A glorious 200 years of cricket in Sidmouth has been celebrated in spectacular fashion.

Sidmouth Cricket Club is rightly proud of their amazing two centuries at the heart of local sport and the anniversary party took centre stage earlier this month, with a showpiece match against Somerset CC.

“It is an amazing achievement to be 200 years-old, there aren’t many clubs in the UK of that age,” said Sidmouth CC chairman Saj Patidar. “I think we are the oldest club in Devon, just a few months ahead of North Devon CC.

“Our ten-day celebrations began with a match against the MCC and then a marquee game against Somerset, who kindly honoured the fixture with a very strong squad. This was followed by a lovely dinner, an auction and an after-dinner speech from the cricket commentator Vic Marks.

“The celebrations culminated in a Caribbean night and a very successful way to mark 200 years. It gave us a lot of focus and we had some lovely messages from people all around the world.

“The game with Somerset was obviously very special. It was originally scheduled to be a 50-over game against an Academy side but when they qualified for the T20 Finals Day, they had a rethink and didn’t want their T20 guys playing in a four-day County Championship match.

“We spoke with Somerset and they were hugely keen to honour the fixture. They subsequently brought down a number of top players, who would help them win the T20 title. Sidmouth did win the match but Somerset weren’t even cantering, if we’re honest.

“For me, as chairman of the club, it is a great honour to have led the small team that organised the ten days of celebrations. I had some fantastic lieutenants helping to make it all possible.

“To be at the helm in our 200th year is a brilliant honour and I am so pleased everything went well. It is a nice feather in our cap as a club, everybody enjoyed themselves and we look forward to the next 200 years of Sidmouth Cricket Club.”

Congratulations to everyone at Sidmouth CC for reaching an amazing milestone and to all those people who have kept the club alive and vibrant over the past two centuries.