (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructing by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset Premier remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1. The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute.

Somerset Premier
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams Ref
2009–1012Bristol HarlequinsChardOld Sulians[19]
2010–1114HornetsChardSt Bernadettes Old Boys[20]
2011–1213AvonWellsNo relegation[21]
2012–1314Chew ValleyMidsomer NortonImperial[22]
2013–1414Stothert & PittTorBristol Barbarians, Keynsham II[23]
2014–1514GordanoWinscombeImperial, Clevedon II[24]
2015–1614YattonWinscombeMinehead Barbarians, Chew Valley II[25]
2016–1714WinscombeOldfield Old BoysBristol Harlequins, Crewkerne[26]
2017–1813GordanoWiveliscombeBridgwater & Albion II, Tor, Stothert & Pitt[27]
2018–1913WiveliscombeBurnham-on-SeaBristol Harlequins[28]
2019–2014Burnham-on-SeaNailsea & BackwellOld Redcliffians II[29]
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 the Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier for the third and final promotion place to Western Counties North. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season Gloucester Premier teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the Somerset Premier teams six; and the home team has won promotion on twelve occasions compared to the away teams seven.

Gloucester Premier v Somerset Premier promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000–01[30]Gordano (S)19-21Old Centralians (G)Caswell Lane, Portbury, Somerset
2001–02[31]Yatton (S)32-0Drybrook (G)The Park, Yatton, Somerset
2002–03[32]Barton Hill (G)36-0Midsomer Norton (S)Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, Bristol
2003–04[33]Nailsea & Backwell (S)[lower-alpha 10]Chosen Hill Former Pupils (G)West End Park, Nailsea, Somerset
2004–05[34]Tor (S)25-26Avonmouth Old Boys (G)Brian Harbinson Memorial Park, Glastonbury, Somerset
2005–06[35]Barton Hill (G)20-0Tor (S)Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, Bristol
2006–07[36]Midsomer Norton (S)10-31Widden Old Boys (G)Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset
2007–08[37]North Bristol (G)29-17Chew Valley (S)Oaklands, Almondsbury, Gloucestershire
2008–09[38]Southmead (G)20-14North Petherton (S)Greenway Centre, Southmead, Bristol
2009–10[39]Cirencester (G)35-17Chard (S)The Whiteway, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
2010–11[40]Chard (S)32-12Old Richians (G)Essex Close, Chard, Somerset
2011–12[41]Wells (S)18-10Drybrook (G)Charter Way, Wells, Somerset
2012–13[42]Midsomer Norton (S)28-12 Frampton Cotterell (G)Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset
2013–14[43]Bristol Saracens (G)19-8Tor (S)Bakewell Memorial Ground, Henbury, Bristol
2014–15[44]Winscombe (S)13-21Whitehall (G)Winscombe Recreation Ground, Winscombe, Somerset
2015–16[45]Winscombe (S)21-22Cirencester (G)Winscombe Recreation Ground, Winscombe, Somerset
2016–17[46]Oldfield Old Boys (S)9-6St Mary's Old Boys (G)Shaft Road, Monkton Combe, Somerset1,000
2017–18[47]Wiveliscombe (S)12-15Barton Hill (G)Recreational Ground, Wiveliscombe, Somerset
2018–19[48]Burnham-on-Sea (S)24-25Bristol Saracens (G)BASC Ground, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Cheltenham North (G) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. G = Gloucester Premier and S = Somerset Premier

Number of league titles

Notes
  1. Somerset 1 runners up, Bristol Harlequins were promoted instead of champions, Bristol Barbarians.
  2. Since 1996 Western Counties has been split into two regional divisions; Western Counties North and Western Counties West.
  3. Gloucestershire 1 was shortened to Gloucester 1 from the 1991–92 season onward.
  4. Avon & Somerset Constabulary withdrew from league.
  5. 3rd place Wiveliscombe also promoted. The reason for so many promotions was due to the majority of south-west league increasing from 11 to 13 teams for the following season.
  6. The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 would lead to widespread restructuring of the leagues. As a result all 13 clubs in Gloucestershire/Somerset would be promoted; St. Mary's Old Boys, Cleve, Hornets, Oldfield Old Boys, Thornbury, Avonmouth Old Boys, North Bristol, Whitehall, Bristol Harlequins, Cirencester and Old Redcliffians would go up into Western Counties North; Wellington would go up into Western Counties West; Stow-on-the Wold would go up into Southern Counties North.
  7. Western Counties was split into Western Counties North and Western Counties West as part of RFU restructuring at the end of the 1995–96 season.
  8. Despite finishing as champions, the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset meant that Old Centralians were instead transferred into the new look Gloucester Premier.
  9. The cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset and creation meant that almost all teams were transferred into new leagues; Old Centralians, Bream, Chipping Sodbury, Avonmouth Old Boys, Bristol Saracens, Brockworth and Longlevens went into Gloucester Premier, while Yatton, Tor, Old Culverhaysians, Midsomer Norton, Walcot, Avon, Combe Down and Gordano went into Somerset Premier.
  10. The result of the 2003-04 playoff between Nailsea & Backwell and Chosen Hill Former Pupils is unknown due to all the south-west promotion playoff games from this season missing from the RFU website. However, as Nailsea & Backwell were in the higher division the next season (and Chosen Hill Former Pupils were not) it is assumed they won the playoff game. Nailsea & Backwell would also have hosted the game as they had a better points record in their league than Chosen Hill Former Pupils did in theirs.
  11. One of Keynsham's titles was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  12. Avonmouth Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  13. Barton Hill's title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  14. Combe Down's title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  15. Coney Hill's title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  16. Dings Crusaders title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  17. Gloucester Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  18. Old Centralians title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  19. Old Culverhaysians title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  20. Old Patesians title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  21. Spartans title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  22. St. Bernadette's Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
  23. St. Mary's Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.

See also

References
  1. Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89 (17th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 123–139. ISBN 0 356 15884 5.
  2. Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989–90 (18th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 133–136. ISBN 0 356 17862 5.
  3. Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1990). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990–91 (19th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 143–146. ISBN 0 356 19162 1.
  4. Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92 (20th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0 356 20249 6.
  5. Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93 (21st ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 176–179. ISBN 0 7472 7907 1.
  6. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94 (22nd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing Ltd. pp. 157–160. ISBN 0 7472 7891 1.
  7. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7850 4.
  8. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7816 4.
  9. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7771 0.
  10. "2000-01 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  11. "2001-02 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  12. "2002-03 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  13. "2003-04 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  14. "2004-05 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  15. "2005-06 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  16. "2006-07 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  17. "2007-08 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  18. "2008-09 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  19. "2009-10 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  20. "2010-11 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  21. "2011-12 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  22. "2012-13 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  23. "2013-14 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  24. "2014-15 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  25. "2015-16 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  26. "2016-17 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  27. "2017-18 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  28. "2018-19 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  29. "Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  30. "South West Play-Offs 2000-01". England Rugby. 19 May 2001.
  31. "South West Play-Offs 2001-02". England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
  32. "South West Play-Offs 2002-03". England Rugby. 19 April 2003.
  33. "South West Play-Offs 2003-04". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  34. "South West Play-Offs 2004-05". England Rugby. 30 April 2005.
  35. "South West Play-Offs 2005-06". England Rugby. 29 April 2006.
  36. "South West Play-Offs 2006-07". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  37. "South West Play-Offs 2007-08". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  38. "South West Play-Offs 2008-09". England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
  39. "South West Play-Offs 2009-10". England Rugby. 24 April 2010.
  40. "South West Play-Offs 2010-11". England Rugby. 23 April 2011.
  41. "South West Play-Offs 2011-12". England Rugby. 28 April 2012.
  42. "South West Play-Offs 2012-13". England Rugby. 27 April 2013.
  43. "South West Play-Offs 2013-14". England Rugby. 26 April 2014.
  44. "South West Play-Offs 2014-15". England Rugby. 25 April 2015.
  45. "South West Play-Offs 2015-16". England Rugby. 30 April 2016.
  46. "Oldfield Complete the Vase & Promotion Double". Oldfield Old Boys RFC (Pitchero). 29 April 2017.
  47. "Rugby round-up: Wellington secure Cornwall/Devon title while Wiveliscombe beaten in Western Counties play-off". County Gazette. 1 May 2018.
  48. "Burnham-on-Sea RFC beaten by Bristol Saracens in promotion play-off". Burnham & Highbridge Weekley News. 30 April 2019.
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