# Southern Conference League

The Southern Conference League is the fourth tier of the British rugby league system. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league outside of the heartlands in Northern England, operating in The Midlands, Southern England, and Wales. It was one of the many leagues that replaced the Rugby League Conference. The competition was first played between 2012 and 2016, and was relaunched in 2019 after a two-year hiatus.

## History

The Conference League South was founded in 2012 following the restructuring of amateur rugby league in Great Britain. Teams competing in the Rugby League Conference National Division in 2011 were moved to the 2012 NCL Division Three season, however many opted to play outside of the National Conference League hence the formation of the Conference League South. Because of this, the 2012 NCL Division Three season and 2012 Conference League South season are the same.
The Conference League South was created for sides outside the rugby league heartlands of the North of England that wanted a higher standard of rugby league than the Midlands Rugby League Premier Division or the South Premier but were not yet ready to join the NCL.
In 2013 the six teams to compete in the Conference League South were, Bristol Sonics, Nottingham Outlaws and St Albans Centurions joined from National Conference League Division 3; Leicester Storm and Northampton Demons were elevated from the premier division of Midlands Rugby League and Sheffield Hallam Eagles joined as a new side after the collapse of the Championship reserve under-23 division.
Northampton Demons and St Albans Centurions were replaced with Oxford Cavaliers and Valley Cougars in 2014 however Oxford Cavaliers failed to complete the season. Bristol Sonics dropped down to the West of England Rugby League in 2015 which allowed four new clubs to join; Gloucestershire Warriors, Coventry Bears Reserves, Torfaen Tigers and Raiders RL alongside the return of Oxford Cavaliers.
London Chargers were promoted to compete in 2016 alongside a new reserve side from University of Gloucestershire All Golds with Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Storm, Oxford Cavaliers and Sheffield Hallam Eagles dropping out.
At the end of the 2016 season, it was announced that the Conference League South season would not take place in 2017, and teams would return to their respective regional leagues. In May 2017, the RFL announced plans to introduce a new Southern League competition from 2018 onwards.
The Conference League South was reintroduced for the 2019 season as the Southern Conference League, split into geographic Eastern and Western divisions, with the Hammersmith Hills Hoists winning the first title under the tournament's new name. The 2020 season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the competition resumed in 2021, with a maiden title for Wests Warriors beating local rivals London Chargers 20 points to 10.
For the 2023 season, the geographic split of the league has been removed with all teams in the divisions below being able to apply to enter the competition if they so wish. When the fixture list was released, only 8 teams have entered the division - All Golds, Bedford Tigers, Brentwood Eels, Eastern Rhinos, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, London Chargers, North Herts Crusaders, Wests Warriors.

## Clubs

| Team | City | Ground |
| Bristol All Golds | Bristol | North Bristol RFC |
| Bedford Tigers | Bedford | Great Ouse Way |
| Brentwood Eels | Brentwood, Essex | Old Brentwoods RFC |
| Eastern Rhinos | Colchester | Mill Road Playing Fields |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | Chiswick, London | Chiswick RFC |
| London Chargers | Chiswick, London | Chiswick RFC |
| London Skolars | Tottenham, London | New River Stadium |
| North Herts Crusaders | Hitchin | King George V Playing Fields |
| Wests Warriors | Acton, London | Twyford Avenue |

## Results

| Season | Grand Final Information | Grand Final Information | Grand Final Information |
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up |
| 2012 | Hemel Stags | 17–10 | Huddersfield Underbank Rangers |
| 2013 | Sheffield Hallam Eagles | 32–24 | Nottingham Outlaws |
| 2014 | Valley Cougars | 19–10 | Sheffield Hallam Eagles |
| 2015 | Nottingham Outlaws | 39–12 | Valley Cougars |
| 2016 | London Chargers | 42–0 | Valley Cougars |
| 2017 | Hiatus |
| 2018 | Hiatus |
| 2019 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 16–10 | London Chargers |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021 | Wests Warriors | 20–10 | London Chargers |
| 2022 | Wests Warriors | 20–12 | London Chargers |
| 2023 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 14–0 | Wests Warriors |
| 2024 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 12-6 | Wests Warriors |

### Winners

| Club | Wins | Winning years |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 3 | 2019, 2023, 2024 |
| Wests Warriors | 2 | 2021, 2022 |
| Hemel Stags | 1 | 2012 |
| Sheffield Hallam Eagles | 1 | 2013 |
| Valley Cougars | 1 | 2014 |
| Nottingham Outlaws | 1 | 2015 |
| London Chargers | 1 | 2016 |

## Tables
### 2021

| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference |
| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS | POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | Swindon St George | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 162 | 150 | 12 | 8 | 1 | Wests Warriors | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 538 | 146 | 392 | 24 |
| 2 | Valley Cougars | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 156 | 115 | 41 | 5 | 2 | London Chargers | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 396 | 207 | 189 | 20 |
| 3 | Devon Sharks | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 144 | 125 | 19 | 5 | 3 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 351 | 308 | 43 | 16 |
| 4 | All Golds | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 114 | 186 | -72 | 3 | 4 | North Herts Crusaders | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 366 | 326 | 40 | 10 |
| Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | 5 | Bedford Tigers | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 274 | 298 | -24 | 10 |
| Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | 6 | Eastern Rhinos | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 250 | 344 | -94 | 10 |
| Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | 7 | Hemel Stags | 11 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 139 | 423 | -284 | 1 |
| Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Valley Cougars: 1 points for forfeit All Golds: 2 point for two forfeits Hemel Stags: 1 point for forfeit South London Silverbacks: 1 point for forfeit | 8 | South London Silverbacks | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 132 | 394 | -262 | -1 |

#### Playoffs

* Preliminary Round
    London Chargers 56–18 North Herts Crusaders
    Devon Sharks 22–36 Hammersmith Hills Hoists
    Swindon St George 24–22 Bedford Tigers
* Semi Finals
    Wests Warriors 36–10 Hammersmith Hills Hoists
    Swindon St George 14–52 London Chargers
* Final
    Wests Warriors 20–10 London Chargers

### 2022

| Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Western Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference |
| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS | POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | All Golds | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 138 | 54 | 84 | 8 | 1 | London Chargers | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 482 | 164 | 318 | 24 |
| 2 | Torfaen Tigers | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 228 | 152 | 76 | 8 | 2 | Wests Warriors | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 460 | 228 | 232 | 20 |
| 3 | Swindon St George | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 146 | 188 | -42 | 3 | 3 | Brentwood Eels | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 210 | 316 | -106 | 10 |
| 4 | Devon Sharks | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 54 | 172 | -118 | 2 | 4 | Eastern Rhinos | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 238 | 290 | -52 | 8 |
| Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | 5 | Bedford Tigers | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 220 | 314 | -94 | 8 |
| Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | 6 | North Herts Crusaders | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 226 | 392 | -166 | 8 |
| Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | Deductions Swindon St George: 1 point for forfeit Hammersmith Hills Hoists: 1 point for forfeit | 7 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 228 | 360 | -132 | 5 |

#### Playoffs

* Preliminary Rounds
    Torfaen Tigers 0–24 Brentwood Eels
    All Golds 46–6 Eastern Rhinos
* Semi Finals
    All Golds 12–46 Wests Warriors
    Brentwood Eels 8–38 London Chargers
* Final
    Wests Warriors 20–12 London Chargers

### 2023

| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | Wests Warriors | 14 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 690 | 126 | 564 | 26 |
| 2 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 14 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 470 | 150 | 320 | 26 |
| 3 | London Chargers | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 466 | 184 | 282 | 20 |
| 4 | Brentwood Eels | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 380 | 346 | 34 | 14 |
| 5 | Bristol All Golds | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 280 | 424 | -184 | 12 |
| 6 | Eastern Rhinos | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 230 | 458 | -228 | 8 |
| 7 | North Herts Crusaders | 14 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 146 | 502 | -356 | 3 |
| 8 | Bedford Tigers | 14 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 154 | 586 | -432 | -1 |
| Deductions Bedford Tigers: 3 points for three forfeits North Herts Crusaders: 1 point for forfeit ||||||||||
Play Off
| Semi-final | Semi-final | Semi-final | Grand final | Grand final | Grand final |
| 1 | Wests Warriors | 38 | | | |
| 4 | Brentwood Eels | 6 | | | |
| 4 | Brentwood Eels | 6 | Wests Warriors | Wests Warriors | 0 |
| | | | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 14 |
| 2 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 28 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 14 |
| 3 | London Chargers | 12 | | | |

### 2024

| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 460 | 104 | 356 | 23 |
| 2 | Wests Warriors | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 582 | 150 | 432 | 20 |
| 3 | London Chargers | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 308 | 226 | 82 | 17 |
| 4 | Bristol All Golds | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 322 | 278 | 44 | 14 |
| 5 | Eastern Rhinos | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 270 | 254 | 16 | 14 |
| 6 | North Herts Crusaders | 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 202 | 338 | -136 | 9 |
| 7 | Bedford Tigers | 12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 238 | 490 | -252 | 6 |
| 8 | Brentwood Eels | 12 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 180 | 320 | -140 | 5 |
| 9 | London Skolars | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 74 | 476 | -402 | 0 |

#### Deductions

* London Skolars: Withdrew partway into season. All remaining fixtures rewarded 24-0 to opponents.