🦆 The Duck Pond

A quiet weekend for the Duck Club by our lofty standards, but two names still queued dutifully at the crease for the club's least sought-after honour. Two matches, two ducks, and both fell against the very same opposition on the Sunday — Linton Park CC clearly fancied a spot of exclusivity. 1st XI - Roy Clarke fell caught and bowled by Alan Tucker, batting at number 7, for his 4th duck of the season and 40th of a long and storied career — now 230 innings deep and sitting 3rd in the all-time chart of 802. Roy is a paid-up Duck of the Year champion from 1959, and his listing alongside John Ames on the Quacking Together honours board remains one of the club's more distinguished double acts, even if it wasn't this weekend's business. A chip off the old block, too — sibling H Clarke carries 3 career ducks of his own. And in a pleasing bit of calendar symmetry, on this very day in 1964 Len Conway (1954–1965, 12 career ducks, 27th of 802, and a Debutante Duck himself) also strolled back for nought, against Anchorians CC. 2nd XI - Fred Greenfield edged behind, caught John Abnett off the bowling of Terry Whittaker, also at number 7 — his 5th duck of the season and 8th of his career, moving him to 41st of 802 all time from 52 innings. Fred is already inducted onto the Retirement Duck honours board from a farewell duck of years gone by, a standing distinction rather than news for today. His 8th career duck draws him level with none other than Colin Eldred, this club's reigning 1965 Duck of the Year — kindred spirits in the art of not scoring. Week in Summary A modest haul: 2 ducks from 2 matches, both on the Sunday, both against Linton Park CC, and both departing from the unglamorous surrounds of the number 7 slot. No pairs, no families of ducks, no king pairs to report this time round — just two solid, professional additions to the ledger. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Colin Eldred — 7 ducks, 40 innings, 17.5% 2. Dick Langridge — 5 ducks, 19 innings, 26.32% 3. Richard Ashby — 5 ducks, 21 innings, 23.81% 4. Fred Greenfield — 5 ducks, 30 innings, 16.67% 5. Roy Clarke — 4 ducks, 14 innings, 28.57% Both of this week's ducklings feature in the season's top five, proof if any were needed of true dedication to the craft. The race for the 1965 crown may already have a name on it, but the exclusive zero club never truly closes its books. Next fixture, same invitation stands — bat well, or don't, and either way we'll be watching. 🦆🍩

🏏 1st XI v Bowaters CC (away, 18 September) Colin Eldred, at number 7, edged Donald Simler through to Peter Sivyer for his 7th duck of the season and 8th of an increasingly distinguished career — a career, it should be noted, that has just been formally retired to the Retirement Duck wing of the honours board, and which already carries the reigning Duck of the Year 1965 sash. Colin sits pretty at 39th of 802 all time, level on 8 with a small parliament of fellow duckers including Arthur Cradduck (1950–1959) and the venerable George Champion, who was doing much the same thing for this club back in 1886. Neatly, on this very date in 1960 Cliff Anscombe was also walking back for nought, against Tilling Steven no less — some things simply repeat themselves down the decades. Down at number 10, D. Ibbotson made an entrance and an exit in the very same stroke, caught John Evans bowled Alf Jewiss without troubling the scorers. A debut duck, and with it instant, simultaneous membership of three separate honours categories in one ball faced — Debutante Duck, One and Done, and Retirement Duck all claimed before he'd had time to take guard properly. Efficiency of a very particular kind. He joins a long and select line of one-match wonders on exactly 1 career duck, rank 222 of 802, in the company of names like Musgrave and Sessions who came, ducked, and were never seen again. 🏏 1st XI v Anchorians CC (home, 19 September) Opening the batting, Stan Wratten fell caught P. Lawrence bowled Ingham for his 4th duck of the campaign, moving him to 25 for his career — a lofty 9th of 802 all time, and already a paid-up member of Quacking Together (with John Ames). He now stands shoulder to shoulder on 25 with Frank Brattle (1937–1965) and Gordon Fenner (1941–1965), two names who between them have seen rather a lot of Linton Park cricket. And on this same date back in 1959, G. Martin was likewise dismissed without scoring, against Bearsted CC — the calendar has a long memory for these things. 📊 Week in Summary Three ducks from two matches — a tidy, unspectacular haul, no pairs and no family affairs this time round, but a debut retirement and a top-ten career tally both arriving in the same weekend is no small thing. The 1st XI carried the entire load; whatever Bowaters and Anchorians were doing right, it evidently worked. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Colin Eldred — 39 innings, 7 ducks, 17.95% 2. Dick Langridge — 18 innings, 5 ducks, 27.78% 3. Richard Ashby — 20 innings, 5 ducks, 25.00% 4. Stan Wratten — 16 innings, 4 ducks, 25.00% 5. William Buck — 17 innings, 4 ducks, 23.53% 🍩 The season draws to a close but the Duck Club never truly rests. Whoever takes guard next will want to mind their first ball especially closely — the honours board has plenty of room left and, as ever, it's watching.

A lean week for the harvest, but the exclusive zero club still opened its gates twice, both down at Staplehurst CC. 1st XI — Away at Staplehurst CC William Buck strode out at first wicket down and departed without troubling the scorers, bowled by R Newick. His fourth duck of the 1965 season and 26th of a mighty career spanning 292 innings, a tally that holds him a lofty 6th in the all-time list of 801. Buck remains a paid-up member of the Quacking Together honours board, his name forever twinned with John Thirkell's in shared ignominy from a past occasion. And on this very date back in 1959, S Lusher was doing much the same against Bowaters CC — some traditions simply refuse to die. At number six, Colin Eldred fared no better, caught D Heathfield bowled R Newick, again without scoring. His sixth duck of the season and seventh career nought from just 48 innings lifts him — or rather lowers him — to 45th of 801 all time. That sixth duck keeps Eldred handsomely clear at the top of the 1965 Duck of the Year race, a crown nobody looks likely to prise off him just yet. He's also long carried membership of the Retirement Duck board, having once bowed out on a nought in a past farewell — no suggestion he's going anywhere this week. And fittingly, on this same date in 1959, S Lusher was also making a duck, against Bowaters CC — the calendar, it seems, has a sense of humour. Week in Summary Just the one fixture and two ducks to show for it, both falling to the very same bowler at Staplehurst — R Newick can consider his afternoon's work thoroughly done. Quality over quantity this week, as the connoisseurs of nought would put it. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard — Top 5 - Colin Eldred — 6 ducks / 37 innings (16.22%) - Dick Langridge — 5 ducks / 17 innings (29.41%) - Richard Ashby — 5 ducks / 20 innings (25.00%) - William Buck — 4 ducks / 16 innings (25.00%) - Gordon Fenner — 4 ducks / 17 innings (23.53%) With Eldred setting the pace and Buck snapping at his heels, the 1965 Duck of the Year race is far from settled. Roll on the next fixture — the club's finest are surely only one more edge away from adding to the tally. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Two fixtures. Two full afternoons of licence to hunt. And not a single quack to show for it. For once, both Linton sides took guard, saw the new ball off, and simply refused to cooperate with the club's grand tradition of scoring nothing. Every batsman across both matches found his way off the mark — a genuinely rare weekend where the art of not scoring went entirely unpractised. The exclusive zero club issued no new membership cards this week. Whether this counts as a triumph of technique or simply a conspiracy of good fortune, the committee cannot say. What we can say is that somewhere out there, the ducks are laughing at us — evaded, uncaptured, and no doubt regrouping for next weekend. Let it be noted for the record: a blank sheet is still a sheet. The Duck Club's own honours boards gained nothing this week, but nor did they lose anything — the season's runners and chasers hold firm exactly where they stood. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 🥇 Dick Langridge — 5 ducks from 16 innings (31.25%) — the runaway pace-setter, giving away nearly a third of his innings for nought 🥈 Richard Ashby — 5 from 19 (26.32%) — hot on his heels and closing fast 🥉 Colin Eldred — 5 from 36 (13.89%) — getting there the long way round, patience rewarded with quantity if not quality 4️⃣ Gordon Fenner — 4 from 17 (23.53%) 5️⃣ Fred Greenfield — 4 from 27 (14.81%) Dick Langridge and Richard Ashby remain locked together at the summit on 5 apiece, with Colin Eldred lurking a fair way back on the same tally but taking more than twice the innings to get there — consistency of a very particular kind. Gordon Fenner and Fred Greenfield keep the chasing pack honest on 4 each, and with the season still open, nobody's throne is safe. 📅 Next up A rare quiet week for the Duck Club, but do not be fooled — this is merely the calm before the next collapse. The ducks will be back. They always are. Bring your bats, gentlemen, and let's see who's first to break the truce. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Three fixtures, nine ducks, and one opposition bowler having the round of his life. The exclusive zero club welcomes its latest inductees. 🏏 Saturday 28th — vs A. Trembeths (home) A torrid morning for the Linton order, with K- Lingard doing almost all of the damage — four wickets, four ducks, not a run given away. Some men chase Ashes glory; Lingard settled for a clean sweep of the Duck Club. Stan Wratten went first, bowled by Lingard for his 3rd duck of the season and 24th of a long career — 9th on the all-time list, and one half of the "Quacking Together" pairing with John Ames. He didn't wait long for company. John Ames followed, run out for his own 3rd of the season and 34th overall — 5th all-time, a fixture of the Ducks in a Row and Homebody Duck honours boards, and reunited with Wratten on the Quacking Together roll right on cue. Colin Eldred was next, caught for his 5th duck of the season — level at the very top of this year's charts and firmly in the hunt for Duck of the Year 1965. John Abnett (Lingard again) added his 1st of the season and 18th career, 14th all-time and another Ducks in a Row man. Then Lingard completed the set, removing Terry Whittaker (3rd of the season, 16th career, 17th all-time) and Brian Relf (2nd of the season, 17th career, 15th all-time) — the very two names inscribed together on the Quacking Together board, doing exactly what it says on the tin. Fittingly, this whole top-order collapse echoes this very date in 1893, when W W Tarrance suffered much the same fate against The Mote CC. Some anniversaries just won't let go. 🏏 Monday 30th — vs Bearsted CC (away) Frank Brattle edged his way to his 3rd duck of the season, 25th career and 6th all-time — and, for the family album, a chip off the old block given kinsman Percy Brattle's own 5 career ducks. Terry Whittaker was back at it too, bowled by Bryan Elswood for his 4th of the season and 17th career, nudging up to 17th all-time. Two matches, two ducks — a proper pair for Terry this week. No king pair on offer (he troubled the scorers for at least a ball each time), but a grim double all the same. Sean Carter completed the trio, caught and bowled by Elswood for his 1st of the season and 4th career. All three, by neat coincidence, share their fate with John Abnett, who made a duck on this very date back in 1958 against W. Buck's XI. 📊 The Week in Numbers Nine ducks from three fixtures — Saturday's Trembeths collapse doing the heavy lifting, with K- Lingard the toast (or terror) of the Duck Club for his four-wicket haul. Terry Whittaker's weekend pair keeps him in the headlines, and Colin Eldred's charge at Duck of the Year 1965 remains very much alive. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Dick Langridge — 5 ducks, 16 innings (31.25%) 2. Richard Ashby — 5 ducks, 19 innings (26.32%) 3. Colin Eldred — 5 ducks, 35 innings (14.29%) 4. Gordon Fenner — 4 ducks, 17 innings (23.53%) 5. Fred Greenfield — 4 ducks, 27 innings (14.81%) A genuine three-way tie at the summit — Duck of the Year 1965 is anyone's to lose. Next fixture beckons, and the Club never sleeps. Who fancies joining the queue? 🦆🍩0️⃣

A slim harvest this week — a single fixture, a single victim — but the one name on the card is no stranger to these pages. 🏏 1st XI (away) v East Peckham & Nettlestead CC Richard Ashby strode out at number 7 and departed b R Cox, chalking up his 5th duck of the season and his 14th for the club from 71 innings — a career tally good enough for 23rd of 801 in the all-time standings, a rarefied neighbourhood indeed. Richard already carries the Ducks in a Row honours (five on the bounce, a feat of truly committed consistency) and is a familiar face on the Tourist Duck top 10 — this one bagged, fittingly, on the road at East Peckham. Spookily, on this very date back in 1953, J Barclay was also dismissed for nought — proof that the calendar has a long memory for the art of not scoring. 📅 Week in Summary One match, one duck. The rest of the fixture list, disappointingly, kept its discipline — the hunting party will need to try harder next weekend. Still, quality over quantity: Richard's effort keeps the season race delightfully tight. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Dick Langridge — 5 ducks / 15 innings (33.33%) - Richard Ashby — 5 ducks / 17 innings (29.41%) - Gordon Fenner — 4 ducks / 17 innings (23.53%) - Fred Greenfield — 4 ducks / 24 innings (16.67%) - Colin Eldred — 4 ducks / 32 innings (12.5%) Langridge clings to top spot by the finest of margins, with Ashby breathing down his neck — the title race is level pegging with weeks still to run 🥇 That's your lot for this round, ducklings. The exclusive zero club never sleeps for long — get out there next weekend and give the bowlers something to celebrate. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Two fixtures, four ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomes its latest inductees. The 1st XI did all the damage this week — everyone else kept remarkably clean hands. Saturday 14 August — Bowaters CC (away) David Gale, sent in at 10, was bowled by Donald Simler without troubling the scorers. His season's 2nd duck and his career's 8th from 45 innings, planting him at 39th of 800 in the all-time table. Splendidly, on this very day in 1893 A Kent also departed for nought — against Royal Engineers CC no less — en route to lifting the Duck of the Year crown that season. History, as ever, repeats. Sunday 15 August — The Mote CC (home) Phil Briant clearly fancied his chances at Linton Park, claiming a brace of noughts in the same innings. Terry Whittaker edged one back to the bowler for his 2nd duck of the season and 15th of his career from 140 innings — a lofty 18th of 800 all-time. A long-serving member of the Quacking Together honours board alongside Brian Relf, and a paid-up veteran of the Retirement Duck club from a farewell long past. On this day in 1964, none other than John Thirkell — the club's all-time leader on 55 — also fell against Bowaters CC. Good company to keep. Colin Eldred followed him back, caught behind off the same Briant over. His 4th duck of the season and 5th of a 42-innings career puts him 59th of 800, and very much in the box seat for the Duck of the Year 1965 title as things stand. Also a Retirement Duck alumnus of old. Like Terry, he shares that same 1964 echo of John Thirkell falling to Bowaters on this exact date. Gordon Fenner rounded off the misery, caught by Graham Waters off J- Webb. His 4th of the season and a chunky 25th career duck from 186 innings lands him a lofty 6th of 800 — breathing distance from the very top of the table. A proper family affair too: Gordon joins siblings Joe Fenner (5 career ducks) and Maurice Fenner (1) on the household ledger. And yes, he too echoes John Thirkell's 1964 fall against Bowaters, on this same date. Week in Summary Four ducks from two matches, the lot of them 1st XI, and Mote CC's Phil Briant doing the heavy lifting with a two-wicket haul of noughts. A quietly efficient weekend's work for the Duck Club scouts. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Dick Langridge — 5 ducks from 14 innings (35.71%) 2. Richard Ashby — 4 ducks from 16 innings (25.00%) 3. Gordon Fenner — 4 ducks from 17 innings (23.53%) 4. Fred Greenfield — 4 ducks from 24 innings (16.67%) 5. Colin Eldred — 4 ducks from 31 innings (12.90%) Dick Langridge holds a narrow lead but with Fenner and Eldred both freshly restocked this weekend, the Duck of the Year race is very much alive. Next fixture, more willow, presumably more nought. We'll be watching. 🦆🍩

A quiet weekend on the Duck Hunting trail, but the exclusive zero club never sleeps entirely — one specimen was bagged from two fixtures, and it was a good one. 🏏 Saturday — 1st XI on the Road Away at Tilling Steven, Richard Ashby strode in at number eight and departed for nought, bowled by Martin. Nothing golden about it — Richard troubled the scorers for a ball or two before Martin found a way through — but the result is the same familiar entry in the ledger. This is Richard's 4th duck of the 1965 season and his 13th for the club from 69 innings, a return that now places him 23rd in Linton's all-time roll of dishonour. A long-standing member of the Tourist Duck top 10, he adds handsomely to that away-day tally with this one, and carries the rare distinction of once stringing five ducks together in a row — a feat of sustained futility few care to match. On this very day in 1909, C Stevens also made the same short walk back to the pavilion for nought, against Royal West Kent Regiment CC — Duck of the Year that season, no less. Fifty-six years apart, same unhappy stroll. 🌱 Sunday — All Quiet The second fixture of the period passed off disappointingly quietly on the duck front — everyone got off the mark, much to the Duck Club's chagrin. 📋 Week in Summary One duck from two matches is a lean haul by Linton's usual standards — the ducks evidently kept their heads down this week. Still, quality over quantity: a Tourist Duck top 10 man doing what he does best, on the road, in fine historical company. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Dick Langridge — 5 ducks / 13 innings (38.46%) 2. Richard Ashby — 4 ducks / 15 innings (26.67%) 3. Fred Greenfield — 4 ducks / 22 innings (18.18%) 4. Ron Hickman — 3 ducks / 3 innings (100%) 🍩 5. Roy Clarke — 3 ducks / 12 innings (25%) Ron Hickman's flawless 100% record remains the standard of consistency of a very particular kind that the rest of the field can only aspire to. 🦆 See you all next weekend — the ducks are surely just regrouping. Bring your bats, gentlemen, and may your luck be worse than you think.

Three matches, three ducks — a quiet week by Linton's standards, but quality over quantity, and one man is tightening his grip on the season crown. 🏏 Saturday 31 July / 1 August — 1st XI v Reeds CC (away) Reeds proved unfriendly hunting ground for LPCC's middle order. Colin Eldred departed hit wicket b J Archer at number five — an exit both novel and thorough, contriving to get himself out without any assistance from the bowler's brilliance. It's his 3rd duck of the summer and 4th of an accomplished 37-innings career, good enough for 73rd on the all-time list, and keeps his name on the 1965 Duck of the Year honours board. He's also a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell, though nobody is suggesting today was the day. On this very date back in 1964, Basil Sears (1947–1965, 20 career ducks, 11th all-time) was also strolling back for nought against Headcorn CC — history rhyming nicely. Next man in fared no better: Gordon Fenner, caught A Mitchell bowled B Fitch at seven, also his 3rd of the season and a hefty 24th of a 184-innings career — 8th in the all-time table, rarefied company indeed. The Fenner name is no stranger to the club's dubious distinction, with siblings Joe (5 career ducks) and Maurice (1) also carrying the torch. Like Colin, Gordon shares his on-this-day fate with Basil Sears's 1964 vintage against Headcorn. 🏏 Tuesday 3 August — Midweek XI v Horsleydown CC (home) Dick Langridge, caught A Gaskin bowled X Russell at four, extends his commanding early lead atop the Duck Hunting Season table — his 5th duck of the campaign, and 14th of a 59-innings career, 20th all-time. Keep an eye on this one — at this rate he'll be knocking on the Hall of Fame's door before the decade's out. He keeps it in the family too, with parent-child fellow member Barry Langridge sat on 6 career ducks of his own. Splendidly, his on-this-day parallel points straight back to Gordon Fenner, who once made a duck on this very date in 1952 — small world, big club. Week in Summary Three matches, three ducks, no repeat offenders, and — mercifully for the umpires — no king pairs or family collections this week. Reeds CC did the damage twice over on Saturday, Horsleydown CC picked off one more on Tuesday, and the rest of the fixture list stayed frustratingly clean. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Dick Langridge — 5 ducks, 13 innings, 38.5% 🥈 Fred Greenfield — 4 ducks, 20 innings, 20.0% 🥉 Ron Hickman — 3 ducks, 3 innings, 100.0% - Roy Clarke — 3 ducks, 12 innings, 25.0% - William Buck — 3 ducks, 13 innings, 23.1% Dick's clear at the summit, but Ron Hickman's flawless strike rate deserves an honourable mention. The season isn't done yet — get out there and give the Duck Club something fresh to celebrate next week. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A slim harvest this time out, but a quality one — three fixtures played, and the exclusive zero club welcomed exactly one new entry to its ledger. Sometimes it's not the quantity of the quacking, it's the quality. 🏏 Midweek XI — Birkenhead Grasshoppers CC (home) Coming in at five on the 26th, Fred Greenfield departed b P Lloyd, adding his name to the week's solitary duck. This is Fred's 4th of the 1965 season and his 7th career duck from 40 innings — good enough for 46th of 799 in the all-time roll of dishonour, a position earned through years of consistency of a very particular kind. Fred also carries standing membership of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell innings, a laurel he wears rather than a fresh one earned this week — nobody's hanging up the boots on the strength of a Saturday nought. Neatly, on this very calendar day back in 1940, J Short was going through exactly the same ritual against Boughton Monchelsea CC — different ground, different bowler, same walk of shame. The art of not scoring, it seems, respects no era. 📋 Week in Summary Three matches, one duck — the ducks largely evaded capture this week, content to let the Midweek XI carry the flag alone. Fred, however, is proving a reliable one-man supply line: he now sits second in the current season's charts, so there's plenty more ignominy where that came from before the summer's out. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Dick Langridge — 4 ducks in 11 innings (36.36%) 2. Fred Greenfield — 4 ducks in 18 innings (22.22%) 3. Ron Hickman — 3 ducks in 3 innings (100.00%) — a perfect record, if not the one you'd frame 4. Roy Clarke — 3 ducks in 11 innings (27.27%) 5. William Buck — 3 ducks in 12 innings (25.00%) Ron Hickman's unblemished 100% deserves a special mention — triumph through adversity, indeed, though we suspect he'd rather triumph through runs. That's the lot for this period. The next fixture is already circled — plenty of scope for the honours board to grow, and someone's overdue a nought of their own. Keep your bats loose and your ducks looser. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A rare and troubling dispatch from the Duck Club this week: two matches played, two matches in which the entire batting order stubbornly declined to contribute to the cause. Not a single nought to report across the whole weekend. Every batsman who walked to the crease this week committed the cardinal sin of getting off the mark. Bats were seen. Runs were scored. The art of not scoring, so lovingly cultivated by this club's finest, went entirely unpractised. We can only assume the ducks have gone to ground, biding their time before the next fixture. The Committee views this development with grave suspicion and will be monitoring closely for any repeat of such uncharacteristic competence. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Dick Langridge — 4 ducks from 11 innings (36.36%) 🥈 Ron Hickman — 3 ducks from 3 innings (100.0%) — a flawless record, gentlemen, take note 🥉 Roy Clarke — 3 ducks from 11 innings (27.27%) 4️⃣ William Buck — 3 ducks from 12 innings (25.0%) 5️⃣ Richard Ashby — 3 ducks from 13 innings (23.08%) Special mention to Ron Hickman, who at a perfect 100% duck rate remains a beacon of consistency of a very particular kind, and to Dick Langridge, who leads the chase and will not appreciate a weekend off from the honours board. 🏏 Onward to the next fixture, where normal service — that is to say, abnormal service, in the form of batsmen departing without scoring — will surely resume. The exclusive zero club awaits its next inductee. Bring your bat, and bring your luck, because on current form somebody is due. 0️⃣ Until then, the Duck Club rests, watches, and waits. 🦆

Tovil paid a visit to Linton Park and left having claimed three names for the ledger of ignominy, all three delivered inside the same 1st XI innings — a proper day's work for the club. 🏏 1st XI v Tovil (home) Fred Greenfield came in at first drop and was bowled by D. Hitchen without troubling the scorers, his 3rd duck of the summer and 6th of an increasingly decorated career — good enough for 54th on the all-time roll of 798. Fred remains a long-standing name on the Retirement Duck honours board, that most solemn of clubs reserved for a final Linton innings ending on nought, though today was very much business as usual rather than any farewell. Curiously, on this very date back in 1954 Robert Muir (1950–1954) was also dispatched for nought against A. Trembeths — the calendar, it seems, has form. John Crellin followed at seven, undone by C. Simmons for his 1st duck of the season and 9th of his career, sliding into 36th spot on the all-time list. A former Duck of the Year back in 1961, John has evidently never quite shaken the habit. And that same 10 July anniversary struck again — Robert Muir's 1954 nought against A. Trembeths keeping him company down the years. Last man David Gale rounded things off in style, caught M. Hutchinson bowled Jim Archer for his own 1st duck of the season, a 7th career quack lodging him at 44th all-time. No boards to his name just yet, but the ledger is young — and yes, 10 July 1954 claims a third mention, Robert Muir once more the patron saint of this particular date. 📋 Week in Summary One match, one opposition, three ducks — numbers 3, 7 and 11 all present and correct, proof the Duck Club spares nobody regardless of where you bat. Tovil, it must be said, bowled a heroic afternoon. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Dick Langridge — 4 ducks / 10 innings (40%) - Ron Hickman — 3 ducks / 3 innings (100%) - flawless, if that's the word - Roy Clarke — 3 ducks / 10 innings (30%) - William Buck — 3 ducks / 11 innings (27.27%) - Richard Ashby — 3 ducks / 13 innings (23.08%) Ron Hickman's unblemished record is either a slump or a specialism — the Duck Club isn't fussy which it celebrates. Next fixture awaits, and with it, no doubt, fresh candidates for the honours board. Bring your bats, gentlemen — or don't bother. 🍩0️⃣🦆

A quiet weekend on the poultry front, Linton faithful — just two fixtures and a single name added to the ledger. But what the week lacked in volume, it made up for in pedigree. 🏏 Saturday, 4th July — Away to Aylesford Paper Mills CC Opening the innings and, evidently, opening the account for misfortune, Frank Brattle departed bowled by Geoff Hughes without so much as troubling the scorers. Frank survived long enough to avoid the ignominy of a golden duck, which by the exacting standards of this club counts as a moral victory of sorts. This is Frank's 2nd duck of the season and his 24th for the club overall in 230 innings — a tally that plants him firmly at 7th in the all-time standings, a lofty perch few will ever trouble. Splendidly, on this very date back in 1904, one Arthur Cornwallis (1884–1909, a two-time Duck of the Year in 1888 and 1904, and no stranger to Sutton Valence School's bowling either) was also making his way back to the pavilion without scoring. Sixty-one years apart, same calendar square, same solemn ritual — the Duck Club transcends generations. A small note for the family album — Frank's kin Percy Brattle sits on 5 career ducks of his own, so the surname carries a certain quiet expertise in the art of not scoring, even if this week's effort was Frank's alone. 📊 Week in Summary Two matches, one duck — the most restrained weekend the Duck Club has enjoyed in some time. Whether the rest of the batting order simply couldn't be bothered to fail, or genuinely applied themselves, is a debate for the clubhouse. Either way, the exclusive zero club welcomes its solitary new entry with the usual solemn nod. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Dick Langridge — 4 ducks in 10 innings (40.0%) - Ron Hickman — 3 ducks in 3 innings (100.0%) — a perfect record, if that's the word for it - Roy Clarke — 3 ducks in 10 innings (30.0%) - William Buck — 3 ducks in 11 innings (27.27%) - Richard Ashby — 3 ducks in 13 innings (23.08%) Ron Hickman's unblemished 100% remains the season's most alarming statistic — three innings, three ducks, a consistency of a very particular kind. Dick Langridge leads on volume and shows no sign of slowing his pursuit of ignominy. 🍩 Onwards to the next fixture, where the bowlers will doubtless keep hunting and the honours board keeps its books open. Come one, come nought — see you all next weekend. 🦆

Four fixtures on the go this week, and the exclusive zero club took in six new entries — every one a 1st XI man. The seconds, thirds and the rest stayed admirably clean; not so the top table. Sunday 27 June — 1st XI v Canterbury Pilgrims (home) A proper tail-end collapse as P Boorman ran through nine, ten and eleven in short order — a spell earning its own line here, not just the scorebook. Roy Clarke went first, c Gawler b Boorman, his 3rd duck of the season and 39th of a serious career — 3rd on the all-time list of 798. A 1959 Duck of the Year alumnus and Quacking Together partner of John Ames, his sibling H Clarke keeps three of his own, so the family clearly has form. On this very day in 1936, E Godden made his own duck against Bearsted CC. Dick Langridge followed, lbw Boorman, his 4th of the season — the current pace-setter in this year's hunt — and 13th career, 22nd all-time. Relative Barry Langridge already carries 6 of his own. Dick shares his calendar duck with Godden's 1936 effort too. Last man Ron Hickman completed the set, also to Boorman — 3rd of the season, 9th career, 36th all-time, and another name in the Quacking Together ledger, this time with Alan Cradduck. 1965 has been barren for Ron in the truest sense — his Runaway Duck entry records a whole season without a run. Godden's 1936 shadow falls over him too. Tuesday 29 June — 1st XI v The Mote CC (home) Two days later Eddie Page did the damage either side of J Coomber mopping up the tail. Colin Eldred fell early, bowled Page, his 2nd duck of the season and 3rd career, 95th all-time — and with a Duck of the Year 1965 entry already logged, firmly in this season's reckoning. A long-standing Retirement Duck member from a past farewell, though nothing so dramatic on show at first drop. On this day in 1907, Ernest Cruttenden made his own duck against Town Malling CC. Stan Wratten followed, his 2nd of the season taking him to 23 career ducks — a lofty 9th of 798 all-time — and another Quacking Together entry alongside John Ames. Cruttenden's 1907 company again. Alan Tucker closed it out, bowled Coomber, his first duck of the campaign and 4th career, 69th all-time. Same date, same Cruttenden company. 📊 Week in Summary Six ducks, two matches, one theme: both innings undone by a single relentless bowler working either end of the order. Boorman took the Canterbury tail, Page the Mote's top and middle. The other two fixtures passed off entirely duck-free. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Dick Langridge — 4 ducks/10 innings (40%) 2. Ron Hickman — 3/3 (100%) 3. Roy Clarke — 3/10 (30%) 4. William Buck — 3/11 (27.27%) 5. Richard Ashby — 3/12 (25%) Langridge leads the chase, but Hickman's perfect record is the one to watch — three from three, magnificently so. 🍩 Next fixture beckons, and the zero club never sleeps — same crease, same beautiful nothing. See you all out there. 🦆🏏

Three fixtures on the fixture list this weekend, but only one troubled the scorers. Saturday's and Sunday's outings passed entirely fowl-free — no small feat. It was Monday's home meeting with Maidstone Trades where the zero club threw open its books three times in the same innings, top order and tail alike. 🏏 1st XI v Maidstone Trades (Monday) Cliff Anscombe went first, bowled by E. White at first wicket down, for his 14th LPCC duck in 50 innings — 19th on the all-time list of 798. A long-standing member of the Debutante Duck society (his very first LPCC innings, years ago, yielded precisely nought) and a former Duck of the Year back in 1957, Cliff is no stranger to the club's finer traditions. This one's his first blob of the summer. In at nine, Ron Hickman was trapped lbw by N. Phillips — his second duck of the season and eighth of an LPCC career now 15 innings deep, good for 42nd all-time. Ron already shares a page in the Quacking Together honours with Alan Cradduck from a past twin-blob, but the number to really watch is this: two innings in 1965, two ducks in 1965. A flawless, unwanted 100% strike rate that has him barrelling towards a genuine Runaway Duck — a whole season without a run. Last man in, Richard Ashby departed for nought too, caught by I. Lambert off N. Phillips, his third duck of the season and 12th of a 66-innings career — 27th all-time. Richard already owns a Ducks in a Row entry for a run of five on the spin, and sits proudly inside the Tourist Duck top ten besides. Spookily, all three would find a kindred spirit in Tony Snell (1952-1963), who also strolled back for nought on this very same date in 1958, against Aylesford Paper Mills CC. Some dates just attract the duck. 📊 Week in Summary 3 ducks from 3 matches, every last one arriving in the same Maidstone Trades innings — an opener and two tail-enders undone together. Positions nine and ten both fell, proof the lower order can be every bit as brittle as the top. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Dick Langridge — 3 ducks / 9 innings (33.33%) 2. William Buck — 3 ducks / 10 innings (30.0%) 3. Richard Ashby — 3 ducks / 12 innings (25.0%) 4. Ron Hickman — 2 ducks / 2 innings (100%) 5. H Woodward — 2 ducks / 3 innings (66.67%) Three men now level on three apiece — the season race is beautifully, ignominiously tight. Roll on the next fixture, and whoever it adds to the list. 🦆🍩

A tidy little haul this week — four noughts across three matches, every last one of them claimed by the 1st XI. The 2nd and 3rd XIs live to fight another day, poultry-free. 🏏 Saturday 12th – Headcorn CC (away) H Woodward fell at number eight, caught M Iliffe bowled S- Parnham, for his 2nd duck of the season and 2nd of his career — good enough for 148th on the all-time list from just 3 innings. He's long since paid his dues as a Debutante Duck and carries the presumptive Retirement Duck honour from a past farewell too, though neither is in any danger today. On this very day in 1960, John Abnett (1954–1962, 17 ducks, 14th all-time) was also strolling back for nought. 🏏 Sunday 13th – Bobbing Court CC (away) B Ball did the club's dirty work in style, accounting for both of this innings' victims. William Buck departed caught Webb bowled Ball, his 3rd duck of the season and 25th of a long and storied career — 6th on the all-time table from 286 innings, a lofty perch indeed. A proud paid-up member of Quacking Together alongside club legend John Thirkell. On this day in 1943, Herbert Sunley also made a duck, against the Home Guard's 11th Battalion no less. Roy Clarke went lbw to the same relentless Ball for his 2nd duck of the season and a remarkable 38th career duck — 3rd on the all-time list from 224 innings, agonisingly close to the summit. A former Duck of the Year (1959) and fellow Quacking Together honouree, this time alongside John Ames. Sibling H Clarke keeps 3 ducks of his own in the family cabinet, so it's clearly in the blood. Also on this day in 1943, Herbert Sunley was making his own lonely Home Guard duck. 🏏 Monday 14th – Len Social (home) Fred Greenfield closed out the weekend caught in the deep off M- Lovall, his 2nd duck of the season and 5th career, 58th all-time from 33 innings. Already a Retirement Duck club member from a past farewell, though he shows no sign of hanging up the bat just yet. On this day in 1882, C Gibbs (1881–1882) made a duck against Boxley CC's first innings. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks, three matches, one very busy bowler — B Ball claimed a brace in a single innings at Bobbing Court, a fine afternoon's work for him and a grim one for Duck Club recruitment. The 1st XI monopolised proceedings entirely. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Dick Langridge – 3 ducks in 9 innings (33%) 2. William Buck – 3 ducks in 10 innings (30%) 3. H Woodward – 2 ducks in 3 innings (67%) 4. Roy Clarke – 2 ducks in 8 innings (25%) 5. John Ames – 2 ducks in 9 innings (22%) The next fixture looms, and with it, no doubt, fresh additions to the honours board. The Duck Club watches, waits, and celebrates. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Three fixtures on the go this week, and the 1st XI alone answered the call of the exclusive zero club, twice. A quiet week by Linton's standards, but quality over quantity, as ever, in the art of not scoring. 🏏 Saturday 5 June — v Tovil and Bridge (h) Batting at 11, Brian Relf departed bowled C. Simmonds without denting the scorebook — his 1st duck of the 1965 season and the 16th of a career now standing at 32 innings, good enough for 16th place in the all-time standings of 797. Brian arrives with a heavy honours-board pedigree: a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his Linton account with a blob many summers ago, and a rare holder of the Quack-to-Quack combination alongside the solemn Retirement Duck honour — though today's effort was very much business as usual, not a full stop. He also carries a Quacking Together pairing with Terry Whittaker from years gone by. And in a splendid quirk of the calendar, on this very day in 1943 Stan Wratten (1943–1965, 22 ducks, 9th all-time) also strolled back for nought against RAF Sutton Valence. 🏏 Monday 7 June — v Bearsted CC (h) Two days later Dick Langridge, in at 10, was bowled by Bryan Elswood for a golden goose egg — his 3rd duck of the season already, a fearsome 42.86% strike rate from just 7 innings that tops this week's leaderboard outright. It's his 12th career duck from 53 innings, 24th of 797 all-time. A family affair too, in a manner of speaking: his relative Barry Langridge already carries 6 career ducks of his own, so the aptitude for the nought clearly runs in the blood. Fittingly, on this same day back in 1964 Derek Pantony (1947–1965, 12 ducks, 23rd all-time, Duck of the Year 1947) was also dismissed without scoring, against Gore Court CC. 📋 Week in Summary Two ducks from three matches, both credited to the 1st XI, with the third fixture of the week passing off refreshingly duck-free. A modest haul, but Dick Langridge's early-season strike rate suggests there's plenty more where that came from. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Dick Langridge — 7 innings, 3 ducks, 42.86% 2. Gordon Fenner — 9 innings, 2 ducks, 22.22% 3. John Ames — 9 innings, 2 ducks, 22.22% 4. Terry Donovan — 9 innings, 2 ducks, 22.22% 5. William Buck — 9 innings, 2 ducks, 22.22% Dick sets the early pace by some margin — can anyone catch him before the season's out? The nets are open, the bowlers are keen, and the zero club never closes. See you all at the next fixture, where the ducks await their next candidates. 🦆🍩

A quiet week for the club's exclusive zero society, but Linton Park's trip to West Farleigh on 1 June still turned up two willing recruits for the honours board. 🏏 1st XI — West Farleigh CC (away) Stan Wratten strode out at five and departed run out, the scorebook itself apparently too embarrassed to record by whom. It's his 1st duck of the season and 22nd of a genuinely distinguished career, good enough for 9th in the all-time standings from 243 innings — rarefied company indeed. Stan is also a long-standing member of Quacking Together with John Ames, and, pleasingly, on this very date back in 1903 Rev W A Carr was performing an identical ceremony against 1st Innings Maidstone CC, in a career that ran 1896 to 1903. Not to be outdone, Terry Whittaker followed at six, trapped lbw by Ron Kemp for his own 1st duck of the season — the 14th of his career from 124 innings, placing him 20th on the all-time list. Terry carries the same Quacking Together honour, his forged with Brian Relf, and is a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell — no danger of that today, he's clearly still very much in business. Terry keeps the Reverend company too, Carr having made his own 1903 duck on this exact calendar date. Elsewhere, the 2nd, 3rd and other fixtures this week were conspicuously fowl-free — the ducks, it seems, took the rest of the club off their books entirely. 📋 Week in Summary Four matches, two ducks, both from the same innings at West Farleigh — a modest but perfectly formed haul. Consistency, as ever, of a very particular kind. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Dick Langridge — 6 innings, 2 ducks (33%) - Gordon Fenner — 8 innings, 2 ducks (25%) - John Ames — 8 innings, 2 ducks (25%) - Richard Ashby — 8 innings, 2 ducks (25%) - Terry Donovan — 8 innings, 2 ducks (25%) Dick Langridge sets the early pace for 1965's Duck of the Year, but with four names locked together on 25% there's plenty still to fight for. Get out there next weekend and give the ducks something proper to write home about. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Four fixtures across the long weekend, and the Duck Club's harvest was a modest but perfectly formed three. Quality over quantity, as the old boys say. Saturday 23 May — 1st XI away at The Mote CC A new name enters the ledger. H Woodward, making his very first appearance in Linton whites, marked the occasion by departing c Phil Briant b Paddy Germain from number nine without so much as a run to his name — instant, uncontested membership of the Debutante Duck fraternity, a club whose induction ceremony requires no waiting list whatsoever. Career duck number one of one, all-time rank 262 of 796, and nowhere to go but sideways. Fittingly, on this very calendar day back in 1959, Basil Sears — a Linton stalwart of the 1947–1965 vintage, 20 ducks strong and sat pretty at 11th in the all-time table — also strolled back for nought. Some traditions, it seems, are marked in the club almanack rather than the fixture list. Monday 24 May — Midweek XI at home to Dimanchians CC The midweek men delivered a proper brace. Gordon Fenner, a thoroughly seasoned campaigner of the zero club, notched his 2nd of the season and 23rd of an increasingly distinguished career spanning 176 innings — good enough for 8th in the all-time standings, a position he defends jealously. He does so, incidentally, in good company: siblings Joe and Maurice Fenner already carry five and one career ducks apiece for the club, so failure evidently runs in the blood. Moments later Richard Ashby followed him back, run out for his own 2nd of the season and 11th of his career from 61 innings, ranked 29th all time. A paid-up member of the Ducks in a Row club with five consecutive noughts to his name, and a fixture of the Tourist Duck top 10, Ashby continues to prove that consistency, of a very particular kind, is a virtue. Both men, remarkably, conjured the same ghost — on this day in 1953, William Buck also fell against Halfway House on his way to what became 24 career ducks and 6th place all time. Two Linton batsmen, one shared date, one shared spectre. The Week in Brief Three ducks from four matches, evenly rationed between one dismissal at The Mote and a matching pair at the midweek game. The 2nd and 3rd XIs, wherever they were fielding, kept their collective nerve and their scorecards duck-free — for now. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Dick Langridge — 2 ducks from 5 innings (40%) - John Ames — 2 ducks from 6 innings (33.3%) - William Buck — 2 ducks from 6 innings (33.3%) - Gordon Fenner — 2 ducks from 7 innings (28.6%) - Richard Ashby — 2 ducks from 7 innings (28.6%) A congested top of the table with five players locked on two apiece — plenty of season left for someone to break clear. The next round of fixtures awaits, and with it, no doubt, further glorious contributions to the art of not scoring. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A weekend excursion for the 1st XI took in two away fixtures, Maidstone YMCA CC on the Saturday and Gore Court CC on the Sunday, and the exclusive zero club welcomed five new entries across the two innings. Consistency of a very particular kind, on display from the middle order right down to the tail. Saturday — away at Maidstone YMCA CC Gordon Fenner departed at number six, caught D- Pares off Tony Grenfell for nought. It's his first duck of the summer but his 22nd for the club from 173 innings, good enough for 8th on the all-time roll of ignominy. On this very day back in 1958, Cliff Anscombe — Duck of the Year 1957 and a fully paid-up Debutante Duck — was doing exactly the same thing against Mote A. Gordon keeps it in the family too, with siblings Joe (5) and Maurice (1) already club members in their own right. Derek Pantony followed not long after, caught R Jenner off the same relentless Grenfell, last man in and first man out. His 12th career duck from 36 innings lands him 23rd all-time and, fittingly for a number 11, he's a Duck of the Year 1947 alumnus. Like Gordon, Derek shares his moment with Cliff Anscombe's 1958 vintage. Sunday — away at Gore Court CC Colin Eldred was lbw to Robin Bush at five, a nought that keeps him firmly on course for the Duck of the Year 1965 crown the records already have his name on. Only his 2nd career duck from 17 innings, though he already carries a Retirement Duck credit from a previous farewell — a curious badge for a career still just 17 innings young. On this same May day in 1959, Bob Arnold — 47 ducks, 2nd on the all-time list — was making a nought at this very ground. Roy Clarke was run out at nine, his first duck of the season but a hefty 37th of his career from 220 innings, third on the all-time list. A Duck of the Year 1959 winner and one half of "Quacking Together" with the great John Ames, Roy also echoes Bob Arnold's 1959 effort at the same ground. Brother H Clarke (3 ducks) makes it a family trade. Dick Langridge rounded things off, caught Keith Garrard off Des Ladd at ten for his 2nd duck of the season and 11th of his career from 50 innings, 26th all-time. Kin Barry Langridge (6 career ducks) keeps the family flag flying, and Dick too finds company in Bob Arnold's 1959 nought at Gore Court. Week in summary Five ducks, two matches, one well-travelled 1st XI, and not a single top-three batsman troubled — the damage was all done from five downwards. Grenfell and the Gore Court attack shared the spoils evenly, a couple apiece plus a run out for good measure. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏆 - Dick Langridge — 4 inns, 2 ducks, 50% - John Ames — 4 inns, 2 ducks, 50% - Terry Donovan — 4 inns, 2 ducks, 50% - William Buck — 4 inns, 2 ducks, 50% - Charles Crellin — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% Dick Langridge's Sunday effort vaults him straight into a share of top spot — the chasing pack should be worried. Same time next week, when the Duck Club will no doubt be recruiting again. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Two fixtures graced the club this weekend, but only one troubled the scorers. The Sunday clash with Bobbing Court CC did the damage — four ducks in a single innings, a proper cluster of nought to open the week. 1st XI v Bobbing Court CC (home, 9th May) Opening the batting and opening the week's account, Frank Brattle went c Jack Whibley b W Webb — his 1st duck of the season but a weighty 23rd of a career that now sits 7th on the all-time list of 794. Curiously, on this very date back in 1959, Brian Mills also trudged off scoreless against St Lukes Maidstone CC, part of a short but eventful 1959-1960 career that earned him his own Debutante Duck honours. Frank, meanwhile, keeps it in the family — kin Percy Brattle carries 5 career ducks of his own, so the household clearly takes its noughts as seriously as its runs. Next to fall was William Buck, b M Kendall, his 2nd duck of the season and 24th for the club, edging one place above Frank into 6th all-time. William is a card-carrying member of the Quacking Together club alongside John Thirkell, and — by the same quirk of the calendar — he too found himself keeping company with Brian Mills's 1959 anniversary duck. At number four, Robert Murray went lbw b M Kendall for his 1st of the season, moving to 17 career ducks and 15th on the all-time table. Another name for the 1959 date-club — Brian Mills strikes again, three years running through this scorecard alone. And rounding things off at number seven, Terry Donovan was c T Ades b W Webb for his 2nd of the season and 10th of a career already garlanded with the 1964 Duck of the Year title. Terry also sits on the Full House nearly-man board, having ducked in ten of cricket's eleven batting positions without ever quite completing the set — perhaps number seven was overdue. Fittingly, Brian Mills's 1959 shadow fell across him too, making it a clean sweep of the calendar for Bobbing Court's bowlers. Week in Summary Four ducks from two matches, every single one delivered by Bobbing Court's attack in one innings — a bowling display Webb and Kendall will be dining out on. Saturday's fixture, by contrast, passed off entirely fowl-free. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - John Ames — 2 ducks from 3 innings (66.67%) - Terry Donovan — 2 ducks from 3 innings (66.67%) - William Buck — 2 ducks from 3 innings (66.67%) - Charles Crellin — 1 duck from 1 innings (100%) - Norman Mattingley — 1 duck from 1 innings (100%) A congested top of the table with three men level on two apiece — the race for Duck of the Year 1965 is very much alive. Next fixture awaits, and with it, no doubt, further additions to the honours board. Until then — quack on. 🦆🏏0️⃣

The zero club welcomed new business on both days this weekend, courtesy of the 1st XI, who contributed all five ducks in the period. Two matches, five noughts — the art of not scoring alive and well at Linton Park. Saturday 1 May — v Staplehurst CC (h) - Fred Greenfield departed at four, caught off P Hollands via H Wickham's bowling, his season opener and 4th career duck from 24 innings — 76th of 794 all-time. He draws level with Brian Mills, who reached the same tally in a brisk 9 innings across 1959-60. Fred's name also sits on the Retirement Duck honours board from a past farewell — evidently business has since resumed. - Richard Ashby, in at nine, was bowled by H Wickham for his 10th career duck from 57 innings, 31st of 794, and a proud carrier of both "Ducks in a Row (5 consecutive)" and a place in the Tourist Duck top ten. - Next man Dick Langridge fell to the very same H Wickham — two wickets, two ducks, one bowler thoroughly enjoying himself — landing on his own 10th career duck from 48 innings, 28th of 794. That puts him level with Richard Ashby, who'd made exactly the same journey moments earlier at the other end. Dick also carries kin in the club ledger: relative Barry Langridge, a fellow member of the zero club on 6 career ducks. Sunday 2 May — v Dimanchians CC - John Ames, bowled by M Cooke, notched his second duck of the weekend, moving to 33 career ducks from 226 innings — a lofty 5th of 794 all-time. A heavily decorated name on the honours boards, including "Ducks in a Row (4 consecutive)" and "Quacking Together" doubles with both Roy Clarke and Stan Wratten. Fittingly, on this very day in 1959 Frank Brattle also strolled back for nought. - William Buck, bowled by N Turner, opened his account for the season and moved to 23 career ducks from 278 innings — 6th of 794, breathing down Ames's neck. He too shares his "Quacking Together" board entry, his with John Thirkell. And like Ames, he keeps historic company: Frank Brattle also made a duck on this same date back in 1959. Week in summary Five ducks, two matches, and H Wickham single-handedly accounting for 40% of the weekend's harvest. Staplehurst's middle order won't be missed by Linton bowlers — but Dimanchians did their bit too. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - John Ames — 2 innings, 2 ducks (100%) - Charles Crellin — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Norman Mattingley — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Ron Hickman — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Dick Langridge — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) Next fixture looms, and the zero club never rests. Pads on, bats up, and may your innings be longer than these. 🏏🍩0️⃣

The 1965 campaign is barely a fortnight old and already the exclusive zero club has six new inductees across two matches. A fine early return for a place of dubious distinction. 🏏 Saturday 24th — away to West Farleigh CC - John Thirkell, at first drop, c W Quayle b Ron Kemp. His 55th career duck from a staggering 481 innings, and he remains utterly unrivalled at #1 of 794 all time — nobody in Linton's long history has practised the art of not scoring quite so devotedly. A three-time Duck of the Year (1952, 1954, 1955), permanent resident of the Ducks on the Road and Homebody Duck top tens, and a veteran of Quacking Together honours with Bob Arnold and William Buck. A career, not a coincidence. - Terry Donovan, at seven, c Vinit Moore b J Hume. His 9th career duck from 44 innings, 35th on the all-time table, drawing level with B Westover (1940–1945, 28 innings). Donovan already owns Duck of the Year 1964, and sits agonisingly one position shy of Full House membership, having now ducked in 10 of the 11 batting slots. The completionist in him must be twitching. 🏏 Sunday 25th — home to Maidstone AKCC - John Ames, opening the batting no less, b R Kemp. His 32nd career duck from 225 innings vaults him to 5th of 794 all time, and extends his Ducks in a Row honour to four on the bounce — a streak worth watching. A Homebody Duck top-ten regular, and holder of Quacking Together and Only Two Quacks honours alongside Roy Clarke, Stan Wratten and Alan Wilkes. - Colin Breed then went to work with the ball, claiming a brace. Charles Crellin (b Breed) recorded his 2nd career duck from 31 innings, joining A Mitchell, a fellow 1964–65 Debutante Duck alumnus, on the same tally. Norman Mattingley (also b Breed) took his to 5 ducks from a mere 7 senior innings — a strike rate for failure that borders on the vocational — level with Edwardian great Allan Peach (1903–1907). - Last man Ron Hickman, b P Barnes, moved to 7 career ducks from 14 innings, joining Victorian-era A Startup (1868–1882) on the same mark. Hickman already carries a Quacking Together honour with Alan Cradduck, and his card is flagged for the 1965 Runaway Duck should the runs continue to elude him this season — one to watch as the summer unfolds. 📊 Week in summary: 6 ducks from 2 matches, with Colin Breed personally responsible for a third of the tally. A watchful start to the season for the top order and tail alike. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Charles Crellin — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 2. John Ames — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 3. Norman Mattingley — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 4. Ron Hickman — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 5. Terry Donovan — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% A five-way tie at the summit and a flawless 100% record all round — early season consistency of a very particular kind. Plenty of time for someone to break ranks. Next fixture looms. The bowlers will fancy their chances, and the club, as ever, will be watching with great anticipation. 🦆🍩