Level 9 rugby league in England
Counties 2 Hampshire (formerly Hampshire Premier) is an English level 8 Rugby Union league for teams based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight . Up until the 2017–18 season it was known as Hampshire 1 but was changed to Hampshire Premier due to restructuring of the Hampshire leagues, which would see the re-introduction of a third division as well as 2nd and 3rd XV sides joining for the first time. Following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name Counties 2 Hampshire .
Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Promoted teams move up to Counties 1 Hampshire . Relegated teams drop down to Counties 3 Hampshire .
The points system is as follows.
4 points awarded for a win.
2 points awarded for a draw.
0 points awarded for a loss.
1 "bonus" (+) point awarded for scoring 4 tries (or more).
1 "bonus" (+) point awarded for losing by 7 points (or fewer).
No team can get more than 5 points in a match. Points awarded are the same regardless of outcome at home or away. The new point system has been in effect since 2010–11 season.
Teams for 2024–25
Departing were Guernsey Vikings , Sandown & Shanklin and Basingstoke , all promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire . Tottonians II were relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire .
Joining were Havant III , Isle Of Wight, Fareham Heathans, all promoted, and Petersfield II .
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Chichester II
Oaklands Park
Chichester , West Sussex
8th
Fareham Heathens
Cams Alders Recreation Centre
Fareham , Hampshire
Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (runners-up)
Fordingbridge
The Recreation Ground
Fordingbridge , Hampshire
7th
Havant III
Hook's Lane
1,500
Bedhampton , Havant , Hampshire
Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (champions)
Isle Of Wight
Footways
Wootton , Isle of Wight
Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (3rd)
Locksheath Pumas
Wide Lane Sports Ground
Eastleigh , Hampshire
9th
Millbrook
Lordshill Recreational Ground
Southampton , Hampshire
5th
Petersfield II
Penn's Place
Petersfield , Hampshire
New entry
United Services Portsmouth
Burnaby Road
8,000
Portsmouth , Hampshire
4th
Winchester II
North Walls Park
Winchester , Hampshire
7th
Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 2 Hampshire teams in Hampshire & West Sussex
Teams for 2023–24
Departing were Ellingham & Ringwood, Bognor and New Milton & District, all promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire . Alresford and Eastleigh II were relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire .
Joining were Guernsey Vikings , Locksheath Pumas and Winchester II , all promoted, and Basingstoke , relegated. Alton finished 11th in Counties 1 Hampshire the previous season and would also have been relegated too but declined to compete in the RFU leagues in 2023-24.
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Basingstoke
Down Grange
Basingstoke , Hampshire
Relegated from Counties 1 Hampshire
Chichester II
Oaklands Park
Chichester , West Sussex
8th
Fordingbridge
The Recreation Ground
Fordingbridge , Hampshire
7th
Guernsey Vikings
Footes Lane
5,000 (720 seats)
Saint Peter Port , Guernsey
Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (3rd)
Locksheath Pumas
Wide Lane Sports Ground
Eastleigh , Hampshire
Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (3rd)
Millbrook
Lordshill Recreational Ground
Southampton , Hampshire
6th
Sandown & Shanklin
The Fairway Ground
Sandown , Isle of Wight
4th
Tottonians II
Water Lane
Totton , Hampshire
9th
United Services Portsmouth
Burnaby Road
8,000
Portsmouth , Hampshire
5th
Winchester II
North Walls Park
Winchester , Hampshire
Promoted from Counties 3 Hampshire (runners-up)
Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 2 Hampshire teams in Hampshire & West Sussex
Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 2 Hampshire teams on the Isle of Wight
Teams for 2022–23
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[ 1] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Hampshire.
Departing were Havant II and Gosport & Fareham both promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire . Also leaving were Locksheath Pumas, relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire .
Joining were United Services Portsmouth and Tottonians 2XV.
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Alresford
Alresford Recreation Centre
New Alresford , Hampshire
7th
Bognor
Hampshire Avenue
Bognor Regis , West Sussex
3rd
Chichester II
Oaklands Park
Chichester , West Sussex
10th
Eastleigh II
The Hub
Eastleigh , Hampshire
9th
Ellingham & Ringwood
Parsonage Barn Lane
Ringwood , Hampshire
5th
Fordingbridge
The Recreation Ground
Fordingbridge , Hampshire
11th
Millbrook
Lordshill Recreational Ground
Southampton , Hampshire
8th
New Milton & District
Ashley Recreation Ground
Ashley , New Milton , Hampshire
6th
Sandown & Shanklin
The Fairway Ground
Sandown , Isle of Wight
4th
Tottonians II
Water Lane
Totton , Hampshire
Promoted from Hampshire 1 ) (champions)
United Services Portsmouth
Burnaby Road
8,000
Portsmouth , Hampshire
Promoted from Hampshire 1 ) (runners-up)
Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 2 Hampshire teams in Hampshire & West Sussex
Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 2 Hampshire teams on the Isle of Wight
Teams for 2021–22
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.
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Alresford
Alresford Recreation Centre
New Alresford , Hampshire
9th
Bognor
Hampshire Avenue
Bognor Regis , West Sussex
4th
Chichester II
Oaklands Park
Chichester , West Sussex
Promoted from Hampshire 1 (champions)
Eastleigh II
The Hub
Eastleigh , Hampshire
11th
Ellingham & Ringwood
Parsonage Barn Lane
Ringwood , Hampshire
10th
Gosport & Fareham
Gosport Park
Gosport , Hampshire
Relegated from London 3 South West (11th)
Fordingbridge
The Recreation Ground
Fordingbridge , Hampshire
7th
Havant II
Hook's Lane
1,500
Bedhampton , Havant , Hampshire
3rd
Locksheath Pumas
Wide Lane Sports Ground
Eastleigh , Hampshire
Promoted from Hampshire 1 (4th)
Millbrook
Lordshill Recreational Ground
Southampton , Hampshire
8th
New Milton & District
Ashley Recreation Ground
Ashley , New Milton , Hampshire
6th
Sandown & Shanklin
The Fairway Ground
Sandown , Isle of Wight
5th
Locations of the 2021-22 Hampshire Premier teams in Hampshire & West Sussex
Locations of the 2021-22 Hampshire Premier teams on the Isle of Wight
Season 2020–21
On 30 October the RFU announced[ 2] that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Hampshire Premier was not contested.
Teams for 2019–20
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Alresford
Alresford Recreation Centre
New Alresford , Hampshire
7th
Alton
Antsey Park
Alton , Hampshire
Promoted from Hampshire 1 (champions)
Bognor
Hampshire Avenue
Bognor Regis , West Sussex
3rd
Eastleigh II
The Hub
Eastleigh , Hampshire
9th
Ellingham & Ringwood
Parsonage Barn Lane
Ringwood , Hampshire
Promoted from Hampshire 1 (runners up)
Fareham Heathens
Cams Alders Recreation Centre
Fareham , Hampshire
8th
Farnborough
Oak Farm Playing Fields
Farnborough , Hampshire
Promoted from Hampshire 1 (3rd)
Fordingbridge
The Recreation Ground
Fordingbridge , Hampshire
4th
Havant II
Hook's Lane
1,500
Bedhampton , Havant , Hampshire
N/A
Millbrook
Lordshill Recreational Ground
Southampton , Hampshire
6th
New Milton & District
Ashley Recreation Ground
Ashley , New Milton , Hampshire
5th
Petersfield
Penn's Place
Petersfield , Hampshire
Relegated from London 3 SW (11th)
Sandown & Shanklin
The Fairway Ground
Sandown , Isle of Wight
Runners up (lost playoff)
Locations of the 2019-20 Hampshire Premier teams in Hampshire & West Sussex
Locations of the 2019-20 Hampshire Premier teams on the Isle of Wight
Teams for 2018–19
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Alresford
Alresford Recreation Centre
New Alresford , Hampshire
7th
Basingstoke
Down Grange
2,500 (250 seats)
Basingstoke , Hampshire
Relegated from London 3 SW (12th)
Bognor
Hampshire Avenue
Bognor Regis , West Sussex
2nd (lost playoff)
Eastleigh II
The Hub
Eastleigh , Hampshire
N/A
Fareham Heathens
Cams Alders Recreation Centre
Fareham , Hampshire
6th
Fordingbridge
The Recreation Ground
Fordingbridge , Hampshire
4th
Gosport & Fareham II
Gosport Park
Gosport , Hampshire
N/A
Millbrook
Lordshill Recreational Ground
Southampton , Hampshire
3rd
New Milton & District
Ashley Recreation Ground
Ashley , New Milton , Hampshire
Relegated from London 3 SW (11th)
Portsmouth II
The Rugby Camp
Portsmouth , Hampshire
N/A
Sandown & Shanklin
The Fairway Ground
Sandown , Isle of Wight
5th
Tottonians II
Water Lane
Totton , Hampshire
N/A
Locations of the 2018-19 Hampshire Premier teams in Hampshire & West Sussex
Locations of the 2018-19 Hampshire Premier teams on the Isle of Wight
Teams for 2017–18
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Alresford
Alresford Recreation Centre
New Alresford , Hampshire
Promoted from Hampshire 2 (champions)
Bognor
Hampshire Avenue
Bognor Regis , West Sussex
Relegated from London 3 South West (12th)
Ellingham & Ringwood
Parsonage Barn Lane
Ringwood , Hampshire
5th
Fareham Heathens
Cams Alders Recreation Centre
Fareham , Hampshire
7th
Fordingbridge
The Recreation Ground
Fordingbridge , Hampshire
3rd
Isle Of Wight
Footways
Wootton , Isle of Wight
6th
Millbrook
Lordshill Recreational Ground
Southampton , Hampshire
Relegated from London 3 South West (11th)
Overton
The Old Cricket Ground
Laverstoke , Hampshire
Promoted from Hampshire 2 (runners up)
Sandown & Shanklin
The Fairway Ground
Sandown , Isle of Wight
4th
United Services Portsmouth
Burnaby Road
8,000
Portsmouth , Hampshire
Relegated from London 3 South West (10th)
Ventnor
Watcombe Bottom
Ventnor , Isle of Wight
8th
Locations of the 2017-18 Hampshire 1 teams in Hampshire & West Sussex
Locations of the 2017-18 Hampshire 1 teams on the Isle of Wight
Teams for 2016–17
Teams and results for 2015–16
Position
Team
Games
Won
Drew
Lost
Points
1
Millbrook
20
18
0
2
89
2
Bognor
20
18
0
2
88
3
Fareham Heathens
20
17
0
3
78
4
Fordlingbridge
20
11
0
9
55
5
Sandown & Shanklin
20
11
0
9
54
6
Chineham
20
10
0
10
52
7
Farnborough
20
7
1
12
38
8
Isle of Wight
20
5
0
15
32
9
Petersfield
20
5
1
14
26
10
Ellingham & Ringwood
20
6
0
14
22
11
Locksheath Pumas
20
1
0
19
3
Teams and results for 2014–15
Position
Team
Games
Won
Drew
Lost
For
Against
Difference
+ Points
Points
1
United Services, Portsmouth
18
18
0
0
807
266
541
18
90
2
Millbrook
18
15
0
3
557
277
280
14
76
3
Bognor
18
13
0
5
523
334
189
13
65
4
Fordingbridge
18
12
0
6
627
404
223
14
62
5
Fareham Heathens
18
11
0
7
418
332
86
10
54
6
Petersfield
18
6
0
12
394
505
-111
11
35
7
Isle of Wight
18
5
0
13
323
653
-330
4
24
8
Farnborough
18
4
0
14
331
479
-148
9
20
9
Romsey
18
4
0
14
273
604
-331
4
20
10
Alton
18
2
0
16
232
631
-399
6
9
Fareham and Petersfield promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.
Teams and results for 2013–14
Position
Team
Games
Won
Drew
Lost
Points
1
Andover
22
19
0
3
93
2
Fordingbridge
22
19
0
3
93
3
Millbrook
22
17
0
5
86
4
United Services, Portsmouth
22
15
0
7
76
5
Solent Uni
22
15
0
7
70
6
Farnborough
22
13
0
9
65
7
Bognor
22
10
0
12
56
8
Romsey
22
6
0
16
34
9
Isle of Wight
22
6
0
16
33
10
Alton
22
6
0
16
30
11
Southampton
22
5
0
17
25
12
Overton
22
1
0
21
9
Solent Uni promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.
Andover promoted to London South West 3 at the end of the season.
Southampton and Overton demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
Teams and results for 2012–13
Position
Team
Games
Won
Drew
Lost
Points
1
New Milton & District
22
20
0
2
98
2
Fordingbridge
22
17
0
5
85
3
Alton
22
17
0
5
82
4
Millbrook
22
14
0
8
71
5
United Services, Portsmouth
22
12
1
9
63
6
Andover
22
13
0
9
62
7
Farnborough
22
10
0
12
54
8
Romsey
22
8
1
13
44
9
Isle of Wight
22
8
0
14
42
10
Southampton
22
5
1
16
30
11
Petersfield
22
2
2
18
18
12
Aldershot & Fleet
22
3
1
17
17
Southampton promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.
New Milton & District promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.
Aldershot & Fleet and Petersfield demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
Teams and results for 2011-12
Position
Team
Games
Won
Drew
Lost
+ Points
Points
1
Eastleigh
22
21
0
1
16
100
2
Fordingbridge
22
18
0
4
16
88
3
United Services, Portsmouth
22
16
0
6
17
81
4
Millbrook
22
17
0
5
12
80
5
New Milton & District
22
13
0
9
16
68
6
Isle of Wight
22
13
0
9
11
63
7
Petersfield
22
12
0
10
9
57
8
Romsey
22
8
0
14
7
39
9
Farnborough
22
1
5
17
18
38
10
Ventnor
22
5
0
16
2
22
11
Lytchett Minster
22
2
0
19
1
9
12
Southsea Nomads
22
2
0
18
-1
7
Southsea Nomads promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.
Lytchett Minster transferred to Dorset and Wilts Regional Leagues at the end of the season.
Eastleigh promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.
Southsea Nomads and Ventnor demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
Teams and results for 2010-11
Position
Team
Games
Won
Drew
Lost
Points
1
Andover
20
18
0
2
86
2
Eastleigh
20
16
0
4
75
3
Millbrook
20
13
0
7
66
4
New Milton & District
20
13
0
7
60
5
Farnborough
20
10
0
10
52
6
United Services, Portsmouth
20
11
0
9
48
7
Romsey
20
9
0
11
41
8
Ventnor
20
6
1
13
34
9
Isle of Wight
20
6
0
14
32
10
Southampton
20
5
0
15
28
11
Fareham Heathens
20
2
1
17
12
Andover promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.
Fareham Heathens and Southampton demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
Teams and results for 2009-10
Position
Team
Games
Won
Drew
Lost
Points
1
Alton
20
19
0
1
38
2
Petersfield
19
16
0
3
32
3
Eastleigh
20
15
0
5
30
4
Millbrook
20
11
1
8
23
5
Romsey
20
11
0
9
22
6
Southampton
20
10
0
10
20
7
New Milton & District
20
7
0
13
14
8
United Services, Portsmouth
20
6
1
13
13
9
Farnborough
20
6
0
14
12
10
Fareham Heathens
20
5
1
14
11
11
Aldershot & Fleet
19
1
1
17
3
Alton promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.
Aldershot & Fleet demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
Teams and results for 2008-09
Position
Team
Games
Won
Drew
Lost
Points
1
Fordingbridge
18
14
1
3
29
2
Sandown & Shanklin
18
12
2
4
26
3
United Services, Portsmouth
18
11
2
5
24
4
Farnborough
18
11
0
7
22
5
Alton
18
8
1
9
17
6
Romsey
18
6
1
11
13
7
New Milton & District
18
8
0
10
12
8
Eastleigh
18
5
1
12
11
9
Southampton
18
5
0
13
10
10
East Dorset
18
6
0
11
8
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Hampshire 1) contained the following teams:
Hampshire Premier honours
Hampshire 1 (1987–1993)
Originally known as Hampshire 1, it was tier 8 league with promotion up to London 3 South West and relegation down to Hampshire 2 .
Hampshire 1 (1993–1996)
The creation of National 5 South meant that Hampshire 1 dropped from a tier 8 league to a tier 9 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion and relegation continued to London 3 South West and Hampshire 2 respectively.
Hampshire 1 (1996–2000)
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Hampshire 1 reverted to being a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to London 3 South West and Hampshire 2 respectively.
Hampshire 1 (2000–2009)
The introduction of London 4 South West ahead of the 2000–01 season meant Hampshire 1 dropped to become a tier 9 league with promotion to this new division. Relegation continued to Hampshire 1 .
Hampshire 1 (2009–2018)
Hampshire 1 remained a tier 9 league despite national restructuring by the RFU . Promotion was to London 3 South West (formerly London 4 South West) and relegation to Hampshire 2 .
Season
No of Teams
Champions
Runners–up
Relegated Teams
2009–10[ 14]
11
Alton
Petersfield
Aldershot & Fleet
2010–11[ 15]
11
Andover
Eastleigh
Fareham Heathens , Southampton
2011–12[ 16]
12
Eastleigh
Fordingbridge
Nomads , Lytchett Minster , Ventnor
2012–13[ 17]
12
New Milton & District
Fordingbridge
Aldershot & Fleet , Petersfield
2013–14[ 18]
12
Andover
Fordingbridge
Overton , Southampton
2014–15[ 19]
10[ e]
United Services Portsmouth
Millbrook
Alton , Romsey
2015–16[ 21]
11
Millbrook
Bognor
Locksheath Pumas [ f]
2016–17[ 22]
11
Petersfield
New Milton & District
Chineham , Farnborough , Romsey
2017–18[ 23]
11
United Services Portsmouth
Bognor
Ventnor , Overton , Isle of Wight , Ellingham & Ringwood [ g]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.
Hampshire Premier (2018–present)
Restructuring of the Hampshire leagues saw Hampshire 1 renamed as Hampshire Premier. It remained a tier 9 league with promotion to London 3 South West and relegation to the new Hampshire 1 (formerly Hampshire 2).
Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Hampshire Premier and Surrey 1 for the third and final promotion place to London 3 South West . The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Surrey 1 teams have been the most successful with twelve wins to the Hampshire Premier teams seven; and the home team has won promotion on eleven occasions compared to the away teams eight.
Hampshire Premier v Surrey 1 promotion play-off results
Season
Home team
Score
Away team
Venue
Attendance
2000–01[ 26]
Trojans (H)
15-14
Kingston (S)
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh , Hampshire
2001–02[ 27]
Southampton (H)
27-18
KCS Old Boys (S)
Test Park Playing Fields, Southampton , Hampshire
2002–03[ 28]
Farnborough (H)
5-63
Old Paulines (S)
Oak Farm Playing Fields, Farnborough , Hampshire
2003–04[ 29]
Trojans (H)
14-46
Old Reigatian (S)
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh , Hampshire
2004–05[ 30]
London Cornish (S)
27-14
Sandown & Shanklin (H)
Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields, Roehampton , London
2005–06[ 31]
United Services Portsmouth (H)
20-28
Old Caterhamians (S)
United Services Recreation Ground , Portsmouth , Hampshire
2006–07[ 32]
London South Africa (S)
71-10
Ellingham & Ringwood (H)
Wimbledon Park Athletics Stadium, Wimbledon , London
2007–08[ 33]
Sandown & Shanklin (H)
15-16
Old Alleynians (S)
The Fairway Ground, Sandown , Isle of Wight
2008–09[ 34]
Sandown & Shanklin (H)
17-10
Old Whitgiftian (S)
The Fairway Ground, Sandown , Isle of Wight
2009–10[ 35]
Petersfield (H)
19-15
Old Whitgiftian (S)
Penn's Place, Petersfield , Hampshire
2010–11[ 36]
Eastleigh (H)
30-10
Old Blues (S)
The Hub, Eastleigh , Hampshire
2011–12[ 37]
Fordingbridge (H)
11-29
Old Paulines (S)
The Recreation Ground, Fordingbridge , Hampshire
2012–13[ 38]
Old Cranleighans (S)
21-19
Fordingbridge (H)
The Old Cranleighan Club, Thames Ditton , Surrey
2013–14[ 39]
Fordingbridge (H)
6-36
Old Tonbridgians (S)
The Recreation Ground, Fordingbridge , Hampshire
2014–15[ 40]
Camberley (S)
49-10
Millbrook (H)
Watchetts Recreation Ground, Camberley , Surrey
2015–16[ 41]
Bognor (H)
HWO[ h]
Old Freemens (S)
Hampshire Avenue, Bognor Regis , West Sussex
2016–17[ 42]
New Milton & District (H)
41-17
Old Whitgiftian (S)
Normans Way, Ashley , Hampshire
2017–18[ 43]
Bognor (H)
7-52
Old Georgians (S)
Hampshire Avenue, Bognor Regis , West Sussex
2018–19[ 44]
Sandown & Shanklin (H)
18-22
Weybridge Vandals (S)
The Fairway Ground, Sandown , Isle of Wight
2019–20
Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom . Best ranked runner up - Alton (H) - promoted instead.
2020–21
Green background is the promoted team. H = Hampshire Premier and S = Surrey 1
Number of league titles
See also
Notes
^ Would later merge with Fareham RFC to form Gosport & Fareham RFC .
^ 3rd place Farnborough also promoted.
^ As the league was to increase from 9 to 10 teams for the following season, there was no relegation.
^ There was no relegation as East Dorset (who would finish 7th) dropped out of the Hampshire league at the end of the season and joined Dorset & Wilts 3 South .
^ There was originally 11 teams in the league but Solent University had to withdraw from the league due to difficulties fielding a regular match squad.[ 20]
^ Only one team was relegated at the end of the season as Hampshire 2 would go from 10 to 9 teams the following seasons.
^ The restructuring of the Hampshire leagues for the following season and introduction of 2nd XV teams meant that there were more relegated teams than usual.
^ Bognor were promoted as Old Freemens did not manage to raise a team for the 2015-16 play-off game.
References
Governing body National teams
International competitions
Competition divisions
European competitions National competitions London and South East competitions Midland competitions Northern competitions South West competitions County competitions Discontinued competitions Related articles Other