Quite often when you read about cricket you only hear about the so-called big teams, such as Southampton Rangers and St David’s, and the lesser teams often go unnoticed.

Therefore, I want to take a closer look at the teams in the Logic First Division. This year the First Division looks to be a very competitive division, but only time will tell. So what teams will gain promotion back into the Logic Premier Division?

One thing all the teams in the First Division have in common is the need to rebuild. Some have already started by bringing in an influx of younger players, while others will need to start if they haven’t already.

Young players are keener, more focused and dedicated to the cause. Young players are very coachable and willing to learn. The country needs a good crop of young players to come through and revitalise the sport again.

Last year’s league table clearly shows the distinction between levels of cricket at the moment.

However, with some good coaching and hard work the gap can be quickly closed. Firstly, the clubs in the First Division have to build a sound programme based on work ethic and team values.

Don’t be mistaken, the First Division have some decent players who, with the right coaching and guidance, can become even better. You only have to look at the recent transfer list to see that eleven of the nineteen players that transferred moved from lower division clubs to clubs in the top tier.

That can only mean one thing, that clubs in the top tier think that these players can come in and enhance their programme.

The First Division clubs are Western Stars, PHC, Flatts, Warwick Workmen’s Club, Devonshire Recreation Club, Somerset Bridge and the Bermuda Under-17 side. All the clubs within this division are in a rebuilding process.

Three clubs particularly stand out to me, Devonshire Recreation Club, Warwick, and Western Stars.

The reason they stand out is because years ago these three clubs use to be powerhouses. Now the question is what will it take to get them back to being a force to be reckoned with?

Western Stars and Devonshire Recreation Club are probably the strongest two teams in the First Division and they will surely be among the teams fighting for promotion this season. Last season saw Devonshire Recreation Club beat Stars by a mere 36 runs.

Since which, Devonshire Recreation Club has managed to pick up three good signings from Flatts in Durnell Smith, Paul Harvey and Hewvonnie Brown. Stars on the other hand have lost two of their younger players, Swayne Campbell and Keshun Smith, to St George’s, but they still have a very formidable team. None of the other teams have done much in bringing in new players who can really strengthen their team to be a real title contender. Somerset Bridge didn’t lose any players, but no transfers came in so their squad remains relatively the same.

PHC lost their most promising player in Delray Rawlins, but managed to gain the services of Dean Richards.

On the flip side, Flatts lost a total of six players, sparking curiosity by some as to whether they will field a team this season. However, this could be the perfect time for them to take a page out of Warwick’s handbook and groom their younger players.

Sometimes winning has to be put aside for development at clubs and this could be the perfect opportunity for Flatts to develop their younger players so that in four to five years times they will be highly competitive again.

All in all, the First Division should be very competitive. It would not surprise me if a team that we least expect stepped up and challenged Western Stars and Devonshire Recreation for promotion this season.

As you know with cricket, names are only words on a piece of paper, but the game is played on the pitch. This should be one interesting season for cricket in Bermuda.

Quote of the week: There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do

— Derek Jeter