Devon League 1


Counties 2 Devon is an English level eight rugby union league for clubs primarily based in Devon. The champions are promoted to Counties 1 Western West and relegation is to Counties 3 Devon North & East or Counties 3 Devon South & West.

Format

The season runs from September to April and comprises twenty-six 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.
The top two teams are promoted to Western Counties West and the bottom three teams are relegated to either Cornwall One or Devon One depending on their location.

2025–26

Departing were Torquay Athletic promoted to Counties 1 Western West while Exmouth II were relegated to Counties 3 Devon North & East together with Tamar Saracens and Plymouth Argaum, both relegated to Counties 3 Devon South & West.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/CityPrevious season
BidefordKing George's Field2,000Bideford, DevonRelegated from Counties 1 Western West
Crediton IIBlagdonCrediton, DevonPromoted from Counties 3 Devon North & East
DartmouthDartmouth Leisure CentreDartmouth9th
Devonport Services IIThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, Devon3rd
Exeter SaracensExhibition Fields, Summer LaneWhipton, Heavitree, Exeter, Devon4th
HonitonAllhallows Playing FieldHoniton, Devon2nd
Ivybridge IICross-in-HandIvybridge, DevonPromoted from Counties 3 Devon South & West
Old Plymothian & MannamedianKing George V Playing FieldsPlymstock, Plymouth7th
South MoltonStation RoadSouth Molton, Devon8th
TavistockSandy Park500Tavistock, DevonRelegated from Counties 1 Western West
Topsham IIBonfire FieldTopsham, Exeter5th
WithycombeRaleigh ParkExmouth, Devon6th

2024–25

Departing were Barnstaple II, promoted to Counties 1 Western West. North Tawton and Ivybridge II and were relegated to Counties 3 Devon North & East and Counties 3 Devon South & West respectively.
Joining were Topsham 2XV and Dartmouth, promoted from Counties 3 Devon North & East and Counties 3 Devon South & West respectively.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/CityPrevious season
DartmouthDartmouth Leisure CentreDartmouthPromoted from Counties 3 Devon South & West
Devonport Services IIThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, Devon3rd
Exeter SaracensExhibition Fields, Summer LaneWhipton, Heavitree, Exeter, Devon4th
Exmouth IIImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon7th
HonitonAllhallows Playing FieldHoniton, Devon6th
Old Plymothian & MannamedianKing George V Playing FieldsPlymstock, Plymouth8th
Plymouth ArgaumBickleigh DownPlymouth, Devon10th
South MoltonStation RoadSouth Molton, Devon5th
Tamar SaracensThe ParkwayErnesettle, PlymouthPromoted from Counties 3 Devon South & West
Topsham IIBonfire FieldTopsham, ExeterPromoted from Counties 3 Devon North & East
Torquay AthleticRecreation Ground3,000 Torquay, Devon2nd
WithycombeRaleigh ParkExmouth, Devon9th

2023–24

Departing were Tavistock, promoted to Counties 1 Western West whilst Brixham II were relegated to Counties 3 Devon South & West. Joining were Old Plymothian & Mannamedian and Plymouth Argaum, promoted from Counties 3 Devon East and Counties 3 Devon West respectively.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/CityPrevious season
Barnstaple IIPottingham Road2,000 Barnstaple, Devon3rd
Devonport Services IIThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, Devon9th
Exeter SaracensExhibition Fields, Summer LaneWhipton, Heavitree, Exeter, Devon6th
Exmouth IIImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon8th
HonitonAllhallows Playing FieldHoniton, Devon5th
Ivybridge IICross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon7th
North TawtonTaw MeadowNorth Tawton, Devon11th
Old Plymothian & MannamedianKing George V Playing FieldsPlymstock, PlymouthPromoted from Counties 3 Devon East
Plymouth ArgaumBickleigh DownPlymouth, DevonPromoted from Counties 3 Devon West
South MoltonStation RoadSouth Molton, Devon10th
Torquay AthleticRecreation Ground3,000 Torquay, Devon2nd
WithycombeRaleigh ParkExmouth, Devon4th

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. The league was a continuation of Devon League 1 in name only with just the top two sides included in the new line-up of clubs. It was closer in standard to the Cornwall/Devon League with four teams who played in that league the previous season included whilst the Cornish teams were allocated to Counties 2 Cornwall. Post ACR club sides were permitted to enter the RFU pyramid so five 2XVs joined alongside Honiton relegated from Western Counties West.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/CityPrevious season
Barnstaple IIPottingham Road2,000 Barnstaple, DevonNew entry
Brixham IIAstley Park1,800 Brixham, DevonNew entry
Devonport Services IIThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, DevonNew entry
Exeter SaracensExhibition Fields, Summer LaneWhipton, Heavitree, Exeter, Devon1st
Exmouth IIImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, DevonNew entry
HonitonAllhallows Playing FieldHoniton, Devon14th Western Counties West
Ivybridge IICross-in-HandIvybridge, DevonNew entry
North TawtonTaw MeadowNorth Tawton, Devon10th Cornwall/Devon
South MoltonStation RoadSouth Molton, Devon2nd
TavistockSandy Park500Tavistock, Devon6th Cornwall/Devon
Torquay AthleticRecreation Ground3,000 Torquay, Devon8th Cornwall/Devon
WithycombeRaleigh ParkExmouth, Devon11th Cornwall/Devon

2021–22

TeamGroundCapacityTown/CityPrevious season
Buckfastleigh RamblersBuckfastleigh Sports ClubBuckfastleigh10th
DartmouthDartmouth Leisure CentreDartmouth8th
Exeter AthleticBravelandsClyst St Mary, DevonRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
Exeter SaracensExhibition Fields, Summer LaneWhipton, Heavitree, Exeter4th
IlfracombeBrimlandsIlfracombe12th
New CrossFive Lanes Pitch, Strap LaneKingsteignton11th
Old Plymothian & MannamedianKing George V Playing FieldsPlymstock, Plymouth3rd
Old TechniciansWeston Mill Oak Villa Social ClubPlymouth7th
Plymouth ArgaumBickleigh DownPlymouth, Devon9th
SalcombeTwo Meads500SalcombeJoined from Devon Merit League
South MoltonStation RoadSouth MoltonRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
Tamar SaracensThe ParkwayErnesettle, Plymouth2nd
TorringtonDonnacroftGreat Torrington6th
TotnesBorough ParkTotnes5th

2020–21

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

TeamGroundCapacityTown/CityPrevious season
Buckfastleigh RamblersBuckfastleigh Sports ClubBuckfastleigh5th
DartmouthDartmouth Leisure CentreDartmouth10th
Exeter SaracensExhibition Fields, Summer LaneWhipton, Heavitree, Exeter3rd
IlfracombeBrimlandsIlfracombeJoined from Devon Merit League
New CrossFive Lanes Pitch, Strap LaneKingsteignton11th
Old Plymothian & MannamedianKing George V Playing FieldsPlymstock, Plymouth9th
Old TechniciansWeston Mill Oak Villa Social ClubPlymouth6th
Plymouth ArgaumBickleigh DownPlymouth, DevonRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
Tamar SaracensThe ParkwayErnesettle, Plymouth4th
TorringtonDonnacroftGreat Torrington7th
TotnesBorough ParkTotnes8th
WithycombeRaleigh ParkExmouthRelegated from Cornwall/Devon

2018–19

TeamGroundCapacityTown/CityPrevious season
Buckfastleigh RamblersBuckfastleigh Sports ClubBuckfastleighPromoted from Devon League 2
DartmouthDartmouth Leisure CentreDartmouth3rd
Exeter AthleticBravelandsClyst St Mary, DevonRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
Exeter SaracensExhibition Fields, Summer LaneWhipton, Heavitree, Exeter7th
New CrossFive Lanes Pitch, Strap LaneKingsteignton6th
North TawtonTaw MeadowNorth TawtonPromoted from Devon League 2
Old Plymothian & MannamedianKing George V Playing FieldsPlymstock, PlymouthPromoted from Devon League 2
Old TechniciansWeston Mill Oak Villa Social ClubPlymouth8th
Tamar SaracensThe ParkwayErnesettle, Plymouth5th
TorringtonDonnacroftGreat TorringtonRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
TotnesBorough ParkTotnes4th

2017–18

TeamGroundCapacityTown/CityPrevious season
DartmouthDartmouth Leisure CentreDartmouthPromoted from Devon 2
Exeter SaracensExhibition Fields, Summer LaneWhipton, Exeter6th
New CrossFive Lanes Pitch, Strap LaneKingsteignton4th
Old TechniciansWeston Mill Oak Villa Social ClubPlymouthPromoted from Devon 2
South MoltonStation RoadSouth Molton3rd
Tamar SaracensThe ParkwayErnesettle, PlymouthRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
TopshamBonfire FieldTopsham, ExeterRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
TotnesBorough ParkTotnes5th

2016–17

Promotion play-off

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

2015–16

Participating clubs and locations

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
New CrossAbbrook ParkKingsteignton6th
North TawtonTaw MeadowNorth TawtonPromoted from Devon 2
Old Plymothian & MannamedianKing George V Playing FieldsPlymstock, PlymouthRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
South MoltonStation RoadSouth MoltonRelegated from Cornwall/Devon
St Columba & TorpointDefiance FieldTorpoint, Cornwall3rd
Tamar SaracensThe ParkwayErnesettle, PlymouthPromoted from Devon 2
TopshamBonfire FieldTopsham, Exeter7th
TotnesBorough ParkTotnes4th
WessexFlowerpot Playing FieldsExeter5th

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up of Cornwall 1 and Devon 1, usually participate in a play-off for promotion to Cornwall/Devon. Camborne School of Mines were due to play Topsham, but it appears that Camborne School of Mines conceded.

2014–15

Plymouth Argaum are the champions and they are promoted to Cornwall/Devon for season 2015–16. The runner-up, Plymstock Albion Oaks won the play-off match against Veor 47 – 3 to also win promotion. The last two teams Old Technicians and Torrington are relegated to Devon 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 Devon 1 consisted of nine clubs; eight from Devon and one from Cornwall. The season started on 7 September 2013 and ended on 5 April 2014 with each team playing each of the other teams twice. South Molton finished in first place and were promoted to Cornwall/Devon, while the runner-up, Totnes, lost to the second team in Cornwall 1, Bodmin, in a play-off and stay in this league. The bottom team, Salcombe, were relegated to Devon 2.

2012–13

Participating clubs

  • Dartmouth
  • Exeter University
  • New Cross
  • Plymstock Albion Oaks
  • Salcombe
  • South Molton
  • Topsham
  • Torrington
  • Totnes

Original teams

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

Devon League 1 honours

Devon League 1 (1987–1993)

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

Devon League 1 (1993–96)

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

Devon League 1 (1996–2009)

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

Cornwall/Devon League (2009–2018)

Despite widespread league restructuring by the RFU, Devon 1 continued as a tier 9 division, with promotion to Cornwall/Devon and relegation to Devon 2. Tribute continued to sponsor the league.

Devon League 1 (2018–present)

From the 2018–19 Devon 1 continued as a tier 9 division, with promotion to Cornwall/Devon. However, the cancellation of Devon 2 meant there was no longer relegation. Tribute continues to sponsor the league

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