SNJ sports editor Ashley Loveridge thought he was going to report on cricket on Saturday, but ended up playing instead.

Ashley swapped his note pad for cricket whites after receiving a surprise invitation to be part of the Frocester side that clinched the Stroud & Swindon Premier Two title at Pounds Close on Saturday.

Ashley had expected to watch Frocester's final game of the season from the relative safety of the pavilion, but was called into action by Frocester captain Nick Trainor.

He said: "I thought Nick was winding me up at first, but Adam Robson was delayed in traffic and they needed a fielder to make the numbers up." With not an ounce of cricket ability, Ashley was hidden away at fine leg. Fortunately, Frocester only had to put up with the ace hack for Ali Bressington's opening over.

"I was mightily relieved when Adam arrived, and I quickly headed back to the pavilion," added Ashley.

"It was a great buzz to be rubbing shoulders with the team and incredible to think that I had shared the same stage as Ali Bressington, who only last year was fielding for England alongside Andrew Flintoff and company. "I'm now hopeful Gary Owers will offer me a cameo role at Forest Green on Saturday."