Counties 1 Southern South

Counties 1 Southern South (formerly known as Southern Counties South) is a level 7 league in the Rugby Football Union South West Division, the rugby union governing body for South West England, part of the Rugby Football Union. When league rugby first began in 1987 it was a single league known as Southern Counties but in 1996 the division was split into two regional leagues: Southern Counties North (now Counties 1 Southern North) and Southern Counties South. Counties 1 Southern South primarily features teams based in Dorset and Wiltshire, with some from Somerset.

The league champions at the end of the season are promoted to Regional 2 South Central or Regional 2 Severn while the last two or three teams are relegated to one of three Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts leagues depending on geographic location. As of the 2022–23 season, with the RFU league restructuring, second XVs are able to play in Counties 1 Southern South.

Structure and format

The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April, making a total of twenty-two matches each. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:

• 4 points are awarded for a win.
• 2 points are awarded for a draw.
• 0 points are awarded for a loss.

In addition:

• 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

The league champions are promoted to Regional 2 South Central or Regional 2 Severn while the last two or three teams are relegated to one of three Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts leagues depending on geographic location.

2025–26

Participating teams and locations

Departing were Royal Wootton Bassett II, promoted to Regional 2 Severn while Combe Down (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North together with Dorchester (11th), relegated to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South.

2024–25

Participating teams and locations

Departing were North Dorset, promoted to Regional 2 South Central while Weymouth & Portland (10th) were relegated to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South together with Yeovil (11th) and Avondale (12th) both relegated to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central. Incoming teams were Salisbury (11th) and Devizes (12th) relegated from Regional 2 South Central and Regional 2 Severn respectively. Promoted to Counties 1 Southern South were Chippenham II champions of Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North and Melksham, champions of Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central.

League table

2023–24

Participating teams and locations

Wimborne, as champions, was promoted to Regional 2 South Central, while Trowbridge II (10th) and Frome II (12), were both relegated to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North and Blandford (11th) was relegated to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South. Incoming teams were Frome (11th) and Sherborne (11th) relegated from Regional 2 Severn and Regional 2 South West respectively; while Corsham (1st) promoted from Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central and Weymouth & Portland (1st) promoted from Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South.

League table

2022–23

Participating teams and locations

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. Seven of the teams who competed in the final season of Southern Counties South returned.

League table

2021–22

Participating teams and locations

Thatcham finished 11th in 2019–20 but were level transferred to Southern Counties North for the current season.

2020–21

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the season was cancelled.

2019–20

Participating teams and locations

2018–19

Participating teams and locations

2017–18

Participating teams and locations

2016–17

Participating teams and locations

Season 2015–16

The 2015–16 Southern Counties South consists of twelve teams; four each from Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. The season started on 12 September 2015 and ended on 23 April 2016.

Participating teams and locations

Eight of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Swanage & Wareham and runner-up Salisbury (who won their play-off game) were promoted to the South West 1 East while Supermarine and Corsham were both relegated to Dorset & Wilts 1 North. Royal Wootton Bassett were level transferred from Southern Counties North.

2015–16

Teams 2014–15

• Bradford-on-Avon
• Corsham
• Dorchester
• Frome
• Midsomer Norton
• North Dorset
• Salisbury (relegated from South West 1 East)
• Sherborne
• Supermarine
• Swanage & Wareham
• Walcot
• Wimborne

Teams 2013–14

• Corsham
• Dorchester
• Frome
• Ivel Barbarians
• North Dorset (relegated from Tribute South West 1 West)
• Sherborne
• Swanage & Wareham
• Trowbridge
• Walcot
• Wells
• Wimborne

Teams 2012–13

• Corsham
• Devizes
• Dorchester
• Frome
• Oakmeadians
• Sherborne
• Supermarine
• Trowbridge
• Walcott
• Weymouth
• Wimborne
• Wootton Bassett

Teams 2009–10

• Bradford-on-Avon
• Corsham
• Devizes
• Dorchester
• Frome
• Ivel Barbarians
• Minety
• North Dorset
• Oldfield Old Boys
• Sherborne
• Tadley
• Wimborne

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division was known as Southern Counties and contained the following teams:

• Aylesbury
• Banbury
• Bletchley
• Bracknell
• Marlow
• Oxford Marathon
• Oxford Old Boys
• Redingensians
• Swindon
• Wimborne
• Windsor

Southern Counties South honours

Southern Counties (1987–1993)

Originally Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South were combined in a single division called Southern Counties. It was a tier 7 league with promotion to South West 2 and relegation to either Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 or Bucks/Oxon 1.

Southern Counties (1993–1996)

At the end of the 1992–93 season the top six teams from London Division 1 and the top six from South West Division 1 were combined to create National 5 South. This meant that Southern Counties dropped from a tier 7 league to a tier 8 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to South West 2 and relegation to either Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 or Bucks/Oxon 1.

Southern Counties South (1996–2000)

Restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Southern Counties split into two separate leagues, Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South, which reverted to tier 7 leagues due to the cancellation of National 5 South. Promotion from Southern Counties South was now to the new South West 2 East while relegation was now only to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (currently split into Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 2 South).

Southern Counties South (2000–2004)

Southern Counties South remained a tier 7 league, with promotion continuing to South West 2 East. However, the transfer of Berkshire clubs from the Dorset/Wilts leagues to the Bucks/Oxon leagues, meant that relegation was now to Dorset & Wilts 1 (formerly Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1).

Southern Counties South (2005–2009)

Southern Counties South remained a tier 7 league, with promotion continuing to South West 2 East, while a further restructuring of the Dorset/Wilts leagues meant that relegation was now to either Dorset & Wilts 1 North or Dorset & Wilts 1 South.

Southern Counties North (2009–present)

Despite widespread league restructuring by the RFU, Southern Counties South continued as a tier 7 league, with promotion to South West 1 East (formerly South West 2 East) and relegation to either Dorset & Wilts 1 North or Dorset & Wilts 1 South.

Counties 1 Southern South (2022– )

Following the reorganisation of the leagues, Southern Counties South was renamed Counties 1 Southern South and remained a level seven league. The champions are promoted to Regional 2 Severn or Regional 2 South Central and two or three teams are relegated, depending on location, to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central, Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North or Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South.

Promotion play-offs

From 2000–01 season to 2018–19 there was a play-off between the runners-up of Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South for the third and final promotion place to South West 1 East. The team with the superior league record had home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2018–19 season Southern Counties North teams have been the most successful with twelve wins to the Southern Counties South teams seven; and the home team won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six.

Number of league titles

• Wimborne (5) – 1998, 2002, 2010, 2017, 2023
• Banbury (2) – 1989, 1992
• Redingensians (2) –1988, 2001
• Bournemouth (2) – 1994, 2005
• Frome (2) – 2003, 2006
• Swanage & Wareham (2) – 1993, 2015
• Trowbridge (2) – 2008, 2018
• Sherborne (2) – 1991, 2019
• Devizes](2) –2013, 2022
• North Dorset (2) – 2012, 2024
• Royal Wootton Bassett (2) – 2016, 2025
• Marlow (1) – 1990
• Chippenham (1) – 1993
• Dorchester (1) – 1995
• Amersham & Chiltern (1) – 1996
• Reading Abbey (1) – 1997
• Tadley (1) – 2000
• Ivel Barbarians (1) – 2004
• Walcot (1) – 2007
• Oakmeadians (1) – 2009
• Salisbury (1) – 2011
• Wells (1) – 2014
• Grove (1) – 2020

• Updated to 2024–25 – year(s) won.

See also

• South West Division RFU
• Dorset & Wilts RFU
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

Notes