Midlands 2 East (North) Explained

Counties 1 Midlands East (North)
Current Season:2024-25 Counties 1 Midlands East (North)
Founded: (as Midlands East 1)
Teams:12
Most Champs:Belgrave, Coalville, Melbourne, Melton Mowbray, Newark
Count:2
Website:England RFU

Counties 1 Midlands East (North) (formerly Midland 2 East (North)) is a level 7 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the East Midlands region including clubs from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the occasional team from Leicestershire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, saw it changed to Midlands 2 East (North) and post the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name

Promoted teams tend to move up to Regional Midlands 2 North or occasionally to Regional 2 Midlands East. Relegated teams drop to Counties 2 Midlands East (North).

2024-25

Departing were Ilkeston, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North as runners-up (Hinckley Staghounds (2XV) finished top but were not permitted to be promoted on Level 6 owing to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues). Boston and Birstall were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North).

Joining were Kesteven and Nottingham Moderns promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North), whilst Manor Park moved on a level transfer from Counties 1 Midlands West (South).

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Belgrave Belgrave Pastures 4th
Burton 2XVBattlestead Croft, Tatenhill[1] 5,500 (600 seats 10th
De Montfort Park [2] 2,000 Champions (not promoted)
Kesteven Woodnook Promoted from Midlands 3 East (North) (champions)
Lincoln Longdales Park 3rd
Derby Road Playing Fields 6th
Manor Park Griff & Coton Level transfer from Counties 1 Midlands West (South) (5th)
Eakring Road 1,000 8th
Market Rasen & Louth Willingham Road 5th
Ferryfields Promoted from Midlands 3 East (North) (runners-up)
Nuneaton Old Edwardians Weddington Road 7th
Southwell Pentelowes 9th

2023-24

Departing were Mellish, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North[3] as runners-up (Hinckley Staghounds (2XV) finished top but were not permitted to be promoted on Level 6 owing to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues). Ashbourne and Ashby and were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North) whilst Coalville dropped to Counties 2 Midlands West (East).

Joining were Belgrave and Nuneaton Old Edwardians, both relegated from Regional 2 Midlands North, whilst Boston and Mansfield were both promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North).

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Belgrave Belgrave Pastures Relegated from Regional 2 Midlands North (11th)
Co-Op Sports Ground 9th
Princess Royal Sports Arena 2,000
Burton 2XVBattlestead Croft, Tatenhill[4] 5,500 (600 seats 8th
De Montfort Park [5] 2,000 Champions (not promoted)
Ilkeston The Stute 5th
Lincoln Longdales Park 4th
Derby Road Playing Fields 3rd
Eakring Road 1,000
Market Rasen & Louth Willingham Road 6th
Nuneaton Old Edwardians Weddington Road Relegated from Regional 2 Midlands North (12th)
Southwell Pentelowes 7th

2022-23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[6] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands East (North).

Departing were Long Eaton, Melbourne, Matlock and Newark - all promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North.

Joining were Mellish and Birstall, both promoted from Midlands 3 East (North), together with Burton 2XV and Hinckley 2XV, both new entries.

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Ashbourne Recreation Ground 10th
Ashby Nottingham Road 11th
Co-Op Sports Ground
Burton 2XVBattlestead Croft, Tatenhill[7] 5,500 (600 seats New entry
Coalville Memorial Ground12th
De Montfort Park [8] 2,000 New entry
Ilkeston The Stute 5th
Lincoln Longdales Park 6th
Derby Road Playing Fields 7th
Market Rasen & Louth Willingham Road 9th
Mellish War Memorial Ground Promoted from Midlands 3 East (North) (champions)
Southwell Pentelowes 8th

2021–22

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Ashbourne Recreation Ground 9th
Ashby Nottingham Road Promoted from Midlands 2 EN (champions)
Coalville Memorial Ground3rd
Ilkeston The Stute 7th
Lincoln Longdales Park 10th
West Park 1,000 5th
Derby Road Playing Fields 8th
Market Rasen & Louth Willingham Road 4th
Matlock Cromford Meadows 2nd
Cockshut Lane 2,000 Relegated from Midlands 1 East (12th)
Newark The Rugby Ground 1,000 (60 seats) 6th
Southwell Pentelowes Promoted from Midlands 2 EN (runners-up)

2020–21

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

2019–20

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Ashbourne Recreation Ground 4th
Ashfield Polly Bowls Sports Ground Promoted from Midlands 3 EN (runners up)
Coalville Memorial GroundTransferred from Midlands 2 East (South)
Dronfield Gosforth Fields Runners up (lost playoff)
Ilkeston The Stute 10th
Lincoln Longdales Park 7th
West Park 1,000 3rd
Derby Road Playing Fields 6th
Market Rasen & Louth Willingham Road 5th
Matlock Cromford Meadows 9th
Newark The Rugby Ground 1,000 (60 seats) 8th
Nottingham Casuals Weir Field Recreation Ground Promoted from Midlands 3 EN (champions)

2018–19

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Ashbourne Recreation Ground 7th
Ashby Nottingham Road Promoted from Midlands 3 East (North) (runners up)
Dronfield Gosforth Fields 5th
Ilkeston The Stute 9th
Lincoln Longdales Park 6th
West Park 1,000 Promoted from Midlands 3 East (North) (champions)
Derby Road Playing Fields 10th
Market Rasen & Louth Willingham Road Relegated from Midlands 1 East (14th)
Matlock Cromford Meadows Runners up (lost playoff)
Cockshut Lane 2,000 Relegated from Midlands 1 West (12th)
Newark The Rugby Ground 1,000 (60 seats) 4th
Southwell Pentelowes 8th

2017–18

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Ashbourne Recreation Ground 3rd
Bakewell Mannerians Lady Manners School Promoted from Midlands 3 East (North) (runners up)
Coalville Memorial Ground 2nd (lost promotion play-off)
Dronfield Gosforth Fields Relegated from Midlands 1 East (13th)
Ilkeston The Stute Relegated from Midlands 1 East (14th)
Lincoln Longdales Park Promoted from Midlands 3 East (North) (champions)
Derby Road Playing Fields 7th
Matlock Cromford Meadows 4th
Newark The Rugby Ground 1,000 (60 seats) 6th
Nottingham Casuals Weir Field Recreation Ground 10th
Southwell Pentelowes 5th
The Memorial Ground 8th

2016–17 teams

2015–16 teams

2014–15 teams

2013–2014 Teams

2012–2013 Teams

2011–2012 Teams

2010–2011 Teams

Market Rasen and Louth have won the league this season and are promoted to Midlands 1 East as champions for the season 2011/2012. Loughborough finished second and also gained promotion by beating Peterborough Lions, who placed 2nd in Midlands 2 East (South) in the promotion playoff.

Lincoln and Ashby finished in the bottom two positions and have therefore been relegated for the coming season.

Original teams

Teams in Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 1 East, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:

Midlands 2 East (North) honours

Midlands East 1 (1992–1993)

Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single tier 7 division called Midlands East 1. Promotion was to Midlands 2 and relegation to Midlands East 2.

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Midlands East 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1992–93 13 Belgrave [9]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands East 1 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 1 East dropped to become a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.

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Midlands East 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1993–94 13 Hinckley [10]
1994–95 13 Scunthorpe [11]
1995–96 13 Kettering No relegation [12]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands East 1 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands East 1 returned to being a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.

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Midlands East 1
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
1996–97 17 Nottingham Moderns [13]
1997–98 17 Lincoln [14]
1998–99 17 Wellingborough
1999–00 17 Dunstablians No relegation
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 3 East (North) (2000–2009)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands East 1 split into two tier 7 regional leagues - Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 2 East (formerly Midlands 2) and relegation to Midlands 4 East (North) (formerly Midlands East 2).

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Midlands East 3 (North)
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
2000–01 10 Spalding [15]
2001–02 10 Market Bosworth [16]
2002–03 10 Newark [17]
2003–04 10 Melton Mowbray No relegation [18]
2004–05 12 Paviors [19]
2005–06 12 Melton Mowbray [20]
2006–07 12 Syston [21]
2007–08 12 Mansfield [22]
2008–09 12 Ilkeston No relegation [23]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 2 East (North) (2009–present)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) were renamed as Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 7. Promotion was now to Midlands 1 East (formerly Midlands 2 East) and relegation to Midlands 3 East (North) (formerly Midlands 4 East (North)).

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Midlands 2 East (North)
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated teamsReference
2009–10 12 Coalville [24]
2010–11 12 Market Rasen & Louth [25]
2011–12 12 Newark [26]
2012–13 11 Coalville [27]
2013–14 12 Belgrave [28]
2014–15 12 Matlock [29]
2015–16 12 Dronfield [30]
2016–17 12 Melbourne [31]
2017–18 12 West Bridgford [32]
2018–19 12 Melbourne [33]
2019–20 12 Dronfield [34]
2020–21 12
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 1 East (asides from 2008–09 which was played between the runners up of Midlands 2 West (South) and Midlands 2 East (North) due to RFU restructuring). The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Midlands 2 East (South) teams have ten wins to the Midlands 2 East (North) teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams five.

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Midlands 2 East (North) v Midlands 2 East (South) promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
2000–01[35] Stewarts & Lloyds (S) 9-13 Ilkeston (N)
2001–02[36] Nottingham Moderns (N) 26-8 Stewarts & Lloyds (S)
2002-03[37] Peterborough (S) 3-59 Loughborough Students (N)
2003-04[38] Peterborough (S) 33-13 Matlock (N)
2004-05[39] Matlock (N) 25-10 Stewarts & Lloyds (S)
2005–06[40] Ilkeston (N) 24-21 Banbury (S)
2006–07[41] Lutterworth (N) 3-21 Banbury (S)
2007–08[42] Leighton Buzzard (S) 16-15 Spalding (N)
2008–09 Promotion playoffs different for this season only.
2009–10[43] Spalding (N) 25-10 Market Harborough (S) 400
2010–11[44] Peterborough Lions (S) 17-20 Loughborough (N)
2011–12[45] Market Bosworth (S) 17-14 Lutterworth (N)
2012–13[46] Huntingdon (S) 30-17 Oakham (N)
2013–14[47] Spalding (N) 24-14 Newbold on Avon (S) 400
2014–15[48] Coalville (N) 25-36 Wellingborough (S)
2015–16[49] Lutterworth (S) 43-17 West Bridgford (N)
2016–17[50] Oundle (S) 30-12 Coalville (N) 400
2017–18[51] Luton (S) 35-22 Matlock (N)
2018–19[52] Market Harborough (S) 25-21 Dronfield (N)
2019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Belgrave (S) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. M2EN = Midlands 2 East (North) (formerly Midlands 3 East (North)) and M2ES = Midlands 2 East (South) (formerly Midlands 3 East (South))

2008–09 promotion play-offs

As mentioned above the 2008–09 promotion playoffs in Midlands 3 were different due to RFU restructuring for the following season. The two runners up with the worst league records in the four regional divisions at this level would have to face each other for the final promotion spot, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage.

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Midlands 2 West (South) v Midlands 2 East (North) promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
2008–09[53] Spalding (N) 12-14 Nuneaton Old Edwardians (S)
Green background is the promoted team. S = Midlands 2 West (South) (formerly Midlands 3 West (South)) and N = Midlands 2 East (North) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North))

Number of league titles

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Burton Rugby Football Club . Burton Rugby Football Club . 11 April 2023.
  2. Web site: Leicester Road . Hinkley Rugby Club . 10 June 2023.
  3. Web site: Mellish Looking To Build On Recent Success. Nottingham Sport. 3 July 2023.
  4. Web site: Burton Rugby Football Club . Burton Rugby Football Club . 11 April 2023.
  5. Web site: Leicester Road . Hinkley Rugby Club . 10 June 2023.
  6. Web site: RFU announce new men's community structure . RFU . 2022-06-13.
  7. Web site: Burton Rugby Football Club . Burton Rugby Football Club . 11 April 2023.
  8. Web site: Leicester Road . Hinkley Rugby Club . 10 June 2023.
  9. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993-94. 1993. Headline. 0-7472-7891-1. 164–167.
  10. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. 1994. Headline. 0-7472-7891-1. 164–167.
  11. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. 1995. Headline. 0-7472-7850-4. 176–179.
  12. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. 1996. Headline. 0-7472-7816-4. 192–195.
  13. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. 1997. Headline. 0-7472-7771-0. 156–159.
  14. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998-99. 1998. Headline. 0-7472-7653-6. 90–93.
  15. Web site: 2000–2001 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  16. Web site: 2001–2002 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  17. Web site: 2002–2003 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  18. Web site: 2003–2004 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  19. Web site: 2004–2005 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  20. Web site: 2005–2006 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  21. Web site: 2006–2007 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  22. Web site: 2007–2008 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  23. Web site: 2008–2009 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  24. Web site: 2009–2010 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  25. Web site: 2010–2011 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  26. Web site: 2011–2012 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  27. Web site: 2012–2013 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  28. Web site: 2013–2014 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
  29. Web site: 2014–2015 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2015.
  30. Web site: 2015–2016 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2016.
  31. Web site: 2016–2017 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 22 April 2017.
  32. Web site: 2017–2018 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 28 April 2018.
  33. Web site: 2018–19 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 13 April 2019.
  34. Web site: Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20. England Rugby. 25 April 2020.
  35. Web site: Midlands Division Play-Offs 2000-01. England Rugby. 19 May 2001.
  36. Web site: Midlands Division Play-Offs 2001-02. England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
  37. Web site: Midlands Division Play-Offs 2002-03. England Rugby. 26 April 2003.
  38. Web site: Midlands Division Play-Offs 2003-04. England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  39. Web site: Matlock RFC up after play-off win. Matlock Mercury. 4 May 2005.
  40. Web site: RUGBY: Play-off heartbreak for Banbury. Oxford Mail. 2 May 2006.
  41. Web site: Midlands Division Play-Offs 2006-07. England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  42. Web site: Midlands Division Play-Offs 2008-09. England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  43. Web site: Spalding go up in fine style. The Peterborough Evening Telegraph. 4 May 2010.
  44. Web site: Rugby Union: Loughborough secure promotion to Midlands One (East). This is Leicestershire. 27 April 2011.
  45. Web site: Market Bosworth 17 Lutterworth 14: Bosworth RFC are promoted thanks to win over Lutterworth. Hinckley Times. 3 May 2012.
  46. Web site: Oaks' promotion push falls at the final hurdle. Hinckley Times. 11 May 2013.
  47. Web site: Spalding RFC win promotion after gutsy victory. Spalding Today. 26 April 2014.
  48. Web site: Play off winners! #playofffever #upsetcity. Wellingborough RFC. 25 April 2015.
  49. Web site: Midlands Division Play-Offs 2015-16. England Rugby. 23 April 2016.
  50. Web site: Oundle Make It To Midlands 1!. Oundle RFC (Pitchero). 29 April 2017.
  51. Web site: Midlands 2 East Play-off: Luton 35-22 Matlock. Luton RFC (Pitchero). 5 May 2018.
  52. Web site: Extra-time drama before Harborough win play-off. Harborough Mail. 2 May 2018.
  53. Web site: Nuneaton Old Edwardians clinch rugby promotion. England Rugby. 29 April 2009.

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