IT'S ALL IN A QUOTATION ... An erudite Tractor shows his appreciation of 'The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations' and even puts forward a few of his own.

The last few weeks have seen a turnaround in Somerset's first class games; victories against Yorkshire at Scarborough, the touring Sri Lanka 'A' team (previously unbeaten), and the 1997 county champions Glamorgan. But for the rather damp weather in the north-east, we would have annihilated a particularly frail Durham side also. Ricky Ponting featured highly in the 3 championship games, but we've said BFN (bye for now) to the fantastic Aussie, and g'day again mate (hello again, dear old thing) for the return of our other Aussie superstar Jamie Cox.

Today we welcome the Scotland Saltires, who have made their way down from Edinburgh, scaling Adrian's wall, passing the rusty Angel of the North, the starship Enterprise (the RAC building at Almondsbury interchange) and the Running Man of the West, possibly stopping off for a Big McMac on the way. Their mini-tour starts with today's game, before traveling up to Worcester on Tuesday then Nottingham on Thursday, a round trip of approximately 920 miles.

Despite a resounding ICC Intercontinental Cup win away to Ireland 2 weeks ago, Scotland have only 1 tsl win this season from 14 games. Wasn't it a descendant of Robert the Bruce who once said, "If at first you don't succeed, then perhaps sky-diving isn't for you"? However, no one needs reminding of their extremely fortunate 6 wicket Duckworth/Lewis victory against us at a freezing cold Edinburgh last season, so I won't remind anyone about it. In the return fixture here Somerset ran out easy victors by a whole wicket with a full 5 deliveries remaining. Despite the win in Edinburgh earlier this season, hopes of our tsl promotion are just about dashed again, so start planning for Edinburgh 2005 now. "You'll take the high road, and I'll take the Easyjet, and I'll be in Scotland afore ye!"

Think of famous Scots and you instantly think of Sheena Easton (Modern Girl), Alexander Graham Bell (called away, but I'm sure even he would curse the modern mobile), but my favourite is Dr. William McEwan (lives on in spirit, sort of) who makes my visits to Scotland so enjoyable. Hopefully I'll be celebrating a (Mike) Burns Night tonight with a Dr.William of the Export variety (or several, assuming the Blackthorn's all gone)!

Bert the seagull returns for today's Tractor's Trivia quiz question which revives that old feature from those heady Radio One Roadshow days of Smiley Miley. Starting from Edinburgh, traveling direct to Taunton, on to Worcester, then Nottingham, and back to the Grange, how far will the Scottish team have traveled? Answers on a Hungry End napkin marked 'The afore-mentioned 920 miles competition', dropped in one of the litter bins and a correct entry will be drawn by Bert from the civic amenity site before the floodlit game next Tuesday evening.

Today's lucky colour maroon, lucky number 25, and lucky hat has to be the Beachfield Cargo Beanie: the toweling sweatband with mesh lining and the sandwich brim provide that extra comfort where cricket spectators need it most (can also be worn on top of the head).

After all the Scottish references, I'll finish by shoving a bit of English culture down everyone's neck; who can forget Rupert Brooke's immortal words ...?
"... oh! yet Stands the Church clock at ten to three, And is there honey still for tea?" (The Old Vicarage, Rupert Brooke, May 1912).

... unlikely, but there's a pasty and a few Blackthorns to be had! (Sabres v Saltires tsl programme, Tractor Driver, August 2004).

COME ON SOMERSET!!!