🦆 The Duck Pond

Two fixtures, four ducks, and the closing weeks of the season proving that nobody is safe from the quack until stumps are drawn for the year. 🏏 Saturday — West Farleigh CC Jim Hall departed for nought at number five, bowled by Eric Mitchell, bringing up his 6th duck of the season and 21st in an LPCC career now spanning 121 innings — good enough for 25th in the all-time standings. Jim carries a well-stocked honours cabinet too, including Debutante Duck, Duck of the Year 1970, and entries in the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Tourist Duck top tens — consistency of a very particular kind. On this very day back in 1959, Eddie Lawrence (1956–1967, 8 ducks) was also walking back for nought, against Tilling Steven — the calendar, it seems, has a long memory. 🍩 Sunday — Anchorians CC A grim day at the crease as three Linton batsmen fell to the very same bowler, J Ward, inside a single Anchorians innings. First to go was John Thirkell, lbw for nought at four. It's his 4th duck of the season and, remarkably, his 86th for the club — comfortably the highest tally in Linton Park history, from a career of 770 innings and counting since 1943. Five Duck of the Year titles already sit in his cabinet. On this day in 1958, Stan Wratten (1943–1975, 31 ducks) was likewise dismissed against Tilling Steven — good company for a bad day. Jon Harris followed at number eight, bowled by Ward for his 4th duck of the season and 26th of his career, moving him to 16th on the all-time list. Jon has already completed the rare Full House — a duck at every position from 1 to 11 — and remains a fixture of the Ducks on the Road and Tourist Duck top tens. Like his captain moments earlier, he shares this day in 1958 with Stan Wratten's duck against Tilling Steven. Last man Tony Gauna rounded out Ward's treble, caught for his 4th duck of the season and 14th of his career, sitting 38th all-time — and, fittingly, on the very same 1958 Stan Wratten parallel as his teammates. A vintage year for the club, it seems, in more ways than one. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks from two matches, all falling in the 1st XI, with J Ward's spell against the Anchorians accounting for three batsmen in a single innings. The Duck Club welcomes them all warmly, if not to victory. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Colin Dicker — 7 ducks / 22 inns (31.82%) 2. Tim Thirkell — 7 ducks / 43 inns (16.28%) 3. Ian Brattle — 6 ducks / 9 inns (66.67%) 4. Phil Hickman — 6 ducks / 28 inns (21.43%) 5. Jim Hall — 6 ducks / 32 inns (18.75%) The season draws towards its close but the ducks show no sign of migrating early — see you at the next fixture, where the honours board waits patiently for its next volunteer. 🦆

A tight afternoon at home to Southborough CC produced two additions to the exclusive zero club, and this week's card carries a distinctly familial flavour. 1st XI v Southborough CC (home) First to fall was John Thirkell, undone at four by Richard Russell for his 3rd duck of the season — a modest tally by his own extraordinary standards, given John sits proudly at #1 in the all-time Linton Park duck rankings with 85 to his name from 769 innings. A five-time Duck of the Year (1952, 1954, 1955, 1967, 1971), a fixture of the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, and a paid-up member of the Quacking Together honours alongside Bob Arnold and William Buck, John remains the standard against which all Linton ducks are measured. On this very day in 1969, Derry Evans (1966–1971, 8 ducks, #59 all-time) also strolled back for nought against St Lukes Maidstone CC — the calendar has a long memory. Batting at six, son Tim Thirkell followed his father back to the pavilion, caught by Paul Willcock off the bowling of Terry Kingsmill. It's Tim's 7th duck of the season, vaulting him into a share of the season lead, and his 28th career duck, good for 14th on the all-time list from 181 innings. Tim carries the rare Full House board, a duck registered at every position 1 through 11, plus Duck of the Year honours from 1972 and a Quacking Together entry with Jim Hall. By curious coincidence, Tim shares his father's parallel exactly: Derry Evans made his nought on this same calendar date back in 1969 too. 🦆 A Family Affair Father and son, back to back, in the same innings against the same opposition — John and Tim Thirkell combine for a proper Duck and Ducklings, one of the rarest ceremonies the club has to offer. Between them the Thirkells carry 113 career ducks this afternoon, proof that whatever else runs in the family, so does the art of not scoring. Younger sibling Nigel Thirkell, a duck-club member in his own right with 23 to his name, will no doubt be taking notes. 📊 Week in Summary One match, two ducks, one thoroughly Thirkell weekend. Southborough's Russell and Kingsmill, with an assist from Willcock behind the stumps, can both chalk up scalps against Linton Park's 1st and 14th most prolific duck collectors of all time — not a bad afternoon's work for the visitors. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1975 1. Colin Dicker — 7 ducks, 22 innings (31.82%) 2. Tim Thirkell — 7 ducks, 41 innings (17.07%) 3. Ian Brattle — 6 ducks, 9 innings (66.67%, a truly committed effort) 4. Phil Hickman — 6 ducks, 28 innings (21.43%) 5. Nigel Thirkell — 6 ducks, 36 innings (16.67%) Tim Thirkell now shares the season lead with Colin Dicker on 7 apiece, though Dicker's fearsome strike rate keeps him marginally ahead on ignominy. With Nigel lurking in 5th too, the Thirkell name could yet dominate this year's Duck of the Year race three ways over. See you at the next fixture — the ducks are never far away. 🦆🏏

A curiously restrained weekend on the duck front. Two matches, and the exclusive zero club admitted just a single new member. Quality over quantity, evidently. Saturday 6th September 1st XI v Old Anchorians CC (home) Colin Dicker strode out at number 7 and departed almost as promptly, bowled by S. Lee for nought. It's his 7th duck of the season - extending his own lead at the summit of the current Duck Hunting Season table, well clear of the chasing pack. Career-wise this is nought number 20 in 56 innings, lifting him to 26th of 923 in the all-time standings. Colin is no stranger to this kind of form: a Duck of the Year laureate back in 1973, and by the look of that season tally, well on course to add 1975 to the cabinet too. Neatly, on this very day in 1967, Roger Craddock was also dismissed for a duck, against Birchington CC - proof that the calendar has long memories even when the fixture list has moved on. Sunday 7th September A vegan affair all round - not a feather ruffled. The ducks, it seems, took the day off. Week in Summary One duck from two matches - sparse pickings, but a significant one. Colin Dicker's 7th of the season keeps him firmly atop the pile as the campaign heads into its closing weeks, a testament to consistency of a very particular kind. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Colin Dicker - 7 ducks / 21 innings (33.3%) 2. Ian Brattle - 6 ducks / 9 innings (66.7%) 3. Phil Hickman - 6 ducks / 28 innings (21.4%) 4. Nigel Thirkell - 6 ducks / 35 innings (17.1%) 5. Tim Thirkell - 6 ducks / 40 innings (15.0%) Ian Brattle's 66.7% remains the strike rate to fear most - triumph through adversity indeed. Three men locked on 6 apiece means the race for runner-up spot is very much alive. Next weekend's fixtures await, and with the season entering its final furlong, the Duck Club watches, waits, and celebrates whatever nought comes next. 🦆🍩

A very Thirkell-adjacent weekend for the Duck Club, as Linton's top order visited Whitstable and left two names on this week's honours list. Saturday 30 August — 1st XI at Whitstable CC (away) The rot set in early. At first wicket down, Jim Hall departed for nought, caught R. Rush off the bowling of P. Keen — his 5th duck of the 1975 season and 20th of an increasingly distinguished career, now 26th on the all-time leaderboard of 923. Jim already carries the Debutante Duck honour from a duck-on-debut long past, and sits proudly among the club's Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens — a man equally hopeless home or away. Two wickets later, Nigel Thirkell followed him back, snared by Alan Nutten off — you guessed it — the very same P. Keen. A tidy Keen-inflicted brace for Whitstable. Nigel's duck is his 6th of the season and 23rd of his career, good enough for 23rd on the all-time list, one rung above Jim himself. Between them the pair complete the "Only Two Quacks" honour, and given they fell together this very afternoon, few club pairings have earned it so promptly. Nigel, incidentally, quacks from famous stock — his father John Thirkell sits top of the all-time charts on 84 career ducks, while brother Tim isn't far behind on 27. The art of not scoring, it seems, runs in the blood. Fittingly, both men might have felt a shiver of déjà vu — on this very day in 1965, Frank Brattle also fell for nought, against Bearsted CC, en route to 38 career ducks and 5th place on the all-time roll. Some anniversaries are best not celebrated. Sunday 31 August A quieter affair — the second fixture of the weekend passed off entirely duck-free. The zero club takes its rest days where it can. Week in Summary Two matches, two ducks, one bowler doing all the damage. P. Keen leaves Whitstable Road with a five-for of a very different kind — two Duck Club members to his name in a single innings. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Ian Brattle — 6 ducks in 8 innings (75%) - Colin Dicker — 6 ducks in 20 innings (30%) - Phil Hickman — 6 ducks in 28 innings (21.43%) - Nigel Thirkell — 6 ducks in 33 innings (18.18%) - Tim Thirkell — 6 ducks in 38 innings (15.79%) Five players locked on six apiece — the race for Duck of the Year 1975 is very much alive. Ian Brattle sets the pace on strike rate alone, but there's plenty of season left for the chasing pack to strike back. 🦆 Same time next week, same dubious distinction on offer. Get out there and get your nought.

The season presses on, and while the harvest was light this week — just three noughts to log across the four fixtures — quality held firm over quantity. The exclusive zero club welcomes its members regardless. 🏏 Saturday 23rd — 1st XI at Bearsted CC Nigel Thirkell, ever a fixture in these pages, went lbw to Robin Cunningham at four, a departure that brings up his 5th duck of the season and his 22nd for the club — good enough for 24th on the all-time charts from 141 innings. Nigel is a paid-up member of the Homebody Duck and Tourist Duck top tens alike, proof that he can be relied upon to fail to score whether Linton is playing at home or away, a rare and admirable consistency. Fittingly, today's parallel needs no introduction: on this very day in 1974, Nigel's own honours-board duck partner Jim Hall made a nought against Mersham Hatch — the pair share the "Only Two Quacks" distinction, and the calendar has now conspired to have one commemorate the other. Ducking runs in the family too, quite literally — parent John Thirkell sits imperiously atop the all-time list with 84, sibling Tim Thirkell carries 27 of his own, and family member Stuart Thirkell has opened his account with a solitary one. The art of not scoring, evidently, is hereditary. 🌙 Wednesday 27th — Midweek XI v Gravesend CC Graham Hinks enjoyed a profitable evening with the ball, accounting for two Linton wickets without a run troubling the book. David Piper was first to go, bowled at seven for his 1st duck of the season and 5th of his career from just 16 innings — he now sits 83rd of 923 all time, level with company from eras long past. Piper has form in the family stakes too: sibling Brian Piper has three career ducks of his own. Then last man S- Oldfield fell caught and bowled by the same Hinks, and did so on his very first senior innings — a genuine Debutante Duck, the purest possible welcome to the club, nought on debut and into the honours board in the same stroke. Both Midweek victims share their parallel: on this same day in 1949, Richard Harris — who racked up 36 across three decades of service, 6th on the all-time list — also made a duck, against Hunton Wanderers CC. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks from four matches, two of them shared neatly between one unfortunate over of Graham Hinks's bowling. The 2nd and 3rd XIs escaped entirely unblemished this week — enjoy it while it lasts, gentlemen. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Ian Brattle — 6 ducks in 7 innings (85.71%) 2. Colin Dicker — 6 ducks in 20 innings (30.00%) 3. Phil Hickman — 6 ducks in 28 innings (21.43%) 4. Tim Thirkell — 6 ducks in 37 innings (16.22%) 5. Nigel Thirkell — 5 ducks in 31 innings (16.13%) Ian Brattle continues to lead on the fearsome strike-rate front, though the three chasing on six apiece will fancy their chances of a late overtake yet. 🍩 Until next time — the middle awaits, and so does the club's least wanted distinction. See you at the crease.

A full house at the crease this week: eight ducks laid across two 1st XI fixtures, and the exclusive zero club welcomes plenty of familiar faces back into its dubious embrace. 🏏 Saturday — v Bobbing Court CC (h) Don Capeling turned executioner at Bobbing Court, claiming three of the four scalps on offer — a proper poultry hat-trick. Martin Thompson (b Capeling) fell for his 2nd duck of the season and 2nd of a young career (5 innings, 194th all-time) — a paid-up Retirement Duck club member from a past farewell. Colin Dicker (b Capeling) followed for his 6th of the season and 19th career (55 innings, 26th all-time). With Duck of the Year already on his mantelpiece from 1973 — and 1975 too — he's very much the reigning monarch of this particular throne. Phil Hickman (c Hudson b Capeling) made it three, his 6th of the season and 8th career (35 innings, 65th all-time). A chip off the old duck-block — father Ron Hickman carries 29 career noughts of his own, and as it happens quacked out too this very weekend, making it a two-duck family affair. Ian Brattle broke Capeling's spell (c Bourne b Mills) for his 6th of the season and 8th career, but from a mere 11 innings — 62nd all-time and a flawless 100% duck rate this year. He's a fixture on the "50 Before a 50" board (51 ducks, high score 33), plus Debutante Duck and Ducks in a Row (7 consecutive) honours, with an "Only Two Quacks" partnership alongside Michael Beeney. Curiously, all four share the same anniversary: on this day in 1953, John Ames — the club's #2 all-time duck-getter with 48 — also strolled back for nought, against Mote A. 🍩 Sunday — v Hawkhurst CC (h) X Williams did the damage twice at Hawkhurst. Tim Thirkell fell for his 6th of the season, 27th of a storied career (174 innings, 15th all-time). Proper duck stock — father John Thirkell tops the entire all-time list with 84, brother Nigel has 21. Tim already owns Duck of the Year 1972 and the rare "Full House" (a duck at every position 1-11). Alan Cradduck (c Samuel b Williams) added his 3rd of the season, 25th career (97 innings, 16th all-time) — and revived his old "Quacking Together" partnership with Ron Hickman in the very same innings. Paul Croucher was run out for his 3rd of the season, 8th career (22 innings, 64th all-time) — another Retirement Duck club member, though happily not retiring today. Ron Hickman (b Williams) completed the Cradduck reunion with his 3rd of the season, 29th career (67 innings, 13th all-time) — and closed out a Hickman family weekend, quacking a day after son Phil. All four Sunday victims share a 1969 echo: Percy Brattle, who finished his career on 16, also fell against Mote A on this very date. 📊 Week in Summary 8 ducks, 2 matches, one very busy weekend for the 1st XI. Capeling and Williams shared the wickets, the Hickmans and the Cradduck-Hickman duo kept it in the family, and Ian Brattle's 100% season rate is starting to look ominous. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Ian Brattle — 6 ducks / 6 innings (100%) 2. Colin Dicker — 6 ducks / 20 innings (30%) 3. Phil Hickman — 6 ducks / 26 innings (23.08%) 4. Tim Thirkell — 6 ducks / 34 innings (17.65%) 5. Jim Hall — 4 ducks / 26 innings (15.38%) Four names tied at 6 apiece — the title race for 1975 is wide open. Next fixture, the ducks will surely be looking for new recruits. See you at the crease 🏏0️⃣

A vintage week for the exclusive zero club: six new entries to the ledger, two matches, and the Thirkell name stamped across half of them. Consistency of a very particular kind. 🏏 Saturday 9th August — v Headcorn CC (h) Four ducks in one Saturday innings is triumph through adversity at scale. John Ames fell stumped off John Phipps for his 2nd duck of the season and 48th of a mighty career — good enough for 2nd on the all-time list, with only the immortal John Thirkell (84, and still top of the pile) ahead of him. Fittingly, on this very date in 1964 it was John Thirkell himself who ducked, against Harrietsham CC — history repeating to the day. In followed Nigel Thirkell, caught by Robert Westrop off the same bowler for his 4th of the season and 21st career duck, 24th on the all-time roll. A Homebody and Tourist Duck top-tenner, Nigel's "Only Two Quacks" partner-in-crime is one Jim Hall — who'd be adding to his own tally four days later. Martin Thompson chalked up his first-ever LPCC duck, caught off — Young, from just 4 career innings — a maiden entry to the naught column, and a name to watch on the register. Martin Mears rounded out the quartet, bowled by Richard Chapman for his 2nd of the season and 2nd career duck. His honours board already carries "Quacking Together (with Jim Hall)" — a pairing about to be renewed. 🍩 Wednesday 13th August — Midweek XI v Wanderers (h) Colin Fry did for two in a row. Jim Hall was caught off him for his 4th of the season and 19th career duck — level for the day with Pat Hardwick, who made a duck against Bowaters CC on this same date back in 1960. Jim sits one position shy of the Full House, ten of eleven batting berths now blighted, a former Duck of the Year (1970) still adding to the pile. Moments later Tim Thirkell was trapped lbw by the same bowler for his 5th of the season and 26th career duck, 15th all-time — a genuine Full House man, having now ducked in every slot from 1 to 11, and Duck of the Year in 1972. His and Jim's shared "Quacking Together" board honour was renewed in the very match that earned it. Tim is son to John Thirkell (84 career ducks, today's namesake above) and brother to Nigel, who fell just four days earlier — the family clearly has a nose for nought. 0️⃣ Week in Summary Six ducks, two matches, one bowler (Fry) claiming a brace, and the Thirkell name attached to three of the six dismissals in some form. The art of not scoring remains in rude health at Linton Park. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Ian Brattle — 5 ducks / 5 innings (100%) Colin Dicker — 5 ducks / 18 innings (27.8%) Phil Hickman — 5 ducks / 25 innings (20.0%) Tim Thirkell — 5 ducks / 32 innings (15.6%) Jim Hall — 4 ducks / 25 innings (16.0%) Tim Thirkell's Wednesday effort pulls him into a share of the season lead. Who fancies joining the ledger at the next fixture? The Duck Club watches, waits, and quietly hopes. 🦆

A quiet week in the paddock: just three fixtures, but four ducks laid and each one earns its place on the board. 1st XI — Sunday 3rd August, Staplehurst CC Phil Hickman departed for nought at four, bowled by Beynon. It's his 5th duck of the season and 7th in a 34-innings career, good for #68 of 921 on the all-time list. On this very day back in 1952, Gordon Fenner also strolled back for nothing — one of 34 ducks racked up across a four-decade Linton career from 1941 to 1973, #7 all time. Phil, meanwhile, has poultry in the blood: relative Ron Hickman carries 28 career ducks of his own. Midweek XI — Wednesday 6th August, Sennocke CC (away) The midweekers served up a full poultry order. Opening the innings, Paul Brattle was caught behind off Ian Fordham without troubling the scorers — his 16th career duck from 144 innings, #33 of 921 all time. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from a duck on debut long past, Paul comes from proper Duck Club stock: father Frank on 38, kin Percy on 16 and sibling Ian on 7 career noughts between them. Trevor Back followed at six, bowled by T Marsh, his 2nd career duck from a mere 12 innings — a fine early strike rate for a man who already sits on the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, with shared quacking honours alongside Allan Cooper and Jon Harris. Rounding things off at ten, Michael Chambers was bowled by D Ledsham for his 9th career duck from 28 innings, #56 of 921 all time. A curious footnote unites all three Sennocke victims: on this same day in 1972, Andrew Moss was also dismissed for nought, one of 9 career ducks in a run from 1968 to 1974. The Week in Brief Four ducks, three matches, one clear theme — Sennocke CC proved happy hunting ground, claiming three of the week's four victims in a single innings. Staplehurst managed the other unassisted. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Ian Brattle — 5 innings, 5 ducks (100%) - Colin Dicker — 18 innings, 5 ducks (27.78%) - Phil Hickman — 25 innings, 5 ducks (20%) - Tim Thirkell — 31 innings, 4 ducks (12.9%) - Tony Gauna — 7 innings, 3 ducks (42.86%) Ian Brattle sits imperiously atop the table on a flawless record, but Phil Hickman's fifth this week keeps him within touching distance. The season is far from over — who falls next? 🦆🏏0️⃣ See you all at the crease next week, ducks permitting.

Seven noughts fell to the willow this week across three fixtures, with Sibton Park and Margate doing most of the damage. The exclusive zero club welcomes new arrivals and old regulars alike. 🏏 1st XI — away to Sibton Park CC, Sat 26 July Les Fell was bowled by T. Suthery for his 1st duck of the season, his career tally also standing at a solitary 1 from 3 innings (347th of 921 all-time). On this very day back in 1940, J. Short suffered an identical fate against Boughton Monchelsea CC — Les keeps venerable company. Peter Elms was stumped down the leg side off Suthery, his 1st of the season and 1st career duck from 3 innings (199th of 921), and a standing member of the Retirement Duck honours board from some past farewell. Little did he know his week wasn't done. Ron Hickman was bowled by Ian Guy for his 2nd of the season, hauling his career figure to a formidable 28 from 66 innings — a rarefied 13th in the all-time list. Ron holds a Quacking Together honour (with Alan Cradduck) and once weathered a full Runaway Duck season in 1965. The nought gene runs deep too — son Phil Hickman owns 6 career ducks and currently sits mid-table in this very season's chase. 🏏 Midweek XI — away to Margate CC, Fri 1 August Brian Piper edged Kevin Parker to the keeper for his 1st of the season, career duck 3 from 23 innings (117th of 921). Brother David Piper carries 4 of his own — evidently a household skill. On this day in 1964, Basil Sears made a duck against Headcorn CC, good company across eleven years. David Buck fell to Desmond Gregory for his very first LPCC duck, from just 4 innings (271st of 921) — following, in his own small way, in father William Buck's rather larger 28-duck footsteps. Same day, 1964: Basil Sears again. Peter Elms departed to G. Wheeler and, with that, completed a grim weekend pair — Sibton Park to Margate, nought to nought, his 2nd duck of the season and career alike. Ian Brattle was bowled by Wheeler for his 5th duck of the season from just 5 innings — a perfect, unblemished 100% record that plants him top of the pile this year. Career duck 7 from 10 (65th of 921), a Ducks in a Row honouree for 7 consecutive failures, paired on the honours board with Michael Beeney, and a paid-up Debutante Duck alumnus from way back. Brother Paul Brattle's 15 career ducks suggest the trait runs in the blood. 📊 Week in Summary Seven ducks, three matches, and Suthery and Wheeler sharing the bowling honours as chief tormentors. Special mention to Peter Elms, who somehow found a way to nought out twice in five days — proof that lightning strikes the same crease more than once. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Ian Brattle — 5 innings, 5 ducks (100%) 2. Colin Dicker — 16 innings, 5 ducks (31.25%) 3. Phil Hickman — 24 innings, 4 ducks (16.67%) 4. Tim Thirkell — 31 innings, 4 ducks (12.9%) 5. Tony Gauna — 7 innings, 3 ducks (42.86%) Ian Brattle sits imperiously atop the standings with a flawless record nobody should envy. Can anyone dislodge him before season's end? 🍩 The season rolls on — next fixture, more willow, more opportunity. See you at the crease.

Three matches out on the park this period and the exclusive zero club only welcomed two new entries — both, as it happens, from the 1st XI. Quality over quantity, as ever. 🏏 1st XI Away to Tilling Steven on the Saturday, Jon Harris departed at number six, c M Sykes b M Walters, for his 3rd duck of the season and a hefty 25th of a career now 150 innings long — good enough for 17th on the all-time table. Jon is a fully paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club (his very first Linton knock was, fittingly, a blob), and remarkably has now recorded a duck at every position from 1 to 11 — the rare and coveted Full House. He also turns up twice on the Quacking Together honours, alongside both Jim Hall and Trevor Back, and sits comfortably in the Tourist Duck and Homebody Duck top tens besides. A proper duck dynasty too — kin Richard Harris carries 36 of his own. Spookily, on this very date in 1953, Tom Osborn was doing much the same thing against John Larkings — the art of not scoring, echoing down the decades. The very next day, at home to Sevenoaks Vine CC, Phil Hickman fell at seven, bowled Timothy Smith, for his 4th duck of the season and 6th of a 31-innings career — 79th in the all-time standings and closing in nicely on the season leaders. His kin Ron Hickman isn't far off the pace either, sat on 27 career ducks. And in a fine bit of calendar symmetry, R W Mitchell made a duck on this very day back in 1906, against the Royal West Kent Regiment CC Officers XI — proof the fixture list changes but the outcome sometimes doesn't. 📊 Week in Summary A restrained showing — just 2 ducks from 3 matches, both 1st XI, both mid-order collapses rather than golden horrors. Consistency of a very particular kind. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Colin Dicker — 5 ducks, 15 innings (33%) 2. Ian Brattle — 4 ducks, 4 innings (100%!) 3. Phil Hickman — 4 ducks, 22 innings (18%) 4. Tim Thirkell — 4 ducks, 31 innings (13%) 5. Tony Gauna — 3 ducks, 7 innings (43%) Ian Brattle's flawless quartet from just four trips to the crease deserves a special mention — triumph through adversity indeed. Next fixture beckons, and with it, no doubt, fresh additions to the honours board. We watch, we wait, we quack. 🦆0️⃣

A slim week for the exclusive zero club, but quality over quantity, with both of this week's ducks arriving in the very same Hollingbourne innings. 1st XI at Hollingbourne CC (away, 16 July) Phil Hickman went first, caught C Flisher off the bowling of Andrew Hales at number five. It's his 3rd duck of the season and 5th of a career now spanning 29 innings, good enough for 87th in the all-time list of 919. The nought clearly runs in the blood too — kinsman Ron Hickman sits on a hefty 27 career ducks of his own. Spookily, on this very date back in 1960 Gordon Fenner (1941–1973, 34 ducks, 7th all-time) was also trudging off for nought, against Rumwood CC no less. Two down, Colin Dicker followed at number seven, caught M Tremble off J Bland. It's his 5th duck of the season and 18th career, 28th on the all-time roll of honour from 48 innings — and he does it all while sitting proudly as the club's reigning Duck of the Year for 1975, a crown few would fight him for. Fittingly, Colin shares his date with history too: that same Gordon Fenner duck at Rumwood in 1960 fell on 16 July. Week in Summary Three matches, two ducks, both off the same Hollingbourne scorecard — the 1st XI shouldering the club's collection duties alone this week while everyone else kept remarkably, suspiciously, quiet. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Colin Dicker — 5 ducks / 13 innings (38.46%) - Ian Brattle — 4 ducks / 4 innings (100.00%) 🍩 - Tim Thirkell — 4 ducks / 28 innings (14.29%) - Tony Gauna — 3 ducks / 7 innings (42.86%) - Jim Hall — 3 ducks / 16 innings (18.75%) Ian Brattle's flawless 100% strike rate remains, frankly, a work of art. The next fixture beckons, and with it the promise of fresh names on the honours board. The ducks are never truly out of season. 🦆🏏0️⃣

The 1st XI shouldered all eight ducks this week, across three matches — everyone else keeping suspiciously tidy books. Two innings, eight noughts, no shortage of Thirkells among them. Saturday 5th – Medway Valley (h) Nigel Thirkell fell at four, bowled Barnes, his 3rd duck this season and 20th career — 25th of 918 all time. A double member of the Homebody and Tourist Duck top tens, Nigel shares an Only Two Quacks partnership with Jim Hall. On this day in 1943, Herbert Sunley made much the same trip against Mr Ashby's XI. Jon Harris followed at ten, bowled Barker, his 2nd this season, 24th career, 21st all time. Jon's board is a crowded one — Debutante Duck, Full House, Lone Duck and Ducks on the Road top tens — sharing Herbert Sunley's 1943 date too. Tuesday 8th – West Farleigh CC (h) Saturday was the warning shot; Tuesday the salvo. West Farleigh took SIX Linton ducks in one innings — the middle and lower order shown the same door in short order. Jim Hall went first, lbw Micky Back, his 3rd this season and 18th career, 28th all time. A 1970 Duck of the Year, Jim carries five Quacking Together and Only Two Quacks memberships. John --'s Taylor kept him company on this day in 1950. In walked record-holder John Thirkell, bowled by the same Micky Back — only his 2nd this season, but a staggering 84th career duck, outright number 1 of 918 all time, with five Duck of the Year titles ('52, '54, '55, '67, '71) behind him. Hard behind, son Tim Thirkell was run out, his 4th this season and 25th career, 18th all time. Father and son back in the shed together earns the Thirkells a joint Duck and Ducklings entry — brother Nigel had flown the family flag two days earlier. Ron Hickman was bowled Trevor Back for his 1st this season, 27th career, 14th all time — well clear of his Runaway Duck season of 1965, a whole summer without a run. Colin Dicker was run out Ken Baines, his 4th this season and 17th career, 30th all time. Colin holds the 1973 Duck of the Year crown and, on current form, is defending the 1975 title too. Brian Fuller closed it out, bowled Micky Back, his 2nd this season and 10th career duck — 47th of 918, yet to trouble an honours board. All six West Farleigh victims share a date-twin: John --'s Taylor, who ducked against Hayle Place CC on this exact day in 1950. 📊 Week in Summary Eight ducks, three matches, one chastened top order — six fell in a single West Farleigh innings. Special mention to the Thirkells: father John and sons Tim and Nigel contributed three of the week's ducks between them. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Ian Brattle — 4 inns, 4 ducks (100%) 2. Colin Dicker — 12 inns, 4 ducks (33%) 3. Tim Thirkell — 25 inns, 4 ducks (16%) 4. Tony Gauna — 7 inns, 3 ducks (43%) 5. Jim Hall — 15 inns, 3 ducks (20%) Ian Brattle's flawless record leads, but Dicker's defence and the Thirkell effort keep this race alive. See you at the next fixture — the ducks never rest. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Seven ducks paraded across five matches this week, with the 1st XI doing most of the damage and the season table getting a proper shake-up at the top. Saturday 28 June - 1st XI v Tilling Steven Phil Hickman fell early, bowled by Seager, for his 1st duck of the season and 3rd of an increasingly duck-shaped career (27 innings, 105th of 916 all time). On this very day in 1882, J Sedgwick did exactly the same against Marden CC, Kent - some traditions refuse to die. Nigel Thirkell followed him back, caught Woodcock bowled Excell, for a 2nd duck of the season and 19th career, good enough for 26th on the all-time roll and membership of both the Homebody Duck and Tourist Duck top tens, plus a shared "Only Two Quacks" honour with Jim Hall. A chip off the family block too - father John carries 83 career ducks and brother Tim isn't far behind on 24. Nigel's own duck fell on the exact same 1882 afternoon as Sedgwick's, keeping the Marden connection alive twice over. Sunday 29 June - Sunday NVKC v Shipbourne CC Tony Gauna edged Peter Phillips through to Morris for his 3rd duck of the season, moving to 13 career and 39th all time. On this day in 1907, Ernest Cruttenden made his own contribution to the noughts column against Town Malling CC. Tuesday 1 July - 1st XI v Hunton Wanderers CC Phil Hickman was back, and twice as unlucky - bowled again, this time by P Hoare, for a 2nd duck of the week and a proper pair to show for his troubles. That's 4 career ducks now. Len Conway managed much the same on this calendar date back in 1962. Ian Brattle joined him in the sin bin, also bowled Hoare, for his 4th duck of the season and 6th career - 77th all time, and keeping alive his run of 7 consecutive ducks. He's also a paid-up member of the 50 Before a 50 club (51 ducks, high score 33) and shares an "Only Two Quacks" honour with Michael Beeney. Brother Paul knows the feeling too, with 15 of his own. Four ducks from four innings this season is a strike rate the rest of the club can only dread. Wednesday 2 July - Midweek XI v Northend Sunday John Inkpen fell to P Gower for his 1st senior duck, matching G Hill's effort on this same date back in 1955. Tim Thirkell went the very same way in the very same over, also bowled Gower, for his 3rd duck of the season and 24th career - 21st all time, and a proud holder of the Full House board (a duck at every position, 1 to 11) alongside Duck of the Year 1972 and a Lone Duck top ten spot. Another Thirkell doing the surname proud, with father John's 83 and sibling Nigel's 19 close company. Week in summary Seven ducks in five matches, three of them courtesy of the 1st XI, and Phil Hickman quietly compiling a pair while nobody was looking. The Thirkell name turned out twice, suggesting a hereditary weakness to a straight one. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Ian Brattle - 4 ducks, 4 innings, 100% - Tony Gauna - 3 ducks, 7 innings, 42.86% - Colin Dicker - 3 ducks, 10 innings, 30% - Tim Thirkell - 3 ducks, 23 innings, 13.04% - Paul Croucher - 2 ducks, 4 innings, 50% Ian Brattle sits imperiously atop the table on a flawless record - every innings so far has ended the same way. Can anyone catch him before the next round of fixtures? More opportunities await next week. The Duck Club never sleeps. 🦆

Seven ducks fell across four matches this week, and the honours boards did not go quietly. Saturday 21 June — Hythe CC Colin Dicker opened this week's account, bowled by Robert Ades for his 2nd duck of the season and 15th of a career now 32nd on the all-time list — a double Duck of the Year honouree, 1973 and again this very season. On this day in 1966, Richard Ashby made an identical nought against Shepway Maidstone, one of 24 career ducks that earned him a place in the Tourist Duck top 10. Sunday 22 June — Dimanchians CC A proper collapse into ignominy: four ducks in a single innings, and fittingly all four shared the same ghost for company — Percy Brattle, who made an identical duck on this very day in 1935 against Bearsted CC, one of 16 on his way to the 1969 Duck of the Year crown. Tim Thirkell went first, bowled Pete Best, for his 2nd of the season and 23rd career duck — 22nd on the all-time list. A Full House man (a duck at every position 1 to 11) and Duck of the Year 1972, Tim carries the family name with pride: relative John Thirkell tops the entire club with 83, sibling Nigel has 18, and young Stuart is only just getting started on 1. Colin Dicker returned minutes later for his 3rd of the season and 16th overall — sealing a grim pair for the week. Ian Brattle, still finding his feet in senior cricket, brought up career duck number 4 in just his 8th innings, a startling early rate already putting him in sight of the 50 Before a 50 board. Tony Gauna completed the rout, bowled K Barden, for his 2nd of the season and 12th career duck, 42nd on the all-time list. Tuesday 24 June — Leybourne CC Ian Brattle was at it again, out to David Edmonds for career duck number 5 — completing a full pair for the week. On this day in 1973, Paul Bowles suffered the same fate against, of all sides, Dimanchians CC, en route to 25 career ducks and two Duck of the Year titles. Wednesday 25 June — Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC (Midweek XI) Aptly on a Wednesday, Jim Hall added his 2nd of the season and 17th career duck, bowled D. Seal. A heavily decorated club man — Duck of the Year 1970, Full House nearly-man, Lone Duck and Tourist Duck top 10 among his honours — Jim's board also carries teammate Tim Thirkell's name, who himself joined this week's fallen. Terry Whittaker trod the same path on this day in 1969, against West Kent Wanderers. Week in summary Seven ducks, four matches, and one thoroughly humbled Dimanchians innings that alone accounted for more than half the week's tally. Colin Dicker and Ian Brattle both notched pairs — Ian's now a perfect 100% for the season. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Ian Brattle — 3 innings, 3 ducks (100%) 2. Colin Dicker — 8 innings, 3 ducks (37.5%) 3. Paul Croucher — 4 innings, 2 ducks (50%) 4. Tony Gauna — 5 innings, 2 ducks (40%) 5. Alan Cradduck — 11 innings, 2 ducks (18.18%) Same time next week, ducks — the crease awaits. 🦆🏏

Three fixtures out on the park this week and, remarkably, not a single member of the willow-wielding fraternity could be tempted into the exclusive zero club. Every batsman who walked to the crease walked back again having troubled the scorer at least once — a shocking, near-unprecedented outbreak of competence. The Duck Club secretariat is not panicking. This happens. Even the most prolific hunters have their off weeks, and a quiet spell is merely triumph through adversity deferred rather than denied. The nought is patient. It always comes back. Still, three winless matches for the cause is three matches too many for the purists among us, and several of our leading duck merchants will no doubt be quietly relieved to have banked a breather before the tally resumes its inevitable climb. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Paul Croucher — 2 ducks from 4 innings (50%) — half his season already surrendered to the art of not scoring 🥈 Alan Cradduck — 2 ducks from 8 innings (25%) — steady, reliable, thoroughly committed to the cause 🥉 Ian Brattle — 1 duck from a single innings — a flawless 100% strike rate, consistency of a very particular kind 4️⃣ Benny Bell — 1 duck from 2 innings (50%) 5️⃣ Brian Fuller — 1 duck from 4 innings (25%) A tidy top five, and plenty of room still for movement before the season's Duck of the Year honours are decided. Croucher sits pretty at the summit for now, but a lean run of form from any of the chasing pack could see the crown change hands within a fixture or two. 🍩 So the hunt continues. The ducks may have evaded capture this week, but Linton Park's finest will be back at the crease next time out, bats in hand and, statistically speaking, at least one of them destined for nought. Get down to the ground and see who adds their name to the honours board next. 🏏0️⃣

A quiet week on the noughts front — of three Linton fixtures played across the period, only one troubled the scorers. But Sheldwich CC, visiting on Saturday 8th June, made sure the exclusive zero club wasn't left entirely idle, claiming two Linton wickets for nothing in the same innings. 🏏 Saturday – Sheldwich CC (home) Mike Iliffe, in at five, was bowled by Graham Mountford for his first duck of the season, moving him to 31 for his career in 201 innings — 9th in the all-time standings out of 913 names on the books. Rather fittingly, this very day in 1970 saw Ron Hickman fall for nought against Boughton Monchelsea CC — Hickman finished on 26 career ducks (14th all-time) and remains immortalised on the board for Quacking Together with Alan Cradduck, and for a Runaway Duck in 1965, a whole season without troubling the scorebook. At the other end of the order, last man Tony Gauna was trapped lbw by A Creed, also his first duck of the campaign, taking him to 11 career ducks from 58 innings and 46th on the all-time list. Remarkably, he shares his date of ignominy with Mike — the very same 1970 Hickman duck against Boughton Monchelsea falls on this calendar day too, making 8th June something of a recurring appointment with the zero for Linton men down the decades. Elsewhere, the weekend's other two fixtures passed off entirely fowl-free — a rare case of the ducks evading capture, though with only one match doing the damage, the statisticians won't be complaining about the workload. 📊 Week in Summary Two ducks from three matches, both from a single Sheldwich innings — proof, if it were needed, that when the Duck Club strikes, it prefers to strike twice. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Paul Croucher — 4 innings, 2 ducks, 50.0% 2. Alan Cradduck — 7 innings, 2 ducks, 28.57% 3. Ian Brattle — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100.0% 4. Benny Bell — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50.0% 5. Brian Fuller — 3 innings, 1 duck, 33.33% Ian Brattle currently sits on a flawless record at the top of the percentage charts — a single innings, a single duck, nowhere to go but down. Whether he can be caught remains to be seen. 📅 Looking Ahead The ducks may have gone quietly this week, but Linton's bowlers and fielders will be back next weekend with every intention of putting that right. As ever, the zero club welcomes new members with open wings — 🦆🍩0️⃣

A quiet week for the Club's talent scouts. Of four fixtures on the go this week, only Saturday's home date with Medway Electricity troubled the scorers — and it obliged twice in the same innings, both off the same bowler. D- Masters can consider his week made. 1st XI v Medway Electricity (home, 1 June) Tim Thirkell, in at four, was taken by P- Hirons off Masters' bowling for his first blob of the summer — the 22nd of a career now standing at 149 innings and good enough for 23rd on the all-time chart of 911. Thirkell keeps distinguished company on the honours boards: Duck of the Year back in 1972, a Full House man for having now ducked in seemingly every position the order can offer, and a fixture in both the Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens. The surname is no stranger to the ledger either — between his kin John, Nigel and Stuart, the Thirkell clan has banked over a hundred career noughts of its own, so the talent, such as it is, runs in the family. On this very day in 1903, Rev W A Carr made exactly the same walk back against 1st Innings Maidstone CC — some anniversaries keep themselves. Three down at seven, Alan Cradduck fell to the same rampant Masters, bowled for his second duck of the season already. It's his 24th for the club from a brisk 85 innings, vaulting him to 18th all-time — just five places shy of Thirkell himself. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first innings, and Duck of the Year in 1974, Cradduck also shares the Reverend Carr's 1903 anniversary. Whatever the good vicar did to the cricketing gods that June, it's still working eighty years on. Elsewhere The other three fixtures across the period were, disappointingly, entirely vegan — not a single fowl among them. Perhaps everyone else was saving themselves for the leaderboard. In summary — two ducks, one match, one very busy bowler. The season tally ticks on. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Paul Croucher — 2 ducks / 4 innings (50%) - Alan Cradduck — 2 ducks / 6 innings (33.3%) - Benny Bell — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Ian Brattle — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Colin Dicker — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) Croucher holds the summit for now, but with Cradduck already doubling up and Masters clearly steaming in with intent, this one has plenty of scorecard left to run. Next fixture, same optimism, same bat, same 0️⃣ waiting in the wings — see you at the crease. 🏏🦆

Four matches, nine ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomed its usual eclectic membership drive. On with the ceremony. Saturday 24 May — 1st XI v Maidstone YMCA CC Three quick dismissals for nought. Benny Bell fell first (b Dearing) for season duck No.1 — his 30th career, 10th on the all-time list. John Ames followed (b Adams) to his 47th career duck, 3rd on the all-time roll and a veteran of Ducks in a Row and two Quacking Together honours. Last man Brian Fuller completed the collapse (lbw), his 9th career, 52nd all-time. All three, fittingly, keep company with William Buck, who ducked against Halfway House on this very day back in 1953. Sunday 25 May — 1st XI v Lordswood CC Jon Harris was caught behind for his 23rd career duck, 21st all-time — a proud member of the Full House club (a duck at every position, 1 to 11) and no stranger to a Debutante Duck either. Paul Croucher then went (b Hills) for his SECOND of the season already, 7th career, and a card-carrying Retirement Duck honouree — early pace-setter for this year's Duck of the Season race 🍩. Both share the date with Frank Brattle's 1970 effort against Bearsted. Monday 26 May — 1st XI v Bearsted CC A proper Bearsted collapse. Jim Hall was run out for his 16th career duck, 31st all-time, an honours board longer than the tea interval — and among them, a Quacking Together pairing with Martin Mears, who obliged in the very same innings, lbw for his own maiden career duck 0️⃣ — first ever, though happily not his first knock. Ian Brattle rounded it off, stumped for his 3rd career duck (128th all-time), a future 50 Before a 50 man by the record books. All three share the day with Cliff Anscombe's 1957 vintage. Tuesday 27 May — Midweek XI v Newport Fugitives CC And so to the legend himself. John Thirkell, caught for his 83rd career duck — still Linton's undisputed all-time No.1 by some distance, and a five-time Duck of the Year (1952, '54, '55, '67, '71). On this same day in 1956, C- Haylor was doing likewise against Ron Aiston's XI. The Thirkell name runs deep in the club too, sons Tim (21) and Nigel (18) both proud members in their own right. Week in Summary Nine ducks in four matches, with Bearsted CC and Maidstone YMCA both claiming three scalps apiece — a fine advert for a good line and length. Paul Croucher's brace makes him the early frontrunner for Duck of the Season, and the Bearsted innings delivered the rare pleasure of a Quacking Together moment realised live, not just on the honours board. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Paul Croucher — 3 inns, 2 ducks (67%) - Benny Bell — 1 inns, 1 duck (100%) - Colin Dicker — 1 inns, 1 duck (100%) - Ian Brattle — 1 inns, 1 duck (100%) - Cliff Anscombe — 2 inns, 1 duck (50%) More fixtures on the horizon, more candidates for the zero club. Bat carefully out there — or don't, we're not fussy. 🦆🏏

Welcome to the season's early exhibits, fresh from the cabinet at Linton Park. Three matches over the weekend, three ducks recorded, all of them courtesy of the 1st XI — the 2nds, 3rds and whoever made up the third fixture apparently kept their bats disgracefully busy. 🏏 Saturday 10 May — away to Rumwood CC Paul Croucher, batting at number 10 and presumably sent in to swing rather than survive, was bowled by K Boorman for his first duck of the summer. It's his 6th career nought from 19 innings, good enough for 77th on the all-time list of 911 — a solid mid-table finish in a competition nobody wants to win. Croucher is also a long-standing name on the Retirement Duck board, a farewell duck from some past campaign, so treat that as history rather than news. On this very day back in 1958, the legendary John Thirkell — 82 ducks across 1943–1975, still unrivalled at the summit of the all-time table — was doing exactly the same thing against Bearsted CC. Some traditions never die. 🏏 Sunday 11 May — home to Chatham Nomads CC A rare double at Linton Park as two batsmen fell for nought in the same innings. Cliff Anscombe, at first drop, was bowled by R Williams for his 25th career duck from 203 innings — 16th of 911 all-time, a rarefied altitude. Cliff carries a Debutante Duck credential from his very first Linton innings years ago, and briefly topped the pile as Duck of the Year back in 1957, so he arrives with pedigree as well as history. On this day in 1969, John Ames — 46 ducks across 1952–1975, 3rd of 911 — was similarly dismissed against Gore Court CC. Moments later Nigel Thirkell, at number six, was smartly taken by Keith Bowman off Dave Lloyd — his 18th career duck from 111 innings, 28th of 911. Nigel is a fixture on both the Homebody Duck and Tourist Duck top tens, and shares the Only Two Quacks honour with Jim Hall — quietly prolific wherever he plays. A chip off the old block, too: his kin John Thirkell carries 82 career ducks, brother Tim sits on 21, and cousin Stuart has 1 — a proper family dynasty of the dreaded zero. Fittingly, Nigel draws the identical parallel to Cliff's — on this day in 1969, John Ames also made his nought against Gore Court CC, meaning both of Sunday's victims share the same ghost. 📊 Week in Summary Three matches, three ducks, all wearing 1st XI colours — a quiet weekend by Linton's own gluttonous standards, but two-for-one in a single innings is always worth a raised eyebrow at the bar. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Colin Dicker — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Nigel Thirkell — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Alan Cradduck — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Cliff Anscombe — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Paul Croucher — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) Early days yet, and the leaderboard is as flat as a Sunday declaration. 🍩 Next fixture looms — who fancies joining the exclusive zero club this time? We watch, we wait, we celebrate. 🦆0️⃣

The 1975 season creaks into life at West Farleigh CC, and the exclusive zero club wastes no time recruiting its first two members of the year. Only one fixture in the book so far, but it delivered a tidy brace of noughts for the archives. 🏏 1st XI — away at West Farleigh CC In at six, Alan Cradduck was undone by a smart return catch, caught and bowled by Eric Mitchell, for his first duck of the new season and the 23rd of an already storied career. That's 20th on the club's all-time list of 911 from 80 innings, and it keeps him in good company alongside his own five-consecutive-ducks feat of years gone by, his 1974 Duck of the Year crown, and his standing half of the Quacking Together partnership with Ron Hickman — a paid-up Debutante Duck club member too, though today's effort was strictly business as usual rather than a repeat of that first-ball christening. Spookily, this is the very date in 1969 that Paul Bowles — 25 ducks, 1965 to 1974, 16th on the all-time list — also fell to West Farleigh CC. Some grounds clearly keep a calendar. One place further down, Colin Dicker followed him back for company, trapped lbw by Mick Marks without troubling the scorers, his first duck of the season and 14th of his career — 36th on the all-time list from just 36 innings, a fine going rate of very nearly a duck a game. Dicker arrives already sitting handsomely atop this season's Duck of the Year race, having previously lifted the honour back in 1973 too, so this sort of form is clearly nothing new for him. He shares Bowles' spooky West Farleigh anniversary as well — same day, same opposition, six years apart. 📋 The week in brief One match, two ducks, both from the 1st XI middle order, both at West Farleigh CC, both on a date that plainly has form for producing noughts. A quiet opener by Duck Club standards, but the season is young and the ground has a track record. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Alan Cradduck — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 1. Colin Dicker — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% Early days yet, and plenty of season left for someone to prise these two apart at the top. Roll on the next fixture, and with it, the next round of victims for the 0️⃣ club. 🦆