IT was a fantastic feeling to beat our local rivals Somerset in the NatWest T20 Blast on Friday night.

The boys were getting pretty excited when we were batting as it looked like we were going to win comfortably with Hamish (Marshall) and Klinger going at it. But then it was a bit nervy at the end and after losing the last couple of games at the death we were worried we might throw it away.

Thankfully Hank (Peter Handscomb) and Coey (Ian Cockbain) finished it off and the boys were all pretty ecstatic. It means that qualifying for the quarter finals is back in our hands which is where we want to be.

It was also nice to get a win over Somerset after a few defeats against them. There is always an edge – especially at Taunton. The guys cop a lot of abuse from the supporters down there so it was nice to get one over them too.

This week is the start of the Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival and it is a fortnight the guys all look forward to.

It is a change of scene but it still feels very much like home. We always get good numbers there and they are really supportive. The crowd is so close to the pitch it creates an amazing atmosphere and the guys are really looking forward to playing there.

My best memory at Cheltenham was taking my first ever hat-trick in a four day game against Worcestershire in 2013. It was an amazing feeling in front of a big crowd and with my parents there as well.

I got Matt Pardoe out off the last ball of my fifth over then bowled Moeen Ali with an inswinger on the first ball of my next over. Alexei Kervezee was the third wicket – caught behind by Gareth Roderick but no one except the players realised it was a hat-trick – including my parents!

It wasn’t until they announced it over the tannoy that everyone realised what had happened – they must have thought that I had just gone a bit over the top with my celebrations before that!

It would be great to do something similar over the next two weeks. It is always a fantastic fortnight and we hope the crowds will come and support us – even if you aren’t a big cricket fan Cheltenham is a great day out.