Counties 1 Hertfordshire

Counties 1 Hertfordshire
Current season or competition:
2025–26 Counties 1 Hertfordshire
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987) (as London 3 North West)
Number of teams10
Country England
HoldersBrunel University (2024–25)
Most titlesHertford, Tabard (3 titles)
Websiteenglandrugby.com

Counties 1 Hertfordshire (formerly Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex and before that London 2 North West) is a tier 7 English Rugby Union league. It is organised by the London and South East Division Rugby Football Union and is the top-tier competition for clubs primarily in Hertfordshire together with others from parts of north-west London (that traditionally was encompassed by the historic county of Middlesex) and Essex. It was previously known as London 2 North West. After the restructuring of the English rugby union system ahead of the 2022–23 season, the league was renamed to Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex. Ahead of the 2025–26 season a decision was taken to split Hertfordshire RFU and Middlesex RFU clubs, with Middlesex teams moving on a level transfer to Counties 1 Middlesex while club 2XVs were introduced to the league. Brunel University are the current champions.

Each year the two Hertfordshire clubs in this division with the best record against other Hertfordshire clubs also take part in the Hertfordshire Presidents' Cup, the highest level county cup competition in Hertfordshire. Promoted teams typically go up to Regional 2 Thames while relegated teams drop to Counties 2 Hertfordshire.

Format

The champions are promoted to Regional 2 Thames while one or two teams are relegated to Counties 2 Hertsfordshire. Since 2025–26 the league includes Essex clubs precluded from competing in Essex Rugby leagues which don't permit reserve sides in first XV leagues. The season runs from September to April and comprises eighteen rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. 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, however
  • 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.

2026–27

Departing were Cheshunt promoted to Regional 2 Anglia. Also leaving on a level transfer to Counties 1 Essex were Eton Manor II (5th) and Southend Priors (9th). There was no relegation.

2025–26

This was the first season with the league containing mainly Hertfordshire RFU clubs. Leaving on a level transfer to the newly re-formed Counties 1 Middlesex league were Chiswick (9th), Ealing Trailfinders 1871 (4th), Finchley (3rd), Ruislip (6th) and Old Streetonians (5th). Also departing were Brunel University promoted to Regional 2 Thames while Hackney (11th) and Datchworth (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Middlesex and Counties 2 Hertfordshire respectively.

2024–25

Departing were London Scottish Lions promoted to Regional 2 Thames, and Enfield Ignatians and Hampstead relegated to Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex. Joining were Brunel University and Ealing Trailfinders 1871, promoted from Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex, together with Fullerians, relegated from Regional 2 Thames.

League table

Counties 1 Herts/Middx 2024–25
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Adjust
1Brunel University (P) 2220111085326759201104+1
2Cheshunt 221813102835667218294
3Finchley 22180479827452417493
4Ealing Trailfinders 1871 22180476830746113289+2
5Old Streetonians 2211110519603−849257
6Ruislip 229112546747−20113354
7Welwyn 229013423773−35010248
8Hitchin 228113442748−3068144+1
9Chiswick 228014442674−2329344
10Fullerians 225116367605−2386533
11Hackney (R) 223019262802−5403116
12Datchworth (R) 222020326791−4652212
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places.
Source:[1]

2023–24

Departing were Hemel Hempstead and Grasshoppers, promoted to Regional 2 Thames. There was no relegation. Joining were Cheshunt and London Scottish Lions, both promoted from Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex.

League table

Counties 1 Herts/Middx 2023–24
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Adjust
1London Scottish Lions (P) 22180483234648617191+1
2Old Streetonians 22180472844728113085
3Finchley 22161575532543015384
4Cheshunt 22151679839240617281
5Chiswick 22152566240026212178−1
6Welwyn 22120104574471011262−1
7Hitchin 2210012523593−7010252
8Ruislip 228014539642−10310345
9Hackney 226016368585−2176434
10Datchworth 226016330792−4625332
11Hampstead (R) 224018438732−2949323−5
12Enfield Ignatians (R) 222020246975−729222−10
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places.
Source:[2]

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. The league was substantially similar to London 2 North West with eight of the teams competing in the previous season, while the top four moved to Regional 2 Thames or Regional 2 Anglia. They were replaced with the top three from London 3 North West and Chiswick on a level transfer from London 2 South West.

League table

Counties 1 Herts/Middx 2022–23
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Adjust
1Hemel Hempstead (P) 22200273534738817097
2Grasshoppers (P) 22180471941430518394+1
3Chiswick 22170561041819214385
4Old Streetonians 22140865944821113574
5Hitchin 22121965848017815470−1
6Ruislip 2210012451591−14010455−1
7Finchley 229013511518−711552
8Welwyn 229013545673−12811451
9Hampstead 228014506629−1239243
10Datchworth 226115404645−2418337
11Hackney 224018355557−2024525
12Enfield Ignatians 224018298731−4334222
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background are the promotion places.
Source:[3]

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 and not 2020–21.

Season 2020–21

On 30 October, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, the RFU announced that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020–21 season meaning London 2 North West was not contested.[4]

2019–20

2018–19

2017–18

2016–17

2015–16

2014–15

2013–14

2012–13

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division, known as London 3 North West, contained the following teams:

Counties 1 Herts honours

London 3 North West (1987–1993)

Originally known as London 3 North West, this division was a tier 7 league with promotion to London 2 North and relegation to either Hertfordshire 1 or Middlesex 1.

London 3 North West
Season No of teams Champions Runner-up Relegated teams
1987–8811Bishop's StortfordHendonOld Paulines, Twickenham
1988–8911FinchleyTabardLetchworth Garden City, Hendon, Harrow
1989–9011TabardFulleriansTwickenham, Bacavians
1990–9111Letchworth Garden CityHertfordMill Hill, Uxbridge
1991–9211Upper ClaptonLensburySt. Mary's Hospital, Hemel Hempstead
1992–9313VerulamiansLetchworth Garden CityHarpenden, Old Millhillians
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

London 3 North West (1993–1996)

At the end of the 1992–93 season, the top six teams from London 1 and the top six from South West 1 were combined to create National 5 South. As a consequent, London 3 North West dropped from a tier 7 league to a tier 8 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to London 2 North, while relegation was to the newly introduced Herts/Middlesex.

London 3 North West
Season No of teams Champions Runner-up Relegated teams
1993–9413StainesLetchworth Garden CityOld Meadonians, Fullerians
1994–9513HertfordGrasshoppersLondon New Zealand, Upper Clapton
1995–9613Old AlbanianOld GaytoniansMill Hill, Old Elizabethans
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

London 3 North West (1996–2000)

With the cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season London 3 North West reverted to being a tier 7 league. Promotion continued to London 2 North, while relegation was to Herts/Middlesex 1 (formerly Herts/Middlesex).

London 3 North West
Season No of teams Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Ref
1996–9713Old Merchant Taylors'Welwyn[c]No relegation[d]
1997–9817HarpendenHertfordHackney, Haringey Rhinos
1998–9917London NigerianHertfordHarlequin Amateurs[5]
1999–0017HertfordEaling TrailfindersMultiple teams[e][6]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

London 3 North West (2000–2009)

London 3 North West continued to be a tier 7 league with promotion to London 2 North. With the introduction of London 4 North West ahead of the 2000–01 season clubs were now relegated to this division instead of Herts/Middlesex 1.

London 3 North West
Season No of teams Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Ref
2000–0110HertfordTwickenhamWelwyn[7]
2001–0210Bank of EnglandLetchworth Garden CityOld Merchant Taylors' Lambs,[f] Finchley[8]
2002–0310London ScottishEaling TrailfindersRuislip, Metropolitan Police[9]
2003–049Civil ServiceSt AlbansWest London[10]
2004–0512St AlbansBank of EnglandCheshunt, Verulamians[11]
2005–0612WoodfordTringFullerians, Barnet Elizabethans[12]
2006–0712RuislipWelwynBank of England, Haringey Rhinos[13]
2007–0812Stevenage TownImperial MedicalsVauxhall Motors, Datchworth[14]
2008–0912HarpendenHampsteadNo relegation due to league restructuring [g][15]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

London 2 North West (2009–present)

Nationwide league restructuring by the RFU ahead of the 2009–10 season saw London 3 North West renamed as London 2 North West. It remained at level 7 with promotion to London 1 North (formerly London 2 North) and relegation to London 3 North West (formerly London 4 North West).

London 2 North West
Season No of teams Champions Runner-up Relegated teams Ref
2009–1012TabardHammersmith & FulhamFinchley, London Nigerian[16]
2010–1112Hammersmith & FulhamHarpendenWest London, London New Zealand[17]
2011–1212Old HaberdashersStevenage TownWelwyn, Imperial Medicals[18]
2012–1312TabardHemel HempsteadFullerians, Grasshoppers[19]
2013–1412Old PrioriansTwickenhamLondon Nigerian, UCS Old Boys[20]
2014–1512HarrowChiswickHemel Hempstead, St Albans[21]
2015–1612FulleriansHammersmith & FulhamOld Merchant Taylors', Staines[22]
2016–1712Old HaberdashersHonourable Artillery Company (H.A.C.)Stockwood Park, Welwyn[23]
2017–1812Honourable Artillery Company (H.A.C.)HampsteadTabard, Harrow[24]
2018–1911[h]Belsize ParkHarpendenEnfield Ignatians[25]
2019–2012London WelshHammersmith & FulhamLuton, Welwyn[26]
2020–2114Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–2214Honourable Artillery Company (H.A.C.)Letchworth Garden CityNo relegation
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex (2022–25)

Following league reorganisation, London 2 North West is renamed Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is to Regional 2 Thames and relegation to Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex.

Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex
Season No of teams Champions Runner-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2022–2312Hemel HempsteadGrasshoppersNo relegation. Enfield Ignatians (12th)[3]
2023–2412London Scottish LionsOld StreetoniansHampstead (11th) and Enfield Ignatians (12th)[2]
2024–2512Brunel UniversityCheshuntHackney (11th) and Datchworth (12th)[1]

Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Counties 1 Herts (2025– )

The league was renamed and now only contains clubs from Hertfordshire. It continues to be a tier 7 league.The Middlesex clubs were level transferred to the newly re-formed Counties 1 Middlesex. Promotion is to Regional 2 Thames and relegation to Counties 2 Hertfordshire

Counties 1 Hertsfordshire
Season No of teams Champions Runner-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2025–2610

Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

From 2000–01 season to 2018–19 there was a play-off between the runners-up of London 2 North East and London 2 North West for the third and final promotion place to London 1 North. The team with the superior league record had home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2018–19 season the London 2 North East had ten wins and the and London 2 North West teams had nine and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six.

London 2 (north-east v north-west) promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Att/Ref
2000–01Twickenham (NW)44–8Rochford Hundred (NE)Parkfields, Hampton, Greater London[27]
2001–02Letchworth Garden City (NW)31–22Basildon (NE)Baldock Road, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire[28]
2002–03Ealing Trailfinders (NW)36–12Saffron Walden (NE)Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing, London[29]
2003–04St Albans (2nd XV) (NW)5–22Hadleigh (NE)Oaklands Land, St Albans, Hertfordshire[30]
2004–05Bank of England (NW)39–0Romford and Gidea Park (NE)Bank Lane, Roehampton, Greater London[31]
2005–06Tring (NW)19–5Diss (NE)Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire[32]
2006–07Welwyn (NW)19–6Harlow (NE)Hobbs Way, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire[33]
2007–08Diss (NE)50–15Imperial Medicals (NW)Mackenders, Roydon, Norfolk[34]
2008–09Brentwood (NE)23–15Hampstead (NW)King George's Playing Fields, Brentwood, Essex[35]
2009–10Hammersmith & Fulham (NW)22–29Colchester (NE)Hurlingham Park, Fulham, London[36]
2010–11Braintree (NE)24–14Harpenden (NW)Robbs Wood, Braintree, Essex300 [37]
2011–12Basildon (NE)38–13Stevenage (NW)Gardiners Close, Basildon, Essex[38]
2012–13Hemel Hempstead (NW)13–16 (aet)Woodford (NE)Chaulden Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire500 [39]
2013–14Twickenham (NW)44–43Saffron Walden (NE)Parkfields, Hampton, Greater London[40]
2014–15Diss (NE)13–16Chiswick (NW)Mackenders, Roydon, Norfolk[41]
2015–16Sudbury (NE)22–18Hammersmith & Fulham (NW)Whittham Field, Sudbury, Suffolk[42]
2016–17Honourable Artillery Company (H.A.C.) (NW)48–7[i]South Woodham Ferrers (NE)Dukes Meadows, Chiswick, London[44]
2017–18Hampstead (NW)7–37Sudbury (NE)Parliament Hill Fields, Highgate, Camden, London[45]
2018–19 Harpenden (NW)60–6Romford and Gidea Park (NE)Redbourn Lane, Harpenden, Hertfordshire[46]
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner-up – Hammersmith & Fulham (NW) – promoted instead.
Green background is the promoted team. NE = London 2 North East (formerly London 3 North East) and NW = London 2 North West (formerly London 3 North West)

Number of league titles

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ H.A.C. won the 2016–17 play-off, but were denied promotion and the result overturned by the RFU due to H.A.C. fielding an ineligible player.
  2. ↑ Kingsburians later merged with Gaytonians and Roxeth Manor to form West London RFC.
  3. ↑ 3rd place Barnet also promoted.
  4. ↑ No relegation as the league was expanded from 13 to 17 teams.
  5. ↑ The creation of London 4 North West for the following season meant that twelve teams were relegated. Uxbridge and Mill Hill dropped two divisions to Herts/Middlesex 1, while Tring, St Albans, Old Millhillians, Hampstead, Letchworth Garden City, Chiswick and Hemel Hempstead were relegated to the new London 4 North West division. Eleventh place Kingsburians were also supposed to be relegated to the new division but folded at the end of the season and amalgamated with West London RFC.
  6. ↑ The Lambs are Old Merchant Taylors' 2nd team.
  7. ↑ The division was renamed London Division 2 North West for the following season and along with the national restructuring of the league system by the RFU, it led to changes at all levels.
  8. ↑ League reduced to 11 teams after London Nigerian withdrew from the league.
  9. ↑ The initial result of the 2016–17 play-off was overturned by the RFU after HAC were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player. South Woodham Ferrers were promoted instead.[43]

References

  1. 1 2 "Counties 1 Herts/Middx 2024–25". Old Streetonians. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Counties 1 Herts/Middx 2023–24". Rugby England. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Counties 1 Herts/Middx 2022–23". Rugby England. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season". RFU. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "1998–1999 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "1999–2000 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "2000–2001 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "2001–2002 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "2002–2003 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "2003-2004 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "2004–2005 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  12. ↑ "2005–2006 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  13. ↑ "2006–2007 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "2007–2008 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "2008–2009 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  16. ↑ "2009–2010 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  17. ↑ "2010–2011 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  18. ↑ "2011–2012 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  19. ↑ "2012–2013 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  20. ↑ "2013–2014 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "2014–2015 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  22. ↑ "2015–2016 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  23. ↑ "2016–2017 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  24. ↑ "2017–2018 London South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  25. ↑ "2018–2019 London & South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  26. ↑ "Men's level 5 – 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  27. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2000–01". England Rugby. 19 May 2001.
  28. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2001–02". England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
  29. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2002–03". England Rugby. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  30. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2003–04". England Rugby. 6 June 2004.
  31. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2004–05". England Rugby. 30 April 2005.
  32. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2005–06". England Rugby. 29 April 2006.
  33. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2006–07". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  34. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2007–08". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  35. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2008–09". England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
  36. ↑ "Hammers 22 Colchester 29". Fulham Rugby. 17 April 2010.
  37. ↑ "RUGBY: Braintree promoted with pulsating win against Harpenden". This is Essex. 28 April 2011.
  38. ↑ "London & SE Division Play-Offs 2011–12". England Rugby. 21 April 2009.
  39. ↑ "Woodford seal Promotion with Extra Time Victory". Hemel Hempstead RFC (Pitchero). 27 April 2013.
  40. ↑ "Fantastic, brilliant, stunning and oh so near to pulling off a great win". Saffron Walden RFC (Pitchero). 3 May 2014.
  41. ↑ "Champagne for Chiswick as they go the Diss-tance to secure promotion". Get West London. 27 April 2015.
  42. ↑ "MATCH REPORT: Sudbury secure back-to-back promotions". Suffolk Free Press. 30 April 2016.
  43. ↑ "Woodham win shock promotion, three weeks after losing play-off final". Echo. 17 May 2017.
  44. ↑ "Woodham beaten by HAC in play-off final". Echo. 30 April 2016.
  45. ↑ "Sudbury Rugby Club cruise to promotion play-off victory". Suffolk Free Press. 21 April 2018.
  46. ↑ "Harpenden secure promotion to London One". Herts Advertiser. 16 April 2019.
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