THERE is still all to play for in the YB40 competition. Defeat for our county side at Taunton is sad, but not disastrous.

Three matches are left and in the next two we will not have to bowl to devastating wicketkeeping batsman Craig Kieswetter. He is in stupendous form, destroying all bowlers that face him – especially ours. What an asset he is to Somerset.

Hopefully there will still be something to play for when Somerset come to Bristol on August Bank Holiday Monday. That will be a great day, whatever happens, as the new pavilion will be officially opened.

Festivities start at 11am, the cricket at 1.45pm. Whatever happens on the field, I shall be a very proud president.

Our bowling attack needed freshening up. Chris Dent was the most economical at Taunton. David Payne and Craig Miles came in against Leicestershire, while Liam Norwell and Graeme McCarter must be considered, and more runs are needed to back up captain Klinger. His not out century against Somerset was masterful but his support minimal.

Fixtures are now coming thick and fast. After beating Leicestershire on Tuesday we have Middlesex at Lord’s on Thursday and then back to Bristol for Glamorgan on Sunday – win these and we are back in the mix. It is a busy time for your columnist.

Football at Forest Green on Saturday; cricket at Taunton on Sunday; writing this column at 5am Monday; cricket at Bristol on Tuesday; football at Lincoln on Saturday; cricket at Bristol on Sunday.

And then to Bristol again on August 20 to host (socially) England Lions v Bangladesh.

The following day Mrs Light and I head for Whitstable where we stay for the Gloucestershire Kent four-day game.

I have promised Mrs L that as well as watching the cricket she can cavort along the Kent coast line, an opportunity she may deserve!

Then it is back to Nailsworth for Forest Green v Luton on Saturday, August 24, if the Kent match is over in time.

It is a tough life being both president of the County Cricket Club and a Forest Green fan, however I doubt if any readers are sympathetic.

There is more good news about ‘Dawkins’ Ducklings’, otherwise known as the Gloucestershire Cricket Academy. Kieran Smith from Stroud, Marc Lezar, who bowls for Thornbury, and Joe Barrett from Oxfordshire are in the England U17s mix.

I have reminded the Gravel Grandee (you all know his name – it is on all those green lorries) of the party we are holding at The Crown at Frampton Mansell in 2020 to celebrate Gloucestershire winning the County Championship. Our young players will be on the crest of a wave then.

Writing this column has led to an expansion of my media activity as on Thursday evening I broadcast to the nation, or at least its beating heart.

I have done it before, but am eternally grateful to Mrs Light. She sits calmly in the studio and makes appropriate gestures if I lurch towards libellous language. This broadcast will give me the chance to mention local cricket and football.

Do you agree with John? Have your say below.