# Midlands 3 West (North)

Counties 2 Midlands West (West) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North)) is a level 8 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the West Midlands region including Shropshire, Staffordshire, parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands and occasionally Cheshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to it to adopt the name Midlands 3 West (North) and again following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it was known, briefly as Counties 2 Midlands West (North), before the league was split East/West giving rise to its current name.
Promoted teams tend to move up to Counties 2 Midlands West (North) or Counties 2 Midlands West (South) depending on location. Relegated teams typically drop to Midlands 4 West (North). Each year all clubs in the division also take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a level 8 national competition.

## 2024-25

Departing were Newport (Salop) 2XV and Willenhall, both promoted. Handsworth (11th) and Rugeley (12th) were relegated.
Joining were Harborne, Longton, Trentham and Walsall II.

### Participating teams & locations
## 2023-24

The league name changed from Counties 2 Midlands West (North) to Counties 2 Midlands West (West) with a corresponding adjustment in the make up of the competing sides.
Departing were Burntwood and Harborne, promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (North). Aldridge (12th) and Cleobury Mortimer (11th) were relegated. Veseyans left on a level transfer to Counties 2 Midlands West (East).
Joining on a level transfer, were Bromyard and Tenbury from Counties 2 Midlands West (East) together with Rugeley, Willenhall and Stourbridge Lions.

### Participating teams & locations
## 2022-23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Midlands West (North).
Departing were Edwardians, Telford Hornets and Shrewsbury, all promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (North). Also leaving were Eccleshall (11th) and Linley & Kidsgrove (7th).
Joining were Bridgnorth II, Luctonians III, Market Drayton, Oswestry and Newport (Salop) 2XV.

### Participating teams & locations
## 2020–21

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

## Teams 2016-17

* Burntwood
* Cannock
* Clee Hill
* Cleobury Mortimer
* Eccleshall
* Edwardians
* Handsworth (relegated from Midlands 2 West (North))
* Harborne (relegated from Midlands 2 West (North))
* Ludlow
* Telford Hornets (promoted from Midlands 4 West (North))
* Uttoxeter (promoted from Midlands 4 West (North))
* Willenhall

## Teams 2015-16

* Bloxwich
* Burntwood
* Cannock (promoted from Midlands 4 West (North))
* Clee Hill
* Cleobury Mortimer (promoted from Midlands 4 West (North))
* Eccleshall
* Edwardians
* Ludlow (relegated from Midlands 2 West (North))
* Newcastle (Staffs)
* Tamworth (relegated from Midlands 2 West (North))
* Wednesbury
* Willenhall

## Teams 2014-15

* Aston Old Edwardians (relegated from Midlands 2 West (North))
* Bloxwich
* Burntwood
* Clee Hill (promoted from Midlands 4 West (North))
* Eccleshall
* Edwardians
* Handsworth
* Harborne (promoted from Midlands 4 West (North))
* Newcastle (Staffs)
* Uttoxeter
* Wednesbury
* Willenhall (relegated from Midlands 2 West (North))

## Teams 2013-14

* Bloxwich
* Burntwood
* Eccleshall
* Edwardians
* Handsworth
* Market Drayton (promoted from Midlands 4 West (North))
* Newcastle (Staffs)
* Shrewsbury
* Uttoxeter (promoted from Midlands 4 West (North))
* Veseyans (relegated from Midlands 2 West (North))
* Wednesbury
* Yardley & District

## Teams 2012–13

* Bloxwich
* Burntwood
* Cleobury Mortimer
* Eccleshall
* Edwardians
* Handsworth
* Newcastle (Staffs)
* Shrewsbury
* Stourbridge Lions
* Wednesbury
* Willenhall
* Yardley & District

## Teams 2010–11

* Bishops Castle & Onny Valley
* Burntwood
* Eccleshall
* Handsworth
* Moseley Oak
* Newcastle (Staffs)
* Telford
* Uttoxeter
* Veseyans
* Wednesbury
* Wolverhampton
* Yardley & District

## Original teams

Teams in Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 2 West, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:
* Aston Old Edwardians - promoted from North Midlands 1 (10th)
* Coventry Welsh - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (10th)
* Dixonians - promoted from North Midlands 1 (6th)
* Handsworth - promoted from Staffordshire 1 (champions)
* Kenilworth - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (7th)
* Nuneaton Old Edwardians - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (6th)
* Old Laurentians - promoted from Warwickshire 1 (champions)
* Selly Oak - promoted from North Midlands 2 (champions)
* Shrewsbury - promoted from North Midlands 1 (11th)
* Stratford-upon-Avon - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (9th)
* Tamworth - promoted from Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1 (8th)
* West Midlands Police - promoted from North Midlands 1 (8th)
* Woodrush - promoted from North Midlands 1 (7th)

## Midlands 3 West (North) honours
### Midlands West 2 (1992–1993)

Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single tier 8 division called Midlands West 2. Promotion was to Midlands West 1 and relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.
Midlands West 2 :
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference |
| 1992–93 | 13 | Nuneaton Old Edwardians | Aston Old Edwardians | Handsworth | |
| Green backgrounds are the promotion places. |||||||||||

### Midlands West 2 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 2 West dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.
Midlands West 2 :
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams |
| 1993–94 | 13 | Old Laurentians | Newport (Salop) | No relegation |
| 1994–95 | 13 | Luctonians | Kenilworth | Coventry Welsh, Dunlop |
| 1995–96 | 13 | Selly Oak | Malvern | No relegation |
| Green backgrounds are the promotion places. |||||||||||

### Midlands West 2 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands West 2 returned to being a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.
Midlands West 2 :
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams |
| 1996–97 | 17 | Telford Hornets | Woodrush | Trinity Guild, Newcastle (Staffs), Rugby St Andrews |
| 1997–98 | 17 | Shrewsbury | Evesham | Coventry Saracens |
| 1998–99 | 17 | Newcastle (Staffs) | Birmingham Exiles | Manor Park, GPT Coventry, Warley |
| 1999–00 | 17 | Kidderminster Carolians | Old Yardleians | No relegation |
| Green backgrounds are the promotion places. |||||||||||

### Midlands 4 West (North) (2000–2004)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands West 2 split into two tier 8 regional leagues - Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 3 West (North) and relegation to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire 1.
Midlands 4 West North :
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams |
| 2000–01 | 10 | Bridgnorth | Lordswood Dixonians | Warley, Edwardians |
| 2001–02 | 10 | Burntwood | Willenhall | Wheaton Aston, Cleobury Mortimer, Handsworth |
| 2002–03 | 10 | Telford Hornets | Old Saltleians | No relegation |
| 2003–04 | 10 | Wednesbury | Newport (Salop) | Handsworth, Uttoxeter |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. |||||||||||

### Midlands 4 West (North) (2004–2006)

At the start of the 2004–05 season Midlands 4 West (North) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (North). However, the restructuring of the leagues below meant that relegation was now to either North Midlands (North) or Staffordshire
Midlands 4 West North :
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams |
| 2004–05 | 10 | Newcastle (Staffs) | Ludlow | Yardley & District, Selly Oak |
| 2005–06 | 10 | Old Saltleians | Burntwood | No relegation |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. |||||||||||

### Midlands 4 West (North) (2006–2009)

At the start of the 2006–07 season Midlands 4 West (North) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (North). The cancellation of the Staffordshire league meant that relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands 5 West (North).
Midlands 4 West North :
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams |
| 2006–07 | 12 | Leek | Lordswood Dixonians | Old Griffinians, Aldridge |
| 2007–08 | 12 | Old Halesonians | Bournville | Telford Hornets, Harborne |
| 2008–09 | 12 | Willenhall | Shrewsbury | Cleobury Mortimer |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. |||||||||||

### Midlands 3 West (North) (2009–present)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South) were renamed as Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 8. Promotion was now to Midlands 2 West (North) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North)) and relegation to Midlands 4 West (North) (formerly Midlands 5 West (North)).
Midlands 4 West North :
| Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams |
| 2009–10 | 12 | Leek | Tamworth | Bloxwich |
| 2010–11 | 12 | Burntwood | Moseley Oak | Bishop's Castle & Onny Valley, Telford Hornets |
| 2011–12 | 12 | Veseyans | Wolverhampton | Harborne, Uttoxeter |
| 2012–13 | 12 | Willenhall | Stourbridge Lions | Cleobury Mortimer, Eccleshall |
| 2013–14 | 12 | Veseyans | Shrewsbury | Market Drayton, Yardley & District |
| 2014–15 | 12 | Handsworth | Harborne | Aston Old Edwardians, Uttoxeter |
| 2015–16 | 12 | Tamworth | Newcastle (Staffs) | Bloxwich, Wednesbury |
| 2016–17 | 12 | Ludlow | Cleobury Mortimer | Eccleshall, Clee Hill |
| 2017–18 | 12 | Telford Hornets | Stafford | Barton-Under-Needwood, Willenhall |
| 2018–19 | 12 | Shrewsbury | Burntwood | Cannock, Trentham |
| 2019–20 | 12 | Uttoxeter | Old Saltleians | Willenhall, Wednesbury |
| 2020–21 | 12 | | |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. |||||||||||

## Number of league titles

* Telford Hornets (3)
* Burntwood (2)
* Leek (2)
* Newcastle (Staffs) (2)
* Shrewsbury (2)
* Veseyans (2)
* Willenhall (2)
* Bridgnorth (1)
* Handsworth (1)
* Kidderminster Carolians (1)
* Ludlow (1)
* Luctonians (1)
* Nuneaton Old Edwardians (1)
* Old Halesonians (1)
* Old Laurentians (1)
* Old Saltleians (1)
* Selly Oak (1)
* Tamworth (1)
* Uttoxeter (1)
* Wednesbury (1)