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Counties 1 Midlands West (South)

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Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
Current season or competition:
2024-25 Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
SportRugby union
Instituted1992; 32 years ago (1992) (as Midlands West 1)
Number of teams12
Country England
Most titlesBarkers Butts, Kenilworth, Leamington, Newbold-on-Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sutton Coldfield (2 titles)
WebsiteEngland RFU

Counties 1 Midlands West (South) (formerly Midlands 2 West (South)) is a level seven English rugby union league and level three of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the West Midlands region including Herefordshire, parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, saw it changed to Midlands 2 West (South) and post the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name.

Promoted teams tend to move up to Regional Midlands 2 West or occasionally to Regional 2 Midlands North. Relegated teams drop to Counties 2 Midlands West (South).

2024-25

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Departing were Ledbury, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West as runners-up (Luctonians 2XV finished top but were not permitted to be promoted on Level 6 owing to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues). Broadstreet 2XV and Earlsdon were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (East). Manor Park moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands East (North).

Joining were Barkers Butts, Camp Hill, Worcester and Berkswell & Balsall.

2023-24

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Departing were Berkswell & Balsall, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West. Barkers Butts and Coventry Welsh were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (East). Kidderminster Carolians (2nd) and Spartans (9th) moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands West (North).

Joining were Alcester, Manor Park, Luctonians 2XV, Evesham and Droitwich.

2022-23

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This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[3] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands West (South).

Departing were Evesham, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West and Old Laurentians promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East, whilst Nuneaton Old Edwardians and Silhillians were promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North. Pinley were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (South).

Joining were Ledbury, Old Leamingtonians and Coventry Welsh promoted from Midlands 3 West (South) together with new entries Broadstreet 2XV and Bromsgrove 2XV.

2021-22

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2020–21

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

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2018–19

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2017–18

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2016–17

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2015–16

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2014–15

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2013–14

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2012–13

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2011–12

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2008–09

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Original teams

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Teams in Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 1 West, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:

Midlands 2 West (South) honours

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Midlands West 1 (1992–1993)

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Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South) were originally part of a single tier 7 division called Midlands West 1. Promotion was to Midlands 2 and relegation to Midlands West 2[e].

Midlands West 1
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1992–93 13 Willenhall Newbold-on-Avon Old Yardleians [6]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands West 1 (1993–1996)

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The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 1 West dropped to become a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands West 2.

Midlands West 1
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1993–94 13 Sutton Coldfield Bromsgrove Nuneaton Old Edwardians [7]
1994–95 13 Newport (Salop) Longton Ludlow, Newcastle (Staffs) [8]
1995–96 13 Luctonians Dudley Kingswinford[f] No relegation[g] [9]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands West 1 (1996–2000)

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At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands West 1 returned to being a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands West 2.

Midlands West 1
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1996–97 17 Longton Malvern Dixonians, Stoke Old Boys, Tamworth [10]
1997–98 17 Newbold-on-Avon Keresley Nuneaton Old Edwardians [11]
1998–99 17 Malvern Selly Oak Ludlow, Willenhall, Leek
1999–00 17 Selly Oak Shrewsbury No relegation[h]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 3 West (South) (2000–2009)

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Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands West 1 split into two tier 7 regional leagues - Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 2 West (formerly Midlands 2) and relegation to Midlands 4 West (South) (formerly Midlands West 2)[i].

Midlands 3 West (South)
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
2000–01 9 Stratford-upon-Avon Leamington Kings Norton [12]
2001–02 10 Leamington Bedworth No relegation [13]
2002–03 10 Nuneaton Old Edwardians Old Coventrians Evesham, Birmingham Exiles [14]
2003–-04 12 Old Coventrians Leamington Southam, Keresley [15]
2004–05 12 Barkers Butts Pershore Shipston on Stour, Droitwich [16]
2005–06 12 Solihull Hereford Keresley, Old Leamingtonians [17]
2006–07 12 Hereford Stratford-upon-Avon Old Coventrians, Ledbury [18]
2007–08 12 Sutton Coldfield Droitwich Edwardians, Bedworth, Stourbridge Lions [19]
2008–09 12 Leamington Nuneaton Old Edwardians No relegation [20]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 2 West (South) (2009–present)

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League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were renamed as Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 7. Promotion was now to Midlands 1 West (formerly Midlands 2 West) and relegation to Midlands 3 West (South) (formerly Midlands 4 West (South)).

Midlands 2 West (South)
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
2009–10 12 Worcester Wanderers Old Laurentians Newbold on Avon, Old Coventrians [21]
2010–11 12 Dunlop Bedworth Earlsdon, Old Coventrians [22]
2011–12 12 Barkers Butts Berkswell & Balsall Cheltenham North, Pershore [23]
2012–13 12 Kenilworth Old Laurentians Upton-on-Severn, Shipston on Stour [24]
2013–14 12 Earlsdon Banbury Bedworth, Dunlop [25]
2014–15 12 Newbold-on-Avon Old Laurentians Old Leamingtonians, Old Coventrians [26]
2015–16 12 Banbury Earlsdon Droitwich, Bedworth [27]
2016–17 12 Rugby Lions Silhillians Dunlop[j] [28]
2017–18 12 Droitwich Malvern Old Yardleians, Berkswell & Balsall [29]
2018–19 12 Kenilworth Kidderminster Carolians Rugby St Andrews, Old Coventrians [30]
2019–20 12 Stratford-upon-Avon Malvern Southam [31]
2020–21 12
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

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Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South) for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 1 West (asides from 2008-09 which was played between the runners up of Midlands 2 West (South) and Midlands 2 East (North) due to RFU restructuring). The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Midlands 2 West (South) teams had ten wins to Midlands 2 West (North) teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on eleven occasions compared to the away teams seven.

Midlands 2 West (North) v Midlands 2 West (South) promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000–01[32] Stafford (N) 32-10 Leamington (S) The County Ground, Stafford, Staffordshire
2001–02[33] Bedworth (S) 10-6 Aston Old Edwardians (N) Smarts Road, Bedworth, Warwickshire
2002-03[34] Old Coventrians (S) 15-17 Stoke on Trent (N) Till Hill Lane, Coventry, Warwickshire
2003-04[35] Sutton Coldfield (N) 3-37 Leamington (S) Roger Smoldon Ground, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
2004-05[36] Newport (Salop) (N) 25-12 Pershore (S) The Old Showground, Newport, Shropshire
2005–06[37] Bridgnorth (N) 17-14 Hereford (S) Edgar Davis Ground, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
2006–07[38] Sutton Coldfield (N) 11-18 Stratford-upon-Avon (S) Roger Smoldon Ground, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
2007–08[39] Droitwich (S) 3-18 Stoke on Trent (N) The Glyn Mitchell Memorial Ground, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire
2008–09 Promotion playoffs different for this season only.[k]
2009–10[40] Old Saltleians (N) 12-14 Old Laurentians (S) Watton Lane, Water Orton, Warwickshire
2010–11[41] Bedworth (S) 15-6 Old Saltleians (N) Smarts Road, Bedworth, Warwickshire
2011–12[42] Old Saltleians (N) 3-27 Berkswell & Balsall (S) Watton Lane, Water Orton, Warwickshire
2012–13[43] Old Laurentians (S) 16-6 Selly Oak (S) Fenley Field, Rugby, Warwickshire
2013–14[44] Crewe & Nantwich (N) 18-13 Banbury (S) Newcastle Road, Nantwich, Cheshire 500
2014–15[45] Old Laurentians (S) 32-23 Old Saltleians (N) Fenley Field, Rugby, Warwickshire 500
2015–16[46] Earlsdon (S) 5-20 Wolverhampton (N) Mitchell Avenue, Canley, Coventry, West Midlands
2016–17[47] Camp Hill (N) 53-0 Silhillians Haslucks Green Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands
2017–18[48] Malvern (S) 53-12 Crewe & Nantwich (N) Spring Lane, Malvern, Worcestershire
2018–19[49] Kidderminster Carolians (S) 33-17 Tamworth (N) Marlpool Lane, Kidderminster, Worcestershire 500
2019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Malvern (S) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. N = Midlands 2 West (North) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North)) and S = Midlands 2 West (South) (formerly Midlands 3 West (South))

2008-09 promotion play-offs

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As mentioned above the 2008-09 promotion playoffs in Midlands 3 were different due to RFU restructuring for the following season. The two runners up with the worst league records in the four regional divisions at this level would have to face each other for the final promotion spot, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage.

Midlands 2 West (South) v Midlands 2 East (North) promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2008–09[50] Spalding (N) 12-14 Nuneaton Old Edwardians (S) Memorial Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire
Green background is the promoted team. S = Midlands 2 West (South) (formerly Midlands 3 West (South)) and N = Midlands 2 East (North) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North))

Number of league titles

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Notes

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  1. ^ Old Boys side of Halesowen Grammar School.
  2. ^ Old Boys side of Leamington College.[4]
  3. ^ Formed as Old Boys side of Longton High School, Old Longtonians would be renamed as Longton Rugby Club in 1994.[5]
  4. ^ Old Boys side of Yardley Grammar School.
  5. ^ Midlands West 2 is currently split into two regional divisions - Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South).
  6. ^ Due to the cancellation of National 5 North at the end of the season, five clubs were promoted including Kenilworth, Bromsgrove and Old Laurentians.
  7. ^ Due to widespread restructuring caused by the cancellation of National 5 North there was no relegation.
  8. ^ Due to the restructuring of the Midlands leagues for the following season, there was no relegation.
  9. ^ Ahead of the 2000–01 Midlands West 2 was also split into two regional leagues - Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South).
  10. ^ Only 1 team relegated this season, meaning 11th place Nuneaton Old Edwardians survived the drop.
  11. ^ The 2008-09 promotion playoffs were different as the RFU was reorganizing the leagues across the country including the Midlands division. Usually the winners of each of the four regional divisions would go up automatically along with two of the runners up who won their respective playoffs, meaning 6 teams were promoted. This year one extra was required to be promoted so the top two runners up by league points - Bourneville (40) and Stewarts & Lloyds (40) went up - leaving the other two runners up - Nuneaton Old Edwardians (34) and Spalding (38) - to compete for the final promotion spot.[20]
  12. ^ One of Newbold-on-Avon's titles was when league was single division known as Midlands West 1.
  13. ^ One of Sutton Coldfield's titles was when league was single division known as Midlands West 1.
  14. ^ Longton's title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 1.
  15. ^ Luctonians title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 1.
  16. ^ Malvern's title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 1.
  17. ^ Newport's (Salop) title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 1.
  18. ^ Selly Oak's title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 1.
  19. ^ Willenhall's title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 1.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Mortimer Park". Luctonians Sports Club. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Mortimer Park". Luctonians Sports Club. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  3. ^ "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 13 June 2022.
  4. ^ "OLRFC History of Old Leamingtonians RFC". Rugby 4 Heroes. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Our History". Longton Rugby Club. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  6. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993-94. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
  7. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
  8. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. Headline. pp. 176–179. ISBN 0-7472-7850-4.
  9. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. Headline. pp. 192–195. ISBN 0-7472-7816-4.
  10. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. Headline. pp. 156–159. ISBN 0-7472-7771-0.
  11. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998-99. Headline. pp. 90–93. ISBN 0-7472-7653-6.
  12. ^ "2000-2001 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  13. ^ "2001-2002 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  14. ^ "2002-2003 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  15. ^ "2003-2004 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  16. ^ "2004-2005 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  17. ^ "2005-2006 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  18. ^ "2006-2007 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  19. ^ "2007-2008 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  20. ^ a b "2008-2009 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  21. ^ "2009-2010 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  22. ^ "2010-2011 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  23. ^ "2011-2012 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  24. ^ "2012-2013 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  25. ^ "2013-2014 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  26. ^ "2014-2015 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  27. ^ "2015-2016 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  28. ^ "2016-2017 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  29. ^ "2017-2018 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  30. ^ "2018-19 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  31. ^ "Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  32. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2000-01". England Rugby. 19 May 2001.
  33. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2001-02". England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
  34. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2002-03". England Rugby. 26 April 2003.
  35. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2003-04". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  36. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2004-05". England Rugby. 30 April 2005.
  37. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2005-06". England Rugby. 29 April 2006.
  38. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2006-07". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  39. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2008-09". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  40. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2009-10". England Rugby. 1 May 2010.
  41. ^ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2009-10". England Rugby. 30 April 2011.
  42. ^ "Brilliant Berkswell win promotion play off against Old Saltelians". Solihull News. 4 May 2012.
  43. ^ "Play Off Match Report: Old Laurentians 16-6 Moseley Oak". Moseley Supporters Board. 30 April 2013.
  44. ^ "Crewe 18 Banbury 13". Crewe RUFC. 26 April 2014.
  45. ^ "RUGBY: Old Laurentians' play-off win - ACTION PICTURES". Rugby Advertiser. 30 April 2015.
  46. ^ "Earlsdon RFC miss swift return to Midlands West One with Wolverhampton RFC defeat". Coventry Telegraph. 4 May 2016.
  47. ^ "Celebrations for Camp Hill as local win confirms League One promotion". Solihull Observer. 4 May 2017.
  48. ^ "Positive seasons end in defeat for Crewe & Nantwich and Sandbach". Crewe Chronicle. 2 May 2018.
  49. ^ "KC's are history makers!!!". Kidderminster Carolians RFC (Pitchero). 27 April 2019.
  50. ^ "Nuneaton Old Edwardians clinch rugby promotion". England Rugby. 29 April 2009.
  • English RFU (2008). "Rugby First". RFU. Archived from the original on 21 July 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  • Rugby First: To view previous seasons in the league, search for any club within that league then click on to club details followed by fixtures and then select the appropriate season.


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