THE SOCCER season looms but it is cricket that grabs the headlines. England thrashing Australia (how good it is to be able to write that) has seen to that.

We must all relish the moment and hope there is more to come.

Gloucestershire fans have had more than their share of excitement winning two matches in the Royal London Cup off the last ball.

In a rain-affected game at Bristol last Tuesday, the unfathomable Duckworth Lewis method meant 69 runs had to be scored off four overs.

Victory seemed impossible but Gloucestershire had Jack Taylor and Benny Howell, both in fine form. Jack hit his first three balls for six and when it came to the last ball another six was required for victory. The ball was hit hard and high but was caught by a Derbyshire fielder.

All seemed lost. Derbyshire celebrated and the Gloucestershire batsmen headed sadly for the pavilion. One man remained stationary, the square leg umpire Alex Wharf. His arm was outstretched; he was signalling a no ball. No-one knew why.

His reasons were explained to the Derbyshire captain. The home batsmen returned to the crease and with a gunshot of a drive Howell scored the six runs needed for victory.

After noisy rejoicing it was discovered the no-ball had been awarded because Derbyshire had three leg-side fielders. The minimum requirement is four. Only the umpire knew this.

The battle song of the Gloucestershire regiment rang out from the successful dressing room. Never had it been sung so loudly, never had it been so out of tune.

Ever the realist, captain 'Max' Klinger kept the fielders in the dressing room.

Our fielding display had been appalling with catches dropped and boundaries conceded in a slovenly fashion. When will those self-inflicted wounds come to an end?

Not at Leicester. James Fuller bowled two consecutive high full tosses and was “beamed out” of the attack, causing disruption to our bowling plans. Leicester got closer than they should have done to winning and it took a fine piece of fielding by our Captain Fantastic to bring about the last-ball victory.

Gareth Roderick had started us on the victorious road by scoring a fine century. I do not know how he does it as he bats like a crab, his side-on stance seemingly making stroke play impossible. Nonetheless so many stokes are there and the runs flow. Keep it up, Gareth!

Both those matches were played on fine pitches, plenty of runs were scored and the crowd had fine value.

This column never shirks from offering advice and here is some for Lechlade cricketers – never use the M5 to get to Thornbury.

Go through Tetbury, Wotton-under-Edge and Charfield. Cross over the motorway at Junction 14 and join the A38. This will avoid the problems experienced their Saturday journey.

Full marks, however, for your cricket. A spirited display brought victory and a welcome return to form by Joe Breet.

One of the better grounds to visit is North Cerney. The small, sloping field is on the way to Woodmancote and adjacent to some corn fields into which the ball is often hit.

No one wishes to trample the ripening barley in search of a ball and this where “Monty” comes into his own. Owned by cricketer Dan Robbins “Monty” is expert at seeking out and returning the lost ball. Against Fairford in a recent game he did this 11 times.

This information was supplied to me by Fairford’s “Mr Cricket” Dave Taylor, who is the leader of a splendid coaching team there.

Dave has played more than he expected this season, scoring runs, taking wickets and even keeping wicket. I am sure he is enjoying his cricket, but equally sure it would not be a problem if one of his young charges pushed him out of the team. That time will inevitably come, but until it does make the most of it, Dave.

Full marks to Cirencester Town. They showed spirit, determination and no little ability in beating a Forest Green XI 3-0 on Saturday.

Aidan Bennett’s first goal is already a candidate for goal of the season. I wish FGR had shown some of the Town's qualities.

Gloucestershire did in beating Somerset on Sunday at Bristol.

In yet another last-over thriller, Jack Taylor (6-6-4) smote us to victory – our seventh in eight games; the other was rained off.

Last season in a limited-overs game the then-Somerset coaching staff laughed as captain Klinger was out cheaply.

Klinger was angry. He knows you never laugh at an opponent. He scored a fine century on Sunday. We should all smile with him.