Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South
English rugby union league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South (formerly Dorset & Wilts 2 South) is an English Rugby Union league, forming part of the South West Division, for clubs primarily based in Dorset, sitting at tier 9 of the English rugby union system.
EnglandCurrent season or competition: 2024–25 Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987 (as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2) |
| Country | England |
| Most titles | Blandford, Bournemouth III, Bournemouth University, Bridport, East Dorset, North Dorset, Oakmeadians II, Sherborne II (2 titles) |
| Website | englandrugby.com |
Promoted teams typically move up to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South or occasionally to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central. Relegated teams used to drop to Dorset & Wilts 3 South but since that division was cancelled at the end of the 2018–19 season there has been no relegation.
2026-27
Departing were Blandford promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South. Leaving were Swanage & Wareham III (8th) who were displaced by Swanage & Wareham II being relegated into the league.
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  East Dorset Dockers II Lytchett Minster II Oaks II Poole Swanage & Wareham II Wimborne III Locations of the 2026-27 Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South teams
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2025–26
Departing were Bournemouth III promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South. Also leaving were Ellingham & Ringwood II (3rd) on a level transfer to Counties 3 Hampshire.
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Blandford Lytchett Minster II Oakmedians II Poole Swanage & Wareham III Wimborne III Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South teams
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2024–25
Departing were Swanage & Wareham II and Puddletown, both promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South while Salisbury III (7th) returned to merit league rugby.
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Ellingham & Ringwood II Lytchett Minster II Oakmedians II Poole Swanage & Wareham III Wimborne III Locations of the 2024–25 Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South teams
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2023–24
Departing were Ellingham & Ringwood II promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South.
Bournemouth III re-joined the league pyramid having most recently competed in Dorset & Wilts 1 South in season 2021–22.
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Oakmedians II Poole Puddletown Swanage & Wareham II Locations of the 2023–24 Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South teams
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2022–23
Departing were Lytchett Minster promoted to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South, Christchurch (runners-up) moved to Counties 4 Hampshire whilst Wimborne III (7th), Swanage & Wareham III (8th) and East Dorset Dockers II (9th) returned to merit league rugby.
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Locations of the 2022–23 Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South teams
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2021–22
Dorset Dockers and East Dorset (11th in 2019–20) merged ahead of the current season to form East Dorset Dockers.
North Dorset II, Salisbury III and Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew did not return as all were level transferred to the newly formed Dorset & Wilts 2 Central for the current season.
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Christchurch East Dorset Dockers II Ellingham & Ringwood II Lytchett Minster Oaks II Poole Swanage & Wareham III Wimborne III Locations of the 2021–22 Dorset & Wilts 2 South teams
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2020–21
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
2019–20
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Bridport Dinton East Dorset Ellingham & Ringwood II Oaks II Poole Swanage & Wareham III Wheatsheaf Wimborne III Locations of the 2019–20 Dorset & Wilts 2 South teams
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2018–19
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Dinton E Dorset Ellingham & Ringwood II Lytchett Minster New Milton II Oakmedians II Swanage & Wareham II Wheatsheaf Wimborne III Locations of the 2018–19 Dorset & Wilts 2 South teams
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2017–18
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Blandford II Dinton E Dorset Ellingham & Ringwood II New Milton III Oakmedians II Puddletown Wheatsheaf Locations of the 2017–18 Dorset & Wilts 2 South teams
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2016–17
- Bridport
- Bournemouth IV
- Dorchester II
- Ellinghan & Ringwood II
- Dorset Dockers II (promoted from Dorset & Wilts 3 South)
- Lytchett Minster II (promoted from Dorset & Wilts 3 South)
- New Milton II
- North Dorset III
- Oakmedians II
- Puddletown
- Salisbury III
- Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew
2015–16
The 2015–16 Dorset & Wilts 2 South consisted of twelve teams; seven based in Dorset, three from Hampshire and one each from Somerset and Wiltshire. 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, East Dorset were promoted to Dorset & Wilts 1 South along with Salisbury II (2nd) and Swanage & Wareham II (3rd), while North Dorset III and Wimborne III were relegated to Dorset & Wilts 3 South.
| Team | Ground | Capacity | Town/Village | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth III | Chapel Gate | Bournemouth, Dorset | 7th | |
| Bridport | Brewery Fields | Bridport, Dorset | 5th | |
| Dorchester II | Coburg Road | Dorchester, Dorset | 8th | |
| Ellingham & Ringwood II | Parsonage Barn Lane | Ringwood, Hampshire | 9th | |
| Fordingbridge II | The Recreation Ground | Fordingbridge, Hampshire | Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 3 South (3rd) | |
| New Milton II | Normans Way | Ashley, New Milton, Hampshire | 10th | |
| North Dorset III | Slaughtergate | 1,000 | Gillingham, Dorset | 12th (not relegated) |
| Poole | Recreation Ground | Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset | Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 3 South (runners up) | |
| Puddletown | Enterprise Park | Piddlehinton, Dorset | 6th | |
| Weymouth & Portland | Monmouth Avenue | Weymouth, Dorset | 4th | |
| Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew | Netherhampton Road | Netherhampton, Salisbury, Wiltshire | Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 3 South (champions) | |
| Yeovil | Yeovil Showground | Yeovil, Somerset | Relegated from Dorset & Wilts 1 South (11th) | |
2012–13
- Dorchester II
- East Dorset
- Ellingham & Ringwood II
- Fordingbridge
- Frome II
- New Milton II
- North Dorset III
- Poole
- Puddletown
- Weymouth II
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987, this division (known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2) contained the following teams from Berkshire, Dorset and Wiltshire:
- Bradford-on-Avon
- Chippenham
- Corsham
- Lytchett Minster
- Minety
- North Dorset
- Oakmedians
- Poole
- Puddletown
- Swindon College Old Boys
- Supermarine
- Trowbridge
Dorset & Wilts 2 South honours
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 (1987–1993)
Originally Dorset & Wilts 2 North and Dorset & Wilts 2 South were combined in a single division known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2, involving clubs based in Berkshire,[d] Dorset and Wiltshire. It was a tier 9 league with promotion to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 and, from the 1988–89 season onward, relegation was to either Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 East or Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 West.
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | 12 | Chippenham | Corsham | No relegation | [1] |
| 1988–89 | 11 | North Dorset | Puddletown | Minety | [2] |
| 1989–90 | 11 | Melksham | Lytchett Minster | Poole | [3] |
| 1990–91 | 11 | D.I.H.E. | Swindon College Old Boys | R.E.M.E. Arborfield, Trowbridge, Westbury | [4] |
| 1991–92 | 11 | Aldermaston | Lytchett Minster[e] | No relegation[f] | [5] |
| 1992–93 | 13 | Supermarine | Marlborough | Berkshire Shire Hall | [6] |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 (1993–1996)
The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 dropped to become a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, while relegation was now to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3.[g]
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | 13 | Blandford | Thatcham | Minety, Hungerford | [7] |
| 1994–95 | 13 | Bournemouth University[h] | North Dorset | Poole | [8] |
| 1995–96 | 13 | Trowbridge | Calne[i] | Bournemouth University, Puddletown, Warminster[j] | [9] |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 (1996–2000)
The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 reverted to being a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 and relegation to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3.
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 8 | Tadley | Ivel Barbarians | Pewsey Vale | |
| 1997–98 | 10 | Swindon College Old Boys | Portcastrians | Supermarine, Berkshire Shire Hall | |
| 1998–99 | 9 | Minety | Bridport | Hungerford, Puddletown, Marlborough | [10] |
| 1999–00 | 8 | Thatcham | Oakmeadians | No relegation[k] | [11] |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Dorset & Wilts 2 South (2000–2004)
At the end of the 1999–00 season Berks/Wilts/Dorset 2 was restructured following the departure of Berkshire clubs to join the Bucks & Oxon leagues. It was now split into two tier 9 regional leagues - Dorset & Wilts 2 North and Dorset & Wilts 2 South. Promotion from Dorset & Wilts 2 South was now to Dorset & Wilts 2 and there was no relegation due to the cancellation of Berks/Wilts/Dorset 3.
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | 8 | Blandford | Martock | No relegation | [12] |
| 2001–02 | 6 | Sherborne | Weymouth & Portland | No relegation | [13] |
| 2002–03 | 6 | North Dorset | Bridport | No relegation | [14] |
| 2003–04 | 9 | Bridport | Martock | No relegation | [15] |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Dorset & Wilts 2 South (2004–2009)
Ahead of the 2004–05 season, local league restructuring meant that promotion from Dorset & Wilts 2 South was now to Dorset & Wilts 1 South (formerly Dorset & Wilts 1) and relegation to the newly introduced Dorset & Wilts 3 South (last known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3). It remained a tier 9 league.
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | 11 | Wincanton | Salisbury III | Multiple teams[l] | [16] | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | 10 | Salisbury III[m] | Swanage & Wareham III | Bridport II, Oakmeadians Vets, Poole | [17] | |||||||||
| 2006–07 | 10 | Bournemouth III[n] | North Dorset III | Wincanton, Sherborne II, Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew | [18] | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | 9 | Sherborne II | Wimborne III | Chard II | [19] | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | 10 | Oakmeadians II | Bridport II | Wimborne III | [20] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Dorset & Wilts 2 South (2009–present)
Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Dorset & Wilts 2 South remained a tier 9 league, with promotion continuing to Dorset & Wilts 1 South and relegation to Dorset & Wilts 3 South until that division was abolished at the end of the 2018–19 season.
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 11 | Bournemouth III | Sherborne II | Lytchett Minster II | [21] |
| 2010–11 | 12 | Salisbury II | Ellingham & Ringwood II | Multiple teams[o] | [22] |
| 2011–12 | 10 | Oakmeadians II | Wimborne II | Wincanton, Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew | [23] |
| 2012–13 | 10 | East Dorset | Frome II | Fordingbridge II | [24] |
| 2013–14 | 11 | Dorset Dockers | Lytchett Minster | Frome III[p] , Oakmeadians II, Poole | [25] |
| 2014–15 | 12 | East Dorset | Salisbury II | North Dorset III, Wimborne III | [26] |
| 2015–16 | 12 | Yeovil | Weymouth & Portland | Fordingbridge II, Poole | [27] |
| 2016–17 | 10 | New Milton II | Salisbury III (not promoted)[q] | Lytchett Minster II, Dorchester II | [28] |
| 2017–18 | 11 | Sherborne II | Puddletown | Blandford II, New Milton III[r] | [29] |
| 2018–19 | 12 | Dorchester II[s] | Lytchett Minster[t] | No relegation[u] | [30] |
| 2019–20 | 11[v] | Bridport | Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew | No relegation | [31] |
| 2020–21 | 11 | ||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | |||||
Number of league titles
- Blandford (2)[w]
- Bournemouth III (2)
- Bournemouth University (2)[x]
- Bridport (2)
- East Dorset (2)
- North Dorset (2)[y]
- Oakmeadians II (2)
- Sherborne II (2)[z]
- Aldermaston (1)[aa]
- Chippenham (1)[ab]
- Dorchester II (1)
- Dorset Dockers (1)
- Melksham (1)[ac]
- Minety (1)[ad]
- New Milton II (1)
- Salisbury II (1)[ae]
- Salisbury III (1)
- Sherborne (1)
- Supermarine (1)[af]
- Swindon College Old Boys (1)[ag]
- Tadley (1)[ah]
- Thatcham (1)[ai]
- Trowbridge (1)[aj]
- Wincanton (1)
- Yeovil (1)
See also
Notes
- Dinton would later drop out of the 2019–20 Dorset & Wilts 2 South.
- Despite finishing as champions Dorchester II were denied promotion due to the Dorcester 1st XV being relegated into Dorset & Wilts 1 South from Southern Counties South.
- Despite finishing 7th Swanage & Wareham II were relegated due to the Swanage & Wareham 1st XV being relegated into Dorset & Wilts 1 South from Southern Counties South.
- Since 2000, Berkshire clubs have played in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon leagues.
- Restructuring of the south-west leagues from 11 to 13 teams for the following season, meant that four teams were promoted, including Bradford-on-Avon and Puddleton.
- The restructuring of Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 East and Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 West into a single season called Berks/Dorsets/Wilts 3, meant that there was no relegation.
- Prior to the 1992–93 season Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 was divided into two regional divisions - Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 East and Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 West.
- Champions Bournemouth University were not promoted.
- 3rd place Westbury also promoted.
- Restructuring of the Berks, Dorset & Wilts leagues, including a reduction of teams in each division, meant that more teams were relegated than usual.
- There would be no relegation due to the cancellation of Berks/Dorset/Wilts 3 at the end of the season.
- Weymouth & Portland II, North Dorset III, Dorchester III and Blandford II were the relegated teams this year. The reason so many teams were relegated was due to the creation of a new division (Dorset & Wilts 3 North & South) for the following season.
- Not promoted as Salisbury 2nd team in division above.
- Not promoted as Bournemouth 2nd team in division above.
- Bridport II, Dorchester II, South Wilts and Swanage & Wareham III were the relegated teams this year. The reason for so many relegated teams was due to the creation of a new Dorset & Wilts 4 division for the following season.
- After finishing the season bottom of the league - Frome III chose to drop to Tribute Somerset 3 South instead of Dorset & Wilts 3 South.
- Salisbury III finished as runners up but were not promoted as Salisbury II were in the division above. 3rd place Bridport were promoted instead.
- Despite finishing 8th New Milton III were relegated due to New Milton II being relegated into Dorset & Wilts 2 South from Dorset & Wilts 1 South.
- Champions Dorchester II were not promoted into Dorset & Wilts 1 North due to the Dorcester 1st XV being relegated into that division from Southern Counties South.
- 3rd place Swanage & Wareham II also promoted.
- No relegation due to dissolution of Dorset & Wilts 3 South at the end of the season. As North Dorset II were relegated into the division, North Dorset III dropped out of the league.
- League reduced from 12 to 11 teams after Dinton drop out of the league. New Milton II would also transfer into Hampshire 2.
- One of Blandford's titles was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Bournemouth University were formerly known as Dorset Institute of Higher Education (D.I.H.E.). Both titles were won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- One of North Dorset's titles was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Sherborne have won three titles overall - two by the 2nd team and one by the 1st team.
- Aldermaston's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Chippenham's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Melksham's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Minety's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Salisbury have won two titles overall - one by the 2nd team and one by the 3rd team.
- Supermarine's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Swindon College Old Boys title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Tadley's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Thatcham's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.
- Trowbridge's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.