IT WAS a surprising encounter. A group of men with lights fixed to their heads and all in running gear trotted off into the night.

It was wet, muddy underfoot and very dark. The scene was the car park of my favourite watering hole.

There were soon answers. I had bumped into the South Cerney Stragglers on one of their regular evening runs. This determined and courageous group of men choose a fine Cotswold pub before setting off for a run whatever the conditions.

I am not talking a short scamper, rather a trek of a few miles. Not surprisingly they are all enviously slender, but some are far from the first flush of youth.

Later in the evening they were to return to the fine beer and warming fire, exhilarated by their efforts. There will be a chance for us all to see them in the summer, for they are going to run the length of the River Churn, stopping no doubt at the pubs on the way.

I am unlikely to join them as they are far too energetic for me, but I know a couple of places where I can watch them go by.

Determination and courage were the keynotes of a Points West item the other evening. We saw David Lawrence (Syd to most of us) bowling out the West Indies at the Oval. The next Test he played was in New Zealand and the horrific knee injury he suffered made harrowing viewing.

Syd is now 50 and a body builder. With three South Western titles under his belt his aim is now international competition. One thing is certain, Syd's smile is matched by the size of his heart and he is still the cheerful competitor he always was.

Another quick bowler whose career was cut short by injury is in equally good fettle. Ian Saxelby was married two months ago and has just started work in insurance. He has international school and youth honours at rugby and is contemplating starting a career as a referee.

Keeping a close interest in cricket, Ian may return to the game as an administrator. He is a fine, able young man with so much to offer I hope he has the chance at Gloucestershire.

Another Gloucestershire bowler is delighted to still be in the game.

Jack Taylor was reported for an illegal bowling action and missed a full season but worked hard on straightening his delivery arm. Now back and bowling he is a key member of the county one-day side.

His best performance last year was taking part in a stand of over 100 with Will Gidman. This took place at Headingley and won the 50-over cup tie – a great triumph.

Jack did more, however. My Yorkshire opposite number is a famous ex-umpire and kept on telling us the Yorkshire total of 180 was a winning score. He was of course wrong.

Jack had silenced Dickie Bird. This has seldom been done! There was no doubt who was the proudest president.

Jack was speaking at the annual presentation dinner of the Gloucestershire County League and Ian was at the annual supper of the Cheltenham region.

I now know the identity of the 'the phantom sock snipper', the scourge of the dressing room, who regularly stands in front of the mirror, hair gel in hand when Gloucestershire are on TV.

If you bump into me, all you have to do is ask his identity.

There were no bluebirds anywhere near Dover when Forest Green played there on Saturday. A dull game ended predictably at 0-0.

Rovers are frustrating. One day they entertain like Elvis Presley; on Saturday they were more like a listless Leonard Cohen. I hope for better things against Dartford on Saturday.

The week could have ended sombrely. Forty years ago I stood in the entrance hall of my inner city Birmingham school, checking my colleagues as they came in. It was the day after the pub bombings that claimed so many casualties.

That afternoon I received a telephoned bomb threat and evacuated the school. They were terrible days that I cannot forget.

My spirits were lifted, however, on Saturday evening. In Watermoor church hall the MJ/UK group performed and thrilled us all. It is not just sport where people working together can produce a thrilling spectacle, bringing joy to all who witness it.

Cirencester Town's soccer players are doing so as well. They can, can’t they? Look where they are in the league, then you will see what I mean.