# Amersham and Chiltern Rugby

Amersham and Chiltern RFC is an English rugby union team located in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England. Founded as Chiltern Wanderers in 1924, the club changed their name to Amersham and Chiltern RFC in 1992. They are member's of Buckinghamshire Rugby Football Union. They currently play in Regional 1 South East following their promotion from Regional 2 Thames in season 2023–24. The 2nd XV play in Counties 2 Berks, Bucks & Oxon North & the 3rd XV play in Herts Middlesex Merit Table 5. The club colours are claret and white.

## History

Chiltern Rugby Club was formed on 20 December 1924 when a meeting was called to the house of Eric Redfern, "By The Way", Clifton Road, Chesham Bois. It was to serve the expanding unities of Amersham and Chesham. The first game was played against Berkhamsted School Old Boys XV on Boxing Day, 26 December 1924. The first home grounds were a site behind the Pineapple Public House in White Lion Road, Amersham Common together with a field in Cokes Lane, until the Copperkins Lane ground was leased from the Shardeloes estate in 1929. The ground, with two pitches and a new pavilion was formally opened at the start the 1929–30 season with a game against West Herts F.C. The 1st XV has seen success recently by being promoted for successive seasons and reaching the National Leagues. Success at age group rugby has also been seen with the Under-17's winning the National Plate in the 2013–14 season. World Cup winner Josh Lewsey played at Amersham and Chiltern from a young age. In the 2011–12 season the club won silverware from Under-13 to senior level.

## 1st XV league history

| Season | League | Level | Position |
| 2006–07 | Southern Counties North | RFU Level 7 | 5th |
| 2007–08 | Southern Counties North | RFU Level 7 | 11th (relegated) |
| 2008–09 | Berks Bucks Oxon Premier | RFU Level 8 | 2nd (promoted) |
| 2009–10 | Southern Counties North | RFU Level 7 | 2nd (promoted) |
| 2010–11 | South West 1 | RFU Level 6 | 1st (promoted) |
| 2011–12 | National 3 South West | RFU Level 5 | 11th |
| 2012–13 | National 3 South West | RFU Level 5 | 8th |
| 2013–14 | National 3 South West | RFU Level 5 | 5th |
| 2014–15 | National 3 London & SE | RFU Level 5 | 13th (relegated) |
| 2015–16 | London 1 North | RFU Level 6 | 1st (promoted) |
| 2016–17 | National 3 London & SE | RFU Level 5 | 14th (relegated) |
| 2017–18 | London 1 North | RFU Level 6 | 4th |
| 2018–19 | London 1 North | RFU Level 6 | 7th |
| 2019–20 | London 1 North | RFU Level 6 | 11th |
| 2020–21 | London 1 North | RFU Level 6 | |

## Honours

1st team:
* Bucks/Oxon 1 champions (2): 1988–89, 1993–94
* Southern Counties champions: 1995–96
* Southern Counties (north v south) promotion playoff winners (2): 2003–04, 2009–10
* South West Division 1 East champions: 2010–11
* London 1 North champions: 2015–16
* Regional 2 Thames champions: 2023–24
2nd team:
* Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 champions: 2013–14
3rd team:
* Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2 North champions: 2008–09
* Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 North champions: 2009–10
* Berks/Bucks & Oxon 3 North champions: 2012–13
* Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2 champions: 2013–14

## Notable former players

| Name | Honours |
| Josh Lewsey | London Wasps, England & British & Irish Lions |
| Alan Simmons | London Wasps, England & Barbarians |