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.
Kent 2
Current season or competition: 2019–20 Shepherd Neame Kent 2
Brockleians (2nd title) (2019–20) (promoted to Kent 1)
Most titles
Ashford, Aylesford Bulls, Betteshanger, Brockleians, Erith, New Ash Green, Old Gravesendians, Sittingbourne (2 titles)
Website
englandrugby.com
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 2021-22edit
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
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Locations of the 2021-22 Shepherd Neame Kent 2 teams in Kent
Season 2020–21edit
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.