Gloucester Premier Explained

Gloucester Premier
Current Season:2019–20 Gloucester Premier
Sport:Rugby union
Founded: (as Gloucestershire/Somerset)
Teams:12
Country:England
Champion:Chosen Hill Former Pupils (2nd title)
Season:2019–20)
(promoted to Western Counties North
Count:3
Website:englandrugby.com

Gloucester Premier is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England with teams largely being based in the county of Gloucestershire and 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 are automatically promoted to Western Counties North while the runner-up play the runner-up from Somerset Premier for the third promotion place. Relegated teams drop down into Gloucester 1. Each year all clubs in the division also take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a level 8 national competition.

Teams 2021–22

St Mary's Old Boys and Berry Hill who finished 9th and 10th respectively in 2019-20 but will play in Gloucester 1 in the current season. Their places were taken by Clifton II and Dings Crusaders II.

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Bristol Saracens Bakewell Memorial Ground Relegated from Western Counties North (13th)
King George V Playing Field 8th
Station Road 2,500 (400 seats) New entry
Metz Hill Relegated from Western Counties North (14th)
Shaftsbury Park 2,250 (250 seats) New entry
Frampton Cotterell The Park 5th
Hucclecote Charlies Way 4th
Longlevens Longford Lane 3rd
Old Cryptians The Memorial Ground Promoted from Gloucester 1 (champions)
Old Elizabethans Severn Road Promoted from Gloucester 1 (runners-up)
Old Richians Sandyleaze 6th
Ross-on-Wye Abbotts Close 7th

2020–21

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

Teams 2019–20

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Lakers Road 7th
Cheltenham North Stoke Orchard Road Promoted from Gloucester 1 (runners up)
King George V Playing Field 5th
Chosen Hill Former Pupils Brookfield Road Relegated from Western Counties North (12th)
Frampton Cotterell The Park 6th
Hucclecote Charlies Way 3rd
Longlevens Longford Lane 4th
Old Richians Sandyleaze Relegated from Western Counties North (13th)
Ross-on-Wye Abbotts Close Promoted from Gloucester 1 (champions)
St Mary's Old Boys Trench Lane 8th
Whitehall Foundry Lane 9th
Widden Old Boys The Memorial Ground 10th

Teams 2018–19

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Lakers Road Promoted from Gloucester 1 (champions)
Bristol Saracens Bakewell Memorial Ground Relegated from Western Counties North (12th)
King George V Playing Field 10th
Frampton Cotterell The Park 6th
Gloucester Old Boys Horton Road 8th
Gordon League Hempsted Lane 4th
Hucclecote Charlies Way 5th
Longlevens Longford Lane 7th
Spartans Lansdown Road 3rd
St Mary's Old Boys Trench Lane 11th (not relegated)
Whitehall Foundry Lane 9th
Widden Old Boys The Memorial Ground Promoted from Gloucester 1 (runners up)

Teams 2017–18

TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Barton Hill Duncombe Road 6th
King George V Playing Field 5th
Chipping Sodbury Wickwar Road 4th
The Whiteway Relegated from Western Counties North (12th)
Frampton Cotterell The Park 9th
Gloucester Old Boys Horton Road Promoted from Gloucester 1 (runners up)
Gordon League Hempsted Lane 8th
Hucclecote Charlies Way 3rd
Longlevens Longford Lane 7th
Spartans Lansdown Road Promoted from Gloucester 1 (champions)
St Mary's Old Boys Trench Lane Runners up (lost promotion play-off)
Whitehall Foundry Lane Relegated from Western Counties North (13th)

Teams 2016–17

width=17%Teamwidth=25%Groundwidth=30%Town/Villagewidth=30%Previous season
Duncombe Road relegated from Western Counties North
Lakers Road 3rd
Cheltenham North Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire level transfer from Midlands 3 West (South) (8th)
King George V Playing Field Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 4th
Chipping Sodbury Wickwar Road Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire 5th
Frampton Cotterell The Park Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire 8th
Gordon League Hempsted Lane Gloucester, Gloucestershire promoted from Gloucester 1 (2nd)
Hucclecote Charlies Way Hucclecote, Gloucestershire 9th
Longlevens Longford Lane Longlevens, Gloucestershire 10th
North Bristol Oaklands Almondsbury, Bristol 6th
Old Richians Sandyleaze Gloucester, Gloucestershirepromoted from Gloucester 1 (1st)
St Mary's Old Boys Trench Lane Almondsbury, Bristol 7th

Teams 2015–16

The 2015–16 Gloucester Premier consisted of twelve teams from Gloucestershire and Bristol. The season started on 5 September 2015 and the last match was played on 23 April 2016. Eight of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition.

width=17%Teamwidth=20%Groundwidth=26%Town/Villagewidth=29%Previous season
Lakers Road 5th
High Street 9th
Bakewell Memorial Ground relegated from Western Counties North (12th)
King George V Playing Field 3rd
Wickwar Road promoted from Gloucester 1 (runner-up)
The Whiteway 6th
The Park 8th
Charlies Way 7th
Longford Lane promoted from Gloucester 1 (champions)
Oaklands relegated from Western Counties North (13th)
Trench Lane 4th
The Moats 10th

League table

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width=20% style="border:0px" 2015–16 Gloucester Premier League Table[1] width=20% style="border:0px"
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
1 Bristol Saracens (P) 22 22 0 0 1041 210 931 19 0 107
2 Cirencester (P) 22 17 0 5 669 304 365 14 2 84
3 22 15 1 6 524 331 193 10 4 76
4 22 14 0 8 586 373 213 11 5 72
5 Chipping Sodbury 22 14 0 8 559 369 190 11 2 69
6 North Bristol 22 12 1 9 499 388 111 9 4 63
7 St Mary's Old Boys 22 10 0 12 493 548 −55 8 3 51
8 Frampton Cotterell 22 8 0 14 388 660 −272 8 1 41
9 Hucclecote 22 8 0 14 416 479 −63 6 2 40
10 Longlevens 22 7 0 15 352 566 −214 4 5 37
11 Tewkesbury 22 4 0 18 295 801 −506 1 0 17
12 Bream 22 0 0 22 168 961 −793 1 1 2
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. 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 August 2016

Teams 2014–15

Stroud are champions and along with the runner-up Whitehall (play-off winner) were promoted to Western Counties North. Painswick and Gordon League were relegated to Gloucester 1.

Teams 2013–14

Teams 2012–13

Teams 2011–12

Teams 2010–11

Teams 2009–10

Teams 2008–09

Teams 2007–08

Teams 2006–07

Teams 2005–06

Teams 2004–05

Teams 2003–04

Teams 2002–03

Teams 2001–02

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Gloucestershire/Somerset) contained the following teams from Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset:

Gloucester 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 [2]
1988–89 11 Old Culverhaysians [3]
1989–90 10 Combe Down [4]
1990–91 11 Spartans [5]
1991–92 11 Gloucester Old Boys [6]
1992–93 13 Old Patesians [7]
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 [8]
1994–95 13 Keynsham [9]
1995–96 13 St. Mary's Old Boys No relegation [10]
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.

Gloucester 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 Gloucester Premier was to Western Counties North and relegation to Gloucester 1. Between 2007–2009 Gloucester Premier was sponsored by High Bridge Jewellers.

<---->
Gloucester Premier
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2000–01 10 Thornbury [11]
2001–02 10 Spartans [12]
2002-03 10 Drybrook [13]
2003–04 10 Cheltenham North [14]
2004–05 10 North Bristol [15]
2005–06 10 Chosen Hill Former Pupils No relegation [16]
2006–07 12 Avonmouth Old Boys [17]
2007–08 12 Hartpury College [18]
2008–09 12 Drybrook No relegation [19]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Gloucester Premier (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Gloucester Premier remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Western Counties North and relegation to Gloucester 1. From the 2017–18 season onward Gloucester Premier has been sponsored by Wadworth 6x.

<---->
Gloucester Premier
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunners–upRelegated team(s)Ref
2009–10 12 Matson [20]
2010–11 12 Whitehall [21]
2011–12 12 Old Bristolians [22]
2012–13 12 Drybrook [23]
2013–14 12 Newent [24]
2014–15 12 Stroud [25]
2015–16 12 Bristol Saracens [26]
2016–17 12 Old Richians [27]
2017–18 12 Chipping Sodbury [28]
2018–19 12 Spartans [29]
2019–20 12 Chosen Hill Former Pupils [30]
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 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[31] Gordano (S) 19-21 Old Centralians (G)
2001–02[32] Yatton (S) 32-0 Drybrook (G)
2002–03[33] Barton Hill (G) 36-0 Midsomer Norton (S)
2003–04[34] Nailsea & Backwell (S) Chosen Hill Former Pupils (G)
2004–05[35] Tor (S) 25-26 Avonmouth Old Boys (G)
2005–06[36] Barton Hill (G) 20-0 Tor (S)
2006–07[37] Midsomer Norton (S) 10-31 Widden Old Boys (G)
2007–08[38] North Bristol (G) 29-17 Chew Valley (S)
2008–09[39] Southmead (G) 20-14 North Petherton (S)
2009–10[40] Cirencester (G) 35-17 Chard (S)
2010–11[41] Chard (S) 32-12 Old Richians (G)
2011–12[42] Wells (S) 18-10 Drybrook (G)
2012–13[43] Midsomer Norton (S) 28-12 Frampton Cotterell (G)
2013–14[44] Bristol Saracens (G) 19-8 Tor (S)
2014–15[45] Winscombe (S) 13-21 Whitehall (G)
2015–16[46] Winscombe (S) 21-22 Cirencester (G)
2016–17[47] Oldfield Old Boys (S) 9-6 St Mary's Old Boys (G) 1,000
2017–18[48] Wiveliscombe (S) 12-15 Barton Hill (G)
2018–19[49] 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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gloucester Premier 2015–2016. England Rugby. 27 August 2016.
  2. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. 1988. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 356 15884 5. 123–139. 17th.
  3. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989–90. 1989. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 356 17862 5. 133–136. 18th.
  4. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990–91. 1990. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 356 19162 1. 143–146. 19th.
  5. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92. 1991. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 356 20249 6. 164–167. 20th.
  6. Book: Johns. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93. 1992. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. 0 7472 7907 1. 176–179. 21st.
  7. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94. 1993. Headline Book Publishing Ltd. London. 0 7472 7891 1. 157–160. 22nd.
  8. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. 1994. Headline Bookline Publishing. London. 0 7472 7850 4.
  9. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. 1995. Headline Bookline Publishing. London. 0 7472 7816 4.
  10. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. 1996. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0 7472 7771 0.
  11. Web site: 2000-01 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  12. Web site: 2001-02 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  13. Web site: 2002-03 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  14. Web site: 2003-04 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  15. Web site: 2004-05 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  16. Web site: 2005-06 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  17. Web site: 2006-07 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  18. Web site: 2007-08 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  19. Web site: 2008-09 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  20. Web site: 2009-10 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  21. Web site: 2010-11 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  22. Web site: 2011-12 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  23. Web site: 2012-13 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  24. Web site: 2013-14 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  25. Web site: 2014-15 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  26. Web site: 2015-16 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  27. Web site: 2016-17 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2017.
  28. Web site: 2017-18 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 21 April 2018.
  29. Web site: 2018-19 South-West Division. England Rugby. RFU. 13 April 2018.
  30. Web site: Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20. England Rugby. 25 April 2020.
  31. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2000-01. England Rugby . 19 May 2001 .
  32. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2001-02. England Rugby . 27 April 2002 .
  33. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2002-03. England Rugby . 19 April 2003 .
  34. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2003-04. England Rugby . 24 April 2004 .
  35. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2004-05. England Rugby . 30 April 2005 .
  36. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2005-06. England Rugby . 29 April 2006 .
  37. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2006-07. England Rugby . 28 April 2007 .
  38. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2007-08. England Rugby . 26 April 2008 .
  39. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2008-09. England Rugby . 25 April 2009 .
  40. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2009-10. England Rugby . 24 April 2010 .
  41. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2010-11. England Rugby . 23 April 2011 .
  42. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2011-12. England Rugby . 28 April 2012 .
  43. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2012-13. England Rugby . 27 April 2013 .
  44. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2013-14. England Rugby . 26 April 2014 .
  45. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2014-15. England Rugby . 25 April 2015 .
  46. Web site: South West Play-Offs 2015-16. England Rugby . 30 April 2016 .
  47. Web site: Oldfield Complete the Vase & Promotion Double. Oldfield Old Boys RFC (Pitchero) . 29 April 2017 .
  48. Web site: Rugby round-up: Wellington secure Cornwall/Devon title while Wiveliscombe beaten in Western Counties play-off . County Gazette . 1 May 2018 .
  49. 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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