Counties 3 Hampshire

Counties 3 Hampshire is an English level 9 Rugby Union league for teams based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Up until the 2017–18 season it was known as Hampshire 2 but was changed to Hampshire 1 following the restructuring of the Hampshire leagues, which would see the re-introduction of a third division as well as 2nd and 3rd XV sides joining for the first time. Following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022–23 it adopted its current name Counties 3 Hampshire.
Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Promoted teams move up to Counties 2 Hampshire. Relegated teams drop down to Counties 4 Hampshire.
The points system is as follows.

4 points awarded for a win.
2 points awarded for a draw.
0 points awarded for a loss.
1 "bonus" point awarded for scoring 4 tries.
1 "bonus" point awarded for losing by 7 points.

No team can get more than 5 points in a match. Points awarded are the same regardless of the outcome at home or away.

Teams for 2025–26

Departing were Andover II, Romsey and Southampton, all to Counties 2 Hampshire.
Farnham III were initially placed in the league with Overton having been relegated to Counties 4 Hampshire. However, shortly before the season began Overton were reinstated in the higher league with Farnham III taking their place in Counties 4 Hampshire.
Eastleigh II began the campaign but subsequently withdrew in November leaving nine clubs to contest the outstanding fixtures.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Aldershot & Fleet	Aldershot Park		Aldershot, Hampshire	5th
Alton	Antsey Park		Alton, Hampshire	Promoted from Counties 4 Hampshire
Ellingham & Ringwood II	Parsonage Barn Lane		Ringwood, Hampshire	Level transfer from Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South
Isle Of Wight	Footways		Wootton, Isle of Wight	Relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire
Overton	The Old Cricket Ground		Laverstoke, Hampshire	9th
Portsmouth II	The Rugby Camp		Portsmouth, Hampshire	6th
Tottonians II	Water Lane		Totton, Hampshire	4th
Ventnor	Watcombe Bottom		Ventnor, Isle of Wight	8th
Winchester III	North Walls Park		Winchester, Hampshire	Promoted from Counties 4 Hampshire

Teams for 2024–25

Departing were Havant III, Isle Of Wight and Fareham Heathans, all promoted to Counties 2 Hampshire. Alresford were relegated to Counties 4 Hampshire.
Joining were Tottonians II, relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire and Southampton, promoted from Counties 4A Hampshire.
With four teams departing and two joining the league was reduced from twelve to ten sides.
Christchurch started but did not finish the season, leaving nine sides to complete the remaining fixtures.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Aldershot & Fleet	Aldershot Park		Aldershot, Hampshire	5th
Andover II	Foxcotte Lane		Andover, Hampshire	8th
Eastleigh II	The Hub		Eastleigh, Hampshire	10th
Overton	The Old Cricket Ground		Laverstoke, Hampshire	4th
Portsmouth II	The Rugby Camp		Portsmouth, Hampshire	7th
Romsey	Romsey Sports Centre		Romsey, Hampshire	6th
Southampton	Test Park Playing Fields		Southampton, Hampshire	Promoted from Counties 4A Hampshire
Tottonians II	Water Lane		Totton, Hampshire	Relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire
Ventnor	Watcombe Bottom		Ventnor, Isle of Wight	11th

Teams for 2023–24

Departing were Guernsey Vikings, Locksheath Pumas and Winchester II, all promoted to Counties 2 Hampshire, whilst Gosport & Fareham II were relegated to Counties 4 Hampshire.
Joining were Alresford and Eastleigh II, relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire together with Christchurch and Aldershot & Fleet, promoted from Counties 4A Hampshire.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Aldershot & Fleet	Aldershot Park		Aldershot, Hampshire	Promoted from Counties 4 Hampshire
Alresford	Alresford Recreation Centre		New Alresford, Hampshire	Relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire
Andover II	Foxcotte Lane		Andover, Hampshire	4th
Christchurch	East Sports and Social Club		Christchurch, Dorset	Promoted from Counties 4 Hampshire
Eastleigh II	The Hub		Eastleigh, Hampshire	Relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire
Fareham Heathens	Cams Alders Recreation Centre		Fareham, Hampshire	11th
Havant III	Hook's Lane		Bedhampton, Havant, Hampshire	7th
Isle Of Wight	Footways		Wootton, Isle of Wight	6th
Overton	The Old Cricket Ground		Laverstoke, Hampshire	5th
Portsmouth II	The Rugby Camp		Portsmouth, Hampshire	10th
Romsey	Romsey Sports Centre		Romsey, Hampshire	8th
Ventnor	Watcombe Bottom		Ventnor, Isle of Wight	9th

Teams for 2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 3 Hampshire.
Departing were Tottonians II and United Services Portsmouth, promoted to Counties 2 Hampshire. Fawley did not return for the new season.
Joining were Havant III, Andover II and Winchester II, all promoted from Hampshire 2, together with Locksheath Pumas, relegated from Hampshire Premier, and Guernsey Vikings

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Andover II	Foxcotte Lane		Andover, Hampshire	Promoted from Hampshire 2
Fareham Heathens	Cams Alders Recreation Centre		Fareham, Hampshire	5th
Gosport & Fareham II	Gosport Park		Gosport, Hampshire	7th
Guernsey Vikings	Footes Lane		Saint Peter Port, Guernsey	New entry
Havant III	Hook's Lane		Bedhampton, Havant, Hampshire	Promoted from Hampshire 2
Isle Of Wight	Footways		Wootton, Isle of Wight	6th
Locksheath Pumas	Wide Lane Sports Ground		Eastleigh, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire Premier
Overton	The Old Cricket Ground		Laverstoke, Hampshire	4th
Portsmouth II	The Rugby Camp		Portsmouth, Hampshire	8th
Romsey	Romsey Sports Centre		Romsey, Hampshire	10th
Ventnor	Watcombe Bottom		Ventnor, Isle of Wight	9th
Winchester II	North Walls Park		Winchester, Hampshire	Promoted from Hampshire 2

Teams for 2021–22

Lockheath Pumas RFC finished 4th in 2019-20, but were promoted to Hampshire Premier for the current season, their place was taken by US Portsmouth who had withdrawn from London 3 South West in season 2019-20.
Farnborough who, were relegated from Hampshire Premier in 2019-20, fulfilled their early fixtures but subsequently withdrew from the league in November 2021.
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.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Fareham Heathens	Cams Alders Recreation Centre		Fareham, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire Premier
Fawley	Gang Warily Recreation Centre		Fawley, Hampshire	5th
Gosport & Fareham II	Gosport Park		Gosport, Hampshire	10th
Isle Of Wight	Footways		Wootton, Isle of Wight	6th
Overton	The Old Cricket Ground		Laverstoke, Hampshire	5th
Portsmouth II	The Rugby Camp		Portsmouth, Hampshire	7th
Romsey	Romsey Sports Centre		Romsey, Hampshire	11th
Southampton University Hospitals	Southampton University Sports Ground		Eastleigh, Hampshire	3rd
Tottonians II	Water Lane		Totton, Hampshire	8th
United Services Portsmouth	Burnaby Road	8,000	Portsmouth, Hampshire	N/A
Ventnor	Watcombe Bottom		Ventnor, Isle of Wight	9th

Season 2020–21

On 30 October the RFU announced that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 season meaning Hampshire 1 was not contested.

Teams for 2019–20

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Chichester II	Oaklands Park		Chichester, West Sussex	Transferred from Sussex 3
Fawley	Gang Warily Recreation Centre		Fawley, Hampshire	Promoted from Hampshire 2
Gosport & Fareham II	Gosport Park		Gosport, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire Premier
Isle Of Wight	Footways		Wootton, Isle of Wight	6th
Locksheath Pumas	Brookfield Community School		Locks Heath, Fareham, Hampshire	4th
Overton	The Old Cricket Ground		Laverstoke, Hampshire	5th
Portsmouth II	The Rugby Camp		Portsmouth, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire Premier
Romsey	Romsey Sports Centre		Romsey, Hampshire	7th
Southampton	Test Park Playing Fields		Southampton, Hampshire	9th
Southampton University Hospitals	Southampton University Sports Ground		Eastleigh, Hampshire	N/A
Tottonians II	Water Lane		Totton, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire Premier
Ventnor	Watcombe Bottom		Ventnor, Isle of Wight	8th

Teams for 2018–19

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Alton	Antsey Park		Alton, Hampshire	6th
Andover II	Foxcotte Lane		Andover, Hampshire	N/A
Ellingham & Ringwood	Parsonage Barn Lane		Ringwood, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire 1
Farnborough	Oak Farm Playing Fields		Farnborough, Hampshire	Champions
Isle Of Wight	Footways		Wootton, Isle of Wight	Relegated from Hampshire 1
Locks Heath Pumas	Brookfield Community School		Locks Heath, Fareham, Hampshire	3rd
Overton	The Old Cricket Ground		Laverstoke, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire 1
Romsey	Romsey Sports Centre		Romsey, Hampshire	Runners up
Southampton	Test Park Playing Fields		Southampton, Hampshire	4th
Ventnor	Watcombe Bottom		Ventnor, Isle of Wight	Relegated from Hampshire 1

Participating clubs 2017–18

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Aldershot & Fleet	Aldershot Park		Aldershot, Hampshire	9th
Alton	Antsey Park		Alton, Hampshire	3rd
Chineham	Fortress Chineham		Basingstoke, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire 1
Farnborough	Oak Farm Playing Fields		Farnborough, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire 1
Fawley	Gang Warily Recreation Centre		Fawley, Hampshire	4th
Locks Heath Pumas	Brookfield Community School		Locks Heath, Fareham, Hampshire	6th
Romsey	Romsey Sports Centre		Romsey, Hampshire	Relegated from Hampshire 1
Southsea Nomads	University of Portsmouth		Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire	7th
Southampton	Test Park Playing Fields		Southampton, Hampshire	5th

Participating clubs 2016–17

Aldershot & Fleet
Alresford
Alton
Fawley
Kingsclere
Loxheath Pumas
Lymington Mariners
Nomads
Overton
Southampton

Participating clubs 2015–16

Aldershot & Fleet
Alresford
Alton '
Fawley
Kingsclere
Nomads
Overton
Romsey '
Southampton
Ventnor

Participating clubs 2014–15

Aldershot & Fleet
Alresford
Chineham
Fawley
Locksheath Pumas
Kingsclere
Overton '
Southampton '
Southsea Nomads
Ventnor

Participating clubs 2013–14

Position	Team	Games	Won	Drew	Lost	Points
1	Petersfield	18	17	0	1	80
2	Fareham Heathens	18	14	0	4	70
3	Locksheath Pumas	18	13	1	4	64
4	Ventnor	18	12	0	6	60
5	Fawley	18	12	0	6	53
6	Chineham	18	9	1	8	49
7	Southsea Nomads	18	7	0	11	36
8	Aldershot & Fleet	18	4	0	12	11
9	Stoneham	18	1	0	17	5
10	Alresford	18	2	0	14	-3

Petersfield and Fareham Heathens promoted into Hampshire 1 at the end of the season.

Participating clubs 2012–13

Alresford
Chineham
Fareham Heathens
Fawley
Locksheath Pumas
Lymington Mariners
Nomads
Overton
Solent University
Stoneham
Ventnor ''''''

Original teams

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

Andover
Ellingham & Ringwood
Fordingbridge
Guernsey
Nomads
Overton
Pegasus Palmerians
Romsey
Ventnor
Waterlooville

Hampshire 1 honours

Hampshire 2 (1987–1993)

Originally known as Hampshire 2, it was tier 9 league with promotion up to Hampshire 1 and as it was the lowest league level in the region, there was no relegation.

Hampshire 2 (1993–1996)

The creation of National 5 South meant that Hampshire 2 dropped from a tier 9 league to a tier 10 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to Hampshire 1, while the introduction of Hampshire 3 ahead of the 1994–95 season meant that there was now relegation.

Hampshire 2 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Hampshire 2 reverted to being a tier 9 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Hampshire 1 and Hampshire 3 respectively.

Hampshire 2 (2000–2009)

The introduction of London 4 South West ahead of the 2000–01 season meant Hampshire 2 dropped to become a tier 10 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Hampshire 1 and Hampshire 3 respectively.

Hampshire 2 (2009–2018)

Hampshire 2 remained a tier 10 league despite national restructuring by the RFU. Promotion was to Hampshire 1 and there was no relegation due to the cancellation of Hampshire 3 at the end of the 2008–09 season.

Hampshire 1 (2018–present)

Restructuring of the Hampshire leagues saw Hampshire 2 renamed as Hampshire 1. It remained a tier 10 league with promotion to Hampshire Premier and relegation returned to the newly introduced Hampshire 2.

Number of league titles

Isle Of Wight
Aldershot & Fleet
Alresford
Farnborough
New Milton & District
Petersfield
Romsey
Ventnor
Alton
Andover
Chichester II
East Dorset
Eastleigh
Esso
Fareham Heathens
Fordingbridge
Locksheath Pumas
Nomads
Overton
Sandown & Shanklin
Southampton
Team Solent
Tottonians
Trojans