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Counties 3 Somerset
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 | This article has an unclear citation style. (October 2020) |
Current season or competition: 2024-25 Counties 3 Somerset | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country |  England |
| Most titles | Minehead Barbarians (3 titles) |
| Website | englandrugby.com |
Counties 3 Somerset (formerly known as Somerset 1 or Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. 1st, 2nd and even 3rd XV sides can participate in the division as long as they are not from the same club.
The league champions and runners up are promoted to Counties 2 Somerset while relegated teams drop to either Counties 4 Somerset North or Counties 4 Somerset South depending on location. Each year clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase – a level 9–12 national competition.
Teams 2025–26
[edit]North
[edit]Departing were Keynsham II, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset, while Walcott II were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset North.
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Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams Locations of the 2025-26 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams in Bristol
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South
[edit]Departing were Castle Cary promoted to Counties 2 Somerset while Cheddar Valley (12th) and Somerton (11th) were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset North and Counties 4 Somerset South respectively.
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 Locations of the 2025-26 Counties 2 Somerset (South) teams
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Teams 2024–25
[edit]North
[edit]Departing were Nailsea & Backwell II, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset, while Imperial II were relegated.
Joining were Walcott II, Yatton and Chew Valley III.
Chew Valley III (promoted as champions from Counties 4 Somerset North) and Oldfield Old Boys II (10th in 2023–24) both started but did not complete the season meaning the remaining league fixtures were contested by ten sides.
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Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams in Bristol
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South
[edit]Departing were Burnham-on-Sea II (12th) and Wiveliscombe II (11th) both relegated to Counties 4 Somerset South.
There was no promotion as Hornets II were already in Counties 2 Somerset meaning Hornets III could not compete in the same league.
Joining were Wyvern and Weston-super-Mare II.
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Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 2 Somerset (South) teams
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Teams 2023–24
[edit]North
[edit]Departing were Chew Valley II, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset, while Stothert & Pitt (9th) and Bristol Telephone Area (12th) were relegated.
Joining were Imperial II and Old Redcliffians III..
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Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams in Bristol
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South
[edit]Departing were Huish Tigers, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset. Wells II (10th) were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset South.
Joining were Burnham-on-Sea II, Cheddar Valley, Crewkerne and Tor.
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Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 2 Somerset (South) teams
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Teams 2022–23
[edit]This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[1] with the league split into North and South divisions.
Departing were Old Redcliffians II, promoted, together with Cheddar Valley (7th) who took a voluntary relegation to Counties 4 Somerset South and Morganians (11th) who withdrew from league competition.
North
[edit]Joining were Bristol Harlequins, Bristol Telephone Area, Clevedon II, Gordano II, Oldfield Old Boys II, Stothert & Pitt and Winscombe II.
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{ Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 2 Somerset (North) teams
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South
[edit]Joining were Castle Cary, Chard II, Hornets III, Huish Tigers (double promotion), Somerton, Wells II and Wiveliscombe II.
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 Huish Tigers Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 2 Somerset (South) teams
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Teams 2021–22
[edit]Taunton II (11th in 2019–20) started but did not complete the season leaving eleven sides to contest the remaining fixtures.
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Locations of the 2021-22 Somerset 1 teams
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2020–21
[edit]Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
Teams 2019–20
[edit]
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Taunton II Locations of the 2019-20 Somerset 1 teams
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Original teams
[edit]When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:
Somerset 1 honours
[edit]Somerset 1 (1987–1993)
[edit]The original Somerset 1 was a tier 9 league with promotion to Gloucestershire/Somerset and relegation to Somerset 2.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | 12 | Old Culverhaysians | Frome | Wellington, Crewkerne, Yeovil | [7] | |||||||||
| 1988–89 | 11 | Frome | Oldfield Old Boys | St. Brendan's Old Boys, Burnham-on-Sea | [8] | |||||||||
| 1989–90 | 11 | Oldfield Old Boys | Walcot Old Boys | Avonvale, Gordano | [9] | |||||||||
| 1990–91 | 11 | Wiveliscombe | Old Redcliffians | Yeovil, Imperial | [10] | |||||||||
| 1991–92 | 11 | Old Sulians | Old Redcliffians[f] | No relegation[g] | [11] | |||||||||
| 1992–93 | 13 | Hornets | Walcot Old Boys | Westland, Gordano | [12] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset 1 (1993–1996)
[edit]The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Somerset 1 dropped to become a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Gloucestershire/Somerset 1 and relegation to Somerset 2.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | 13 | Midsomer Norton | Yatton | Stothert & Pitt, Imperial | [13] | |||||||||
| 1994–95 | 13 | Wellington | Walcot Old Boys | Yeovil, North Petherton, Wells | [14] | |||||||||
| 1995–96 | 13 | Chard[h] | Wiveliscombe[i] | No relegation[j] | [15] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset 1 (1996–2000)
[edit]The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Somerset 1 reverted to being a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Gloucestershire/Somerset and relegation to Somerset 2.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 10 | Wells | Frome | Crewkerne | [16] | |||||||||
| 1997–98 | 10 | Chew Valley | Frome | Avonvale, Blagdon | ||||||||||
| 1998–99 | 10 | Avon | North Petherton | Winscombe, Minehead Barbarians | [17] | |||||||||
| 1999–00 | 10 | Frome[k] | Wells | No relegation[l] | [18] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset 1 (2000–2006)
[edit]The cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season, saw Somerset 1 remain at tier 9, with promotion now to the new Somerset Premier[m] and relegation continuing to Somerset 2.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | 12 | Minehead Barbarians | Wells | Bristol Barbarians | [19] | |||||||||
| 2001–02 | 12 | Nailsea & Backwell | North Petherton | Burnham-on-Sea | [20] | |||||||||
| 2002–03 | 12 | Chard | Stothert & Pitt | Bath Old Edwardians, Avonvale | [21] | |||||||||
| 2003–04 | 12 | Winscombe | Combe Down | Old Sulians | [22] | |||||||||
| 2004–05 | 11 | Minehead Barbarians | Old Culverhaysians | Avonvale. Blagdon | [23] | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | 11 | Gordano | Wells | No relegation[n] | [24] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset 1 (2006–2009)
[edit]Somerset 1 remained a tier 9 league with promotion to Somerset Premier but the splitting of Somerset 2 into two regional divisions, meant that relegation was now to either Somerset 2 North or Somerset 2 South. From the 2007–08 season onward the league sponsor would be Tribute.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | 12 | Winscombe | Old Sulians | Somerton | [25] | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | 12 | Burnham-on-Sea | North Petherton | Martock, Crewkerne | [26] | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | 12 | St. Bernadette's Old Boys | Taunton II | Bristol Barbarians | [27] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Somerset 1 (2009–present)
[edit]Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset 1 remained a tier 9 league, with promotion continuing to Somerset Premier, while relegation to either Somerset 2 North or Somerset 2 South. The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 12 | Gordano | Imperial | St. Mary's Old Boys II, Broad Plain[o] | [28] | |||||||||
| 2010–11 | 14 | Nailsea & Backwell | Weston-super-Mare II | Old Culverhaysians | [29] | |||||||||
| 2011–12 | 14 | Old Redcliffians II | Wiveliscombe | No relegation | [30] | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | 14 | St. Bernadette's Old Boys | Bristol Barbarians | Walcot II | [31] | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | 14 | Clevedon II | Imperial | Old Redcliffians III, Wells II | [32] | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | 14 | Hornets II | Chew Valley II | Cheddar Valley, Midsomer Norton II | [33] | |||||||||
| 2015–16 | 14 | Bridgwater & Albion II | Crewkerne | Chard II, North Petherton II | [34] | |||||||||
| 2016–17 | 14 | Minehead Barbarians | Imperial | Castle Cary, Bristol Harlequins II, Yatton II | [35] | |||||||||
| 2017–18 | 13 | Bristol Barbarians | Bristol Harlequins | Wyvern, Clevedon II, Old Bristolians II | [36] | |||||||||
| 2018–19 | 12 | Tor | Stothert & Pitt | Castle Cary | [37] | |||||||||
| 2019–20 | 12 | Bristol Harlequins | Crewkerne | Bath Old Edwardians | [38] | |||||||||
| 2020–21 | 12 | |||||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Number of league titles
[edit]- Minehead Barbarians (3)
- Chard (2)
- Frome (2)
- Gordano (2)
- Nailsea & Backwell (2)
- St. Bernadette's Old Boys (2)
- Winscombe (2)
- Avon (1)
- Bridgwater & Albion II (1)
- Bristol Barbarians (1)
- Bristol Harlequins (1)
- Burnham-on-Sea (1)
- Chew Valley (1)
- Clevedon II (1)
- Hornets (1)[p]
- Hornets II (1)
- Midsomer Norton (1)
- Old Culverhaysians (1)
- Old Redcliffians II (1)
- Old Sulians (1)
- Oldfield Old Boys (1)
- Tor (1)
- Wellington (1)
- Wells (1)
- Wiveliscombe (1)
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Old Boys side for Culverhay School (now Bath Academy).[2]
- ^ Old Boys side for Oldfield School.[3]
- ^ Old Boys side for City of Bath Boys School (now Beechen Cliff School).[4]
- ^ Now known as Walcot Rugby.
- ^ Yeovil would later merge with Westland to form Ivel Barbarians in 1995.[5] Ivel Barbarians would in turn be renamed as Yeovil Rugby Club in 2014.[6]
- ^ Due to restructuring of the majority of south west leagues from 11 to 13 teams for the following season, 3rd place Bristol Harlequins were also promoted.
- ^ Due to the restructuring of Somerset 1 from 11 to 13 teams for the following season, there was no relegation.
- ^ League restructuring caused by the cancellation of National 5 South meant that champions Chard were promoted two divisions up into Western Counties North (formerly Western Counties).
- ^ The cancellation of National 5 South meant that clubs ranked 3rd to 9th were also promoted one level up into Gloucestershire/Somerset including Tor, Yatton, Old Sulians, St. Bernadette's Old Boys, Midsomer Norton, Walcot Old Boys and Gordano.
- ^ Widespread league restructuring meant that there was no relegation.
- ^ Restructuring caused by the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season meant that champions Frome were not promoted.
- ^ League restructuring meant there was no relegation.
- ^ Gloucestershire/Somerset was split into Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier at the end of the 1999–00 season.
- ^ No relegation as league due to increase from 11 to 12 teams for the 2006–07 season.
- ^ Broad Plain were relegated to Gloucester 3 instead of Somerset 2.
- ^ As a club Hornets have won Somerset 1 twice - once by the 1st XV, once by the 2nd XV.
References
[edit]- ^ "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 2022-06-13.
- ^ "HISTORY 1". Old Culverhaysians RFC. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ "HISTORY". Oldfield Old Boys RFC. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ "Help raise funds for Old Sulians RFC". Crowd Funder. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ "Yeovil Rugby Club History". Yeovil Rugby Club. 3 May 2017.
- ^ "RUGBY: Ivel Barbarians are becoming Yeovil Rugby Club". Yeovil Press. 15 August 2014.
- ^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89 (17th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 123–139. ISBN 0-356-15884-5.
- ^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989–90 (18th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 133–136. ISBN 0-356-17862-5.
- ^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1990). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990–91 (19th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 143–146. ISBN 0-356-19162-1.
- ^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92 (20th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0-356-20249-6.
- ^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93 (21st ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 176–179. ISBN 0-7472-7907-1.
- ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94 (22nd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing Ltd. pp. 157–160. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
- ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7850-4.
- ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7816-4.
- ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7771-0.
- ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7732-X.
- ^ "1998-99 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "1999-00 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2000-01 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2001-02 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2002-03 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2003-04 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2004-05 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2005-06 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2006-07 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2007-08 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2008-09 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2009-10 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2010-11 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2011-12 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2012-13 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2013-14 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2014-15 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2015-16 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2016-17 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "2017-18 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ "2018-19 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.