<br>credit: https://www.ppauk.com/photo/2001730/

THE second winner in Devon CCC’s new monthly members’ draw could barely  believe his luck when he won a day out at the cricket as the county club’s guest.

Mr Richard SommersRichard Sommers, a member at Sidmouth, came out of the hat as the June winner of the competition.

A new innovation this season, aimed at increasing membership numbers, is a monthly draw for a hosted day at a game.

The winner is the county club’s guest at a home match of their choice. The day starts with coffee before the match and includes lunch and tea for the winner and a companion.

Mr Sommers, a statistician who was the bursar at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University before retiring to Devon, has selected the game against Dorset at Sidmouth in late August for his day out.

He is a new member of the club and was surprised and delighted by his win.

“I feel a bit of a fraud as I’ve only been a member for a few months -  and I never win raffle prizes,” he said.

The May winner of the first draw was Brian Hopson, another new member who supports the county club from afar.Brian Hopson

Mr Hopson, who lives in the Midlands, was invited to a Devon game by friends last season and enjoyed it so much he became a county member.

“We went to Devon matches last season at Banbury and Sandford which we enjoyed with our friends from Sidmouth,” said Mr Hopson.

“Being a long-time cricket fan, especially of the three-ay format, I was a member at Worcester and always attended the Cheltenham Cricket Festival at the College Ground.

“I decided to join as a member earlier this year and benefited from the day at Taunton.:

Another incentive for to become a Devon member was an outing to the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton with free tickets to watch the first day of Somerset’s game against Hampshire.”

Mr Hopson has also selected the game against Dorset at Sidmouth for his hospitality day.

The July winner of the members’ hospitality draw will be announced in the next few days. For details of how to become a member, click this link