Having achieved six promotions in the past 12 seasons, it’s no wonder go-ahead Sway are looking ahead to the start of the new cricket season.

They are preparing for the fresh challenges of Hampshire League, County Division 2 - the highest playing level the New Forest village club has so far achieved.

When they take the field at Bramshaw on May 6, it will be a far cry from the wilderness years of 2001 when they were languishing fourth from bottom of New Forest League Division 4 and four seasons later playing in HL Regional 3 South West.

Moving to the purpose-built Jubilee Field in 2002 gave Sway the opportunity establish themselves – and become the envy of New Forest cricket, writes Mike Vimpany.

Sandwiched slap bang in the middle of a “golden triangle” of Southern Premier League clubs, Lymington, Bashley (Rydal) and New Milton, Sway plan to continue to buck the country-wide cricket apathy trend by fielding a host of senior and junior teams each week.

Sway’s population is little more than 3,500 – but that doesn’t them from fielding four Hampshire League teams, a regular Sunday XI, four junior sides (from age 9 year upwards) and two ladies sides, the Sway BlueBelles.

No surprise either, Sway have registered for the ECB’s grassroots All Stars Cricket scheme, which aims to introduce the game to thousands of five to eight year olds across the country.

Sway’s existing colts system has been a “sausage machine” of youngsters who have progressed into senior cricket

“Over half the first team who won promotion last season progressed through the colts – something the club is justifiably proud of,” enthused Alex Hall, pictured, whose 557 runs last season won Sway’s skipper the County 3 South batting prize.

Off field progress has matched that on it, with Sway investing £40,000 in recent years on sight-screens, covers, modern nets and laser levelling of the outfield.

They are also on the verge of completing a £9,000 dressing room and tea facility upgrade of their pavilion to bring it up to modern standards.

The Jubilee Ground was rated second in the County 3 South pitch markings in 2016.

The work will be completed well ahead of the opening home match of the season, a National Village Championship first round tie against Bramshaw at the Jubilee Field on Sunday April 30.

Prior to that Sway have away-day friendly matches at Lyndhurst & Ashurst, Hythe & Dibden and Burley.