There were two mascots at the County Ground on Sunday where Somerset Sabres entertained Worcester Royals in the NUL National League.

Before the match started both mascots, `Stumpy' the Somerset County Cricket Club's Dragon and Caty Larcombe from Ilminster went out to the middle to toss up with the captains Mike Burns from the Sabres and Graeme Hick from the Royals.

Caty, then enjoyed the rest of her day as the guest of the club, and sat on the balcony of the Colin Atkinson along with members of her family. She won her day as mascot after naming the club's new dragon in a competition run by the Somerset County Gazette.

For Stumpy however that was just the start of what was probably his busiest day yet at the club.

During the match he circulated among the crowd meeting supporters and signing autographs, and yet again he almost became the hero of the day. Whilst Somerset were batting skipper Mike Burns drove a ball hard into the crowd in front of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion , where it hit a spectator.

Luckily enough the St Johns Ambulance were quickly on the scene, but also on the scene was Stumpy, who as well as being a dab hand at mending pipes is also a qualified first aider. Stumpy was not called upon on this occasion but was all ready to help and had his dragon first aid kit at the ready!

During the tea interval Stumpy invited his young fans to try to bowl him out. Under the watchful eye of his coach, Peter Robinson, Stumpy was beaten only once, and that was by a slower ball that was bowled by ten year old Richard Stabbins from Bridgwater.

Richard, who attends Enmore Primary School is a keen cricketer, and plays `Corner Cricket' for South West Somerset. After his achievements he was presented with a mini- cricket bat, an autographed team sheet and the match ball from the Somerset innings by Peter Robinson.

Later in the day Stumpy was introduced to comedian John Cleese, who was supporting his fellow `Westonian' Rob Turner whose benefit match it was.

Membership secretary Jo Betsworth told me at the end of the day: "Stumpy is proving to be very popular indeed with all the supporters both young and old and he certainly seems to have enjoyed himself today."

At the end of a long hard day Stumpy went back home for a well earned rest before next appearing at the County Ground on August 19th when Somerset Sabres entertain Nottingham Outlaws in a Floodlit NUL match.

© SOMERSET