OF COURSE, I am sad, but Swindon were pretty toothless in the JPT Final on Sunday. I shall quickly move on.

Instead, I rejoice for Forest Green Rovers. High-flying Luton and Wrexham have been beaten. Two different games, but two marvellous results.

This is the week the team grew up. Mrs Light tells me I am being insufferable. I am sure she is right but I know I have good reason to cheer. I was there on both occasions.

Luton first (March 20). FGR had much to prove having failed to beat lowly Hayes. Had end-of- season apathy set in?

Luton soon discovered otherwise. Three magnificent goals were scored and Luton were well seen off. Two came from Matty Taylor, once of North Leigh. He calls himself a ‘fox in the box’. He is more than that – surely a ‘wolf in the fold’.

The crowd played their part, the atmosphere was gripping. Occasions like that make you realise why you watch football. Luton fans stayed to applaud FGR off the pitch.

Saturday at Wrexham was so different. The first problem was getting there, the M5 being closed. In one way, this was a bonus as we headed north via Ledbury. Hereford, Ludlow and Shrewsbury.

For many of us this was a new and welcome experience. I worked out we bisected Wenlock Edge and the Long Mynd. Were they not A E Houseman’s ‘blue remembered hills?’ We all know of Gloucestershire’s spring-time beauty but Herefordshire and Shropshire are not far behind.

On-board catering was first class. I wish FGR played in Europe every week.

The Wrexham Welsh welcome was warm and efficient. I was cheerfully handed a programme and a press pass. Relishing my new-found status I secured an exclusive interview with Mickey Thomas – (Wrexham, Wales, Man Utd, Chelsea). He said: “It is an appalling pitch, hard and bumpy. Our players do not trust it.”

He sought me out at half-time, saying, “It’s embarrassing. You have players who want to bring the ball down and pass it, but they can’t on that surface.”

No they could not, but FGR proved they could fight, and held on with great determination to win 2-1. Wrexham had only given away ten home goals all season, yet FGR had gone there and won.

My European experience was made all the more realistic by the Welsh-speaking commentator on my right. On the bus back, I won the Supporters’ Club raffle. It had been a great day.

As it was when I spent a morning with John Messenger. In the opinion of good judges (Bill Griffin and me) John was the fastest bowler in local cricket since the Second World War.

With his brother Mick (Duntisbourne, Birdlip and Chalford) he set the standards for so many of us to follow. John has a fine collection of score books, going back to 1912. Winstone, Duntisbourne, Caudle Green, Elkstone, Brimpsfield and Birdlip all had cricket teams.

From Cirencester came Gillets Bacon Factory XI, Cirencester Stragglers and the Abbey XI. The Messenger clan (at least three generations) figure largely, and I had found three generations of Lights playing. I am still in early days of research. More anon.

Good news from Fairford Cricket Club. They are now a ‘Focus’ club and organised a tournament for primary schools in the East Cotswolds. Like other local clubs they are heavily involved in the ‘Chance to Shine’ scheme’ which takes cricket back into so many state schools.

This scheme is paid for with Sky Sports money. Some readers complain about international cricket not being available on terrestrial TV. They should not. Part of the income from Sky supports this marvellous project. So many of our youngsters are benefiting. Long may it continue.

The BBC only bid a pittance, but Sky came in with a bid that has enabled all levels of the game to benefit.

Another example is the Disability Tournament. Held in Bristol last week, this was supported by retailers John Lewis and the Gloucestershire County Board. There is no need to worry about youngsters of either sex having access to the greatest of games, so tolerance of the Sky monopoly, please.

Returning to the JPT Trophy, which I watched from the comfort of my armchair.

I offer two observations. However much possession you have does not matter, it is the final pass or cross that matters.

Swindon were, in this vital area of the game, woeful.

Secondly, why were so many recently acquired loan players on the field? What about the players who had taken Swindon to the final? Their omission could not have helped squad spirit. That is all-important as FGR have so splendidly proved.