LIGHT’S OUT . . . and about illuminating the local sports scene (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Hyde manage to lose their way at Forest Green

2:00pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in Sport By John Light

SATURDAY was a splendid day. Football was at Forest Green, who are now second in the league after a 3-1 win over Hyde. The pre-season optimism is so far justified.

But it was not plain sailing for either team. Firstly the Hyde team coach got lost in Nailsworth. Asking directions, the driver was told ‘thee dost turnabout and head up yonder’. When an interpreter had been found, he knew what to do.

Perhaps this accounted for Hyde’s slow start, and for the first half-hour Rovers were rampant, racing into a two-goal lead.

Then, to use a cricketing term, they declared. Hyde scored and began to look dangerous. Rovers scored their now statutory injury-time goal to give the final score line a flattering look.

The late goal came like this. A quick break down the left by the pacy James Norwood; defenders flounder. Then there is a perfect pass to whichever forward is in the right position. It was Ben Wright this time.

I sped from the New Lawn to Lechlade, collecting the busy Mrs Light on the way.

The cricket had finished long before we got there, but a cheerful party was going on. To join the players and supporters celebrating promotion was both a joy and a privilege. It was easy to see why local cricketers wish to play for this club. It is a truly happy place to be.

A photographer from a local daily paper arrived even later. He was able to take some photos but in the duty of accuracy I must tell you they were not authentic.

He would have been better to picture the face of chairman Rowley – as round and shining as the previous night’s full moon.

There was good news, but of a different sort, from Cirencester Cricket Club. Thanks to a last- wicket stand they avoided relegation and the second XI have been promoted.

The newspaper has been unable to keep you informed about the varying fortunes of the town club because no reports have been received. It is not too late for a resume of the season. Watch this space.

My marvellous Saturday went someway to dissipating my rage from the previous day, when Gloucestershire presented their championship match to Yorkshire.

Acting captain Hamish Marshall made a far-too-generous declaration and a Yorkshire win was never in doubt. The target should have been at least 350 in 80 overs. Hamish was mugged and Yorkshire may now win the title.

They should give the acting Gloucestershire captain a winner’s medal. Ring me up before you declare again, Hamish.

Adlestrop have again won the CDCA First Division. This gives them a chance to play in the County League.

So far they have not taken the opportunity of doing so and are becoming regular winners of the more local competition. I have considerable sympathy with the North Cotswold club because of the amount of travelling a promotion would entail.

However, if I were a young Adlestrop player, I would want to test myself at the highest level – only then are personal statistics meaningful.

Moving to play at a higher level would also end the accusations of ‘pot hunters’. I am sure these are incorrect but I have heard them on several occasions.

The Adlestrop club should not be a victim of their own success which has obviously incurred such comments. Perhaps the way forward is for them to travel a few extra miles and give themselves a real test. I am sure this splendid club could meet the challenges.

Someone meeting several challenges is Cirencester Town footballer Scott Griffin. Scott is heavily and energetically involved at the Corinium Stadium, filling a variety of roles.

On the field he played a vital role in Saturday’s defeat of Didcot. Reading the Non League paper at breakfast on Sunday, I discovered the match report had been written by none other than Scott himself! Are there no limits to his talents?

Some fans wondered why he had been subbed before the end of the Didcot game. Now they know. He had to sharpen his pencil and get scribbling.

Back to Saturday. Driving from Nailsworth to Lechlade on a fine, late summer afternoon was a delight, as was every minute spent at football at the New Lawn and with the celebrating cricketers.

There had been the chance to enjoy both the beauty of this county and the quality of its sporting life. Truly an unbeatable experience.