Counties 2 Hampshire Explained

Counties 2 Hampshire
Current Season:2024-25 Counties 2 Hampshire
Sport:Rugby union
Founded: (as Hampshire 1)
Teams:13
Most Champs:Andover, Petersfield, United Services Portsmouth
Count:3
Website:englandrugby.com

Counties 2 Hampshire (formerly Hampshire Premier) is an English level 8 Rugby Union league for teams based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Up until the 2017–18 season it was known as Hampshire 1 but was changed to Hampshire Premier due to restructuring of the Hampshire leagues, which would see the re-introduction of a third division as well as 2nd and 3rd XV sides joining for the first time. Following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name Counties 2 Hampshire.

Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.

Promoted teams move up to Counties 1 Hampshire. Relegated teams drop down to Counties 3 Hampshire.

The points system is as follows.

No team can get more than 5 points in a match. Points awarded are the same regardless of outcome at home or away. The new point system has been in effect since 2010–11 season.

Teams for 2024–25

Departing were Guernsey Vikings, Sandown & Shanklin and Basingstoke, all promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire. Tottonians II were relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire.

Joining were Havant III, Isle Of Wight, Fareham Heathans, all promoted, and Petersfield II.

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Oaklands Park 8th
Fareham Heathens Cams Alders Recreation Centre Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (runners-up)
Fordingbridge The Recreation Ground 7th
Hook's Lane 1,500 Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (champions)
Isle Of Wight Footways Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (3rd)
Locksheath Pumas Wide Lane Sports Ground 9th
Millbrook Lordshill Recreational Ground 5th
Penn's Place New entry
8,000 4th
North Walls Park 7th

Teams for 2023–24

Departing were Ellingham & Ringwood, Bognor and New Milton & District, all promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire. Alresford and Eastleigh II were relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire.

Joining were Guernsey Vikings, Locksheath Pumas and Winchester II, all promoted, and Basingstoke, relegated. Alton finished 11th in Counties 1 Hampshire the previous season and would also have been relegated too but declined to compete in the RFU leagues in 2023-24.

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Down Grange Relegated from Counties 1 Hampshire
Oaklands Park 8th
Fordingbridge The Recreation Ground 7th
5,000 (720 seats) Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (3rd)
Locksheath Pumas Wide Lane Sports Ground Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (3rd)
Millbrook Lordshill Recreational Ground 6th
Sandown & Shanklin The Fairway Ground 4th
Tottonians II Water Lane 9th
8,000 5th
North Walls Park Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (runners-up)

Teams for 2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[1] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Hampshire.

Departing were Havant II and Gosport & Fareham both promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire. Also leaving were Locksheath Pumas, relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire.

Joining were United Services Portsmouth and Tottonians 2XV.

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Alresford Alresford Recreation Centre 7th
Bognor Hampshire Avenue 3rd
Oaklands Park 10th
Eastleigh II The Hub 9th
Ellingham & Ringwood Parsonage Barn Lane 5th
Fordingbridge The Recreation Ground 11th
Millbrook Lordshill Recreational Ground 8th
New Milton & District Ashley Recreation Ground 6th
Sandown & Shanklin The Fairway Ground 4th
Tottonians II Water Lane Promoted from Hampshire 1) (champions)
8,000 Promoted from Hampshire 1) (runners-up)

Teams for 2021–22

The teams competing in 2021–22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019-20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020–21.

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Alresford Alresford Recreation Centre 9th
Bognor Hampshire Avenue 4th
Oaklands Park Promoted from Hampshire 1 (champions)
Eastleigh II The Hub 11th
Ellingham & Ringwood Parsonage Barn Lane 10th
Gosport Park Relegated from London 3 South West (11th)
Fordingbridge The Recreation Ground 7th
Hook's Lane 1,500 3rd
Locksheath Pumas Wide Lane Sports Ground Promoted from Hampshire 1 (4th)
Millbrook Lordshill Recreational Ground 8th
New Milton & District Ashley Recreation Ground 6th
Sandown & Shanklin The Fairway Ground 5th

Season 2020–21

On 30 October the RFU announced[2] that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Hampshire Premier was not contested.

Teams for 2019–20

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Alresford Alresford Recreation Centre 7th
Alton Antsey Park Promoted from Hampshire 1 (champions)
Bognor Hampshire Avenue 3rd
Eastleigh II The Hub 9th
Ellingham & Ringwood Parsonage Barn Lane Promoted from Hampshire 1 (runners up)
Fareham Heathens Cams Alders Recreation Centre 8th
Farnborough Oak Farm Playing Fields Promoted from Hampshire 1 (3rd)
Fordingbridge The Recreation Ground 4th
Hook's Lane 1,500 N/A
Millbrook Lordshill Recreational Ground 6th
New Milton & District Ashley Recreation Ground 5th
Penn's Place Relegated from London 3 SW (11th)
Sandown & Shanklin The Fairway Ground Runners up (lost playoff)

Teams for 2018–19

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Alresford Alresford Recreation Centre 7th
Down Grange 2,500 (250 seats) Relegated from London 3 SW (12th)
Bognor Hampshire Avenue 2nd (lost playoff)
Eastleigh II The Hub N/A
Fareham Heathens Cams Alders Recreation Centre 6th
Fordingbridge The Recreation Ground 4th
Gosport Park N/A
Millbrook Lordshill Recreational Ground 3rd
New Milton & District Ashley Recreation Ground Relegated from London 3 SW (11th)
The Rugby Camp N/A
Sandown & Shanklin The Fairway Ground 5th
Tottonians II Water Lane N/A

Teams for 2017–18

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Alresford Alresford Recreation Centre Promoted from Hampshire 2 (champions)
Bognor Hampshire Avenue Relegated from London 3 South West (12th)
Ellingham & Ringwood Parsonage Barn Lane 5th
Fareham Heathens Cams Alders Recreation Centre 7th
Fordingbridge The Recreation Ground 3rd
Isle Of Wight Footways 6th
Millbrook Lordshill Recreational Ground Relegated from London 3 South West (11th)
Overton The Old Cricket Ground Promoted from Hampshire 2 (runners up)
Sandown & Shanklin The Fairway Ground 4th
8,000 Relegated from London 3 South West (10th)
Ventnor Watcombe Bottom 8th

Teams for 2016–17

Teams and results for 2015–16

Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Millbrook 20 18 0 2 89
2 Bognor 20 18 0 2 88
3 Fareham Heathens 20 17 0 3 78
4 Fordlingbridge 20 11 0 9 55
5 Sandown & Shanklin 20 11 0 9 54
6 Chineham 20 10 0 10 52
7 Farnborough 20 7 1 12 38
8 Isle of Wight 20 5 0 15 32
9 20 5 1 14 26
10 Ellingham & Ringwood 20 6 0 14 22
11 Locksheath Pumas 20 1 0 19 3

Teams and results for 2014–15

Position Team Games Won Drew Lost For Against Difference + Points Points
1 United Services, Portsmouth1818008072665411890
2 Millbrook1815035572772801476
3 Bognor1813055233341891365
4 Fordingbridge1812066274042231462
5 Fareham Heathens181107418332861054
6 Petersfield186012394505-1111135
7 Isle of Wight185013323653-330424
8 Farnborough184014331479-148920
9 Romsey1840 14273604-331420
10 Alton182016232631-39969

Fareham and Petersfield promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.

Teams and results for 2013–14

Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Andover 22 19 0 3 93
2 Fordingbridge 22 19 0 3 93
3 Millbrook 22 17 0 5 86
4 22 15 0 7 76
5 Solent Uni 22 15 0 7 70
6 Farnborough 22 13 0 9 65
7 Bognor 22 10 0 12 56
8 Romsey 22 6 0 16 34
9 Isle of Wight 22 6 0 16 33
10 Alton 22 6 0 16 30
11 Southampton 22 5 0 17 25
12 Overton 22 1 0 21 9

Solent Uni promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.

Andover promoted to London South West 3 at the end of the season.

Southampton and Overton demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2012–13

Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 New Milton & District 22 20 0 2 98
2 Fordingbridge 22 17 0 5 85
3 Alton 22 17 0 5 82
4 Millbrook 22 14 0 8 71
5 22 12 1 9 63
6 Andover 22 13 0 9 62
7 Farnborough 22 10 0 12 54
8 Romsey 22 8 1 13 44
9 Isle of Wight 22 8 0 14 42
10 Southampton 22 5 1 16 30
11 22 2 2 18 18
12 Aldershot & Fleet 22 3 1 17 17

Southampton promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.

New Milton & District promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.

Aldershot & Fleet and Petersfield demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2011-12

Position Team Games Won Drew Lost + Points Points
1 Eastleigh22210116100
2 Fordingbridge2218041688
3 United Services, Portsmouth2216061781
4 Millbrook2217051280
5 New Milton & District2213091668
6 Isle of Wight2213091163
7 Petersfield2212010957
8 Romsey228014739
9 Farnborough2215171838
10 Ventnor225016222
11 Lytchett Minster22201919
12 Southsea Nomads222018-17

Southsea Nomads promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.

Lytchett Minster transferred to Dorset and Wilts Regional Leagues at the end of the season.

Eastleigh promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.

Southsea Nomads and Ventnor demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2010-11

Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Andover 20 18 0 2 86
2 Eastleigh 20 16 0 4 75
3 Millbrook 20 13 0 7 66
4 New Milton & District 20 13 0 7 60
5 Farnborough 20 10 0 10 52
6 20 11 0 9 48
7 Romsey 20 9 0 11 41
8 Ventnor 20 6 1 13 34
9 Isle of Wight 20 6 0 14 32
10 Southampton 20 5 0 15 28
11 Fareham Heathens 20 2 1 17 12

Andover promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.

Fareham Heathens and Southampton demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2009-10

Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Alton 20 19 0 1 38
2 19 16 0 3 32
3 Eastleigh 20 15 0 5 30
4 Millbrook 20 11 1 8 23
5 Romsey 20 11 0 9 22
6 Southampton 20 10 0 10 20
7 New Milton & District 20 7 0 13 14
8 20 6 1 13 13
9 Farnborough 20 6 0 14 12
10 Fareham Heathens 20 5 1 14 11
11 Aldershot & Fleet 19 1 1 17 3

Alton promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.

Aldershot & Fleet demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.

Teams and results for 2008-09

Position Team Games Won Drew Lost Points
1 Fordingbridge 18 14 1 3 29
2 Sandown & Shanklin 18 12 2 4 26
3 18 11 2 5 24
4 Farnborough, HampshireFarnborough 18 11 0 7 22
5 Alton 18 8 1 9 17
6 Romsey 18 6 1 11 13
7 New Milton & District 18 8 0 10 12
8 Eastleigh 18 5 1 12 11
9 Southampton 18501310
10 East Dorset 18 60 11 8

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Hampshire 1) contained the following teams:

Hampshire Premier honours

Hampshire 1 (1987–1993)

Originally known as Hampshire 1, it was tier 8 league with promotion up to London 3 South West and relegation down to Hampshire 2.

<---->
Hampshire 1
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated Teams
1987–88 11 Gosport New Milton & District, Petersfield
1988–89 11 Southampton
1989–90 11 Eastleigh
1990–91 11 Winchester
1991–92 11 Jersey
1992–93 12 Southampton
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire 1 (1993–1996)

The creation of National 5 South meant that Hampshire 1 dropped from a tier 8 league to a tier 9 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion and relegation continued to London 3 South West and Hampshire 2 respectively.

<---->
Hampshire 1
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated Teams
1993–94 13 Gosport
1994–95 13 Jersey Isle Of Wight, New Milton & District, Sandown & Shanklin
1995–96 13 Winchester
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire 1 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Hampshire 1 reverted to being a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to London 3 South West and Hampshire 2 respectively.

<---->
Hampshire 1
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated Teams
1996–97 12 Esso
1997–98 9 Andover No relegation
1998–99[3] 10 Tottonians
1999–00[4] 10 United Services Portsmouth
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire 1 (2000–2009)

The introduction of London 4 South West ahead of the 2000–01 season meant Hampshire 1 dropped to become a tier 9 league with promotion to this new division. Relegation continued to Hampshire 1.

<---->
Hampshire 1
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated Teams
2000–01[5] 10 Farnborough
2001–02[6] 10 Petersfield
2002–03[7] 10 Romsey
2003–04[8] 10 Guernsey
2004–05[9] 10 Trojans
2005–06[10] 10 Sandown & Shanklin
2006–07[11] 10 Trojans
2007–08[12] 10 Ellingham & Ringwood Fareham Heathens
2008–09[13] 10 Fordingbridge No relegation
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire 1 (2009–2018)

Hampshire 1 remained a tier 9 league despite national restructuring by the RFU. Promotion was to London 3 South West (formerly London 4 South West) and relegation to Hampshire 2.

<---->
Hampshire 1
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated Teams
2009–10[14] 11 Alton Aldershot & Fleet
2010–11[15] 11 Andover
2011–12[16] 12 Eastleigh Nomads, Lytchett Minster, Ventnor
2012–13[17] 12 New Milton & District
2013–14[18] 12 Andover
2014–15[19] 10 United Services Portsmouth
2015–16[20] 11 Millbrook
2016–17[21] 11 Petersfield
2017–18[22] 11 United Services Portsmouth
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Hampshire Premier (2018–present)

Restructuring of the Hampshire leagues saw Hampshire 1 renamed as Hampshire Premier. It remained a tier 9 league with promotion to London 3 South West and relegation to the new Hampshire 1 (formerly Hampshire 2).

<---->
Hampshire Premier
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated Teams
2018–19[23] 12 Basingstoke
2019–20[24] 13 Petersfield
2020–21 13
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Hampshire Premier and Surrey 1 for the third and final promotion place to London 3 South West. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Surrey 1 teams have been the most successful with twelve wins to the Hampshire Premier teams seven; and the home team has won promotion on eleven occasions compared to the away teams eight.

<---->
Hampshire Premier v Surrey 1 promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
2000–01[25] Trojans (H) 15-14 Kingston (S)
2001–02[26] Southampton (H) 27-18 KCS Old Boys (S)
2002–03[27] Farnborough (H) 5-63 Old Paulines (S)
2003–04[28] Trojans (H) 14-46 Old Reigatian (S)
2004–05[29] London Cornish (S) 27-14 Sandown & Shanklin (H)
2005–06[30] United Services Portsmouth (H) 20-28 Old Caterhamians (S)
2006–07[31] London South Africa (S) 71-10 Ellingham & Ringwood (H)
2007–08[32] Sandown & Shanklin (H) 15-16 Old Alleynians (S)
2008–09[33] Sandown & Shanklin (H) 17-10 Old Whitgiftian (S)
2009–10[34] Petersfield (H) 19-15 Old Whitgiftian (S)
2010–11[35] Eastleigh (H) 30-10 Old Blues (S)
2011–12[36] Fordingbridge (H) 11-29 Old Paulines (S)
2012–13[37] Old Cranleighans (S) 21-19 Fordingbridge (H)
2013–14[38] Fordingbridge (H) 6-36 Old Tonbridgians (S)
2014–15[39] Camberley (S) 49-10 Millbrook (H)
2015–16[40] Bognor (H) HWO Old Freemens (S)
2016–17[41] New Milton & District (H) 41-17 Old Whitgiftian (S)
2017–18[42] Bognor (H) 7-52 Old Georgians (S)
2018–19[43] Sandown & Shanklin (H) 18-22 Weybridge Vandals (S)
2019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Alton (H) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. H = Hampshire Premier and S = Surrey 1

Number of league titles

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: RFU announce new men's community structure . RFU . 2022-06-13.
  2. Web site: RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season . RFU . 2020-10-20 . 2020-11-09.
  3. Web site: 1998-1999 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  4. Web site: 1999-2000 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  5. Web site: 2000-2001 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  6. Web site: 2001-2002 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  7. Web site: 2002-2003 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  8. Web site: 2003-2004 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  9. Web site: 2004-2005 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  10. Web site: 2005-2006 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  11. Web site: 2006-2007 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  12. Web site: 2007-2008 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  13. Web site: 2008-2009 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  14. Web site: 2009-2010 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  15. Web site: 2010-2011 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  16. Web site: 2011-2012 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  17. Web site: 2012-2013 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  18. Web site: 2013-2014 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 1 February 2015.
  19. Web site: 2014-2015 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 3 May 2015.
  20. Web site: 2015-2016 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 25 April 2016.
  21. Web site: 2016-2017 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 22 April 2017.
  22. Web site: 2017-2018 London South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 21 April 2018.
  23. Web site: 2018-2019 London & South-East Division. England Rugby. RFU . 13 April 2019.
  24. Web site: Men's London & South East Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20. England Rugby. 25 April 2020.
  25. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2000-01 . England Rugby . 28 April 2001.
  26. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2001-02 . England Rugby . 27 April 2002.
  27. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2002-03 . England Rugby . 6 May 2017.
  28. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2003-04 . England Rugby . 24 April 2004.
  29. Web site: HURRIES HALTED DESPITE LATE FIGHT-BACK . Isle of Wight County Press . 6 May 2005.
  30. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2003-04 . England Rugby . 29 April 2006.
  31. Web site: LSA force a promotion. The South African. 1 May 2007.
  32. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2007-08 . England Rugby . 26 April 2008.
  33. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2008-09 . England Rugby . 25 April 2009.
  34. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2009-10 . England Rugby . 17 April 2010.
  35. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2010-11 . England Rugby . 16 April 2011.
  36. Web site: A Bridge too far . Fordingbridge Rugby Club (Pitchero) . 28 April 2012.
  37. Web site: So close . Fordingbridge Rugby Club (Pitchero) . 20 April 2013.
  38. Web site: Hot to Handle . Fordingbridge Rugby Club (Pitchero) . 26 April 2014.
  39. Web site: Cam Overwhelm Millbrook and win Promotion . Camberley RFC (Pitchero) . 25 April 2015.
  40. Web site: London & SE Division Play-Offs 2015-16 . England Rugby . 30 April 2016.
  41. Web site: Milton Win Promotion Play Off. Camberley RFC (Pitchero). 22 April 2017.
  42. Web site: Play-off tussle is a step too far for Bognor. Bognor Regis Observer. 3 May 2018.
  43. Web site: Hurricanes Come Agonisingly Close to Promotion. Sandown & Shanklin RFC (Pitchero). 13 April 2019.