Devon League 2
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Counties 3 Devon (formerly Devon League 2, also known as Tribute Devon 2 for sponsorship reasons) is an English level nine rugby union league for clubs based in Devon. Promotion is to Counties 1 Devon. Formerly relegation was to Devon League 3 but after its cancellation in 2003 there was no automatic relegation as this was the lowest division in club rugby union in Devon.
Current season or competition: 2025–26 Counties 3 Devon | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987 (as Devon 2A / Devon 2B) |
| Ceased | 2018 |
| Number of teams | 21 |
| Country |  England |
| Most titles | Ilfracombe, Salcombe, Totnes (3 titles) |
| Website | englandrugby.com |
The league was suspended at the end of the 2017–18 season, with teams being either promoted into Devon League 1 or transferred to the Devon Merit Leagues. The league was reinstated following the RFU Adult competition Review which came into effect ahead of the 2022–23 season, but was initially split into East and West divisions before being re-categorised as East & North / South & West ahead of the 2023–24 season.
Format
The results of the matches contributed 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 are awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
- 1 additional (bonus) point are awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.
2025–26
North & East
Departing were Crediton II, promoted to Counties 2 Devon.
|
  Cullompton II Exeter Ath Exeter Eng New Cross North Tawton Sidmouth II Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 3 Devon North & East teams
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South & West
Departing were Ivybridge II, promoted to Counties 2 Devon.
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Kingsbridge II Old Technicians Argaum Plympton Vic Plymstock II Salcombe Tamar Saracens Totnes Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 3 Devon South & West teams
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2024–25
North & East
Departing were Topsham II, promoted to Counties 2 Devon.
Teignmouth II started but did not complete the season leaving eleven sides to contest the fixtures.
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Cullompton II Crediton II Exeter Ath Exeter Eng New Cross North Tawton Sidmouth II Locations of the 2024–25 Counties 3 Devon North & East teams
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South & West
Departing were Dartmouth and Tamar Saracens, promoted to Couties 2 Devon. Tavistock II (10th) did not return for the new season.
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Kingsbridge II Old Technicians Plymstock II PV Salcombe Totnes Locations of the 2024–25 Counties 3 Devon South & West teams
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2023–24
The league was redesignated as North & East and South & West for the new season.
North & East
Departing were Old Plymouthian & Mannamedian, promoted to Counties 2 Devon. Torrington (9th) and Buckfastleigh Ramblers (10th) returned to their respective merit leagues.
Teignmouth II, Topsham II and Okehampton II joined on a level transfer from the West league.
|
Cullompton II Crediton II Exeter Ath New Cross Sidmouth II Topsham II Locations of the 2023–24 Counties 3 Devon North & East teams
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South & West
Departing were Plymouth Argaum, promoted to Couties 2 Devon.
Topsham II (3rd), Newton Abbot (4th) and Teignmouth II (8th) went on a level transfer to the North & East division.
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Dartmouth Kingsbridge II Old Technicians Plymstock II Plympton Salcombe Saracens Tavistock II Totnes Locations of the 2023–24 Counties 3 Devon South & West teams
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2022–23
The league was reinstated following the RFU Adult competition Review which saw the competition split into East and West divisions.
East
|
Buckfastleigh Cullompton II Crediton II Exeter Ath New Cross OPM Sidmouth II Torrington Locations of the 2022–23 Counties 3 Devon East teams
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West
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Dartmouth Old Technicians Argaum Plymstock II Salcombe Tamar Saracens Topsham II Totnes Locations of the 2022–23 Counties 3 Devon West teams
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2018–2022
Not contested.
2017–18
The season started on 28 October 2017 and the last matches were played on 24 February 2018
Participating clubs and locations
|
Buckfastleigh DHSOB Ilfracombe North Tawton OPM Plympton Salcombe St Columba & Torpoint Locations of the 2017–18 Devon 2 teams
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2016–17
Participating clubs
| Team | Ground | Capacity | Town/Village | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckfastleigh Ramblers | Buckfastleigh Sports Club | Buckfastleigh | 4th | |
| Dartmouth | Dartmouth Leisure Centre | Dartmouth | 5th | |
| Devonport HSOB | Stonehouse Creek | Devonport, Plymouth | 8th | |
| Old Plymouthian & Mannamedian | King George V Playing Fields | Plymstock, Plymouth | relegated from Devon 1 | |
| Old Technicians | Weston Mill Oak Villa Social Club | Plymouth[1] | 3rd | |
| Plympton Victoria | St.Boniface Arena | Plympton, Plymouth | 7th | |
| St Columba & Torpoint | Defiance Field | Torpoint, Cornwall | relegated from Devon 1 | |
| Salcombe | Two Meads | 500 | Salcombe | 6th |
Final table
| 2016–17 Devon League 2 Final Table[2] | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Pts | Notes | ||
| 1 | Dartmouth (P) | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 407 | 120 | 287 | 7 | 0 | 60 | |||
| 2 | Old Technicians (P) | 14 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 264 | 125 | 139 | 3 | 1 | 53 | |||
| 3 | Old Plymothian & Mannamedian | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 449 | 131 | 318 | 5 | 0 | 47 | |||
| 4 | Buckfastleigh Ramblers | 14 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 366 | 181 | 185 | 5 | 3 | 35 | 5 pts deducted | ||
| 5 | Salcombe | 14 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 259 | 241 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 26 | 4 pts deducted | ||
| 6 | Devonport HSOB | 14 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 213 | 235 | −22 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 15 pts deducted | ||
| 7 | Plympton Victoria | 14 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 95 | 589 | −494 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 pts deducted | ||
| 8 | St Columba & Torpoint | 14 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 61 | 492 | −431 | 0 | 0 | −6 | 10 pts deducted | ||
|
Points are awarded as follows:
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
| ||||||||||||||
| Green background are the promotion place. There is no relegation. | ||||||||||||||
2015–16
Participating clubs and locations
| Team | Ground | Capacity | Town/Village | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckfastleigh Ramblers | Buckfastleigh Sports Club | Buckfastleigh | 6th | |
| Dartmouth | Dartmouth Leisure Centre | Dartmouth | 5th | |
| Devonport HSOB | Stonehouse Creek | Devonport, Plymouth | 7th | |
| Ilfracombe | Brimlands | Ilfracombe | 4th | |
| Old Technicians | Weston Mill Oak Villa Social Club | Plymouth[1] | Relegated from Devon 1 (8th) | |
| Plympton Victoria | St.Boniface Arena | Plympton, Plymouth | 8th | |
| Salcombe | Two Meads | 500 | Salcombe | 3rd |
| Torrington | Donnacroft | Torrington | Relegated from Devon 1 (9th) | |
2014–15
2013–14
Participating clubs
| Team | Ground | Capacity | Town/Village | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckfastleigh Ramblers | Buckfastleigh Sports Club | Buckfastleigh | ||
| Dartmouth | Dartmouth Leisure Centre | Dartmouth | ||
| Devonport HSOB | Stonehouse Creek | Devonport | ||
| Ilfracombe | Brimlands | Ilfracombe | ||
| North Tawton | Taw Meadow | North Tawton | ||
| Plymouth Argaum | Bickleigh Down | Plymouth | ||
| Plympton Victoria | St.Boniface Arena | Plympton | ||
| Tamar Saracens | The Parkway | Ernesettle, Plymouth[4] | ||
| Torrington | Donnacroft | Torrington |
Final table
| 2013–14 Devon League 2 Final Table[6] | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Pts | Notes | ||
| 1 | Plymouth Argaum (P) | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 647 | 140 | 507 | 10 | 1 | 67 | |||
| 2 | Torrington (P) | 16 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 450 | 142 | 308 | 7 | 2 | 58 | |||
| 3 | Tamar Saracens | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 564 | 152 | 412 | 8 | 3 | 55 | |||
| 4 | Dartmouth | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 320 | 365 | −45 | 5 | 1 | 43 | |||
| 5 | North Tawton | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 471 | 183 | 288 | 7 | 3 | 34 | 20 pts deducted | ||
| 6 | Buckfastleigh Ramblers | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 315 | 326 | −11 | 3 | 2 | 33 | |||
| 7 | Ilfracombe | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 257 | 322 | −65 | 4 | 2 | 26 | 5 pts deducted | ||
| 8 | Devonport HSOB | 16 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 111 | 753 | −642 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 pts deducted | ||
| 9 | Plympton Victoria | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 95 | 847 | −752 | 0 | 0 | −10 | 10pts deducted | ||
|
Points are awarded as follows:
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
| ||||||||||||||
| Green background are the promotion places (subject to a possible re-organisation of the league structure). There is no relegation. | ||||||||||||||
2012–13
Participating clubs
- Buckfastleigh Ramblers
- Devonport HSOB
- Ilfracombe
- North Tawton
- Plymouth Argaum
- Plympton Victoria
- St Columba & Torpoint
- Tamar Saracens
Final table
| 2012–13 Devon 2 Final Table | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Pts | Pts Adjusted |
| 1 | Old Technicians (P) | 16 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 518 | 87 | 431 | 7 | 1 | 67 | +8 points |
| 2 | St Columba & Torpoint (P) | 15 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 322 | 99 | 223 | 7 | 2 | 53 | +10 points |
| 3 | Plymouth Argaum | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 388 | 155 | 233 | 7 | 5 | 48 | +12 points |
| 4 | North Tawton | 16 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 349 | 217 | 132 | 3 | 0 | 45 | +3 points |
| 5 | Tamar Saracens | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 242 | 211 | 31 | 3 | 4 | 37 | +7 points |
| 6 | Ilfracombe | 15 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 208 | 153 | 55 | 4 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| 7 | Buckfastleigh Ramblers | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 220 | 350 | −130 | 1 | 2 | 27 | +3 points |
| 8 | Devonport HSOB | 14 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 88 | 488 | −400 | 0 | 0 | 9 | −4 points |
| 9 | Plympton Victoria | 14 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 77 | 652 | −575 | 0 | 2 | –9 | −13 pts |
|
Points are awarded as follows:
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
| ||||||||||||
| Green background are the promotion places. | ||||||||||||
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division was split into two regional leagues known as Devon 2A and Devon 2B and contained the following teams:
Devon 2A
Devon 2A was for teams based in Plymouth and the surrounding area.
Devon 2B
Devon 2B was for teams based in the rest of Devon.
- Cullompton
- Dartmouth
- North Tawton
- Salcombe
- Tavistock
- Topsham
- Withycombe
Devon League 2 honours
Devon League 2A / 2B (1987–1992)
The original Devon 2 (sponsored by Courage) was split into two tier 10 regional leagues – Devon 2A (Plymouth region) and Devon 2B (rest of Devon). Promotion was to Devon 1 and there was no relegation.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | League name | Ref | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | 9 | Devonport HSOB | Victoria | No relegation | Devon 2A | [10] | ||||||||
| 7 | Cullompton | Dartmouth | No relegation | Devon 2B | [10] | |||||||||
| 1988–89 | 9 | Prince Rock | Jesters | No relegation | Devon 2A | [11] | ||||||||
| 7 | Topsham | Tavistock | No relegation | Devon 2B | [11] | |||||||||
| 1989–90 | 10 | Jesters | Old Public Oaks | No relegation | Devon 2A | [11] | ||||||||
| 8 | Ilfracombe | Dartmouth | No relegation | Devon 2B | [11] | |||||||||
| 1990–91 | 10 | Old Public Oaks | Prince Rock | No relegation | Devon 2A | [12] | ||||||||
| 7 | Honiton | Kingsbridge | No relegation | Devon 2B | [12] | |||||||||
| 1991–92 | 10 | Old Plymothian & Mannamedian | Plymouth Argaum | No relegation | Devon 2A | [13] | ||||||||
| 7 | Tavistock | Kingsbridge | No relegation | Devon 2B | [13] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Devon League 2 (1992–1993)
Ahead of the 1992–93 season Devon 2A and 2B were merged into a single tier 10 division known as Devon 2. Promotion continued to Devon 1 and there was no relegation. The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 | 14 | Withycombe | Dartmouth | No relegation | [13] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Devon League 2 (1993–96)
The creation of National 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Devon 2 dropped to become a tier 11 league. Promotion continued to Devon 1 and there was no relegation until the introduction of Devon 3 at the end of the 1995–96 season. The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.
Devon League 2 (1996–2003)
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Devon 2 return to being a tier 10 division. Promotion continued to Cornwall/Devon and relegation was now down to the new Devon 3.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 10 | Ilfracombe | Dartmouth | St Columba | [17] | |||||||||
| 1997–98 | 10 | Cullompton | Wessex | Bovey Tracey | [13] | |||||||||
| 1998–99 | 10 | Totnes | Tamar Saracens | Prince Rock Woodland Fort, Devonport HSOB | [18] | |||||||||
| 1999–00 | 10 | Exeter Saracens | Topsham | Plymouth YMCA, Dartmouth | [19] | |||||||||
| 2000–01 | 8 | Devonport HSOB | Old Public Oaks | Plymouth Argaum, North Tawton, Buckfastleigh Ramblers | [20] | |||||||||
| 2001–02 | 8 | Topsham | Exeter Saracens | Plympton Victoria, Plymouth Barbarians, Marjon | [21] | |||||||||
| 2002–03 | 7 | Plymstock Albion Oaks | Totnes | No relegation[i] | [22] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Devon League 2 (2003–2009)
Devon 2 continued as a tier 10 league with promotion to Devon 1. However, the cancellation of Devon 3 at the end of the 2002–03 meant that there was no longer relegation. From the 2008–09 season onward the league sponsor is Tribute.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–04 | 10 | Buckfastleigh Ramblers | Dartmouth | No relegation | [23] | |||||||||
| 2004–05 | 10 | Prince Rock Woodland Fort | Plymouth Barbarians | No relegation | [24] | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | 10 | Tamar Saracens | Exeter Saracens | No relegation | [25] | |||||||||
| 2006–07 | 9 | Totnes | Topsham | No relegation | [26] | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | 8 | Salcombe | St Columba & Torpoint | No relegation | [27] | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | 9 | New Cross | Old Technicians | No relegation | [28] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Devon 1 South & West (2009–2010)
For a solitary season Devon 2 was known as Devon 1 South & West. It remained a tier 10 league with promotion to Devon 1 and there was no relegation. Tribute continued to sponsor the league.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 9 | Salcombe | Tamar Saracens | No relegation | ||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Devon League 2 (2010–2018)
Devon 1 South & West was renamed back to Devon 2 for the 2010–11 season onward. It continued as a tier 10 league with promotion to Devon 1 and there was no relegation. Tribute continued to sponsor the league. At the end of the 2017–18 season Devon 2 was disbanded and all teams transferred into either Devon 1 or the Devon Merit Leagues.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | 9 | St Columba & Torpoint | Topsham | No relegation | [29] | |||||||||
| 2011–12 | 9 | Exeter University | Dartmouth | No relegation | [30] | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | 9 | Old Technicians | St Columba & Torpoint | No relegation | [31] | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | 9 | Plymouth Argaum | Torrington | No relegation | [32] | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | 9 | North Tawton | Tamar Saracens | No relegation | [33] | |||||||||
| 2015–16 | 8 | Ilfracombe | Torrington | No relegation | [34] | |||||||||
| 2016–17 | 8 | Dartmouth | Old Technicians | No relegation | [35] | |||||||||
| 2017–18 | 8 | North Tawton | Buckfastleigh Ramblers[j] | No relegation | [36] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Number of league titles
- Ilfracombe (3)[k]
- Salcombe (3)[l]
- Totnes (3)
- Cullompton (2)[m]
- Devonport HSOB (2)[n]
- North Tawton (2)
- Prince Rock Woodland Fort (2)[o]
- Tamar Saracens (2)
- Topsham (2)[p]
- Buckfastleigh Ramblers (1)
- Dartmouth (1)
- Exeter Saracens (1)
- Exeter University (1)
- Honiton (1)[q]
- Jesters (1)[r]
- New Cross (1)
- Old Plymothian & Mannamedian (1)[s]
- Old Public Oaks (1)[t]
- Old Technicians (1)
- Plymouth Argaum (1)
- Plymstock Albion Oaks (1)
- St Columba & Torpoint (1)
- Tavistock (1)[u]
- Withycombe (1)
Notes
- 'Old Boys' team for Devonport High School For Boys.
- Plymouth YMCA RFC is no longer active.
- 3rd placed Old Plymothian & Mannamedian also promoted.
- One of Ilfracombe's titles was for Devon 2B.
- One of Salcombe's titles was when league was known as Devon 1 South & West.
- One of Cullompton's titles was for Devon 2B.
- One of Devonport HSOB's titles was for Devon 2A.
- Prince Rock Woodland Fort's titles include one won when known as Prince Rock and was for Devon 2A.
- One of Topsham's titles was for Devon 2B.
- Honiton's title was for Devon 2B.
- Jesters title was for Devon 2A.
- Old Plymothian & Mannamedian's title was for Devon 2A.
- Old Public Oaks title was for Devon 2A. Club currently known as Plymstock Albion Oaks RFC.
- Tavistock's title was for Devon 2B.