Counties 1 Midlands West (South) (formerly Midlands 2 West (South)) is a level seven English rugby union league and level three of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the West Midlands region including Herefordshire, parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, 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 (South) and post the Rugby Football Union (RFU)'s Adult Competition Review, from season 2022âÂÂ23 it adopted its current name.
Luctonians II are the current champions and are promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West.
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 Luctonians 2XV (champions) and Old Coventrians (runner-up) promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West and Regional 2 Midlands East respectively while Berkswell & Balsall (10th), Barkers Butts (11th) and Bromsgrove 2XV (12th) were all relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (East). Manor Park were level transferred from Counties 1 Midlands East (North).
Departing were Ledbury, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West as runners-up (Luctonians 2XV finished top but were not permitted to be promoted on Level 6 owing to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues). Broadstreet 2XV and Earlsdon were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (East). Manor Park moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands East (North).
Joining were Barkers Butts, Camp Hill, Worcester and Berkswell & Balsall.
Departing were Berkswell & Balsall, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West. Barkers Butts and Coventry Welsh were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (East). Kidderminster Carolians (2nd) and Spartans (9th) moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands West (North).
Joining were Manor Park (champions) and Alcester (runner-up); promoted from Counties 2 Midlands West (South), while Evesham (11th) and Droitwich (12th) were relegated from Regional 2 West Midlands. Luctonians II, as champions, were level-transferred from Counties 1 Midlands West (North) â promotion to level 6 was not permitted due to league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues.
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 Evesham, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands West and Old Laurentians promoted to Regional 2 Midlands East, whilst Nuneaton Old Edwardians and Silhillians were promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North. Pinley were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (South).
Joining were Ledbury, Old Leamingtonians and Coventry Welsh promoted from Midlands 3 West (South) together with new entries Broadstreet 2XV and Bromsgrove 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 it 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 Midlands 1 West became 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 now to Midlands 2 West (formerly Midlands 2) and relegation to Midlands 4 West (South) (formerly Midlands West 2).
League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were renamed as 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 (South) (formerly Midlands 4 West (South)).
Following league reorganisation, Midlands 2 West (South) is renamed Counties 1 Midlands West (South) and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is usually to Regional 2 West Midlands, or occasionally to Regional 2 East Midlands and Regional 2 North Midlands. Relegation is usually to one of the Counties 2 Midlands West leagues.
Between 2000âÂÂ01 and 2018âÂÂ19 seasons there was a play-off 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 (aside 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 2019âÂÂ20 season the Midlands 2 West (South) teams had ten wins to Midlands 2 West (North) teams eight; and the home team won promotion on eleven occasions compared to the away teams seven.
As mentioned above the 2008âÂÂ09 promotion play-offs in Midlands 3 were different due to RFU restructuring for the following season. The two runners-up with the worst league records in the four regional divisions at this level had to face each other for the final promotion spot, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage.