WEDNESDAY evening was dreadful. Never in my cricket-watching life have I felt so low.

Gloucester lost at the Oval in a vital T20 game, conceding a six off the last ball.

It was a poor game on a poor pitch which was slow-paced and the ball turned too much. Run-scoring was difficult and no batsman got beyond 40. The last-ball six did not worry me, as these things can happen, but the number of wides and no balls bowled by the Gloucestershire attack was 'unforgiveable'.

That was Mike Atherton’s word. As marvellous on the ‘mic’ as he is in print, Mike condemned our bowlers for the gifts they gave to Surrey. You cannot do that and win games.

Happily, Friday evening brought about a change of mind as well as a change of sports. I do not rush to the TV to watch tennis: I find the game too elitist and so many players today come across as little more than boring base-line bashers.

The Heather Watson v Serena Williams clash was so different! It made for compelling viewing. At first I thought the powerful Williams would wallop the slighter Watson. Not so! Heather dug in, moved around the court and could easily have won.

This contest showed what makes sport so memorable. We saw courage, determination and ability, and anyone watching could not fail to have been entertained. Watson may have lost (just!) but in the great scheme of things she surely triumphed.

Even better was to come. Switching on to teletext, there was news of our struggling county cricket team thrashing Somerset. The victory, by eight wickets, took place in front of a capacity Taunton crowd. How splendid it was that so many Somerset fans were present to see Gloucestershire dominate. Full marks to Hamish Marshall and captain Michael Klinger for their demolition of the Somerset attack!

What a way to set up Cheltenham, and I hope it spurs more support for Hamish’s benefit. Hamish is one of cricket’s good guys and, supported by wife Mags, has done so much for our county. If you see Hamish and his young family at Cheltenham, dig deep. I am sceptical about cricketers’ benefits but not this one. Hamish deserves a sum that breaks county records.

This is my 66th Festival and my first in a new role, that of benign elder statesman. Apart from my involvement in the College Chapel service (July 12, at 11.30am) I will have no specific responsibilities. Readers of this column often offer cheerful criticisms and more are anticipated. This time I shall be able to be a better listener. I wait to hear from you.

There is no doubt the team need victories. Runs are a real problem in the four-day game. At the beginning of the week Liam Dawson of Hampshire was made available for loan. Liam played his early cricket in North Wiltshire, escaping the Gloucestershire net and heading south. He bats anywhere in the upper order and is a useful slow left arm bowler. He would have strengthened our wobbly batting and given us an extra spin option. Essex have beaten us to it and sadly he is off to Chelmsford.

Our players love playing at Cheltenham and hopefully this may bring about a change in fortunes or too many people will prefer Ashes-watching on TV. Not a choice I would ever make.

Some of us were worried that we had not seen anything of Eric Gordon at Bristol. In cricketing terms, Eric was for many years ‘Mr Adlestrop’, and his allotment produced the best runner beans in Gloucestershire.

We need not have worried. Now 93, Eric is determined to be at his beloved Cheltenham. By comparison I am a mere whippersnapper as Eric first attended in the early 1930s. To shake hands with this fine gentleman will be an honour.

Almost as great in fact as winning the annual Festival Quiz. This is on July 16 at close of play and follows a brilliant barbecue. Questions are set and asked by the Donald Sinden of South Cerney, Phil James, without doubt the most colourful quiz master in the Cotswolds.

Mrs Light has just reminded me that Forest Green fixtures are now available and she wishes to renew her season ticket so next week I shall be nipping off to Nailsworth. There are a few new faces at the New Lawn but soccer will not receive my full attention until the phoney war of friendlies is over. At the moment I am just pleased my birthday present problem is over. How many other husbands have a wife who makes such appropriate demands?

To those of you who are going to watch your cricket from the sofa this weekend, shame on you. To those who find themselves at the College Ground, so many traditional delights await you.

In the memorable words of the late Eric Vick, “if you are still above ground you have got to be there”.