🦆 The Duck Pond

A single fixture out on the green this day, and — brace yourselves — not a nought to be found anywhere in it. The Duck Club's traps were baited, the honours board stood ready with a fresh page turned, and the entire membership went home having actually scored. A shocking, near-scandalous outbreak of competence. We shan't pretend this isn't a disappointment. The exclusive zero club thrives on adversity, and adversity took the day off. Still, every empty week is merely a pause between triumphs — the art of not scoring is a patient art, and Linton's finest will be back at the crease soon enough, bats in hand, ready to fail spectacularly in the club's proud tradition. So: nothing to report, no new entrants, no milestones tumbled. A rare and quiet Saturday in the history of the game's most dubious distinction. Let it be logged as such and let us move swiftly on to the only numbers that matter this season. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇🍩 1. Jim Hall — 5 ducks from 14 innings (35.71%) — the pace-setter, showing a consistency of a very particular kind 2. Tim Thirkell — 4 ducks from 12 innings (33.33%) — hot on Hall's heels and closing fast 3. Alan Cradduck — 4 ducks from 15 innings (26.67%) — quietly accumulating 4. David Piper — 4 ducks from 15 innings (26.67%) — level with Cradduck to the innings, sharing the podium in every sense 5. Benny Bell — 4 ducks from 19 innings (21.05%) — proof that patience, or at least persistence, pays off eventually A tight scrap at the top, with Hall's strike rate for failure currently unmatched in the division. Thirkell will fancy his chances of closing that gap given a bad enough afternoon. Rest assured, dear members, the ducks are only resting. Next weekend's fixtures offer fresh opportunity for glorious ignominy, and this correspondent will be watching every dropped shoulder and leaden footwork with great interest. Bats up, standards low — see you at the crease. 🏏0️⃣

A full house of noughts across the weekend, five in total, and the 1st XI supplied every single one of them across two home fixtures. The exclusive zero club welcomes some very familiar faces. 🏏 Saturday, West Farleigh CC (h) Three down for nothing in the same innings, and Duck Club records will show the calendar has a long memory. Paul Bowles went first, bowled Trevor Back at number two, his 2nd of the season and 21st of a career that now sits 15th on the all-time list. A two-time Duck of the Year (1966 and 1968), a fixture on the Ducks on the Road top ten, and forever twinned with Adam Pooley in the Only Two Quacks ledger — Paul barely needs the introduction anymore. Eleven years to the very day, 19 September 1959, G Martin also departed for nought, against Bearsted CC no less, his 3rd for the club. History repeats itself with unsettling precision. Tim Thirkell followed, caught Colin Clark bowled Micky Back at seven, his 4th of the season and 10th career duck from just 33 innings, a rattling 30% strike rate for failure. He shares today's page in the 1959 ledger with G Martin too, and remains a proud member of the Full House board — a duck at every position, one through eleven — plus the Lone Duck and Homebody Duck top tens. His father John Thirkell, no less, sits on 67 career ducks of his own, so the family knows the drill. Then Jim Hall, bowled Ray Ford at nine, his 5th of the season and 8th career duck from 39 innings. Jim and Tim, already bound together on the Quacking Together honours board, renewed their acquaintance in the very same innings — a proper reunion of old quacking partners. With the season only just past its halfway mark for ducks, 1970 is shaping up nicely as Jim's own Duck of the Year vintage. He remains a nearly-man on Full House with 10 of 11 positions covered, and rides high on the Tourist and Homebody Duck top tens besides. 🌱 Sunday, Harrietsham CC (h) Brian Humphries opened the innings and opened his duck account in the same breath, bowled Edward Smith for his maiden club nought — his 1st of the season and 1st of his career from 17 innings. On this same date in 1959, Eddie Lawrence made a duck against Tilling Steven; welcome to the club, Brian, the anniversary is apparently compulsory reading. Jon Harris then fell at seven, bowled Michael Lidstone, his 3rd of the season and 9th career duck from 31 innings, a healthy 29% strike rate. Jon shares today's date with Eddie Lawrence too, and already carries a heavy honours load of his own — Full House completed in full, Ducks on the Road, Homebody and Lone Duck top tens, and an Only Two Quacks entry with Allan Cooper. His father Richard Harris carries 36 career ducks, so the art of not scoring plainly runs in the blood. 📋 The Week in Brief Five ducks, two matches, both at home, and the 1st XI shouldering the lot. Saturday's West Farleigh collapse alone accounted for three of them — a genuine cluster, the kind selectors pretend not to notice. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Jim Hall — 5 ducks in 14 innings (35.71%) - Tim Thirkell — 4 ducks in 12 innings (33.33%) - Alan Cradduck — 4 ducks in 15 innings (26.67%) - David Piper — 4 ducks in 15 innings (26.67%) - Benny Bell — 4 ducks in 19 innings (21.05%) Fittingly, the top two spots both fell at West Farleigh this very weekend. The chase for Duck of the Year 1970 is well and truly on. Next fixture beckons — pads on, bats ready, and the zero club stands by for new arrivals. 🦆0️⃣🏏

A rare and faintly suspicious weekend, ducklings. One match played on Linton soil this day in 1970, and not a single batsman could be persuaded to nick off for nought. The zero club convened, checked its membership rolls, and found nobody new queuing at the door. Make no mistake — this is not good news for the connoisseur. Somewhere out there, eleven batsmen walked out, faced the music, and simply refused to cooperate with tradition. A hollow, duckless afternoon. We can only assume the bowlers were off their game, the pitch too kind, or the fielders too busy admiring the September sunshine to hold a catch. Whatever the cause, the art of not scoring took a rest day, and the honours board gathers dust for one more week. Still, the club's grand tradition of dubious distinction does not pause for a quiet Sunday — the season standings roll on regardless, and there is late-season drama enough to keep us occupied while we wait for the ducks to return. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - 🥇 Jim Hall — 4 ducks from 13 innings, a startling 30.77% strike rate for the art of not scoring - 🥈 David Piper — 4 ducks from 14 innings, 28.57%, breathing down Hall's neck - 🥉 Alan Cradduck — 4 ducks from 15 innings, 26.67%, keeping the top three honest - Benny Bell — 4 ducks from 19 innings, 21.05%, the patient accumulator's route to the podium - Mike Iliffe — 4 ducks from 29 innings, 13.79%, proof that consistency of a very particular kind can be achieved the long way round Five men, level on four ducks apiece, separated only by how efficiently they got there. Hall leads on percentage alone — the purest measure of triumph through adversity — but with the season still open, Piper and Cradduck need only one soft dismissal each to leapfrog him. Iliffe, meanwhile, is playing the long game, quietly accumulating his noughts across nearly thirty innings like a man in no hurry at all. 📅 Looking ahead A blank week for the record books, but never fear — Linton's batsmen are not known for sustained good behaviour, and normal service will surely resume at the next fixture. Until then, keep the willow loose, the footwork loose, and the concentration looser still. We watch. We wait. We celebrate. 🦆 0️⃣

A quiet weekend on the nought front, but the exclusive zero club never fully closes its doors, and one gentleman was duly admitted this week. 🏏 1st XI Saturday's home fixture against A.Trembeths saw David T Lowen walk in at first wicket down and depart bowled by B- Lewis without troubling the scorers — his 2nd duck of the 1970 season and, fittingly, his 2nd career duck from 17 innings. He takes his place at 151st in the all-time roll of honour, a solid, unspectacular entry in the club's grand tapestry of not-scoring. Neatly enough, on this very day back in 1954, John Larking — a Linton man of the 1944–1963 vintage — also strolled back for a duck against Gillingham CC, Kent, on his way to the same tally of 2. Sixteen years apart, same opposition county, same ignominious arithmetic. The Duck Club calendar has a long memory. 📊 Week in Summary Two matches, one duck — a distinctly lean harvest by the club's usual standards. Whether this reflects improved application at the crease or simply bowlers having an off week is, as ever, a matter for the members' bar rather than this report. Either way, the ducks evaded the net more successfully than David T Lowen evaded B- Lewis. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. Jim Hall — 4 ducks in 13 innings (30.77%) 2. David Piper — 4 ducks in 14 innings (28.57%) 3. Alan Cradduck — 4 ducks in 15 innings (26.67%) 4. Benny Bell — 4 ducks in 19 innings (21.05%) 5. Mike Iliffe — 4 ducks in 29 innings (13.79%) A tightly bunched top five all locked on four apiece — the percentages are doing the sorting this season, and there's precious little in it. Plenty of cricket left for someone to break clear. 🍩 Until the next fixture, the season presses on and the club's bowlers remain, as always, cricket's most reliable talent scouts for new membership. See you at the crease — or, more likely, on the honours board. 0️⃣🦆

A remarkably quiet weekend for the Duck Club — ledger-keepers might say too quiet. Three matches went into the book across Saturday, Sunday and the Bank Holiday Monday, and the exclusive zero club admitted precisely one new entry. Consistency, it seems, took the weekend off. 🏏 Monday – Bearsted CC (away) The 1st XI's trip to Bearsted CC produced the weekend's solitary casualty. In at number 9, Nigel O'Toole departed for nought, stumped by Peter Johnson off the bowling of Bryan Elswood. It's O'Toole's 3rd duck of the season and, rather alarmingly, his 3rd in just 5 career innings — a strike rate for nought that places him 127th of 857 in the all-time standings, and marks him out as a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, his very first LPCC innings having ended the same way some seasons back. The apple, it seems, has not fallen far from the tree. Neatly, on this very day back in 1952, club immortal John Thirkell also trudged back for a duck, against A Levick XI. Thirkell, who graced Linton Park from 1943 to 1970, sits proudly at #1 of 857 all-time with a staggering 67 career ducks and no fewer than four Duck of the Year titles to his name (1952, 1954, 1955, 1967) — proof, if proof were needed, that even the very greatest of failures can become a career. 📊 Week in Summary One duck from three matches is a lean return by Duck Club standards — the other two fixtures passed by disappointingly fowl-free. Still, quality over quantity: O'Toole keeps the season ticking over nicely. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard — Top 5 1. David Piper — 4 ducks / 13 innings (30.77%) 2. Jim Hall — 4 ducks / 13 innings (30.77%) 3. Alan Cradduck — 4 ducks / 14 innings (28.57%) 4. Benny Bell — 4 ducks / 18 innings (22.22%) 5. Mike Iliffe — 4 ducks / 28 innings (14.29%) A tight scrap at the summit, four players locked together on four ducks apiece — plenty of season left for someone to break clear 🍩. 🦆 Roll up for the next fixture, LPCC — the zero club always has room for one more.

Three fixtures, seven noughts, and the exclusive zero club welcomes its usual mix of old hands and one very fresh face. On with the ceremony. Saturday 22 August — v Aylesford Paper Mills CC Tim Thirkell fell caught Sprigmore bowled Peters for his 3rd duck of the season and 9th of a well-decorated career (30 innings, 45th of 857 all-time) — a fully paid-up member of the Full House, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, and one half of Quacking Together with none other than season pacesetter Jim Hall. On this very day in 1953, J Barclay (1953–54) also strolled back for nought against Charles Arkcoll — some anniversaries just won't leave a man alone. Sunday 23 August — v Mersham Hatch (away) Four for the price of one this week. Robert Chance departed caught Smith bowled Jeanes, his 1st of the season and 5th career (92 innings, 78th all-time). Then John Ames — 3rd on the all-time leaderboard with a mighty 332 innings behind him — was run out for his 1st of the season and a staggering 43rd career duck, adding another line to an already crowded honours cabinet (Ducks in a Row, Homebody top 10, Only Two Quacks twice over). Nigel O'Toole, lbw to F.H. Ames, took his 2nd of the season and career alike (a veteran of the Debutante Duck club from an earlier innings), while Tony Gauna rounded things off caught Jeanes bowled Holbrook for his own 2nd of the season and career. Splendidly, all three of Chance, O'Toole and Gauna share a parallel — D Simmons also ducked on this exact date back in 1952, so whatever was in the water at Mersham Hatch clearly has form. Wednesday 26 August — Midweek XI v Gravesend CC Paul Bowles was bowled by Mukul Lall for his 1st of the season and 20th career duck (133 innings, 16th all-time), a two-time Duck of the Year (1966, 1968) and, fittingly, his on-this-day parallel is 1962's J Ames — the very same John Ames who was busy adding to his own tally elsewhere this week. Then Steve Gower marked his senior debut in the grandest fashion available, caught Sparling bowled Lall for a genuine golden entry into the record books — first innings, first duck, an instant and unqualified Debutante Duck. Welcome to the club. Week in brief Seven ducks, three matches, Mersham Hatch doing the heaviest lifting with four in a single innings. Debuts don't come more efficient than Steve Gower's. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. David Piper — 4 ducks/12 inns (33.3%) 2. Jim Hall — 4 ducks/12 inns (33.3%) 3. Alan Cradduck — 4 ducks/14 inns (28.6%) 4. Benny Bell — 4 ducks/17 inns (23.5%) 5. Mike Iliffe — 4 ducks/26 inns (15.4%) A tight top of the table as we head towards the business end of the season. Next fixture, more names, more noughts — the Duck Club never sleeps. 🏏0️⃣

A lean weekend for the exclusive zero club, but what it lacked in volume it made up for in pedigree — both of this week's noughts came from the same unhappy trip to Bowaters CC, and both carry some proper history behind them. 1st XI — away at Bowaters CC Mike Iliffe, promoted to number 2, was bowled by Graham Piesley without scoring — his 4th duck of the season and 16th of a career now running to 101 innings, good enough for 24th on the all-time list of 856. Splendidly, on this very calendar date in 1964, club immortal John Thirkell also strolled back for nought against these same opponents — Thirkell (1943–1970) sits top of the all-time charts on 67 ducks and a small library of Duck of the Year titles, so Mike keeps distinguished company on the Bowaters cursed-fixture list. At 7, Tim Thirkell was run out by Nick Nicholls for his 2nd of the season and 8th career duck, 54th of 856 all-time and a proud member of the Full House board — a duck at every position 1 to 11, no small feat of versatility in failure. Tim's own on-this-day parallel is, delightfully, his father: John Thirkell made his identical duck against Bowaters on this same date back in 1964, six years before his son repeated the family trick almost to the day. A chip off the old block in the most literal sense — the Thirkell name already carries real weight in these records, with sibling Nigel also on 2 career ducks and cousin Stuart on 1. Tim also carries Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top-10 honours, plus Quacking Together with Jim Hall for company. Week in summary Two matches, two ducks, both wrapped into one grim trip to Bowaters Green — the rest of the club's batting order kept its nerve elsewhere. Consistency of a very particular kind from the Thirkell family this week, generations apart but united in the art of not scoring. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - David Piper — 4 ducks / 11 innings (36.4%) - Jim Hall — 4 ducks / 12 innings (33.3%) - Alan Cradduck — 4 ducks / 13 innings (30.8%) - Benny Bell — 4 ducks / 16 innings (25.0%) - Mike Iliffe — 4 ducks / 24 innings (16.7%) Mike's weekend duck keeps him ticking over nicely in 5th, though the top of the table remains a fierce four-way scrap. 🥇🍩 Next fixture awaits, and the zero club never sleeps for long — see you at the crease, or rather, on the way back from it. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Two matches, seven ducks, and Linton's lower order once again mastering the art of not scoring. Step forward this week's newest members of the exclusive zero club. 🏏 Sat 9 Aug – 1st XI v Sibton Park CC (home) D- Manktelow marked his very first Linton innings with a golden bowled by David Rawlings at five — 1 duck from 1 innings (245th of 856), and already installed on the Debutante Duck and One and Done boards. Whether he sheds that tag remains to be seen. On this day in 1964, all-time #1 John Thirkell (67 ducks, 1943–1970) also fell, against Harrietsham CC. Paul Brattle followed, bowled Nick Guy at seven, his 4th career duck from 10 innings (96th of 856) — a fellow Debutante Duck alumnus, and it runs in the family: kin Frank Brattle (37) and Percy Brattle (15) know the feeling well. Ron Hickman was next, bowled David Rawlings for his 3rd of the season and 15th career duck from 33 innings — 27th all time, and paired on the "Quacking Together" board with Alan Cradduck. D- Whyman closed the innings, caught M- Kirk bowled G- Willis at ten, his 1st season and 1st career duck from 2 innings (246th of 856) — a long-standing Retirement Duck board name from a past farewell. 🏏 Wed 12 Aug – Midweek XI v Gravesend CC (home) Mike Iliffe fell caught Kevin Wilson bowled J Piper at five, his 3rd of the season and 15th career duck from 100 innings — 25th all time. On this day in 1956, John Larking (2 ducks, 1944–1962) suffered identically against Harrietsham CC. Jon Harris, caught T Pickering bowled Kevin Wilson at eight, brought up his 2nd of the season and 8th career duck from 27 innings (50th of 856) — a heavily decorated honours-board name, boasting a Full House (a duck at every position 1–11), regular top-ten billing for Tourist and Homebody Duck, and paired entries with Allan Cooper, Jim Hall and Trevor Back. Kin Richard Harris keeps it in the family on 36. Tony Gauna rounded things off, bowled A Myles at ten, his 1st season and 1st career duck from 2 innings (380th of 856) — also echoing 1956's John Larking, same day, same fate against Harrietsham. 📋 Week in Summary Seven ducks, two matches, both at home — and the tail did the heavy lifting, five of seven falling at seven or below. Sibton Park and Gravesend's bowlers clearly enjoyed themselves. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard (Top 5) 1. David Piper — 4 ducks/10 innings (40.0%) 2. Jim Hall — 4 ducks/11 innings (36.4%) 3. Alan Cradduck — 4 ducks/12 innings (33.3%) 4. Benny Bell — 4 ducks/16 innings (25.0%) 5. Ron Hickman — 3 ducks/6 innings (50.0%) Hickman's strike rate tops the lot — one to watch as the season run-in continues. 🍩 See you at the next fixture, where the zero club always has room for new members. 0️⃣🏏

A rare and troubling weekend for the exclusive zero club: two matches played, and not a single nought to show for it. The ducks evaded capture entirely — bats stayed alive, scorers stayed bored, and the honours board gathers not one new name. Even Alan Cradduck, surname practically pre-ordained for this newsletter, was denied his moment. Whether this is a triumph of application or simply a weekend when the Duck Gods blinked, we cannot say. What we can say is that the drought never lasts. Somewhere out there, a top edge to gully is already being rehearsed for next weekend. 🏏 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard — 1970 top 5 🥇 David Piper — 4 ducks from 10 innings, a startling 40.0% strike rate for the wrong kind of strike 🥈 Jim Hall — 4 from 11, 36.36%, breathing down Piper's neck 🥉 Alan Cradduck — 4 from 12, 33.33%, the name says it all 4️⃣ Benny Bell — 4 from 16, 25.0%, the steadier hand in a rocky field 5️⃣ Richard Ashby — 3 from 9, 33.33%, matching Cradduck's rate on a smaller sample and closing fast The race for Duck of the Year 1970 remains wide open, Piper's nose narrowly in front but with Hall and Cradduck both one soft dismissal away from a change at the top. 📅 A quiet week, then — but never trust the quiet ones. The next fixture is out there, the bowlers are warming up, and this correspondent fully expects the Duck Club's books to be reopened before long. Get out there, middle a few, and if you can't, do it with style — the honours board is always recruiting. 🍩0️⃣

Two fixtures, four ducks, and one Paddock Wood quick who fancied himself quite the exterminator. Read on. Saturday — 1st XI vs Sibton Park CC David Piper strode out at eight and departed just as promptly, bowled by David Rawlings for nought — his 4th duck of the season and, handily, his 4th career duck too, from a mere 10 innings. That's 88th of 854 in the all-time list and climbing fast. Spookily, on this very day in 1925 W Turner was enduring an identical fate against Bearsted CC — some Saturdays repeat themselves down the decades. Sunday — 1st XI vs Paddock Wood CC (home) Brace yourselves — this one belonged to a single Paddock Wood bowler. Richard Ashby, promoted to number four, edged behind for his 3rd duck of the campaign and 23rd of a genuinely storied career — 13th of 854 all-time, and a proud member of both the Ducks in a Row (five on the bounce) and Tourist Duck top ten honours. On this same date in 1940, J Short was making the identical walk back against Boughton Monchelsea CC. Alan Cradduck came and went at seven, bowled for his 4th duck of the season — which happens to also be his 4th career duck, in just 12 innings, 82nd all-time. A card-carrying Debutante Duck, Ducks in a Row member, and one half of the Quacking Together honour with Ron Hickman. J Short, 1940, keeps him company down the years too. Percy Brattle rounded things off at nine, also undone by the same bowler — his 2nd duck of the season, 15th of his career from 73 innings, 25th all-time, and a past Duck of the Year (1969) dining out on old glories. Something of a family trade, this — kin Frank Brattle carries 37 career ducks and Paul Brattle another 3. J Short once more for company. Three LPCC wickets, three ducks, nought runs conceded in doing it — the Paddock Wood opener can consider himself an honorary Duck Club patron this week. Week in summary 4 ducks from 2 matches — a quiet one by Linton standards, but concentrated with menace: three of the four fell in the very same innings to the very same bowler. The art of not scoring remains alive and well. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - David Piper — 4 ducks / 10 inns (40.0%) - Jim Hall — 4 ducks / 10 inns (40.0%) - Alan Cradduck — 4 ducks / 12 inns (33.33%) - Benny Bell — 4 ducks / 15 inns (26.67%) - Richard Ashby — 3 ducks / 9 inns (33.33%) A four-way scrap at the top with the season entering its final stretch. Next fixture awaits — bring your bats, if only for the Duck Club's sake. 0️⃣🦆

A quiet weekend for the Hunting Season, but not entirely feather-free... 1st XI — Away at Tilling Steven (Saturday 18th) David Piper, promoted to number six, walked back for nought — stumped by T Mitchell off the bowling of D Carcary. It's Piper's 3rd duck of the season and his 3rd career duck from 9 innings, keeping him at a steady 112th in Linton's all-time roll of 854 hopefuls. Fittingly, on this very day back in 1964, club great Frank Brattle also fell for a duck, against Rumwood CC no less — Brattle, who turned out for Linton from 1937 to 1970, sits 5th on the all-time list with a mighty 37 to his name. Good company to keep on a Saturday stumping. Sunday's fixture, by contrast, was a strictly vegetarian affair — all bat, no fowl, nobody troubling the Duck Club's records. 📊 Week in Brief Two matches, one duck — the traps came back light this week, with Piper standing alone as the weekend's sole contributor to the art of not scoring. Slim pickings, but the season's still young and the ducks are never far away. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard (1970) - Jim Hall — 4 ducks in 10 innings (40.00%) - Benny Bell — 4 ducks in 15 innings (26.67%) - David Piper — 3 ducks in 9 innings (33.33%) - Alan Cradduck — 3 ducks in 11 innings (27.27%) - Frank Brattle — 3 ducks in 17 innings (17.65%) Piper's latest addition keeps him firmly lodged in the top three — Hall and Bell would do well to watch their backs. Next weekend beckons, gentlemen, and with it fresh chances to add your name to the club's most dubious honours board. Bring your bats — the ducks are waiting 🍩0️⃣

Two fixtures, five ducks, and the 1st XI shouldering the entire weekend's ignominy. The exclusive zero club opens its books once more. 🏏 Saturday — away at Beverley CC, Kent Last man in, last man to fall: Brian Fuller departed at number 11, bowled by R- Gawler, for his 2nd duck of the season and 6th of a career now spanning 20 innings — 61st on the club's all-time roll of dishonour. On this very date back in 1967, one Mike Stephens (1966-1970, 2 career ducks) was also trudging back for nought, so 11 July clearly has form. 🏏 Sunday — home to Colin Eldred's XI Openers first, then a Formoy special through the middle. David T Lowen fell first ball of the innings in spirit if not in fact, edging R Mason through to M Frizelle for his maiden career duck from 10 innings — 248th on the all-time list, and a fresh face to the club. Back on this same 12 July in 1964, Len Conway (1954-1965, 12 ducks, and a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club) suffered an identical fate. Then B Formoy went to work like a fox loose in the henhouse. Terry Groves fell to him for his 5th career duck from 19 innings, good for 78th all-time — sharing that same 12 July 1964 duck-date with Conway. Jon Harris followed, also bowled Formoy, for his 7th career duck in 25 innings and 56th on the all-time roll — no small feat for a man who already owns a Full House (a duck at every position 1 to 11), sits in the top 10 for both Lone and Tourist Ducks, and carries lifetime membership of the Debutante Duck club from a debut long since forgotten. A relative, Richard Harris, already has 36 career ducks to his name, so the aptitude clearly runs in the blood. Completing what amounted to a Formoy hat-trick of sorts, Nigel Thirkell went the same way at number 8, his 2nd career duck from just 5 innings, adding his name to the Homebody and Tourist Duck top 10s — every bit the family business, with relative John Thirkell (67 career ducks), sibling Tim (7) and family member Stuart (1) all having blazed the trail before him. Fittingly, Nigel too shares this Conway-vintage date of 12 July 1964. 📊 Week in Summary Five ducks from two matches, three of them harvested by B Formoy in a single devastating spell — the kind of burst that empties a top order and fills the Duck Club register in one visit. The 1st XI carried the whole weekend unassisted, top to bottom of the order. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Jim Hall — 4 ducks from 9 innings (44.4%) - Benny Bell — 4 ducks from 14 innings (28.6%) - Alan Cradduck — 3 ducks from 10 innings (30.0%) - Frank Brattle — 3 ducks from 16 innings (18.8%) - Andrew Moss — 3 ducks from 23 innings (13.0%) Jim Hall sets the pace for now, but the season has miles left to run. Next fixture, somebody new will surely queue up at the exclusive zero club's door — bat raised, we'll be watching. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Two fixtures, five ducks, and Charles Arkcoll's bowlers doing the most damage to a Linton top order that simply couldn't get going this weekend. The exclusive zero club welcomes its latest inductees. Saturday 4 July — 1st XI at Charles Arkcoll (away) Andrew Moss departed for his 3rd duck of the season, snapped up by Mick Filmer off Vic Wellard, moving to 4 career ducks in 60 innings (81st of 854 all time). Moss is already a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club from some past curtain call, though evidently there's unfinished business yet. On this very day in 1904, Arthur Cornwallis, a two-time Duck of the Year (1888 and 1904), was also walking back against Sutton Valence School. Jim Hall was run out for his 4th of the season and 7th career duck from just 33 innings (55th of 854), extending his grip on the 1970 Duck of the Year race. This genuinely prolific member of the zero club sits in the Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Tourist Duck top tens, and is just one position shy of the coveted Full House. Cornwallis, a century-old ghost of the same date, nodded along from 1904. Alan Cradduck, bowled Robert Campbell, brought up his 3rd duck of the season and 3rd overall in a mere 9 innings, arithmetic that would alarm anyone not already resigned to his Ducks in a Row (5 consecutive) status. Cornwallis, once more, tips his cap from 1904. Brian Fuller fell to the same Robert Campbell, evidently a bowler enjoying his afternoon, for a 1st duck of the season and 5th in 19 innings overall (71st of 854). Cornwallis completes his quadruple booking for the day. Sunday 5 July — 1st XI at Aylesford Paper Mills CC (away) Mick Filmer, fresh from pouching Andrew Moss in the slips 24 hours earlier, found no such luck at the crease himself, caught D Lunn bowled Colin Watson, for his 2nd duck of the season and 2nd career nought from 11 innings (177th of 854). Elsewhere on this date in 1943, Herbert Sunley made his own contribution against Mr Ashby's XI. The Week in Summary Five ducks from two matches, all away from home, and Charles Arkcoll's attack claiming four of them in a single innings, with Robert Campbell doing the double on his own. Not a vintage weekend for the top order, but a bumper one for the honours board. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Jim Hall — 8 inn, 4 ducks (50%) 🥈 Benny Bell — 13 inn, 4 ducks (30.77%) 🥉 Alan Cradduck — 9 inn, 3 ducks (33.33%) 4. Frank Brattle — 15 inn, 3 ducks (20%) 5. Andrew Moss — 22 inn, 3 ducks (13.64%) Jim Hall sits pretty atop the 1970 Duck of the Year table for now, with plenty of season left for the chasing pack to close the gap. See you next fixture, when the zero club will surely be recruiting again. 🦆🍩

Three fixtures. Three results. And not a single nought to show for it. For once, the exclusive zero club had no new arrivals to process. Across the whole weekend's cricket, all eleven-a-side, all three grounds, not one Linton batsman could manage the discipline required to depart for nought. Bats were troubled, edges were found, the odd single dragged reluctantly to leg — but the pure, uncluttered artistry of the golden duck eluded everybody. A trophy-less weekend for the connoisseurs of adversity. Frankly, it's a bit much. The season's leading duck-hunters were presumably out there somewhere getting starts and building innings like it's easy. We expect better application to the craft next time out. 0️⃣ This week's tally: 3 matches, 0 ducks. A statistical anomaly the club will not be dwelling on for long. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard — 1970 - Benny Bell — 4 ducks from 12 innings (33.33%) - Jim Hall — 3 ducks from 7 innings (42.86%) — the division's most efficient collector, pound for pound - Frank Brattle — 3 ducks from 15 innings (20.0%) — quantity over rate - Ron Hickman — 2 ducks from 5 innings (40.0%) - Richard Ashby — 2 ducks from 6 innings (33.33%) Jim Hall's 42.86% remains the strike rate to fear this season, though Ron Hickman is breathing down his neck with a game or two fewer under his belt. Plenty of season left for both, and for anyone hoping to break into that top five the hard way. As ever, the Duck Club abides in patience. The ducks evaded capture this week, but they always come home to roost eventually. Roll on the next fixture — someone, somewhere, is due a nick behind first ball, and we'll be watching. 🏏🍩

Three matches, three ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomes its latest instalments. A quiet weekend by Linton standards, but quality over quantity, as ever. 🏏 1st XI Saturday saw the 1st XI at home to Hythe CC, and the innings took a distinctly poultry turn in short order. Benny Bell was run out, unsure by whom exactly, but sent packing all the same, for his 4th duck of the season and 19th of an increasingly ornamental career, moving him to 16th of 854 in the all-time standings. Splendidly, on this very day back in 1959 one Robert Wood was also trudging off for nought, en route to 21 career ducks and 15th place all-time, a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club himself. History, as always, repeats. Not to be left out, Keith Walker followed him back to the pavilion in the same innings, bowled by Dan Smith for his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of his career from 19 innings, 173rd of 854 club-wide. A modest tally so far, but every dynasty starts somewhere, and Robert Wood's shade was watching over this one too, having marked the same calendar date in 1959 with a duck of his own. Sunday took the 1st XI to Hartley Country Club CC, where Mike Iliffe was undone by K Godfrey for his 2nd duck of the season, the 14th of a well-stocked career built across 92 innings, good enough for 27th of 854 all-time. On this same day in 1966, Richard Ashby was performing an identical vanishing act against Shepway Maidstone, a man who went on to string five ducks together in a row and cement a place in the Tourist Duck top 10. Mike may fancy his chances of similar notoriety yet. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks from three fixtures, the lot of them supplied by the 1st XI, with Hythe CC claiming a rare brace in a single innings. One match, mercifully for someone, escaped the cull entirely. The art of not scoring remains alive and well at Linton Park. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Benny Bell — 12 innings, 4 ducks (33.3%) 2. Jim Hall — 7 innings, 3 ducks (42.9%) 3. Frank Brattle — 14 innings, 3 ducks (21.4%) 4. Richard Ashby — 5 innings, 2 ducks (40.0%) 5. Ron Hickman — 5 innings, 2 ducks (40.0%) Benny leads the pack for now, but with Jim Hall and the rest lurking on a fearsome strike rate, this season's crown is very much up for grabs. Roll on the next fixture, and may the zeroes keep coming. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A proper week for the exclusive zero club: 8 ducks laid across 5 fixtures, headlined by the club's own all-time record holder extending his lead still further. Onwards. 1st XI Saturday 13th, home to Tovil — John Thirkell fell for nought, bowled by D- Hitchin. His 2nd of the summer and 67th career duck, which keeps him unassailable at #1 of 854 in the all-time standings, a throne already decorated with Duck of the Year honours in '52, '54, '55 and '67. Fittingly, on this very day in 1943 Herbert Sunley was doing precisely the same thing against Home Guard's Maidstone 11th Battalion. Sunday 14th, home to Bobbing Court CC — Mick Filmer registered his maiden LPCC duck, bowled by Paul Bedelle in only his 9th innings; welcome to the club. On this day in 1882, C Gibbs was suffering identically against Boxley CC. Moments later Alan Wilkes, batting last man, was caught off T Gabbadon for his 21st career duck (14th all-time) — a two-time Only Two Quacks club member (with Bob Arnold and with John Ames) and a graduate of the barren 1964 Runaway Duck season. Same on-this-day company: C Gibbs again, 1882. Tuesday 16th, home to Ozonair — Cliff Anscombe, bowled by - Sheehan, banked his 18th career duck (19th all-time), a paid-up Debutante Duck man and Duck of the Year back in 1957. On this day in 1951 club legend Bob Arnold, still 2nd on the all-time list with 47, was doing exactly the same against Maths School Rochester. Thursday 18th, away to Aylesford Paper Mills CC — a proper collapse, three ducks in one innings. Benny Bell was run out for his 3rd of the season (18th career, 18th all-time); Robert Murray fell the identical way on this day in 1961 against Halfway House. Then a neat little reunion: Alan Cradduck (caught, off Brian Fridd — his 2nd of the season, career duck #2, a Debutante Duck man who also owns Ducks in a Row for five on the bounce) and Ron Hickman (run out, 2nd of the season, 14th career, 28th all-time) — the pair share a standing Quacking Together honour with each other, and duly walked back together again this week to renew it. Both draw the same historical company: Robert Murray, 1961. Midweek XI Wednesday 17th, home to West Kent Wanderers CC — Jim Hall run out for his 3rd duck of the season, keeping him out in front for Duck of the Year 1970. His 6th career duck (66th all-time) sits beneath a groaning honours shelf: top-ten places in Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck, Full House nearly-man status, and Quacking Together entries with three separate teammates. On this day in 1939, X Rayner made a duck against Castle Hill CC, Kent — one of his eventual Retirement Duck send-off. Week in brief 8 ducks from 5 matches, the honours going to the reigning #1 all-timer and a genuine triple-wicket collapse at Aylesford. Consistency of a very particular kind. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Jim Hall — 6 innings, 3 ducks, 50% - Benny Bell — 10 innings, 3 ducks, 30% - Frank Brattle — 12 innings, 3 ducks, 25% - Richard Ashby — 5 innings, 2 ducks, 40% - Ron Hickman — 5 innings, 2 ducks, 40% Jim Hall leads the chase for Duck of the Year — can anyone catch him before the season's out? Roll on the next fixture, and the next round of triumph through adversity. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Three fixtures, four ducks, and the Rumwood CC clash proving a particularly fertile hunting ground for the men in white. The 1st XI carried the entire burden this week — let's get into it. 🏏 Saturday 6th June – Rumwood CC (Home) Frank Brattle fell at first drop, bowled by M. Wells for his 3rd duck of the season and 37th of an illustrious career spanning 347 innings — that's 5th in the club's all-time roll of dishonour. On this very day back in 1967, none other than the legendary John Thirkell — the club's undisputed number one duck-getter with 66 to his name — was also trudging back against Civil Service CC, Kent. Good company to keep, Frank, if company on nought can ever be called good. Down at seven, Benny Bell edged behind off K. Lane to register his 2nd of the season, moving to 17 career ducks and a very tidy 20th on the all-time list. Same calendar date, same John Thirkell parallel — 1970 really is shaping up to be the summer of ghosts from '67. And at eight, debutante-in-spirit David Piper continued a torrid start to senior cricket, caught Venner bowled Carter for his 2nd duck of the season, level with his career tally of 2 from just 5 innings — an eye-watering 40% strike rate for the art of not scoring. Early days yet, David, but the Duck Club welcomes all comers. 🏏 Saturday 6th–Monday 8th June – Boughton Monchelsea CC (Home) Rounding out the innings, veteran Ron Hickman was bowled by Trevor Back at number ten for his 1st duck of the season, his 13th career nought from 31 innings — 31st all-time and a paid-up member of both the "Quacking Together (with Alan Cradduck)" honour and the eternally grim "Runaway Duck 1965" board, the season he went an entire summer without troubling the scorers. On this day in 1969, Fred Greenfield was doing much the same against Hartley Country Club — Fred's since gone on to join the Retirement Duck club, so Ron can at least take comfort he's not there yet. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks from three matches, and Rumwood CC clearly fancy themselves as duck-hunters — three of the week's four fell to them alone. The 1st XI monopolised proceedings entirely; the 2nds, 3rds and 4th were, disappointingly, vegan this week. No pairs, no king pairs, no family affairs to report — just honest, solitary failure, the purest form the Duck Club has to offer. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard – Top 5 1. Frank Brattle — 9 innings, 3 ducks, 33.33% 2. David Piper — 5 innings, 2 ducks, 40.0% 3. Jim Hall — 5 innings, 2 ducks, 40.0% 4. Richard Ashby — 5 innings, 2 ducks, 40.0% 5. Benny Bell — 7 innings, 2 ducks, 28.57% A tight scrap at the top with three men locked on 40%. Someone needs to break clear or nick a run to spoil the fun entirely. 🍩 Until next time, the crease remains open and the Duck Club's doors ever wider. Who fancies joining the exclusive zero club next weekend? We watch. We wait. We celebrate. 🦆0️⃣

A tidy little haul this week, and the honours board is busier than the pavilion tea urn. Four ducks, all in claret and blue for the 1st XI, and one of them arriving in company — the rarest kind of nought the club has to offer. 🏏 1st XI — A Busy Week for the Zero Club Tim Thirkell opened the account against Tovil, caught behind for nought — his 1st duck of the season and 7th of an increasingly distinguished career, moving him to 55th on the all-time list. Tim sits on a proper honours-board CV: the Full House (a duck at every position 1-11), spots in the Lone Duck and Homebody Duck top tens, plus Ducks on the Road, and a shared Quacking Together entry with Jim Hall. On this very day in 1955, John Thirkell — the club's all-time duck king with 66, and no stranger to Tim's own family tree — was busy doing exactly the same thing against Marden. The art of not scoring, it seems, runs in the blood. Then came Hythe CC, and a genuine club rarity — a Duck and Ducklings double. Frank Brattle, lbw for nought at number 6, brought up his 2nd duck of the season and a mighty 36th of his career, good for 5th on the all-time roll — level with Richard Harris (1940–1969) on the same tally. Moments later Percy Brattle, caught and bowled at number 9, notched his 1st duck of the season and 14th career, climbing to 27th all-time and adding to his existing Duck of the Year 1969 honour. Parent and child, back to the pavilion in the same innings — the Duck and Ducklings ceremony doesn't get performed often, and it's a proper feather in the family cap. Both, fittingly, share the same on-this-day parallel — Benny Bell also ducked on this date in 1969, against Tovil of all sides. Andrew Moss rounded things off against Tovil Nomads, caught for nought at first drop — his 2nd duck of the season and 3rd career, now 104th on the all-time list and a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell. On this day in 1903 — a full 67 years earlier — Rev W A Carr was doing precisely the same thing against Maidstone's 1st Innings. Some traditions really do run deep at Linton Park. 📋 Week in Summary Four matches, four ducks, one of them a full-blown family occasion. The 1st XI cornered the market entirely this week — 2nd, 3rd and 4th XIs escaped unscathed, for now. A quiet week for the Duck of the Year race, but plenty of movement lower down the honours board. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Jim Hall — 2 ducks in 4 innings (50%) - Richard Ashby — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40%) - Frank Brattle — 2 ducks in 7 innings (28.57%) - Andrew Moss — 2 ducks in 12 innings (16.67%) - Nigel O'Toole — 1 duck in 1 innings (100%) 🍩 Next up, more fixtures and no doubt more volunteers for the zero club. Get out there, middle it or don't — either way, we'll be watching. 0️⃣🦆

Five ducks paddled onto the scorecards across four matches this week — the traps were well and truly set, and the club obliged with relish. 1st XI Saturday at Maidstone YMCA, Jim Hall departed without scoring, caught John Golding off G. Hubbard — his 2nd duck of the season and 5th career nought, good for 72nd of 853 on the all-time list. Jim currently holds the Duck of the Year 1970 crown, so this is simply fresh timber on an already-blazing trophy. On this day in 1959, Basil Sears also made a duck, against Gore Court CC, one of an eventual 29 in a career running 1947-1970. Sunday at Mote A, Nigel O'Toole walked out at number 10 and walked straight back, stumped off P. Bryant — his first-ever senior innings, and a duck to mark it. Welcome to the club, Nigel: the Debutante Duck honours board has a new and permanent resident. On this day in 1953, William Buck also ducked, against Halfway House, en route to 28 career noughts across two decades of loyal non-scoring service. Monday's trip to Bearsted CC proved a rich hunting ground, claiming a brace in the same innings. Frank Brattle, caught behind, moved to 1 duck this season and a formidable 35 for his career — 6th of 853 all time, and evidently a family trade, with Percy Brattle (13 career ducks) and Paul Brattle (3) also entries in the club's duck ledger. Richard Ashby fell in the same match, caught off Bryan Elswood, his 2nd of the season and 22nd of his career, earning him standing on the Ducks in a Row (5 consecutive) board and the Tourist Duck top 10, 13th of 853 overall. Both men share their historical echo: Joe Fenner also ducked on this very date in 1940, against Charles Arkcoll, one of five in a career spanning 1940-1969. Midweek XI Sennocke CC away yielded the week's fifth and final duck, Mike Stephens bowled by Paul Tapper for his 1st of the season and 2nd of his career — 174th of 853 all time. On this day in 1956, C. Haylor also made a duck, against Ron Aiston XI, one of 14 across a career from 1955 to 1963. Week in Summary Four matches, five ducks, and Bearsted CC the week's most productive predator with two victims in a single innings. A quiet week for milestones, but a proper introduction for one debutant and further padding for the season's early pace-setters. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Jim Hall — 3 inns, 2 ducks (66.67%) 2. Richard Ashby — 4 inns, 2 ducks (50.0%) 3. Nigel O'Toole — 1 inn, 1 duck (100.0%) 4. Alan Cradduck — 2 inns, 1 duck (50.0%) 5. Graham Mountford — 2 inns, 1 duck (50.0%) The traps are reset for next weekend — who fancies joining the list? 🦆🏏0️⃣

Only one team went hunting this week, but the 1st XI made it count with three ducks in two matches — and one of them arguably the biggest name in club history. 🏏 Saturday 16 May — Headcorn CC John Thirkell fell first, bowled by Brown for nought batting at four. Hardly news to John, who sits at the very summit of the all-time standings with 66 career ducks from 639 innings — a peak few will ever trouble. A four-time Duck of the Year alumnus (1952, 1954, 1955, 1967) and a fixture of the Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road top tens, he shares his "Quacking Together" honours with none other than Bob Arnold. Fittingly, on this very day in 1959 Arnold himself — the club's second-highest scorer with 47 career ducks across 1949–1964 — was also trudging back for nought, against Gore Court CC. The duck gene runs in the family too, with kin Tim (6 career ducks) and Nigel Thirkell (1) both carrying the torch. Jim Hall followed him back soon after, bowled by Sparks for nought batting at ten — agonisingly close to completing the Full House, having now ducked in 10 of the 11 batting positions. It's his 4th career duck from 27 innings, and with the "Duck of the Year 1970" board currently bearing his name, he's the early pace-setter in this season's race for dubious glory. Elsewhere on 16 May, back in 1959, Bob Arnold was busy adding to his own tally against Gore Court — Jim keeps good historical company. 🏏 Sunday 19 May — Loose CC (away) Benny Bell edged behind for nought at number two, caught Crouch bowled Wolford. His 16th career duck from 59 innings puts him 23rd on the all-time list. On this same day back in 1951, Gordon Bugge (1946–1953, 3 career ducks) was also dismissed without scoring, against Aylesford Paper Mills CC. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks, two matches, all courtesy of the 1st XI — and two of them fell in the very same innings against Headcorn. Not quite an epidemic, but the season's zero column keeps ticking over nicely. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Alan Cradduck — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - David Piper — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Graham Mountford — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Jim Hall — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Richard Ashby — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) Next fixture awaits, and with it, no doubt, further additions to the ledger. Pad up, and may the nought be with you. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Rumwood CC away day, and the exclusive zero club welcomed three new subscriptions in the very same innings — a miserable afternoon for the middle and lower order, but a rather good one for the honours board. 1st XI at Rumwood CC David Piper, promoted to first wicket down, fell to David Gale to open the day's account — his 1st duck of the season and, in what is still very much an infant career, his 1st in just 2 innings. That plants him 243rd of 852 on the all-time list, with plenty of ignominy still to accrue. Neatly enough, on this very date in 1959 Brian Mills was doing precisely the same thing, one of four career ducks for a man who himself began life at Linton with a Debutante Duck. Richard Ashby followed at number 8, lbw to the same David Gale — greedy work from the bowler, generous work from the batting order. It's Richard's 1st duck of the summer, but his 21st for the club in a marathon 158 innings, a tally lofty enough to sit 13th of 852 all time. He remains a proud member of Ducks in a Row (five consecutive, no mean feat of consistency) and the Tourist Duck top 10. And once again, 9th May 1959 echoes down the years — Brian Mills, keeping Richard company across the decades. Then at number 9, history of a different kind: Graham Mountford, bowled Don Clayton, opens his senior account with a duck on debut, earning immediate and permanent induction into the Debutante Duck club. Not the start anyone dreams of, but a start nonetheless, and one shared — appropriately — with Brian Mills, who marked this same calendar date back in 1959 in exactly the same fashion. Week in Summary Three ducks from a single match, David Gale personally responsible for two of them — a fine day with the ball, a torrid one for Linton Park's top order. No pairs and no family affairs to report this week, just a clean sweep through the middle and lower order. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Alan Cradduck — 1 duck from 1 innings (100%) - Graham Mountford — 1 duck from 1 innings (100%) - Richard Ashby — 1 duck from 1 innings (100%) - David Piper — 1 duck from 2 innings (50%) - Andrew Moss — 1 duck from 4 innings (25%) Still early days in the hunting season, with five names locked at the top and nothing to separate them but innings played. The next fixture awaits its own inevitable additions — until then, bat straight, watch the honours board, and beware David Gale. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Slim pickings on the calendar this week, but the 1st XI made sure the exclusive zero club took delivery of three fresh members between Bobbing Court and Maidstone Police. 1st XI At Bobbing Court CC (away, 3rd May), Andrew Moss opened the batting and departed just as promptly, stumped by T Ades off P Bedelle. His 1st duck of the season and 2nd of a 41-innings career, good enough for 135th of 851 in the all-time table. Andrew already keeps a seat reserved in the Retirement Duck wing from a past farewell — no danger of that today, just business as usual. On this very day back in 1959, Tony Tipples was going through the same ritual against Harrietsham CC, part of a career that would run to 7 ducks by 1961. Maidstone Police then visited Linton Park (home, 5th May) and left with a brace. Mike Iliffe, at six, was bowled by G Mountford — his 1st of the season and 13th for the club from 80 innings, edging him up to 29th of 851 and within sight of the top 25. Curiously, on this exact date in 1956, Richard Harris also strolled back for nought, against Marden CC Kent, en route to a mighty 36 career ducks. Then came Alan Cradduck at number eight, bowled by Cruttenden — and since this was his maiden senior innings, it's a genuine Debutante Duck, first ball of a career answered with the very worst kind of welcome. He's straight onto the honours board, filed alongside Ron Hickman under Quacking Together and carrying a nod to the rare Ducks in a Row phenomenon. Remarkably, Richard Harris was at it again on this same date in 1956 too — clearly a day the cricketing gods reserve for noughts. Week in Summary Three ducks, both incidents confined entirely to the 1st XI, and a debutant thrown straight into the deep end at Maidstone. The art of not scoring remains alive and well. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Alan Cradduck — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Andrew Moss — 3 innings, 1 duck, 33.3% - Mike Iliffe — 3 innings, 1 duck, 33.3% Cradduck leads on pure ruthless efficiency, though early season percentages should be read with a pinch of salt. Next fixture looms, and with it, no doubt, further additions to the register. Bring your bat, gentlemen — or don't bother. 🦆🍩0️⃣