BEATING Somerset was an important and joyous occasion. Important because it showed how the t20 should be organised. More than 7,000 people paid record receipts. To a cash-strapped county like Gloucestershire that is crucial.

Three things contributed to the attendance. Firstly it was a local derby, secondly it was on a Friday night and thirdly there had been no match at Bristol for a fortnight.

Now we have three matches in a week, only one of which is at a weekend. The family audience who loved Friday's game will have to find over £100 to see all three games.

Do not cram all the matches into high summer. Spread them out and use only Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. It isn't the amount of t20 matches that are played – it is how the scheduled matches are arranged.

The Light Plan of championship cricket in midweek and one-day matches at weekends caters for the different audiences both types of the game attracts – and one does not impinge on the other. Think of a Cheltenham Festival that has two championship matches and a t20 as well.

The Somerset chairman, Andy Nash, agrees. The championship has to be paid for and this is the best way.

There is an unbreakable bond between Nash and myself. We were both at Wembley, supporting the same side, that wonderful day in 1969. For the few who do not know what I mean, I repeat the scoreline: Swindon 3 Arsenal 1.

The defeat of Somerset was all the more memorable as it involved the competition debut by Jack Taylor (4-14 and top score of 38). Undoubtedly he was man of the match.

A true Cotswold cricketer, Jack was in frontier country, over the Oxford border. Generations of his family have contributed so much to the cricket club at Great Tew. I am reliably informed his grandfather prepares the best wickets in Oxfordshire. We must be patient – he will not do as well in every game but now we all know what he is capable of.

We bowled and fielded better than Somerset and the Bristol crowd rejoiced on a splendid summer evening.

It was pleasant to meet Steve Kirby again. Gracious in defeat, he happily signed autographs and it was charming to see the three generations of Kirbys watching him.

There was also a chance to meet up with another former player at Uxbridge. Anthony Ireland was in the Middlesex team and played a crucial part in the match – he helped Middlesex save the follow-on. Gloucestershire proved their championship form is not a fluke and dominated the game which was ruined by rain. Ian Cockbain scored his maiden century (128) in only his eighth championship match and Jon Lewis (71) scored a career best – yet again showing a liking for Middlesex bowling.

I am delighted to report the Middlesex hospitality was excellent. Mrs Light and I were fed and watered splendidly. Several Gloucestershire supporters pointed out the beer was cheaper than at Bristol. I have passed this news on.

Several readers have taken me to task for my criticism of the appointment of Stuart Broad as captain of the England 20/20 side. Of course Stuart is a talented cricketer with a fine future, but is he in control of himself or his game?

Look at his current statistics but also note he has just been fined 50 per cent of his match fee for the recent ODI against Sri Lanka for serious dissent.

"Behaviour not acceptable in any form of cricket,” said the match referee. Do we want this from an England captain?

I encountered the irrepressible Edward Gillespie on Saturday. He was looking forward to captaining the Gloucestershire Gipsies in their annual match against the combined might of the (Houses of) Lords and Commons at Stowell Park.

What a marvellous opportunity to administer a spanking to our lords and masters. I hope he took it!