Regional 2 Midlands West is an English level 6 rugby union league for rugby clubs in the western region of the Midlands. It includes sides from Birmingham, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands, Worcestershire and occasionally Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire. When this division began in 1987 it was known as Midlands 2 West, and has been restructured several times, most notably as a single division known as Midlands 2 between 1992 and 2000. It has been called Regional 2 Midlands West since 2022–23.
2024–25
Participating teams and locations
Departing were Silhillians, promoted to Regional 1 Midlands while Worcester Wanderers and Berkswell & Balsall were relegated. Stow-on-the-Wold moved on a level transfer to Regional 2 Severn. Joining were Old Halesonians (relegated from Regional 1 Midlands), two promoted sides in Edwardians, promoted as champions from Counties 1 Midlands West (North), and Ledbury (runner-up in Counties 1 Midlands West (South) – (Luctonians 2XV won the league but owing to league regulations were not permitted to be promoted to Level 6)) and Whitchurch on a level transfer from Regional 2 North West.
2023–24
Participating teams and locations
Departing were Old Halesonians, promoted to Regional 1 Midlands whilst Droitwich and Evesham were relegated. There were level transfers for Wolverhampton and Walsall to Regional 2 Midlands North while Crewe & Nantwich and Whitchurch moved to Regional 2 North West. Joining were Berkswell & Balsall, Moseley Oak, Shipston-on-Stour, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham and Newent as the league moved further south in its reach.
Final league table
2022–23
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league rebranded as Regional 2 Midlands West. The league was reduced from 14 to 12 clubs.
Participating teams and locations
Final league table
2021–22
The teams competing in 2021–22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019–20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020–21.
Participating teams and locations
2020–21
On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Midlands 1 West was not contested.
2019–20
Participating teams and locations
2018–19
Participating teams and locations
Teams 2017–18
2016-17
- Bournville
- Burton
- Crewe & Nantwich
- Dudley Kingswinford
- Hereford
- Kenilworth
- Moseley Oak (promoted from Midlands 2 West (North))
- Newport (Salop) (relegated from National League 3 Midlands)
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Stratford upon Avon
- Sutton Coldfield (relegated from National League 3 Midlands)
- Whitchurch
- Wolverhampton (promoted from Midlands 2 West (North))
- Worcester Wanderers
2015–16
Participating teams and locations
2014–15
- Barkers Butts
- Berkswell & Balsall
- Crewe and Nantwich (promoted from Midlands 2 West (North))
- Earlsdon (promoted from Midlands 2 West (South))
- Hereford
- Kenilworth
- Leek (promoted from Midlands 2 West (North))
- Newport (Salop) RFC (relegated from National League 3 Midlands)
- Silhillians
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Stratford Upon Avon
- Walsall
- Whitchurch
- Worcester Wanderers (relegated from National League 3 South West)
2013–14
- Barkers Butts
- Berkswell & Balsall
- Burton
- Hereford
- Kenilworth (promoted from Midlands 2 West (South))
- Lichfield
- Malvern (relegated from National League 3 South West)
- Market Bosworth (transferred from Midlands 1 East)
- Old Laurentians
- Silhillians (promoted from Midlands 2 West (North))
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Stratford Upon Avon
- Walsall
- Whitchurch
2012–13
- Barkers Butts
- Berkswell & Balsall
- Burton
- Camp Hill
- Hereford (relegated from National League 3 Midlands)
- Lichfield
- Ludlow
- Northwich
- Old Halesonians
- Stoke-on-Trent (promoted from Midlands 2 West (North)
- Stratford Upon Avon
- Walsall
- Whitchurch
- Worcester Wanderers
2011–12
- Bedworth
- Bournville
- Burton (relegated from National League 3 Midlands)
- Camp Hill
- Dunlop
- Kenilworth (relegated from National League 3 Midlands)
- Lichfield
- Ludlow
- Old Halesonians RFC
- Stratford Upon Avon
- Sutton Coldfield
- Walsall
- Whitchurch
- Worcester Wanderers
2010–11
- Banbury
- Bournville
- Camp Hill
- Dudley Kingswinford
- Leamington
- Lichfield
- Nuneaton Old Edwardians
- Old Halesonians
- Old Laurentians
- Stratford Upon Avon
- Sutton Coldfield
- Walsall
- Whitchurch
- Worcester Wanderers
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Midlands 2 West) contained the following teams:
- Bromsgrove
- Burton
- Dixonians
- Dudley Kingswinford
- Evesham
- Hereford
- Leamington
- Newbold-on-Avon
- Sutton Coldfield
- Tamworth
- Worcester
Regional 2 West Midlands honours
Midlands 2 West (1987–1992)
The original Midlands 2 West (along with its counterpart Midlands 2 East) was a tier 6 league with promotion to Midlands Premier and relegation to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire.
Midlands 2 (1992–1993)
Restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 1992–93 season saw Midlands 2 West and Midlands 2 East combined in a single tier 6 division known as Midlands 2. Promotion continued to Midlands 1 while relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands West 1.
Midlands 2 (1993–1996)
The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 2 dropped to become a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands Premier and Midlands West 1.
Midlands 2 (1996–2000)
At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands 2 returned to being a tier 6 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands Premier and Midlands West 1.
Midlands 2 West (2000–2009)
Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands 2 split back into two tier 6 regional leagues – Midlands 2 West and Midlands 2 East. Promotion continued to Midlands 1 while relegation was now to either Midlands 3 West (North) or Midlands 3 West (South) (both formerly part of Midlands West 1).
Midlands 1 West (2009–2022)
League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 2 West and Midlands 2 East were renamed as Midlands 1 West and Midlands 1 East, with both leagues remaining at tier 6. Promotion was now to National League 3 Midlands (formerly Midlands 1) and relegation to either Midlands 2 West (North) or Midlands 2 West (South).
Regional 2 Midlands West (2022–present)
Promotion play-offs
From 2000–01 until 2018–19 there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 1 East and Midlands 1 West for the third and final promotion place to National League 3 Midlands. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2018–19 season the Midlands 1 East teams have been the most successful with eleven wins to the Midlands 1 West teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six.
Number of league titles
Notes
See also
- Midlands RFU
- North Midlands RFU
- Staffordshire RU
- Warwickshire RFU
- English rugby union system
- Rugby union in England
References
- English RFU (2008). "Rugby First". RFU. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
- Rugby First: To view previous seasons in the league, search for any club within that league then click on to club details followed by fixtures and then select the appropriate season.
