Somerset 3 North


Somerset 3 North is an English rugby union league which sits at the eleven level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 3 South. When the division was founded in 1987 it was a single league known as Somerset 3, but since 2006 it has been split into two regional divisions.
Somerset 3 North currently involves teams from the northern part of Somerset as well as teams based in south and west Bristol. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and even 4th XV sides can participate in the division as long as they are not from the same club. The league champions, and occasionally runners up, are promoted to Somerset 2 North and there is no relegation as this is the lowest level of league rugby in Somerset.

Teams 2021-22

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Chew Valley IIIChew LaneChew Magna2nd
Imperial IISouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, Bristol4th
Keynsham IIIBristol RoadKeynsham6th
Nailsea & Backwell IIIWest End ParkNailsea, SomersetNew entry
St. Bernadette's Old Boys IIWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol3rd

2020–21

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

Teams 2019–20

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Bristol Harlequins IIValhallaBrislington, BristolN/A
Chew Valley IIIChew LaneChew MagnaRelegated from Somerset 2 North
Imperial IISouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, Bristol4th
Keynsham IIIBristol RoadKeynshamN/A
Old CulverhaysiansOdd Down Sports GroundOdd Down, BathN/A
St. Bernadette's Old Boys IIWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol5th
Stothert & Pitt IIAdams FieldBath3rd
Winscombe IIIRecreation Ground1,200Winscombe7th
Yatton IIIThe ParkYatton6th

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this league was a single division containing the following teams from Somerset and parts of Bristol:
  • Avonvale
  • Backwell
  • Bath Civil Service
  • Castle Cary
  • Chew Valley
  • Morganians
  • Old Ashtonians
  • Tor
  • Wincanton
  • Westland

Somerset 3 honours

Somerset 3 (1987–1989)

The original Somerset 3 was a tier 11 league with promotion to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation.

Somerset 3A / 3B (1989–1990)

For the 1989–90 season Somerset 3 split into two regional leagues - Somerset 3A and Somerset 3B - both at tier 11 of the league system. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation.

Somerset 3 (1990–1993)

After a single season Somerset 3 reverted to being a single division at tier 11 of the league system. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation.

Somerset 3 (1993–1996)

The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Somerset 3 dropped to become a tier 12 league. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation.

Somerset 3 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Somerset 3 reverted to being a tier 11 league. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation. Somerset 3 was cancelled at the end of the 1999–00 season and all teams transferred into Somerset 2.

Somerset 3 North

After an absence of six years, Somerset 3 returned - now split into two regional tier 11 divisions - Somerset 3 North and Somerset 3 South. This restructuring was to enable 2nd XV and 3rd XV sides to play in the Somerset leagues for the first time. Promotion was now to Somerset 2 North and there was no relegation. From the 2007–08 season onward the league sponsor would be Tribute.

Somerset 3 North (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset 3 North and its counterpart Somerset 3 South, remained as tier 11 leagues. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 North and there was no relegation. The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute.

Number of league titles