Counties 2 Somerset (formerly Somerset Premier (which was 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 and subsequently adopted its new name following the RFU Adult Competition Review at the end of season 2021–22.
The league champions of Counties 2 Somerset are promoted to Counties 1 Western North while the runners up play the runners up of Gloucester Premier for their place. Relegated teams drop into Counties 3 Somerset North or Counties 3 Somerset South depending on location.
Teams 2024–25
Departing were Taunton II, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Yatton (12th) and Weston-super-Mare II (11th) were relegated.
Joining were Clevedon and Midsomer Norton, both relegated from Counties 1 Western North. Nailsea & Backwell II were promoted from Counties 3 Somerset North.
In the offseason Huish Tigers rebranded as Rebels Rugby.
Teams 2023–24
Departing were Old Redcliffians II, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Tor were relegated.
Joining were Chew Valley II and Huish Tigers.
Teams 2022–23
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review.
Departing were Nailsea & Backwell, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Bristol Harlequins, Stothert & Pitt and Crewkerne were relegated.
Joining were Old Redcliffians II, promoted, and Taunton II who had withdrawn from Somerset 1 the previous season.
With four departing and two joining the league was reduced from 14 clubs to 12.
Teams 2021–22
2020–21
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
Teams 2019–20
Teams 2018–19
Teams 2017–18
2016–17
Participating teams
- Bridgwater & Albion II
- Bristol Harlequins (relegated from Western Counties North)
- Crewkerne (promoted from Somerset 1)
- Gordano
- Keynsham II
- Hornets II
- Nailsea & Backwell
- Oldfield Old Boys
- Old Redcliffians II
- St Bernadettes Old Boys
- Stothert & Pitt RFC
- Tor
- Weston-super-Mare II
- Winscombe
- Wiveliscombe
1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues
Somerset 1
- Bristol Barbarians
- Castle Cary
- Imperial
- Minehead Barbarians (relegated from Somerset Premier)
- Old Sulians
- Wyvern
Somerset 2 North
- Bath Old Edwardians (promoted from Somerset 3 North)
- Cheddar Valley (transferred from Somerset 2 South)
- Old Culverhaysians
Somerset 2 South
- Martock
- Morganians
- Somerton
Somerset 3 North
- Avon II
- Barton Hill II
- Bristol Telephone Area
- Imperial II
- Keynsham IV
- Nailsea & Backwell II
- Old Bristolians III
- Oldfield Old Boys III
Somerset 3 South
- Wincanton
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.
1st XV teams participating in Somerset Regional Leagues
Somerset 1
- Bristol Barbarians
- Castle Cray
- Crewkerne
- Imperial
- Old Sulians
- Wyvern
Somerset 2 North
- Old Culverhaysians
Somerset 2 South
- Cheddar Valley
- Martock
- Morganians
- Somerton
Somerset 3 North
- Bath Old Edwardians
Participating clubs 2014–15
- Clevedon II (promoted from Somerset 1)
- Gordano
- Imperial
- Minehead Barbarians
- Oldfield Old Boys (relegated from Western Counties North)
- Old Redcliffians II
- Nailsea & Backwell
- St Bernadettes Old Boys
- Taunton II
- Tor
- Weston-super-Mare II
- Winscombe
- Wiveliscombe
- Yatton
Participating clubs 2013–14
- Bristol Barbarians
- Gordano
- Keynsham II
- Minehead Barbarians
- Nailsea & Backwell
- Old Redcliffians II
- St Bernadettes Old Boys (promoted from Somerset 1)
- Stothert & Pitt
- Taunton II
- Tor
- Weston-super-Mare II
- Winscombe
- Wiveliscombe
- Yatton (relegated from Western Counties North)
Participating clubs 2012–13
- Chew Valley
- Gordano
- Imperial
- Keynsham
- Midsomer Norton
- Minehead Barbarians
- Nailsea & Backwell
- Old Redcliffians II
- Stothert & Pitt
- Taunton II
- Tor
- Weston-super-Mare II
- Winscombe
- Wiveliscombe
Participating teams 2010–11
- Avon
- Chard
- Chew Valley
- Gordano
- Imperial
- Midsomer Norton
- Minehead Barbarians
- St Bernadettes
- Stothert & Pitt
- Taunton II
- Tor
- Wells
- Weston Hornets
- Winscombe
Standings 2009–10
- 1 Bristol Harlequins 40
- 2 Chard 34
- 3 Taunton II 33
- 4 Avon 33
- 5 Wells 32
- 6 Stothert & Pitt 18
- 7 Tor 18
- 8 Midsomer Norton 18
- 9 Chew Valley 16
- 10 St Bernadettes 9
- 11 Winscombe 8
- 12 Old Sulians 3
Standings 2008–09
- 1 Burnham on Sea 35
- 2 North Petherton 34
- 3 Tor 30
- 4 Bristol Harlequins 28
- 5 Stothert & Pitt 26
- 6 Chew Valley 20
- 7 Chard 19
- 8 Midsomer Norton 18
- 9 Winscombe 18
- 10 Wells 17
- 11 Avon 15
- 12 Old Sulians 4
Standings 2007–08
- 1 Keynsham 40
- 2 Chew Valley 32
- 3 Winscombe 28
- 4 Wells 26
- 5 Midsomer Norton 26
- 6 Avon 22
- 7 Old Sulians 20
- 8 Stothert & Pitt 20
- 9 Chard 18
- 10 Tor 16
- 11 Gordano 8
- 12 St Bernadettes 6
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Gloucestershire/Somerset) contained the following teams:
- Avonmouth Old Boys
- Cleve
- Combe Down
- Coney Hill
- Gordano
- Keynsham
- Midsomer Norton
- Minehead Barbarians
- St. Brendan's Old Boys
- Tredworth
- Whitehall
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 (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 (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.
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 (2009–present)
Despite widespread restructuring 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.
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.
Number of league titles
Notes
See also
- South West Division RFU
- Somerset RFU
- Somerset 1
- Somerset 2 North
- Somerset 2 South
- Somerset 3 North
- Somerset 3 South
- English rugby union system
- Rugby union in England
References
- RFU(2008) "Rugby First" Available at: http://clubs.rfu.com/Fixtures/ Accessed:8 August 2009
