London and South East Rugby League


The London and South East Rugby League is a summer rugby league competition for amateur teams in London and the surrounding area. The competition was formed in 2005 as the RLC Southern Premier. Its name changed following the 2012 restructure of amateur rugby league in Great Britain.

History

The Rugby League Conference was born in 1997 as the Southern Conference.
The Premier Division was set up in 2005 for teams who had achieved a certain playing standard and were able to travel further afield to find stronger opposition. The new Premier Divisions included the North Premier, the South Premier, the Central Premier and the Welsh Premier.
Prior to the 2005 season National League Three side South London Storm announced that they were joining the South Premier; the other founder members came from the Conference regional divisions.
After the 2006 season with other teams withdrawing from National League Three, St Albans Centurions also decided to join the Premier South.
In 2012 it became a standalone league run by the RFL with the introduction of Summer Rugby in the amateur ranks. St Albans Centurions returned to playing nationally in National Conference League Division Three
It has a merit league attached to it enabling smaller clubs to develop before entering the league to see if they are able to meet the demands of player numbers and competing fixtures throughout a regular season. Some larger clubs have fielded an A team in this league to bolster numbers and create opportunities for less experienced players to play.

Position in Pyramid

As of 2024: Brighton & Hove RL, Brixton Bulls, Elmbridge Eagles, London Chargers, Medway Dragons, Wests Warriors A.
In 2025: Anglian Vipers, Brixton Bulls, Elmbridge Eagles, Hemel Stags, London Skolars, Medway Dragons

League Standings from 2005 to 2013

Teams200520062007200820092010201120122013
Bedford Tigersxxxx6thxxxx
Eastern Rhinos3rd2nd5th3rd4th4th3rd3rd4th
Elmbridge Eagles 2x5th6th7th9thxx5th6th
Essex EelsxDNFxxxxxxx
Greenwich Admirals6thxxxxxxxx
Hainault Bulldogsxxxx8th6thDNFxx
Hammersmith Hills Hoistsxxxxx2nd1st2nd1st
Hemel Stags Axxxxxxxx5th
Kent Ravensxx7thDNFxxxxx
London Skolars A 34th4th3rd6th7th8th5th51st3rd
Luton Vipers5thDNFxxxxxxx
Portsmouth Navy Seahawksxxx5th5th7thxxx
St Albans Centurionsxx1st4th3rd1st2ndxx
South London Storm1st1st2nd2nd1st5th6th4thx
South West London Chargers4xxxxxxxx2nd
West London Sharks2nd3rd4th1st2nd3rd4thDNFx

  • 1 competed as Ipswich Rhinos between 2005 and 2009
  • 2 competed as Kingston Warriors between 2005 and 2007 and Elmbridge in 2008.
  • 3 competed as Haringey Hornets in 2006
  • 4 a merger of South London Storm and West London Sharks
  • 5 midseason replacements for Hainault Bulldogs

    Key

Grand Finals

;Source from 2017

Titles

PositionTeamNumber of WinsYears
1 =Hammersmith Hills Hoists42011, 2012, 2017, 2018
1 =London Chargers42013, 2014, 2015, 2023
3 =Brixton Bulls22016, 2022
3 =St Albans Centurions22007, 2010
3 =West London Sharks22008, 2009
3 =South London Storm22005, 2006
3 =Wests Warriors22019, 2024
8Medway Dragons12021

London Cup

;Ceased 2011
YearGameRLC Southern Premier TeamResultOpponentVenue
2005Semi-finalSouth London Storm18–34Bridgend Blue BullsCheltenham
2006Semi-finalSouth London Storm32–12Bridgend Blue BullsHemel
2006Grand FinalSouth London Storm30–0East Lancs LionsCoventry
2007Semi-finalSt Albans Centurions42–16Bridgend Blue Bulls
2007Grand FinalSt Albans Centurions28–20Coventry Bears
2008Semi-finalWest London Sharks32–30Valley Cougars
2008Grand FinalWest London Sharks8–28Nottingham OutlawsDerby