English rugby union league
Counties 3 Yorkshire , previously known as Yorkshire 3 , is an English rugby union league at the ninth tier of the domestic competition. Club rugby in Yorkshire operates without promotion play-offs meaning that the top two teams are automatically promoted to Counties 2 Yorkshire and the bottom two teams are relegated to Counties 4 Yorkshire . Each season a team from Counties 3 Yorkshire or Counties 4 Yorkshire may be picked to take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a national competition for clubs at levels 9–12.
Participating clubs 2024–25[ edit ]
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Barnsley
Shaw Lane
Barnsley , South Yorkshire
9th
Burley
Abbey
Hawksworth , Leeds , West Yorkshire
11th
Castleford
Methley Pitch
Castleford , West Yorkshire
6th
Halifax RUFC
Ovenden Park
Halifax , West Yorkshire
3rd
Leeds Corinthians
Nutty Slack
Middleton , Leeds , West Yorkshire
Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (12th)
Old Otliensians
Chaffers Field
Otley , West Yorkshire
Promoted from Counties 4 Yorkshire (champions)
Rotherham Phoenix
Rotherham Rugby Club
Rotherham , South Yorkshire
5th
Skipton
Sandylands
Skipton , North Yorkshire
10th
Thirsk
Newsham Road
Thirsk , North Yorkshire
4th
Thornensians
Coulman Road
Thorne , South Yorkshire
Promoted from Counties 4 Yorkshire (runners up)
West Park Leeds
The Sycamores
Bramhope , Leeds , West Yorkshire
8th
Wheatley Hills
Brunel Road
Doncaster , South Yorkshire
7th Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (11th)
Locations of the 2024-25 Counties 3 Yorkshire teams
Participating clubs 2023–24[ edit ]
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Barnsley
Shaw Lane
Barnsley , South Yorkshire
Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (12th)
Burley
Abbey
Hawksworth , Leeds , West Yorkshire
3rd
Castleford
Methley Pitch
Castleford , West Yorkshire
9th
Halifax RUFC
Ovenden Park
Halifax , West Yorkshire
Promoted from Counties 4 Yorkshire (runners up)
Halifax Vandals
Warley Town Lane
Halifax , West Yorkshire
6th
Northallerton
Brompton Lodge
Northallerton , North Yorkshire
Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (10th)
Rotherham Phoenix
Rotherham Rugby Club
Rotherham , South Yorkshire
Promoted from Counties 4 Yorkshire (champions)
Sheffield Medicals
Norton Playing Fields
Norton , Sheffield , South Yorkshire
8th
Skipton
Sandylands
Skipton , North Yorkshire
5th
Thirsk
Newsham Road
Thirsk , North Yorkshire
4th
West Park Leeds
The Sycamores
Bramhope , Leeds , West Yorkshire
7th
Wheatley Hills
Brunel Road
Doncaster , South Yorkshire
Relegated from Counties 2 Yorkshire (11th)
Locations of the 2023-24 Counties 3 Yorkshire teams
Participating clubs 2022–23[ edit ]
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. The league was substantially similar to Yorkshire 3 with teams ranked 4th to 12th returning (1st to 3rd were 'promoted' to Counties 2 Yorkshire and the bottom two 'relegated' to Counties 4 Yorkshire ) and supplemented by top 2 from Yorkshire 4 and one coming down from Yorkshire 2 so with five departing but only three arriving the league was reduced from 14 teams to 12.
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Burley
Abbey
Hawksworth , Leeds , West Yorkshire
8th Yorkshire 3
Castleford
Methley Pitch
Castleford , West Yorkshire
4th Yorkshire 3
Halifax Vandals RUFC
Warley Town Lane
Halifax , West Yorkshire
6th Yorkshire 3
Hemsworth
Moxon Fields
Hemsworth , West Yorkshire
12th Yorkshire 3
Knottingley
Howard's Field
Knottingley , West Yorkshire
10th Yorkshire 3
Leeds Medics & Dentists
Weetwood Playing Fields
Weetwood , Leeds , West Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4
Ossett
Queens Terrace, Ossett CC
Ossett , West Yorkshire
5th Yorkshire 3
Sheffield Medicals
Norton Playing Fields
Norton , Sheffield , South Yorkshire
9th Yorkshire 3
Skipton
Sandylands
Skipton , North Yorkshire
7th Yorkshire 3
Thirsk
Thirsk Athletic Club
Thirsk , North Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4
Thornensians
Coulman Road
Thorne , South Yorkshire
Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th)
West Park Leeds
The Sycamores
Bramhope , Leeds , West Yorkshire
11th Yorkshire 3
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Locations of the 2022-23 Counties 3 Yorkshire teams
Participating clubs 2021–22[ edit ]
The teams competing in 2021-22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019–20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020–21.
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Barnsley
Shaw Lane
Barnsley , South Yorkshire
Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (13th)
Bramley Phoenix
Grosmont Terrace
Bramley , Leeds , West Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (champions)
Burley
Abbey
Hawksworth , Leeds , West Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (runners-up)
Castleford
Methley Pitch
Castleford , West Yorkshire
8th
Harrogate Pythons
Station View
Harrogate , North Yorkshire
4th
Hemsworth
Moxon Fields
Hemsworth , West Yorkshire
11th
Knottingley
Howard's Field
Knottingley , West Yorkshire
3rd
Old Otliensians
Chaffers Field
Otley , West Yorkshire
5th
Ossett
Ossett Cricket and Athletic Club
Ossett , West Yorkshire
7th
Sheffield Medicals
Norton Playing Fields
Norton , Sheffield , South Yorkshire
10th
Skipton
Sandylands
Skipton , North Yorkshire
12th
West Park Leeds
The Sycamores
Bramhope , Leeds , West Yorkshire
Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th)
Wibsey
Northfield Road
Wibsey , Bradford , West Yorkshire
6th
Locations of the 2021-22 Yorkshire 3 teams in Leeds
Locations of the 2021–22 Yorkshire 3 teams
On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced [ 1] that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Yorkshire 3 was not contested.
Participating clubs 2019–20[ edit ]
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Aireborough
Nunroyd Park
Yeadon , West Yorkshire
13th (not relegated)
Baildon
Jenny Lane
Baildon , West Yorkshire
11th
Castleford
Methley Pitch
Castleford , West Yorkshire
5th
Halifax Vandals RUFC
Warley Town Lane
Halifax , West Yorkshire
9th
Harrogate Pythons
Station View
Harrogate , North Yorkshire
3rd
Hemsworth
Moxon Fields
Hemsworth , West Yorkshire
8th
Knottingley
Howard's Field
Knottingley , West Yorkshire
6th
Leeds Corinthians
Nutty Slack
Middleton , Leeds , West Yorkshire
4th
Old Otliensians
Chaffers Field
Otley , West Yorkshire
Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th)
Ossett
Ossett Cricket and Athletic Club
Ossett , West Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (runners up)
Rotherham Phoenix
Herringthorpe Playing Fields
Clifton , Rotherham , South Yorkshire
7th
Sheffield Medicals
Norton Playing Fields
Norton , Sheffield , South Yorkshire
12th
Skipton
Sandylands
Skipton , North Yorkshire
10th
Wibsey
Northfield Road
Wibsey , Bradford , West Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (champions)
Locations of the 2019–20 Yorkshire 3 teams
Participating clubs 2018-19 [ edit ]
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Aireborough
Nunroyd Park
Yeadon , West Yorkshire
6th
Baildon
Jenny Lane
Baildon , West Yorkshire
12th
Castleford
Methley Pitch
Castleford , West Yorkshire
5th
Halifax Vandals RUFC
Warley Town Lane
Halifax , West Yorkshire
Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th)
Harrogate Pythons
Station View
Harrogate , North Yorkshire
10th
Hemsworth
Moxon Fields
Hemsworth , West Yorkshire
7th
Knottingley
Howard's Field
Knottingley , West Yorkshire
8th
Leeds Corinthians
Nutty Slack
Middleton , Leeds , West Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (runners up)
Leeds Modernians
Cookridge Lane
Cookridge , Leeds , West Yorkshire
4th
Rotherham Phoenix
Herringthorpe Playing Fields
Clifton , Rotherham , South Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (champions)
Sheffield Medicals
Norton Playing Fields
Norton , Sheffield , South Yorkshire
9th
Skipton
Sandylands
Skipton , North Yorkshire
11th
Thornensians
Coulman Road
Thorne , South Yorkshire
Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (13th)
Wensleydale
Cawkill Park
Leyburn , North Yorkshire
3rd
Locations of the 2018–19 Yorkshire 3 teams in Leeds
Locations of the 2018–19 Yorkshire 3 teams
Participating clubs 2017-18 [ edit ]
Team
Ground
Capacity
City/Area
Previous season
Aireborough
Nunroyd Park
Yeadon , West Yorkshire
8th
Baildon
Jenny Lane
Baildon , West Yorkshire
7th
Castleford
Methley Pitch
Castleford , West Yorkshire
12th
Harrogate Pythons
Station View
Harrogate , North Yorkshire
11th
Hemsworth
Moxon Fields
Hemsworth , West Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (champions)
Knottingley
Howard's Field
Knottingley , West Yorkshire
3rd
Leeds Medics & Dentists
Weetwood Playing Fields
Weetwood , Leeds , West Yorkshire
5th
Leeds Modernians
Cookridge Lane
Cookridge , Leeds , West Yorkshire
6th
Northallerton
Brompton Lodge
Northallerton , North Yorkshire
4th
Old Otliensians
Chaffers Field
Otley , West Yorkshire
9th
Sheffield Medicals
Norton Playing Fields
Norton , Sheffield , South Yorkshire
Relegated from Yorkshire 2 (14th)
Skipton
Sandylands
Skipton , North Yorkshire
Promoted from Yorkshire 4 (runners up)
Stocksbridge
Coal Pit Lane
Stocksbridge , South Yorkshire
13th
Wensleydale
Cawkill Park
Leyburn , North Yorkshire
10th
Locations of the 2017–18 Yorkshire 3 teams in Leeds
Locations of the 2017–18 Yorkshire 3 teams
Participating clubs 2016-17 [ edit ]
Participating clubs 2015-16 [ edit ]
Participating clubs 2014-15 [ edit ]
Participating clubs 2013-14 [ edit ]
Participating clubs 2012–13[ edit ]
Aireborough
Baildon
Bramley Phoenix
Burley
Goole
Hemsworth
Hessle
Leeds Medics and Dentists
Northallerton
Old Modernians
Old Rishworthians
Rotherham Phoenix
Thornensians
York Railway Institute
When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:
Yorkshire 3 honours [ edit ]
Yorkshire 3 (1987–1993)[ edit ]
The original Yorkshire 3 was a tier 11 league with promotion up to Yorkshire 2 and relegation down to Yorkshire 4 .
Yorkshire 3 (1993–2000)[ edit ]
The creation of National 5 North for the 1993–94 season meant that Yorkshire 3 dropped to become a tier 12 league. A further restructure at the end of the 1995–96 season, which included the cancellation of National 5 North and the addition of North East 3 at tier 9, saw Yorkshire 3 remain at tier 12.
Yorkshire 3 (2000–present)[ edit ]
Northern league restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 1999–2000 season saw the cancellation of North East 1 , North East 2 and North East 3 (tiers 7–9). This meant that Yorkshire 3 became a tier 9 league.
Season
No of Teams
Champions
Runners–up
Relegated Teams
2000–01[ 4]
12
Skipton
Malton and Norton
Hullensians , Sheffield Oaks , Moortown
2001–02[ 5]
12
Heath
Malton and Norton
Hessle , Roundhegians , Barnsley
2002–03[ 6]
12
Knottingley
Stocksbridge
Halifax Vandals
2003–04[ 7]
12
Pocklington
Castleford
Leeds Corinthians , Wath upon Dearne
2004–05[ 8]
12
Barnsley
West Leeds
Hemsworth , Bramley Phoenix
2005–06[ 9]
12
Heath
York Railway Institute
Old Modernians , Castleford
2006–07[ 10]
12
Yarnbury
Skipton
Stocksbridge , Northallerton
2007–08[ 11]
12
Moortown
Castleford
York Railway Institute, Thornensians
2008–09[ 12]
12
West Park Leeds
Hullensians [ e]
Wath upon Dearne
2009–10[ 13]
12
Roundhegians
Old Rishworthians
Garforth
2010–11[ 14]
12
Wath upon Dearne
Goole
Old Otliensians
2011–12[ 15]
12
Roundhegians
Sheffield Medicals
Halifax Vandals
2012–13[ 16]
14
Old Rishworthians
Baildon
York Railway Institute, Hessle
2013–14[ 17]
14
Goole
Leeds Medics and Dentists
Skipton
2014–15[ 18]
14
Old Grovians
Castleford
Hemsworth , Burley
2015–16[ 19]
14
Wetherby
Thornensians
Rotherham Phoenix , Bramley Phoenix
2016–17[ 20]
14
Halifax Vandals
Goole
Halifax [ f]
2017–18[ 21]
14
Northallerton
Otliensians
Leeds Medics & Dentists , Stocksbridge
2018–19[ 22]
14
Wensleydale
Thornensians
Leeds Modernians
2019–20[ 23]
14
Leeds Corinthians
Baildon
Aireborough , Rotherham Phoenix
2020–21
14
Barnsley
Harrogate Pythons
Old Otliesians
Green backgrounds are promotion places.
Number of league titles [ edit ]
^ League restructuring due to the cancellation of Yorkshire 6 ahead of the 1992–93 season, meant seven clubs were promoted into Yorkshire 2 including Dinnington , West Leeds , Northallerton , Leeds CSSA and Sheffield Tigers .
^ League restructuring due to the cancellation of Yorkshire 6 ahead of the 1992–93 season, meant no clubs were relegated and nine clubs would be promoted from Yorkshire 4 .
^ Yorkshire league restructuring due to reintroduction of Yorkshire 6 ahead of the 1996–97 season saw nine clubs, including Marist , Ossett , Stanley Rodillians , York Railway Institute, Knottingley , Old Rishworthians , Mosborough , Heath , Leeds Corinthians , Baildon relegated from Yorkshire 3; Marist and Ossett , were relegated to Yorkshire 4 , while the other seven relegated sides dropped into Yorkshire 5 .
^ No relegation due to cancellation of Yorkshire 6 ahead of the 1997–98 season.
^ Barnsley , Hessle , Goole , West Leeds and Doncaster Phoenix were also promoted. This was due to the restructure of the Yorkshire League increasing the number of teams in the divisions above, meaning that there were a lot of promotions at the end of this season.
^ Only 1 team relegated at end of season meaning 13th placed Stocksbridge were safe.
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