English rugby union league
Somerset Premier (known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol . Originally a single division called Gloucestershire/Somerset, in 2000 the division split into two county leagues called Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
The league champions of Somerset Premier are automatically promoted to Western Counties North while the runners up play the runners up of Gloucester Premier for their place. Relegated teams drop into Somerset 1 . Only 1st XV sides can be promoted into Western Counties North, although any side can fall to Somerset 1. Each season a 1st XV side from Somerset Premier is picked to take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a national competition for clubs at level 8.
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Avon
Hicksfield
Bath, Somerset
5th
Bristol Harlequins
Valhalla
Brislington , Bristol
Promoted from Somerset 1 (champions)
Crewkerne
Henhayes Recreation Ground
Crewkerne
Promoted from Somerset 1 (runners up)
Hornets II
Hutton Moor Park
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
11th
Imperial
South Bristol Sports Centre
Hengrove , Bristol
7th
Minehead Barbarians
The Tom Stewart Field
Minehead , Somerset
3rd
Nailsea & Backwell
West End Park
Nailsea , Somerset
2nd
Oldfield Old Boys
Shaft Road
Monkton Combe , Bath , Somerset
6th
St Bernadettes Old Boys
Whitchurch Sports Ground
Whitchurch , Bristol
10th
Stothert & Pitt
Adams Field
Corston , Somerset
9th
Tor
Brian Harbinson Memorial Park
Glastonbury , Somerset
13th
Wells
Charter Way
Wells , Somerset
8th
Weston-super-Mare II
Recreation Ground
6,000
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
12th
Yatton
The Park
Yatton , Somerset
4th
Locations of the 2021-22 Somerset Premier teams
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Avon
Hicksfield
Bath, Somerset
4th
Burnham-on-Sea
BASC Ground
Burnham-on-Sea , Somerset
Runners up (lost playoff)
Hornets II
Hutton Moor Park
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
12th
Imperial
South Bristol Sports Centre
Hengrove , Bristol
3rd
Minehead Barbarians
The Tom Stewart Field
Minehead , Somerset
6th
Nailsea & Backwell
West End Park
Nailsea , Somerset
7th
Oldfield Old Boys
Shaft Road
Monkton Combe , Bath , Somerset
8th
Old Redcliffians II
Scotland Lane
Brislington , Bristol
9th
St Bernadettes Old Boys
Whitchurch Sports Ground
Whitchurch , Bristol
11th
Stothert & Pitt
Adams Field
Bath , Somerset
Promoted from Somerset 1 (runners up)
Tor
Brian Harbinson Memorial Park
Glastonbury , Somerset
Promoted from Somerset 1 (champions)
Wells
Charter Way
Wells , Somerset
Relegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Weston-super-Mare II
Recreation Ground
6,000
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
10th
Yatton
The Park
Yatton , Somerset
5th
Locations of the 2019-20 Somerset Premier teams
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Avon
Hicksfield
Bath, Somerset
3rd
Bristol Harlequins
Valhalla
Brislington , Bristol
Promoted from Somerset 1 (Runners Up)[ a]
Burnham-on-Sea
BASC Ground
Burnham-on-Sea , Somerset
Relegated from Western Counties West (14th)
Hornets II
Hutton Moor Park
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
10th
Imperial
South Bristol Sports Centre
Hengrove , Bristol
5th
Minehead Barbarians
The Tom Stewart Field
Minehead , Somerset
8th
Nailsea & Backwell
West End Park
Nailsea , Somerset
7th
Oldfield Old Boys
Shaft Road
Monkton Combe , Bath , Somerset
Relegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Old Redcliffians II
Scotland Lane
Brislington , Bristol
6th
St Bernadettes Old Boys
Whitchurch Sports Ground
Whitchurch , Bristol
9th
Weston-super-Mare II
Recreation Ground
6,000
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
4th
Wiveliscombe
Recreational Ground
Wiveliscombe , Somerset
Runners up (lost playoff)
Yatton
The Park
Yatton , Somerset
Relegated from Western Counties North (13th)
Locations of the 2018-19 Somerset Premier teams
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Avon
Hicksfield
Bath, Somerset
Relegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Bridgwater & Albion II
Bath Road
5,000
Bridgwater , Somerset
11th
Gordano
Caswell Lane
Portbury , Somerset
6th
Hornets II
Hutton Moor Park
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
9th
Imperial
South Bristol Sports Centre
Hengrove , Bristol
Promoted from Somerset 1 (runners up)
Minehead Barbarians
The Tom Stewart Field
Minehead , Somerset
Promoted from Somerset 1 (champions)
Nailsea & Backwell
West End Park
Nailsea , Somerset
8th
Old Redcliffians II
Scotland Lane
Brislington , Bristol
7th
St Bernadettes Old Boys
Whitchurch Sports Ground
Whitchurch , Bristol
12th
Stothert & Pitt
Adams Field
Bath , Somerset
10th
Tor
Brian Harbinson Memorial Park
Glastonbury , Somerset
5th
Weston-super-Mare II
Recreation Ground
6,000
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
4th
Wiveliscombe
Recreational Ground
Wiveliscombe , Somerset
3rd
Locations of the 2017-18 Somerset Premier teams
Participating teams [ edit ]
1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues [ edit ]
Bristol Barbarians
Castle Cary
Imperial
Minehead Barbarians (relegated from Somerset Premier)
Old Sulians
Wyvern
Bath Old Edwardians (promoted from Somerset 3 North)
Cheddar Valley (transferred from Somerset 2 South)
Old Culverhaysians
Martock
Morganians
Somerton
Avon II
Barton Hill II
Bristol Telephone Area
Imperial II
Keynsham IV
Nailsea & Backwell II
Old Bristolians III
Oldfield Old Boys III
The 2015–16 Somerset Premier consists of fourteen teams from Somerset and south-west Bristol . The season began on the 5 September 2015 and ended on the 30 April 2016.
Participating teams and location [ edit ]
Eleven of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Gordano were promoted to Western Counties North while Bristol Imperial and Clevedon II were relegated to Somerset 1.
Locations of the 2015-16 Somerset Premier teams
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Chew Valley II
Chew Lane
Chew Magna , Somerset
Promoted from Somerset 1 (runners up)
Hornets II
Hutton Moor Park
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
Promoted from Somerset 1 (champions)
Minehead Barbarians
The Tom Stewart Field
Minehead , Somerset
8th
Nailsea & Backwell
West End Park
Nailsea , Somerset
9th
Oldfield Old Boys
Shaft Road
Bath , Somerset
10th
Old Redcliffians II
Scotland Lane
Brislington , Bristol
6th
St Bernadettes Old Boys
Whitchurch Sports Ground
Whitchurch , Bristol
12th
Stothert & Pitt
Adams Field
Bath , Somerset
Relegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Taunton II
Hyde Park
2,000
Taunton , Somerset
11th
Tor
Brian Harbinson Memorial Park
Glastonbury , Somerset
4th
Weston-super-Mare II
Recreation Ground
2,000
Weston-super-Mare , Somerset
3rd
Winscombe
Winscombe Recreation Ground
1,200
Winscombe , Somerset
2nd (lost promotion playoff)
Wiveliscombe
Recreational Ground
Wiveliscombe , Somerset
7th
Yatton
Off North End
Yatton , Somerset
5th
1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues [ edit ]
Bristol Barbarians
Castle Cray
Crewkerne
Imperial
Old Sulians
Wyvern
Cheddar Valley
Martock
Morganians
Somerton
Participating Clubs 2014/15[ edit ]
Participating Clubs 2013/14[ edit ]
Participating Clubs 2012/13[ edit ]
Participating teams 2010/11[ edit ]
1 Bristol Harlequins 40
2 Chard 34
3 Taunton II 33
4 Avon 33
5 Wells 32
6 Stothert & Pitt 18
7 Tor 18
8 Midsomer Norton 18
9 Chew Valley 16
10 St Bernadettes 9
11 Winscombe 8
12 Old Sulians 3
1 Burnham on Sea 35
2 North Petherton 34
3 Tor 30
4 Bristol Harlequins 28
5 Stothert & Pitt 26
6 Chew Valley 20
7 Chard 19
8 Midsomer Norton 18
9 Winscombe 18
10 Wells 17
11 Avon 15
12 Old Sulians 4
1 Keynsham 40
2 Chew Valley 32
3 Winscombe 28
4 Wells 26
5 Midsomer Norton 26
6 Avon 22
7 Old Sulians 20
8 Stothert & Pitt 20
9 Chard 18
10 Tor 16
11 Gordano 8
12 St Bernadettes 6
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Gloucestershire/Somerset) contained the following teams:
Somerset Premier honours [ edit ]
Gloucestershire/Somerset (1987–1993)[ edit ]
Originally Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier were combined in a single division known as Gloucestershire/Somerset, involving teams based in Gloucestershire , Somerset and Bristol . It was tier 8 league with promotion to Western Counties [ b] and relegation to either Gloucestershire 1 [ c] or Somerset 1 .
Gloucestershire/Somerset (1993–1996)[ edit ]
The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Western Counties and relegation to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1 .
Gloucestershire/Somerset (1996–2000)[ edit ]
The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Western Counties North [ g] , while relegation continued to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1 .
Somerset Premier (2000–2009)[ edit ]
Gloucestershire/Somerset was reorganised into two county leagues at the end of the 1999–00 season, Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier, with both leagues remaining at level 8. Promotion from Somerset Premier was to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1 . From the 2007–08 season onward the league sponsor would be Tribute .
Somerset Premier (2009–present)[ edit ]
Despite widespread restructing by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset Premier remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1 . The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute .
Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of the Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier for the third and final promotion place to Western Counties North . The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season Gloucester Premier teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the Somerset Premier teams six; and the home team has won promotion on twelve occasions compared to the away teams seven.
Gloucester Premier v Somerset Premier promotion play-off results
Season
Home team
Score
Away team
Venue
Attendance
2000–01[ 30]
Gordano (S)
19-21
Old Centralians (G)
Caswell Lane, Portbury , Somerset
2001–02[ 31]
Yatton (S)
32-0
Drybrook (G)
The Park, Yatton , Somerset
2002–03[ 32]
Barton Hill (G)
36-0
Midsomer Norton (S)
Duncombe Lane, Speedwell , Bristol
2003–04[ 33]
Nailsea & Backwell (S)[ j]
Chosen Hill Former Pupils (G)
West End Park, Nailsea , Somerset
2004–05[ 34]
Tor (S)
25-26
Avonmouth Old Boys (G)
Brian Harbinson Memorial Park, Glastonbury , Somerset
2005–06[ 35]
Barton Hill (G)
20-0
Tor (S)
Duncombe Lane, Speedwell , Bristol
2006–07[ 36]
Midsomer Norton (S)
10-31
Widden Old Boys (G)
Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton , Somerset
2007–08[ 37]
North Bristol (G)
29-17
Chew Valley (S)
Oaklands, Almondsbury , Gloucestershire
2008–09[ 38]
Southmead (G)
20-14
North Petherton (S)
Greenway Centre, Southmead , Bristol
2009–10[ 39]
Cirencester (G)
35-17
Chard (S)
The Whiteway, Cirencester , Gloucestershire
2010–11[ 40]
Chard (S)
32-12
Old Richians (G)
Essex Close, Chard , Somerset
2011–12[ 41]
Wells (S)
18-10
Drybrook (G)
Charter Way, Wells , Somerset
2012–13[ 42]
Midsomer Norton (S)
28-12
Frampton Cotterell (G)
Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton , Somerset
2013–14[ 43]
Bristol Saracens (G)
19-8
Tor (S)
Bakewell Memorial Ground, Henbury , Bristol
2014–15[ 44]
Winscombe (S)
13-21
Whitehall (G)
Winscombe Recreation Ground, Winscombe , Somerset
2015–16[ 45]
Winscombe (S)
21-22
Cirencester (G)
Winscombe Recreation Ground, Winscombe , Somerset
2016–17[ 46]
Oldfield Old Boys (S)
9-6
St Mary's Old Boys (G)
Shaft Road, Monkton Combe , Somerset
1,000
2017–18[ 47]
Wiveliscombe (S)
12-15
Barton Hill (G)
Recreational Ground, Wiveliscombe , Somerset
2018–19[ 48]
Burnham-on-Sea (S)
24-25
Bristol Saracens (G)
BASC Ground, Burnham-on-Sea , Somerset
2019–20
Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom . Best ranked runner up - Cheltenham North (G) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. G = Gloucester Premier and S = Somerset Premier
Number of league titles [ edit ]
^ Somerset 1 runners up, Bristol Harlequins were promoted instead of champions, Bristol Barbarians.
^ Since 1996 Western Counties has been split into two regional divisions; Western Counties North and Western Counties West .
^ Gloucestershire 1 was shortened to Gloucester 1 from the 1991–92 season onward.
^ Avon & Somerset Constabulary withdrew from league.
^ 3rd place Wiveliscombe also promoted. The reason for so many promotions was due to the majority of south-west league increasing from 11 to 13 teams for the following season.
^ The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 would lead to widespread restructuring of the leagues. As a result all 13 clubs in Gloucestershire/Somerset would be promoted; St. Mary's Old Boys , Cleve , Hornets , Oldfield Old Boys , Thornbury , Avonmouth Old Boys , North Bristol , Whitehall , Bristol Harlequins , Cirencester and Old Redcliffians would go up into Western Counties North ; Wellington would go up into Western Counties West ; Stow-on-the Wold would go up into Southern Counties North .
^ Western Counties was split into Western Counties North and Western Counties West as part of RFU restructuring at the end of the 1995–96 season.
^ Despite finishing as champions, the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset meant that Old Centralians were instead transferred into the new look Gloucester Premier.
^ The cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset and creation meant that almost all teams were transferred into new leagues; Old Centralians , Bream , Chipping Sodbury , Avonmouth Old Boys , Bristol Saracens , Brockworth and Longlevens went into Gloucester Premier, while Yatton , Tor , Old Culverhaysians , Midsomer Norton , Walcot , Avon , Combe Down and Gordano went into Somerset Premier.
^ The result of the 2003-04 playoff between Nailsea & Backwell and Chosen Hill Former Pupils is unknown due to all the south-west promotion playoff games from this season missing from the RFU website. However, as Nailsea & Backwell were in the higher division the next season (and Chosen Hill Former Pupils were not) it is assumed they won the playoff game. Nailsea & Backwell would also have hosted the game as they had a better points record in their league than Chosen Hill Former Pupils did in theirs.
^ One of Keynsham's titles was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Avonmouth Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Barton Hill's title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Combe Down's title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Coney Hill's title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Dings Crusaders title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Gloucester Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Old Centralians title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Old Culverhaysians title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Old Patesians title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Spartans title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ St. Bernadette's Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ St. Mary's Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89 (17th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 123–139. ISBN 0 356 15884 5 .
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989–90 (18th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 133–136. ISBN 0 356 17862 5 .
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1990). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990–91 (19th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 143–146. ISBN 0 356 19162 1 .
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92 (20th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0 356 20249 6 .
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93 (21st ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 176–179. ISBN 0 7472 7907 1 .
^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94 (22nd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing Ltd. pp. 157–160. ISBN 0 7472 7891 1 .
^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95 . London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7850 4 .
^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96 . London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7816 4 .
^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97 . London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7771 0 .
^ "2000-01 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2001-02 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2002-03 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2003-04 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2004-05 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2005-06 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2006-07 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2007-08 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2008-09 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2009-10 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2010-11 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2011-12 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2012-13 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2013-14 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2014-15 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2015-16 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2016-17 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2017-18 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018 .
^ "2018-19 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018 .
^ "Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF) . England Rugby . Retrieved 25 April 2020 .
^ "South West Play-Offs 2000-01" . England Rugby. 19 May 2001.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2001-02" . England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2002-03" . England Rugby. 19 April 2003.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2003-04" . England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2004-05" . England Rugby. 30 April 2005.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2005-06" . England Rugby. 29 April 2006.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2006-07" . England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2007-08" . England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2008-09" . England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2009-10" . England Rugby. 24 April 2010.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2010-11" . England Rugby. 23 April 2011.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2011-12" . England Rugby. 28 April 2012.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2012-13" . England Rugby. 27 April 2013.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2013-14" . England Rugby. 26 April 2014.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2014-15" . England Rugby. 25 April 2015.
^ "South West Play-Offs 2015-16" . England Rugby. 30 April 2016.
^ "Oldfield Complete the Vase & Promotion Double" . Oldfield Old Boys RFC (Pitchero). 29 April 2017.
^ "Rugby round-up: Wellington secure Cornwall/Devon title while Wiveliscombe beaten in Western Counties play-off" . County Gazette. 1 May 2018.
^ "Burnham-on-Sea RFC beaten by Bristol Saracens in promotion play-off" . Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News . 30 April 2019.
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