PORTSMOUTH BACK IN THE BIG TIME NEXT SEASON
Next season's ECB Southern Premier League line-up has been confirmed, with Portsmouth back in the top tier for the first time since 2007.
They out-pointed Sarisbury Athletic to win Division 1 this summer and will replace local rivals Havant the top table of local recreational cricket.
It will the first time in 55 seasons Havant have been absent from the top tier of Southern League cricket - their dwindling player numbers worsening with batter/wicketkeeping talent Ben Feeney moving to the Midlands and teenage left-hander Charlie Whitfield joining Waterlooville.
Havant's relegated second team will play Hampshire League Division 2 cricket next summer, the side dropping down two divisions due to a potential lack of strength.
Havant will face 2024 SPL2 champions Hambledon, Sarisbury Athletic and Waterlooville in all 50-over 'white ball' matches next season.
Four fresh faces will compete in Division 2, with relegated pair Andover and Calmore Sports facing inter alia promoted due Fawley and Trojans.
Hampshire League winners Odiham & Greywell are set to make their Division 3 bow.
Next season's Southern Premier League line-up -
ECB Premier Division (mixed format)
Alton, Basingstoke & North Hants, Bashley (Rydal), Bournemouth, Burridge, Hampshire Academy, Lymington, * Portsmouth, South Wilts, St Cross Symondians.
Division 1 (50 overs)
*Fair Oak, * Hambledon, + Havant, Hook & Newnham Basics, Old Tauntonians & Romsey, Rowledge, Sarisbury Athletic, Totton & Eling, Ventnor, Waterlooville.
Division 2 (50 overs)
+ Andover, + Calmore Sports, * Fawley, Hartley Wintney, Langley Manor, Liphook & Ripsley, New Milton, Portsmouth & Southsea, Sway, * Trojans.
Division 3 (50 overs)
* Alton II, Fareham & Crofton, + Gosport Borough, Hook & Newnham Basics II, Hursley Park, * Odiham & Greywell, Parley, Paultons, Sparsholt, + St Cross Symondians II.
They out-pointed Sarisbury Athletic to win Division 1 this summer and will replace local rivals Havant the top table of local recreational cricket.
It will the first time in 55 seasons Havant have been absent from the top tier of Southern League cricket - their dwindling player numbers worsening with batter/wicketkeeping talent Ben Feeney moving to the Midlands and teenage left-hander Charlie Whitfield joining Waterlooville.
Havant's relegated second team will play Hampshire League Division 2 cricket next summer, the side dropping down two divisions due to a potential lack of strength.
Havant will face 2024 SPL2 champions Hambledon, Sarisbury Athletic and Waterlooville in all 50-over 'white ball' matches next season.
Four fresh faces will compete in Division 2, with relegated pair Andover and Calmore Sports facing inter alia promoted due Fawley and Trojans.
Hampshire League winners Odiham & Greywell are set to make their Division 3 bow.
Next season's Southern Premier League line-up -
ECB Premier Division (mixed format)
Alton, Basingstoke & North Hants, Bashley (Rydal), Bournemouth, Burridge, Hampshire Academy, Lymington, * Portsmouth, South Wilts, St Cross Symondians.
Division 1 (50 overs)
*Fair Oak, * Hambledon, + Havant, Hook & Newnham Basics, Old Tauntonians & Romsey, Rowledge, Sarisbury Athletic, Totton & Eling, Ventnor, Waterlooville.
Division 2 (50 overs)
+ Andover, + Calmore Sports, * Fawley, Hartley Wintney, Langley Manor, Liphook & Ripsley, New Milton, Portsmouth & Southsea, Sway, * Trojans.
Division 3 (50 overs)
* Alton II, Fareham & Crofton, + Gosport Borough, Hook & Newnham Basics II, Hursley Park, * Odiham & Greywell, Parley, Paultons, Sparsholt, + St Cross Symondians II.
