Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South
English rugby union league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South (formerly Dorset & Wilts 1 South) is an English Rugby Union league, forming part of the South West Division, for clubs primarily based in Dorset, sitting at tier 8 of the English rugby union system. Originally a single league, Dorset & Wilts 1 split into North and South regional divisions in 2004. Teams based in Berkshire participated until 2001 when they left to join the Buckinghamshire & Oxon leagues.
EnglandCurrent season or competition: 2025–26 Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987 (as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1) |
| Country | England |
| Most titles | Blandford, Dorchester, Ivel Barbarians (3 titles) |
| Website | englandrugby.com |
Promoted teams move up to Counties 1 Southern South, while relegated teams drop to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South or sometimes Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central.
2026–27
Dorchester departed, promoted to Counties 1 Southern South, while Swanage & Wareham II (11th) were relegated to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South.
|
  Blandford Bridport East Dorset Dockers  Frome II Lytchett Minster Oakmeadians Puddletown Weymouth & Portland Wheatsheaf Wimborne II Yeovil Locations of the 2026-27 Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South teams
|
2025–26
There was no promotion as Oakmedians lost the playoff to Alfred's Nomads (Marlborough 2nd XV) 31-55 which saw the winners promoted to Counties 1 Southern South.
Blandford (9th) were relegated to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South while North Dorset II were relegated to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central.
Bournemouth III (promoted from Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South) started the season but later withdrew from the league, leaving eleven sides to contest the outstanding fixtures.
|
Bridport East Dorset Dockers Lytchett Minster Oakmeadians Puddletown Swanage & Wareham II Weymouth & Portland Wheatsheaf Wimborne II Yeovil Locations of the 2025-26 Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South teams
|
2024–25
Departing were Ellingham & Ringwood II (9th), relegated to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South. Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew (6th) moved on a level transfer Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts 2 Central.
|
Blandford Bridport East Dorset Dockers Lytchett Minster Oakmeadians Puddletown Swanage & Wareham II Weymouth & Portland Wimborne II Locations of the 2024–25 Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South teams
|
2023–24
Departing were Weymouth & Portland promoted to Counties 1 Southern South. Puddletown (7th) and Swanage & Wareham II (8th) were relegated to Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South.
|
Blandford Bridport East Dorset Dockers E & R II Lytchett Minster Oakmeadians Wheatsheaf Wimborne II Locations of the 2023–24 Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South teams
|
2022–23
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review.
Departing were North Dorset and Blandford promoted to Counties 1 Southern South, Salisbury II (11th) moved on a level transfer to Counties 2 Dorset & Wils 2 Central, Sherborne II (12th) were relegated to Counties 3 Tribute Dorset & Wilts Central whilst Bournemouth III (8th) returned to merit league rugby.
|
Bridport East Dorset Dockers Lytchett Minster Oakmeadians Puddletown Swanage & Wareham II Weymouth & Portland Wimborne II Locations of the 2022–23 Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South teams
|
2021–22
Dorset Dockers (2nd in 2019-20) and East Dorset (11th in Dorset & Wilts 2 South in 2019-20) merged to form East Dorset Dockers for season 2021-22.
Sherborne II (5th in 2019-20) started but later withdrew leaving eleven sides to complete the remaining fixtures.
|
Blandford Bridport East Dorset Dockers Oakmeadians Puddletown Swanage & Wareham II Weymouth & Portland Wimborne II Locations of the 2021-22 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams
|
2020–21
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
2019–20
|
Blandford Dorset Dockers Lytchett Minster Oakmedians Puddletown Swanage & Wareham II Weymouth & Portland Wimborne II Locations of the 2019-20 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams
|
2018–19
|
Blandford Bridport Dorset Dockers Oakmedians Puddletown Swanage & Wareham Weymouth & Portland Wimborne II Locations of the 2018-19 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams
|
2017–18
|
Bridport Dorset Dockers Lytchett Minster New Milton Oakmedians Swanage & Wareham II Weymouth & Portland Wimborne II Locations of the 2017-18 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams
|
2016–17
- Bournemouth III
- Dorchester (relegated from Southern Counties South)
- East Dorset
- Lytchett Minster
- New Milton & District II
- North Dorset II
- Oakmedians
- Salisbury II
- Sherborne II
- Swanage & Wareham II
- Weymouth & Portland (promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South)
- Wimborne II
- Yeovil (promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South)
2015–16
The 2015–16 Dorset & Wilts 1 South consisted of twelve teams; nine based in Dorset, two in south Wiltshire and one from Somerset. The season started on 12 September 2015 and ended on 23 April 2016.
Eight of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014-15 champions, Dorset Dockers were promoted to Southern Counties South while Yeovil were relegated to Dorset & Wilts 2 South and Westbury to Dorset & Wilts 2 North.
| Team | Ground | Capacity | Town/Village | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blandford | Larksmead Rugby Pitches | Blandford Forum, Dorset | 4th | |
| Bournemouth II | Chapel Gate | Bournemouth, Dorset | 2nd | |
| East Dorset | Iford Lane Playing Fields | Bournemouth, Dorset | Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (champions) | |
| Frome II | Gypsy Lane | Frome, Somerset | 7th | |
| Lytchett Minster | Lytchett Park | Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset | 5th | |
| New Milton II | Normans Way | Ashley, New Milton, Hampshire | ||
| North Dorset II | Slaughtergate | 1,000 | Gillingham, Dorset | 9th |
| Oakmedians | Meyrick Park | Bournemouth, Dorset | 8th | |
| Salisbury II | Castle Road | Salisbury, Wiltshire | Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (runners up) | |
| Sherborne II | Gainsborough Park | Sherborne, Dorset | 3rd | |
| Swanage & Wareham II | Bestwall Road | Wareham, Dorset | Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (3rd) | |
| Warminster | Folly Lane | Warminster, Wiltshire | 10th | |
| Wimborne II | Leigh Park | Wimborne, Dorset | 6th | |
2014–15
- Blandford
- Bournemouth II
- Dorset Dockers
- Frome II
- Ivel Barbarians
- Lytchett Minster
- North Dorset II
- Oakmeadians
- Sherborne II
- Warminster
- Westbury
- Wimborne II
2012–13
- Blandford
- Bournemouth II
- Bridport
- Ivel Barbarians
- North Dorset II
- Oakmeadians II
- Salisbury II
- Sherborne II
- Swanage & Wareham II
- Warminster
- Westbury
- Wimborne II
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1) contained the following teams from Berkshire, Dorset and Wiltshire:
- Aldermaston
- Dorchester
- Devizes
- Hungerford
- Marlborough
- Royal Wootton Bassett
- R.E.M.E.
- Sherborne
- Swanage & Wareham
- Weymouth[a]
Dorset & Wilts 1 South honours
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1987–1993)
Originally Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South were combined in a single division known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, involving clubs based in Berkshire[b], Dorset and Wiltshire. It was a tier 8 league with promotion to Southern Counties and relegation to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | 10 | Swanage & Wareham | Devizes | Hungerford | [1] |
| 1988–89 | 11 | Bracknell | Dorchester | Marlborough | [2] |
| 1989–90 | 11 | Sherborne | Corsham | R.E.M.E. Arborfield | [3] |
| 1990–91 | 11 | Dorchester | Devizes | Lytchett Minster, Puddletown, Aldermaston | [4] |
| 1991–92 | 11 | Bracknell | Chippenham | No relegation[c] | [5] |
| 1992–93 | 13 | Royal Wootton Bassett | Swindon | Bournemouth University | [6] |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1993–1996)
The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Southern Counties and relegation to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | 13 | Devizes | Swindon | Puddletown, Bradford-on-Avon, North Dorset | [7] |
| 1994–95 | 13 | Swindon | Melksham | Swindon College Old Boys | [8] |
| 1995–96 | 13 | Blandford | Royal Wootton Bassett[d] | No relegation[e] | [9] |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1996–2000)
The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Southern Counties South[f], while relegation continued to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 10 | Weymouth | Westbury | Supermarine, Lytchett Minster | |
| 1997–98 | 10 | Tadley | Redingensians | Marlborough, Aldermaston | |
| 1998–99 | 10 | Ivel Barbarians | Swindon College Old Boys | Weymouth & Portland, East Dorset, Thatcham | [10] |
| 1999–00 | 10 | Swindon | Corsham | Calne, Blandford | [11] |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Dorset & Wilts 1 (2000–2004)
At the end of the 1999–00 season the division became known as Dorset & Wilts 1 following the departure of Berkshire clubs to join the Bucks & Oxon leagues. It remained a tier 8 league with promotion to Southern Counties South and relegation to either Dorset & Wilts 2 North or Dorset & Wilts 2 South (both formerly part of Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2).
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | 8 | Frome | Oakmeadians | North Dorset | [12] |
| 2001–02 | 8 | Westbury | Calne | Bridport | [13] |
| 2002–03 | 8 | Trowbridge | Swindon College Old Boys | No relegation[g] | [14] |
| 2003–04 | 10 | Sherborne | Bradford-on-Avon | No relegation[h] | [15] |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Dorset & Wilts 1 South (2004–2009)
Ahead of the 2004–05 season, local league restructuring saw Dorset & Wilts 1 split into two tier 8 regional divisions: Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South. Promotion continued to Southern Counties South, while relegation was now to Dorset & Wilts 2 South.
| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | 10 | Blandford | Weymouth & Portland | Dorchester II, Swanage & Wareham III | [16] |
| 2005–06 | 11 | Bournemouth II | Swanage & Wareham II | Wincanton, Ivel Barbarians II, Oakmeadians II | [17] |
| 2006–07 | 9 | Ivel Barbarians | Swanage & Wareham II | No relegation[i] | [18] |
| 2007–08 | 11 | Swanage & Wareham II[j] | Salisbury II | Blandford | [19] |
| 2008–09 | 11 | Dorchester II | Bridport | Wimborne II | [20] |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Dorset & Wilts 1 South (2009–present)
Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Dorset & Wilts 1 South remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Southern Counties South and relegation to Dorset & Wilts 2 South.
| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 12 | Bridport | Weymouth & Portland | Puddletown, Salisbury II | [21] |
| 2010–11 | 11 | Blandford | Weymouth & Portland | Wimborne II, Westbury | [22] |
| 2011–12 | 12 | Weymouth & Portland | Warminster | Ellingham & Ringwood II, Frome II, Bournemouth III | [23] |
| 2012–13 | 11 | Ivel Barbarians | North Dorset II | Oakmeadians II | [24] |
| 2013–14 | 12 | Wimborne II[k] | Blandford | Salisbury II, Swanage & Wareham II, East Dorset | [25] |
| 2014–15 | 12 | Dorset Dockers | Bournemouth II | Westbury, Ivel Barbarians | [26] |
| 2015–16 | 12 | Bournemouth II | Blandford[l] | Swanage & Wareham II, East Dorset | [27] |
| 2016–17 | 12 | Yeovil | Wimborne II | East Dorset, Sherborne II | [28] |
| 2017–18 | 12 | Dorchester | Dorset Dockers | Lytchett Minster, New Milton II, Swanage & Wareham II[m] | [29] |
| 2018–19 | 11[n] | Swanage & Wareham | Dorset Dockers | Bridport | [30] |
| 2019–20 | 12 | Dorchester | Dorset Dockers | Lytchett Minster, Swanage & Wareham II | [31] |
| 2020–21 | 12 | ||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Number of league titles
- Blandford (3)[o]
- Dorchester (3)[p][q]
- Ivel Barbarians (3)[r]
- Bracknell (2)[s]
- Bournemouth II (2)
- Sherborne (2)[t]
- Swanage & Wareham (2)[u][v]
- Swindon (2)[w]
- Weymouth & Portland (2)[x]
- Bridport (1)
- Devizes (1)[y]
- Dorchester II (1)
- Dorset Dockers (1)
- Frome (1)[z]
- Royal Wootton Bassett (1)[aa]
- Swanage & Wareham II (1)
- Swindon (1)[ab]
- Trowbridge (1)[ac]
- Westbury[ad]
- Wimborne II (1)
- Yeovil (1)
Notes
- Weymouth RFC would later be known as Weymouth & Portland RFC.
- Since 2000, Berkshire clubs have played in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon leagues.
- There was no relegation as league due to increase from 11 to 13 teams for the following season.
- The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that six clubs were promoted including Marlborough, Corsham, North Dorset and Redingensians.
- Restructuring caused by the cancellation of National League 5 South meant that there was no relegation.
- Southern Counties was split into Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South as part of RFU restructuring at the end of the 1995–96 season.
- No relegation due to league expansion from 8 teams to 10.
- No relegation due to league restructure the following season as the league would split into 2 regional leagues - Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South.
- No relegation as division restructured from 9 to 11 teams for the next season.
- Not promoted as Swanage & Wareham 1st team in league above.
- Not promoted as Wimborne 1st team in league above.
- Runners up Blandford promoted as champions Bournemouth II declined promotion.
- Swanage & Wareham II were relegated despite finishing 7th due to the Swanage & Wareham 1st XV being relegated from Southern Counties South for the following season.
- Reduced from 12 to 11 teams after North Dorset II withdrew from league.
- One of Blandford's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- One of Dorchester's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- Dorcester have won four titles overall - three by the 1st team and one by the 2nd team.
- One of Ivel Barbarians titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1. Ivel Barbarians are now known as Yeovil Rugby Club.
- Both of Bracknell's titles were won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- One of Sherborne's title was when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, the other when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
- One of Swanage & Wareham's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- Swanage & Wareham have won three titles overall - two by the 1st team and one by the 2nd team.
- Both of Swindon's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- One of Weymouth & Portland's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- Devizes title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- Frome's title was won when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
- Royal Wootton Bassett's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- Swindon's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- Trowbridge's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
- Westbury's title was won when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.