Devon League 2

Counties 3 Devon
Current season or competition:
2025–26 Counties 3 Devon
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987) (as Devon 2A / Devon 2B)
Ceased2018 (2018)
Number of teams21
Country England
Most titlesIlfracombe, Salcombe, Totnes (3 titles)
Websiteenglandrugby.com

Counties 3 Devon (formerly Devon League 2, also known as Tribute Devon 2 for sponsorship reasons) is an English level nine rugby union league for clubs based in Devon. Promotion is to Counties 1 Devon. Formerly relegation was to Devon League 3 but after its cancellation in 2003 there was no automatic relegation as this was the lowest division in club rugby union in Devon.

The league was suspended at the end of the 2017–18 season, with teams being either promoted into Devon League 1 or transferred to the Devon Merit Leagues. The league was reinstated following the RFU Adult competition Review which came into effect ahead of the 2022–23 season, but was initially split into East and West divisions before being re-categorised as East & North / South & West ahead of the 2023–24 season.

Format

The results of the matches contributed points to the league as follows:

  • 4 points are awarded for a win
  • 2 points are awarded for a draw
  • 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
  • 1 losing (bonus) point are awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
  • 1 additional (bonus) point are awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

2025–26

North & East

Departing were Crediton II, promoted to Counties 2 Devon.

South & West

Departing were Ivybridge II, promoted to Counties 2 Devon.

2024–25

North & East

Departing were Topsham II, promoted to Counties 2 Devon.

Teignmouth II started but did not complete the season leaving eleven sides to contest the fixtures.

South & West

Departing were Dartmouth and Tamar Saracens, promoted to Couties 2 Devon. Tavistock II (10th) did not return for the new season.

2023–24

The league was redesignated as North & East and South & West for the new season.

North & East

Departing were Old Plymouthian & Mannamedian, promoted to Counties 2 Devon. Torrington (9th) and Buckfastleigh Ramblers (10th) returned to their respective merit leagues.

Teignmouth II, Topsham II and Okehampton II joined on a level transfer from the West league.

South & West

Departing were Plymouth Argaum, promoted to Couties 2 Devon.

Topsham II (3rd), Newton Abbot (4th) and Teignmouth II (8th) went on a level transfer to the North & East division.

2022–23

The league was reinstated following the RFU Adult competition Review which saw the competition split into East and West divisions.

East

West

2018–2022

Not contested.

2017–18

The season started on 28 October 2017 and the last matches were played on 24 February 2018

Participating clubs and locations

2016–17

Participating clubs

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
Buckfastleigh Ramblers Buckfastleigh Sports Club Buckfastleigh 4th
Dartmouth Dartmouth Leisure Centre Dartmouth 5th
Devonport HSOB Stonehouse Creek Devonport, Plymouth 8th
Old Plymouthian & Mannamedian King George V Playing Fields Plymstock, Plymouth relegated from Devon 1
Old Technicians Weston Mill Oak Villa Social Club Plymouth[1] 3rd
Plympton Victoria St.Boniface Arena Plympton, Plymouth 7th
St Columba & Torpoint Defiance Field Torpoint, Cornwall relegated from Devon 1
Salcombe Two Meads 500 Salcombe 6th

Final table

2016–17 Devon League 2 Final Table[2]
Pos Team P W D L F A Diff Try bonus Loss bonus Pts Notes
1 Dartmouth (P) 14 13 0 1 407 120 287 7 0 60
2 Old Technicians (P) 14 11 1 2 264 125 139 3 1 53
3 Old Plymothian & Mannamedian 14 10 1 3 449 131 318 5 0 47
4 Buckfastleigh Ramblers 14 8 0 6 366 181 185 5 3 35 5 pts deducted
5 Salcombe 14 6 0 8 259 241 18 3 3 26 4 pts deducted
6 Devonport HSOB 14 4 0 10 213 235 −22 3 4 8 15 pts deducted
7 Plympton Victoria 14 2 0 12 95 589 −494 0 1 5 4 pts deducted
8 St Columba & Torpoint 14 1 0 13 61 492 −431 0 0 −6 10 pts deducted

Points are awarded as follows:

  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 0 points for a loss
  • 1 point for scoring four tries
  • 1 point for losing by seven points or less

If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background are the promotion place. There is no relegation.

2015–16

Participating clubs and locations

Buckfastleigh
Dartmouth
Ilfracombe
O Technicians
DHSOB
Plympton Vic
Salcombe
Torrington
Locations of the 2015–16 Devon 2
Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
Buckfastleigh Ramblers Buckfastleigh Sports Club Buckfastleigh 6th
Dartmouth Dartmouth Leisure Centre Dartmouth 5th
Devonport HSOB Stonehouse Creek Devonport, Plymouth 7th
Ilfracombe Brimlands Ilfracombe 4th
Old Technicians Weston Mill Oak Villa Social Club Plymouth[1] Relegated from Devon 1 (8th)
Plympton Victoria St.Boniface Arena Plympton, Plymouth 8th
Salcombe Two Meads 500 Salcombe 3rd
Torrington Donnacroft Torrington Relegated from Devon 1 (9th)

2014–15

North Tawton came first and were promoted to Devon 1 along with the runner-up Tamar Saracens. Both teams won thirteen of their fourteen matches; losing just the one match away to each other.[3]

2013–14

Participating clubs

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season
Buckfastleigh Ramblers Buckfastleigh Sports Club Buckfastleigh
Dartmouth Dartmouth Leisure Centre Dartmouth
Devonport HSOB Stonehouse Creek Devonport
Ilfracombe Brimlands Ilfracombe
North Tawton Taw Meadow North Tawton
Plymouth Argaum Bickleigh Down Plymouth
Plympton Victoria St.Boniface Arena Plympton
Tamar Saracens The Parkway Ernesettle, Plymouth[4]
Torrington Donnacroft Torrington

[5]

Final table

2013–14 Devon League 2 Final Table[6]
Pos Team P W D L F A Diff Try bonus Loss bonus Pts Notes
1 Plymouth Argaum (P) 16 14 0 2 647 140 507 10 1 67
2 Torrington (P) 16 12 0 4 450 142 308 7 2 58
3 Tamar Saracens 16 11 0 5 564 152 412 8 3 55
4 Dartmouth 16 9 0 7 320 365 −45 5 1 43
5 North Tawton 16 11 0 5 471 183 288 7 3 34 20 pts deducted
6 Buckfastleigh Ramblers 16 7 0 9 315 326 −11 3 2 33
7 Ilfracombe 16 6 0 10 257 322 −65 4 2 26 5 pts deducted
8 Devonport HSOB 16 2 0 14 111 753 −642 0 0 3 5 pts deducted
9 Plympton Victoria 16 0 0 16 95 847 −752 0 0 −10 10pts deducted

Points are awarded as follows:

  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 0 points for a loss
  • 1 point for scoring four tries
  • 1 point for losing by seven points or less

If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background are the promotion places (subject to a possible re-organisation of the league structure). There is no relegation.

2012–13

Participating clubs

  • Buckfastleigh Ramblers
  • Devonport HSOB
  • Ilfracombe
  • North Tawton
  • Plymouth Argaum
  • Plympton Victoria
  • St Columba & Torpoint
  • Tamar Saracens

Final table

2012–13 Devon 2 Final Table
Pos Team P W D L F A Diff Try bonus Loss bonus Pts Pts Adjusted
1 Old Technicians (P) 16 14 1 1 518 87 431 7 1 67 +8 points
2 St Columba & Torpoint (P) 15 10 1 4 322 99 223 7 2 53 +10 points
3 Plymouth Argaum 16 9 0 7 388 155 233 7 5 48 +12 points
4 North Tawton 16 10 1 5 349 217 132 3 0 45 +3 points
5 Tamar Saracens 16 7 1 8 242 211 31 3 4 37 +7 points
6 Ilfracombe 15 6 2 7 208 153 55 4 0 29 0
7 Buckfastleigh Ramblers 16 6 0 10 220 350 −130 1 2 27 +3 points
8 Devonport HSOB 14 3 0 11 88 488 −400 0 0 9 −4 points
9 Plympton Victoria 14 1 0 13 77 652 −575 0 2 –9 −13 pts

Points are awarded as follows:

  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 0 points for a loss
  • 1 point for scoring four tries
  • 1 point for losing by seven points or less

If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background are the promotion places.

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division was split into two regional leagues known as Devon 2A and Devon 2B and contained the following teams:

Devon 2A

Devon 2A was for teams based in Plymouth and the surrounding area.

  • Devonport HSOB[a]
  • Jesters[b]
  • Plympton[c]
  • Plymouth YMCA[d]
  • Old Public Oaks[e]
  • Old Plymothian & Mannamedian
  • Tamar Saracens
  • St Columba & Torpoint[f]
  • Victoria[g]

Devon 2B

Devon 2B was for teams based in the rest of Devon.

  • Cullompton
  • Dartmouth
  • North Tawton
  • Salcombe
  • Tavistock
  • Topsham
  • Withycombe

Devon League 2 honours

Devon League 2A / 2B (1987–1992)

The original Devon 2 (sponsored by Courage) was split into two tier 10 regional leagues – Devon 2A (Plymouth region) and Devon 2B (rest of Devon). Promotion was to Devon 1 and there was no relegation.

Devon League 2A / 2B
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) League name Ref
1987–88 9 Devonport HSOB Victoria No relegation Devon 2A [10]
7 Cullompton Dartmouth No relegation Devon 2B [10]
1988–89 9 Prince Rock Jesters No relegation Devon 2A [11]
7 Topsham Tavistock No relegation Devon 2B [11]
1989–90 10 Jesters Old Public Oaks No relegation Devon 2A [11]
8 Ilfracombe Dartmouth No relegation Devon 2B [11]
1990–91 10 Old Public Oaks Prince Rock No relegation Devon 2A [12]
7 Honiton Kingsbridge No relegation Devon 2B [12]
1991–92 10 Old Plymothian & Mannamedian Plymouth Argaum No relegation Devon 2A [13]
7 Tavistock Kingsbridge No relegation Devon 2B [13]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Devon League 2 (1992–1993)

Ahead of the 1992–93 season Devon 2A and 2B were merged into a single tier 10 division known as Devon 2. Promotion continued to Devon 1 and there was no relegation. The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.

Devon League 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1992–93 14 Withycombe Dartmouth No relegation [13]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Devon League 2 (1993–96)

The creation of National 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Devon 2 dropped to become a tier 11 league. Promotion continued to Devon 1 and there was no relegation until the introduction of Devon 3 at the end of the 1995–96 season. The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.

Devon League 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1993–94 12 Salcombe Prince Rock No relegation [14]
1994–95 12 Totnes Cullomption No relegation [15]
1995–96 12 Tamar Saracens Torrington Plymouth YMCA, Plympton Victoria, Jesters, Axminster[h] [16]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Devon League 2 (1996–2003)

The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Devon 2 return to being a tier 10 division. Promotion continued to Cornwall/Devon and relegation was now down to the new Devon 3.

Devon League 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1996–97 10 Ilfracombe Dartmouth St Columba [17]
1997–98 10 Cullompton Wessex Bovey Tracey [13]
1998–99 10 Totnes Tamar Saracens Prince Rock Woodland Fort, Devonport HSOB [18]
1999–00 10 Exeter Saracens Topsham Plymouth YMCA, Dartmouth [19]
2000–01 8 Devonport HSOB Old Public Oaks Plymouth Argaum, North Tawton, Buckfastleigh Ramblers [20]
2001–02 8 Topsham Exeter Saracens Plympton Victoria, Plymouth Barbarians, Marjon [21]
2002–03 7 Plymstock Albion Oaks Totnes No relegation[i] [22]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Devon League 2 (2003–2009)

Devon 2 continued as a tier 10 league with promotion to Devon 1. However, the cancellation of Devon 3 at the end of the 2002–03 meant that there was no longer relegation. From the 2008–09 season onward the league sponsor is Tribute.

Devon League 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2003–04 10 Buckfastleigh Ramblers Dartmouth No relegation [23]
2004–05 10 Prince Rock Woodland Fort Plymouth Barbarians No relegation [24]
2005–06 10 Tamar Saracens Exeter Saracens No relegation [25]
2006–07 9 Totnes Topsham No relegation [26]
2007–08 8 Salcombe St Columba & Torpoint No relegation [27]
2008–09 9 New Cross Old Technicians No relegation [28]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Devon 1 South & West (2009–2010)

For a solitary season Devon 2 was known as Devon 1 South & West. It remained a tier 10 league with promotion to Devon 1 and there was no relegation. Tribute continued to sponsor the league.

Devon 1 South & West
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2009–10 9 Salcombe Tamar Saracens No relegation
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Devon League 2 (2010–2018)

Devon 1 South & West was renamed back to Devon 2 for the 2010–11 season onward. It continued as a tier 10 league with promotion to Devon 1 and there was no relegation. Tribute continued to sponsor the league. At the end of the 2017–18 season Devon 2 was disbanded and all teams transferred into either Devon 1 or the Devon Merit Leagues.

Devon League 2
Season No of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2010–11 9 St Columba & Torpoint Topsham No relegation [29]
2011–12 9 Exeter University Dartmouth No relegation [30]
2012–13 9 Old Technicians St Columba & Torpoint No relegation [31]
2013–14 9 Plymouth Argaum Torrington No relegation [32]
2014–15 9 North Tawton Tamar Saracens No relegation [33]
2015–16 8 Ilfracombe Torrington No relegation [34]
2016–17 8 Dartmouth Old Technicians No relegation [35]
2017–18 8 North Tawton Buckfastleigh Ramblers[j] No relegation [36]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

  • Ilfracombe (3)[k]
  • Salcombe (3)[l]
  • Totnes (3)
  • Cullompton (2)[m]
  • Devonport HSOB (2)[n]
  • North Tawton (2)
  • Prince Rock Woodland Fort (2)[o]
  • Tamar Saracens (2)
  • Topsham (2)[p]
  • Buckfastleigh Ramblers (1)
  • Dartmouth (1)
  • Exeter Saracens (1)
  • Exeter University (1)
  • Honiton (1)[q]
  • Jesters (1)[r]
  • New Cross (1)
  • Old Plymothian & Mannamedian (1)[s]
  • Old Public Oaks (1)[t]
  • Old Technicians (1)
  • Plymouth Argaum (1)
  • Plymstock Albion Oaks (1)
  • St Columba & Torpoint (1)
  • Tavistock (1)[u]
  • Withycombe (1)

Notes

  1. ^ 'Old Boys' team for Devonport High School For Boys.
  2. ^ Jesters RFC would later be incorporated into Old Plymothian & Mannamedian RFC and would be the name for their 2nd XV.[7]
  3. ^ Plympton would later merge with Victoria to form Plympton Victoria RFC in 1996.[8]
  4. ^ Plymouth YMCA RFC is no longer active.
  5. ^ Old Public Oaks would merge with Plymstock in 2007 to form Plymstock Albion Oaks RFC.[9]
  6. ^ Despite being based in Cornwall, St Columba & Torpoint play in the Devon leagues.
  7. ^ Victoria would later merge with Plympton to form Plympton Victoria RFC in 1996.[8]
  8. ^ Multiple clubs were relegated to the newly introduced Devon 3. Relegated Jesters would drop out of the leagues and later become amalgamated with Old Plymothian & Mannamedian.
  9. ^ The cancellation of Devon 3 at the end of the 2002–03 season meant there was no relegation.
  10. ^ 3rd placed Old Plymothian & Mannamedian also promoted.
  11. ^ One of Ilfracombe's titles was for Devon 2B.
  12. ^ One of Salcombe's titles was when league was known as Devon 1 South & West.
  13. ^ One of Cullompton's titles was for Devon 2B.
  14. ^ One of Devonport HSOB's titles was for Devon 2A.
  15. ^ Prince Rock Woodland Fort's titles include one won when known as Prince Rock and was for Devon 2A.
  16. ^ One of Topsham's titles was for Devon 2B.
  17. ^ Honiton's title was for Devon 2B.
  18. ^ Jesters title was for Devon 2A.
  19. ^ Old Plymothian & Mannamedian's title was for Devon 2A.
  20. ^ Old Public Oaks title was for Devon 2A. Club currently known as Plymstock Albion Oaks RFC.
  21. ^ Tavistock's title was for Devon 2B.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Old Technicians". Pitchero. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Tribute Devon 2 2016–2017". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Tribute Devon2". English Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  4. ^ Hill, Drew (7 September 2014). "Combo Chatter". Cornwall Sunday Independent. p. 67.
  5. ^ "Rugby First. Tribute Devon 2". RFU. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Tribute Devon 2". RFU. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Old Plymothian & Mannamedian Jesters (2nd XV)". OPM Rugby. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Plympton Victoria are hoping for a bright future after securing a new home". Plymouth Gazette. 4 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Club History". Plymstock Albion Oaks RFC. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  10. ^ a b Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 123–139. ISBN 0 356 15884 5.
  11. ^ a b c d Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1 873057 024.
  12. ^ a b rothmans92 (1991). Stephen Jones (ed.). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0 356 20249 6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ a b c d Devon Rugby Football Union Ltd Official Handbook 2012 – 2013 (PDF). Devon RFU. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  14. ^ Stephen Jones, ed. (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7850 4.
  15. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7816 4.
  16. ^ Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7771 0.
  17. ^ Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7732 X.
  18. ^ "1998-99 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  19. ^ "1999-00 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  20. ^ "2000-01 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  21. ^ "2001-02 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  22. ^ "2002-03 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  23. ^ "2003-04 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  24. ^ "2004-05 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  25. ^ "2005-06 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  26. ^ "2006-07 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  27. ^ "2007-08 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  28. ^ "2008-09 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  29. ^ "2010-11 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  30. ^ "2011-12 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  31. ^ "2012-13 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  32. ^ "2013-14 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  33. ^ "2014-15 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  34. ^ "2015-16 South West Division". RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  35. ^ "2016-17 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  36. ^ "2017-18 South-West Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
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