The race for promotion among the First Division clubs promises to be very interesting this season.

Bailey's Bay

Bailey's Bay are firm favourites to make a speedy return to the Premier Division this summer.

And apart from former St.George's David (Chick) Adams, Bay intend on doing it with the same nucleus that endured mixed fortunes last summer. Adams made a move from St.George's and his arrival will give Bay an additional spin option in attack.

The east end club rejected the transfer of Jason Anderson earlier this spring.

Again expected to play leading roles at the east end club are skipper Irving Romaine, Corey Hill, Jermaine Warner, Stephen, Burton and Jermaine Outerbridge, Dennis and Darren Trott, Rodney Masters, Yusef Pitt and promising young spinner Rodney Trott.

After being relegated, Bay upset the form book by defeating local powerhouse St.David's in the Eastern Counties final.

Skipper Romaine later made a passionate plea following their historical win urging Charlie Marshall to come back home - apparently the veteran had other thoughts in mind as he remained anchored at St.George's.

Bay were relegated for the first time in the club's illustrious history.

Flatts

Flatts are one of those team that you just can't figure out.

Accompanying Bay into the First Division last season, Flatts could very well emerge as promotion contenders - but that depends solely on them.

Veteran Gary Brangman continues to defy the hands of time. The seasoned seamer recently joined from St.George's - two years since retiring from Stars.

Flatts will also again rely heavily upon the likes of Phillip Bailey, skipper Rahji Edness , Quinn Outerbridge, Derek Wright and hard-hitting bat James Cellestine to aid their cause.

Warwick

Warwick came flying out of the starting blocks last season only to lose steam as the season progressed.

Opener Dion Stovell enjoyed a monstrous season with the bat, but sadly, the youngster found little support from his fellow colleagues.

Veteran player/coach Allan Douglas also missed most of the season away on work related studies while the controversial mid-season sacking of skipper Daniel Caines only served to disrupt the team's chemistry - one which saw them never recover.

However, with all of that aside, Warwick - with the same nucleus all returning - should again continue their steady rise from cricket obscurity.

Devonshire

Perhaps a prelude to even greater misfortunes, Devonshire Recreation Club's cricket team also saw their season of good promise end on a sour note last year.

Shortly after hoisting the First Division KO Cup championship, Devonshire were pipped for promotion by Willow Cuts.

Now Winston Trott Jnr and Co. will have to start from scratch.

But with the likes of Trott, brothers Ricardo, Lamont and Derek Brangman along with veterans Wendell Swan, Anthony and Omar Amory, Devonshire still possess the potential to mount another serious challenge for promotion.

Police

Police enjoyed a fine early run in the Combined KO Cup last year that saw them seize two Premier Division scalps en route to the semi-final before they were finally bundled out by Rangers.

The former powerhouse also featured in the inaugural First Division KO Cup final at White Hill Field against eventual winners Devonshire.

But other then that, the boys in blue endured a quite season in league play.

The unavailability of key players on a regular basis also did not aid their cause.

Somerset Bridge

Somerset Bridge are another one of those teams who would part the Red Sea when it comes time for Western Counties but could care little about league play.

Bridge pulled off the last season's biggest upset when they trounced a 'jetlagged' Rangers side - just returning from a tour of UK a day earlier - in the Western Counties final.

Other then that, Bridge - with their seasoned cast of characters - seemed quite content to remain in the First Division, despite at one time being poised in good position to make a serious bid for promotion.

Nonetheless, in their own manner of doing things, Bridge will again rely upon Ryan Sheppard, skipper Denzil Dill, Dean Stevens and Nakia Smith this season.

Vetaran Corvette (Corky) Lambert may also be called upon occasionally to lend some of his experience with the ball.

Social Club

If there's anything that Social Club do have, then it must be plenty of heart.

Traditionally referred to as the league's whipping boys, the Angle Street club soldiered week in and week out without bearing fruit.

Despite enduring another dismal summer last year, Social Club managed to give a few teams a good run for their money before eventually falling short.

So if that's anything to build on, then it's certainly better than nothing at all.