David Griffiths in Kent attire [Neil Marshall] asingstoke & North Hants and Bournemouth are being touted as the likely pair to contest the British Gas Southern Premier League Division 1 championship this summer.
But Hook & Newnham Basics, potentially robbed of the title when rain washed out the final evening session of last season, look a strong bet to be up there again.
As usual, SPL1 has the makings of a competitive league, with the likes of Liphook & Ripsley, Portsmouth and Sarisbury Athletic very capable of landing a surprise knockout blow.
A stronger looking Tichborne Park will probably cause a bloody nose or two.
With former Hampshire and Kent paceman David Griffiths having joined in a player/coach capacity, Basingstoke & North Hants look a stronger outfit that the one that has often flattered to deceive in the past.
Will Phillips, having passed out of Durham University with flying colours, is available all season to bolster an often fragile batting line up.
Once a powerhouse team in Home Counties Premier League cricket, Basingstoke have been out of the top bracket for too long now, but skipper Mitchell Stokes is in no doubt about their intentions for the summer ahead.
“We have added some players and I think we look very strong across all the top three teams. We want to get promoted and that is all that is on our mind," he said.
But Bournemouth, who shot themselves in the foot far too often last season and only frittered on the edge of last season’s promotion race, look set to provide a stiff challenge.
They have recruited well, with university seamer Chris Bolton sharing the new ball with Christian Michaelowski, who is new from Midlands cricket.
Left-hand all-rounder Simon Woodruff has joined from Wimborne & Colehill, while a three-pronged spin attack will complement a decent looking batting line up.
Nick Park’s arrival from New Milton (to play with captain brother Chris for the first time since they were colts) has strengthened an order which has the handy Matt Jones at seven.
Hook & Newnham Basics lost four of their first seven matches in 2016, but a fantastic ‘back nine’ saw them finish only a fraction of a point behind Andover, who beat the incoming wet weather – and Portsmouth – to take gold.
Apart from junior journeyman Harry Came, for whom St Cross Symondians will be his third club in as many seasons, Hook are unchanged, with the likes of Jordan Hobday and Ben Thane expected to be prominent again.
Skipper Matt Love wants to see youngsters like Rhodes Franklin and Jack Robson push on this season.
He says: “As always, we will be a tough team to beat and look to be up and around the top four.
“It’s a squad that boasts experience as well as youth. We’re not able to match the financial capabilities (of other clubs) in regards to overseas players, professionals and coaches, but look forward to seeing the young lads come through the ranks and take their opportunities.”
Portsmouth flew out of the traps last summer and after winning five games on the trot looked capable of having the league title tied up by late July. But they only won three more and ended up in mid-table.
Hampshire prospect Fraser Hay, from WACA Grade club Melville, scored 664 last season and, having resisted tempting offers from elsewhere, is back at St Helen’s.
Expect Portsmouth University’s Inde Nandra to be a major influence before semester ends he returns to his native Birmingham League side Moseley.
Opening bowler Prad Baines has joined from Hambledon in an otherwise unchanged Portsmouth line-up.
“We’re very little change from last year, however with the young University contingent another year older and wiser we are looking for a more consistent and ultimately successful season,” says skipper Richard Locke.
Sarisbury Athletic have lost the services of former Hampshire 2nd XI all-rounder Basil Akram, Jack Lovett (back injury), Ryan Covey and Harry Hovey, who has chosen the three-hour Saturday morning drive to Kent League side Bickley Park in a bid to seek fame and fortune.
But skipper Matt Journeaux has recruited university keeper Tom Mills, teenager Jordan Wright from Trojans, and has Joe Lovett back to add a touch of aggression to Sarisbury’s new ball attack.
Sarisbury Athletic were ECB national indoor sixes champions in March and Journeaux expects Sam Floyd and John Hill, two of the stars of Lord’s, to push on and enjoy successful summers.
“We’ve got some experience in the side and I think we’re pretty well balanced,” Journeaux said.
Ryan Covey’s return after a two-year stint at Allotment Road is a distinct boost for outsiders Liphook & Ripsley, who hosted Portsmouth in a potentially significant day one game today.
Sulman Ganguly, as always, is a real threat but skipper Charles Janzcur admits the cruciate ligament injury suffered by 19-wicket Sean Burton “is a real blow.”
He says: “If we win the first couple of games and gain some confidence early then we have the potential to be in the top half.
“We have more depth in bowling this season, but the key will be scoring more runs up front to build the platform for an explosive middle/lower order.”
Relegated Ventnor are looking to rebuild after losing their top tier Premier Division status and skipper Rob Snell has been boosted by Jamie Miller’s return from Western Australia and a stint in the Midlands.
They were hoping Worcestershire discard Chris Russell would return, but he’s back in the Midlands for another stint.
Neil Westhorpe’s return has stiffened the middle-order, but a summer in a competitive SPL1 won’t harm the teenage half of the Newclose dressing room.
Newly promoted Calmore Sports accept they have a ‘challenging year’ ahead, but feel they are better equipped than in 2015 when they were relegated.
“Our aim is to maintain our place and still be in Division 1 come late August,” says skipper Mark Lavelle.
Spin all-rounder Jack Rutter, from the upmarket Brighton on Melbourne’s well heeled coast, is Calmore’s overseas player, but left-armer Steve Wright is off to Canada to join the Mounties in late May.
Key spinner Lavelle broke his foot last month, but was planning to play against HNB today, while Ben Perry and Liam Newton have shaped up well in the pre-season games. Matt Taylor has been eyed as a youngster to watch.
Tichborne Park, who finished runners-up to Calmore in SPL2 last term, have recruited Prad Gunaratne from the Willeton Grade club in Perth.
The leg-spin all-rounder took 29 scalps in first and second grade WACA cricket this winter and could prove a handful for SPL1 batsmen.
Doug Butler has moved to France and would-be skipper Justin Reid is returning to his native Queensland next month.
That leaves Will Allam in charge for a tenth time, but he’ll have opener Henry Don available all summer and Ben Allen back from a successful run scoring winter in Sydney.
“Although we will be underdogs for most games we have plenty of match winners in our side,” Allam warns.
“We will be aiming to upset the bigger sides with our own brand of attacking cricket and will look to make our home ground 'The Park' a bit of a fortress.”
Rowledge have snapped up left-hander Tom Treble from the Victorian Premiership club Geelong and he’ll have a key job, starting at Bournemouth today, where wicketkeeper/captain Ben Wish (knee) was a doubtful starter.
Tall and effective left-arm spinner George Keeley is away at university for a while, but when he returns from his studies he’ll play a key role with David Lloyd and Chris Broad.
“Our game plan will once again be based around spin,” Wish says. “We’ll look to cause a few upsets once again.”
But Hook & Newnham Basics, potentially robbed of the title when rain washed out the final evening session of last season, look a strong bet to be up there again.
As usual, SPL1 has the makings of a competitive league, with the likes of Liphook & Ripsley, Portsmouth and Sarisbury Athletic very capable of landing a surprise knockout blow.
A stronger looking Tichborne Park will probably cause a bloody nose or two.
With former Hampshire and Kent paceman David Griffiths having joined in a player/coach capacity, Basingstoke & North Hants look a stronger outfit that the one that has often flattered to deceive in the past.
Will Phillips, having passed out of Durham University with flying colours, is available all season to bolster an often fragile batting line up.
Once a powerhouse team in Home Counties Premier League cricket, Basingstoke have been out of the top bracket for too long now, but skipper Mitchell Stokes is in no doubt about their intentions for the summer ahead.
“We have added some players and I think we look very strong across all the top three teams. We want to get promoted and that is all that is on our mind," he said.
But Bournemouth, who shot themselves in the foot far too often last season and only frittered on the edge of last season’s promotion race, look set to provide a stiff challenge.
They have recruited well, with university seamer Chris Bolton sharing the new ball with Christian Michaelowski, who is new from Midlands cricket.
Left-hand all-rounder Simon Woodruff has joined from Wimborne & Colehill, while a three-pronged spin attack will complement a decent looking batting line up.
Nick Park’s arrival from New Milton (to play with captain brother Chris for the first time since they were colts) has strengthened an order which has the handy Matt Jones at seven.
Hook & Newnham Basics lost four of their first seven matches in 2016, but a fantastic ‘back nine’ saw them finish only a fraction of a point behind Andover, who beat the incoming wet weather – and Portsmouth – to take gold.
Apart from junior journeyman Harry Came, for whom St Cross Symondians will be his third club in as many seasons, Hook are unchanged, with the likes of Jordan Hobday and Ben Thane expected to be prominent again.
Skipper Matt Love wants to see youngsters like Rhodes Franklin and Jack Robson push on this season.
He says: “As always, we will be a tough team to beat and look to be up and around the top four.
“It’s a squad that boasts experience as well as youth. We’re not able to match the financial capabilities (of other clubs) in regards to overseas players, professionals and coaches, but look forward to seeing the young lads come through the ranks and take their opportunities.”
Portsmouth flew out of the traps last summer and after winning five games on the trot looked capable of having the league title tied up by late July. But they only won three more and ended up in mid-table.
Hampshire prospect Fraser Hay, from WACA Grade club Melville, scored 664 last season and, having resisted tempting offers from elsewhere, is back at St Helen’s.
Expect Portsmouth University’s Inde Nandra to be a major influence before semester ends he returns to his native Birmingham League side Moseley.
Opening bowler Prad Baines has joined from Hambledon in an otherwise unchanged Portsmouth line-up.
“We’re very little change from last year, however with the young University contingent another year older and wiser we are looking for a more consistent and ultimately successful season,” says skipper Richard Locke.
Sarisbury Athletic have lost the services of former Hampshire 2nd XI all-rounder Basil Akram, Jack Lovett (back injury), Ryan Covey and Harry Hovey, who has chosen the three-hour Saturday morning drive to Kent League side Bickley Park in a bid to seek fame and fortune.
But skipper Matt Journeaux has recruited university keeper Tom Mills, teenager Jordan Wright from Trojans, and has Joe Lovett back to add a touch of aggression to Sarisbury’s new ball attack.
Sarisbury Athletic were ECB national indoor sixes champions in March and Journeaux expects Sam Floyd and John Hill, two of the stars of Lord’s, to push on and enjoy successful summers.
“We’ve got some experience in the side and I think we’re pretty well balanced,” Journeaux said.
Ryan Covey’s return after a two-year stint at Allotment Road is a distinct boost for outsiders Liphook & Ripsley, who hosted Portsmouth in a potentially significant day one game today.
Sulman Ganguly, as always, is a real threat but skipper Charles Janzcur admits the cruciate ligament injury suffered by 19-wicket Sean Burton “is a real blow.”
He says: “If we win the first couple of games and gain some confidence early then we have the potential to be in the top half.
“We have more depth in bowling this season, but the key will be scoring more runs up front to build the platform for an explosive middle/lower order.”
Relegated Ventnor are looking to rebuild after losing their top tier Premier Division status and skipper Rob Snell has been boosted by Jamie Miller’s return from Western Australia and a stint in the Midlands.
They were hoping Worcestershire discard Chris Russell would return, but he’s back in the Midlands for another stint.
Neil Westhorpe’s return has stiffened the middle-order, but a summer in a competitive SPL1 won’t harm the teenage half of the Newclose dressing room.
Newly promoted Calmore Sports accept they have a ‘challenging year’ ahead, but feel they are better equipped than in 2015 when they were relegated.
“Our aim is to maintain our place and still be in Division 1 come late August,” says skipper Mark Lavelle.
Spin all-rounder Jack Rutter, from the upmarket Brighton on Melbourne’s well heeled coast, is Calmore’s overseas player, but left-armer Steve Wright is off to Canada to join the Mounties in late May.
Key spinner Lavelle broke his foot last month, but was planning to play against HNB today, while Ben Perry and Liam Newton have shaped up well in the pre-season games. Matt Taylor has been eyed as a youngster to watch.
Tichborne Park, who finished runners-up to Calmore in SPL2 last term, have recruited Prad Gunaratne from the Willeton Grade club in Perth.
The leg-spin all-rounder took 29 scalps in first and second grade WACA cricket this winter and could prove a handful for SPL1 batsmen.
Doug Butler has moved to France and would-be skipper Justin Reid is returning to his native Queensland next month.
That leaves Will Allam in charge for a tenth time, but he’ll have opener Henry Don available all summer and Ben Allen back from a successful run scoring winter in Sydney.
“Although we will be underdogs for most games we have plenty of match winners in our side,” Allam warns.
“We will be aiming to upset the bigger sides with our own brand of attacking cricket and will look to make our home ground 'The Park' a bit of a fortress.”
Rowledge have snapped up left-hander Tom Treble from the Victorian Premiership club Geelong and he’ll have a key job, starting at Bournemouth today, where wicketkeeper/captain Ben Wish (knee) was a doubtful starter.
Tall and effective left-arm spinner George Keeley is away at university for a while, but when he returns from his studies he’ll play a key role with David Lloyd and Chris Broad.
“Our game plan will once again be based around spin,” Wish says. “We’ll look to cause a few upsets once again.”
