London 1 South

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] It is the feeder league for London & South East Premier into which the champion team each season is promoted. The second-placed team enters a play-off against the runner-up of London 1 North. Three teams are relegated into a mixture of London 2 South East and London 2 South West.

London 1 South
Current season or competition:
2019–20 London 1 South
SportRugby union
Number of teams14
Country England
HoldersHavant (1st title) (2019–20)
(promoted to London & South East Premier)
Most titlesBasingstoke, Camberley, Canterbury, Haywards Heath, Sutton & Epsom, Gravesend (2 titles)
Websiteclubs.rfu.com

Structure and format

The fourteen teams play home and away matches from September through to April, making a total of twenty-six 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

There is one automatic promotion place, one play-off place for promotion and (usually) three relegation places. The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to London & South East Premier while the runner-up plays the second-placed team from London 1 North, with the winner also being promoted. The last three placed clubs are usually relegated to either London 2 South East or London 2 South West depending on location.[2]

Teams 2020–21

Teams 2019–20

Teams 2018–19

Teams 2017–18

2016–17

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]

They were replaced by Gravesend who were relegated from National 3 London & SE. Promoted into the league were national RFU Intermediate Cup champions and unbeaten league 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 imbalace in North and South teams in the leagues.[6]

Participating teams and locations
Team Ground City/Area Previous season
BrightonWaterhallBrighton, East Sussex5th
ChiswickDukes MeadowsChiswick, Hounslow, London10th
ChobhamFowlers WellsChobham, Surrey8th
CobhamOld Surbitonians Memorial GroundCobham, Surreypromoted from London 2 South West as champions
CS Rugby 1863King's House Sports GroundChiswick, Londonlevel transferred from London 1 North
DoverCrabble Athletic GroundDover, Kent11th
Gosport & FarehamGosport ParkGosport, Hampshire12th
GravesendDonald Biggs DriveGravesend, Kentrelegated from National League 3 London & SE
HavantHook's LaneHavant, Hampshire9th
MaidstoneWilliam Day Memorial GroundMaidstone, Kent6th
SevenoaksKnole PaddockSevenoaks, Kentpromoted from London 2 South East via play-off
SidcupCrescent FarmSidcup, Kent4th
TottoniansWater LaneTotton, Hampshire7th
Tunbridge WellsSt Marks Recreation GroundRoyal Tunbridge Wells, Kentpromoted from London 2 South East as champions

2015–16

Participating teams and locations
Team Ground City/Area Previous season
BrightonWaterhallBrighton, East Sussex6th
Charlton ParkBroad WalkKidbrooke, London8th
ChiswickDukes MeadowsChiswick, Londonpromoted from London 2 North West via play-off
ChobhamFowlers WellsChobham, Surrey2nd
DoverCrabble Athletic GroundDover, Kent10th
Gosport & FarehamGosport ParkGosport, Hampshire9th
GuildfordBroadwater Sports ClubFarncombe, Surrey5th
HavantHook's LaneHavant, Hampshire7th
MaidstoneWilliam Davey Memorial GroundMaidstone, Kentpromoted from London 2 South East as champions
MedwayPriestfields Recreation GroundRochester, Kentpromoted from London 2 South East via play-off
SidcupCrescent FarmSidcup, Kent4th
Sutton & EpsomRugby LaneCheam, London3rd
TottoniansWater LaneTotton, Hampshirepromoted from London 2 South West as champions
TwickenhamParkfieldsHampton, London11th

Final league table
2015–16 London 1 South Table
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Sutton & Epsom (C)262312853415438171112
2Guildford (P)26200680248132115398
3Medway (R)[lower-alpha 3]26190771049421612391
4Sidcup26181773547725813491
5Brighton261601066148018113784
6Maidstone26162873354119211180
7Tottonans261601074146427712379
8Chobham261301372059812213873
9Havant26120147246883613768
10Chiswick2610115496707−2115249
11Dover266020425748−3236737
12Gosport & Fareham265021458959−5018129
13Twickenham (R)262024424859−4357621
14Charlton Park (R)263122413984−5712420

  • 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: 12 June 2016
Source: 2014–15

Promotion play-off

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]

Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Tring262303987360627170109
Guildford (P)26200680248132115398
30 April 2016
15:00
Tring 21 – 26 Guildford
Tring Rangers
Guildford
Pendley Sports Centre
Attendance: 700

2014–15

Participating teams and locations

2013–14

Participating teams and locations

2012–13

Participating teams and locations

2011–12

Participating teams and locations

London 1 South honours

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, Sussex and Surrey. 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]

London 2 South
London 2 South
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1987–881110BasingstokeOld Mid-WhitgiftianPortsmouth, Old Juddian[9]
1988–891110Old AlleynianWorthingPurley, KCS Old Boys, Old Reigatian[9]
1989–901110Old Mid-WhitgiftianCamberleyAlton[9]
1990–911110DorkingWestcombe ParkDartfordians, Old Brockdelans[10]
1991–921110Old ColfeiansGuildford & GodalmingTunbridge Wells[11]
1992–931312CamberleyWestcombe ParkNo relegation[lower-alpha 4][12]

London 1

The top six teams from London Division One and the top six from South West Division One were combined to create National 5 South. A new level six league was created by combining the top six from London 1 North and London 1 South which became one of two feeder leagues for National 5 South; the other being South West 1.

London 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1993–941312BarkingEalingThurrock, Dorking, Old Alleynian[13]
1994–951312CamberleyEsherStreatham-Croydon, Eton Manor, Maidstone[14]
1995–961312Charlton ParkSouthendEaling

London 2 South

After only three seasons the level five National 5 South was split and renamed London Division One and South West Division One. The top four divisions increased in size and London 2 South and London 2 North were once more level six leagues.[15]

London 2 South
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1996–971312Thanet WanderersGravesendNo relegation[lower-alpha 5][16]
1997–981615Westcombe ParkWinchesterOld Reigatian, Streatham-Croydon, (Brockleians fixtures expunged)[17]
1998–991514WinchesterSevenoaksNo relegation[lower-alpha 6][18]
1999–001716CanterburyHaywards HeathMultiple teams[lower-alpha 7][19]
2000–011222Haywards HeathCanterburyTonbridge Juddian, Alton, Old Guildfordians[20]
2001–021222CanterburyPortsmouthGravesend, Guildford & Godalming[21]
2002–031222WorthingPortsmouthSevenoaks, Effingham & Leatherhead, Maidstone[22]
2003–041222RichmondBarnesCobham, Andover, Winchester[23]
2004–051222BarnesPortsmouthCamberley, Tunbridge Wells, Dartfordians[24]
2005–061222PortsmouthGuildfordOld Mid-Whitgiftian, Sidcup, Gosport & Fareham[25]
2006–071222Sutton & EpsomThanet WanderersLondon Irish Amateur, Lewes, Andover[26]
2007–081222Haywards HeathJerseySevenoaks, Wimbledon, Guildford[27]
2008–091222BasingstokeDorkingNo relegation[lower-alpha 8][28]

London 1 South
London 1 South
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners–up Relegated teams Reference
2009–101426GravesendDoverAylesford Bulls, Maidstone, Old Elthamians[29]
2010–111426Tonbridge JuddiansLondon Irish AmateurTunbridge Wells, Wimbledon[30]
2011–121426GuernseyOld ElthamiansSutton & Epsom, Thanet Wanderers, Portsmouth[31]
2012–131426East GrinsteadBasingstokeOld Colfeians, Trojans, Gosport & Fareham[32]
2013–141426GravesendChichesterHaywards Heath, Staines, Beckenham[33]
2014–151426WimbledonChobhamBasingstoke, Hove, Cobham[34]
2015–161426Sutton & EpsomGuildfordCharlton Park, Twickenham, Medway[35]
2016–171426SidcupTunbridge WellsGosport and Fareham, Dover, Chiswick[36]
2017–181426CS Rugby 1863MedwayGravesend, Maidstone, Old Colfeians[37]
2018–191426SevenoaksBrightonHove, Chobham, Tottonians[38]
2019–201422[lower-alpha 9]HavantWestcombe ParkBeckenham, Dartfordians, H.A.C.[41]
2020–211426
Green background are the promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been 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 has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 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.

London 1 (north v south) promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000-01[42]Canterbury (S)21-27London Nigerian (N)Merton Lane, Canterbury, Kent
2001-02[43]Southend (N)37-15Portsmouth (S)Warners Bridge Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
2002-03[44]Old Albanian (2nd XV) (N)28-12Portsmouth (S)Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire
2003-04[45]Cambridge (N)21-19Barnes (S)Grantchester Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
2004-05[46]Staines (N)55-12Portsmouth (S)The Reeves, Hanworth, Greater London
2005-06[47]Guildford (S)27-14CS Rugby 1863 (N)Broadwater Sports Club, Farncombe, Surrey
2006-07[48]Tring (N)7-20Thanet Wanderers (S)Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire
2007-08[49]Jersey (S)15-0Staines (S)St. Peter, Saint Peter, Jersey
2008-09[50]Staines (N)7-11Dorking (S)The Reeves, Hanworth, Greater London
2009-10[51]Civil Service (N)31-14Dover (S)King's House Sports Ground, Chiswick, Greater London
2010-11[52]London Irish Wild Geese (S)21-14Sidcup (N)Hazelwood, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey1,000
2011-12[53]Old Elthamians (S)16-8Colchester (N)Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, Greater London600
2012-13[54]Basingstoke (S)27-3Eton Manor (N)Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire
2013-14[55]Chichester (S)25-16Eton Manor (N)Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex
2014-15[56]Eton Manor (N)17-14Chobham (S)The New Wilderness, Redbridge, London400
2015-16[57]Tring (N)21-26Guildford (S)Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire700
2016–17[58]Chingford (N)33-35 (AET)Tunbridge Wells (S)Lea Valley Playing Fields, Chingford, London500
2017-18[59]Chingford (N)21-17Medway (S)Lea Valley Playing Fields, Chingford, London500[60]
2018-19[61]Colchester (N)26-33Brighton (S)Mill Road Playing Fields, Colchester, Essex
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Westcombe Park (S) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. N = London 1 North (formerly London 2 North) and S = London 1 South (formerly London 2 South).

Number of league titles

Notes
  1. Likely level transfer from London 2 North West - this may change.
  2. Likely level transfer from London 1 North - this may change.
  3. Despite finishing third in the league, Medway were forcibly relegated by the RFU to London 2 South East and banned from playing in the Kent County Cup after being found guilty of illegal payments to players and incorrect registration of players.[3]
  4. US Portsmouth finished in last place but there was no relegation due to a restructuring of the league system across all levels.
  5. Brockleians finished in last place but there was no relegation this season.
  6. Askean finished in last place but there was no relegation due to expansion of league from 15 to 17 teams for the following season.
  7. Askean, Warlington, Dorking, Charlton Park, Lewes, Old Blues and Old Wimbledonians were the relegated teams this year. A restructuring of the league system including a reduction of this division from 17 teams to 12 resulting in more teams relegated than usual.
  8. Maidstone finished in last place but no relegation due to national restructuring of the league system leading to changes at all levels.
  9. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with all clubs in London 1 South having played 22 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table.[39][40]
  10. One of Camberley's league titles was won when the league was known as London 1.
  11. Barking's league title was won when the league was known as London 1.
  12. Charlton Park's league title was won when the league was known as London 1.

See also

References
  1. "League Make up". Sussex Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 12 January 2010.
  2. "Competition Details". RFU. 23 April 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  3. Cawdell, Luke (7 April 2016). "Medway rugby club receive a reduction in their punishment from the RFU". Kent Online. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  4. "Long-serving 'Sumo' bids farewell to Gosport & Fareham". Portsmouth News. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  5. Garrett, Glenn (7 May 2016). "RECAP! Tunbridge Wells v St Benedict's – Wells put on a masterclass at Twickenham". Kent and Sussex Courier. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  6. "London 1 South fixtures 2016–17" (PDF). RFU. Retrieved 10 June 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. "Fixtures & Results". English Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  8. Ellson, Simon. "Belated report on the 1st XV's final battle against Guildford last season". Tring Rugby. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  9. Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (eds.). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 (3rd ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1 873057 01 6.
  10. Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (eds.). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92 (4th ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1 869833 15 5.
  11. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 170–185. ISBN 0 7472 7907 1.
  12. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94 (22nd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing Ltd. pp. 151–167. ISBN 0 7472 7891 1.
  13. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95 (23rd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 163–179. ISBN 0 7472 7850 4.
  14. Cleary, Mick (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96 (24th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 179–195. ISBN 0 7472 7816 4.
  15. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97 (25th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 150–163. ISBN 0 7472 7771 0.
  16. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 87–100. ISBN 0 7472 7732 X.
  17. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998–99. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 84–98. ISBN 0 7472 7653 6.
  18. "1998–1999 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  19. "1999–2000 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  20. "2000–2001 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  21. "2001–2002 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  22. "2002–2003 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  23. "2003–2004 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  24. "2004–2005 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  25. "2005–2006 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  26. "2006–2007 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  27. "2007–2008 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  28. "2008–2009 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  29. "2009–2010 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  30. "2010–2011 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  31. "2011–2012 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  32. "2012–2013 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  33. "2013–2014 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  34. "2014–2015 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  35. "2015–2016 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  36. "2016–2017 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  37. "2017–2018 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  38. "2018-2019 London & South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  39. "Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level". England Rugby. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  40. "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  41. "Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  42. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2000-01". England Rugby. 19 May 2001.
  43. "Rugby: Scratch Portsmouth pipped for promotion". The News (Portsmouth). 29 April 2002.
  44. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2002-03". England Rugby. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  45. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2003-04". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  46. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2004-05". England Rugby. 30 April 2005.
  47. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2005-06". England Rugby. 28 April 2006.
  48. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2006-07". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  49. "Jersey rugby club gain promotion". BBC Sport. 27 April 2008.
  50. "Staines 7 - Dorking 11". Everything Rugby. 27 April 2009.
  51. "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2009-10". England Rugby. 28 April 2012.
  52. "London Irish Wild Geese Rugby I XV 21 – 14 Sidcup Rugby I XV: London Division 1 Promotion play off – 23rd April 2011". In Touch Rugby. 23 April 2011.
  53. "Old Elthamians 16 Colchester 8". Old Elthamians RFC (Pitchero). 28 April 2012.
  54. "Honour in defeat to Basingstoke". Eton Manor RFC (Pitchero). 27 April 2013.
  55. "Chichester 25 - Eton Manor 16 - Match Report by Roger Gould". Eton Manor RFC (Pitchero). 26 April 2014.
  56. "Manor promoted after titanic battle". Eton Manor RFC (Pitchero). 25 April 2015.
  57. "Guildford Promoted to National 3". Guildford Rugby (Pitchero). 30 April 2016.
  58. "Chingford 33 Tunbridge Wells 35". Tunbridge Wells (Pitchero). 29 April 2017.
  59. "Chingford 21-17 Medway". Kent Sports News. 28 April 2018.
  60. "Chingford RFC 21 17 Medway". Chingford Rugby Club (Pitchero). 28 April 2018.
  61. "Colchester 1st XV 26 33 Brighton Blues". Colchester RFC (Pitchero). 27 April 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.