Regional 1 South East

Regional 1 South East (up until 2022–23 known as London & South East Premier and up until 2016–17 known as National League 3 London & South East) 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 London Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following re-organisation by the Rugby Football Union while the name change from National League 3 to Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season to make it more obvious that it is a regional league.[1] London & South East Premier was the highest regional rugby union league covering London and south east England. Following the RFU Adult Competition Review the league was decreased from 14 to 12 and the name changed to Regional 1 South East. Part of the area formerly covered by London & South East Premier is now covered by a new league Regional 1 South Central.

Regional 1 South East
Current season or competition:
2022–23 Regional 1 South East
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987) (as London 1)
Number of teams12
Country England
HoldersWestcombe Park RFC (2nd title) (2022–23 promoted to National League 2 East)
Most titlesBarnes, Basingstoke, Canterbury, Havant and Westcombe Park (2 titles)
Websiteclubs.rfu.com

Format

The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to March, making a total of twenty-two matches each. 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

The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to National League 2 East. Three teams are relegated into Regional 2 South East, Regional 2 Anglia and Regional 2 Thames depending on location

Current season

Participating teams and locations

League table

Regional 1 South East 2023–24
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Colchester11004312+31105
2Oundle11003925+14105
3Letchworth Garden City11003426+8105
4Sudbury11003124+7105
5Rochford Hundred11003731+6105
6Harpenden11003227+5105
7Old Northamptonians10013137–6112
8Shelford10012732–5011
9Bedford Athletic10012431–7011
10Westcliff10012634–8101
11Tring10012539–14000
12Hertford10011243–31000
  • 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
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 2 September 2023
Source:[2]

Results

Home \ Away BED COL HAR HER LET OLN OUN ROC SHE SUD TRI WCL
Bedford Athletic 3 Feb 14 Oct 18 Nov 9 Dec 16 Sep 4 Nov 30 Sep 23 Mar 24–31 2 Mar 6 Jan
Colchester 21 Oct 17 Feb 43–12 6 Jan 30 Sep 18 Nov 11 Nov 9 Dec 9 Sep 23 Mar 27 Jan
Harpenden 27 Jan 4 Nov 23 Mar 9 Sep' 6 Jan 2 Mar 21 Oct 32–27 9 Dec 18 Nov 30 Sep
Hertford 16 Mar 6 Apr 2 Dec 21 Oct 17 Feb 9 Sep 6 Jan 30 Sep 27 Jan 16 Dec 11 Nov
Letchworth Garden City 9 Sep 23 Sep 16 Dec 3 Feb 2 Dec 13 Jan 16 Mar 4 Nov 2 Mar 14 Oct 6 Apr
Old Northamptonians 16 Dec 13 Jan 23 Sep 4 Nov 23 Mar 14 Oct 31–37 2 Mar 18 Nov 3 Feb 9 Sep
Oundle 17 Feb 16 Mar 11 Nov 9 Dec 30 Sep 27 Jan 2 Dec 16 Sep 6 Jan 39–25 21 Oct
Rochford Hundred 13 Jan 2 Mar 3 Feb 23 Sep 18 Nov 6 Apr 23 Mar 14 Oct 4 Nov 9 Sep 16 Dec
Shelford 2 Dec 9 Sep 6 Apr 13 Jan 17 Feb 11 Nov 16 Dec 27 Jan 21 Oct 23 Sep 16 Mar
Sudbury 6 Apr 16 Dec 9 Sep 14 Oct 11 Nov 16 Mar 23 Sep 17 Feb 3 Feb 13 Jan 2 Dec
Tring 11 Nov 2 Dec 16 Mar 16 Sep 27 Jan 21 Oct 6 Apr 9 Dec 6 Jan 30 Sep 17 Feb
Westcliff 23 Sep 14 Oct 13 Jan 2 Mar 26–34 9 Dec 3 Feb 16 Sep 18 Nov 23 Mar 4 Nov
Updated to match(es) played on 2 September 2023. Source: Regional 1 South East
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

Six of the twelve teams participated in the 2021–22 competition. They are joined by Shelford, Sudbury, Colchester and Harpenden, all promoted from London 1 North, together with Medway and Bedford Athletic promoted from London 1 South and Midlands 1 East respectively. Sutton & Epsom, Maidenhead, Havant, Wimbledon and Brighton were level transferred to Regional 1 South Central. Other teams leaving the division were Dorking, Sevenoaks and North Walsham who were promoted to National League 2 East. There was no relegation from the league at the end of last season.

Participating teams

Final league table

Regional 1 South East 2022–23
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Adj pts
1Westcombe Park22180481438542916290
2Shelford221516493455387372
3Colchester2212195765086814569
4Harpenden221228558478809465
5Tring22121953252847562
6Tunbridge Wells2212010503487167560
7Bedford Athletic22911262762168652
8Sudbury229013546590−4410450
9Hertford229013446513−677548
10CS Rugby 1863229013468575−1078746−5
11Sidcup227015413644−2312535
12Medway225017347539−1920626
  • 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
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 3 May 2023
Source:[3]

Results

Home \ Away BED COL CSR HAR HER MED SHE SID SUD TRI TUN WCP
Bedford Athletic 24–50 30–23 24–23 101–21 45–15 29–15 40–22 22–10 22–28 10–12 29–62
Colchester 20–17 31–13 24–24 31–19 22–19 18–34 34–12 28–22 34–38 34–0 27–31
CS Rugby 1863 27–22 12–47 10–31 22–7 30–7 23–25 26–27 29–24 11–13 15–12 10–83
Harpenden 26–26 25–24 27–36 30–12 22–20 27–29 29–18 34–20 22–35 55–7 19–5
Hertford 35–30 43–12 18–19 22–15 19–7 21–14 51–15 40–24 29–5 10–28 3–24
Medway 15–20 16–23 29–24 20–21 20–15 21–38 12–27 22–12 6–14 22–17 15–33
Shelford 20–15 3–27 24–23 20–19 15–10 27–12 28–19 35–12 24–24 27–47 17–15
Sidcup 24–29 14–18 17–19 14–34 14–10 10–6 19–24 22–17 29–30 18–9 0–47
Sudbury 47–27 31–9 42–32 17–19 35–30 19–5 19–15 45–31 45–33 10–30 26–43
Tring 38–17 23–20 18–13 31–32 20–7 26–33 22–26 15–25 29–20 28–27 15–19
Tunbridge Wells 48–24 28–24 0–44 24–12 14–3 30–15 8–14 55–17 17–21 38–34 37–19
Westcombe Park 40–24 60–19 41–17 40–12 18–21 45–10 25–19 66–19 38–28 29–13 31–15
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2023. Source: Regional 1 South East
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

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in the 2019-20 competition. They are joined by Sutton & Epsom who were relegated from National League 2 South, along with three promoted sides; Havant, North Walsham and Westcombe Park. Maidenhead who played in South West Premier in 2019-20 were level transferred into London & South East Premier as the nearest club geographically to address an imbalance of teams in the league. Teams leaving the division included Rochford Hundred who were promoted into National League 2 South as champions along with Guernsey Raiders who won the virtual promotion play-off against Weston-super-Mare RFC, while teams relegated from the league included Bedford Athletic (Midlands 1 East), Guildford (London 1 South) and London Irish Wild Geese (London 1 South).

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.

Participating teams

Final league table

London & South East Premier 2021–22
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Adj pts
1Sevenoaks262303862318544172111
2Dorking262105958322636184107
3North Walsham262105858423435182104
4Hertford26191679740639114393
5Havant26180868547321213389
6Westcombe Park261501172060311714478
7Wimbledon261321168253814410369
8Maidenhead2610016613709−9610454
9Sidcup2611114502772−2706052
10Tring269116560792−2327647−5
11Sutton & Epsom268117384735−3515344
12Brighton266020456849−3937435
13Tunbridge Wells264022405898−4932725
14CS Rugby 1863261025252896−64423−11−20
  • 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
Green background are the promotion places. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 2 June 2022
Source:[4]

2020–21

On 30th October the RFU announced[5] that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning London & South East Premier was not contested.

2019–20

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Guernsey and London Irish Wild Geese who were relegated from National League 2 South, along with three promoted sides; Brighton, Rochford Hundred and Sevenoaks.[6][7][8][9] [10] Teams leaving the division included Sutton & Epsom who were promoted into National League 2 South as champions and Westcliff who won the promotion playoff, while teams relegated from the league included Brentwood, Chingford and Shelford (all London 1 North).

Participating teams

Final league table

2018–19

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Wimbledon who were relegated from National League 2 South, along with four promoted sides; Bedford Athletic, Brentwood, Chingford and CS Rugby 1863. Bedford Athletic had initially been promoted into Midlands Premier but were level transferred into London & South East Premier as the nearest club geographically to address an imbalance of teams in the league. Teams leaving the division included Barnes who were promoted into National League 2 South as champions along with Guernsey who won the promotion playoff, while teams relegated from the league included Southend Saxons (London 1 North), Towcestrians (Midlands 1 East) and Westcombe Park (London 1 South).

Participating teams

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the London & South East Premier (National League 3 London & South East) and South West Premier (formerly 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 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 nineteen play-off matches and the south-east team have won the play-off thirteen times.

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Westcliff (P)26190780842538317598
Barnstaple26191674754120612191
27 April 2019
Westcliff44 – 5Barnstaple
Westcliff[12]
The Gables, Eastwood
Attendance: 750

2017–18

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Barnes who were relegated from National League 2 South along with three promoted teams Sidcup, Tring and Tunbridge Wells.[13][14][15][16] Tonbridge Juddians were promoted into National League 2 South as champions along with Wimbledon who won the promotion playoff.[17][18] Teams relegated from the league included Amersham & Chiltern and Colchester (London 1 North) and Chichester (London 1 South).[19] To address an imbalance of teams, Towcestrians were level transferred into the league from the Midlands Premier, as they were the nearest team geographically.[20]

Participating teams

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
BarnesBarn ElmsBarnes, LondonRelegated from National League 2 South (15th)
DorkingThe Big Field1,000+Dorking, Surrey8th
GuernseyFootes Lane5,000 (720 seats)Saint Peter Port, Guernsey5th
GuildfordBroadwater Sports ClubFarncombe, Surrey9th
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire3rd
ShelfordThe Davey Field2,000 (150 seats)Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire6th
SidcupCrescent FarmSidcup, LondonPromoted from London 1 South (champions)
Southend SaxonsWarners Bridge ParkSouthend, Essex11th
Sutton & EpsomRugby LaneCheam, London10th
TowcestriansGreens Norton RoadTowchester, NorthamptonshireLevel transfer from Midlands Premier (10th)
TringPendley Sports Centre750Tring, HertfordshirePromoted from London 1 North (champions)
Tunbridge WellsSt Marks Recreation Ground3,000Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentPromoted from London 1 South (playoffs)
WestcliffThe Gables1,000Eastwood, Southend-on-Sea, Essex7th
Westcombe ParkGoddington Dene3,200 (200 seats)Orpington, London4th

Final league table

2017–18 London & South East Premier
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Barnes (P)262204944380564203111
2Guernsey (P)262204962446516193110
3Tring262114783414369163105
4Hertford262015896484412203105
5Tunbridge Wells261401268155712416577
6Westcliff261401281655526115475
7Shelford2611015672688-1612359
8Sidcup2611015654790-13611459
9Dorking2610115646725-7911457
10Sutton & Epsom2610016634875-24113457
11Guildford267118604834-23015752
12Westcombe Park (R)269116511759-2488349
13Southend Saxons (R)2650214581052-5946430
14Towcestrians (R)2631223861088-7025120
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 07 June 2018
Source: 2017-2018

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the London & South East Premier, and South West Premier participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Guernsey RFC, hosted the match and beat their opponents Bournemouth 38 – 23 to win promotion.

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Guernsey (P)262204962446516193110
Bournemouth2617187616351269483
28 April 2018
15:00
Guernsey38 – 23Bournemouth
Guernsey
Bournemouth
Footes Lane

2016–17

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Dorking and Southend Saxons who were relegated from National 2 South while three promoted teams, Amersham & Chiltern, Guildford and Sutton & Epsom were promoted into the league. London Irish Wild Geese were promoted to National League 2 South as champions while Eton Manor and Gravesend were relegated to London 1 North and London 1 South respectively. Originally, Westcliff were supposed to go down as the 14th placed team, but they were granted a reprieve when East Grinstead (who had finished 3rd) decided to take voluntary relegation, due to the loss of a key sponsor and dropped five leagues to Sussex Spitfire 1.[21][22] Finally Bracknell were level transferred back to National League 3 South West after just one season to address an imbalance in teams after having finished 11th.[23]

Current results see:- National League 3 London & South East results

Participating teams

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
Amersham & ChilternWeedon LaneAmersham, Buckinghamshirepromoted from London 1 North (champions)
ChichesterOaklands ParkChichester, West Sussex10th
ColchesterMill Road Playing FieldsColchester, Essex9th
DorkingThe Big Field1,000+Dorking, Surreyrelegated from National League 2 South (14th)
GuernseyFootes Lane5,000 (720 seats)Saint Peter Port, Guernsey6th
GuildfordBroadwater Sports ClubFarncombe, Surreypromoted from London 1 South (play-off)
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire4th
ShelfordThe Davey Field2,000 (150 seats)Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire7th
Southend SaxonsWarners Bridge ParkSouthend, Essexrelegated from National League 2 South (15th)
Sutton & EpsomRugby LaneCheam, Londonpromoted from London 1 South (champions)
Tonbridge JuddiansThe Slade1,500Tonbridge, Kent2nd (lost play-off)
WestcliffThe Gables1,000Eastwood, Southend-on-Sea, Essex12th
Westcombe ParkGoddington Dene3,200 (200 seats)Orpington, London5th
WimbledonBeverley MeadsRaynes Park, Merton, London8th

Final league table

National League 3 London & South East 2016–17
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Tonbridge Juddians (P)262501887352535200120
2Wimbledon (P)262303936399537212115
3Hertford26170972647125513485
4Westcombe Park26170971939232711584
5Guernsey261501175661813814574
6Shelford2614111622642−198167
7Westcliff2611015539613−747657
8Dorking2611114553663–1106456
9Guildford2611015533689−1567354
10Sutton & Epsom2610016547707−1605651
11Southend2613013509626−1176250
12Chichester (R)269017528683−1559747
13Colchester (R)264022465791−3265728
14Amersham & Chiltern (R)2610253701045−675127
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 26 April 2017
Source:

Promotion play-off

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 Wimbledon RFC, hosted the match and beat their opponents Dings Crusaders RFC 55 – 5 to win promotion.

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Wimbledon (P)262303936399537212115
Dings Crusaders2619076764482288387
29 April 2017
15:00
Wimbledon55 – 5Dings Crusaders
Wimbledon
Dings
Beverley Meads
Attendance: 350

2015–16

Participating clubs

Final league table

2015–16 National League 3 London & SE Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Bonus Points Points
1London Irish Wild Geese (C)26214179144234916108
2Tonbridge Juddians26211483339543821102
3East Grinstead (R)[lower-alpha 2]2620156873373501799
4Hertford2618177494313181589
5Westcombe Park2617187384213171787
6Guernsey2615011666592741676
7Shelford2614012597542551773
8Wimbledon26130136354921431264
9Colchester2612014567616–491159
10Chichester2610016484609–1251252
11Bracknell269017478702–2241046
12Westcliff[lower-alpha 3]265021427814–387828
13Gravesend (R)263023378809–431820
14Eton Manor (R)2600262771,105–82855
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 23 April 2016
Source: 2015-16

Promotion play-off

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 Juddian, host the match and their opponents are Barnstaple. Juddians lost the match 31  30 to a penalty in the last minute of the match and will stay in National 3 London and SE for next season.[24]

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Tonbridge Juddian262114833395438132102
Barnstaple (P)26202471537833712298

30 April 2016
15:00
Tonbridge Juddian30 – 31Barnstaple
Juddians
Barnstaple
The Slade
Attendance: 600

2014–15

Participating clubs

Final league table

2014–15 National League 3 London & SE Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Bonus pts Points
1Bury St Edmunds (C)2620068004013991898
2Barnes (P)2619076384921461591
3London Irish Wild Geese2619076815241571490
4East Grinstead26160105994291701478
5Westcombe Park26140126304731572273
6Hertford2614012615565501268
7Chichester2612113547612–651363
8Tonbridge Juddians2611114582591–91561
9Gravesend2611114509614–105955
10Guernsey2611015617650–331453
11Westcliff269017516681–1651248
12Tring (R)269116500695–1951048
13Amersham & Chiltern (R)269017489610–1211147
14CS Rugby 1863 (R)266020481867–3861135
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 7 October 2015
Source: 2014-15

Promotion play-off

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.[25]

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Exmouth26210582042639413299
Barnes (P)26190763849214613291

25 April 2015
14:30
Exmouth22 – 27Barnes
Imperial Recreation Ground
Attendance: 1,000

After extra time (80 mins: 22 – 22)


2013–14

Participating clubs

Final league table

2013–14 National League 3 London & SE Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Bonus Points Points
1Dorking (C)262213104838466421111
2Old Elthamians (P)26222296137658519111
3East Grinstead2619167923794131795
4Tonbridge Juddian2617277125831291385
5Guernsey26151107334872461779
6Tring2614012667574931470
7Bury St Edmunds2613112729687421670
8Hertford2613112645557881468
9CS Rugby 18632610313622695–731460
10Westcombe Park2611015611649–381155
11Barnes269017519790–2711551
12Basingstoke (R)267118583838–2551343
13Thurrock (R)2631224411016–575620
14Barking (R)2600263291377–104866
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 20 May 2014
Source: and[26]

2012–13

Participating clubs

Results

2011–12

Participating clubs

Results

2010–11

Participating clubs

2009–10

Participating clubs

First season as a national league

Original teams

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

Regional 1 South East honours

In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. These were London Division 1, Midland Division 1, North Division 1 and South West Division 1. In 1987 the geographical area for teams in the south-east of England was known as the London and South East Division and covered the counties of Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey and Sussex. The league was also known as London League 1 and London 1. There were eleven teams in the league and they played each team once, giving each team ten matches.[29] 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.[30] After three seasons, in 1996–97, a further reorganisation occurred, and there was a return to four, tier five leagues; with London Division One covering the same area as before.[31] This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three London & South East. The league name changed once more for the 2017–18, when it was renamed to London & South East Premier.[1]

London Division One (1987–93)

The original London Division One was a tier five league with promotion up to Area League 2 South and relegation down to either London 2 North or London 2 South.

London Division One
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1987–881110EalingRuislipEsher, Upper Clapton[32]
1988–891110BasingstokeSutton & EpsomGuildford & Godalming, Dartfordians[29]
1989–901110North WalshamEalingNo relegation[29]
1990–911110SidcupCheshuntUS Portsmouth[29]
1991–921110ThurrockEton ManorCheshunt, Ruislip, Lewes[33]
1992–931312TabardEalingBarking, Old Colfeians, Old Mid-Whitgiftian, Old Alleynian, Dorking, Old Gaytonians, Sidcup[34]

London Division One

The top six teams from London Division One and the top six from South West Division One were combined to create National 5 South. London Division 1 was now the name of a tier six league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 South.

London 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1993–941312BarkingEalingThurrock, Dorking, Old Alleynian[35]
1994–951312CamberleyEsherStreatham-Croydon, Eton Manor, Maidstone[36]
1995–961312Charlton ParkSouthendEaling

London Division One

For the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 South was discontinued and London Division One returned to being a tier five league. Promotion was to National 4 South (renamed to National 3 South in 2000–01), while relegation continued to London 2 North and London 2 South.

London Division One
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1996–971413EsherNorwichSouthend, Thurrock[37]
1997–981716NorwichStainesAskeans[38]
1998–991716Westcombe ParkStainesSouthend, Charlton Park[39]
1999–001716BasingstokeStainesCheshunt, Sudbury, Old Mid-Whitgiftian, Wimbledon, Ruislip, Woodford[40][lower-alpha 7]
2000–011120Old ColfeiansHavantGuildford & Godalming, Thurrock[41][lower-alpha 8]
2001–021222HavantBasingstokeCambridge[42]
2002–031222SouthendHaywards HeathCheshunt, Northwich, Winchester[43]
2003–041222HavantHertfordHarlow, Camberley, Staines[44]
2004–051222CambridgeWorthingThanet Wanderers, Sutton & Epsom, London Nigerian[45]
2005–061222CanterburyRichmondTabard, Old Colfeians[46]
2006–071222London ScottishEaling TrailfindersGuildford, Haywards Heath, Staines[47]
2007–081222RichmondWorthingThanet Wanderers, Basingstoke, CS Rugby 1863[48]
2008–091222ShelfordBarnesNo relegation[49]

National League 3 London & SE

The division was renamed National League 3 London & SE following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It continued as a tier 5 league with promotion to National League 2 South (formerly National 3 South) and relegation to either London 1 North or London 1 South (formerly London 2 North and London 2 South).

National League 3 London & South East
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
2009–101426JerseyOld AlbanianHaywards Heath, Portsmouth, Sutton & Epsom[50]
2010–111426BarnesHertfordDiss, North Walsham, Basingstoke[51]
2011–121426CanterburyTonbridge JuddianHavant, Luton, Bracknell[52]
2012–131426Bishop's StortfordDorkingStaines, Westcliff, Gravesend[53]
2013–141426DorkingOld ElthamiansBarking, Thurrock, Basingstoke[54]
2014–151426Bury St EdmundsBarnesCS Rugby 1863, Amersham & Chiltern, Tring[55]
2015–161426London Irish Wild GeeseTonbridge JuddiansEton Manor, Gravesend, East Grinstead[lower-alpha 9][56]
2016–171426Tonbridge JuddiansWimbledonAmersham & Chiltern, Colchester, Chichester[57]
Green background are the promotion places.

London & South East Premier

The division was renamed London & South East Premier in order to make it more obvious that it was a regional league and the pinnacle of the London & South East region. It continued to be a tier 5 league with promotion to National League 2 South and relegation to London 1 North or London 1 South.

London & South East Premier
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
2017–181426BarnesGuernseyTowcestrians, Southend Saxons, Westcombe Park[58]
2018–191426Sutton & EpsomWestcliffShelford, Brentwood, Chingford[59]
2019–201422[lower-alpha 10]Rochford HundredGuernseyGuildford, Bedford Athletic, London Irish Wild Geese[62]
2020–211426Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–221426SevenoaksDorkingNorth Walsham (also promoted). No relegation due to league reorganisation.
Green background are the promotion places.

Regional 1 South East

Following a reorganisation of the league structure by the RFU, this league is now one of six at tier 5. Promotion is to National League 2 East and relegation to either Regional 2 Anglia, Regional 2 South East or Regional 2 Thames depending on location.

London & South East Premier
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
2022–231222Westcombe ParkShelfordCS Rugby 1863, Sidcup and Medway[63]
Green background is the promotion place.

Promotion play-offs

Between seasons 2000–01 and 2018–19 there has been a play-off 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. The team with the superior league record has home advantage. At the end of the 2019–20 season the London and south-east teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the south-west teams six; and the home team has won promotion on fifteen occasions compared to the away teams four.

London & South East Premier v South West Premier promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance Reference
2000–01Cinderford (SW)26–10Havant (LSE)Dockham Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire
2001–02Basingstoke (LSE)29–13Dings Crusaders (SW)Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire[64]
2002–03Haywards Heath (LSE)34–21Reading (SW)Whiteman's Green, Cuckfield, West Sussex[65][66]
2003–04Hertford (LSE)25–14Cinderford (SW)Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire[67]
2004–05Worthing Raiders (LSE)26–30Bridgwater & Albion (SW)Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex1,200[68][69]
2005–06Richmond (LSE)3–12Clifton (SW)Athletic Ground, Richmond, Greater London1,100[70][71]
2006–07Ealing Trailfinders (LSE)48–16Cleve (SW)Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing, Greater London[72][73]
2007–08Worthing Raiders (LSE)18–5Bracknell (SW)Roundstone Lane, Angmering, West Sussex[74][75]
2008–09Barnes (LSE)39–18Bracknell (SW)Barn Elms, Barnes, Greater London[76][77]
2009–10Old Albanian (LSE)15–0Old Patesians (SW)Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire[78][79]
2010–11Hertford (LSE)23–22Bournemouth (SW)Highfields, Ware, Hertfordshire1,000[80][81]
2011–12Chinnor (SW)19–8Tonbridge Juddians (LSE)Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire[82][83]
2012–13Exmouth (SW)21–20Dorking (LSE)Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon[84][85]
2013–14Old Elthamians (LSE)17–10Redingensians (SW)Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, Kent1,350[86][87]
2014–15Exmouth (SW)22–27 (aet)Barnes (LSE)Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth, Devon1,000[88][89]
2015–16Tonbridge Juddians (LSE)30–31Barnstaple (SW)The Slade, Tonbridge, Kent600[90][91]
2016–17Wimbledon (LSE)55–5Dings Crusaders (SW)Beverley Meads, Raynes Park, Greater London350[92]
2017–18Guernsey (LSE)38–23Bournemouth (SW)Footes Lane, Saint Peter Port, Guernsey[93]
2018–19Westcliff (LSE)44–5Barnstaple (SW)The Gables, Eastwood, Essex750[94][95]
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up – Guernsey (LSE) – promoted instead.
2020–21Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22Cancelled due to the reorganisation of the league
Green background is the promoted team. (LSE = London & South East teams while SW = South West teams).

Number of league titles

Notes

  1. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the promotion playoff game was cancelled and the winners were determined on final points tally.
  2. Despite finishing 3rd in the league, East Grinstead decided to take voluntary relegation due to being left insolvent after their director (and financial backer) pulled out of the club. They will be relegated all the way down to level 10 (Sussex Intermediate League) giving a reprieve to Westcliff who would have been relegated in 12th position had it not been for East Grinstead's demotion.[22]
  3. Following East Grinsteads voluntary relegation, 12th placed Westcliff were granted a reprieve and would not be relegated this season.[21]
  4. Guildford & Godalming would merge with Old Guildfordians in 2003 to form Guildford Rugby Club.
  5. Gaytonians would later merge with Kingsburians and Roxeth Manor to form West London RFC.
  6. Upper Clapton are currently known as Epping Upper Clapton RFC.
  7. The reduction of this division from 17 teams to 12 resulted in more relegation places than is usual.
  8. Metropolitan Police withdrew and their fixtures and results expunged.
  9. Despite finishing 3rd in the league, East Grinstead decided to take voluntary relegation due to being left insolvent after their director (and financial backer) pulled out of the club. The will be relegated all the way down to level 10 (Sussex Intermediate League) giving a reprieve to Westcliff who would have been relegated in 12th position had it not been for East Grinstead's demotion.[22]
  10. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with most clubs in London & South East Premier having played 22 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table.[60][61]
  11. London Welsh's league title was won during the period when tier 5 was divided into 2 regional divisions - National 5 North and National 5 South (1993-96).

See also

References

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