Old Taunians and Romsere were under no illusions about the standard of cricket in Southern Premier League Division One. The inital two games against BAT Sports and Bournemouth showed us the all-round levels we would have to achieve if we wanted to avoid relegation after the previous seasons SPL 2 success. Team spirit was not enough and it really took us until mid-season before we really got used to the pace of things and began to compete as a unit in all aspects of the game.

A couple of wins saw us and Liphook and Ripsley fighting out the relegation spot and, if it wasent for some experience, we might well have picked up some more wins and draws along the way. We took it to the wire but it wasent to be, we were relegated.

Individually, Max Smith made his mark with 565 runs and was the clubs leading wicket taker with 18, New Zealander Scott Shirley made 415 and Colin Morris celebrated his debut season behind the stumps with 27 victims, which secured the overall SPL wicket-keeping award. Overall the season was a very steep learning curve for our players and we will have gained nothing but positives from our venture into "Gold".

We would hope to be back there soon!