Current season or competition: 2023–24 Regional 2 South East | |
Sport | Rugby union |
---|---|
Instituted | 1987 | (as London 2 South)
Number of teams | 12 |
Country | England |
Holders | Horsham (2022–23) (promoted to Regional 1 South Central) |
Most titles | Basingstoke, Canterbury, Gravesend, Haywards Heath, Sutton & Epsom, Wimbledon, Camberley (2 titles) |
Website | englandrugby.com |
Regional 2 South East, previously known as London 1 South, is an English level 6 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in London and the south-east of England including sides from East Sussex, south Essex, south Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex. [1] When this division began in 1987 it was known as London 2 South, changing to London 1 South ahead of the 2009–10 season. It was the feeder league for London & South East Premier into which the champion team each season is promoted. The second-placed team entered a play-off against the runner-up of London 1 North. Three teams were relegated into either London 2 South East and London 2 South West depending on their location.
The current champions are Horsham and are promoted to Regional 1 South Central.
The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April, making a total of twenty-two matches each. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:
There is one automatic promotion place and two relegation places. The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to either Regional 1 South Central or Regional 1 South East
Departing were London Welsh and Camberley who were promoted to Regional 1 South Central and Medway, promoted to Regional 1 South East. Also leaving the league were Hammersmith & Fulham, London Cornish, Cobham and London Irish Wild Geese - all level transferred to Regional 2 Thames.
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Battersea Ironsides | Burntwood Lane | Earlsfield, London | 9th | |
Beckenham | Balmoral Avenue | Beckenham, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (runners-up) | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 10th | |
Dartfordians | Bourne Road | Bexley, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (4th) | |
Farnham | Wilkinson Way | Farnham, Surrey | 11th | |
Gravesend | Rectory Field | Gravesend, Kent | Promoted from London 2 SE (3rd) | |
Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | 5th | |
Horsham | Coolhurst Ground | Horsham, West Sussex | 6th | |
KCS Old Boys | Dornan Fields | Motspur Park, London | 8th | |
Old Colfeians | Horn Park | Lee, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (champions) | |
Old Reigatian | Geoffrey Knight Fields | Reigate, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (3rd) | |
Reeds Weybridge | Whiteley Village | Hersham, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (runners-up) |
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. Ahead of the season Haywards Heath (promoted as London 2 SE champions in 2019–20) withdrew from the league leaving London 1 South with thirteen teams.
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Battersea Ironsides | Burntwood Lane | Earlsfield, London | Promoted from London 2 SW (champions) | |
Camberley | Watchetts Recreation Ground | Camberley, Surrey | 3rd | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 8th | |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 5th | |
Farnham | Wilkinson Way | Farnham, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (runners up) | |
Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | Relegated from L&SE Premier (14th) | |
Hammersmith & Fulham | Hurlingham Park | Fulham, London | Promoted from London 2 NW (runners up) | |
Horsham | Coolhurst Ground | Horsham, West Sussex | 7th | |
KCS Old Boys | Dornan Fields | Motspur Park, London | 9th | |
London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | 11th | |
London Irish Wild Geese | Hazelwood | 2,000 | Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey | Relegated from L&SE Premier (12th) |
London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850 (1,000 seats) | Richmond, London | Promoted from London 2 NW (champions) |
Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | 4th |
On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced 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 1 South was not contested. [2]
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Beckenham | Balmoral Avenue | Beckenham, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (champions) | |
Belsize Park | Regent's Park | Belsize Park, London | Promoted from London 2 NW (champions) [a] | |
Camberley | Watchetts Recreation Ground | Camberley, Surrey | 3rd | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 9th | |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 10th | |
Dartfordians | Bourne Road | Bexley, London | 11th | |
H.A.C. | Artillery Ground | Finsbury, London | Level transfer from London 1 North (5th) [b] | |
Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 6th |
Horsham | Coolhurst Ground | Horsham, West Sussex | Promoted from London 2 SE (playoff) | |
KCS Old Boys | Dornan Fields | Motspur Park, London | Promoted from London 2 SW (champions) | |
London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | 8th | |
Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | 4th | |
Thurrock | Oakfield | Grays, Essex | 5th | |
Westcombe Park | Goddington Dene | 3,200 (200 seats) | Orpington, London | 7th |
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brighton | Waterhall Playing Fields | Brighton, East Sussex | 6th | |
Camberley | Watchetts Recreation Ground | Camberley, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (champions) | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 4th | |
Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 10th | |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 5th | |
Dartfordians | Bourne Road | Bexley, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (champions) | |
Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 3rd |
Hove | Hove Recreation Ground | Hove, East Sussex | Promoted from London 2 SE (playoff) | |
London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | 8th | |
Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | Runner up (lost playoff) | |
Sevenoaks | Knole Paddock | 1,000 | Sevenoaks, Kent | 9th |
Thurrock | Oakfield | Grays, Essex | 11th | |
Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | 7th | |
Westcombe Park | Goddington Dene | 3,200 (200 seats) | Orpington, London | Relegated from LSE Premier (12th) |
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brighton | Waterhall Playing Fields | Brighton, East Sussex | 11th | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | Relegated from National League 3 London & SE (12th) | |
Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 10th | |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 6th | |
CS Rugby 1863 | King's House Sports Ground | Chiswick, London | 5th | |
Gravesend | Rectory Field | Gravesend, Kent | 8th | |
Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 3rd |
London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | Promoted from London 2 South West (champions) | |
Maidstone | William Davey Memorial Ground | Maidstone, Kent | 9th | |
Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | Promoted from London 2 South East (champions) | |
Old Colfeians | Horn Park | Lee, London | Promoted from London 2 South East (playoff) | |
Sevenoaks | Knole Paddock | 1,000 | Sevenoaks, Kent | 7th |
Thurrock | Oakfield | Grays, Essex | Level transfer from London 1 North (6th) | |
Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | 4th |
Sutton & Epsom, the current champions were promoted to National 3 London & South East for the 2016–17 season, while the second-placed team, Guildford beat Tring, the runner-up from London 1 North, in a play-off for the second promotion place. Twickenham and Charlton Park are relegated. Medway were also relegated despite finishing third due to an RFU punishment for incorrect registration of, and illegal payments to, players [3] thus granting a reprieve from relegation for Gosport and Fareham. [4]
Medway were replaced by Gravesend who were relegated from National 3 London & SE. Promoted into the league were winners of London 2 South East, Tunbridge Wells [5] as well as Cobham as champions of London 2 South West and play-off winners Sevenoaks. [6] CS Rugby 1863 were transferred from London 1 North because they were the most southern team in London 1 North due of an imbalance in North and South teams in the leagues. [6]
Team | Ground | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|
Brighton | Waterhall | Brighton, East Sussex | 5th |
Chiswick | Dukes Meadows | Chiswick, Hounslow, London | 10th |
Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 8th |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | promoted from London 2 South West as champions |
CS Rugby 1863 | King's House Sports Ground | Chiswick, London | level transferred from London 1 North |
Dover | Crabble Athletic Ground | Dover, Kent | 11th |
Gosport & Fareham | Gosport Park | Gosport, Hampshire | 12th |
Gravesend | Donald Biggs Drive | Gravesend, Kent | relegated from National League 3 London & SE |
Havant | Hook's Lane | Havant, Hampshire | 9th |
Maidstone | William Day Memorial Ground | Maidstone, Kent | 6th |
Sevenoaks | Knole Paddock | Sevenoaks, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East via play-off |
Sidcup | Crescent Farm | Sidcup, Kent | 4th |
Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | 7th |
Tunbridge Wells | St Marks Recreation Ground | Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East as champions |
Team | Ground | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|
Brighton | Waterhall | Brighton, East Sussex | 6th |
Charlton Park | Broad Walk | Kidbrooke, London | 8th |
Chiswick | Dukes Meadows | Chiswick, London | promoted from London 2 North West via play-off |
Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 2nd |
Dover | Crabble Athletic Ground | Dover, Kent | 10th |
Gosport & Fareham | Gosport Park | Gosport, Hampshire | 9th |
Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | 5th |
Havant | Hook's Lane | Havant, Hampshire | 7th |
Maidstone | William Davey Memorial Ground | Maidstone, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East as champions |
Medway | Priestfields Recreation Ground | Rochester, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East via play-off |
Sidcup | Crescent Farm | Sidcup, Kent | 4th |
Sutton & Epsom | Rugby Lane | Cheam, London | 3rd |
Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | promoted from London 2 South West as champions |
Twickenham | Parkfields | Hampton, London | 11th |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sutton & Epsom (C) | 26 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 853 | 415 | +438 | 17 | 1 | 112 | Promotion place |
2 | Guildford (P) | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 802 | 481 | +321 | 15 | 3 | 98 | Play-off place |
3 | Medway (R) [c] | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 710 | 494 | +216 | 12 | 3 | 91 | Relegated |
4 | Sidcup | 26 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 735 | 477 | +258 | 13 | 4 | 91 | |
5 | Brighton | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 661 | 480 | +181 | 13 | 7 | 84 | |
6 | Maidstone | 26 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 733 | 541 | +192 | 11 | 1 | 80 | |
7 | Tottonans | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 741 | 464 | +277 | 12 | 3 | 79 | |
8 | Chobham | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 720 | 598 | +122 | 13 | 8 | 73 | |
9 | Havant | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 724 | 688 | +36 | 13 | 7 | 68 | |
10 | Chiswick | 26 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 496 | 707 | −211 | 5 | 2 | 49 | |
11 | Dover | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 425 | 748 | −323 | 6 | 7 | 37 | |
12 | Gosport & Fareham | 26 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 458 | 959 | −501 | 8 | 1 | 29 | |
13 | Twickenham (R) | 26 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 424 | 859 | −435 | 7 | 6 | 21 | Relegated |
14 | Charlton Park (R) | 26 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 413 | 984 | −571 | 2 | 4 | 20 |
Each season, the runners-up in London 1 South and London 1 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National 3 London & SE. The team with the best playing record, in this case Tring, from London 1 North, was the home team and the away team Guildford, won the match 26 – 21, with a try in the 79th minute. [7] [8]
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tring | 26 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 987 | 360 | +627 | 17 | 0 | 109 |
Guildford (P) | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 802 | 481 | +321 | 15 | 3 | 98 |
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as London 2 South) contained the following teams:
In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was six, tier six leagues. The initial name was London 2 South and was for teams based in London and the counties of Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. There was eleven teams in the league and each team played one match against each of the other teams, giving each team five home matches and five away matches. The winning team was awarded two points, and there was one point for each team in a drawn match. [9]
The original London 2 South was a tier 6 league with promotion to London 1 and relegation to either London 3 South East or London 3 South West.
Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1987–88 | 11 | 10 | Basingstoke | Old Mid-Whitgiftian | Old Juddian, Portsmouth | [9] |
1988–89 | 11 | 10 | Old Alleynian | Worthing | Old Reigatian, KCS Old Boys, Purley | [9] |
1989–90 | 11 | 10 | Old Mid-Whitgiftian | Camberley | Alton | [9] |
1990–91 | 11 | 10 | Dorking | Westcombe Park | Old Brockleians, Dartfordians | [10] |
1991–92 | 11 | 10 | Old Colfeians | Guildford & Godalming | Tunbridge Wells | [11] |
1992–93 | 13 | 12 | Camberley | Westcombe Park | No relegation [c] | [12] |
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 London 2 South dropped from a tier 6 league to a tier 7 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to London 1 and relegation to either London 3 South East or London 3 South West.
Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1993–94 | 13 | 12 | Esher | Westcombe Park | KCS Old Boys, Worthing, Lewes | |
1994–95 | 13 | 12 | Charlton Park | Old Blues | Portsmouth, Old Alleynians, Sidcup | |
1995–96 | 13 | 12 | Wimbledon | Thanet Wanderers | Maidstone |
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that London 2 South reverted to being a tier 6 league. [13] Promotion continued to London 1 and relegation down to either London 3 South East or London 3 South West (renamed to London 2 South East and London 2 South West from the 2000–01 season onward).
London 2 South was renamed to London 1 South from the 2009–10 season. It continued as a tier 6 league with promotion to National League 3 London & South East (formerly London 1 and currently known as London & South East Premier) and relegation to London 2 South East and London 2 South West (formerly London 3 South East and London 3 South West).
Following a reorganisation of the league structure by the RFU, this league is now one of twelve at tier 6. Promotion is to Regional 1 South Central or Regional 1 South East.
Season | No of teams | Champions | Runner-up | Relegated teams | Ref | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022–23 | 12 | Horsham | Farnham | Dartfordians and KCS Old Boys | ||||||||||
Green background is the promotion place. |
From 2000–01 to 2018–19 there was a play-off between the runners-up of London 1 North and London 1 South for the third and final promotion place to London & South East Premier. The team with the superior league record had home advantage. At the end of the 2018–19 season the London 1 South teams have been the most successful with eleven wins to the London 1 North teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six. Promotion play-offs ended with the reorganisation of the leagues for season 2022–23
Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Attendance | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000–01 [41] | Canterbury (S) | 21-27 | London Nigerian (N) | Merton Lane, Canterbury, Kent | ||||||||||
2001–02 [42] | Southend (N) | 37-15 | Portsmouth (S) | Warners Bridge Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex | ||||||||||
2002–03 [43] | Old Albanian (2nd XV) (N) | 28-12 | Portsmouth (S) | Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire | ||||||||||
2003–04 [44] | Cambridge (N) | 21-19 | Barnes (S) | Grantchester Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire | ||||||||||
2004–05 [45] | Staines (N) | 55-12 | Portsmouth (S) | The Reeves, Hanworth, Greater London | ||||||||||
2005–06 [46] | Guildford (S) | 27-14 | CS Rugby 1863 (N) | Broadwater Sports Club, Farncombe, Surrey | ||||||||||
2006–07 [47] | Tring (N) | 7-20 | Thanet Wanderers (S) | Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire | ||||||||||
2007–08 [48] | Jersey (S) | 15-0 | Staines (S) | St. Peter, Saint Peter, Jersey | ||||||||||
2008–09 [49] | Staines (N) | 7-11 | Dorking (S) | The Reeves, Hanworth, Greater London | ||||||||||
2009–10 [50] | Civil Service (N) | 31-14 | Dover (S) | King's House Sports Ground, Chiswick, Greater London | ||||||||||
2010–11 [51] | London Irish Wild Geese (S) | 21-14 | Sidcup (N) | Hazelwood, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey | 1,000 | |||||||||
2011–12 [52] | Old Elthamians (S) | 16-8 | Colchester (N) | Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, Greater London | 600 | |||||||||
2012–13 [53] | Basingstoke (S) | 27-3 | Eton Manor (N) | Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire | ||||||||||
2013–14 [54] | Chichester (S) | 25-16 | Eton Manor (N) | Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex | ||||||||||
2014–15 [55] | Eton Manor (N) | 17-14 | Chobham (S) | The New Wilderness, Redbridge, London | 400 | |||||||||
2015–16 [56] | Tring (N) | 21-26 | Guildford (S) | Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire | 700 | |||||||||
2016–17 [57] | Chingford (N) | 33-35 (AET) | Tunbridge Wells (S) | Lea Valley Playing Fields, Chingford, London | 500 | |||||||||
2017–18 [58] | Chingford (N) | 21-17 | Medway (S) | Lea Valley Playing Fields, Chingford, London | 500 [59] | |||||||||
2018–19 [60] | Colchester (N) | 26-33 | Brighton (S) | Mill Road Playing Fields, Colchester, Essex | ||||||||||
2019–20 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Westcombe Park (S) - promoted instead. | |||||||||||||
2021–22 | Not contested due to a restructuring of the league system including a reduction of this division from 14 to 12 under the RFU Adult Competition Review. | |||||||||||||
Green background is the promoted team. N = London 1 North (formerly London 2 North) and S = London 1 South (formerly London 2 South). |
Current season or competition: 2023–24 Regional 2 South East | |
Sport | Rugby union |
---|---|
Instituted | 1987 | (as London 2 South)
Number of teams | 12 |
Country | England |
Holders | Horsham (2022–23) (promoted to Regional 1 South Central) |
Most titles | Basingstoke, Canterbury, Gravesend, Haywards Heath, Sutton & Epsom, Wimbledon, Camberley (2 titles) |
Website | englandrugby.com |
Regional 2 South East, previously known as London 1 South, is an English level 6 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in London and the south-east of England including sides from East Sussex, south Essex, south Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex. [1] When this division began in 1987 it was known as London 2 South, changing to London 1 South ahead of the 2009–10 season. It was the feeder league for London & South East Premier into which the champion team each season is promoted. The second-placed team entered a play-off against the runner-up of London 1 North. Three teams were relegated into either London 2 South East and London 2 South West depending on their location.
The current champions are Horsham and are promoted to Regional 1 South Central.
The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April, making a total of twenty-two matches each. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:
There is one automatic promotion place and two relegation places. The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to either Regional 1 South Central or Regional 1 South East
Departing were London Welsh and Camberley who were promoted to Regional 1 South Central and Medway, promoted to Regional 1 South East. Also leaving the league were Hammersmith & Fulham, London Cornish, Cobham and London Irish Wild Geese - all level transferred to Regional 2 Thames.
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Battersea Ironsides | Burntwood Lane | Earlsfield, London | 9th | |
Beckenham | Balmoral Avenue | Beckenham, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (runners-up) | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 10th | |
Dartfordians | Bourne Road | Bexley, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (4th) | |
Farnham | Wilkinson Way | Farnham, Surrey | 11th | |
Gravesend | Rectory Field | Gravesend, Kent | Promoted from London 2 SE (3rd) | |
Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | 5th | |
Horsham | Coolhurst Ground | Horsham, West Sussex | 6th | |
KCS Old Boys | Dornan Fields | Motspur Park, London | 8th | |
Old Colfeians | Horn Park | Lee, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (champions) | |
Old Reigatian | Geoffrey Knight Fields | Reigate, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (3rd) | |
Reeds Weybridge | Whiteley Village | Hersham, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (runners-up) |
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. Ahead of the season Haywards Heath (promoted as London 2 SE champions in 2019–20) withdrew from the league leaving London 1 South with thirteen teams.
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Battersea Ironsides | Burntwood Lane | Earlsfield, London | Promoted from London 2 SW (champions) | |
Camberley | Watchetts Recreation Ground | Camberley, Surrey | 3rd | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 8th | |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 5th | |
Farnham | Wilkinson Way | Farnham, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (runners up) | |
Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | Relegated from L&SE Premier (14th) | |
Hammersmith & Fulham | Hurlingham Park | Fulham, London | Promoted from London 2 NW (runners up) | |
Horsham | Coolhurst Ground | Horsham, West Sussex | 7th | |
KCS Old Boys | Dornan Fields | Motspur Park, London | 9th | |
London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | 11th | |
London Irish Wild Geese | Hazelwood | 2,000 | Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey | Relegated from L&SE Premier (12th) |
London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850 (1,000 seats) | Richmond, London | Promoted from London 2 NW (champions) |
Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | 4th |
On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced 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 1 South was not contested. [2]
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Beckenham | Balmoral Avenue | Beckenham, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (champions) | |
Belsize Park | Regent's Park | Belsize Park, London | Promoted from London 2 NW (champions) [a] | |
Camberley | Watchetts Recreation Ground | Camberley, Surrey | 3rd | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 9th | |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 10th | |
Dartfordians | Bourne Road | Bexley, London | 11th | |
H.A.C. | Artillery Ground | Finsbury, London | Level transfer from London 1 North (5th) [b] | |
Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 6th |
Horsham | Coolhurst Ground | Horsham, West Sussex | Promoted from London 2 SE (playoff) | |
KCS Old Boys | Dornan Fields | Motspur Park, London | Promoted from London 2 SW (champions) | |
London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | 8th | |
Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | 4th | |
Thurrock | Oakfield | Grays, Essex | 5th | |
Westcombe Park | Goddington Dene | 3,200 (200 seats) | Orpington, London | 7th |
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brighton | Waterhall Playing Fields | Brighton, East Sussex | 6th | |
Camberley | Watchetts Recreation Ground | Camberley, Surrey | Promoted from London 2 SW (champions) | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | 4th | |
Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 10th | |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 5th | |
Dartfordians | Bourne Road | Bexley, London | Promoted from London 2 SE (champions) | |
Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 3rd |
Hove | Hove Recreation Ground | Hove, East Sussex | Promoted from London 2 SE (playoff) | |
London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | 8th | |
Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | Runner up (lost playoff) | |
Sevenoaks | Knole Paddock | 1,000 | Sevenoaks, Kent | 9th |
Thurrock | Oakfield | Grays, Essex | 11th | |
Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | 7th | |
Westcombe Park | Goddington Dene | 3,200 (200 seats) | Orpington, London | Relegated from LSE Premier (12th) |
Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brighton | Waterhall Playing Fields | Brighton, East Sussex | 11th | |
Chichester | Oaklands Park | Chichester, West Sussex | Relegated from National League 3 London & SE (12th) | |
Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 10th | |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | 6th | |
CS Rugby 1863 | King's House Sports Ground | Chiswick, London | 5th | |
Gravesend | Rectory Field | Gravesend, Kent | 8th | |
Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | 3rd |
London Cornish | Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields | Roehampton Vale, London | Promoted from London 2 South West (champions) | |
Maidstone | William Davey Memorial Ground | Maidstone, Kent | 9th | |
Medway | Priestfields | Rochester, Kent | Promoted from London 2 South East (champions) | |
Old Colfeians | Horn Park | Lee, London | Promoted from London 2 South East (playoff) | |
Sevenoaks | Knole Paddock | 1,000 | Sevenoaks, Kent | 7th |
Thurrock | Oakfield | Grays, Essex | Level transfer from London 1 North (6th) | |
Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | 4th |
Sutton & Epsom, the current champions were promoted to National 3 London & South East for the 2016–17 season, while the second-placed team, Guildford beat Tring, the runner-up from London 1 North, in a play-off for the second promotion place. Twickenham and Charlton Park are relegated. Medway were also relegated despite finishing third due to an RFU punishment for incorrect registration of, and illegal payments to, players [3] thus granting a reprieve from relegation for Gosport and Fareham. [4]
Medway were replaced by Gravesend who were relegated from National 3 London & SE. Promoted into the league were winners of London 2 South East, Tunbridge Wells [5] as well as Cobham as champions of London 2 South West and play-off winners Sevenoaks. [6] CS Rugby 1863 were transferred from London 1 North because they were the most southern team in London 1 North due of an imbalance in North and South teams in the leagues. [6]
Team | Ground | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|
Brighton | Waterhall | Brighton, East Sussex | 5th |
Chiswick | Dukes Meadows | Chiswick, Hounslow, London | 10th |
Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 8th |
Cobham | Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground | Cobham, Surrey | promoted from London 2 South West as champions |
CS Rugby 1863 | King's House Sports Ground | Chiswick, London | level transferred from London 1 North |
Dover | Crabble Athletic Ground | Dover, Kent | 11th |
Gosport & Fareham | Gosport Park | Gosport, Hampshire | 12th |
Gravesend | Donald Biggs Drive | Gravesend, Kent | relegated from National League 3 London & SE |
Havant | Hook's Lane | Havant, Hampshire | 9th |
Maidstone | William Day Memorial Ground | Maidstone, Kent | 6th |
Sevenoaks | Knole Paddock | Sevenoaks, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East via play-off |
Sidcup | Crescent Farm | Sidcup, Kent | 4th |
Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | 7th |
Tunbridge Wells | St Marks Recreation Ground | Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East as champions |
Team | Ground | City/Area | Previous season |
---|---|---|---|
Brighton | Waterhall | Brighton, East Sussex | 6th |
Charlton Park | Broad Walk | Kidbrooke, London | 8th |
Chiswick | Dukes Meadows | Chiswick, London | promoted from London 2 North West via play-off |
Chobham | Fowlers Wells | Chobham, Surrey | 2nd |
Dover | Crabble Athletic Ground | Dover, Kent | 10th |
Gosport & Fareham | Gosport Park | Gosport, Hampshire | 9th |
Guildford | Broadwater Sports Club | Farncombe, Surrey | 5th |
Havant | Hook's Lane | Havant, Hampshire | 7th |
Maidstone | William Davey Memorial Ground | Maidstone, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East as champions |
Medway | Priestfields Recreation Ground | Rochester, Kent | promoted from London 2 South East via play-off |
Sidcup | Crescent Farm | Sidcup, Kent | 4th |
Sutton & Epsom | Rugby Lane | Cheam, London | 3rd |
Tottonians | Water Lane | Totton, Hampshire | promoted from London 2 South West as champions |
Twickenham | Parkfields | Hampton, London | 11th |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sutton & Epsom (C) | 26 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 853 | 415 | +438 | 17 | 1 | 112 | Promotion place |
2 | Guildford (P) | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 802 | 481 | +321 | 15 | 3 | 98 | Play-off place |
3 | Medway (R) [c] | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 710 | 494 | +216 | 12 | 3 | 91 | Relegated |
4 | Sidcup | 26 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 735 | 477 | +258 | 13 | 4 | 91 | |
5 | Brighton | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 661 | 480 | +181 | 13 | 7 | 84 | |
6 | Maidstone | 26 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 733 | 541 | +192 | 11 | 1 | 80 | |
7 | Tottonans | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 741 | 464 | +277 | 12 | 3 | 79 | |
8 | Chobham | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 720 | 598 | +122 | 13 | 8 | 73 | |
9 | Havant | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 724 | 688 | +36 | 13 | 7 | 68 | |
10 | Chiswick | 26 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 496 | 707 | −211 | 5 | 2 | 49 | |
11 | Dover | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 425 | 748 | −323 | 6 | 7 | 37 | |
12 | Gosport & Fareham | 26 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 458 | 959 | −501 | 8 | 1 | 29 | |
13 | Twickenham (R) | 26 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 424 | 859 | −435 | 7 | 6 | 21 | Relegated |
14 | Charlton Park (R) | 26 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 413 | 984 | −571 | 2 | 4 | 20 |
Each season, the runners-up in London 1 South and London 1 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National 3 London & SE. The team with the best playing record, in this case Tring, from London 1 North, was the home team and the away team Guildford, won the match 26 – 21, with a try in the 79th minute. [7] [8]
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tring | 26 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 987 | 360 | +627 | 17 | 0 | 109 |
Guildford (P) | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 802 | 481 | +321 | 15 | 3 | 98 |
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as London 2 South) contained the following teams:
In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was six, tier six leagues. The initial name was London 2 South and was for teams based in London and the counties of Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. There was eleven teams in the league and each team played one match against each of the other teams, giving each team five home matches and five away matches. The winning team was awarded two points, and there was one point for each team in a drawn match. [9]
The original London 2 South was a tier 6 league with promotion to London 1 and relegation to either London 3 South East or London 3 South West.
Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1987–88 | 11 | 10 | Basingstoke | Old Mid-Whitgiftian | Old Juddian, Portsmouth | [9] |
1988–89 | 11 | 10 | Old Alleynian | Worthing | Old Reigatian, KCS Old Boys, Purley | [9] |
1989–90 | 11 | 10 | Old Mid-Whitgiftian | Camberley | Alton | [9] |
1990–91 | 11 | 10 | Dorking | Westcombe Park | Old Brockleians, Dartfordians | [10] |
1991–92 | 11 | 10 | Old Colfeians | Guildford & Godalming | Tunbridge Wells | [11] |
1992–93 | 13 | 12 | Camberley | Westcombe Park | No relegation [c] | [12] |
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 London 2 South dropped from a tier 6 league to a tier 7 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to London 1 and relegation to either London 3 South East or London 3 South West.
Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated teams | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1993–94 | 13 | 12 | Esher | Westcombe Park | KCS Old Boys, Worthing, Lewes | |
1994–95 | 13 | 12 | Charlton Park | Old Blues | Portsmouth, Old Alleynians, Sidcup | |
1995–96 | 13 | 12 | Wimbledon | Thanet Wanderers | Maidstone |
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that London 2 South reverted to being a tier 6 league. [13] Promotion continued to London 1 and relegation down to either London 3 South East or London 3 South West (renamed to London 2 South East and London 2 South West from the 2000–01 season onward).
London 2 South was renamed to London 1 South from the 2009–10 season. It continued as a tier 6 league with promotion to National League 3 London & South East (formerly London 1 and currently known as London & South East Premier) and relegation to London 2 South East and London 2 South West (formerly London 3 South East and London 3 South West).
Following a reorganisation of the league structure by the RFU, this league is now one of twelve at tier 6. Promotion is to Regional 1 South Central or Regional 1 South East.
Season | No of teams | Champions | Runner-up | Relegated teams | Ref | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022–23 | 12 | Horsham | Farnham | Dartfordians and KCS Old Boys | ||||||||||
Green background is the promotion place. |
From 2000–01 to 2018–19 there was a play-off between the runners-up of London 1 North and London 1 South for the third and final promotion place to London & South East Premier. The team with the superior league record had home advantage. At the end of the 2018–19 season the London 1 South teams have been the most successful with eleven wins to the London 1 North teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six. Promotion play-offs ended with the reorganisation of the leagues for season 2022–23
Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Attendance | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000–01 [41] | Canterbury (S) | 21-27 | London Nigerian (N) | Merton Lane, Canterbury, Kent | ||||||||||
2001–02 [42] | Southend (N) | 37-15 | Portsmouth (S) | Warners Bridge Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex | ||||||||||
2002–03 [43] | Old Albanian (2nd XV) (N) | 28-12 | Portsmouth (S) | Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire | ||||||||||
2003–04 [44] | Cambridge (N) | 21-19 | Barnes (S) | Grantchester Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire | ||||||||||
2004–05 [45] | Staines (N) | 55-12 | Portsmouth (S) | The Reeves, Hanworth, Greater London | ||||||||||
2005–06 [46] | Guildford (S) | 27-14 | CS Rugby 1863 (N) | Broadwater Sports Club, Farncombe, Surrey | ||||||||||
2006–07 [47] | Tring (N) | 7-20 | Thanet Wanderers (S) | Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire | ||||||||||
2007–08 [48] | Jersey (S) | 15-0 | Staines (S) | St. Peter, Saint Peter, Jersey | ||||||||||
2008–09 [49] | Staines (N) | 7-11 | Dorking (S) | The Reeves, Hanworth, Greater London | ||||||||||
2009–10 [50] | Civil Service (N) | 31-14 | Dover (S) | King's House Sports Ground, Chiswick, Greater London | ||||||||||
2010–11 [51] | London Irish Wild Geese (S) | 21-14 | Sidcup (N) | Hazelwood, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey | 1,000 | |||||||||
2011–12 [52] | Old Elthamians (S) | 16-8 | Colchester (N) | Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, Greater London | 600 | |||||||||
2012–13 [53] | Basingstoke (S) | 27-3 | Eton Manor (N) | Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire | ||||||||||
2013–14 [54] | Chichester (S) | 25-16 | Eton Manor (N) | Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex | ||||||||||
2014–15 [55] | Eton Manor (N) | 17-14 | Chobham (S) | The New Wilderness, Redbridge, London | 400 | |||||||||
2015–16 [56] | Tring (N) | 21-26 | Guildford (S) | Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire | 700 | |||||||||
2016–17 [57] | Chingford (N) | 33-35 (AET) | Tunbridge Wells (S) | Lea Valley Playing Fields, Chingford, London | 500 | |||||||||
2017–18 [58] | Chingford (N) | 21-17 | Medway (S) | Lea Valley Playing Fields, Chingford, London | 500 [59] | |||||||||
2018–19 [60] | Colchester (N) | 26-33 | Brighton (S) | Mill Road Playing Fields, Colchester, Essex | ||||||||||
2019–20 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Westcombe Park (S) - promoted instead. | |||||||||||||
2021–22 | Not contested due to a restructuring of the league system including a reduction of this division from 14 to 12 under the RFU Adult Competition Review. | |||||||||||||
Green background is the promoted team. N = London 1 North (formerly London 2 North) and S = London 1 South (formerly London 2 South). |