Counties 1 Midlands East (South) (formerly Midlands 2 East (South)) is a level 7 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the East Midlands region including sides from Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and occasionally Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) ahead of the 2000âÂÂ01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, saw it changed to Midlands 2 East (South) and post the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022âÂÂ23 it adopted its current name.
The current champions are Stamford.
The champions and occasionally the runner-up is promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East. Teams are relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (South); with the number of teams relegated depending on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above.
The season runs from September to April and comprises twenty-two 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:
Departing were Stamford promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East, whilst Stockwood Park (10th), Peterborough Lions (11th) and Old Laurentians (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (South).
Also leaving were Bourne (8th) and Spalding (7th) who moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands East (North).
Departing were Daventry and Market Bosworth, both promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East, whilst Oakham and Long Buckby were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (South). Joining were Newbold-on-Avon and Towcestrians, both relegated from Regional 2 Midlands East together with Stewarts & Lloyds and Biggleswade, both promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (South).
Departing were Wellingborough, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East, whilst Dunstablians, St. Ives and Northampton Casuals were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (South). Joining were Peterborough Lions and Old Laurentians, both relegated from Regional 2 Midlands East together with Daventry and Spalding, both promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (South).
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands East (South)).
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020âÂÂ21 season was cancelled.
After leading the division from matchday 1, Huntingdon & District were pipped to the title by Bugbrooke by way of bonus points on the season's final day. Huntingdon were promoted alongside Bugbrooke to Midlands 1 East following a playoff victory over the second placed team from Midlands 2 East (North), Oakham. Biggleswade joined Vipers in the relegation places following a final day defeat to Oadby Wyggestonians.
Teams in Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 1 East, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:
Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single tier 7 division called Midlands East 1. Promotion was to Midlands 2 and relegation to Midlands East 2.
The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 1 East became a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.
At the end of the 1995âÂÂ96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands East 1 returned to being a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.
Restructuring ahead of the 2000âÂÂ01 season saw Midlands East 1 split into two tier 7 regional leagues â Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South). Promotion is to Midlands 2 East (formerly Midlands 2) and relegation to Midlands 4 East (South) (formerly Midlands East 2).
League restructuring by the RFU lead to Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) renamed as Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 7. Promotion is to Midlands 1 East (formerly Midlands 2 East) and relegation to Midlands 3 East (South) (formerly Midlands 4 East (South)).
Following league reorganisation, Midland 2 East (South) is renamed Counties 1 Midlands East (South) and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is to Regional 2 Midlands East and relegation to Counties 2 Midlands East (South)
Since the 2000âÂÂ01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 2 East (North) and Midlands 2 East (South) for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 1 East (asides from 2008âÂÂ09 which was played between the runners-up of Midlands 2 West (South) and Midlands 2 East (North) due to RFU restructuring). The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019âÂÂ20 season the Midlands 2 East (South) teams have ten wins to the Midlands 2 East (North) teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams five.
Updated to 2024âÂÂ25 season