Counties 1 Western North
English rugby union league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Counties 1 Western North (known as Counties 1 Tribute Western North for sponsorship purposes) is an English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues called Western Counties North and Western Counties West. Western Counties North was renamed Counties 1 Western North prior to the 2022–23 season and is currently a seventh tier league for clubs based in the south-west of England; mainly Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset. The current champions are Cleve.
Current season or competition: 2025–26 Counties 1 Western North | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country | England |
| Holders | Cleve (2nd title) (2024–25 promoted to Regional 2 Severn) |
| Most titles | Coney Hill (4 titles) |
| Website | Western Counties North |
Format
The champions are promoted to Regional 2 Severn. The number of teams relegated depends on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above, but is usually two or three to Counties 2 Gloucestershire North / South and Counties 2 Somerset.
The season runs from September to March 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 champions Nailsea & Backwell promoted to Regional 2 South West while Bridgwater & Albion (10th) and Taunton II (11th) were relegated to Counties 2 Somerset as were Chosen Hill Former Pupils (12th) to Counties 2 Gloucestershire.
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Locations of the 2026–27 Counties 1 Western North teams in Gloucestershire & Bristol Locations of the 2026–27 Counties 1 Western North teams in Somerset
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2025–26
Participating teams and location
Departing were Cleve promoted to Regional 2 Severn while Cinderford 2XV and Burnham-on-Sea were relegated.
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Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 1 Western North teams in Gloucestershire & Bristol Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 1 Western North teams in Somerset
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2024–25
Participating teams and location
Departing were Longlevens, in second place were promoted to Regional 2 Severn instead of the champions Cinderford 2XV as league regulations to not allow second teams to be promoted to a level six league. Chipping Sodbury were relegated to Counties 2 Gloucestershire South and Clevedon and Midsomer Norton were relegated to Counties 2 Somerset. With four teams leaving and five joining the league was restored to twelve sides.
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Locations of the 2024–25 Counties 1 Western North teams in Gloucestershire Locations of the 2024–25 Counties 1 Western North teams in Avon & Somerset
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League table
| |||||||||||||||
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | Pts adj | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleve (P) | 22 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 821 | 318 | 503 | 15 | 1 | 98 | 2 | |||
| 2 | Clifton II | 22 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 707 | 424 | 283 | 18 | 2 | 97 | 1 | |||
| 3 | Old Bristolians | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 737 | 556 | 181 | 18 | 2 | 80 | ||||
| 4 | Old Redcliffians II | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 608 | 484 | 124 | 12 | 3 | 73 | 2 | |||
| 5 | Nailsea & Backwell | 21 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 662 | 517 | 145 | 15 | 6 | 73 | ||||
| 6 | Bridgewater & Albion | 21 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 553 | 717 | −164 | 12 | 3 | 51 | ||||
| 7 | Taunton II | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 643 | 645 | −2 | 13 | 2 | 49 | −10 | |||
| 8 | Chard | 21 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 518 | 612 | −94 | 9 | 6 | 43 | ||||
| 9 | Gordon League | 21 | 6 | 1 | 14 | 387 | 680 | −293 | 5 | 3 | 34 | ||||
| 10 | Chosen Hill Former Pupils | 22 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 441 | 697 | −256 | 9 | 5 | 34 | ||||
| 11 | Cinderford II (R) | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 409 | 598 | −189 | 10 | 3 | 29 | −10 | |||
| 12 | Burnham-on-Sea (R) | 22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 554 | 792 | −238 | 8 | 4 | 28 | ||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place Pink background are the relegation places Updated: 1 November 2025 | |||||||||||||||
2023–24
Participating teams and location
Departing were 2nd placed Burnham-on-Sea, promoted to Regional 1 South West. Although Cinderford 2XV finished top, owing to league regulations Cinderford were unable to be promoted. Avonmouth Old Boys and Cheltenham North were relegated. Barton Hill, 7th in 2022–23, did not return for the new season and with four teams departing and three joining, the league ran with eleven sides last season.
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Locations of the 2023–24 Counties 1 Western North teams in Gloucestershire Locations of the 2023–24 Counties 1 Western North teams in Avon & Somerset
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League table
| |||||||||||||||
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cinderford II | 20 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 753 | 221 | 532 | 13 | 0 | 88 | ||||
| 2 | Longlevens (P) | 20 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 883 | 363 | 520 | 17 | 0 | 85 | ||||
| 3 | Nailsea & Backwell | 20 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 656 | 349 | 307 | 16 | 2 | 76 | ||||
| 4 | Old Redcliffians II | 20 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 734 | 491 | 243 | 13 | 2 | 71 | ||||
| 5 | Bridgewater & Albion | 20 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 548 | 548 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 54 | ||||
| 6 | Clifton II | 20 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 467 | 491 | −24 | 10 | 5 | 50 | ||||
| 7 | Old Bristolians | 20 | 8 | 0 | 12 | 426 | 663 | −237 | 9 | 2 | 43 | ||||
| 8 | Cleve | 20 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 460 | 595 | −135 | 9 | 3 | 40 | ||||
| 9 | Midsomer Norton (R) | 20 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 546 | 560 | −14 | 7 | 4 | 39 | ||||
| 10 | Clevedon (R) | 20 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 380 | 537 | −157 | 4 | 2 | 38 | ||||
| 11 | Chipping Sodbury (R) | 20 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 194 | 1229 | −1035 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place Pink background are the relegation places Updated: 1 November 2025 | |||||||||||||||
2022–23
Participating teams and location
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Locations of the 2022–23 Counties 1 Western North teams in Gloucestershire
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League table
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| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cinderford II | 21 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 1024 | 301 | 723 | 17 | 1 | 98 | ||||
| 2 | Burnham-on-Sea (P) | 22 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 814 | 473 | 341 | 15 | 2 | 85 | ||||
| 3 | Longlevens | 22 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 905 | 410 | 495 | 15 | 1 | 84 | ||||
| 4 | Nailsea & Backwell | 22 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 685 | 446 | 239 | 15 | 2 | 83 | ||||
| 5 | Midsomer Norton | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 666 | 590 | 76 | 11 | 5 | 66 | ||||
| 6 | Clevedon | 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 473 | 555 | −82 | 9 | 2 | 63 | ||||
| 7 | Barton Hill | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 452 | 642 | −190 | 9 | 1 | 54 | ||||
| 8 | Cleve | 21 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 501 | 501 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 43 | ||||
| 9 | Chipping Sodbury | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 440 | 779 | −339 | 7 | 1 | 40 | ||||
| 10 | Old Bristolians | 22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 441 | 525 | −84 | 8 | 10 | 20 | ||||
| 11 | Cheltenham North (R) | 22 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 448 | 973 | −525 | 8 | 0 | 20 | ||||
| 12 | Avonmouth Old Boys (R) | 22 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 319 | 973 | −654 | 2 | 5 | 15 | ||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place Pink background are the relegation places Updated: 1 August 2023 | |||||||||||||||
2021–22
Spartans, 11th in 2019–20, withdrew during the season leaving the league to complete with thirteen clubs.
Participating teams
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Locations of the 2021–22 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Avon & Somerset
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League table
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| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | Pts adj | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matson | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 1019 | 192 | 827 | 22 | 0 | 119 | ||||
| 2 | Cheltenham | 24 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 932 | 456 | 476 | 16 | 1 | 100 | ||||
| 3 | Chosen Hill Former Pupils | 24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 762 | 455 | 307 | 15 | 1 | 84 | ||||
| 4 | Gordano | 24 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 653 | 544 | 109 | 13 | 2 | 77 | ||||
| 5 | Winscombe | 24 | 14 | 2 | 8 | 631 | 526 | 105 | 14 | 1 | 75 | ||||
| 6 | Old Bristolians | 24 | 13 | 1 | 10 | 690 | 518 | 172 | 14 | 4 | 72 | ||||
| 7 | Midsomer Norton | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 690 | 665 | 25 | 14 | 4 | 67 | ||||
| 8 | Chipping Sodbury | 24 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 784 | 734 | 50 | 13 | 5 | 61 | ||||
| 9 | Cleve | 24 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 485 | 561 | −76 | 7 | 6 | 51 | ||||
| 10 | Barton Hill | 24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 462 | 680 | −218 | 9 | 4 | 45 | ||||
| 11 | Clevedon | 24 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 492 | 780 | −288 | 6 | 3 | 37 | ||||
| 12 | Avonmouth Old Boys | 24 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 373 | 826 | −453 | 2 | 8 | 18 | ||||
| 13 | Cheltenham North | 24 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 356 | 1126 | −770 | 10 | 4 | 12 | −10 | |||
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| Green background are the promotion places to 2 Severn and 2 South West Pink background there was no relegation. Updated: 25 June 2022 | |||||||||||||||
2020–21
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic the season was cancelled.
2019–20
Participating teams
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Locations of the 2019–20 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Gloucestershire Locations of the 2019–20 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Somerset
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2018–19
Participating teams
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Locations of the 2018–19 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Gloucestershire Locations of the 2018–19 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Somerset
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Promotion play-off
In the play-off for promotion, Midsomer Norton played Crediton from Western Counties West for promotion to South West 1 West. Midsomer Norton had the best playing record and hosted the match, losing 15 – 19. This was the first time either team had participated in the play-offs, at this level, and Crediton's win was the sixth time the away team had won match. Teams from Western Counties North lead 10–9 in the nineteen play-off matches played since 2001.
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midsomer Norton | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 750 | 595 | 155 | 20 | 2 | 102 |
| Crediton (P) | 26 | 21 | 2 | 3 | 643 | 423 | 220 | 12 | 1 | 101 |
| 27 April 2019 15:00 |
| Midsomer Norton | 15 – 19 | Crediton |
| Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset |
2017–18
The season started on 2 September and the final league matches were due to be completed by 21 April 2018, with the promotion play-off the following week.
Participating teams
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Locations of the 2017–18 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Somerset Locations of the 2017–18 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Gloucestershire
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Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties West and Western Counties North, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Chew Valley, host the match, and for the second successive season they lost, this time to Devonport Services 12 – 22. It is the first time Devonport Services are promoted to a level six league.[9] This match was the eighteenth play-off for promotion; the northern sides lead with ten victories to the west's eight and the home teams are leading thirteen to five.
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chew Valley | 26 | 18 | 0 | 8 | 798 | 458 | 340 | 15 | 5 | 92 |
| Devonport Services (P) | 26 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 719 | 456 | 263 | 14 | 6 | 90 |
2016–17
Participating teams
| Team | Ground | Capacity | Town/Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon | Ashley Lane | Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire | 11th | |
| Avonmouth Old Boys | Barracks Lane | Shirehampton, Bristol | relegated from Tribute South West 1 West (13th) | |
| Bristol Saracens | Bakewell Memorial Ground | Cribbs Causeway, Bristol | promoted from Gloucester Premier (champions) | |
| Cheltenham | Newlands Park Sports & Social Venue | Southam, Cheltenham | 8th | |
| Chew Valley | Chew Lane | Chew Magna, Somerset | 3rd | |
| Chosen Hill Former Pupils | Brookfield Road | Churchdown, Gloucestershire | 9th | |
| Cirencester | The Whiteway | Cirencester, Wiltshire | promoted from Gloucester Premier (via play-off) | |
| Coney Hill | Metz Hill | Gloucester | relegated from Tribute South West 1 West (14th) | |
| Keynsham | Bristol Road | Keynsham, Somerset | ||
| Old Bristolians | Memorial Playing Fields | Failand, Somerset | 4th | |
| Stroud | Fromehall Park | 4,000 (200 seats)[10] | Stroud, Gloucestershire | 5th |
| Wells | Charter Way | Wells, Somerset | relegated from Tribute South West 1 West (12th) | |
| Whitehall | Foundry Lane | Whitehall, Bristol | 7th | |
| Yatton | The Park | Yatton, Somerset | promoted from Tribute Somerset Premier (champions) |
League table
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| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keynsham (P) | 26 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 718 | 316 | 402 | 15 | 1 | 109 | ||||
| 2 | Chew Valley | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 822 | 493 | 329 | 18 | 0 | 106 | ||||
| 3 | Chosen Hill Former Pupils | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 728 | 423 | 305 | 15 | 5 | 96 | ||||
| 4 | Avonmouth Old Boys | 26 | 18 | 0 | 8 | 718 | 472 | 246 | 12 | 4 | 88 | ||||
| 5 | Stroud | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 846 | 534 | 312 | 15 | 4 | 79 | ||||
| 6 | Old Bristolians | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 621 | 499 | 122 | 11 | 6 | 77 | ||||
| 7 | Bristol Saracens | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 596 | 592 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 67 | ||||
| 8 | Yatton | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 784 | 734 | 50 | 13 | 5 | 61 | ||||
| 9 | Wells | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 442 | 687 | −245 | 10 | 3 | 57 | ||||
| 10 | Cheltenham | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 588 | 806 | −218 | 11 | 4 | 55 | ||||
| 11 | Coney Hill | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 547 | 558 | −11 | 8 | 7 | 53 | ||||
| 12 | Cirencester | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 356 | 817 | −461 | 4 | 5 | 33 | ||||
| 13 | Whitehall | 26 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 433 | 923 | −490 | 7 | 6 | 25 | ||||
| 14 | Avon | 26 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 439 | 784 | −345 | 3 | 7 | 22 | ||||
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| Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 24 May 2017 | |||||||||||||||
Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties North and Western Counties West, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Chew Valley, host the match and they lost to their opponents Cullompton 12 – 29.
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chew Valley | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 822 | 493 | 329 | 18 | 0 | 106 |
| Cullompton (P) | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 659 | 311 | 348 | 11 | 2 | 101 |
| 29 April 2017 15:00 |
| Chew Valley | 12 – 29 | Cullompton |
| Chew Lane |
2015–16
The 2015–16 Tribute Western Counties North consists of fourteen teams; six from Somerset, four from Gloucestershire, three from Bristol and one from Wiltshire. The season started on 5 September 2015 and is finishes on 30 April 2016.
Participating teams and location
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Coney Hill and runners up Newent (who won their playoff game) were promoted to Tribute South West 1 West while Bristol Saracens and North Bristol were relegated to the Gloucester Premier and Stothert & Pitt to the Tribute Somerset Premier.
| Team | Ground | Capacity | Town/Village | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon | Ashley Lane | Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire | 5th | |
| Barton Hill | Duncombe Road | Speedwell, Bristol | 10th | |
| Bristol Harlequins | Broomhill Road | Brislington, Bristol | 3rd | |
| Burnham-on-Sea | BASC Ground | Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset | 11th | |
| Cheltenham | Newlands Park Sports & Social Venue | Southam, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire | 9th | |
| Chew Valley | Chew Lane | Chew Magna, Somerset | 4th | |
| Chosen Hill Former Pupils | Brookfield Road | Churchdown, Gloucester, Gloucestershire | 6th | |
| Gordano | Caswell Lane | Portbury, Somerset | promoted from Tribute Somerset Premier (champions) | |
| Keynsham | Bristol Road | Keynsham, Somerset | 8th | |
| Matson | Redwell Road | Gloucester, Gloucestershire | relegated from Tribute South West 1 West (12th) | |
| Old Bristolians | Memorial Playing Fields | Failand, Somerset | 7th | |
| Stroud | Fromehall Park | 4,000 (200 seats)[12] | Stroud, Gloucestershire | promoted from Gloucester Premier (champions) |
| Wellington | Athletic Ground | Wellington, Somerset | level transfer from Tribute Western Counties West | |
| Whitehall | Foundry Lane | Whitehall, Bristol | promoted from Gloucester Premier (play-off) |
Participating teams 2014–15
- Avon
- Barton Hill
- Bristol Harlequins
- Bristol Saracens (promoted from Gloucester Premier)
- Burnham-on-Sea
- Cheltenham
- Chew Valley
- Chosen Hill Former Pupils
- Coney Hill (relegated from Tribute South West 1 West)
- Keynsham
- Old Bristolians
- Newent (promoted from Gloucester Premier)
- North Bristol
- Stothert & Pitt
Participating teams 2013–14
- Avon
- Barton Hill
- Berry Hill
- Bristol Harlequins
- Chew Valley (promoted from Tribute Somerset Premier)
- Chosen Hill Former Pupils
- Cirencester
- Drybrook (promoted from Gloucester Premier)
- Keynsham (promoted from Tribute Somerset Premier)
- Matson
- Midsomer Norton
- North Bristol
- Old Bristolians
- Oldfield Old Boys (relegated from Tribute South West 1 West)
Participating teams 2012–13
- Avon
- Barton Hill
- Berry Hill
- Bristol Harlequins
- Burnham-on-Sea
- Chosen Hill Former Pupils
- Cirencester
- Hornets
- Matson
- North Bristol
- Old Bristolians
- Wells
- Yatton
Participating teams 2011–12
- Barton Hill
- Bristol Harlequins
- Burnham-on-Sea
- Chard
- Cirencester
- Gordon League
- Hornets
- Keynsham
- Matson
- North Bristol
- Old Centralians
- Stroud
- Whitehall
- Yatton
Participating teams 2010–11
- Barton Hill
- Berry Hill
- Bristol Harlequins
- Cirencester
- Drybrook
- Gordon League
- Keynsham
- Matson
- North Bristol
- Old Centralians
- Stroud
- St Mary's Old Boys (SW)
- Thornbury
- Yatton
Participating teams 2009–10
- Barton Hill
- Berry Hill
- Burnham on Sea
- Drybrook
- Gordon League
- Hornets
- Keynsham
- North Bristol
- Old Centralians
- Old Redcliffians
- Southmead
- Stroud
- Thornbury
- Widden Old Boys
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Western Counties) contained the following teams:
- Avon & Somerset Police
- Cirencester
- Clevedon
- Gordon League
- Matson
- Newquay Hornets
- Okehampton
- Old Redcliffians
- Sidmouth
- Tiverton
- Truro
Western Counties North honours
Western Counties (1987–1993)
Originally Western Counties North and Western Counties West was a single division called Western Counties (sponsored by Courage), involving teams based in the south-west of England including Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucester and Somerset. Each team played one match against each of the other teams with the winning team awarded two points; there was one point for each team in a drawn match.[13] It was a tier 7 league with promotion up to South West 2[a] and relegation to either Cornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset.[b]
| |||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | 11 | 10 | Matson | Gordon League | Avon & Somerset Police, Sidmouth | [14] | |||||||
| 1988–89 | 11 | 10 | Gordon League | Avonmouth Old Boys | Devonport Services, Crediton | [15] | |||||||
| 1989–90 | 11 | 10 | Penryn | Avonmouth Old Boys | Cirencester, Devon & Cornwall Police | [15] | |||||||
| 1990–91 | 11 | 10 | Coombe Down | Avonmouth Old Boys | Truro | ||||||||
| 1991–92 | 11 | 10 | Clevedon | Bridgwater & Albion[c] | Newquay Hornets | [16] | |||||||
| 1992–93 | 13 | 12 | Gloucester Old Boys | Launceston | Plymouth Civil Service, Devon & Cornwall Police | [17] | |||||||
Western 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 Western 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 down to either Cornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset.[d] The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | 13 | 12 | Old Patesians | Tiverton | Wiveliscombe | [18] | ||||||||
| 1994–95 | 13 | 12 | Launceston | Devonport Services | Avonmouth Old Boys | [19] | ||||||||
| 1995–96 | 13 | 12 | Dings Crusaders | Spartans[e] | No relegation[f] | [20] | ||||||||
| Green background are the promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Western Counties North (1996–2000)
Major restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Western Counties split into two separate leagues, Western Counties North and Western Counties West, which reverted to tier 7 leagues due to the cancellation of National 5 South.[21] Promotion from Western Counties North was to the new South West 2 West division (formerly South West 2)[g] while relegation was to Gloucestershire/Somerset.[h][i]
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 16 | 15 | Keynsham | St Mary's Old Boys | Chard | [21] | ||||||||
| 1997–98 | 17 | 16 | St Mary's Old Boys | Cleve | Old Culverhays | [22] | ||||||||
| 1998–99 | 17 | 16 | Hornets | Coney Hill | Avonmouth Old Boys | [23] | ||||||||
| 1999–00 | 17 | 16 | Coney Hill | Cheltenham North | Multiple teams[j] | [24] | ||||||||
| Green background are the promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Western Counties North (2000–2009)
Western Counties North remained a tier 7 league, with promotion continuing to South West 2 West. Relegation was to either Gloucester Premier or Somerset Premier following the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season. From the 2008–09 season the league sponsor was Tribute.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | 12 | 22 | Cleve | Taunton | Barton Hill, Cirencester, Spartans | [25] | ||||||||
| 2001–02 | 12 | 22 | Clevedon | St Mary's Old Boys | North Bristol, Chew Valley | [26] | ||||||||
| 2002–03 | 12 | 22 | Coney Hill | Thornbury | Cheltenham North, Old Redcliffians | [27] | ||||||||
| 2003–04 | 12 | 22 | Gordon League | Spartans | Gordano, Old Richians, Barton Hill | [28] | ||||||||
| 2004–05 | 12 | 22 | Taunton | Thornbury | Matson, Nailsea & Backwell, Drybrook | [29] | ||||||||
| 2005–06 | 12 | 22 | Cheltenham North | Walcot | Old Redcliffians, Whitehall, Avonmouth Old Boys | [30] | ||||||||
| 2006–07 | 12 | 22 | Yatton | Barton Hill | Keynsham, North Bristol, Gloucester Old Boys | [31] | ||||||||
| 2007–08 | 12 | 22 | Avonmouth Old Boys | Old Redcliffians | Spartans, Pershore, Bristol Harlequins | [32] | ||||||||
| 2008–09 | 12 | 22 | Hartpury College | Chosen Hill Former Pupils | No relegation[k] | [33] | ||||||||
| Green background are the promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Western Counties North (2009–2022)
Despite widespread league restructuring by the RFU, Western Counties North continues as a tier 7 league, with promotion to South West 1 West (formerly South West 2 West) and relegation to either Gloucester Premier or Somerset Premier. Tribute continue to sponsor the league.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 14 | 26 | Old Redcliffians | Thornbury | Widden Old Boys, Southmead, Hornets | [34] | ||||||||
| 2010–11 | 14 | 26 | Berry Hill | Thornbury | Drybrook, St Mary's Old Boys | [35] | ||||||||
| 2011–12 | 14 | 26 | Chard | Old Centralians | Stroud, Gordon League, Whitehall | [36] | ||||||||
| 2012–13 | 14 | 26 | Hornets | Wells | Yatton, Keynsham | [37] | ||||||||
| 2013–14 | 14 | 26 | Drybrook | Matson | Oldfield Old Boys, Berry Hill, Cirencester, Midsomer Norton | [38] | ||||||||
| 2014–15 | 14 | 26 | Coney Hill | Newent | Stothert & Pitt, North Bristol, Bristol Saracens | [39] | ||||||||
| 2015–16 | 14 | 26 | Matson | Keynsham | Barton Hill, Gordano, Bristol Harlequins | [40] | ||||||||
| 2016–17 | 14 | 26 | Keynsham | Chew Valley | Avon, Whitehall, Cirencester | [41] | ||||||||
| 2017–18 | 14 | 26 | Coney Hill | Chew Valley | Oldfield Old Boys, Yatton, Bristol Saracens | [42] | ||||||||
| 2018–19 | 14 | 26 | Chew Valley | Midsomer Norton | Wells, Old Richians, Chosen Hill Former Pupils | [43] | ||||||||
| 2019–20 | 14 | 26 | Stroud | Matson | Coney Hill, Bristol Saracens | [44] | ||||||||
| 2020–21 | 14 | 26 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. | |||||||||||
| 2021–22 | 13 | 24 | Matson | Cheltenham | Also promoted: Chosen Hill FP, Gordano and Winscombe. There was no relegation. | |||||||||
| Green background are the promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Counties 1 Western North (2022– )
Following league reorganisation, Western Counties North is renamed Counties 1 Western North and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is to Regional 2 South West and relegation to Counties 2 Gloucester or Counties 2 Somerset. Tribute continue to sponsor the league.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 12 | 22 | Cinderford II | Burnham-on-Sea | Cheltenham North (11th) and Avonmouth Old Boys | [3] | ||||||||
| 2023–24 | 11 | 20 | Cinderford II | Longlevens | Midsomer Norton (9th), Cleavedon (10th) and Chipping Sodbury (12th) | [2] | ||||||||
| 2024–25 | 12 | 22 | Cleve | Clifton II | Cinderford (11th) and Burnham-on-Sea (12th) | [1] | ||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place. | ||||||||||||||
Promotion play-offs
Since the 2000–01 season there has been a one-off promotion play-off game played between the league runners-up of Western Counties North and Western Counties West for the third and final promotion place to South West 1 West, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage in the tie. As of the end of the 2018–19 season the northern sides have been the more successful with ten victories to the west's nine while the home team has won thirteen times compared to the away teams six.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Attendance | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01[45] | Taunton Titans (N) | 24–16 | Withycombe (W) | Hyde Park, Taunton, Somerset | ||||||||||
| 2001–02[46] | St Mary's Old Boys (N) | 43–7 | Penryn (W) | Trench Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol | ||||||||||
| 2002–03[47] | Thornbury (N) | 12–5 | Withycombe (W) | Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire | ||||||||||
| 2003–04[48] | Spartans (N) | 18–7 | Torquay Athletic (W) | Lansdown Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire | ||||||||||
| 2004–05[49] | St Ives (W) | 27–5 | Thornbury (N) | Alexandra Road, St Ives, Cornwall | ||||||||||
| 2005–06[50] | Newton Abbot (W) | 24–12 | Walcot (N) | Rackerhayes, Newton Abbot, Devon | ||||||||||
| 2006–07[51] | Hayle (W) | 11–27 | Barton Hill (N) | Memorial Park, Hayle, Cornwall | ||||||||||
| 2007–08[52][53] | Sidmouth (W) | 23–20 | Old Redcliffians (N) | Blackmore Field, Sidmouth, Devon | ||||||||||
| 2008–09[54][55] | Chosen Hill Former Pupils (N) | 33–25 | Ivybridge (W) | Brookfield Road, Churchdown, Gloucester | ||||||||||
| 2009–10[56][57] | Wadebridge Camels (W) | 25–21 | Thornbury (N) | Molesworth Field, Wadebridge, Cornwall | ||||||||||
| 2010–11[58][59] | Thornbury (N) | 54–7 | Kingsbridge (W) | Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire | ||||||||||
| 2011–12[60][61] | Old Centralians (N) | 39–7 | Torquay Athletic (W) | Saintbridge Sports Centre, Gloucester, Gloucestershire | ||||||||||
| 2012–13[62][63] | Wells (N) | 20–27 | Bideford (W) | Charter Way, Wells, Somerset | 400 | |||||||||
| 2013–14[64][65] | Teignmouth (W) | 10–35 | Matson (N) | Bitton Park Sports Ground, Teignmouth, Devon | ||||||||||
| 2014–15[66][67] | Newent (N) | 28–26 | Kingsbridge (W) | Recreation Ground, Newent, Gloucestershire | ||||||||||
| 2015–16[68] | Kingsbridge (W) | 16–10 | Keynsham (N) | High House, Kingsbridge, Devon | ||||||||||
| 2016–17[69] | Chew Valley (N) | 12–29 | Cullompton (W) | Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset | 700 | |||||||||
| 2017–18[70] | Chew Valley (N) | 12–22 | Devonport Services (W) | Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset | ||||||||||
| 2018–19[71] | Midsomer Norton (N) | 15–19 | Crediton (W) | Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset | ||||||||||
| 2019–20 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner-up – St Austell (W) – promoted instead. | |||||||||||||
| 2020–21 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. | |||||||||||||
| 2021–22 | Cancelled due to league reorganisation. | |||||||||||||
| Green backgrounds represent promoted teams. WCN stands for Western Counties North while WCW stands for Western Counties West. | ||||||||||||||
Number of league titles
- Coney Hill (4)
- Matson (3)[l]
- Cinderford II (2)
- Cleve (2)
- Gordon League (2)[m]
- Hornets (2)
- Keynsham (2)
- Avonmouth Old Boys (1)
- Berry Hill (1)
- Chard (1)
- Cheltenham North (1)
- Chew Valley (1)
- Clevedon (1)[n]
- Coombe Down (1)[o]
- Dings Crusaders (1)[p]
- Drybrook (1)
- Gloucester Old Boys (1)[q]
- Hartpury College (1)
- Launceston (1)[r]
- Old Patesians (1)[s]
- Old Redcliffians (1)
- Penryn (1)[t]
- St Mary's Old Boys (1)
- Stroud (1)
- Taunton (1)
- Yatton (1)
Sponsorship
The Western Counties League and South West 2 were part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery from the first season, 1987–88 to season 1996–97.[72] The league was unsponsored until season 2007–08 when St Austell Brewery sponsored South-west based leagues under the Tribute Ale label.
See also
Notes
- South West 2 is currently two regional divisions - South West 1 East and South West 1 West.
- Gloucestershire/Somerset is currently two separate leagues - Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
- Old Culverhaysians also promoted.
- Currently split into Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
- League restructuring meant that five teams were promoted, including 3rd to 5th place Penzance & Newlyn, Devonport Services and Tiverton.
- There was no relegation as Western Counties was due to split into Western Counties North and Western Counties West.
- From the 1996–97 season South West 2 was split into two regional divisions – South West 2 East and South West 2 West.
- Currently Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
- Relegated Western Counties West clubs dropped to Cornwall/Devon.
- There was no relegation this year as the league changed from 12 to 14 teams for the 2009-10 season due to restructuring of the league system by the RFU.
- One of Matson's title wins were back when the league was known as Western Counties.
- One of Gordon League's title wins was when the league was known as Western Counties.
- Clevedon's title was when the league was known as Western Counties.
- Coombe Down's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
- Coombe Down's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
- Gloucester Old Boys title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
- Launceston's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
- Old Patesians title win was back when the league was known as Western Counties.
- Penryn's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.