We returned from Hampshire last week feeling hard done by after losing by 31 runs despite playing four really good days of cricket.

They had by far the better team on paper than us, especially with our very inexperienced bowling attack.

Our three main seamers – Will Owen, John Glover and Mike Reed – had only played 23 first class games between them.

They bowled like an experienced trio and even out-bowled Hampshire’s attack at times.

I have to give a special mention to John, who stood out as the best bowler in the game.

He looked like a young Glenn McGrath and I know all the Hampshire players were very impressed by the way he performed.

It’s great to see two Gwent boys bowling so well for Glamorgan with both John and Huw Waters impressing again this week in Cardiff.

This week has also seen the arrival of another new import to the club in Martin Van Jaarsveld.

Martin arrived in the early hours of Tuesday morning and was greeted at Heathrow airport by my father who I kindly volunteered to pick him up! Martin showed his true professionalism by going straight to the nets for practice and I must say he looked a different class.

He struck the ball as cleanly as anyone I have seen for a long time so I hope this carries on for the rest of the season.

Next week sees the annual trip to North Wales and Colwyn Bay. It’s one of my favourite weeks of the year and I’m expecting a big crowd as we welcome Yorkshire to Penrhyn Avenue.

It’s a very welcoming and pleasant ground that is not spoilt by concrete stands and takes you back to the old-fashioned club cricket.

We have a very good record in Colwyn Bay but realise Yorkshire will provide a tough test.

It will also be nice to see the return of former Australian bowler Jason Gillespie who is now coach of Yorkshire.

He was a fantastic overseas player for us and passed on a lot of valuable experience to our young bowlers.

That is now paying off and hopefully it will come back to haunt him next week!

I have to mention that I did actually play my first competitive match for nearly two years recently.

It was for Panteg against Cardiff and after doing a bit of gentle bowling in the nets during training at Glamorgan I felt confident enough of being able to get it down reasonably straight.

Surprisingly enough the bowling went ok but nothing can prepare you for standing in the field for three hours.

I had to be peeled out of bed the next morning and even struggled to wash my hair in the shower as my arms were too sore.

- Sunday sees the 150th anniversary of Lydney Cricket Club and former Argus columnist Steve James has arranged a Glamorgan XI to take on his home club.

The team is as follows: S James, H Morris, G Rees, M Mott, G Jones, S Jones, D Harrison, M Wallace, I Thomas (ex-Glamorgan slogger), M Powell and D Cosker.

A reasonable team you would think! I guess the amount of wine consumed at lunch that could decide the outcome of the game.