The London and South East Rugby League is a summer rugby league competition for amateur teams in London and the surrounding area. The competition was formed in 2005 as the RLC Southern Premier. Its name changed following the 2012 restructure of amateur rugby league in Great Britain.
History
The Rugby League Conference was born in 1997 as the Southern Conference.
The Premier Division was set up in 2005 for teams who had achieved a certain playing standard and were able to travel further afield to find stronger opposition. The new Premier Divisions included the North Premier, the South Premier, the Central Premier and the Welsh Premier.
Prior to the 2005 season National League Three side South London Storm announced that they were joining the South Premier; the other founder members came from the Conference regional divisions.
After the 2006 season with other teams withdrawing from National League Three, St Albans Centurions also decided to join the Premier South.
In 2012 it became a standalone league run by the RFL with the introduction of Summer Rugby in the amateur ranks. St Albans Centurions returned to playing nationally in National Conference League Division Three
It has a merit league attached to it enabling smaller clubs to develop before entering the league to see if they are able to meet the demands of player numbers and competing fixtures throughout a regular season. Some larger clubs have fielded an A team in this league to bolster numbers and create opportunities for less experienced players to play.
Position in Pyramid
1: Super League 2: Championship 3–5: National Community Rugby League 6: London and South East Rugby League
Clubs As of 2024: Brighton & Hove RL, Brixton Bulls, Elmbridge Eagles, London Chargers, Medway Dragons, Wests Warriors A.
In 2025: Anglian Vipers, Brixton Bulls, Elmbridge Eagles, Hemel Stags, London Skolars, Medway Dragons
League Standings from 2005 to 2013
Teams200520062007200820092010201120122013 Bedford Tigersxxxx6thxxxx Eastern Rhinos3rd2nd5th3rd4th4th3rd3rd4th Elmbridge Eagles 2x5th6th7th 9th x x 5th 6th Essex EelsxDNFxxxx x xx Greenwich Admirals6thxxxx x x xx Hainault Bulldogsxxxx8th6th DNF xxHammersmith Hills Hoistsxxxxx2nd1st2nd1stHemel Stags Axxxxxxxx5th Kent Ravensxx7thDNFxx x xx London Skolars A 34th4th3rd6th7th8th 5th51st3rd Luton Vipers5thDNFxxxx x xx Portsmouth Navy Seahawksxxx5th5th7th x xx St Albans Centurionsxx1st4th3rd1st2nd xx South London Storm1st1st2nd2nd1st5th 6th4thx South West London Chargers4xxxxxxxx2nd West London Sharks2nd3rd4th1st2nd3rd4th DNFx
1 competed as Ipswich Rhinos between 2005 and 2009 2 competed as Kingston Warriors between 2005 and 2007 and Elmbridge in 2008. 3 competed as Haringey Hornets in 2006 4 a merger of South London Storm and West London Sharks 5 midseason replacements for Hainault Bulldogs
Key DNFDid not complete the seasonxDid not participateDivisional winnerQualified for divisional play-offFinished bottom
Grand Finals Source from 2017
YearWinnersScoreRunners-upVenue 2005 South London Storm 24–8 West London Sharks Storm Park 2006 South London Storm 52–10 Ipswich Rhinos Storm Park 2007 St Albans Centurions 18–10 South London Storm Twickenham Stoop 2008 West London Sharks 24–20 South London Storm Grasshoppers RFC 2009 West London Sharks 26–16 South London Storm Storm Park 2010 St Albans Centurions 54–4 West London Sharks Cotlandswick 2011 Hammersmith Hills Hoists 18–16 St Albans Centurions Hemel Hempstead 2012 Hammersmith Hills Hoists 46–8 Eastern Rhinos 2013 South West London Chargers 20–10 Hammersmith Hills Hoists Chiswick RFC2014South West London Chargers 46–6 Eastern RhinosWasps RFC2015South West London Chargers 32–12 London Skolars A Old Blues RFC2016Brixton Bulls Richmond Warriors 2017Hammersmith Hills Hoists 25–18 London Chargers New River Stadium2018Hammersmith Hills Hoists 20–8 London Chargers2019Wests Warriors A 38–22 London Skolars A New River Stadium2020No competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic2021Medway Dragons 38–18 Brixton Bulls Rosslyn Park RFC2022Brixton Bulls 34–30 Elmbridge Eagles New River Stadium2023London Chargers A38–16Medway DragonsNew River Stadium2024Wests Warriors A24–20Brixton BullsWasps FC, Twyford Avenue2025Medway Dragons36-18Elmbridge EaglesMedway Dragons
Titles
+London Men's League ChampionsPositionTeamNumber of WinsYears1 =Hammersmith Hills Hoists42011, 2012, 2017, 20181 =London Chargers42013, 2014, 2015, 20233 =Brixton Bulls22016, 20223 =St Albans Centurions22007, 20103 =West London Sharks22008, 20093 =South London Storm22005, 20063 =Wests Warriors22019, 20243 =Medway Dragons22021, 2025
London Cup 2013: South West London Chargers
Harry Jepson Trophy games Ceased 2011. Revived 2021
YearGameRLC Southern Premier TeamResultOpponentVenue 2005 Semi-final South London Storm 18–34 Bridgend Blue Bulls Cheltenham2006 Semi-final South London Storm 32–12 Bridgend Blue Bulls Hemel Grand Final South London Storm 30–0 East Lancs Lions Coventry2007 Semi-final St Albans Centurions 42–16 Bridgend Blue Bulls Grand Final St Albans Centurions 28–20 Coventry Bears2008 Semi-final West London Sharks 32–30 Valley Cougars Grand Final West London Sharks 8–28 Nottingham Outlaws Derby
See also
British rugby league system
References
External links