HEAD coach Richard Dawson called it the ‘worst fielding display I have ever seen’. He added that Gloucestershire missed 30 chances against Northamptonshire.

Richard was referring not just to catches but run-out opportunities as well. As Northamptonshire stole singles not one throw hit the stumps.

Normally reliable fielders spilt dolly catches and with each fielding mistake victory slipped further and further away.

You do not win cricket titles in April, but you can lose them. Points won now are just as valuable as those won in September.

Despite the poor fielding display the match was still winnable, so well did Gloucestershire bat when set a target of 454. The plan was to bat steadily then assess the target at tea, before then making an assault on the Northants bowling if a win seemed possible.

That assault could have been started an hour before tea. Only two wickets had been lost so surely two or three more could have been sacrificed in a bold dash for victory. Yes, the draw was an achievement but a record-breaking win was within reach.

The fixture list, so badly drawn up that it defies description, now gives Gloucestershire an 11-day gap before the next game. Much of it will be used for fielding practice.

The next game is at Bristol starting on April 25. Derbyshire are the opposition and the AGM follows play on day two.

It is an emotional occasion for me as I hand over the presidency. I have enjoyed a long cricket journey from the cricket fields of the Cotswolds to committee rooms at Lord’s, and at least 400 visits to the Cheltenham Festival.

I move into the background with one word of advice. The club must never forget its supporters and members. Everyday at cricket I walked round the ground, talking but above all listening. The consistent humour and occasional wisdom of the Hammond Roofers was always a delight to experience and of course there were many more genuine fans to encounter. Any club ignores them at their peril.

You cannot ignore Forest Green Rovers. They are finishing the season in overdrive. Since the Aldershot aberration they have scored 11 goals and won all three games. The nine points won keep them firmly in play-off contention.

Saturday at Gateshead was a true team performance. An early Gateshead goal, as untidy as it was unwelcome, did not deter Ady Pennock’s team. The next four goals were scored by FGR making the game safe, and there were some good ones among them. The first goal showed many of the team’s qualities. Captain David Pipe’s high cross caused the Gateshead goalkeeper to hesitate and two defenders likewise. Kurtis Guthrie, with a true striker’s greed, grabbed the opportunity and smashed the ball home. His opportunity, bravely taken, summed up the attitude of the whole team. Never give up!

There was time for silky skills as well. Stuart Fleetwood and Rob Sinclair indulged in some clever passes. Rob weaved into the penalty area, leaving defenders in his wake, and sent a delightful chip over the goalkeeper’s head.

Jon Parkin was as energetic and effective as ever in both attack and defence, thumping in a penalty and adding an opportunist goal. Goalkeeper Steve Arnold also deserves special mention.

There was some disagreement, in both the press box and on the coach trip home about whether he was to blame over the first goal. But after that he was outstanding, looking every inch a first class keeper.

Conceding a penalty in injury time was a silly mistake. The otherwise admirable Charlie Clough has done this before. He clearly pushed a Gateshead player just inside the area, and a Gateshead goal dented our goal difference.

What a wonderful record-breaking day it will be if all goes well on Saturday. I cannot wait until 5.15pm. Dare I make a suggestion to mastermind Pennock? Put James Norwood on the bench. He is a proven goalscorer and match-changer and as such may be needed. I think the team ethic will carry us through but James is a wonderful insurance policy.

Whatever happens it has been a wonderful season. The club seems united in every way. Chairman Dale Vince is a man of vision and dreams and who better than the prince of pragmatists, manager Ady Pennock, to carry them out?

Mrs Light is hoping for a special hug about 7pm on Saturday.