🦆 The Duck Pond

A blustery end-of-season weekend produced eight ducks across two fixtures, and the exclusive zero club is looking rather plump for it. Two truths were reaffirmed: the art of not scoring is alive and well at Linton Park, and nobody should let Ray Howard near a cricket ball if they value their stumps. Saturday 24th — 1st XI v A. Trembeths Frank Brattle departed to H- Clancy without troubling the scorers, his 4th duck of the season and 12th of an increasingly decorated career from 104 innings — good enough for 15th on the all-time list. A family trait, it seems: kinsman Percy Brattle already carries 4 career noughts of his own. On this very date in 1955, John Carter also strolled back for nought, against Town Malling CC, in what proved his only season in Linton colours. Sunday 25th — a full house against Linton Park CC Three Linton sides took the field, and the zero club signed up six new members for the day. Ray Howard led the way, bowled by John Ames for his 2nd duck of the season (8th career, 32nd all-time from 80 innings) — and then went and did the same to others. With the ball he claimed a treble of duck-scalps in the same innings, sending back Sean Carter, John Abnett and Derek Pantony all bowled. Poacher and gamekeeper on the same afternoon, and arguably better with the ball than the bat. Cliff Anscombe edged behind for his 3rd season and 10th career duck (22nd all-time, 33 innings), a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club and a past (1957) Duck of the Year, still finding new ways to add to the collection. Sean Carter went one better — or worse — completing a pair: stumped off Len Conway's bowling for his 2nd duck of the season, then bowled by the rampaging Ray Howard for his 3rd, taking his career tally to 3 from just 6 innings (100th all-time). Two ducks, one date, no complaints. Len Conway, run out for his trouble, moved to 6 career ducks (44th all-time, 73 innings) and his 2nd of the season, himself a Debutante Duck alumnus of some vintage. John Abnett's was his 2nd of the season and 16th career duck from a mere 42 innings — a startling 7th on the all-time list — and sits comfortably alongside his own "Ducks in a Row" board entry. Derek Pantony's was his 5th of the season, a genuine title charge, and 6th career duck (39th all-time), the old 1947 Duck of the Year proving he's lost none of his touch for the art. History rhymed all afternoon: no fewer than six of Sunday's fallen discovered that on this exact date back in 1955, Frank Brattle — Saturday's own man of the moment — was himself out for nought against Linton Park CC. Some ghosts never leave the crease. 📊 Week in Summary 8 ducks, 2 matches, one treble of duck-taking, one pair, and Ray Howard doing more damage with ball than bat ever could. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Pat Hardwick — 6 ducks / 37 inns (16%) - Richard Harris — 5 ducks / 11 inns (45%) - Derek Pantony — 5 ducks / 12 inns (42%) - Bob Arnold — 5 ducks / 19 inns (26%) - Robert Wood — 5 ducks / 34 inns (15%) 🍩 The season presses on, and so does the hunt for glory — or its rather more common opposite. Next fixture, next queue at the pavilion gate. See you there. 🥇🏏

Two fixtures, four ducks, and the 1st XI shouldering the entire burden this weekend as the 1960 campaign heads toward its close. Saturday 17th September, v Bearsted CC (Home) Basil Sears opened the innings and promptly opened the Duck Club's account for the weekend, caught by E 'Ted' White off the bowling of Nick Wheeler Robinson. It is his 1st of the season and 10th of a career now spanning 200 innings, good enough for 21st on the all time list. Curiously, on this very date in 1955, C. Haylor also fell for a duck against these same opponents, Bearsted CC. Haylor finished his own career on 11, and rather fittingly bowed out on a duck himself. Down at number 10, Peter Hughes joined him in the book, bowled by the very same E 'Ted' White. It is Peter's 3rd duck of the season already and his 4th in a brief 11 innings career, placing him 69th on the roll of dishonour. He is a paid up member of the Debutante Duck club from his earliest days, having opened his account with a nought on debut, and he shares Haylor's this day in 1955 company against Bearsted. Sunday 18th September, v Tilling Steven (Away) Cliff Anscombe departed at number 6, bowled by R. Bailey, for his 2nd duck of the season and 9th of a career already decorated with a Duck of the Year title in 1957. Cliff too is a Debutante Duck club member of long standing. He climbs to 26th on the all time list. Elsewhere in the archives, Gordon Fenner marked this exact date in 1949 with a nought of his own, on his way to a career total of 15. Rounding things off, Terry Whittaker was run out for nought at number 9, his 4th duck of the season and 7th for his career, 35th on the all time list. Terry carries the Quacking Together honour alongside Brian Relf and is himself a Retirement Duck club member from a past farewell, though happily this was not that day. He joins Gordon Fenner in the very same this day in 1949 club as Cliff. Week in Summary Four ducks from two matches, every single one falling to the 1st XI while the rest of the club kept remarkably clean hands. Bearsted CC and Tilling Steven can each claim a share of the spoils, with two bowled, one caught and one run out for good measure. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Pat Hardwick, 6 ducks in 34 innings, 17.65% - Richard Harris, 5 ducks in 10 innings, 50.00% - Bob Arnold, 5 ducks in 16 innings, 31.25% - Robert Wood, 5 ducks in 34 innings, 14.71% - Derek Pantony, 4 ducks in 11 innings, 36.36% Richard Harris remains the club's most efficient collector, a nought for every other innings almost to the letter. The season is not done yet. Next fixture brings fresh opportunity for glory in reverse, who will be joining the honours board next time? 🦆🏏0️⃣

Two fixtures on the books this weekend, and it was the 1st XI's trip to Staplehurst CC that did the damage for the exclusive zero club, with three names added to the collection in the space of one innings. 🏏 1st XI away to Staplehurst CC William Buck strode out at first wicket down and departed bowled by L Murrell without registering a run. It's the 2nd duck of Buck's season and the 16th of a career now standing at 8th in the all-time table of 738 — rarefied company indeed, and he remains one half of the Quacking Together honour alongside John Thirkell. On this very day in 1954, Len Conway also trudged off for nought, against Old Roffensians. Down at number nine, Roy Clarke fell to K Cherry — his 4th duck of the season and 20th for the club, good enough for 5th on the all-time list. Clarke arrives with previous form, having topped the Duck of the Year charts back in 1959, and shares the Quacking Together honour with the legendary John Ames. The sibling rivalry runs deep too — brother H Clarke carries three career ducks of his own, so this is very much a family trade. Fittingly, on this same date in 1954, Len Conway was also walking back for nought. And to round things off, last man Richard Harris was also despatched by K Cherry, handing the bowler a brace for the innings. It's Harris's 5th duck of the campaign and 34th of his career, a frankly staggering 3rd in Linton's all-time standings of 738 — a genuine title challenger in the sport of not scoring. He too finds himself keeping company with Len Conway, who made his own duck on this exact date in 1954. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks, all from the same innings at Staplehurst, with K Cherry claiming a brace of his own (Clarke and Harris) and L Murrell getting in on the act against Buck. A quiet weekend numerically, but a mighty one in quality — with three players inside the all-time top ten, this was as concentrated a dose of ignominy as the club has served up in some time. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Pat Hardwick — 6 ducks in 34 innings (17.65%) - Richard Harris — 5 ducks in 10 innings (50.00%) - Bob Arnold — 5 ducks in 15 innings (33.33%) - Robert Wood — 5 ducks in 32 innings (15.63%) - Derek Pantony — 4 ducks in 11 innings (36.36%) Harris's effort this week keeps him glued to top spot contention — half his innings this season have ended in a duck, a strike rate for failure that would make anyone proud. 0️⃣ 🍩 Roll on the next fixture — the ducks are surely circling, waiting for their next victims to step up to the crease.

A single fixture on the books this week, and for once the exclusive zero club has nothing to report. Not a single batsman troubled the scorers with the art of not scoring — every man at the crease found his way off the mark, however humbly. The ducks, it seems, took the day off and went hunting elsewhere. A rare and slightly unsettling quiet for a club built on celebrating failure. Somewhere, the honours board gathers dust for another week, and the record books stay exactly as they were on Saturday. Enjoy it while it lasts — normal service, we are reliably informed, always resumes. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏆 🥇 Pat Hardwick — 6 ducks, 32 innings, 18.75% 🥈 Bob Arnold — 5 ducks, 15 innings, a startling 33.33% 🥉 Robert Wood — 5 ducks, 31 innings, 16.13% 4️⃣ Richard Harris — 4 ducks, 9 innings, a frankly alarming 44.44% 5️⃣ Derek Pantony — 4 ducks, 10 innings, 40.0% Bob Arnold and Richard Harris in particular are doing genuinely committed work up there — efficiency of this order doesn't happen by accident. 📅 So the standings hold steady for now, but the season isn't done with us yet. Next weekend brings fresh opportunity for the dreaded nought to strike, and the Duck Club will be watching every LBW shout, every golden duck, every walk back to the pavilion with interest. 🍩🏏 Until then — keep your eye on the ball, gentlemen. Somebody has to keep this leaderboard honest.

A quiet weekend for fixtures but a productive one for the Zero Club, as St Lukes' visit to Linton Park on Saturday yielded a full house of naught for the 1st XI. 1st XI v St Lukes (home) St Lukes' R- Dillon clearly fancied his chances at Linton Park, accounting for three Linton batsmen without a run against any of their names — a bowling spell the Duck Club salutes even as it mourns the victims. First to fall was Robert Murray at four, bowled by Dillon for his third duck of the season and his 5th career nought from 72 innings — 53rd on the all-time list of 737. Fittingly, on this very day back in 1949 Richard Harris was suffering an identical fate against Hunton Wanderers, a piece of calendar symmetry the Duck Club treasures. At six, Robert Wood followed his captain back for his 5th duck of the season, moving to 12 career ducks from 73 innings and climbing to a rather exalted 16th of 737 all time — proper company for a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having ducked on debut long before this Saturday's effort. Same bowler, same story, same walk of shame — and, as with Murray, a Richard Harris duck on this exact date in 1949 for company. Dillon completed his trio at nine, removing Derek Pantony caught behind for a 4th duck this season and a 5th in the career column — remarkable going from only 11 innings, a strike rate that would embarrass most bowlers. Derek carries the honour of Duck of the Year 1947 on his mantelpiece, a reminder that even champions of the art have off days like this one. He too shares his calendar fate with Richard Harris's 1949 vintage. Week in Summary Two matches, three ducks, one rampant St Lukes bowler. All the damage came in a single innings on Saturday — Sunday's fixture, mercifully or otherwise, passed off duck-free. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Pat Hardwick — 6 ducks, 32 innings (18.75%) 2. Bob Arnold — 5 ducks, 15 innings (33.33%) 3. Robert Wood — 5 ducks, 31 innings (16.13%) 4. Richard Harris — 4 ducks, 9 innings (44.44%) 5. Derek Pantony — 4 ducks, 10 innings (40.0%) Richard Harris's name pops up twice this week without even playing — a 44% duck rate that keeps him firmly in the hunt. Next fixture awaits, and with it the Duck Club's eternal question: who fancies auditioning for R- Dillon's swing next? 🦆🍩0️⃣

Only the 1st XI troubled the scorers' worst instincts this week, but they made sure of it in style — three ducks across two fixtures, and one name doing the early running for the club's biggest prize. 🏏 Saturday — v Aylesford Paper Mills CC Pat Hardwick, currently the man to catch in the Duck of the Year 1960 race, added the 6th of his campaign, run out for nought at number three. That's 8 career ducks now, rank 31 of 737 in the all-time book, level with a trio of names also parked on exactly 8: Arthur Cradduck (1950-59), Cliff Anscombe (1957-60) and George Champion, who took until 1912 to get there across a 26-year career. On this very day in 1944, W Bunting was also making the long walk back for nought, against KCC Maidstone no less. History does love to repeat itself. 🏏 Sunday — v S.Kimmins A grim double in the same innings here. Ray Howard fell at three, bowled, for his 1st duck of the season and 7th of his career, edging up to 34 of 737 on the all-time list. On this day in 1955, none other than John Ames, a genuine club great with 21 career ducks and an entry on the Ducks in a Row honours board, was similarly undone against Halfway House. Robert Murray followed him back at five, also bowled, for his 2nd duck of the season and 4th of his career, sitting 70th of 737 all time. He shares Ames' exact on-this-day company too. S.Kimmins clearly fancied their chances against the Linton middle order that afternoon. 📊 Week in Brief Three ducks, two matches, one team doing all the damage. The 1st XI middle order in particular seems to have decided batting is a job for other people this week. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Pat Hardwick — 30 inns, 6 ducks, 20.0% 2. Bob Arnold — 14 inns, 5 ducks, 35.71% 3. Richard Harris — 9 inns, 4 ducks, 44.44% 4. Robert Wood — 30 inns, 4 ducks, 13.33% 5. Brian Relf — 4 inns, 3 ducks, 75.0% 🍩 Brian Relf's strike rate for nought remains the stuff of legend, three from four knocks and showing no sign of slowing. Next weekend awaits. The zero club never sleeps, see you at the crease, or shortly thereafter. 🦆

A short, sharp fixture away at Bowaters CC produced a full quartet of ducks for the 1st XI — practically a middle-order collapse into the record books. Two bowlers did all the damage between them, and the season's Duck of the Year race just got a great deal more interesting. 1st XI (away) v Bowaters CC - Pat Hardwick, No.4, b Edward Chick — his 5th duck of the summer, drawing level at the top of the 1960 Duck of the Year table, and his 7th career duck lands him at #33 in the all-time list of 737. On this day in 1949, D Simmons also strolled back for nought, against Tovil. - William Agate, No.7, b Roy Ecclestone — a debut nobody dreams of but everybody remembers: his very first senior innings ends in a golden nought, earning immediate and permanent membership of the exclusive Debutante Duck club. On this day in 1949, D Simmons was going through much the same, against Tovil. - Bob Arnold, No.8, b Edward Chick — his 5th of the season pulls him level with Hardwick at the summit, while his 36th career duck keeps him planted at a frankly absurd #2 all-time, a spot few will ever trouble. A veteran of Ducks in a Row (four consecutive) and honorary co-holder of Quacking Together and Only Two Quacks with fellow club legends. On this day in 1949, D Simmons kept him company down the years. - Richard Harris, No.9, c Bob Bourne b Roy Ecclestone — his 4th duck of the season and 33rd career, good enough for #3 in the all-time pecking order. On this day in 1949, D Simmons was, once again, doing exactly the same thing against Tovil. Week in summary One match, four ducks, and a genuine team effort in the art of not scoring — positions 4, 7, 8 and 9 all fell without troubling the scorers. Edward Chick and Roy Ecclestone shared the spoils two apiece, proving Bowaters' attack had Linton's number all afternoon. Hardwick and Arnold now share the lead in the 1960 Duck of the Year standings on 5 apiece — watch that space. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Bob Arnold — 14 innings, 5 ducks, 35.71% 2. Pat Hardwick — 28 innings, 5 ducks, 17.86% 3. Richard Harris — 9 innings, 4 ducks, 44.44% 4. Robert Wood — 28 innings, 4 ducks, 14.29% 5. Brian Relf — 4 innings, 3 ducks, 75.00% Four down in one innings is a strong showing even by Duck Club standards. The season race is wide open — roll on the next fixture, and may the zeros keep flowing. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A single, solitary duck this week — but never let it be said quantity trumps quality. Slim pickings across the fixtures, save for one moment of ignominy down at Headcorn. 1st XI — Headcorn CC Len Conway, in at four, departed lbw to N- Ward without troubling the scorers. It's his 1st duck of the 1960 season and his 5th for the club overall, moving him to 51st of 736 in the all-time standings — solid mid-table company in a list nobody's racing to top. Len is also a long-standing member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his LPCC account with a nought on debut some years back — this week's effort simply adds to an already storied collection. Neat bit of calendar symmetry too: on this very day back in 1956, Tony Levick (1950–1960) also strolled back for nought, against Hon F Cornwallis. Tony finished his LPCC career on 7 ducks, good for 33rd all-time — Len's still got some work to do to draw level. Week in Summary One match, one duck. Headcorn can count themselves lucky, or Linton simply had better things to do than get out. Either way, the Duck Club takes what it's given and is grateful for the offering. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Bob Arnold — 4 ducks in 13 innings (30.8%) 🥈 Pat Hardwick — 4 ducks in 27 innings (14.8%) 🥈 Robert Wood — 4 ducks in 27 innings (14.8%) 4. Brian Relf — 3 ducks in 4 innings (a truly magnificent 75%) 5. Alan Wilkes — 3 ducks in 7 innings (42.9%) Special mention to Brian Relf, whose three ducks from four knocks reads less like bad luck and more like a calling. 🍩 See you at the next fixture, where the ducks — as ever — are only ever one ball away. 🦆🏏

A quiet week across most of the club, but Saturday's trip to Harrietsham CC gave the Duck Club plenty to toast courtesy of one D Hampshire, who put three Linton batsmen back in the pavilion for nought inside a single innings. Not officially a hat-trick, but round these parts he'll take the credit anyway. 🏏 1st XI at Harrietsham CC In at three, Pat Hardwick was bowled by Hampshire without troubling the scorers, his 4th duck of the summer and 6th of an ever-growing career, 53 innings deep and good enough for 40th on the all-time list. That tally plants him level at the summit of the current Duck Hunting Season standings alongside Bob Arnold, and keeps his name firmly on the Duck of the Year 1960 board, a title he looks intent on making his own. Rewind 65 years to this very date and you'll find Ernest Cruttenden, 1881 to 1912, ten ducks, 22nd all-time and Duck of the Year 1895 in his own right, also strolling back for nought against Headcorn CC. Some things never change. One ball later in the order, Cliff Anscombe edged Hampshire to himself, caught and bowled, for his 1st duck of the season and 8th career from 30 innings, 29th on the all-time roll. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his own first-ever knock years back, and a former Duck of the Year in 1957, Cliff shares this week's Cruttenden echo too. At number 11, Richard Harris completed Hampshire's set, held by P Powis, for his 3rd duck of the season. That's number 32 from a career of 166 innings, an astonishing 3rd on the club's all-time list, a place of dubious distinction few will ever trouble. Cruttenden's ghost strikes again. 📊 Week in summary: 3 matches, 3 ducks, all in the same innings, all off the same bowler. Efficient work from Hampshire, and a fine reminder that duck season doesn't wait for the fixture list to get interesting. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Bob Arnold — 4 ducks, 13 innings (31%) 2. Pat Hardwick — 4 ducks, 26 innings (15%) 3. Robert Wood — 4 ducks, 27 innings (15%) 4. Brian Relf — 3 ducks, 4 innings (75%) 5. Alan Wilkes — 3 ducks, 7 innings (43%) Next fixture awaits, and with it, no doubt, fresh recruits to the exclusive zero club. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Three fixtures, eight noughts, and the exclusive zero club welcomes a busy few days of triumph through adversity for the 1st XI. Saturday 23 July — Tovil (Home) Bill Taylor ran through Linton's tail in some style, claiming three scalps for his afternoon's work. Brian Relf went first, bowled for nought — his 3rd duck of the season and 8th of a career now at rank 28 of 736, drawing level with Arthur Cradduck (1950–1959), who reached the same mark in 48 innings. Brian remains a fully paid-up member of the grimmer honours board too — Debutante Duck, Quack-to-Quack and Quacking Together (with Terry Whittaker) all sit proudly on his CV. Peter Hughes followed, stumped off the same bowler for his 2nd of the season and 3rd career duck, joining E Hayes (1935–1939) — whose three Linton innings yielded, astonishingly, three ducks. A flawless 100% strike rate Peter can be thankful he isn't chasing. Robert Wood completed the set, lbw for his 4th of the season and 11th career duck, rank 20 of 736 — landing him level on 11 with team-mate Frank Brattle, who, unbeknown to him, was about to join him there the very next day. Sunday 24 July — Folkestone CC (Away) John Spanswick took up the mantle, helping himself to three of Linton's four Folkestone wickets for nought. Frank Brattle fell first, bowled for his 3rd of the season, arriving at exactly the 11 career ducks Robert Wood reached a day earlier. Frank also carries family colours — relative Percy Brattle owns 4 career ducks of his own. Pat Hardwick edged Derek Waddup behind, his 3rd of the season and 5th career duck, joining Eddie Lawrence (1956–1960) on the same tally. Rather fittingly, Pat is also the club's reigning Duck of the Year for 1960 — the race, so far, is his to lose. William Buck fell to Spanswick next, a lone duck for the season but his 15th career nought, rank 11 of 736 — level with the great Gordon Fenner (1941–1960). William already shares "Quacking Together" honours with John Thirkell from campaigns past. Alan Wilkes rounded things off, Spanswick's third victim, his 3rd of the season and 14th career duck, joining Frank Sutton (1925–1949) on the same mark. Alan's own trophy cabinet includes "Only Two Quacks" pairings with both Bob Arnold and John Ames. Tuesday 26 July — Mote A (Away) A solitary entry at Mote A: Roy Clarke, bowled by Ashurst for his 3rd duck of the season and 19th career — rank 5 of 736, and a former Duck of the Year himself back in 1959. On this very day in 1959, none other than Tony Snell also departed against Folkestone CC — Linton's own "Runaway Duck" of 1958, a season memorable for yielding no runs whatsoever. Roy's sibling H Clarke also flies the family flag with 3 career ducks of his own. Week in Summary Eight ducks from three matches, with Bill Taylor and John Spanswick between them accounting for six of the eight — the bowlers rather outperforming Linton's top order this week. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 🏏 - 🥇 Bob Arnold — 12 inn, 4 ducks, 33% - 🥈 Robert Wood — 25 inn, 4 ducks, 16% - 🥉 Brian Relf — 4 inn, 3 ducks, 75% - Alan Wilkes — 6 inn, 3 ducks, 50% - Derek Pantony — 9 inn, 3 ducks, 33% Roll on the next fixture, when the exclusive zero club will no doubt be recruiting once again. 🍩0️⃣🦆

A short, sharp weekend for the exclusive zero club — every sighting crammed into one unfortunate innings at home to Rumwood CC on the Saturday, while Sunday's return fixture passed off entirely fowl-free. Saturday — 1st XI v Rumwood CC (home) The top order held until Gordon Fenner departed at four, bowled by J Carter, for his 1st duck of the summer and 15th of a genuinely distinguished LPCC career — good enough for 8th on the all-time list of 736, level with John --'s Taylor (1949–1958, 142 innings) and John Abnett (1954–1960). A name already familiar to the honours board through his brothers Joe (5 career ducks) and Maurice (1) — and spookily, on this very day in 1910, F S W Cornwallis also strolled back for nought against Maidstone CC. Carter clearly liked what he saw, because Bob Arnold followed at eight in identical fashion — his 4th duck of the season and 35th of his career, 2nd on the all-time chart of 736. Bob is paid-up in Ducks in a Row (4 consecutive), Only Two Quacks (with Alan Wilkes) and Quacking Together (with John Thirkell), and currently sits proudly atop this season's Duck Hunting standings on 4 from just 10 innings — a scarcely believable 40%. That same 1910 date claimed another victim too. Ricky Lusher, in at nine, edged behind to Carter's third — his 1st duck of the season and, remarkably, the very first blemish of his senior career after 10 clean-ish innings, ranking a relatively spotless 294th of 736. The 1910 echo held true for him as well. And to close out a thoroughly haunted afternoon, Brian Relf fell to R Galgey at ten for his 2nd duck of the season and 7th of his career, 30th on the all-time chart. Brian is a fully paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first LPCC innings years ago, carries the Retirement Duck and Quack-to-Quack honours from a past farewell, and shares Quacking Together status with Terry Whittaker — none of it news for today, but fine company on the board regardless. Week in Summary Four ducks from two matches, all four squeezed into the same Rumwood collapse, with Carter claiming three scalps in the same spell. Sunday's fixture, by contrast, was a vegan affair from start to finish. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏆 - Bob Arnold — 4 ducks / 10 innings (40.0%) - Derek Pantony — 3 ducks / 9 innings (33.3%) - Eddie Lawrence — 3 ducks / 10 innings (30.0%) - Terry Whittaker — 3 ducks / 11 innings (27.3%) - Robert Wood — 3 ducks / 22 innings (13.6%) Bob Arnold sits handsomely clear at the top of the race for Duck of the Year — can anyone catch him before the summer's out? See you all next weekend for the inevitable additions to the club. 🦆🏏

A quiet weekend on the poultry front, ducklers. Two fixtures went off across Saturday and Sunday and, remarkably, every single batsman who walked out for Linton Park found a way to trouble the scorers before departing. Not so much as a golden nought, not a single fresh entry for the honours board. The exclusive zero club held no inductions this week. 🍩 The ducks, it seems, took evasive action. Whether it was generous bowling, generous umpiring, or a rare outbreak of application at the crease, the art of not scoring went entirely unpractised. Even our most reliable operators found the middle of the bat. Frankly, some of the regulars below will be relieved — and others faintly disappointed not to have extended their tallies while the getting was good. Still, two matches is two matches, and the season is young yet. Nobody should get comfortable. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Bob Arnold — 3 ducks in 9 innings (33.33%) 🥇 Derek Pantony — 3 ducks in 9 innings (33.33%) 🥇 Eddie Lawrence — 3 ducks in 9 innings (33.33%) - Terry Whittaker — 3 ducks in 10 innings (30.0%) - Robert Wood — 3 ducks in 20 innings (15.0%) A genuine three-way tie at the summit for Arnold, Pantony and Lawrence, all locked at 33% — a photo finish in the race nobody wants to win outright but everybody secretly eyes. Whittaker breathes down their necks with a touch more graft behind his total, while Wood holds his spot on volume alone, having ground out 20 innings for his trio of noughts. Triumph through adversity indeed, gentlemen — just not this week. 📅 Looking ahead A blank weekend for the Duck Club is a strange sort of anticlimax — like turning up to the ground and finding the wicket's been relaid. Rest assured it won't last. With the season's front-runners level at the top and plenty of willow still to be waved rashly at good-length deliveries, normal service will surely resume at the next fixture. Until then, keep your eyes on the scoreboard and your bats, apparently, further from your pads. 🏏0️⃣

Four fresh names added to the exclusive zero club this weekend, all courtesy of the 1st XI, who contrived not to trouble the scorers in either fixture. The art of not scoring, alive and thriving at Linton Park. 🏏 Saturday 2 July — v Charles Arkcoll The Debutante Duck honours board welcomes its newest member: W- Nash, playing his very first innings for the club, departed at number eight without scoring, caught by his own teammate Sean Carter off the bowling of Reg Waters. A debut to remember for all the wrong reasons — the ledger already has him down provisionally under One and Done and Retirement Duck, should this prove his only visit to the crease, though the selectors will no doubt want a second opinion first. On this very day in 1955, G Hill made his own duck against these same opponents, also on debut — some fixtures simply demand a sacrifice. Derek Pantony followed him back not long after, caught and bowled by the tireless Reg Waters for his 3rd duck of the season and 4th of an increasingly duck-heavy career, now sitting 58th of 736 on the all-time chart. A past Duck of the Year back in 1947, Derek continues to add to a fine and dubious legacy. He shares the very same on-this-day fate as G Hill, both ducking against Charles Arkcoll five years apart to the date. 🏏 Sunday 3 July — v Tovil Robert Murray was bowled by Brian Fridd for nought, his 1st duck of the season and 3rd of a 62-innings career, ranking 97th of 736 all time. On this day in 1955 the legendary John Ames — 21 career ducks, and a name on the Ducks in a Row and Homebody Duck honours boards — was busy adding to his own noble tally, albeit against different opposition. And spare a thought for Sean Carter, twenty-four hours after pouching the catch that did for Nash, who found himself making the same lonely walk back — caught by M- Patey off M- Bristow for his 1st career duck in just his 2nd innings, now 300th of 736 on the all-time list. He too joins the John Ames on-this-day club. Poetic justice, or just cricket. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks 🍩, two matches, one thoroughly unfortunate 1st XI. Nash's maiden 0️⃣ and Carter's catch-then-duck double act were the tales of a weekend where the willow stayed conspicuously unblooded. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Bob Arnold — 8 inns, 3 ducks (37.5%) 2. Derek Pantony — 9 inns, 3 ducks (33.33%) 3. Eddie Lawrence — 9 inns, 3 ducks (33.33%) 4. Terry Whittaker — 10 inns, 3 ducks (30.0%) 5. Robert Wood — 19 inns, 3 ducks (15.79%) Pantony's Saturday effort keeps him right in that hunt. Next fixture awaits — the ducks, no doubt, are already limbering up. 🦆🏏

Four fixtures out this week, and the zero club recruited six new members between them — the Saturday clash at home to A.Trembeths doing the bulk of the damage. 1st XI v A.Trembeths (home, Sat 25th) A four-duck innings — the club practically fielded its own top order for the exclusive zero club. Pat Hardwick went first, bowled by A- Trembeth at three for his 2nd duck of the season and 4th of his career, good for 65th of 732 all time. Pat already sits on the Duck of the Year 1960 board, so this one merely tightens his grip on a title he shows no sign of relinquishing. On this very date back in 1950, Don Hartridge — 1940 to 1952, 10 career ducks, 19th all time — was performing an identical vanishing act. Robert Wood edged behind at seven for his 2nd of the season and 9th career duck, rank 22 of 732, a long-standing member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first Linton innings. He shares this date with Hartridge's 1950 effort too. Richard Harris followed at eight, caught for his 2nd of the season and a startling 31st career duck — 3rd of all 732 names ever recorded. Triumph through adversity, truly. Hartridge, 1950, keeps him company again. Terry Whittaker rounded off the collapse at ten, bowled for his 3rd of the season and 6th career (rank 41), a paid-up member of Quacking Together alongside Brian Relf and the Retirement Duck honours from a past farewell. Hartridge's 1950 shadow lingers over this one too. Midweek XI v Benenden CC (away, Wed 29th) Eddie Lawrence departed bowled by D- Elliott for his 3rd duck of the season and 5th of his career, rank 44 of 732. On this same day in 1907, Ernest Cruttenden — 1881 to 1912, 10 ducks, rank 20, and 1895's Duck of the Year — was doing precisely the same thing to Town Malling CC. And Robert Wood was back at it, caught off D- Elliott for his 3rd of the season and 10th career duck — a grim pair completed across the week's two fixtures. Not quite king pair territory, but a proper double all the same. He too finds himself keeping Cruttenden's 1907 company. Week in Summary Six ducks from four matches, with the remaining two fixtures staying commendably fowl-free. Robert Wood's Saturday-to-Wednesday pair was the tale of the week, and Pat Hardwick keeps his nose in front for Duck of the Year 1960. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Bob Arnold — 3 ducks in 8 innings (37.5%) - Eddie Lawrence — 3 ducks in 8 innings (37.5%) - Terry Whittaker — 3 ducks in 9 innings (33.3%) - Robert Wood — 3 ducks in 17 innings (17.65%) - Alan Wilkes — 2 ducks in 4 innings (50%) Onward to next weekend — the art of not scoring never takes a rest, and there's always room on the honours board for one more. 🦆🍩

Rumwood CC provided the hunting ground this weekend, with the 1st XI's trip away yielding a full quartet of noughts. A quiet weekend elsewhere, but Rumwood more than made up for it. 🏏 1st XI at Rumwood CC Batting at four, T- May fell b J- Carter without troubling the scorers — and it's a debut to remember for all the wrong reasons. His maiden senior innings ends in a duck, earning immediate and simultaneous membership of three honours boards: Debutante Duck, One and Done, and the Retirement Duck club (the last two, naturally, presumptive — nobody's writing his farewell speech just yet). On this very day back in 1949, club legend John Thirkell was doing exactly the same thing against Bowaters CC, en route to a colossal 44 career ducks and the No.1 spot in the all-time rankings. Good company to keep, even from the bottom of the ladder. At five, H Clarke was run out for nought — the fielding side doing the bowler's work for him. It's Clarke's 3rd career duck from 18 innings, sitting him at 84th all-time, and a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his own first-baller some innings back. He's got form in the family too — sibling Roy Clarke carries a hearty 18 career ducks, so the nought clearly runs in the blood. Like May, Clarke shares this day in history with John Thirkell's 1949 vintage. Number seven Terry Whittaker was bowled by J- Carter, his 2nd of the season and 5th for his career — a tally that lands him at 48th all-time, level with the likes of Allan Peach (1903–1907) and Frank Wright, the latter a fellow member of the exclusive Quack-to-Quack club. Terry already shares Quacking Together honours with team-mate Brian Relf — and rather fittingly, Relf was next through the gate. Brian Relf, batting nine, was stumped off the same tireless J- Carter, his 1st duck of the season and 6th of his career, moving him to 34th on the all-time list. Brian's card is a crowded one — Debutante Duck, Quack-to-Quack, Quacking Together with Whittaker, and Retirement Duck all present and correct, a full house of dubious distinction. He now sits alongside D Sells (1943–1944), who also stopped the clock on six. Four wickets, one bowler, one stumping — J- Carter clearly fancied his chances against Linton Park this week, and the Duck Club is grateful for the service. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks from two matches, all four falling in the same innings at Rumwood — a proper collective effort, and every single one of them credited to the same bowler. The art of not scoring was alive and well on the away trip, even if the rest of the fixture list stayed disappointingly fowl-free. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Bob Arnold — 3 ducks in 8 innings (37.5%) - Alan Wilkes — 2 ducks in 3 innings (66.67%) - Eddie Lawrence — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40.0%) - Derek Pantony — 2 ducks in 6 innings (33.33%) - Terry Whittaker — 2 ducks in 8 innings (25.0%) Alan Wilkes lurking on a fearsome 66.67% strike rate should have the rest of the club nervous. Roll on next weekend — the ducks at Rumwood clearly enjoyed the company, so who's joining them next? 🍩

A quiet couple of days by Duck Club standards, but the exclusive zero club still found four new inductees at Headcorn and Halfway House. No pairs, no family affairs this time round — just honest, individual triumphs in the art of not scoring. 🏏 Saturday 11 June — Away Day at Headcorn CC The 1st XI travelled to Headcorn and left two names richer for the honours board. Robert Wood departed at number five for his 1st duck of the season, bowled by S Parnham, and now stands on 8 career ducks — 28th of 730 all time. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from way back, though today's effort was a solo affair rather than a repeat performance. Poetically, on this very day in 1955, Bob Arnold also made a duck against Headcorn CC — Arnold went on to rack up 34 of the things (2nd of 730 all time), so Robert keeps distinguished company on the calendar if not yet on the leaderboard. Down at number ten, Tony Snell followed him back with a golden-tinged 1st duck of the season, caught Murrell bowled Ward. Tony now sits on a mighty 19 career ducks — 5th of 730 all time — a Duck of the Year winner in 1958 and holder of the "Runaway Duck" board for that same barren campaign. Fittingly, he shares his on-this-day company with the very same Bob Arnold, also felled by Headcorn on 11 June 1955. 🏏 Saturday/Sunday — Halfway House Away The 1st XI's trip to Halfway House on the 12th brought two more names to the party. John Abnett, in at nine, edged behind for his 1st duck of the season and moves to 15 career ducks — 9th of 730 all time. A quietly serious tally that puts him level on career ducks with John "--'s" Taylor, who racked up his 15 across 142 innings between 1949 and 1958. On this same date back in 1865, W Crittenden also made a duck, against 1st Innings Yalding United — the club's ducking traditions clearly run deep. But the standout of the weekend belongs to Derek Pantony, bowled by Roger Mills at number ten for his 2nd duck of the season, taking him to just 3 career ducks from a mere 7 innings — a frankly alarming 43% strike rate in the wrong direction. Derek is already a Duck of the Year alumnus from 1947, and tonight joins a long and distinguished queue on exactly 3 career ducks, including E Hayes (3 from just 3 innings — a perfect and terrible record) and Michael Fagg. Also on this day in 1865, W Crittenden made his duck against Yalding United — the calendar clearly has a taste for these things. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks from two matches, all in the 1st XI, all away from home — Linton's top order clearly fancied giving the locals a show without troubling the scorers. No pairs, no golden family affairs, but Derek Pantony's second duck of the weekend deserves a nod for pure economy of effort. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Bob Arnold — 7 innings, 3 ducks (42.9%) 2. Alan Wilkes — 3 innings, 2 ducks (66.7%) 3. Eddie Lawrence — 5 innings, 2 ducks (40.0%) 4. Derek Pantony — 6 innings, 2 ducks (33.3%) 5. Frank Brattle — 10 innings, 2 ducks (20.0%) Alan Wilkes leads on strike rate but Bob Arnold holds the volume crown for now. Plenty of season left for the standings to turn. 🦆 The next fixture awaits, and with it, no doubt, further contributions to the cause. Same duck time, same duck place — see you all out there (or rather, back in the pavilion) soon!

A tidy little harvest this week: three ducks from four matches, the whole lot served up courtesy of the 1st XI, who appear to have taken sole custody of the club's scorelessness this week. 🏏 1st XI Home to Canning Town Glassworks CC on Saturday 4th June, the top order held firm but the lower order did not escape so lightly. Bob Arnold, in at number 8, was trapped lbw by Gwyn Reynolds for his 3rd duck of the season — a tally that hoists him to 2nd in the club's all-time standings on a mighty 34 career ducks from 153 innings, rarefied air indeed. Bob is already a fully paid-up member of Ducks in a Row (four on the spin, no mean feat), and carries dual membership of Only Two Quacks (with Alan Wilkes) and Quacking Together (with John Thirkell) — the Duck Club's answer to a testimonial dinner. Fittingly, on this very date in 1898, C S Smith was doing precisely the same thing against Sutton Valence School, on his way to that year's Duck of the Year honours. Last man in, Richard Harris fared no better, bowled by the very same Gwyn Reynolds — his 1st duck of the season but a substantial 30th of his career, good enough for 3rd on the all-time chart from 162 innings. Richard, too, shares his date with C S Smith's 1898 vintage against Sutton Valence — the Duck Club evidently keeps its own anniversary diary. Away at Tovil on Monday 6th June, Pat Hardwick completed the week's card, lbw to the splendidly named Cradduck for his 1st duck of the season and 3rd of his career from just 39 innings. Pat currently holds the Duck of the Year 1960 title, one he'll be defending with some vigour as the summer wears on. And once again the calendar obliged — George Champion fell in exactly this fashion against Town Malling CC back in 1903. 📋 The Week in Brief Four matches, three ducks, and a tidy little pattern: two of the week's three victims fell to the same bowler in the same innings, and all three noughts landed on dates the Duck Club's own history had already claimed. Whether Gwyn Reynolds and Cradduck appreciate the company they now keep is a question for another day. 🎯 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Bob Arnold — 6 innings, 3 ducks (50.0%) 2. Alan Wilkes — 3 innings, 2 ducks (66.67%) 3. Eddie Lawrence — 5 innings, 2 ducks (40.0%) 4. Roy Clarke — 9 innings, 2 ducks (22.22%) 5. Frank Brattle — 10 innings, 2 ducks (20.0%) 🍩 Bob Arnold sits proudly atop the pile as the 1960 season heads for home, while Pat Hardwick's reigning Duck of the Year form proves quantity and quality are entirely different games. The ducks will no doubt be circling again next fixture — bring your bat, gentlemen, and try not to add to the membership roll.

Old Williamsonians and Folkestone both visited Linton Park this weekend, and both departed having contributed generously to the Duck Club's ledger. Six ducks in two matches, every last one of them 1st XI — a proper weekend's work for the exclusive zero club. Saturday 28 May — v Old Williamsonians CC (1st XI, home) R- Farrow arrived and simply refused to leave alone, claiming four of the day's dismissals in a single innings — a genuine nap hand of naught. - John Thirkell (b Farrow) opens his weekend account, 1st duck of the season and 43rd of a career that already sits him top of the all-time table, 1 of 727 — Duck of the Year in 1952, '54 and '55, and a fixture of the Lone Duck and Homebody Duck top tens. Fittingly, his "Quacking Together" partner Bob Arnold joined him in the wreckage below. - Eddie Lawrence (lbw Farrow) — 2nd of the season, 4th of a young career in just 17 innings, rank 57 of 727. - Bob Arnold (b Farrow) — 2nd of the season and 33rd career, good enough for 2nd on the all-time list. Owner of Ducks in a Row (four on the bounce) and Only Two Quacks with Alan Wilkes. - Derek Pantony (b Farrow) — 1st of the season, 2nd career from just 5 innings, a paid-up member of the 1947 Duck of the Year club. All four followed in style — on this very date in 1928, Bert Buckoke (1928-1953, 12 ducks) fell the same way against Bearsted. Old ghosts, same page of the calendar. Sunday 29 May — v Folkestone CC (1st XI, home) - John Thirkell again (b Reg Hoskins) — 2nd duck of the season, 44th of his career, a tidy weekend pair to go with his place atop the standings. On this day in 1937, E Hayes made his own duck against Charles Arkcoll — company across the decades. - Roy Clarke (c Brickell b Waddup) — 2nd of the season, 18th career from 79 innings, rank 5 of 727, and a Duck of the Year alumnus from 1959. His sibling H Clarke carries two career ducks of their own — clearly a family trait for the art of not scoring. The same E Hayes parallel keeps him company. Week in summary Six ducks, two matches, one thoroughly satisfied bowling attack. John Thirkell banked a weekend pair, and between them Thirkell and Arnold now occupy 1st and 2nd on the all-time chart — a genuine changing-room duopoly of futility. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. Alan Wilkes — 2 ducks / 2 innings (100%) 2. Bob Arnold — 2 ducks / 3 innings (67%) 3. Eddie Lawrence — 2 ducks / 5 innings (40%) 4. Frank Brattle — 2 ducks / 6 innings (33%) 5. Roy Clarke — 2 ducks / 6 innings (33%) Next fixture looms, and R- Farrow no doubt sharpening something. Who joins the honours board this time? 🏏🍩

A lean week for the Zero Club but quality over quantity, as Linton Park's 1st XI contributed the entire weekend's takings in a single visit from Mote A. 1st XI v Mote A (home) At number 7, John Ames departed for nought, snapped up by F- Holding off the bowling of J- Harrison. It's the 1st duck of Ames' season and the 21st of a long and storied career spanning 145 innings, lifting him to 4th on the all-time list of 727. He's a paid-up member of the "Ducks in a Row" board with four consecutive noughts to his name, and sits comfortably inside the "Homebody Duck" top ten besides. On this very date in 1956, John --'s Taylor (1949–1958, 15 career ducks, 8th all time) also fell for a duck against Marden CC, Kent — the calendar keeping fine company. Batting at 11, Alan Wilkes joined him in the walk back, bowled by S- McVicker. It's Wilkes' 2nd duck of the season already, his 13th for the club from just 50 innings, and it hoists him to 13th on the all-time chart. Fittingly, Ames' honours board carries an "Only Two Quacks" entry with Wilkes' name on it, and here the pair are, both back in the pavilion inside the same innings — the board earning its keep at last. Wilkes also holds an earlier "Only Two Quacks" pairing with Bob Arnold, and he too fell on the anniversary of Taylor's 1956 duck against Marden. Week in Summary Two ducks from one match, and a proper reunion for the "Only Two Quacks" club as both halves of the pairing found their way back to the pavilion together. Modest pickings, but the season is young yet. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Alan Wilkes — 2 innings, 2 ducks, 100% 2. Frank Brattle — 4 innings, 2 ducks, 50% 3. Peter Hughes — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 4. Bob Arnold — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% 5. R- Jones ---'s- — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% Wilkes' afternoon at Mote A vaults him to the top of the pile with an unblemished, entirely unwanted 100% record. Can anyone catch him before the season's out? 🍩 Same ground, same story next week — the ducks never take a fixture off. Bring your bat, and preferably some runs to go with it. 🦆

A brisk weekend on the road and at home for the 1st XI, who alone shouldered the club's quacking duties this week — four fresh entries to the exclusive zero club, three of them arriving in a job lot at Gore Court. 🏏 Saturday — Gore Court CC (away) The top order rather queued up for the pavilion. Eddie Lawrence went first, trapped lbw by Brian Allsworth at first drop — his maiden duck of the summer and the 3rd of a career now standing at 14 innings, good enough for 79th on the all-time list. On this very day back in 1955, William Blight made his own duck against these same opponents, en route to 10 for his career — Eddie's in fine, if fowl, company. At five, Bob Arnold fell to Fred Forrester, bowled — a modest-sounding 1st of the season that belies a genuinely fearsome career total: 32 ducks from 149 innings, good for the runners-up spot in the entire 727-strong all-time table. Bob carries serious pedigree here too, a paid-up member of Ducks in a Row (four on the spin), and joint custodian of Quacking Together honours with both Alan Wilkes and John Thirkell. Like Eddie, he echoes William Blight's Gore Court duck of 1955. Roy Clarke completed the trio, caught and bowled by the tireless Forrester at seven — his season-opener and 17th career duck, vaulting him to 6th on the all-time chart. Roy's own honours cabinet carries Duck of the Year 1959 and a Quacking Together entry with John Ames, and he's not even the family specialist — sibling H Clarke potters along with 2 of his own. Another nod, fittingly, to Blight's 1955 vintage. 🌱 Sunday — West Farleigh CC (home) Frank Brattle top-edged his way lbw to Reg Oldfield at first drop, his 2nd duck of the season and 10th of a career now on 77 innings, sitting 21st all-time. Frank keeps it in the family too — Percy Brattle, a relation of his, carries 4 career ducks of his own. On this day in 1958, Cliff Anscombe made a duck against Mote A, a Debutante Duck and reigning 1957 Duck of the Year, on his way to 7 for the club — Frank now edges past that mark. 📊 Week in Brief Four ducks, two matches, one very unimpressed Gore Court attack doing most of the damage. Frank Brattle's brace this season already has him leading the pack for outright ignominy — see below. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Frank Brattle — 4 innings, 2 ducks, 50% 2. Alan Wilkes — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 3. Peter Hughes — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 4. Bob Arnold — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% 5. Eddie Lawrence — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% Early days yet in the 1960 campaign, but the race for Duck of the Year is very much afoot. Next weekend's fixtures await — bring your bats, gentlemen, and try to trouble the scorers. 🦆 0️⃣ 🏏

A tidy little haul to open this reporting window: four ducks in two matches, the 1st XI doing all the damage home and away. 🏏 Saturday 7 May — 1st XI v Charles Arkcoll Three noughts in a single innings here, proper value for money. R- Jones, batting at 7, was run out for a golden nothing in just his second senior knock — a genuine, card-carrying debut duck, and he goes straight onto the Debutante Duck honours board as a result. First blood of his career, 1 from 1, sitting 289th of 727 in the all-time list. Curiously, on this very date in 1955 William Blight was also trudging back for nought, against Bearsted CC — some things never change about the first week of May. Terry Whittaker edged behind at number 9 for his 4th career duck from 26 innings, holding at 66th of 727. A veteran of the zero club, he's a "Quacking Together" honouree alongside Brian Relf and, further back, a Retirement Duck club member from a past farewell — though today's effort was very much mid-innings business, not a swansong. He too shares his date with William Blight's 1955 vintage. Peter Hughes, last man in, departed for his 2nd career duck from just 5 innings — 136th of 727 and climbing the wrong way fast. He's a paid-up Debutante Duck member from his actual first-ever knock some years back, though this one came well after. William Blight, 1955, keeps him company on the calendar too. 🌱 Sunday 8 May — 1st XI v Halfway House Alan Wilkes, bowled by Robin Bush at number 11, notched his 12th career duck from 49 innings — a lofty 13th of 727 all time, edging ever closer to the true legends of the format. He carries not one but two "Only Two Quacks" pairings on his honours board, with Bob Arnold and with John Ames, testament to a long and distinguished quacking career. Fittingly, on this same day in 1955 Tony Tipples was also dismissed for nought, against West Farleigh CC. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks, two matches, and Charles Arkcoll proving three times as dangerous as Halfway House with the ball. All the damage confined to the 1st XI this week — the lower sides keeping their powder dry, for now. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Alan Wilkes — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Peter Hughes — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - R- Jones — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Terry Whittaker — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Frank Brattle — 1 duck / 3 innings (33.33%) Five names locked at a single duck apiece — wide open at the top, and plenty of season left for someone to pull clear. 🦆 Next fixture awaits, and with it, no doubt, further contributions to the exclusive zero club. See you all out there. 🏏0️⃣

The 1960 campaign is barely a fortnight old and already the exclusive zero club has its first inductee of the new season. Two matches, one nought — a lean opening skirmish, but quality over quantity, as they say in the pavilion. 🏏 Saturday 30th April — 1st XI v Staplehurst CC Frank Brattle strode out at first wicket down and departed almost as promptly, bowled by D- Gale for his 1st duck of the 1960 season. It's the 9th of his LPCC career from 75 innings, a tally that plants him firmly at 24th in the all-time standings out of 726 names on the books — respectable company for a man who keeps finding fresh ways not to trouble the scorers. A chip off the old block too, it should be said — kin records show Percy Brattle carrying 4 career ducks of his own, so the surname is no stranger to the honours reel. And in a splendid quirk of the calendar, on this very day back in 1955 — five years to the very date — John --'s Taylor also made a duck against West Farleigh CC, one of 15 career noughts he'd amass across a playing career running 1949–1958, good enough for 8th of 726 all-time. Cricket's ducks, it seems, know their anniversaries. 🌱 Elsewhere Sunday's fixture passed without incident — a rare vegan affair for the Duck Club, entirely free from fowl. No shame in that, though the purists among us will insist a quiet weekend is merely a duck biding its time. 📋 Week in Summary One duck from two matches is a modest return by Linton standards, but early season is early season — the real hunting rarely begins before the wickets have dried out and the confidence has grown. Frank Brattle carries the flag alone this week, and does so with the consistency of a very particular kind. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Frank Brattle — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% A one-horse race so far, though it's early days yet — plenty of time for challengers to present themselves at the crease and depart just as swiftly. Next fixture beckons, and with it the promise of fresh additions to the honours board. The Duck Club never sleeps — it merely waits for the next false stroke. 🦆🏏0️⃣