Counties 1 Kent


Counties 1 Kent is an English level 7 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in London and the south-east of England including sides from Kent, Greater London and East Sussex. Administration of the leagues is divided between Kent Rugby, Sussex Rugby and the London & SE RFU.
The current champions are Canterbury Pilgrims.

Structure and format

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:
  • 4 points are awarded for a win.
  • 2 points are awarded for a draw.
  • 0 points are awarded for a loss.
In addition:
  • 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
Promotion is to Regional 2 South East and relegation is to either Counties 2 Kent or Counties 2 Sussex depending on location.

2025–26

Departing were Canterbury II and Bromley, both promoted to Regional 2 South East.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshfordKinney's FieldAshford, Kent10th
BeccehamianSparrow's DenWest Wickham, London5th
Charlton ParkBroad WalkKidbrooke, London12th
CranbrookTomlin GroundCranbrook, Kent11th
CrowboroughSteel CrossCrowborough, East Sussex4th
Deal & BetteshangerThe Drill FieldDeal, Kent9th
DoverCrabble Athletic GroundDover, Kent6th
Gillingham AnchoriansDarland BanksGillingham, KentPromoted from Counties 2 Kent
Heathfield & WaldronHardy Roberts Recreational GroundCross In Hand, Heathfield, East Sussex7th
Old ElthamiansHospital GroundChislehurst, LondonPromoted from Counties 2 Kent
Park HouseBarnet Wood RoadHayes, London8th
Sevenoaks IIKnole Paddock1,000Sevenoaks, Kent3rd

2024–25

finished top but owing to league regulations were not permitted to be promoted to level 6. Departing were Dartfordians promoted to Regional 2 South East as runner-up with Thanet being relegated to Counties 2 Kent. With no team coming down from Regional 2 South East there was a reprieve for Charlton Park who finished 11th and would ordinarily have been relegated to Counties 2 Kent. Joining were Sevenoaks 2XV andj Park House from Counties 2 Kent.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshfordKinney's FieldAshford, Kent9th
BeccehamianSparrow's DenWest Wickham, London3rd
BromleyBarnet Wood RoadHayes, London4th
Canterbury IIMarine Travel GroundCanterbury, Kent1st
Charlton ParkBroad WalkKidbrooke, London11th
CranbrookTomlin GroundCranbrook, Kent10th
CrowboroughSteel CrossCrowborough, East Sussex5th
Deal & BetteshangerThe Drill FieldDeal, Kent8th
DoverCrabble Athletic GroundDover, Kent6th
Heathfield & WaldronHardy Roberts Recreational GroundCross In Hand, Heathfield, East Sussex7th
Park HouseBarnet Wood RoadHayes, LondonPromoted from Counties 2 Kent
Sevenoaks IIKnole Paddock1,000Sevenoaks, KentPromoted from Counties 2 Kent

League table

Teams for 2023–24

Departing were Old Alleynians promoted to Regional 2 South East with Folkestone and Aylesford Bulls relegated to Counties 2 Kent. In their place In their place came Dover and Canterbury Pilgrims promoted as 'joint champions' from Counties 2 Kent whilst Dartfordians were relegated from Regional 2 South East.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshfordKinney's FieldAshford, Kent9th
BeccehamianSparrow's DenWest Wickham, London3rd
BromleyBarnet Wood RoadHayes, London4th
Canterbury IIMarine Travel GroundCanterbury, KentPromoted from Counties 2 Kent
Charlton ParkBroad WalkKidbrooke, London5th
CranbrookTomlin GroundCranbrook, Kent10th
CrowboroughSteel CrossCrowborough, East Sussex5th
DartfordiansBourne RoadBexley, LondonRelegated from Regional 2 South East
Deal & BetteshangerThe Drill FieldDeal, Kent8th
DoverCrabble Athletic GroundDover, KentPromoted from Counties 2 Kent
Heathfield & WaldronHardy Roberts Recreational GroundCross In Hand, Heathfield, East Sussex7th
Thanet WanderersSt Peter's Recreation GroundBroadstairs, Kent10th

League table

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. The league was substantially similar to London 2 South East with the teams placed 5th to 12th returning. The teams finishing 1st to 4th were promoted to Regional 2 South East with the top four teams promoted from London 3 South East.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshfordKinney's FieldAshford, Kent11th L2SE
Aylesford BullsJack Williams GroundAylesford, KentPromoted from L3SE
BeccehamianSparrow's DenWest Wickham, London10th L2SE
BromleyBarnet Wood RoadHayes, LondonPromoted from L3SE
Charlton ParkBroad WalkKidbrooke, London8th L2SE
CranbrookTomlin GroundCranbrook, KentPromoted from L3SE
CrowboroughSteel CrossCrowborough, East Sussex9th L2SE
Deal & BetteshangerThe Drill FieldDeal, Kent7th L2SE
FolkestoneNew Burlington GroundNewington, Folkestone, Kent12th L2SE
Heathfield & WaldronHardy Roberts Recreational GroundCross In Hand, Heathfield, East SussexPromoted from L3SE
Old AlleyniansDulwich CommonDulwich, London5th L2SE
Thanet WanderersSt Peter's Recreation GroundBroadstairs, Kent6th L2SE

League table