Midlands 3 West (South)

Counties 2 Midlands West (East)
Current season or competition:
2024-25 Counties 2 Midlands West (East)
SportRugby union
Instituted1992; 32 years ago (1992) (as Midlands West 2)
Number of teams12
Country England
Most titlesDroitwich, Dunlop, Old Coventrians, Old Yardleians (2 titles)
WebsiteEngland RFU

Counties 2 Midlands West (East) (formerly Midlands 3 West (South)) is a level 8 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the West Midlands region including clubs from parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and sometimes Oxfordshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to it to adopt the name Midlands 3 West (South). Further restructuring followed in the wake of the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it was known, briefly as Counties 2 Midlands West (South), before the league was split East/West giving rise to its current name.

Promoted teams tend to move up to Counties 2 Midlands West (South) or Counties 2 Midlands West (North) depending on location. Relegated teams typically drop to Counties 3 Midlands West (South) or Counties 3 Midlands West (East) or occasionally to Counties 3 Midlands West (North). Each year all clubs in the division also take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a level 8 national competition.

2024-25

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Departing were Barkers Butts promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South) and Veseyans promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (North). Uttoxeter and Woodrush were relegated. Walsall II (8th) moved on a level transfer to Counties 2 Midlands West (West)

Joining were Aston Old Edwardians, Broadstreet 2XV, Earlsdon, Harbury and Stoke Old Boys.

In November 2024 Coventrians (3rd in 2023-24) withdrew from the league stating "decision was taken to protect the safety and well being of our players following a significant loss of playing personnel for various reasons including injury and retirement." The league will therefore be completed with eleven sides.

Participating teams & locations

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2023-24

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The league name changed from Counties 2 Midlands West (South) to Counties 2 Midlands West (East) with a corresponding adjustment in the make up of the competing sides.

Departing were Alcester and Manor Park, both promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South); Pinley (12th) and Kenilworth II (11th) were both relegated to Counties 3 Midlands West (South); Rugby St Andrews (10th) were relegated to Counties 3 Midlands East (South); Burbage (9th) withdrew from league competition. Also leaving, but on a level transfer, were Bromyard (6th) and Tenbury (4th) to Counties 2 Midlands West (West).

Joining were Barkers Butts, Birmingham & Solihull, Coalville, Coventry Welsh, Old Coventrians, Uttoxeter, Veseyans and Walsall II.

Participating teams & locations

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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 Midlands West (South).

Departing were Ledbury, Old Leamingtonians and Coventry Welsh all promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (South). Stoke Old Boys were relegated.

Joining were Claverdon, Old Wheatleyans, Pinley and Kenilworth II.

Participating teams & locations

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2021–22

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Participating teams & locations

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2020–21

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

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Participating teams & locations

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2018–19

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Participating teams & locations

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2017–18

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Participating teams & locations

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Teams 2016-17

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Teams 2015-16

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Teams 2014-15

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Teams 2013–14

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Teams 2012–13

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  • Cheltenham North
  • Evesham
  • Kings Norton
  • Ledbury
  • Old Coventrians
  • Old Leamingtonians
  • Old Wheatleyans
  • Pershore
  • Pinley
  • Redditch
  • Southam
  • Woodrush

Teams 2009–10

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Teams 2008–09

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  • Bedworth
  • Dunlop
  • Edwardians
  • Kings Norton
  • Ledbury
  • Old Leamingtonians
  • Pershore
  • Shipston on Stour
  • Southam
  • Upton On Severn
  • Woodrush
  • Worcester Wanderers

Original teams

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Teams in Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 2 West, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:

Midlands 3 West (South) honours

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Midlands West 2 (1992–1993)

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Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single tier 8 division called Midlands West 2. Promotion was to Midlands West 1 and relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

Midlands West 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1992–93 13 Nuneaton Old Edwardians Aston Old Edwardians Handsworth [2]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands West 2 (1993–1996)

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The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 2 West dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

Midlands West 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1993–94 13 Old Laurentians Newport (Salop) No relegation [3]
1994–95 13 Luctonians Kenilworth Coventry Welsh, Dunlop [4]
1995–96 13 Selly Oak Malvern[b] No relegation[c] [5]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands West 2 (1996–2000)

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At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands West 2 returned to being a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

Midlands West 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
1996–97 17 Telford Hornets Woodrush Trinity Guild, Newcastle (Staffs), Rugby St Andrews [6]
1997–98 17 Shrewsbury Evesham Coventry Saracens [7]
1998–99 17 Newcastle (Staffs) Birmingham Exiles Manor Park, GPT Coventry, Warley [8][d]
1999–00 17 Kidderminster Carolians[e] Old Yardleians[f] No relegation[g] [9][h]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2000–2004)

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Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands West 2 split into two tier 8 regional leagues - Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 3 West (South)[i] and relegation to either North Midlands 1 or Warwickshire 1.[j]

Midlands 4 West South
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
2000–01 10 Silhillians Pershore Stoke Old Boys, Redditch, Trinity Guild [10]
2001–02 10 Ledbury Southam Woodrush, Dunlop, Stourport [11]
2002–03 10 Shipston-on-Stour Droitwich Coventry Welsh, Kings Norton [12]
2003–04 12 Old Yardleians Earlsdon Trinity Guild, Birmingham Exiles, Dunlop [13]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2004–2006)

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At the start of the 2004–05 season Midlands 4 West (South) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (South). However, the restructuring of the leagues below meant that relegation was now to either North Midlands (South) 1[k] or Warwickshire 1.

Midlands 4 West South
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
2004–05 10 Solihull Keresley Manor Park, Southam, Evesham [14]
2005–06 10 Stourbridge Lions Edwardians Harbury [15]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2006–2009)

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At the start of the 2006–07 season Midlands 4 West (South) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (South). The cancellation of Warwickshire 1 league meant that relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands 5 West (South).

Midlands 4 West South
Season No of teams Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
2006–07 12 Droitwich Berkswell & Balsall Keresley, Cleobury Mortimer [16]
2007–08 12 Spartans (Midlands) Old Coventrians Copsewood, Evesham [17]
2008–09 12 Worcester Wanderers Bedworth No relegation [18]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 3 West (South) (2009–present)

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League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South) were renamed as Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 8. Promotion was now to Midlands 2 West (South) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North)) and relegation to Midlands 4 West (South).

Midlands 3 West (South) Honours
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams League Name
2009–10[19] 12 Dunlop Pershore Ledbury, Edwardians Midlands 3 West (South)
2010–11[20] 12 Upton-on-Severn Newbold-on-Avon Coventry Welsh, Harbury Midlands 3 West (South)
2011–12[21] 11 Earlsdon Shipston-on-Stour Old Yardleians Midlands 3 West (South)
2012–13[22] 12 Old Coventrians Old Leamingtonians Redditch, Woodrush Midlands 3 West (South)
2013–14[23] 12 Old Yardleians Pinley Evesham, Kings Norton Midlands 3 West (South)
2014–15[24] 12 Dunlop Bedworth Upton-on-Severn, Manor Park Midlands 3 West (South)
2015–16[25] 12 Rugby Lions Southam Pershore, Harbury Midlands 3 West (South)
2016–17[26] 12 Droitwich Evesham Bedworth[l] Midlands 3 West (South)
2017–18[27] 12 Rugby St Andrews Old Coventrians Bromyard, Old Wheatleyans Midlands 3 West (South)
2018–19[28] 12[m] Pinley Shipston-on-Stour Upton-on-Severn, Old Yardleians Midlands 3 West (South)
2019–20[29] 12 Old Coventrians Berkswell & Balsall Bedworth Midlands 3 West (South)
2020–21 12
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

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Notes

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  1. ^ Selly Oak are currently known as Moseley Oak - the amateur side affiliated with Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club.
  2. ^ Due to the cancellation of National 5 North at the end of the season, nine clubs were promoted including Old Coventrians, Ludlow, Stratford-upon-Avon, Nuneaton Old Edwardians, Tamworth, Stoke Old Boys and Dixonians.
  3. ^ Due to widespread restructuring caused by the cancellation of National 5 North there was no relegation.
  4. ^ Midlands West 2 is mistakenly referred to as Midlands 4 East (South) on RFU website for 1998–99 season.
  5. ^ Champions Kidderminster Carolians would be promoted into the new Midlands 3 West (North).
  6. ^ Due to Midlands league restructuring four clubs would be promoted including Old Yardleians (2nd) and Leek (4th) who would go into Midlands 3 West (North), while Nuneaton Old Edwardians (3rd) would go into Midlands 3 West (South).
  7. ^ As Midlands West 2 was to split up into two regional leagues there was no relegation. Clubs that were not promoted were transferred into either Midlands 4 West (North) or Midlands 4 West (South).
  8. ^ Midlands West 2 is mistakenly referred to as Midlands 4 East (South) on RFU website for 1999–00 season.
  9. ^ Prior to the 2000–01 season Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were part of a Midlands West 1.
  10. ^ Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 was split into Staffordshire 1 and Warwickshire 1 at the end of the 1999–00 season.
  11. ^ North Midlands 1 was divided into North Midlands (North) and North Midlands (South) 1 at the start of the 2004–05 season.
  12. ^ Only 1 team relegated this season meaning 11th place Woodrush were safe.
  13. ^ Despite Dunlop dropping out of the league, the division stayed at 12 teams due to 4 teams being promoted and relegated into it.
  14. ^ Kidderminster Carolians title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 2.
  15. ^ Luctonians title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 2.
  16. ^ Newcastle (Staffs) title was when division was league was single division known as Midlands West 2.
  17. ^ Nuneaton Old Edwardians title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 2.
  18. ^ Old Laurentians title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 2.
  19. ^ Selly Oak's title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 2.
  20. ^ Shrewsbury's title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 2.
  21. ^ Telford Hornets title was when league was single division known as Midlands West 2.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 13 June 2022.
  2. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993-94. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
  3. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
  4. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. Headline. pp. 176–179. ISBN 0-7472-7850-4.
  5. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. Headline. pp. 192–195. ISBN 0-7472-7816-4.
  6. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. Headline. pp. 156–159. ISBN 0-7472-7771-0.
  7. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998-99. Headline. pp. 90–93. ISBN 0-7472-7653-6.
  8. ^ "1998-1999 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. ^ "1999-2000 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  10. ^ "2000-2001 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  11. ^ "2001-2002 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  12. ^ "2002-2003 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  13. ^ "2003-2004 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  14. ^ "2004-2005 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  15. ^ "2005-2006 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  16. ^ "2006-2007 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  17. ^ "2007-2008 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  18. ^ "2008-2009 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  19. ^ "2009-2010 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  20. ^ "2010-2011 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  21. ^ "2011-2012 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  22. ^ "2012-2013 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  23. ^ "2013-2014 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  24. ^ "2014-2015 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  25. ^ "2015-2016 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  26. ^ "2016-2017 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  27. ^ "2017-2018 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  28. ^ "2018-19 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Men's Midlands Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
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