Peering into the kitbag of dreams
by Mark Simmerson, 25th April 2006

Much has changed. In Division 1 the Sheffield hegemony has been broken. Four top flight teams are from single team clubs and all doing very well thank you - something I thought would never happen. And most significantly, the domination of the League by Hundall has ended.

So what does this summer hold? Let us peer into the kitbag of dreams, rummage beneath the mouldy boots and gaze upon the box of destiny……. Division Four Old Whittington II , then under the aegis of Richland Wanderers, narrowly missed out on promotion last time, as did Sheffield Zingari. Indeed, Zingari are one of the few new entrants who haven’t moved quickly up the divisions. Maybe this summer will see their rise. Coal Aston, cruelly relegated on the last day last year, will be looking to climb straight back up. With no new teams with summer, Division 4 promises to be close, I expect pretty much every time will harbour title aspirations.

Division Three Walkley ran away with Division 4 and will look to continue this summer. Hallam III also came up and will seek to hold on to Walkleys’ coat-tails again. Last year Transport, Ridgeway and Old Whittington I all threatened the top and will again be strong. Stocksbridge II struggled in Division 2 and will surely find Division 3 more fruitful. Hathersage II, also relegated, should be promotion candidates with the Woolway clan in command.

Division Two University Staff once again missed a return to Division 1 by the merest margin. Surely, with their powerful batting line up, promotion is within their reach. Collegiate, the surprise failures from last summer, must put a fractured and fractious season behind them. If they do, who can stop them bouncing straight back. With Bakewell, Baslow and Grindleford continually there or there abouts, this is where Staff and Collegiates main challenge may come from. Look out also, for Sheepbridge, promoted from Division 3.

De La Salle, fielding 2 XI’s in the top two Divisions for the first time, will be looking for consolidation this term. There will be much celebration at the first win for Chesterfield Barbs I after a barren First Division campaign last summer.

Division One SWD broke Hundalls grip on the title and played the best cricket by far. They will go into this summer clear favourites. Aggressive bowling, attacking batting and voluble team spirit make them a fine side and difficult to beat. In the end Parkhead were their nearest rivals, although Ashford, Hundall and even De La Salle fancied their chances at stages last time round. How will Millhouses - novices in the top flight - and Stocksbridge fare? Both have useful bowling which is essential against some the powerful batting line-ups in the Division.

Picking the sides to challenge Works is more problematic. Most sides are capable of beating each other on their day, so it will be the most consistent team that will do best. Last summer this was Parkhead, but even they were prone to the odd blip.