AXMINSTER TOWN CRICKET CLUB

About Axminster Town Cricket Club

Axminster Town Cricket Club was founded in 1850, making it one of the older cricket clubs in the county of Devon. The club started out playing on the North Street ground, and before the First World War had a professional cricketer, Mr Lawrence, who also served as the groundsman.

The Second World War brought an end to organised cricket at the club, but in 1946 a public meeting was held to revive it. Evening knockout cricket helped get things back on track in the late 1940s, and in 1950 the club celebrated its centenary with its first annual dinner.

In 1981, the club was forced to move from its North Street ground due to residential development. With support from various organisations, a new site was found at Cloakham Lawn Sports Centre. The physical move to Cloakham Lawn took place in 1987, and the ground’s reputation quickly grew to be recognised nationally as early as 1995.

In 1997, Axminster joined the Devon League, placed in the lowest D Division although they promptly won their first match by 283 runs. The 1st XI rose from D Division all the way up to A Division by 2001. The club earned Clubmark accreditation in 2003, one of the first clubs in Devon to achieve that status.

Today, Axminster Town Cricket Club is the resident cricket club at Cloakham Lawn Sports Centre on Chard Road, Axminster, and the facility boasts two large fields and training facilities.

In May 2025, the club marked its 175th anniversary with a special match at Cloakham Lawn Sports Centre, pitting the current first XI against a team of former players in a tribute to the late Dave Pike — a beloved club member who served as player, umpire, and treasurer over six decades.