Kent 2 (known as Shepherd Neame Kent 2 for sponsorship reasons) is an English level 10 Rugby Union League[1] and is made up of teams predominantly from south-east London and Kent. The teams play home and away matches from September through to April. Currently promoted teams move up to Kent 1 and there is no relegation although until the 2007–08 season teams could drop down to Kent 3 (now folded). Now a single division, in the past Kent 2 was divided into regional divisions - Kent 2 East and Kent 2 West.
Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Teams for 2021-22
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.
Bexley, who finished 8th in 2019-20, played several of the early fixtures but withdrew from the league in November 2021.
Swanley RFC, a new entry, competed until January 2022 before withdrawing from the league.
Locations of the 2021-22 Shepherd Neame Kent 2 teams in Greater London
Dartford Valley
Lordswood
Gravesendians
Sheppey
Sittingbourne
Swanley
Weavering
Whitstable
Locations of the 2021-22 Shepherd Neame Kent 2 teams in Kent
Season 2020–21
On 30th October 2020 the RFU announced [3] 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 Kent 2 was not contested.
The creation of National 5 South meant that Kent 2 dropped from a tier 9 league to a tier 10 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion and relegation continued to Kent 1 and Kent 3 respectively.
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Kent 2 reverted to being a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Kent 1 and Kent 3 respectively.
The cancellation of Kent 3 ahead of the 1997–98 season saw Kent 2 restructured into two regional division - Kent 2 East and Kent 2 West - both of which were tier 9 leagues. Promotion continued to Kent 1 and there was no relegation until Kent 3 was reintroduced.
Kent 2 was restructured back into a single division for the 2000–01 season, although the introduction of London 4 South East meant that it fell to become a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Kent 1, while the reintroduction of Kent 3 meant that there was relegation until this league was cancelled at the end of the 2007–08 season.
^3rd place New Ash Green and 4th place Met Police Hayes were also promoted due to Kent league restructuring.
^Kent league restructuring meant that there was no relegation.
^Seven teams were promoted from the division due to Kent league restructuring, including Snowdown C.W., Deal Wanderers, NatWest Bank, Sittingbourne and Lordswood.
^Kent league restructuring meant that there was no relegation.
^Kent league restructuring meant that there was no relegation.
^Aylesford Bulls were not promoted this season but instead remained in a new look single division along with runners up Sittingbourne and relegated teams from Kent 1.
^Due to the creation of a single division for Kent 2 as well as two new lower divisions there were many relegations this season. Faversham, Vigo, Old Williamsonians joined Kent 4 while Deal & Betteshanger, Old Gravesendians, Edenbridge joined Kent 3.
^Multiple teams were transferred from Kent 2 East for this season - previously only 4 teams in division.
^Erith were not promoted this season but instead remained in a new look single division along with runners up Dartford Valley and relegated teams from Kent 1.
^Due to the creation of a single division for Kent 2 as well as two new lower divisions there were many relegations this season. Footscray, Bexley and Greenwich joined Kent 3 while Orpington and Old Olavians joined Kent 4. Greenwich Academical and Met Police Hayes would drop out of the league for the following season.
^No relegation as Kent 4 abolished at end of season and subsequent league restructuring led to division increasing to 10 teams.
^No relegation as division would increase to 10 teams the following season.
^Vigo and Sheppey were also promoted along with champions Medway and runners up Cranbrook.
^No relegation as Kent 3 abolished at the end of the season.
^Division increased to 10 teams due to Kent 3 being abolished the previous season.
2019–20 Shepherd Neame Kent 2
England
