With the season only a week away my focus this week is on Division One, a league that is often forgotten or hardly talked about.This year Division One has the potential to be the most competitive that it has been in years. With two teams moving up to the Super 6 next year, the battle will be on for promotion. Who are the favourites and who are the underdogs? Will there be a surprise team?As I take a look through the division which possesses Somerset, Western Stars, Flatts, Somerset Bridge, St. George's, Social Club, PHC and Warwick there really isn't much that separates the teams. Ironically, most of the player transfers involved these clubs with both comings and goings.In my opinion, Somerset are the team to beat this year. With senior players like Jekon Edness and Jacobi Robinson along with a wealth of talented youngsters, Somerset will be too strong for other teams. They possess a well balanced team. However, their real strength is their bowling. I cannot see them having to chase too many big totals as they definitely have the best bowling attack in the division. If their batsmen can be consistent it wouldn't surprise me if they ended up undefeated.Western Stars are my next pick to be promoted. Last year they were in the hunt but fell short, but after a year of experience I think their young guns will be ready.Tre' Manders is their key man. He is developing into a fine young batsman but whether he has enough quality around him will determine their fate. Stars have a rich history in cricket, going back to the Albert Steede days, but how much of that pride has been passed on? Stars strength lies in their batting as young Brian Hall amongst others has come a long way and should just about pip that second qualifying spot.St. George's are my pick for third. Having lost nine players and only gaining four has put a massive dent in their hopes for promotion. However, what could be crucial for St. George's is the return of their overseas players, in the likes of Christian Burgess, Mishael Paynter and Zico Burgess. With the players they have picked up along with those overseas players, St. George's will definitely have a say in the promotional race.Glenn Blakeney's form could be the deciding factor on whether they get promoted or stay in this division for another year.Social Club, although they are not one of my picks for promotion, are the one team who can surprise all and really make a fight for it, all depending on their commitment.Having been a top flight team, many of their players know what it takes to win. Although they have lost a few players, they have picked up several good acquisitions, which if they knit together as a unit, could finish ahead of both St. George's and Stars.Charlie Marshall's contribution will be crucial and their key additions of Ryan Sheppard, Jamiko Marshall and Clay Darrell have definitely enhanced their chances.Flatts are a team that I see loads of potential in and they could be the spoilers for those pushing for promotion by causing several upset wins throughout the season.Flatts have a few players like Kevin Hurdle and James Celestine who on their day can single-handedly win matches. What remains to be seen is how much the other players around them can contribute and produce. Their batting line-up with the likes of Regino Smith, Oladapo Frederick and Kejuan Franks just to name a few, is sound.The question is do they have the bowling to contain teams? The loss of David Beddard to Bailey's Bay could prove costly for them.PHC are my choice for sixth as they have lost too many star players. Losing Chris Foggo, Jason Anderson and Kamau Leverock leaves an enormous hole in their batting line-up.What they still have, though, is the majority of their bowling team, which for Division One could cause teams loads of trouble. Kevin Tucker is one who could destroy any team in this division but the team will have to collectively unite if they are to be competitive.The transfers of Richard Todd and Colin Stewart should give a boost to their depleted batting line-up. Much will also be expected of Bermuda's most promising young player, Delray Rawlins. A note of caution, beware of PHC as they could spring a few surprises.Warwick should improve one place to seventh, which is a step in the right direction for them.Lionel Cann as coach will do wonders for this young, enthusiastic team. Warwick were very successful in the transfer window, securing an additional six players with at least three of them having Premier experience.Warwick, with the help of player/coach Cann, are capable of upsetting any team in the league. Cann on most days will be unstoppable but Warwick's bowling will be their biggest downfall. If they can improve their bowling they could be the surprise team in the division.Somerset Bridge are my choice to finish at the bottom of the table. There was some doubt about whether they would be in the league this year but it looks as if they wil. In Donnie Charles they have one of the best all-rounders in this division. Their strength lies in their bowling. If they could only find a few players to be consistent with the bat and score a few runs they could too spring one or two surprises.Overall, this is a very tight division. Where teams finish will depend on their commitment, game plan and whether they are able to execute on the day.The biggest problem several of these teams will encounter is the lack of training and commitment from players at the training ground. Talent is one thing, but only those that put their work and time in will be rewarded.Quote of the week: “I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.” Michael Jordan.