Counties 2 Somerset


Counties 2 Somerset is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire/Somerset, in 2000 the division split into two county leagues called Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier and subsequently adopted its new name following the RFU Adult Competition Review at the end of season 2021–22.
The league champions of Counties 2 Somerset are promoted to Counties 1 Western North while the runners up play the runners up of Gloucester Premier for their place. Relegated teams drop into Counties 3 Somerset North or Counties 3 Somerset South depending on location.

Teams 2025–26

Departing were Midsomer Norton, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Nailsea & Backwell II and Wells were relegated to Counties 3 Somerset (North) and Counties 3 Somerset (South) respectively.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
AvonHicksfieldBath, Somerset3rd
Burnham-on-SeaBASC GroundBurnham-on-Sea, SomersetRelegated from Counties 1 Western North
Castle CaryBrook House FieldCastle CaryPromoted from Counties 3 Somerset (South)
Chew Valley IIChew LaneChew Magna9th
ClevedonColeridge Vale Playing FieldsClevedon, SomersetRunners-up
Hornets IIHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset5th
ImperialSouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, Bristol8th
Keynsham IIBristol RoadKeynshamPromoted from Counties 3 Somerset (North)
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, Somerset4th
Oldfield Old BoysShaft RoadMonkton Combe, Bath, Somerset7th
RebelsAsh Meadow ParkTaunton, Somerset6th
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol10th

Teams 2024–25

Departing were Taunton II, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Yatton and Weston-super-Mare II were relegated.
Joining were Clevedon and Midsomer Norton, both relegated from Counties 1 Western North. Nailsea & Backwell II were promoted from Counties 3 Somerset North.
In the offseason Huish Tigers rebranded as Rebels Rugby.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
AvonHicksfieldBath, Somerset3rd
Chew Valley IIChew LaneChew Magna2nd
ClevedonColeridge Vale Playing FieldsClevedon, SomersetRelegated from Counties 1 Western North
Hornets IIHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset4th
ImperialSouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, Bristol5th
Midsomer NortonNorton Down Playing FieldsMidsomer Norton, SomersetRelegated from Counties 1 Western North
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, Somerset6th
Nailsea & Backwell IIWest End ParkNailsea, SomersetPromoted from Counties 3 Somerset North
Oldfield Old BoysShaft RoadMonkton Combe, Bath, Somerset9th
RebelsAsh Meadow ParkTaunton, Somerset8th
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol10th
WellsCharter WayWells, Somerset7th

Teams 2023–24

Departing were Old Redcliffians II, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Tor were relegated.
Joining were Chew Valley II and Huish Tigers.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
AvonHicksfieldBath, Somerset5th
Chew Valley IIChew LaneChew MagnaPromoted from Counties 3 Somerset North
Hornets IIHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset2nd
Huish TigersAsh Meadow ParkTaunton, SomersetPromoted from Counties 3 Somerset South
ImperialSouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, Bristol4th
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, Somerset7th
Oldfield Old BoysShaft RoadMonkton Combe, Bath, Somerset6th
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol11th
Taunton IIVeritas ParkTaunton, Somerset3rd
WellsCharter WayWells, Somerset8th
Weston-super-Mare IIRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset9th
YattonThe ParkYatton, Somerset10th

Teams 2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review.
Departing were Nailsea & Backwell, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Bristol Harlequins, Stothert & Pitt and Crewkerne were relegated.
Joining were Old Redcliffians II, promoted, and Taunton II who had withdrawn from Somerset 1 the previous season.
With four departing and two joining the league was reduced from 14 clubs to 12.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
AvonHicksfieldBath, Somerset5th
Hornets IIHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset2nd
ImperialSouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, Bristol7th
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, Somerset3rd
Oldfield Old BoysShaft RoadMonkton Combe, Bath, Somerset9th
Old Redcliffians IIScotland Lane1,000Brislington, BristolPromoted from Somerset 1
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol10th
Taunton IIVeritas ParkTaunton, SomersetRe-entry
TorBrian Harbinson Memorial ParkGlastonbury, Somerset11th
WellsCharter WayWells, Somerset6th
Weston-super-Mare IIRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset4th
YattonThe ParkYatton, Somerset8th

Teams 2021–22

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
AvonHicksfieldBath, Somerset5th
Bristol HarlequinsValhallaBrislington, BristolPromoted from Somerset 1
CrewkerneHenhayes Recreation GroundCrewkernePromoted from Somerset 1
Hornets IIHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset11th
ImperialSouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, Bristol7th
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, Somerset3rd
Nailsea & BackwellWest End ParkNailsea, Somerset2nd
Oldfield Old BoysShaft RoadMonkton Combe, Bath, Somerset6th
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol10th
Stothert & PittAdams FieldCorston, Somerset9th
TorBrian Harbinson Memorial ParkGlastonbury, Somerset13th
WellsCharter WayWells, Somerset8th
Weston-super-Mare IIRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset12th
YattonThe ParkYatton, Somerset4th

2020–21

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

Teams 2019–20

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
AvonHicksfieldBath, Somerset4th
Burnham-on-SeaBASC GroundBurnham-on-Sea, SomersetRunners up
Hornets IIHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset12th
ImperialSouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, Bristol3rd
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, Somerset6th
Nailsea & BackwellWest End ParkNailsea, Somerset7th
Oldfield Old BoysShaft RoadMonkton Combe, Bath, Somerset8th
Old Redcliffians IIScotland Lane1,000Brislington, Bristol9th
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol11th
Stothert & PittAdams FieldBath, SomersetPromoted from Somerset 1
TorBrian Harbinson Memorial ParkGlastonbury, SomersetPromoted from Somerset 1
WellsCharter WayWells, SomersetRelegated from Western Counties North
Weston-super-Mare IIRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset10th
YattonThe ParkYatton, Somerset5th

Teams 2018–19

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
AvonHicksfieldBath, Somerset3rd
Bristol HarlequinsValhallaBrislington, BristolPromoted from Somerset 1
Burnham-on-SeaBASC GroundBurnham-on-Sea, SomersetRelegated from Western Counties West
Hornets IIHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset10th
ImperialSouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, Bristol5th
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, Somerset8th
Nailsea & BackwellWest End ParkNailsea, Somerset7th
Oldfield Old BoysShaft RoadMonkton Combe, Bath, SomersetRelegated from Western Counties North
Old Redcliffians IIScotland Lane1,000Brislington, Bristol6th
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol9th
Weston-super-Mare IIRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset4th
WiveliscombeRecreational GroundWiveliscombe, SomersetRunners up
YattonThe ParkYatton, SomersetRelegated from Western Counties North

Teams 2017–18

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
AvonHicksfieldBath, SomersetRelegated from Western Counties North
Bridgwater & Albion IIBath Road5,000Bridgwater, Somerset11th
GordanoCaswell LanePortbury, Somerset6th
Hornets IIHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset9th
ImperialSouth Bristol Sports CentreHengrove, BristolPromoted from Somerset 1
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, SomersetPromoted from Somerset 1
Nailsea & BackwellWest End ParkNailsea, Somerset8th
Old Redcliffians IIScotland Lane1,000Brislington, Bristol7th
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol12th
Stothert & PittAdams FieldBath, Somerset10th
TorBrian Harbinson Memorial ParkGlastonbury, Somerset5th
Weston-super-Mare IIRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset4th
WiveliscombeRecreational GroundWiveliscombe, Somerset3rd

2016–17

Participating teams

1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues

Somerset 1

  • Bristol Barbarians
  • Castle Cary
  • Imperial
  • Minehead Barbarians
  • Old Sulians
  • Wyvern

Somerset 2 North

Somerset 2 South

  • Martock
  • Morganians
  • Somerton

Somerset 3 North

  • Avon II
  • Barton Hill II
  • Bristol Telephone Area
  • Imperial II
  • Keynsham IV
  • Nailsea & Backwell II
  • Old Bristolians III
  • Oldfield Old Boys III

Somerset 3 South

  • Wincanton

2015–16

The 2015–16 Somerset Premier consists of fourteen teams from Somerset and south-west Bristol. The season began on the 5 September 2015 and ended on the 30 April 2016.

Participating teams and location

Eleven of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Gordano were promoted to Western Counties North while Bristol Imperial and Clevedon II were relegated to Somerset 1.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Chew Valley IIChew LaneChew Magna, SomersetPromoted from Somerset 1
Hornets IIHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, SomersetPromoted from Somerset 1
Minehead BarbariansThe Tom Stewart FieldMinehead, Somerset8th
Nailsea & BackwellWest End ParkNailsea, Somerset9th
Oldfield Old BoysShaft RoadBath, Somerset10th
Old Redcliffians IIScotland Lane1,000Brislington, Bristol6th
St Bernadettes Old BoysWhitchurch Sports GroundWhitchurch, Bristol12th
Stothert & PittAdams FieldBath, SomersetRelegated from Western Counties North
Taunton IIHyde Park2,000Taunton, Somerset11th
TorBrian Harbinson Memorial ParkGlastonbury, Somerset4th
Weston-super-Mare IIRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset3rd
WinscombeWinscombe Recreation Ground1,200Winscombe, Somerset2nd
WiveliscombeRecreational GroundWiveliscombe, Somerset7th
YattonOff North EndYatton, Somerset5th

1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues

Somerset 1

  • Bristol Barbarians
  • Castle Cray
  • Crewkerne
  • Imperial
  • Old Sulians
  • Wyvern

Somerset 2 North

  • Old Culverhaysians

Somerset 2 South

  • Cheddar Valley
  • Martock
  • Morganians
  • Somerton

Somerset 3 North

  • Bath Old Edwardians

Participating clubs 2014–15

Participating clubs 2013–14

Participating clubs 2012–13

Participating teams 2010–11

Standings 2009–10

Standings 2008–09

  • 1 Burnham on Sea 35
  • 2 North Petherton 34
  • 3 Tor 30
  • 4 Bristol Harlequins 28
  • 5 Stothert & Pitt 26
  • 6 Chew Valley 20
  • 7 Chard 19
  • 8 Midsomer Norton 18
  • 9 Winscombe 18
  • 10 Wells 17
  • 11 Avon 15
  • 12 Old Sulians 4

Standings 2007–08

  • 1 Keynsham 40
  • 2 Chew Valley 32
  • 3 Winscombe 28
  • 4 Wells 26
  • 5 Midsomer Norton 26
  • 6 Avon 22
  • 7 Old Sulians 20
  • 8 Stothert & Pitt 20
  • 9 Chard 18
  • 10 Tor 16
  • 11 Gordano 8
  • 12 St Bernadettes 6

Original teams

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

Somerset Premier honours

Gloucestershire/Somerset (1987–1993)

Originally Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier were combined in a single division known as Gloucestershire/Somerset, involving teams based in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Bristol. It was tier 8 league with promotion to Western Counties and relegation to either Gloucestershire 1 or Somerset 1.

Gloucestershire/Somerset (1993–1996)

The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Western Counties and relegation to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1.

Gloucestershire/Somerset (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Western Counties North, while relegation continued to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1.

Somerset Premier (2000–2009)

Gloucestershire/Somerset was reorganised into two county leagues at the end of the 1999–00 season, Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier, with both leagues remaining at level 8. Promotion from Somerset Premier was to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1. From the 2007–08 season onward the league sponsor would be Tribute.

Somerset Premier (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset Premier remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1. The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of the Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier for the third and final promotion place to Western Counties North. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season Gloucester Premier teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the Somerset Premier teams six; and the home team has won promotion on twelve occasions compared to the away teams seven.

Number of league titles