Counties 3 Yorkshire, previously known as Yorkshire 3, is an English rugby union league at the ninth tier of the domestic competition. Club rugby in Yorkshire operates without promotion play-offs meaning that the top two teams are automatically promoted to Counties 2 Yorkshire and the bottom two teams are relegated to Counties 4 Yorkshire. Each season a team from Counties 3 Yorkshire or Counties 4 Yorkshire may be picked to take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a national competition for clubs at levels 9–12.
Quick Facts Sport, Instituted ...
Counties 3 Yorkshire|
Sport | Rugby union |
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Instituted | 1987; 37 years ago (1987) |
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Number of teams | 12 |
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Country | England |
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Holders | Hemsworth (2nd title) (2022–23) (promoted to Counties 2 Yorkshire) |
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Most titles | Aireborough, Heath, Hemsworth, Leeds Corinthians, Roundhegians, Wetherby, Wath upon Dearne, Yarnbury, Barnsley (2 titles) |
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Website | England RFU |
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More information Team, Ground ...
Team |
Ground |
Capacity |
City/Area |
Previous season |
Barnsley | Shaw Lane | | Barnsley, South Yorkshire | 9th |
Burley | Abbey | | Hawksworth, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 11th |
Castleford | Methley Pitch | | Castleford, West Yorkshire | 6th |
Halifax RUFC | Ovenden Park | | Halifax, West Yorkshire | 3rd |
Leeds Corinthians | Nutty Slack | | Middleton, Leeds, West Yorkshire | Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (12th) |
Old Otliensians | Chaffers Field | | Otley, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Counties 4 Yorkshire (champions) |
Rotherham Phoenix | Rotherham Rugby Club | | Rotherham, South Yorkshire | 5th |
Skipton | Sandylands | | Skipton, North Yorkshire | 10th |
Thirsk | Newsham Road | | Thirsk, North Yorkshire | 4th |
Thornensians | Coulman Road | | Thorne, South Yorkshire | Promoted from Counties 4 Yorkshire (runners up) |
West Park Leeds | The Sycamores | | Bramhope, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 8th |
Wheatley Hills | Brunel Road | | Doncaster, South Yorkshire | 7th Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (11th) |
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Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 3 Yorkshire teams
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More information Team, Ground ...
Team |
Ground |
Capacity |
City/Area |
Previous season |
Barnsley | Shaw Lane | | Barnsley, South Yorkshire | Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (12th) |
Burley | Abbey | | Hawksworth, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 3rd |
Castleford | Methley Pitch | | Castleford, West Yorkshire | 9th |
Halifax RUFC | Ovenden Park | | Halifax, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Counties 4 Yorkshire (runners up) |
Halifax Vandals | Warley Town Lane | | Halifax, West Yorkshire | 6th |
Northallerton | Brompton Lodge | | Northallerton, North Yorkshire | Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (10th) |
Rotherham Phoenix | Rotherham Rugby Club | | Rotherham, South Yorkshire | Promoted from Counties 4 Yorkshire (champions) |
Sheffield Medicals | Norton Playing Fields | | Norton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire | 8th |
Skipton | Sandylands | | Skipton, North Yorkshire | 5th |
Thirsk | Newsham Road | | Thirsk, North Yorkshire | 4th |
West Park Leeds | The Sycamores | | Bramhope, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 7th |
Wheatley Hills | Brunel Road | | Doncaster, South Yorkshire | Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (11th) |
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Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 3 Yorkshire teams
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This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. The league was substantially similar to Yorkshire 3 with teams ranked 4th to 12th returning (1st to 3rd were 'promoted' to Counties 2 Yorkshire and the bottom two 'relegated' to Counties 4 Yorkshire) and supplemented by top 2 from Yorkshire 4 and one coming down from Yorkshire 2 so with five departing but only three arriving the league was reduced from 14 teams to 12.
More information Team, Ground ...
Team |
Ground |
Capacity |
City/Area |
Previous season |
Burley | Abbey | | Hawksworth, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 8th Yorkshire 3 |
Castleford | Methley Pitch | | Castleford, West Yorkshire | 4th Yorkshire 3 |
Halifax Vandals RUFC | Warley Town Lane | | Halifax, West Yorkshire | 6th Yorkshire 3 |
Hemsworth | Moxon Fields | | Hemsworth, West Yorkshire | 12th Yorkshire 3 |
Knottingley | Howard's Field | | Knottingley, West Yorkshire | 10th Yorkshire 3 |
Leeds Medics & Dentists | Weetwood Playing Fields | | Weetwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 |
Ossett | Queens Terrace, Ossett CC | | Ossett, West Yorkshire | 5th Yorkshire 3 |
Sheffield Medicals | Norton Playing Fields | | Norton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire | 9th Yorkshire 3 |
Skipton | Sandylands | | Skipton, North Yorkshire | 7th Yorkshire 3 |
Thirsk | Thirsk Athletic Club | | Thirsk, North Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 |
Thornensians | Coulman Road | | Thorne, South Yorkshire | Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th) |
West Park Leeds | The Sycamores | | Bramhope, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 11th Yorkshire 3 |
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{{location map+ |United Kingdom West Yorkshire |float= |width=400|caption= Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 3 Yorkshire teams in Leeds |places=
Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 3 Yorkshire teams
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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.
More information Team, Ground ...
Team |
Ground |
Capacity |
City/Area |
Previous season |
Barnsley | Shaw Lane | | Barnsley, South Yorkshire | Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (13th) |
Bramley Phoenix | Grosmont Terrace | | Bramley, Leeds, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (champions) |
Burley | Abbey | | Hawksworth, Leeds, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (runners-up) |
Castleford | Methley Pitch | | Castleford, West Yorkshire | 8th |
Harrogate Pythons | Station View | | Harrogate, North Yorkshire | 4th |
Hemsworth | Moxon Fields | | Hemsworth, West Yorkshire | 11th |
Knottingley | Howard's Field | | Knottingley, West Yorkshire | 3rd |
Old Otliensians | Chaffers Field | | Otley, West Yorkshire | 5th |
Ossett | Ossett Cricket and Athletic Club | | Ossett, West Yorkshire | 7th |
Sheffield Medicals | Norton Playing Fields | | Norton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire | 10th |
Skipton | Sandylands | | Skipton, North Yorkshire | 12th |
West Park Leeds | The Sycamores | | Bramhope, Leeds, West Yorkshire | Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th) |
Wibsey | Northfield Road | | Wibsey, Bradford, West Yorkshire | 6th |
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Locations of the 2021-22 Yorkshire 3 teams in Leeds
Locations of the 2021–22 Yorkshire 3 teams
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On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced [1] 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 Yorkshire 3 was not contested.
More information Team, Ground ...
Team |
Ground |
Capacity |
City/Area |
Previous season |
Aireborough | Nunroyd Park | | Yeadon, West Yorkshire | 13th (not relegated) |
Baildon | Jenny Lane | | Baildon, West Yorkshire | 11th |
Castleford | Methley Pitch | | Castleford, West Yorkshire | 5th |
Halifax Vandals RUFC | Warley Town Lane | | Halifax, West Yorkshire | 9th |
Harrogate Pythons | Station View | | Harrogate, North Yorkshire | 3rd |
Hemsworth | Moxon Fields | | Hemsworth, West Yorkshire | 8th |
Knottingley | Howard's Field | | Knottingley, West Yorkshire | 6th |
Leeds Corinthians | Nutty Slack | | Middleton, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 4th |
Old Otliensians | Chaffers Field | | Otley, West Yorkshire | Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th) |
Ossett | Ossett Cricket and Athletic Club | | Ossett, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (runners up) |
Rotherham Phoenix | Herringthorpe Playing Fields | | Clifton, Rotherham, South Yorkshire | 7th |
Sheffield Medicals | Norton Playing Fields | | Norton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire | 12th |
Skipton | Sandylands | | Skipton, North Yorkshire | 10th |
Wibsey | Northfield Road | | Wibsey, Bradford, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (champions) |
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Locations of the 2019–20 Yorkshire 3 teams
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More information Team, Ground ...
Team |
Ground |
Capacity |
City/Area |
Previous season |
Aireborough | Nunroyd Park | | Yeadon, West Yorkshire | 6th |
Baildon | Jenny Lane | | Baildon, West Yorkshire | 12th |
Castleford | Methley Pitch | | Castleford, West Yorkshire | 5th |
Halifax Vandals RUFC | Warley Town Lane | | Halifax, West Yorkshire | Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th) |
Harrogate Pythons | Station View | | Harrogate, North Yorkshire | 10th |
Hemsworth | Moxon Fields | | Hemsworth, West Yorkshire | 7th |
Knottingley | Howard's Field | | Knottingley, West Yorkshire | 8th |
Leeds Corinthians | Nutty Slack | | Middleton, Leeds, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (runners up) |
Leeds Modernians | Cookridge Lane | | Cookridge, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 4th |
Rotherham Phoenix | Herringthorpe Playing Fields | | Clifton, Rotherham, South Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (champions) |
Sheffield Medicals | Norton Playing Fields | | Norton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire | 9th |
Skipton | Sandylands | | Skipton, North Yorkshire | 11th |
Thornensians | Coulman Road | | Thorne, South Yorkshire | Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (13th) |
Wensleydale | Cawkill Park | | Leyburn, North Yorkshire | 3rd |
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Locations of the 2018–19 Yorkshire 3 teams in Leeds
Locations of the 2018–19 Yorkshire 3 teams
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More information Team, Ground ...
Team |
Ground |
Capacity |
City/Area |
Previous season |
Aireborough | Nunroyd Park | | Yeadon, West Yorkshire | 8th |
Baildon | Jenny Lane | | Baildon, West Yorkshire | 7th |
Castleford | Methley Pitch | | Castleford, West Yorkshire | 12th |
Harrogate Pythons | Station View | | Harrogate, North Yorkshire | 11th |
Hemsworth | Moxon Fields | | Hemsworth, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (champions) |
Knottingley | Howard's Field | | Knottingley, West Yorkshire | 3rd |
Leeds Medics & Dentists | Weetwood Playing Fields | | Weetwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 5th |
Leeds Modernians | Cookridge Lane | | Cookridge, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 6th |
Northallerton | Brompton Lodge | | Northallerton, North Yorkshire | 4th |
Old Otliensians | Chaffers Field | | Otley, West Yorkshire | 9th |
Sheffield Medicals | Norton Playing Fields | | Norton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire | Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th) |
Skipton | Sandylands | | Skipton, North Yorkshire | Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (runners up) |
Stocksbridge | Coal Pit Lane | | Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire | 13th |
Wensleydale | Cawkill Park | | Leyburn, North Yorkshire | 10th |
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Locations of the 2017–18 Yorkshire 3 teams in Leeds
Locations of the 2017–18 Yorkshire 3 teams
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- Aireborough
- Baildon
- Bramley Phoenix
- Goole (relegated from Yorkshire 2)
- Halifax (promoted from Yorkshire 4)
- Harrogate Pythons
- Leeds Medics and Dentists (relegated from Yorkshire 2)
- Leeds Modernians
- Northallerton
- Old Otliensians
- Rotherham Phoenix
- Stocksbridge
- Thornensians
- Wetherby (promoted from Yorkshire 4)
- Aireborough
- Baildon (relegated from Yorkshire 2)
- Bramley Phoenix
- Burley
- Castleford
- Harrogate Pythons
- Hemsworth
- Northallerton
- Old Grovians
- Old Modernians
- Old Otliensians (promoted from Yorkshire 4)
- Rotherham Phoenix
- Stocksbridge (promoted from Yorkshire 4)
- Thornensians
- Aireborough
- Bramley Phoenix
- Burley
- Castleford
- Goole
- Harrogate Pythons (promoted from Yorkshire 4)
- Hemsworth
- Leeds Medics and Dentists
- Northallerton
- Old Grovians (promoted from Yorkshire 4)
- Old Modernians
- Rotherham Phoenix
- Skipton (relegated from Yorkshire 2)
- Thornensians
- Aireborough
- Baildon
- Bramley Phoenix
- Burley
- Goole
- Hemsworth
- Hessle
- Leeds Medics and Dentists
- Northallerton
- Old Modernians
- Old Rishworthians
- Rotherham Phoenix
- Thornensians
- York Railway Institute
When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:
- Airebronians
- Baildon
- Bradford Salem
- Bridlington
- Heath
- Knottingley
- Leeds CSSA
- Marist
- Northallerton
- Rodillians
- Yarnbury
Yorkshire 3 (1987–1993)
The original Yorkshire 3 was a tier 11 league with promotion up to Yorkshire 2 and relegation down to Yorkshire 4.
More information Season, No of Teams ...
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Season |
No of Teams |
Champions |
Runners–up |
Relegated Teams |
1987–88 | 11 | Bridlington | Marist | Northallerton, Bradford Salem |
1988–89 | 11 | Yarnbury | Old Otliensians | Heath, Leeds CSSA |
1989–90 | 11 | Leodiensian | Knottingley | Baildon |
1990–91 | 11 | Bradford Salem | Sheffield Oaks | Aireborians |
1991–92 | 11 | Wath upon Dearne | Old Modernians[lower-alpha 1] | No relegation[lower-alpha 2] |
1992–93 | 13 | Hessle | Halifax Vandals | Baildon |
Green backgrounds are promotion places. |
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Yorkshire 3 (1993–2000)
The creation of National 5 North for the 1993–94 season meant that Yorkshire 3 dropped to become a tier 12 league. A further restructure at the end of the 1995–96 season, which included the cancellation of National 5 North and the addition of North East 3 at tier 9, saw Yorkshire 3 remain at tier 12.
More information Season, No of Teams ...
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Season |
No of Teams |
Champions |
Runners–up |
Relegated Teams |
1993–94 | 13 | Aireborough | Wibsey | Leeds YMCA |
1994–95 | 13 | Wetherby | Skipton | Burley |
1995–96 | 13 | Hullensians | Phoenix Park | Multiple teams[lower-alpha 3] |
1996–97 | 10 | Huddersfield Y.M.C.A. | West Leeds | No relegation[lower-alpha 4] |
1997–98 | 10 | Hemsworth | Stanley Rodillians | Hornsea |
1998–99[2] | 10 | York Railway Institute | Heath | Wibsey, Old Modernians, Wetherby |
1999–00[3] | 10 | Leeds Corinthians | Moortown | Stanley Rodillians, Baildon, Stocksbridge |
Green backgrounds are promotion places. |
Close
Yorkshire 3 (2000–present)
Northern league restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 1999–2000 season saw the cancellation of North East 1, North East 2 and North East 3 (tiers 7–9). This meant that Yorkshire 3 became a tier 9 league.
More information Season, No of Teams ...
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Season |
No of Teams |
Champions |
Runners–up |
Relegated Teams |
2000–01[4] | 12 | Skipton | Malton and Norton | Hullensians, Sheffield Oaks, Moortown |
2001–02[5] | 12 | Heath | Malton and Norton | Hessle, Roundhegians, Barnsley |
2002–03[6] | 12 | Knottingley | Stocksbridge | Halifax Vandals |
2003–04[7] | 12 | Pocklington | Castleford | Leeds Corinthians, Wath upon Dearne |
2004–05[8] | 12 | Barnsley | West Leeds | Hemsworth, Bramley Phoenix |
2005–06[9] | 12 | Heath | York Railway Institute | Old Modernians, Castleford |
2006–07[10] | 12 | Yarnbury | Skipton | Stocksbridge, Northallerton |
2007–08[11] | 12 | Moortown | Castleford | York Railway Institute, Thornensians |
2008–09[12] | 12 | West Park Leeds | Hullensians[lower-alpha 5] | Wath upon Dearne |
2009–10[13] | 12 | Roundhegians | Old Rishworthians | Garforth |
2010–11[14] | 12 | Wath upon Dearne | Goole | Old Otliensians |
2011–12[15] | 12 | Roundhegians | Sheffield Medicals | Halifax Vandals |
2012–13[16] | 14 | Old Rishworthians | Baildon | York Railway Institute, Hessle |
2013–14[17] | 14 | Goole | Leeds Medics and Dentists | Skipton |
2014–15[18] | 14 | Old Grovians | Castleford | Hemsworth, Burley |
2015–16[19] | 14 | Wetherby | Thornensians | Rotherham Phoenix, Bramley Phoenix |
2016–17[20] | 14 | Halifax Vandals | Goole | Halifax[lower-alpha 6] |
2017–18[21] | 14 | Northallerton | Otliensians | Leeds Medics & Dentists, Stocksbridge |
2018–19[22] | 14 | Wensleydale | Thornensians | Leeds Modernians |
2019–20[23] | 14 | Leeds Corinthians | Baildon | Aireborough, Rotherham Phoenix |
2020–21 | 14 | Barnsley | Harrogate Pythons |
Old Otliesians |
Green backgrounds are promotion places. |
Close
- Aireborough (2)
- Heath (2)
- Hemsworth (2)
- Leeds Corinthians (2)
- Roundhegians (2)
- Wetherby (2)
- Wath upon Dearne (2)
- Yarnbury (2)
- Barnsley (2)
- Bradford Salem (1)
- Bridlington (1)
- Goole (1)
- Halifax Vandals (1)
- Huddersfield Y.M.C.A. (1)
- Hullensians (1)
- Knottingley (1)
- Leodiensian (1)
- Moortown (1)
- Northallerton (1)
- Pocklington (1)
- Old Grovians (1)
- Old Rishworthians (1)
- Skipton (1)
- Wensleydale (1)
- West Park Leeds (1)
- York Railway Institute (1)
League restructuring due to the cancellation of Yorkshire 6 ahead of the 1992–93 season, meant seven clubs were promoted into Yorkshire 2 including Dinnington, West Leeds, Northallerton, Leeds CSSA and Sheffield Tigers.
League restructuring due to the cancellation of Yorkshire 6 ahead of the 1992–93 season, meant no clubs were relegated and nine clubs would be promoted from Yorkshire 4.
Yorkshire league restructuring due to reintroduction of Yorkshire 6 ahead of the 1996–97 season saw nine clubs, including Marist, Ossett, Stanley Rodillians, York Railway Institute, Knottingley, Old Rishworthians, Mosborough, Heath, Leeds Corinthians, Baildon relegated from Yorkshire 3; Marist and Ossett, were relegated to Yorkshire 4, while the other seven relegated sides dropped into Yorkshire 5.
No relegation due to cancellation of Yorkshire 6 ahead of the 1997–98 season.
Barnsley, Hessle, Goole, West Leeds and Doncaster Phoenix were also promoted. This was due to the restructure of the Yorkshire League increasing the number of teams in the divisions above, meaning that there were a lot of promotions at the end of this season.
Only 1 team relegated at end of season meaning 13th placed Stocksbridge were safe.