WHAT a resounding victory at Uxbridge! The t20 win on Sunday saw records smashed and Middlesex mauled.

Gloucestershire’s 254 was the highest score made in any 20-over match in this country.

Kevin O’Brien and Hamish Marshall’s opening stand of 192 was a cricketing blitz. Batsmen of different styles, they took Middlesex apart. Scoring at more than 12 runs an over, they batted Gloucestershire to an unassailable total. O’Brien hit 11 sixes in his 52-ball century. Hamish cut and pulled to his ton in 54 deliveries. Riches indeed.

Coming so quickly after a close defeat at the murky Rose Bowl, this majestic win will boost the confidence of our young side.

The difference between success and failure in t20 is small and too often this season we have been on the losing side. Not Sunday! Now for title favourites Somerset at Bristol tomorrow (5.30pm). After that there are five matches left. Twelve points are available so is it too late to squeeze into the quarter-finals?

Perhaps promotion in the championship is a more realistic aim. Second place is certainly achievable and this week’s game with second-placed Middlesex would be a good one to win.

I make no apology for returning to the championship win over Surrey. Captain Alex Gidman (now sidelined) was outstanding, not just in his batting but the way he marshalled his young side. This was a fine competitive cricket match – each day giving spectators excellent value.

The Surrey committee were generous in their praise – even of the singing emerging from the away team dressing room. I have never heard the battle song of the Glorious Glosters more spiritedly sung.

Chairman Rex Body sprinted to welcome Alex back to the pavilion. I have done it before on that ground. One watches sport for such moments. Thanks to coach John, captain Alex and the team.

Two Surrey ex-presidents were there (John Edrich and Micky Stewart). They said: “You have nine homegrown players, we have only four – our purchasing policy is getting us nowhere.” I came home glowing.

That was not my feeling after the ODI at Bristol. The ladies started the day well – sorting out Australia. Every seat was sold and we all anticipated a fine game.

All of us were let down. You have all seen empty seats at international cricket this season. There were none on Saturday. The GCCC marketing team had seen to that. The ground was a picture. Tom Richardson (Chief Exec), groundsman Sean Williams and Peter Hall (ground supremo) had done their jobs splendidly. The West Country public supported the event loyally.

The insipid, ill-selected England team let everyone down in losing by nine wickets to Sri Lanka. Lumb (2) had shown no form this season; Kieswetter (4) is not good enough, either as wicket keeper or opening bat and to leave out Ian Bell was a crass error, as was the choice of the naive Broad as captain.

Defeat is never a problem – surrender is.

The Middlesex championship match squeezed in the middle of a batch of t20 games betrays a lack of pattern in our fixtures.

I have a solution. Play all the four-day cricket midweek and all one-day matches at weekends or Bank Holidays. I have checked the available days – it works.

A deal has been signed with Linden Homes that ensures the financial future of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club!

One and two bedroom apartments are to be built, rather than the proposed student accommodation and the stadium capacity is scaled down from 20,000 to 16,000. No large stands are to be built on the Kennington Avenue side of the ground.

With student accommodation now not a prime need in Bristol and more affordable housing selling well, this is a move by the County Club that is both realistic and far sighted.

A planning application has been lodged with the City Council and no problems are anticipated.

Coming so soon after the West County cricketing public had shown their support for international cricket this shows GCCC’s determination to move forward – on and off the field.

The Lechlade CC Ball (Four Pillars Hotel last Friday) was tremendous fun. A great venue and a great event.

I did have two chilling moments, however. Mrs Light whispered to me: “I think you are the oldest here.” Worse still, she firmly led me to the dance floor. Rodmarton Village Hall, 1957, it was not.

Finally three cheers to Rich Hudson on his Sky Coaching Award. The whole Hudson family are properly proud and so should we be. Rich has worked in 27 schools in recent years. He certainly deserves a mention in Wisden, but I bet he does not get one.