Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex

Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex is an English level 7 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in London and the south-east of England including sides from Surrey, Greater London, East Sussex and West Sussex. Administration of the leagues is divided between Surrey Rugby,[1] Sussex Rugby[2] and the London & SE RFU.[3] (The locations in Greater London are all in areas that were historically part of Surrey.)

Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex
Current season or competition:
2024–25 Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex
SportRugby union
Number of teams12
Country England
Website[1]

Structure and format

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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

There is one automatic promotion place and two relegation places. The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to either Regional 2 South East or Regional 2 Thames. The last three placed clubs are usually relegated to either Counties 2 Surrey or Counties 2 Sussex depending on location.

Teams for 2024–25

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Leaving the league were Teddington [4] and Old Tiffinians, promoted to Regional 2 Thames[5] and Regional 2 South East respectively; while Kingston, Old Walcountians [6] and Old Cranleighans were relegated to Counties 2 Surrey. Joining were Cobham and London Cornish both relegated from Regional 2 South East;[7] coming up were Haywards Heath from Counties 2 Sussex,[8] Old Haileyburians and Old Rutlishians [9] both from Counties 2 Surrey.

The London & SE RFU published fixtures for the league in June 2024.[10]

Teams for 2023–24

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Leaving the league were Chobham promoted to Regional 2 Thames.[12] Warlingham were relegated to Counties 2 Surrey for what were reported as "...administrative, rather than playing, reasons...".[13]

Joining the league were promoted sides Teddington,[14] from Counties 2 Surrey, Eastbourne [15] and East Grinstead, both from Counties 2 Sussex. Coming down from Regional 2 South East were KCS Old Boys.

Further post-ACR adjustments meant the league was restored to containing 12 teams [16]

Teams for 2022–23

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This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. The league was substantially similar to London 2 South West but was smaller (12 teams reduced to 10) with Counties 1 Hampshire taking teams that historically would have played in London 2 South West.

This prompted a substantial reordering of the leagues with two teams, Kingston and Trinity,[17] effectively achieving a 'double' promotion from level 9 (Surrey 1) to level 7 of the RFU rugby pyramid. Warlingham,[18] Weybridge Vandals [19] and Old Walcountians [20] were all promoted from the upper end of London 3 South West whilst, rather less predictably, Old Cranleighans also came up from the same league despite having finished at the foot of it.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "RFU Leagues". Surrey Rugby. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Mens [sic] Leagues". Sussex Rugby. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  3. ^ "RFU League Statistics". L&SE RFU. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Teddington RFC 1st XV". Teddington RFC. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Regional 2 Thames : Teams for 2024/25 Season Confirmed". Old Priorians. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Counts down after fifth successive loss". Old Walcountians. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Friends both on and off the pitch". Cobham RFC. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Haywards Heath RFC win Sussex rugby league title despite Shoreham loss". The Argus. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Old Rutlishians revelling in record-breaking season". The Gazette. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Fixtures 2024-25" (PDF). London & SE RFU. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  11. ^ "1XV Fixtures & Results 2024-25". Trinity RFC. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Chobham are league champions". Woking News & Mail. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  13. ^ "How the 'Mighty' have fallen: relegation haunts rugby clubs". Inside Croydon. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Teddington RFC become league champions after walkover victory". Teddington Nub News. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Eastbourne RFC go for glory in rugby's new national cup". Sussex Express. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Level 6 Promotion/Relegation Facts!". London Cornish RFC. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  17. ^ "TRINITY PROMOTED IN NEW LEAGUE STRUCTURE". Trinity RFC. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Warlingham go from top to bottom at the flick of a blazer's pen". Inside Croydon. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  19. ^ "A quick look to 2022-23 Season". Weybridge Vandals RFC. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Counts fight back to overcome brave Alton". Old Walcountians RFC. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Walcountians Sports Club". Old Walcountians RFC. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Warlingham take league title without having to make a tackle". WInside Croydon. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2024.