Counties 1 Midlands West (North) (formerly Midands 2 West (North)) is a level 7 English rugby union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of clubs from the northern part of the West Midlands region including Shropshire, Staffordshire, parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands and occasionally Cheshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) ahead of the 2000âÂÂ01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, saw it changed to Midlands 2 West (North) and post the Rugby Football Union (RFU)'s Adult Competition Review, from season 2022âÂÂ23 it adopted its current name.
Sutton Coldfield are the current champions.
The champions are promoted to Regional Midlands 2 West or occasionally to Regional 2 Midlands North. The number of teams relegated depends on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above, but is usually to Counties 2 Midlands West (South).
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 the champions Sutton Coldfield promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North, while Willenhall (10th), Stafford (11th) and Wolverhampton (12th) were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (West). Also leaving were Kidderminster Carolians (8th) on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands West (South). Joining the league were Aston Old Edwardians promoted from Counties 2 Midlands West (East) and Stourbridge Lions promoted from Counties 2 Midlands West (West) as champions. Crewe & Nantwich (11th) were relegated from Regional 2 North West, Tamworth (11th) relegated from Regional 2 North Midlands and Whitchurch (12th) relegated from Regional 2 West Midlands.
Departing were Edwardians promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North whilst Old Saltleians were promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West. Harborne and Longton were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (West). Camp Hill left on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands West (South). Joining were Sutton Coldfield and Wolverhampton, both relegated, together with Veseyans, Newport (Salop) 2XV and Willenhall â all promoted.
Departing were 2nd-placed Tamworth promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North. Luctonians 2XV (1st) moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands West (South) â promotion to level 6 was not permitted due to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues. Stourbridge Lions and Uttoxeter were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (West) and Counties 2 Midlands West (East) respectively. Joining were Harborne and Burntwood, both promoted, together with Kidderminster Carolians and Spartans both on a level transfer
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands West (South). Departing were Crewe & Nantwich, Moseley Oak and Walsall all promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West. Also leaving was Leek, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North. Joining were Edwardians, Shrewsbury, Telford Hornets and Luctonians 2XV.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020âÂÂ21 season was cancelled.
Teams in Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 1 West, which contained the following sides when in was introduced in 1992:
Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South) were originally part of a single tier 7 division called Midlands West 1. Promotion was to Midlands 2 and relegation to Midlands West 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 West dropped to become a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands West 2.
At the end of the 1995âÂÂ96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands West 1 returned to being a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands West 2.
Restructuring ahead of the 2000âÂÂ01 season saw Midlands West 1 split into two tier 7 regional leagues â Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South). Promotion was to Midlands 2 West (formerly Midlands 2) and relegation to Midlands 4 West (North) (formerly Midlands West 2).
League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were renamed Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 7. Promotion was to Midlands 1 West (formerly Midlands 2 West) and relegation to Midlands 3 West (North) (formerly Midlands 4 West (North)).
Following league reorganisation, Midlands 2 West (North) is renamed Counties 1 Midlands West (North) and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is to Regional 2 North Midlands. Relegation is usually to one of the Counties 2 Midlands West leagues.
Between the 2000âÂÂ01 season and 2018âÂÂ19 there were play-offs between the runners-up of Midlands 2 West (North) and Midlands 2 West (South) for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 1 West (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 had home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2018âÂÂ19 season the Midlands 2 West (South) teams had ten wins to Midlands 2 West (North) teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on eleven occasions compared to the away teams seven.
(Updated to season 2024âÂÂ25)