THE Festival is here. I arrived early but many others beat me to it. The ground was beautifully arranged. Lillywhites Bar was a worthy replacement for the absent Montpelier Wine bar. Old friends were greeted - Yorkshire were welcomed.

A very good crowd (4,267) paid record takings and we won! God was in his heaven, which everybody knows for ten days in August is opposite Cheltenham Hospital, on a college sports ground.

It was a rousing match. In every department Yorkshire were outplayed. The 40-over competition suits Gloucestershire. It calls for bright, stroke-filled cameos rather than determined long innings.

We can provide these and with Chris Taylor excelling, with 86 not out, a daunting total of 296 was achieved. Apart from the confident bravado of Steve Snell's rapid 24 there was no slogging, just proper positive cricket.

Yorkshire were soon 39-4. There was no way back. Adam Lyth showed both promise and talent and with Bresnan, who had sped back from Test match duty, gave the visitors' innings some substance. But, apart from those two, Yorkshire looked ordinary.

Joy abounded and continued until 2.30pm on Friday when Glamorgan were 104-7. Another victory beckoned. But no. Glamorgan dug in. Wicket keeper Wallace and veteran Croft ensured a better-than-anticipated total (216) but Gloucestershire were still in a winning position.

All our batting problems returned, however. The predictable Porterfield snick, the regulation Gidman lbw, plus a half-hearted Marshall hoick ensured our lead would be minimal. Unsupported by the tail, Chris Dent with 45 not out did at least ensure we led by 27.

Given a chance Glamorgan took over, and in so doing gave a lesson in how to win a four-day game. Two of their batsmen scored centuries (there has been no Gloucestershire one all season). 'Desperate Dan' Cosgrove and Wallace again, played simply, played straight and hit the bad ball very hard, so 345 runs were needed for victory. No one could remember that amount ever being scored in the fourth innings at Cheltenham, and it certainly was not reached this time.

A collection of shuffles and snicks saw the home side lose five wickets for ten runs. Yes, Porterfield snicked; yes, Gidman was lbw. It was all too predictable. Chris Taylor gave the score some substance but was left stranded as Robert Croft took a deserving hat-trick.

In the previous match he took his 1,000th wicket and scored his 10,000th run. Now his first ever hat-trick! He would have done a lap of honour but was easily caught by younger, slimmer, colleagues, anxious to congratulate him!

Back to Gloucestershire. I know our batsmen try; I know they care, but sometimes it does not look like it with familiar errors being repeated. Against Yorkshire they showed us what they could do and against Glamorgan what they could not. I cannot give you an after-match quote as coach John Bracewell kept the players in the dressing room for a dressing down.

You may spot John in the Cotswolds this week. He is staying in a well-known beauty spot and going for some early morning walks. What better way of dealing with the frustration of our inconsistent cricket.

A Festival encounter with David Allen brought back many memories. David (39 Tests for England) took part in two amazing last-over finishes.

At Cheltenham in 1953, we all booed and jeered the future Bishop of Liverpool. The tactics of Sussex annoyed the home crowd. It got worse. Cushions were thrown and captain Jack Crapp came on to the field and called his batsmen in.

Animated conversations took place. The cushions were cleared. The match resumed but Sussex took control and wickets. An ice-cool David helped Andy Wilson save the game.

The qualities that David showed (it was his third game and he was straight from school) were invaluable at Lord's in 1963. By digging out two thunderous Wes Hall Yorkers David saved England from defeat. Everyone has forgotten this, remembering instead Colin Cowdrey, who had come to the wicket with his broken arm in plaster.

Colin did not have to face a ball - a run out had occurred at the bowler's end. He still gets the credit, but David again saved the game!

Now for Worcester. Something must be done about our batting. I would even take ‘KP’ on loan. I hear he is available.