Counties 2 Somerset
English rugby union league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Counties 2 Somerset (formerly Somerset Premier (which was known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire/Somerset, in 2000 the division split into two county leagues called Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier and subsequently adopted its new name following the RFU Adult Competition Review at the end of season 2021–22.
Current season or competition: 2024-25 Counties 2 Somerset | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987 (as Gloucestershire/Somerset) |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country | England |
| Most titles | Gordano (3 titles) |
| Website | englandrugby.com |
The league champions of Counties 2 Somerset are promoted to Counties 1 Western North while the runners up play the runners up of Gloucester Premier for their place. Relegated teams drop into Counties 3 Somerset North or Counties 3 Somerset South depending on location.
Teams 2026-27
Departing were runners-up Burnham-on-Sea promoted to Counties 1 Western North while Keynham II (9th) and Castle Cary (11th) were relegated to Counties 3 Somerset (North) and Counties 3 Somerset (South) respectively.
With three clubs departing and four joining the league was restored to twelve sides.
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  Avon Chew Valley II Clevedon Imperial Minehead Oldfield Bernadettes Wells Yatton Locations of the 2026-27 Counties 2 Somerset teams
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Teams 2025–26
Departing were Midsomer Norton, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Nailsea & Backwell II (12th) and Wells (11th) were relegated to Counties 3 Somerset (North) and Counties 3 Somerset (South) respectively.
Rebels (6th in 2024-25) started but subsequently withdrew from the league leaving eleven clubs to contest the outstanding fixtures.
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Avon Burnham-on-Sea Castle Cary Chew Valley II Clevedon Imperial Keynsham II Minehead Oldfield Bernadettes Locations of the 2025-26 Counties 2 Somerset teams
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Teams 2024–25
Departing were Taunton II, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Yatton (12th) and Weston-super-Mare II (11th) were relegated.
Joining were Clevedon and Midsomer Norton, both relegated from Counties 1 Western North. Nailsea & Backwell II were promoted from Counties 3 Somerset North.
In the offseason Huish Tigers rebranded as Rebels Rugby.[1]
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Avon Chew Valley II Clevedon Imperial Midsomer Norton Minehead Nailsea II Oldfield Rebels Bernadettes Wells Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 2 Somerset teams
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Teams 2023–24
Departing were Old Redcliffians II, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Tor were relegated.
Joining were Chew Valley II and Huish Tigers.
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Avon Chew Valley II Huish Tigers Imperial Minehead Oldfield Bernadettes Wells Yatton Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 2 Somerset teams
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Teams 2022–23
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review.
Departing were Nailsea & Backwell, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Bristol Harlequins, Stothert & Pitt and Crewkerne were relegated.
Joining were Old Redcliffians II, promoted, and Taunton II who had withdrawn from Somerset 1 the previous season.
With four departing and two joining the league was reduced from 14 clubs to 12.
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Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 2 Somerset teams
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Teams 2021–22
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Avon B Quins Crewkerne Imperial Minehead Nailsea Oldfield Bernadettes Tor Wells Yatton Locations of the 2021–22 Somerset Premier 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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Avon Burnham-on-Sea Imperial Minehead Nailsea Oldfield Bernadettes Tor Wells Yatton Locations of the 2019-20 Somerset Premier teams
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Teams 2018–19
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Avon Harlequins Burnham-on-Sea Imperial Minehead Nailsea Oldfield Bernadettes Wiveliscombe Yatton Locations of the 2018-19 Somerset Premier teams
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Teams 2017–18
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Avon Gordano Imperial Minehead Nailsea Bernadettes Tor Wiveliscombe Locations of the 2017-18 Somerset Premier teams
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2016–17
Participating teams
- Bridgwater & Albion II
- Bristol Harlequins (relegated from Western Counties North)
- Crewkerne (promoted from Somerset 1)
- Gordano
- Keynsham II
- Hornets II
- Nailsea & Backwell
- Oldfield Old Boys
- Old Redcliffians II
- St Bernadettes Old Boys
- Stothert & Pitt RFC
- Tor
- Weston-super-Mare II
- Winscombe
- Wiveliscombe
1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues
Somerset 1
- Bristol Barbarians
- Castle Cary
- Imperial
- Minehead Barbarians (relegated from Somerset Premier)
- Old Sulians
- Wyvern
Somerset 2 North
- Bath Old Edwardians (promoted from Somerset 3 North)
- Cheddar Valley (transferred from Somerset 2 South)
- Old Culverhaysians
Somerset 2 South
- Martock
- Morganians
- Somerton
Somerset 3 North
- Avon II
- Barton Hill II
- Bristol Telephone Area
- Imperial II
- Keynsham IV
- Nailsea & Backwell II
- Old Bristolians III
- Oldfield Old Boys III
Somerset 3 South
- Wincanton
2015–16
The 2015–16 Somerset Premier consists of fourteen teams from Somerset and south-west Bristol. The season began on the 5 September 2015 and ended on the 30 April 2016.
Participating teams and location
Eleven of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Gordano were promoted to Western Counties North while Bristol Imperial and Clevedon II were relegated to Somerset 1.
Chew Valley II
Minehead
Nailsea & Backwell
Oldfield OB
St Bernadettes
Tor
Wiveliscombe
Yatton
Locations of the 2015-16 Somerset Premier teams
| Team | Ground | Capacity | Town/Village | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chew Valley II | Chew Lane | Chew Magna, Somerset | Promoted from Somerset 1 (runners up) | |
| Hornets II | Hutton Moor Park | 1,100 (100 stand) | Weston-super-Mare, Somerset | Promoted from Somerset 1 (champions) |
| Minehead Barbarians | The Tom Stewart Field | Minehead, Somerset | 8th | |
| Nailsea & Backwell | West End Park | Nailsea, Somerset | 9th | |
| Oldfield Old Boys | Shaft Road | Bath, Somerset | 10th | |
| Old Redcliffians II | Scotland Lane | 1,000 | Brislington, Bristol | 6th |
| St Bernadettes Old Boys | Whitchurch Sports Ground | Whitchurch, Bristol | 12th | |
| Stothert & Pitt | Adams Field | Bath, Somerset | Relegated from Western Counties North (14th) | |
| Taunton II | Hyde Park | 2,000 | Taunton, Somerset | 11th |
| Tor | Brian Harbinson Memorial Park | Glastonbury, Somerset | 4th | |
| Weston-super-Mare II | Recreation Ground | 3,000 | Weston-super-Mare, Somerset | 3rd |
| Winscombe | Winscombe Recreation Ground | 1,200 | Winscombe, Somerset | 2nd (lost promotion playoff) |
| Wiveliscombe | Recreational Ground | Wiveliscombe, Somerset | 7th | |
| Yatton | Off North End | Yatton, Somerset | 5th | |
1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues
Somerset 1
- Bristol Barbarians
- Castle Cray
- Crewkerne
- Imperial
- Old Sulians
- Wyvern
Somerset 2 North
- Old Culverhaysians
Somerset 2 South
- Cheddar Valley
- Martock
- Morganians
- Somerton
Somerset 3 North
- Bath Old Edwardians
Participating clubs 2014–15
- Clevedon II (promoted from Somerset 1)
- Gordano
- Imperial
- Minehead Barbarians
- Oldfield Old Boys (relegated from Western Counties North)
- Old Redcliffians II
- Nailsea & Backwell
- St Bernadettes Old Boys
- Taunton II
- Tor
- Weston-super-Mare II
- Winscombe
- Wiveliscombe
- Yatton
Participating clubs 2013–14
- Bristol Barbarians
- Gordano
- Keynsham II
- Minehead Barbarians
- Nailsea & Backwell
- Old Redcliffians II
- St Bernadettes Old Boys (promoted from Somerset 1)
- Stothert & Pitt
- Taunton II
- Tor
- Weston-super-Mare II
- Winscombe
- Wiveliscombe
- Yatton (relegated from Western Counties North)
Participating clubs 2012–13
- Chew Valley
- Gordano
- Imperial
- Keynsham
- Midsomer Norton
- Minehead Barbarians
- Nailsea & Backwell
- Old Redcliffians II
- Stothert & Pitt
- Taunton II
- Tor
- Weston-super-Mare II
- Winscombe
- Wiveliscombe
Participating teams 2010–11
- Avon
- Chard
- Chew Valley
- Gordano
- Imperial
- Midsomer Norton
- Minehead Barbarians
- St Bernadettes
- Stothert & Pitt
- Taunton II
- Tor
- Wells
- Weston Hornets
- Winscombe
Standings 2009–10
- 1 Bristol Harlequins 40
- 2 Chard 34
- 3 Taunton II 33
- 4 Avon 33
- 5 Wells 32
- 6 Stothert & Pitt 18
- 7 Tor 18
- 8 Midsomer Norton 18
- 9 Chew Valley 16
- 10 St Bernadettes 9
- 11 Winscombe 8
- 12 Old Sulians 3
Standings 2008–09
Standings 2007–08
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Gloucestershire/Somerset) contained the following teams:
- Avonmouth Old Boys
- Cleve
- Combe Down
- Coney Hill
- Gordano
- Keynsham
- Midsomer Norton
- Minehead Barbarians
- St. Brendan's Old Boys
- Tredworth
- Whitehall
Somerset Premier honours
Gloucestershire/Somerset (1987–1993)
Originally Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier were combined in a single division known as Gloucestershire/Somerset, involving teams based in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Bristol. It was tier 8 league with promotion to Western Counties[b] and relegation to either Gloucestershire 1[c] or Somerset 1.
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| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | 11 | Avonmouth Old Boys | Combe Down | St Brendan's Old Boys, Tredworth | [2] | |||||||||
| 1988–89 | 11 | Old Culverhaysians | Combe Down | Minehead Barbarians | [3] | |||||||||
| 1989–90 | 10[d] | Combe Down | Midsomer Norton | Old Redcliffians | [4] | |||||||||
| 1990–91 | 11 | Spartans | Whitehall | Midsomer Norton | [5] | |||||||||
| 1991–92 | 11 | Gloucester Old Boys | Drybrook[e] | Cleve | [6] | |||||||||
| 1992–93 | 13 | Old Patesians | Keynsham | Old Sulians | [7] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Gloucestershire/Somerset (1993–1996)
The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Western Counties and relegation to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1.
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| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | 13 | Dings Crusaders | St. Mary's Old Boys | Coney Hill, Frome | [8] | |||||||||
| 1994–95 | 13 | Keynsham | Whitehall | Midsomer Norton, Wiveliscombe | [9] | |||||||||
| 1995–96 | 13 | St. Mary's Old Boys | Cleve[f] | No relegation | [10] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Gloucestershire/Somerset (1996–2000)
The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Western Counties North[g], while relegation continued to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1.
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| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 16 | Coney Hill | Old Richians | Old Cryptians | ||||||||||
| 1997–98 | 17 | St. Bernadette's Old Boys | Wiveliscombe | Bristol Saracens | ||||||||||
| 1998–99 | 17 | Barton Hill | Chew Valley | Old Sulians | ||||||||||
| 1999–00 | 17 | Old Centralians[h] | Yatton[i] | Chard, Frampton Cotterell | ||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset Premier (2000–2009)
Gloucestershire/Somerset was reorganised into two county leagues at the end of the 1999–00 season, Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier, with both leagues remaining at level 8. Promotion from Somerset Premier was to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1. 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 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | 12 | Walcot | Gordano | Combe Down | [11] | |||||||||
| 2001–02 | 12 | Bristol Harlequins | Yatton | Wells | [12] | |||||||||
| 2002–03 | 12 | Gordano | Midsomer Norton | Old Culverhaysians, Minehead Barbarians | [13] | |||||||||
| 2003–04 | 12 | Oldfield Old Boys | Nailsea & Backwell | North Petherton | [14] | |||||||||
| 2004–05 | 12 | Old Redcliffians | Tor | Wiveliscombe, Gordano | [15] | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | 12 | Minehead Barbarians | Tor | Old Culverhaysians, Winscombe | [16] | |||||||||
| 2006–07 | 12 | Old Redcliffians | Midsomer Norton | Combe Down, Nailsea & Backwell | [17] | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | 12 | Keynsham | Chew Valley | St Bernadettes Old Boys, Gordano | [18] | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | 12 | Burnham-on-Sea | North Petherton | Old Sulians, Avon, Wells | [19] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset Premier (2009–present)
Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset Premier remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1. 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 | Bristol Harlequins | Chard | Old Sulians | [20] | |||||||||
| 2010–11 | 14 | Hornets | Chard | St Bernadettes Old Boys | [21] | |||||||||
| 2011–12 | 13 | Avon | Wells | No relegation | [22] | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | 14 | Chew Valley | Midsomer Norton | Imperial | [23] | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | 14 | Stothert & Pitt | Tor | Bristol Barbarians, Keynsham II | [24] | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | 14 | Gordano | Winscombe | Imperial, Clevedon II | [25] | |||||||||
| 2015–16 | 14 | Yatton | Winscombe | Minehead Barbarians, Chew Valley II | [26] | |||||||||
| 2016–17 | 14 | Winscombe | Oldfield Old Boys | Bristol Harlequins, Crewkerne | [27] | |||||||||
| 2017–18 | 13 | Gordano | Wiveliscombe | Bridgwater & Albion II, Tor, Stothert & Pitt | [28] | |||||||||
| 2018–19 | 13 | Wiveliscombe | Burnham-on-Sea | Bristol Harlequins | [29] | |||||||||
| 2019–20 | 14 | Burnham-on-Sea | Nailsea & Backwell | Old Redcliffians II | [30] | |||||||||
| 2020–21 | 14 | |||||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Promotion play-offs
Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of the Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier for the third and final promotion place to Western Counties North. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season Gloucester Premier teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the Somerset Premier teams six; and the home team has won promotion on twelve occasions compared to the away teams seven.
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| Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Attendance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01[31] | Gordano (S) | 19-21 | Old Centralians (G) | Caswell Lane, Portbury, Somerset | ||||
| 2001–02[32] | Yatton (S) | 32-0 | Drybrook (G) | The Park, Yatton, Somerset | ||||
| 2002–03[33] | Barton Hill (G) | 36-0 | Midsomer Norton (S) | Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, Bristol | ||||
| 2003–04[34] | Nailsea & Backwell (S)[j] | Chosen Hill Former Pupils (G) | West End Park, Nailsea, Somerset | |||||
| 2004–05[35] | Tor (S) | 25-26 | Avonmouth Old Boys (G) | Brian Harbinson Memorial Park, Glastonbury, Somerset | ||||
| 2005–06[36] | Barton Hill (G) | 20-0 | Tor (S) | Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, Bristol | ||||
| 2006–07[37] | Midsomer Norton (S) | 10-31 | Widden Old Boys (G) | Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset | ||||
| 2007–08[38] | North Bristol (G) | 29-17 | Chew Valley (S) | Oaklands, Almondsbury, Gloucestershire | ||||
| 2008–09[39] | Southmead (G) | 20-14 | North Petherton (S) | Greenway Centre, Southmead, Bristol | ||||
| 2009–10[40] | Cirencester (G) | 35-17 | Chard (S) | The Whiteway, Cirencester, Gloucestershire | ||||
| 2010–11[41] | Chard (S) | 32-12 | Old Richians (G) | Essex Close, Chard, Somerset | ||||
| 2011–12[42] | Wells (S) | 18-10 | Drybrook (G) | Charter Way, Wells, Somerset | ||||
| 2012–13[43] | Midsomer Norton (S) | 28-12 | Frampton Cotterell (G) | Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset | ||||
| 2013–14[44] | Bristol Saracens (G) | 19-8 | Tor (S) | Bakewell Memorial Ground, Henbury, Bristol | ||||
| 2014–15[45] | Winscombe (S) | 13-21 | Whitehall (G) | Winscombe Recreation Ground, Winscombe, Somerset | ||||
| 2015–16[46] | Winscombe (S) | 21-22 | Cirencester (G) | Winscombe Recreation Ground, Winscombe, Somerset | ||||
| 2016–17[47] | Oldfield Old Boys (S) | 9-6 | St Mary's Old Boys (G) | Shaft Road, Monkton Combe, Somerset | 1,000 | |||
| 2017–18[48] | Wiveliscombe (S) | 12-15 | Barton Hill (G) | Recreational Ground, Wiveliscombe, Somerset | ||||
| 2018–19[49] | Burnham-on-Sea (S) | 24-25 | Bristol Saracens (G) | BASC Ground, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset | ||||
| 2019–20 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Cheltenham North (G) - promoted instead. | |||||||
| 2020–21 | ||||||||
| Green background is the promoted team. G = Gloucester Premier and S = Somerset Premier | ||||||||
Number of league titles
- Gordano (3)
- Bristol Harlequins (2)
- Burnham-on-Sea (2)
- Keynsham (2)[k]
- Old Redcliffians (2)
- Avon (1)
- Avonmouth Old Boys (1)[l]
- Barton Hill (1)[m]
- Chew Valley (1)
- Combe Down (1)[n]
- Coney Hill (1)[o]
- Dings Crusaders (1)[p]
- Gloucester Old Boys (1)[q]
- Hornets (1)
- Minehead Barbarians (1)
- Old Centralians (1)[r]
- Old Culverhaysians (1)[s]
- Old Patesians (1)[t]
- Oldfield Old Boys (1)
- Spartans (1)[u]
- St. Bernadette's Old Boys (1)[v]
- St. Mary's Old Boys (1)[w]
- Stothert & Pitt (1)
- Walcot (1)
- Winscombe (1)
- Wiveliscombe (1)
- Yatton (1)
Notes
- Somerset 1 runners up, Bristol Harlequins were promoted instead of champions, Bristol Barbarians.
- Since 1996 Western Counties has been split into two regional divisions; Western Counties North and Western Counties West.
- Gloucestershire 1 was shortened to Gloucester 1 from the 1991–92 season onward.
- Avon & Somerset Constabulary withdrew from league.
- 3rd place Wiveliscombe also promoted. The reason for so many promotions was due to the majority of south-west league increasing from 11 to 13 teams for the following season.
- The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 would lead to widespread restructuring of the leagues. As a result all 13 clubs in Gloucestershire/Somerset would be promoted; St. Mary's Old Boys, Cleve, Hornets, Oldfield Old Boys, Thornbury, Avonmouth Old Boys, North Bristol, Whitehall, Bristol Harlequins, Cirencester and Old Redcliffians would go up into Western Counties North; Wellington would go up into Western Counties West; Stow-on-the Wold would go up into Southern Counties North.
- Western Counties was split into Western Counties North and Western Counties West as part of RFU restructuring at the end of the 1995–96 season.
- Despite finishing as champions, the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset meant that Old Centralians were instead transferred into the new look Gloucester Premier.
- The cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset and creation meant that almost all teams were transferred into new leagues; Old Centralians, Bream, Chipping Sodbury, Avonmouth Old Boys, Bristol Saracens, Brockworth and Longlevens went into Gloucester Premier, while Yatton, Tor, Old Culverhaysians, Midsomer Norton, Walcot, Avon, Combe Down and Gordano went into Somerset Premier.
- The result of the 2003-04 playoff between Nailsea & Backwell and Chosen Hill Former Pupils is unknown due to all the south-west promotion playoff games from this season missing from the RFU website. However, as Nailsea & Backwell were in the higher division the next season (and Chosen Hill Former Pupils were not) it is assumed they won the playoff game. Nailsea & Backwell would also have hosted the game as they had a better points record in their league than Chosen Hill Former Pupils did in theirs.
- One of Keynsham's titles was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Avonmouth Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Barton Hill's title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Combe Down's title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Coney Hill's title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Dings Crusaders title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Gloucester Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Old Centralians title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Old Culverhaysians title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Old Patesians title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- Spartans title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- St. Bernadette's Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.
- St. Mary's Old Boys title was when league was known as Gloucestershire/Somerset.