NEW MILTON chairman Steve Taylor can't wait for the publication of next year's ECB Southern Premier League cricket fixtures following confirmation of the Green & Gold's promotion into the top flight.
Milton finished third in both 2013 and 2014, but this summer's Division 1 title triumph means they will be locking horns with the likes of near neighbours Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington.
"It's fantastic for New Forest cricket that the three clubs are all back playing in the top division again and they'll be the high-spot of the season," Taylor smiled.
"When we've played Bashley in the twenty20 there's been tremendous local interest and that will be replicated when we play each other in the Premier League."
New Milton got the nod to be promoted when their Fernhill Sports Ground was accredited by the Hampshire Cricket Board.
"Promotion is a fantastic achievement by the club after consecutive near misses and to finally join the top ten is a really exciting feeling," he added.
"We have a great bunch of lads here, well marshalled by James Park. We already have a bit of Premier League experience in the side
"Hopefully that will help the younger lads adjust to this level. We know that it’s going to be tough cricket next season, but we are up for the challenge.
"Personally I’m looking forward to the two local derbies again, against Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington, which is great for the Forest.
“Remarkably, it will be the first time since way back in 1997 that the three clubs will have played against each other in the same league."
New Milton will replace relegated Sarisbury Athletic in the top echelon of the SPL, which will continue to be played on a split 50-over and 'time' cricket basis.
Newly promoted Old Tauntonians & Romsey will be on Sarisbury's fixture card, alongside SPL2 winners Portsmouth, who snatched the title on the final day of the season.
Relegated Calmore Sports, who have reappointed all-rounder Mark Lavelle as captain for 2016, play local rivals Fawley and Paultons in Division 2, which will boast two second teams.
Bashley (Rydal) and South Wilts, who have won the Division 3 championship for each of the past two seasons, will also have Sparsholt and Trojans in their ranks when the Premier League begins next May.
Fair Oak are back in Division 3 after an unbeaten summer in the Hampshire League and are joined by Ryde, whose presence alongside Ventnor will double the number of island-based teams in the Premier structure.
The ten sides in the four SPL divisions will continue to play 50-over matches on an home and away basis.
The HCL format is 18-team divisions, with teams only playing each other once.
Bishops Waltham will make their County Division 1 bow next summer and will find nine Premier League second teams in their midst.
Make up for 2016 is -
ECB Premier Division
Alton, Bashley (Rydal), Burridge, Hampshire Academy, Havant, Lymington, New Milton, South Wits, St Cross Symondians, Ventnor.
Division 1
Andover, Basingstoke & North Hants, Bournemouth, Hook & Newnham Basics, Liphook & Ripsley, Old Tauntonians & Romsey, Portsmouth, Rowledge, Sarisbury Athletic, Totton & Eling.
Division 2
Bashley (Rydal) II, Calmore Sports, Fawley, Hambledon, Hartley Wintney, Paultons, South Wilts II, Sparsholt, Tichborne Park, Trojans.
Division 3
Basingstoke & North Hants II, Fair Oak, Gosport Borough II, Havant II, Hursley Park, Langley Manor, Lymington II, Ryde, St Cross Symondians II, Waterlooville.
Hampshire League, County 1
Alton II, Andover II, Bishops Waltham, Burridge II, Ellingham, Fareham & Crofton, Hook & Newnham Basics II, New Milton II, OTs & Romsey II, Portsmouth & Southsea, Purbrook, Ropley, Sarisbury Athletic II, Shrewton, St Cross Symondians III, United Services, Ventnor II.
Milton finished third in both 2013 and 2014, but this summer's Division 1 title triumph means they will be locking horns with the likes of near neighbours Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington.
"It's fantastic for New Forest cricket that the three clubs are all back playing in the top division again and they'll be the high-spot of the season," Taylor smiled.
"When we've played Bashley in the twenty20 there's been tremendous local interest and that will be replicated when we play each other in the Premier League."
New Milton got the nod to be promoted when their Fernhill Sports Ground was accredited by the Hampshire Cricket Board.
"Promotion is a fantastic achievement by the club after consecutive near misses and to finally join the top ten is a really exciting feeling," he added.
"We have a great bunch of lads here, well marshalled by James Park. We already have a bit of Premier League experience in the side
"Hopefully that will help the younger lads adjust to this level. We know that it’s going to be tough cricket next season, but we are up for the challenge.
"Personally I’m looking forward to the two local derbies again, against Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington, which is great for the Forest.
“Remarkably, it will be the first time since way back in 1997 that the three clubs will have played against each other in the same league."
New Milton will replace relegated Sarisbury Athletic in the top echelon of the SPL, which will continue to be played on a split 50-over and 'time' cricket basis.
Newly promoted Old Tauntonians & Romsey will be on Sarisbury's fixture card, alongside SPL2 winners Portsmouth, who snatched the title on the final day of the season.
Relegated Calmore Sports, who have reappointed all-rounder Mark Lavelle as captain for 2016, play local rivals Fawley and Paultons in Division 2, which will boast two second teams.
Bashley (Rydal) and South Wilts, who have won the Division 3 championship for each of the past two seasons, will also have Sparsholt and Trojans in their ranks when the Premier League begins next May.
Fair Oak are back in Division 3 after an unbeaten summer in the Hampshire League and are joined by Ryde, whose presence alongside Ventnor will double the number of island-based teams in the Premier structure.
The ten sides in the four SPL divisions will continue to play 50-over matches on an home and away basis.
The HCL format is 18-team divisions, with teams only playing each other once.
Bishops Waltham will make their County Division 1 bow next summer and will find nine Premier League second teams in their midst.
Make up for 2016 is -
ECB Premier Division
Alton, Bashley (Rydal), Burridge, Hampshire Academy, Havant, Lymington, New Milton, South Wits, St Cross Symondians, Ventnor.
Division 1
Andover, Basingstoke & North Hants, Bournemouth, Hook & Newnham Basics, Liphook & Ripsley, Old Tauntonians & Romsey, Portsmouth, Rowledge, Sarisbury Athletic, Totton & Eling.
Division 2
Bashley (Rydal) II, Calmore Sports, Fawley, Hambledon, Hartley Wintney, Paultons, South Wilts II, Sparsholt, Tichborne Park, Trojans.
Division 3
Basingstoke & North Hants II, Fair Oak, Gosport Borough II, Havant II, Hursley Park, Langley Manor, Lymington II, Ryde, St Cross Symondians II, Waterlooville.
Hampshire League, County 1
Alton II, Andover II, Bishops Waltham, Burridge II, Ellingham, Fareham & Crofton, Hook & Newnham Basics II, New Milton II, OTs & Romsey II, Portsmouth & Southsea, Purbrook, Ropley, Sarisbury Athletic II, Shrewton, St Cross Symondians III, United Services, Ventnor II.