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Counties 1 Southern North

Division at level 7 of the English rugby union system From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Counties 1 Southern North (formerly known as Southern Counties North) is a division at level 7 of the English rugby union system.[1] When league rugby first began in 1987 it was known as Southern Counties but since 1996 the division was split into two regional leagues – Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South. Counties 1 Southern North currently sits at the seventh tier of club rugby union in England and features teams based in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The league champions at the end of each season are promoted to Regional 2 South Central or Regional 2 Thames. Relegated teams usually drop to Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (North) or Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (South).

Instituted1987; 39 years ago (1987) (as Southern Counties)
Number of teams12
Country England
Quick facts Sport, Instituted ...
Counties 1 Southern North
Current season or competition:
2025–26 Counties 1 Southern North
SportRugby union
Instituted1987; 39 years ago (1987) (as Southern Counties)
Number of teams12
Country England
HoldersOxford Harlequins II (2024–25)
Most titlesBeaconsfield
High Wycombe
Witney (3 titles)
Websiteenglandrugby.com
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Format

The twelve teams in this league are drawn from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, with the league champions (if eligible) promoted to Regional 2 South Central. The league's bottom two teams are relegated to either Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (North) or Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (South), depending on their geographic location.[citation needed] 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 table 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 Chinnor III promoted to Regional 2 Severn as champions and runners-up respectively while Bletchley (10th) were relegated to Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (East) together with Wallingford (11th) and Gosford All Blacks (12th) both relegated to Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (West).

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2025–26

Participating teams and locations

Departing were Oxford Harlequins II and Windsor, promoted to Regional 2 Thames as champions and runners-up respectively. Grove (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (West).

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2024–25

Participating teams and locations

Departing were Beaconsfield, promoted to Regional 2 Thames whilst Milton Keynes (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (North) and Rams III (11th) relegated to Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (South).

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League table

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Counties 1 Southern North 2024–25
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points adj
1Oxford Harlequins II (P) 222101962323639191105+1
2Windsor 221903849333751217296+1
3Buckingham 22150787947640316480
4Chinnor III 22140863345917413272+1
5Bletchley 221318603603015271
6Reading Abbey 2210012535627−9211556
7High Wycombe RFC 22911264853711114254
8Wallingford 229013431538−1079451+2
9Reading 228014451597−1464642
10Bicester 227015484686−20210437−5
11Bracknell II 224018484686−20210437
12Grove (R) 2210213141119−80542−6−16
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background are the promotion places. Pink background are the relegation places.
Updated: 25 February 2026
Source:[4]
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2023–24

Participating teams and locations

Departing was the second-placed team Marlow, promoted to Regional 2 Thames. Champions Chinnor III) were not promoted owing to league rules regarding third teams. Five teams were relegated; Gosford All Blacks (8th) and High Wycombe (10th) were relegated to Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (North), Reading Abbey (9th) and Thatcham (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon (South), while Swindon College Old Boys (11th) were relegated to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North.

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League table

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Counties 1 Southern North 2023–24
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points adj
1Beaconsfield (P) 2222001069172897190108+1
2Windsor 22170584636048618187
3Wallingford 22133666341125212373
4Oxford Harlequins II 22140865044820214272
5Buckingham 221318603603015271
6Grove 221129582614−3210157−2
7Bicester 229112481538−5710149
8Chinnor III 228014502656−1549445
9Bletchley 226115398626−2288335−2
10Bracknell II 227015430797−3678233−5
11Rams III (R) 225017416857−4417330
12Milton Keynes (R) 223019348906−5584218
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places.
Updated: 23 February 2026
Source:[5]
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2022–23

Participating teams and locations

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. The league was substantially similar to Southern Counties North with eight teams returning from season 2021–22.

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League table

More information Team, Played ...
Counties 1 Southern North 2022–23
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points deducted
1Chinnor III 22192185221963316098
2Marlow (P) 22181375530145416292
3Wallingford22 161549524624910380
4Bicester 22151669937032910274
5Bracknell II 22121969738431312668
6Milton Keynes 2212010462486−249058
7Bletchley 227015352563−2117339'
8Gosford All Blacks (R) 228014385586−2015538−5
9Reading Abbey (R) 216015263599−3364332
10High Wycombe (R) 227015365629−2645129−5
11Swindon College Old Boys (R) 215016382770−3885025
12Thatcham (R) 223019212766−554125−20
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places.
Updated: 22 February 2026
Source:[6]
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2021–22

Participating teams and locations

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2020–21

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the season was cancelled.

2019–20

Participating teams and locations

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2018–19

Participating teams and locations

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2017–18

Participating teams and locations

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2016–17

Participating teams and locations

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2015–16

Participating teams and locations

The 2015–16 Southern Counties North consisted of twelve teams; six from Buckinghamshire, two each from Berkshire and Oxfordshire, and one each from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The season started on 12 September 2015 and the last league matches were played on 23 April 2016.

Seven of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions High Wycombe were promoted to the South West 1 East while Milton Keynes and Alchester were relegated to the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier. Royal Wootton Bassett, who finished 4th, were level transferred to Southern Counties South.

Counties 1 Southern North is located in Rugby union in South West England
Aylesbury
Aylesbury
Buckingham
Buckingham
Stow on the Wold
Stow on the Wold
Swindon College
Swindon College
Thatcham
Thatcham
Wallingford
Wallingford
Locations of the 2015–16 Southern Counties North teams
Locations of the 2015–16 Southern Counties North teams in South Buckinghamshire
More information Team, Ground ...
Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
AylesburyOstler's FieldWeston Turville, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire2nd (lost promotion play-off)
BeaconsfieldOak Lodge MeadowBeaconsfield, Buckinghamshire8th
BicesterOxford RoadBicester, Oxfordshire5th
BletchleyManor FieldsBletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshirerelegated from South West 1 East (14th)
BuckinghamFloyd FieldMaids Moreton, Buckingham, Buckinghamshirerelegated from South West 1 East (13th)
DriftersFarnham Common Sports ClubFarnham Common, Buckinghamshire9th
MarlowRiverwoods DriveMarlow, Buckinghamshire7th
Reading AbbeyRosehillReading, Berkshirepromoted from Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier (champions)
Stow-on-the-WoldOddington RoadStow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire4th
Swindon College Old BoysNationwide Sports PavilionSwindon, Wiltshirepromoted from Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier (runner-up)
ThatchamHenwicky Worthy Sports FieldThatcham, Berkshire6th
WallingfordWallingford Sports ParkWallingford, Oxfordshire10th
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2014–15

2013–14

2012–13

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Southern Counties) contained the following teams:

Counties 1 Southern North honours

Southern Counties (1987–1993)

Originally the Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South leagues were combined in a single division called Southern Counties. It was a tier 7 league with promotion to South West 2[d] and relegation to either Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1[e] or Bucks/Oxon 1.[f]

More information Season, No of teams ...
Southern Counties
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
1987–8811RedingensiansSwindonBracknell
1988–8911BanburyAylesburyOxford Marathon
1989–9011MarlowSwanage & WarehamOxford Old Boys
1990–9111SherborneWindsorSwindon, Chiltern, Slough, Bracknell
1991–9211BanburyAylesbury[g]No relegation[h]
1992–9313Swanage & WarehamDorchesterGrove
Green backgrounds are promotion places.
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Southern Counties (1993–1996)

At the end of the 1992–93 season the top six teams from London Division 1 and the top six from South West Division 1 were combined to create National 5 South. This meant that Southern Counties dropped from a tier 7 league to a tier 8 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to South West 2 and relegation to either Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 or Bucks/Oxon 1.

More information Season, No of teams ...
Southern Counties North
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
1993–9413BournemouthBracknellRoyal Wootton Bassett, Redingensians[8]
1994–9513DorchesterBracknellSlough, Oxford Marathon[9]
1995–9613Amersham & ChilternBracknell[i]No relegation[j][10]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.
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Southern Counties North (1996–2000)

Restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Southern Counties split into two separate leagues, Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South. They reverted to tier 7 leagues due to the cancellation of National 5 South. Promotion from Southern Counties North was now to the new South West 2 East[k] while relegation was now only to Bucks/Oxon 1.[l]

More information Season, No of teams ...
Southern Counties North
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
1996–9710Stow-on-the-WoldBicesterGrove
1997–9810SloughOlneyMilton Keynes, Witney
1998–9910OlneyBicesterFarnham Royal[11]
1999–0010WitneyBeaconsfieldOxford, Wallingford[12]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.
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Southern Counties North (2000–2009)

Southern Counties North remained a tier 7 league, with promotion continuing to South West 2 East. However, the transfer of Berkshire clubs from the Dorset/Wilts leagues to the Bucks/Oxon leagues, meant that relegation was now to new Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 (formerly Bucks/Oxon 1).[m]

More information Season, No of teams ...
Southern Counties North
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
2000–0111WindsorGroveDrifters, Bletchley, Phoenix[13]
2001–0210Oxford HarlequinsGroveOxford, Milton Keynes, Chipping Norton[14]
2002–0310High WycombeAylesburyWallingford, Beaconsfield, Swindon[15]
2003–0410AylesburyAmersham & ChilternNo relegation[n][16]
2004–0512High WycombeHenley WanderersPhoenix, Bicester[17]
2005–0612RedingensiansSwindonSlough, Stow-on-the-Wold, Olney[18]
2006–0712BletchleyTadleySupermarine, Chipping Norton[19]
2007–0812OlneyWallingfordNewbury Stags, Amersham & Chiltern[20]
2008–0912BuckinghamMarlowBeaconsfield[21]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.
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Southern Counties North (2009–2022)

Despite widespread league restructuring by the RFU, Southern Counties North continued as a tier 7 league, with promotion to South West 1 East (formerly South West 2 East) and relegation to Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier.

More information Season, No of teams ...
Southern Counties North
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
2009–1012WitneyAmersham & ChilternBicester, Slough[22]
2010–1112SwindonAylesburyChipping Norton, Oxford, Crowthorne[23]
2011–1212BeaconsfieldMilton Keynes[o]Marlborough[24]
2012–1312BuckinghamGroveSlough, Tadley[25]
2013–1412BletchleyAylesburySwindon College Old Boys, Reading Abbey[26]
2014–1512High WycombeAylesburyMilton Keynes, Alchester[27]
2015–1612Reading AbbeyAylesburyDrifters, Swindon College Old Boys[28]
2016–1712MarlowBicesterBletchley, Milton Keynes[29]
2017–1812BeaconsfieldWindsorDrifters, Gosford All Blacks[30]
2018–1912WindsorBuckinghamLittlemore, Slough[31]
2019–2012WitneyReadingDidcot, Chesham[32]
2020–2112Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–2212Stow-on-the-WoldReadingNo relegation due to league reorganisation
Green backgrounds are promotion places.
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Counties 1 Southern North (2022– )

Following the reorganisation of the leagues, Southern Counties North was renamed Counties 1 Southern North and remained a level seven league. The champions are promoted to Regional 2 South Central or Regional 2 Thames and one or two teams (on one occasion five) are relegated, depending on location, to one of the level eight leagues; Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon.

More information Season, No of teams ...
Counties 1 Southern North
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2022–231222Chinnor III[p]MarlowGosford All Blacks (8th), Reading Abbey (9th), High Wycombe (10th), Swindon College Old Boys (11th) and Thatcham (12th)[6]
2023–241222BeaconsfieldWindsorRams III (11th) and Milton Keynes (12th)[5]
2024–251222Oxford HarlequinsWindsorGrove (12th)[4]
Green background is the promotion place(s).
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Promotion play-offs

Between 2000–01 and 2018–19 seasons, there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South for the third and final promotion place to South West 1 East. The team with the superior league record had home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season Southern Counties North teams have been the most successful with twelve wins to the Southern Counties South teams seven; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six.

More information Season, Home team ...
Southern Counties North v Southern Counties South promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Att/Ref
2000–01Salisbury (S)49–20Grove (N)Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire[33]
2001–02Grove (N)30–13Oakmeadians (S)Recreation Lane, Grove, Oxfordshire[34]
2002–03Oakmeadians (S)24–17Aylesbury (N)Meryick Park, Bournemouth, Dorset[35]
2003–04Amersham & Chiltern (N)[q]Tadley (S)Ash Grove, Amersham, Buckinghamshire[36]
2004–05Frome (S)12–38Henley Wanderers (N)Gypsy Lane, Frome, Somerset[37]
2005–06Oldfield Old Boys (S)32–33Swindon (N)Shaft Road, Monkton Combe, Somerset[38]
2006–07Wootton Bassett (S)17-20Tadley (N)Ballards Ash Sports Ground, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire[39]
2007–08Wallingford (N)22–3Wootton Bassett (S)Wallingford Sports Park, Wallingford, Oxfordshire[40]
2008–09Marlow (N)18-15Wootton Bassett (S)Riverwoods Drive, Marlow, Buckinghamshire[41]
2009–10Amersham & Chiltern (N)45–12Frome (S)Ash Grove, Amersham, Buckinghamshire[42]
2010–11Aylesbury (N)10–39Oldfield Old Boys (S)Ostler's Field, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire[43]
2011–12Windsor (N)22–15Dorcester (S)Home Park, Windsor, Berkshire[44]
2012–13Grove (N)39–20Trowbridge (S)Recreation Lane, Grove, Oxfordshire[45]
2013–14Trowbridge (S)27–19Aylesbury (N)Doric Park, Hilperton, Trowbridge, Wiltshire[46]
2014–15Salisbury (S)34–16Aylesbury (N)Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire[47]
2015–16Midsomer Norton (S)29–22Aylesbury (N)Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset[48]
2016–17Bicester (N)53–20Trowbridge (S)Oxford Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire[49]
2017–18Windsor (N)29–31Marlborough (S)Home Park, Windsor, Berkshire[50]
2018–19Frome (S)10–23Buckingham (N)Gypsy Lane, Frome, Somerset400 [51]
2019–20Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up – Frome (S) – promoted instead.
2020–21Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22No play-off due to league reorganisation
Green background is the promoted team. (N) = Southern Counties North and (S) = Southern Counties South
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Number of league titles

  • (Updated to 2024–25)

See also

Notes

  1. Oxford Marathon would merge with Oxford Old Boys in 1996 to form Oxford Harlequins.[7]
  2. Oxford Old Boys would merge with Oxford Marathon in 1996 to form Oxford Harlequins.[7]
  3. Redingensians are currently known as Rams.
  4. South West 2 is currently two regional divisions - South West 1 East and South West 1 West.
  5. Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 no longer contains Berkshire clubs and is currently split into Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South.
  6. Bucks/Oxon 1 has since involved Berkshire clubs and is currently known as Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier
  7. 3rd place Windsor also promoted.
  8. No relegation due to league expansion from 11 to 13 teams for the 1992–93 season.
  9. Due to the cancellation of Courage League Division 5 and subsequent restructuring of the leagues at the end of the 1995–96 season, six clubs were promoted from Southern Counties including Chinnor, Chippenham, Marlow and Swindon.
  10. The cancellation of Courage League Division 5 and splitting of Southern Counties into Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South at the end of the 1995–96 season, meant that there was no relegation.
  11. Another change at the end of the 1995–96 saw South West 2 also split into two regional divisions – South West 2 East and South West 2 West.
  12. Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 would be renamed as Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier ahead of the 2004–05 season.
  13. No relegation due to league expansion from 10 to 12 teams for the 2004–05 season.
  14. Although the RFU website has Milton Keynes as runners up, third place Windsor actually went into the playoffs and won promotion.[24]
  15. Not eligible for promotion
  16. The result of the 2003-04 play-off between Amersham & Chiltern and Tadley is unknown due to all the south-west promotion play-off games from this season missing from the RFU website. However, as Amersham & Chiltern were in the higher division the next season (and Tadley were not) it is assumed they won the play-off. Amersham & Chiltern would also have hosted the game as they had a better points record in their league than Tadley did in theirs.
  17. Both of Banbury's titles were won when league was a single division known as Southern Counties.
  18. one of Marlow's titles was won when league was a single division known as Southern Counties.
  19. One of Redingensians titles was won when league was a single division known as Southern Counties.
  20. Amersham & Chiltern's title was won when league was a single division known as Southern Counties.
  21. Bournemouth's title was won when league was a single division known as Southern Counties.
  22. Dorchester's title was won when league was a single division known as Southern Counties.
  23. Sherborne's title was won when league was a single division known as Southern Counties.
  24. Swanage & Wareham's title was won when league was a single division known as Southern Counties.

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