TOTAL frustration. Too many self-inflicted wounds. Those two phrases sum up Gloucestershire’s T20 Blast campaign.

The side played some outstanding cricket, notably the three away performances at Kent, Middlesex and Somerset but poor organisation and a weakness in bowling at the death sabotaged some spectacular victories.

I believe the search has already started for a specialist death bowler next season. Ian Harvey was one of the best in the business and should head up the hunt. The investment in an overseas batman did not pay off, “Hank” Handscomb averaging an unsatisfactory 14 runs per innings.

Craig Miles brought strength to the bowling and James Fuller had some very good days, but sadly some poor ones as well. There is no doubt that one experienced bowler would have allowed us to qualify. Please take heed for next season.

T20 on Friday evening in the mud and murk at Cardiff was astounding. Glamorgan had to win to qualify and the ground staff and countless helpers worked hard to mop up.

The umpire calculated a five overs-a-side game was just possible. It started at 8:58pm. Has a match ever started later? Five bowlers were to bowl an over each and it started badly, with fit again David Payne conceding 17 runs in the first over.

However, the other bowlers responded magnificently, especially Fuller, Howell and Miles. Glamorgan were limited to 48-5. Despite losing Michael Klinger for one the total was overtaken in the fourth over. A calm, confident Gloucestershire side were easy winners.

I felt not joy but complete frustration; over the course of the competition occasional incompetence has betrayed our undoubted ability. We may have learned some lessons along the way but it is too late now, as Friday night proved.

What makes our failure to qualify more galling is that the knockout stages are extremely lucrative. Middlesex played Surrey at Lord's (Thurs, July 23) before a capacity crowd of 28,000. Receipts were more than £400,000, and this still in the qualifying stages. T20 certainly pays the bills.

Now we have moved to the Royal London Cup, a 50-over competition. Whatever our fortunes this is something that I neither like nor want. It replaces the 40-over game which fitted beautifully into a Sunday afternoon.

Fifty-over games start at 10.45am; this will not bring the crowds in. With Ian Cockbain and Hamish Marshall injured we are light on batting but there are plenty of bowling options, and the team has plenty to prove. Watch this space.

It is a curmudgeonly column this week and I remain deeply saddened by a sight that greeted me on Thursday evening.

From the far end of Purley Road you have a good view of part of the former Cirencester Grammar School playing field, the part that was known as the hockey pitch. It was also used for both soccer and cricket. In addition, for many of us it has romantic memories. Many joyous relationships were formed by lunch-time strolls around this part of the field. This beloved, well drained piece of land is now just rough grass. It's close to the town centre so cannot it be better used? For so many it is part of our heritage. I weep.

I do not weep when I think of Swindon Town, just feel deep sadness. Firstly they are continuing to ban the local paper “The Adver.” Why? Local newspapers give local clubs so much free publicity.

Swindon’s action is wrong and unhelpful to all concerned. Worse still it is compounded by limiting their media coverage to an online service I do not understand. They are selling their supporters short. Contractually bound to talk to the BBC, the other limitations they have imposed are little more than shameful. A pre-season change of policy is very much needed.

Sensing my glum mood, Mrs Light has just brought me a mug of tea and a slice of fruit cake. The cake is special; Penny guessed the weight of it correctly at the charming Chesterton Community Fete on Saturday.

She added that they are playing cricket at Scarborough where Yorkshire are all out. Sadly the rain intervened and Gloucestershire batted for just two overs.

There was much praise for Craig Miles who took 4-29 but far too many wides and no balls have been bowled. When will that lesson be learned? Such bowling loses games.