Somerset 3 North

Somerset 3 North (known as Tribute Somerset 3 North for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the eleven level of league rugby union in England alongside its counterpart Somerset 3 South. When the division was founded in 1987 it was a single league known as Somerset 3, but since 2006 it has been split into two regional divisions.

Somerset 3 North

Current season or competition: 2020–21 Somerset 3 North
Sport	Rugby union
Instituted	1987 (as Somerset 3)
Number of teams	9
Country	England
Holders	Stothert & Pitt II (2nd title) (2019–20) (promoted to Somerset 2 North)
Most titles	Avonvale, St. Brendan's Old Boys, Stothert & Pitt II (2 titles)
Website	englandrugby.com

Somerset 3 North currently involves teams from the northern part of Somerset as well as teams based in south and west Bristol. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and even 4th XV sides can participate in the division as long as they are not from the same club. The league champions, and occasionally runners up, are promoted to Somerset 2 North and there is no relegation as this is the lowest level of league rugby in Somerset.

Teams 2019–20

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season Bristol Harlequins II Valhalla Brislington, Bristol N/A Chew Valley III Chew Lane Chew Magna Relegated from Somerset 2 North (12th) Imperial II South Bristol Sports Centre Hengrove, Bristol 4th Keynsham III Bristol Road Keynsham N/A Old Culverhaysians Odd Down Sports Ground Odd Down, Bath N/A St. Bernadette's Old Boys II Whitchurch Sports Ground Whitchurch, Bristol 5th Stothert & Pitt II Adams Field Bath 3rd Winscombe III Recreation Ground 1,200 Winscombe 7th Yatton III The Park Yatton 6th

B Quins Chew Valley II Imperial Keynsham III Culverhaysians Bernadettes S&P II Winscombe III Yatton II Locations of the 2019-20 Somerset 3 North teams

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this league (known as Somerset 3) was a single division containing the following teams from Somerset and parts of Bristol:

• Avonvale
• Backwell[lower-alpha 1]
• Bath Civil Service
• Castle Cary
• Chew Valley
• Morganians
• Old Ashtonians
• Tor
• Wincanton
• Westland[lower-alpha 2]

Somerset 3 honours

Somerset 3 (1987–1989)

The original Somerset 3 was a tier 11 league with promotion to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation.

Somerset 3
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
1987–88	10	Avonvale	Westland	No relegation	[4]
1988–89	12	Wiveliscombe	Tor	No relegation	[5]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 3A / 3B (1989–1990)

For the 1989–90 season Somerset 3 split into two regional leagues - Somerset 3A and Somerset 3B - both at tier 11 of the league system. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation.

Somerset 3
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	League Name	Ref
1989–90	7	Blagdon	Backwell	No relegation	Somerset 3A	[6]
	7	Wellington	Chard	No relegation	Somerset 3B	[6]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 3 (1990–1993)

After a single season Somerset 3 reverted to being a single division at tier 11 of the league system. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation.

Somerset 3
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
1990–91	12	Backwell	Westland	No relegation	[7]
1991–92	11	Chard	Bath Civil Services[lower-alpha 3]	No relegation	[8]
1992–93	7	Chew Valley	Old Ashtonians	No relegation	[9]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 3 (1993–1996)

The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Somerset 3 dropped to become a tier 12 league. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation.

Somerset 3
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
1993–94	9	St. Brendan's Old Boys	Cheddar Valley	No relegation	[10]
1994–95	9	Avonvale	Bath Saracens	No relegation	[11]
1995–96	9	St. Brendan's Old Boys	Cheddar Valley[lower-alpha 4]	No relegation	[12]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 3 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Somerset 3 reverted to being a tier 11 league. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 and there was no relegation. Somerset 3 was cancelled at the end of the 1999–00 season and all teams transferred into Somerset 2.

Somerset 3
Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
1996–97	6	British Gas	Burnham-on-Sea	No relegation	[13]
1997–98	5	Bath Old Edwardians	Bath Saracens	No relegation
1998–99	5	Castle Cary	Crewkerne	No relegation	[14]
1999–00	5	Martock[lower-alpha 5]	Bath Old Edwardians[lower-alpha 6]	No relegation	[15]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 3 North

After an absence of six years, Somerset 3 returned - now split into two regional tier 11 divisions - Somerset 3 North and Somerset 3 South. This restructuring was to enable 2nd XV and 3rd XV sides to play in the Somerset leagues for the first time. Promotion was now to Somerset 2 North[lower-alpha 7] and there was no relegation. From the 2007–08 season onward the league sponsor would be Tribute.

Somerset 3 North
Season	No of Teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated Teams	Ref
2006–07	12	Walcot III[lower-alpha 8]	Clevedon III	No relegation	[16]
2007–08	14	Clevedon III[lower-alpha 9]	Chew Valley II	No relegation	[17]
2008–09	14	Old Redcliffians III	Clevedon III	No relegation	[18]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Somerset 3 North (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Somerset 3 North and its counterpart Somerset 3 South, remained as tier 11 leagues. Promotion continued to Somerset 2 North and there was no relegation. The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute.

Somerset 3 North
Season	No of Teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated Teams	Ref
2009–10	13	Keynsham III	Walcot III	No relegation	[19]
2010–11	12	Avon II	Clevedon III	No relegation	[20]
2011–12	13	Old Redcliffians IV[lower-alpha 10]	Midsomer Norton III	No relegation	[21]
2012–13	7	Nailsea & Backwell II	Bath Old Edwardians	No relegation	[22]
2013–14	11	Stothert & Pitt II	Imperial II	No relegation	[23]
2014–15	13	Midsomer Norton III	Bristol Barbarians II	No relegation	[24]
2015–16	9	Whitehall II	Bath Old Edwardians	No relegation	[25]
2016–17	10	Bristol Telephone Area	Barton Hill II	No relegation	[26]
2017–18	10	Barton Hill II	Clevedon III[lower-alpha 11]	No relegation	[27]
2018–19	7	Clevedon II	Nailsea & Backwell II	No relegation	[28]
2019–20	9	Stothert & Pitt II	Chew Valley III	No relegation	[29]
2020–21
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

• Avonvale (2)[lower-alpha 12]
• St. Brendan's Old Boys(2)[lower-alpha 13]
• Stothert & Pitt II (2)
• Backwell (1)[lower-alpha 14]
• Avon II (1)
• Barton Hill II (1)
• Bath Old Edwardians (1)[lower-alpha 15]
• Blagdon (1)[lower-alpha 16]
• British Gas (1)[lower-alpha 17]
• Bristol Telephone Area (1)
• Castle Cary (1)[lower-alpha 18]
• Chard (1)[lower-alpha 19]
• Chew Valley (1)[lower-alpha 20]
• Clevedon II (1)[lower-alpha 21]
• Clevedon III (1)
• Keynsham III (1)
• Martock (1)[lower-alpha 22]
• Midsomer Norton III (1)
• Nailsea & Backwell II (1)[lower-alpha 23]
• Old Redcliffians III (1)[lower-alpha 24]
• Old Redcliffians IV (1)
• Walcot III (1)
• Wellington (1)[lower-alpha 25]
• Whitehall II (1)
• Wiveliscombe (1)[lower-alpha 26]

See also

• South West Division RFU
• Somerset RFU
• Somerset Premier
• Somerset 1
• Somerset 2 North
• Somerset 2 South
• Somerset 3 South
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

Notes

1. Backwell are now known as Nailsea & Backwell RFC.[1]
2. Westland would later merge with Yeovil to form Ivel Barbarians in 1995.[2] Ivel Barbarians would in turn be renamed as Yeovil Rugby Club in 2014.[3]
3. Restructuring of the majority of the south west leagues from 11 to 13 teams meant that five clubs were promoted including Avon, Bath Old Edwardians and Castle Cary.
4. 3rd place Castle Cary also promoted.
5. Champions Martock would be promoted into Dorset & Wilts 2 North instead of Somerset 2.
6. Due to the cancellation of Somerset 3 at the end of the 1999–00 season all clubs were promoted into different divisions. Bath Old Edwardians, Cheddar Valley and Morganians would join Somerset 2, while Wincanton would join champions Martock in Dorset & Wilts 2 North.
7. Somerset 2 had also split into two regional divisions - Somerset 2 North and Somerset 2 South - at the start of the 2006–07 season.
8. Despite finishing as champions, Walcot III were not promoted as the club's 2nd XV were already in Somerset 2 North.
9. Despite finishing as champions, Clevedon III were not promoted as the club's 2nd XV were already in Somerset 2 North.
10. Despite finishing as champions, Old Redcliffians IV would drop out of the Somerset leagues before the start of the new season.
11. Runners up Clevedon III would drop out of the league as the club's 2nd XV were relegated from Somerset 1 at the end of the season, dropping two divisions down into Somerset 3 North.
12. Both of Avonvale's titles were for Somerset 3.
13. Both of St. Brendan's Old Boys titles were for Somerset 3.
14. Backwell's title was for Somerset 3. Now known as Nailsea & Backwell, the club has won the division twice - the 2nd XV having won Somerset 3 North.
15. Bath Old Edwardians title was for Somerset 3.
16. Blagdon's title was for Somerset 3.
17. British Gas's title was for Somerset 3.
18. Castle Cary's title was for Somerset 3.
19. Chard's title was for Somerset 3.
20. Chew Valley's title was for Somerset 3.
21. as a club Clevedon have won Somerset 3 North twice - once by the 2nd XV, once by the 3rd XV.
22. Martock's title was for Somerset 3.
23. 2nd XV of club formerly known as Backwell]
24. as a club Old Redcliffians have won Somerset 3 North twice - once by the 3rd XV, once by the 4th XV.
25. Wellington's title was for Somerset 3.
26. Wiveliscombe's title was for Somerset 3.

References

1. "Extension plans for popular rugby club". North Somerset Times. 28 January 2016.
2. "Yeovil Rugby Club History". Yeovil Rugby Club. 3 May 2017.
3. "RUGBY: Ivel Barbarians are becoming Yeovil Rugby Club". Yeovil Press. 15 August 2014.
4. 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.
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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7850-4.
11. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7816-4.
12. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7771-0.
13. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7732-X.
14. "1998-99 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
15. "1999-00 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
16. "2006-07 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
17. "2007-08 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
18. "2008-09 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
19. "2009-10 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
20. "2010-11 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
21. "2011-12 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
22. "2012-13 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
23. "2013-14 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
24. "2014-15 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
25. "2015-16 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
26. "2016-17 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
27. "2017-18 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
28. "2018-19 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
29. "Men's South West Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.