Regional 1 Midlands Explained

Regional 1 Midlands
Current Season:	2023–24 Regional 1 Midlands
Sport:	Rugby union
Founded:	(as Midlands 1)
Teams:	12
Champion:	Oxford Harlequins (1st title)
Season:	2023–24 (promoted to National League 2 West)
Most Champs:	Broadstreet
Count:	4
Website:	clubs.rfu.com

Regional 1 Midlands (until 2021–22 known as Midlands Premier and up until 2016–17 known as National League 3 Midlands) is a level five semi-professional league in the English rugby union system.^[1] It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as Midlands Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following a reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and the name change from National League 3 to Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season by the RFU in order to lessen confusion for what is a series of regional leagues.^[1] Regional 1 Midlands is the highest regional rugby union league in the English Midlands.

Oxford Harlequins are the current champions and are promoted to National League 2 West. Old Halesonians (11th) and Broadstreet (12th) are relegated.

Format

The club that finishes as champions is automatically promoted to National League 2 West. Relegated teams drop down to either, Regional 2 East Midlands, Regional 2 North Midlands or Regional 2 West Midlands, depending on their location, and other factors such as the location of relegated and promoted teams in other divisions.

The season runs from September to April and comprises twenty-two rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals home and away. The results of the matches contribute points to the league table as follows:

• 4 points are awarded for a win
• 2 points are awarded for a draw
• 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
• 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
• 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match

2023–24

Participating teams and locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Bodicote Park	2500 (250 seats)		Transferred from Regional 1 South Central (10th)
	Edgar Davies Ground			2nd
		1,500 (250 seats)		10th
	Finstall Park			4th
	Battlestead Croft, Tatenhill^[2]	5,500 (600 seats		6th
	Haslams Lane			8th
	Glasshouse Lane			5th
	Wassell Grove			Promoted from Regional 2 West Midlands (1st)
	Horspath Sports Ground	1,000		Transferred from Regional 1 South Central (4th)
	Hartwell Lane			9th
	Stourton Park	3,500 (499 seats)		Relegated from National 2 West (14th)
	Barkby Road			3rd

League table

<															-- --> width=20% style="border:0px" 2023–24 Regional 1 Midlands
	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points	Adj
P	Oxford Harlequins	22	19	0	3	905	372	+533	19	1	96
2		22	17	1	4	831	467	+364	16	3	89
3		22	15	0	7	671	449	+222	11	4	75
4		22	13	0	9	553	528	+25	11	5	69
5		22	12	0	10	623	596	+27	15	4	67
6		22	12	0	10	628	574	+54	13	5	66
7		22	11	0	11	670	638	+32	14	4	62
8		22	10	1	11	623	676	–53	14	2	58
9		22	11	0	11	589	524	+65	8	4	56
10		22	7	1	14	595	704	−109	11	6	42	–5
R		22	2	1	19	416	728	−312	5	4	19
R		22	1	0	21	260	1108	−848	1	2	7
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Team with most draws Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
	Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places Updated: 12 May 2024 Source: Web site: Regional 1 Midlands . England Rugby.

Results

2022–23

Dudley Kingswinford won the league and were promoted to National League 2 West. Lichfield (11th) and Nuneaton (12th) were relegated to Regional 2 North Midlands and Regional 2 East Midlands respectively.^[3]

Participating teams and locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Edgar Davies Ground			4th
		1,500 (250 seats)		9th
	Finstall Park			6th
	Battlestead Croft, Tatenhill^[4]	5,500 (600 seats		7th
	Haslams Lane			Promoted from Midlands 1 East (3rd)
	Heathbrook	2,260 (260 seats)		10th
	Glasshouse Lane			Promoted from Midlands 1 West (2nd)
	Cooke Fields			Promoted from Midlands 1 West (champions)
		4,314 (514 seats)		11h
	Occupation Road			14th
	Hartwell Lane			Promoted from Midlands 1 East 3rd
	Barkby Road			3rd

Final league table

<															-- --> width=20% style="border:0px" Regional 1 Midlands 2022–23
	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
P	Dudley Kingswinford	22	17	0	5	671	372	299	13	4	85
2		22	16	0	6	631	499	132	13	5	82
3		22	16	0	6	761	414	347	13	2	79
4		22	13	1	8	666	480	186	14	7	75
5		22	14	0	8	621	507	114	11	4	71
6		22	9	0	13	560	595	−35	12	7	55
7		22	9	0	13	481	617	−136	12	6	54
8		22	10	1	11	562	691	129	9	2	53
9		22	8	0	14	607	699	−92	13	6	51
10		22	8	0	14	504	698	−194	9	5	46
R		22	6	0	16	544	836	−292	10	3	37
R		22	5	0	17	485	685	−200	8	7	35
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
	Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places Updated: 12 April 2023 Source: Web site: Regional 1 Midlands . England Rugby.

Results

2021–22

Participating teams and locations

Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by one relegated side, Scunthorpe (from National League 2 North), while the three teams promoted into the division are Dudley Kingswinford (from Midlands 1 West, Oundle and Syston (both from Midlands 1 East. Last seasons champions, Bournville were promoted into National League 2 North. Teams relegated from the division were Kettering and Peterborough (who drop to Midlands 1 East). Also not returning are South Leicester who withdrew from the league during the 2019–20 season^[5] and drop to Midlands 4 East (South) for the coming season.

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.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Edgar Davies Ground			4th
		1,500 (250 seats)		11th
	Finstall Park			6th
		5,500 (600 seats)		9th
		5,000		7th
	Heathbrook	2,260 (260 seats)		Promoted from Midlands 1 West (champions)
	The Old Showground			2nd
		4,314 (514 seats)		8th
	Occupation Road			Promoted from Midlands 1 East (runners-up)
	The Ron Rossin Ground			10th
	Bradwall Road			5th
	Heslam Park			Relegated from National League 2 South (14th)
		3,200 (100 seats)		3rd
	Barkby Road			Promoted from Midlands 1 East (champions)

Final league table

<															-- --> width=20% style="border:0px" Midlands Premier 2021–22
	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
1	Newport (Salop)	26	23	0	3	1008	464	544	21	1	114
2		26	21	0	5	742	340	402	14	3	101
3		26	17	0	9	741	423	318	14	7	89
4		26	16	2	8	742	655	87	16	3	87
5		26	16	1	9	733	537	196	12	4	82
6		26	15	0	11	774	582	192	15	4	79
7		26	12	1	13	721	695	26	18	5	73
8		26	14	1	11	627	786	−159	11	2	71
9		26	10	0	16	565	698	−133	8	3	51
10		26	10	0	16	509	674	−165	5	4	49
11		26	9	0	17	559	754	−195	10	2	48
12		26	7	0	19	465	763	−298	7	4	39
13		26	5	2	19	438	860	−422	5	3	32
14		26	3	1	22	470	863	−393	6	9	29
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
	Green background is the promotion places. Pink background No relegation due to league reorganisation Updated: 5 June 2022 Source: Web site: Midlands Premier. England Rugby.

2020–21

On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Midlands Premier was not contested.^[6]

2019–20

Participating teams and locations

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by two relegated sides; Peterborough Lions and South Leicester (relegated from National League 2 North), while the three teams promoted into the division are Bromsgrove, Kettering and Paviors.^{[7] [8] [9] [10] [11]} In order to address an imbalance of teams at level 5, Bedford Athletic have been level transferred into the division from London & South East Premier. Birmingham & Solihull were initially relegated into the division from National League 2 South but decided to drop out of the league system altogether (joining the Greater Birmingham Merit Leagues) as they became an amateur club.^{[12] [13]}

Last seasons champions, Scunthorpe were promoted into National League 2 North, along with Luctonians who won their play-off game against North Premier runners up Blaydon. Teams relegated from the division included Derby and Syston (who drop to Midlands 1 East) and Lichfield (who fall to Midlands 1 West).

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Avery Fields			10th
	Edgar Davies Ground			5th
		1,500 (250 seats)		4th
	Finstall Park			Promoted from Midlands 1 West (champions)
		5,500 (600 seats)		8th
		5,000		11th
	Waverley Road	2,000		Promoted from Midlands 1 East (champions)
	The Old Showground			3rd
		4,314 (514 seats)		7th
	The Ron Rossin Ground			Promoted from Midlands 1 East (play-off)
	Bretton Woods			Relegated from National 2 North (14th)
	Bradwall Road			9th
		3,200 (100 seats)		6th
	Welford Road Ground			Relegated from National 2 North (15th)

2018–19

Participating teams and locations

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Luctonians and Sheffield (relegated from National League 2 North), Broadstreet (relegated from National League 2 South), while the two teams promoted into the division are Burton and Syston.^{[14] [15] [16] [17] [18]} Last seasons champions Birmingham & Solihull were promoted into National League 2 South following a level transfer, while runners up Peterborough Lions RFC were promoted into National League 2 North after winning their play-off game against Hull. Teams relegated from the division included Old Halesonians, Longton and Newbold-on-Avon who all drop to Midlands 1 West.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Avery Fields			10th
	Edgar Davies Ground			5th
		1,500 (250 seats)		Relegated from National 2 South (16th)
		5,500 (600 seats)		Promoted from Midlands 1 West (champions)
	Haslams Lane			8th
		5,000		6th
	Cooke Fields			11th
	Mortimer Park	2,500 (300 seats)		Relegated from National 2 North (14th)
	The Old Showground			3rd
		4,314 (514 seats)		9th
	Bradwall Road			7th
	Heslam Park			4th
		3,200 (100 seats)		Relegated from National 2 North (16th)
	Barkby Road			Promoted from Midlands 1 East (playoff)

2017–18

Participating teams and locations

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. Scunthorpe were relegated from National League 2 North while the three teams promoted into the division included Newbold-on-Avon,Newport (Salop) and Bournville.^{[19] [20] [21] [22] [23]} Last seasons champions, Broadstreet, were promoted into National League 2 South following a level transfer, while runners-up Sheffield went into National League 2 North, having won their playoff game.^{[24] [25]} Teams relegated from the league included Bedford Athletic and Syston, with Sandbach given a reprieve by the RFU in light of the London Welsh liquidation, by virtue of being the best ranked third bottom side in tier 5 for 2016–17.^{[26] [27]} Finally Towcestrians were level transferred from Midlands Premier into London & South East Premier, while Doncaster Phoenix were level transferred into Midlands Premier from North Premier to address an imbalance of teams in the three divisions.^[28] Birmingham & Solihull won the title on 7 April.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Portway			5th
	Bournbrook / Metchley Park			Promoted from Midlands 1 West (playoffs)
	Edgar Davies Ground			6th
	Haslams Lane			9th
		5,000		Level transfer from North Premier (11th)
	Cooke Fields			7th
	Trentham Fields			11th
	Parkfield Road			Promoted from Midlands 1 East (champions)
	The Old Showground			Promoted from Midlands 1 West (champions)
		4,314 (514 seats)		3rd
	Wassell Grove			8th
	Bretton Woods			4th
	Bradwall Road			12th (reprieve from RFU)
	Heslam Park			Relegated from National 2 North (15th)

2016–17

Participating teams and locations

Eight of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Broadstreet who were relegated from National 2 North while four teams were promoted into the league – Bedford Athletic, Bridgnorth, Derby and Towcestrians (who were level transferred from the south-west league on promotion) – as well as Sheffield who were level transferred from National League 3 North having finished 7th the previous season. Scunthorpe (champions) and Hinckley (play-off) were promoted into National League 2 North while Old Northamptonians were relegated to Midlands 1 East and Sutton Coldfield and Newport (Salop) both dropped to Midlands 1 West. In order to address a league imbalance due to only one team coming down from National League 2 South, Bromsgrove (who had finished 11th), were level transferred to National League 3 South West.^[29]

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Putnoe Woods	500		promoted from Midlands 1 East (champions)
	Portway			7th
	Edgar Davies Ground			promoted from Midlands 1 West (champions)
		250 (seats)		relegated from 2015–16 National League 2 North (15th)
	Haslams Lane			promoted from Midlands 1 East (play-off)
	Cooke Fields			11th
	Trentham Fields			8th
		4,314 (514 seats)		5th
	Wassell Grove			3rd
	Bretton Woods			4th
	Bradwell Road			10th
		3,200 (100 seats)		level transfer from National League 3 North (7th)
	Barkby Road			6th
	Greens Norton Road			promoted from South West 1 East (champions)

Final league table

<															-- --> width=20% style="border:0px" National League 3 Midlands 2016–17
	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
1	Broadstreet (P)	26	20	1	5	759	412	347	13	3	98
2	Sheffield (P)	26	19	0	7	717	434	283	16	4	96
3		26	19	1	6	737	441	296	12	4	94
4		26	16	2	8	627	515	112	11	4	83
5		26	17	1	8	545	445	100	7	0	77
6		26	13	0	13	511	485	26	5	6	63
7		26	11	1	14	593	775	−182	11	6	63
8		26	12	0	14	590	638	−48	11	3	62
9		26	10	0	16	646	715	−69	12	7	59
10		26	10	1	15	526	625	−99	11	5	58
11		26	10	0	16	632	789	−157	11	3	54
12		26	9	2	15	564	678	−114	5	7	52
13	Bedford Athletic (R)	26	5	1	20	606	704	−98	12	12	46
14	Syston (R)	26	5	2	19	381	778	−397	2	3	29
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
	Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 29 April 2017 Source: Web site: National League 3 Midlands. England Rugby.

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 Midlands, and National League 3 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 North. The team with the best playing record, in this case Rossendale, hosted the match and lost to their opponents Sheffield, 31 – 32.

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
	26	21	0	5	852	443	409	14	1	99
Sheffield (P)	26	19	0	7	717	434	283	16	4	96

----

2015–16

Participating teams and locations

Despite leading the table for most of the season Hinckley lost 13 – 23 on the final week-end of the season to Scunthorpe, to finish in second place for the second season in a row. Scunthorpe started the day four points behind and finished top due to winning one more match over the season.^[30] Two of last seasons promoted teams were relegated; Newport (Salop) to Midland 1 West and Old Northamptonians to Midland 1 East. The third relegated team is Sutton Coldfield.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Portway			Relegated from National 2 North (15th)
	Finstall Park			6th
	Leicester Road			2nd (lost play-off)
	Cooke Fields			9th
	Trentham Fields			10th
	The Old Showground			promoted from Midlands 1 West (champions)
		4,314 (514 seats)		4th
	Wassell Grove			5th
	Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion			promoted from Midlands 1 East (play-off)
	Bretton Woods			3rd
	Bradwell Road			8th
	Heslam Park			7th
	Roger Smoldon Ground			11th
	Barkby Road			promoted from Midlands 1 East (champions)

Final league table

See also: 2015–16 National League 3 Midlands.

<															-- --> width=20% style="border:0px" National League 3 Midlands 2015–16
	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
1	Scunthorpe (C)	26	23	0	3	766	343	423	14	2	108
2	Hinckley (P)	26	22	1	3	790	343	447	16	2	108
3		26	18	0	8	630	408	222	13	6	91
4		26	15	0	11	593	464	129	10	4	69
5		26	14	0	12	573	463	110	8	5	69
6		26	13	0	13	538	562	−24	11	4	67
7		26	13	0	13	500	475	25	8	6	66
8		26	11	1	14	530	577	−47	12	3	61
9		26	12	0	14	559	670	–111	8	3	59
10		26	11	0	15	546	591	−45	9	4	57
11		26	9	0	17	600	683	−83	12	7	55
12	Old Northamptonians (R)	26	9	0	17	498	702	−204	6	7	49
13	Newport (Salop) (R)	26	8	0	18	451	738	–287	6	0	38
14	Sutton Coldfield (R)	26	3	0	23	412	967	–555	2	4	18
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
	Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 27 April 2016 Source: Web site: National League 3 Midlands. England Rugby.

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 Midland, and National League 3 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 North. The team with the best playing record, in this case Hinckley, host the match and they beat their opponents Wirral 33 – 20.

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Loss bonus	Points
Hinckley (P)	26	22	1	3	790	343	447	16	2	108
	26	19	0	7	677	486	191	13	4	93

--------

2014–15

• Bournville
• Bromsgrove (relegated from National 2 North)
• Burton (promoted from Midlands 1 West)
• Dudley Kingswinford (relegated from National 2 North)
• Hinckley
• Lichfield (promoted from Midlands 1 West)
• Longton
• Nuneaton
• Old Halesonians
• Peterborough Lions (promoted from Midlands 1 East)
• Sandbach
• Scunthorpe
• South Leicester
• Sutton Coldfield

2013–14

• Bedford Athletic (promoted from Midlands 1 East)
• Bournville
• Broadstreet RFC
• Hinckley
• Longton
• Lymm (transferred from National League 3 North)
• Newport (Salop) RFC
• Nuneaton
• Old Halesonians (promoted from Midlands 1 West)
• Sandbach
• Scunthorpe
• South Leicester
• Sutton Coldfield
• Syston

2012–13

• Ampthill (transferred from National League 3 London/South East)
• Bournville (promoted from Midlands 1 West)
• Broadstreet RFC
• Derby (promoted from Midlands 1 East)
• Hinckley
• Longton
• Mansfield
• Newport (Salop) RFC
• Nuneaton (relegated from National Division 2 North)
• Sandbach (promoted from North 1 West)
• Scunthorpe
• South Leicester
• Sutton Coldfield (promoted from Midlands 1 West)
• Syston

2011–12

• Broadstreet
• Dudley Kingswinford (promoted from Midlands 1 West)
• Hereford (relegated)
• Hinckley
• Longton
• Manchester (relegated from National League 2 North)
• Mansfield (promoted from Midlands 1 East)
• Newport (Salop)
• Old Northamptonians
• Rugby Lions
• Scunthorpe
• South Leicester
• Syston (promoted from Midlands 1 East)

2010–11

• Broadstreet
• Bromsgrove
• Burton (promoted from Midlands 1 West)
• Hereford
• Kenilworth
• Longton
• Luton
• Malvern
• Newport (Salop)
• Old Northamptonians (promoted from Midlands 1 West)
• Peterborough
• Scunthorpe (promoted from Midlands 1 East)
• Sheffield Tigers
• South Leicester

2009–10

First season as National 3 Midlands.

• Ampthill (promoted from Midlands 1 East)
• Bedford Athletic
• Bromsgrove
• Hereford
• Hinckley
• Kenilworth
• Kettering
• Longton
• Luctonians
• Luton
• Malvern
• Newport RUFC
• Peterborough
• South Leicester

2007–08

• Bedford Athletic
• Broadstreet
• Dudley Kingswinford
• Dunstablians
• Kenilworth
• Kingswinford
• Longton
• Loughborough Students
• Luctonians
• Newport (Salop)
• Peterborough
• Scunthorpe
• South Leicester

Original teams

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

• Barkers Butts
• Hinckley
• Mansfield
• Paviors
• Peterborough
• Stafford
• Stockwood Park
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Walsall
• Westleigh
• Wolverhampton

Midlands Premier honours

Midlands 1 (1987–1992)

The original Midlands 1 was a tier 5 league with promotion to Area League North and relegation to either Midlands 2 East or Midlands 2 West.

+ Midlands Division 1
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runner-up	Relegated teams	Reference
1987–88	11	10	Stoke-on-Trent			^[31]
1988–89	11	10	Walsall
1989–90	11	10	Hereford		No relegation
1990–91	11	10	Towcestrians			^[32]
1991–92	11	10	Stoke-on-Trent		No relegation	^[33]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 1 (1992–1993)

For the 1991–92 season Midlands 1 remained a tier 5 league with promotion to Area League North. However, restructuring of the Midlands leagues meant that relegation was now to Midlands 2 (formerly Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 West).

+ Midlands 1
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runner-up	Relegated teams	Reference
1992–93	14	13	Birmingham & Solihull			^[34]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 1 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North. Midlands 1 dropped to become a tier 6 league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 North. Relegation continued to Midlands 2 (currently Midlands 1 East and Midlands 1 West)

+ Midlands Division 1
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runner-up	Relegated teams	Reference
1993–94	13	12	Barkers Butts			^[35]
1994–95	13	12	Worcester			^[36]
1995–96	13	12	Hereford		No relegation	^[37]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 1 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands 1 returned to being a tier 5 league. Promotion was now to National 4 North (currently National League 2 North), while relegation continued to Midlands 2 (currently split into Midlands 1 East and Midlands 1 West).

+ Midlands 1
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runner-up	Relegated teams	Reference
1996–97	17	16	Hinckley			^[38]
1997–98	17	16	Whitchurch			^[39]
1998–99	17	16	Bedford Athletic			^[40]
1999–00	17	16	Dudley Kingswinford			^[41]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 1 (2000–2009)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands 1 remain a tier 5 league but promotion was now to National 3 North (formerly National 4 North) and relegation to either Midlands 2 East or Midlands 2 West (both formerly Midlands 2).

+ Midlands 1
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runner-up	Relegated teams	Reference
2000–01	12	22	Scunthorpe			^[42]
2001–02	12	22	Broadstreet			^[43]
2002–03	12	22	Longton			^[44]
2003–04	12	22	Bedford Athletic			^[45]
2004–05	12	22	Leicester Lions			^[46]
2005–06	12	22	Rugby Lions			^[47]
2006–07	12	22	Luton			^[48]
2007–08	12	22	Loughborough Students			^[49]
2008–09	12	22	Broadstreet		No relegation	^[50]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

National League 3 Midlands (2009–2017)

The division was renamed National League 3 Midlands following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It remained a tier 5 league with promotion to National League 2 North (formerly National League 3 North) and relegation to either Midlands 1 East or Midlands 1 West (formerly Midlands 2 East / Midlands 2 West).

+ National League 3 Midlands
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runner-up	Relegated teams	Reference
2009–10	14	26	No champion			^[51]
2010–11	14	26	Bromsgrove			^[52]
2011–12	14	26	Rugby Lions			^[53]
2012–13	14	26	Ampthill			^[54]
2013–14	14	26	Broadstreet			^[55]
2014–15	14	26	South Leicester			^[56]
	14	26	Scunthorpe			^[57]
2016–17	14	26	Broadstreet			^[58]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands Premier (2017–2022)

For the 2017–18 season, all the divisions at tier 5 were renamed from National League 3 to Premier resulting in National League 3 Midlands now named the Midlands Premier. Promotion continued to National League 2 North and relegation to either Midlands 1 East or Midlands 1 West.

+ Midlands Premier
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runner-up	Relegated teams	Reference
2017–18	14	26	Birmingham & Solihull			^[59]
2018–19	14	26	Scunthorpe			^[60]
2019–20	13	20	Bournville			^[61]
2020–21	14	26	Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22	14	26	Newport (Salop)		No relegation due to league reorganisation.
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Regional 1 Midlands (2022–)

+ Regional 1 Midlands
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runner–up	Relegated teams	Ref
2022–23	12	22	Dudley Kingswinford		Lichfield (11th) and Nuneaton (12th)
2023–24	12	22	Oxford Harlequins		Old Halesonians (11th) and Broadstreet (12th)	^[62]
Green background is the promotion place.

Promotion play-offs

Between 2000–01 and 2019–20 there was a play-off between the league runners-up of Midlands Premier and North Premier for the third and final promotion place to National League 2 North. The team with the superior league record had home advantage. At the end of the 2019–20 season, the northern teams have been stronger with twelve wins to the Midlands seven, while the home team has won thirteen times compared to the away teams six.

+ Midlands Premier v North Premier promotion play-off results
Season	Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Attendance	Reference
2000–01	Blaydon (N)	31–12	Leicester Lions (M)			^[63]
2001–02	Hull Ionians (N)	35–22	Walsall (M)			^[64] ^[65]
2002–03	Luctonians (M)	3–17	Macclesfield (N)		1,000	^[66] ^[67]
2003–04	Cleckheaton (N)	23–10	Kettering (M)		900	^[68] ^[69]
2004–05	Hull Ionians (N)	19–18	Kettering (M)			^[70] ^[71]
2005–06	Bedford Athletic (M)	17–24	West Park St Helens (N)			^[72] ^[73] ^[74]
2006–07	Beverley (N)	7–3	Dudley Kingswinford (M)			^[75] ^[76]
2007–08	Huddersfield (N)	22–7	Luctonians (M)			^[77] ^[78]
2008–09	Hull (N)	40–15	Chester (M)			^[79] ^[80]
2009–10	Stockport (N)	10–18	Luctonians (M)		350	^[81] ^[82]
2010–11	Sheffield Tigers (M)	16–14	Chester (N)			^[83] ^[84]
2011–12	Dudley Kingswinford (M)	36–27	Rossendale (N)		1,000	^[85] ^[86]
2012–13	Sutton Coldfield (M)	13–28	Harrogate (N)		650	^[87] ^[88] ^[89]
2013–14	Stockport (N)	52–22	Sutton Coldfield (M)			^[90] ^[91]
2014–15	Sandal (N)	20–10	Hinckley (M)		200	^[92] ^[93]
2015–16	Hinckley (M)	33–20	Wirral (N)		650	^[94] ^[95]
2016–17	Rossendale (N)	31–32	Sheffield (M)		413
2017–18	Hull (N)	22–31	Peterborough Lions (M)			^[96]
2018–19	Luctonians (M)	33–17	Blaydon (N)		1,757	^[97]
2019–20	Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Harrogate (N) - promoted instead.
2020–21	Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22	No play-off due to league reorganisation
Green background represent the promoted teams. (M) stands for the Midlands teams while (N) stands for the Northern teams.

Number of league titles

• Broadstreet (4)
• Scunthorpe (3)
• Bedford Athletic (2)
• Birmingham & Solihull (2)
• Dudley Kingswinford (2)
• Hereford (2)
• Rugby Lions (2)
• Stoke-on-Trent (2)
• Ampthill (1)
• Barkers Butts (1)
• Bournville (1)
• Bromsgrove (1)
• Hinckley (1)
• Leicester Lions (1)
• Longton (1)
• Loughborough Students (1)
• Luton (1)
• Oxford Harlequins (1)
• Newport (Salop) (1)
• Rotherham (1)
• South Leicester (1)
• Towcestrians (1)
• Walsall (1)
• Whitchurch (1)

See also

• Midlands RFU
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

Notes and References

1. Web site: Renaming of RFU National 3 Leagues. Oxfordshire RFU. 16 July 2017 .
2. Web site: Burton Rugby Football Club . Burton Rugby Football Club . 11 April 2023.
3. News: Goddard . Ben . Bridgnorth take title battle down to wire . The Rugby Paper . 757 . 19 March 2023 . 29.
4. Web site: Burton Rugby Football Club . Burton Rugby Football Club . 11 April 2023.
5. News: Important Club Announcement . South Leicester RFC. 29 November 2019.
6. Web site: RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season . RFU . 2020-10-20 . 2020-11-09.
7. Web site: 2018–19 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 13 April 2019.
8. Web site: Sedgley Park stun the I's and Peterborough Lions suffer relegation. Talking Rugby Union. 11 March 2019.
9. News: Win not enough for doomed South. The RugbyPaper. 551. 7 April 2019. 32.
10. Web site: 2018–19 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 13 April 2019.
11. Web site: Dudley Kingswinford suffer more play-off disappointment. Halesowen News. 1 May 2019.
12. Web site: Loss at Rams finally consigns Bees to the drop. Birmingham & Solihull RFC (Pitchero). 16 April 2019.
13. Web site: Bees apply to join Greater Birmingham Merit League for 2019/20 season . Birmingham & Solihull RFC (Pitchero) . 5 June 2019.
14. News: The RUGBYPaper. 501. National League 2 North: Sheffield down as Park shine in the sun. Rugby Paper Ltd. 22 April 2018. 28–29.
15. Web site: Luctonians relegated following Sale defeat. Sunshine Radio. 13 May 2018.
16. Web site: Chinnor clinch top two spot, Broadstreet relegated. Talking Rugby Union. 9 April 2018.
17. Web site: 2017–18 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 28 April 2018.
18. Web site: A GAME TOO FAR. Dudley Kingswinford RFC. 12 May 2018.
19. Web site: Battling display from Scunthorpe RUFC at Chester is not enough to save them from relegation. Scunthorpe Telegraph. 1 May 2017.
20. Web site: 2016–2017 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 22 April 2017.
21. Web site: 2016–17 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 22 April 2017.
22. Web site: PROMOTION ACHIEVED AFTER AN ASSURED PERFORMANCE AT KETTERING. Bourneville Rugby (Pitchero). 29 April 2017.
23. Web site: 2017/18 Pre-season and League fixture news. Nuneaton RFC (Pitchero). 29 June 2017 .
24. Web site: Broadstreet to face a new challenge following their recent promotion. Coventry Telegraph. 30 May 2017.
25. News: National 3 round up. The RUGBYPaper. 450. Rugby Paper Ltd. 30 April 2017. 33.
26. Web site: 2016–17 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 22 April 2017.
27. Web site: Sandbach not relegated is confirmed by RFU - and National 3 leagues renamed. Sandbach RUFC (Pitchero). 8 May 2017.
28. Web site: National League 3 2017-18. Rolling Maul. 3 May 2017.
29. Web site: Bromsgrove Rugby Club lose appeal against level transfer to South West leagues . Worcester News . 3 July 2016 .
30. News: Drama as Hinckley are denied at death. Rugby Paper. 396. 17 April 2016. 34.
31. Book: Williams. Tony. Mitchell. Bill. Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. 1990. Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. Windsor. 1-873057-024. 327–442.
32. Book: Williams. Tony. Mitchell. Bill. Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92. 1992. Football Directories. Taunton. 1-869833-15-5. 343–462.
33. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93. 1992. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7907-1. 170–185.
34. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94. 1993. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7891-1. 151–167.
35. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. 1994. Headline. 0-7472-7891-1. 164–167.
36. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. 1995. Headline. 0-7472-7850-4. 176–179.
37. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. 1996. Headline. 0-7472-7816-4. 192–195.
38. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. 1997. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7732-X. 87–100.
39. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998–99. 1998. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7653-6. 84–98.
40. Web site: Midlands 1 1998–1999. England Rugby. 7 July 2016.
41. Web site: Midlands 1 1999–2000. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
42. Web site: Midlands 1 2000–2001. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
43. Web site: Midlands 1 2001–2002. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
44. Web site: Midlands 1 2002–2003. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
45. Web site: Midlands 1 2003–2004. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
46. Web site: Midlands 1 2004–2005. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
47. Web site: Midlands 1 2005–2006. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
48. Web site: Midlands 1 2007–2008. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
49. Web site: Midlands 1 2007–2008. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
50. Web site: Midlands 1 2008–2009. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
51. Web site: National League 3 Midlands 2009–2010. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
52. Web site: National League 3 Midlands 2010–2011. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
53. Web site: National League 3 Midlands 2011–2012. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
54. Web site: National League 3 Midlands 2012–2013. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
55. Web site: National League 3 Midlands 2013–2014. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
56. Web site: National League 3 Midlands 2014–2015. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
57. Web site: National League 3 Midlands 2015–2016. England Rugby. 9 July 2016.
58. Web site: National League 3 Midlands 2016–2017. England Rugby. 22 April 2017.
59. Web site: Midlands Premier 2017–2018. England Rugby. 21 April 2018.
60. Web site: Midlands Premier 2018–2019. England Rugby. 13 April 2019.
61. Web site: Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20. England Rugby. 25 April 2020.
62. Web site: Oxford Harlequins win title and promotion to National League . Oxford Mail . 19 March 2024.
63. Web site: North Play Offs 2000–2001. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
64. Web site: North Play Offs 2001–2002. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
65. Web site: Rugby Union: Errors end Walsall's hopes of rapid return; Hull Ionians 35 Walsall 22.. The Birmingham Post. 13 May 2002 .
66. Web site: North Play Offs 2002–2003. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
67. Web site: North/Mid Play off Match overview Luctonians VS Macclesfield. Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003 .
68. Web site: North Play Offs 2003–2004. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
69. Web site: Cleckheaton 23 Kettering 10. Telegraph & Argus. 26 April 2004 .
70. Web site: North Play Offs 2004–2005. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
71. Web site: North/Mid Play off Match overview Hull Ionians v Kettering. Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2005 .
72. Web site: Midland Play Offs 2005–2006. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
73. Web site: Well done to West Park on their fine achievement. Liverpool Echo. 3 May 2006 .
74. Web site: North/Mid Play off Match overview Bedford Athletic VS West Park St Helens. Rugby Statbunker. 29 April 2006 .
75. Web site: North Play Offs 2006–2007. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
76. Web site: DUDLEY-KO'D. Worcester News. 3 May 2007 .
77. Web site: North Play Offs 2007–2008. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
78. Web site: Rugby Union: WE'RE GOING UP! Joy as Huddersfield clinch National III berth RUGBY UNION PLAY-OFF.. Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 26 April 2008 .
79. Web site: North Play Offs 2008–2009. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
80. News: Hull clinch promotion. Hull Daily Mail. 27 April 2009.
81. Web site: North Play Offs 2009–2010. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
82. Web site: STOCKPORT FALL AT THE FINAL FENCE. Stockport RUFC . 8 May 2010 .
83. Web site: North Play Offs 2010–2011. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
84. Web site: Promotion party as wind-swept Tigers blow away rivals in play-off thriller. The Star. 17 May 2011 .
85. Web site: North Play Offs 2011–2012. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
86. Web site: Dudley Kingswinford 36 Rossendale 27. Dudley Kingswinford RFC. 28 April 2012 .
87. Web site: North Play Offs 2012–2013. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
88. Web site: Rugby Union: Harrogate secure promotion at Sutton Coldfield. Harrogate Advertiser. 27 April 2013 .
89. Web site: Where are you going - where did you go? RUGBY UNION. Non League Matters. 27 April 2013 .
90. Web site: North Play Offs 2013–2014. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
91. Web site: Sutton's promotion hopes are shattered by solid Stockport. Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer. 1 May 2014. 23 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20150227152357/http://www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/Sutton-s-promotion-hopes-shattered-solid/story-21043384-detail/story.html. 27 February 2015. dead.
92. Web site: North Play Offs 2014–2015. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
93. Web site: Hinckley go down fighting. Hinckley RFC. 25 April 2015 .
94. Web site: North Play Off 2015–2016. England Rugby. 3 July 2016.
95. Web site: Hinckley gain promotion to N2N in final countdown. Hinckley RFC. 30 April 2016 .
96. Web site: MATCH REPORT: Lions roar to promotion play-off victory. Peterborough Today. 28 April 2018 .
97. Web site: Luctonians 31 v 17 Blaydon . Luctonians Sports Club . 27 April 2019 .