THERE is no better place to spend a convivial Saturday evening than the town cricket ground in Cirencester Park.

Arriving there shortly after 6pm on Saturday I expected to see the final overs of a close-fought game of cricket.

Not so! Our town team had swept aside the opposition from Frocester and gained their fourth win in succession.

The disastrous defeat by Dumbleton in the season’s opening game has clearly been forgotten. This team is confident and happily on a roll.

Quite recently our club was playing Frocester III on equal terms, but not now. Deservedly in a higher league, the Gloucestershire section of the West of England Premier League, they have quickly found their feet. It is early days yet but we can properly ask if another promotion may be on the cards.

There was more to come. As I shared a beer with the victorious 1st XI, players arrived after enjoying victories playing for both the 2nd and 3rd XI.

There are more good days to come. The club is 175 years old this year – only slightly younger than this august newspaper – and is celebrating with an exciting and eventful cricket week.

This starts on June 30 when veteran commentator and raconteur Harry Blofeld is coming to town. Events follow every day and on July 6, the club hosts Gloucestershire Over 70s against their counterparts from Warwickshire. I must have just missed selection.

All the details of this week can be obtained by phoning Brian Woodcock on 07851 004725.

There was more good news with Lechlade CC enjoying a famous victory at Downend. You can find the reports on these games elsewhere in these pages.

Impressively, Lechlade's 15-year-old spinner Harvey Jupp opened his spell with a double wicket maiden.

I am able to write about local cricket at length because the wretched first class fixture list means that between May 17 and June 9 Gloucestershire have played just one fixture. During a chilly April they played nearly every day. The wisdom of the ECB never ceases to amaze me.

There is some good news on the county horizon. Gareth Roderick, much missed all season, scored a fine 187 for the 2nd XI last week. We must all hope he makes the first team for the match against Nottingham at Bristol. He is needed.

Never having seen my fellow Old Grammarian Walter Hammond play for the county, the best player I have seen in our colours is Mike Proctor.

He led us to victory in the Benson and Hedges Cup in 1977 and almost to the County Championship title.

Mike is coming to the former players’ reunion on June 11, the third day of the Nottingham fixture.

At the end of the afternoon, a gathering of men who played with Mike will be taking part in a Q and A event about those glorious Proctor years.

Mike will also be signing copies of his new book and one can learn about the admirable Mike Proctor Foundation. Tickets must be booked in advance and are £10. The event takes place from 6.45pm in the pavilion Jessop Bar. Tickets can be booked on 0117 910 8017.

Two soccer managerial appointments deserve a mention. Jody Bevan, who is coming in as joint boss at Fairford Town, is an exciting one.

And as I write, Swindon Town, who were close to appointing Teddy Sheringham last week, have instead given the job to David Flitcroft.

Sheringham was a properly respected player for club and country, but his managerial record is poor. At Stevenage, he lasted for just 33 games, winning only seven.

At least Flitcroft has enjoyed some success, not least when taking Bury up from League Two.