A QUITE wonderful week in a wonderful setting. County cricket does not come much better than this - four days of hard fought, competitive cricket ending with a Glamorgan victory.

And a thoroughly deserved one it was too. I thought we played some exceptional cricket over the four days at Cheltenham College, with one individual rising above the others with a sublime achievement.

For Matthew Maynard to score two centuries in the game against Gloucestershire on the ground where his previous appearance had seen the same result, tells its own tale of a batsman who thrives on the extra bounce and pace that the beautiful ground affords.

Quite a few of our team were ribbing me that I was in my element at this public school, but deep down I think everyone enjoyed the experience.

The practice facilities as well as the middle wicket were superb and there was a healthy crowd throughout with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, only occasionally marred by some over inebriated individuals, usually after tea.

The first morning certainly produced some riveting cricket, even though Tim Hancock and Ian Harvey probably would not concur as they were in the nearby hospital tending head injuries, courtesy of Mike Kasprowicz, who produced some searing pace and hostility.

Avid watchers on Ceefax would surely have noticed that Harvey had retired hurt and presumed that it was our nasty, fastie Simon Jones who had inflicted the damage, but instead it was the rampant Australian - not that Jones bowled without hostility., for he most certainly did.

Now he has been handed his Test debut at Lord's and will have his name painted below that of S. P. James on the board that sits above the stairs at Sophia Gardens, depicting the list of Glamorgan cricketers who have represented England.

I was joking earlier in the season with Mark Wallace that he should make sure that he became next on the list. Now his England Academy mate has beaten him to it. And there is no better place to make your bow than the home of cricket, as I know.

Good luck to him and I am sure that his pace will surprise and hopefully ruffle the Indians. He has made great strides this season and continues to improve game by game, learning more and more about himself and his bowling as he goes along. He has certainly returned from Australia a more confident character, more sure of himself in the unforgiving dressing-room environment, where banter and playful ridicule rule.

I have been quietly impressed by the progress of my new opening partner Dan Cherry. He has yet to go on to make the big scorehe requires, but he has looked calm and assured with a good technique.

At Cheltenham, umpire Barry Duddleston told me that he looked up and saw Hugh Morris taking guard at the other end.

Dan has already earned the nickname of Morris Minor and is remarkably similar in stature and habits. If he turns out anything like him as a player then we really will have unearthed someone special.

Injuries meant we fielded a somewhat different looking seam attack this week at Chelmsford, but we are very lucky that we have tremendous depth in that department and are able to bring in Alex Wharf and Owen Parkin. Both are quality and dependable performers whom I have no qualms about doing a fine job for us.

We are slowly bridging the gap between the leading pack in Division Two, and are confident after our success at Cheltenham and also our victory over Essex at Swansea, but we are also mindful that Essex have their inspirational captain Ronnie Irani back in their side.

And let's not forget that we have a most important National League encounter up at Edgbaston next Sunday, so there is much to play for.