Yesterday's Express & Echo letters column contained an enquiry that I'm sure the writer won't mind my reproducing here:
Do readers know of older game report?
The following letter was sent by some gentlemen from Tiverton on August 28, 1730 to Andrew Brice, the Exeter printer and publisher, and was printed in his newspaper, Brice's Weekly Journal.
"Yesterday, being St Bartholomew's Day, upon a very high Hill, called Beacon-Down, within one Mile of this Town, was play'd a Match at Cricket of three Innings each, by the Gentlemen of Tiverton, 11 of a Side for a considerable Wager.
"The whole Game being performed with the same Order and Decency, and by the same Rules and Articles that are observed by the Kentish and London Gamesters; and the Field well accommodated with Cyder, Ale, Cakes, Fruit , and other Things as usual.
"And it being agreed before they parted, that a friendly Invitation should be sent to the Gentlemen of Exon, to meet them upon some convenient Ground near Silverton, on Monday the 14th of September next, by Eight of the Clock in the Morning, in order to divert themselves with the same Exercise, for a Parcel of good Ale, and a fat Sheep, to refresh themselves, when the Sport is ended. 'Tis therefore desired, that the Exeter Players do signify their Acceptance of this Invitation, and do meet the Tiverton Players at the Time and Place above-mentioned."
Do any readers know of an earlier recorded cricket match in Devon?
Gillian Selley
Culvery Close, Woodbury
If you can answer this, please leave a comment, or reply to the letter via the Express & Echo at the link above.
- RG
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