Counties 3 Somerset
English rugby union league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Counties 3 Somerset (formerly known as Somerset 1 or Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. 1st, 2nd and even 3rd XV sides can participate in the division as long as they are not from the same club.
Current season or competition: 2024-25 Counties 3 Somerset | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country |  England |
| Most titles | Minehead Barbarians (3 titles) |
| Website | englandrugby.com |
The league champions and runners up are promoted to Counties 2 Somerset while relegated teams drop to either Counties 4 Somerset North or Counties 4 Somerset South depending on location. Each year clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase – a level 9–12 national competition.
Teams 2026-27
North
Departing were Yatton, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset. There was no relegation.
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Locations of the 2026-27 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams Locations of the 2026-27 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams in Bristol
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South
Departing were Wells promoted to Counties 2 Somerset. Also leaving were Wellington II and Crewkerne (10th) relegated to Counties 4 Somerset South.
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  Burnham II Castle Cary Martock N Petherton II Somerton Tor Wiveliscombe II Wyvern Locations of the 2026-27 Counties 2 Somerset (South) teams
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Teams 2025–26
North
Departing were Keynsham II, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset, while Walcott II were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset North.
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Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams Locations of the 2025-26 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams in Bristol
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South
Departing were Castle Cary promoted to Counties 2 Somerset while Cheddar Valley (12th) and Somerton (11th) were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset North and Counties 4 Somerset South respectively.
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Crewkerne Martock N Petherton II Tor Wellington II Wells Wiveliscombe II Wyvern Locations of the 2025-26 Counties 2 Somerset (South) teams
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Teams 2024–25
North
Departing were Nailsea & Backwell II, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset, while Imperial II were relegated.
Joining were Walcott II, Yatton and Chew Valley III.
Chew Valley III (promoted as champions from Counties 4 Somerset North) and Oldfield Old Boys II (10th in 2023–24) both started but did not complete the season meaning the remaining league fixtures were contested by ten sides.
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Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams in Bristol
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South
Departing were Burnham-on-Sea II (12th) and Wiveliscombe II (11th) both relegated to Counties 4 Somerset South.
There was no promotion as Hornets II were already in Counties 2 Somerset meaning Hornets III could not compete in the same league.
Joining were Wyvern and Weston-super-Mare II.
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Castle Cary Cheddar Valley Crewkerne N Petherton II Somerton Tor Wellington II Wyvern Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 2 Somerset (South) teams
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Teams 2023–24
North
Departing were Chew Valley II, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset, while Stothert & Pitt (9th) and Bristol Telephone Area (12th) were relegated.
Joining were Imperial II and Old Redcliffians III..
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Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams in Bristol
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South
Departing were Huish Tigers, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset. Wells II (10th) were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset South.
Joining were Burnham-on-Sea II, Cheddar Valley, Crewkerne and Tor.
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Burnham II Castle Cary Cheddar Valley Crewkerne N Petherton II Somerton Tor Wellington II Wiveliscombe II Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 2 Somerset (South) teams
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Teams 2022–23
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[1] with the league split into North and South divisions.
Departing were Old Redcliffians II, promoted, together with Cheddar Valley (7th) who took a voluntary relegation to Counties 4 Somerset South and Morganians (11th) who withdrew from league competition.
North
Joining were Bristol Harlequins, Bristol Telephone Area, Clevedon II, Gordano II, Oldfield Old Boys II, Stothert & Pitt and Winscombe II.
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B Quins BTA Chew Valley II Clevedon II Gordano II Keynsham II Midsomer Norton II N&B II Oldfield II Sulians Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams
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South
Joining were Castle Cary, Chard II, Hornets III, Huish Tigers (double promotion), Somerton, Wells II and Wiveliscombe II.
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Castle Cary Huish Tigers N Petherton II Somerton Wellington II Wells II Wiveliscombe II Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 2 Somerset (South) teams
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Teams 2021–22
Taunton II (11th in 2019–20) started but did not complete the season leaving eleven sides to contest the remaining fixtures.
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Chedder Valley Chew Valley II Keynsham II Midsomer Norton II Morganians N&B II N Petherton II Sulians Wellington II Locations of the 2021-22 Somerset 1 teams
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2020–21
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
Teams 2019–20
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Bath OE B Quins Cheddar Valley Chew Valley II Crewkerne Keynsham II Midsomer Norton N Petherton II Sulians Taunton II Wellington II Locations of the 2019-20 Somerset 1 teams
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Original teams
Somerset 1 honours
Somerset 1 (1987–1993)
The original Somerset 1 was a tier 9 league with promotion to Gloucestershire/Somerset and relegation to Somerset 2.
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| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | 12 | Old Culverhaysians | Frome | Wellington, Crewkerne, Yeovil | [7] | |||||||||
| 1988–89 | 11 | Frome | Oldfield Old Boys | St. Brendan's Old Boys, Burnham-on-Sea | [8] | |||||||||
| 1989–90 | 11 | Oldfield Old Boys | Walcot Old Boys | Avonvale, Gordano | [9] | |||||||||
| 1990–91 | 11 | Wiveliscombe | Old Redcliffians | Yeovil, Imperial | [10] | |||||||||
| 1991–92 | 11 | Old Sulians | Old Redcliffians[f] | No relegation[g] | [11] | |||||||||
| 1992–93 | 13 | Hornets | Walcot Old Boys | Westland, Gordano | [12] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset 1 (1993–1996)
The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Somerset 1 dropped to become a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Gloucestershire/Somerset 1 and relegation to Somerset 2.
Somerset 1 (1996–2000)
The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Somerset 1 reverted to being a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Gloucestershire/Somerset and relegation to Somerset 2.
Somerset 1 (2000–2006)
The cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season, saw Somerset 1 remain at tier 9, with promotion now to the new Somerset Premier[m] and relegation continuing to Somerset 2.
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| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | 12 | Minehead Barbarians | Wells | Bristol Barbarians | [19] | |||||||||
| 2001–02 | 12 | Nailsea & Backwell | North Petherton | Burnham-on-Sea | [20] | |||||||||
| 2002–03 | 12 | Chard | Stothert & Pitt | Bath Old Edwardians, Avonvale | [21] | |||||||||
| 2003–04 | 12 | Winscombe | Combe Down | Old Sulians | [22] | |||||||||
| 2004–05 | 11 | Minehead Barbarians | Old Culverhaysians | Avonvale. Blagdon | [23] | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | 11 | Gordano | Wells | No relegation[n] | [24] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset 1 (2006–2009)
Somerset 1 remained a tier 9 league with promotion to Somerset Premier but the splitting of Somerset 2 into two regional divisions, meant that relegation was now to either Somerset 2 North or Somerset 2 South. From the 2007–08 season onward the league sponsor would be Tribute.
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| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | 12 | Winscombe | Old Sulians | Somerton | [25] | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | 12 | Burnham-on-Sea | North Petherton | Martock, Crewkerne | [26] | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | 12 | St. Bernadette's Old Boys | Taunton II | Bristol Barbarians | [27] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset 1 (2009–present)
Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset 1 remained a tier 9 league, with promotion continuing to Somerset Premier, while relegation to either Somerset 2 North or Somerset 2 South. The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute.
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| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 12 | Gordano | Imperial | St. Mary's Old Boys II, Broad Plain[o] | [28] | |||||||||
| 2010–11 | 14 | Nailsea & Backwell | Weston-super-Mare II | Old Culverhaysians | [29] | |||||||||
| 2011–12 | 14 | Old Redcliffians II | Wiveliscombe | No relegation | [30] | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | 14 | St. Bernadette's Old Boys | Bristol Barbarians | Walcot II | [31] | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | 14 | Clevedon II | Imperial | Old Redcliffians III, Wells II | [32] | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | 14 | Hornets II | Chew Valley II | Cheddar Valley, Midsomer Norton II | [33] | |||||||||
| 2015–16 | 14 | Bridgwater & Albion II | Crewkerne | Chard II, North Petherton II | [34] | |||||||||
| 2016–17 | 14 | Minehead Barbarians | Imperial | Castle Cary, Bristol Harlequins II, Yatton II | [35] | |||||||||
| 2017–18 | 13 | Bristol Barbarians | Bristol Harlequins | Wyvern, Clevedon II, Old Bristolians II | [36] | |||||||||
| 2018–19 | 12 | Tor | Stothert & Pitt | Castle Cary | [37] | |||||||||
| 2019–20 | 12 | Bristol Harlequins | Crewkerne | Bath Old Edwardians | [38] | |||||||||
| 2020–21 | 12 | |||||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Number of league titles
- Minehead Barbarians (3)
- Chard (2)
- Frome (2)
- Gordano (2)
- Nailsea & Backwell (2)
- St. Bernadette's Old Boys (2)
- Winscombe (2)
- Avon (1)
- Bridgwater & Albion II (1)
- Bristol Barbarians (1)
- Bristol Harlequins (1)
- Burnham-on-Sea (1)
- Chew Valley (1)
- Clevedon II (1)
- Hornets (1)[p]
- Hornets II (1)
- Midsomer Norton (1)
- Old Culverhaysians (1)
- Old Redcliffians II (1)
- Old Sulians (1)
- Oldfield Old Boys (1)
- Tor (1)
- Wellington (1)
- Wells (1)
- Wiveliscombe (1)
See also
Notes
- Old Boys side for Culverhay School (now Bath Academy).[2]
- Old Boys side for Oldfield School.[3]
- Old Boys side for City of Bath Boys School (now Beechen Cliff School).[4]
- Now known as Walcot Rugby.
- Due to restructuring of the majority of south west leagues from 11 to 13 teams for the following season, 3rd place Bristol Harlequins were also promoted.
- Due to the restructuring of Somerset 1 from 11 to 13 teams for the following season, there was no relegation.
- League restructuring caused by the cancellation of National 5 South meant that champions Chard were promoted two divisions up into Western Counties North (formerly Western Counties).
- The cancellation of National 5 South meant that clubs ranked 3rd to 9th were also promoted one level up into Gloucestershire/Somerset including Tor, Yatton, Old Sulians, St. Bernadette's Old Boys, Midsomer Norton, Walcot Old Boys and Gordano.
- Widespread league restructuring meant that there was no relegation.
- Restructuring caused by the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season meant that champions Frome were not promoted.
- League restructuring meant there was no relegation.
- Gloucestershire/Somerset was split into Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier at the end of the 1999–00 season.
- No relegation as league due to increase from 11 to 12 teams for the 2006–07 season.
- Broad Plain were relegated to Gloucester 3 instead of Somerset 2.