Until we joined the newly formed Hampshire League in 1973 we played friendlies only, although in 1972 Crown did get to the Hampshire Final of the Haig Village Cup where we lost to Steep.

In 1975 the club gained its first promotion finishing 4th behind champions Tilehurst and moving up from North 2. After spending a couple of seasons in North 1 the club had its 1st league centurian, Keith Overend hitting 100 not out at Hungerford II. Basingstoke & NH II pipped us to promotion by two points that year but in 1979 the club finished as champions and moved up to County 3.

That first season in County 3 saw Billy Calvert score 519 runs and Nick Carbury & Bill Dunning share 90 wkts. In the game at Winterslow Nick produced incredible bowling figures of 10-10-0-1 yet the team still lost !! Crown ended the campaign 2nd behind US Portsmouth and gained promotion to County 2.

A three year stay in County 2 marked the end of Taverners’ surge up the leagues and 9th place in 1982 remains the club’s highest finishing position. After 10 years of success Crown were relegated for the 1st time when we dropped back to County 3 in 1984 and then further back to County 4 five years later.