OLLIE SMITH REPORTING
THERE was a crowd of more than 200 people watching on as Topsham St James hosted a Lord’s Taverners XI to celebrate their 150th Anniversary.
The 30-over match followed a family pairs game in the morning, and in between the two was a coaching clinic for the club’s juniors, run by former Somerset and England star Andy Caddick.
In addition to Caddick, the Taverners’ team featured former Somerset players Keith Parsons and Rob Turner. Caddick’s son Fraser, also turned out for the visitors. The home team was a mix of Topsham’s past and the present, with all former players having come through the youth system there.
The Taverners elected to bat first and were in early trouble at 18 for two; however, Caddick strode in at four and scored a fine 101 from 90 balls, including two sixes. Caddick’s century helped his side score 161 from their 30 overs.
During the interval, spectators were treated to a demonstration of Super 1s cricket, a programme run by the Lord’s Taverners aimed at getting more people aged 12 to 25 with a disability involved in cricket. 
Chris Horne, who last made regular appearances in the Devon Cricket League for Budleigh Salterton in 2009’s Premier Division, top-scored for Topsham with 48. The two men not out at the end were the next highest scorers, as Ross Treleaven (39) and Matt Reeves (28) saw their side get within four runs of victory.
Matthew Williams, the incumbent chair at Topsham St James, said: “This day will live long in the memory of all who attended, and in the history of our club.
“It was amazing to see a Somerset legend like Andy Caddick play at our ground, and he hit one of the biggest sixes I’ve ever seen.
“We set out at the start of the year to celebrate cricket, our club and our place in the community – and while we’re yet to see the final total, we estimate we’ve raised a decent amount of money for the Lord’s Taverners, too.”
