Counties 1 Midlands West (South)


Counties 1 Midlands West is a level seven English rugby union league and level three of the [English Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby Union Midland Division|Midlands League], made up of teams from the southern part of the West Midlands region including Herefordshire, parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 West and Midlands 3 West ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, saw it changed to Midlands 2 West and post the Rugby Football Union 's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022–23 it adopted its current name.
Luctonians II are the current champions and are promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West.

Format

The champions are promoted to [Regional 2 West Midlands| Regional Midlands 1 West|Midlands 2 West] or occasionally to Regional 2 Midlands North . The number of teams relegated depends on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above, but is usually to Counties 2 Midlands West (South).
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

Participating teams and location

Departing were Luctonians 2XV and Old Coventrians promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West and Regional 2 Midlands East respectively while Berkswell & Balsall, Barkers Butts and Bromsgrove 2XV were all relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (East). Manor Park were level transferred from Counties 1 Midlands East (North).
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AlcesterBirmingham RoadAlcester, Warwickshire5th
BromyardClive Richards Sports GroundBromyard, HerefordshirePromoted from Counties 2 Midlands West (West)
Camp HillThe ShrineShirley, Solihull, West Midlands3rd
DroitwichGlyn Mitchell Memorial Ground3,000Droitwich, Worcestershire9th
EarlsdonMitchell AvenueCanley, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Counties 2 Midlands West (East)
EveshamLower Albert RoadEvesham, Worcestershire4th
Kidderminster CaroliansMarlpool LaneKidderminster, WorcestershireLevel transfer from Counties 1 Midlands West (North)
LeamingtonMoorefieldsRoyal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire8th
LedburyRoss RoadLedbury, HerefordshireRelegated from Regional 2 Midlands West
Manor ParkGriff & CotonNuneaton, WarwickshireLevel transfer from Counties 1 Midlands East (North)
Old LeamingtoniansThe CroftsBlackdown, Warwickshire7th
WorcesterOfferton LaneWorcester, Worcestershire6th

2024–25

Participating teams and location

Departing were Ledbury, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West as runners-up. Broadstreet 2XV and Earlsdon were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (East). Manor Park moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands East (North).
Joining were Barkers Butts, Camp Hill, Worcester and Berkswell & Balsall.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AlcesterBirmingham RoadAlcester, Warwickshire6th
Barkers ButtsBob Coward Memorial GroundAllesley, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Counties 2 Midlands West (East)
Berkswell & BalsallHoniley RoadBalsall Common, WarwickshireRelegated from Regional 2 Midlands West
Bromsgrove 2XVFinstall ParkBromsgrove, Worcestershire8th
Camp HillThe ShrineShirley, Solihull, West MidlandsLevel transfer from Counties 1 Midlands West (North)
DroitwichGlyn Mitchell Memorial Ground3,000Droitwich, Worcestershire9th
EveshamLower Albert RoadEvesham, Worcestershire3rd
LeamingtonMoorefieldsRoyal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire4th
Luctonians 2XVMortimer Park2,500 Kingsland, HerefordshireChampions
Old CoventriansTile Hill LaneTile Hill, Coventry, West Midlands10th
Old LeamingtoniansThe CroftsBlackdown, Warwickshire7th
WorcesterOfferton LaneWorcester, WorcestershireRelegated from Regional 2 Midlands West

2023–24

Participating teams and location

Departing were Berkswell & Balsall, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West. Barkers Butts and Coventry Welsh were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (East). Kidderminster Carolians and Spartans moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands West (North).
Joining were Manor Park and Alcester ; promoted from Counties 2 Midlands West (South), while Evesham and Droitwich were relegated from Regional 2 West Midlands. Luctonians II, as champions, were level-transferred from Counties 1 Midlands West (North) – promotion to level 6 was not permitted due to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AlcesterBirmingham RoadAlcester, WarwickshirePromoted from Counties 2 Midlands West (South)
Broadstreet 2XVIvor Preece Field1,500 Binley Woods, Coventry, West Midlands10th
Bromsgrove 2XVFinstall ParkBromsgrove, Worcestershire8th
DroitwichGlyn Mitchell Memorial Ground3,000Droitwich, WorcestershireRelegated from Regional 2 Midlands West
EarlsdonMitchell AvenueCanley, Coventry, West Midlands7th
EveshamLower Albert RoadEvesham, WorcestershireRelegated from Regional 2 Midlands West
LedburyRoss RoadLedbury, Herefordshire4th
LeamingtonMoorefieldsRoyal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire5th
Luctonians 2XVMortimer Park2,500 Kingsland, HerefordshireLevel transfer from Counties 1 Midlands West (North)
Manor ParkGriff & CotonNuneaton, WarwickshirePromoted from Counties 2 Midlands West (South)
Old CoventriansTile Hill LaneTile Hill, Coventry, West Midlands6th
Old LeamingtoniansThe CroftsBlackdown, Warwickshire3rd

2022–23

Participating teams and location

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands West.
Departing were Evesham, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West and Old Laurentians promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East, whilst Nuneaton Old Edwardians and Silhillians were promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North. Pinley were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (South).
Joining were Ledbury, Old Leamingtonians and Coventry Welsh promoted from Midlands 3 West (South) together with new entries Broadstreet 2XV and Bromsgrove 2XV.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Barkers ButtsBob Coward Memorial GroundAllesley, Coventry, West Midlands5th
Berkswell & BalsallHoniley RoadBalsall Common, Warwickshire6th
Broadstreet 2XVIvor Preece Field1,500 Binley Woods, Coventry, West MidlandsNew entry
Bromsgrove 2XVFinstall ParkBromsgrove, WorcestershireNew entry
Coventry WelshBurbages LaneExhall, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Midlands 3 West (South)
EarlsdonMitchell AvenueCanley, Coventry, West Midlands11th
Kidderminster CaroliansMarlpool LaneKidderminster, Worcestershire7th
LedburyRoss RoadLedbury, HerefordshirePromoted from Midlands 3 West (South)
LeamingtonMoorefieldsRoyal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire9th
Old CoventriansTile Hill LaneTile Hill, Coventry, West Midlands10th
Old LeamingtoniansThe CroftsBlackdown, WarwickshirePromoted from Midlands 3 West (South)
SpartansCoppice LaneMiddleton, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands8th

2021–22

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Barkers ButtsBob Coward Memorial GroundAllesley, Coventry, West Midlands4th
Berkswell & BalsallHoniley RoadBalsall Common, WarwickshirePromoted from Midlands 3 West South
EarlsdonMitchell AvenueCanley, Coventry, West Midlands10th
EveshamLower Albert RoadEvesham, Worcestershire11th
Kidderminster CaroliansMarlpool LaneKidderminster, WorcestershireRelegated from Midlands 1 West
LeamingtonMoorefieldsRoyal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire5th
Nuneaton Old EdwardiansWeddington RoadNuneaton, Warwickshire3rd
Old CoventriansTile Hill LaneTile Hill, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Midlands 3 West South
Old LaurentiansFenley FieldRugby, Warwickshire6th
PinleyWyken CroftWyken, Coventry, West Midlands8th
SilhilliansThe Memorial GroundSolihull, West Midlands7th
SpartansCoppice LaneMiddleton, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands9th

2020–21

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Barkers ButtsBob Coward Memorial GroundAllesley, Coventry, West Midlands6th
EarlsdonMitchell AvenueCanley, Coventry, West Midlands5th
EveshamLower Albert RoadEvesham, Worcestershire8th
LeamingtonMoorefieldsRoyal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire9th
MalvernSpring LaneMalvern, WorcestershireRelegated from Midlands 1 West
Nuneaton Old EdwardiansWeddington RoadNuneaton, Warwickshire4th
Old LaurentiansFenley FieldRugby, Warwickshire3rd
PinleyWyken CroftWyken, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Midlands 3 WN
SilhilliansThe Memorial GroundSolihull, West Midlands7th
SouthamThe Rugby FieldSoutham, Warwickshire10th
SpartansCoppice LaneMiddleton, Sutton Coldfield, West MidlandsLevel transfer from Midlands 2 West (North)
Stratford-upon-AvonLoxley RoadStratford-upon-Avon, WarwickshireRelegated from South West 1 East

2018–19

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Barkers ButtsBob Coward Memorial GroundAllesley, Coventry, West Midlands5th
EarlsdonMitchell AvenueCanley, Coventry, West Midlands4th
EveshamLower Albert RoadEvesham, Worcestershire6th
KenilworthGlasshouse LaneKenilworth, Warwickshire3rd
Kidderminster CaroliansMarlpool LaneKidderminster, WorcestershireLevel transfer from Midlands 2 West (North)
LeamingtonMoorefieldsRoyal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire8th
Nuneaton Old EdwardiansWeddington RoadNuneaton, Warwickshire9th
Old CoventriansTile Hill LaneTile Hill, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Midlands 3 West (South)
Old LaurentiansFenley FieldRugby, WarwickshireLevel transfer from Midlands 2 East (South)
Rugby St AndrewsAshlawn RoadRugby, WarwickshirePromoted from Midlands 3 West (South)
SilhilliansThe Memorial GroundSolihull, West Midlands7th
SouthamThe Rugby FieldSoutham, Warwickshire10th

2017–18

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Barkers ButtsBob Coward Memorial GroundAllesley, Coventry, West Midlands10th
Berkswell & BalsallHoniley RoadBalsall Common, Warwickshire4th
DroitwichGlyn Mitchell Memorial Ground3,000Droitwich, WorcestershirePromoted from Midlands 3 West (South)
EarlsdonMitchell AvenueCanley, Coventry, West Midlands6th
EveshamLower Albert RoadEvesham, WorcestershirePromoted from Midlands 3 West (South)
KenilworthGlasshouse LaneKenilworth, WarwickshireRelegated from Midlands 1 West
LeamingtonMoorefieldsRoyal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire9th
MalvernSpring LaneMalvern, Worcestershire5th
Nuneaton Old EdwardiansWeddington RoadNuneaton, Warwickshire11th
Old YardleiansTilehouse LaneShirley, Solihull, West MidlandsLevel transfer from Midlands 2 West (North)
SilhilliansThe Memorial GroundSolihull, West Midlands2nd
SouthamThe Rugby FieldSoutham, Warwickshire8th

2016–17

2015–16

2014–15

  • Banbury
  • Droitwich
  • Leamington
  • Malvern '
  • Newbold on Avon
  • Nuneaton Old Edwardians
  • Old Coventrians
  • Old Laurentians '
  • Old Leamingtonians
  • Old Yardleians '
  • Pilney'
  • Spartans

2013–14

  • Banbury
  • Bedworth
  • Droitwich
  • Dunlop
  • Earlsdon
  • Kidderminster
  • Leamington
  • Nuneaton Old Edwardians
  • Old Coventrians '
  • Old Leamingtonians '
  • Spartans
  • Stourbridge Lions

2012–13

2011–12

2008–09

Original teams

Teams in Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West were originally part of a single division called Midlands 1 West, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:

Midlands 2 West (South) honours

Midlands West 1 (1992–1993)

Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West were originally part of a single tier 7 division called Midlands West 1. Promotion was to Midlands 2 and relegation to Midlands West 2.

Midlands West 1 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning Midlands 1 West became a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands West 2.

Midlands West 1 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands West 1 returned to being a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands West 2.

Midlands 3 West (South) (2000–2009)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands West 1 split into two tier 7 regional leagues – Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West. Promotion was now to Midlands 2 West and relegation to Midlands 4 West (South).

Midlands 2 West (South) (2009–2022)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 3 West and Midlands 3 West were renamed as Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West, with both leagues remaining at tier 7. Promotion was to Midlands 1 West and relegation to Midlands 3 West (South).

Counties 1 Midlands West (South) (2022– )

Following league reorganisation, Midlands 2 West is renamed Counties 1 Midlands West and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is usually to Regional 2 West Midlands, or occasionally to Regional 2 East Midlands and Regional 2 North Midlands. Relegation is usually to one of the Counties 2 Midlands West leagues.

Promotion play-offs

Between 2000–01 and 2018–19 seasons there was a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 1 West and Midlands 2 East. The team with the superior league record had home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Midlands 2 West teams had ten wins to Midlands 2 West teams eight; and the home team won promotion on eleven occasions compared to the away teams seven.

2008–09 promotion play-off

As mentioned above the 2008–09 promotion play-offs in Midlands 3 were different due to RFU restructuring for the following season. The two runners-up with the worst league records in the four regional divisions at this level had to face each other for the final promotion spot, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage.

Number of league titles