DISGRACEFUL one week and superstars the next. Having lost heavily to Kent in the opening game of the season a complete reversal in fortunes saw Gloucestershire defeat Leicestershire by an innings at a chilly Brightside Ground.

There were two heroes. Firstly, Will Tavare; he did exactly what a number three batsman should do. He stuck it out, preventing a batting collapse.

His century was far from thrilling but it allowed the stroke players in the team to prosper at the other end. Graeme van Buuren, Phil Mustard, Jack Taylor and David Payne all scored well and Gloucestershire had the luxury of being able to declare.

Liam Norwell (10-99 in the match) turned the screw and for Leicestershire there was no escape.

I could find no-one able to tell me when a match at Bristol was won by such a margin. Perhaps when I ask the massed ranks at the club AGM I may discover when this rare event last happened. The AGM (Thursday, April 20) is followed by the opening of the club’s Museum and Heritage Centre at 12.30pm on Friday.

This is the first day of the game against Durham, rare visitors to the Brightside Ground. Mrs Light is hoping to meet the new Durham chairman, Sir Ian Botham. I have told her not to hold her breath, but she is an optimistic soul.

Forest Green Rovers are as inconsistent as our county cricketers. A confident, composed performance saw Chester defeated on Friday. Momentum was growing and the play-offs looked closer.

But all I hear from Southport tells me I made the right decision to stay at home and watch Cirencester Town.

Leaving the Corinium Stadium I caught the end of Bob Hunt’s commentary. He was very critical of a shot-shy Rovers performance.

As a team we have no divine right to beat anyone. Everybody has to put a shift in. Did this happen on Monday? It seemed not. Friday’s performance was encouraging in every way, and Monday’s best forgotten. It is hard work supporting FGR.

There was a significant Rovers’ old boy presence at the Corinium Stadium. Alex Sykes, now free of his Shortwood managerial duties, was in the crowd, while Stuart Fleetwood was on the bench.

Coming on in the second half he made little difference to a Weymouth side that floundered on the rocks of a firm Cirencester defence.

There was a new name in the Cirencester attack, Danny Gudger. He had scored two goals in the previous game at Slough and scored another double against Weymouth.

He possesses considerable pace and continually stretched the opposition defence. The whole Cirencester team played well. They say April is the cruellest month. It will be if the Centurions are relegated.

Swindon Town are certainly heading that way. They have had a truly uninspiring season and have muddled along without any clear direction.

We all know Swindon are a club with huge potential. It is a pity the leadership of the club cannot tap into this, and perhaps total surgery is called for – yet again!

Two local cricket clubs, Cowley and Sheepscombe are appealing for new players, and one – Ampney Crucis – has folded.

At Ampney, I expect there will soon be sightings of the ghost of Dick Gearing on his tractor, mowing the field. Having known Dick, his apparition will the most garrulous ghost in the county.

Cowley and Sheepscombe both have beautiful grounds, the teas are excellent and at Sheepscombe the girls on the pavilion balcony are the prettiest in the county. I speak with accuracy having done much research on this matter in my early years.

More recently I attended a wonderful tea party. This one was in aid of George Field, who has just retired as organist at Cirencester Hospital. He played at the twice weekly services in the chapel.

George is now nearer 100 than 90. Before the second world war he was a goalkeeper for Arsenal, playing and training with all the Highbury greats.

To talk to him about those days was a joy. Post-war he had a distinguished career in aviation. Good wishes George, not forgetting Dorothy. You are one of nature’s gentlemen.