Counties 3 Hampshire

Counties 3 Hampshire

Current season or competition: 2024-25 Counties 3 Hampshire
Sport	Rugby union
Instituted	1987; 37 years ago (1987) (as Hampshire 2)
Number of teams	10
Country	England
Most titles	Isle Of Wight (3 titles)
Website	englandrugby.com

Counties 3 Hampshire (formerly Hampshire 1) is an English level 9 Rugby Union league for teams based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Up until the 2017–18 season it was known as Hampshire 2 but was changed to Hampshire 1 following the restructuring of the Hampshire leagues, which would see the re-introduction of a third division as well as 2nd and 3rd XV sides joining for the first time. Following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name Counties 3 Hampshire.

Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.

Promoted teams move up to Counties 2 Hampshire. Relegated teams drop down to Counties 4 Hampshire.

The points system is as follows.

• 4 points awarded for a win.
• 2 points awarded for a draw.
• 0 points awarded for a loss.
• 1 "bonus" (+) point awarded for scoring 4 tries (or more).
• 1 "bonus" (+) point awarded for losing by 7 points (or fewer).

No team can get more than 5 points in a match. Points awarded are the same regardless of the outcome at home or away.

Departing were Havant III, Isle Of Wight and Fareham Heathans, all promoted to Counties 2 Hampshire. Alresford were relegated to Counties 4 Hampshire.

Joining were Tottonians II, relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire and Southampton, promoted from Counties 4A Hampshire.

With four teams departing and two joining the league was reduced from twelve to ten sides.

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Aldershot & Fleet Aldershot Park Aldershot, Hampshire 5th Andover II Foxcotte Lane Andover, Hampshire 8th Christchurch East Sports and Social Club Christchurch, Dorset 9th Eastleigh II The Hub Eastleigh, Hampshire 10th Overton The Old Cricket Ground Laverstoke, Hampshire 4th Portsmouth II The Rugby Camp Portsmouth, Hampshire 7th Romsey Romsey Sports Centre Romsey, Hampshire 6th Southampton Test Park Playing Fields Southampton, Hampshire Promoted from Counties 4A Hampshire Tottonians II Water Lane Totton, Hampshire Relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire Ventnor Watcombe Bottom Ventnor, Isle of Wight 11th

Aldershot & Fleet Andover II Christchurch Eastleigh II Overton Portsmouth II Romsey Southampton Tottonians II class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 3 Hampshire teams in Hampshire & Dorset Ventnor class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 3 Hampshire teams on the Isle of Wight

Departing were Guernsey Vikings, Locksheath Pumas and Winchester II, all promoted to Counties 2 Hampshire, whilst Gosport & Fareham II (12th) were relegated to Counties 4 Hampshire.

Joining were Alresford and Eastleigh II, relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire together with Christchurch and Aldershot & Fleet, promoted from Counties 4A Hampshire.

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Aldershot & Fleet Aldershot Park Aldershot, Hampshire Promoted from Counties 4 Hampshire (runners-up) Alresford Alresford Recreation Centre New Alresford, Hampshire Relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire Andover II Foxcotte Lane Andover, Hampshire 4th Christchurch East Sports and Social Club Christchurch, Dorset Promoted from Counties 4 Hampshire (champions) Eastleigh II The Hub Eastleigh, Hampshire Relegated from Counties 2 Hampshire Fareham Heathens Cams Alders Recreation Centre Fareham, Hampshire 11th Havant III Hook's Lane Bedhampton, Havant, Hampshire 7th Isle Of Wight Footways Wootton, Isle of Wight 6th Overton The Old Cricket Ground Laverstoke, Hampshire 5th Portsmouth II The Rugby Camp Portsmouth, Hampshire 10th Romsey Romsey Sports Centre Romsey, Hampshire 8th Ventnor Watcombe Bottom Ventnor, Isle of Wight 9th

Aldershot & Fleet Alresford Andover II Christchurch Eastleigh II Fareham Havant III Overton Portsmouth II Romsey class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 3 Hampshire teams in Hampshire & Dorset Isle of Wight Ventnor class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 3 Hampshire teams on the Isle of Wight

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review^[1] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 3 Hampshire.

Departing were Tottonians II and United Services Portsmouth, promoted to Counties 2 Hampshire. Fawley (3rd) did not return for the new season.

Joining were Havant III, Andover II and Winchester II, all promoted from Hampshire 2, together with Locksheath Pumas, relegated from Hampshire Premier, and Guernsey Vikings

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Andover II Foxcotte Lane Andover, Hampshire Promoted from Hampshire 2 (runners-up) Fareham Heathens Cams Alders Recreation Centre Fareham, Hampshire 5th Gosport & Fareham II Gosport Park Gosport, Hampshire 7th Guernsey Vikings Footes Lane Saint Peter Port, Guernsey New entry Havant III Hook's Lane Bedhampton, Havant, Hampshire Promoted from Hampshire 2 (champions) Isle Of Wight Footways Wootton, Isle of Wight 6th Locksheath Pumas Wide Lane Sports Ground Eastleigh, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire Premier Overton The Old Cricket Ground Laverstoke, Hampshire 4th Portsmouth II The Rugby Camp Portsmouth, Hampshire 8th Romsey Romsey Sports Centre Romsey, Hampshire 10th Ventnor Watcombe Bottom Ventnor, Isle of Wight 9th Winchester II North Walls Park Winchester, Hampshire Promoted from Hampshire 2 (3rd)

Andover II Fareham G & F II Guernsey Havant III Locksheath Overton Portsmouth II Romsey Winchester II class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 3 Hampshire teams in Hampshire & the Channel Islands Isle of Wight Ventnor class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 3 Hampshire teams on the Isle of Wight

Lockheath Pumas RFC finished 4th in 2019-20, but were promoted to Hampshire Premier for the current season, their place was taken by US Portsmouth who had withdrawn from London 3 South West in season 2019-20.

Farnborough who, were relegated from Hampshire Premier (12th) in 2019-20, fulfilled their early fixtures but subsequently withdrew from the league in November 2021.

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.

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Fareham Heathens Cams Alders Recreation Centre Fareham, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire Premier (11th) Fawley Gang Warily Recreation Centre Fawley, Hampshire 5th Gosport & Fareham II Gosport Park Gosport, Hampshire 10th Isle Of Wight Footways Wootton, Isle of Wight 6th Overton The Old Cricket Ground Laverstoke, Hampshire 5th Portsmouth II The Rugby Camp Portsmouth, Hampshire 7th Romsey Romsey Sports Centre Romsey, Hampshire 11th Southampton University Hospitals Southampton University Sports Ground Eastleigh, Hampshire 3rd Tottonians II Water Lane Totton, Hampshire 8th United Services Portsmouth Burnaby Road 8,000 Portsmouth, Hampshire N/A (joined league) Ventnor Watcombe Bottom Ventnor, Isle of Wight 9th

Fareham Fawley G & F II Overton Portsmouth II Romsey SUH Tottonians II United Services class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2021-22 Hampshire 1 teams in Hampshire & West Sussex Isle of Wight Ventnor class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2021-22 Hampshire 1 teams on the Isle of Wight

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

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Chichester II Oaklands Park Chichester, West Sussex Transferred from Sussex 3 (7th) Fawley Gang Warily Recreation Centre Fawley, Hampshire Promoted from Hampshire 2 (runners up) Gosport & Fareham II Gosport Park Gosport, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire Premier (12th) Isle Of Wight Footways Wootton, Isle of Wight 6th Locksheath Pumas Brookfield Community School Locks Heath, Fareham, Hampshire 4th Overton The Old Cricket Ground Laverstoke, Hampshire 5th Portsmouth II The Rugby Camp Portsmouth, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire Premier (10th) Romsey Romsey Sports Centre Romsey, Hampshire 7th Southampton Test Park Playing Fields Southampton, Hampshire 9th Southampton University Hospitals Southampton University Sports Ground Eastleigh, Hampshire N/A (joined league) Tottonians II Water Lane Totton, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire Premier (11th) Ventnor Watcombe Bottom Ventnor, Isle of Wight 8th

Chichester II Fawley G & F II Locksheath Overton Pompey II Romsey Southampton SUH Tottonians II class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2019-20 Hampshire 1 teams in Hampshire & West Sussex Isle of Wight Ventnor class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2019-20 Hampshire 1 teams on the Isle of Wight

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Alton Antsey Park Alton, Hampshire 6th Andover II Foxcotte Lane Andover, Hampshire N/A Ellingham & Ringwood Parsonage Barn Lane Ringwood, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 1 (8th) Farnborough Oak Farm Playing Fields Farnborough, Hampshire Champions (not promoted)[a] Isle Of Wight Footways Wootton, Isle of Wight Relegated from Hampshire 1 (9th) Locks Heath Pumas Brookfield Community School Locks Heath, Fareham, Hampshire 3rd Overton The Old Cricket Ground Laverstoke, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 1 (10th) Romsey Romsey Sports Centre Romsey, Hampshire Runners up (not promoted)[b] Southampton Test Park Playing Fields Southampton, Hampshire 4th Ventnor Watcombe Bottom Ventnor, Isle of Wight Relegated from Hampshire 1 (11th)

Andover II Alton Ellingham & Ringwood Farnborough Locks Heath Overton Romsey Southampton class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2018-19 Hampshire 1 teams in Hampshire Isle of Wight Ventnor class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2018-19 Hampshire 1 teams on the Isle of Wight

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Aldershot & Fleet Aldershot Park Aldershot, Hampshire 9th Alton Antsey Park Alton, Hampshire 3rd Chineham Fortress Chineham Basingstoke, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 1 (11th) Farnborough Oak Farm Playing Fields Farnborough, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 1 (10th) Fawley Gang Warily Recreation Centre Fawley, Hampshire 4th Locks Heath Pumas Brookfield Community School Locks Heath, Fareham, Hampshire 6th Romsey Romsey Sports Centre Romsey, Hampshire Relegated from Hampshire 1 (9th) Southsea Nomads University of Portsmouth Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire 7th Southampton Test Park Playing Fields Southampton, Hampshire 5th

Aldershot Anton Chineham Farnborough Fawley Locks Heath Romsey Nomads Southampton class=notpageimage| Locations of the 2017-18 Hampshire 2 teams

• Aldershot & Fleet
• Alresford
• Alton
• Fawley
• Kingsclere
• Loxheath Pumas (relegated from Hampshire 1)
• Lymington Mariners
• Nomads
• Overton
• Southampton

• Aldershot & Fleet
• Alresford
• Alton (relegated from Hampshire 1)
• Fawley
• Kingsclere
• Nomads
• Overton
• Romsey (relegated from Hampshire 1)
• Southampton
• Ventnor

• Aldershot & Fleet
• Alresford
• Chineham
• Fawley
• Locksheath Pumas
• Kingsclere
• Overton (relegated from Hampshire 1)
• Southampton (relegated from Hampshire 1)
• Southsea Nomads
• Ventnor

Petersfield and Fareham Heathens promoted into Hampshire 1 at the end of the season.

• Alresford
• Chineham
• Fareham Heathens
• Fawley
• Locksheath Pumas
• Lymington Mariners
• Nomads (relegated from Hampshire 1)
• Overton
• Solent University
• Stoneham
• Ventnor (relegated from Hampshire 1)

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Hampshire 2) contained the following teams:

• Andover
• Ellingham & Ringwood
• Fordingbridge
• Guernsey
• Nomads
• Overton
• Pegasus Palmerians
• Romsey
• Ventnor
• Waterlooville

Originally known as Hampshire 2, it was tier 9 league with promotion up to Hampshire 1 and as it was the lowest league level in the region, there was no relegation.

The creation of National 5 South meant that Hampshire 2 dropped from a tier 9 league to a tier 10 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to Hampshire 1, while the introduction of Hampshire 3 ahead of the 1994–95 season meant that there was now relegation.

The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Hampshire 2 reverted to being a tier 9 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Hampshire 1 and Hampshire 3 respectively.

The introduction of London 4 South West ahead of the 2000–01 season meant Hampshire 2 dropped to become a tier 10 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Hampshire 1 and Hampshire 3 respectively.

Hampshire 2 remained a tier 10 league despite national restructuring by the RFU. Promotion was to Hampshire 1 and there was no relegation due to the cancellation of Hampshire 3 at the end of the 2008–09 season.

Restructuring of the Hampshire leagues saw Hampshire 2 renamed as Hampshire 1. It remained a tier 10 league with promotion to Hampshire Premier (formerly Hampshire 1) and relegation returned to the newly introduced Hampshire 2 (formerly Hampshire 3).

• London & SE Division RFU
• Hampshire RFU
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England