North Wales Men's League

North Wales Men's League
Founded2012
Country Wales
Number of teams5
Level on pyramid5
Domestic cup(s)Challenge Cup
Current championsConwy Celts
TV partnersnone

The North Wales Men's League is a summer rugby league competition for amateur teams in North Wales and Mid Wales. The competition was formed in 2012 as the North Wales Conference following the restructuring of amateur rugby league in Great Britain.

History

See also: History of the Rugby League Conference

The North Wales Conference was founded in 2012.

Prior to this, the only North Welsh rugby league team was Super League side Celtic Crusaders, who in 2010 moved from Bridgend to Wrexham.

The inaugural 2012 competition consisted of Conwy Celts, Dee Valley Dragons, Montgomeryshire Marauders, Prestatyn and Rhyl Panthers and Wrexham Bradley Raiders. Montgomeryshire Marauders folded mid-season and were replaced by Flintshire Falcons. The grand final was fought out between the top two sides: Conwy Celts and Prestatyn and Rhyl Panthers with the Celts running out 48–26 winners to be crowned the first North Wales Champions.[1]

From 2023 North Wales Conference teams are able to qualify for the Challenge Cup through a playoff with the winners of the South Wales Premiership.[2][3]

Position in Pyramid

See also: British rugby league system

The North Wales Conference is part of tier five of the British rugby league system. Above the North Wales Conference is the National Conference League and Conference League South, the highest level of amateur rugby league in the UK.

Clubs

As of 2023: Bangor Buffaloes, Clwyd Cobras, Conwy Celts, Flintshire Falcons, Wrexham Crusaders.[4]

As of 2021: Conwy Celts, Flintshire Falcons, Môn Knights, Wrexham Crusaders.[5]

Winners

  • 2012: Conwy Celts 48–26 Prestatyn and Rhyl Panthers[1]
  • 2013: Conwy Celts 50–40 Flintshire Falcons[1]
  • 2014: ????
  • 2015: ????
  • 2016: ????
  • 2017: ????
  • 2018: ????
  • 2019: ????
  • 2020: ????
  • 2021: ????
  • 2022: Flintshire Falcons[4] 24–22 Conwy Celts[1]
  • 2023: ????

9s

  • 2010: Rhyl Exiles
  • 2011: No event
  • 2012: Prestatyn and Rhyl Panthers
  • 2013: Conwy Celts

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Rugby League in North Wales - Wales Rugby League (WRL)". 28 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Wales Celebrates 20 Years of League Action".
  3. ^ "20th anniversary fixtures revealed for South Wales men's league – Wales Rugby League (WRL)". 3 April 2023.
  4. ^ a b "North Wales fixtures launched for 2023 - Wales Rugby League (WRL)". 9 May 2023.
  5. ^ "WRL domestic leagues are back – bigger than ever before - Wales Rugby League (WRL)". 17 May 2021.