Regional 1 Midlands

Regional 1 Midlands
Current season or competition:
2025–26 Regional 1 Midlands
SportRugby union
Instituted1987; 39 years ago (1987) (as Midlands 1)
Number of teams12
Country England
HoldersBournville RFC (2nd title) (2025–26 (promoted to National League 2 West))
Most titlesBroadstreet (4 titles)
Websiteclubs.rfu.com

Regional 1 Midlands (until 2021–22 known as Midlands Premier and up until 2016–17 known as National League 3 Midlands) is a level five semi-professional league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as Midlands Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following a reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and the name change from National League 3 to Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season by the RFU in order to lessen confusion for what is a series of regional leagues. Regional 1 Midlands is the highest regional rugby union league in the English Midlands.

Bournville are the 2025-26 champions and will be promoted to National League 2 West.

Format

The club that finishes as champions is automatically promoted to National League 2 West. Relegated teams drop down to either, Regional 2 East Midlands, Regional 2 North Midlands or Regional 2 West Midlands, depending on their location, and other factors such as the location of relegated and promoted teams in other divisions.

The season runs from September to April 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 table as follows:

2026–27

Departing were Bournville promoted to Nat 2 West while Drybrook (10th - play off losers), Dudley Kingswinford (11th) and Nuneaton (12th) were relegated. Also departing were Newent (4th) on a level transfer to Regional 1 South West.

Initially Loughborough Students were due to compete in this league having been relegated via the play-offs from National 2 West in which they finished 13th. However, when Macclesfield declined their allocation to National League 2 West for 2026-27 the Cheshire club were involuntarily demoted to Regional 1 North West which in turn displaced Burton from that league into this one. Consequently, Loughborough Students were reprieved from relegation and reinstated in National League 2 West for the forthcoming season.

2025–26

Six of last years teams participated in this season's competition. Departing were Syston promoted to National 2 West while Silhillians (11th) and Kenilworth (12th) were both relegated to Regional 2 Midlands West. Also leaving were Burton (4th), Derby (9th) and Long Eaton (8th) all on a level transfer to Regional 1 North West.

Incoming teams, were the four promoted as champions from Regional 2 leagues - Drybrook (Regional 2 Severn), Lichfield (Regional 2 Midlands North), Lutterworth (Regional 2 Midlands East) and Newent (Regional 2 Midlands West). Also joining were Bournville relegated from National League 2 West and Newport on a level transfer from Regional 1 North West.

Participating teams and locations

League table

2025–26 Regional 1 Midlands
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Qualification
1Bournville (P) 22180486640945717392Promotion place
2Newport (Salop) 22160685847438417586Promotion play-off place
3Stourbridge 22151672549523015380Promotion play-off place
4Newent 22150779954925016379
5Bromsgrove 22130987459527915572
6Lichfield 2212196545728213669
7Bridgnorth 22121966951715212567
8Banbury 221201072650122512666
9Lutterworth 2210012651704−5314256Relegation play-off place
10Drybrook (R) 224117419734−3156226Relegation play-off place
11Dudley Kingswinford (R) 222119378892−5144115Relegation place
12Nuneaton (R) 2201212341411−1177417Relegation place
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Team with most draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Mint background is the promotion place. (1st)

Green background is the promotion play-off places. (2nd–3rd)
Pink background are the relegation play-off places (9th–10th)

Salmon background are the relegation places (subject to confirmation by the RFU). (11th–12th)
Updated: 13 April 2026

Play-offs

The champions, Bournville, are automatically promoted to next seasons National League 2 West. Third-placed Stourbridge won the Regional 1 Midland play-off against second-placed Newport (Salop) and in the Regional 1 South West play-off, second-placed Topsham beat third-placed Brixham. Stourbridge beat Topsham in Round 2 and lost to Exeter University, in the NLR Accession Final. Exeter University remain in National League 2 West. In each match the highest placed team play at home.

Promotion play-offs
25 April 2026
Newport (Salop) (2nd)26 – 36Stourbridge (3rd)
The Old Showground, Newport, Shropshire
25 April 2026
14:00
Topsham (2nd)43 – 24Brixham (3rd)
Bonfield Field, Topsham
Round 2
2 May 2026
Topsham12 – 24Stourbridge
Bonfield Field, Topsham
NLR Accession Final
9 May 2026
15:00
Exeter University (12th)64 – 10Stourbridge
Topsham Sports Ground, Exeter
Relegation play-off

The 9th and 10th placed teams held a play-off, with the losing team playing in the Regional 1 Accession Final, against Broadstreet, the winner of the Regional 2 Midlands East promotion play-off. Lutterworth remain in Regional 1 Midlands and Drybrook are relegated. Broadstreet are promoted to this league.

25 April 2026
14:30
Lutterworth (9th)62 – 38Drybrook (10th)
Ashby Lane, Lutterworth
Regional 1 Accession Final
9 May 2026
Drybrook31 – 42Broadstreet (3rd)
Mannings Ground, Drybrook


2024–25

Departing were Oxford Harlequins who were promoted to National League 2 East. Old Halesonians and Broadstreet were relegated to Regional 2 Midlands West and Regional 2 Midlands East respectively. Stoke-on-Trent (5th) left on a level transfer to Regional 1 North West.

Participating teams and locations

League table

2024–25 Regional 1 Midlands
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
PSyston222110856415441160102
2Stourbridge22160687049137915585
3Bromsgrove22140882039442614575
4Burton2212196976524516369
5Bridgnorth221101171653618014866
6Nuneaton22110116946128216464
7Banbury22100126736126114459
8Long Eaton229013616682−6613554
9Derby2210012565756−19111253
10Dudley Kingswinford2210012444473−297250
RSilhillians227015458773−3156236
RKenilworth2200222601273−101331−11
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Team with most draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  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. Pink background are the relegation places (subject to confirmation by the RFU).
Updated: 19 April 2025
Source: "Regional 1 Midlands". England Rugby.

2023–24

Departing were Dudley Kingswinford, promoted to National League 2 West. Lichfield and Nuneaton were relegated to Regional 2 Midlands North and Regional 2 Midlands East respectively. Oundle (7th) left on a level transfer to Regional 1 South East.

Participating teams and locations

League table

2023–24 Regional 1 Midlands
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Adj
POxford Harlequins221903905372+53319196
2Stourbridge221714831467+36416389
3Bromsgrove221507671449+22211475
4Burton221309553528+2511569
5Stoke-on-Trent2212010623596+2715467
6Bridgnorth2212010628574+5413566
7Derby2211011670638+3214462
8Banbury2210111623676–5314258
9Syston2211011589524+658456
10Kenilworth227114595704−10911642–5
ROld Halesonians222119416728−3125419
RBroadstreet2210212601108−848127
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Team with most draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  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. Pink background are the relegation places
Updated: 12 May 2024
Source: "Regional 1 Midlands". England Rugby.

Results

Home \ Away BAN BRI BRD BRM BUR DER KEN OLH OXF STK STB SYS
Banbury — 43–26 38–12 25–23 12–18 24–32 39–17 54–29 7–54 36–32 13–13 45–15
Bridgnorth 41–33 — 57–12 22–23 16–25 50–33 31–24 25–5 34–25 27–29 26–21 40–23
Broadstreet 27–30 19–36 — 10–62 11–36 17–58 10–59 30–25 12–66 12–55 19–64 7–49
Bromsgrove 35–26 11–16 53–0 — 33–26 42–20 49–7 17–10 34–25 23–33 27–11 31–7
Burton 20–7 43–19 71–0 30–22 — 43–34 28–0 33–14 3–43 28–22 31–32 19–13
Derby 34–22 26–24 31–8 13–17 27–26 — 22–17 51–14 27–32 41–26 21–41 23–17
Kenilworth 28–34 29–51 24–19 36–41 29–22 37–31 — 36–36 16–38 24–25 35–52 32–23
Old Halesonians 21–41 5–14 36–7 17–26 28–34 22–45 25–42 — 14–47 31–15 7–41 10–14
Oxford Harlequins 47–25 50–5 97–7 38–26 34–10 37–25 53–17 36–17 — 41–21 18–13 40–19
Stoke-on-Trent 50–45 36–17 48–10 36–34 24–20 41–10 33–38 31–19 10–7 — 24–32 5–21
Stourbridge 66–12 32–29 60–8 31–28 57–10 42–33 36–16 36–16 22–27 60–10 — 34–25
Syston 36–12 27–22 53–3 10–14 51–5 39–33 34–32 53–15 8–50 20–17 32–35 —
Updated to match(es) played on 6 April 2024. Source: Regional 1 Midlands
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. Departing were Newport (Salop) (champions), promoted to National League 2 West together with Sheffield (runners up) promoted to National League 2 North. Scunthorpe (8th), Doncaster Phoenix (12th) and Paviors (13th) all left on a level transfer to Regional 1 North East while Sandbach (5th) moved to Regional 1 North West. With six teams leaving and four joining the league was reduced from 14 clubs to 12.

Participating teams and locations

Final league table

Regional 1 Midlands 2022–23
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
PDudley Kingswinford22170567137229913485
2Bridgnorth22160663149913213582
3Syston22160676141434713279
4Bromsgrove22131866648018614775
5Kenilworth22140862150711411471
6Burton229013560595−3512755
7Oundle229013481617−13612654
8Derby22101115626911299253
9Stoke-on-Trent228014607699−9213651
10Broadstreet228014504698−1949546
RLichfield226016544836−29210337
RNuneaton225017485685−2008735
  • 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. Pink background are the relegation places
Updated: 12 April 2023
Source: "Regional 1 Midlands". England Rugby.

Results

Home \ Away BRI BRD BRM BUR DER DUD KEN LCH NUN OUN STO SYS
Bridgnorth — 26–19 43–37 20–14 27–23 29–17 31–28 41–12 47–40 40–17 29–23 14–12
Broadstreet 14–25 — 14–22 49–36 29–15 26–29 22–37 17–22 25–22 32–27 38–25 17–90
Bromsgrove 25–19 43–21 — 38–7 40–15 25–27 31–19 22–27 37–13 67–7 45–26 8–10
Burton 12–18 26–24 27–21 — 31–33 3–27 20–29 47–19 20–21 27–10 36–29 19–45
Derby 10–36 28–24 26–26 31–30 — 28–41 24–47 23–27 20–17 38–35 66–29 36–48
Dudley Kingswinford 44–10 41–5 11–16 20–14 46–14 — 19–14 38–14 53–7 45–0 26–13 19–20
Kenilworth 35–45 25–27 50–28 20–19 38–8 27–21 — 57–21 24–19 22–17 27–17 15–16
Lichfield 14–50 30–32 28–36 50–38 26–32 22–42 39–22 — 21–34 33–36 22–34 14–51
Nuneaton 20–13 26–31 24–37 27–32 15–27 17–36 37–15 39–50 — 6–12 31–52 14–35
Oundale 18–14 38–24 24–22 12–31 21–23 22–25 12–20 24–10 29–32 — 63–12 28–19
Stoke-on-Trent 45–40 21–7 28–31 26–37 31–14 22–27 23–25 45–15 27–19 21–24 — 37–27
Syston 20–14 44–7 14–9 26–34 27–28 24–17 11–25 76–28 42–5 54–5 50–21 —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2023. Source: Regional 1 Midlands
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

2021–22

Participating teams and locations

Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by one relegated side, Scunthorpe (from National League 2 North), while the three teams promoted into the division are Dudley Kingswinford (from Midlands 1 West, Oundle and Syston (both from Midlands 1 East. Last season's champions, Bournville were promoted into National League 2 North. Teams relegated from the division were Kettering and Peterborough (who drop to Midlands 1 East). Also not returning are South Leicester who withdrew from the league during the 2019–20 season and drop to Midlands 4 East (South) for the coming season.

The teams competing in 2021–22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019–20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020–21.

Final league table

Midlands Premier 2021–22
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Newport (Salop)2623031008464544211114
2Sheffield262105742340402143101
3Syston26170974142331814789
4Bridgnorth2616287426558716387
5Sandbach26161973353719612482
6Bromsgrove261501177458219215479
7Burton26121137216952618573
8Scunthorpe2614111627786−15911271
9Broadstreet2610016565698−1338351
10Dudley Kingswinford2610016509674−1655449
11Nuneaton269017559754−19510248
12Doncaster Phoenix267019465763−2987439
13Paviors265219438860−4225332
14Oundle263122470863−3936929
  • 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 places. Pink background No relegation due to league reorganisation
Updated: 5 June 2022
Source: "Midlands Premier". England Rugby.

2020–21

On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Midlands Premier was not contested.

2019–20

Participating teams and locations

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by two relegated sides; Peterborough Lions and South Leicester (relegated from National League 2 North), while the three teams promoted into the division are Bromsgrove, Kettering and Paviors. In order to address an imbalance of teams at level 5, Bedford Athletic have been level transferred into the division from London & South East Premier. Birmingham & Solihull were initially relegated into the division from National League 2 South but decided to drop out of the league system altogether (joining the Greater Birmingham Merit Leagues) as they became an amateur club.

Last season's champions, Scunthorpe were promoted into National League 2 North, along with Luctonians who won their play-off game against North Premier runners up Blaydon. Teams relegated from the division included Derby and Syston (who drop to Midlands 1 East) and Lichfield (who fall to Midlands 1 West).

2018–19

Participating teams and locations

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Luctonians and Sheffield (relegated from National League 2 North), Broadstreet (relegated from National League 2 South), while the two teams promoted into the division are Burton and Syston. Last season's champions Birmingham & Solihull were promoted into National League 2 South following a level transfer, while runners up Peterborough Lions RFC were promoted into National League 2 North after winning their play-off game against Hull. Teams relegated from the division included Old Halesonians, Longton and Newbold-on-Avon who all drop to Midlands 1 West.

2017–18

Participating teams and locations

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. Scunthorpe were relegated from National League 2 North while the three teams promoted into the division included Newbold-on-Avon, Newport (Salop) and Bournville. Last season's champions, Broadstreet, were promoted into National League 2 South following a level transfer, while runners-up Sheffield went into National League 2 North, having won their playoff game. Teams relegated from the league included Bedford Athletic and Syston, with Sandbach given a reprieve by the RFU in light of the London Welsh liquidation, by virtue of being the best ranked third bottom side in tier 5 for 2016–17. Finally Towcestrians were level transferred from Midlands Premier into London & South East Premier, while Doncaster Phoenix were level transferred into Midlands Premier from North Premier to address an imbalance of teams in the three divisions. Birmingham & Solihull won the title on 7 April.

2016–17

Participating teams and locations

Eight of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Broadstreet who were relegated from National 2 North while four teams were promoted into the league – Bedford Athletic, Bridgnorth, Derby and Towcestrians (who were level transferred from the south-west league on promotion) – as well as Sheffield who were level transferred from National League 3 North having finished 7th the previous season. Scunthorpe (champions) and Hinckley (play-off) were promoted into National League 2 North while Old Northamptonians were relegated to Midlands 1 East and Sutton Coldfield and Newport (Salop) both dropped to Midlands 1 West. In order to address a league imbalance due to only one team coming down from National League 2 South, Bromsgrove (who had finished 11th), were level transferred to National League 3 South West.

Final league table

National League 3 Midlands 2016–17
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Broadstreet (P)26201575941234713398
2Sheffield (P)26190771743428316496
3Nuneaton26191673744129612494
4Peterborough Lions26162862751511211483
5Birmingham & Solihull2617185454451007077
6Bridgnorth2613013511485265663
7Lichfield2611114593775−18211663
8Old Halesonians2612014590638−4811362
9Derby2610016646715−6912759
10Towcestrians2610115526625−9911558
11Longton2610016632789−15711354
12Sandbach269215564678−1145752
13Bedford Athletic (R)265120606704−98121246
14Syston (R)265219381778−3972329
  • 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: 29 April 2017
Source: "National League 3 Midlands". England Rugby. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2014.

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 Midlands, and National League 3 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 North. The team with the best playing record, in this case Rossendale, hosted the match and lost to their opponents Sheffield, 31 – 32.

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Rossendale26210585244340914199
Sheffield (P)26190771743428316496
29 April 2017
15:00
Rossendale31 – 32Sheffield
Marl Pits

2015–16

Participating teams and locations

Despite leading the table for most of the season Hinckley lost 13 – 23 on the final week-end of the season to Scunthorpe, to finish in second place for the second season in a row. Scunthorpe started the day four points behind and finished top due to winning one more match over the season. Two of last seasons promoted teams were relegated; Newport (Salop) to Midland 1 West and Old Northamptonians to Midland 1 East. The third relegated team is Sutton Coldfield.

Final league table

National League 3 Midlands 2015–16
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1Scunthorpe (C)262303766343423142108
2Hinckley (P)262213790343447162108
3Old Halesonians26180863040822213691
4Peterborough Lions261501159346412910469
5Nuneaton26140125734631108569
6Syston2613013538562−2411467
7Birmingham & Solihull2613013500475258666
8Longton2611114530577−4712361
9Bromsgrove2612014559670–1118359
10Sandbach2611015546591−459457
11Lichfield269017600683−8312755
12Old Northamptonians (R)269017498702−2046749
13Newport (Salop) (R)268018451738–2876038
14Sutton Coldfield (R)263023412967–5552418
  • 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 April 2016
Source: "National League 3 Midlands". England Rugby. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2014.

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 Midland, and National League 3 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 North. The team with the best playing record, in this case Hinckley, host the match and they beat their opponents Wirral 33 – 20.

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
Hinckley (P)262213790343447162108
Wirral Rugby Club26190767748619113493
30 April 2016
15:00
Hinckley33 – 20Wirral
Report
Leicester Road
Attendance: 650

2014–15

2013–14

2012–13

2011–12

2010–11

2009–10

First season as National 3 Midlands.

2007–08

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Midlands 1) contained the following teams:

Midlands Premier honours

Midlands 1 (1987–1992)

The original Midlands 1 was a tier 5 league with promotion to Area League North and relegation to either Midlands 2 East or Midlands 2 West.

Midlands Division 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Reference
1987–881110Stoke-on-TrentBarkers ButtsPeterborough, Hinckley, Stafford
1988–891110WalsallHerefordWolverhampton
1989–901110HerefordBirmingham & SolihullNo relegation
1990–911110TowcestriansBarkers ButtsSutton Coldfield, Stockwood Park, Paviors
1991–921110Stoke-on-TrentSystonNo relegation
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 1 (1992–1993)

For the 1991–92 season Midlands 1 remained a tier 5 league with promotion to Area League North. However, restructuring of the Midlands leagues meant that relegation was now to Midlands 2 (formerly Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 West).

Midlands 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Reference
1992–931413Birmingham & SolihullBarkers ButtsVipers, Paviors, Newark
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 1 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North. Midlands 1 dropped to become a tier 6 league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 North. Relegation continued to Midlands 2 (currently Midlands 1 East and Midlands 1 West)

Midlands Division 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Reference
1993–941312Barkers ButtsWorcesterLeighton Buzzard
1994–951312WorcesterBurtonDerby, Towcestrians, Bedworth
1995–961312HerefordBurtonNo relegation
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 1 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands 1 returned to being a tier 5 league. Promotion was now to National 4 North (currently National League 2 North), while relegation continued to Midlands 2 (currently split into Midlands 1 East and Midlands 1 West).

Midlands 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Reference
1996–971716HinckleyBurtonStockwood Park, Leamington, Stafford
1997–981716WhitchurchBanburyDerby
1998–991716Bedford AthleticScunthorpeLeighton Buzzard, Mansfield, Wolverhampton
1999–001716Dudley KingswinfordScunthorpeBelgrave, Lichfield, Hinckley, Syston
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 1 (2000–2009)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands 1 remain a tier 5 league but promotion was now to National 3 North (formerly National 4 North) and relegation to either Midlands 2 East or Midlands 2 West (both formerly Midlands 2).

Midlands 1
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Reference
2000–011222ScunthorpeLeicester LionsStoke-on-Trent, Burton, Newbold-on-Avon
2001–021222BroadstreetWalsallBanbury, Camp Hill, Hereford
2002–031222LongtonLuctoniansBarkers Butts, Kenilworth, Hinckley, Malvern
2003–041222Bedford AthleticKetteringLuton, Old Laurentians, Spalding
2004–051222Leicester LionsKetteringMansfield, Broadstreet, Derby
2005–061222Rugby LionsBedford AthleticBromsgrove, Burton, Kettering
2006–071222LutonDudley KingswinfordMarket Bosworth, Walsall
2007–081222Loughborough StudentsLuctoniansDudley Kingswinford, Scunthorpe, Dunstablians
2008–091222BroadstreetChesterNo relegation
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

National League 3 Midlands (2009–2017)

The division was renamed National League 3 Midlands following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It remained a tier 5 league with promotion to National League 2 North (formerly National League 3 North) and relegation to either Midlands 1 East or Midlands 1 West (formerly Midlands 2 East / Midlands 2 West).

National League 3 Midlands
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Reference
2009–101426No championLuctonians, HinckleyBedford Athletic, Malvern
2010–111426BromsgroveSheffield TigersBurton, Kenilworth, Peterborough Lions
2011–121426Rugby LionsDudley KingswinfordManchester, Old Northamptonians, Hereford
2012–131426AmpthillSutton ColdfieldDerby, Mansfield
2013–141426BroadstreetSutton ColdfieldBedford Athletic, Syston, Newport (Salop)
2014–151426South LeicesterHinckleyDudley Kingswinford, Burton, Bournville
2015–161426ScunthorpeHinckleySutton Coldfield, Newport (Salop), Old Northamptonians
2016–171426BroadstreetSheffieldSyston, Bedford Athletic
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands Premier (2017–2022)

For the 2017–18 season, all the divisions at tier 5 were renamed from National League 3 to Premier resulting in National League 3 Midlands now named the Midlands Premier. Promotion continued to National League 2 North and relegation to either Midlands 1 East or Midlands 1 West.

Midlands Premier
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Reference
2017–181426Birmingham & SolihullPeterborough LionsOld Halesonians, Longton, Newbold-on-Avon
2018–191426ScunthorpeLuctoniansDerby, Lichfield, Syston
2019–201320BournvilleNewport (Salop)Peterborough Lions, Kettering
2020–211426Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–221426Newport (Salop)SheffieldNo relegation due to league reorganisation.
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Regional 1 Midlands (2022–25)

From 2022–23 season the number of tier 5 leagues was increased from four to six.

Regional 1 Midlands
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner–up Relegated teams Ref
2022–231222Dudley KingswinfordBridgnorthLichfield (11th) and Nuneaton (12th)
2023–241222Oxford HarlequinsStourbridgeOld Halesonians (11th) and Broadstreet (12th)
2024–251222SystonStourbridgeSilhillians (11th) and Kenilworth (12th)
Green background is the promotion place.

Regional 1 Midlands (2025– )

Regional 1 Midlands continued to be a tier 5 league. Promotion and relegation play-offs were introduced.

Regional 1 Midlands
Season No of teams No of matches Champions 2nd 3rd Relegated teams Ref
2025–261222BournvilleNewport (Salop)StourbridgeDudley Kingswinford RFC (11th) and Nuneaton (12th)
Green background is the promotion place.

Promotion play-offs

Between 2000–01 and 2019–20 there was a play-off between the league runners-up of Midlands Premier and North Premier for the third and final promotion place to National League 2 North. The team with the superior league record had home advantage. At the end of the 2019–20 season, the northern teams have been stronger with twelve wins to the Midlands seven, while the home team has won thirteen times compared to the away teams six.

Midlands Premier v North Premier promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance Reference
2000–01Blaydon (N)31–12Leicester Lions (M)Crow Trees, Swalwell, County Durham
2001–02Hull Ionians (N)35–22Walsall (M)Brantingham Park, Brantingham, East Riding of Yorkshire
2002–03Luctonians (M)3–17Macclesfield (N)Mortimer Park, Kingsland, Herefordshire1,000
2003–04Cleckheaton (N)23–10Kettering (M)Cleckheaton Sports Club, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire900
2004–05Hull Ionians (N)19–18Kettering (M)Brantingham Park, Brantingham, East Riding of Yorkshire
2005–06Bedford Athletic (M)17–24West Park St Helens (N)Putnoe Woods, Bedford, Bedfordshire
2006–07Beverley (N)7–3Dudley Kingswinford (M)Beaver Park, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire
2007–08Huddersfield (N)22–7Luctonians (M)Lockwood Park, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
2008–09Hull (N)40–15Chester (M)Ferens Ground, Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
2009–10Stockport (N)10–18Luctonians (M)The Memorial Ground, Stockport, Greater Manchester350
2010–11Sheffield Tigers (M)16–14Chester (N)Dore Moor, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
2011–12Dudley Kingswinford (M)36–27Rossendale (N)Heath Brook, Kingswinford, West Midlands1,000
2012–13Sutton Coldfield (M)13–28Harrogate (N)Roger Smoldon Ground, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands650
2013–14Stockport (N)52–22Sutton Coldfield (M)The Memorial Ground, Stockport, Greater Manchester
2014–15Sandal (N)20–10Hinckley (M)Milnthorpe Green, Sandal Magna, Wakefield, West Yorkshire200
2015–16Hinckley (M)33–20Wirral (N)Leicester Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire650
2016–17Rossendale (N)31–32Sheffield (M)Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, Lancashire413
2017–18Hull (N)22–31Peterborough Lions (M)Ferens Ground, Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
2018–19Luctonians (M)33–17Blaydon (N)Mortimer Park, Kingsland, Herefordshire1,757
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Harrogate (N) - promoted instead.
2020–21Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22No play-off due to league reorganisation
Green background represent the promoted teams. (M) stands for the Midlands teams while (N) stands for the Northern teams.

Number of league titles

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Westleigh RFC would later merge with Wigston RFC in 1998 to form Leicester Lions RFC.
  2. ↑ Due to the merging of Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 West into Midlands 2 for the 1992–93 season, there was no relegation.
  3. ↑ Widespread restructuring of the national leagues for the following season meant there was no relegation.
  4. ↑ No relegation due to nationwide league restructuring.
  5. ↑ A breach of regulations by Ampthill during the Luctonians game on 1 May 2010 led to Ampthill being denied promotion and transferred to National League 3 London & SE. By the time of the ruling Luctonians had already won their play-off against the runner-up of National 3 North so Hinckley were also promoted, despite finishing third.
  6. ↑ Rugby Lions went into liquidation during the summer due to unpaid debts. The club was thrown out of the league, rejoining the league system in 2013–14 in Midlands 5 West (South).
  7. ↑ League reduced to 13 teams part way through the season after South Leicester decide to drop out of the league due to a lack of suitable playing strength and shortage of front row players.
  8. ↑ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with most clubs in Midlands Premier having played 20 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table.

References

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