Counties 2 Cornwall


Counties 2 Cornwall is an English level eight rugby union league for clubs based in Cornwall. The champions are promoted to Counties 1 Western West and two teams are relegated to Counties 3 Cornwall. For the first time, reserve teams are allowed to participate. The current champions are Saltash.
Until the 2021–22 it was known as Tribute Cornwall League 1 and was a level nine league. It has been running continually since the Courage Cornwall League 1|1987–88] season. The champions were promoted to the Cornwall/Devon, and the runner-up played the second team in Devon 1, with the winning team also gaining promotion. One or two teams were usually relegated to Cornwall 2.

Format

The champions are promoted to Counties 1 Western West, while the last one or two teams are relegated to Counties 3 Cornwall. 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 point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
  • 1 additional point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

2025–26

Departing were Saltash promoted to Counties 1 Western West while Hayle were relegated to Counties 3 Cornwall.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
BodminClifden ParkBodmin10th
BudeBencoolen Meadow750Bude, CornwallRelegated from Counties 1 Western West
Camborne IICrane Park7,000 Camborne, CornwallNew entry
FalmouthRecreation Ground3,000Falmouth, Cornwall3rd
HelstonKing George V Playing Field2,500Helston2nd
Launceston IIPolson Bridge3,000 LauncestonPromoted from Counties 3 Cornwall
Liskeard-LooeLux ParkLiskeard8th
Newquay HornetsNewquay Sports GroundNewquay5th
PerranporthPonsmere ValleyPerranporth4th
St Austell IITregorrick Park4,000 St Austell9th
St JustTregesealTregeseal, St Just7th
Wadebridge Camels IIMolesworth Field500Wadebridge6th

2024–25

Departing were Redruth II promoted to Counties 1 Western West while Camborne School of Mines and Illogan Park were relegated to Counties 3 Cornwall. Veor started the season but subsequently withdrew.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
BodminClifden ParkBodmin10th
FalmouthRecreation Ground3,000Falmouth, CornwallRelegated from Counties 1 Western West
HayleMemorial ParkHaylePromoted from Counties 3 Cornwall
HelstonKing George V Playing Field2,500Helston8th
Liskeard-LooeLux ParkLiskeard9th
Newquay HornetsNewquay Sports GroundNewquay6th
PerranporthPonsmere ValleyPerranporth3rd
SaltashMoorlands LaneSaltash2nd
St Austell IITregorrick Park4,000 St Austell4th
St JustTregesealTregeseal, St Just7th
VeorMemorial Ground500Camborne5th
Wadebridge Camels IIMolesworth Field500WadebridgePromoted from Counties 3 Cornwall

2023–24

Departing were St Ives promoted to Counties 1 Western West whilst Hayle were relegated to Counties 3 Cornwall.

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
BodminClifden ParkBodmin7th
Camborne School of MinesMemorial Park, Kernick RoadPenryn11th
HelstonKing George V Playing Field2,500Helston8th
Illogan ParkPaynters Lane Playing FieldIllogan9th
Liskeard-LooeLux ParkLiskeard6th
Newquay HornetsNewquay Sports GroundNewquay10th
PerranporthPonsmere ValleyPerranporthPromoted from Counties 3 Cornwall
Redruth IIThe Recreation Ground3,500 Redruth5th
SaltashMoorlands LaneSaltash2nd
St Austell IITregorrick Park4,000 St Austell4th
St JustTregesealTregeseal, St JustPromoted from Counties 3 Cornwall
VeorMemorial Ground500Camborne3rd

2022–23

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
BodminClifden ParkBodmin1st
Camborne School of MinesMemorial Park, Kernick RoadPenryn2nd
HayleMemorial ParkHayleCornwall/Devon League
HelstonKing George V Playing Field2,500Helston4th
Illogan ParkPaynters Lane Playing FieldIllogan3rd
Liskeard-LooeLux ParkLiskeardCornwall/Devon League
Newquay HornetsNewquay Sports GroundNewquayCornwall/Devon League
Redruth IIThe Recreation Ground3,500 RedruthFirst league season
SaltashMoorlands LaneSaltashCornwall/Devon League
St Austell IITregorrick Park4,000 St AustellFirst league season
St IvesRecreation Ground3,000 St IvesPromoted from Cornwall League 2
VeorMemorial Ground500CamborneCornwall/Devon League

2021–22

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
BodminClifden ParkBodmin5th
Camborne School of MinesMemorial Park, Kernick RoadPenryn4th
HelstonKing George V Playing Field2,500HelstonPromoted from Cornwall 2
Illogan ParkPaynters Lane Playing FieldIllogan7th
Lankelly-FoweyLankelly FarmFowey6th
RoselandPhilleigh Rugby FieldPhilleighPromoted from Cornwall 2
St AgnesEnys ParcSt Agnes3rd

2020–21

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in [the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic], the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
BodminClifden ParkBodmin3rd
Camborne School of MinesMemorial Park, Kernick RoadPenryn4th
HayleMemorial ParkHayle, CornwallRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
Illogan ParkPaynters Lane Playing FieldIllogan6th
Lankelly-FoweyLankelly FarmFowey5th
Newquay HornetsNewquay Sports GroundNewquayRunners up
St AgnesEnys ParcSt AgnesPromoted from Cornwall 2
St JustTregesealTregeseal, St JustPromoted from Cornwall 2

2018–19

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
BodminClifden ParkBodminRunners up
Camborne School of MinesMemorial Park, Kernick RoadPenryn6th
HelstonKing George V Playing Field2,500HelstonPromoted from Cornwall 2
Illogan ParkPaynters Lane Playing FieldIllogan7th
Lankelly-FoweyLankelly FarmFoweyPromoted from Cornwall 2
Newquay HornetsNewquay Sports GroundNewquay3rd
RoselandPhilleigh Rugby FieldPhilleigh5th
VeorMemorial Ground500Camborne4th

2017–18

The format was the same as the previous season with Cornwall 1 and Cornwall 2 playing in a fifteen team Tribute Cornwall League. The teams played each other once in the first phase and after Christmas the teams split into two leagues, with the top eight playing in Cornwall One and the remainder playing in Cornwall Two.

Phase 1

Participating clubs

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
BodminClifden ParkBodminRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
Camborne School of MinesMemorial Park, Kernick RoadPenryn8th
CamelfordLane End500Camelford7th
HelstonKing George V Playing Field2,500Helston5th
Illogan ParkPaynters Lane Playing FieldIllogan2nd
Lankelly-FoweyLankelly FarmFowey1st
Liskeard-LooeLux ParkLiskeard3rd
Newquay HornetsNewquay Sports GroundNewquay2nd
PerranporthPonsmere ValleyPerranporth6th
Redruth AlbanyTrewirgie RoadRedruth5th
RoselandPhilleigh Rugby FieldPhilleigh7th
St AgnesEnys ParcSt Agnes6th
St JustTregesealSt Just4th
StithiansPlaying FieldStithians3rd
VeorMemorial Ground500Camborne4th

League table

; To be completed

2016–17

For the first time Cornwall 1 and Cornwall 2 were amalgamated to create the Tribute Cornwall League with fifteen teams playing each other once in the first phase. After Christmas the teams split into two leagues with the top eight playing in Cornwall One and the remainder playing in Cornwall Two. Hayle won the Tribute Cornwall League before Christmas and the Cornwall 1 title with two matches to play, and were promoted to Cornwall/Devon for the following season. Newquay Hornets came second and were due to play Torrington in the play-off for the third promotion place; Newquay declined to play the match and Torrington were promoted.

Phase 2

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up of Cornwall 1 and Devon 1, participate in a play-off for promotion to Cornwall/Devon. Newquay Hornets declined to play the match and Torrington were promoted.

2015–16

The 2015–16 Cornwall League 1 consisted of eight teams; each team playing the others twice, home and away. The season started on 10 October 2015 and the last league matches were played on 16 April 2016. Lanner won the title, in only their second season in league rugby, following promotion last year from Cornwall League 2. Camborne School of Mines finished second and were due to play Topsham from Devon 1 for the remaining promotion place to the Cornwall/Devon League. The match did not take place and Topsham were promoted.

Participating clubs

TeamGroundTown/VillagePrevious season
Camborne School of MinesMemorial Park, Kernick RoadPenryn3rd
HelstonKing George V Playing FieldHelston6th
Illogan ParkPaynters Lane Playing FieldIllogan4th
LannerLannerPromoted from Cornwall 2
Liskeard-LooeLux ParkLiskeardRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
PerranporthPonsmere ValleyPerranporth5th
St AgnesEnys ParcSt AgnesPromoted from Cornwall 2
VeorWheal GerryCamborne2nd

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up of Cornwall 1 and Devon 1, participate in a play-off for promotion to Cornwall/Devon. Camborne School of Mines were due to play Topsham at a venue and date to be decided. The match was not played and Topsham were promoted.

2014–15

The 2014–15 Cornwall League 1 consists of eight teams; each team playing the others twice, home and away. The season started on 4 October 2014 and the league matches were due to finish on 24 January 2015, but owing to postponements finished on 14 February. The champions, Newquay Hornets are promoted to Cornwall/Devon while the second place team, Veor lost 3 – 47 against Plymstock Albion Oaks, the runner-up of Devon 1, in a play-off for promotion to Cornwall/Devon. Roseland and Stithians are relegated to Cornwall 2.

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up of Cornwall 1 and Devon 1, participate in a play-off for promotion to Cornwall/Devon. Plymouth Albion Oaks beat the home team Veor 47 – 3.

2013–14

The 2013–14 Cornwall 1 kicked off on 28 September 2013 and was due to finish on 8 February 2014, but owing to postponements finished on 1 March. The league consisted of eight clubs, with each team playing the others twice; home and away. Liskeard-Looe were unbeaten winning thirteen of their fourteen matches, finished as champions and will next season play in Cornwall/Devon. The runner-up, Bodmin, beat the second placed team Totnes, from Devon 1 in a play-off for promotion. St Agnes are relegated to Cornwall 2.

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up of Cornwall 1 and Devon 1, participate in a play-off for promotion to Cornwall/Devon. Plymouth Albion Oaks beat the home team Veor 47 – 3.

2011–12

For the previous two season Cornwall 1 and Cornwall 2 were amalgamated, this season the leagues' returned to their original format with the re-introduction of Cornwall 2. Cornwall 1 was reduced to seven teams playing each other three times to make eighteen games each.
Saltash, the champions, are promoted to the Cornwall/Devon League for season 2012–13. Helston played against the runner–up from Devon 1, losing the play-off for a place in the Cornwall/Devon League. There was no relegation.

2010–11

Veor, the champions, are promoted to the Cornwall/Devon for season 2011–12 [Tribute Cornwall/Devon League|2011–12]. The runner-up, Pirates Amateurs beat Wessex 29 – 20 in the play-off and were also promoted. St Day, Perranporth, Illogan Park, St Agnes, and Redruth Albany were relegated to the re-formed Cornwall 2. Lankelly-Fowey withdrew during the season and their results expunged from the table.

2009–10

For two seasons, 2009–10 and 2010–11, the size of the league was increased to twelve teams by amalgamating with Cornwall League 2.
Roseland, the champions, are promoted to Cornwall/Devon for season 2010–11. Veor, the runner-up lost to Honiton in the promotion play-off and continued to play in the Tribute Cornwall League.

2008–09

Stithians as champions, were promoted to Cornwall/Devon for season 2009–10. With an increase from twelve to sixteen teams in the aforementioned league, St Austell and Liskeard-Looe were also promoted. The two Cornwall leagues amalgamated for the following season and Camborne School of Mines, Illogan Park, Lankelly-Fowey, Redruth Albany, St Agnes, St Day and Veor joined the remaining teams for 2009–10.

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:

Cornwall League 1 honours

Cornwall League 1 (1987–1993)

The original Cornwall 1 was a tier 9 league with promotion to Cornwall/Devon and relegation to Cornwall 2.

Cornwall League 1 (1993–96)

The creation of National 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that the Cornwall League 1 dropped to become a tier 10 league. Promotion was to Cornwall/Devon and relegation to Cornwall 2. The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.

Cornwall League 1 (1996–2009)

The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Cornwall League 1 return to being a tier 9 division. Promotion continued to Cornwall/Devon and relegation to Cornwall 2. From the 2008–09 season onward the league was sponsored by Tribute.

Cornwall League (2009–2011)

For the 2009–10 season Cornwall 1 and Cornwall 2 were combined into a single division at tier 9 of the league system. Promotion was to Cornwall/Devon and there was no relegation.

Cornwall League 1 (2011–2016)

The splitting of the Cornwall League back into two separate divisions, saw Cornwall 1 remain at tier 9 of the league system. Promotion continued to Cornwall/Devon and relegation was once again to Cornwall 2.

Cornwall League 1 (2016–2018)

The 2016–17 season saw the Cornwall leagues restructured. For the first half of the season, all the clubs from Cornwall 1 and Cornwall 2 play in a single tier 9 division. In the second half of the season league the teams divided into Cornwall 1 and Cornwall 2 leagues based on their league positions. Promotion continued to Cornwall/Devon and there was no relegation.

Cornwall League 1 (2018–2022)

The 2018–19 season saw Cornwall 1 revert to being a tier 9 league with promotion to Cornwall/Devon and relegation to Cornwall 2.

Counties 2 Cornwall (2022– )

From 2022–23 season Cornwall 1 has been renamed Counties 2 Cornwall and is a tier 8 league with twelve teams participating. Promotion is to Counties 1 Western West and relegation to Counties 3 Cornwall.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Cornwall League 1 and Devon League 1 for the third and final promotion place to Cornwall/Devon. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Devon League 1 teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the Cornwall League 1 teams five; and the home team has won promotion on twelve occasions compared to the away teams six.

Number of league titles

Sponsorship

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