Devon Cricket Board - Sidmouth sign Kiwi all-rounder

Sidmouth sign Kiwi all-rounder

Splendid sight! Cricket is just around the corner at Sidmouth

IN week's time the new cricket season kicks off at Sidmouth when Devon entertain Somerset 2nd XI at The Fortfield on Easter Sunday.

Prior to that the membership will be busy on Saturday March 31st when it is NatWest Cricket Force Day.

Ground chairman John Goodwin and house chairman John Palmer have a number of tasks for volunteers to complete. Members are asked to bring a paint brush. The morning kicks off with refreshments served at 9.30am.

The club are delighted to announce new main shirt sponsors with Brewin Dolphin agreeing an initial two-year deal. The other shirt sponsors are Everys Solicitors, Otter Brewery and St John’s School who will once again sponsor the Colts shirts.

On the playing front the club has announced that Sam Anderson from New Zealand will be their overseas player this year. Sam is a 23-year-old all rounder who plays for Auckland U23s and is a team-mate of former Bovey Tracey batsman Andrew de Boorder.

In addition to Anderson the club have also signed Liam Lewis and Peter Randerson from Heathcoat. Lewis played for Devon last season, and has trained with the county during the winter, while Randerson has been on Devon’s emerging player programme during the winter.

Also back on the books will be Adam Dibble (pictured) although his availability will depend on his commitments with Somerset CCC.

The club will be delighted to hear from anyone wishing to play cricket for Sidmouth at any level.

There are three Saturday elevens as well as a large number of Sunday and midweek fixtures. Outdoor nets start on April 1

If you are interested in playing for the club please contact Mike Dibble on 07770 798250. Training takes place on Wednesday evenings starting from 6pm with club coach Matt Cooke in attendance.

On Friday April 13 the club have their colts registration night. Colts training continues every Friday evening through the summer ending in late July.

Sidmouth club have a number of teams in the Bradleys East Devon Youth League.

If you walk or drive by The Fortfield on a summer's evening you may see a 'Pub League' game taking place. These fixtures have been taking place for a number of years and give local part-time cricketers the opportunity to play at Sidmouth on superb wickets prepared by head groundsman Colin Whitehall. The tournament is run by bar manager Terry Riding and deserves support from local players.

Finally the club are very keen to see supporter numbers increase and social membership is available at £20 per annum.

There is no finer way to spend an afternoon in the sun than at The Fortfield with a drink from the bar which is open on match days.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773