2003 captain Mike Burns accompanied by several other members of the Somerset staff were present at the Memorial Stadium in Bristol on Sunday afternoon to launch the joint venture that the Somerset Junior Sabres have entered into with the Bristol Junior Shoguns.

As part of the arrangement that the two clubs have reached Somerset junior members can gain free entry to Bristol Shogun home matches and vice versa, and judging by the reception that the youngsters present gave the idea it looks like it could be a highly successful venture.

During the half time break in the Heineken Cup match between Bristol Shoguns and Swansea, captain Mike Burns was introduced to the crowd whilst a new look `Stumpy', the Junior Sabres friendly mascot, joined forces with the Shoguns mascot `Mitsu' on a tour of the ground.

Mike Burns then gave away some mini cricket bats that he signed for the delighted youngsters, and there was such an interest in the Junior Sabres tee shirts that stocks ran out in a very short time.

Since the end of the cricket season `Stumpy' the dragon has been away on holiday but he certainly gave the impression that he was pleased to be back, and despite the rain he appeared in fine form. He seems to have grown quite a bit taller and put on some weight since September, and is already counting the days till the start of the next cricket season.

Membership secretary Jo Arnold, who was part of the Somerset party in Bristol told me: "This is a great link up for the Junior Sabres, and will enable the young members of both of our clubs to enjoy top class cricket in the summer and top class rugby in the winter."

Whilst his new captain was in Bristol, Somerset all rounder Keith Dutch and his wife Emma were back in Taunton celebrating the birth of their son Thomas who weighed in at 8lbs 10 ounces this morning.

I'm happy to be able to report that both mother and baby are doing well, so congratulations to everybody.

There are so many new babies on the scene that it won't be too long before Somerset can field a team of Mini Sabres!

© SOMERSET