A SUNSHINE month has been replicated on the cricket grounds of Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire to a certain degree.

It is terrific to see Gloucestershire back to their old ways of being one-day kings. It was a bit of a struggle last summer in the One-Day Cup, a tournament they won in 2015.

Over the weekend, they won both of their opening group games with great strides being made under the captaincy of Thornbury’s Chris Dent.

The batsmen cut both Glamorgan last Friday and Essex on Sunday apart, with Dent and wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick playing excellent innings.

Dent hit 80 in Cardiff, with George Hankins adding 87 as well, in a total of 265 that overhauled the Glamorgan total with ten balls to spare.

Then Roderick hit an unbeaten 87 against Essex at the Brightside Ground in their second victory of the weekend before last night’s third Cup game against Surrey at The Oval which finished after the Gazette went to press.

Indeed, Dent’s old club Thornbury have been going great guns in the West of England Premier League Prem 2 Glos/Wilts division. They are unbeaten after three games, recording a great victory over Westbury and District at The Ship Field last Saturday and are only two points behind leaders Cheltenham.

However, neighbours Rockhampton are at the other end of the table, having lost all three of their games so far and face a crunch match away at Trowbridge this Saturday.

The Rams are due to have some players back to their side soon and will be looking to climb the table and join the summer of success so far.