Midlands 5 West (South)


Counties 4 Midlands West / are level 10 English Rugby Union leagues and level 5 of the [English Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby Union Midland Division|Midlands League], made up of teams from the West Midlands region including clubs from parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and even Cheshire and Oxfordshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Formed in 2006 originally the league was divided into two regional divisions – Midlands 6 South-East and South-West – but was merged into a single division for the 2010–11 season. In its present state promoted teams typically move up to either Midlands 4 West (North) or Midlands 4 West (South) with there being no relegation as it is the basement division for Midlands rugby. There was also another regional tier 5 Midlands league - Midlands 5 West (North) - but this league was discontinued at the end of the 2018–19 season, with most teams transferred into a new-look Midlands 5 West. Further restructuring followed in the wake of the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it has been known as Counties 4 Midlands West.

2025-26

Ahead of the new season an East division was included for the first time with teams level transferred from the South and new sides added.

South

Departing were Bishop's Castle & Onny Valley, Evesham II and Droitwich II, all promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (South) while Keresley were promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (East).
Also leaving on a level transfer to the new East division were Birmingham Exiles, Old Leamingtonians II and Trinity Guild.
Five Ways Old Edwardians did not return for the new season.
Kidderminster Carolians II started but subsequently withdrew from the league leaving ten sides to complete the outstanding fixtures.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Bromsgrove IIIFinstall ParkBromsgrove, WorcestershireNew entry
Chaddesley CorbettFox LaneChaddesley Corbett, WorcestershireNew entry
Kings NortonHopwood ParkHopwood, WorcestershireRelegated from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
Malvern IISpring LaneMalvern, WorcestershireRelegated from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
Old Halesonians IIWassell GroveHagley, Stourbridge, Worcestershire7th
RedditchBromsgrove RoadRedditch, Worcestershire11th
Stourbridge IIIStourton ParkStourbridge, West MidlandsNew entry
StourportWalshes MeadowStourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire5th
Tenbury WellsPenlu Sports ClubTenbury Wells, WorcestershireNew entry
Worcester IIOfferton LaneWorcester, WorcestershireRelegated from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)

East

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Alcester IIBirmingham RoadAlcester, WarwickshireNew entry
Birmingham ExilesOld Damson LaneElmdon, West MidlandsLevel transfer from Counties 4 Midlands West
Camp Hill IIThe ShrineShirley, Solihull, West MidlandsNew entry
CoventriansThe Black PadHolbrooks, Coventry, West MidlandsRe-entry
Harbury IIWaterloo FieldsHarbury, WarwickshireNew entry
Newbold on Avon IIParkfield RoadNewbold-on-Avon, WarwickshireNew entry
Old Leamingtonians IIThe CroftsBlackdown, WarwickshireLevel transfer from Counties 4 Midlands West
Old Saltleians IIWatton LaneWater Orton, WarwickshireRelegated from Counties 3 Midlands West (East)
Shipston-on-Stour IIMayo Road600Shipston-on-Stour, WarwickshireNew entry
Silhillians IIThe Memorial GroundSolihull, West MidlandsNew entry
Stratford-upon-Avon IILoxley RoadStratford-upon-Avon, WarwickshireNew entry
Trinity GuildRowley RoadBaginton, WarwickshireLevel transfer from Counties 4 Midlands West

2024-25

Departing were Upton-upon-Severn and Malvern II, both promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (South). Warley left on a level transfer to Counties 4 Midlands West (North).
Joining were Old Leamingtonians II, Kidderminster Carolians II and Trinity Guild.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Birmingham ExilesOld Damson LaneElmdon, West Midlands5th
Bishop's Castle & Onny ValleyBishop's Castle Community CollegeBishop's Castle, Shropshire8th
Droitwich IIGlyn Mitchell Memorial Ground3,000Droitwich, Worcestershire3rd
Evesham IILower Albert RoadEvesham, Worcestershire10th
Five Ways Old EdwardiansAsh LaneHopwood, Worcestershire12th
KeresleyJohn E. Radford FieldsCorley, Warwickshire6th
Kidderminster Carolians IIMarlpool LaneKidderminster, WorcestershireNew entry
Old Halesonians IIWassell GroveHagley, Stourbridge, Worcestershire7th
Old Leamingtonians IIThe CroftsBlackdown, WarwickshireRelegated from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
RedditchBromsgrove RoadRedditch, Worcestershire9th
StourportWalshes MeadowStourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire11th
Trinity GuildRowley RoadBaginton, WarwickshireRe-entry

2023-24

Departing were Hereford II and Worcester II, both promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (South).
Joining were Upton-on-Severn, Birmingham Exiles, Warley and Old Halesonians II.
With two leaving and four joining the league was restored to twelve clubs from ten.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Birmingham ExilesOld Damson LaneElmdon, West MidlandsRelegated from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
Bishop's Castle & Onny ValleyBishop's Castle Community CollegeBishop's Castle, Shropshire8th
Droitwich IIGlyn Mitchell Memorial Ground3,000Droitwich, Worcestershire6th
Evesham IILower Albert RoadEvesham, Worcestershire10th
Five Ways Old EdwardiansAsh LaneHopwood, Worcestershire7th
KeresleyJohn E. Radford FieldsCorley, Warwickshire5th
Malvern IISpring LaneMalvern, Worcestershire4th
Old Halesonians IIWassell GroveHagley, Stourbridge, WorcestershireNew entry
RedditchBromsgrove RoadRedditch, Worcestershire9th
StourportWalshes MeadowStourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire3rd
Upton-upon-SevernBanwell ParkUpton-upon-Severn, WorcestershireRelegated from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
WarleyTatbank RoadOldbury, West MidlandsRelegated from Counties 3 Midlands West (North)

2022-23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 4 Midlands West.
Departing were Birmingham & Solihull, Cannock and Greyhound, all promoted. Leaving on a level transfer to Counties 4 Midlands West (North) were Stone, Bloxwich, St Leonards and Atherstone.
Joining were Hereford II, Worcester II, Malvern II, Evesham and Droitwich II.
With seven leaving and five joining the league was reduced in size from twelve clubs to ten.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Bishop's Castle & Onny ValleyBishop's Castle Community CollegeBishop's Castle, Shropshire9th
Droitwich IIGlyn Mitchell Memorial Ground3,000Droitwich, WorcestershireNew entry
Evesham IILower Albert RoadEvesham, WorcestershireNew entry
Five Ways Old EdwardiansAsh LaneHopwood, Worcestershire12th
Hereford IIWyesideHereford, HerefordshireNew entry
KeresleyJohn E. Radford FieldsCorley, Warwickshire10th
Malvern IISpring LaneMalvern, WorcestershireNew entry
RedditchBromsgrove RoadRedditch, Worcestershire6th
StourportWalshes MeadowStourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire4th
Worcester IIOfferton LaneWorcester, WorcestershireNew entry

2021–22

Dixonians, who finished 11th in 2019-20, did not return for the current season.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AtherstoneAtherstone Town Cricket ClubAtherstone, Warwickshire6th
Birmingham & SolihullPortwayPortway, Birmingham, West MidlandsPromoted from Greater Birmingham Merit League
Bishop's Castle & Onny ValleyBishop's Castle Community CollegeBishop's Castle, Shropshire10th
BloxwichStafford Road Sports ClubBloxwich, Walsall, West Midlands8th
CannockMorgan GroundHuntington, Cannock Chase, StaffordshireRelegated from Midlands 4 West (North)
Five Ways Old EdwardiansAsh LaneHopwood, Worcestershire5th
GreyhoundHereford City Sports ClubHereford, Herefordshire9th
KeresleyJohn E. Radford FieldsCorley, Warwickshire7th
RedditchBromsgrove RoadRedditch, Worcestershire3rd
St LeonardsUniversal Sports and Social ClubStafford, StaffordshirePromoted from Staffordshire Merit Table Division 1
StoneStone Hockey ClubAston By Stone, StaffordshirePromoted from Staffordshire Merit Table Division 1
StourportWalshes MeadowStourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire4th

2020–21

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

2019–20

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AtherstoneAtherstone Town Cricket ClubAtherstone, Warwickshire5th
Bishop's Castle & Onny ValleyBishop's Castle Community CollegeBishop's Castle, ShropshireTransferred from Midlands 5 West (North)
BloxwichStafford Road Sports ClubBloxwich, Walsall, West MidlandsRelegated from Midlands 4 WN
Chaddesley CorbettFox LaneChaddesley Corbett, WorcestershireTransferred from Midlands 5 West (North)
DixoniansRowheath ParkBirmingham, West MidlandsGreater Birmingham Merit League
Five Ways Old EdwardiansAsh LaneHopwood, WorcestershireJoined league
GreyhoundHereford City Sports ClubHereford, HerefordshireRelegated from Midlands 4 WS
KeresleyJohn E. Radford FieldsCorley, Warwickshire4th
RedditchBromsgrove RoadRedditch, WorcestershireRelegated from Midlands 4 WS
Rugby WelshAlwyn RoadRugby, Warwickshire3rd
StourportWalshes MeadowStourport-on-Severn, WorcestershireTransferred from Midlands 5 West (North)

2018–19

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AtherstoneAtherstone Town Cricket ClubAtherstone, Warwickshire4th
Birmingham Civil ServiceLand Rover Social ClubSolihull, West MidlandsRelegated from Midlands 4 West (South)
Birmingham ExilesOld Damson LaneElmdon, West Midlands6th
KeresleyJohn E. Radford FieldsCorley, Warwickshire5th
Rugby WelshAlwyn RoadRugby, Warwickshire3rd

2017–18

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AldridgeBourne ValeAldridge, West MidlandsTransferred from Midlands 5 West (North)
AtherstoneAtherstone Town Cricket ClubAtherstone, Warwickshire5th
Birmingham ExilesOld Damson LaneElmdon, West Midlands3rd
KeresleyJohn E. Radford FieldsCorley, WarwickshireRelegated from Midlands 4 West (North)
Kings NortonHopgood ParkHopwood, WorcestershireRelegated from Midlands 4 West (North)
Rugby WelshAlwyn RoadRugby, Warwickshire4th
Trinity GuildRowley RoadBaginton, Warwickshire6th

Teams 2016-17

  • Atherstone '
  • Birmingham Civil Service '
  • Birmingham Exiles
  • Copsewood
  • Rugby Welsh
  • Trinity Guild
  • Wellesbourne

Teams 2015-16

  • Birmingham Exiles
  • Copsewood
  • Five Ways Old Edwardians
  • Keresley
  • Rugby Welsh
  • Trinity Guild
  • Wellesbourne

Teams 2014-15

  • Alcester '
  • Birmingham Civil Service '
  • Birmingham Exiles
  • Copsewood
  • Coventry Technical
  • Keresley
  • Rugby Welsh
  • Trinity Guild
  • Wellesbourne

Teams 2013-14

  • Birmingham Exiles
  • Copsewood
  • Coventry Technical
  • Keresley
  • Rugby Lions
  • Rugby Welsh
  • Trinity Guild
  • Warwickian
  • Wellesbourne

Teams 2012–13

  • Birmingham Exiles
  • Copsewood
  • Coventry Technical
  • Greyhound
  • Rugby Welsh
  • Stoke Old Boys
  • Trinity Guild
  • Wellesbourne

Teams 2008–09

  • Copsewood
  • Coventrians
  • Coventry Welsh
  • Dudley Wasps
  • Evesham
  • Harbury
  • Keresley
  • Manor Park
  • Pinley
  • Redditch
  • Stoke Old Boys
  • Worcester Students
Worcester Students withdrew from the league after failing to field 15 players regularly.

Original teams

When this division was introduced in 2006 it was split into two separate divisions - Midlands 6 West and Midlands 6 West - containing the following teams:
Midlands 6 West
Midlands 6 West

Midlands 5 West (South) honours

Midlands 6 West (South-East) / (South-West) (2006–2009)

The league was originally divided into two sub-divisions known as Midlands 6 West and Midlands 6 West. These divisions were introduced along with their counterpart Midlands 6 West (North) at tier 10 to replace the discontinued North Midlands 2, Warwickshire 1 and Warwickshire 2 leagues. Promotion was to Midlands 5 West (South) and there was no relegation.

Midlands 5 West (South-East) / (South-West) (2009–2010)

Further league restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 6 West and their counterpart Midlands 6 West were renamed as Midlands 5 West and Midlands 5 West (North), with all leagues remaining at tier 10. Promotion was now to Midlands 4 West (South) and there was no relegation.

Midlands 5 West (South) (2009–present)

Midlands 5 West were remerged into a single tier 10 division ahead of the 2010–11 season. Promotion continued to Midlands 4 West (South) and there was no relegation.

Promotion play-offs

Between 2007 and 2010 there was a promotion playoff between the runners-up of Midlands 5 West and Midlands 5 West for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 4 West (South), with the team with the superior league record having home advantage in the tie. The playoffs were dissolved at the end of the 2009-10 season when Midlands 5 West became one division. By the end of the promotion play-offs the Midlands 5 West teams won all four playoff games and the home team has also won promotion on all four occasions.

Number of league titles

  • Birmingham Exiles
  • Rugby Welsh
  • Stoke Old Boys
  • Aldridge
  • Birmingham Civil Service
  • Burbage
  • Claverdon
  • Clee Hill
  • Coventrians
  • Dudley Wasps
  • Keresley
  • Pinley
  • Redditch
  • Rugby Lions
  • Trinity Guild