Below-par outfield marks over the past two summers have cost Hampshire Cricket League champions Compton & Chandler’s Ford promotion to the Southern Premier League in 2023.

Compton were eagerly anticipating the prospect of playing in Premier Division 3 next season after winning 14 of their 17 matches this past summer to be crowned County Division 1 champions.

Having only been promoted to the top flight of HL cricket in 2019, Compton have spent only the past two seasons in Division 1, finishing mid-table in 2021 and title winners this year, the 2020 campaign having been cancelled due to the covid epidemic, writes Mike Vimpany.

But outfield marks for Compton’s Shepherds Lane ground – seven (out of ten in 2021) and only six this past summer – fell short of the minimum required under the Premier League’s accreditation scheme. Ground marks are made by visiting captains and panel umpires.

A disappointed Compton & Chandler’s Ford captain Alex Spearing commented: “It’s obviously very disappointing for everyone involved at the club to be denied promotion to the SPL.

“We have worked hard over the last few years to develop the facilities, and deliver a thriving junior section and a progressive club so to fall short by such a small margin on the outfield scores is tough to take. 

“It’s been a hard few weeks going through all the appeals but we now have some clarity from the Hampshire Cricket Board and are looking forward to working with them and getting the support from the Premier League so we can get the accreditation sorted. 

“We already had plans to keep improving the facilities and are working closely with the football club to get the outfield scores up. For now, though it’s about making sure we deliver on the pitch again and defend our title in 2023.”

Premier League chairman Steve Vear added: “It is always disappointing when we are not able to grant accreditation - especially to clubs that are as prominent in the local area as Compton and Chandlers Ford.

“That said, our accreditation requirements were only updated in 2021 and re-validated by our membership to ensure we maintain the standards expected of a premier league club. Once Compton’s marks are consistently hitting the required levels, we will look forward to awarding the required accreditation level to be able to welcome them into the SPCL."

Being denied promotion for failing to meet Premier League accreditation requirements is not unique to Compton & Chandler’s Ford, Parley winning the Hampshire League championship in 2019 and finishing runners-up two years later, only to find their playing facilities were not up to scratch. 

Only now, with ground marks having improved and upgrades to the West Parley pavilion scheduled, have they been allowed up.

Fareham & Crofton, who finished third in HL Division 1 this season 45 points behind Compton, join Parley in Premier Division 3 in 2023.