Counties 1 Western North

Current season or competition: 2025–26 Counties 1 Western North
Sport	Rugby union
Instituted	1987; 38 years ago (1987)
Number of teams	12
Country	England
Holders	Cleve (2nd title) (2024–25 promoted toRegional 2 Severn)
Most titles	Coney Hill(4 titles)
Website	Western Counties North

Counties 1 Western North (known as Counties 1 Tribute Western North for sponsorship purposes) is anEnglishrugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues called Western Counties North andWestern Counties West. Western Counties North was renamed Counties 1 Western North prior to the 2022–23 season and is currently aseventh tier league for clubs based in the south-west of England; mainlyBristol,Gloucestershire andSomerset. The current champions areCleve.

The champions are promoted toRegional 2 Severn. The number of teams relegated depends on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above, but is usually two or three toCounties 2 Gloucestershire North / South andCounties 2 Somerset.

The season runs from September to March and comprises twenty-two rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. 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, however
• 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.

Departing wereCleve promoted toRegional 2 Severn whileCinderford 2XV and Burnham-on-Sea were relegated.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Area Previous season Bridgwater & Albion Bath Road 5,000 Bridgwater,Somerset 6th Chard The Park, Essex Close Chard,Somerset 8th Chosen Hill Former Pupils Brookfield Road Churchdown, Gloucestershire 10th Clifton II Station Road 2,500 (400 seats) Cribbs Causeway,Patchway,Bristol 2nd Dings Crusaders II Shaftsbury Park 2,250 (250 seats) Frenchay,Bristol Promoted fromCounties 2 Gloucestershire South (champions) Gordano Caswell Lane Portbury,Somerset Relegated fromRegional 2 Severn (11th) Gordon League Hempsted Lane Gloucester,Gloucestershire 9th Midsomer Norton Norton Down Playing Fields Midsomer Norton,Somerset Promoted fromCounties 2 Somerset (champions) Nailsea & Backwell West End Park Nailsea,Somerset 5th Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand,Somerset 3rd Old Redcliffians II Scotland Lane 1,000 Brislington,Bristol 4th Taunton II Towergate Stadium 2,000 (198 seats) Taunton,Somerset 7th

Chosen Hill FP Clifton II Dings II Gordon League Old Reds II class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 1 Western North teams in Gloucestershire & Bristol Bridgwater Chard Gordano Midsomer Norton Old Bristolians Nailsea Taunton II class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2025–26 Counties 1 Western North teams in Somerset

Departing were Longlevens, in second place were promoted toRegional 2 Severn instead of the championsCinderford 2XV as league regulations to not allow second teams to be promoted to a level six league. Chipping Sodbury were relegated toCounties 2 Gloucestershire South and Clevedon and Midsomer Norton were relegated toCounties 2 Somerset. With four teams leaving and five joining the league was restored to twelve sides.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Area Previous season Bridgwater & Albion Bath Road 5,000 Bridgwater,Somerset 5th Burnham-on-Sea BASC Ground Burnham-on-Sea,Somerset Relegated fromRegional 2 South West (12th) Chard The Park, Essex Close Chard,Somerset Relegated fromRegional 2 South West (11th) Chosen Hill Former Pupils Brookfield Road Churchdown, Gloucestershire Relegated fromRegional 2 Severn (11th) Cinderford II Dockham Road 2,500 Cinderford,Gloucestershire 1st (not promoted) Cleve The Hayfields Mangotsfield,Gloucestershire 8th Clifton II Station Road 2,500 (400 seats) Cribbs Causeway,Patchway,Bristol 6th Gordon League Hempsted Lane Gloucester,Gloucestershire Promoted fromCounties 2 Gloucestershire North (champions) Nailsea & Backwell West End Park Nailsea,Somerset 3rd Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand,Somerset 7th Old Redcliffians II Scotland Lane 1,000 Brislington,Bristol 4th Taunton II Towergate Stadium 2,000 (198 seats) Taunton,Somerset Promoted fromCounties 2 Somerset (champions)

Chosen Hill FP Cinderford II Cleve Gordon League class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2024–25 Counties 1 Western North teams in Gloucestershire Bridgwater Burnham-on-Sea Chard Clifton II 'OB Old Reds II Nailsea Taunton II class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2024–25 Counties 1 Western North teams in Avon & Somerset

Departing were 2nd placed Burnham-on-Sea, promoted toRegional 1 South West. AlthoughCinderford 2XV finished top, owing to league regulations Cinderford were unable to be promoted.Avonmouth Old Boys and Cheltenham North were relegated. Barton Hill, 7th in 2022–23, did not return for the new season and with four teams departing and three joining, the league ran with eleven sides last season.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Area Previous season Bridgwater & Albion Bath Road 5,000 Bridgwater,Somerset Relegated fromRegional 2 South West (12th) Chipping Sodbury The Ridings Chipping Sodbury,Gloucestershire 9th Cinderford II Dockham Road 2,500 Cinderford,Gloucestershire 1st (not promoted) Cleve The Hayfields Mangotsfield,Gloucestershire 8th Clevedon Coleridge Vale Playing Fields Clevedon,Somerset 6th Clifton II Station Road 2,500 (400 seats) Cribbs Causeway,Patchway,Bristol Promoted fromCounties 2 Gloucestershire South (champions) Longlevens Longford Lane Longlevens,Gloucestershire 3rd Midsomer Norton Norton Down Playing Fields Midsomer Norton,Somerset 5th Nailsea & Backwell West End Park Nailsea,Somerset 4th Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand,Somerset 10th Old Redcliffians II Scotland Lane 1,000 Brislington,Bristol Promoted fromCounties 2 Somerset (champions)

Chipping Sodbury Cinderford II Cleve Longlevens class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2023–24 Counties 1 Western North teams in Gloucestershire Bridgwater Clevedon Clifton II Midsomer Norton OB {Old Reds II Nailsea class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2023–24 Counties 1 Western North teams in Avon & Somerset

Team Ground Capacity Town/Area Previous season Avonmouth Old Boys Barracks Lane Shirehampton,Bristol 12th Barton Hill Duncombe Road Speedwell, Bristol 10th Burnham-on-Sea BASC Ground Burnham-on-Sea,Somerset 6thWestern Counties West Cheltenham North Stoke Orchard Road Bishop's Cleeve,Gloucestershire 13th Chipping Sodbury The Ridings Chipping Sodbury,Gloucestershire 8th Cinderford II Dockham Road 2,500 Cinderford,Gloucestershire New entry Cleve The Hayfields Mangotsfield,Gloucestershire 9th Clevedon Coleridge Vale Playing Fields Clevedon,Somerset 11th Longlevens Longford Lane Longlevens,Gloucestershire 1stGloucester Premier Midsomer Norton Norton Down Playing Fields Midsomer Norton,Somerset 7th Nailsea & Backwell West End Park Nailsea,Somerset 1stSomerset Premier Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand,Somerset 6th

Cheltenham North Chipping Sodbury Cinderford II Cleve Longlevens class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2022–23 Counties 1 Western North teams in Gloucestershire Avonmouth Barton Hill Burnham-on-Sea Clevedon OB Midsomer Norton Nailsea class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2022–23 Counties 1 Western North teams in Avon & Somerset

Spartans, 11th in 2019–20, withdrew during the season leaving the league to complete with thirteen clubs.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Area Previous season Avonmouth Old Boys Barracks Lane Shirehampton,Bristol 5th Barton Hill Duncombe Road Speedwell, Bristol 7th Cheltenham Newlands Park Southam,Cheltenham,Gloucestershire 3rd Cheltenham North Stoke Orchard Road Bishop's Cleeve,Gloucestershire Promoted fromGloucester Premier (2nd) Chipping Sodbury The Ridings Chipping Sodbury,Gloucestershire 6th Chosen Hill Former Pupils Brookfield Road Churchdown, Gloucestershire Promoted fromGloucester Premier (champions) Cleve The Hayfields Mangotsfield,Gloucestershire Relegated fromSouth West 1 West (14th) Clevedon Coleridge Vale Playing Fields Clevedon,Somerset 12th Gordano Caswell Lane Portbury,Somerset 8th Matson Redwell Road Matson, Gloucester,Gloucestershire 2nd Midsomer Norton Norton Down Playing Fields Midsomer Norton,Somerset 4th Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand,Somerset 10th Winscombe Recreation Ground 1,200 Winscombe,Somerset 9th

Barton Hill Cheltenham Cheltenham North Chipping Sodbury CHFP Cleve Matson class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2021–22 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Bristol & Gloucestershire Avonmouth Clevedon Gordano Bristolians Midsomer Norton Winscombe class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2021–22 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Avon & Somerset

Due to theongoing coronavirus pandemic the season was cancelled.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Area Previous season Avonmouth Old Boys Barracks Lane Shirehampton,Bristol 5th Barton Hill Duncombe Road Speedwell, Bristol 10th Bristol Saracens Bakewell Memorial Ground Cribbs Causeway,Bristol Promoted fromGloucester Premier (playoff) Cheltenham Newlands Park Southam,Cheltenham,Gloucestershire 11th Chipping Sodbury Wickwar Road Chipping Sodbury,Gloucestershire 6th Clevedon Coleridge Vale Playing Fields Clevedon,Somerset 8th Coney Hill Metz Hill Gloucester,Gloucestershire Relegated fromSouth West 1 West (14th) Gordano Caswell Lane Portbury,Somerset 7th Matson Redwell Road Matson, Gloucester,Gloucestershire 3rd Midsomer Norton Norton Down Playing Fields Midsomer Norton,Somerset Runners up (lost playoff) Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand,Somerset 9th Spartans Lansdown Road Gloucester,Gloucestershire Promoted fromGloucester Premier (champions) Stroud Fromehall Park Stroud,Gloucestershire 4th Winscombe Recreation Ground 1,200 Winscombe,Somerset Level transfer fromWestern Counties West (9th)

Barton Hill Bristol Saracens Cheltenham Chipping Sodbury Coney Hill Matson Spartans Stroud class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2019–20 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Gloucestershire Avonmouth Clevedon Gordano Bristolians Midsomer Norton Winscombe class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2019–20 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Somerset

Team Ground Capacity Town/Area Previous season Avonmouth Old Boys Barracks Lane Shirehampton,Bristol 3rd Barton Hill Duncombe Road Speedwell, Bristol Promoted fromGloucester Premier (play-off) Cheltenham Newlands Park Southam,Cheltenham,Gloucestershire 10th Chew Valley Chew Lane Chew Magna,Somerset Runner-up (lost play-off) Chipping Sodbury Wickwar Road Chipping Sodbury,Gloucestershire Promoted fromGloucester Premier (champions) Chosen Hill Former Pupils Brookfield Road Churchdown, Gloucestershire 7th Clevedon Coleridge Vale Playing Fields Clevedon,Somerset Relegated fromSouth West 1 West (14th) Gordano Caswell Lane Portbury,Somerset Promoted fromSomerset Premier (champions) Matson Redwell Road Matson, Gloucester,Gloucestershire Relegated fromSouth West 1 West (12th) Midsomer Norton Norton Down Playing Fields Midsomer Norton,Somerset 6th Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand,Somerset 5th Old Richians Sandyleaze Gloucester,Gloucestershire 4th Stroud Fromehall Park Stroud,Gloucestershire 8th Wells Charter Way Wells, Somerset 9th

Barton Hill Cheltenham Chipping Sodbury CHFP Matson Richians Stroud class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2018–19 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Gloucestershire Avonmouth Chew Valley Clevedon Gordano Bristolians Midsomer Norton Wells class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2018–19 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Somerset

In the play-off for promotion, Midsomer Norton played Crediton fromWestern Counties West for promotion to South West 1 West. Midsomer Norton had the best playing record and hosted the match, losing 15 – 19. This was the first time either team had participated in the play-offs, at this level, and Crediton's win was the sixth time the away team had won match. Teams from Western Counties North lead 10–9 in the nineteen play-off matches played since 2001.

^[5]

The season started on 2 September and the final league matches were due to be completed by 21 April 2018, with the promotion play-off the following week.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Area Previous season Avonmouth Old Boys Barracks Lane Shirehampton,Bristol 4th Bristol Saracens Bakewell Memorial Ground Cribbs Causeway,Bristol 7th Cheltenham Newlands Park Sports & Social Venue Southam,Cheltenham,Gloucestershire 10th Chew Valley Chew Lane Chew Magna,Somerset 2nd Chosen Hill Former Pupils Brookfield Road Churchdown, Gloucestershire 3rd Coney Hill Metz Hill Gloucester,Gloucestershire 11th Midsomer Norton Norton Down Playing Fields Midsomer Norton,Somerset Relegated fromTribute South West 1 West (14th) Old Bristolians Memorial Playing Fields Failand,Somerset 6th Oldfield Old Boys Shaft Road Monkton Combe,Bath, Somerset Promoted fromTribute Somerset Premier (play-off) Old Richians Sandyleaze Gloucester,Gloucestershire Promoted fromGloucester Premier (champions) Stroud Fromehall Park Stroud,Gloucestershire 5th Wells Charter Way Wells, Somerset 9th Winscombe Recreation Ground 1,200 Winscombe,Somerset Promoted fromTribute Somerset Premier (champions) Yatton The Park Yatton,Somerset 8th

Avonmouth Chew Valley Bristolians Midsomer Norton Oldfield Wells Winscombe Yatton class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2017–18 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Somerset B Saracens Cheltenham CHFP Coney Hill Richians Stroud class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2017–18 Tribute Western Counties North teams in Gloucestershire

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties West and Western Counties North, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Chew Valley, host the match, and for the second successive season they lost, this time to Devonport Services 12 – 22. It is the first time Devonport Services are promoted to a level six league.^[6] This match was the eighteenth play-off for promotion; the northern sides lead with ten victories to the west's eight and the home teams are leading thirteen to five.

Each season, the runners-up in Western Counties North and Western Counties West, participate in a play-off for promotion to South West 1 West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Chew Valley, host the match and they lost to their opponents Cullompton 12 – 29.

The 2015–16 Tribute Western Counties North consists of fourteen teams; six fromSomerset, four fromGloucestershire, three fromBristol and one fromWiltshire. The season started on 5 September 2015 and is finishes on 30 April 2016.

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 championsConey Hill and runners upNewent (who won their playoff game) were promoted toTribute South West 1 West whileBristol Saracens andNorth Bristol were relegated to theGloucester Premier andStothert & Pitt to theTribute Somerset Premier.

Avon

Bristol

Burnham-on-Sea

Cheltenham

Chew Valley

C.H.F.P.

Matson

Old Bristolians

Stroud

Wellington

Bristol area teamsBarton Hill
Bristol Harlequins
Gordano
Keynsham
Whitehall

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the 2015-16 Tribute Western Counties North teams

Barton Hill

Bristol Harlequins

Gordano

Keynsham

Whitehall

class=notpageimage|

2015-16 Bristol & surrounding area Tribute Western Counties North teams

• Avon
• Barton Hill
• Bristol Harlequins
• Bristol Saracens(promoted fromGloucester Premier)
• Burnham-on-Sea
• Cheltenham
• Chew Valley
• Chosen Hill Former Pupils
• Coney Hill(relegated fromTribute South West 1 West)
• Keynsham
• Old Bristolians
• Newent(promoted fromGloucester Premier)
• North Bristol
• Stothert & Pitt

• Avon
• Barton Hill
• Berry Hill
• Bristol Harlequins
• Chew Valley(promoted fromTribute Somerset Premier)
• Chosen Hill Former Pupils
• Cirencester
• Drybrook(promoted fromGloucester Premier)
• Keynsham(promoted fromTribute Somerset Premier)
• Matson
• Midsomer Norton
• North Bristol
• Old Bristolians
• Oldfield Old Boys(relegated fromTribute South West 1 West)

• Avon
• Barton Hill
• Berry Hill
• Bristol Harlequins
• Burnham-on-Sea
• Chosen Hill Former Pupils
• Cirencester
• Hornets
• Matson
• North Bristol
• Old Bristolians
• Wells
• Yatton

• Barton Hill
• Bristol Harlequins
• Burnham-on-Sea
• Chard
• Cirencester
• Gordon League
• Hornets
• Keynsham
• Matson
• North Bristol
• Old Centralians
• Stroud
• Whitehall
• Yatton

• Barton Hill
• Berry Hill
• Bristol Harlequins
• Cirencester
• Drybrook
• Gordon League
• Keynsham
• Matson
• North Bristol
• Old Centralians
• Stroud
• St Mary's Old Boys (SW)
• Thornbury
• Yatton

• Barton Hill
• Berry Hill
• Burnham on Sea
• Drybrook
• Gordon League
• Hornets
• Keynsham
• North Bristol
• Old Centralians
• Old Redcliffians
• Southmead
• Stroud
• Thornbury
• Widden Old Boys

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Western Counties) contained the following teams:

• Avon & Somerset Police
• Cirencester
• Clevedon
• Gordon League
• Matson
• Newquay Hornets
• Okehampton
• Old Redcliffians
• Sidmouth
• Tiverton
• Truro

Originally Western Counties North andWestern Counties West was a single division called Western Counties (sponsored byCourage), involving teams based in the south-west of England includingBristol,Cornwall,Devon,Gloucester andSomerset. Each team played one match against each of the other teams with the winning team awarded two points; there was one point for each team in a drawn match.^[8] It was a tier 7 league with promotion up toSouth West 2^[a] and relegation to eitherCornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset.^[b]

At the end of the 1992–93 season the top six teams fromLondon Division 1 and the top six fromSouth West Division 1 were combined to createNational 5 South. This meant that Western Counties dropped from a tier 7 league to a tier 8 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued toSouth West 2 and relegation down to eitherCornwall/Devon or Gloucestershire/Somerset.^[d] The league continued to be sponsored byCourage.

Major restructuring by theRFU at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Western Counties split into two separate leagues, Western Counties North andWestern Counties West, which reverted to tier 7 leagues due to the cancellation ofNational 5 South.^[16] Promotion from Western Counties North was to the newSouth West 2 West division (formerly South West 2)^[g] while relegation was to Gloucestershire/Somerset.^[h][i]

Western Counties North remained a tier 7 league, with promotion continuing toSouth West 2 West. Relegation was to eitherGloucester Premier orSomerset Premier following the cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999–00 season. From the 2008–09 season the league sponsor wasTribute.

Despite widespread league restructuring by theRFU, Western Counties North continues as a tier 7 league, with promotion toSouth West 1 West (formerly South West 2 West) and relegation to eitherGloucester Premier orSomerset Premier.Tribute continue to sponsor the league.

Following league reorganisation, Western Counties North is renamed Counties 1 Western North and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is to Regional 2 South West and relegation to Counties 2 Gloucester or Counties 2 Somerset.Tribute continue to sponsor the league.

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a one-off promotion play-off game played between the league runners-up of Western Counties North andWestern Counties West for the third and final promotion place toSouth West 1 West, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage in the tie. As of the end of the 2018–19 season the northern sides have been the more successful with ten victories to the west's nine while the home team has won thirteen times compared to the away teams six.

The Western Counties League and South West 2 were part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored byCourage Brewery from the first season, 1987–88 to season 1996–97.^[67] The league was unsponsored until season 2007–08 whenSt Austell Brewery sponsored South-west based leagues under the Tribute Ale label.

• South West Division RFU
• Gloucestershire RFU
• Somerset RFU
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

• Rugby union leagues in England
• Rugby union in Bristol
• Rugby union in Gloucestershire
• Rugby union in Somerset
• Sports leagues established in 1987
• 1987 establishments in England

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