Counties 1 Essex
Counties 1 Essex is an English level 7 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in London and the south-east of England including sides from Essex and Greater London.  Administration of the leagues is divided between Essex Rugby and the London & SE RFU..

Structure and format
The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April, making a total of twenty-two matches each. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:
    4 points are awarded for a win.
    2 points are awarded for a draw.
    0 points are awarded for a loss.

In addition:
    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

There is one automatic promotion place and two relegation places. The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to Regional 2 South East. The last two placed clubs are typically relegated to Counties 2 Essex.

Teams for 2024-25

Departing were Wanstead, promoted to Regional 2 Anglia, and Stanford-le-Hope relegated to Counties 2 Essex.  In their place came Burnham-on-Crouch (promoted from Counties 2 Essex (North) and Basildon (promoted from Counties 2 Essex (South) .

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season Basildon  Gardiners Close   Basildon, Essex  Promoted from Counties 2 Essex (South) (champions) Braintree  Robbswood   Braintree, Essex  2nd Burnham-on-Crouch  Dengie Hundred Sports Centre   Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex  Promoted from Counties 2 Essex (North) (champions) Campion  Cottons Park   Romford, London  9th Chingford  Lea Valley Playing Fields   Chingford, London  11th East London  Memorial Park   West Ham, London  4th Epping Upper Clapton  Upland Road   Thornwood, Epping, Essex  3rd Maldon  Drapers Farm Playing Fields   Heybridge, Essex  7th  Mavericks  Warley Playing Field   Warley, Brentwood, Essex  5th Old Cooperians  Coopers' Company & Corborn School   Upminster, London  10th Romford & Gidea Park  Crowlands   Romford, London  6th Upminster  Hall Lane   Upminster, London  8th

Teams for 2023-24

Departing were Dagenham and Harlow, promoted to Regional 2 Anglia, and South Woodham Ferrers relegated to Counties 2 Essex (North).  In their place came Chingford (relegated from Regional 2 Anglia, Stanford-le-Hope and Maldon promoted from Counties 2 Essex.

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season Braintree  Robbswood   Braintree, Essex  4th Campion  Cottons Park   Romford, London  6th Chingford  Lea Valley Playing Fields   Chingford, London  relegated from Regional 2 Anglia (12th) East London  Memorial Park   West Ham, London  5th Epping Upper Clapton  Upland Road   Thornwood, Epping, Essex  7th Maldon  Drapers Farm Playing Fields   Heybridge, Essex  Promoted from Counties 2 Essex (champions) Mavericks  Warley Playing Field   Warley, Brentwood, Essex  9th Old Cooperians  Coopers' Company & Corborn School   Upminster, London  10th Romford & Gidea Park  Crowlands   Romford, London  8th Stanford-le-Hope  Stanford Recreation Ground   Stanford-le-Hope, Essex  Promoted from Counties 2 Essex (runners-up) Upminster  Hall Lane   Upminster, London  11th Wanstead  Centenary Fields   Wanstead, London  3rd 

Teams for 2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review.  The league was substantially similar to London 3 Essex with the teams finishing 1st-10th returning.  Kings Cross Steelers and Canvey Island, who finished 11th and 12th respectively, were placed in Counties 2 Essex.  The line-up was supplemented by the addition of Wanstead and South Woodham Ferrers (who finished 12th in London 2 North East).

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season Braintree  Robbswood   Braintree, Essex  8th London 3 Essex Campion  Cottons Park   Romford, London  5th London 3 Essex Dagenham  Central Park   Dagenham, London  1st London 3 Essex East London  Memorial Park   West Ham, London  7th London 3 Essex Epping Upper Clapton  Upland Road   Thornwood, Epping, Essex  9th London 3 Essex Harlow  Latton Park   Harlow, Essex  2nd London 3 Essex Mavericks  Warley Playing Field   Warley, Brentwood, Essex  8th London 3 Essex Old Cooperians  Coopers' Company & Corborn School   Upminster, London  4th London 3 Essex Romford & Gidea Park  Crowlands   Romford, London  3rd London 3 Essex South Woodham Ferrers	 Saltcoats Playing Field   South Woodham Ferrers, Essex  12th London 2 North East Upminster  Hall Lane   Upminster, London  10th London 3 Essex Wanstead  Centenary Fields   Wanstead, London  10th London 2 North East

See also
 Essex RFU
 London & SE Division RFU
 Hampshire RFU
 Kent RFU
 Surrey RFU
 Sussex RFU
 English rugby union system
 Rugby union in England

References

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Category:Sports leagues established in 1987
Category:1987 establishments in England
Category:Rugby union in Essex