Drink up thy Cider Press! New home for Somerset coverage to launch in 2026
Somerset fans, prepare to have that thirst for independent coverage of your club well and truly quenched in 2026.
Cider Press promises an eclectic mix of behind-the-scenes access, intelligent analysis, long-form storytelling and traditional cricket writing, all powered by CounterPress.
The site will be run by Sam Dalling, a familiar voice from the Somerset live stream who has followed the Wyverns (or Dragons, depending on which mythical creature you prefer) for three decades and reported on the club since 2020.
"Somerset's fans are amongst the best in the country, and me and the team will bring you insight and colour that you won't be able to find elsewhere."Sam Dalling, Cider Press
Sam is a regular features writer for the Guardian, the Telegraph and Wisden Cricket Monthly, and also wrote extensively about Somerset for The Cricketer between 2020 and 2023.
But it is not just Sam that subscribers will hear from. Confirmed guest columnists will include familiar names such as Annie Chave (County Cricket Matters and a BBC Third Voice), with more to follow in the New Year.
With an easy and modern reader experience, and a commitment to absolutely no intrusive advertising, Cider Press will be the go-to outlet for outside reporting of events at Taunton.
Supporters can register their interest in becoming a member from December 15, with all those on the mailing list ahead of the big launch benefitting from a special (and sizable) discount.
Cider Press will open its doors from March 1.
Dalling said: “I've been lucky enough to have passed through the Taunton gates hundreds of times since I was a schoolboy and, even when I've lived a long way from home, my support for the club has never wavered.
“However, the lack of attention paid to county cricket in recent years has frustrated me greatly. I've spent countless hours trying, and largely failing, to place interesting tales in various outlets only to then read yet another piece on how England need a new opener. But now, with the help of CounterPress, we are going to change all that.
“Somerset's fans are amongst the best in the country, and me and the team will bring you insight and colour that you won't be able to find elsewhere. We'd really love you to come on this journey with us and show the world that county cricket does still matter. It matters an awful lot.”
Cider Press is the seventh county cricket outlet to be confirmed on CounterPress ahead of the 2026 summer, as part of a co-ordinated effort to revitalise coverage of our domestic summer game.
Other titles announced so far include The Hawk (Hampshire), The Rey (Surrey), Lanky Lanky (Lancashire), Up The Middle (Middlesex), From The Sea End (Sussex), and The Chester (Durham). More are set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
CounterPress co-founder Sam Morshead said: “Somerset has one of the most active, engaged fanbases on the circuit, and demands regular, insightful reporting from an outlet that cares.
“Sam will offer just that. He is full of ideas and energy, and is certain to put together an editorial product of value for his community. And that is what CounterPress is all about!”
Be a part of change.
Sam Morshead
Co Founder
Are you ready for journalism's new future? Get in touch today to find out how CounterPress can work for you.