Counties 2 Midlands East (South) (formerly Midlands 3 East (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 East Midlands region including clubs from Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and occasionally Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire, all of whom play home and away matches throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to the current name of Midlands 3 East (South). Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, saw it changed to Midlands 2 East (South) and post the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name.
Promoted teams move up to Counties 1 Midlands East (South) while demoted teams drop into Counties 3 Midlands East North West, Counties 3 Midlands East North East, Counties 3 Midlands East Central or Counties 3 Midlands East South depending on location.
2024-25
Departing were Biggleswade and Stewarts & Lloyds, promoted to Counties 1 Midlands East (South). Luton (11th) and Bedford Queens (12th) were relegated to Counties 3 Midlands East (South). Bedford Swifts (10th) elected to withdraw from the leagues and instead play merit table rugby for 2024-25.
Joining were Long Buckby and Oakham, relegated from Counties 1 Midlands East (South), together with Northampton BBOB and Rugby St Andrews, both promoted.
With five teams departing and four joining the league was reduced in size from twelve clubs to eleven.
Participating teams & locations
2023-24
Departing were Daventry and Spalding, promoted to Counties 1 Midlands East (South). Melton Mowbray (6th) moved on a level transfer to Counties 2 Midlands East (North). Northampton BBOB and Northampton Men's Own were relegated.
Joining were St Ives, Dunstablians and Northampton Casuals, relegated from Counties 1 Midlands East (South), together with Bedford Swifts and Brackley, both promoted.
Participating teams & locations
2022-23
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Midlands East (South)).
Departing were Stockwood Park, Dunstablians and Bourne, all promoted to Counties 1 Midlands East (South).
Joining were Biggleswade, Northampton BBOB and St Neots, all promoted.
Participating teams & locations
2021–22
Participating teams & locations
2020–21
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
2019–20
Participating teams & locations
2018–19
Participating teams & locations
2017–18
Participating teams & locations
Teams 2016-17
- Aylestone St James (transferred from Midlands 3 East (North))
- Biggleswade (relegated from Midlands 2 East (South))
- Daventry
- Dunstablians
- Leicester Forest (relegated from Midlands 2 East (South))
- Long Buckby
- Northampton BBOB
- Northampton Casuals
- Northampton Men's Own (promoted from Midlands 4 East (South))
- St Ives (Midlands)
- St Neots
- Stewarts & Lloyds
Teams 2015-16
- Daventry
- Dunstablians (relegated from Midlands 2 East (South))
- Long Buckby
- Northampton BBOB
- Northampton Casuals
- Old Newtonians (promoted from Midlands 4 East (South))
- Oundale
- Rugby St Andrews
- Stockwood Park
- St Ives (Midlands)
- St Neots (promoted from Midlands 4 East (South))
- Stewarts & Lloyds (relegated from Midlands 2 East (South))
Teams 2014-15
- Bedford Queens
- Daventry
- Long Buckby (promoted from Midlands 4 East (South))
- Northampton BBOB (relegated from Midlands 2 East (South))
- Northampton Casuals
- Northampton Mens Own
- Oundale (promoted from Midlands 4 East (South))
- Rugby St Andrews
- Rushden & Higham (relegated from Midlands 2 East (South))
- St Ives (Midlands)
- Stockwood Park
- Vipers
Teams 2013-14
- Bedford Queens
- Biggleswade (relegated from Midlands 2 East (South))
- Brackley (promoted from Midlands 4 East (South))
- Daventry
- Deepings
- Northampton Casuals
- Northampton Mens Own
- Rugby St Andrews
- St Ives (Midlands) (promoted from Midlands 4 East (South))
- Stewarts & Lloyds
- Stockwood Park
- Vipers (relegated from Midlands 2 East (South))
Teams 2012–13
- Bedford Queens
- Daventry
- Deepings
- Long Buckby
- Northampton Casuals
- Northampton Mens Own
- Old Newtonians
- Rugby St Andrews
- Rushden & Higham
- Stamford
- Stewarts & Lloyds
- Stockwood Park
Teams 2011–12
- Bedford Queens
- Bedford Swifts
- Biggleswade
- Brackley
- Daventry
- Deepings
- Northampton BBOB
- Northampton Casuals
- Rugby St Andrews
- Rushden & Higham
- Stamford
- Stewarts & Lloyds
Teams 2010–11
- Bedford Queens
- Bedford Swifts
- Brackley
- Daventry
- Deepings
- Long Buckby
- Northampton Casuals
- Northampton Mens Own
- Oadby Wyggestonians
- Old Newtonians
- Rugby St Andrews
- Rushden & Higham
Teams 2008–09
- Aylestone St James
- Banbury
- Huntingdon & District
- Leicester Forest
- Lutterworth
- Northampton BBOB
- Northampton Old Scouts
- Old Newtonians
- Old Northamptonians
- Stewarts & Lloyds
- Towcestrians
- Vipers
Original teams
Teams in Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 2 East, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:
- Coalville - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (6th)
- Glossop - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (6th)
- Kesteven - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (9th)
- Kettering - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (7th)
- Lincoln - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (10th)
- Long Buckby - promoted from East Midlands 1 (champions)
- Lutterworth - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (10th)
- Market Rasen & Louth - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 2 (runners up)
- Northampton BBOB - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (9th)
- South Leicester - promoted from Leicestershire 1 (champions)
- Southwell - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (7th)
- Stamford - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (8th)
- Wellingborough - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (8th)
- Worksop - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 2 (champions)
Midlands 3 East (South) honours
Midlands East 2 (1992–1993)
Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) were originally part of a single tier 8 division called Midlands East 2. Promotion was to Midlands East 1 and relegation was to either East Midlands/Leicestershire 1 or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1.
Midlands East 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 East dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Midlands East 1 while relegation was to either East Midlands/Leicestershire 1 or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1.
Midlands East 2 (1996–2000)
At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands East 2 returned to being a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Midlands East 1 while relegation was to either East Midlands/Leicestershire 1 or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1.
Midlands 4 East (South) (2000–2006)
Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands East 2 split into two tier 8 regional leagues - Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 3 East (North) and relegation to East Midlands 1.
Midlands 4 East (South) (2006–2009)
Midlands 4 East (South) continued to be a tier 8 league with promotion up into Midlands 3 East (South). However, the cancellation of East Midlands 1 at the end of the 2005–06 season meant that relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands 5 East (South).
Midlands 3 East (South) (2009–present)
League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South) were renamed as Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 8. Promotion was now to Midlands 2 East (South) (formerly Midlands 3 East (South)) and relegation to Midlands 4 East (South) (formerly Midlands 5 East (South)).
Number of league titles
Notes
See also
- Midlands RFU
- East Midlands RFU
- Leicestershire RU
- English rugby union system
- Rugby union in England
References
- English RFU (2008). "Rugby First". RFU. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
- Rugby First: To view previous seasons in the league, search for any club within that league then click on to club details followed by fixtures and then select the appropriate season.
