Sidmouth gearing up for visit from Somerset as part of bi-centenary celebrations

ONE of the highlights of Sidmouth’s bi-centenary celebrations takes place tomorrow when Somerset’s Twenty20 squad pay a visit to the Fortfield.

The Sidmouth club is 200 years old this summer and for most of that time has had close links with Somerset CCC.

Indeed, the current Somerset CCC was formed at Sidmouth CC back in 1875 following a game between the Gentlemen of Devon and the Gentlemen of Somerset. A plaque on the side of the Sidmouth pavilion commemorates the event.

Numerous players have gone backwards and forwards between the two clubs, including Frank Irish, Peter Eele and, more recently, Adam Dibble and Dominic Bess, who made a guest appearance for Sidmouth against North Devon last Saturday.

Somerset sent strong side to South Devon CC recently for the Max Waller Testimonial match and it is likely they will do the same at Sidmouth.

Somerset are heading for a third successive finals day in the Vitality Blast competition and team managers want to keep players sharp ahead of the showdown with Surrey in Birmingham this Saturday.

Wednesday’s match – start time 2.30pm – is the highlight of a cricket week on the Fortfield that continues with a game against the Free Foresters (11am) on Thursday.