‘OH TO be young on Cotswold, under the summer sun’ wrote fast bowling poet Frank Mansell.

Now at last we have some sun there is abundant evidence of what he meant.

The rain was getting me down. Too much cricket at Bristol was washed away, local cricket swamped and my visit to the Gypsy Gathering (formerly Stow Horse Fair) was ruined.

It was a delight to finally see Yorkshire on the field at Bristol, and including all-rounder Bresnan. He had a splendid game and to see an England player in full flow was a welcome sight. To make the last day competitive the two captains (Gale and Gidman) contrived a finish.

Declarations and forfeits set Yorkshire 400 to win in 110 overs.

Instead of a last day which would have been little more than a net in the middle, we saw seven hours of high class competitive cricket. Their initiative should have been welcomed by all, it wasn’t. We were spared a soporific Saturday and had a gripping one instead. Yes, Gloucestershire lost, but could so easily have won. If you get the chance Alex, do the same again.

Next day there was no reaction. Our young side routed Leicestershire in the CB40. Williamson and Howell were outstanding with the bat and four wickets for Dent and three from McCarter destroyed Leicestershire. As exclusively predicted in this column, Dent’s bowling will play a large part in limited over matches this season.

What a delight it was to read the Gazette about talented cricketer Jonty Gardner, from the Shrubberies School in Stonehouse, and his selection of the England disability development squad, and how deserved was the praise his father heaped on Cam Cricket Club.

Steve Silk of the county board echoed that praise as well as Coach Ian Dixon mentioned Alison Dixon and Dave Cotterell. They and many like them are giving so many opportunities for our youngsters to enjoy themselves “under the summer sun.”

It has been a stuttering start to local cricket this season but one matter stands out. Stroud have every reason to be strutting, to steal a word from the old rhyme (and of course Painswick to be proud!).

Last year Stroud moved grounds. There were teething problems with the square but that is all in the past. The recruitment of the talented Louis Gegg shows their ambition and captain Paul Frape is justifiably confident.

Pride must have been the feelings in the Painswick camp after their victory at Cheltenham. I quote “a young and confident side well led by new skipper Jon Griffiths”.

They seem certain to enjoy a fine season. There has been another victory for Painswick this week. But what of Sheepscombe where my cricketing heart is?

It was for them that cricketing poet Frank Mansell played along with my first cricketing heroes, Bill Halliday, Fred Hopkins, Doug Dickenson and my Dad. They may struggle a bit this year so it you fancy the joys of playing on that lovely hill-top ground, pop into the Butchers Arms and ask for directions.

Do you agree with John? Have your say below.