Dorset & Wilts 2 North is an English rugby union league, forming part of the South West Division , for clubs primarily based in Wiltshire , sitting at tier 8 of the English rugby union system . Originally consisting of one league, Dorset & Wilts 1 split into north and south regional divisions in 2004. It had even had teams based in Berkshire participating until 2001, at which time they left to join the Buckinghamshire & Oxon leagues.
Promoted teams tend to move up into Southern Counties South while relegated teams tend to drop down into Dorset & Wilts 3 North . Each year all 1st XV sides in the division also take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a level 8 national competition - provided they are members of the Dorset & Wilts RFU .
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Alfred's Nomads (Marlborough 2nd XV)
The Common
Marlborough , Wiltshire
9th
Calne
Calne Recreation Ground
Calne , Wiltshire
10th
Chippenham II
Allington Fields
Chippenham , Wiltshire
11th
Frome II
Gypsy Lane
Frome , Somerset
5th
Melksham
The Conigre
1,000
Melksham , Wiltshire
2nd
Minety
Minety Playing Fields
Minety , Wiltshire
8th
Royal Wootton Bassett II
Ballard's Ash Sports Ground
Wootton Bassett , Wiltshire
3rd
Sutton Benger
Recreation Ground
Sutton Benger , Wiltshire
4th
Swindon II
Greenbridge Road
Swindon , Wiltshire
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (runners up)
Trowbridge II
Doric Park
Hilperton , Trowbridge , Wiltshire
7th
Warminster
Folly Lane
Warminster , Wiltshire
6th
Westbury
Knott Field
Westbury, Wiltshire
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (champions)
Locations of the 2021-22 Dorset & Wilts 1 North teams
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Alfred's Nomads (Marlborough 2nd XV)
The Common
Marlborough , Wiltshire
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (runners up)
Avonvale
Bathford Playing Fields
Bathford , Bath , Somerset
Runners up
Bradford-on-Avon
Broom Ground
Winsley , Bradford-on-Avon , Wiltshire
Relegated from Southern Counties South (12th)
Calne
Calne Recreation Ground
Calne , Wiltshire
10th
Chippenham II
Allington Fields
Chippenham , Wiltshire
9th
Frome II
Gypsy Lane
Frome , Somerset
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (champions)
Melksham
The Conigre
1,000
Melksham , Wiltshire
3rd
Minety
Minety Playing Fields
Minety , Wiltshire
6th
Royal Wootton Bassett II
Ballard's Ash Sports Ground
Wootton Bassett , Wiltshire
5th
Sutton Benger
Recreation Ground
Sutton Benger , Wiltshire
8th
Trowbridge II
Doric Park
Hilperton , Trowbridge , Wiltshire
7th
Warminster
Folly Lane
Warminster , Wiltshire
4th
Locations of the 2019-20 Dorset & Wilts 1 North teams
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Avonvale
Bathford Playing Fields
Bathford , Bath , Somerset
3rd
Calne
Calne Recreation Ground
Calne , Wiltshire
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (runners up)
Chippenham II
Allington Fields
Chippenham , Wiltshire
6th
Combe Down
Holly's Corner
Combe Down , Bath , Somerset
Runners up
Melksham
The Conigre
1,000
Melksham , Wiltshire
9th
Minety
Minety Playing Fields
Minety , Wiltshire
4th
Pewsey Vale
The Angela Yeates Memorial Ground
Pewsey , Wiltshire
8th
Royal Wootton Bassett II
Ballard's Ash Sports Ground
Wootton Bassett , Wiltshire
7th
Supermarine
Supermarine Sports and Social Club
South Marston , Swindon , Wiltshire
10th
Sutton Benger
Recreation Ground
Sutton Benger , Wiltshire
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (champions)
Trowbridge II
Doric Park
Hilperton , Trowbridge , Wiltshire
11th
Warminster
Folly Lane
Warminster , Wiltshire
5th
Locations of the 2018-19 Dorset & Wilts 1 North teams
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Avonvale
Bathford Playing Fields
Bathford , Bath , Somerset
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (champions)
Bradford-on-Avon
Broom Ground
Winsley , Bradford-on-Avon , Wiltshire
2nd
Chippenham II
Allington Fields
Chippenham , Wiltshire
9th
Combe Down
Holly's Corner
Combe Down , Bath , Somerset
Relegated from Southern Counties South (11th)
Melksham
The Conigre
1,000
Melksham , Wiltshire
3rd
Minety
Minety Playing Fields
Minety , Wiltshire
6th
Pewsey Vale
The Angela Yeates Memorial Ground
Pewsey , Wiltshire
4th
Royal Wootton Bassett II
Ballard's Ash Sports Ground
Wootton Bassett , Wiltshire
7th
Supermarine
Supermarine Sports and Social Club
South Marston , Swindon , Wiltshire
10th
Swindon II
Greenbridge Road
Swindon , Wiltshire
8th
Trowbridge II
Doric Park
Hilperton , Trowbridge , Wiltshire
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (runners up)
Warminster
Folly Lane
Warminster , Wiltshire
5th
Locations of the 2017-18 Dorset & Wilts 1 North teams
The 2015–16 Dorset & Wilts 1 North consists of twelve teams—most of which are based in the northern part of Wiltshire but also two teams that are based just across the county border in Gloucestershire and Somerset . The season starts on 12 September 2015 and is due to end on 23 April 2016.
Participating teams and location
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Eight of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014-15 champions, Marlborough were promoted to Southern Counties South while Calne , Cricklade and Pewsey Vale were all relegated to Dorset & Wilts 2 North .
Locations of the 2015-16 Dorset & Wilts 1 North teams
Team
Ground
Capacity
Town/Village
Previous season
Chippenham II
Allington Fields
Chippenham , Wiltshire
6th
Colerne
Higgins Field
Colerne , Wiltshire
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (runners up)
Combe Down
Holly's Corner
Combe Down , Bath , Somerset
2nd
Corsham
Lacock Road
Corsham , Wiltshire
Relegated from Southern Counties South (11th)
Devizes II
The Sports Club
Devizes , Wiltshire
4th
Fairford
Coln House School Playing Fields
Fairford , Gloucestershire
9th
Melksham
The Conigre
1,000
Melksham , Wiltshire
3rd
Minety
Minety Playing Fields
Minety , Wiltshire
8th
Royal Wootton Bassett II
Ballard's Ash Sports Ground
Wootton Bassett , Wiltshire
Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 North (champions)
Supermarine
Supermarine Sports and Social Club
South Marston , Swindon , Wiltshire
Relegated from Southern Counties South (12th)
Swindon II
Greenbridge Road
Swindon , Wiltshire
5th
Trowbridge II
Doric Park
Hilperton , Trowbridge , Wiltshire
7th
Participating Clubs 2014-15
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When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1) contained the following teams from Berkshire , Dorset and Wiltshire :
Dorset & Wilts 1 North honours
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Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1987–1993)
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Originally Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South were combined in a single division known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, involving clubs based in Berkshire [ b] , Dorset and Wiltshire . It was a tier 8 league with promotion to Southern Counties and relegation to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 .
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1993–1996)
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The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Southern Counties and relegation to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 .
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1996–2000)
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The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Southern Counties South [ f] , while relegation continued to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2 .
Dorset & Wilts 1 (2000–2004)
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At the end of the 1999–2000 season the division became known as Dorset & Wilts 1 following the departure of Berkshire clubs to join the Bucks & Oxon leagues . It remained a tier 8 league with promotion to Southern Counties South and relegation to either Dorset & Wilts 2 North or Dorset & Wilts 2 South (both formerly part of Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2).
Dorset & Wilts 1 North (2004–2009)
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Ahead of the 2004–05 season, local league restructuring saw Dorset & Wilts 1 split into two tier 8 regional divisions - Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South . Promotion continued to Southern Counties South , while relegation was now to Dorset & Wilts 2 North .
Dorset & Wilts 1 North (2009–present)
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Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Dorset & Wilts 1 North remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Southern Counties South and relegation to Dorset & Wilts 2 North .
Season
No of Teams
Champions
Runners–up
Relegated Teams
Ref
2009–10
12
Marlborough
Chippenham II
Corsham II , Swindon II
[ 21]
2010–11
12
Melksham
Chippenham II
Cricklade , Royal Wootton Bassett II
[ 22]
2011–12
12
Chippenham II [ i]
Supermarine
Bath Saracens , Fairford , Sutton Benger
[ 23]
2012–13
12
Chippenham II [ j]
Pewsey Vale
Avonvale , Marlborough
[ 24]
2013–14
12
Bradford-on-Avon
Minety
No relegation
[ 25]
2014–15
12
Marlborough
Combe Down
Calne , Cricklade
[ 26]
2015–16
12
Combe Down
Corsham
Colerne , Fairford
[ 27]
2016–17
12
Corsham
Bradford-on-Avon
Devizes II , Frome II
[ 28]
2017–18
12
Bradford-on-Avon
Combe Down
Swindon II
[ 29]
2018–19
12
Combe Down
Avonvale
Supermarine , Pewsey Vale
[ 30]
2019–20
12
Avonvale
Melksham
Bradford-on-Avon , Chippenham II
[ 31]
2020–21
12
Green backgrounds are promotion places.
Number of league titles
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^ Weymouth RFC would later be known as Weymouth & Portland RFC .
^ Since 2000, Berkshire clubs have played in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon leagues.
^ There was no relegation as league due to increase from 11 to 13 teams for the following season.
^ The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that six clubs were promoted including Marlborough , Corsham , North Dorset and Redingensians .
^ Restructuring caused by the cancellation of National League 5 South meant that there was no relegation.
^ Southern Counties was split into Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South as part of RFU restructuring at the end of the 1995–96 season.
^ No relegation due to league expansion from 8 teams to 10.
^ No relegation due to league restructure the following season as the league would split into 2 regional leagues - Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South.
^ Not promoted as Chippenham 1st team in the league above.
^ Not promoted as Chippenham 1st team in the league above.
^ Both of Bracknell's titles were won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ One of Devizes titles was when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ One of Sherborne's title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, the other when the league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
^ Both of Swindon's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ Blandford's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ Dorchester's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ Frome's title was won when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
^ Ivel Barbarians title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1. Ivel Barbarians are now known as Yeovil Rugby Club .
^ Royal Wootton Bassett's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ Swanage & Wareham's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ Tadley's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ Trowbridge's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ Westbury's title was won when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
^ Weymouth's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89 (17th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 123–139. ISBN 0 356 15884 5 .
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989–90 (18th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 133–136. ISBN 0 356 17862 5 .
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1990). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990–91 (19th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 143–146. ISBN 0 356 19162 1 .
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92 (20th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0 356 20249 6 .
^ Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93 (21st ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 176–179. ISBN 0 7472 7907 1 .
^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94 (22nd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing Ltd. pp. 157–160. ISBN 0 7472 7891 1 .
^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95 . London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7850 4 .
^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96 . London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7816 4 .
^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97 . London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7771 0 .
^ "1998-99 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "1999-00 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2000-01 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2001-02 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2002-03 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2003-04 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2004-05 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2005-06 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2006-07 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2007-08 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2008-09 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2009-10 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2010-11 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2011-12 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2012-13 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2013-14 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2014-15 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2015-16 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2016-17 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "2017-18 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018 .
^ "2018-19 South-West Division" . England Rugby . RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018 .
^ "Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF) . England Rugby . Retrieved 25 April 2020 .