Of the four teams promoted to Division One – Tonmawr, Bridgend Athletic, Builth Wells and Fleur de Lys – only last season’s Division Two West champions Tonmawr will be on home soil on the opening day of the season. They host Glamorgan Wanderers while Division Two East champions Builth Wells face a daunting trip to Narberth.
Division Two East will get off to an interesting start with a host of local derbies to whet the appetite of the fans. Treherbert host Llantwit Fardre and Abercynon entertain Ystrad Rhondda, while two of last season’s relegated clubs, Rumney and Tredegar meet in Cardiff.
In Division Two West, last season’s Division Three West champions Pontyberem will kick-off their campaign at home against Waunarlwydd, while relegated Tondu host Dunvant.
In total there will be two more teams playing in the Welsh Premiership and 17 Lloyds TSB Welsh National League divisions than last season – 233 to 235.
Three clubs who started last season –
Abertillery, Bangor University and Blaenau Gwent – have dropped out of the league structure, although two of those clubs – Abertillery and Blaenau Gwent – have amalgamated to form Abertillery BG. In terms of movement between divisions, here are some of the movers:
Blaengarw 3 East to 5 S-East; Abertillery
BG (formerly Abertillery) 2 East to 5 East;
Ruthin champions of 4 North to 3 S-East;
Birchgrove 2 West to 5 S-West; Penygraig
2 East to 3 S-East.
East-West switches are: Amman United 4
S-West to 4 West; Rhigos 4 S-West to 4
S-East; Heol y Cyw 4 S-East to 4 S-West;
Swansea Uplands 5 S-West to 5 West.
THE LLOYDS TSB WELSH NATIONAL LEAGUES
DIVISION 1
There are eleven clubs remaining from last season’s Division and they are joined by Tonmawr (champions 2 West), Bridgend Athletic (runners-up 2 West), Builth Wells (champions 2 East) and Fleur de Lys (runners-up 2 East). There are 15 teams in the division which means one club will be byed each week.
DIVISION 2
EAST – This comprises eight clubs from last season, with Rumney, Tredegar and Treorchy all joining them after being relegated from Division 1. The promoted clubs are Brynithel (champions 3 East), Newport Saracens (runners-up 3 East) and Treherbert (champions 3 South-East).
WEST – This comprises eight clubs from last season, with Tondu relegated from Division 1. Joining them are Pontyberem (champions 3 West) and Kidwelly (runners-up 3 West), Banwen (champions 3 South-West) and Mumbles (runners-up 3 South-West) and Nantymoel, who have switched from 3 South-East.
DIVISION 3 EAST – This comprises 10 clubs from last season, who are joined by Bargoed (champions 4 East) and Blaina (runnersup 4 East) and Rhymney and Dinas Powys, who were both relegated from 2 East.
WEST – This comprises 10 clubs from last season, who are joined by Cardigan (relegated from 2 West) and top three teams from 4 West – Loughor (champions), Pembroke Dock Quins (runners-up) and Llanelli Wanderers (third).
SOUTH-EAST – This comprises 10 clubs from last season, who are joined by Ruthin (Div 4 North champions), Penygraig (relegated from 2 East), Pontycymmer (champions 4 South-East) and Abercwmboi (runners-up 4 South-East).
SOUTH-WEST – This comprises 10 clubs from last season, who are joined by Varde and Aberavon Quins (relegated from 2 West), Cwmgors (champions4 South-West) and Alltwen (runners-up 4 South-West).
DIVISION 4
EAST – This comprises eight clubs from last season, who are joined by Newport HSOB and Llanhilleth, both relegated from 3 East, Trinant (champions 5 East) and Oakdale (runners-up 5 East).
WEST – This comprises seven clubs from last season, who are joined by Pontarddulais and Gowerton, both relegated from 3 West, Crymych (champions 5 West) and Cefneithin (runners-up 5 West) and Amman United (switched from 4 South-West).
SOUTH-EAST – This comprises seven clubs from last season, who are joined by Taffs Well (relegated from 3 S-East), the top three teams from 5 South-East – Llandaff (champions), Llantwit Major (runners-up) and Llandaff North (third) – and Rhigos (switched from 4 South-West).
SOUTH-WEST – This comprises six clubs from last season, who are joined by the top three teams from 5 South-West – Resolven (champions), Aberavon Green Stars (runners-up) and Tonna (third) – Trebanos and Ystradgynlais (both relegated from 3 South-West). In addition, Heol y Cyw have switched from 4 South-East.
DIVISION 5 EAST – This comprises nine clubs from last season, plus Abertillery BG (new club formed out of an amalgamation of the former Division 1 side Abertillery and the old 5 East club Blaenau Gwent), Caldicot (relegated from 4 East) and St Joseph’s (relegated from 4 East).
WEST – This comprises 10 clubs from last season, who are joined by Swansea Uplands (switched from 5 South-West) and Tycroes and Bynea (relegated from 4 West).
SOUTH-EAST – This comprises eight clubs from last season, who are joined by new WRU clubs Porth and Penallta, Cefn Coed (relegated from 4 South-East), Old Penarthians (relegated from 4 South- East) and Blaengarw, who have reformed after dropping out of 3 South-East.
SOUTH-WEST – This comprises eight clubs from last season, who are joined by Birchgrove (switched from 2 West), Cefn Cribbwr and Abercrave (relegated from 4 South-West) and new WRU club,Glyncorrwg.
THE NORTH
Division 4 – With last season’s champions, Ruthin, having moved to 3 S-East, the division is reduced to 11 clubs. One team will receive a bye each week. Dinbych (champions 5 North) and Colwyn Bay (runners-up 5 North) have replaced Wrexham and Bala, who are both relegated to 5 North.
Division 5 – Dinbych and Colwyn Bayare replaced by Wrexham and Bala. WRU Districts club Rhayader make their first entry into the National League set-up to replace Bangor University.
