Midlands 5 West (South)
Current season or competition: 2022-23 Counties 4 Midlands West (South) | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2006 (as Midlands 6 West (South-East & South-West) |
| Number of teams | 11 |
| Country |  England |
| Most titles | Birmingham Exiles, Rugby Welsh, Stoke Old Boys (2 titles) |
| Website | England RFU |
Counties 4 Midlands West (South West) / (South East) (formerly Midlands 5 West (South)) are level 10 English Rugby Union leagues and level 5 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the West Midlands region including clubs from parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and even (on occasion) Cheshire and Oxfordshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Formed in 2006 originally the league was divided into two regional divisions – Midlands 6 South-East and South-West – but was merged into a single division for the 2010–11 season. In its present state promoted teams typically move up to either Midlands 4 West (North) or Midlands 4 West (South) with there being no relegation as it is the basement division for Midlands rugby. There was also another regional tier 5 Midlands league - Midlands 5 West (North) - but this league was discontinued at the end of the 2018–19 season, with most teams transferred into a new-look Midlands 5 West (South). Further restructuring followed in the wake of the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it has been known as Counties 4 Midlands West (South).
2026-27
Ahead of the new season the South division was redesignated South West and the East division redesignated South East.
South West
Departing were Kings Norton and Worcester II both promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (South).
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  Alcester II  Bishop's Castle Bromyard II Chaddesley Corbett Redditch Stourport Tenbury Wells Locations of the 2026-27 Counties 4 Midlands West (SW) teams in Worcestershire, Herefordshire & Shropshire
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South East
Departing were champions Shipston-on-Stour II were promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (East) while runners-up Newbold on Avon II were promoted to Counties 3 Midlands East (South South) and third place Camp Hill II were promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (South).
Also leaving on a level transfer to Counties 4 Midlands West (South West) were Alcester II (6th).
Old Saltleians II (8th) did not return for the new season.
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 B'ham Exiles Coventrians Edwardians II Harbury II Manor Park II Leamingtonians II Trinity Guild Locations of the 2026-27 Counties 4 Midlands West (SE) teams
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2025-26
Ahead of the new season an East division was included for the first time with teams level transferred from the South and new sides added.
South
Departing were Bishop's Castle & Onny Valley (champions), Evesham II (runners up) and Droitwich II (4th), all promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (South) while Keresley (3rd) were promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (East).
Also leaving on a level transfer to the new East division were Birmingham Exiles (9th), Old Leamingtonians II (8th) and Trinity Guild (12th).
Five Ways Old Edwardians (10th in 2024-25) did not return for the new season.
Kidderminster Carolians II started but subsequently withdrew from the league leaving ten sides to complete the outstanding fixtures.
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Chaddesley Corbett Redditch Stourport Tenbury Wells Locations of the 2025-26 Counties 4 Midlands West (South) teams in Worcestershire
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East
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Alcester II B'ham Exiles Camp Hill II Coventrians Harbury II Leamingtonians II Saltleians II Stratford II Trinity Guild Locations of the 2025-26 Counties 4 Midlands West (East) teams
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2024-25
Departing were Upton-upon-Severn and Malvern II, both promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (South). Warley (4th) left on a level transfer to Counties 4 Midlands West (North).
Joining were Old Leamingtonians II, Kidderminster Carolians II and Trinity Guild.
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 B'ham Exiles Bishop's Castle Keresley Leamingtonians II Trinity Guild Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 4 Midlands West (South) teams Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 4 Midlands West (South) teams in Worcestershire
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2023-24
Departing were Hereford II and Worcester II, both promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (South).
Joining were Upton-on-Severn, Birmingham Exiles, Warley and Old Halesonians II.
With two leaving and four joining the league was restored to twelve clubs from ten.
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B'ham Exiles Bishop's Castle Keresley Warley Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 4 Midlands West (South) teams Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 4 Midlands West (South) teams in Worcestershire
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2022-23
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[1] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 4 Midlands West (South).
Departing were Birmingham & Solihull, Cannock and Greyhound, all promoted. Leaving on a level transfer to Counties 4 Midlands West (North) were Stone (5th), Bloxwich (7th), St Leonards (8th) and Atherstone (11th).
Joining were Hereford II, Worcester II, Malvern II, Evesham and Droitwich II.
With seven leaving and five joining the league was reduced in size from twelve clubs to ten.
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Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 4 Midlands West (South) teams Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 4 Midlands West (South) teams
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2021–22
Dixonians, who finished 11th in 2019-20, did not return for the current season.
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Atherstone Bishop's Castle Bloxwich Cannock Five Ways Greyhound Keresley Redditch St Leonards Stone Stourport Locations of the 2021–22 Midlands 5 West (South) teams
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2020–21
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
2019–20
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Atherstone Bishop's Castle Bloxwich Dixonians Greyhound Keresley Rugby Welsh Locations of the 2019–20 Midlands 5 West (South) teams Chaddesley Corbett Five Ways Redditch Stourport Locations of the 2019–20 Midlands 5 West (South) teams in Worcestershire
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2018–19
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Atherstone B'ham CS B'ham Exiles Keresley R Welsh Locations of the 2018–19 Midlands 5 West (South) teams in Warwickshire
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2017–18
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Locations of the 2017–18 Midlands 5 West (South) teams
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Teams 2016-17
- Atherstone (relegated from Midlands 4 West (South))
- Birmingham Civil Service (relegated from Midlands 4 West (South))
- Birmingham Exiles
- Copsewood
- Rugby Welsh
- Trinity Guild
- Wellesbourne
Teams 2015-16
- Birmingham Exiles
- Copsewood
- Five Ways Old Edwardians (relegated from Midlands 4 West (South))
- Keresley
- Rugby Welsh
- Trinity Guild
- Wellesbourne
Teams 2014-15
- Alcester (relegated from Midlands 4 West (South))
- Birmingham Civil Service (relegated from Midlands 4 West (South))
- Birmingham Exiles
- Copsewood
- Coventry Technical
- Keresley
- Rugby Welsh
- Trinity Guild
- Wellesbourne
Teams 2013-14
- Birmingham Exiles
- Copsewood
- Coventry Technical
- Keresley
- Rugby Lions
- Rugby Welsh
- Trinity Guild
- Warwickian
- Wellesbourne
Teams 2012–13
- Birmingham Exiles
- Copsewood
- Coventry Technical
- Greyhound
- Rugby Welsh
- Stoke Old Boys
- Trinity Guild
- Wellesbourne
Teams 2008–09
- Copsewood
- Coventrians
- Coventry Welsh
- Dudley Wasps
- Evesham
- Harbury
- Keresley
- Manor Park
- Pinley
- Redditch
- Stoke Old Boys
- Worcester Students
Worcester Students withdrew from the league after failing to field 15 players regularly.
Original teams
When this division was introduced in 2006 it was split into two separate divisions - Midlands 6 West (South-East) and Midlands 6 West (South-West) - containing the following teams:
Midlands 6 West (South-East)
- Atherstone - transferred from Warwickshire 2 (5th)
- Coventrians - transferred from Warwickshire 2 (runners up)
- Coventry Saracens - transferred from Warwickshire 2 (9th)
- Manor Park - transferred from Warwickshire 1 (9th)
- Old Wheatleyans - transferred from Warwickshire 2 (4th)
- Pinley - transferred from Warwickshire 1 (8th)
- Rugby Welsh - transferred from Warwickshire 2 (3rd)
- Standard - transferred from Warwickshire 2 (8th)
- Trinity Guild - transferred from Warwickshire 1 (10th)
- Warwickian - transferred from Warwickshire 2 (6th)
Midlands 6 West (South-West)
- Birmingham Civil Service - transferred from North Midlands (South) 2 (5th)
- Birmingham Exiles - transferred from North Midlands (South) 2 (8th)
- Bromyard - transferred from North Midlands (South) 2 (6th)
- Chaddesley Corbett - transferred from North Midlands (South) 2 (runners up)
- Claverdon - transferred from Warwickshire 2 (7th)
- Clee Hill - transferred from North Midlands (South) 2 (4th)
- Dudley Wasps[a] - transferred from North Midlands (South) 2 (3rd)
- Redditch - transferred from North Midlands (South) 1 (7th)
- Warley - relegated from Midlands 5 West (North) (8th)
Midlands 5 West (South) honours
Midlands 6 West (South-East) / (South-West) (2006–2009)
The league was originally divided into two sub-divisions known as Midlands 6 West (South-East) and Midlands 6 West (South-West). These divisions were introduced along with their counterpart Midlands 6 West (North) at tier 10 to replace the discontinued North Midlands 2, Warwickshire 1 and Warwickshire 2 leagues. Promotion was to Midlands 5 West (South) and there was no relegation.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | League Name | Reference | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | 10 | Pinley | Manor Park | No relegation[b] | Midlands 6 West (South-East) | [3] | ||||||||
| 9 | Dudley Wasps | Redditch | No relegation | Midlands 6 West (South-West) | [4] | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | 9 | Stoke Old Boys | Coventrians | No relegation | Midlands 6 West (South-East) | [5] | ||||||||
| 10 | Redditch | Clee Hill | No relegation | Midlands 6 West (South-West) | [6] | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | 9 | Rugby Welsh | Alcester | No relegation | Midlands 6 West (South-East) | [7] | ||||||||
| 10 | Birmingham Exiles | Warley | No relegation[c] | Midlands 6 West (South-West) | [8] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Midlands 5 West (South-East) / (South-West) (2009–2010)
Further league restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 6 West (South-East / South-West) and their counterpart Midlands 6 West (North) were renamed as Midlands 5 West (South-East / South-West) and Midlands 5 West (North), with all leagues remaining at tier 10. Promotion was now to Midlands 4 West (South) (formerly Midlands 5 West (South)) and there was no relegation.
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| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | League Name | Reference | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 9 | Trinity Guild | Atherstone | No relegation | Midlands 5 West (South-East) | [9] | ||||||||
| 8 | Clee Hill | Tenbury | No relegation | Midlands 5 West (South-West) | [10] | |||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Midlands 5 West (South) (2009–present)
Midlands 5 West (South-East / South West) were remerged into a single tier 10 division ahead of the 2010–11 season. Promotion continued to Midlands 4 West (South) and there was no relegation.
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| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | Reference | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | 8 | Claverdon | Old Wheatleyans | No relegation | [11] | |||||||||
| 2011–12 | 7 | Coventrians | Warwickian | No relegation | [12] | |||||||||
| 2012–13 | 8 | Stoke Old Boys | Greyhound | No relegation | [13] | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | 9 | Rugby Lions | Warwickian | No relegation | [14] | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | 8 | Birmingham Civil Service | Alcester | No relegation | [15] | |||||||||
| 2015–16 | 7 | Keresley | Five Ways Old Edwardians | No relegation | [16] | |||||||||
| 2016–17 | 7 | Burbage | Birmingham Civil Service | No relegation | [17] | |||||||||
| 2017–18 | 7 | Aldridge | Kings Norton | No relegation | [18] | |||||||||
| 2018–19 | 5 | Birmingham Exiles | Birmingham Civil Service | No relegation | [19] | |||||||||
| 2019–20 | 11[d] | Rugby Welsh | Chaddesley Corbett | No relegation | [20] | |||||||||
| 2020–21 | 11 | No relegation | ||||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Promotion play-offs
Between 2007 and 2010 there was a promotion playoff between the runners-up of Midlands 5 West (South-East) and Midlands 5 West (South-West) for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 4 West (South), with the team with the superior league record having home advantage in the tie. The playoffs were dissolved at the end of the 2009-10 season when Midlands 5 West (South) became one division. By the end of the promotion play-offs the Midlands 5 West (South-East) teams won all four playoff games and the home team has also won promotion on all four occasions.
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| Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Attendance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07[21] | Manor Park (SE) | 25-22 | Redditch (SW) | Heath End, Nuneaton, Warwickshire | ||||
| 2007–08[22] | Coventrians (E) | 27-0 | Clee Hill (SW) | The Black Pad, Holbrooks, Coventry, Warwickshire | ||||
| 2008–09[23] | Alchester (SE) | 25-7 | Warley (SW) | Fritwell Playing Fields, Fritwell, Oxfordshire | ||||
| 2009–10[24] | Atherstone (SE) | 47-15 | Tenbury (SW) | Atherstone Town Cricket Club, Atherstone, Warwickshire | ||||
| Green background is the promoted team. SE = Midlands 5 West (South-East) (formerly Midlands 6 West (South-East)) and SW = Midlands 5 West (South-West) (formerly Midlands 6 West (South-West)) | ||||||||
Number of league titles
- Birmingham Exiles (2)[e]
- Rugby Welsh (2)[f]
- Stoke Old Boys (2)[g]
- Aldridge (1)
- Birmingham Civil Service (1)
- Burbage (1)
- Claverdon (1)
- Clee Hill (1)[h]
- Coventrians (1)
- Dudley Wasps (1)[i]
- Keresley (1)
- Pinley (1)[j]
- Redditch (1)[k]
- Rugby Lions (1)
- Trinity Guild (1)[l]
Notes
- ↑ Dudley Wasps were the 2nd XV of Dudley Kingswinford - now 3rd XV.[2]
- ↑ Standard would drop out of the league for the following season.
- ↑ Highley would drop out of the league for the following season.
- ↑ The league expanded from 5 to 10 teams following the dissolution of Midlands 5 West (North) at the end of 2018–19 season.
- ↑ One of Birmingham Exiles titles was won when division was split into Midlands 6 West (South-East) and Midlands 6 West (South-West).
- ↑ One of Rugby Welsh's titles was won when division was split into Midlands 6 West (South-East) and Midlands 6 West (South-West).
- ↑ One of Stoke Old Boys title was won when division was split into Midlands 6 West (South-East) and Midlands 6 West (South-West).
- ↑ Clee Hill's title was won when division was split into Midlands 5 West (South-East) and Midlands 5 West (South-West).
- ↑ Dudley Wasps title was won when division was split into Midlands 6 West (South-East) and Midlands 6 West (South-West).
- ↑ Pinley's title was won when division was split into Midlands 6 West (South-East) and Midlands 6 West (South-West).
- ↑ Redditch's title was won when division was split into Midlands 6 West (South-East) and Midlands 6 West (South-West).
- ↑ Trinity Guild's title was won when division was split into Midlands 5 West (South-East) and Midlands 5 West (South-West).
See also
References
- ↑ "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 2022-06-13.
- ↑ "Dudley Kingswinford Wasps XV". Dudley Kingswinford RFC. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ↑ "2006-2007 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2006-2007 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2006-2007 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2007-2008 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2008-2009 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2008-2009 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2009-2010 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2009-2010 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2010-2011 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2011-2012 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2012-2013 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2013-2014 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ "2014-2015 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ↑ "2015-2016 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- ↑ "2016-2017 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ↑ "2017-2018 Midlands Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ↑ "2018-19 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ↑ "Men's Midlands Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ↑ "Park hold on for promotion". Coventry Telegraph. 24 April 2007.
- ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2007-08". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
- ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2008-09". England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
- ↑ "Midlands Division Play-Offs 2009-10". England Rugby. 1 May 2010.
- English RFU (2008). "Rugby First". RFU. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
- Rugby First: To view previous seasons in the league, search for any club within that league then click on to club details followed by fixtures and then select the appropriate season.