Report by Daniel Mortlock:
One of the highlights of the 2000 season was the niggling rivalry that developed between Romsey and Whittlesford's first team, but their promotion, followed by our relegation, saw us separated by the yawning chasm of two divisions for the last two years. We, of course, were promoted back up to Junior 2 last year, and it just so happened that they were relegated from Junior 1, so fate couldn't resist starting this season off with a hard-fought match between the two teams.
Except fate didn't count on Whittlesford being unable to secure the use of their own rec., and Andy duly received a mid-week phonecall to the effect that they were forfeiting. (He also received a late-week call to say that a ground had been found, but by this stage it was too late for Andy to reorganise the team, so the forfeit stood.)
So, cricket-wise the first round was a non-event, but in the greater scheme of things the free 20 points could turn out to be the difference between staying in Junior 2 and once more being relegated to the no-man's land of Junior 3.