Regional 1 South West

Regional 1 South West
Current season or competition:
2024–25 Regional 1 South West
SportRugby union
Instituted1987; 37 years ago (1987) (as South West 1)
Number of teams12
Country England
HoldersDevonport Services (1st title) (2023–24
(promoted to National League 2 West))
Most titlesBournemouth, Chinnor, Clifton, Dings Crusaders, Reading (2 titles)
WebsiteEngland Rugby – South West Division

Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system.[1] It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union, and the name change from National League 3 to South West Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season by the RFU in order to lessen confusion for what is a series of regional leagues.[1] Regional 1 South West, is the highest regional rugby union league covering South West England. The club finishing in first place is promoted to National League 2 West. Relegated teams drop down to either Regional 2 South West or Regional 2 Severn, depending on their location.

Devonport Services are the current champions.

Format

[edit]

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 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

2024–25

[edit]

Nine of last years teams participate in this season's competition. Five of the teams are from Devon, while Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire have two clubs each and Somerset one club. Devonport Services, as champions, are promoted to National League 2 West. Okehampton (11th) and Weston-super-Mare (12th) are relegated to Regional 2 South West and Regional 2 Severn respectively, while Marlborough (9th) is transferred from Regional 1 South Central.

Participating teams and locations

[edit]

2023–24

[edit]

Nine of last years teams participate in this season's competition. Champions, Camborne were promoted to National League 2 West while Old Centralians (11th) and Drybrook (12th) were both relegated to Regional 2 Severn. Six of the teams are from Devon, while Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Somerset each have two clubs.

Participating teams and locations

[edit]

League table

[edit]
Regional 1 South West 2023–24
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Devonport Services (C) 22 19 0 3 793 403 +390 16 2 94 Promoted
2 Barnstaple 22 18 0 4 727 341 +386 14 2 88
3 Chew Valley 22 17 0 5 787 426 +361 14 2 84
4 Brixham 22 15 1 6 840 554 +286 16 2 80
5 Launceston 22 13 0 9 616 457 +159 11 3 66
6 Exmouth 22 11 0 11 517 522 −5 8 2 54
7 Lydney 22 8 0 14 567 642 −75 14 4 50
8 St Austell 22 7 1 14 485 643 −158 9 6 45
9 Ivybridge 22 7 0 15 505 786 −281 6 4 38
10 Matson 22 7 0 15 432 653 −221 9 3 35[a]
11 Okehampton (R) 22 5 0 17 414 797 −383 3 3 26 Relegated
12 Weston-super-Mare (R) 22 4 0 18 441 900 −459 6 2 24
Updated to match(es) played on 6 April 2024. Source: [2]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    (C) Champion; (R) Relegated
    Notes:
  1. ^ 5 points deducted

Results

[edit]
Home \ Away BAR BRI CHV DEV EXM IVY LAU LYD MAT OKE SAU WSM
Barnstaple — 33–20 20–19 41–16 21–17 55–7 26–8 29–10 55–0 45–14 31–17 57–14
Brixham 39–38 — 39–36 28–24 22–45 40–12 46–31 45–20 77–7 88–12 34–34 54–28
Chew Valley 35–19 32–27 — 12–11 21–10 60–31 12–3 36–7 41–0 80–6 44–12 61–6
Devonport Services 23–12 39–22 27–17 — 33–17 61–12 28–18 38–18 39–31 48–7 50–24 55–7
Exmouth 3–26 34–21 27–47 17–20 — 60–14 12–23 40–36 HWO 33–3 27–22 43–18
Ivybridge 16–68 25–42 46–19 17–25 20–11 — 10–24 23–20 18–24 37–23 36–35 29–27
Launceston 20–17 21–28 31–22 6–26 44–5 48–31 — 36–26 46–3 15–20 39–19 62–12
Lydney 10–18 32–29 24–42 20–24 22–31 34–32 38–15 — 44–28 38–19 33–24 34–19
Matson 25–34 10–21 12–17 34–42 31–32 17–14 20–35 27–14 — 29–21 26–20 38–12
Okehampton 8–45 15–41 19–56 19–35 21–22 34–30 30–29 36–10 14–38 — 16–17 12–24
St Austell 8–15 14–19 26–35 5–60 19–3 19–20 19–34 26–24 24–18 27–24 — 41–24
Weston-super-Mare 12–22 12–58 23–43 19–69 38–28 40–25 7–28 25–53 33–14 10–41 31–33 —
Updated to match(es) played on 6 April 2024. Source: Regional 1 South West
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

2022–23

[edit]

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review.[3]

Participating teams and locations

[edit]

Final league table

[edit]
Regional 1 South West 2022–23
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Camborne (P) 22 18 0 4 815 474 +341 20 3 95 Promoted
2 Chew Valley 22 16 0 6 755 459 +296 16 3 83
3 Brixham 22 14 0 8 629 572 +57 12 3 71
4 Devonport Services 22 13 0 9 507 516 −9 5 4 61
5 Exmouth 22 12 0 10 592 504 +88 7 4 59
6 Ivybridge 22 10 0 12 582 645 −63 11 5 56
7 Lydney 22 10 0 12 507 544 −37 6 6 52
8 Launceston 22 10 0 12 494 538 −44 6 6 52
9 Okehampton 22 10 0 12 445 567 −122 6 2 48
10 Weston-super-Mare RFC 22 8 0 14 491 661 −170 6 5 43
11 Old Centralians (R) 22 6 0 16 420 604 −184 5 7 36 Relegated
12 Drybrook (R) 22 5 0 17 414 567 −153 4 7 31
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2023. Source: [4]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

[edit]
Home \ Away BRI CAM CHV DEV DRY EXM IVY LAU LYD OKE OCE WSM
Brixham — 38–42 43–27 52–13 57–18 16–14 29–15 36–11 20–15 32–14 8–14 22–26
Camborne 33–35 — 38–28 32–19 38–0 44–24 78–18 39–7 42–25 20–26 67–12 37–21
Chew Valley 51–21 18–14 — 34–32 41–26 25–29 48–27 40–9 26–8 41–22 69–19 51–10
Devonport Services 37–18 27–35 16–10 — 19–13 18–15 41–29 25–24 24–17 20–24 17–16 24–22
Drybrook 43–0 10–31 28–33 20–31 — 22–35 12–16 12–29 9–12 36–14 18–16 21–20
Exmouth 25–45 30–39 20–15 35–23 27–10 — 25–18 22–12 17–15 31–17 67–11 68–14
Ivybridge 24–25 26–29 29–30 18–13 37–26 15–13 — 31–30 34–39 42–18 29–18 45–27
Launceston 17–18 20–39 30–14 18–13 33–20 29–24 44–27 — 22–28 17–38 36–22 14–5
Lydney 50–33 43–35 15–53 13–18 13–10 41–23 22–10 22–27 — 57–33 20–14 17–27
Okehampton 27–7 15–17 0–27 7–21 21–17 17–21 41–25 25–24 22–8 — 19–17 28–24
Old Centralians 27–29 10–40 10–27 28–15 20–22 30–13 13–25 10–15 26–10 41–7 — 34–23
Weston-super-Mare 29–44 22–26 13–47 36–41 24–21 27–14 24–42 28–26 19–17 22–10 28–12 —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2023. Source: Regional 1 South West
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

2021–22

[edit]

The first matches were played on 4 September 2021 and the final league matches on 23 April 2022.[5] Exeter University (as champions), Old Redcliffians (as runner-up) and Hornets (3rd) are all promoted to National League 2 West (formerly National League 2 South).[6] The RFU will announce the format of the tier 5 leagues during the summer of 2022.

Participating teams

[edit]

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in the previous competition (2019–20). The champions, Barnstaple were promoted to National League 2 South, while Newbury and Bracknell were both relegated to South West 1 East. Maidenhead have been level transferred to London & South East Premier. The teams coming into this season's competition are Old Redcliffians and Bournemouth, both relegated from National League 2 South in 15th and 16th position respectively. Teams promoted into this season's competition are Hornets, champions of South West 1 West, and two teams from South West 1 East, Royal Wootton Bassett and Old Centralians (1st and 2nd respectively).

Final league table

[edit]
2021–22 South West Premier table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 Exeter University (P) 26 23 0 3 1132 501 +631 22 2 116
2 Old Redcliffians (P) 26 23 0 3 989 517 +472 21 1 114
3 Hornets (P) 26 22 0 4 890 517 +373 17 2 107
4 Weston-super-Mare 26 18 0 8 726 485 +241 12 4 88
5 Exmouth 26 14 1 11 639 657 −18 11 5 74
6 Launceston 26 11 0 15 602 728 −126 12 8 64
7 Brixham 26 10 1 15 582 695 −113 12 6 60
8 Bournemouth 26 10 0 16 639 663 −24 11 9 60
9 Ivybridge 26 9 1 16 746 834 −88 16 6 60
10 Drybrook 26 11 1 14 542 662 −120 6 6 58
11 Camborne 26 9 0 17 582 818 −236 8 5 49
12 Old Centralians 26 7 2 17 619 864 −245 11 4 47
13 Royal Wootton Bassett 26 6 1 19 503 863 −360 5 4 35
14 Okehampton 26 5 1 20 509 896 −387 6 3 31
Updated to match(es) played on 3 May 2022. Source: [7]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    (P) Promoted

2020–21

[edit]

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

[edit]

The season ended before all the matches were completed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the RFU used a best playing record formula to decide the final table.[8] Barnstaple are the champions.

Participating teams

[edit]

Ten of the thirteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by three promoted sides; Launceston, Newbury Blues and Okehampton.[9][10][11] Bournemouth were promoted to National League 2 South, while relegated sides included Newton Abbot and Cleve (both South West 1 West), and Old Patesians (South West 1 East). Initially, Bromsgrove were due to be level transferred from Midlands Premier but the withdrawal of Birmingham & Solihull from the league system meant that they stayed put, leaving South West Premier with just thirteen teams.[12]

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Locations of the 2019–20 South West Premier teams
Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
Barnstaple Pottingham Road 2,000 (575 seats) Barnstaple, Devon Runners up (lost playoff)
Bracknell Lily Hill 1,250 (250 seats) Bracknell, Berkshire 10th
Brixham Astley Park 1,800 (300 stand) Brixham, Devon 8th
Camborne Recreation Ground 7,000 (780 seats) Camborne, Cornwall 9th
Drybrook Mannings Ground Drybrook, Gloucestershire 11th
Exeter University Topsham Sports Ground Exeter, Devon 4th
Exmouth Imperial Recreation Ground 1,250 (250 stand) Exmouth, Devon 6th
Ivybridge Cross-in-Hand Ivybridge, Devon 5th
Launceston Polson Bridge 3,000 (194 seats) Launceston, Cornwall Promoted from South West 1 West (playoff)
Maidenhead Braywick Park 1,750 (250 seats) Maidenhead, Berkshire 3rd
Newbury Blues Monk's Lane 8,000 Newbury, Berkshire Promoted from South West 1 East (champions)
Okehampton Showground 1,120 (120 seats) Okehampton, Devon Promoted from South West 1 West (champions)
Weston-super-Mare Recreation Ground 3,000 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 7th

Final league table

[edit]

2018–19

[edit]

Participating teams

[edit]

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Barnstaple, who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by three promoted sides; Drybrook, Exeter University and Old Patesians.[14][15][16][17] Dings Crusaders (last seasons champions) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Hornets and Lydney were both relegated to South West 1 West, and Newbury Blues relegated to South West 1 East.

class=notpageimage|
Locations of the 2018–19 South West Premier teams
Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
Barnstaple Pottingham Road 2,000 (575 seats) Barnstaple, Devon Relegated from National 2 South (14th)
Bournemouth Chapel Gate 1,500 Bournemouth, Dorset Runners up (lost play-off)
Bracknell Lily Hill 1,250 (250 seats) Bracknell, Berkshire 5th
Brixham Astley Park 1,800 (300 stand) Brixham, Devon 10th
Camborne Recreation Ground 7,000 (780 seats) Camborne, Cornwall 7th
Cleve The Hayfields Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire 6th
Drybrook Mannings Ground Drybrook, Gloucestershire Promoted from South West 1 West (champions)
Exeter University Topsham Sports Ground Exeter, Devon Promoted from South West 1 West (play-off)
Exmouth Imperial Recreation Ground 1,250 (250 stand) Exmouth, Devon 11th
Ivybridge Cross-in-Hand Ivybridge, Devon 9th
Maidenhead Braywick Park 1,750 (250 seats) Maidenhead, Berkshire 3rd
Newton Abbot Rackerhayes 1,150 (150 stand) Newton Abbot, Devon 4th
Old Patesians Everest Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Promoted from South West 1 East (champions)
Weston-super-Mare Recreation Ground 3,000 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 8th

Final league table

[edit]
2018–19 South West Premier table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 Bournemouth (P) 26 25 0 1 999 352 +647 18 0 118
2 Barnstaple (Q) 26 19 1 6 747 541 +206 12 1 91
3 Maidenhead 26 16 1 9 750 581 +169 16 4 86
4 Exeter University 26 15 1 10 776 650 +126 13 5 80
5 Ivybridge 26 15 0 11 656 601 +55 14 4 78
6 Exmouth 26 13 2 11 698 684 +14 15 4 75
7 Weston-super-Mare 26 12 3 11 765 619 +146 14 5 73
8 Brixham 26 12 1 13 742 642 +100 14 7 71
9 Camborne 26 12 0 14 707 746 −39 15 7 70
10 Bracknell 26 13 0 13 597 601 −4 9 4 65
11 Drybrook 26 12 0 14 533 621 −88 6 2 56
12 Cleve (R) 26 6 0 20 642 841 −199 11 8 43
13 Newton Abbot (R) 26 4 1 21 543 940 −397 7 10 35
14 Old Patesians (R) 26 3 0 23 398 1134 −736 4 3 19
Updated to match(es) played on 9 January 2021. Source: [18]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for promotion play-off; (R) Relegated

Promotion play-off

[edit]

Each season, the runners-up in the South West Premier (formerly National League 3 South West) and London & South East Premier (National League 3 London & South East) participate in a play-off for the third promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Westcliff, hosted the match and beat their opponents Barnstaple 44 – 5 to win promotion to National League 2 South for the first time. This was Westcliff's first appearance in the play-offs and Barnstaple's second; in 2016 Barnstaple beat Tonbridge Juddians 31 – 30 at Tonbridge. The home team have won fifteen out of 19 play-off matches and the south-east team have won the play-off thirteen times.

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
Westcliff (P) 26 19 0 7 808 425 +383 17 5 98
Barnstaple 26 19 1 6 747 541 +206 12 1 91
Source: [18]
(P) Promoted
27 April 2019
Westcliff44 – 5Barnstaple
Westcliff[19]
The Gables, Eastwood
Attendance: 750

2017–18

[edit]

Participating teams

[edit]

Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition (when it was known as National League 3 South West). They are joined by Exmouth, who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by three promoted sides; Weston-super-Mare, Maidenhead and Newbury Blues.[20][21][22][23] Old Redcliffians (champions) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Launceston were relegated to (South West 1 West), Salisbury to (South West 1 East) and Bromsgrove to (Midlands 1 West).[24][25][26][27]

class=notpageimage|
Locations of the 2017-18 South West Premier teams
Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
Bournemouth Chapel Gate 1,500 Bournemouth, Dorset 5th
Bracknell Lily Hill 1,250 (250 seats) Bracknell, Berkshire 9th
Brixham Astley Park 1,800 (300 stand) Brixham, Devon 7th
Camborne Recreation Ground 7,000 (780 seats) Camborne, Cornwall 3rd
Cleve The Hayfields Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire 10th
Dings Crusaders Shaftsbury Park 2,250 (250 seats) Frenchay, Bristol 2nd (lost play-off)
Exmouth Imperial Recreation Ground 1,250 (250 stand) Exmouth, Devon Relegated from National League 2 South (16th)
Hornets Hutton Moor Park 1,100 (100 stand) Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 8th
Ivybridge Cross-in-Hand Ivybridge, Devon 6th
Lydney Regentsholm 1,500 Lydney, Gloucestershire 11th
Maidenhead Braywick Park 1,750 (250 seats) Maidenhead, Berkshire Promoted from South West 1 East (champions)
Newbury Blues Monk's Lane 8,000 Newbury, Berkshire Promoted from South West 1 East (play-offs)
Newton Abbot Rackerhayes 1,150 (150 stand) Newton Abbot, Devon 4th
Weston-super-Mare Recreation Ground 3,000 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset Promoted from South West 1 West (champions)

Final league table

[edit]
2017–18 South West Premier table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 Ding Crusaders (P) 26 20 0 6 837 438 +399 16 4 100
2 Bournemouth (Q) 26 17 1 8 761 635 +126 9 4 83
3 Maidenhead 26 13 0 13 780 825 −45 18 4 74
4 Newton Abbot 26 13 0 13 858 713 +145 14 5 71
5 Bracknell 26 12 3 11 635 653 −18 10 5 69
6 Cleve 26 12 1 13 693 699 −6 12 7 69
7 Camborne 26 14 0 12 578 558 +20 6 4 66
8 Weston-super-Mare 26 11 2 13 652 705 −53 14 4 66
9 Ivybridge 26 13 1 12 639 620 +19 10 6 65[a]
10 Brixham 26 12 2 12 630 619 +11 8 5 65
11 Exmouth 26 12 1 13 706 737 −31 11 4 65
12 Newbury Blues (R) 26 13 0 13 569 522 +47 7 5 64
13 Hornets (R) 26 8 1 17 536 933 −397 9 2 45
14 Lydney (R) 26 6 0 20 516 733 −217 7 6 37
Updated to match(es) played on 2 January 2021. Source: [28]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for promotion playoff; (R) Relegated
    Notes:
  1. ^ 5 points deducted?

Promotion play-off

[edit]

Each season, the runners-up in the South West Premier (formerly National League 3 South West) and London & South East Premier (formerly National League 3 London & SE) participate in a play-off for the third promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Guernsey, hosted the match and beat their opponents Bournemouth 38 – 23 to win promotion. This was Guernsey's first appearance in the play-offs and Bournemouth's second. Bournemouth's previous appearance was in 2011 when they lost to Hertford 23 – 22.

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
Guernsey (P) 26 22 0 4 962 446 +516 19 3 110
Bournemouth 26 17 1 8 761 635 +126 9 4 83
Source: [citation needed]
(P) Promoted
28 April 2018
15:00
Guernsey38 – 23Bournemouth
Guernsey
Bournemouth
Footes Lane

2016–17

[edit]

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Launceston who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by two promoted sides: Camborne and Salisbury. Exmouth (champions) and Barnstaple (play-off) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Chippenham were relegated to South West 1 West, and Old Patesians and Old Centralians to South West 1 East. To address a league imbalance due to only one team coming down from National League 2 South, both Bromsgrove and Bracknell have been level transferred into the league from National League 3 Midlands and National League 3 London & SE respectively, Bromsgrove having finished 9th and Bracknell 11th.[29][30]

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Locations of the 2016-17 South West Premier teams
Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
Bournemouth Chapel Gate 1,500 Bournemouth, Dorset 5th
Bracknell Lily Hill 1,250 (250 seats) Bracknell, Berkshire level transfer from National League 3 London & SE (11th)
Brixham Astley Park 1,800 (300 stand) Brixham, Devon 4th
Bromsgrove Finstall Park Bromsgrove, Worcestershire level transfer from National League 3 Midlands (9th)
Camborne Recreation Ground 7,000 (780 seats) Camborne, Cornwall promoted from South West 1 West (champions)
Cleve The Hayfields Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire 9th
Dings Crusaders Landseer Avenue 1,500 Lockleaze, Bristol 10th
Hornets Hutton Moor Park[31] 1,100 (100 stand) Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 7th
Ivybridge Cross-in-Hand Ivybridge, Devon 8th
Launceston Polson Bridge 3,000 (194 seats) Launceston, Cornwall relegated from 2015–16 National League 2 South (16th)
Lydney Regentsholm 1,500 Lydney, Gloucestershire 3rd
Newton Abbot Rackerhayes 1,150 (150 stand) Newton Abbot, Devon 11th
Old Redcliffians Scotland Lane[31] Brislington, Bristol 6th
Salisbury Castle Road 1,500 Salisbury, Wiltshire promoted from South West 1 East (play-off)

Final league table

[edit]
2016–17 National League 3 South West table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 Old Redcliffians (P) 26 22 1 3 737 467 +270 14 2 106
2 Ding Crusaders (Q) 26 19 0 7 676 448 +228 8 3 87
3 Camborne 26 16 1 9 685 547 +138 12 4 77[a]
4 Newton Abbot 26 14 1 11 702 717 −15 11 6 75
5 Bournemouth 26 12 3 11 777 551 +226 11 7 72
6 Ivybridge 26 14 0 12 646 618 +28 10 5 71
7 Brixham 26 13 2 11 590 594 −4 10 5 71
8 Hornets 26 13 0 13 714 559 +155 13 4 69
9 Bracknell 26 14 0 12 568 625 −57 8 4 68
10 Cleve 26 13 0 13 643 616 +27 10 3 65
11 Lydney 26 10 0 16 454 653 −199 7 4 51
12 Launceston (R) 26 7 1 18 390 619 −229 2 9 41
13 Salisbury (R) 26 7 0 19 500 807 −307 4 7 39
14 Bromsgrove (R) 26 3 1 22 511 772 −261 4 11 29
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2017. Source: [32]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the promotion playoff; (R) Relegated
    Notes:
  1. ^ 5 points deducted?

Promotion play-off

[edit]

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London & SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for the third promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Wimbledon, hosted the match and destroyed their opponents Dings Crusaders 55 – 5 to win promotion.

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
Wimbledon (P) 26 23 0 3 936 399 +537 21 2 115
Dings Crusaders 26 19 0 7 676 448 +228 8 3 87
Source: [citation needed]
(P) Promoted
29 April 2017
15:00
Wimbledon55 – 5Dings Crusaders
Wimbledon
Dings
Beverley Meads
Attendance: 350

2015–16

[edit]

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by two teams relegated from National League 2 South, Dings Crusaders and Lydney; and by three promoted teams Cleve, Chippenham and Ivybridge. The teams leaving the league were the 2014–15 champions, Redingensians who were promoted to National League 2 South and the relegated teams, Chard and Weston-super-Mare to play in South West 1 West, and Oxford Harlequins to South West 1 East. Bracknell, who finished 3rd last season, transferred to National League 3 London and SE.

Participating teams

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Locations of the 2015–16 National League 3 South West teams
Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
Barnstaple Pottington Road 2,000 (575 seats) Barnstaple, Devon 8th
Bournemouth Chapel Gate 1,500 Bournemouth, Dorset 9th
Brixham Astley Park 1,800 (300 stand) Brixham, Devon 5th
Cleve The Hayfields Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire promoted from South West 1 West (champions)
Chippenham Allington Fields Chippenham, Wiltshire promoted from South West 1 East (champions)
Dings Crusaders Landseer Avenue 1,500 Lockleaze, Bristol relegated from 2014–15 National League 2 South (16th)
Exmouth Imperial Recreation Ground 1,250 (250 stand) Exmouth, Devon 2nd
Hornets Hutton Moor Park[31] 1,100 (100 stand) Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 6th
Ivybridge Cross-in-Hand Ivybridge, Devon promoted from South West 1 West (play-off)
Lydney Regentsholm 1,500 Lydney, Gloucestershire relegated from 2014–15 National League 2 South (14th)
Newton Abbot Rackerhayes 1,150 (150 stand) Newton Abbot, Devon 7th
Old Centralians Saintbridge Sports Centre Gloucester, Gloucestershire 4th
Old Patesians Everest Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 10th
Old Redcliffians Scotland Lane[31] Brislington, Bristol 11th

Final league table

[edit]
2015–16 National League 3 South West table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 Exmouth (C, P) 26 21 0 5 921 466 +455 17 2 103
2 Barnstaple (Q, P) 26 20 2 4 715 378 +337 12 2 98
3 Lydney 26 16 1 9 547 488 +59 9 4 79
4 Brixham 26 16 0 10 553 517 +36 9 4 77
5 Bournemouth 26 15 0 11 630 441 +189 8 7 75
6 Old Redcliffians 26 15 2 9 474 437 +37 7 4 75
7 Hornets 26 13 2 11 647 508 +139 13 5 74
8 Ivybridge 26 14 0 12 518 467 +51 7 7 70
9 Cleve 26 12 1 13 598 595 +3 10 3 63
10 Ding Crusaders 26 11 0 15 485 568 −83 5 4 53
11 Newton Abbot 26 9 0 17 573 560 +13 6 11 53
12 Old Centralians (R) 26 11 0 15 494 600 −106 6 2 52
13 Old Patesians (R) 26 3 0 23 466 950 −484 5 5 22
14 Chippenham (R) 26 2 0 24 353 999 −646 4 3 15
Updated to match(es) played on 30 April 2016. Source: "National League 3 South West". England Rugby.
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    (C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the promotion playoff; (R) Relegated

Promotion play-off

[edit]

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Tonbridge Juddians, host the match and their opponents were Barnstaple, who won the match 30 – 31, scoring the winning points with a penalty in the last seconds of the match.[33]

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
Tonbridge Juddians 26 21 1 4 833 395 +438 13 2 101
Barnstaple (P) 26 20 2 4 715 378 +337 12 2 98
Source: [citation needed]
(P) Promoted
30 April 2016
15:00
Tonbridge Juddians30 – 31Barnstaple
Juddians
Barnstaple
The Slade
Attendance: 600
Referee: Matt Turvey

2014–15

[edit]

Participating teams

[edit]
Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
Barnstaple Pottington Road 2,000 (575 seats) Barnstaple, Devon 8th
Bournemouth Chapel Gate 1,500 Bournemouth, Dorset relegated from National League 2 South
Bracknell Lily Hill Park 1,250 Bracknell, Berkshire 3rd
Brixham Astley Park 1,800 (300 stand) Brixham, Devon 7th
Chard The Park, Essex Close[31] Chard, Somerset promoted from South West 1 West
Exmouth Imperial Recreation Ground 1,250 (250 stand) Exmouth, Devon relegated from National League 2 South
Hornets Hutton Moor Park[31] 1,100 (100 stand) Weston-super-Mare, Somerset promoted from South West 1 West
Newton Abbot Rackerhayes 1,150 (150 stand) Newton Abbot, Devon 4th
Old Centralians Saintbridge Sports Centre Gloucester, Gloucestershire 11th
Old Patesians Everest Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 10th
Old Redcliffians Scotland Lane[31] Brislington, Bristol 6th
Oxford Harlequins Marston Ferry Road North Hinksey, Oxfordshire promoted from South West 1 East
Redingensians Old Bath Road Sonning, Berkshire 2nd
Weston-super-Mare Recreation Ground[31] 3,000 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 9th

Final league table

[edit]
2014–15 National League 3 South West
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 Redingensians (C, P) 26 22 0 4 934 359 +575 18 2 108
2 Exmouth (Q) 26 21 0 5 820 426 +394 13 2 99
3 Bracknell 26 17 0 9 747 565 +182 13 6 87
4 Old Centralians 26 18 1 7 672 551 +121 7 3 84
5 Brixham 26 17 0 9 692 577 +115 12 4 84
6 Hornets 26 16 0 10 695 557 +138 13 5 82
7 Newton Abbot 26 11 1 14 654 670 −16 11 7 64
8 Barnstaple 26 11 2 13 605 582 +23 10 5 63
9 Bournemouth 26 11 1 14 590 630 −40 9 4 59
10 Old Patesians 26 9 1 16 533 755 −222 10 6 54
11 Old Redcliffians 26 10 2 14 439 642 −203 2 4 50
12 Weston-super-Mare (R) 26 7 0 19 469 652 −183 5 6 39
13 Oxford Harlequins (R) 26 6 0 20 431 825 −394 6 3 33
14 Chard (R) 26 2 0 24 409 899 −490 2 4 14
Updated to match(es) played on 4 May 2015. Source: "National League 3 South West". England Rugby.
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    (C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for promotion playoff; (R) Relegated

Promotion play-off

[edit]

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Exmouth, hosts the match; their opponents were Barnes and the match was played on 25 April 2015. At the end of full-time the match score was 22 – 22, and Barnes scored the only points in extra-time, to win the match 27– 22.[34]

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
Exmouth 26 21 0 5 820 426 +394 13 2 99
Barnes (P) 26 19 0 7 638 492 +146 13 2 91
Source: [citation needed]
(P) Promoted
25 April 2015
14:30
Exmouth22 – 27Barnes
Imperial Recreation Ground
Attendance: 1,000

After extra time (80 mins: 22 – 22)

2013–14

[edit]

League winners

[edit]

Relegated

[edit]

Transferred

[edit]

Final league table

[edit]
2013–14 National League 3 South West Final table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 Lydney (C, P) 26 24 1 1 919 385 +534 20 1 119
2 Redingensians 26 20 2 4 719 363 +356 16 2 102
3 Bracknell 26 19 1 6 706 425 +281 14 3 95
4 Newton Abbot 26 15 0 11 663 603 +60 12 3 75
5 Amersham & Chiltern RFC 26 12 1 13 595 409 +186 13 6 69
6 O Redcliffians 26 14 2 10 501 500 +1 6 2 68
7 Brixham 26 13 0 13 591 618 −27 10 6 68
8 Barnstaple 26 13 1 12 508 585 −77 7 2 63
9 Weston-super-Mare 26 11 0 15 612 645 −33 8 6 58
10 O Patesians 26 9 0 17 516 778 −262 9 5 50
11 O Centralians 26 9 1 16 500 640 −140 7 6 46[a]
12 Worcester Wanderers (R) 26 9 0 17 440 696 −256 7 3 46
13 Avonmouth Old Boys (R) 26 5 1 20 373 617 −244 2 7 31
14 Chippenham (R) 26 4 0 22 381 760 −379 5 6 27
Updated to match(es) played on 9 May 2014. Source: [35][36]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
    (C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
    Notes:
  1. ^ Old Centralians deducted 5 points

2012–13

[edit]

2011–12

[edit]

2010–11

[edit]

2009–10

[edit]

The first season as a national league

2007–08

[edit]
2007–08 South West Division 1 table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Chinnor 22 19 2 1 665 317 +348 40
2 Bracknell 22 19 0 3 640 292 +348 38
3 Weston-super-Mare 22 13 1 8 496 413 +83 27
4 Cleve 22 13 0 9 469 417 +52 26
5 Bournemouth 22 11 1 10 520 405 +115 21[a]
6 Old Patesians 22 9 2 11 477 362 +115 20
7 Oxford Harlequins 22 9 2 11 472 452 +20 18[a]
8 Redingensians 22 9 0 13 403 459 −56 18
9 Coney Hill 22 9 0 13 411 534 −123 18
10 Reading 22 7 2 13 483 587 −104 16
11 Maidenhead 22 7 1 14 416 584 −168 15
12 St Ives (SW)* 22 1 1 20 158 788 −630 1[b]
Updated to match(es) played on 2008 April 19. Source: rfu.com
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Oxford Harlequins and Bournemouth were deducted two points each for fielding ineligible players
  2. ^ St Ives were deducted two points for failing to field a team against Bracknell

Original teams

[edit]

When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:

Regional 1 South West honours

[edit]

In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. The geographical area for teams in South West Division One covered an area of south-west England from Oxfordshire and Berkshire in the east to Cornwall in the west. There were eleven teams in the league and they played each team once, giving each team ten matches. The other tier five leagues were London 1, Midlands 1 and North 1.[37] This system prevailed for five seasons, and in 1992–93 the number of teams increased from eleven to thirteen. The following season (1993–94) the league was reorganised and the four tier five leagues became two; National 5 North and National 5 South.[38] After three seasons, in 1996–97, a further reorganisation occurred, and there was a return to four, tier five leagues; with South West Division One covering the area of south-west England from Berkshire westwards.[39] This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three South West. There was a name change for the beginning of season 2017–18 when the division was renamed the South West Premier.

South West 1 (1987–1993)

[edit]

The original South West 1 was a tier 5 league with promotion up to Area League 2 South and relegation down to South West 2 (presently split into two leagues known as South West 1 East and South West 1 West).

South West 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
1987–88 11 10 Redruth High Wycombe Bournemouth [40]
1988–89 11 10 Clifton High Wycombe Torquay Athletic, Bridgwater & Albion [37]
1989–90 11 10 Maidenhead Weston-super-Mare Oxford [37]
1990–91 11 10 High Wycombe Reading Matson, Stroud, Taunton [37]
1991–92 11 10 Berry Hill Cinderford No relegation [41]
1992–93 13 12 Reading Henley Penryn [42]

South West 1 (1993–96)

[edit]

The top six teams from South West 1 and the top six from London 1 were combined to create National 5 South. South West 1 dropped to become a tier six league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 South. Relegation continued to South West 2 (currently South West 1 East and South West 1 West).

South West 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
1993–94 13 12 Henley Cheltenham Gordon League [43]
1994–95 13 12 Cheltenham Newbury Stroud [44]
1995–96 13 12 Newbury Gloucester Old Boys Cinderford [45]

South West 1 (1996–2009)

[edit]

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 South was discontinued and South West 1 returned to being a tier 5 league. Promotion was up to National 4 South (now known as National League 2 South), while the splitting of South West 2 into two regional divisions, meant that relegation was now down to either South West 2 East or South West 2 West (currently South West 1 East / South West 1 West).

South West 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
1996–97 12 22 Bridgwater & Albion Launceston Brixham, Camborne [46]
1997–98 12 22 Bracknell Launceston High Wycombe, St Ives [47]
1998–99 12 22 Penzance & Newlyn Launceston Salisbury [48]
1999–00 12 22 Launceston Keynsham Matson, Stroud [49]
2000–01 12 22 Old Patesians Cinderford Berry Hill, Truro, Torquay Athletic, Gloucester Old Boys [50]
2001–02 12 22 Weston-super-Mare Dings Crusaders Stroud, Maidenhead, Swanage & Warham, Dorcester [51]
2002–03 12 22 Dings Crusaders Reading Berry Hill, Marlow [52]
2003–04 12 22 Reading Cinderford Barnstaple, Truro [53]
2004–05 12 22 Cinderford Bridgwater & Albion St Mary's Old Boys, Gloucester Old Boys, Keynsham [54]
2005–06 12 22 Chinnor Clifton Penryn, Cheltenham, Spartans [55]
2006–07 12 22 Mounts Bay Cleve Chippenham, Clevedon, Reading Abbey [56]
2007–08 12 22 Chinnor Bracknell Reading, Maidenhead, St Ives [57]
2008–09 12 22 Clifton Bracknell No relegation [58]

National League 3 South West (2009–2017)

[edit]

The division was renamed National League 3 South West following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It remained a tier 5 league with promotion up to National League 2 South (formerly National League 3 South) and relegation to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West (formerly South West 2 East / South West 2 West).

National League 3 South West
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
2009–10 14 26 Taunton Old Patesians Maidenhead, Chippenham, Reading [59]
2010–11 14 26 Hartpury College Bournemouth Cleve, Coney Hill, Cheltenham [60]
2011–12 14 26 Bournemouth Chinnor Bridgwater & Albion, Newbury Blues, Old Redcliffians [61]
2012–13 14 26 London Irish Amateur Exmouth Maidenhead, Oxford Harlequins, Malvern [62]
2013–14 14 26 Lydney Redingensians Chippenham, Avonmouth Old Boys, Worcester Wanderers [63]
2014–15 14 26 Redingensians Exmouth Chard, Oxford Harlequins, Weston-super-Mare [64]
2015–16 14 26 Exmouth Barnstaple Chippenham, Old Patesians, Old Centralians [65]
2016–17 14 26 Old Redcliffians Dings Crusaders Bromsgrove, Salisbury, Launceston [66]
Green background are the promotion places.

South West Premier (2017–2022)

[edit]

For the 2017–18 season all divisions at tier 5 were renamed from National League 3 to Premier meaning that National League 3 South West became known as South West Premier.[1] Promotion continued to National League 2 South and relegation to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West.

South West Premier
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
2017–18 14 26 Dings Crusaders Bournemouth Lydney, Hornets, Newbury Blues [67]
2018–19 14 26 Bournemouth Barnstaple Old Patesians, Newton Abbot, Cleve [68]
2019–20 13[a] 20[b] Barnstaple Weston-super-Mare Bracknell, Newbury Blues [71]
2020–21 14 26 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22 14 26 Exeter University Old Redcliffians Hornets also promoted.
Green background are the promotion places.

Regional 1 South West (2022–)

[edit]

From 2022–33 season the number of tier 5 leagues was increased from four to six.

Regional 1 South West
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Ref
2022–23 12 22 Camborne Chew Valley Old Centralians and Drybrook [4]
2023–24 12 22 Devonport Services Barnstaple Okehampton and Weston-super-Mare [72][4]

Promotion play-offs

[edit]

From 2000–01 season there was a promotion play-off game between the runners-up of London & South East Premier and South West Premier for the third and final promotion place to National League 2 South; with the team with the superior league record having home advantage. As of the 2018–19 season, the London and south-east teams have been most successful with thirteen wins to the south-west teams six, while the home side have won fifteen of the nineteen ties. The last play-off was in 2018–19, with the next two seasons cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom and following the increase of leagues at this level to three, only the champions are promoted.

South West Premier v London & South East Premier promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance Reference
2000–01 Cinderford (SW) 26–10 Havant (LSE) Dockham Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire
2001–02 Basingstoke (LSE) 29–13 Dings Crusaders (SW) Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire [73]
2002–03 Haywards Heath (LSE) 34–21 Reading (SW) Whiteman's Green, Cuckfield, West Sussex [74][75]
2003–04 Hertford (LSE) 25–14 Cinderford (SW) Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire [76]
2004–05 Worthing Raiders (LSE) 26–30 Bridgwater & Albion (SW) Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex 1,200 [77][78]
2005–06 Richmond (LSE) 3–12 Clifton (SW) Athletic Ground, Richmond, Greater London 1,100 [79][80]
2006–07 Ealing Trailfinders (LSE) 48–16 Cleve (SW) Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing, Greater London [81][82]
2007–08 Worthing Raiders (LSE) 18–5 Bracknell (SW) Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex [83][84]
2008–09 Barnes (LSE) 39–18 Bracknell (SW) Barn Elms, Barnes, Greater London [85][86]
2009–10 Old Albanian (LSE) 15–0 Old Patesians (SW) Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire [87][88]
2010–11 Hertford (LSE) 23–22 Bournemouth (SW) Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire 1,000 [89][90]
2011–12 Chinnor (SW) 19–8 Tonbridge Juddian (LSE) Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire [91][92]
2012–13 Exmouth (SW) 21–20 Dorking (LSE) Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon [93][94]
2013–14 Old Elthamians (LSE) 17–10 Redingensians (SW) Queen Mary Sports Ground, Chislehurst, Kent 1,350 [95][96]
2014–15 Exmouth (SW) 22–27 (aet) Barnes (LSE) Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon 1,000 [97][98]
2015–16 Tonbridge Juddian (LSE) 30–31 Barnstaple (SW) The Slade, Tonbridge, Kent 600 [99][100]
2016–17 Wimbledon (LSE) 55–5 Dings Crusaders (SW) Beverley Meads, Raynes Park, Greater London 350 [101]
2017–18 Guernsey (LSE) 38–23 Bournemouth (SW) Footes Lane, Saint Peter Port, Guernsey [102]
2018–19 Westcliff (LSE) 44–5 Barnstaple (SW) The Gables, Eastwood, Essex 750 [103][104]
2019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up – Guernsey (LSE) – promoted instead.
2021–22 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2022–23 Cancelled due to national league reorganisation.
Green background represent the promoted teams. (LSE = London & South East teams while SW = South West teams).

Number of league titles

[edit]

Note

[edit]
  1. ^ League reduced to 13 teams following the withdrawal of Birmingham & Solihull from Midlands Premier, leaving level 5 with an imbalance of teams.[12]
  2. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with most clubs in South West Premier having played 20 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table.[69][70]
  3. ^ Penzance & Newlyn are now known as the Cornish Pirates.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Renaming of RFU National 3 Leagues". Oxfordshire RFU. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Regional 1 South West". England Rugby. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  3. ^ "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 13 June 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Regional 1 South West". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Tribute South West Premier. Fixtures & Results". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Update on Structural Changes to National League Rugby". National League Rugby. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  7. ^ "South West Premier Final Standings". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  8. ^ "RFU ends the 2019/20 rugby season in England". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Cornish All Blacks promoted after epic comeback over Old Centralians at Polson Bridge". Cornish & Devon Post. 1 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Tribute South West 1 West 2018–2019". England Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  11. ^ "2018-2019 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  12. ^ a b