Counties 1 Hampshire is an English level 7 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in Hampshire and West Sussex and is administered by Hampshire Rugby Havant II are the current champions.
The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April, making a total of twenty-two matches each. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:
In addition:
Promotion is to Regional 2 South Central which hosts teams from Dorset, Surrey, Berkshire, West Sussex & Hampshire; whilst relegation is to Counties 2 Hampshire.
Departing were Havant II (1st) and Ellingham & Ringwood (2nd), promoted to Regional 2 South Central while New Milton (11th) and Trojans (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Hampshire. Incoming teams were Millbrook (1st) and Winchester II (2nd), both promoted from Counties 2 Hampshire, while Chichester (11th) and Andover (12th) were both relegated from Regional 2 Central.
Departing were Petersfield and Andover promoted to Regional 2 South Central; there was no relegation to Counties 2 Hampshire. Promoted from Counties 2 Hampshire were Sandown & Shanklin, Basingstoke and Guernsey St Jacques Vikings â an amateur club who are the 2XV to Guernsey Raiders. With two leaving and three joining the league was restored to twelve teams.
Departing were Jersey and Winchester promoted to Regional 2 South Central. Basingstoke finished 12th and were relegated to Counties 2 Hampshire. Alton finished 11th and would also have been relegated but declined to compete in the RFU leagues in 2023âÂÂ24. With four teams leaving and only three joining the league ran with eleven sides.
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. The league was similar to London 3 South West with six of the same sides, while two teams â Gosport & Fareham and Havant II â from Hampshire Premier (level 8) were promoted to fill the league, and two â Eastleigh and Winchester â were level transferred from London 2 South West (level 7). London 3SW teams from Surrey, Sussex and SW London were absorbed into Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex. The league was supplemented by the addition of Bournemouth 2XV and Jersey.
Following the RFU Adult Competition Review, the league was made up of ten clubs from Hampshire, one from Jersey and one from Bournemouth, Dorset. Promotion is to Regional 2 South Central while relegation is to Counties 2 Hampshire.