Counties 1 Western West

Counties 1 Western West (known as Counties 1 Tribute Western West for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues called Western Counties North and Western Counties West. Western Counties West was renamed Counties 1 Western West prior to the 2022–23 season and is currently a seventh tier league for clubs based in the south-west of England; mainly Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. The champions are promoted to Regional 2 South West. The number of teams relegated depends on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above, but is usually two or three to either Counties 2 Cornwall, Counties 2 Devon or Counties 2 Somerset, depending on location.

Counties 1 Western West
Current season or competition:
2022–23 Counties 1 Western West
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987) (as Western Counties)
Number of teams12
CountryEngland
HoldersTopsham (1st title) (2022–23 – promoted to Regional 2 South West)
Most titlesPenryn (3 titles)
Websiteclubs.rfu.com

Topsham are the champions.

Format

The champions are promoted to Regional 2 South West (formerly South West 1 West), while the last two teams, depending on their location, are relegated to Counties 2 Cornwall, Counties 2 Devon or Counties 2 Somerset. In previous seasons teams were relegated to the Cornwall/Devon league. 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.

Current season

Participating teams and location


2022–23

Participating teams and location

League table
2022–23 Counties 1 Western West League Table [1]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Topsham (P) 22200291242142116197
2Cullompton (P) 22190393230662615395
3Kingsbridge 22140866449317114373
4Pirates Amateur 22131869852417414472
5Tiverton 2213185774869111469
6Wiveliscombe 2211011586525619356
7Penryn 229112618662−4413556
8Bideford 2210012446598−1528352
9Plymstock Albion Oakes 229013554658−1049449
10Bude 227015427771−3448440
11Paignton 225116524687−1638737
12Falmouth 2200222421049−807314
  • Points are awarded as follows: four points for a win; two points for a draw; no points for a loss; one bonus point for scoring four tries or more in a match; one bonus point for losing by seven points or less.

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

Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated:1 July 2023

2021–22

Participating teams and location

League table
2021–22 Western Counties West League Table [2]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points adj
1Wadebridge Camels2626001136410726240128
2Truro26181776855021817192
3Newton Abbot26171882857625218392
4Teignmouth26152979452427015483
5Chard261501174854520318583
6Burnham-on-Sea261501181852928919478−5
7Kingsbridge261411183653230416372−5
8Tiverton2613211586656−7010268
9Wiveliscombe2611114567628−6110460
10Penryn2610214575599−2410359
11Bideford268117438740−3026545
12Paignton268018470716−2465239
13Falmouth264121363973−6105124
14Honiton2620243801329−9495013
  • Points are awarded as follows: four points for a win; two points for a draw; no points for a loss; one bonus point for scoring four tries or more in a match; one bonus point for losing by seven points or less.

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

Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated:7 August 2022

2020–21

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the season was cancelled.

2019–20

Participating teams and location

League table
2019–20 Western Counties West League Table (to 16 March 2020, when play stopped due to COVID-19)Final Positions[3]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Final
position		 Team Points
(adjusted)
1St Austell221903654334320122901Wellington (P)107
2Wellington (P)201604582324258143812St Austell106
3Kingsbridge221408736399337154753Teignmouth94
4Teignmouth1913155343042309568 4Kingsbridge89
5Wadebridge Camels21131754841813074655Wadebridge Camels80
6Penryn22130951637813894656Penryn74
7Chard211119473562−8983577Chard72
8Bideford2110110373420−4791528Bideford63
9Tiverton228113319522−20332399Tiverton46
10Falmouth227114360530−170523710Falmouth44
11Honiton227015366615−249453711Honiton42
12Wiveliscombe225017362689−327663212Saltash39
13Saltash206014388538−150423013Wiveliscombe39
14Cullompton224018369547−178582914Cullompton34
  • Points are awarded as follows: four points for a win; two points for a draw; no points for a loss; one bonus point for scoring four tries or more in a match; one bonus point for losing by seven points or less.

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

Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 2 April 2021

2018–19

Participating teams and location

League table
2018–19 Western Counties West League Table[4]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points
(adjusted)
1Sidmouth (P)262024805406399172103
2Crediton (P)262123643423220121101
3Wellington262033816402414172100−5
4St Austell26172759739220514793
5Tiverton2613112605547589669
6Wadebridge Camels2613112554644−909366
7Falmouth2612113468625−1576157
8Kingsbridge269116502548−467853
9Winscombe2610016453605−1525651
10Bideford268117495485107849
11Saltash269017396626−2303746
12Chard268018456796−3408343
13Truro267316491651−1604442
14Paignton266119350481−1311936
  • 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. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 13 February 2021

Promotion play-off

In the play-off for promotion, Crediton played Midsomer Norton from Western Counties North for promotion to South West 1 West. Midsomer Norton had the best playing record and hosted the match, losing 15 – 19. This was the first time either team had participated in the play-offs, at this level, and Crediton's win was the sixth time the away team had won match. Teams from Western Counties North lead 10–9 in the nineteen play-off matches played since 2001.

Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Midsomer Norton262006750595155202102
Crediton (P)262123643423220121101
27 April 2019
15:00
Midsomer Norton15 – 19Crediton
Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset

[5]

2017–18

Participating teams and location

The 2017–18 Western Counties West League consists of fourteen teams; seven from Devon, five from Cornwall and two from Somerset. The season started on 2 September 2017 and finished on 21 April 2018. Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2016–17 champions, Exeter University were promoted to South West 1 West, along with the play-off winners Cullompton, while Chard (12th place) and Kingsbridge (13th) were relegated from that league. Bude and Wellington were relegated to the Cornwall/Devon League and were replaced by Falmouth (champions) and Paignton (runner-up).

League table
2017–18 Western Counties West League Table[7]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points
(adjusted)
1St Ives (P)262204809478331201109
2Devonport Services (P)26171871945626314690
3St Austell2617185984441548583
4Kingsbridge26162871439132311382
5Wadebridge Camels261538596527698175
6Sidmouth261421066854812010469−5
7Chard2610115462532−709556
8Truro269116539632−938753
9Paignton2610214462528−663451
10Crediton2610115427514÷874551
11Tiverton2610115462653−1913550
12Falmouth269215488636−1487249
13Torquay Athletic2610016446621−1758447−5
14Burnham-on-Sea264121343773−4302424
  • 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. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 19 May 2017

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties West and Western Counties North, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Chew Valley, host the match, and for the second successive season they lost, this time to Devonport Services 12 – 22. It is the first time Devonport Services are promoted to a level six league.[8] This match was the eighteenth play-off for promotion; the northern sides lead with ten victories to the west's eight and the home teams are leading thirteen to five.

Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Chew Valley26180879845834015592
Devonport Services (P)26171871945626314690
April 2018
15:00
Chew Valley12 – 22Devonport Services
Chew Lane, Chew Magna

2016–17

Participating teams and location

The 2016–17 Western Counties West League consists of fourteen teams; seven from Devon, five from Cornwall and two from Somerset. The season began on 3 September 2016 and finished on 22 April 2017. Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition, the 2015–16 champions, Okehampton were promoted to South West 1 West, along with the play-off winners Kingsbridge. Two Cornish teams, Penryn and Saltash were relegated to the Cornwall/Devon League and were replaced by Bude (champions) and St Ives (runner-up). The three relegated teams from South West One were all allocated places in Western Counties North so the two most westerly teams from that division, Burnham and Wellington were transferred to this league to bring the number of teams to fourteen.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
BudeBencoolen Meadow750Bude, Cornwallpromoted from Cornwall/Devon (1st)
Burnham-on-SeaBASC GroundBurnham-on-Sea, Somersetlevel transfer from Western Counties North (6th)
CreditonBlagdonCrediton, Devon12th
CullomptonStafford ParkCullompton, Devon7th
Devonport ServicesThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, Devon9th
Exeter UniversityDuckes Meadow, Salmon Pool LaneExeter, Devon4th
SidmouthBlackmore FieldSidmouth, Devon8th
St AustellTregorrick Park4,000 (300 seats)St Austell, Cornwall11th
St IvesRecreation Ground3,000 (275 seats)St Ives, Cornwallpromoted from Cornwall/Devon (2nd)
TivertonCoronation Field750Tiverton, Devon6th
Torquay AthleticRecreation Ground3,000 (300 seats)Torquay, Devon5th
TruroSt Clement's Hill2,000Truro, Cornwall3rd
Wadebridge CamelsMolesworth Field500Wadebridge, Cornwall10th
WellingtonAthletic GroundWellington, Somersetlevel transfer from Western Counties North (10th)

[9]

League table
2016–17 Western Counties West League Table[10]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Exeter University (P)252104960329631181103
2Cullompton (P)262204659311348112101
3Devonport Services2617185874741138482
4Truro24141960348711611372
5Wadebridge Camels2615011510548−386571
6St Ives2612014710503207121070
7St Austell261301366551115410769
8Sidmouth2612014608593158561
9Torquay Athletic2611015433697−2645655
10Crediton269017439574−1355748
11Tiverton269017390657−2674646
12Burnham-on-Sea258017429521−924945
13Bude268018413892−4794339
14Wellington268018342651−3091432
  • 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. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 19 May 2017

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties West and Western Counties North, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Chew Valley, host the match and they lost to Cullompton 12 – 29.

Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Chew Valley262204822493329180106
Cullompton (P)262204659311348112101
29 April 2017
15:00
Chew Valley12 – 29Cullompton
Chew Lane

2015–16

The 2015–16 Western Counties West League consists of fourteen teams; nine from Devon and five from Cornwall. The seasons started on 5 September 2015 and the last matches were played on 30 April 2016.

Participating teams and location

Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Teignmouth were promoted to South West 1 West and Tavistock and St Ives were relegated to the Cornwall/Devon League. The only team from Somerset, Wellington, was transferred to Western Counties North.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
CreditonBlagdonCrediton, Devonpromoted from Cornwall/Devon
CullomptonStafford ParkCullompton, Devonrelegated from South West 1 West
Devonport ServicesThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, Devon6th
Exeter UniversityDuckes Meadow, Salmon Pool LaneExeter, Devon9th
KingsbridgeHigh House1,000 (50 seats)Kingsbridge, Devon2nd
OkehamptonShowground1,120 (120 seats)Okehampton, Devon7th
PenrynMemorial Ground4,000 (200 seats)Penryn, Cornwall11th
SaltashMoorlands LaneSaltash, Cornwallpromoted from Cornwall/Devon
SidmouthBlackmore FieldSidmouth, Devon8th
St AustellTregorrick Park4,000 (300 seats)St Austell, Cornwallrelegated from South West 1 West
TivertonCoronation Field750Tiverton, Devon3rd
Torquay AthleticRecreation Ground3,000 (300 seats)Torquay, Devon12th
TruroSt Clement's Hill2,000Truro, Cornwall4th
Wadebridge CamelsMolesworth Field500Wadebridge, Cornwall5th

[11]

League table
2015–16 Western Counties West League Table[12]
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Okehampton (P)262303605308297150108
2Kingsbridge (P)262204745264481162106
3Truro261601063653510115585
4Exeter University26171873849224613381
5Torquay Athletic26160106416113011378
6Tiverton2613013478425537867
7Cullompton2611213528478505760
8St Austell2610115455511−567958
9Devonport Services2610016478610−13210555
10Wadebridge Camels269116505530−257853
11Sidmouth2610016494631−1374549
12Crediton269314447658−2115249
13Penryn267019413742−3295538
14Saltash265021426794−3685732
  • 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. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 9 May 2016

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties North and Western Counties West, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Kingsbridge, hosted the match against Keynsham and won 16 – 10.

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Kingsbridge (P)262204745264481162108
Keynsham262024681306375144102
8 May 2016
15:00
Kingsbridge16 – 10Keynsham
High House

2014–15

Participating teams and location

The 2014–15 Western Counties West consisted of fourteen teams; nine from Devon, four from Cornwall and one from Somerset. The season started on 6 September 2014 and finished on 18 April 2015. Teignmouth became champions with two matches to play after Exeter University had fifty points deducted for playing ineligible players. Teignmouth were promoted to South West 1 West, while the second place team, Kingsbridge, lost to the runner-up of Western Counties North, Newent in the play-off for promotion. The last two teams, Tavistock and St Ives were relegated to Cornwall/Devon.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
Devonport ServicesThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, Devon8th
Exeter UniversityDuckes Meadow, Salmon Pool LaneExeter, Devonpromoted from Cornwall/Devon
KingsbridgeHigh House1,000 (50 seats)Kingsbridge, Devon3rd
OkehamptonShowground1,120 (120 seats)Okehampton, Devon9th
PenrynMemorial Ground4,000 (200 seats)Penryn, Cornwall6th
St IvesRecreation Ground3,000 (275 seats)St Ives, Cornwall12th
SidmouthBlackmore FieldSidmouth, Devonrelegated from South West 1 West
TavistockSandy ParkTavistock, Devon11th
TeignmouthBitton Sports Ground1,210 (210 stand)Teignmouth, Devon2nd
TivertonCoronation Field750Tiverton, Devonpromoted from Cornwall/Devon
Torquay AthleticRecreation Ground3,000Torquay, Devon7th
TruroSt Clement's Hill2,000Truro, Cornwall5th
Wadebridge CamelsMolesworth Field500Wadebridge, Cornwallrelegated from South West 1 West
WellingtonAthletic GroundWellington, Somerset10th

[13]

League table
2014–15 Western Counties West League Table[14]
Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Teignmouth (P)262303989356633182112
2Kingsbridge26180870142227912488
3Tiverton26170957428129311483
4Truro261501177059817212578
5Wadebridge Camels261501170750320411475
6Devonport Services2615011556466908270
7Okehampton2613013593504898666
8Sidmouth2611114526646−1208560
9Exeter University26220489855134716156[lower-alpha 1]
10Wellington269017490625−1356446
11Penryn269017531608−777740
12Torquay Athletic265021510898−3888836
13Tavistock265021393927−5346127
14St Ives2641213031156−8535118
  • 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. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 8 May 2015

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties North and Western Counties West, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Newent, hosted the match; their opponents were Kingsbridge who lost the match 26 – 28 to a stoppage time penalty.

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Newent (P)262303827399428161110
Kingsbridge26180870142227912488
25 April 2015
15:00
Newent28 – 26Kingsbridge
Newent
Kingsbridge
Recreation Ground

2013–14

[15]

2009–10

2007–08
2007–08 Western Counties West
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points Diff Bonus Points Points
Paignton221804629252377036
Sidmouth221714495260235035
Wadebridge Camels221237618303315027
Tiverton22121938131665025
Bude221129349354−5024
Ivybridge22921134032911020
Devonport Services229211488501−84020
Minehead Barbarians229211429421−197020
Kingsbridge22911240837236019
Withycombe229013242439−197018
Hayle226214235537−302014
Penryn223019177536−35906

[16]

Original teams

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

Western Counties honours

In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was ten, tier seven leagues. The Western Counties League was for teams based in the south-west of England from Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucester and Somerset. Each team played one match against each of the other teams with the winning team awarded two points, and there was one point for each team in a drawn match.[17] This system prevailed for five seasons, and in 1992–93 the number of teams increased from eleven to thirteen. The following season Western Counties League was renamed Courage South West 2 League, and three seasons later in 1996–97 a major reorganisation occurred with South West 2 being split into two regional leagues:[18]

  1. Courage Western Counties North consisted of sixteen teams based in Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset, and each team continued to play the others once
  2. Courage Western Counties West consisted of eleven teams based in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, and each team played the other twice.

Western Counties (1987–1993)

Originally Western Counties North and Western Counties West was a single division called Western Counties (sponsored by Courage), involving teams based in the south-west of England including Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucester and Somerset. Each team played one match against each of the other teams with the winning team awarded two points, and there was one point for each team in a drawn match.[17] It was a tier 7 league with promotion up to South West 2[lower-alpha 2] and relegation to either Cornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset.[lower-alpha 3]

Western Counties
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1987–881110MatsonGordon LeagueAvon & Somerset Police, Sidmouth[19]
1988–891110Gordon LeagueAvonmouth Old BoysDevonport Services, Crediton[20]
1989–901110PenrynAvonmouth Old BoysCirencester, Devon & Cornwall Police[20]
1990–911110Coombe DownAvonmouth Old BoysTruro
1991–921110ClevedonBridgwater & Albion[lower-alpha 4]Newquay Hornets[21]
1992–931312Gloucester Old BoysLauncestonPlymouth Civil Service, Devon & Cornwall Police[22]

Western Counties (1993–1996)

At the end of the 1992–93 season the top six teams from London Division 1 and the top six from South West Division 1 were combined to create National 5 South. This meant that Western Counties dropped from a tier 7 league to a tier 8 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to South West 2 and relegation down to either Cornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset.[lower-alpha 5] The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.

Western Counties
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1993–941312Old PatesiansTivertonWiveliscombe[23]
1994–951312LauncestonDevonport ServicesAvonmouth Old Boys[24]
1995–961312Dings CrusadersSpartans[lower-alpha 6]No relegation[lower-alpha 7][25]
Green background are the promotion places.

Western Counties West (1996–2009)

Major restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Western Counties split into two separate leagues, Western Counties North and Western Counties West, which reverted to tier 7 leagues due to the cancellation of National 5 South.[18] Promotion from Western Counties West was now to the new South West 2 West division (formerly South West 2)[lower-alpha 8] while relegation was now to Cornwall/Devon.[lower-alpha 9] From the 2008–09 season the league sponsor is Tribute.

Western Counties West
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1996–971120OkehamptonSt AustellOld Plymouthians, Crediton, Saltash[26]
1997–981018St AustellKingsbridgeSidmouth, Bideford[27]
1998–991018TruroIvybridgeDevonport Services, Kingsbridge[28]
1999–001018IvybridgeWithycombeNo relegation[lower-alpha 10][29]
2000–011222CreditonWithycombeSt Ives, Wellington, Paignton, Devonport Services[lower-alpha 11][30][31]
2001–021222ExmouthPenrynSouth Molton, St Austell[32]
2002–031222PenrynWithycombeOkehampton, Bideford[33]
2003–041222CamborneTorquay AthleticTiverton, St Just[34]
2004–051222Mounts BaySt IvesWessex, Devonport Services[35]
2005–061222Torquay AthleticNewton AbbotPaignton, Ivel Barbarians[36]
2006–071222BarnstapleHayleCrediton, Truro[37]
2007–081222PaigntonSidmouthHayle, Penryn[38]
2008–091426CullomptonIvybridgeNo relegation[lower-alpha 12] (14th Withycombe)[39]

Western Counties West (2009–2022)

Despite widespread league restructuring by the RFU, Western Counties West continued as a tier 7 league, with promotion to South West 1 West (formerly South West 2 West) and relegation to Cornwall/Devon. Tribute continued to sponsor the league.

Western Counties West
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2009–101426CamborneWadebridge CamelsMinehead Barbarians, Withycombe[40]
2010–111426PenrynKingsbridgeTavistock, Newquay Hornets[41]
2011–121426North PethertonTorquay AthleticTiverton, St Ives[42]
2012–131426St AustellBidefordExeter Saracens, Honiton[43]
2013–141426IvybridgeTeignmouthBude, Paignton[44]
2014–151426TeignmouthKingsbridgeSt Ives, Tavistock[45]
2015–161426OkehamptonKingsbridgeSaltash, Penryn[46]
2016–171426Exeter UniversityCullomptonWellington, Bude[47]
2017–181426St IvesDevonport ServicesBurnham-on-Sea, Torquay Athletic[48]
2018–191426SidmouthCreditonPaignton, Truro[49]
2019–201426WellingtonSt AustellCullompton, Saltash[50]
2020–211426Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–221426Wadebridge CamelsTruroHoniton

Counties 1 Western West (2022–23)
Counties 1 Western West
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2022–231222TopshamCullomptonPaignton and Falmouth (subject to confirmation from the RFU)[51]

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Western Counties North and Western Counties West for the third and final promotion place to South West 1 West. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. As of the end of the 2019–20 season the northern sides have been the more successful with ten victories to the west's nine while the home team has won thirteen times compared to the away teams six.

Western Counties (west v north) promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000–01[52]Taunton Titans (N)24–16Withycombe (W)Hyde Park, Taunton, Somerset
2001–02[53]St Mary's Old Boys (N)43–7Penryn (W)Trench Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol
2002–03[54]Thornbury (N)12–5Withycombe (W)Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
2003–04[55]Spartans (N)18–7Torquay Athletic (W)Lansdown Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
2004–05[56]St Ives (W)27–5Thornbury (N)Alexandra Road, St Ives, Cornwall
2005–06[57]Newton Abbot (W)24–12Walcot (N)Rackerhayes, Newton Abbot, Devon
2006–07[58]Hayle (W)11–27Barts Rugby (N)Memorial Park, Hayle, Cornwall
2007–08[59][60]Sidmouth (W)23–20Old Redcliffians (N)Blackmore Field, Sidmouth, Devon1,000[61]
2008–09[62][63]Chosen Hill Former Pupils (N)33–25Ivybridge (W)Brookfield Road, Churchdown, Gloucester
2009–10[64][65]Wadebridge Camels (W)25–21Thornbury (N)Molesworth Field, Wadebridge, Cornwall
2010–11[66][67]Thornbury (N)54–7Kingsbridge (W)Cooper's Farm, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
2011–12[68][69]Old Centralians (N)39–7Torquay Athletic (W)Saintbridge Sports Centre, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
2012–13[70][71]Wells (N)20–27Bideford (W)Charter Way, Wells, Somerset400
2013–14[72][73]Teignmouth (W)10–35Matson (N)Bitton Park Sports Ground, Teignmouth, Devon
2014–15[74][75]Newent (N)28–26Kingsbridge (W)Recreation Ground, Newent, Gloucestershire
2015–16[76]Kingsbridge (W)16–10Keynsham (N)High House, Kingsbridge, Devon
2016–17[77]Chew Valley (N)12–29Cullompton (W)Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset700
2017–18[78]Chew Valley (N)12–22Devonport Services (W)Chew Lane, Chew Magna, Somerset
2018–19[79]Midsomer Norton (N)15–19Crediton (W)Norton Down Playing Fields, Midsomer Norton, Somerset
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up – St Austell (W) – promoted instead.
2020–21Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22Cancelled due to league reorganisation
Green background represent the promoted team, (N) stands for Western Counties North teams, (W) stands for Western Counties West teams

Number of league titles

Summary of tier seven format since 1987
Format of tier seven Western Counties West
Year Name No of teams No of matches
1987–92Western Counties League1110
1992–96Western Counties League1312
1996–97Western Counties West1120
1997–00Western Counties West1018
2000–08Western Counties West1222
2008–22Western Counties West1426
2022–23Counties 1 Western West1222

[20][21][80][81][82][30]

Sponsorship

The Western Counties League was part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery from the first season, 1987–88 to season 1996–97.[83] The league was unsponsored until season 2007–08 when St Austell Brewery sponsored South-west based leagues under the Tribute Ale label.

Notes
  1. Exeter University deducted 50 points after playing ineligible players.
  2. South West 2 is currently two regional divisions - South West 1 East and South West 1 West.
  3. Gloucestershire/Somerset is currently two separate leagues - Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  4. Old Culverhaysians also promoted.
  5. Gloucestershire/Somerset is currently two separate leagues – Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
  6. League restructuring meant that five teams were promoted, including 3rd to 5th place Penzance & Newlyn, Devonport Services and Tiverton.
  7. There was no relegation as Western Counties was due to split into Western Counties North and Western Counties West.
  8. From the 1996–97 season South West 2 was split into two regional divisions - South West 2 East and South West 2 West.
  9. Relegated Western Counties North clubs dropped to Gloucestershire/Somerset (currently Gloucester Premier / Somerset Premier.
  10. There was no relegation this season due to restructuring of the league system by the RFU.
  11. At the end of the 2000–01 season there were more relegations from Western Counties West than usual due to with four teams going down, including 9th placed Paignton and 8th placed Devonport Services. Due to the Foot-and-mouth disease teams were unable to fulfil all fixtures which meant that 10th placed South Molton escaped relegation on aggregate points from games played.
  12. There was no relegation this season due to restructuring of the league system by the RFU.
  13. One of Penryn's title wins was back when the league was known as Western Counties.
  14. Clevedon's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  15. Coombe Down title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  16. Dings Crusaders title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  17. Gloucester Old Boys title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  18. Gordon League's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  19. Launceston's title win was when the league was known as Western Counties.
  20. Matson's title win was back when the league was known as Western Counties.
  21. Old Patesians title win was back when the league was known as Western Counties.

See also

References
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