🦆 The Duck Pond

One match, one queue for the crease, and Mote A did the honours as the LPCC 1st XI supplied a full house of the season's dying embers. 🏏 1st XI v Mote A Terry Whittaker came in at five and departed bowled by M. Taylor without scoring — his 3rd duck of the season and a hefty 29th for the career, good enough for 10th on the all-time roll of shame from 257 innings. He remains a paid-up member of the exclusive Retirement Duck bench, and this one extends his long-running Quacking Together bond with the very next man in — Brian Relf below, proof the two were made to fall together. Spookily, this very calendar date has previous: on 27 September 1964, Robert Murray also trudged off for nought against Linton Park CC, one of the 17 he left behind across 1958–1965. Brian Relf followed at ten, caught by A. Levick off A. Baker, also his 3rd of the season and his 24th career duck — a startling return from just 57 innings, and 12th all time. A founder member of the Debutante Duck and Quack-to-Quack societies, and now further cementing his Quacking Together partnership with Whittaker above. Like his opening-day comrade, he too has 1964 for company — Robert Murray's duck fell on this same date, against this same fixture's ancestral rival. Jon Harris closed the innings at eleven, caught Levick bowled Tom Osborn, his 1st duck of the season but a well-worn 6th of the career from just 20 innings — 65th on the all-time list. Harris carries one of the heavier honours boards going: Full House for a duck at every position 1 to 11, plus top-ten billing in Lone Duck, Tourist Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road, with Quacking Together ties to both Jim Hall and Trevor Back. A chip off the old block too — his forebear Richard Harris carries 36 career ducks of his own. And yes, 1964 strikes a third time: Robert Murray, same day, same fate, against Linton Park CC. 📅 Week in Summary Three ducks from one match, the entire haul supplied by the 1st XI at the hands of Mote A. Two of the three shared a bat-together, quack-together bond, and all three fell on a date that has apparently had it in for Linton batsmen since at least 1964. Consistency of a very particular kind. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Percy Brattle — 5 ducks in 8 innings (62.5%) 2. Tim Thirkell — 5 ducks in 13 innings (38.46%) 3. Basil Sears — 4 ducks in 16 innings (25.0%) 4. Paul Brattle — 3 ducks in 6 innings (50.0%) 5. Brian Relf — 3 ducks in 7 innings (42.86%) Brian Relf's afternoon at Mote A wasn't just a career milestone — it keeps him lodged firmly in this season's top five. The chase for Duck of the Year continues. Next fixture, next queue at the crease — the Duck Club never closes its books. See you all out there. 🍩0️⃣🦆

A single fixture took to the field this week, and for once the ducks made themselves scarce. Not a solitary batsman trudged back for nought — a full and uneventful house all round, which in the exclusive zero club counts as something of a scandal. The art of not scoring, it seems, took the week off. Rest assured, this is merely a lull. The Duck Club does not close for business over one clean scorecard, and with the season's chief offenders still very much in form below, normal service should resume shortly. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇🍩 1. Percy Brattle — 5 ducks from 8 innings, a startling 62.5% strike rate. At this pace he is less "in the runs" and more "in the nets, occasionally" 2. Tim Thirkell — 5 ducks from 12 innings, 41.67%. Consistency of a very particular kind 3. Basil Sears — 4 ducks from 16 innings, 25%. Steady, reliable, and reliably out for nought one match in four 4. Paul Brattle — 3 ducks from 6 innings, an eye-watering 50%. Keeping it in the family, quite literally, alongside Percy 5. Derry Evans — 3 ducks from 11 innings, 27.27%. Firmly in the chasing pack for Duck of the Year 0️⃣ Percy Brattle sits top of the pile for now, with Tim Thirkell breathing down his neck and the Brattle name doing rather too well for the family's liking. Plenty of season left for the standings to turn over. Roll on the next fixture, when someone is bound to break the club's newfound discipline and register the season's next nought. The zero club never stays quiet for long — see you at the crease. 🏏🦆

A quiet weekend for the hunting fraternity, but never let it be said the Duck Club goes hungry for long — St Lukes Maidstone CC made sure of that. 🏏 Saturday 13th September — 1st XI vs St Lukes Maidstone CC Coming in at number 8, Derry Evans had barely settled before the fielders conspired against him — run out amid enough confusion that nobody present could quite agree whose call it was. The purest kind of duck: not bowled, not caught, just quietly undone by geometry and a misplaced "yes." It's Derry's 3rd duck of the season and the 8th of a career now spanning 35 innings — a duck rate nudging 23%, and enough to slot him in at 47th of 846 in the all-time reckoning. Distinguished company for a run-out. And rather splendidly, the calendar obliges: on this very day back in 1959, John Ames also trooped back for nought, against Tunbridge Wells CC. Ames went on to finish with 42 career ducks — 3rd of 846 all-time — across a Linton career running from 1952 to 1969, part of a four-in-a-row Ducks in a Row spell and a fixture of the Homebody Duck top ten. Derry keeps fine historical company on this date, even if the company keeps rather better figures. 🌱 Sunday 14th September The second fixture of the weekend passed off entirely fowl-free — eleven players in, eleven players off the mark. The ducks, it seems, took the day off. 📋 Week in Summary Two matches, one duck, and a single name added to September's tally. Not a vintage weekend for the collectors among us, but quality over quantity — a run-out duck married to a genuine on-this-day echo from a decade prior is the sort of coincidence the honours board was built for. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Percy Brattle — 5 ducks / 8 innings (62.5%) 2. Tim Thirkell — 5 ducks / 12 innings (41.67%) 3. Basil Sears — 4 ducks / 15 innings (26.67%) 4. Paul Brattle — 3 ducks / 6 innings (50.0%) 5. Derry Evans — 3 ducks / 10 innings (30.0%) Percy Brattle still sets the pace, but with Derry Evans now firmly inside the top five and the season's business far from concluded, there's every chance the standings get another shuffle before autumn draws in. 🍩 Next fixture, same exclusive zero club awaits. Bat well, or don't — either way, we'll be watching. 🦆

A vintage weekend for the exclusive zero club, as the 1st XI alone served up eight ducks across two days — proper triumph through adversity. 🏏 Saturday, vs A.Trembeths (h) Paul Bowles opened the misery, bowled by I. Foster, for his 2nd duck of the season and 19th of a storied career — 125 innings, 16th on the all-time list. A two-time Duck of the Year (1966, 1968) and a fixture of the Ducks on the Road top 10, he remains one half of Only Two Quacks with Adam Pooley. On this very day in 1967, William Buck was suffering identically against Birchington CC, en route to 28. Derry Evans went the same way, bowled by B. Lewis — his 2nd of the season, 7th career (53rd all-time). Back in 1953, Gordon Fenner made the same walk against Gillingham CC, Kent, on his way to 33. Tim Thirkell, of Full House and Lone Duck top 10 pedigree, was caught by R. Friend off A. Trembeth for his 5th duck of the season — 6th career, from just 20 innings, 66th all-time. His father John tops the entire club charts on 65, so the talent is clearly hereditary. In 1953, Richard Harris trod the same path against Gillingham CC, Kent, en route to 36. Straight after, brother Nigel Thirkell was run out for nought — his first career duck from only 4 innings, and a proper Two of a Quack alongside Tim. In 1958, John Ames was doing likewise against Tovil, on his way to 42. Closing the innings, Paul Brattle was bowled by B. Lewis — 2nd of the season, 2nd of a young career, and a paid-up Debutante Duck club member from his very first knock. Roger Craddock made the identical journey on this day in 1967, against Birchington CC. 🏏 Sunday, vs Anchorians CC (h) Benny Bell was trapped lbw by Jim Fish — 3rd of the season, 15th career duck, 23rd all-time from 56 innings. Cliff Anscombe fell to these very Anchorians in 1958, en route to 17. Then the day's showpiece: Percy Brattle and Paul Brattle, both bowled by K. Brown in the same innings — a proper Family of Ducks for the Brattles. Percy's was his 5th of the season, 13th career (29th all-time), and keeps him squarely in the hunt for Duck of the Year 1969. Alan Wilkes fell to these same Anchorians back in 1958, on his way to 20. For Paul it was duck number two of the weekend — his 3rd career, and a grim pair to file alongside Saturday's effort 🍩🍩. Basil Sears trod similar ground on this date in 1968, against A.Trembeths. 📋 Week in Summary Eight ducks, two matches, one very industrious 1st XI. The Brattles supplied three between them, capped by a shared Family of Ducks moment, while the Thirkell siblings doubled up in the very same over. Consistency of a very particular kind. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Percy Brattle — 5 ducks / 8 inns (62.5%) - Tim Thirkell — 5 ducks / 12 inns (41.7%) - Basil Sears — 4 ducks / 14 inns (28.6%) - Paul Brattle — 3 ducks / 6 inns (50%) - Benny Bell — 3 ducks / 14 inns (21.4%) Percy and Tim locked together on five apiece — the race for the 1969 crown goes to the wire. Next fixture awaits, and the zero club never rests. See you all in the middle 🦆0️⃣

Three fixtures, five ducks, and Linton Park's top order determined to make the last weekend of the season one to remember, if not to boast about. 🏏 Saturday 30th — Whitstable CC (away) Basil Sears got the weekend's proceedings underway, caught behind off D. Barham without scoring — his third duck of the summer and 28th for the club, sitting 8th in the all-time standings. Fittingly, on this very day back in 1965, Frank Brattle (1937–1969, 34 ducks, all-time rank 6) also strolled back against Bearsted CC. Some things simply happen on the 30th of August. 🏏 Sunday 31st — Staplehurst CC (away) Basil wasn't finished. Bowled by P. Holland for another blank, he brings up a grim pair for the weekend — season duck number four, and 29th for the career — two matches, two failures, not a run between them. On this same date in 1952, none other than John Thirkell, the club's all-time record holder with 65 career ducks and four-time Duck of the Year, made his own nought — good company for misery. He had company of his own in the confessional. Tim Thirkell — a name that runs in the family, kin to that very same John Thirkell — was run out for nought at number 7, his fourth duck of the season from just 11 innings and 5th for the career. Tim already holds a Full House (a duck at every position, 1 through 11) and features on the Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road top tens — a proper connoisseur of the art of not scoring. 🏏 Monday 1st — Bearsted CC (away) Keith Walker joined the club for the first time in 15 innings, bowled by Dave Bromley — his maiden duck of the season and of his career alike. On this same date in 1968, twice Duck of the Year Paul Bowles (18 career ducks) made an identical trip back to the pavilion against Staplehurst CC. And a debut to remember for other reasons: R- Pocock, caught behind off Ian Lambert first time out, goes straight onto the Debutante Duck board 🍩. He's now only one more failure away from the rare and inauspicious double of One and Done and Retirement Duck — though the club sincerely hopes to see rather more of him yet. Like Keith, he shares his nought with Paul Bowles' 1968 vintage. 📊 Week in Summary Five ducks 0️⃣ from three matches, with Basil Sears doing the work of two men — quite literally, given the pair — and Sunday proving the cruellest day of the lot, claiming both a Sears and a Thirkell. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. Percy Brattle — 4 ducks, 7 innings (57%) 2. Tim Thirkell — 4 ducks, 11 innings (36%) 3. Basil Sears — 4 ducks, 14 innings (29%) 4. Mike Iliffe — 3 ducks, 22 innings (14%) 5. Brian Fuller — 2 ducks, 5 innings (40%) Three men level on four apiece at the top of the table — a season race finely poised. Next weekend's fixtures await, and the Duck Club, as ever, will be watching closely. 🦆

Two fixtures out on the paddock this weekend, and for once the exclusive zero club has nothing to show for it. Not a single member was inducted, not one bat was raised in solemn acknowledgement of failure. The ducks, it seems, took the weekend off. A quiet weekend for the connoisseurs of naught, then — every batsman across both matches apparently found the ball, the middle of the bat, or at the very least enough luck to avoid the ignominy we so treasure. Frankly it's a bit much. The committee notes this is not a permanent state of affairs, merely a temporary and deeply suspicious lapse in form from a membership usually so reliable in its consistency of a very particular kind. Rest assured, this drought will break. It always does. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Percy Brattle — 4 ducks from 6 innings, a startling 66.67% strike rate for nothing at all. Triumph through adversity barely covers it. 2. Tim Thirkell — 3 from 10, 30%. A name that keeps appearing near the top of these tables for reasons increasingly hard to call coincidence. 3. Mike Iliffe — 3 from 22, 13.64%. The volume player of the group — fewer ducks per innings, but he's put in the overs to get there. 4. Brian Fuller — 2 from 5, 40%. Economical in every sense. 5. Brian Relf — 2 from 6, 33.33%. Keeping the Relf name firmly on the honours radar. Percy Brattle sits a commanding distance clear at the top — the rest of the club has some catching up, or rather some very determined not-catching-up, to do. 🍩 Next time out, normal service will surely resume. Get your scorebooks ready, gentlemen — the art of not scoring waits for no one, and the Duck Club will be watching every single dot ball with great interest. 🦆0️⃣

A short but perfectly formed weekend for the exclusive zero club, with Linton's 1st XI doing all the honours: three ducks across two fixtures at home to Bowaters CC and Mote A. Quality over quantity, as the man said. Saturday 16 August — v Bowaters CC Andrew Moss departed at first drop, caught Alf Jewiss off Peter Sivyer, for his maiden duck of the campaign — and, from 30 career innings, his very first for the club, landing him 211th of 845 in the all-time table. A paid-up if premature member of the Retirement Duck honours board, though nobody's suggesting he's going anywhere just yet. On this very day in 1953, John Ames was doing much the same, walking back for nought — Ames went on to 42 career ducks and 3rd all-time, so Andrew has some catching up to do. Down at eight, Tim Thirkell fell lbw to Trevor Mannering, his 3rd duck of the season and 4th in just 18 career innings — 96th of 845 and climbing. Tim already carries handsome silverware: Full House (a duck at every position 1-11) and top-ten placings in both the Lone Duck and Homebody Duck charts. The family name is no stranger to this honours board either — kinsman John Thirkell sits at Number One all-time with 65 career ducks, a mark Tim can only dream of troubling. And, as with Andrew, 16 August 1953 also produced a John Ames special — the coincidence department is working overtime this week. Sunday 17 August — v Mote A Percy Brattle was bowled by C- Robbins for his 4th duck of the season and 12th of his career, 33rd of 845 all-time — and with it he seizes the 1969 Duck of the Year crown outright, a title very much live and very much his to lose. Six innings, four ducks, a magnificent 66.67% strike rate of failure — the season's runaway leader in the art of not scoring. The Brattle name runs deep in Duck Club lore too: father Frank sits on 34 career ducks, with Paul Brattle also on the books with one. On this day in 1957, none other than John Thirkell — that same all-time record holder — made a duck against Bowaters CC. The ghosts of ducks past are clearly paying close attention this August. Week in summary: 3 ducks from 2 matches, the 1st XI cornering the entire market single-handedly. No pairs, no golden ducks, no family doubles this time — just honest, workmanlike collapses. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Percy Brattle — 4 ducks / 6 inns (66.67%) - Tim Thirkell — 3 ducks / 10 inns (30.0%) - Mike Iliffe — 3 ducks / 22 inns (13.64%) - Brian Fuller — 2 ducks / 5 inns (40.0%) - Brian Relf — 2 ducks / 6 inns (33.33%) Percy leads the chase for now, but the season's far from done — plenty of time yet for the chasing pack to strike. Same time next fixture, same dubious honour up for grabs. 🦆🍩

Five ducks fell to the exclusive zero club this week, across a Saturday fixture and a midweek gathering that turned into a proper Gravesend cluster. Saturday 9 August — 1st XI away to Headcorn CC Tim Thirkell was the lone senior casualty, trapped lbw by C. Smith for his second duck of the season and third of his career (17 innings, 129th of 845 all-time). Tim already holds down the Full House board (a duck at every position, 1 through 11), plus the Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road top tens, and a Quacking Together entry with Jim Hall. Neatly, on this very day in 1964 his own father John Thirkell - the club's most decorated duck-maker ever with 65 - was also out for nought, against Harrietsham CC. The art of not scoring runs in the blood. Wednesday 13 August — Midweek XI away to Gravesend CC Four ducks in one innings, and Gravesend's bowlers won't have needed asking twice. Fittingly, all four fell on the anniversary of a 1960 duck against Bowaters CC by one Pat Hardwick (8 career ducks, Duck of the Year 1960) - this date has form. David Tolhurst opened his senior account the Duck Club way, caught and bowled by Mukul Lall without scoring on debut - instant, automatic membership of the Debutante Duck board. Welcome to the family, David. Terry Whittaker went next, caught behind off Graham Hinks for his second duck of the season and 28th of a long career (247 innings, 9th of 845 all-time) - level with club great William Buck on that tally. Terry carries a Quacking Together entry with Brian Relf, and the historic, entirely presumptive Retirement Duck board from a past farewell. Ron Hickman was bowled by Michael Sampson for his second duck of the season and 12th of his career from just 25 innings. Ron holds a Quacking Together honour with Alan Cradduck, and the infamous Runaway Duck board from a barren 1965. Percy Brattle rounded things off, caught by Peter Beynon off Graham Hinks for his third duck of the campaign, moving to 11 for his career (65 innings, 36th of 845). He isn't fighting alone - father Frank Brattle carries 34 career ducks, with young Paul chipping in one more. With three already this season, Percy currently holds the Duck of the Year 1969 crown. Week in summary Three matches, five ducks, and one crowded Gravesend innings that did the season's tally no favours. The 1st XI kept it tidy with a single casualty; the Midweek XI let the side down in the finest traditions of the club. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Percy Brattle — 3 ducks in 5 innings (60%) - Mike Iliffe — 3 ducks in 22 innings (13.6%) - Brian Fuller — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40%) - Brian Relf — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40%) - Ron Hickman — 2 ducks in 6 innings (33.3%) Percy leads the chase, but there's a season yet to run for a challenger to emerge. Next fixture, same invitation as ever: bring your bat, and your sense of humour. The Duck Club never sleeps. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Three fixtures out on the park this week and, remarkably, not a single one troubled the exclusive zero club. The art of not scoring took a rare week off — every LPCC bat that walked out this week found a way to trouble the scorers instead of avoiding them entirely. 🍩 A Fowl-Free Week Nothing to report from the middle. No golden ducks, no pairs, no family affairs at the crease — just eleven-a-side batting doing the unthinkable and actually accumulating runs. Even the club's most dependable contributors to the honours board were, this week, denied their calling. The ducks, it seems, took evasive action and went to ground somewhere between the nets and the scorebook. Whether this is a genuine outbreak of competence or simply the ducks biding their time for next week remains to be seen. History suggests the latter. Consistency of a very particular kind has a habit of reasserting itself. 0️⃣ Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Mike Iliffe — 3 ducks, 20 innings, 15% 2. Percy Brattle — 2 ducks, 4 innings, 50% 🏏 3. Brian Fuller — 2 ducks, 5 innings, 40% 4. Brian Relf — 2 ducks, 5 innings, 40% 5. Fred Greenfield — 2 ducks, 8 innings, 25% Percy Brattle remains the season's most efficient collector by some distance — two ducks from just four trips to the crease is triumph through adversity of the very highest order, a 50% strike rate most bowlers would sell their whites for. Mike Iliffe leads on volume, three ducks and counting, and will fancy his chances of extending that tally before the season's out. 📅 Looking Ahead A quiet week for the Duck Club is, of course, no cause for complacency — only for patience. The zero club's membership committee never sleeps for long, and with the season still very much alive there is every chance next weekend's fixtures put things right. Until then, keep the pads on and the bat swinging — someone has to keep the honours board honest. 🦆 The hunt continues.

Sibton Park CC came calling this weekend and left with rather more of the 1st XI's tail than anyone would like to admit. 🏏 Saturday — Sibton Park CC (away) The innings finished in spectacular style as numbers 9, 10 and 11 trooped out and straight back in again — a full tail-end clean sweep, three ducks in short order, mercifully by more than three actual balls given there was a run out in the mix. First to go was Brian Relf, bowled by B- Fletcher for his 2nd duck of the season and 23rd of a long and storied career — good enough for 12th on the all-time list of 841. Brian remains a fixture of several honours boards: a Debutante Duck from his earliest days, one half of Quack-to-Quack and Quacking Together alongside Terry Whittaker, and — best of all — a presumptive Retirement Duck holder from a farewell that, 54 innings later, evidently wasn't final in the slightest. On this very day back in 1940, J Short was doing much the same thing against Boughton Monchelsea CC — some traditions simply endure. Next in, next out, was Ian Cridland, bowled by G Keutenius — a genuine, bona fide debut duck, his very first senior innings ending in the most traditional way possible. Ian is inducted on the spot to the Debutante Duck club and 1969's own One and Done register, a career currently standing at a perfectly symmetrical 1 duck from 1 innings. J Short, on that same day in 1940 against Boughton Monchelsea CC, would know exactly how he feels. Completing the collapse, Brian Fuller was run out — "Unsure" being a fittingly named accomplice — for his 2nd duck of the season and 4th of his career, sitting 78th all-time. J Short's 1940 nought against Boughton Monchelsea CC rounds off a hat-trick of identical parallels this week — clearly a big day for ducks down the decades. 🌱 Sunday The second fixture passed off entirely duck-free — the 1st XI presumably resting on their considerable laurels after Saturday's tail-enders' trilogy. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks from two matches, and all three fell in the very same innings — the last three men in going in a row is not quite a pair, and certainly no king pair, but it is a tidy reminder that the tail remains the club's most dependable source of noughts. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Mike Iliffe — 3 ducks, 18 innings (16.67%) - Brian Relf — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50%) - Percy Brattle — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50%) - Brian Fuller — 2 ducks, 5 innings (40%) - Fred Greenfield — 2 ducks, 6 innings (33.33%) The exclusive zero club never sleeps, and with the season still very much alive, several names above will fancy climbing higher yet. Same time next week — bring your bat, or don't bother. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Slim pickings this week, Duck Club faithful — just the one fixture, but the ducks weren't going to let that stop them entirely. 1st XI v Sevenoaks Vine CC (h) Robert Chance, in at three, fell to the cruellest of dismissals for a batsman with a straight bat: run out, unresolved blame, for nought. No golden duck here — the record shows he'd done nothing wrong before the mix-up did for him, which in the exclusive zero club counts as a moral victory of sorts. It's his 4th career duck in 76 innings, holding at 92nd of 840 in the all-time table, and his season tally opens at 1. Robert also carries a Retirement Duck credential from some past farewell innings — a presumptive honour from years gone by, evidently not the final word given he's still out there collecting them. On this day in 1906, R W Mitchell also strolled back for nought, against the Royal West Kent Regiment CC Officers XI — a reminder that this exact date has form for delivering ducks along this stretch of Kent for the best part of a century. Week in Summary One match, one duck — a rare spot of restraint from the Duck Club this week. The art of not scoring took a breather, but rest assured it's only gathering strength. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏆 - Mike Iliffe — 3 ducks / 16 inns (18.75%) - Percy Brattle — 2 ducks / 4 inns (50.00%) - Fred Greenfield — 2 ducks / 6 inns (33.33%) - Dick Langridge — 2 ducks / 7 inns (28.57%) - Basil Sears — 2 ducks / 8 inns (25.00%) Percy Brattle's 50% strike rate remains the standard the rest of the club should aspire to, or possibly fear. That's your lot for this week — a lean harvest, but the season's still young and the fixture list is long. Next weekend brings fresh opportunities for triumph through adversity. Bat carefully out there. Or don't. 🥇🍩0️⃣

A quiet weekend on the honours board, ladies and gentlemen. Two fixtures played across Saturday and Sunday and not a single soul troubled the Duck Club's recruitment officer — every Linton bat found its way off the mark, however scratchily. The zero club held no inductions this week. Whether this represents a triumphant outbreak of common sense at the crease, or simply eleven batsmen too stubborn to give the bowlers the satisfaction, history will have to judge. Either way, the ducks evaded capture entirely — they were out there somewhere, wings tucked in, watching the game from a safe distance, and declined to land. Do not mistake this for the club going soft. A blank week is merely a pause in proceedings, not a retirement of the institution. Somewhere in the fixture list a batsman is already shaping up to leave a straight one, and the honours board waits, patient as ever, for its next name. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Mike Iliffe — 3 ducks in 15 innings (20.0%) 🥈 Percy Brattle — 2 ducks in 4 innings (50.0%) 🥉 Fred Greenfield — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40.0%) 4️⃣ Dick Langridge — 2 ducks in 7 innings (28.57%) 5️⃣ Basil Sears — 2 ducks in 8 innings (25.0%) Percy Brattle sits top of the percentage table on a startling 50% strike rate for nought — the sort of consistency that would be admirable in almost any other context. Mike Iliffe leads on raw volume and shows no sign of easing off. The season presses on, and with it the certainty that somewhere down the order a fresh name is waiting to be etched into the record. Get your pads on, gentlemen — the ducks always come home to roost eventually. 🏏🍩

A quiet week for the exclusive zero club — just two additions across three fixtures — but quality over quantity, as ever, in the art of not scoring. 🏏 1st XI — Double Duty Away at Charles Arkcoll on the Saturday, Frank Brattle strode to the crease at five and departed rather more swiftly than he arrived, caught and bowled by Vic Wellard without so much as a run to his name. His 2nd duck of the season nudges him to a mighty 34 career ducks from 324 innings — 6th in the all-time standings, a position few will ever trouble. On this very day back in 1943, Herbert Sunley was going through precisely the same ritual against Mr Ashby's XI, on his way to 5 career ducks of his own. Keeping it in the family, Frank's relations Percy and Paul Brattle are both paid-up members of the club in their own right, on 10 and 1 career ducks respectively — quacking clearly runs in the blood. Two days later, home to Penenden Heath, Cliff Anscombe was bowled by J- Hancock at first drop for his 2nd duck of the season, taking him to 17 career ducks from 100 innings and 20th on the all-time list. Cliff is no stranger to this fate — a long-standing Debutante Duck club member from his very first innings, and Duck of the Year all the way back in 1957 — proof that early promise in this particular discipline can last a lifetime. Curiously, on this same date in 1963, Stan Wratten was also making his own contribution against Aylesford Paper Mills CC, en route to 29 career ducks and 8th on the all-time roll. 📋 Week in Summary Two ducks, three matches, and both fallen batsmen picking up their second of the season within 48 hours of each other — a fine display of consistency of a very particular kind. The 2nds, 3rds and 4th all kept their noses clean, though whether through skill or sheer bad luck for the Duck Club is a matter for debate. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Mike Iliffe — 3 ducks, 14 innings (21.4%) - Fred Greenfield — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50.0%) - Percy Brattle — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50.0%) — yes, that Percy - Basil Sears — 2 ducks, 7 innings (28.6%) - Dick Langridge — 2 ducks, 7 innings (28.6%) Fred and Percy setting the pace at a startling 50% strike rate — truly triumph through adversity. 🍩 Next fixture looms, and with it, fresh opportunity for glory of the golden-duck kind. The zero club never sleeps. See you all out there — bat raised, hopes low. 0️⃣🦆

Two fixtures, one unmistakable theme: the 1st XI cornered the market in noughts this week, five strong across Tilling Steven and Canterbury Pilgrims. The rest of the club, rather rudely, declined to participate. Saturday 28th — v Tilling Steven (h) Benny Bell fell at six, bowled by B Seager, for his 2nd duck of the summer and 14th of a growing career — up to 24th in the all-time table of 840. On this very day back in 1882, J Sedgwick was doing much the same against Marden CC, on his way to Duck of the Year 1881 with 4 to his name. Bell also finds himself lurking on this season's leaderboard already, a repeat offender in the making. Sunday 29th — v Canterbury Pilgrims (h) A proper cluster this one — four ducks fell in the same innings, a small epidemic of the shakes down the order. John Ames went at first wicket down, bowled R Gawler, for his 2nd of the season and 42nd of a long and distinguished career — remarkably, 3rd on the all-time list of 840. He carries a formidable honours cabinet: Ducks in a Row for four on the bounce, a Homebody Duck top-10 place, and Quacking Together entries alongside both Roy Clarke and Stan Wratten. Back in 1907, on this same date, Ernest Cruttenden made his own duck against Town Malling CC — one of ten in a career that earned him Duck of the Year 1895. Cliff Anscombe followed at four, caught Skelton off Gawler, his 1st of the season and 16th overall, rank 22. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his own long-ago first innings, and a Duck of the Year winner back in 1957 — he too joins the Cruttenden club for this particular June day. Dick Langridge went at eight, bowled Minter, his 2nd of the season and 17th career, rank 20 — and, fittingly for the family club, kin to Barry Langridge, who already carries 6 career ducks of his own. Another entrant in the Cruttenden reunion. Ron Hickman rounded it off at ten, bowled Pope, his 1st this season and 11th career, rank 36. He holds a Quacking Together honour with Alan Cradduck and the rather bleak distinction of a Runaway Duck in 1965 — a whole season without troubling the scorers. He completes the Cruttenden quartet, four Linton men keeping company with a Pilgrim from 1907. The Week in Brief Five ducks from two matches, every last one of them 1st XI. No pairs, no family affairs this week — just five individual acts of quiet ignominy, four of them arriving in a single unfortunate cluster against the Pilgrims. 🏏 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Mike Iliffe — 3 from 13 (23.08%) 2. Fred Greenfield — 2 from 4 (50.00%) 3. Percy Brattle — 2 from 4 (50.00%) 4. Basil Sears — 2 from 6 (33.33%) 5. Benny Bell — 2 from 7 (28.57%) Next fixture looms, and with it fresh opportunity for the zero club to swell its ranks. 🦆🍩

Slim pickings this week — only three ducks laid across four fixtures — but the exclusive zero club still found room for a familiar face padding out his tally and a season leader tightening his grip. 🏏 1st XI - Away at Tilling Steven on the 26th, Mike Iliffe departed for nought batting at four, caught G Shepherd bowled B Seager. His third duck of the summer and 12th of a career now 64 innings deep, good enough for 32nd on the all-time roll — the art of not scoring, perfected once again. Fittingly, on this very day in 1954 Peter Weedon made an identical sacrifice against Yalding CC, proof that history has a habit of repeating itself to the ball. 🏏 Midweek XI - Hosting West Kent Wanderers CC on the 25th, Terry Whittaker fell at six, caught Gribble off Ford for nought — his first of the season but 27th for the club in 239 innings, a lofty 11th on the all-time list. A paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club and one half of Quacking Together with Brian Relf, Terry's honours board is getting rather crowded. On this same day back in 1966, Paul Bowles was performing the identical trick against Sevenoaks Vine CC. - Further down the order Percy Brattle joined him, bowled R Pocock for nought at eight — his second of the season and 10th career duck from just 64 innings, 38th all time. That keeps him handily installed as this season's Duck of the Year frontrunner, a title very much still up for grabs. He carries the family name proudly too — kinsman Frank Brattle already has 33 career ducks banked, with Paul Brattle contributing one of his own to the household total. Percy shares his moment in history with Terry — also on this day in 1966, Paul Bowles was nought against Sevenoaks Vine CC. 📊 A quiet spell — just 3 ducks from 4 matches, with West Kent Wanderers CC alone accounting for two of them in the same Midweek innings. Triumph through adversity remains thin on the ground this week, but consistency of a very particular kind carries on regardless. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Mike Iliffe — 3 ducks in 12 innings (25%) - Fred Greenfield — 2 in 4 (50%) - Percy Brattle — 2 in 4 (50%) - Basil Sears — 2 in 6 (33.33%) - John Thirkell — 2 in 15 (13.33%) 🍩 The season race stays finely poised at the top. Next fixture, someone new will surely be along to add their name to this place of dubious distinction — see you at the crease. 0️⃣🦆

A quiet week for the exclusive zero club by Linton standards — just two additions from three fixtures — but what the week lacked in volume it made up for in pedigree, with the club's very own all-time record holder among the fallen. 🏏 1st XI — The Only Ones Troubling the Scorers At Bobbing Court CC on the 15th, Frank Brattle, batting at 5, was snapped up by Jack Whibley off the bowling of W Webb. A first duck of the 1969 campaign for Frank, and his 33rd for the club from a mighty 316 innings, keeping him at a lofty 6th in the all-time standings — a genuine fixture of Linton's poultry aristocracy. The Brattle name has previous form for the art of not scoring, with Percy (9 career ducks) and Paul (1) already quietly contributing to the family tally, though this one Frank managed entirely unaided. On this very day back in 1963, Roy Clarke — a Linton stalwart of 1957 to 1966, Duck of the Year 1959 no less — also strolled back for nought, against Headcorn CC, on his way to a career 40. Four days later at home to The Willows, John Thirkell was given lbw by G Clarke, batting at 4. His second duck of the season, and — take a breath — his 65th of a career spanning 628 innings. That keeps John exactly where he has sat for some time: 1st of 839 in Linton's all-time duck rankings, an achievement of near-mythical consistency. A four-time Duck of the Year (1952, 1954, 1955 and 1967), and a permanent resident of the Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road top tens, John remains the club's reigning monarch of the miss. Fittingly, son Tim Thirkell is carrying the torch nicely too, already 2 career ducks to his name and making his own appearance further down this week's leaderboard. Back on this same date in 1955, Richard Harris (1940 to 1965) also fell for a duck, against Hambros Bank, finishing his own career on 36. 📋 Week in Summary Just the two ducks from three matches, both courtesy of the 1st XI, and both, fittingly, wearing well-established Duck Club membership badges rather than debutant nerves. The 2nds and 3rds, for whatever reason, kept their collective heads down and their bats occupied. Consistency of a very particular kind continues to elude nobody at Linton Park. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Fred Greenfield — 2 ducks / 4 innings (50%) - Basil Sears — 2 ducks / 5 innings (40%) - Mike Iliffe — 2 ducks / 10 innings (20%) - John Thirkell — 2 ducks / 12 innings (16.67%) - Brian Relf — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) Fred Greenfield sets the early pace, but with John Thirkell's history of late-season surges, this race is far from settled. Roll on the next fixture — someone at Linton Park is always due a fresh nought. 🦆0️⃣🏏

Three matches on the fixture card this weekend, and the zero club kept remarkably slim pickings — a single, solitary sacrifice laid upon the altar of nought. Quality over quantity, perhaps. Or perhaps everyone else was simply paying attention. 🏏 1st XI — Away at Hartley Country Club CC Fred Greenfield walked out at number 5 and walked back rather sooner than planned, caught I King bowled I Gibbons without scoring. A tidy, uneventful demise — no theatrics, just a straightforward return to the pavilion. It's Fred's 2nd duck of the season and, more weightily, his 18th for the club from 109 innings — vaulting him to 17th in Linton's all-time roll of dishonour, a mere place above the chasing pack. Fred is also a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club, having bowed out on a nought at some point in his playing days — a standing honour on the board, and no reflection whatsoever on his continued good health this weekend. Neatly, on this very day back in 1940, Stan Pierce (1939–1946) was also dismissed for a duck, against Loose CC no less — proof that the calendar has a long memory for these things, even if Stan himself finished his career on a more modest 2. 📅 Week in Summary One duck from three matches is about as quiet as the Duck Hunting Season gets — a rare weekend where 21 other Linton batsmen apparently remembered how the bat works. Fred carries the flag alone, and carries it well. Whether this is a blip or the opposition simply weren't trying hard enough remains to be seen. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Fred Greenfield — 3 innings, 2 ducks (66.67%) - Basil Sears — 4 innings, 2 ducks (50.0%) - Mike Iliffe — 9 innings, 2 ducks (22.22%) - Brian Relf — 1 innings, 1 duck (100.0%) - Dave Hales — 1 innings, 1 duck (100.0%) Fred leads the pack, but with three names on 100% and 50% duck rates lurking, this race for Duck of the Year 1969 is far from settled. 🍩 Next fixture looms, gloves are on, and the zero club stands ready to welcome new (and returning) members. Bat well, or don't — either way, we'll be watching. 0️⃣🦆

A vintage weekend for the exclusive zero club. Five ducks fell across the period, and every single one arrived in the same innings at Tovil on the Saturday — the 1st XI apparently decided one batting collapse wasn't share-worthy enough and handed the honour round to five separate volunteers. Spookily, 31 May has previous — this very day in 1958 saw Frank Brattle depart for 0️⃣ against Old Williamsonians CC, and this lot did rather too well to honour the anniversary. 🏏 1st XI at Tovil Benny Bell, in at 5, was bowled by C. Banes for his 1st duck of the season — his 13th for the club, good enough for 27th on the all-time list, and a fitting nod to Brattle on the anniversary itself. Basil Sears followed at 6, caught Pattenden bowled Hitchin, and it's now his 2nd of the campaign — a serious relapse for a man already 27 career ducks deep and sat a lofty 10th all-time. Consistency of a very particular kind. Derry Evans, at 8, fell bowled Hitchin for his 1st of the season, moving to 6 career ducks and 58th in the standings — the same date claiming him as it claimed Brattle eleven years prior. Brian Fuller, batting at 10, was bowled by D. White for his 1st of the year and 3rd for the club, edging into 102nd on the all-time roll — proof the lower order can find its way onto the honours board too. And closing the innings in style, Brian Relf was stumped Pattenden off White — his 1st duck of the season, 22nd career, and a lofty 12th of all time. Relf is a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from a long-ago first innings, carries a Quacking Together entry alongside Terry Whittaker, and is on record as a Retirement Duck honouree and full Quack-to-Quack graduate — duck on arrival, duck on departure. Some men simply commit to the bit. 📊 Week in Summary Three matches, five ducks, all of them concentrated into a single Tovil innings — the sort of team effort the Duck Club exists to salute. The rest of the weekend's fixtures kept their fowl well hidden, which is either restraint or simply bad luck for future entries. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Basil Sears — 3 inns, 2 ducks (66.67%) 2. Mike Iliffe — 7 inns, 2 ducks (28.57%) 3. Brian Relf — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) 4. Dave Hales — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) 5. Paul Brattle — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) Basil Sears sets the early pace, but it's early days yet. Roll on the next fixture — the ducks are clearly only just getting their eye in. 🦆🍩

Two matches on the fixture list this weekend, and Bearsted CC proved the only side willing to oblige the Club with fresh material. 🏏 1st XI v Bearsted CC (home) Mike Iliffe departed at number six, bowled by Bryan Elswood, for his second duck of the season and 11th of an already storied career — moving to 57 innings and settling at 34th in the all-time standings. On this very day back in 1957, Cliff Anscombe was doing much the same trick against Ron Aiston's XI, en route to a Debutante Duck and the 1957 Duck of the Year crown; Cliff finished with 15 to his name, so Mike has ground to make up yet. Lower down the order, Percy Brattle was caught behind — Peter Prince taking the catch off Ian Lambert — for his first duck of the season and ninth of his career, moving to 61 innings and 44th on the all-time list. Percy already wears the sash for Duck of the Year 1969, and this one keeps the title very much on his own head rather than anyone else's. He arrives with pedigree too — a parent in the Club on 32 career ducks and another relative on the books besides, proof that the art of not scoring runs in the blood. Percy shares his on-this-day company with Cliff Anscombe as well, both men undone on the 26th of May twelve years apart. 📊 Week in Summary Two matches, two ducks, both from the very same fixture — Bearsted CC clearly enjoy their trips to Linton. The other match on the card passed off disappointingly duck-free. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Mike Iliffe — 5 innings, 2 ducks (40%) 2. Dave Hales — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 3. Paul Brattle — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 4. Percy Brattle — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 5. Basil Sears — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) A perfect record so far for three of the five — the season is young, and there's a long summer of batting collapses yet to come. Next weekend's fixtures await their own contributions to the cause — bring your camera, and try not to be one of the highlights. 🦆🍩

Just the one fixture on the books this time, but Linton Park's 1st XI made sure it counted, with West Farleigh CC helping the exclusive zero club welcome three new inductees on a single, chastening afternoon. 🏏 1st XI v West Farleigh CC (Home) First to the crease and first to the pavilion was Mike Iliffe, bowled Colin Clark at four for his 1st duck of the season and 10th of a solid career — 56 innings deep and sitting 37th of 839 in the all-time charts. Splendidly, on this exact calendar date back in 1950, club legend John Thirkell — still the all-time number one on 64 — also walked back for nought, against Charles Arkcoll. History, it seems, quacks in rhyme. Next up, Dave Hales at seven, bowled Ron Kemp, and what an entrance — a genuine first-ever innings for the club, and it's a blob. Instant life membership of the Debutante Duck club beckons, with the rarer Quack-to-Quack honour lurking should this prove his only appearance — though we'd rather see him back at the crease than in the record books just yet. He shares his inauspicious start with the same 1950 echo above — good to know he's not alone. Closing the innings' misery was Tim Thirkell, also bowled Ron Kemp, for his 2nd career duck in 10 innings, 183rd of 839 all-time. Already a name across three separate top-10 tables — Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck — and a Full House member besides, having now ducked at every position from 1 to 11. Fittingly, it was his own father John, top of the all-time tree on 64, who supplied today's 1950 parallel — the art of not scoring is evidently hereditary in the Thirkell household. 📊 Week in Summary Three ducks, one match, both West Farleigh bowlers sharing the spoils — Ron Kemp claimed two, Colin Clark the third. No pairs, no golden ducks, no family doubles this week — the ducks kept a respectful distance from one another, for once. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Dave Hales — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% - Paul Brattle — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% - Basil Sears — 2 inn, 1 duck, 50% - Fred Greenfield — 2 inn, 1 duck, 50% - Stan Wratten — 2 inn, 1 duck, 50% Dave Hales top of the pile on his very first outing — a bold way to introduce yourself to the club's least wanted table. The next fixture awaits, and with it, surely, further additions to the honours board. We watch. We wait. We celebrate. 🦆🍩

Two fixtures on the books this weekend, and Gore Court CC away proved the only ground willing to entertain the club's favourite pastime — the noble art of not scoring. 🏏 Saturday, 1st XI — Gore Court CC (away) Openers John Ames and John Thirkell shared a distinctly forgettable afternoon, both undone by the same tormentor, Derek Gould, within the same top order. Ames went first, back in the pavilion for his 1st duck of the 1969 season and 41st of an already storied career spanning 309 innings — good enough for outright bronze in the all-time table, 3rd of 838. He's a paid-up member of several exclusive fraternities on the honours board: Ducks in a Row (four on the spin, no less), a fixture in the Homebody Duck top 10, and joint custodian of not one but two Quacking Together pairings, with Roy Clarke and with Stan Wratten. As it happens, this very calendar day in 1963 saw Roy Clarke — one half of that pairing — also stroll back for nought, against Charles Arkcoll. Some duos really do share a brain. Thirkell followed him back not long after, caught by John Young off the same relentless Gould, for his own 1st of the season and a frankly monumental 64th of his career — the outright all-time record, 1st of 838, a total nobody at Linton Park looks likely to trouble any time soon. Four-time Duck of the Year (1952, 1954, 1955, 1967), a permanent resident of the Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road top 10s, and paired for posterity with both Bob Arnold and William Buck, Thirkell's name reading "0" on the card is less an event than a tradition. Keen students of the family tree will note his kin Tim Thirkell already carries a career duck of his own — the acorn, evidently, does not fall far. And by pleasant coincidence, Thirkell too shares his duck's date with Roy Clarke's 1963 effort against Charles Arkcoll — the same day, six years apart, doing what Linton men have always done best. 📋 The Week in Brief Two matches, two ducks, both from the same innings at Gore Court — Derek Gould can consider his afternoon's work a triumph, ours a shared exercise in adversity. The other fixture passed off, disappointingly, entirely duck-free. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard — Top 5 1. Paul Brattle — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) 2. Basil Sears — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) 3. Fred Greenfield — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) 4. Stan Wratten — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) 5. Dick Langridge — 1 duck / 3 innings (33%) Early days yet in the race for Duck of the Year — plenty of scope for movement. The next fixture awaits, and with it, no doubt, fresh additions to the honours board. 🦆🍩

Two fixtures, five ducks, and the 1969 vintage already showing real class in the art of not scoring. Saturday 3rd May — v Chiddingstone CC (h) Basil Sears departed at number six, caught Ian Blanthorn bowled Derek Hatt for nought — his first duck of the season, and his 26th from a 354-innings career, which has him sat proudly at 10th in the all-time list of 838. On this very day in 1959, Tony Tipples (1952–1961) was likewise sent packing, one of seven ducks on his way to 55th on the same table. Sunday 4th May — v Bobbing Court CC (a) Bobbing Court did brisk business. Stan Wratten opened the batting and the ducking alike, bowled T Jones without scoring — his 29th career duck from 292 innings, good for 8th all-time, and a proud member of the Quacking Together honours alongside John Ames. On this same day in 1958, the ever-reliable Frank Brattle was also making nought, one of 32 in a Linton Park career spanning 1937 to 1969. Fred Greenfield was next, caught W Webb bowled T Jones for his 17th career duck from a brisk 107 innings — 19th all-time, and a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell. Same 1958 vintage of Frank Brattle keeping him company. Dick Langridge followed, caught T Gabbadon bowled W Webb, his 16th career duck from 104 innings — 21st all-time, and evidently a family trait, with son Barry Langridge already 6 ducks into his own club career. Frank Brattle's 1958 effort makes it a hat-trick of on-this-day company for the Bobbing Court quartet. And then, fittingly, the day's grandest ceremony: at number ten, Paul Brattle marked his very first senior innings for the club with a duck straight off the bat, bowled W Webb without scoring. A genuine Debutante Duck, and he arrives in good company — father Frank Brattle (32 career ducks) and relative Percy Brattle (8) already fixtures of the honours board. Paul's maiden nought sits him alongside a deep vein of history on exactly one career duck apiece, including A Barker, who managed the same feat between 1885 and 1904 and was Duck of the Year in 1885. Week in summary Five ducks from two matches, four of them supplied by Bobbing Court CC alone — a proper cluster for the away side to enjoy. No pairs and no king pairs this week, but a new name joins the club in style on his debut afternoon. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Fred Greenfield — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Paul Brattle — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Basil Sears — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) - Dick Langridge — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) - Stan Wratten — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) Next fixture beckons — who'll be adding to the tally, and who'll be desperately avoiding it? 🏏🍩0️⃣

🏏 Saturday 26th April 1st XI away to West Farleigh CC, and the exclusive zero club logged its lone recruit of the week. In at first wicket down, Paul Bowles departed courtesy of a smart take from Trevor Fermor off Ray Ford — his 1st duck of the fledgling 1969 season, and a weightier 18th in Linton colours from 97 innings, good for 18th spot on the club's all-time roll of dishonour. Paul needs no introduction to this particular honours board. A two-time Duck of the Year (1966 and 1968), a permanent fixture in the Ducks on the Road top 10, and one half of the "Only Two Quacks" double act with Adam Pooley — the man collects noughts the way others collect fifties. This week he draws level on 18 career ducks with John Abnett, who plied his trade from 1954 to 1969 and reached the same grim tally in a rather more economical 49 innings, Abnett himself a member of the "Ducks in a Row" club for four on the bounce. Consistency of a very particular kind, on both sides of the crease. 🏏 Sunday 27th April A rare mercy — the second fixture of the weekend passed entirely fowl-free. Every bat in the middle troubled the scorers, however reluctantly. 📊 Week in Summary Just the single duck from two matches — a quiet one by Linton's usual standards, with Paul Bowles shouldering the entire burden solo. No pairs, no family affairs, nothing more dramatic than one well-taken catch. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Paul Bowles — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% Early days yet in the 1969 hunt, with the board wide open below Paul. Roll on the next fixture — the art of not scoring waits for no one, and someone out there is overdue their first quack of the summer. 0️⃣🍩🦆