🦆 The Duck Pond

A single fixture on the books this week, and — remarkably — not a duck to be found anywhere in it. Every batsman who walked out walked back having troubled the scorers, however modestly. The Duck Club's most dependable source of income has, for one afternoon only, run bone dry. It happens. Even the most committed purveyors of the nought need a rest now and then, and as the 1961 season draws towards its close it seems the closing weeks have decided to go out on a note of uncharacteristic competence. Somewhere, quietly, the regulars will be relieved. Somewhere else, they'll be wondering what on earth they did right. 📅 Week in Summary - 1 match played - 0 ducks recorded - A rare weekend of almost total batting competence — enjoy it while it lasts Let the record show: the ducks evaded capture this week, but the Hunting Season presses on regardless, and there's still time before 1961 closes its books for someone to make a late charge on the summit — or, more fittingly, an early one back to the pavilion. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. John Crellin — 6 ducks in 21 innings (28.57%) 2. Robert Murray — 6 ducks in 33 innings (18.18%) 3. Brian Relf — 5 ducks in 9 innings (55.56%) 🍩 — a rate bordering on the vocational 4. Robert Wood — 5 ducks in 41 innings (12.2%) 5. John Ames — 4 ducks in 22 innings (18.18%) Brian Relf remains the season's most efficient collector by some margin — better than one duck in every two visits to the crease is dedication the rest of the club can only admire from a respectful distance. 🦆 Until the next fixture, when normal service — noughts, quacks and all 0️⃣ — will no doubt resume in full. Keep the bat down and the faith up.

Two fixtures, three ducks, and the Zero Club welcomed its usual suspects back into the fold this week. 🏏 Saturday 23rd — v Bearsted CC Robert Wood, promoted to first wicket down, departed without troubling the scorers, caught by Colin Fleetwood off Nick Wheeler-Robinson. It's Wood's 5th duck of the season and his 17th for the club, moving him to 10th in the all-time standings — level with John Abnett, who reached the very same 17 in a considerably more economical 44 innings between 1954 and 1961. Wood remains, of course, a long-serving member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his LPCC account the traditional way some seasons back. 🍩 Sunday 24th — v Linton Park CC (Singles) A quietly ruthless spell for the home attack, with Gordon Fenner accounting for both of the day's ducks in the same innings. Opener John Ames went early, caught by Stan Wratten off Fenner — faintly amusing given Ames already sits on the "Quacking Together" honours board alongside the very man who has just pouched him. It's his 4th duck of the season and 25th of a storied career, keeping him at a lofty 4th on the all-time list. Fittingly, on this very day back in 1960, Frank Brattle was performing the identical trick against A.Trembeths — some anniversaries mark themselves. At number 10, Brian Relf joined him in the shed, bowled by Fenner for his 5th duck of the season and 13th of his career, good enough for 16th on the all-time roll. Relf carries the honours of both the Quack-to-Quack and Retirement Duck boards from milestones past, and — like Ames — shares his date with Frank Brattle's own nought of 24th September 1960. 📊 Week in Summary Three ducks from two matches, and Gordon Fenner can rightly take a bow, having personally dispatched both of the Singles' batsmen for nought. No pairs, no family affairs to report — just honest, old-fashioned failure to trouble the scorers. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - John Crellin — 6 ducks / 21 innings (28.57%) - Robert Murray — 6 ducks / 32 innings (18.75%) - Brian Relf — 5 ducks / 9 innings (55.56%) - Robert Wood — 5 ducks / 41 innings (12.2%) - John Ames — 4 ducks / 22 innings (18.18%) Relf's rate for the season now sits above 50% — a truly committed pursuit of nought. The next fixture is never far away, and neither is the next duck. Bring your bats, gentlemen — and your sense of humour. 🦆0️⃣

Saturday 16 September — 1st XI v Bowaters CC (h) The rarest ceremony on the Duck Club calendar turned up at Bowaters: two Members back in the hutch inside the same tail-end collapse. Terry Whittaker (9) was stumped, Bob Bourne to Bill Brown, for his 2nd duck of the season and 9th of a career now 59 innings deep — 30th of 756 all time. Ray Howard, who played 1954–1963, made his own nought against Tunbridge Wells CC on this very calendar day back in 1956. Happy anniversary, Terry. In walked Brian Relf at 10, bowled John Evans, for his 4th of the season and 12th career duck from a mere 27 innings — 17th on the all-time list and a strike-rate for ignominy few can rival. The honours board already lists Terry and Brian "Quacking Together" — and this week it was not paperwork, it was live theatre, both dismissed in the same tightening finish. Ray Howard's 1956 duck keeps them company on the date too. Brian, incidentally, is a paid-up member of the rare Quack-to-Quack club from an earlier chapter of his career — duck on debut, duck on farewell — though no danger of a repeat sign-off applies here. Sunday 17 September — 1st XI v Sevenoaks Vine CC (h) Three more fell to keep the harvest generous. John Crellin (5), run out in some confusion, notched his 6th duck of the season — and his 6th career duck from a brutal 20 innings, a 30% duck rate that plants him top of the current Duck of the Year 1961 standings. Basil Sears, who played 1947–1961, made his own nought against Bearsted CC on this same date in 1960. William Buck (6) was bowled by Alan Hurd for his 2nd of the season but 18th of a marathon 243-innings career — 8th of 756 all time, a genuine elder statesman of the art of not scoring. Alan Tucker (10) departed caught Peter Williams bowled Cliff Judd for his maiden duck, opening both season and career accounts from just 11 innings — welcome to the club, 178th of 756 and counting. Both share Basil Sears's 1960 vintage for company on the date. Week in Summary Five ducks, two matches, and the tail did the heavy lifting — three of the five fell at number 9 or below. A fine demonstration that failing to score is very much a team pursuit at Linton Park. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. John Crellin — 6 ducks / 20 inns (30%) 2. Robert Murray — 6 ducks / 30 inns (20%) 3. Brian Relf — 4 ducks / 8 inns (50%) 4. Robert Wood — 4 ducks / 39 inns (10.26%) 5. Gordon Fenner — 3 ducks / 13 inns (23.08%) Next fixture awaits its own crop of noughts. Bats up, ducks watching. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Two fixtures, three ducks, and the 1st XI doing all the honours this week at home to St Lukes Maidstone CC. Saturday 9th September — 1st XI v St Lukes Maidstone CC The home side found the zero club in fine voice. John Crellin, in at four, fell lbw to J. Francis for his 5th duck of the season — which, handily, is also his 5th of 1961, keeping him well out in front for the Duck of the Year 1961 honours he already carries on the board. That's 5 from 19 career innings, 54th on the all-time list, and — on this very day back in 1951 — Tony Levick was doing exactly the same against Gillingham CC, Kent, on his way to 7 career ducks across a decade in the middle (1950–1960). Michael Chambers followed not long after, bowled by B. Pearce for his 2nd duck of the season and of his career alike, from just 8 innings — 138th in the club's long roll of dishonour. Like Crellin, Chambers shares this exact 9th of September with Tony Levick's 1951 nought at Gillingham. Last man down was Ricky Lusher, caught B. Lamb off J. Francis for his 1st duck of the season but 2nd of an increasingly eventful career, now on 2 from 20 innings and 149th on the all-time chart. Ricky too finds his September date shared with the ghost of Tony Levick's 1951 vintage — three Linton men, one long-departed kindred spirit, same calendar day a decade apart. Sunday 10th September A quieter day by comparison — no further additions to the honours board. Even the ducks need a rest. 📊 Week in summary Three ducks from two matches, all concentrated into one unfortunate Saturday afternoon for the 1st XI. J. Francis alone accounted for two of the three dismissals — a fine day's work for St Lukes Maidstone CC, a less fine one for Linton Park. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Robert Murray — 6 ducks, 29 innings, 20.69% - John Crellin — 5 ducks, 19 innings, 26.32% - Robert Wood — 4 ducks, 37 innings, 10.81% - Brian Relf — 3 ducks, 7 innings, 42.86% 🍩 - Gordon Fenner — 3 ducks, 13 innings, 23.08% Crellin's afternoon closes the gap on Robert Murray at the summit — with the season still to run, the race for 1961's Duck of the Year is far from decided. Next fixture, next opportunity. The stumps await, and so, inevitably, do the ducks. 🦆🏏

Only two fixtures on the board this weekend, and only one soul answered the call of the zero — but he did it with the sort of flourish that keeps the honours board interesting. The art of not scoring, as ever, finds its specialists. 🏏 1st XI — v Anchorians CC (home) Robert Murray, holding down number four, was undone by B. Snelling and made the long walk back for his 6th duck of the season — a tally that's fast becoming a personal signature. It's his 11th career nought from 102 innings, keeping him a firm 23rd in the club's all-time list of 756. Splendidly, on this very calendar date back in 1944, Jimmy Jameson was going through precisely the same ritual against Home Guard - Royal West Kent 11th Battalion, en route to 5 ducks for his career and the Duck of the Year honour in 1945. Some traditions, it seems, run deeper than the current fixture list. 📋 Week in Brief One duck from two matches — a modest harvest by Duck Club standards. The other fixture passed off disappointingly duck-free, every batsman troubling the scorers, which is either admirable application or a concerning dry spell depending on where your loyalties lie. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Robert Murray — 6 ducks, 27 innings (22.22%) - John Crellin — 4 ducks, 18 innings (22.22%) - Robert Wood — 4 ducks, 35 innings (11.43%) - Brian Relf — 3 ducks, 6 innings (50.00%) - Gordon Fenner — 3 ducks, 12 innings (25.00%) Murray sits atop the pile, but Brian Relf's alarming 50% strike rate means one more soft dismissal could see the whole order turned upside down. The ducks are circling, gentlemen — bring your bats, and bring your nerve. 🦆🍩

A tidy little weekend for the exclusive zero club — just two visits recorded, but both from 1st XI stalwarts keeping the honours board ticking over nicely. 1st XI Saturday, at home to Aylesford Paper Mills CC — Richard Harris, in at five, fell to the bowling of J Simmonite for his 1st duck of the season. It's the 35th of a long and distinguished career spanning 172 innings, which keeps him a commanding 3rd on the all-time list of 756. Fittingly, on this very day in 1945 Herbert Rayner (1939–1948) also strolled back for nought, against 1st Innings Fifth Leicester — one of six such visits in a career good enough for 45th all-time. Consistency of a very particular kind, across the decades. Sunday, hosting A L Newberry XI — Stan Wratten, opening at two, was bowled by M Heroys without troubling the scorers. It's his 1st of the season and the 17th of a career now 200 innings deep, enough for 9th on the all-time roll — rarefied company indeed. A paid-up member of the Quacking Together club alongside John Ames, Stan can add a neat footnote to this week's entry: on this same date back in 1949, none other than fellow ducker Richard Harris — freshly returned to the fold above — made his own duck, against Hunton Wanderers CC. Two names, one calendar date, twelve years apart. Week in Summary Two matches, two ducks, one apiece — Saturday and Sunday both doing their bit for the cause. Nothing spectacular, but the art of not scoring rarely needs an audience to be appreciated. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 - Robert Murray — 5 ducks in 25 innings (20.0%) - John Crellin — 4 ducks in 18 innings (22.2%) - Robert Wood — 4 ducks in 33 innings (12.1%) - Brian Relf — 3 ducks in 6 innings (50.0%) - Gordon Fenner — 3 ducks in 12 innings (25.0%) Robert Murray holds a slender lead heading into the business end of the season, though Brian Relf's frankly alarming 50% strike rate suggests he's never far from a leap up the table. Next fixture's ducks await, as ever, with open wings. 🦆🏏

Two away fixtures, three visits to the exclusive zero club, and the 1st XI doing all the travelling and all the not-scoring. A quiet weekend for the honours board, but never let it be said the art of not scoring took a rest. 🏏 1st XI – On Tour, and Found Wanting Saturday saw the lads at Bowaters CC, and openers do love to set the tone. Robert Wood strode out first wicket down and departed lbw to Roy Ecclestone without so much as a bother to the scorers - his 4th duck of the season and 16th of a career now spanning 107 innings, a tally that plants him a lofty 11th in the all-time standings. A long-paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his own first-ever innings, Robert's consistency of a very particular kind continues. Curiously, on this very date back in 1956, one John --'s Taylor was doing exactly the same thing against Mote A. Not to be left out, Michael Chambers came in at five and was bowled by Edward Chick for nought - his maiden career duck, arriving in just his 6th innings and installing him at 275th of 755 on the all-time roll. Welcome to the club, Michael - triumph through adversity starts somewhere. Fittingly, that very same 19th of August in 1956 also claimed John Taylor for a duck. Sunday's trip to The Mote CC brought a third scalp. Robert Murray, batting three, was snapped up in the field off J Harrison for his 5th duck of the season and 10th of his career from 98 innings - 26th on the all-time list and now the club's early pacesetter for Duck of the Year. Seventeen years to the day earlier, in 1944, W Bunting was performing the identical vanishing act against KCC Maidstone, also his 5th. 📅 Week in Summary Three ducks, two matches, both away, both entirely one-sided in the wrong direction for the batsmen concerned. The 1st XI seem to travel well for everything except runs. No pairs, no family affairs this week - just three solo performances in the fine tradition of returning with nothing to show for the journey. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Robert Murray - 5 ducks, 23 innings, 21.74% - John Crellin - 4 ducks, 18 innings, 22.22% - Robert Wood - 4 ducks, 31 innings, 12.90% - Brian Relf - 3 ducks, 6 innings, 50.00% - Gordon Fenner - 3 ducks, 12 innings, 25.00% Robert Murray leads the chase with a game in hand on the field, but Brian Relf's 50% strike rate is a masterclass in efficiency should anyone doubt the numbers. 🍩 Next fixture beckons, and the club stands ready to welcome its next inductees. Bat well - or don't, we're not fussy - and we'll see who joins the roll call. 🦆0️⃣

A quiet weekend for the exclusive zero club, but never let it be said the Duck Hunting Season stands still for anyone. 🏏 1st XI — Away at Tilling Stevens Batting at number seven, John Crellin strode out, got himself in a spot of bother, and was snapped up c E. Parkinson b Doug Pound. A tidy dismissal, and the sole notch on this weekend's tally. It's the 4th duck of Crellin's season and the 4th of his career from 18 innings, which plants him at a very respectable 67th of 754 in the all-time standings — the art of not scoring, refined over time. More pointedly, this modest little nought carries real weight: Crellin already holds the club's Duck of the Year 1961 honour, and with this weekend's effort he tightens his grip on that title rather than merely decorating his season stats. The chasing pack should take note. Neat historical footnote for the romantics among us — on this very day back in 1956, John Larking also trudged off for a duck, against Harrietsham CC no less. Larking, who turned out for the club 1944–1963, sits on 2 career ducks (134th of 754) — proof that the calendar has a long memory for these things, even if the scorebook prefers to forget. 📊 Week in Summary Two matches, one duck — the ducks mostly evaded capture this weekend, keeping their heads down and their bats occupied. But quality over quantity: when Linton Park's hunters do connect, they connect meaningfully, and this one lands squarely in the Duck of the Year conversation. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard — Top 5 1. John Crellin — 18 innings, 4 ducks (22.22%) 2. Robert Murray — 21 innings, 4 ducks (19.05%) 3. Brian Relf — 5 innings, 3 ducks (60.00%) 4. Gordon Fenner — 11 innings, 3 ducks (27.27%) 5. John Ames — 17 innings, 3 ducks (17.65%) Brian Relf's 60% strike rate deserves an honourable mention of its own — consistency of a very particular kind, and not the kind most batsmen aspire to. 🍩 Looking Ahead A lean weekend by the club's usual standards, but the season is far from finished and Crellin's crown is there to be taken. Roll up next fixture, gentlemen — the zero club always has room for new members, and the honours board never sleeps. 0️⃣🦆

Two fixtures, seven ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomed its usual faithful plus a proper avalanche at Bearsted. Onwards. Saturday 5th August — Headcorn CC (home) Gordon Fenner departed for nought at six, caught L- Murrell off v- Ward — his 2nd duck of the season and 17th for the club, good for 7th of 754 all-time. Little did he know a carbon copy awaited him 48 hours later. He's not alone in the family either — brothers Joe (5 career ducks) and Maurice Fenner (1) are also paid-up club members. On this very day in 1895, Ernest Cruttenden was doing much the same against Rochester CC, en route to 10 career ducks and the 1895 Duck of the Year title. At nine, Brian Relf was bowled by C- Smith without scoring — his 3rd of the season, 11th career, 18th of 754 all-time. A long-standing member of the Debutante Duck society from his very first innings, Brian shares Saturday's misfortune with the same Ernest Cruttenden of 1895. Monday 7th August — Bearsted CC (away) A two-innings friendly at Bearsted turned into a feeding frenzy — five noughts in one fixture. Opening up, John Ames was bowled by Mike Morton for his 2nd duck of the season (23rd career, 4th of 754 all-time) — then walked out again in the second innings and was caught George Lambell off Peter Longley for his 3rd of the season and 24th career duck. A genuine pair, both halves in the same match. Fittingly, his old honours-board accomplices Roy Clarke and Alan Wilkes — both immortalised alongside him for shared quacking down the years — were there to make it a proper reunion. Gordon Fenner obliged again at eleven, caught George Lambell off Mike Morton, his 3rd duck of the season and 18th career — and with Saturday still fresh in the memory, a pair spread neatly across the weekend. Roy Clarke (b Bryan Elswood) fell without scoring for his 2nd of the season, 22nd career, 5th of 754 all-time — solid work for a man who once carried the 1959 Duck of the Year title. His brother H Clarke sits on 3 career ducks of his own. Alan Wilkes (b Mike Morton) rounded things off with his 2nd of the season and 16th career, 10th of 754 all-time. All four of Monday's fallers share the same on-this-day parallel — back in 1909, C Stevens was doing exactly the same against the Royal West Kent Regiment CC, en route to the 1909 Duck of the Year gong. 📋 Week in Summary Seven ducks from two matches, with Monday's Bearsted friendly doing the heavy lifting — five for nought in one afternoon is precisely the team effort this club exists to celebrate. Two full pairs recorded too: Fenner's spread across the weekend, Ames' compressed into one glorious afternoon. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Robert Murray — 20 innings, 4 ducks (20.0%) - Brian Relf — 5 innings, 3 ducks (60.0%) - Gordon Fenner — 11 innings, 3 ducks (27.27%) - John Ames — 16 innings, 3 ducks (18.75%) - John Crellin — 17 innings, 3 ducks (17.65%) Murray leads for now, but Relf, Fenner, Ames and Crellin are queuing up right behind him with plenty of season left to close the gap. 0️⃣ Next fixture, next chance for immortality — see you all next week for the inevitable additions to the book. 🦆

A quiet weekend at Linton Park, and not the good kind of quiet. Two matches came and went and not a single batsman offered himself up to the exclusive zero club. Every man who walked out, walked back with at least a run to his name — the art of not scoring took an unscheduled rest. 0️⃣ Nil return We searched the scorebooks top to bottom. Nothing. No golden ducks, no king pairs, no tragicomic family collapses, not even a nervous single-figure near-miss worth a mention. The ducks, it seems, migrated elsewhere for the weekend — perhaps sensing the calibre of batting on display and thinking better of it. Let it be known this is not cause for celebration in the usual Duck Club sense. A weekend without noughts is a weekend the honours board gathers dust. We live in hope that normal service — dropped shoulders, leaden feet, and the soft click of leather on stump — resumes at the very next opportunity. 🏏 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1961 1. Robert Murray — 4 ducks from 17 innings (23.53%) 🥇 the man to catch this season, comfortably out in front and showing no sign of slowing down 2. John Crellin — 3 ducks from 17 innings (17.65%) keeping the pressure on from second spot 3. Frank Brattle — 3 ducks from 18 innings (16.67%) level on tally, just adrift on rate 4. Robert Wood — 3 ducks from 25 innings (12.0%) proof that patience and persistence both count for something, even in failure 5. William Agate — 2 ducks from just 2 innings (100.0%) 🍩 a flawless record of the wrong kind — every single visit to the crease has ended in nought, a rate the others can only dream of 🦆 Looking ahead The table is set, the standings are close at the top, and Robert Murray sits pretty at the summit of the 1961 Duck Hunting Season. Somewhere out there this weekend, a batsman is due a rush of blood, a leaden LBW shout, or a soft dismissal first ball. The Duck Club will be watching, and when it comes, we will be ready to welcome them properly. Until the next fixture, gentlemen — mind your stumps.

Good evening, quackers. Three fixtures on the go this week and the exclusive zero club welcomed five new entries — Rumwood CC did the early damage, John Larkin's XI mopped up the rest. Saturday 22 July — v Rumwood CC Things went wrong for the 1st XI at number 8, where Brian Relf was run out for nought — his 2nd duck of the season and 10th of an increasingly decorated career, now 23rd of 754 all time from just 23 innings. A paid-up Debutante Duck, and one of the rare few on the club's Quack-to-Quack board (duck on debut and farewell) — triumph through adversity, bookended. Two wickets later William Agate fell to John Carter without scoring, his 2nd of the season and 3rd career nought (104th of 754) — a startling rate from only 3 innings in the book. And to complete the top-order collapse, Derek Pantony was run out at number 11 for nought, his 2nd of the season and 8th career duck (31st of 754), a name that once topped the Duck of the Year honours back in 1947 and shows no sign of forgetting the old ways. All three, as it happens, share a curious echo — on this very day in 1956, John Abnett also strolled back for a duck, one of 17 that eventually carried him to 7th of 754 all time and a place on the Ducks in a Row board. History does love to repeat itself at Linton. Sunday 23 July — v John Larkin's XI Season pace-setter Robert Murray was bowled by A Allom for nought at number 4, his 4th duck of the season — nobody else in the club is close — and 9th career (29th of 754) from 90 innings. Fittingly, on this same day back in 1960, none other than this week's own Brian Relf was also collecting a duck, against Tovil, the art of not scoring clearly running in the squad's blood. Three down the order, William Buck was run out for nought, only his 1st duck of the season but a hefty 17th for his career — 8th of 754 all time, a genuine elder statesman of the format, and a long-standing member of the Quacking Together board alongside John Thirkell. He too keeps company with the 1960 vintage — that same Tovil duck from Brian Relf, on this very date. The week in brief Five ducks from three matches, all falling to the 1st XI, and Rumwood CC can be proud of taking three scalps for nought in a single innings. The third fixture of the week, mercifully for someone, stayed vegan throughout. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Robert Murray — 4 ducks, 15 innings (26.67%) 🥈 John Crellin — 3 ducks, 16 innings (18.75%) 🥉 Frank Brattle — 3 ducks, 17 innings (17.65%) 4️⃣ Robert Wood — 3 ducks, 23 innings (13.04%) 5️⃣ William Agate — 2 ducks, 2 innings (100%!) William Agate's strike rate for nought is, frankly, a work of art. Can anyone catch Murray at the top before the season's out? Next fixture awaits — bring your bats, gentlemen, and mind the Duck Club is always recruiting. 🍩0️⃣🏏

A slender edition this week, ducklings — just the one fixture, just the one nought. But quality over quantity, as ever in this exclusive zero club. 🏏 1st XI — away to Tovil and Bridge Mill Robert Wood, first drop and evidently unimpressed by the honour, departed c G- Merricks b Fred Ridgeway. A tidy dismissal that brings up his 3rd duck of the season and his 15th in a career now spanning 97 innings — enough to hold him at a very respectable 14th of 754 in the all-time standings, rarefied air indeed. Robert is also, we should note, a long-standing paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his LPCC account with a nought on debut some summers past — a fine tradition he continues to honour whenever the mood takes him. And for the calendar enthusiasts among us: on this very day back in 1956, John Waters (1951–1963) was also trudging off for nought, his own tally likewise sitting at 3 for the season. Five years apart, united by the same date and the same shameful arithmetic. 📅 Week in Summary One match, one duck, one man doing all the work. The rest of the club, rather selfishly, declined to contribute to the cause this week. The ducks have gone quiet — never trust that for long. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard — Top 5 - John Crellin — 3 ducks from 14 innings (21.43%) - Robert Murray — 3 ducks from 14 innings (21.43%) - Frank Brattle — 3 ducks from 15 innings (20.0%) - Robert Wood — 3 ducks from 21 innings (14.29%) - - Musgrave — 1 duck from 1 innings (100%) — a flawless start, if that's the word 🍩 Until Next Time A quiet week is merely the calm before the quack. With fixtures coming thick and fast, someone is bound to offer themselves up for the cause soon enough. See you at the crease — or, more likely, walking swiftly back from it. 0️⃣🦆

Two fixtures, four ducks, and the 1st XI doing all the damage to their own top order this week. The exclusive zero club welcomes no new faces, only old and distinguished members topping up their accounts. 🏏 Saturday 8th July — v Charles Arkcoll (away) Frank Brattle was run out for nought at number two, unsure whose call it was and unlikely to be the one owning up. His 3rd duck of the season and 15th of a long and storied career, vaulting him to 12th of 754 in the all-time table. On this very day back in 1950, John --'s Taylor was performing the identical ceremony against Hayle Place CC — different ground, different decade, same solemn walk. A chip off the old block too, in a manner of speaking: his relative Percy Brattle carries 4 career ducks of his own. 🏏 Sunday 9th July — v A L Newberry XI (home) A torrid morning for the home top and middle order. John Ames departed for nought at number two, bowled by J Newberry, his 1st duck of the season but a mighty 22nd for the career — enough to hold 4th of 754 all-time, a place he shares good company in via his standing membership of Ducks in a Row (four consecutive, no less), the Homebody Duck top ten, and not one but two Quacking Together partnerships. Even legends have off days. On this day in 1902, F E Wallis was doing much the same against Town Malling CC, back when Victoria was barely five years in the ground. John Crellin followed at number six, bowled by A Newberry, for his 3rd duck of the season and, tidily, his 3rd career duck too — a young account still finding its feet, though he's already been crowned Duck of the Year 1961, so evidently finding it in style. He joins a genuinely enormous queue of fellow three-timers stretching back to 1881, proof the art of not scoring has never gone out of fashion. Gordon Fenner rounded things off, run out for nought at number eight, his 1st of the season but 16th of his career, good enough for 8th of 754 all-time. He now sits level with Stan Wratten and William Buck, both also on 16 — kindred spirits in futility. The Fenner name runs deep in these parts too, with siblings Joe (5 career ducks) and Maurice (1) also on the books, though neither troubled the scorers this week. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks from two matches, and every single one fell to the 1st XI — the top order deciding that if they were going to fail, they'd do it together. Two run outs and two clean bowled, no golden ducks among them, so at least everyone had the decency to survive a ball or two before the inevitable. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Frank Brattle — 14 innings, 3 ducks, 21.43% 2. John Crellin — 14 innings, 3 ducks, 21.43% 3. Robert Murray — 14 innings, 3 ducks, 21.43% 4. Robert Wood — 20 innings, 2 ducks, 10.00% 5. - Musgrave — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100.00% A three-way tie at the top and Musgrave sitting on a flawless century of failure from a single innings. Nobody is safe. 🦆 The season rolls on, and the next fixture waits for nobody. Pads on, gentlemen — the zero club is always recruiting.

Three fixtures took the field this week, but the exclusive zero club only troubled the scorers once — and when it did, it did so thoroughly. All three of this week's ducks arrived in the very same innings, at the hands of the very same bowler. A proper hat-trick of ignominy for R- Bailey of Tilling Stevens, even if the scorebook will only ever credit him with the wickets and never the ceremony. 🏏 1st XI — away to Tilling Stevens, Saturday 7th July Batting at six, Cliff Anscombe fell bowled to R- Bailey without scoring, his 1st duck of the 1961 season and 11th of a career now standing at a lofty 19th of 754 in the all-time table. Cliff is a long-serving paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his account with a nought on debut, and was Duck of the Year all the way back in 1957 — this week merely adds to a distinguished portfolio rather than starting one. Splendidly, on this very calendar day in 1906, B W Haynes was doing exactly the same thing against Sutton Valence School, 55 years and a great many innings apart. One place down the order, Frank Brattle followed him back for nought, also bowled Bailey — his 2nd duck of the season, and the 14th of his career, good enough for 13th on the all-time list. A chip off the old block, too: his relative Percy Brattle already sits on 4 career ducks of his own, so the aptitude for the art of not scoring runs in the family. Frank shares his B W Haynes anniversary with Cliff — two Sutton Valence ghosts summoned by one Tilling Stevens over. Batting at nine, Roy Clarke completed the set, given lbw off Bailey for his 1st duck of the season. It is Roy's 21st career duck, remarkably elevating him to 5th of all 754 names ever to grace the club's dubious honours board — a Duck of the Year winner in 1959, and a proud member of the "Quacking Together" pairing with club great John Ames, with whom he shares that exact 21-tally. Roy too finds a companion in 1906's B W Haynes, and can console himself that his sibling H Clarke (3 career ducks) knows the feeling as well. 📊 Week in Summary Three matches, one productive, three ducks — all compressed into a single Tilling Stevens innings. Consistency of a very particular kind: when the 1st XI go, they go together. 🦆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🦆 1. Robert Murray — 3 ducks from 13 innings (23.08%) 2. Frank Brattle — 2 from 13 (15.38%) 3. John Crellin — 2 from 13 (15.38%) 4. Robert Wood — 2 from 18 (11.11%) 5. - Musgrave — 1 from 1 (100%, flawless so far) The season race remains wide open, and Tilling Stevens have shown there's no shortage of ammunition out there. Next fixture, same peril — who fancies joining the zero club? We watch, we wait, we celebrate. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Saturday's fixture came and went without incident — fowl-free, dull, forgettable. Sunday made up for it in style. The 1st XI, at home to Tovil, produced a genuine top-to-tail procession: five ducks in one innings, positions 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11 all trooping back for nought. A vintage afternoon for the club's least wanted club. Sunday — 1st XI v Tovil In at four, Robert Murray fell bowled by John Dye — his 3rd duck of the season and 8th of an 86-innings career, good enough for 33rd on the all-time list. History repeats: on this very day in 1950, Don Hartridge (1940–1963) also walked back scoreless, that time against Desert Rats. Next man in, John Thirkell, departed bowled Fred Ridgeway for his first duck of 1961 — but his 45th overall, which keeps him exactly where he has sat for years: number one in the entire 754-strong all-time standings. A three-time Duck of the Year (1952, 1954 and 1955), permanent fixture of the Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road top tens, and a paid-up member of Quacking Together twice over, alongside Bob Arnold and William Buck. Also, like Murray moments earlier, sharing this exact date's ignominy with 1950's Don Hartridge. John Crellin followed, run out for his 2nd duck of the season and 2nd of his career in just 13 innings — and with "Duck of the Year 1961" already on his boards, he arrives as this season's man to beat. Same anniversary, same Hartridge company. At number 10, John Abnett was stumped off a Jordan delivery — his 1st of the season, 17th career, and a lofty 7th of 754 all-time. He also carries "Ducks in a Row (4 consecutive)" on his honours board, proof that when Abnett goes, he rather commits to it. Closing the innings, Terry Whittaker was bowled by D. Jordan for his 1st duck of the season and 8th career, level with Murray on rank 34. A member of Quacking Together with Brian Relf, and a long-standing Retirement Duck club man from a past farewell — though happily still turning out now. Fittingly, the last man to keep Hartridge's 1950 anniversary company. Week in summary Five ducks, two matches, one utterly ruinous innings against Tovil that claimed batsmen from the top order clean through to the tail. Saturday, by contrast, behaved itself entirely. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. Robert Murray — 11 inn, 3 ducks, 27.3% 2. John Crellin — 13 inn, 2 ducks, 15.4% 3. Robert Wood — 16 inn, 2 ducks, 12.5% 4. Musgrave — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% 5. Alan Wilkes — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% Next fixture awaits, and with Thirkell still perched atop the all-time charts and Crellin chasing the 1961 crown, the Duck Club has no shortage of business left to conduct. See you at the crease 🏏0️⃣

Two fixtures, two ducks, and the 1st XI doing all the damage this week. Let's get into it. Saturday 17th June — Headcorn CC (away) John Crellin walked out at first drop and walked back just as promptly, bowled L. Murrell for a blob. It's his maiden season duck and the very first of his LPCC career, from 12 innings — a tidy 259th of 752 in the all-time ledger, so plenty of room to climb yet. With the season still young, Crellin finds himself out in front for Duck of the Year 1961 — early days, but a lead is a lead. Spookily, on this very date back in 1939, X Rayner also trudged off for nought against Castle Hill CC, Kent. History does love to repeat itself. Sunday 18th June — Halfway House (away) A day later and the club was at it again. Robert Murray, batting four, was caught Roger Mills bowled Peter Bedelle without scoring — his second duck of the season already, and the 7th of his career from 85 innings, good enough for 36th of 752 all-time. Rare company on this one: on this same day in 1949, none other than John Thirkell — LPCC's all-time record holder with a staggering 44 career ducks — also departed empty-handed, against Bowaters CC. If you're going to join anyone on the honours board, join the King of Quack himself. Week in Summary Two matches, two away days, two ducks — a modest but perfectly formed haul this week. Both fell in the top order too, proof that no one is safe just because their name's near the top of the card. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th XIs escaped entirely unscathed — either fine batting or a conspicuous absence of scorers willing to tell the truth. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Robert Murray — 10 innings, 2 ducks, 20.0% 2. Robert Wood — 14 innings, 2 ducks, 14.29% 3. - Musgrave — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100.0% 4. Alan Wilkes — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100.0% 5. D- Wright — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100.0% Robert Murray leads the way for now, though with three players sat on a perfect 100% strike rate for nought, the race for ignominy remains very much alive. That's the lot for this period, ducklings. The exclusive zero club never sleeps — get out there next weekend and see who joins the register. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A modest weekend for the counter of noughts, but a perfectly formed one — three ducks, two matches, and the 1st XI doing all the running (or rather, all the walking back). 🏏 Saturday — away at Tovil Robert Wood, trapped lbw by F Archer at first wicket down, opens his account for the campaign with his 1st season duck and 14th-ranked career total of 13 (from 88 innings) — comfortably ensconced among the all-time elite at 14th of 750. A long-standing paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, his very first senior innings, years back, also yielded nothing at all. Fittingly, on this same 10th of June back in 1951, Richard Harris was doing precisely the same thing against East Peckham & Nettlestead CC, en route to a career haul of 34 ducks and a mighty 3rd on the all-time table. Good company on a bad day. Six places down the order, Charles Crellin followed him back, caught by Jim Archer off the bowling of R Holbrook. It's his 1st duck of the season and, more eye-catchingly, his 1st in a career just two innings old — a 50% strike rate for the zero club that will either regress sharply or become a nickname. He shares his misfortune with the same historical ghost as Wood — Richard Harris, out for nought on this identical calendar date in 1951. 🌱 Sunday — home to Hambros Bank Not content with one, Robert Wood returned to the crease and departed again, lbw to J Gray at number six — his 2nd duck of the weekend, taking him to 14 for his career. Tovil to Hambros Bank, back to back: a genuine pair, the grimmest kind of consistency the club has to offer, and he wears it well. On this day in 1955, Bob Arnold was likewise trudging off at Headcorn CC, a stepping stone on his way to 36 career ducks and 2nd place in the all-time standings — Wood keeps distinguished, if unlucky, historical company. 📋 Week in Summary Two matches, three ducks, and Robert Wood personally responsible for two-thirds of the weekend's harvest — a stakhanovite effort in the art of not scoring. Tovil proved fertile hunting ground, claiming a top-order man and a newcomer in the same innings. Quiet elsewhere, but the exclusive zero club never really takes a week off. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Robert Wood — 12 innings, 2 ducks (16.7%) - Musgrave — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Alan Wilkes — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - D Wright — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Vic Pound — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) Four names sitting on a flawless, if brief, 100% record — early days yet, and plenty of innings left for the sample size to find them out. 🦆 The next fixture is already circled. Bats at the ready, gentlemen — the ducks are watching, and so are we.

Three fixtures out on the park this week, and the Duck Club's ledger shows just the one entry — but it's a good one, so let's not undersell it. 1st XI Batting at number 10 against A.Trembeths on the 3rd, Brian Relf fell b Unsure — which, on reflection, is probably how most of the club feels about ducks in general. It's his first blob of the 1961 summer and the 9th of a career now spanning 21 innings, good enough for 27th on the all-time list of 750. Brian arrives with pedigree: a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck roll for a first-ever innings that famously yielded nought, and already carrying a Retirement Duck credential too — whenever the great day of his farewell finally comes, it seems the committee has the paperwork pre-filed. He's also on the books for Quacking Together alongside Terry Whittaker, though Terry kept his pads dry this week, so that particular double ceremony stays on ice. Rather splendidly, on this exact date back in 1956, Frank Brattle — a Linton man from 1937 to 1961 — also strolled back for nought, against Folkestone CC of all sides. Frank finished his own innings with the club on 13 ducks, good for 14th all-time. History, it turns out, keeps a very tidy diary. Week in Summary One duck from three matches is a modest harvest by the Club's usual standards — a week of triumph through adversity for almost everyone else, who simply declined to participate in the art of not scoring. Quiet, but never dull; the ducks are merely resting. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard A tightly-bunched summit so far in 1961 — five names locked together at 100%, each on a single, perfectly formed duck from a single innings: - Musgrave — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Alan Wilkes — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - D. Wright — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Vic Pound — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - William Agate — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) Early days yet, gentlemen — plenty of season left for someone to break clear of the pack. 🦆 That's your lot for this week. The next fixture awaits, the bowlers are sharpening up, and somewhere out there a fresh nought has our name on it. Pad up, Linton — the exclusive zero club is always recruiting.

A short weekend on the road for the fledgling 1961 vintage, but the exclusive zero club still found two willing new inductees for the season, both from the 1st XI. 🏏 1st XI Saturday saw the lads at home to Gore Court CC, and it was Derek Pantony, walking in at ten, who made the first offering of the campaign — caught Richard Dixon, bowled David Ledger. A workmanlike dismissal rather than a golden one, Derek at least troubled the scorers with his presence at the crease before troubling nobody with his bat. It's duck number one for the season and the seventh of a growing career, now 7 from 15 innings, good enough for 34th on the all-time list of 748. Derek is no stranger to this company either, a paid-up name on the Duck of the Year board back in 1947 — proof that dubious distinction runs long in this club. Rather splendidly, on this very day in 1956, C- Haylor also strolled back for nought, against Ron Aiston XI no less, en route to 11 career ducks and 18th on the all-time roll. Sunday took the side away to Mote A, where Robert Murray, at five, fell bowled Mac Harden without so much as a flicker of protest. His first duck of 1961 and sixth of a career now spanning 81 innings, holding steady at 46th of 748 — a man with the consistency of a very particular kind. And in a delicious quirk of the calendar, this very date in 1928 saw none other than two-time Duck of the Year Bert Buckoke also dismissed for nought, against Bearsted CC, on his way to 12 career ducks and a lofty 15th place all time. Robert keeps rather grand company. 📅 Week in Summary Two matches, two ducks, both courtesy of the 1st XI — a modest harvest, but the season is young and the art of not scoring is only just warming up. No pairs, no family affairs, no king ducks this week — just two honest noughts to open the account. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard Locked together at the summit on a perfect record, five names share top spot, each with 1 duck from 1 innings — a flawless 100%: - Musgrave - Alan Wilkes - D- Wright - Vic Pound - William Agate Early days yet, and plenty of time for the pack to be caught, overtaken, or quietly relieved of their unwanted crown. Until the next fixture, when the ducks will no doubt return to swell these ranks further — keep your bats straight, gentlemen, or don't bother at all. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A modest weekend across two Linton Park fixtures, but the Zero Club never quite closes its doors... Saturday, 1st XI v YMCA Maidstone Opening the batting — and evidently opening the negotiations with some brevity — Frank Brattle fell lbw to N- Phillips without troubling the scorers. 🏏0️⃣ It's Frank's 1st duck of the 1961 season, and his 13th in a career now standing at 110 innings, holding him at a very respectable 14th of 748 in the all-time table. Consistency of a very particular kind, indeed. Worth noting for the family album: fellow club member Percy Brattle carries 4 career ducks of his own, so the art of not scoring may well run in the blood. Fittingly, on this very day back in 1956, John --'s Taylor also strolled back for nought, against Marden CC, Kent — a fellow traveller from an era spanning 1949 to 1960, who finished his playing days with 15 ducks to his name and sits 12th all time. Some traditions, it seems, simply repeat themselves on the calendar. Week in Summary Just the one duck recorded from two matches this period — a quiet weekend by Duck Club standards, though a quiet weekend is exactly how the other 747 entrants on the all-time list prefer it. The rest of the order, for now, keeps its dignity. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard Early doors for the 1961 campaign, and it's a five-way tie at the summit, each sitting on a flawless — if that's the word — 100%: - - Musgrave — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Alan Wilkes — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - D- Wright — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Vic Pound — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - William Agate — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) Plenty of season left for someone to break clear of the pack — or, preferably, escape it entirely. 🍩 Until the next fixture, when the exclusive zero club will no doubt welcome fresh dishonourees. Bat straight out there, and good luck!

Two fixtures, four ducks, and every single one of them landing on the 1st XI's scorecard this week. The exclusive zero club welcomes a fresh intake. 🏏 Friday 13th — v Charles Arkcoll Fitting date for it. William Agate, in at six, was stumped by Humphrey Morris off the bowling of John Perkins — the season's opening duck, and a grim one for the honours board, since it's his second career innings and his second career duck. Two from two. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club since his very first knock also went scoreless, William now sits at 151 of 748 all-time and is yet to trouble a scorebook in senior colours. On this very day in 1950, D Simmons was likewise back in the shed without scoring, one of four ducks across a career that ran 1949 to 1953 — kindred spirits, eleven years apart. 🥇 Saturday 14th — v Halfway House Roger Mills had himself a day, claiming two ducks in the same innings. First to go was Eddie Lawrence, trapped lbw at three, his first duck of the season and sixth of a 28-innings career, moving him to 40th of 748 all-time. On this same date in 1955, William Blight also departed for nought against Gore Court, en route to 10 career ducks between 1953 and 1959. Then Mills struck again, this time bowling debutant Musgrave at nine for a golden entry into senior cricket. A duck on debut is never the start anyone wants, but it is precisely the start the Debutante Duck board exists to honour — and for now Musgrave's ledger reads a poultry one from one, top and tail of the same innings. Coincidentally, he too finds his name beside William Blight's 1955 effort on this calendar date. Last man Alan Wilkes then ran himself out for a third Halfway House duck, his fifteenth career nought from 57 innings and good enough for 10th of 748 all-time — rarefied company. Alan already shares the Only Two Quacks honour with both Bob Arnold and John Ames, so today's effort simply adds to an already distinguished portfolio of failure. Fittingly, the day's third parallel also lands on William Blight's 1955 duck — a busy anniversary for Gore Court ghosts. 📋 Week in Summary Four ducks, two matches, all 1st XI — Halfway House alone accounted for three, with Roger Mills doing the damage for two of them. A debut duck, a run-out, an lbw and a stumping: variety, at least, in the manner of departure. 🍩 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard The season is young enough that the entire top five sit level on a single innings and a single duck apiece — a perfectly egalitarian 100% club, for now: - Musgrave — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% - Alan Wilkes — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% - D- Wright — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% - Vic Pound — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% - William Agate — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% 🥎 Looking Ahead Early season form is always the most democratic — everyone's still got a perfect record of failure. Roll on the next fixture, where somebody is bound to spoil it. 0️⃣🦆

A quiet couple of days at Linton Park, but the exclusive zero club never truly closes its doors — and this weekend two new names were welcomed through them. 🏏 Saturday — 1st XI v Staplehurst CC Home advantage counted for nothing as Staplehurst's J- Sutton went hunting and bagged a brace for the club's least wanted collection. First to fall was Vic Pound, trapped lbw at number five — and in the cruellest of ironies, his very first taste of senior batting ended without a run to his name. A duck on debut is never a pleasant welcome, but Vic now takes his place proudly (or otherwise) on the Debutante Duck board, an establishment that never struggles for new members. On this very day back in 1956, C- Haylor was doing precisely the same thing against Hunton Wanderers CC — a fellow member of the Retirement Duck club, though we trust Vic has considerably longer left in him yet. Batting two down the order at seven, D- Wright also departed for nought, caught behind off the same relentless Sutton. Another debut, another blank — Wright joins Vic in triple ignominy, picking up not one but three honours boards in a single innings: Debutante Duck, a solitary and complete One and Done for 1961, and, prematurely, a place among the Retirement Duck alumni. A rare feat to collect the full set before you've even opened your account. Fittingly, Wright shares that same 1956 echo — Sutton's second scalp of the day walking the very same historical path as Haylor. 📊 Week in Summary Two matches, two ducks, both from the same 1st XI innings and both administered by the same bowler — Sutton clearly fancied his chances against the home order. Both victims were also, remarkably, on senior debut, meaning Staplehurst's afternoon doubled as an involuntary induction ceremony for the Duck Club. A modest total, but a memorable one: not every week produces two brand new members in a single sitting. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. D- Wright — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 2. Vic Pound — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) Early days yet in the 1961 hunt, with both leaders locked at a perfect — or perfectly imperfect — 100%. Plenty of season left for the pack to close the gap, or indeed overtake.

A quiet weekend at the crease, and for once not in the way we like it. Two fixtures went to the middle this weekend and, remarkably, neither yielded a single addition to the ledger. Not a golden duck, not a pair, not so much as a nervous single-figure scare worth writing home about. The Duck Club's scouts were out in force at both grounds and returned, disappointingly, empty-handed. 🏏 A Fowl-Free Fixture Report Both sides batted through without incident, every player finding at least one run to his name. Whether this reflects a sudden and alarming outbreak of competence, generous bowling, or simply the early-season rust not yet having found its groove, the club cannot say. What we can say is this: the art of not scoring took the weekend off, and frankly, it's a little unsettling. Rest assured, this is very much the exception rather than the rule. The 1961 campaign is young, the wickets are still finding their pace, and history suggests it is only a matter of time before someone obliges. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard The board is, as yet, entirely bare — no candidates have troubled the scorers this season, so there's nothing to rank. A rare and fleeting state of affairs. Consider this an open invitation: the top of the 1961 table is up for grabs, and somebody has to be first. 📅 Looking Ahead The Duck Club exists to celebrate triumph through adversity, and adversity has, for one weekend only, gone missing. It won't last. With the season stretching out ahead and more fixtures on the horizon, normal service — a nick behind, a plumb lbw, a golden duck for the ages — will surely resume shortly. Until then, keep the bat straight, keep the faith, and we'll see what next weekend brings. 🍩0️⃣🏏