South West Premier

South West Premier (formerly National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system.[1] It is one of four leagues at this level, alongside London & South East Premier, Midlands Premier and North Premier. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union, and the name change from National League 3 to Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season by the RFU in order to lessen confusion for what is a series of regional leagues.[1] South West Premier is the highest regional rugby union league covering South West England and part of South East England. The club finishing in first place is automatically promoted to National League 2 South. The runner-up play the second placed team of London & South East Premier, with the winner also gaining promotion. Relegated teams drop down to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West (occasionally Midlands 1 West) depending on location, and other factors such as the location of relegated and promoted teams in other divisions.

South West Premier
Current season or competition:
2020–21 South West Premier (cancelled)
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987) (as South West 1)
Number of teams13
Country England
HoldersBarnstaple (1st title) (2019–20
(promoted to National League 2 South)
Most titlesBournemouth, Chinnor, Clifton, Dings Crusaders, Reading (2 titles)
WebsiteEngland Rugby - South West Division

Barnstaple are the current champions. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

Format

The season runs from September to May and comprises twenty-six rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. 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

Current season

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

The season ended before all the matches were completed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the RFU used a best playing record formula to decide the final table.[2] Barnstaple are the champions.

Participating teams

Ten of the thirteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by three promoted sides; Launceston, Newbury Blues and Okehampton.[3][4][5] Bournemouth were promoted to National League 2 South, while relegated sides included Newton Abbot and Cleve (both South West 1 West), and Old Patesians (South West 1 East). Initially, Bromsgrove were due to be level transferred from Midlands Premier but the withdrawal of Birmingham & Solihull from the league system meant that they stayed put, leaving South West Premier with just thirteen teams.[6]

Final league table

South West Premier 2019–20 (to 16 March 2020, when play stopped due to COVID-19)Final Positions
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Final
position
Team Points
(adjusted)
1Barnstaple211605542316226103771Barnstaple89
2Maidenhead19102753443210296592Weston-super-Mare73
3Weston-super-Mare19110845835210685573Maidenhead73
4Okehampton2012083803641644564Okehampton67
5Brixham201118398440−4243535Brixham64
6Exeter University21911157754730105536Exeter University60
7Drybrook209011369386−1747477Drybrook56
8Ivybridge208395034683554478Ivybridge56
9Camborne209110389477−8853469Camborne55
10Exmouth208111440473−33564510Exmouth54
11Launceston198110372526−154354211Launceston54
12Newbury Blues207013395484−89363712Newbury Blues44
13Bracknell196013326418−92443213Bracknell39
  • 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: 26 December 2020
Source:[7]


2018–19

Participating teams

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Barnstaple, who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by three promoted sides; Drybrook, Exeter University and Old Patesians.[8][9][10][11] Dings Crusaders (last seasons champions) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Hornets and Lydney were both relegated to South West 1 West, and Newbury Blues relegated to South West 1 East.

Final league table

South West Premier 2018–19
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Bournemouth (P)262501999352647180118
2Barnstaple26191674754120612191
3Maidenhead26161975058116916486
4Exeter University261511077665012613580
5Ivybridge26150116566015514478
6Exmouth26132116986841415475
7Weston-super-Mare261231176561914614573
8Brixham261211374264210014771
9Camborne2612014707746−3915770
10Bracknell2613013597601−49465
11Drybrook2612014533621−886256
12Cleve (R)266020642841−19911843
13Newton Abbot (R)264121543940−39771035
14Old Patesians (R)2630233981134−7364319
  • 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: 9 January 2021
Source:[12]

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the South West Premier (formerly National League 3 South West) and London & South East Premier (National League 3 London & South East) 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 19 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
Westcliff (P)26190780842538317598
Barnstaple26191674754120612191
27 April 2019
Westcliff 44 – 5 Barnstaple
Westcliff[13]
The Gables, Eastwood
Attendance: 750

2017–18

Participating teams

Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition (when it was known as National League 3 South West). They are joined by Exmouth, who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by three promoted sides; Weston-super-Mare, Maidenhead and Newbury Blues.[14][15][16][17] Old Redcliffians (champions) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Launceston were relegated to (South West 1 West), Salisbury to (South West 1 East) and Bromsgrove to (Midlands 1 West).[18][19][20][21]

Final league table

South West Premier 2017–18
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Ding Crusaders (P)262006837438399164100
2Bournemouth2617187616351269483
3Maidenhead2613013780825−4518474
4Newton Abbot261301385871314514571
5Bracknell2612311635653−1810569
6Cleve2612113693699−612769
7Camborne2614012578558206466
8Weston-super-Mare2611213652705−5314466
9Ivybridge26131126396201910665
10Brixham2612212630619118565
11Exmouth2612113706737−3111465
12Newbury Blues (R)2613013569522477564
13Hornets (R)268117536933−3979245
14Lydney (R)266020516733−2177637
  • 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: 2 January 2021
Source:[22]

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the South West Premier (formerly National League 3 South West) and London & South East Premier (formerly National League 3 London & SE) 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 Guernsey, hosted the match and beat their opponents Bournemouth 38 – 23 to win promotion. This was Guernsey's first appearance in the play-offs and Bournemouth's second. Bournemouth's previous appearance was in 2011 when they lost to Hertford 23 – 22.

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Guernsey (P)262204962446516193110
Bournemouth2617187616351269483
28 April 2018
15:00
Guernsey 38 – 23 Bournemouth
Guernsey
Bournemouth

2016–17

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Launceston who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by two promoted sides: Camborne and Salisbury. Exmouth (champions) and Barnstaple (play-off) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Chippenham were relegated to South West 1 West, and Old Patesians and Old Centralians to South West 1 East. To address a league imbalance due to only one team coming down from National League 2 South, both Bromsgrove and Bracknell have been level transferred into the league from National League 3 Midlands and National League 3 London & SE respectively, Bromsgrove having finished 9th and Bracknell 11th.[23][24]

Participating teams

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
BournemouthChapel Gate1,500Bournemouth, Dorset5th
BracknellLily Hill1,250 (250 seats)Bracknell, Berkshirelevel transfer from National League 3 London & SE (11th)
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 (300 stand)Brixham, Devon4th
BromsgroveFinstall ParkBromsgrove, Worcestershirelevel transfer from National League 3 Midlands (9th)
CamborneRecreation Ground7,000 (780 seats)Camborne, Cornwallpromoted from South West 1 West (champions)
CleveThe HayfieldsMangotsfield, Gloucestershire9th
Dings CrusadersLandseer Avenue1,500Lockleaze, Bristol10th
HornetsHutton Moor Park[25]Weston-super-Mare, Somerset7th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon8th
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 (194 seats)Launceston, Cornwallrelegated from 2015–16 National League 2 South (16th)
LydneyRegentsholm1,500Lydney, Gloucestershire3rd
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 (150 stand)Newton Abbot, Devon11th
Old RedcliffiansScotland Lane[25]Brislington, Bristol6th
SalisburyCastle Road1,500Salisbury, Wiltshirepromoted from South West 1 East (play-off)

Final league table

National League 3 South West 2016–17
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Old Redcliffians (P)262213737467270142106
2Ding Crusaders2619076764482288387
3Camborne26161968554713812477
4Newton Abbot2614111702717−1511675
5Bournemouth261231177755122611772
6Ivybridge26140126466182810571
7Brixham2613211590594−410571
8Hornets261301371455915513469
9Bracknell2614012568625−578468
10Cleve26130136436162710365
11Lydney2610016454653−1997451
12Launceston (R)267118390619−2292941
13Salisbury (R)267019500807−3074739
14Bromsgrove (R)263122511772−26141124
  • 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: 28 April 2017
Source:[26]

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London & SE, and 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 Wimbledon, hosted the match and destroyed their opponents Dings Crusaders 55 – 5 to win promotion.

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Wimbledon (P)262303936399537212115
Dings Crusaders2619076764482288387
29 April 2017
15:00
Wimbledon 55 – 5 Dings Crusaders
Wimbledon
Dings
Beverley Meads
Attendance: 350

2015–16

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by two teams relegated from National League 2 South, Dings Crusaders and Lydney; and by three promoted teams Cleve, Chippenham and Ivybridge. The teams leaving the league were the 2014–15 champions, Redingensians who were promoted to National League 2 South and the relegated teams, Chard and Weston-super-Mare to play in South West 1 West, and Oxford Harlequins to South West 1 East. Bracknell, who finished 3rd last season, transferred to National League 3 London and SE.

Participating teams

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
BarnstaplePottington Road2,000 (575 seats)Barnstaple, Devon8th
BournemouthChapel Gate1,500Bournemouth, Dorset9th
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 (300 stand)Brixham, Devon5th
CleveThe HayfieldsMangotsfield, Gloucestershirepromoted from South West 1 West (champions)
ChippenhamAllington FieldsChippenham, Wiltshirepromoted from South West 1 East (champions)
Dings CrusadersLandseer Avenue1,500Lockleaze, Bristolrelegated from 2014–15 National League 2 South (16th)
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 (250 stand)Exmouth, Devon2nd
HornetsHutton Moor Park[25]Weston-super-Mare, Somerset6th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devonpromoted from South West 1 West (play-off)
LydneyRegentsholm1,500Lydney, Gloucestershirerelegated from 2014–15 National League 2 South (14th)
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 (150 stand)Newton Abbot, Devon7th
Old CentraliansSaintbridge Sports CentreGloucester, Gloucestershire4th
Old PatesiansEverest RoadCheltenham, Gloucestershire10th
Old RedcliffiansScotland Lane[25]Brislington, Bristol11th

Final league table

National League 3 South West 2015–16
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Exmouth (P)262105921466455172103
2Barnstaple (P)26202471537833712298
3Lydney261619547488599479
4Brixham2616010553517369477
5Bournemouth26150116304411898775
6Old Redcliffians261529474437377475
7Hornets261321164750813913574
8Ivybridge2614012518467517770
9Cleve2612113598595310363
10Ding Crusaders2611015485568−835453
11Newton Abbot2690175735601361153
12Old Centralians (R)2611015494600−1066252
13Old Patesians (R)263023466950−4845522
14Chippenham (R)262024353999−6464315
  • 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: 30 April 2016
Source: "National League 3 South West". England Rugby.

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 Tonbridge Juddians, host the match and their opponents were Barnstaple, who won the match 30  31, scoring the winning points with a penalty in the last seconds of the match.[27]

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Tonbridge Juddians262114833395438132102
Barnstaple (P)26202471537833712298

30 April 2016
15:00
Tonbridge Juddians 30 – 31 Barnstaple
Juddians
Barnstaple
The Slade
Attendance: 600
Referee: Matt Turvey

2014–15

Participating teams

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
BarnstaplePottington Road2,000 (575 seats)Barnstaple, Devon8th
BournemouthChapel Gate1,500Bournemouth, Dorsetrelegated from National League 2 South
BracknellLily Hill Park1,250Bracknell, Berkshire3rd
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 (300 stand)Brixham, Devon7th
ChardThe Park, Essex Close[25]Chard, Somersetpromoted from South West 1 West
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 (250 stand)Exmouth, Devonrelegated from National League 2 South
HornetsHutton Moor Park[25]Weston-super-Mare, Somersetpromoted from South West 1 West
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 (150 stand)Newton Abbot, Devon4th
Old CentraliansSaintbridge Sports CentreGloucester, Gloucestershire11th
Old PatesiansEverest RoadCheltenham, Gloucestershire10th
Old RedcliffiansScotland Lane[25]Brislington, Bristol6th
Oxford HarlequinsMarston Ferry RoadNorth Hinksey, Oxfordshirepromoted from South West 1 East
RedingensiansOld Bath RoadSonning, Berkshire2nd
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground[25]6,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset9th

Final league table

National League 3 South West 2014–15
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Redingensians262204934359575182108
2Exmouth26210582042639413299
3Bracknell26170974756518213687
4Old Centralians2618176725511217384
5Brixham26170969257711512484
6Hornets261601069555713813582
7Newton Abbot2611114654670−1611764
8Barnstaple26112136055822310563
9Bournemouth2611114590630−409459
10Old Patesians269116533755−22210654
11Old Redcliffians2610214439642−2032450
12Weston-super-Mare26709469652−1835639
13Oxford Harlequins266020431825−3946333
14Chard262024409899−4902414
  • 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: 4 May 2015
Source: "National League 3 South West". England Rugby.

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 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.[28]

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Exmouth26210582042639413299
Barnes (P)26190763849214613291
25 April 2015
14:30
Exmouth 22 – 27 Barnes
Imperial Recreation Ground
Attendance: 1,000

After extra time (80 mins: 22 – 22)

2013–14

League winners

Relegated

Transferred

Final league table

2013–14 National League 3 South West Final Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Losing bonus Points
1Lydney (C)262411919385534201119
2Redingensians262024719363356162102
3Bracknell26191670642528114395
4Newton Abbot26150116636036012375
5Amersham & Chiltern RFC261211359540918613669
6O Redcliffians261421050150016268
7Brixham2613013591618−2710668
8Barnstaple2613112508585−777263
9Weston-super-Mare2611015612645–338658
10O Patesians269017516778−2629550
11O Centralians269116500640−1407646[lower-alpha 1]
12Worcester Wanderers (R)269017440696−2567346
13Avonmouth Old Boys (R)265120373617−2442731
14Chippenham (R)264022381760−3795627
  • 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 places. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 9 May 2014
Source: RFU and [29]

2012–13

2011–12

2010–11

2009–10

The first season as a national league

2007–08

Final league table

South West Division 1 Table
Place Team Games Points Table
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
1Chinnor221921665317+34840
2Bracknell221903640292+34838
3Weston-super-Mare221318496413+8327
4Cleve221309469417+5226
5Bournemouth*2211110520405+11521
6Old Patesians229211477362+11520
7Oxford Harlequins*229211472452+2018
8Redingensians229013403459-5618
9Coney Hill229013411534-12318
10Reading227213483587-10416
11Maidenhead227114416584-16815
12St Ives (SW)*221120158788-6301
Reference rfu.com - Updated 2008-04-19 - South West 1
  • Oxford Harlequins and Bournemouth were deducted two points each for fielding ineligible players and
    St Ives were deducted two points for failing to field a team against Bracknell

Original teams

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

South West Premier honours

In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. The geographical area for teams in South West Division One covered an area of south-west England from Oxfordshire and Berkshire in the east to Cornwall in the west. There were eleven teams in the league and they played each team once, giving each team ten matches. The other tier five leagues were London 1, Midlands 1 and North 1.[30] 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.[31] After three seasons, in 1996–97, a further reorganisation occurred, and there was a return to four, tier five leagues; with South West Division One covering the area of south-west England from Berkshire westwards.[32] This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three South West. There was a name change for the beginning of season 2017–18 when the division was renamed the South West Premier.

South West 1 (1987–1993)

The original South West 1 was a tier 5 league with promotion up to Area League 2 South and relegation down to South West 2 (presently split into two leagues known as South West 1 East and South West 1 West).

South West 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
1987–881110RedruthHigh WycombeBournemouth[33]
1988–891110CliftonHigh WycombeTorquay Athletic, Bridgwater & Albion[30]
1989–901110MaidenheadWeston-super-MareOxford[30]
1990–911110High WycombeReadingMatson, Stroud, Taunton[30]
1991–921110Berry HillCinderfordNo relegation[34]
1992–931312ReadingHenleyPenryn[35]

South West 1 (1993–96)

The top six teams from South West 1 and the top six from London 1 were combined to create National 5 South. South West 1 dropped to become a tier six league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 South. Relegation continued to South West 2 (currently South West 1 East and South West 1 West).

South West 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
1993–941312HenleyCheltenhamGordon League[36]
1994–951312CheltenhamNewburyStroud[37]
1995–961312NewburyGloucester Old BoysCinderford[38]

South West 1 (1996–2009)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 South was discontinued and South West 1 returned to being a tier 5 league. Promotion was up to National 4 South (now known as National League 2 South), while the splitting of South West 2 into two regional divisions, meant that relegation was now down to either South West 2 East or South West 2 West (currently South West 1 East / South West 1 West).

South West 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
1996–971222Bridgwater & AlbionLauncestonBrixham, Camborne[39]
1997–981222BracknellLauncestonHigh Wycombe, St Ives[40]
1998–991222Penzance & NewlynLauncestonSalisbury[41]
1999–001222LauncestonKeynshamMatson, Stroud[42]
2000–011222Old PatesiansCinderfordBerry Hill, Truro, Torquay Athletic, Gloucester Old Boys[43]
2001–021222Weston-super-MareDings CrusadersStroud, Maidenhead, Swanage & Warham, Dorcester[44]
2002–031222Dings CrusadersReadingBerry Hill, Marlow[45]
2003–041222ReadingCinderfordBarnstaple, Truro[46]
2004–051222CinderfordBridgwater & AlbionSt Mary's Old Boys, Gloucester Old Boys, Keynsham[47]
2005–061222ChinnorCliftonPenryn, Cheltenham, Spartans[48]
2006–071222Mounts BayCleveChippenham, Clevedon, Reading Abbey[49]
2007–081222ChinnorBracknellReading, Maidenhead, St Ives[50]
2008–091222CliftonBracknellNo relegation[51]

National League 3 South West (2009–2017)

The division was renamed National League 3 South West following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It remained a tier 5 league with promotion up to National League 2 South (formerly National League 3 South) and relegation to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West (formerly South West 2 East / South West 2 West).

National League 3 South West
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
2009–101426TauntonOld PatesiansMaidenhead, Chippenham, Reading[52]
2010–111426Hartpury CollegeBournemouthCleve, Coney Hill, Cheltenham[53]
2011–121426BournemouthChinnorBridgwater & Albion, Newbury Blues, Old Redcliffians[54]
2012–131426London Irish AmateurExmouthMaidenhead, Oxford Harlequins, Malvern[55]
2013–141426LydneyRedingensiansChippenham, Avonmouth Old Boys, Worcester Wanderers[56]
2014–151426RedingensiansExmouthChard, Oxford Harlequins, Weston-super-Mare[57]
2015–161426ExmouthBarnstapleChippenham, Old Patesians, Old Centralians[58]
2016–171426Old RedcliffiansDings CrusadersBromsgrove, Salisbury, Launceston[59]
Green background are the promotion places.

South West Premier (2017–present)

For the 2017–18 season all divisions at tier 5 were renamed from National League 3 to Premier meaning that National League 3 South West became known as South West Premier.[1] Promotion continued to National League 2 South and relegation to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West.

South West Premier
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
2017–181426Dings CrusadersBournemouthLydney, Hornets, Newbury Blues[60]
2018–191426BournemouthBarnstapleOld Patesians, Newton Abbot, Cleve[61]
2019–2013[lower-alpha 2]20[lower-alpha 3]BarnstapleWeston-super-MareBracknell, Newbury Blues[64]
2020–211426Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
Green background are the promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a promotion play-off game 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 with the team with the superior league record having home advantage. As of the 2019–20 season the London and south-east teams have been most successful with thirteen wins to the south-west teams six while the home side have won fifteen of the nineteen ties.

South West Premier v London & South East Premier promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance Reference
2000–01Cinderford (SW)26–10Havant (LSE)Dockham Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire
2001–02Basingstoke (LSE)29–13Dings Crusaders (SW)Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire[65]
2002–03Haywards Heath (LSE)34–21Reading (SW)Whiteman's Green, Cuckfield, West Sussex[66][67]
2003–04Hertford (LSE)25–14Cinderford (SW)Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire[68]
2004–05Worthing Raiders (LSE)26–30Bridgwater & Albion (SW)Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex1,200[69][70]
2005–06Richmond (LSE)3–12Clifton (SW)Athletic Ground, Richmond, Greater London1,100[71][72]
2006–07Ealing Trailfinders (LSE)48–16Cleve (SW)Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing, Greater London[73][74]
2007–08Worthing Raiders (LSE)18–5Bracknell (SW)Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex[75][76]
2008–09Barnes (LSE)39–18Bracknell (SW)Barn Elms, Barnes, Greater London[77][78]
2009–10Old Albanian (LSE)15–0Old Patesians (SW)Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire[79][80]
2010–11Hertford (LSE)23–22Bournemouth (SW)Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire1,000[81][82]
2011–12Chinnor (SW)19–8Tonbridge Juddian (LSE)Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire[83][84]
2012–13Exmouth (SW)21–20Dorking (LSE)Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon[85][86]
2013–14Old Elthamians (LSE)17–10Redingensians (SW)Queen Mary Sports Ground, Chislehurst, Kent1,350[87][88]
2014–15Exmouth (SW)22–27 (aet)Barnes (LSE)Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon1,000[89][90]
2015–16Tonbridge Juddian (LSE)30–31Barnstaple (SW)The Slade, Tonbridge, Kent600[91][92]
2016–17Wimbledon (LSE)55–5Dings Crusaders (SW)Beverley Meads, Raynes Park, Greater London350[93]
2017–18Guernsey (LSE)38–23Bournemouth (SW)Footes Lane, Saint Peter Port, Guernsey[94]
2018–19Westcliff (LSE)44–5Barnstaple (SW)The Gables, Eastwood, Essex750[95][96]
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Guernsey (LSE) - promoted instead.
2020–21Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
Green background represent the promoted teams. (LSE = London & South East teams while SW = South West teams).

Number of league titles

Notes

  1. Old Centralians deducted 5 points
  2. League reduced to 13 teams following the withdrawal of Birmingham & Solihull from Midlands Premier, leaving level 5 with an imbalance of teams.[6]
  3. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with most clubs in South West Premier having played 20 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table.[62][63]
  4. Penzance & Newlyn are now known as the Cornish Pirates.

See also

References

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