Rugby League Conference South Premier
Encyclopedia
The Rugby League Conference South Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference
. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league
in the South of England. It was first contested in 2005.
Many of the clubs run juniors in the London Junior League
.
was born in 1997 as the Southern Conference.
The Premier Division were set up in 2005 for teams who had achieved a certain playing standard and where able to travel further afield to find stronger opposition. The new Premier Divisions included the North Premier, the South Premier, the Central Premier and the Welsh Premier.
Prior to the 2005 season National League Three
side South London Storm announced that they were joining the South Premier; the other founder members came from the Conference regional divisions.
After the 2006 season with other teams withdrawing from National League Three, St Albans Centurions
also decided to join the Premier South.
The South Premier is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the South of England. Above the South Premier is the National Division
and below are several regional divisions (East, London & South and South West
. Below the regional divisions is the London League
.
Other Premier divisions are the Midlands
, Welsh
, Yorkshire
and North West
.
Teams play each other on a home-and-away basis. Each Premier division then has its own play-off series to determine the champion with the five divisional winners entering the national play-offs.
The winner of the national play-offs is awarded the Harry Jepson Trophy.
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
in the South of England. It was first contested in 2005.
Many of the clubs run juniors in the London Junior League
London Junior League
The London Junior League is a rugby league competition for clubs in London and the South East of England.The season runs from February through to September. It is competed for at under-16, under-14, under-13 and under-12 level. There is also a Rugby League Conference Academy league for the under-18...
.
History
The Rugby League ConferenceRugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
was born in 1997 as the Southern Conference.
The Premier Division were set up in 2005 for teams who had achieved a certain playing standard and where able to travel further afield to find stronger opposition. The new Premier Divisions included the North Premier, the South Premier, the Central Premier and the Welsh Premier.
Prior to the 2005 season National League Three
Rugby League Conference National Division
The Rugby League Conference National Division is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.-National League Three:...
side South London Storm announced that they were joining the South Premier; the other founder members came from the Conference regional divisions.
After the 2006 season with other teams withdrawing from National League Three, St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
also decided to join the Premier South.
Rugby League Conference Pyramid
- RLC NationalRugby League Conference National DivisionThe Rugby League Conference National Division is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.-National League Three:...
- RLC South Premier
- RLC EastRugby League Conference East DivisionThe Rugby League Conference East Division is a division of the Rugby League Conference, an amateur rugby league competition with sides from across Britain...
, RLC London & SouthRugby League Conference London & South DivisionThe Rugby League Conference London & South Division is a division within the Rugby League Conference, an amateur rugby league competition with sides from across Britain...
and RLC South WestRugby League Conference South West DivisionThe Rugby League Conference South West Division is a division in the Rugby League Conference, an amateur rugby league competition with sides from across Britain... - London LeagueLondon League (rugby league)The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
The South Premier is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the South of England. Above the South Premier is the National Division
Rugby League Conference National Division
The Rugby League Conference National Division is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.-National League Three:...
and below are several regional divisions (East, London & South and South West
Rugby League Conference South West Division
The Rugby League Conference South West Division is a division in the Rugby League Conference, an amateur rugby league competition with sides from across Britain...
. Below the regional divisions is the London League
London League (rugby league)
The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
.
Other Premier divisions are the Midlands
Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier
The Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the English Midlands.It was first contested in 2006. Many of the clubs run juniors in the Midlands Junior League....
, Welsh
Rugby League Conference Welsh Premier
The Rugby League Conference Wales is the higher of two Welsh domestic leagues for the sport of rugby league. It forms a Premier division of the Rugby League Conference competition which covers all of Great Britain.-History:...
, Yorkshire
Rugby League Conference Yorkshire Premier
The Rugby League Conference Yorkshire Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the Yorkshire area.It was first contested in 2008 following the break-up of the previous North Premier into the North West and Yorkshire Premiers....
and North West
Rugby League Conference North West Premier
The Rugby League Conference North West Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the North West of England.It was first contested in 2008 following the break-up of the previous North Premier into the North West and Yorkshire Premiers....
.
2011 Structure
| Club | Founded | Location | RLC Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Rhinos | 1992 | Colchester Colchester Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the... , Essex Essex Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west... |
Eastern Division: 1999, 2001 |
| Hainault Bulldogs Hainault Bulldogs Hainault Bulldogs are a rugby league team based in Dagenham, Essex. They play in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:... |
2007 | Dagenham Dagenham Dagenham is a large suburb in East London, forming the eastern part of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and located east of Charing Cross. It was historically an agrarian village in the county of Essex and remained mostly undeveloped until 1921 when the London County Council began... , Essex Essex Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west... |
Eastern Division: 2008 |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists Hammersmith Hills Hoists Hammersmith Hills Hoists are a rugby league team based in Hammersmith, London and are named after the hills hoist. They play in the South Premier division of the Rugby League Conference. Their second team plays in the London League.-History:... |
2008 | Hammersmith Hammersmith Hammersmith is an urban centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London, England, in the United Kingdom, approximately five miles west of Charing Cross on the north bank of the River Thames... , London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... |
- |
| London Skolars London Skolars London Skolars are a rugby league club based at the New River Stadium, Wood Green, Haringey in North London. They were founded in 1995 and have been semi-professional since 2003, operating in Championship One... A |
1995 | Wood Green Wood Green Wood Green is a district in north London, England, located in the London Borough of Haringey. It is situated north of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of the metropolitan centres in Greater London.-History:... , Haringey London Borough of Haringey The London Borough of Haringey is a London borough, in North London, classified by some definitions as part of Inner London, and by others as part of Outer London. It was created in 1965 by the amalgamation of three former boroughs. It shares borders with six other London boroughs... |
Harry Jepson Trophy: 1997 Eastern Division: 1997 RLC Challenge Cup: 2004 |
| St Albans Centurions St Albans Centurions St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier... |
1996 | St Albans St Albans St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt... , Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and... |
Eastern Division: 2005 South Premier: 2007, 2010 Harry Jepson Trophy: 2007, 2010 |
| South London Storm | 1997 | Thornton Heath Thornton Heath Thornton Heath is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Croydon. It is situated south-southeast of Charing Cross.-Geography:... , Croydon Croydon Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross... |
South Premier: 2005, 2006, 2009 Harry Jepson Trophy: 2006 RLC Shield: 2002 |
| West London Sharks West London Sharks West London Sharks RLFC is a rugby league team based in Chiswick, Hounslow, Middlesex. West London Sharks are now playing out of Chiswick RFU, Dukes Medow in Chiswick. They compete in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference... |
1997 | Isleworth Isleworth Isleworth is a small town of Saxon origin sited within the London Borough of Hounslow in west London, England. It lies immediately east of the town of Hounslow and west of the River Thames and its tributary the River Crane. Isleworth's original area of settlement, alongside the Thames, is known as... , Hounslow Hounslow Hounslow is the principal town in the London Borough of Hounslow. It is a suburban development situated 10.6 miles west south-west of Charing Cross. It forms a post town in the TW postcode area.-Etymology:... |
South Division: 2004 South Premier: 2008, 2009 |
Teams play each other on a home-and-away basis. Each Premier division then has its own play-off series to determine the champion with the five divisional winners entering the national play-offs.
The winner of the national play-offs is awarded the Harry Jepson Trophy.
Past League Standings
| Teams | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bedford TigersBedford Tigers Bedford Tigers RLFC is a rugby league club based in Bedford, England. The first team plays in the Rugby League Conference, with a second team in the London League.- History :... |
x | x | x | x | 6th | x | |
| Eastern Rhinos | 3rd | 2nd | 5th | 3rd | 4th | 4th | |
| Elmbridge Eagles 2 | x | 5th | 6th | 7th | 9th | x | |
| Essex Eels | x | DNF | x | x | x | x | |
| Greenwich Admirals Greenwich Admirals Greenwich Admirals are a rugby league team based in Greenwich, London. They play in the South Premier of the Rugby League Conference.-History:... |
6th | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Hainault Bulldogs Hainault Bulldogs Hainault Bulldogs are a rugby league team based in Dagenham, Essex. They play in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:... |
x | x | x | x | 8th | 6th | |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists Hammersmith Hills Hoists Hammersmith Hills Hoists are a rugby league team based in Hammersmith, London and are named after the hills hoist. They play in the South Premier division of the Rugby League Conference. Their second team plays in the London League.-History:... |
x | x | x | x | x | 2nd | |
| Kent Ravens Kent Ravens The Kent Ravens are a defunct amateur rugby league club from Eltham in south-east London, founded in 2004. They play at Princes Park.The club has won 10 titles in the two seasons since its creation on June 12, 2004, including the women’s London league runners up, the under-11s overall London... |
x | x | 7th | DNF | x | x | |
| London Skolars London Skolars London Skolars are a rugby league club based at the New River Stadium, Wood Green, Haringey in North London. They were founded in 1995 and have been semi-professional since 2003, operating in Championship One... A 3 |
4th | 4th | 3rd | 6th | 7th | 8th | |
| Luton Vipers | 5th | DNF | x | x | x | x | |
| Portsmouth Navy Seahawks Portsmouth Navy Seahawks Portsmouth Navy Seahawks are a rugby league team based in Gosport, Hampshire. They play in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference. The Seahawks, as a club, is open to non-service players as well as members of the Royal Navy.-History:... |
x | x | x | 5th | 5th | 7th | |
| St Albans Centurions St Albans Centurions St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier... |
x | x | 1st | 4th | 3rd | 1st | |
| South London Storm | 1st | 1st | 2nd | 2nd | 1st | 5th | |
| West London Sharks West London Sharks West London Sharks RLFC is a rugby league team based in Chiswick, Hounslow, Middlesex. West London Sharks are now playing out of Chiswick RFU, Dukes Medow in Chiswick. They compete in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference... |
2nd | 3rd | 4th | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
- 1 competed as Ipswich Rhinos between 2005 and 2009
- 2 competed as Kingston Warriors between 2005 and 2007 and Elmbridge in 2008.
- 3 competed as Haringey Hornets in 2006
Key
| DNF | Did not complete the season |
| x | Did not participate |
| Divisional winner | |
| Qualified for divisional play-off | |
| Finished bottom | |
Grand Finals
| Year | Winner | Defeated | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | South London Storm | West London Sharks | 24-8 | Storm Park |
| 2006 | South London Storm | Ipswich Rhinos | 52-10 | Storm Park |
| 2007 | St Albans Centurions | South London Storm | 18-10 | Twickenham Stoop |
| 2008 | West London Sharks | South London Storm | 24-20 | Grasshoppers RFC |
| 2009 | West London Sharks | South London Storm | 26-16 | Storm Park |
| 2010 | St Albans Centurions | West London Sharks | 54-4 | Cotlandswick |
| 2011 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | |||
Titles
- South London Storm 2
- West London Sharks 2
- St Albans Centurions 2
National Play-offs
| Year | Team | Opponent | Result | Game | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | South London Storm | Bridgend Blue Bulls | 18-34 | National Semi-Final | Cheltenham |
| 2006 | South London Storm | Bridgend Blue Bulls | 32-12 | National Semi-Final | Hemel |
| 2006 | South London Storm | East Lancs Lions | 30-0 | Grand Final | Coventry |
| 2007 | St Albans Centurions | Bridgend Blue Bulls | 42-16 | National Semi-Final | |
| 2007 | St Albans Centurions | Coventry Bears | 28-20 | Grand Final | |
| 2008 | West London Sharks | Valley Cougars | 32-30 | National Semi-Final | |
| 2008 | West London Sharks | Nottingham Outlaws | 8-28 | Grand Final | Derby |