IT'S GOODBYE FROM ME ... Tractor signs off his 2004 column with a final flourish.

After the disappointment of the floodlit game, Somerset got back into winning ways with a convincing win away to a West Somerset Invitation XI at Stogumber, another fixture in the Keith Parsons benefit series, and another chance for Somerset stars of the future to try and make a name for themselves.

Somerset, featuring KP (capt), Trescothick, Wood (wkt), Dutch, Turner, Caddick, Francis snr, Durston, Suppiah, Andrew and Johnson, amassed 280 odd (Dutch scoring a ton I think) in a 35 over game with white clothing, red ball (about a dozen of them lost in surrounding fields), and no Duckworth/Lewis. West Somerset's reply was bolstered by a defiant knock from 'old' Somerset favourite Nigel Popplewell (stumped Wood for about 50), but faltered with the bowling of Johnno, Caddick, Francis, and Rob Turner, one dismissal featuring that all-too-familiar combination of 'caught Johnson, bowled Turner'! Somerset (about 280) beat West Somerset XI (about 130) by quite a few runs!

The following Totesport game was away to Leicestershire. No Burns, Cox, nor Blackwell, but chances given instead to Gazzard, Suppiah, and Durston under the captaincy of Trescothick. Sound contributions were made by Trescothick, Francis jnr, Hildreth and Suppiah. Although a total of 205 for 7 doesn't sound a lot by today's high-scoring standards, this would have been a testing target on a slow pitch and heavy outfield. For those of you at Taunton on the second day's play against Hampshire last month who witnessed that most amazing once-in-a-lifetime cloudburst, well, there was another at Grace Road which put paid to the Leicestershire innings altogether! Pity the weather wasn't as dry as their bars!

Welcome to the very last fixture on the Totesport league calendar for 2004, the game against Nottinghamshire Outlaws. Their last Totesport game was the Scotland Saltires' third stop on their mini-tour a couple of weeks ago. After we trounced them at Taunton, the Saltires were well in charge against Worcestershire only to lose out by just one run, and then they had the mighty Notts wobbling but again fell short losing by 3 wickets. Already promoted to Frizzell County Championship division 1, Notts need a win here to secure promotion to Totesport league division 1, and who's to say they won't win today? US!!!!

Today's lucky colour: maroon. Lucky number: 15, 34 or 37, I'm never sure which. Lucky spectator: this one, fortunate enough to have seen rather a lot of Somerset cricket over the last couple of years. Totesport games alone this season have taken me from Edinburgh to Hove and a lot in between; as some adamant chap once put it, "from the naughty north to the sexy south, we're all singing - I have the mouth!"

For suggesting/allowing/putting-up with these contributions, thanks to Richard Walsh, Greenpark's Tom Hannell, and all Somerset CCC officers. For the regular supply of quality Blackthorn again, thanks to Mike Smith and all his barstaff. For making cricket possible in unfavourable weather conditions again, thanks to Phil Frost and all his groundstaff. For the great entertainment provided again this season (wins, losses and draws), thanks to the coaches, physios, crime er ... sorry injury prevention officer and all the players. To Peter Bowler, cheerio and thanks, because you did "pretty well" down here (Shane sends his regards also). To PB and any other departees, you will be seriously missed, may the flagpole be with you. And thanks to all you readers who have read this drivel during the season.

And finally ... 'heads under wings, beaks under blankets, all eyes closed. Goodbye!'P.S ...

COME ON SOMERSET!!!