GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S fine win at Canterbury was as frustrating as the season as a whole.

We have the ability to play very well but unfortunately it is matched by spells when we look a poor side.

The many of us at Cheltenham saw our team at its worst, yet after the Festival there were some splendid performances. County champions Yorkshire were beaten at Headingley in the 50-over cup and promotion-winning Worcestershire were swept aside in the Championship. Kent were well beaten in the same competition. Looking at the overall results since Cheltenham, we showed promotion form.

The match at Canterbury did not start well. Our batsmen failed and it was not until Craig Miles and David Payne came together with the score at 62-8 that we played challenging cricket. These two bowlers (Miles 48, Payne 54) took part in a game changing stand, giving us something to bowl at.

The bowling unit responded and Kent batsmen struggled throughout the game. Centuries from Tavare and Alex Gidman in the second innings meant Kent had an impossible target to chase, and the match was won by lunch on the fourth day. It was the perfect send off for Captain Alex and for other century maker Will Tavare. His uncle Chris had played for Kent with considerable success and there were many of his family there to see him reach 1,000 for the season, as well as score a century. I believe the England selectors have marked him down as one to watch.

Craig Miles again showed his value with both bat and ball. Injury meant he played in just four matches but in those games he took 18 wickets at less than 20 runs each. Successful with the bat as well, he averaged 28 runs per innings.

Next season if Craig is available all season and Gareth Roderick and James Fuller fully fit, the Gidman gap will not seem as large. With a couple of wise signings we could have the basis of a promotion-winning team.

More good news for this area concerns women’s cricket. Louise Findlay-Wilson of the Langford club made the 120-mile round trip to Bristol to attend the Gloucestershire end of season celebration. Louise was asked to speak about women’s cricket in this area. Charlotte Edwards of English cricket fame was giving out the awards and was most impressed with what she heard. “I particularly like the sound of the Cotswold women’s league – quite fancy playing for them,” said Charlotte.