Counties 1 Midlands East (North)
English Rugby Union league
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Counties 1 Midlands East (North) (formerly Midland 2 East (North)) is a level 7 English rugby union league and at level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the East Midlands region, including clubs from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the occasional team from Leicestershire. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (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 East (North) and post the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022–23 it adopted its current name
Current season or competition: 2025–26 Counties 1 Midlands East (North) | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1992 (as Midlands East 1) |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country |  England |
| Holders | Belgrave (2024–25) |
| Most titles | Belgrave and Hinckley. (3 titles) |
| Website | England RFU |
The current champions are Belgrave, who are promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North.
Format
The first-placed team (or runner-up if a reserve team wins the league) is promoted to Regional 2 North Midlands. Teams are relegated to either Counties 2 Midlands East (North) or Counties 2 Midlands West (West), depending on location; with the number of teams relegated depending on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above.
The season runs from September to April and comprises twenty-two rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. The results of the matches contribute 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 is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
- 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.
2026–27
Departing were Nottingham University, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North while Kesteven (10th), Nottingham Moderns (11th) and Ashby (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North).
Participating teams & locations
|
  Belgrave Bourne Keyworth Lincoln Market Rasen Mellish Newark Southwell Spalding Locations of the 2026–27 Counties 1 Midlands East (North) teams
|
2025–26
Departing were Belgrave, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North while Burton 2XV (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (West) together with Loughborough (10th) and Mansfield (11th), both relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North). Also leaving were Manor Park (8th) who returned on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands West (South), together with Nuneaton Old Edwardians (6th) and Hinckley 2XV (runner-up) who both moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands East (South).
Participating teams & locations
|
Ashby Bourne Kesteven Keyworth Lincoln Market Rasen Mellish Southwell Spalding Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 1 Midlands East (North) teams
|
2024–25
Departing were Ilkeston, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North as runners-up; Hinckley Staghounds (2XV) finished top but were not permitted to be promoted to level 6, owing to the league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues. Boston and Birstall were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North). Joining were Kesteven and Nottingham Moderns promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North), whilst Manor Park moved on a level transfer from Counties 1 Midlands West (South).
Participating teams & locations
|
Belgrave Kesteven Lincoln Manor Park Market Rasen Nuneaton OE Southwell Locations of the 2024–25 Counties 1 Midlands East (North) teams
|
League table
| |||||||||||||||
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | Pts adj | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgrave (P) | 22 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 581 | 272 | 309 | 15 | 1 | 98 | −2 | |||
| 2 | Hinckley II | 22 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 860 | 379 | 481 | 18 | 3 | 93 | ||||
| 3 | Market Rasen & Louth | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 659 | 446 | 213 | 15 | 4 | 78 | +1 | |||
| 4 | Southwell | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 683 | 475 | 208 | 15 | 1 | 72 | ||||
| 5 | Lincoln | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 695 | 652 | 43 | 14 | 3 | 65 | ||||
| 6 | Nuneaton Old Edwardians | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 543 | 454 | 89 | 12 | 4 | 59 | −5 | |||
| 7 | Kesteven | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 588 | 519 | 69 | 11 | 5 | 58 | ||||
| 8 | Manor Park | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 550 | 634 | −84 | 9 | 3 | 52 | ||||
| 9 | Nottingham Moderns | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 404 | 716 | −312 | 6 | 2 | 40 | ||||
| 10 | Loughborough (R) | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 382 | 680 | −298 | 6 | 4 | 38 | ||||
| 11 | Mansfield (R) | 22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 359 | 690 | −331 | 3 | 5 | 24 | ||||
| 12 | Burton II (R) | 22 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 363 | 750 | −387 | 3 | 5 | 16 | ||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place Pink background are the relegation places Updated: 1 December 2025 | |||||||||||||||
2023–24
Departing were Mellish, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North[4] as runners-up (Hinckley Staghounds (2XV) finished top but were not permitted to be promoted on Level 6 owing to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues). Ashbourne and Ashby and were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North) whilst Coalville dropped to Counties 2 Midlands West (East).
Joining were Belgrave and Nuneaton Old Edwardians, both relegated from Regional 2 Midlands North, whilst Boston and Mansfield were both promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North).
Participating teams & locations
|
Belgrave Ilkeston Lincoln Market Rasen Nuneaton OE Southwell Locations of the 2023–24 Counties 1 Midlands East (North) teams
|
League table
| |||||||||||||||
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | Pts adj | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hinckley II (C) | 22 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1003 | 264 | 739 | 18 | 1 | 104 | +1 | |||
| 2 | Ilkeston (P) | 22 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 924 | 303 | 621 | 19 | 3 | 95 | +1 | |||
| 3 | Lincoln | 22 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 835 | 483 | 352 | 18 | 0 | 86 | ||||
| 4 | Belgrave | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 581 | 468 | 113 | 14 | 2 | 76 | ||||
| 5 | Market Rasen & Louth | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 494 | 427 | 67 | 10 | 2 | 64 | −2 | |||
| 6 | Loughborough | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 508 | 548 | −40 | 9 | 4 | 55 | ||||
| 7 | Nuneaton Old Edwardian | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 561 | 703 | −142 | 12 | 3 | 55 | ||||
| 8 | Mansfield | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 471 | 613 | −142 | 6 | 4 | 48 | ||||
| 9 | Southwell | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 422 | 675 | −253 | 6 | 3 | 35 | ||||
| 10 | Burton II | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 381 | 644 | −263 | 4 | 5 | 33 | ||||
| 11 | Boston (R) | 22 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 245 | 685 | −440 | 2 | 2 | 10 | −14 | |||
| 12 | Birstall (R) | 22 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 212 | 824 | −612 | 0 | 1 | −5 | −10 | |||
| |||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place Pink background are the relegation places Updated: 30 November 2025 | |||||||||||||||
2022–23
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands East (North).[6]
Departing were Long Eaton, Melbourne, Matlock and Newark – all promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North. Joining were Mellish and Birstall, both promoted from Midlands 3 East (North), together with Burton 2XV and Hinckley 2XV, both new entries.
Participating teams & locations
|
Ashbourne Ashby Coalville Ilkeston Lincoln Market Rasen Mellish Southwell Locations of the 2022–23 Counties 1 Midlands East (North) teams
|
League table
| |||||||||||||||
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | Pts adj | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hinckley II (C) | 22 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 838 | 285 | 553 | 18 | 1 | 104 | +1 | |||
| 2 | Mellish (P) | 22 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 631 | 424 | 207 | 15 | 1 | 84 | ||||
| 3 | Loughborough | 22 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 483 | 355 | 128 | 12 | 1 | 83 | +2 | |||
| 4 | Lincoln | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 707 | 348 | 359 | 14 | 2 | 76 | ||||
| 5 | Ilkeston | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 607 | 397 | 210 | 12 | 2 | 70 | ||||
| 6 | Market Rasen & Louth | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 565 | 482 | 83 | 13 | 3 | 56 | ||||
| 7 | Southwell | 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 402 | 561 | −159 | 6 | 2 | 45 | +1 | |||
| 8 | Burton II | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 476 | 586 | −110 | 10 | 6 | 44 | ||||
| 9 | Birstall | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 410 | 496 | −86 | 4 | 5 | 39 | ||||
| 10 | Ashbourne (R) | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 339 | 695 | −356 | 3 | 3 | 34 | ||||
| 11 | Ashby (R) | 22 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 358 | 568 | −210 | 3 | 4 | 29 | ||||
| 12 | Coalville (R) | 22 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 239 | 858 | −619 | 2 | 2 | 12 | ||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place Pink background are the relegation places Updated: 29 November 2025 | |||||||||||||||
2021–22
Participating teams & locations
|
Ashbourne Ashby Coalville Ilkeston Lincoln Market Rasen Matlock Newark Southwell Locations of the 2021–22 Midlands 2 East (North) teams
|
2020–21
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
2019–20
Participating teams & locations
|
Ashbourne Ashfield Coalville Dronfield Ilkeston Lincoln Market Rasen Matlock Nottingham Casuals Newark Locations of the 2019–20 Midlands 2 East (North) teams
|
2018–19
Participating teams & locations
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Ashbourne Ashby Dronfield Ilkeston Lincoln Market Rasen Matlock Newark Southwell Locations of the 2018–19 Midlands 2 East (North) teams
|
2017–18
Participating teams & locations
|
Ashbourne Bakewell Coalville Dronfield Ilkeston Lincoln Matlock Newark Nott Casuals Southwell Locations of the 2017–18 Midlands 2 East (North) teams
|
2016–17 teams
- Ashbourne
- Coalville
- Kesteven (promoted from Midlands 3 East (North))
- Loughborough (promoted from Midlands 3 East (North))
- Market Bosworth
- Matlock (relegated from Midlands 1 East)
- Melbourne
- Newark (relegated from Midlands 1 East)
- Nottingham Casuals
- Southwell
- Spalding
- West Bridgford
2015–16 teams
- Ashbourne
- Bakewell Mannerians
- Coalville
- Dronfield
- Mansfield (relegated from Midlands 1 East)
- Market Bosworth
- Melbourne
- Nottingham Casuals
- Southwell (promoted from Midlands 3 East (North))
- Spalding (relegated from Midlands 1 East)
- Stamford
- West Bridgford
2014–15 teams
- Ashbourne
- Ashby (promoted from Midlands 3 East (North))
- Bakewell Mannerians
- Coalville (relegated from Midlands 1 East)
- Dronfield
- Loughborough
- Market Bosworth (relegated from Midlands 1 West)
- Matlock (relegated from Midlands 1 East)
- Melbourne
- Nottingham Casuals
- Stamford
- West Bridgford (promoted from Midlands 3 East (North))
2013–14 teams
- Ashbourne
- Bakewell Mannerians
- Belgrave
- Dronfield
- Kesteven (promoted from Midlands 3 East (North))
- Loughborough (relegated from Midlands 1 East)
- Melbourne (promoted from Midlands 3 East (North))
- Melton Mowbray
- Nottingham Casuals
- Oakham
- Spalding
- Stamford
2012–13 teams
- Ashbourne
- Aylestone St James
- Bakewell Mannerians
- Belgrave
- Coalville
- Dronfield
- Kesteven
- Leicester Forest
- Melton Mowbray
- Nottingham Casuals
- Nuneaton Old Edwardians
- Oakham
- Sleaford
2011–12 teams
- Ashbourne
- Aylestone St James
- Bakewell Mannerians
- Belgrave
- Leicester Forest
- Market Bosworth RFC
- Melton Mowbray
- Newark
- Nottingham Casuals
- Nottingham Moderns
- Oakham
- West Bridgford
2010–11 teams
- Ashby
- Aylestone St James
- Bakewell Mannerians
- Belgrave
- Lincoln
- Loughborough
- Market Bosworth
- Market Rasen and Louth
- Melton Mowbray
- Nottingham Moderns
- Oakham
- West Bridgford
Market Rasen and Louth have won the league this season and are promoted to Midlands 1 East as champions for the season 2011–12. Loughborough finished second and also gained promotion by beating Peterborough Lions, who placed 2nd in Midlands 2 East (South) in the promotion play-off. Lincoln and Ashby finished in the bottom two positions and have therefore been relegated for the coming season.
Original teams
Teams in Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 1 East, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:
- Amber Valley – relegated from Midlands 2 East (9th)
- Ampthill – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (5th)
- Belgrave – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (3rd)
- Chesterfield Panthers – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (champions)
- Dronfield – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (5th)
- Hinckley – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (champions)
- Luton – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (4th)
- Mellish – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (4th)
- Scunthorpe – relegated from Midlands 2 East (10th)
- Spalding – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (2nd)
- Stewarts & Lloyds – relegated from Midlands 2 East (11th)
- Stoneygate – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (2nd)
- West Bridgford – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (3rd)
Midlands 2 East (North) honours
Midlands East 1 (1992–1993)
Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single tier 7 division called Midlands East 1. Promotion was to Midlands 2 and relegation to Midlands East 2.[a]
Midlands East 1 (1993–1996)
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 East became a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | 13 | Hinckley | Scunthorpe | Nottingham Moderns, Luton | [10] | |||||||||
| 1994–95 | 13 | Scunthorpe | Long Buckby | Chesterfield, Northampton BBOB, Wellingborough | [11] | |||||||||
| 1995–96 | 13 | Kettering | Huntingdon & District[b] | No relegation[c] | [12] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are the promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Midlands East 1 (1996–2000)
At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands East 1 returned to being a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 17 | Nottingham Moderns | Old Northamptonians | Northampton BBOB, Biggleswade, Amber Valley | [13] | |||||||||
| 1997–98 | 17 | Lincoln | Northampton Old Scouts | Ashbourne | [14] | |||||||||
| 1998–99 | 17 | Wellingborough | Dunstablians | Coalville, Vipers | ||||||||||
| 1999–00 | 17 | Dunstablians | Luton | No relegation[d] | ||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are the promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Midlands 3 East (North) (2000–2009)
Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands East 1 split into two tier 7 regional leagues – Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 2 East (formerly Midlands 2) and relegation to Midlands 4 East (North) (formerly Midlands East 2).[e]
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | 10 | Spalding | Ilkeston | Paviors, Long Eaton, Oadby Wyggestonians | [15] | |||||||||
| 2001–02 | 10 | Market Bosworth | Nottingham Moderns | Market Rasen & Louth | [16] | |||||||||
| 2002–03 | 10 | Newark | Loughborough Students | Lincoln | [17] | |||||||||
| 2003–04 | 10 | Melton Mowbray | Matlock | No relegation[f] | [18] | |||||||||
| 2004–05 | 12 | Paviors | Matlock | West Bridgford, Mellish | [19] | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | 12 | Melton Mowbray | Ilkeston | Ashfield, Grimsby | [20] | |||||||||
| 2006–07 | 12 | Syston | Lutterworth | Ashbourne, Belgrave | [21] | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | 12 | Mansfield | Spalding | Oakham, Grimsby | [22] | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | 12 | Ilkeston | Spalding | No relegation | [23] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Midlands 2 East (North) (2009–present)
League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) were renamed as Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 7. Promotion was now to Midlands 1 East (formerly Midlands 2 East) and relegation to Midlands 3 East (North) (formerly Midlands 4 East (North)).
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 12 | Coalville | Spalding | Grimsby and Sleaford | [24] | |||||||||
| 2010–11 | 12 | Market Rasen & Louth | Loughborough | Ashby and Lincoln | [25] | |||||||||
| 2011–12 | 12 | Newark | Market Bosworth | Nottingham Moderns and West Bridgford | [26] | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | 11 | Coalville | Oakham | Aylestone St James | [27] | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | 12 | Belgrave | Spalding | Melton Mowbray and Kesteven | [28] | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | 12 | Matlock | Coalville | Ashby and Loughborough | [29] | |||||||||
| 2015–16 | 12 | Dronfield | West Bridgford | Bakewell Mannerians and Mansfield | [30] | |||||||||
| 2016–17 | 12 | Melbourne | Coalville | Spalding and Kesteven | [31] | |||||||||
| 2017–18 | 12 | West Bridgford | Matlock | Nottingham Casuals and Bakewell Mannerians [g] | [33] | |||||||||
| 2018–19 | 12 | Melbourne | Dronfield | Ashby and Southwell | [34] | |||||||||
| 2019–20 | 12 | Dronfield | Matlock | Ashfield and Nottingham Casuals | [35] | |||||||||
| 2020–21 | 14 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. | ||||||||||||
| 2021–22 | 14 | Long Eaton | Melbourne | Matlock and Newark (also promoted); No relegation | ||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Counties 1 Midlands East (North) (2022– )
Following league reorganisation, Midland 2 East (North) is renamed Counties 1 Midlands East (North) and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is to Regional 2 North Midlands and relegation to either Counties 2 Midlands East (North) or Counties 2 Midlands West (West), depending on location.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 12 | 22 | Hinckley II | Mellish | Ashbourne (10th), Ashby (11th) and Coalville (12th) | [8] | ||||||||
| 2023–24 | 11 | 20 | Hinckley II | Ilkeston | Boston (11th) and Birstall (12th) | [5] | ||||||||
| 2024–25 | 12 | 22 | Belgrave | Hinckley II | Loughborough (10th), Mansfield (11th) and Burton II (12th) | [3] | ||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place. | ||||||||||||||
Promotion play-offs
Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 1 East (aside 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 had home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Midlands 2 East (South) teams have ten wins to the Midlands 2 East (North) teams eight; and the home team won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams five.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Attendance/ Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | Stewarts & Lloyds (S) | 9–13 | Ilkeston (N) | Occupation Road, Corby, Northamptonshire | [36] | |||||||||
| 2001–02 | Nottingham Moderns (N) | 26–8 | Stewarts & Lloyds](S) | Ferryfields, Wilford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire | [37] | |||||||||
| 2002–03 | Peterborough (S) | 3–59 | Loughborough Students (N) | Fortress Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire | [38] | |||||||||
| 2003–04 | Peterborough (S) | 33–13 | Matlock (N) | Fortress Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire | [39] | |||||||||
| 2004–05 | Matlock (N) | 25–10 | Stewarts & Lloyds (S) | Cromford Meadows, Cromford, Derbyshire | [40] | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | Ilkeston (N) | 24–21 | Banbury (S) | The Stute, Ilkeston, Derbyshire | [41] | |||||||||
| 2006–07 | Lutterworth (N) | 3–21 | Banbury (S) | Ashby Lane, Lutterworth, Leicestershire | [42] | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | Leighton Buzzard (S) | 16–15 | Spalding (N) | Wright's Meadow, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire | [43] | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | Promotion play-off different for this season only (see below).[h] | |||||||||||||
| 2009–10 | Spalding (N) | 25–10 | Market Harborough (S) | Memorial Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire | 400 [44] | |||||||||
| 2010–11 | Peterborough Lions (S) | 17–20 | Loughborough (N) | Bretton Woods, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire | [45] | |||||||||
| 2011–12 | Market Bosworth (S) | 17–14 | Lutterworth (N) | Cadeby Lane, Market Bosworth, Warwickshire | [46] | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | Huntingdon (S) | 30–17 | Oakham (N) | The Racecourse, Brampton, Cambridgeshire | [47] | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | Spalding (N) | 24–14 | Newbold on Avon (S) | Memorial Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire | 400 [48] | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | Coalville (N) | 25–36 | Wellingborough (S) | Memorial Ground, Coalville, Leicestershire | [49] | |||||||||
| 2015–16 | Lutterworth (S) | 43–17 | West Bridgford (N) | Ashby Lane, Lutterworth, Leicestershire | [50] | |||||||||
| 2016–17 | Oundle (S) | 30–12 | Coalville (N) | Occupation Road, Oundle, Northamptonshire | 400 [51] | |||||||||
| 2017–18 | Luton (S) | 35–22 | Matlock (N) | Newlands Road, Luton, Bedfordshire | [52] | |||||||||
| 2018–19 | Market Harborough (S) | 25-21[i] | Dronfield (N) | Cadeby Lane, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire | [53] | |||||||||
| 2019–20 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner-up – Belgrave (S) – promoted. | |||||||||||||
| 2020–21 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. | |||||||||||||
| 2021–22 | Cancelled due to league reorganisation. | |||||||||||||
| Green background is the promoted team. N = Midlands 2 East (North) (formerly Midlands 3 East (North)) and S = Midlands 2 East (South) (formerly Midlands 3 East (South)) | ||||||||||||||
2008–09 promotion play-off
As mentioned above the 2008–09 promotion play-off 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 played each other for the final promotion spot, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage.
| ||||||||
| Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Ref | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Spalding (N) | 12–14 | Nuneaton Old Edwardians (S) | Memorial Field, Spalding, Lincolnshire | [54] | |||
| 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
- Belgrave (3)
- Hinckley (3) [j]
- Coalville (2)
- Dronfield (2)
- Melbourne (2)
- Melton Mowbray (2)
- Newark (2)
- Dunstablians (1)
- Ilkeston (1)
- Kettering (1)
- Lincoln (1)
- Long Eaton (1)
- Mansfield (1)
- Market Bosworth (1)
- Market Rasen & Louth (1)
- Matlock (1)
- Nottingham Moderns (1)
- Paviors (1)
- Scunthorpe (1)
- Spalding (1)
- Syston (1)
- Wellingborough (1)
- West Bridgford (1)
Notes
- Midlands East 2 is currently split into two regional divisions – Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South).
- Due to the cancellation of National 5 North at the end of the season, four clubs were promoted including Ampthill and Long Buckby.
- Due to widespread restructuring caused by the cancellation of National 5 North there was no relegation.
- Due to the restructuring of the Midlands leagues for the following season, there was no relegation.
- Ahead of the 2000–01 Midlands East 2 was also split into two regional leagues – Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South).
- No relegation as the division would be increased from 10 to 12 teams for the following season.
- 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 play-offs, meaning six 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.[23]
- after extra time.
- Hinckley's One by the first team and two by the reseves.