Dorset & Wilts 1 South

Dorset & Wilts 1 South is an English Rugby Union league, forming part of the South West Division, for clubs primarily based in Dorset, sitting at tier 8 of the English rugby union system. Originally a single league, Dorset & Wilts 1 split into north and south regional divisions in 2004. Teams based in Berkshire participated until 2001 when they left to join the Buckinghamshire & Oxon leagues.

Dorset & Wilts 1 South

Current season or competition: 2019–20 Dorset & Wilts 1 South
Sport	Rugby union
Instituted	1987; 37 years ago (1987) (as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1)
Number of teams	12
Country	England
Holders	Dorchester (3rd title) (2019–20) (promoted to Southern Counties South)
Most titles	Blandford, Dorchester, Ivel Barbarians (3 titles)
Website	englandrugby.com

Promoted teams tend to move up to Southern Counties South, while relegated generally teams drop to Dorset & Wilts 2 South. Only 1st XV sides can be promoted into Southern Counties South, while any side can fall to Dorset & Wilts 2 South. Each year all 1st XV sides in the division also take part in the RFU Senior Vase – a level 8 national competition – provided they are members of the Dorset & Wilts RFU.

2021–22

Dorset Dockers (2nd in 2019-20) and East Dorset (11th in Dorset & Wilts 2 South in 2019-20) merged to form East Dorset Dockers for season 2021-22.

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season Blandford Larksmead Recreation Ground Blandford, Dorset 4th Bournemouth III Chapel Gate Bournemouth, Dorset 7th Bridport Brewery Fields Bridport, Dorset Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (champions) East Dorset Dockers Iford Lane Christchurch, Dorset 2nd North Dorset Slaughtergate 1,000 Gillingham, Dorset Relegated from Southern Counties South (12th) Oakmeadians Meyrick Park Bournemouth, Dorset 6th Puddletown Enterprise Park Piddlehinton, Dorset 10th Salisbury II Castle Road 1,500 Salisbury, Wiltshire 9th Sherborne II Gainsborough Park Sherborne, Dorset 5th Swanage & Wareham II Bestwall Rd Wareham, Dorset 11th Weymouth & Portland Monmouth Avenue Weymouth, Dorset 3rd Wimborne II Leigh Park Wimbourne, Dorset 8th

Blandford Bournemouth III Bridport East Dorset Dockers North Dorset Oakmeadians Puddletown Salisbury II Sherborne II Swanage & Wareham II Weymouth & Portland Wimbourne II Locations of the 2021-22 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams

2020–21

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season Blandford Larksmead Recreation Ground Blandford, Dorset 5th Bournemouth III Chapel Gate Bournemouth, Dorset 7th Dorchester Coburg Road Dorchester, Dorset Relegated from Southern Counties South (11th) Dorset Dockers Potterne Park Verwood, Dorset Runners up Lytchett Minster Lytchett Park Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (runners up) Oakmedians Meyrick Park Bournemouth, Dorset 3rd Puddletown Enterprise Park Piddlehinton, Dorset Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (runners up) Salisbury II Castle Road 1,500 Salisbury, Wiltshire 9th Sherborne II Gainsborough Park Sherborne, Dorset 8th Swanage & Wareham II Bestwall Road Wareham, Dorset Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (3rd) Weymouth & Portland Monmouth Avenue Weymouth, Dorset 6th Wimborne II Leigh Park Wimbourne, Dorset 4th

Blandford B'mouth III Dorchester Dorset Dockers Lytchett Minster Oakmedians Puddletown Salisbury II Sherborne II Swanage & Wareham II Weymouth & Portland Wimbourne II Locations of the 2019-20 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams

2018–19

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season Blandford Larksmead Recreation Ground Blandford, Dorset Relegated from Southern Counties South (12th) Bournemouth III Chapel Gate Bournemouth, Dorset 3rd Bridport Brewery Fields Bridport, Dorset 10th Dorset Dockers Potterne Park Verwood, Dorset Runners up Oakmedians Meyrick Park Bournemouth, Dorset 6th Puddletown Enterprise Park Piddlehinton, Dorset Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (runners up) Salisbury II Castle Road 1,500 Salisbury, Wiltshire 5th Sherborne II Gainsborough Park Sherborne, Dorset Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (champions) Swanage & Wareham Bestwall Road Wareham, Dorset Relegated from Southern Counties South (11th) Weymouth & Portland Monmouth Avenue Weymouth, Dorset 9th Wimbourne II Leigh Park Wimbourne, Dorset 4th

Blandford B'mouth III Bridport Dorset Dockers Oakmedians Puddletown Salisbury II Sherborne II Swanage & Wareham Weymouth & Portland Wimbourne II Locations of the 2018-19 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams

2017–18

Team Ground Capacity Town/Village Previous season Bournemouth III Chapel Gate Bournemouth, Dorset 6th Bridport Brewery Fields Bridport, Dorset Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (3rd) Dorchester Coburg Road Dorchester, Dorset 4th Dorset Dockers Potterne Park Verwood, Dorset Relegated from Southern Counties South (12th) New Milton II Normans Way Ashley, New Milton, Hampshire Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (champions) Lytchett Minster Lytchett Park Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset 9th North Dorset II Slaughtergate 1,000 Gillingham, Dorset 10th Oakmedians Meyrick Park Bournemouth, Dorset 8th Salisbury II Castle Road 1,500 Salisbury, Wiltshire 3rd Swanage & Wareham II Bestwall Road Wareham, Dorset 7th Weymouth & Portland Monmouth Avenue Weymouth, Dorset 5th Wimbourne II Leigh Park Wimbourne, Dorset 2nd

B'mouth III Bridport Dorchester Dorset Dockers Lytchett Minster New Milton North Dorset II Oakmedians Salisbury II Swanage & Wareham II Weymouth & Portland Wimbourne II Locations of the 2017-18 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams

2016–17

• Bournemouth III
• Dorchester (relegated from Southern Counties South)
• East Dorset
• Lytchett Minster
• New Milton & District II
• North Dorset II
• Oakmedians
• Salisbury II
• Sherborne II
• Swanage & Wareham II
• Weymouth & Portland (promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South)
• Wimborne II
• Yeovil (promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South)

2015–16

The 2015–16 Dorset & Wilts 1 South consisted of twelve teams; nine based in Dorset, two in south Wiltshire and one from Somerset. The season started on 12 September 2015 and ended on 23 April 2016.

Eight of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014-15 champions, Dorset Dockers were promoted to Southern Counties South while Yeovil were relegated to Dorset & Wilts 2 South and Westbury to Dorset & Wilts 2 North.

Blandford

Bournemouth II

East Dorset

Lytchett Minster

New Milton

North Dorset II

Oakmedians

Sherborne II

Swanage & Wareham II

Wimbourne II

Locations of the 2015-16 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams in Dorset

Frome II

Salisbury II

Warminster

Locations of the 2015-16 Dorset & Wilts 1 South teams in Somerset & Wiltshire

Team	Ground	Capacity	Town/Village	Previous season
Blandford	Larksmead Rugby Pitches		Blandford Forum, Dorset	4th
Bournemouth II	Chapel Gate		Bournemouth, Dorset	2nd
East Dorset	Iford Lane Playing Fields		Bournemouth, Dorset	Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (champions)
Frome II	Gypsy Lane		Frome, Somerset	7th
Lytchett Minster	Lytchett Park		Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset	5th
New Milton II	Normans Way		Ashley, New Milton, Hampshire
North Dorset II	Slaughtergate	1,000	Gillingham, Dorset	9th
Oakmedians	Meyrick Park		Bournemouth, Dorset	8th
Salisbury II	Castle Road		Salisbury, Wiltshire	Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (runners up)
Sherborne II	Gainsborough Park		Sherborne, Dorset	3rd
Swanage & Wareham II	Bestwall Road		Wareham, Dorset	Promoted from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (3rd)
Warminster	Folly Lane		Warminster, Wiltshire	10th
Wimbourne II	Leigh Park		Wimbourne, Dorset	6th

2014–15

• Blandford
• Bournemouth II
• Dorset Dockers
• Frome II
• Ivel Barbarians
• Lytchett Minster
• North Dorset II
• Oakmeadians
• Sherborne II
• Warminster
• Westbury
• Wimborne II

2012–13

• Blandford
• Bournemouth II
• Bridport
• Ivel Barbarians
• North Dorset II
• Oakmeadians II
• Salisbury II
• Sherborne II
• Swanage & Wareham II
• Warminster
• Westbury
• Wimborne II

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1) contained the following teams from Berkshire, Dorset and Wiltshire:

• Aldermaston
• Dorchester
• Devizes
• Hungerford
• Marlborough
• Royal Wootton Bassett
• R.E.M.E.
• Sherborne
• Swanage & Wareham
• Weymouth^[a]

Dorset & Wilts 1 South honours

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1987–1993)

Originally Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South were combined in a single division known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, involving clubs based in Berkshire^[b], Dorset and Wiltshire. It was a tier 8 league with promotion to Southern Counties and relegation to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1

Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
1987–88	10	Swanage & Wareham	Devizes	Hungerford	[1]
1988–89	11	Bracknell	Dorchester	Marlborough	[2]
1989–90	11	Sherborne	Corsham	R.E.M.E. Arborfield	[3]
1990–91	11	Dorchester	Devizes	Lytchett Minster, Puddletown, Aldermaston	[4]
1991–92	11	Bracknell	Chippenham	No relegation[c]	[5]
1992–93	13	Royal Wootton Bassett	Swindon	Bournemouth University	[6]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1993–1996)

The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Southern Counties and relegation to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1

Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
1993–94	13	Devizes	Swindon	Puddletown, Bradford-on-Avon, North Dorset	[7]
1994–95	13	Swindon	Melksham	Swindon College Old Boys	[8]
1995–96	13	Blandford	Royal Wootton Bassett[d]	No relegation[e]	[9]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Southern Counties South^[f], while relegation continued to Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2.

Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1

Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
1996–97	10	Weymouth	Westbury	Supermarine, Lytchett Minster
1997–98	10	Tadley	Redingensians	Marlborough, Aldermaston
1998–99	10	Ivel Barbarians	Swindon College Old Boys	Weymouth & Portland, East Dorset, Thatcham	[10]
1999–00	10	Swindon	Corsham	Calne, Blandford	[11]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 1 (2000–2004)

At the end of the 1999–00 season the division became known as Dorset & Wilts 1 following the departure of Berkshire clubs to join the Bucks & Oxon leagues. It remained a tier 8 league with promotion to Southern Counties South and relegation to either Dorset & Wilts 2 North or Dorset & Wilts 2 South (both formerly part of Berks/Dorset/Wilts 2).

Dorset & Wilts 1

Season	No of teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
2000–01	8	Frome	Oakmeadians	North Dorset	[12]
2001–02	8	Westbury	Calne	Bridport	[13]
2002–03	8	Trowbridge	Swindon College Old Boys	No relegation[g]	[14]
2003–04	10	Sherborne	Bradford-on-Avon	No relegation[h]	[15]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 1 South (2004–2009)

Ahead of the 2004–05 season, local league restructuring saw Dorset & Wilts 1 split into two tier 8 regional divisions: Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South. Promotion continued to Southern Counties South, while relegation was now to Dorset & Wilts 2 South.

Dorset & Wilts 1 South

Season	No of Teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
2004–05	10	Blandford	Weymouth & Portland	Dorchester II, Swanage & Wareham III	[16]
2005–06	11	Bournemouth II	Swanage & Wareham II	Wincanton, Ivel Barbarians II, Oakmeadians II	[17]
2006–07	9	Ivel Barbarians	Swanage & Wareham II	No relegation[i]	[18]
2007–08	11	Swanage & Wareham II[j]	Salisbury II	Blandford	[19]
2008–09	11	Dorchester II	Bridport	Wimborne II	[20]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Dorset & Wilts 1 South (2009–present)

Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008–09 season, Dorset & Wilts 1 South remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Southern Counties South and relegation to Dorset & Wilts 2 South.

Dorset & Wilts 1 South

Season	No of Teams	Champions	Runners–up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
2009–10	12	Bridport	Weymouth & Portland	Puddletown, Salisbury II	[21]
2010–11	11	Blandford	Weymouth & Portland	Wimborne II, Westbury	[22]
2011–12	12	Weymouth & Portland	Warminster	Ellingham & Ringwood II, Frome II, Bournemouth III	[23]
2012–13	11	Ivel Barbarians	North Dorset II	Oakmeadians II	[24]
2013–14	12	Wimborne II[k]	Blandford	Salisbury II, Swanage & Wareham II, East Dorset	[25]
2014–15	12	Dorset Dockers	Bournemouth II	Westbury, Ivel Barbarians	[26]
2015–16	12	Bournemouth II	Blandford[l]	Swanage & Wareham II, East Dorset	[27]
2016–17	12	Yeovil	Wimborne II	East Dorset, Sherborne II	[28]
2017–18	12	Dorchester	Dorset Dockers	Lytchett Minster, New Milton II, Swanage & Wareham II[m]	[29]
2018–19	11[n]	Swanage & Wareham	Dorset Dockers	Bridport	[30]
2019–20	12	Dorchester	Dorset Dockers	Lytchett Minster, Swanage & Wareham II	[31]
2020–21	12
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

• Blandford (3)^[o]
• Dorchester (3)^[p][q]
• Ivel Barbarians (3)^[r]
• Bracknell (2)^[s]
• Bournemouth II (2)
• Sherborne (2)^[t]
• Swanage & Wareham (2)^[u][v]
• Swindon (2)^[w]
• Weymouth & Portland (2)^[x]
• Bridport (1)
• Devizes (1)^[y]
• Dorchester II (1)
• Dorset Dockers (1)
• Frome (1)^[z]
• Royal Wootton Bassett (1)^[aa]
• Swanage & Wareham II (1)
• Swindon (1)^[ab]
• Trowbridge (1)^[ac]
• Westbury^[ad]
• Wimborne II (1)
• Yeovil (1)

Notes

1. Weymouth RFC would later be known as Weymouth & Portland RFC.
2. Since 2000, Berkshire clubs have played in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon leagues.
3. There was no relegation as league due to increase from 11 to 13 teams for the following season.
4. The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that six clubs were promoted including Marlborough, Corsham, North Dorset and Redingensians.
5. Restructuring caused by the cancellation of National League 5 South meant that there was no relegation.
6. Southern Counties was split into Southern Counties North and Southern Counties South as part of RFU restructuring at the end of the 1995–96 season.
7. No relegation due to league expansion from 8 teams to 10.
8. No relegation due to league restructure the following season as the league would split into 2 regional leagues - Dorset & Wilts 1 North and Dorset & Wilts 1 South.
9. No relegation as division restructured from 9 to 11 teams for the next season.
10. Not promoted as Swanage & Wareham 1st team in league above.
11. Not promoted as Wimborne 1st team in league above.
12. Runners up Blandford promoted as champions Bournemouth II declined promotion.
13. Swanage & Wareham II were relegated despite finishing 7th due to the Swanage & Wareham 1st XV being relegated from Southern Counties South for the following season.
14. Reduced from 12 to 11 teams after North Dorset II withdrew from league.
15. One of Blandford's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
16. One of Dorchester's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
17. Dorcester have won four titles overall - three by the 1st team and one by the 2nd team.
18. One of Ivel Barbarians titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1. Ivel Barbarians are now known as Yeovil Rugby Club.
19. Both of Bracknell's titles were won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
20. One of Sherborne's title was when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1, the other when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
21. One of Swanage & Wareham's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
22. Swanage & Wareham have won three titles overall - two by the 1st team and one by the 2nd team.
23. Both of Swindon's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
24. One of Weymouth & Portland's titles was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
25. Devizes title was won when the league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
26. Frome's title was won when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.
27. Royal Wootton Bassett's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
28. Swindon's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
29. Trowbridge's title was won when league was known as Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1.
30. Westbury's title was won when league was known as Dorset & Wilts 1.

See also

• South West Division RFU
• Dorset & Wilts RFU
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

References

1. Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89 (17th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 123–139. ISBN 0 356 15884 5.
2. Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1989). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1989–90 (18th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 133–136. ISBN 0 356 17862 5.
3. Johns, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1990). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1990–91 (19th ed.). London: Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 143–146. ISBN 0 356 19162 1.
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