Western Counties North

Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues called Western Counties North and Western Counties West.

Tribute Western Counties North
Current season or competition:
2019–20 Tribute Western Counties North
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987)
Number of teams14
CountryEngland
HoldersStroud (1st title) (2019–20 promoted to Tribute South West 1 West)
Most titlesConey Hill (4 titles)
WebsiteWestern Counties North

Western Counties North is currently a seventh tier league for clubs based in the south-west of England; mainly Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset. The champions are promoted to South West 1 West and the runner-up plays the second team in Western Counties West, with the winning team gaining promotion. The number of teams relegated depends on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above, but is usually two or three to Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier. Although 2nd XV rugby is part of the Somerset regional league system, only 1st XV teams are allowed in Tribute Western Counties North.

Teams from Tribute Western Counties North also participate in the RFU Intermediate Cup - a national competition for clubs at level 7 - with all clubs affiliated with the Gloucestershire RFU involved and a representative being sent from the Somerset RFU.

Format

The champions are promoted to South West 1 West and the second-placed team plays the runner-up from Western Counties West with the winner also promoted. The teams finishing in last two or three places are relegated to the Gloucester Premier or Somerset Premier. The season runs from September to April 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.

2019–20

Participating teams

2018–19

Participating teams

2017–18

The season starts on 2 September and the final league matches are due to be completed by 21 April 2018, with the promotion play-off the following week.

Participating teams

2016–17

Participating teams
Team Ground Town/City Previous season
AvonAshley LaneBradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire11th
Avonmouth Old BoysBarracks LaneShirehampton, Bristolrelegated from Tribute South West 1 West (13th)
Bristol SaracensBakewell Memorial GroundCribbs Causeway, Bristolpromoted from Gloucester Premier (champions)
CheltenhamNewlands Park Sports & Social VenueSoutham, Cheltenham8th
Chew ValleyChew LaneChew Magna, Somerset3rd
Chosen Hill Former PupilsBrookfield RoadChurchdown, Gloucestershire9th
CirencesterThe WhitewayCirencester, Wiltshirepromoted from Gloucester Premier (via play-off)
Coney HillMetz HillGloucesterrelegated from Tribute South West 1 West (14th)
KeynshamBristol RoadKeynsham, Somerset
Old BristoliansMemorial Playing FieldsFailand, Somerset4th
StroudFromehall ParkStroud, Gloucestershire5th
WellsCharter WayWells, Somersetrelegated from Tribute South West 1 West (12th)
WhitehallFoundry LaneWhitehall, Bristol7th
YattonThe ParkYatton, Somersetpromoted from Tribute Somerset Premier (champions)

League table
2016–17 Tribute Western Counties North League Table[1]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Keynsham (P)262303718316402151109
2Chew Valley262204822493329180106
3Chosen Hill Former Pupils26190772842330515596
4Avonmouth Old Boys26180871847224612488
5Stroud261501184653431215479
6Old Bristolians261501162149912211677
7Bristol Saracens2613013596592410567
8Yatton26120147847345013561
9Wells2611015442687−24510357
10Cheltenham2610016588806−21811455
11Coney Hill2612014547558−118753
12Cirencester266020356817−4614533
13Whitehall263023433923−4907625
14Avon263023439784−3453722
  • 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: 24 May 2017

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties North and Western Counties West, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Chew Valley, host the match and they lost to their opponents Cullompton 12 – 29.

Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Chew Valley262204822493329180106
Cullompton (P)262204659311348112101
29 April 2017
15:00
Chew Valley 12 – 29 Cullompton
Chew Lane

2015–16

The 2015–16 Tribute Western Counties North consists of fourteen teams; six from Somerset, four from Gloucestershire, three from Bristol and one from Wiltshire. The season started on 5 September 2015 and is finishes on 30 April 2016.

Participating teams and location

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Coney Hill and runners up Newent (who won their playoff game) were promoted to Tribute South West 1 West while Bristol Saracens and North Bristol were relegated to the Gloucester Premier and Stothert & Pitt to the Tribute Somerset Premier.

Avon
Bristol
Burnham-on-Sea
Cheltenham
Chew Valley
C.H.F.P.
Matson
Stroud
Wellington
Bristol area teamsBarton Hill
Bristol Harlequins
Gordano
Keynsham
Whitehall
Locations of the 2015-16 Tribute Western Counties North teams
Barton Hill
Bristol Harlequins
Gordano
Keynsham
Whitehall
2015-16 Bristol & surrounding area Tribute Western Counties North teams
Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
AvonAshley LaneBradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire5th
Barton HillDuncombe RoadSpeedwell, Bristol10th
Bristol HarlequinsBroomhill RoadBrislington, Bristol3rd
Burnham-on-SeaBASC GroundBurnham-on-Sea, Somerset11th
CheltenhamNewlands Park Sports & Social VenueSoutham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire9th
Chew ValleyChew LaneChew Magna, Somerset4th
Chosen Hill Former PupilsBrookfield RoadChurchdown, Gloucester, Gloucestershire6th
GordanoCaswell LanePortbury, Somersetpromoted from Tribute Somerset Premier (champions)
KeynshamBristol RoadKeynsham, Somerset8th
MatsonRedwell RoadGloucester, Gloucestershirerelegated from Tribute South West 1 West (12th)
Old BristoliansMemorial Playing FieldsFailand, Somerset7th
StroudFromehall ParkStroud, Gloucestershirepromoted from Gloucester Premier (champions)
WellingtonAthletic GroundWellington, Somersetlevel transfer from Tribute Western Counties West
WhitehallFoundry LaneWhitehall, Bristolpromoted from Gloucester Premier (play-off)

Participating teams 2014–15

Participating teams 2013–14

Participating teams 2012–13

Participating teams 2011–12

Participating teams 2010–11

Participating teams 2009–10

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Western Counties) contained the following teams:

Western Counties North honours

Western Counties (1987–1993)

Originally Western Counties North and Western Counties West was a single division called Western Counties (sponsored by Courage), involving teams based in the south-west of England including Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucester and Somerset. Each team played one match against each of the other teams with the winning team awarded two points, and there was one point for each team in a drawn match.[2] It was a tier 7 league with promotion up to South West 2[lower-alpha 1] and relegation to either Cornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset[lower-alpha 2].

Western Counties
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1987–881110MatsonGordon LeagueAvon & Somerset Police, Sidmouth[3]
1988–891110Gordon LeagueAvonmouth Old BoysDevonport Services, Crediton[4]
1989–901110PenrynAvonmouth Old BoysCirencester, Devon & Cornwall Police[4]
1990–911110Coombe DownAvonmouth Old BoysTruro
1991–921110ClevedonBridgwater & Albion[lower-alpha 3]Newquay Hornets[5]
1992–931312Gloucester Old BoysLauncestonPlymouth Civil Service, Devon & Cornwall Police[6]

Western Counties (1993–1996)

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 Western Counties dropped from a tier 7 league to a tier 8 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to South West 2 and relegation down to either Cornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset[lower-alpha 4]. The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.

Western Counties
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1993–941312Old PatesiansTivertonWiveliscombe[7]
1994–951312LauncestonDevonport ServicesAvonmouth Old Boys[8]
1995–961312Dings CrusadersSpartans[lower-alpha 5]No relegation[lower-alpha 6][9]
Green background are the promotion places.

Western Counties North (1996–2000)

Major restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Western Counties split into two separate leagues, Western Counties North and Western Counties West, which reverted back to tier 7 leagues due to the cancellation of National 5 South.[10] Promotion from Western Counties North was now to the new South West 2 West division (formerly South West 2)[lower-alpha 7] while relegation was now to Gloucestershire/Somerset[lower-alpha 8][lower-alpha 9].

Western Counties North
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1996–971615KeynshamSt Mary's Old BoysChard[10]
1997–981716St Mary's Old BoysCleveOld Culverhays[11]
1998–991716HornetsConey HillAvonmouth Old Boys[12]
1999–001716Coney HillCheltenham NorthMultiple teams[lower-alpha 10][13]
Green background are the promotion places.

Western Counties North (2000–2009)

Western Counties North remained a tier 7 league, with promotion continuing to South West 2 West. Relegation was now to either Gloucester Premier or Somerset Premier following the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season. From the 2008–09 season the league sponsor would be Tribute.

Western Counties North
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2000–011222CleveTauntonBarton Hill, Cirencester, Spartans[14]
2001–021222ClevedonSt Mary's Old BoysNorth Bristol, Chew Valley[15]
2002–031222Coney HillThornburyCheltenham North, Old Redcliffians[16]
2003–041222Gordon LeagueSpartansGordano, Old Richians, Barton Hill[17]
2004–051222TauntonThornburyMatson, Nailsea & Backwell, Drybrook[18]
2005–061222Cheltenham NorthWalcotOld Redcliffians, Whitehall, Avonmouth Old Boys[19]
2006–071222YattonBarton HillKeynsham, North Bristol, Gloucester Old Boys[20]
2007–081222Avonmouth Old BoysOld RedcliffiansSpartans, Pershore, Bristol Harlequins[21]
2008–091222Hartpury CollegeChosen Hill Former PupilsNo relegation[lower-alpha 11][22]
Green background are the promotion places.

Western Counties North (2009–present)

Despite widespread league restructuring by the RFU, Western Counties North continued as a tier 7 league, with promotion to South West 1 West (formerly South West 2 West) and relegation to either Gloucester Premier or Somerset Premier. Tribute would continue to sponsor the league.

Western Counties North
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2009–101426Old RedcliffiansThornburyWidden Old Boys, Southmead, Hornets[23]
2010–111426Berry HillThornburyDrybrook, St Mary's Old Boys[24]
2011–121426ChardOld CentraliansStroud, Gordon League, Whitehall[25]
2012–131426HornetsWellsYatton, Keynsham[26]
2013–141426DrybrookMatsonOldfield Old Boys, Berry Hill, Cirencester, Midsomer Norton[27]
2014–151426Coney HillNewentStothert & Pitt, North Bristol, Bristol Saracens[28]
2015–161426MatsonKeynshamBarton Hill, Gordano, Bristol Harlequins[29]
2016–171426KeynshamChew ValleyAvon, Whitehall, Cirencester[30]
2017–181426Coney HillChew ValleyOldfield Old Boys, Yatton, Bristol Saracens[31]
2018–191426Chew ValleyMidsomer NortonWells, Old Richians, Chosen Hill Former Pupils[32]
2019–201426StroudMatsonConey Hill, Bristol Saracens[33]
2020–211426
Green background are the promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000-01 season there has been a one-off promotion playoff game played between the league runners-up of Western Counties North and Western Counties West for the third and final promotion place to South West 1 West, with the team with the superior league record getting home advantage in the tie. As of the end of the 2018–19 season the northern sides have been the more successful with ten victories to the west's nine while the home team has won thirteen times compared to the away teams six.

Western Counties (north v west) promotion play-off results
Season Home Team Score Away Team Venue Attendance
2000–01[34]Taunton Titans (N)24-16Withycombe (W)Hyde Park, Taunton, Somerset
2001–02[35]St Mary's Old Boys (N)43-7Penryn (W)Trench Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol
2002–03[36]Thornbury (N)12-5Withycombe (W)Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
2003–04[37]Spartans (N)18-7Torquay Athletic (W)Lansdown Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
2004–05[38]St Ives (W)27-5Thornbury (N)Alexandra Road, St Ives, Cornwall
2005–06[39]Newton Abbot (W)24-12Walcot (N)Rackerhayes, Newton Abbot, Devon
2006–07[40]Hayle (W)11-27Barton Hill (N)Memorial Park, Hayle, Cornwall
2007–08[41][42]Sidmouth (W)23-20Old Redcliffians (N)Blackmore Field, Sidmouth, Devon
2008-09[43][44]Chosen Hill Former Pupils (N)33-25Ivybridge (W)Brookfield Road, Churchdown, Gloucester
2009–10[45][46]Wadebridge Camels (W)25-21Thornbury (N)Molesworth Field, Wadebridge, Cornwall
2010–11[47][48]Thornbury (N)54-7Kingsbridge (W)Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
2011–12[49][50]Old Centralians (N)39-7Torquay Athletic (W)Saintbridge Sports Centre, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
2012–13[51][52]Wells (N)20-27Bideford (W)Charter Way, Wells, Somerset400
2013–14[53][54]Teignmouth (W)10-35Matson (N)Bitton Park Sports Ground, Teignmouth, Devon
2014–15[55][56]Newent (N)28-26Kingsbridge (W)Recreation Ground, Newent, Gloucestershire
2015–16[57]Kingsbridge (W)16-10Keynsham (N)High House, Kingsbridge, Devon
2016–17[58]Chew Valley (N)12-29Cullompton (W)Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset700
2017–18[59]Chew Valley (N)12-22Devonport Services (W)Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset
2018–19[60]Midsomer Norton (N)15-19Crediton (W)Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - St Austell (W) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green backgrounds represent promoted teams. WCN stands for Western Counties North while WCW stands for Western Counties West.

Number of league titles

Sponsorship

The Western Counties League and South West 2 were part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery from the first season, 1987–88 to season 1996–97.[61] The league was unsponsored until season 2007–08 when St Austell Brewery sponsored South-west based leagues under the Tribute Ale label.

Notes
  1. South West 2 is currently two regional divisions - South West 1 East and South West 1 West.
  2. Gloucestershire/Somerset is currently two separate leagues - Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  3. Old Culverhaysians also promoted.
  4. Currently split into Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  5. League restructuring meant that five teams were promoted, including 3rd to 5th place Penzance & Newlyn, Devonport Services and Tiverton.
  6. There was no relegation as Western Counties was due to split into Western Counties North and Western Counties West.
  7. From the 1996–97 season South West 2 was split into two regional divisions - South West 2 East and South West 2 West.
  8. Currently Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  9. Relegated Western Counties West clubs dropped to Cornwall/Devon.
  10. Oldfield Old Boys, Drybrook, Bristol Harlequins, St Bernadettes Old Boys, Wiveliscombe and Thornbury were the relegated sides this season. The reason for so many relegations was because the league would be reduced from 17 to 12 teams for the 2000-01 season.
  11. There was no relegation this year as the league changed from 12 to 14 teams for the 2009-10 season due to restructuring of the league system by the RFU.
  12. One of Gordon League's title wins was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  13. Clevedon's title was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  14. Coombe Down's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  15. Coombe Down's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  16. Gloucester Old Boys title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  17. Launceston's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  18. One of Matson's title wins were back when the league was known as Western Counties.
  19. Old Patesians title win was back when the league was known as Western Counties.
  20. Penryn's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.

See also

References
  1. "Tribute Western Counties North 2016–2017". English Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  2. Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (eds.). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92 (4th ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1 869833 15 5.
  3. Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. London: Rothmans Publications Ltd.
  4. Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Horsham: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1873057024.
  5. Cornwall Rugby Football Union 1992–3,1996–7
  6. Jones, Stephen, ed. (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94 (22nd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 151–167. 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. Mick Cleary, ed. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98 (26th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishers. ISBN 0 7472 7732 X.
  11. McCleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998–99 (27th ed.). Headline Book Publishing. p. 86–98. ISBN 0 7472 7653 6.
  12. "1998-99 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  13. "1999-00 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  14. "2000-01 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  15. "2001-02 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  16. "2002-03 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  17. "2003-04 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  18. "2004-05 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  19. "2005-06 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  20. "2006-07 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  21. "2007-08 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  22. "2008-09 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  23. "2009-10 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  24. "2010-11 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  25. "2011-12 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  26. "2012-13 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  27. "2013-14 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  28. "2014-15 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  29. "2015-16 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  30. "2016-17 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  31. "2017-18 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  32. "2018-19 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  33. "Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  34. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 12 May 2001.
  35. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
  36. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 26 April 2003.
  37. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  38. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 30 April 2005.
  39. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 29 April 2006.
  40. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  41. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  42. "View from the blindside". Sidmouth Herald. 2 May 2008.
  43. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
  44. "Disappointment". Ivybridge RFC. 25 April 2009.
  45. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 24 April 2010.
  46. "Promoted Camels give Thornbury the hump". Bristol Post. 27 April 2010.
  47. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 30 April 2011.
  48. "Kings outgunned in promotion play-off against Thornbury". Western Morning News. 2 May 2011.
  49. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 28 April 2012.
  50. "Dorling upbeat despite play-off loss". Torquay Herald Express. 3 May 2012.
  51. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 11 May 2013.
  52. "Wells RFC miss out on promotion after losing play-off against Bideford". Somerset Live. 12 May 2013.
  53. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 26 April 2014.
  54. "Matson clinch Western Counties North promotion with stylish play-off win". Gloucester Citizen. 29 April 2014.
  55. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 25 April 2015.
  56. "Newent promoted after thriller". Malvern Gazette. 30 April 2015.
  57. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 7 May 2016.
  58. "Chew Valley RFC lose division playoff". Chew Valley Gazette. 2 May 2017.
  59. "RUGBY REPORTS: Devonport Services secure promotion to South West One". Plymouth Sports Gazette. 29 April 2018.
  60. "Credit due for Crediton as Norton lose playoff". The Midsomer Norton & Radstock Journal. 2 May 2019.
  61. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98 (26th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7732 X.
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