Essex 2 (also known as Essex Spitfire 2 for sponsorship reasons) was an English Rugby Union league at the tenth tier of the domestic competition. It was the basement division of club rugby in Essex with promoted teams moving up to Essex 1 and no relegation (up until 2008-09 relegated teams dropped to Essex 3 but this division has since been abolished). Essex 2 was created in 2003 by Essex-based teams who left East Counties 3 South. At the end of the 2013–14 season the division was abolished with teams either moving up into Essex 1 or into various Essex Merit leagues.
Current season or competition: 2013-14 Essex Spitfire 2 | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2003 |
| Ceased | 2014 |
| Number of teams | 9 |
| Country |  England |
| Holders | May & Baker (1st title) (2013–14) (promoted to Essex 1) |
| Most titles | Millwall, Writtle Wanderers (2 titles) |
| Website | southeastrugby.co.uk |
Original teams
editWhen Essex 2 was introduced in 2003 it contained the following teams:
- Bancroft - transferred from Eastern Counties 2 South (4th)
- Burnham-On-Crouch - transferred from Eastern Counties 2 South (7th)
- Dagenham - transferred from Eastern Counties 2 South (8th)
- Loughton - transferred from Eastern Counties 3 South (3rd)
- Old Brentwoods - transferred from Eastern Counties 2 South (5th)
- Old Edwardians - transferred from Eastern Counties 2 South (10th)
- Ravens - transferred from Eastern Counties 3 South (champions)
- Runwell Wyverns - transferred from Eastern Counties 3 South (runners up)
- South Woodham Ferrers - transferred from Eastern Counties 2 South (6th)
- Thames - transferred from Eastern Counties 2 South - transferred from Eastern Counties 2 South (9th)
Essex 2 honours
editEssex 2 (2003–2009)
editThe original Essex 2 was a tier 9 league with promotion up to Essex 1 and relegation down to Essex 3.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–04[1] | 10 | Thames | South Woodham Ferrers | Old Edwardians, Runwell Wyverns | ||||||||||
| 2004–05[2] | 9 | Canvey Island | Bancroft | Ravens | ||||||||||
| 2005–06[3] | 9 | Writtle Wanderers | Dagenham | Stanford Le Hope | ||||||||||
| 2006–07[4] | 9 | Millwall | Old Brentwoods | May & Baker | ||||||||||
| 2007–08[5] | 8 | Clacton | Thames | Witham, Pegasus Palmerians | ||||||||||
| 2008–09[6] | 8 | Millwall | Old Cooperians | No relegation[a] | ||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Essex 2 (2009–2014)
editEssex 2 remained a tier 10 league despite national restructuring by the RFU. Promotion was to Essex 1 and there was no relegation since the cancellation of Essex 3 at the end of the 2008–09 season. Essex 2 was itself disbanded at the end of the 2013–14 season with all teams either promoted to Essex 1 or transferred to the Essex Merit Leagues.
| ||||||||||||||
| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10[7] | 11 | Pegasus Palmerians | Brightlingsea | No relegation | ||||||||||
| 2010–11[8] | 9 | Epping Upper Clapton | Writtle Wanderers | No relegation | ||||||||||
| 2011–12[9] | 9 | Dagenham | Burnham-On-Crouch | No relegation | ||||||||||
| 2012–13[10] | 9 | Writtle Wanderers | Ilford Wanderers | No relegation | ||||||||||
| 2013–14[11] | 9 | May & Baker | Millwall[b] | No relegation | ||||||||||
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. | ||||||||||||||
Number of league titles
edit- Millwall (2)
- Writtle Wanderers (2)
- Canvey Island (1)
- Clacton (1)
- Dagenham (1)
- Epping Upper Clapton (1)
- May & Baker (1)
- Pegasus Palmerians (1)
- Thames (1)
Notes
edit- ^ There was no relegation as Essex 3 was cancelled the following season.
- ^ 3rd place Pegasus Palmerians also promoted.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "2003-2004 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2004-2005 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2005-2006 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2006-2007 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2007-2008 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2008-2009 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2009-2010 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2010-2011 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2011-2012 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2012-2013 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "2013-2014 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 31 January 2015.