This site is provided for the Rugby Clubs, Teams and Players involved with the Greene King Country Clubs Merit Table and Cup Competition.  

The Greene King Country Rugby Clubs Competition

This started as a small merit table competition in 1997.  Several local clubs were concerned that their lower XV games were being called off more often, frequently at the last minute.  Players were becoming frustrated and losing interest. Some were leaving or finding other ways of spending Saturday afternoons!  There was also an unfortunate knock-on effect on Saturday bar takings!

In the first season two tables were set up (at 4^th and 5^th team playing level for the larger clubs), named Premiere and Deuxieme, and the success of this idea was soon proved.   A Super Premiere (3^rd XV) level was added later and, as other clubs and teams joined, the original Premiere and Deuxieme tables were split into two parts (Nord and Sud) geographically.  There are now five tables and the whole competition has full RFU recognition.

Greene King first agreed to sponsor the competition, under the name of the “Greene King Country” Rugby Clubs Competition, in the 1999-2000 season.  We are very pleased that they have continued this sponsorship each season since then.

In 2000 the competition was extended to run on a dual league/merit table basis, with a full suggested home and away fixture list for each table.  There are two trophies for each table – one for the highest league points and the other for the best merit table percentage (with a proviso that the same team cannot win both).

In the same season a Deuxieme Knock out Cup competition was introduced – with all first round games being Nord v Sud - plus a Plate competition for first round losers.   A Super Premiere Cup was started 2001-2002, and a Premiere Cup and Plate (together with a Super Premier Plate) in 2002-03 and last season....... .

Noel Younger

Chairman