🦆 The Duck Pond

Two fixtures, one nought, and the exclusive zero club welcomes a fresh face this weekend. 🏏 Saturday 25th — 1st XI v Chairman's XI The solitary duck of the round belongs to Nat Presneill, caught Martin Harris bowled Adrian Samson at number seven, and departing without troubling the scorers on his very first outing in Linton colours. A genuine debut duck — there is no gentler way to say it, and no prouder way either. Nat is inducted straight into the Debutante Duck fraternity, that select society who announced themselves to senior cricket with precisely nothing to their name. He sits at 1 career duck, 569th of 1390 in the all-time standings — plenty of company to keep, and plenty of ducks still to lay before he need worry about the view from the top. He draws level on that single career duck with "- Howard", who managed exactly the same feat across a solitary innings back in 2006 before quietly closing the account. Whether Nat follows the same path or turns this into the first of many remains, as ever, a matter for the fixture list. Worth a small note in passing — Nat isn't the first Presneill to grace these pages. Kevin Presneill carries 17 career ducks of his own, so there is evidently a family aptitude for the art of not scoring. No suggestion Kevin was anywhere near the crease this weekend, but the surname is already on the honours board in spirit. 🌱 Sunday 26th A vegan affair — whichever fixture took place, it passed without a single duck laid. The Duck Club can't win them all, much as we'd like to. 📊 Week in Summary One match, one duck, one new member processed through the gates of the club. A quiet weekend by Linton's standards — but every Full Membership starts with a single nought, and Nat Presneill's clock is now officially ticking. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Joshua Knowler — 7 ducks in 23 innings (30.43%) 🥈 Will Thirkell — 5 ducks in 27 innings (18.52%) 🥉 Iain Rawson — 5 ducks in 31 innings (16.13%) 4️⃣ Matthew Carter — 4 ducks in 21 innings (19.05%) 5️⃣ Ollie Howarth — 3 ducks in 11 innings (27.27%) Joshua Knowler holds a commanding lead at the sharp end of the table, but with the season still to run there's ample time for the chasing pack — or indeed a certain newly-arrived Presneill — to make a move. 🏏 See you all next weekend, bats and pads (allegedly) at the ready. 0️⃣🦆

A quieter weekend in the exclusive zero club, but the art of not scoring was still very much alive across two fixtures at Linton. Saturday — 1st XI v Sidcup CC (home) Will Thirkell departed at five, ct Seetharam Krishnamurthy b Ray Hole, his 5th duck of the season and 7th of a career now standing at 46 innings. He joins Mike Caddick on that tally — Caddick took 127 innings (1993–2009) to get there, so Will's arrived at the same dubious distinction in considerably brisker fashion. Fittingly for a Thirkell, this is something of a family trade — the surname already litters the Duck Club's honours boards several times over. Dan Barkaway followed him back at seven, ct Henry Walker b Ray Hole, his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of the career (8 innings). Dan's already a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from a past baptism of fire, and now sits level on career ducks with Alan Probert, whose entire senior career (2008–2009) ran to just 2 innings — both, poetically, noughts. Sunday — 1st XI v Tenterden CC (home) Iain Rawson made it three for the weekend, ct Tim Russell b Richard Pearman at seven — his 5th of the season and 12th career duck from 77 innings. He draws level with Gareth Davies, who reached 12 in a tidier 70 innings and is currently nursing his own 2010 Diamond Duck (out without facing a ball) — by comparison Iain at least got a proper look at one. Keeping it in the family, brother Glen Rawson carries 10 career ducks of his own, so the Rawson name is no stranger to this particular honours board either. Week in Summary Three ducks from two matches, both falling to the 1st XI home fixtures — a tidy, if modest, weekend's harvest. No pairs, no king pairs, no family doubles this time round, but with the season drawing on there's still time for the club's more theatrical noughts. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 7 ducks / 22 inns (31.82%) - Will Thirkell — 5 ducks / 27 inns (18.52%) - Iain Rawson — 5 ducks / 30 inns (16.67%) - Matthew Carter — 4 ducks / 21 inns (19.05%) - Ollie Howarth — 3 ducks / 11 inns (27.27%) Joshua Knowler holds a commanding lead atop the season standings — can anyone close the gap before the curtain falls? 🏏 Next fixture looms, and with it the inevitable fresh crop of noughts. Get your bats out, gentlemen — the ducks are watching. 0️⃣🦆

Four fixtures, five ducks, and the LPCC faithful once again proved that the art of not scoring is alive and well as the season winds toward its close. 🏏 Saturday — 1st XI v Boughton & Eastwell CC (h) Three noughts fell in this one, a proper collector's item. Adam Jackson departed for his 3rd duck of the season, caught Carney bowled Gray at number four. It's his 11th career duck, 90th of 1388 all-time, drawing him level with Andrew Moss, whose four-decade span from 1968 to 2008 yielded the same tally in 135 innings. Adam's sibling Rob Jackson already sits on 13 career ducks of his own — clearly a family with a taste for the zero. Laurie Probert followed at five, caught Mannering bowled Carney, for his 2nd of the season and 4th career duck, 189th all-time. On this very day back in 1991, club legend Fred Cheesman also strolled back for nought against The Mote CC — Fred went on to bag 42 career ducks and a Full House along the way, so there's illustrious company here. Richard Knowler ran himself out for his 1st duck of the season, his 3rd career, 248th all-time, joining Daniel McCarthy, who reached the same tally in just 19 innings between 2006 and 2007. His kin Joshua Knowler, a parent-child pairing, already carries 8 career ducks of his own — the honours board clearly runs in the family. 🌱 Sunday — 1st XI v Snodland Community CC (h) Will Thirkell continued the theme, caught by S. Chilmaid off D. Chilmaid at first drop, for his 4th duck of the season and 6th career, 157th all-time — level with Jamie Ratcliffe, 2009's Duck of the Year, who also reached six in 37 innings. Will bats in exalted company off the field too, the Thirkell name filling the honours board many times over with John (90), Tim (84), Nigel (58), Simon (57), Christopher (25) and Daniel (21) all long-established members of the zero club. This latest effort also nudges Will up to 3rd in the current Duck Hunting Season standings. Sam Boyns was bowled by Thursting for his 3rd duck of the season, his 4th career, 196th all-time. On this day in 1959, S. Lusher was doing exactly the same thing against Bowaters CC. Sam's parent-child kin Alan (21 career ducks) and sibling Ryan (10) mean this one very much runs in the family too. 📊 The Week in Brief Five ducks across four matches, three of them landing in one Saturday afternoon at Boughton & Eastwell — a genuine cluster. No pairs and no family doubles this week, but with three Thirkells, two Boynses and two Jacksons all carrying live career tallies, the bloodlines remain very much active in the sport of not scoring. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Joshua Knowler — 7 ducks in 21 innings (33.33%) 🥈 Matthew Carter — 4 ducks in 21 innings (19.05%) 🥉 Will Thirkell — 4 ducks in 25 innings (16.00%) 4. Iain Rawson — 4 ducks in 29 innings (13.79%) 5. Ollie Howarth — 3 ducks in 11 innings (27.27%) Will Thirkell is breathing down Joshua Knowler's neck for the season crown, and with plenty of cricket still to come the race is far from settled. See you all next weekend for the next instalment of the club's most dedicated pursuit — nought further ado required. 🦆🍩

A quieter weekend for the exclusive zero club, but quality over quantity — three fresh entries to the ledger and the season race tightens up nicely as we head towards the business end of 2010. Saturday 4th September 2nd XI v Mersham Sports CC — Joshua Knowler continued his one-man crusade against the scorebook, caught Ian Fagg bowled James Foot for his 7th duck of the campaign and 8th of an increasingly distinguished career, 32 innings in. That moves him to 124th of 1,388 in the all-time list and draws him level on 8 with Carl Davis, who retired on a duck of his own between 1994 and 2009 having needed just 41 innings to get there — Joshua's taking the scenic route by comparison. Already a fixture on this year's Duck of the Year 2010 board, and having been "Quacked by Kin" by Andrew Knowler earlier in the season, Joshua is building quite the family rap sheet — a nod, too, to his own relative Richard Knowler, a fellow member of the club with 2 career ducks to his name. Sunday 5th September Sunday 1st XI v Westgate-On-Sea CC, Kent — Glen Rawson fell lbw to Antony Holter for his 2nd duck of the season and 10th of his career from 122 innings, sliding into 104th all-time. He joins Adam Jackson, who reached the same milestone across 100 innings between 2001 and 2010, on the same tally. Keep an eye on the Rawson household this season — brother Iain currently sits third in the season standings with 4 ducks of his own, so there's clearly no escaping it in that family. Sunday 2nd XI v Brasted Invicta CC — Desmond High edged behind, caught Justin Wilson off Stuart Young, for his maiden duck of this particular campaign and 2nd of his career in just 4 innings — a strike rate for nought that most would rather not advertise. He's long been a card-carrying member of the Debutante Duck club, having ducked on his very first LPCC innings some time ago, and sits, presumptively at least, on the Retirement Duck board too — nobody's hanging up the pads on our watch, mind. He joins Alan Probert on 2 career ducks, who managed the feat in a brisk 2 innings back in 2008-09 before departing the honours board for good. Week in Summary Three ducks from three matches — one apiece, beautifully distributed, as though the cricketing gods were rationing their generosity. No pairs, no family affairs this time, but the season race remains very much alive. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 21 innings, 7 ducks, 33.33% - Matthew Carter — 21 innings, 4 ducks, 19.05% - Iain Rawson — 27 innings, 4 ducks, 14.81% - Ollie Howarth — 11 innings, 3 ducks, 27.27% - Will Thirkell — 23 innings, 3 ducks, 13.04% Joshua Knowler leads the way by some distance, and with the season winding down the chasing pack will need to find some uncharacteristic incompetence in a hurry. As ever, the middle order waits, the slip cordon sharpens, and the next fixture promises fresh candidates for glory through failure. See you all out there — may your ducks be golden and your innings mercifully brief. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A weekend, two fixtures, and... nothing. Not a single nought to report. The Duck Club convened its usual scouts across both grounds and came home empty-handed — every batsman who walked to the crease this weekend apparently remembered how the game works. It happens. Even the most reliable of hunting grounds occasionally goes quiet, and this was one of those weekends where the ducks evaded capture entirely. No pairs, no king pairs, no family affairs on the honours board this time — just eleven-a-side batting line-ups stubbornly getting off the mark. 🏏 Spare a thought for the committee, who prepared the ceremonial zero with nowhere to present it. The exclusive club's doors stayed shut this week — a place of dubious distinction that, for once, admitted no new members. Still, the season is young enough and Linton's batting order fickle enough that normal service will surely resume before long. The art of not scoring is not so easily retired. Duck Hunting Season 2010 — Leaderboard 0️⃣🥇 1. Joshua Knowler — 6 ducks, 20 innings (30.0%) 2. Matthew Carter — 4 ducks, 21 innings (19.05%) 3. Iain Rawson — 4 ducks, 25 innings (16.0%) 4. Ollie Howarth — 3 ducks, 11 innings (27.27%) 5. Will Thirkell — 3 ducks, 22 innings (13.64%) Joshua Knowler continues to lead the chase in some style, nearly a third of his innings ending before he's troubled the scorers — a genuinely fearsome consistency of a very particular kind. Ollie Howarth isn't far behind on percentage either, quietly building a case of his own. Next fixture, normal transmission should resume. The ducks can't hide forever — see you all at the crease. 🦆🍩

A quieter week for the Duck Hunting fraternity — six matches, but only three brave souls found their way onto this week's honours page. Quality over quantity, as the club likes to say when it has no choice. 🏏 Saturday, 1st XI at West Farleigh Adam Jackson departed lbw to Wyn Barnardo, his second duck of the campaign and 10th for his LPCC career — nudging him to 100th of 1,387 in the all-time roll. He draws level on that tally with Jack Jenner, who reached his 10 in a brisk 53 innings between 2003 and 2008 before bowing out with a Retirement Duck to his name — Adam has taken rather longer about it at 99 innings and counting. Keeping it in the family, kid brother Rob Jackson is already three ducks clear on 13, so there's a target for the summer yet. 🌱 Sunday 2nd XI v Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill Matthew Carter was run out for nought — the rare duck earned without so much as facing the bowling attack in earnest. It's his 4th of the season and 24th of a career that began, fittingly, with a Debutante Duck, and which once earned him the Duck of the Year crown back in 2004. He moves to 24 career ducks in 152 innings, level with Chris Newman, who reached the same total in a slightly tighter 126. Matthew now sits 47th of 1,387 all-time and 2nd in this season's hunt — the chase for the crown is well and truly on. ✈️ Tour XI v Ipswich Greyhounds Out on tour, Will Thirkell edged behind for 3 balls faced, caught R Southall off J Elford — his 3rd duck of the season and 5th of his career from 41 innings, ranking 175th of 1,387. He joins Iain Cardew, who also settled on 5 in a 16-year stint between 1994 and 2010 and carries his own Debutante Duck badge. The Thirkell name, of course, needs no introduction to this club — Will bats among relatives boasting a combined career tally deep into three figures, John and Tim Thirkell alone accounting for 174 ducks between them. Some surnames simply belong on the honours board. 📊 Week in Brief Three ducks from six matches — a modest harvest, spread evenly across formats: one at home, one on the road, one on tour. No pairs, no family doubles this week, but the Thirkell dynasty was quietly represented all the same. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Joshua Knowler — 6 ducks in 19 innings (31.58%) 2. Matthew Carter — 4 ducks in 21 innings (19.05%) 3. Iain Rawson — 4 ducks in 24 innings (16.67%) 4. Ollie Howarth — 3 ducks in 11 innings (27.27%) 5. Will Thirkell — 3 ducks in 22 innings (13.64%) Joshua Knowler holds firm at the summit, but with Matthew Carter and Will Thirkell both adding to their tallies this week, the chase is tightening nicely. 🍩 Next fixtures await — same stumps, same scoreboard reading 0, same club ready to celebrate it. See you out there. 🦆🏏

A quieter week in the exclusive zero club's calendar, but five names still queued up for their moment of dubious distinction across three fixtures. Sunday did the heavy lifting, Wednesday added a solitary footnote. Sunday 15th August — 2nd XI v Benenden CC (away) Benenden's Hamish Cloke had himself quite the afternoon, personally accounting for three of the day's four ducks — a proper poultry round. Ron McCormick fell early at first drop, bowled by Cloke for his 2nd duck of the summer and 7th of an increasingly distinguished career. Ron draws level on 7 with fellow member Joshua Knowler, who reached the same tally in a brisk 28 innings between 2008 and 2010 and currently sits proudly atop this very season's leaderboard — company Ron will be glad to keep, if not the pace. Next to fall was Paul Ratcliffe, also bowled Cloke, his 1st of the season taking him to a tidy 2 career ducks from just 12 innings. Paul, a paid-up Retirement Duck club member from some past farewell, shares this day in history with none other than John Thirkell, the club's all-time duck record holder on a frankly obscene 90, who also made nought on the 15th of August back in 1964. Elsewhere on the honours board sits Paul's own brother Jamie, already quietly accumulating 6 career ducks of his own — clearly a family with an eye for the art of not scoring. Andy Bell went the same way in spirit if not method, caught behind off Cloke for his 2nd duck of the season, taking his fledgling career tally to 2 from just 6 innings. Andy too shares the 15th August 1964 parallel with John Thirkell — good company for a Debutante Duck club member of his own vintage. Rounding off Cloke's set piece — though this one belongs to Neal Metcalf — Sam Boyns was caught for his 2nd duck of the season, moving to 3 for his career, level with Daniel McCarthy who reached the same total across 2006 and 2007. Sam bats among duck-club royalty at home too, with father Alan Boyns sitting on 21 career ducks and brother Ryan on 10 — the Boyns household evidently believes the family that ducks together, sticks together. Wednesday 18th August — Midweek XI v Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC (home) Joe Martin held out the longest of the week's quartet of survivors before being caught at number three, his 2nd duck of the season nudging him to 11 for his career — a tally he now shares with Andrew Moss, who compiled his own 11 across a marathon 135 innings between 1968 and 1974. Joe, like Andy Bell, carries a Debutante Duck badge from an earlier innings entirely, so this one is very much a repeat offence rather than a fresh scandal. The Week in Summary Five ducks, three matches, and one Benenden seamer doing the lion's share of the damage. No pairs, no king pairs, and mercifully no family affairs this time round — the Ratcliffes and Boyns keep their collective duck counts safely spread across generations rather than the same afternoon. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Joshua Knowler — 17 innings, 6 ducks, 35.29% 2. Iain Rawson — 22 innings, 4 ducks, 18.18% 3. Ollie Howarth — 11 innings, 3 ducks, 27.27% 4. Matthew Carter — 18 innings, 3 ducks, 16.67% 5. Ian Hollingworth — 5 innings, 2 ducks, 40.0% Ian Hollingworth's 40% strike rate remains the most efficient failure in the current standings — truly triumph through adversity. The chase for Duck of the Year continues, and with the season not yet done, there's every chance this week's names go again before the last ball is bowled. See you all at the next fixture, bats raised in hope 🏏🦆

A properly productive week for the Duck Club, with the harvest spread across three fixtures and one repeat offender doing more than his fair share of the damage. Seven ducks from five matches — the art of not scoring alive and well at Linton Park. Saturday 7 August — 2nds away at Meopham CC A trio fell in the same innings, which is either bad luck or a conspiracy. Joe Martin (ct Matt Sparkes b Tony Thatcher) opens his account for the season and moves to 10 career ducks from 57 innings, rank 104 of 1384 — drawing level with Jack Jenner, who reached the same total in his 2003–2008 stint. Joe is also a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having ducked on his own first-ever outing. Joshua Knowler (ct Peter Howard b Tony Thatcher) racks up his 5th duck of the campaign already and 6th career, from a lean 28 innings, rank 136. He's currently the man to catch for Duck of the Year 2010, and comes from noted stock — kinsman Richard Knowler carries 2 career ducks of his own, while Joshua himself has already been "Quacked by Kin" once this season courtesy of Andrew Knowler. He draws level on career ducks with Jamie Ratcliffe (2008–2010). Michael Beeney, run out for his first duck of the season, reaches an imperious 32 career ducks from 247 innings — rank 28 of 1384, seriously elite company. A Diamond Duck alumnus and Retirement Duck club member from past campaigns, and father to fellow member Thomas Beeney (13 career ducks) — clearly a family trade. On this very day in 1976, Colin Dicker also made a duck, against Headcorn CC. Sunday 8 August — Sunday 2nds away at Speldhurst CC Ray Dixon (ct Louis Waterman b Harry Straw) picks up his 2nd duck of the season and 13th career from 49 innings, rank 77 — level with Rob Jackson's tally from 2001–2006. Ray remains a Duck of the Year alumnus from 2007. Wednesday 11 August — Midweek XI away at The Mote CC Laurie Probert (ct Unsure b Unsure) opens his season account, his 3rd career duck from 56 innings, rank 232 — drawing level with Daniel McCarthy's 2006–2007 tally. Joshua Knowler returns for his second helping of the week (lbw, b Unsure), sealing a grim pair — Saturday's 5th duck followed swiftly by a 6th, now 7 career ducks from just 28 innings. On this day in 2001, Daniel Thirkell also fell for nought, against Shipbourne CC. Matthew Carter (b R Palmer) closes the innings with his 3rd duck of the season, 23rd career from 149 innings, rank 50 — level with Brian Piper's tally across a mighty 441 innings. Matthew carries his own Debutante Duck and Duck of the Year 2004 credentials. Week in summary Seven ducks, five matches, and Joshua Knowler personally accounting for two of them inside four days — a pair collected home and midweek that keeps him well clear at the top of the pile. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Joshua Knowler — 17 inns, 6 ducks, 35.29% 2. Iain Rawson — 22 inns, 4 ducks, 18.18% 3. Ollie Howarth — 11 inns, 3 ducks, 27.27% 4. Matthew Carter — 18 inns, 3 ducks, 16.67% 5. Ian Hollingworth — 5 inns, 2 ducks, 40.0% The season race is well and truly on. Next fixture, fresh victims — the exclusive zero club never stops recruiting. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Five fixtures, nine ducks — the zero club had a busy week adding to the honours board. 🏏 Saturday 31 July 1st XI hosted Sheldwich CC, and Will Thirkell was caught and bowled by David Prior for his 2nd duck of the season, 4th of his career, 200th all-time of 1383. Kin Nigel Thirkell already has 58 career noughts of his own. On this day in 1996, Gareth Thomas made a duck too, against Ipswich Greyhounds CC - Kent Tour XI. At the 2nd XI's own meeting with Sheldwich, Joshua Knowler was trapped lbw by Dave Williams — his 4th of the season, 5th career, 165th all-time. Joshua is the reigning Duck of the Year 2010, and a paid-up member of the "Quacked by Kin" club courtesy of Andrew Knowler earlier this season — kin Richard Knowler adds 2 career ducks of his own. 🏏 Tuesday 3 August — Midweek XI v Bexley CC Thomas Beeney was bowled by Steve Silver for career duck 13 (1st of the season), 79th all-time, and a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from a debut long since passed. He joins Rob Jackson (2001–2006, 65 innings) on exactly 13. Kin Michael Beeney carries 31 of his own. Darren Styles followed, caught Sandeep Bains bowled James Rees, for career duck 16 — 68th all-time. On this day in 1952, Gordon Fenner was doing precisely the same. 🌱 Sunday 1 August 1st XI's trip to Rodmersham CC claimed two. Tim Wright was run out for nought — 5th career duck, 171st all-time — matched on this day in 1994 by Roly Edwards. Andy Bee, caught Liam Ansley bowled Chris Ansley, opened both season and career accounts at once, level with fellow one-duck kin Harry Bee, and with "- Howard" (2006) whose entire senior career amounted to that single nought. Nuxley CC left the 2nd XI with three scalps. Jordan Austin, bowled Vic Philips, reached 2 for the season and 3 for his career — a Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top-ten regular — level with Daniel McCarthy (2006–2007). Ollie Howarth, caught Michael Heaney bowled Bob May, hit 3 for the season and 7 career, joining Mike Caddick (1993–2009, 127 innings). And Martin Harris, bowled Declan Russell, made it a hat-trick with his 2nd career duck — kin to club legend Jon Harris, 2nd all-time with 89 — level with Alan Probert (2008–2009). 📊 Week in Summary Nine ducks in five days — Saturday's Sheldwich double, a midweek Bexley pair, and a three-duck Nuxley haul on Sunday. No golden ducks, no pairs, but plenty of family names on parade — Thirkells, Beeneys, Bees, Knowlers and Harrises all present. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 4 ducks / 15 innings (26.67%) - Iain Rawson — 4 ducks / 21 innings (19.05%) - Ollie Howarth — 3 ducks / 10 innings (30.0%) - Ian Hollingworth — 2 ducks / 5 innings (40.0%) - James Piper — 2 ducks / 5 innings (40.0%) Wide open at the top. Who'll join the list next weekend? The zero club never sleeps. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A quieter week in the hunting grounds, but the exclusive zero club still found four new inductees across a busy Shipbourne double-header and a Bells Yew Green/Gravesend Sunday. Quality over quantity, as ever. Saturday 24th July 1st XI away at Shipbourne CC - Ryan Boyns departed at four, held by James McCulley off Oliver Harris. His second duck of the season and 10th of a growing career (56 innings), lifting him to 105th of 1382 in the all-time roll of dishonour. He draws level on ten with Jack Jenner (2003–1908... make that 2003–2008), who reached the same tally in 53 innings before bowing out on a duck himself. A chip off two blocks, mind — dad Alan sits on 21 career ducks and brother Sam already has 2 of his own, so the ovoid gene runs strong in the Boyns household. 2nd XI at home, also Shipbourne CC - Iain Rawson kept it in the family fixture, caught and bowled by Tom Tidmarsh first ball — a proper golden duck to open his Saturday. Season duck number three, and his tenth career quack too, matching Ryan's spot alongside Jack Jenner on the honours list. Little did he know he wasn't finished for the weekend. Sunday 25th July Sunday 1st XI at home to Bells Yew Green CC - Stewart Morrison, a seasoned campaigner of this parish, was caught by Neil Cleave off Gary Stevens without scoring — his first duck of the campaign but a hefty 43rd of a long career spanning 378 innings, good for 18th all-time. Stewart is a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first innings, a former Duck of the Year in 2000, and forever the nearly-man of the Full House board with 10 of 11 positions ducked out. He now sits level on 43 with David Castle, who took 758 innings to get there between 1982 and 2010 — Stewart got there rather more efficiently. Brother Phillip trails behind on 2 career ducks of his own. Sunday 2nd XI away at Gravesend CC - And there was Iain Rawson again, bowled by Peter Shorrocks for his fourth duck of the season and 11th of his career. Golden on Saturday against Shipbourne, he walked out again on Sunday one king-pair-shy of immortality — the sport declined to repeat itself quite so cruelly, though the outcome was the same. A grim pair for the weekend all told. On this very day in 1995, Piers McDonald was doing exactly the same thing against Hartley Country Club, en route to 48 career ducks and back-to-back Duck of the Year honours in '97 and '98. Brother Glen, on 9 career ducks, will no doubt have words. Week in summary Four ducks from five matches — a modest harvest, but Iain Rawson's Saturday-to-Sunday double did the heavy lifting single-handedly. The Shipbourne double-header claimed two victims in one day, proof that some oppositions simply have the eye for it. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏆 1. Iain Rawson — 4 ducks in 19 innings (21.05%) 2. Joshua Knowler — 3 ducks in 13 innings (23.08%) 3. Ian Hollingworth — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40.0%) 4. James Piper — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40.0%) 5. Will Thew — 2 ducks in 8 innings (25.0%) Iain Rawson holds a healthy lead at the top, but with the season still to run there's plenty of time for a challenger. Same bat, same ball, same nought — see you all next weekend for the next round of dubious distinction. 🏏0️⃣

Four fixtures out on the park this weekend, and the Duck Club can confirm three additions to the ledger — every single one of them arriving on the Sabbath. The Saturday sides, rather boringly, kept a clean scoresheet. Nothing to see there, move along. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI v Blue Star CC Ollie Howarth walked in at three and departed just as promptly, caught Lewis O'Brien bowled Aaron Jobson without troubling the scorers. His 2nd duck of the season and 6th of an LPCC career now 30 innings deep, good enough for 151st on the all-time list 🥇. He draws level on six with Jamie Ratcliffe, who reached the same total in 34 innings during his 2008-2010 spell and picked up Duck of the Year 2009 for his efforts — kindred spirits across a couple of eras. Not far behind him, Ray Dixon fell caught Steve Chenery bowled Colin Freestone at six, his 1st duck of the season but a much more seasoned 12th overall from 48 innings — 88th in the club's all-time standings. That parks him alongside Gareth Davies (2003-2010, 68 innings), himself no stranger to a Diamond Duck in 2010. Ray already carries a Duck of the Year 2007 to his name, so today was simply routine maintenance on a well-established portfolio 🍩. 🏏 Sunday 2nd XI v Boughton & Eastwell CC Opening the batting, Will Thew was bowled by Chris Brett before he could get going, his 2nd duck of the season and 3rd in a young LPCC career of just 8 innings — rank 252 of 1382 and rising fast through the exclusive zero club. He joins Daniel McCarthy on three career ducks, who reached the same figure across 19 innings back in 2006-2007. Will is also a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from some point in his past — proof that once you're in, you're never really out 0️⃣. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks from four matches, and a perfect 100% Sunday strike rate — the Saturday XIs will want to check their forms are up to date before someone accuses them of scoring runs on purpose. A quiet week for milestones, but a steady one for the regulars topping up their tallies. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 3 ducks in 11 innings (27.3%) - Ian Hollingworth — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40.0%) - James Piper — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40.0%) - Chris Newman — 2 ducks in 7 innings (28.6%) - Will Thew — 2 ducks in 7 innings (28.6%) The art of not scoring remains alive and well at Linton Park. Next fixture, someone else's name goes up on the board — see you all out there, and good luck avoiding the club's warmest of welcomes 🦆.

A modest but perfectly formed haul this week — just three ducks from five fixtures — proving that even a quiet week can't keep the exclusive zero club fully dormant. Saturday — 2nd XI at Headcorn CC Trevor Back went early at four, bowled by Peter West, his second duck of the campaign and 70th in a career now 632 innings deep. That's good enough for 5th on the all-time list, and Trevor arrives there in company reserved for the truly committed — a fixture on the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, and paired for posterity with both Allan Cooper and Jon Harris on the club's Quacking Together honours. On this very day back in 1999, Stewart Roberts was doing much the same thing against Hollingbourne CC — the calendar has a long memory. At number eleven, Ian Hollingworth was run out for nought, his second duck of the season and 12th of an increasingly eventful career — 82nd on the all-time chart. He sits level on the dot with Gareth Davies, who compiled his dozen across 68 innings between 2003 and 2010 and carries his own Diamond Duck honour from earlier this season. Two twelves, two very different routes to get there. Sunday — 1st XI at Beckenham CC Chris Newman fell lbw to Tom Berry at number eight, a second duck of the season that nudges him to 24 for his career from 123 innings — 45th on the all-time roll. Newman keeps it in the family too, with parent Clive Newman himself carrying 17 career ducks, so the trait is evidently hereditary. On this day in 1967, Mike Stephens was similarly dismissed against West Farleigh CC — some dates just seem to attract the treatment. Week in summary Three ducks, five matches, and a tidy symmetry — every single one of them a second duck of the season for the man concerned. No pairs, no golden ducks and no family doubles this week, just steady, honest attrition. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 3 ducks in 10 innings (30%) - James Piper — 2 ducks in 4 innings (50%) - Ian Hollingworth — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40%) - Chris Newman — 2 ducks in 7 innings (28.57%) - Kevin Presneill — 2 ducks in 10 innings (20%) Knowler holds the summit for now, but with James Piper's fearsome 50% strike rate lurking, nobody up top should get comfortable. Next fixture, same invitation as ever — walk out, take guard, and see if your name joins this week's list. The Duck Club never sleeps. 🦆

A full weekend of cricket at Linton Park delivered six ducks across four matches, with one name doing the rounds twice. The exclusive zero club welcomes its latest inductees. Saturday 3 July 1st XI away to Boughton & Eastwell CC saw James Piper depart at first drop, bowled by Daniel Pritchard, for his first duck of the season. It's his 9th career duck (102nd of 1381 all time), drawing him level with Adam Jackson, who reached the same tally in 94 innings across 2001–2010. James wasn't done for the weekend, as we'll see. At home to Lenham CC, the 2nd XI chipped in twice. Kevin Presneill was bowled by Tom Curtis at number four, his 2nd duck of the season and 17th of his career (64th all time) — level with Clive Newman, who took 369 patient innings between 1992 and 2008 to get there. Lower down, Ian Hollingworth fell to Steve Livesy, his first duck of the season and 11th career (91st all time), joining Andrew Moss on that mark — Moss, a 1968–2008 stalwart, memorably bowed out his own LPCC career on a duck. Sunday 4 July The Sunday 2nd XI trip to Reculver CC was a bumper one. Opening the batting, James Piper was caught Collins bowled Bennett without scoring — his second duck in barely 24 hours, a proper pair to complete the set. Season tally now 2 from 2, career duck number 10. On this very day in 1973, Cliff Anscombe made a duck against Northend Sunday too, on his way to a career that began with a Debutante Duck and later claimed Duck of the Year in 1957. Chris Newman followed, bowled Attenborough, his 1st duck of the season and 23rd career (47th all time) — level with Brian Piper, who needed 441 innings between 1973 and 2008 for the same total. Keeping it in the family, Chris's father Clive Newman is no stranger to these pages either, sitting on 17 career ducks of his own — clearly a hereditary gift for the art of not scoring. Rounding things off, Will Thew was bowled by Bennett for his first duck of the season and just his 2nd career duck from 6 innings (351st all time), matching Alan Probert, who managed the same in only 2 innings back in 2008–09 before departing the club altogether. Will remains a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his own first-ever innings. Week in Summary Six ducks, four matches, and one repeat offender. James Piper's weekend double is the standout — out without scoring on both Saturday and Sunday, a grim pair that needs no further ceremony to be appreciated. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Joshua Knowler — 3 ducks / 9 innings (33.3%) 2. James Piper — 2 ducks / 2 innings (100%) 3. Kevin Presneill — 2 ducks / 9 innings (22.2%) 4. Matthew Carter — 2 ducks / 10 innings (20%) 5. Iain Rawson — 2 ducks / 14 innings (14.3%) James Piper leads by percentage if not by volume — a statistic nobody wants but everybody watches. Same time next week, same crease, same peril. See you all out there 🦆🏏

A tidy little haul this weekend — four ducks from four matches, two apiece in Sunday's fixtures, as the exclusive zero club welcomed its latest members with the usual mix of ceremony and consolation. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI v Clarion CC Steve Harris enjoyed himself at Linton's expense, accounting for both dismissals in one tidy afternoon's work. Craig Sands departed for his 2nd duck of the season, caught by A Cox off Harris. It's Craig's 14th career nought from 296 innings, good enough for 73rd on the all-time list — a position he'll defend fiercely against all comers. On this very day back in 1936, E Godden was suffering the same fate against Bearsted CC, so Craig has good, if distant, company in the calendar. Matthew Carter followed him back shortly after, caught and bowled by the same tireless Harris, for his 2nd of the season and 22nd of his career — moving him to 52nd all-time. Matthew is a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his account with a nought on debut, and took Duck of the Year honours back in 2004. He now sits level on 22 career ducks with Chris Newman, who racked up the same tally across 120 innings between 2002 and 2010. 🏏 Sunday 2nd XI v New Beckenham CC Mark Christmas edged behind to Lee Hardinges, caught by Andrew Wright, for his 1st duck of the season and 20th of his career — 58th on the all-time roll. A Duck of the Year winner in 2008 and a Full House nearly-man with 10 of the 11 batting positions ticked off, Mark now draws level on 20 career ducks with Dave Todd, who reached the same total across 231 innings between 1978 and 2009. Gareth Davies suffered the cruellest fate of the lot — run out without facing a ball, earning him this season's Diamond Duck honour into the bargain. It's his 1st duck of the summer and 12th of his career from just 68 innings, putting him 81st all-time. Gareth now sits level on 12 career ducks with Thomas Beeney, another Debutante Duck club member and Ducks on the Road top-tenner, who reached the same mark across 69 innings between 2000 and 2010. 📋 Week in Summary Four ducks, four matches, one very busy Steve Harris — the Sunday 1st XI simply couldn't get past him. Elsewhere a run out proved just as effective as a well-directed ball, a reminder that the art of not scoring comes in many disguises. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 8 innings, 3 ducks (37.5%) - Matthew Carter — 10 innings, 2 ducks (20.0%) - Iain Rawson — 12 innings, 2 ducks (16.67%) - Craig Sands — 17 innings, 2 ducks (11.76%) - Richard Piper — 17 innings, 2 ducks (11.76%) Matthew and Craig both add to their tallies this week and both cling on inside the top five — the chasing pack will need to pull their fingers out. Next weekend's fixtures await. Bats at the ready, gentlemen — the zero club is always recruiting. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Four fixtures out on the paddocks this weekend, and the ducks kept a remarkably low profile — just a brace of noughts to report, both hatched in the very same innings at Brasted & Sundridge CC on Sunday. 🏏 Sunday 2nd XI — Brasted & Sundridge CC (home) Jordan Austin walked in at first drop and departed ct Vince Reynolds b B Saunders, chalking up his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of an already distinguished career from 10 innings — 309th of 1381 in the all-time roll. Jordan is a paid-up member of both the Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, standing testament to a career built largely on home soil, if not scored on it. He now sits level on career ducks with Alan Probert, who reached his own pair of noughts in just two innings back in 2008–09, a Debutante Duck club member who bowed out, fittingly, on a duck of his own. Moments later Iain Rawson followed him back, ct & b Fraser McGregor, for his 2nd duck of the season and 9th of his career from 57 innings, good enough for 109th on the all-time list. Keeping it in the family, sibling Glen Rawson also carries exactly 9 career ducks — the Rawsons matched for very much the wrong reasons. Iain now draws level with Adam Jackson, who reached the same tally across a marathon 93 innings between 2001 and 2010. 📋 Week in Summary Just two ducks from four matches — a quiet one by Duck Club standards, both delivered back to back in the same Sunday innings, as if queuing politely for the privilege. The 1st, 3rd and 4th XIs all kept their scorecards spotless. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 3 ducks / 6 innings (50%) - Iain Rawson — 2 ducks / 10 innings (20%) - Richard Piper — 2 ducks / 15 innings (13.33%) - John Williams — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Andy Bell — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) Joshua Knowler holds a commanding lead at the summit, with Iain Rawson's latest effort keeping him firmly in second. Plenty of season left yet for the chasing pack to stake their claim. Next fixture, next chance — the ducks are never far away. See you at the crease. 🦆

Four fixtures out on the paddock this week and the Duck Club's harvest was a modest but perfectly formed brace. Quality over quantity, as no duck club correspondent has ever once said with a straight face. Saturday 12th June — 1st XI v Otterden CC Coming in at number 7, Will Thirkell was bowled by Mick Beeney for the addition of precisely nothing, his 1st duck of the season and 3rd for his LPCC career from 26 innings — good enough for 252nd of 1380 in the all-time reckoning. He joins Daniel McCarthy, who played 2006 to 2007, sitting on exactly the same tally of 3 career ducks from 19 innings, proof that noughts transcend generations. It rather runs in the family too — the Thirkell name already anchors some of the club's heaviest duck ledgers, kin stretching from the 20s clean through to the 90s, so young Will has excellent tutors in the art of not scoring. Sunday 13th June — Sunday 1st XI v Hadlow CC At first drop, Kevin Presneill fell to Jack Macdonald, his 1st duck of the campaign and the 16th of a steadily growing career, now standing 67th of 1380 all time from 148 innings. Rather fittingly, on this very day back in 1971 Graham Abel was also trudging off for nought, against Bobbing Court CC no less — some anniversaries are best not celebrated too loudly. Week in Summary 🍩 Two ducks from four matches keeps the Duck Club ticking over nicely without anything approaching a stampede — much of the rest of Saturday and Sunday's card got off unusually lightly. No pairs, no king pairs, no family affairs to report this week — just two lone soldiers doing their bit for the cause. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. Joshua Knowler — 3 ducks in 5 innings (60%) 2. Richard Piper — 2 ducks in 13 innings (15.38%) 3. John Williams — 1 duck in 1 innings (100%) 4. Andy Bell — 1 duck in 2 innings (50%) 5. Ron McCormick — 1 duck in 2 innings (50%) Joshua Knowler sits well clear at the top with a duck rate most bowlers would sell their grandmother for — can anyone catch him before the season's out? Fixtures roll on next week, and with them the near-certainty that someone, somewhere, will be walking back to the pavilion having troubled the scorer not at all. The exclusive zero club always has room for one more. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A slim but perfectly formed edition this week: just two ducks across four fixtures, proof that even the exclusive zero club can have a quiet weekend. 🏏 Saturday — 1st XI v Milstead CC Ryan Boyns, in at first drop, departed caught Mike Sellar bowled Michael Yates for nought — his first duck of the 2010 summer and the 9th of an increasingly distinguished career, from 49 innings. That plants him 113th of 1,379 in the all-time table, level on 9 with Adam Jackson, who played 2001 to 2010 and reached the same tally in 92 innings — Ryan getting there in roughly half the innings, which is either efficiency or recklessness depending on your view. It runs in the family too: father Alan sits on a hearty 21 career ducks and brother Sam on 2, so the Boyns household knows its way around the art of not scoring. 🌱 Sunday — 1st XI v Knockers CC At number four, Iain Cardew was bowled by Ben Cobb without troubling the scorers — his 5th career duck from 43 innings, and his first of this season. He joins Ollie Howarth, who played 2004 to 2010 and also settled on 5 from 27 innings, on the same tally, Iain currently the less efficient of the pair. Iain is also a long-standing paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his senior account with a nought many seasons ago, so Sunday was less a debut than a reunion. 📋 The Week in Brief Two ducks from four matches — a rate that would have the club's more prolific members tutting into their tea. No pairs, no family doubles, no king ducks this time round. Just two solid, honest contributions to the cause. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 3 ducks in 4 innings (75%) - Richard Piper — 2 ducks in 12 innings (16.67%) - John Williams — 1 duck in 1 innings (100%) - Ron McCormick — 1 duck in 1 innings (100%) - Andy Bell — 1 duck in 2 innings (50%) Joshua Knowler holds a commanding lead at the top, three quarters of his innings ending in nought — a percentage the rest of the club can only admire from a safe distance. Next weekend's fixtures await. Pads on, bails ready, and may the zeros keep falling. 🦆🍩

Saturday's card stayed frustratingly quackless, but Sunday put that right with three fresh entries to the exclusive zero club. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI v Gravesend CC Lewis Burnham opened at first drop and departed cheaply, caught Martin Hughes off Luke Hermitage. His maiden duck of the season nudges him to 3 career ducks in 19 innings, good for 231st of 1379 in the all-time table, and draws him level with Daniel McCarthy, who reached the same tally across the same number of innings back in 2006-07. Lewis also carries a Retirement Duck credential on his honours board from some past farewell duck — no suggestion he's hanging up the pads on this one, merely proof the club never forgets. 🏏 Sunday 2nd XI v Lord Raglan (away) A. Roberts had himself a afternoon, removing two Linton batsmen without either troubling the scorers. Trevor Back, caught L Hancox off A Roberts, adds his first duck of 2010 and 69th of an extraordinary career — 626 innings and counting, good enough for 5th on the all-time leaderboard, with membership of the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens to his name alongside two separate Quacking Together honours. On this very day in 1993, Paul Gibson was doing much the same against Underriver CC, en route to his own 30 career ducks. Moments later Jamie Ratcliffe followed, caught J Graham off the same A Roberts, for his first duck of the season and 6th of his career from 28 innings, ranking 149th of 1379. A paid-up former Duck of the Year (2009), Jamie now sits level on 6 with Ron McCormick, who completed his own set across 142 innings between 1991 and 2010. Fittingly, Jamie's sibling Paul Ratcliffe already keeps a single career duck of his own — the family clearly knows the way back to the pavilion. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks from two fixtures, both delivered by Lord Raglan's A. Roberts inside the same innings — a fine spell of nought-taking if ever there was one. Saturday's sides, by contrast, kept their noses admirably clean. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 3 ducks in 4 innings (75%) - Richard Piper — 2 ducks in 10 innings (20%) - John Williams — 1 duck in 1 innings (100%) - Ron McCormick — 1 duck in 1 innings (100%) - Andy Bell — 1 duck in 2 innings (50%) Plenty of early pace at the top of the table. Next weekend brings fresh opportunity for glorious failure — see you at the crease, or more likely, walking back from it. 🦆🍩

Four fixtures on the go this weekend and the zero club welcomed five new entries into the exclusive book of dubious distinction — three in one innings at Betsham, two more at Sissinghurst. Two other Linton sides kept a clean sheet, which is either admirable discipline or a wasted opportunity, depending who you ask. Saturday — 1st XI v Betsham CC (h) Openers first: Richard Piper departed caught Stickels bowled Reardon, his 2nd duck of the season and a mighty 54th of a career now standing at 454 innings — 10th in the all-time table. A man with Full House already on his mantelpiece (a duck at every position 1-11), plus Homebody, Lone Duck and Ducks on the Road top-ten honours, and 2003 Duck of the Year to boot. On this very day in 1999, Dave Charlton (1988-2009, 25 ducks) made the identical trip against Staplehurst. Adam Jackson, at five, fell the same way — Stickels again, this time off Hunter. His maiden duck of 2010 and 9th career, from 91 innings, 104th all-time. He joins Glen Rawson (2005-2010, 98 innings) dead level on nine — coincidentally the same figure owned by his own brother Rob Jackson, a fellow paid-up club member. Iain Rawson, at nine, was snapped up by Hunter off Bajwa 🏏. First of the season, 8th career from just 53 innings — 121st all-time. He pulls level with Carl Davis (1994-2009, 41 innings), a Retirement Duck alumnus. Rawson's own brother Glen sits just one nought ahead. Sunday — 2nd XI v Sissinghurst CC (a) Ron McCormick was bowled Jenkins for his first duck of the season and 6th of a 142-innings career, 152nd all-time — a card-carrying member of the Retirement Duck board from a past farewell. On this day in 1959, Basil Sears (1947-1975, 33 ducks) went the same way against Gore Court. And the pick of the weekend: Joshua Knowler, caught Winner bowled — his own cousin — Andrew Knowler. A proper family betrayal, and it lands him squarely on the "Quacked by Kin" board for 2010. His 3rd duck this season already (4 innings, a fearsome 75%), 4th of his career, level with Iain Cardew (1994-2010, 42 innings, himself a Debutante Duck). Father Richard Knowler looks on with 2 career ducks of his own — the acorn, not falling far. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 - Joshua Knowler — 4 inns, 3 ducks (75%) - Richard Piper — 9 inns, 2 ducks (22.2%) - John Williams — 1 inns, 1 duck (100%) - Ron McCormick — 1 inns, 1 duck (100%) - Andy Bell — 2 inns, 1 duck (50%) Knowler sets the early pace for 2010 with a family feud thrown in for free. Next weekend's fixtures await — the ducks never sleep. 0️⃣🍩🦆

The 2010 season is up and running, and so — inevitably — is the Duck Club. Four fixtures, four ducks, and a debut double at Nuxley that the Honours Board won't let anyone forget in a hurry. Saturday — 1st XI at Sheldwich CC Craig Sands fell early, bowled by Matt Smyth for his 1st duck of the campaign — his 13th for the club from 285 innings, holding steady at 75th of 1379 in the all-time reckoning. He now sits shoulder to shoulder with Rob Jackson, who reached the same 13 in a rather brisker 65 innings between 2001 and 2006, and who picked up a Duck of the Year gong in 2002 for his troubles. Consistency, as ever, cuts both ways. Sunday — 2nd XI away at Nuxley CC A proper baptism for two Linton debutants. Andy Bell, stumped by Michael Heaney off Naveed Kimani, opened his senior account with a duck — quite the introduction to life in club colours, and enough to earn him immediate life membership of the Debutante Duck club. Not the start he'd have scripted, but the Honours Board doesn't do scripts. Moments later John Williams followed him back, caught by John Andrews off the same Naveed Kimani — also on debut, also for nought. A matching pair of arrivals into the exclusive zero club on the very same afternoon, and Williams' single duck from a single innings this season already has him flagged for the club's "One and Done" register — a tally to watch, not a verdict on his career. Both newcomers can take comfort, or possibly alarm, from history: on this very day in 1959, a young Bob Arnold also trudged back for nought against Gore Court CC. Arnold went on to amass 47 career ducks between 1949 and 1964, took the Duck of the Year crown in 1963, and even strung together four in a row — proof that early ignominy is no barrier to a long and distinguished duck-hunting career. Sam Boyns rounded out the afternoon, bowled by Luke May for his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of his Linton career from 10 innings, moving him to 339th all-time. He joins Alan Probert on exactly 2 career ducks, a mark Probert reached in a mere 2 innings back in 2008-09. Boyns, at least, is playing the long game — and the zero gene runs in the family, with father Alan Boyns carrying 21 career ducks and brother Ryan a further 8, though today's effort was very much a solo one. Week in Summary Four matches, four ducks, no pairs and no family affairs this time — just four individuals quietly joining the register. Two brand new Debutante Ducks at Nuxley in one afternoon is not a bad return for a club that treasures the art of not scoring. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 - Joshua Knowler — 2 ducks from 3 innings (66.67%) - Andy Bell — 1 duck from 1 innings (100%) - John Williams — 1 duck from 1 innings (100%) - Matthew Carter — 1 duck from 3 innings (33.33%) - Ollie Howarth — 1 duck from 3 innings (33.33%) Early doors yet, but Joshua Knowler sets the pace. Plenty of cricket — and plenty of ducks — still to come. See you all next weekend for the next instalment 🦆🏏0️⃣

A quiet weekend for the exclusive zero club, but never let it be said the ducks take a rest entirely — one lone soul answered the call. Sunday NVKC Away at Limpsfield Chart CC, Glen Rawson strode out at first wicket down and departed for precisely nought, bowled by Ricky Singh without troubling the scorers — gone first ball faced, a golden duck of the purest vintage. It's Glen's 1st duck of the season and his 9th in a senior career now stretching to 95 innings, good enough — or bad enough — for 107th on the all-time list of ignominy. He now sits level on 9 with Joe Martin, who racked up the same tally across 48 innings back in 2004–2009 and carries his own Debutante Duck honour for good measure — proof that some numbers echo down the decades regardless of the era. Worth noting too that the surname carries a certain pedigree in these parts, with sibling Iain Rawson already on 7 career ducks of his own. Elsewhere across the club's three fixtures this period, the ducks largely evaded capture — a rare weekend of restraint from the bowlers, or perhaps just uncharacteristically sound batting. Either way, one nought from three matches is a positively frugal return for the Duck Club, and Glen carries the flag alone this week. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 2 innings, 2 ducks, 100% - Matthew Carter — 3 innings, 1 duck, 33.3% - Ollie Howarth — 3 innings, 1 duck, 33.3% - Glen Rawson — 5 innings, 1 duck, 20.0% - Richard Piper — 5 innings, 1 duck, 20.0% Joshua Knowler sits imperiously atop the table with a flawless 100% record — consistency of a very particular kind. The season rolls on, and with it the promise that somewhere, on some ground, a fielder is circling. Get your entries in early for next week — the club is always recruiting new members to its most dubious of honours boards. 🍩0️⃣🏏

Three fixtures out over the early-season weekend, and the exclusive zero club opened its books for 2010 with two fresh inductees, both against the same opposition on the same afternoon. Headcorn CC, it seems, brought the poultry. 🏏 1st XI (away) v Headcorn CC Opening the innings and, alas, opening the Duck Club's 2010 account too, Richard Piper fell ct Kevin Richardson b Adam Tyler without so much as a wobble on the board — his 1st duck of the season and a startling 53rd of his career, keeping him lodged at a lofty #10 of 1377 in the all-time reckoning from 448 innings. A man whose honours cabinet needs its own extension — Duck of the Year 2003, a spot in the Ducks on the Road and Homebody Duck top 10s, the Lone Duck top 10, and the rare and complete Full House (a duck at every position, 1 to 11) — Richard barely needs the introduction any more. Keeping it in the family, relative Brian Piper carries 23 career ducks of his own and sibling James Piper a tidy 8, so the surname is doing plenty of scoreless work across the generations. Splendidly, on this very day back in 1965 Fred Greenfield (1964–1981) also strolled back against Staplehurst CC for the same fate, one of 23 in a career that eventually earned him a Retirement Duck. 🏏 2nd XI (home) v Headcorn CC Batting at six, Joshua Knowler was bowled by Mike Donnelly for his 2nd duck of the young season, taking his career total to a still-developing 3 from just 13 innings — #227 of 1377 and rising fast. With 2010 barely a week old, Joshua already carries the Duck of the Year 2010 plaque and has been Quacked by Kin this season by Andrew Knowler, suggesting the noughts are very much a family sport this year — fittingly, relative Richard Knowler is himself no stranger to the genre with 2 career ducks banked. Joshua now sits level on career ducks with Daniel McCarthy, who took 19 innings across 2006–2007 to reach the same modest 3. 📋 Week in Summary Two ducks from three matches — a quiet weekend by Duck Club standards, with one fixture keeping its powder entirely dry. Headcorn CC, however, can claim a perfect record: both LPCC wickets that fell for nought this week fell to them. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Joshua Knowler — 2 innings, 2 ducks, 100% - Matthew Carter — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% - Ollie Howarth — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% - Richard Piper — 3 innings, 1 duck, 33.33% Joshua sits top of the pile early doors, with Richard's rank-10 all-time pedigree lurking not far behind. Next fixtures loom, and with them, no doubt, further contributions to the art of not scoring. 🍩0️⃣🦆

The 2010 campaign has barely got its pads on and already the Duck Club has its first entries of the season on the board. Two matches in the diary this weekend, one of them proving fertile ground for the art of not scoring. 🏏 Saturday 24th April — 1st XI v Mersham Sports CC Joshua Knowler, in at No.7, was bowled by Daniel Rose to open his 2010 account in the least desirable fashion. It's his 1st duck of the season and the 2nd of his career from just 12 innings, tucking him in at 306th of 1377 in the all-time charts — bang alongside Alan Probert (2008–2009), who reached the very same tally of 2 before promptly retiring on one, per the record books. Joshua already carries a "Duck of the Year 2010" credit to his name, so the race for this year's crown is very much alive. Keep it in the family too — relative Richard Knowler sits on 2 career ducks himself, so the gift for leaving without scoring evidently runs in the blood. In next was Matthew Carter at No.8, trapped lbw by Rudi Stassen for his 1st of the new season. Well-trodden ground for Matthew — his 21st career duck from 133 innings, ranking 55th of 1377 all time, drawing him level with club great Alan Boyns, who also settled on 21 across a marathon 207 innings between 1986 and 2009. Matthew remains a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club too, having opened his Linton account with a duck on debut, though this week's effort was a repeat performance rather than a first. The other fixture in the period, sadly, was a strictly poultry-free affair — everyone in and out without troubling the honours board. 📊 Week in Summary Two matches, two ducks, both from the same fixture and both from the lower-middle order — Nos.7 and 8 evidently fancied a change of scenery. No pairs, no king pairs and no family affairs to report this time, though with bloodlines like the Knowlers about the place it surely won't be long. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Joshua Knowler — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 2. Matthew Carter — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) 3. Ollie Howarth — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) Early doors yet in the 2010 hunt, but the standings are already stirring. Bring on next weekend — the ducks, as ever, will be waiting. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Season 2010 opens for business, and the exclusive zero club wastes no time signing up its first member of the year. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI v Wilmington CC (home) Batting at five, Ollie Howarth had faced four balls and looked settled enough before being bowled by Tim Cotton — no golden duck here, just a considered, unhurried surrender to nought. It's Ollie's 1st duck of the new season and his 5th for the club in 23 innings, a return that plants him at 164th of 1377 in the all-time standings. Consistency of a very particular kind. Fittingly, Ollie now sits level on career ducks with Jamie Ratcliffe, who managed the same tally of 5 across 26 innings in his 2008–2009 spell and even walked off with Duck of the Year 2009 for his troubles. Ollie will hope to emulate the honour and not just the arithmetic. 📊 Week in Summary One match, one duck — a modest opening statement, but every campaign has to start somewhere. The 2010 Duck Hunting Season is officially live, and with 1377 names already on the all-time roll of dishonour, Ollie has plenty of illustrious company to keep chasing. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Ollie Howarth — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) An early, emphatic lead — though with the season just a ball old, that percentage has nowhere to go but down. Or, this being the Duck Club, delightfully nowhere at all. 🍩 Looking Ahead The zero club's books are open for 2010. Who joins Ollie next weekend? Get out there, middle the ball or don't — either way, we'll be watching, and we'll be keeping score of the scoreless. 🦆0️⃣