Midlands 3 West (South) Explained

Counties 2 Midlands West (East) (formerly Midlands 3 West (South)) is a level 8 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the West Midlands region including clubs from parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and sometimes Oxfordshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to it to adopt the name Midlands 3 West (South). Further restructuring followed in the wake of the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it was known, briefly as Counties 2 Midlands West (South), before the league was split East/West giving rise to its current name.

Promoted teams tend to move up to Counties 2 Midlands West (South) or Counties 2 Midlands West (North) depending on location. Relegated teams typically drop to Counties 3 Midlands West (South) or Counties 3 Midlands West (East) or occasionally to Counties 3 Midlands West (North). Each year all clubs in the division also take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a level 8 national competition.

2024-25

Departing were Barkers Butts promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South) and Veseyans promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (North). Uttoxeter and Woodrush were relegated. Walsall II (8th) moved on a level transfer to Counties 2 Midlands West (West)

Joining were Aston Old Edwardians, Broadstreet 2XV, Earlsdon, Harbury and Stoke Old Boys.

In November 2024 Coventrians (3rd in 2023-24) withdrew from the league stating "decision was taken to protect the safety and well being of our players following a significant loss of playing personnel for various reasons including injury and retirement." The league will therefore be completed with eleven sides.

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Aston Old Edwardians	Sunnybank Avenue			Promoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (North) (Champions)
	Portway			5th
		1,500 (250 seats)		Relegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
Claverdon	Ossetts Hole Ln			6th
Coalville	Memorial Ground			7th
Coventry Welsh	Burbages Lane			4th
Earlsdon	Mitchell Avenue			Relegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
Harbury	Waterloo Fields			Promoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South) (Champions)
	Stade Wheats			10th
Southam	The Rugby Field			9th
Stoke Old Boys	Albert Gale Field			Promoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South) (Runners-up)

2023-24

The league name changed from Counties 2 Midlands West (South) to Counties 2 Midlands West (East) with a corresponding adjustment in the make up of the competing sides.

Departing were Alcester and Manor Park, both promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South); Pinley (12th) and Kenilworth II (11th) were both relegated to Counties 3 Midlands West (South); Rugby St Andrews (10th) were relegated to Counties 3 Midlands East (South); Burbage (9th) withdrew from league competition. Also leaving, but on a level transfer, were Bromyard (6th) and Tenbury (4th) to Counties 2 Midlands West (West).

Joining were Barkers Butts, Birmingham & Solihull, Coalville, Coventry Welsh, Old Coventrians, Uttoxeter, Veseyans and Walsall II.

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
	Bob Coward Memorial Ground			Relegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
	Portway			Promoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South) (Champions)
Claverdon	Stadium of Dreams			7th
Coalville	Memorial Ground			Relegated from Counties 1 Midlands East (North)
Coventrians	The Black Pad			Promoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South) (Runners-up)
Coventry Welsh	Burbages Lane			Relegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
	Stade Wheats			3rd
Southam	The Rugby Field			5th
	Oldfields Sports & Social Club	2,000		Relegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (North)
Veseyans	Memorial Ground			Level transfer from Counties 2 Midlands West (North) (3rd)
	Broadway Ground	1,150 (150 stand)		New entry
Woodrush	Icknield Street			8th

2022-23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review^[1] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Midlands West (South).

Departing were Ledbury, Old Leamingtonians and Coventry Welsh all promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (South). Stoke Old Boys were relegated.

Joining were Claverdon, Old Wheatleyans, Pinley and Kenilworth II.

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Alcester	Birmingham Road			4th
Bromyard	Clive Richards Sports Ground			11th
Burbage	Recreation Ground			7th
Claverdon	Stadium of Dreams
	Glasshouse Lane			New entry
Manor Park	Griff & Coton			5th
	Stade Wheats
Pinley	Wyken Croft			Relegated from Midlands 2 WS (12th)
Rugby St Andrews	Ashlawn Road			6th
Southam	The Rugby Field			8th
Tenbury	Penlu			9th
Woodrush	Icknield Street			10th

2021–22

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Alcester	Birmingham Road			10th
Bromyard	Clive Richards Sports Ground			Promoted from Midlands 4 WS (runners-up)
Burbage	Recreation Ground			11th
Coventry Welsh	Burbages Lane			4th
Ledbury	Ross Road			6th
Manor Park	Griff & Coton			8th
Old Leamingtonians	The Crofts			7th
Rugby St Andrews	Ashlawn Road			3rd
Southam	The Rugby Field			Relegated from Midlands 2 WS (12th)
Stoke Old Boys	Albert Gale Field			9th
Tenbury	Penlu			Promoted from Midlands 4 WS (champions)
Woodrush	Icknield Street			5th

2020–21

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

2019–20

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Alcester	Birmingham Road			8th
Bedworth				Promoted from Midlands 4 WS (runners up)
Berkswell & Balsall	Honiley Road			5th
Burbage	Recreation Ground			Promoted from Midlands 4 WS (champions)
Coventry Welsh	Burbages Lane			9th
Ledbury	Ross Road			4th
Manor Park	Griff & Coton			6th
Old Coventrians	Tile Hill Lane			Relegated from Midlands 2 WS (11th)
Old Leamingtonians	The Crofts			3rd
Rugby St Andrews	Ashlawn Road			Relegated from Midlands 2 WS (12th)
Stoke Old Boys	Albert Gale Field			10th
Woodrush	Icknield Street			7th

2018–19

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Alcester	Birmingham Road			5th
Berkswell & Balsall	Honiley Road			Relegated from Midlands 2 West (South) (11th)
Coventry Welsh	Burbages Lane			Promoted from Midlands 4 West (South) (runners up)
Ledbury	Ross Road			6th
Manor Park	Griff & Coton			9th
Old Leamingtonians	The Crofts			4th
Old Yardleians	Tilehouse Lane			Relegated from Midlands 2 West (South) (12th)
Pinley	Wyken Croft			Relegated from Midlands 2 East (South) (12th)
Shipston-on-Stour	Mayo Road	600		3rd
Stoke Old Boys	Albert Gale Field			Promoted from Midlands 4 West (South) (champions)
Upton-upon-Severn	The Sports Field			10th
Woodrush	Icknield Street			8th

2017–18

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Alcester	Birmingham Road			Promoted from Midlands 4 West (South) (runners up)
Bromyard	Clive Richards Sports Ground			Promoted from Midlands 4 West (South) (champions)
Dunlop	Dunlop Sports & Social Club			Relegated from Midlands 2 West (South) (12th)
Ledbury	Ross Road			3rd
Manor Park	Griff & Coton			8th
Old Coventrians	Tile Hill Lane			5th
Old Leamingtonians	The Crofts			7th
	Stade Wheats			9th
Rugby St Andrews	Ashlawn Road			6th
Shipston-on-Stour	Mayo Road	600		4th
Upton-upon-Severn	The Sports Field			10th
Woodrush	Icknield Street			11th

Teams 2016-17

• Bedworth (relegated from Midlands 2 West (South))
• Droitwich (relegated from Midlands 2 West (South))
• Evesham
• Ledbury
• Manor Park (promoted from Midlands 4 West (South))
• Old Coventrians
• Old Leamingtonians
• Old Wheatleyans
• Rugby St Andrews
• Shipston on Stour
• Upton-on-Severn (promoted from Midlands 4 West (South))
• Woodrush

Teams 2015-16

• Cheltenham North
• Evesham (promoted from Midlands 4 West (South))
• Harbury
• Ledbury
• Old Coventrians (relegated from Midlands 2 West (South))
• Old Leamingtonians (relegated from Midlands 2 West (South))
• Old Wheatleyans
• Pershore
• Rugby Lions (promoted from Midlands 4 West (South))
• Shipston on Stour
• Southam
• Woodrush

Teams 2014-15

• Bedworth (relegated from Midlands 2 West (South))
• Cheltenham North
• Dunlop (relegated from Midlands 2 West (South))
• Harbury (promoted from Midlands 4 West (South))
• Ledbury
• Manor Park
• Old Wheatleyans
• Pershore
• Shipston on Stour
• Southam
• Upton-on-Severn
• Woodrush (promoted from Midlands 4 West (South))

Teams 2013–14

• Cheltenham North
• Evesham
• Kings Norton
• Ledbury
• Manor Park
• Old Wheatleyans
• Old Yardleians (promoted from Midlands 4 West (South))
• Pershore
• Pinley
• Shipston on Stour (relegated from Midlands 2 West (South))
• Southam
• Upton-on-Severn (relegated from Midlands 2 West (South))

Teams 2012–13

• Cheltenham North
• Evesham
• Kings Norton
• Ledbury
• Old Coventrians
• Old Leamingtonians
• Old Wheatleyans
• Pershore
• Pinley
• Redditch
• Southam
• Woodrush

Teams 2009–10

• Dunlop
• Edwardians
• Harbury
• Kings Norton
• Ledbury
• Old Leamingtonians
• Pershore
• Redditch
  • Shipston on Stour Southam
• Upton upon Severn
• Woodrush

Teams 2008–09

• Bedworth
• Dunlop
• Edwardians
• Kings Norton
• Ledbury
• Old Leamingtonians
• Pershore
  • Shipston on Stour Southam
• Upton On Severn
• Woodrush
• Worcester Wanderers

Original teams

Teams in Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 2 West, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:

• Aston Old Edwardians - promoted from North Midlands 1 (10th)
• Coventry Welsh - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (10th)
• Dixonians - promoted from North Midlands 1 (6th)
• Handsworth - promoted from Staffordshire 1 (champions)
• Kenilworth - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (7th)
• Nuneaton Old Edwardians - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (6th)
• Old Laurentians - promoted from Warwickshire 1 (champions)
• Selly Oak - promoted from North Midlands 2 (champions)
• Shrewsbury - promoted from North Midlands 1 (11th)
• Stratford-upon-Avon - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (9th)
• Tamworth - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (8th)
• West Midlands Police - promoted from North Midlands 1 (8th)
• Woodrush - promoted from North Midlands 1 (7th)

Midlands 3 West (South) honours

Midlands West 2 (1992–1993)

Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single tier 8 division called Midlands West 2. Promotion was to Midlands West 1 and relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

<											----> Midlands West 2
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
1992–93	13	Nuneaton Old Edwardians			[2]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands West 2 (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 2 West dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

<											----> Midlands West 2
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
1993–94	13	Old Laurentians		No relegation	[3]
1994–95	13	Luctonians			[4]
1995–96	13	Selly Oak		No relegation	[5]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands West 2 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands West 2 returned to being a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

<											----> Midlands West 2
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
1996–97	17	Telford Hornets			[6]
1997–98	17	Shrewsbury			[7]
1998–99	17	Newcastle (Staffs)			[8]
1999–00	17	Kidderminster Carolians		No relegation	[9]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2000–2004)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands West 2 split into two tier 8 regional leagues - Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 3 West (South) and relegation to either North Midlands 1 or Warwickshire 1.

<											----> Midlands 4 West South
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
2000–01	10	Silhillians			[10]
2001–02	10	Ledbury			[11]
2002–03	10	Shipston-on-Stour			[12]
2003–04	12	Old Yardleians			[13]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2004–2006)

At the start of the 2004–05 season Midlands 4 West (South) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (South). However, the restructuring of the leagues below meant that relegation was now to either North Midlands (South) 1 or Warwickshire 1.

<											----> Midlands 4 West South
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
2004–05	10	Solihull			[14]
2005–06	10	Stourbridge Lions			[15]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2006–2009)

At the start of the 2006–07 season Midlands 4 West (South) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (South). The cancellation of Warwickshire 1 league meant that relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands 5 West (South).

<											----> Midlands 4 West South
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated teams	Reference
2006–07	12	Droitwich			[16]
2007–08	12	Spartans (Midlands)			[17]
2008–09	12	Worcester Wanderers		No relegation	[18]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 3 West (South) (2009–present)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South) were renamed as Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 8. Promotion was now to Midlands 2 West (South) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North)) and relegation to Midlands 4 West (South).

<											----> Midlands 3 West (South) Honours
Season	No of Teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated Teams	League Name
2009–10[19]	12	Dunlop			Midlands 3 West (South)
2010–11[20]	12	Upton-on-Severn			Midlands 3 West (South)
2011–12[21]	11	Earlsdon			Midlands 3 West (South)
2012–13[22]	12	Old Coventrians			Midlands 3 West (South)
2013–14[23]	12	Old Yardleians			Midlands 3 West (South)
2014–15[24]	12	Dunlop			Midlands 3 West (South)
2015–16[25]	12	Rugby Lions			Midlands 3 West (South)
2016–17[26]	12	Droitwich			Midlands 3 West (South)
2017–18[27]	12	Rugby St Andrews			Midlands 3 West (South)
2018–19[28]	12	Pinley			Midlands 3 West (South)
2019–20[29]	12	Old Coventrians			Midlands 3 West (South)
2020–21	12
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

• Droitwich (2)
• Dunlop (2)
• Old Coventrians (2)
• Old Yardleians (2)
• Earlsdon (1)
• Kidderminster Carolians (1)
• Ledbury (1)
• Luctonians (1)
• Newcastle (Staffs) (1)
• Nuneaton Old Edwardians (1)
• Old Laurentians (1)
• Pinley (1)
• Rugby Lions (1)
• Rugby St Andrews (1)
• Selly Oak (1)
• Shipston-on-Stour (1)
• Shrewsbury (1)
• Silhillians (1)
• Solihull (1)
• Spartans (Midlands) (1)
• Stourbridge Lions (1)
• Telford Hornets (1)
• Upton-on-Severn (1)
• Worcester Wanderers (1)

See also

• Midlands RFU
• North Midlands RFU
• Warwickshire RFU
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England
• English Rugby Union Leagues
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

References

• Web site: English RFU . 2008 . Rugby First . RFU . 21 July 2008 . refStaffordshire Rugby . 28 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090428021201/http://clubs.rfu.com/clubs/portals/webmasters . dead .

Notes and References

1. Web site: RFU announce new men's community structure . RFU . 2022-06-13.
2. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993-94. 1993. Headline. 0-7472-7891-1. 164–167.
3. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. 1994. Headline. 0-7472-7891-1. 164–167.
4. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. 1995. Headline. 0-7472-7850-4. 176–179.
5. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. 1996. Headline. 0-7472-7816-4. 192–195.
6. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. 1997. Headline. 0-7472-7771-0. 156–159.
7. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998-99. 1998. Headline. 0-7472-7653-6. 90–93.
8. Web site: 1998-1999 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 6 December 2020.
9. Web site: 1999-2000 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 6 December 2020.
10. Web site: 2000-2001 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
11. Web site: 2001-2002 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
12. Web site: 2002-2003 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
13. Web site: 2003-2004 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
14. Web site: 2004-2005 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
15. Web site: 2005-2006 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
16. Web site: 2006-2007 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
17. Web site: 2007-2008 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
18. Web site: 2008-2009 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
19. Web site: 2009-2010 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
20. Web site: 2010-2011 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
21. Web site: 2011-2012 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
22. Web site: 2012-2013 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
23. Web site: 2013-2014 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 7 March 2015.
24. Web site: 2014-2015 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 2 May 2015.
25. Web site: 2015-2016 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 2 May 2016.
26. Web site: 2016-2017 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 22 April 2017.
27. Web site: 2017-2018 Midlands Division. England Rugby. 28 April 2018.
28. Web site: 2018-19 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 13 April 2019.
29. Web site: Men's Midlands Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20. England Rugby. 25 April 2020.