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Counties 1 Western West
Current season or competition:
2022–23 Counties 1 Western West
SportRugby union
Instituted1987; 37 years ago (1987) (as Western Counties)
Number of teams12
CountryEngland
HoldersWadebridge Camels (1st title) (2021–22 – promoted to Regional 2 South West)
Most titlesPenryn (3 titles)
Websiteclubs.rfu.com

Counties 1 Western West (formerly known as Western Counties West for sponsorship reasons) 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. Western Counties West is currently a seventh tier league for clubs based in the south-west of England; mainly Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. The champions are promoted to South West 1 West and the runner-up plays the second team in Western Counties North, with the winning team also 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 either the Cornwall/Devon League or Somerset Premier, depending on location.

Each year two Western Counties West sides take part in the RFU Intermediate Cup (a level 7 national competition) – one affiliated with the Cornwall RFU, the other with the Devon RFU.

Format

The champions are promoted to Regional 2 South West (formerly South West 1 West), while the last two teams, depending on their location, are relegated to Counties 2 Cornwall, Counties 2 Devon or Counties 2 Somerset. In previous seasons teams were relegated to the Cornwall/Devon league. The season runs from September to April and comprises twenty-two 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

Participating teams and location

2021–21

Participating teams and location

League table

2021–22 Western Counties West League Table [1]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points adj
1 Wadebridge Camels 26 26 0 0 1136 410 726 24 0 128
2 Truro 26 18 1 7 768 550 218 17 1 92
3 Newton Abbot 26 17 1 8 828 576 252 18 3 92
4 Teignmouth 26 15 2 9 794 524 270 15 4 83
5 Chard 26 15 0 11 748 545 203 18 5 83
6 Burnham-on-Sea 26 15 0 11 818 529 289 19 4 78 −5
7 Kingsbridge 26 14 1 11 836 532 304 16 3 72 −5
8 Tiverton 26 13 2 11 586 656 −70 10 2 68
9 Wiveliscombe 26 11 1 14 567 628 −61 10 4 60
10 Penryn 26 10 2 14 575 599 −24 10 3 59
11 Bideford 26 8 1 17 438 740 −302 6 5 45
12 Paignton 26 8 0 18 470 716 −246 5 2 39
13 Falmouth 26 4 1 21 363 973 −610 5 1 24
14 Honiton 26 2 0 24 380 1329 −949 5 0 13
  • Points are awarded as follows: four points for a win; two points for a draw; no points for a loss; one bonus point for scoring four tries or more in a match; one bonus point for losing by seven points or less.

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

Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated:7 August 2022

2020–21

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the season was cancelled.

2019–20

Participating teams and location

League table

2019–20 Western Counties West League Table (to 16 March 2020, when play stopped due to COVID-19) Final Positions[2]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Final
position 		Team Points
(adjusted)
1 St Austell 22 19 0 3 654 334 320 12 2 90 1 Wellington (P) 107
2 Wellington (P) 20 16 0 4 582 324 258 14 3 81 2 St Austell 106
3 Kingsbridge 22 14 0 8 736 399 337 15 4 75 3 Teignmouth 94
4 Teignmouth 19 13 1 5 534 304 230 9 5 68 4 Kingsbridge 89
5 Wadebridge Camels 21 13 1 7 548 418 130 7 4 65 5 Wadebridge Camels 80
6 Penryn 22 13 0 9 516 378 138 9 4 65 6 Penryn 74
7 Chard 21 11 1 9 473 562 −89 8 3 57 7 Chard 72
8 Bideford 21 10 1 10 373 420 −47 9 1 52 8 Bideford 63
9 Tiverton 22 8 1 13 319 522 −203 3 2 39 9 Tiverton 46
10 Falmouth 22 7 1 14 360 530 −170 5 2 37 10 Falmouth 44
11 Honiton 22 7 0 15 366 615 −249 4 5 37 11 Honiton 42
12 Wiveliscombe 22 5 0 17 362 689 −327 6 6 32 12 Saltash 39
13 Saltash 20 6 0 14 388 538 −150 4 2 30 13 Wiveliscombe 39
14 Cullompton 22 4 0 18 369 547 −178 5 8 29 14 Cullompton 34
  • Points are awarded as follows: four points for a win; two points for a draw; no points for a loss; one bonus point for scoring four tries or more in a match; one bonus point for losing by seven points or less.

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

Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 2 April 2021

2018–19

Participating teams and location

League table

2018–19 Western Counties West League Table[3]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points
(adjusted)
1 Sidmouth (P) 26 20 2 4 805 406 399 17 2 103
2 Crediton (P) 26 21 2 3 643 423 220 12 1 101
3 Wellington 26 20 3 3 816 402 414 17 2 100 −5
4 St Austell 26 17 2 7 597 392 205 14 7 93
5 Tiverton 26 13 1 12 605 547 58 9 6 69
6 Wadebridge Camels 26 13 1 12 554 644 −90 9 3 66
7 Falmouth 26 12 1 13 468 625 −157 6 1 57
8 Kingsbridge 26 9 1 16 502 548 −46 7 8 53
9 Winscombe 26 10 0 16 453 605 −152 5 6 51
10 Bideford 26 8 1 17 495 485 10 7 8 49
11 Saltash 26 9 0 17 396 626 −230 3 7 46
12 Chard 26 8 0 18 456 796 −340 8 3 43
13 Truro 26 7 3 16 491 651 −160 4 4 42
14 Paignton 26 6 1 19 350 481 −131 1 9 36
  • 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: 13 February 2021

Promotion play-off

In the play-off for promotion, Crediton played Midsomer Norton from Western Counties North for promotion to South West 1 West. Midsomer Norton had the best playing record and hosted the match, losing 15 – 19. This was the first time either team had participated in the play-offs, at this level, and Crediton's win was the sixth time the away team had won match. Teams from Western Counties North lead 10–9 in the nineteen play-off matches played since 2001.

Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Midsomer Norton 26 20 0 6 750 595 155 20 2 102
Crediton (P) 26 21 2 3 643 423 220 12 1 101
27 April 2019
15:00
Midsomer Norton15 – 19Crediton
Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset

[4]

2017–18

Participating teams and location

The 2017–18 Western Counties West League consists of fourteen teams; seven from Devon, five from Cornwall and two from Somerset. The season started on 2 September 2017 and finished on 21 April 2018. Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2016–17 champions, Exeter University were promoted to South West 1 West, along with the play-off winners Cullompton, while Chard (12th place) and Kingsbridge (13th) were relegated from that league. Bude and Wellington were relegated to the Cornwall/Devon League and were replaced by Falmouth (champions) and Paignton (runner-up).

League table

2017–18 Western Counties West League Table[6]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points
(adjusted)
1 St Ives (P) 26 22 0 4 809 478 331 20 1 109
2 Devonport Services (P) 26 17 1 8 719 456 263 14 6 90
3 St Austell 26 17 1 8 598 444 154 8 5 83
4 Kingsbridge 26 16 2 8 714 391 323 11 3 82
5 Wadebridge Camels 26 15 3 8 596 527 69 8 1 75
6 Sidmouth 26 14 2 10 668 548 120 10 4 69 −5
7 Chard 26 10 1 15 462 532 −70 9 5 56
8 Truro 26 9 1 16 539 632 −93 8 7 53
9 Paignton 26 10 2 14 462 528 −66 3 4 51
10 Crediton 26 10 1 15 427 514 ÷87 4 5 51
11 Tiverton 26 10 1 15 462 653 −191 3 5 50
12 Falmouth 26 9 2 15 488 636 −148 7 2 49
13 Torquay Athletic 26 10 0 16 446 621 −175 8 4 47 −5
14 Burnham-on-Sea 26 4 1 21 343 773 −430 2 4 24
  • 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: 19 May 2017

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties West and Western Counties North, 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 for the second successive season they lost, this time to Devonport Services 12 – 22. It is the first time Devonport Services are promoted to a level six league.[7] This match was the eighteenth play-off for promotion; the northern sides lead with ten victories to the west's eight and the home teams are leading thirteen to five.

Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Chew Valley 26 18 0 8 798 458 340 15 5 92
Devonport Services (P) 26 17 1 8 719 456 263 14 6 90
April 2018
15:00
Chew Valley12 – 22Devonport Services
Chew Lane, Chew Magna

2016–17

Participating teams and location

The 2016–17 Western Counties West League consists of fourteen teams; seven from Devon, five from Cornwall and two from Somerset. The season began on 3 September 2016 and finished on 22 April 2017. Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition, the 2015–16 champions, Okehampton were promoted to South West 1 West, along with the play-off winners Kingsbridge. Two Cornish teams, Penryn and Saltash were relegated to the Cornwall/Devon League and were replaced by Bude (champions) and St Ives (runner-up). The three relegated teams from South West One were all allocated places in Western Counties North so the two most westerly teams from that division, Burnham and Wellington were transferred to this league to bring the number of teams to fourteen.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
Bude Bencoolen Meadow 750 Bude, Cornwall promoted from Cornwall/Devon (1st)
Burnham-on-Sea BASC Ground Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset level transfer from Western Counties North (6th)
Crediton Blagdon Crediton, Devon 12th
Cullompton Stafford Park Cullompton, Devon 7th
Devonport Services The Rectory 2,000 Devonport, Plymouth, Devon 9th
Exeter University Duckes Meadow, Salmon Pool Lane Exeter, Devon 4th
Sidmouth Blackmore Field Sidmouth, Devon 8th
St Austell Tregorrick Park 4,000 (300 seats) St Austell, Cornwall 11th
St Ives Recreation Ground 3,000 (275 seats) St Ives, Cornwall promoted from Cornwall/Devon (2nd)
Tiverton Coronation Field 750 Tiverton, Devon 6th
Torquay Athletic Recreation Ground 3,000 (300 seats) Torquay, Devon 5th
Truro St Clement's Hill 2,000 Truro, Cornwall 3rd
Wadebridge Camels Molesworth Field 500 Wadebridge, Cornwall 10th
Wellington Athletic Ground Wellington, Somerset level transfer from Western Counties North (10th)

[8]

League table

2016–17 Western Counties West League Table[9]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1 Exeter University (P) 25 21 0 4 960 329 631 18 1 103
2 Cullompton (P) 26 22 0 4 659 311 348 11 2 101
3 Devonport Services 26 17 1 8 587 474 113 8 4 82
4 Truro 24 14 1 9 603 487 116 11 3 72
5 Wadebridge Camels 26 15 0 11 510 548 −38 6 5 71
6 St Ives 26 12 0 14 710 503 207 12 10 70
7 St Austell 26 13 0 13 665 511 154 10 7 69
8 Sidmouth 26 12 0 14 608 593 15 8 5 61
9 Torquay Athletic 26 11 0 15 433 697 −264 5 6 55
10 Crediton 26 9 0 17 439 574 −135 5 7 48
11 Tiverton 26 9 0 17 390 657 −267 4 6 46
12 Burnham-on-Sea 25 8 0 17 429 521 −92 4 9 45
13 Bude 26 8 0 18 413 892 −479 4 3 39
14 Wellington 26 8 0 18 342 651 −309 1 4 32
  • 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: 19 May 2017

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties West and Western Counties North, 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 Cullompton 12 – 29.

Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Chew Valley 26 22 0 4 822 493 329 18 0 106
Cullompton (P) 26 22 0 4 659 311 348 11 2 101
29 April 2017
15:00
Chew Valley12 – 29Cullompton
Chew Lane

2015–16

The 2015–16 Western Counties West League consists of fourteen teams; nine from Devon and five from Cornwall. The seasons started on 5 September 2015 and the last matches were played on 30 April 2016.

Participating teams and location

Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Teignmouth were promoted to South West 1 West and Tavistock and St Ives were relegated to the Cornwall/Devon League. The only team from Somerset, Wellington, was transferred to Western Counties North.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
Crediton Blagdon Crediton, Devon promoted from Cornwall/Devon
Cullompton Stafford Park Cullompton, Devon relegated from South West 1 West
Devonport Services The Rectory 2,000 Devonport, Plymouth, Devon 6th
Exeter University Duckes Meadow, Salmon Pool Lane Exeter, Devon 9th
Kingsbridge High House 1,000 (50 seats) Kingsbridge, Devon 2nd
Okehampton Showground 1,120 (120 seats) Okehampton, Devon 7th
Penryn Memorial Ground 4,000 (200 seats) Penryn, Cornwall 11th
Saltash Moorlands Lane Saltash, Cornwall promoted from Cornwall/Devon
Sidmouth Blackmore Field Sidmouth, Devon 8th
St Austell Tregorrick Park 4,000 (300 seats) St Austell, Cornwall relegated from South West 1 West
Tiverton Coronation Field 750 Tiverton, Devon 3rd
Torquay Athletic Recreation Ground 3,000 (300 seats) Torquay, Devon 12th
Truro St Clement's Hill 2,000 Truro, Cornwall 4th
Wadebridge Camels Molesworth Field 500 Wadebridge, Cornwall 5th

[10]

League table

2015–16 Western Counties West League Table[11]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1 Okehampton (P) 26 23 0 3 605 308 297 15 0 108
2 Kingsbridge (P) 26 22 0 4 745 264 481 16 2 106
3 Truro 26 16 0 10 636 535 101 15 5 85
4 Exeter University 26 17 1 8 738 492 246 13 3 81
5 Torquay Athletic 26 16 0 10 641 611 30 11 3 78
6 Tiverton 26 13 0 13 478 425 53 7 8 67
7 Cullompton 26 11 2 13 528 478 50 5 7 60
8 St Austell 26 10 1 15 455 511 −56 7 9 58
9 Devonport Services 26 10 0 16 478 610 −132 10 5 55
10 Wadebridge Camels 26 9 1 16 505 530 −25 7 8 53
11 Sidmouth 26 10 0 16 494 631 −137 4 5 49
12 Crediton 26 9 3 14 447 658 −211 5 2 49
13 Penryn 26 7 0 19 413 742 −329 5 5 38
14 Saltash 26 5 0 21 426 794 −368 5 7 32
  • 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 May 2016

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 Kingsbridge, hosted the match against Keynsham and won 16 – 10.

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Kingsbridge (P) 26 22 0 4 745 264 481 16 2 108
Keynsham 26 20 2 4 681 306 375 14 4 102
8 May 2016
15:00
Kingsbridge16 – 10Keynsham
High House

2014–15

Participating teams and location

The 2014–15 Western Counties West consisted of fourteen teams; nine from Devon, four from Cornwall and one from Somerset. The season started on 6 September 2014 and finished on 18 April 2015. Teignmouth became champions with two matches to play after Exeter University had fifty points deducted for playing ineligible players. Teignmouth were promoted to South West 1 West, while the second place team, Kingsbridge, lost to the runner-up of Western Counties North, Newent in the play-off for promotion. The last two teams, Tavistock and St Ives were relegated to Cornwall/Devon.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
Devonport Services The Rectory 2,000 Devonport, Plymouth, Devon 8th
Exeter University Duckes Meadow, Salmon Pool Lane Exeter, Devon promoted from Cornwall/Devon
Kingsbridge High House 1,000 (50 seats) Kingsbridge, Devon 3rd
Okehampton Showground 1,120 (120 seats) Okehampton, Devon 9th
Penryn Memorial Ground 4,000 (200 seats) Penryn, Cornwall 6th
St Ives Recreation Ground 3,000 (275 seats) St Ives, Cornwall 12th
Sidmouth Blackmore Field Sidmouth, Devon relegated from South West 1 West
Tavistock Sandy Park Tavistock, Devon 11th
Teignmouth Bitton Sports Ground 1,210 (210 stand) Teignmouth, Devon 2nd
Tiverton Coronation Field 750 Tiverton, Devon promoted from Cornwall/Devon
Torquay Athletic Recreation Ground 3,000 Torquay, Devon 7th
Truro St Clement's Hill 2,000 Truro, Cornwall 5th
Wadebridge Camels Molesworth Field 500 Wadebridge, Cornwall relegated from South West 1 West
Wellington Athletic Ground Wellington, Somerset 10th

[12]

League table

2014–15 Western Counties West League Table[13]
Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1 Teignmouth (P) 26 23 0 3 989 356 633 18 2 112
2 Kingsbridge 26 18 0 8 701 422 279 12 4 88
3 Tiverton 26 17 0 9 574 281 293 11 4 83
4 Truro 26 15 0 11 770 598 172 12 5 78
5 Wadebridge Camels 26 15 0 11 707 503 204 11 4 75
6 Devonport Services 26 15 0 11 556 466 90 8 2 70
7 Okehampton 26 13 0 13 593 504 89 8 6 66
8 Sidmouth 26 11 1 14 526 646 −120 8 5 60
9 Exeter University 26 22 0 4 898 551 347 16 1 56[a]
10 Wellington 26 9 0 17 490 625 −135 6 4 46
11 Penryn 26 9 0 17 531 608 −77 7 7 40
12 Torquay Athletic 26 5 0 21 510 898 −388 8 8 36
13 Tavistock 26 5 0 21 393 927 −534 6 1 27
14 St Ives 26 4 1 21 303 1156 −853 5 1 18
  • 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: 8 May 2015

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 Newent, hosted the match; their opponents were Kingsbridge who lost the match 26 – 28 to a stoppage time penalty.

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Newent (P) 26 23 0 3 827 399 428 16 1 110
Kingsbridge 26 18 0 8 701 422 279 12 4 88
25 April 2015
15:00
Newent28 – 26Kingsbridge
Newent
Kingsbridge
Recreation Ground

2013–14

[14]

2009–10

2007–08

2007–08 Western Counties West
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points Diff Bonus Points Points
Paignton 22 18 0 4 629 252 377 0 36
Sidmouth 22 17 1 4 495 260 235 0 35
Wadebridge Camels 22 12 3 7 618 303 315 0 27
Tiverton 22 12 1 9 381 316 65 0 25
Bude 22 11 2 9 349 354 −5 0 24
Ivybridge 22 9 2 11 340 329 11 0 20
Devonport Services 22 9 2 11 488 501 −84 0 20
Minehead Barbarians 22 9 2 11 429 421 −197 0 20
Kingsbridge 22 9 1 12 408 372 36 0 19
Withycombe 22 9 0 13 242 439 −197 0 18
Hayle 22 6 2 14 235 537 −302 0 14
Penryn 22 3 0 19 177 536 −359 0 6

[15]

Original teams

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

Western Counties honours

In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was ten, tier seven leagues. The Western Counties League was for teams based in the south-west of England from 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.[16] This system prevailed for five seasons, and in 1992–93 the number of teams increased from eleven to thirteen. The following season Western Counties League was renamed Courage South West 2 League, and three seasons later in 1996–97 a major reorganisation occurred with South West 2 being split into two regional leagues:[17]

  1. Courage Western Counties North consisted of sixteen teams based in Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset, and each team continued to play the others once
  2. Courage Western Counties West consisted of eleven teams based in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, and each team played the other twice.

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.[16] It was a tier 7 league with promotion up to South West 2[b] and relegation to either Cornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset.[c]

Western Counties
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1987–88 11 10 Matson Gordon League Avon & Somerset Police, Sidmouth [18]
1988–89 11 10 Gordon League Avonmouth Old Boys Devonport Services, Crediton [19]
1989–90 11 10 Penryn Avonmouth Old Boys Cirencester, Devon & Cornwall Police [19]
1990–91 11 10 Coombe Down Avonmouth Old Boys Truro
1991–92 11 10 Clevedon Bridgwater & Albion[d] Newquay Hornets [20]
1992–93 13 12 Gloucester Old Boys Launceston Plymouth Civil Service, Devon & Cornwall Police [21]

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.[e] The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.

Western Counties
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1993–94 13 12 Old Patesians Tiverton Wiveliscombe [22]
1994–95 13 12 Launceston Devonport Services Avonmouth Old Boys [23]
1995–96 13 12 Dings Crusaders Spartans[f] No relegation[g] [24]
Green background are the promotion places.

Western Counties West (1996–2009)

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 to tier 7 leagues due to the cancellation of National 5 South.[17] Promotion from Western Counties West was now to the new South West 2 West division (formerly South West 2)[h] while relegation was now to Cornwall/Devon.[i] From the 2008–09 season the league sponsor is Tribute.

Western Counties West
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1996–97 11 20 Okehampton St Austell Old Plymouthians, Crediton, Saltash [25]
1997–98 10 18 St Austell Kingsbridge Sidmouth, Bideford [26]
1998–99 10 18 Truro Ivybridge Devonport Services, Kingsbridge [27]
1999–00 10 18 Ivybridge Withycombe No relegation[j] [28]
2000–01 12 22 Crediton Withycombe St Ives, Wellington, Paignton, Devonport Services[k] [29][30]
2001–02 12 22 Exmouth Penryn South Molton, St Austell [31]
2002–03 12 22 Penryn Withycombe Okehampton, Bideford [32]
2003–04 12 22 Camborne Torquay Athletic Tiverton, St Just [33]
2004–05 12 22 Mounts Bay St Ives Wessex, Devonport Services [34]
2005–06 12 22 Torquay Athletic Newton Abbot Paignton, Ivel Barbarians [35]
2006–07 12 22 Barnstaple Hayle Crediton, Truro [36]
2007–08 12 22 Paignton Sidmouth Hayle, Penryn [37]
2008–09 14 26 Cullompton Ivybridge No relegation[l] (14th Withycombe) [38]

Western Counties West (2009–present)

Despite widespread league restructuring by the RFU, Western Counties West continued as a tier 7 league, with promotion to South West 1 West (formerly South West 2 West) and relegation to Cornwall/Devon. Tribute continued to sponsor the league.

Western Counties West
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2009–10 14 26 Camborne Wadebridge Camels Minehead Barbarians, Withycombe [39]
2010–11 14 26 Penryn Kingsbridge Tavistock, Newquay Hornets [40]
2011–12 14 26 North Petherton Torquay Athletic Tiverton, St Ives [41]
2012–13 14 26 St Austell Bideford Exeter Saracens, Honiton [42]
2013–14 14 26 Ivybridge Teignmouth Bude, Paignton [43]
2014–15 14 26 Teignmouth Kingsbridge St Ives, Tavistock [44]
2015–16 14 26 Okehampton Kingsbridge Saltash, Penryn [45]
2016–17 14 26 Exeter University Cullompton Wellington, Bude [46]
2017–18 14 26 St Ives Devonport Services Burnham-on-Sea, Torquay Athletic [47]
2018–19 14 26 Sidmouth Crediton Paignton, Truro [48]
2019–20 14 26 Wellington St Austell Cullompton, Saltash [49]
2020–21 14 26 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2020–21 14 26 Wadebridge Camels Truro awaiting decision from the RFU

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Western Counties North and Western Counties West for the third and final promotion place to South West 1 West. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. As of the end of the 2019–20 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 (west v north) promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000–01[50] Taunton Titans (N) 24–16 Withycombe (W) Hyde Park, Taunton, Somerset
2001–02[51] St Mary's Old Boys (N) 43–7 Penryn (W) Trench Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol
2002–03[52] Thornbury (N) 12–5 Withycombe (W) Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
2003–04[53] Spartans (N) 18–7 Torquay Athletic (W) Lansdown Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
2004–05[54] St Ives (W) 27–5 Thornbury (N) Alexandra Road, St Ives, Cornwall
2005–06[55] Newton Abbot (W) 24–12 Walcot (N) Rackerhayes, Newton Abbot, Devon
2006–07[56] Hayle (W) 11–27 Barts Rugby (N) Memorial Park, Hayle, Cornwall
2007–08[57][58] Sidmouth (W) 23–20 Old Redcliffians (N) Blackmore Field, Sidmouth, Devon 1,000[59]
2008–09[60][61] Chosen Hill Former Pupils (N) 33–25 Ivybridge (W) Brookfield Road, Churchdown, Gloucester
2009–10[62][63] Wadebridge Camels (W) 25–21 Thornbury (N) Molesworth Field, Wadebridge, Cornwall
2010–11[64][65] Thornbury (N) 54–7 Kingsbridge (W) Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
2011–12[66][67] Old Centralians (N) 39–7 Torquay Athletic (W) Saintbridge Sports Centre, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
2012–13[68][69] Wells (N) 20–27 Bideford (W) Charter Way, Wells, Somerset 400
2013–14[70][71] Teignmouth (W) 10–35 Matson (N) Bitton Park Sports Ground, Teignmouth, Devon
2014–15[72][73] Newent (N) 28–26 Kingsbridge (W) Recreation Ground, Newent, Gloucestershire
2015–16[74] Kingsbridge (W) 16–10 Keynsham (N) High House, Kingsbridge, Devon
2016–17[75] Chew Valley (N) 12–29 Cullompton (W) Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset 700
2017–18[76] Chew Valley (N) 12–22 Devonport Services (W) Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset
2018–19[77] Midsomer Norton (N) 15–19 Crediton (W) Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset
2019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up – St Austell (W) – promoted instead.
2020–21 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22 Cancelled due to league reorganisation
Green background represent the promoted team, (N) stands for Western Counties North teams, (W) stands for Western Counties West teams

Number of league titles

Summary of tier seven format since 1987

Format of tier seven Western Counties West
Year Name No of teams No of matches Notes
1987–92 Western Counties League 11 10
1992–96 Western Counties League 13 12
1996–97 Western Counties West 11 20
1997–00 Western Counties West 10 18
2000–08 Western Counties West 12 22
2008– Western Counties West 14 26

[19][20][78][79][80][29]

Sponsorship

The Western Counties League was part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery from the first season, 1987–88 to season 1996–97.[81] The league was unsponsored until season 2007–08 when St Austell Brewery sponsored South-west based leagues under the Tribute Ale label.

Notes

  1. ^ Exeter University deducted 50 points after playing ineligible players.
  2. ^ South West 2 is currently two regional divisions - South West 1 East and South West 1 West.
  3. ^ Gloucestershire/Somerset is currently two separate leagues - Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  4. ^ Old Culverhaysians also promoted.
  5. ^ Gloucestershire/Somerset is currently two separate leagues – Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  6. ^ League restructuring meant that five teams were promoted, including 3rd to 5th place Penzance & Newlyn, Devonport Services and Tiverton.
  7. ^ There was no relegation as Western Counties was due to split into Western Counties North and Western Counties West.
  8. ^ From the 1996–97 season South West 2 was split into two regional divisions - South West 2 East and South West 2 West.
  9. ^ Relegated Western Counties North clubs dropped to Gloucestershire/Somerset (currently Gloucester Premier / Somerset Premier.
  10. ^ There was no relegation this season due to restructuring of the league system by the RFU.
  11. ^ At the end of the 2000–01 season there were more relegations from Western Counties West than usual due to with four teams going down, including 9th placed Paignton and 8th placed Devonport Services. Due to the Foot-and-mouth disease teams were unable to fulfil all fixtures which meant that 10th placed South Molton escaped relegation on aggregate points from games played.
  12. ^ There was no relegation this season due to restructuring of the league system by the RFU.
  13. ^ One of Penryn's title wins was back when the league was known as Western Counties.
  14. ^ Clevedon's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  15. ^ Coombe Down title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  16. ^ Dings Crusaders title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  17. ^ Gloucester Old Boys title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  18. ^ Gordon League's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  19. ^ Launceston's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  20. ^ Matson's title win was back when the league was known as Western Counties.
  21. ^ Old Patesians title win was back when the league was known as Western Counties.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West Final Standings". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West Final Standings". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Results". England Rugby. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  5. ^ Handbook Season 2014–2015 (PDF). Somerset County Rugby Football Union Limited. 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Tribute Western Counties West". England Rugby. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  7. ^ "RUGBY REPORTS: Devonport Services secure promotion to South West One". Plymouth Sports Gazette. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2015-2016". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2016-2017". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  11. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West". England Rugby. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West". Rugby First. RFU. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  13. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West". England Rugby. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Final League Tables, 2013–2014". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  15. ^ "Final League Tables, 2007–2008". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  16. ^ a b Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (eds.). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92 (4th ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1 869833 15 5.
  17. ^ a b Mick Cleary, ed. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98 (26th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishers. ISBN 0 7472 7732 X.
  18. ^ Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. London: Rothmans Publications Ltd.
  19. ^ a b c Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Horsham: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1873057024.
  20. ^ a b Cornwall Rugby Football Union 1992–3,1996–7
  21. ^ Jones, Stephen, ed. (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94 (22nd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 151–167. ISBN 0 7472 7891 1.
  22. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7850 4.
  23. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7816 4.
  24. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7771 0.
  25. ^ "Final League Tables, 1996–97". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  26. ^ "Final League Tables 1997–98". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  27. ^ "Final League Tables 1998–99". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  28. ^ Stephen McCormack, ed. (2001). The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002. Harpender: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916400.
  29. ^ a b Stephen McCormack, ed. (2001). The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002. Harpender: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916400.
  30. ^ "Final League Tables 2000–2001". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  31. ^ "Final League Tables, 2001–2002". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  32. ^ "Final League Tables 2002–2003". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  33. ^ "Final League Tables 2003–2004". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  34. ^ "Final League Tables 2004–2005". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  35. ^ "Final League Tables, 2005–2006". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  36. ^ "Final League Tables 2006–2007". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  37. ^ "Final League Tables, 2007–2008". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  38. ^ "Final League Tables, 2008–2009". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  39. ^ "Final League Tables, 2009–2010". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  40. ^ "Final League Tables, 2010–2011". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  41. ^ "Final League Tables 2011–2012". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  42. ^ "Final League Tables 2012–2013". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  43. ^ "Final League Tables, 2013–2014". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  44. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2014–2015". England Rugby. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  45. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2015–2016". England Rugby. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  46. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2016–2017". England Rugby. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  47. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2017–2018". England Rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  48. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2018–2019". England Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  49. ^ "Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  50. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 12 May 2001.
  51. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
  52. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 26 April 2003.
  53. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  54. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 30 April 2005.
  55. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 29 April 2006.
  56. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  57. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  58. ^ "View from the blindside". Sidmouth Herald. 2 May 2008.
  59. ^ "Sidmouth RFC Senior History". Sidmouth RFC. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  60. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
  61. ^ "Disappointment". Ivybridge RFC. 25 April 2009.
  62. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 24 April 2010.
  63. ^ "Promoted Camels give Thornbury the hump". Bristol Post. 27 April 2010.
  64. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 30 April 2011.
  65. ^ "Kings outgunned in promotion play-off against Thornbury". Western Morning News. 2 May 2011.
  66. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 28 April 2012.
  67. ^ "Dorling upbeat despite play-off loss". Torquay Herald Express. 3 May 2012.
  68. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 11 May 2013.
  69. ^ "Wells RFC miss out on promotion after losing play-off against Bideford". Somerset Live. 12 May 2013.
  70. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 26 April 2014.
  71. ^ "Matson clinch Western Counties North promotion with stylish play-off win". Gloucester Citizen. 29 April 2014.
  72. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 25 April 2015.
  73. ^ "Newent promoted after thriller". Malvern Gazette. 30 April 2015.
  74. ^ "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 7 May 2016.
  75. ^ "Chew Valley RFC lose division playoff". Chew Valley Gazette. 2 May 2017.
  76. ^ "RUGBY REPORTS: Devonport Services secure promotion to South West One". Plymouth Sports Gazette. 29 April 2018.
  77. ^ "Credit due for Crediton as Norton lose playoff". The Midsomer Norton & Radstock Journal. 2 May 2019.
  78. ^ Mick Cleary, ed. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishers. ISBN 074727732X.
  79. ^ Cornwall Rugby Football Union Official Handbook and Byelaws 1996–97. Cornwall RFU. 1996.
  80. ^ Stephen McCormack, ed. (2001). The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002. Harpender: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916400.
  81. ^ 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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