Somerset Premier Explained

Somerset Premier
Current Season:2019–20 Somerset Premier
Sport:Rugby union
Founded: (as Gloucestershire/Somerset)
Teams:14
Country:England
Champion:Burnham-on-Sea (2nd title)
Season:2019–20 promoted to Western Counties North
Most Champs:Gordano
Count:3
Website:englandrugby.com

Somerset Premier (known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) 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. The league champions of Somerset Premier are automatically promoted to Western Counties North while the runners up play the runners up of Gloucester Premier for their place. Relegated teams drop into Somerset 1. Only 1st XV sides can be promoted into Western Counties North, although any side can fall to Somerset 1. Each season a 1st XV side from Somerset Premier is picked to take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a national competition for clubs at level 8.

Teams 2021-22

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Avon Hicksfield 5th
Bristol Harlequins Valhalla Promoted from Somerset 1 (champions)
Crewkerne Henhayes Recreation Ground Promoted from Somerset 1 (runners up)
Hutton Moor Park 11th
Imperial South Bristol Sports Centre 7th
Minehead Barbarians The Tom Stewart Field 3rd
Nailsea & Backwell West End Park 2nd
Oldfield Old Boys Shaft Road 6th
St Bernadettes Old Boys Whitchurch Sports Ground 10th
Adams Field 9th
Tor Brian Harbinson Memorial Park 13th
Wells Charter Way 8th
Recreation Ground 6,000 12th
Yatton The Park 4th

2020–21

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

Teams 2019–20

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Avon Hicksfield 4th
Burnham-on-Sea BASC Ground Runners up (lost playoff)
Hutton Moor Park 12th
Imperial South Bristol Sports Centre 3rd
Minehead Barbarians The Tom Stewart Field 6th
Nailsea & Backwell West End Park 7th
Oldfield Old Boys Shaft Road 8th
Scotland Lane 9th
St Bernadettes Old Boys Whitchurch Sports Ground 11th
Adams Field Promoted from Somerset 1 (runners up)
Tor Brian Harbinson Memorial Park Promoted from Somerset 1 (champions)
Wells Charter Way Relegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Recreation Ground 6,000 10th
Yatton The Park 5th

Teams 2018–19

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Avon Hicksfield 3rd
Bristol Harlequins Valhalla Promoted from Somerset 1 (Runners Up)
Burnham-on-Sea BASC Ground Relegated from Western Counties West (14th)
Hutton Moor Park 10th
Imperial South Bristol Sports Centre 5th
Minehead Barbarians The Tom Stewart Field 8th
Nailsea & Backwell West End Park 7th
Oldfield Old Boys Shaft Road Relegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Scotland Lane 6th
St Bernadettes Old Boys Whitchurch Sports Ground 9th
Recreation Ground 6,000 4th
Wiveliscombe Recreational Ground Runners up (lost playoff)
Yatton The Park Relegated from Western Counties North (13th)

Teams 2017–18

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Avon Hicksfield Relegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Bath Road 5,000 11th
Gordano Caswell Lane 6th
Hutton Moor Park 9th
Imperial South Bristol Sports Centre Promoted from Somerset 1 (runners up)
Minehead Barbarians The Tom Stewart Field Promoted from Somerset 1 (champions)
Nailsea & Backwell West End Park 8th
Scotland Lane 7th
St Bernadettes Old Boys Whitchurch Sports Ground 12th
Adams Field 10th
Tor Brian Harbinson Memorial Park 5th
Recreation Ground 6,000 4th
Wiveliscombe Recreational Ground 3rd

2016-17

Participating teams

1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues

Somerset 1

Somerset 2 North

Somerset 2 South

Somerset 3 North

Somerset 3 South

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.

width=17%Teamwidth=20%Groundwidth=8%Capacitywidth=26%Town/Villagewidth=29%Previous season
Chew Lane Promoted from Somerset 1 (runners up)
Hutton Moor Park Promoted from Somerset 1 (champions)
The Tom Stewart Field 8th
West End Park 9th
Shaft Road 10th
Scotland Lane 6th
Whitchurch Sports Ground 12th
Adams Field Relegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Hyde Park 2,000 11th
Brian Harbinson Memorial Park 4th
Recreation Ground 2,000 3rd
Winscombe Recreation Ground 1,200 2nd (lost promotion playoff)
Recreational Ground 7th
Yatton Off North End 5th

1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues

Somerset 1

Somerset 2 North

Somerset 2 South

Somerset 3 North

Participating Clubs 2014/15

Participating Clubs 2013/14

Participating Clubs 2012/13

Participating teams 2010/11

Standings 2009/10

Standings 2008/09

Standings 2007/08

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Gloucestershire/Somerset) 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
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1987–88 11 Avonmouth Old Boys [1]
1988–89 11 Old Culverhaysians [2]
1989–90 10 Combe Down [3]
1990–91 11 Spartans [4]
1991–92 11 Gloucester Old Boys [5]
1992–93 13 Old Patesians [6]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

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
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1993–94 13 Dings Crusaders [7]
1994–95 13 Keynsham [8]
1995–96 13 St. Mary's Old Boys No relegation [9]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

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.

<---->
Gloucestershire/Somerset
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
1996–97 16 Coney Hill
1997–98 17 St. Bernadette's Old Boys
1998–99 17 Barton Hill
1999–00 17 Old Centralians
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

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
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated TeamsRef
2000–01 12 Walcot [10]
2001–02 12 Bristol Harlequins [11]
2002–03 12 Gordano [12]
2003–04 12 Oldfield Old Boys [13]
2004–05 12 Old Redcliffians [14]
2005–06 12 Minehead Barbarians [15]
2006–07 12 Old Redcliffians [16]
2007–08 12 Keynsham [17]
2008–09 12 Burnham-on-Sea [18]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset Premier (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructing 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.

<---->
Somerset Premier
SeasonNo of TeamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated TeamsRef
2009–1012 Bristol Harlequins [19]
2010–11 14 Hornets [20]
2011–12 13 Avon No relegation [21]
2012–13 14 Chew Valley [22]
2013–14 14 Stothert & Pitt [23]
2014–15 14 Gordano [24]
2015–16 14 Yatton [25]
2016–17 14 Winscombe [26]
2017–18 13 Gordano [27]
2018–1913 Wiveliscombe [28]
2019–20 14 Burnham-on-Sea [29]
2020–21 14
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

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.

<---->
Gloucester Premier v Somerset Premier promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
2000–01[30] Gordano (S) 19-21 Old Centralians (G)
2001–02[31] Yatton (S) 32-0 Drybrook (G)
2002–03[32] Barton Hill (G) 36-0 Midsomer Norton (S)
2003–04[33] Nailsea & Backwell (S) Chosen Hill Former Pupils (G)
2004–05[34] Tor (S) 25-26 Avonmouth Old Boys (G)
2005–06[35] Barton Hill (G) 20-0 Tor (S)
2006–07[36] Midsomer Norton (S) 10-31 Widden Old Boys (G)
2007–08[37] North Bristol (G) 29-17 Chew Valley (S)
2008–09[38] Southmead (G) 20-14 North Petherton (S)
2009–10[39] Cirencester (G) 35-17 Chard (S)
2010–11[40] Chard (S) 32-12 Old Richians (G)
2011–12[41] Wells (S) 18-10 Drybrook (G)
2012–13[42] Midsomer Norton (S) 28-12 Frampton Cotterell (G)
2013–14[43] Bristol Saracens (G) 19-8 Tor (S)
2014–15[44] Winscombe (S) 13-21 Whitehall (G)
2015–16[45] Winscombe (S) 21-22 Cirencester (G)
2016–17[46] Oldfield Old Boys (S) 9-6 St Mary's Old Boys (G) 1,000
2017–18[47] Wiveliscombe (S) 12-15 Barton Hill (G)
2018–19[48] Burnham-on-Sea (S) 24-25 Bristol Saracens (G)
2019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Cheltenham North (G) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. G = Gloucester Premier and S = Somerset Premier

Number of league titles

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. 1988. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 356 15884 5. 123–139. 17th.
  2. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989–90. 1989. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 356 17862 5. 133–136. 18th.
  3. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990–91. 1990. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 356 19162 1. 143–146. 19th.
  4. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92. 1991. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 356 20249 6. 164–167. 20th.
  5. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93. 1992. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 7472 7907 1. 176–179. 21st.
  6. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94. 1993. Headline Book Publishing Ltd. London. 0 7472 7891 1. 157–160. 22nd.
  7. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. 1994. Headline Bookline Publishing. London. 0 7472 7850 4.
  8. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. 1995. Headline Bookline Publishing. London. 0 7472 7816 4.
  9. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. 1996. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0 7472 7771 0.
  10. Web site: 2000-01 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  11. Web site: 2001-02 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  12. Web site: 2002-03 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  13. Web site: 2003-04 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  14. Web site: 2004-05 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  15. Web site: 2005-06 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  16. Web site: 2006-07 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  17. Web site: 2007-08 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  18. Web site: 2008-09 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  19. Web site: 2009-10 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  20. Web site: 2010-11 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  21. Web site: 2011-12 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  22. Web site: 2012-13 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  23. Web site: 2013-14 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  24. Web site: 2014-15 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  25. Web site: 2015-16 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  26. Web site: 2016-17 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  27. Web site: 2017-18 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 21 April 2018.
  28. Web site: 2018-19 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 13 April 2018.
  29. Web site: Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20. England Rugby. 25 April 2020.
  30. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2000-01. England Rugby . 19 May 2001 .
  31. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2001-02. England Rugby . 27 April 2002 .
  32. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2002-03. England Rugby . 19 April 2003 .
  33. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2003-04. England Rugby . 24 April 2004 .
  34. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2004-05. England Rugby . 30 April 2005 .
  35. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2005-06. England Rugby . 29 April 2006 .
  36. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2006-07. England Rugby . 28 April 2007 .
  37. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2007-08. England Rugby . 26 April 2008 .
  38. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2008-09. England Rugby . 25 April 2009 .
  39. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2009-10. England Rugby . 24 April 2010 .
  40. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2010-11. England Rugby . 23 April 2011 .
  41. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2011-12. England Rugby . 28 April 2012 .
  42. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2012-13. England Rugby . 27 April 2013 .
  43. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2013-14. England Rugby . 26 April 2014 .
  44. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2014-15. England Rugby . 25 April 2015 .
  45. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2015-16. England Rugby . 30 April 2016 .
  46. Web site: Oldfield Complete the Vase & Promotion Double. Oldfield Old Boys RFC (Pitchero) . 29 April 2017 .
  47. Web site: Rugby round-up: Wellington secure Cornwall/Devon title while Wiveliscombe beaten in Western Counties play-off . County Gazette . 1 May 2018 .
  48. Web site: Burnham-on-Sea RFC beaten by Bristol Saracens in promotion play-off . Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News . 30 April 2019 .

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