Sussex 3 (known as Sussex Oranjeboom Division 3 for sponsorship reasons) is an English level 11 Rugby Union League. It is run by the Sussex Rugby Football Union and was originally for teams predominantly from West Sussex until a division reorganization for the 2016-17 meant that clubs from East Sussex would also take part. Promoted teams move up to Sussex 2 while relegated teams drop down to either Sussex Asahi Division 4 East or Sussex Late Red Division 4 West depending on geography. Sussex Oranjeboom 2 West was introduced in 2010–11 and is the equivalent to former division Sussex 3 which had its last season in 2003–04. It changed to its current name of Sussex Oranjeboom Division 3 in 2016–17.
When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:
Sussex 3 (1987–1992)
edit
The original Sussex 3 was a tier 10 league with promotion up to Sussex 1 and there was no relegation down as it was the lowest level of the league system. The division was cancelled at the end of the 1991–92 season.
Sussex 3 (1994-1996)
edit
After an absence of two years, Sussex 3 was reintroduced for the 1994–95 season as a tier 11 league. Promotion was to Sussex 2 and there was no relegation due to Sussex 3 being the lowest level in the league system.
|
Season
|
No of Teams
|
Champions
|
Runners–up
|
Relegated Teams
|
1994–95 |
5 |
Rye |
Shoreham |
No relegation
|
1995–96 |
6 |
Sussex Police |
Plumpton |
No relegation
|
Green backgrounds are promotion places.
|
Sussex 3 (1996-2000)
edit
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Sussex 3 reverted to being a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Sussex 2 and there was no relegation. Sussex 3 was cancelled for the second time at the end of the 1999–00 season, with the majority of teams transferred into the new Sussex 2 East or Sussex 2 West (formerly a single Sussex 2 division).
Sussex 3 (2002-2004)
edit
After an absence of two years, Sussex 3 returned for the 2002–03 season, now as a tier 11 league. Promotion was to Sussex 2 and there was no relegation. After just two seasons, Sussex 3 was cancelled for the third time in its history.
Sussex 2 East / Sussex 2 West (2010–2016)
edit
Sussex 3 was reintroduced for the 2010–11 season in the form of two regional divisions - Sussex "Asahi" 2 East and Sussex "Oranjeboom" 2 West - both sitting at tier 11 of the league system. Promotion was to Sussex Canterbury Jack Intermediate (renamed back to Sussex 2 for the 2015–16 season onward) and relegation to either Sussex 3 East or Sussex 3 West.
Sussex 3 (2016–onward)
edit
For the 2016–17 season, Sussex 3 was remerged back into a single division at tier 11 of the league system. Promotion was to Sussex 2 and relegation to Sussex 4.
Number of league titles
edit
- ^ Sunallon would first rename to Sun Alliance in 1994 and then its current name of Holbrook RFC.[1]
- ^ Despite winning promotion, runners up RMP Chichester would drop out of the Sussex leagues the following season, only to reappear in Sussex 2 for the 1989–90 season.
- ^ 3rd place Midhurst also promoted.
- ^ The cancellation of Sussex 3 meant that all four teams in the division were to be promoted to Sussex 2 at the end of the season - however, 3rd and 4th place University of Sussex and Arun decided to drop out of the Sussex leagues at the end of the season.
- ^ Six teams in this division would be promoted to Sussex 2 for the next season as Sussex 3 was to be abolished and would not return until 2002–03.
- ^ As Sussex 3 was to be abolished for the following season no teams were promoted. An equivalent division would return in 2010-11 in the form of Asahi 2 East and Oranjeboom 2 West.
- ^ Lewes III would withdraw from the league for the following season.
- ^ There was no relegation as Bishop's Finger 3 East was abolished the following season.
- ^ Both of Uckfield II's titles were for Sussex Asahi 2 East.
- ^ Barns Green's title was for Sussex Oranjeboom 2 West.
- ^ Bognor II's title was for Sussex Oranjeboom 2 West.
- ^ East Grinstead III's title was for Sussex Asahi 2 East.
- ^ Eastbourne II's title was for Sussex Asahi 2 East.
- ^ Hellingly's title was for Sussex Asahi 2 East.
- ^ Horley's title was for Sussex Oranjeboom 2 West.
- ^ Horsham II's title was for Sussex Oranjeboom 2 West.
- ^ Midhurst's title was for Sussex Oranjeboom 2 West.
- ^ Newick's title was for Sussex Asahi 2 East.
- ^ As a club Pulborough have won Sussex 3 twice - once with the 1st XV, once with the 2nd XV.
- ^ Pulborough II's title was for Sussex Oranjeboom 2 West.
- ^ Sunallon are currently known as Holbrook RFC.