Devon League 1

Devon League 1 is an English level eight rugby union league for clubs based in Devon (and sometimes includes one Cornish club — St Columba & Torpoint). The champions are promoted to Cornwall/Devon and the runner-up plays the second team from Cornwall League 1, with the winning team gaining promotion. Up until the end of the 2017–18 season, teams were relegated to Devon League 2 but since that league has been abolished there is currently no relegation.

Each year a team from Devon League 1 is picked to take part in the RFU Junior Vase – a national cup competition for clubs at levels 9–12.

Format
The season runs from September to April and comprises twenty-six rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows: The top two teams are promoted to Western Counties West and the bottom three teams are relegated to either Cornwall One or Devon One depending on their location.
 * 4 points are awarded for a win
 * 2 points are awarded for a draw
 * 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
 * 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
 * 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

2020–21
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up of Cornwall 1 and Devon 1, usually participate in a play-off for promotion to Cornwall/Devon. Newquay Hornets declined to play the match and Torrington were promoted.

Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up of Cornwall 1 and Devon 1, usually participate in a play-off for promotion to Cornwall/Devon. Camborne School of Mines were due to play Topsham, but it appears that Camborne School of Mines conceded.

2014–15
Plymouth Argaum are the champions and they are promoted to Cornwall/Devon for season 2015–16. The runner-up, Plymstock Albion Oaks won the play-off match against Veor 47 – 3 to also win promotion. The last two teams Old Technicians (8th) and Torrington (9th) are relegated (subject to confirmation) to Devon 2.

Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up of Cornwall 1 and Devon 1, participate in a play-off for promotion to Cornwall/Devon. Plymouth Albion Oaks beat the home team Veor 47 – 3.

2013–14
The 2013–14 Devon 1 consisted of nine clubs; eight from Devon and one from Cornwall. The season started on 7 September 2013 and ended on 5 April 2014 with each team playing each of the other teams twice. South Molton finished in first place and were promoted to Cornwall/Devon, while the runner-up, Totnes, lost to the second team in Cornwall 1, Bodmin, in a play-off and stay in this league. The bottom team, Salcombe, were relegated to Devon 2.

Participating clubs

 * Dartmouth
 * Exeter University
 * New Cross
 * Plymstock Albion Oaks
 * Salcombe
 * South Molton
 * Topsham
 * Torrington
 * Totnes

Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:


 * Exeter Saracens
 * Honiton
 * Ilfracombe
 * Ivybridge
 * Kingsbridge
 * Old Technicians
 * Plymouth Argaum
 * Plymouth Civil Service
 * Prince Rock
 * South Molton
 * Totnes

Devon League 1 (1987–1993)
The original Devon 1 (sponsored by Courage) was a tier 9 league with promotion to Cornwall/Devon and relegation to Devon 2.

Devon League 1 (1993–96)
The creation of National 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Devon 1 became a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Cornwall/Devon and relegation to Devon 2. The league continued to be sponsored by Courage.

Devon League 1 (1996–2009)
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Devon League 1 return to being a tier 9 division. Promotion continued to Cornwall/Devon and relegation to Devon 2. From the 2008–09 season onward the league sponsor was Tribute.

Cornwall/Devon League (2009–2018)
Despite widespread league restructuring by the RFU, Devon 1 continued as a tier 9 division, with promotion to Cornwall/Devon and relegation to Devon 2. Tribute continued to sponsor the league.

Devon League 1 (2018–present)
From the 2018–19 Devon 1 continued as a tier 9 division, with promotion to Cornwall/Devon. However, the cancellation of Devon 2 meant there was no longer relegation. Tribute continues to sponsor the league

Promotion play-offs
Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Cornwall League 1 and Devon League 1 for the third and final promotion place to Cornwall/Devon. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Devon League 1 teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the Cornwall League 1 teams five; and the home team has won promotion on twelve occasions compared to the away teams six.

Number of league titles

 * South Molton (4)
 * Old Plymothian & Mannamedian (3)
 * Wessex (3)
 * Exeter Saracens (2)
 * Teignmouth (2)
 * Withycombe (2)
 * Devonport Services (1)
 * Exeter University (1)
 * Exmouth (1)
 * Honiton (1)
 * Kingsbridge (1)
 * Newton Abbot (1)
 * North Tawton (1)
 * Okehampton (1)
 * Paignton (1)
 * Plymouth Argaum (1)
 * Plymouth Barbarians (1)
 * Plymouth Civil Service (1)
 * Sidmouth (1)
 * Tamar Saracens (1)
 * Tavistock (1)
 * Torrington (1)
 * Totnes (1)