Counties 2 Hampshire

Counties 2 Hampshire
Current season or competition:
2024-25 Counties 2 Hampshire
SportRugby union
Instituted1987; 37 years ago (1987) (as Hampshire 1)
Number of teams13
Country England
Most titlesAndover, Petersfield, United Services Portsmouth (3 titles)
Websiteenglandrugby.com

Counties 2 Hampshire (formerly Hampshire Premier) is an English level 8 Rugby Union league for teams based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Up until the 2017–18 season it was known as Hampshire 1 but was changed to Hampshire Premier due to restructuring of the Hampshire leagues, which would see the re-introduction of a third division as well as 2nd and 3rd XV sides joining for the first time. Following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name Counties 2 Hampshire.

Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.

Promoted teams move up to Counties 1 Hampshire. Relegated teams drop down to Counties 3 Hampshire.

The points system is as follows.

  • 4 points awarded for a win.
  • 2 points awarded for a draw.
  • 0 points awarded for a loss.
  • 1 "bonus" (+) point awarded for scoring 4 tries (or more).
  • 1 "bonus" (+) point awarded for losing by 7 points (or fewer).

No team can get more than 5 points in a match. Points awarded are the same regardless of outcome at home or away. The new point system has been in effect since 2010–11 season.

Teams for 2024–25

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Departing were Guernsey Vikings, Sandown & Shanklin and Basingstoke, all promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire. Tottonians II were relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire.

Joining were Havant III, Isle Of Wight, Fareham Heathans, all promoted, and Petersfield II.

Teams for 2023–24

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Departing were Ellingham & Ringwood, Bognor and New Milton & District, all promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire. Alresford and Eastleigh II were relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire.

Joining were Guernsey Vikings, Locksheath Pumas and Winchester II, all promoted, and Basingstoke, relegated. Alton finished 11th in Counties 1 Hampshire the previous season and would also have been relegated too but declined to compete in the RFU leagues in 2023-24.

Teams for 2022–23

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This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[1] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Hampshire.

Departing were Havant II and Gosport & Fareham both promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire. Also leaving were Locksheath Pumas, relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire.

Joining were United Services Portsmouth and Tottonians 2XV.

Teams for 2021–22

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The teams competing in 2021–22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019-20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020–21.

Season 2020–21

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On 30 October the RFU announced[2] that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Hampshire Premier was not contested.

Teams for 2019–20

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Teams for 2018–19

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Teams for 2017–18

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Teams for 2016–17

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Teams and results for 2015–16

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Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Millbrook 20 18 0 2 89
2 Bognor 20 18 0 2 88
3 Fareham Heathens 20 17 0 3 78
4 Fordlingbridge 20 11 0 9 55
5 Sandown & Shanklin 20 11 0 9 54
6 Chineham 20 10 0 10 52
7 Farnborough 20 7 1 12 38
8 Isle of Wight 20 5 0 15 32
9 Petersfield 20 5 1 14 26
10 Ellingham & Ringwood 20 6 0 14 22
11 Locksheath Pumas 20 1 0 19 3

Teams and results for 2014–15

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Position Team Games Won Drew Lost For Against Difference + Points Points
1 United Services, Portsmouth 18 18 0 0 807 266 541 18 90
2 Millbrook 18 15 0 3 557 277 280 14 76
3 Bognor 18 13 0 5 523 334 189 13 65
4 Fordingbridge 18 12 0 6 627 404 223 14 62
5 Fareham Heathens 18 11 0 7 418 332 86 10 54
6 Petersfield 18 6 0 12 394 505 -111 11 35
7 Isle of Wight 18 5 0 13 323 653 -330 4 24
8 Farnborough 18 4 0 14 331 479 -148 9 20
9 Romsey 18 4 0 14 273 604 -331 4 20
10 Alton 18 2 0 16 232 631 -399 6 9

Fareham and Petersfield promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.

Teams and results for 2013–14

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Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Andover 22 19 0 3 93
2 Fordingbridge 22 19 0 3 93
3 Millbrook 22 17 0 5 86
4 United Services, Portsmouth 22 15 0 7 76
5 Solent Uni 22 15 0 7 70
6 Farnborough 22 13 0 9 65
7 Bognor 22 10 0 12 56
8 Romsey 22 6 0 16 34
9 Isle of Wight 22 6 0 16 33
10 Alton 22 6 0 16 30
11 Southampton 22 5 0 17 25
12 Overton 22 1 0 21 9

Solent Uni promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.

Andover promoted to London South West 3 at the end of the season.

Southampton and Overton demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2012–13

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Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 New Milton & District 22 20 0 2 98
2 Fordingbridge 22 17 0 5 85
3 Alton 22 17 0 5 82
4 Millbrook 22 14 0 8 71
5 United Services, Portsmouth 22 12 1 9 63
6 Andover 22 13 0 9 62
7 Farnborough 22 10 0 12 54
8 Romsey 22 8 1 13 44
9 Isle of Wight 22 8 0 14 42
10 Southampton 22 5 1 16 30
11 Petersfield 22 2 2 18 18
12 Aldershot & Fleet 22 3 1 17 17

Southampton promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.

New Milton & District promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.

Aldershot & Fleet and Petersfield demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2011-12

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Position Team Games Won Drew Lost + Points Points
1 Eastleigh 22 21 0 1 16 100
2 Fordingbridge 22 18 0 4 16 88
3 United Services, Portsmouth 22 16 0 6 17 81
4 Millbrook 22 17 0 5 12 80
5 New Milton & District 22 13 0 9 16 68
6 Isle of Wight 22 13 0 9 11 63
7 Petersfield 22 12 0 10 9 57
8 Romsey 22 8 0 14 7 39
9 Farnborough 22 1 5 17 18 38
10 Ventnor 22 5 0 16 2 22
11 Lytchett Minster 22 2 0 19 1 9
12 Southsea Nomads 22 2 0 18 -1 7

Southsea Nomads promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.

Lytchett Minster transferred to Dorset and Wilts Regional Leagues at the end of the season.

Eastleigh promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.

Southsea Nomads and Ventnor demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2010-11

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Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Andover 20 18 0 2 86
2 Eastleigh 20 16 0 4 75
3 Millbrook 20 13 0 7 66
4 New Milton & District 20 13 0 7 60
5 Farnborough 20 10 0 10 52
6 United Services, Portsmouth 20 11 0 9 48
7 Romsey 20 9 0 11 41
8 Ventnor 20 6 1 13 34
9 Isle of Wight 20 6 0 14 32
10 Southampton 20 5 0 15 28
11 Fareham Heathens 20 2 1 17 12

Andover promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.

Fareham Heathens and Southampton demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2009-10

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Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Alton 20 19 0 1 38
2 Petersfield 19 16 0 3 32
3 Eastleigh 20 15 0 5 30
4 Millbrook 20 11 1 8 23
5 Romsey 20 11 0 9 22
6 Southampton 20 10 0 10 20
7 New Milton & District 20 7 0 13 14
8 United Services, Portsmouth 20 6 1 13 13
9 Farnborough 20 6 0 14 12
10 Fareham Heathens 20 5 1 14 11
11 Aldershot & Fleet 19 1 1 17 3

Alton promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.

Aldershot & Fleet demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2008-09

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Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Fordingbridge 18 14 1 3 29
2 Sandown & Shanklin 18 12 2 4 26
3 United Services, Portsmouth 18 11 2 5 24
4 Farnborough 18 11 0 7 22
5 Alton 18 8 1 9 17
6 Romsey 18 6 1 11 13
7 New Milton & District 18 8 0 10 12
8 Eastleigh 18 5 1 12 11
9 Southampton 18 5 0 13 10
10 East Dorset 18 6 0 11 8

Original teams

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When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Hampshire 1) contained the following teams:

Hampshire Premier honours

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Hampshire 1 (1987–1993)

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Originally known as Hampshire 1, it was tier 8 league with promotion up to London 3 South West and relegation down to Hampshire 2.

Hampshire 1
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
1987–88 11 Gosport Southampton New Milton & District, Petersfield
1988–89 11 Southampton Esso Fordingbridge, Tottonians
1989–90 11 Eastleigh Millbrook Fareham Heathens, Andover
1990–91 11 Winchester Jersey Farnborough
1991–92 11 Jersey Millbrook Fareham Heathens
1992–93 12 Southampton Gosport Esso, Guernsey
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire 1 (1993–1996)

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The creation of National 5 South meant that Hampshire 1 dropped from a tier 8 league to a tier 9 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion and relegation continued to London 3 South West and Hampshire 2 respectively.

Hampshire 1
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
1993–94 13 Gosport Jersey Romsey, Andover
1994–95 13 Jersey United Services Portsmouth Isle Of Wight, New Milton & District, Sandown & Shanklin
1995–96 13 Winchester United Services Portsmouth Trojans, Esso
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire 1 (1996–2000)

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The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Hampshire 1 reverted to being a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to London 3 South West and Hampshire 2 respectively.

Hampshire 1
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
1996–97 12 Esso Southampton[b] Fordingbridge, Ventnor
1997–98 9 Andover Millbrook No relegation[c]
1998–99[3] 10 Tottonians Trojans Overton, Eastleigh
1999–00[4] 10 United Services Portsmouth Ventnor Isle Of Wight
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire 1 (2000–2009)

[edit]

The introduction of London 4 South West ahead of the 2000–01 season meant Hampshire 1 dropped to become a tier 9 league with promotion to this new division. Relegation continued to Hampshire 1.

Hampshire 1
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
2000–01[5] 10 Farnborough Trojans New Milton & District, Ventnor
2001–02[6] 10 Petersfield Southampton Fawley
2002–03[7] 10 Romsey Farnborough Hamble, Nomads
2003–04[8] 10 Guernsey Trojans Fawley, Eastleigh
2004–05[9] 10 Trojans Sandown & Shanklin Alresford, Nomads, Farnborough
2005–06[10] 10 Sandown & Shanklin United Services Portsmouth Romsey, Isle Of Wight, Aldershot & Fleet
2006–07[11] 10 Trojans Ellingham & Ringwood Millbrook, Eastleigh
2007–08[12] 10 Ellingham & Ringwood Sandown & Shanklin Fareham Heathens
2008–09[13] 10 Fordingbridge Sandown & Shanklin No relegation[d]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire 1 (2009–2018)

[edit]

Hampshire 1 remained a tier 9 league despite national restructuring by the RFU. Promotion was to London 3 South West (formerly London 4 South West) and relegation to Hampshire 2.

Hampshire 1
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
2009–10[14] 11 Alton Petersfield Aldershot & Fleet
2010–11[15] 11 Andover Eastleigh Fareham Heathens, Southampton
2011–12[16] 12 Eastleigh Fordingbridge Nomads, Lytchett Minster, Ventnor
2012–13[17] 12 New Milton & District Fordingbridge Aldershot & Fleet, Petersfield
2013–14[18] 12 Andover Fordingbridge Overton, Southampton
2014–15[19] 10[e] United Services Portsmouth Millbrook Alton, Romsey
2015–16[21] 11 Millbrook Bognor Locksheath Pumas[f]
2016–17[22] 11 Petersfield New Milton & District Chineham, Farnborough, Romsey
2017–18[23] 11 United Services Portsmouth Bognor Ventnor, Overton, Isle of Wight, Ellingham & Ringwood[g]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire Premier (2018–present)

[edit]

Restructuring of the Hampshire leagues saw Hampshire 1 renamed as Hampshire Premier. It remained a tier 9 league with promotion to London 3 South West and relegation to the new Hampshire 1 (formerly Hampshire 2).

Hampshire Premier
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
2018–19[24] 12 Basingstoke Sandown & Shanklin Gosport & Fareham II, Tottonians II, Portsmouth II
2019–20[25] 13 Petersfield Alton Farnborough, Fareham Heathens
2020–21 13
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

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Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Hampshire Premier and Surrey 1 for the third and final promotion place to London 3 South West. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Surrey 1 teams have been the most successful with twelve wins to the Hampshire Premier teams seven; and the home team has won promotion on eleven occasions compared to the away teams eight.

Hampshire Premier v Surrey 1 promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000–01[26] Trojans (H) 15-14 Kingston (S) Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire
2001–02[27] Southampton (H) 27-18 KCS Old Boys (S) Test Park Playing Fields, Southampton, Hampshire
2002–03[28] Farnborough (H) 5-63 Old Paulines (S) Oak Farm Playing Fields, Farnborough, Hampshire
2003–04[29] Trojans (H) 14-46 Old Reigatian (S) Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire
2004–05[30] London Cornish (S) 27-14 Sandown & Shanklin (H) Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields, Roehampton, London
2005–06[31] United Services Portsmouth (H) 20-28 Old Caterhamians (S) United Services Recreation Ground, Portsmouth, Hampshire
2006–07[32] London South Africa (S) 71-10 Ellingham & Ringwood (H) Wimbledon Park Athletics Stadium, Wimbledon, London
2007–08[33] Sandown & Shanklin (H) 15-16 Old Alleynians (S) The Fairway Ground, Sandown, Isle of Wight
2008–09[34] Sandown & Shanklin (H) 17-10 Old Whitgiftian (S) The Fairway Ground, Sandown, Isle of Wight
2009–10[35] Petersfield (H) 19-15 Old Whitgiftian (S) Penn's Place, Petersfield, Hampshire
2010–11[36] Eastleigh (H) 30-10 Old Blues (S) The Hub, Eastleigh, Hampshire
2011–12[37] Fordingbridge (H) 11-29 Old Paulines (S) The Recreation Ground, Fordingbridge, Hampshire
2012–13[38] Old Cranleighans (S) 21-19 Fordingbridge (H) The Old Cranleighan Club, Thames Ditton, Surrey
2013–14[39] Fordingbridge (H) 6-36 Old Tonbridgians (S) The Recreation Ground, Fordingbridge, Hampshire
2014–15[40] Camberley (S) 49-10 Millbrook (H) Watchetts Recreation Ground, Camberley, Surrey
2015–16[41] Bognor (H) HWO[h] Old Freemens (S) Hampshire Avenue, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
2016–17[42] New Milton & District (H) 41-17 Old Whitgiftian (S) Normans Way, Ashley, Hampshire
2017–18[43] Bognor (H) 7-52 Old Georgians (S) Hampshire Avenue, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
2018–19[44] Sandown & Shanklin (H) 18-22 Weybridge Vandals (S) The Fairway Ground, Sandown, Isle of Wight
2019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Alton (H) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. H = Hampshire Premier and S = Surrey 1

Number of league titles

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Would later merge with Fareham RFC to form Gosport & Fareham RFC.
  2. ^ 3rd place Farnborough also promoted.
  3. ^ As the league was to increase from 9 to 10 teams for the following season, there was no relegation.
  4. ^ There was no relegation as East Dorset (who would finish 7th) dropped out of the Hampshire league at the end of the season and joined Dorset & Wilts 3 South.
  5. ^ There was originally 11 teams in the league but Solent University had to withdraw from the league due to difficulties fielding a regular match squad.[20]
  6. ^ Only one team was relegated at the end of the season as Hampshire 2 would go from 10 to 9 teams the following seasons.
  7. ^ The restructuring of the Hampshire leagues for the following season and introduction of 2nd XV teams meant that there were more relegated teams than usual.
  8. ^ Bognor were promoted as Old Freemens did not manage to raise a team for the 2015-16 play-off game.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 13 June 2022.
  2. ^ "RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season". RFU. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  3. ^ "1998-1999 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  4. ^ "1999-2000 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  5. ^ "2000-2001 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  6. ^ "2001-2002 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  7. ^ "2002-2003 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  8. ^ "2003-2004 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  9. ^ "2004-2005 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  10. ^ "2005-2006 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  11. ^ "2006-2007 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  12. ^ "2007-2008 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  13. ^ "2008-2009 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  14. ^ "2009-2010 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  15. ^ "2010-2011 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  16. ^ "2011-2012 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  17. ^ "2012-2013 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  18. ^ "2013-2014 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  19. ^ "2014-2015 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  20. ^ "Solent Rugby's Hampshire side withdraw from league competition". Retrieved 3 May 2015. [dead link‍]
  21. ^ "2015-2016 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  22. ^ "2016-2017 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  23. ^ "2017-2018 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  24. ^ "2018-2019 London & South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  25. ^ "Men's London & South East Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  26. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2000-01". England Rugby. 28 April 2001.
  27. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2001-02". England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
  28. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2002-03". England Rugby. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  29. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2003-04". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  30. ^ "HURRIES HALTED DESPITE LATE FIGHT-BACK". Isle of Wight County Press. 6 May 2005.
  31. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2003-04". England Rugby. 29 April 2006.
  32. ^ "LSA force a promotion". The South African. 1 May 2007.
  33. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2007-08". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  34. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2008-09". England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
  35. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2009-10". England Rugby. 17 April 2010.
  36. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2010-11". England Rugby. 16 April 2011.
  37. ^ "A Bridge too far". Fordingbridge Rugby Club (Pitchero). 28 April 2012.
  38. ^ "So close". Fordingbridge Rugby Club (Pitchero). 20 April 2013.
  39. ^ "Hot to Handle". Fordingbridge Rugby Club (Pitchero). 26 April 2014.
  40. ^ "Cam Overwhelm Millbrook and win Promotion". Camberley RFC (Pitchero). 25 April 2015.
  41. ^ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2015-16". England Rugby. 30 April 2016.
  42. ^ "Milton Win Promotion Play Off". Camberley RFC (Pitchero). 22 April 2017.
  43. ^ "Play-off tussle is a step too far for Bognor". Bognor Regis Observer. 3 May 2018.
  44. ^ "Hurricanes Come Agonisingly Close to Promotion". Sandown & Shanklin RFC (Pitchero). 13 April 2019.
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