Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex (formerly 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 in Hertfordshire and parts of north-west London that traditionally was encompassed by the historic county of Middlesex. 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.
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 Herts/Middlesex.
Participating clubs 2024–25
Departing were London Scottish Lions promoted to Regional 2 Thames. Enfield Ignatians and Hampstead were 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.
Participating clubs 2023–24
Departing were Hemel Hempstead and Grasshoppers, promoted to Regional 2 Thames. There was no relegation.
Joining were Cheshunt and London Scottish Lions, promoted from Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex.
Participating clubs 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 competed in the previous season returning whilst the top four moved to Regional 2 Thames ord 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.
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.
Season 2020–21
On 30 October 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.
Participating Clubs 2019–20
Participating Clubs 2018–19
Participating Clubs 2017–18
Participating Clubs 2016-17
- Belsize Park (promoted from London 3 North West)
- Enfield Ignatians
- H.A.C.
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Hampstead
- Harpenden
- Harrow (relegated from London 1 North)
- London Nigerian (promoted from London 3 North West)
- Old Haberdashers
- Stockwood Park
- Tabard
- Welwyn
Participating Clubs 2015-16
- Enfield Ignations (transferred from London 2 North East)
- Fullerians (promoted from London 3 North West)
- H.A.C.
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Hampstead
- Harpenden
- Old Haberdashers
- Old Merchant Taylors'
- Staines
- Tabard
- Welwyn (promoted from London 3 North West)
- Woodford (relegated from London 1 North)
Participating Clubs 2014-15
- Chiswick
- H.A.C.
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Hampstead
- Harpenden
- Harrow (promoted from London 3 North West)
- Hemel Hempstead
- Old Haberdashers
- Old Merchant Taylors' (promoted from London 3 North West)
- St Albans
- Staines
- Tabard (relegated from London 1 North)
Participating Clubs 2013-14
- Beaconsfield (relegated from London 1 North)
- Chiswick
- H.A.C.
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Hampstead
- Harpenden
- Hemel Hempstead
- London Nigerian
- Old Priorians (promoted from London 3 North West)
- St Albans
- Twickenham
- U.C.S. Old Boys
Participating Clubs 2012-13
- Chiswick
- Fullerians
- Grasshoppers
- H.A.C.
- Hammersmith & Fulham (relegated from London 1 North)
- Hampstead
- Harpenden
- Hemel Hempstead
- London Nigerian
- St Albans
- Tabard
- U.C.S. Old Boys
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as London 3 North West) contained the following teams:
- Bacavians
- Bishop's Stortford
- Fullerians
- Harrow
- Hendon
- Kingsburians
- Letchworth Garden City
- Mill Hill
- Old Paulines
- Tabard
- Twickenham
London 2 North West Honours
London 3 North West (1987–1993)
Originally known as London 3 North West, this division was a tier 7 league with promotion up to London 2 North and relegation down to either Hertfordshire 1 or Middlesex 1.
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. This meant that 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 East (1996–2000)
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that 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 (2000–2009)
London 3 North West continued to be a tier 7 league with promotion up to London 2 North. However, the introduction of London 4 North West ahead of the 2000–01 season meant that clubs were now relegated into this new division instead of into Herts/Middlesex 1.
London 2 North East (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).
Promotion play-offs
Since the 2000–01 season there has been 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 has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the London 2 North East and London 2 North West teams are tied on nine wins apiece, and the home team has won promotion on fourteen occasions compared to the away teams five.
Number of league titles
See also
- London & SE Division RFU
- Hertfordshire RFU
- Middlesex RFU
- English rugby union system
- Rugby union in England
Notes
References
