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Counties 4 Hampshire

Current season or competition: 2024-25 Counties 4 Hampshire
Sport	Rugby union
Instituted	1994; 31 years ago (1994)
Number of teams	14
Country	England
Most titles	Aldershot & Fleet, Kingsclere, Overton, Ventnor (2 titles)
Website	englandrugby.com

Counties 4 Hampshire (formerly Hampshire 2) is an English level 10 rugby union league for teams based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It was originally known as Hampshire 3 until the 2008–09 season when it was discontinued, but the division was reinstated as Hampshire 2 following restructuring of the Hampshire leagues for the 2018–19 season, which would once again see Hampshire rugby have three divisions as well as including second XV sides for the first time. Following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name Counties 4 Hampshire.

Promoted teams move up to Counties 3 Hampshire. Relegated teams drop down to the Hampshire RFU merit leagues.

Competition points will be awarded as follows: For a win: five points; For a draw: three points; others i.e. match abandoned = two points. For a loss: one point; For losing by less than 15 points; one point. Four try bonus: one point.

Season 2024-25

Ahead of the new season the experiment with parallel A and B divisions was abandoned and the league reinstated as a single competition. This season was the first when Counties 4 Hampshire was recognised and administered as a RFU league, rather than as part of the Hampshire RFU merit leagues.

Departing were Southampton, promoted to Counties 3 Hampshire.

Joining were Alresford, relegated from Counties 3 Hampshire, together with Alton who last competed in Counties 1 Hampshire in 2022-23 finishing 11th.

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Alresford Alresford Recreation Centre New Alresford, Hampshire Relegated from Counties 3 Hampshire Alton Antsey Park Alton, Hampshire Re-entry Bognor II Hampshire Avenue Bognor, West Sussex 1st 4B Chineham Fortress Chineham Basingstoke, Hampshire 7th 4A Fawley Gang Warily Recreation Centre Fawley, Hampshire 3rd 4A Gosport & Fareham II Gosport Park Gosport, Hampshire 2nd 4A Hook & Odiham Papermill Avenue Hook, Hampshire 5th 4A Lymington Mariners Woodside Park Lymington, Hampshire 6th 4A Southsea Nomads University of Portsmouth Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire 4th 4A Winchester III North Walls Park Winchester, Hampshire 2nd 4B

AlresfordAltonBognor IIChinehamFawleyG & F IIHook & OdihamLymingtonNomadsWinchester IIIclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 4 Hampshire teams in Hampshire

Season 2023-24

Departing were Christchurch and Aldershot & Fleet, promoted to Counties 3 Hampshire.

Ahead of the new season the decision was taken to split the league into parallel A and B divisions.

Counties 4A

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Andover III Foxcotte Lane Andover, Hampshire Promoted from Counties 5 Hampshire North (champions) Chineham Fortress Chineham Basingstoke, Hampshire 7th Fawley Gang Warily Recreation Centre Fawley, Hampshire Re-entry Gosport & Fareham II Gosport Park Gosport, Hampshire Relegated from Counties 3 Hampshire Hook & Odiham Papermill Avenue Hook, Hampshire 4th Lymington Mariners Woodside Park Lymington, Hampshire Promoted Counties 5 Hampshire South West (champions) Southsea Nomads University of Portsmouth Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire 3rd Trojans II Stoneham Lane Eastleigh, Hampshire Promoted Counties 5 Hampshire South East (champions)

Andover IIIChinehamFawleyG & F IIHook & OdihamLymingtonNomadsTrojans IIclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 4A Hampshire teams in Hampshire

Counties 4B

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Basingstoke II Down Grange Basingstoke, Hampshire Promoted Counties 5 Hampshire North (4th) Bognor II Hampshire Avenue Bognor, West Sussex Re-entry Chichester III Oaklands Park Chichester, West Sussex Promoted Counties 5 Hampshire South East (runners-up) Farnborough Tilebarn Close Farnborough, Hampshire Promoted Counties 5 Hampshire North (runners-up) Locksheath Pumas II Brookfield Community School Locks Heath, Fareham, Hampshire Promoted Counties 5 Hampshire South East (3rd) Millbrook II 5 Acres Southampton, Hampshire Promoted Counties 5 Hampshire South West (3rd) Sandown & Shanklin II The Fairway Ground Sandown, Isle of Wight 6th Tottonians Badgers Water Lane Totton, Hampshire 8th Winchester III North Walls Park Winchester, Hampshire Promoted Counties 5 Hampshire South West (runners-up)

Basingstoke IIBognor IIChichester IIIFarnboroughLocksheath IIMillbrook IITottonians VetsWinchester IIIclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 4B Hampshire teams in Hampshire Sandown & Shanklin IIclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 4B Hampshire teams in Hampshire teams on the Isle of Wight

Season 2022-23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 4 Hampshire.

Departing were Havant III, Andover II and Winchester II, all promoted to Counties 3 Hampshire. Petersfield II (5th) dropped into Counties 5 Hampshire South East.

Joining were Christchurch and Hook & Odiham.

Bognor II (6th in 2021-22) started but did not complete the season withdrawing part way through.

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Aldershot & Fleet Aldershot Park Aldershot, Hampshire 8th Chineham Fortress Chineham Basingstoke, Hampshire 7th Christchurch East Sports and Social Club Christchurch, Dorset Hook & Odiham Papermill Avenue Hook, Hampshire Sandown & Shanklin II The Fairway Ground Sandown, Isle of Wight 10th Southsea Nomads University of Portsmouth Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire 9th Southampton Test Park Playing Fields Southampton, Hampshire 4th Tottonians Badgers Water Lane Totton, Hampshire 11th

Aldershot & FleetChinehamChristchurchHook & OdihamNomadsSouthamptonTottonians Vetsclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 4 Hampshire teams in Hampshire & West Sussex Sandown & Shanklin IIclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 4 Hampshire teams in Hampshire teams on the Isle of Wight

Season 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.

Stoneham started but did not complete the season withdrawing part way through.

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Aldershot & Fleet Aldershot Park Aldershot, Hampshire Promoted from Hampshire 3 (runners-up) Andover II Foxcotte Lane Andover, Hampshire 5th Bognor II Hampshire Avenue Bognor, Sussex 9th Chineham Fortress Chineham Basingstoke, Hampshire 8th Havant III Hook's Lane 1,500 Havant, Hampshire 1st Petersfield II Penn's Place Petersfield, Hampshire 3rd Sandown & Shanklin II The Fairway Ground Sandown, Isle of Wight Promoted from Hampshire 3 Southsea Nomads University of Portsmouth Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire 4th Southampton Test Park Playing Fields Southampton, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 1 (12th) Tottonians Badgers Water Lane Totton, Hampshire 7th Winchester II North Walls Park Winchester, Hampshire 2nd

Aldershot & FleetAndover IIBognor IIChinehamHavant IIIPetersfield IINomadsSouthamptonTottonians VetsWinchester IIclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2021–22 Hampshire 2 teams in Hampshire & West Sussex Sandown & Shanklin IIclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2021–22 Hampshire 2 teams on the Isle of Wight

Season 2020–21

On 30 October the RFU announced that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Hampshire 2 was not contested.

Season 2019-20

For the 2019–20 season, the league is being run as a 'Pro14' system, split into two pools. Teams will play six home and six away games against the other teams in their pool, and another seven games against the teams in the other pool, giving clubs 19 games in the season.

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Andover II Foxcotte Lane Andover, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 1 (12th) Basingstoke II Down Grange 2,500 (250 seats) Basingstoke, Hampshire 10th Bognor II Bognor, Sussex Sussex 2 Reserves Chineham Fortress Chineham Basingstoke, Hampshire 4th Hook & Odiham Hook, Hampshire Promoted from Hampshire 3 (2nd) Havant III Hook's Lane 1,500 Havant, Hampshire Hampshire 2 (champions) Isle Of Wight 2nd XV Footways Wootton, Isle of Wight Promoted from Hampshire 3 (champions) New Milton II Ashley Recreation Ground Ashley, New Milton, Hampshire Transferred from Dorset & Wilts 2 South (8th) Overton II The Old Cricket Ground Laverstoke, Hampshire 9th Petersfield II Penn's Place Petersfield, Hampshire 7th Southsea Nomads University of Portsmouth Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire 3rd Stoneham University of Southampton Southampton, Hampshire 5th Tottonians Badgers Water Lane Totton, Hampshire 8th Winchester II North Walls Park Winchester, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 1 (No position as did not fulfil all fixtures)

Andover IIB'stoke IIBognor IIChinehamHavant IIIHook & OdihamIsle of Wight IINew Milton IIOverton IIPetersfield IINomadsStonehamTottonians VetsWinchester IIclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2019–20 Hampshire 2 teams in Hampshire, Isle of Wight & West Sussex

Season 2018-19

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Aldershot & Fleet Aldershot Park Aldershot, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 2 (7th) Basingstoke II Down Grange 2,500 (250 seats) Basingstoke, Hampshire N/A Chineham Fortress Chineham Basingstoke, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 2 (9th) Fareham Heathens II Cams Alders Recreation Centre Fareham, Hampshire N/A Fawley Gang Warily Recreation Centre Fawley, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 2 (5th) Havant III Hook's Lane 1,500 Havant, Hampshire N/A Overton II The Old Cricket Ground Laverstoke, Hampshire N/A Petersfield II Penn's Place Petersfield, Hampshire N/A Southsea Nomads University of Portsmouth Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 2 (8th) Stoneham University of Southampton Southampton, Hampshire N/A Tottonians Vets Water Lane Totton, Hampshire N/A Winchester Knights North Walls Park Winchester, Hampshire N/A

AldershotBasingstoke IIChinehamFareham IIFawleyHavant IIIOverton IIPetersfield IINomadsStonehamTottonians VetsWinchester IIIclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2018–19 Hampshire 2 teams in Hampshire & West Sussex

Original teams

When this division was introduced in 1994 (as Hampshire 3) it contained the following teams:

• Alresford - relegated from Hampshire 2 (8th)
• Basingstoke Wombats - relegated from Hampshire 2 (12th)
• Ellingham & Ringwood - relegated from Hampshire 2 (11th)
• Fleet - relegated from Hampshire 2 (9th)
• Nomads - relegated from Hampshire 2 (10th)
• Waterlooville - relegated from Hampshire 2 (7th)

Hampshire 2 honours

Hampshire 3 (1994–1996)

Originally known as Hampshire 3, it was a tier 11 league. Promotion was to Hampshire 2 and as it was the lowest league tier in the region there was no relegation.

Hampshire 3 (1996–2000)

The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Hampshire 3 went from being a tier 11 to a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Hampshire 2 and there was no relegation.

Hampshire 3 (2000–2009)

The introduction of London 4 South West ahead of the 2000–01 season meant Hampshire 3 dropped to become a tier 11 league. Promotion continued to Hampshire 2 and there was no relegation. The division was cancelled at the end of the 2008–09 season, with the majority of teams transferring up into Hampshire 2.

Hampshire 2 (2018–present)

After an absence of nine years the division returned ahead of the 2018–19 season, this time with the name of Hampshire 2 due to Hampshire league restructuring. It remained a tier 11 league with promotion to Hampshire 1 (formerly Hampshire 2) and relegation to the newly introduced Hampshire 3.

Number of league titles

• Aldershot & Fleet (2)
• Kingsclere (2)
• Overton (2)
• Ventnor (2)
• East Dorset (1)
• Ellingham & Ringwood (1)
• Fordingbridge (1)
• Hampshire Constabulary (1)
• Havant III (1)
• Lytchett Minster (1)
• Overton (1)
• Stoneham (1)
• Team Solent (1)

See also

• Hampshire RFU
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

Notes

1. As Hampshire 3 was to be abolished all 7 teams in the division were promoted into Hampshire 2 for the following season.
2. Relegated due to Winchester II relegation to this league.
3. Aldershot & Fleet's titles include 1 win by Fleet prior to merger.

References

1. "Adult Competitions - Hampshire Domestic Leagues" (PDF). Hampshire RFU. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
2. "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 13 June 2022.
3. "RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season". RFU. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
4. "Hampshire 2 Fictures" (PDF). Hampshire RFU. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
5. "1998–1999 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
6. "1999–2000 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
7. "2000–2001 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
8. "2001–2002 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
9. "2002–2003 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
10. "2003–2004 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
11. "2004–2005 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
12. "2005–2006 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
13. "2006–2007 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
14. "2007–2008 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
15. "2008–2009 London South-East Division". England Ruigby. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
16. "2018–2019 London & South-East Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.

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