Adrian Aymes returns to his roots at Hursley

Former Hampshire wicketkeeper Adie Aymes will be playing for a newly promoted Hursley Park team in a revamped Southern Electric Premier Cricket League Second Division next summer.

The 38-year old, who parted company with Hampshire by mutual consent last month, expected to return to his old haunts at The Quarters and boost Hursley's Premier Division 3 promotion credentials.

But, despite finishing fourth in the 'bronze' division last summer, Hursley Park have been promoted and will begin their Premier 2 programme against United Services at the Quarters on May 3.

Hursley's promotion - as one of four clubs elevated into Division 2 next summer - follows the demotion of Hungerford and Winchester KS for failing to meet the league's junior cricket criteria.

It is the second time Winchester have been relegated in the past three years - the River Park club having bounced back up again following their demotion at the end of the 2000 season.

Winchester frequently struggled to field two XIs last summer and have scrapped their Hampshire League-based 2nd XI next summer.

Hungerford and Winchester KS, both former Southern League champions, are relegated alongside Trojans and Rowledge, who finished in the bottom two places in Premier 2 last summer.

Going up alongside Hursley Park are Division 3 champions Purbrook, runners-up St Cross Symondians, and Gosport Borough, who finished third.

Reflecting on the double demotions, Premier League secretary Colin Savage said: "It was a huge disappointment that two of our clubs let their accreditation fall below the required standard for the 'Silver' league.

"Sadly, we were left with no option but to relegated them."

The Hampshire Academy team will play in the ECB-accredited Premier Division 1 next season, replacing Burridge, who are relegated.

Newcomers to the Premier set next summer are Southsea and South Wilts II, who occupied in the top two places in the Hampshire League last summer.

Premier Divisions 1 and 2 commence on May 3 2003, with the Premier 3 and Hampshire League programmes beginning a week later.