🦆 The Duck Pond

A quiet weekend on the Linton duck-hunting front — just the one fixture, just the one nought — but never let it be said the Club doesn't do quality over quantity. Sunday 1st XI v Tenterden CC Mark Christmas strode in at four and departed for a golden-duck-adjacent 2 balls faced, bowled by Tom Richards before he'd troubled the scorers. No first-baller ignominy here, mind — he at least survived long enough to inspect the surroundings before the timbers went. This is Mark's 4th duck of the season and his 26th for the club in 302 innings, easing him to 42nd of 1,415 in the all-time reckoning — rarefied, if slightly damp, company. He does so as a paid-up name on the Duck of the Year 2008 roll of honour, and as a permanent, tantalising near-miss on the Full House board, having ducked in 10 of the 11 possible positions — one solitary slot still eluding him. The suspense, frankly, is unbearable. Fittingly, Mark's 26 career ducks draw him level with club stalwart Paul Brattle, who plied his trade from 1969 to 2008 and reached the same tally in 308 innings — sitting one place below him at 43rd all-time, and himself a Debutante Duck club member from an era when Linton Park's outfield was presumably a great deal muddier. Week in Summary One match, one duck — the Duck Club equivalent of a training run rather than a full hunt. Still, every nought counts toward the greater ledger, and Mark's contribution keeps the autumn embers of the season glowing nicely. 🍩 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 🍩 1. Nat Presneill — 7 ducks / 17 innings (41.18%) 2. Will Thirkell — 6 ducks / 44 innings (13.64%) 3. Matthew Carter — 5 ducks / 30 innings (16.67%) 4. Craig Sands — 5 ducks / 36 innings (13.89%) 5. Will Thew — 5 ducks / 38 innings (13.16%) Nat Presneill remains imperious atop the table with a duck rate any bowler would envy, but with the season drawing on there's still time for a late surge from the chasing pack. As ever, the Club watches, waits, and quietly hopes the next fixture delivers a fresh crop of noughts for the annals. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A quiet week in the exclusive zero club — just the one fixture, and just the one nought to show for it. Sometimes the art of not scoring is a solo performance. 🏏 Midweek XI — away at Penshurst Park CC Will Thew, in at first drop, departed for nought, held by a fielder the scorebook simply couldn't put a name to, off the bowling of Sean Axtell. Not his first rodeo in these parts — this is his 5th duck of the 2013 season and his 17th for the club overall, moving him to a very respectable 73rd of 1415 in the all-time standings from 117 innings. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club (he ducked on his very first Linton innings, long before this one) and a former Duck of the Year back in 2012 — evidently keen to remind everyone he can still do it in 2013 too. In doing so Will draws level with Clive Newman, who played from 1992 to 2012 and needed 371 innings to accumulate his 17 — Will's got there rather more efficiently, for better or worse. 📊 Week in summary One match, one duck. Hardly a flock, but the Duck Club doesn't turn its nose up at a single, well-earned zero — every quack counts towards the greater tally. No pairs, no family affairs this time, just Will flying solo for the cause. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Nat Presneill — 7 ducks, 17 innings, 41.18% - Will Thirkell — 6 ducks, 43 innings, 13.95% - Matthew Carter — 5 ducks, 30 innings, 16.67% - Craig Sands — 5 ducks, 36 innings, 13.89% - Will Thew — 5 ducks, 38 innings, 13.16% Nat Presneill continues to lead the chase in ominous fashion, but with Will Thew now level on 5 for the season and climbing the career charts too, the race for Duck of the Year is far from settled. 🍩 Roll on the next fixture — the ducks never truly stop coming, they just take the occasional week off to build suspense. See you all out there, and may your stumps stay untroubled 0️⃣🦆

A weekend of two fixtures at Linton Park, and — brace yourselves — not a single nought to report. The zero club's talent scouts trudged the boundary all weekend and came home empty-handed. Every LPCC bat that walked to the crease this weekend had the sheer bad manners to trouble the scorers, however modestly, denying the honours board a single new entry. Rest assured, this is not a permanent state of affairs. The art of not scoring is a proud and enduring Linton tradition, and normal service will resume the moment somebody obliges with a fresh air shot or a needless run-out at the non-striker's end. Consider this weekend a rain check, not a retirement notice. 📊 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Nat Presneill — 7 ducks from 17 innings (41.18%) 2. Will Thirkell — 6 ducks from 43 innings (13.95%) 3. Matthew Carter — 5 ducks from 30 innings (16.67%) 4. Craig Sands — 5 ducks from 36 innings (13.89%) 5. Martin Harris — 4 ducks from 21 innings (19.05%) Nat Presneill remains the runaway leader of the 2013 Duck of the Year race and, at a frankly alarming 41% strike rate, is doing more for the cause single-handed than the rest of the club combined — a genuine threat to the season record with matches still to come. Will Thirkell keeps the chasing pack honest, while Carter and Sands scrap it out for the final podium spot on identical tallies, separated only by the fine margins of a slightly larger innings count. As ever, the Duck Club extends a warm invitation to next weekend's fixtures, where somebody, somewhere, will surely do the decent thing and offer up a nought for the cause. Pads on, bats loose, standards low — see you out there. 🏏0️⃣

Three fixtures on the card this week, and the zero club kept things suitably restrained: just two new arrivals to report, both from the same corner of Wednesday's Midweek XI trip to The Mote CC. Midweek XI v The Mote CC (away) Trevor Back, batting at four, was caught by a fielder the scorebook simply lists as "Unsure", off Adam Dooley, no ambiguity about the outcome at least. It's his 3rd duck of the season and the 78th of an extraordinary career spanning 689 innings, keeping him anchored at 5th in the all time standings, a position few will ever get near. Trevor remains a paid up member of the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, with standing quacking partnerships alongside Allan Cooper and Jon Harris. On this very day back in 1988, A Pay was doing much the same against Mullion CC, a lone duck that proved to be his only one, on debut and, as it turned out, his farewell too. Down at 10, Michael Beeney fell bowled by Alex Bone without scoring, his 2nd of the season and 36th of a 293 innings career, holding at a lofty 24th all time. Michael carries the rare Diamond Duck honour from 2002 (out without facing a ball), a standing Only Two Quacks pairing with Ian Brattle, and a Retirement Duck credential from a past farewell. A chip off the old block too, his relative Thomas Beeney owns 26 career noughts of his own. And Michael shares his moment in history with Trevor: on this same date in 1988, A Pay was also trudging off for nought against Mullion CC. Elsewhere The week's other two fixtures passed without troubling the Duck Club recorder, a rare stretch of collective competence the club will not be dwelling on for long. Two ducks from one match is a modest haul, but quality over quantity, both dismissals arriving in the same innings, at either end of the batting order, as if bookending it on purpose. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Nat Presneill, 7 ducks in 17 innings (41.18%) 🥈 Will Thirkell, 6 ducks in 42 innings (14.29%) 🥉 Matthew Carter, 5 ducks in 29 innings (17.24%) 4. Craig Sands, 5 ducks in 35 innings (14.29%) 5. Martin Harris, 4 ducks in 21 innings (19.05%) Nat Presneill sits well clear at the top with a duck rate north of 40%, the kind of consistency the rest of the club can only admire from a safe distance. Next fixture beckons, and with it, no doubt, fresh additions to the honours board. The zero club never sleeps. 🦆🍩

Three matches in the diary this weekend but the harvest was concentrated entirely on the road, where Linton's Sunday 1st XI travelled to Mersham Sports CC and generously donated three noughts to the cause. Elsewhere, the other two fixtures passed off as strictly vegan affairs — not a feather ruffled. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI at Mersham Sports CC Thomas Beeney got proceedings underway at number 2, managing nine balls of resistance before being bowled by George Hansen. It's Thomas's 3rd duck of the season and his 26th in a career now spanning 147 innings, good enough for 43rd on the all-time list. Already a card-carrying member of the Debutante Duck club and a fixture of the Ducks on the Road top 10, Thomas remains in fine away-day form of the wrong kind. He now sits level on 26 with Paul Brattle, who compiled his own 26 across a marathon 1969–2008 career in 308 innings — Thomas got there in under half the time, which is either efficiency or recklessness depending who's asking. Elsewhere in the family, sibling honour is intact — well, parent, technically — with Michael Beeney sitting on 35 career ducks of his own, so the nought clearly runs in the blood. Ray Dixon followed at number 6 and needed just the one ball to depart, bowled by John Harman for a golden duck — the purest and most economical form of failure the club has to offer. It's Ray's 3rd of the season and 20th of his career, moving him to 61st all-time. A former Duck of the Year back in 2007, Ray shows the old instincts haven't left him. He now draws level on 20 career ducks with Dave Todd, who took a rather more leisurely 233 innings across 1978–2013 to get there — Ray's version came at considerably greater pace. Rounding things off at number 10, Will Bramley-Harker fell to Jack Wilson after six balls, his 2nd duck of the season and 4th of a fledgling 17-innings career, placing him 215th on the all-time roll. Will joins Matthew Ward, who reached the same career total of 4 in just 10 innings across 2011–2012, so there's still time to close that gap either way. Will is also a long-standing name on the Retirement Duck honours board from a past farewell — a reminder the club never forgets a good exit, even one from years back. And keeping it in the family, brother Matt Bramley-Harker already carries 2 career ducks of his own — the surname is clearly not scoring runs this decade. 📊 Week in Summary Three ducks, one unlucky top order, and Mersham Sports CC doing rather too good a job with the ball. All three fell inside the top half of the batting order at Mersham — a rare case of the Duck Club striking early rather than mopping up the tail. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Nat Presneill — 7 ducks / 16 innings (43.75%) - Will Thirkell — 6 ducks / 41 innings (14.63%) - Matthew Carter — 5 ducks / 29 innings (17.24%) - Craig Sands — 5 ducks / 34 innings (14.71%) - Martin Harris — 4 ducks / 21 innings (19.05%) Nat Presneill continues to lead the way in the race nobody wants to win. Plenty of cricket left to shuffle this table — see you at the next fixture, where the ducks will no doubt be waiting. 🦆🍩

A quieter week in the hunting grounds — five fixtures played, but only three ducks confirmed for the collection. Quality over quantity, as they say. Saturday 17th August 1st XI vs Marden CC, Kent Opening the innings and opening the weekend's account, Adam Jackson departed b Phil Lyle after five balls of resistance — not nothing, but not enough. It's his 2nd duck of the season and 14th of an increasingly distinguished career, now 80th on the all-time list of 1415. Rather neatly, on this very day back in 1969, Percy Brattle (1934–1973, Duck of the Year 1969) was also dismissed for nought against Mote A — good company across the decades. Adam's sibling Rob Jackson carries 13 career ducks of his own, so the family name is already well represented in the club's records. Sunday 18th August 2nd XI vs Detling CC Two names added to the list on the same afternoon at Detling. James Piper fell for his 1st duck of the season, caught Jake Davis bowled Joshua Town, moving to 12 for his career and 93rd all-time — level with Gareth Davies (2003–2013, 12 ducks in 77 innings, a Diamond Duck honouree for vanishing without facing a ball back in 2010). Keep it in the family — James's brother Richard Piper carries 63 career ducks and his father Brian Piper a further 23, so there's plenty of egg already on the Piper family tree. Further down the order, Gregory Ralph marked his first-ever senior innings for the club with immediate membership of the exclusive zero club — bowled Dan Cale on debut, his maiden duck earning him a place straight onto the Debutante Duck board. He joins - Howard (2006, also 1 duck from 1 innings) on identical career figures — good company for a first outing, and every chance he improves on both fronts before long. Week in summary Three ducks from five matches — the hunting was thin on the ground this week, though what was bagged came with pedigree: a bowled, a caught-and-bowled, and a full debut duck to boot. No pairs, no family doubles, no golden ducks confirmed — just steady, honest failure across two fixtures. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Nat Presneill — 7 ducks from 15 innings (46.67%) - Will Thirkell — 6 ducks from 39 innings (15.38%) - Matthew Carter — 5 ducks from 28 innings (17.86%) - Craig Sands — 5 ducks from 34 innings (14.71%) - Martin Harris — 4 ducks from 21 innings (19.05%) Nat Presneill remains imperious at the top with the most fearsome duck rate in the club this season — nearly one innings in two ending in nought. The chasing pack will need a big weekend to close the gap. Next fixtures loom, and with them the promise of fresh additions to the honours board. Pads on, gloves off — the ducks await. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Five new arrivals into the exclusive zero club this week, split between two Midweek XI fixtures and a shared afternoon of woe for the Sunday 2nds. The art of not scoring remains alive and well at Linton Park. Midweek XI At Old Suttonians, Kent on the 12th, Will Thew departed for nought at number two, bowled by R Featherstone. A long-standing Debutante Duck club member and Duck of the Year 2012, Will notches his 4th of the season and 16th of his career, level with Iain Rawson (2006–2013, also 16 ducks) at 75th all-time. Four days later against The Dragons CC, the rot set in twice. Will Thirkell, ct P Abraham b Tom Farrant at six, brings up his 6th duck of the season and 18th of his career, sharing the tally with Russell Baldwin (1988–2006) and sitting 67th all-time. With Thirkells already thick on the honours board, Will keeps the family name firmly attached to the zero — and sits 2nd in this season's Duck Hunting standings. At ten, Luke Welsman fell caught, unsure to whom, off Simon Arnold — his 2nd of the season and 3rd of his career, level with Daniel McCarthy (2006–07). A fellow Debutante Duck and agonisingly a "Full House nearly-man" having ducked in 10 of 11 positions, Luke knows exactly which slot still eludes him. Sunday 2nd XI Away at Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow, two fell in the same innings. Jamie Ratcliffe, ct Iain Foster b Dominic Reid at four, picks up his 1st duck of the season and 9th of his career, level with Tim Wright (2004–2013) at 119th all-time. A 2009 Duck of the Year, Jamie's sibling Paul Ratcliffe already carries 4 career ducks — plainly a family with an eye for the zero. Further down, club legend Tim Thirkell — ct Scott Clark b Roger Clay — adds a 3rd duck of the season and an eye-watering 88th of his career, keeping him a near-untouchable 3rd all-time. On this very day in 2001, kinsman Daniel Thirkell also made a duck, against Shipbourne CC. Tim's honours board reads like a museum piece: Duck of the Year 1972, Full House, and permanent residence in the Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road top tens. Week in Summary Five ducks from seven matches — a steady, unspectacular harvest, though the Thirkell clan contributed two without ever sharing a crease. No pairs, no king pairs, no family doubles this week — the honours board rests easy. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Nat Presneill — 7 ducks, 15 innings (46.67%) 2. Will Thirkell — 6 ducks, 36 innings (16.67%) 3. Matthew Carter — 5 ducks, 27 innings (18.52%) 4. Craig Sands — 5 ducks, 32 innings (15.63%) 5. Martin Harris — 4 ducks, 20 innings (20.0%) Nat Presneill leads the Duck of the Year race on a fearsome 46.67% strike rate, but Will Thirkell's fresh pair of noughts keeps him within touching distance. Next fixtures loom, the scorebook stays hungry, and the Duck Club's doors remain wide open. Bring your bat — and your sense of humour. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A quieter week for the exclusive zero club — six fixtures, just four admissions — but as ever, quality over quantity in the art of not scoring. 🏏 2nd XI — Lenham CC (Sat) Richard Piper opened the innings and departed early, held by Alex Gray off Tom Curtis. His 2nd duck of the summer and 63rd of a storied career, keeping him a mighty 7th of 1414 on the all-time list. A one-man honours board — Duck of the Year 2003, a Full House (duck at every position 1-11), and top-10 residency in Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road. On this day in 1952, Gordon Fenner (1941–1973) was doing exactly the same thing. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI — Linden Park CC Benjamin Austin put up a fight, surviving 9 balls before falling caught Tebay bowled Champion — no golden duck here, just a slow puncture. His 3rd of the season takes him to 5 career ducks from just 14 innings, drawing him level with Harry Bee (2008–2012, 31 innings). Benjamin is himself a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his actual first innings — and keeps it in the family, with sibling Jordan Austin sat on 6 career ducks of his own. 🏏 Sunday 2nd XI — Sidcup CC A rare double at Sidcup. Tim Thirkell fell lbw to Thomas Patrinos for his 2nd of the season and 87th career duck — extraordinary consistency that leaves him 3rd of 1414 all-time, agonisingly close to the summit. The honours cabinet groans: Duck of the Year 1972, a Full House, top-10 spots in Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road, plus Quacking Together with Jim Hall. And this is a dynasty — father John Thirkell sits 1st all-time on 90, with Nigel (60), Simon (59) and a further clutch of Thirkells all in the club. On this day in 2001, Ron McCormick was making his own contribution. Further down the order, Ian Hollingworth was bowled by George Bradley for his 2nd of the season and 15th career duck, ranking 75th of 1414. He joins Joshua Knowler (2008–2013, 99 innings) on exactly 15 — Knowler himself a Duck of the Year winner in 2010. 📋 Week in Summary Four ducks from six matches, with Sidcup CC doing half the damage on their own. No golden ducks, no pairs, and the Thirkell name once again doing more than its share of heavy lifting in the family stakes. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Nat Presneill — 7 ducks, 13 innings (53.85%) 2. Matthew Carter — 5 ducks, 27 innings (18.52%) 3. Craig Sands — 5 ducks, 29 innings (17.24%) 4. Will Thirkell — 5 ducks, 34 innings (14.71%) 5. Martin Harris — 4 ducks, 18 innings (22.22%) Nat Presneill remains untouchable at the top — over half his innings ending in nought is a special kind of consistency. Next fixture awaits, and the zero club never sleeps. See you all out there — someone's got to keep the numbers moving. 🍩0️⃣🦆

Four fixtures out on the paddock this weekend and the ducks, on the whole, kept a low profile — bar one glorious exception. Ightham CC away proved the happy hunting ground, delivering all three of the weekend's noughts, including a shared family disgrace that doesn't come along every season. Sunday 1st XI at Ightham CC Jordan Austin fell early, caught Mike Fenton off Tim Bentall, for his 3rd duck of the summer and 6th of an increasingly duck-shaped career — good enough for 163rd on the all-time roll of 1,414 shame-bearers. A card-carrying member of both the Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, Jordan now sits level on 6 with Adam Wright, who compiled his own half-dozen in a brisk 25 innings between 2011 and 2012. Next to go was Nat Presneill, snapped up by Tom Bentall off Tim Bentall, his 7th duck of the season from just 11 innings — a startling 64% strike rate for the art of not scoring, and enough to keep him the clear pacesetter for Duck of the Year 2013. Career duck number 10 also arrives, drawing him level with Jack Jenner, who took five seasons (2003–2008) and 53 innings to reach the same mark. Nat, a long-standing name on the Debutante Duck honours board, is making rather quicker work of it. Then came Mark Austin, caught Tim Bentall off Mike Fenton, opening his account for both season and career in only his 3rd senior innings — duck number 1, ranked 571 of 1,414. He joins fellow one-timer "- Howard", who managed his solitary duck in a single innings back in 2006 and never returned to add to it. Whether Mark follows him into early retirement from the club or sticks around to build a proper collection remains to be seen. 🥇 Duck and Ducklings A rare ceremonial moment for the honours board: Jordan Austin and Mark Austin both back in the shed for nought in the same innings against Ightham, the elder on his 6th career duck and the younger on his 1st. A proper Duck and Ducklings moment — the family that quacks together, as they say. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks from four matches, all of them concentrated in one unfortunate Sunday innings at Ightham. The other three fixtures passed off disappointingly duck-free — Linton batting either too well or too briefly to trouble the scorer. Elsewhere, quiet. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Nat Presneill — 7 ducks, 11 innings, 63.64% - Matthew Carter — 5 ducks, 25 innings, 20.00% - Craig Sands — 5 ducks, 26 innings, 19.23% - Will Thirkell — 5 ducks, 30 innings, 16.67% - Martin Harris — 4 ducks, 18 innings, 22.22% Nat holds a commanding lead atop the standings — can anyone reel him in before the season's out? Next round of fixtures awaits, and the exclusive zero club always has room for new arrivals. See you all out there, bats (hopefully) middling. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Three matches, four fallen batsmen, and the Duck Club's ledger grows heavier still. Here's this weekend's harvest from the exclusive zero club. Saturday, 20 July 2nd XI away at Staplehurst CC David Castle fell for nought, bowled by Ben Spragg at number four - his 1st duck of the season and a hefty 45th of an illustrious career spanning 798 innings. That's good enough for 16th on the all-time list, and Castle remains a fixture of the Tourist Duck top 10, collecting noughts on the road with real dedication. Neatly enough, on this very day back in 2002, Stewart Morrison was doing exactly the same thing against Leeds & Broomfield CC. Sunday, 21 July 1st XI at home to Bearsted CC - a productive afternoon for the opposition bowlers Adam Jackson went first, hit wicket off Piers Cottee Jones for his 1st duck of the season and 13th of his career - 83rd on the club's all-time roll of dishonour. Fittingly, his own brother Rob Jackson sits on precisely the same career tally of 13 - a family affair, even if not from the same afternoon. Elsewhere in the record books, Glen Rawson took 195 innings between 2005 and 2013 to reach the identical figure. Then Mark Sandhu got to work. Will Thirkell edged behind to Daniel Dawson off Sandhu's bowling for his 5th duck of the season - 17th in a career that sits inside a Thirkell duck dynasty stretching back generations, with kin John (90), Tim (86), Nigel (60), Simon (59), Daniel (25) and Christopher (25) all paid-up members of the club. Will now shares his 17 with Clive Newman, who needed 371 innings to get there between 1992 and 2012 - some of us do it the hard way. Sandhu wasn't finished. Mark Christmas fell first ball, a proper golden duck, for his 3rd of the season and 25th of his career, 48th all-time. A former Duck of the Year (2008) and a permanent Full House nearly-man still one position shy of completing the set, Christmas now sits level on 25 with Christopher Thirkell, who reached the same total in just 142 innings between 1998 and 2009 and once wore the Duck of the Year crown himself, in 2005. Week in summary Four ducks from three matches, three of them gifted to Bearsted CC in a single Sunday collapse, two of those care of the impressively parsimonious Mark Sandhu. The Thirkell name looms large once the family tree is counted in - proof that in this club, noughts really do run in the blood. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Nat Presneill - 6 ducks / 10 innings (60%) - Matthew Carter - 5 ducks / 24 innings (20.83%) - Craig Sands - 5 ducks / 25 innings (20%) - Will Thirkell - 5 ducks / 28 innings (17.86%) - Martin Harris - 4 ducks / 18 innings (22.22%) Nat Presneill leads the Duck of the Year chase, but Will Thirkell's latest addition keeps him firmly in the hunt. Next fixture beckons - who fancies joining the club? 🦆0️⃣

Five fixtures, eight ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomed old friends and a couple of fresh blushes this week. 🏏 Saturday 13th — 1st XI at Boughton & Eastwell Openers rarely get an easy walk back, and Richard Piper endured the cruellest version of all — gone first ball for a golden duck, his 1st of the season. It's his 62nd career duck, 7th of 1414 all-time, keeping him in rarefied company among the club's Full House and Homebody Duck royalty. On this very day in 1968, Paul Bowles (1965–1997, 54 ducks) was also trudging off, against Beverley CC — some anniversaries only cricket remembers. Will Thirkell followed at five, caught behind for his 4th of the season and 16th career duck, 74th all-time — level with Iain Rawson (2006–2013, 131 innings). Sixteen, it turns out, is a popular number to be stuck on. 🏏 Saturday 13th — 2nd XI v Meopham Joshua Knowler fell lbw for his 2nd of the season, moving to 15 career ducks, 76th all-time — drawing level with Will Thew (2009–2013, 104 innings). Joshua remains a one-time Duck of the Year (2010), a crown once inflicted on him by his own kin Andrew Knowler. 🌙 Wednesday 17th — Midweek XI v Lord Cornwallis XI Trevor Back, the club's 5th-highest ducker of all time on 77, bowled at five for his 2nd of the season. On this day in 1993, Nick Froom (1989–1994) was doing exactly the same against Kennington CC — some traditions simply refuse to die. 🌱 Sunday 14th — Sunday 1st XI at Higham & Mockbeggar Benjamin Austin departed first ball for a golden duck, his 2nd of the season and 4th career, level with -Matthew Ward (2011–2012, 10 innings). Sibling Jordan Austin sits just one duck ahead on 5 — a rivalry nobody's rushing to win. 🌱 Sunday 14th — Sunday 2nd XI v Hunton Wanderers A hat-trick of misery for the 2nd XI. Richard Perkins was caught for his 2nd of the season and 2nd career, level with Alan Probert (2008–2009, 2 innings). Martin Harris followed, caught for his 4th of the season and 13th career, 85th all-time, matching Glen Rawson (2005–2013, 193 innings) — the name runs in the family too, with kin Jon Harris carrying 90 career noughts of his own. And leading from the front, in the wrong direction, Nat Presneill bagged his 6th duck of the season — 9th career, 121st all-time, level with Tim Wright (2004–2013, 196 innings). Six already this year, and with the Duck of the Year 2013 board currently reading his name, Nat is the one to catch. 📊 Week in Summary Eight ducks in five days, spread across four different teams, with the Sunday 2nd XI shouldering the heaviest load. A rare quiet week for pairs and family combinations — nobody managed the indignity twice. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Nat Presneill — 6 ducks / 10 inn (60%) 2. Matthew Carter — 5 ducks / 23 inn (21.7%) 3. Craig Sands — 5 ducks / 24 inn (20.8%) 4. Martin Harris — 4 ducks / 17 inn (23.5%) 5. Will Thirkell — 4 ducks / 26 inn (15.4%) Next fixture, next chance at immortality. See you at the crease — or, more likely, back in the pavilion. 🦆🍩

The exclusive zero club took in four new admissions this week, spread nicely across formats — Saturday, Sunday twice over, and a spot of Twenty20 for good measure. Five ducks, four matches, and not a family affair in sight this time — just good honest individual failure. 🏏 Saturday — 1st XI v Sheldwich CC Will Thirkell departed for nought, caught Blythin bowled Roe, his 3rd duck of the summer and 15th of an increasingly distinguished career from 141 innings — 77th in the all-time charts. He draws level on 15 with Will Thew (2009–2013), a Debutante Duck and Duck of the Year 2012. A proud member of Linton's most prolific quacking dynasty — the Thirkell clan boast several career century-chasers between them — Will keeps the family tradition of not scoring alive and well. 🏏 Sunday 1s — v Beckenham CC Richard Knowler survived a couple of deliveries before being stumped by David Valder off Chris Harris — season duck number 2, career duck number 10 from 99 innings, 113th all-time. He joins Jack Jenner (2003–2008) on that tally, a man who himself bowed out on a duck for the Retirement Duck honours board. Richard's son Joshua is no stranger to this newsletter either, quietly amassing 14 of his own. 🏏 Sunday 2s — v Lydd CC, a Wolfe at the door Darren Wolfe helped himself to a brace of Linton batsmen inside three overs. First to go was Darren Styles, caught Unwin, first duck of the season and 17th of his career from 220 innings — 68th all-time, level with the redoubtable Clive Newman (1992–2012, 371 innings). Next in, next out: Ian Hollingworth bowled for nought, his first duck of 2013 and 14th career, 80th all-time — pulling level with none other than Joshua Knowler (2008–2013), Duck of the Year 2010 and a man once "Quacked by Kin" courtesy of Andrew Knowler. 🎯 Twenty20 — v Meopham CC Ray Dixon, a card-carrying Duck of the Year 2007 alumnus, edged behind for his 2nd duck of the season, caught Andrews bowled Tucker — 19th career duck from 74 innings, 62nd all-time. He draws level with Kevin Presneill (2001–2013, 219 innings), proof that quality company is never in short supply in this club. 📊 Week in Summary Five ducks, four fixtures, no pairs and no family entries this time round — but Lydd's Darren Wolfe deserves an honorary Linton membership for doing half the damage himself. Consistency of a very particular kind on display throughout. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Nat Presneill — 5 ducks in 9 innings (55.6%) - Matthew Carter — 5 ducks in 21 innings (23.8%) - Craig Sands — 5 ducks in 23 innings (21.7%) - Chris Newman — 3 ducks in 13 innings (23.1%) - Martin Harris — 3 ducks in 16 innings (18.8%) Nat Presneill sits proudly atop the pile with a duck rate touching triple figures — truly the art of not scoring, perfected. The season race is wide open, and next weekend's fixtures promise fresh recruits for the honours board. See you at the crease — or not, as tradition dictates. 🍩0️⃣🦆

Five fixtures out on the paddock this week but the ducks kept a low profile, just three noughts hatched across the weekend. Quality over quantity, as ever. Sunday 1st XI Michael Beeney fell at Elvington and Tilmanstone Colliery Welfare CC, caught Lee Crone bowled Trevor Jones, his 1st duck of the season and 35th of a long and storied career — 25th in the all-time standings of 1414 names. He's a paid-up member of the Diamond Duck club from a nought back in 2002, and carries a Retirement Duck credential from a past farewell, though evidently the comeback tour continues. A family affair too — his kin Thomas Beeney carries 25 career ducks of his own, so the noughts clearly run in the blood. On this very day back in 1956, R- Robinson also trudged off for nought, against St Lukes Maidstone CC — some traditions never die. Sunday NVKC Rowledge CC did the damage twice over in the same innings. Jordan Austin, opening up, was caught Chris -Jnr- Yates bowled Richard Forbes for his 2nd duck of the season and 5th of his career, 176th of 1414 all time. He draws level with Harry Bee, who reached the same tally across 2008–2012 before signing off with a Quack-to-Quack special of his own. Jordan's sibling Benjamin isn't far behind either, sitting on 3 career ducks — a proper family trade. Following him back at first drop was Craig Sands, caught Ian Metcalfe bowled Tim Wheatley, his 5th duck of the season and 22nd of his career, 58th of 1414 all time. He joins Alan Boyns on that mark, a 1986–2013 stalwart who himself notched a Diamond Duck back in 1990. Week in Summary Three ducks from five games, two of them hatched in the very same Rowledge innings — Jordan and Craig doing their bit to make the afternoon a pleasant one for the opposition's bowlers. Steady, unspectacular attrition. The kind of week the Duck Club quietly approves of. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Nat Presneill — 8 inns, 5 ducks (62.5%) 2. Matthew Carter — 19 inns, 5 ducks (26.32%) 3. Craig Sands — 20 inns, 5 ducks (25.0%) 4. Chris Newman — 13 inns, 3 ducks (23.08%) 5. Martin Harris — 14 inns, 3 ducks (21.43%) Craig climbs into the bronze medal position this week and will fancy his chances of going higher yet. Nat Presneill's 62.5% strike rate remains the number nobody else in the club wants to get anywhere near. Next fixture, next chance — the exclusive zero club never stops recruiting. See you all out there. 🦆🏏0️⃣

The zero club welcomed eight new members this week across six matches — a fine haul for high summer. Let's meet them. Saturday 22 June — Marden CC, Kent 1st XI: Laurie Probert departed for a golden duck at number 7, pouched by Alfie Gordine off Matthew Blythin without so much as a stroke played. His first duck of the season and 8th of a rich career from 122 innings, 131st on the all-time list. On this very day in 1991, Dave Charlton was doing much the same against West Farleigh CC. Iain Rawson followed at 8, bowled by Sam Courtley after four balls of stern resistance — season's first, 16th career from 130 innings, 72nd all-time, level with Darren Styles (1989–2013, 218 innings). A family trade too — sibling Glen Rawson carries 13 career ducks of his own. 2nd XI (at home): Nat Presneill fell for nought at 10, bowled by Dan Ashton — his 4th of a torrid season and 7th career from just 14 innings, level with Lewis Burnham (2009–2013). Nat sits proudly atop the current Duck of the Year 2013 standings and remains a founder member of the Debutante Duck club. Relative Kevin Presneill carries 19 career ducks of his own — clearly runs in the family. Sunday 23 June — West Peckham CC (away) The Sunday 2nds obliged with three in one innings. Trevor Back — one of the club's great career accumulators, 76 ducks from 678 innings, 5th all-time, honours including Ducks on the Road and Homebody Duck top 10 — fell without scoring for his season opener. On this day in 2007, Rob Doick was doing exactly the same against Sheldwich CC. Nat Presneill was straight back for more, bowled by Will Edwards — 5th of the season, 8th career, and a grim pair for the weekend after Saturday's effort. Tim Thirkell, club duck royalty on 86 career noughts from 876 innings and 3rd all-time, also fell to Will Edwards without scoring — season's first, and a reminder that Duck of the Year 1972 never truly leaves you. The Thirkell name is a dynasty unto itself: father John on 90, siblings Nigel (60) and Simon (59), plus a further clutch of family carrying career ducks of their own. Twenty20 — Bearsted CC (25th) and Smarden CC (27th) Thomas Beeney made it a week to forget in the shortest format — caught off Mark Sandhu after 3 balls against Bearsted for his 24th career duck, level with Mark Christmas (2002–2013), then caught-and-bowled by Simon Aylott without scoring against Smarden for his 25th. A grim pair across the week. Relative Michael Beeney carries 34 career ducks of his own. Week in summary: eight ducks in six matches, with Nat Presneill and Thomas Beeney each completing sorry pairs. The Thirkell and Presneill clans continue to prove that a duck, like good manners, is often a family affair. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Nat Presneill — 8 inns, 5 ducks (62.5%) 2. Matthew Carter — 17 inns, 5 ducks (29.4%) 3. Craig Sands — 17 inns, 4 ducks (23.5%) 4. Chris Newman — 12 inns, 3 ducks (25.0%) 5. Martin Harris — 13 inns, 3 ducks (23.1%) Nat Presneill sets the pace by some distance. Who joins the club next weekend? 🍩🏏

Ten ducks laid across five fixtures this weekend — a healthy intake for the exclusive zero club. Saturday — 1st XI v Staplehurst (h) Craig Sands departed for his 4th of the season and 21st career duck (58th all-time) — on this very day in 1969, Frank Brattle (1937–1971, 38 ducks) was performing the same trick against Bobbing Court. Craig currently sits 2nd in the season standings, so this one counts double. Glen Rawson followed lbw for 4 balls, his 2nd of the season and 13th career (83rd all-time), level with Ian Hollingworth (2004–2013, also 13) — and keeps it in the family, with sibling Iain Rawson sat on 15. Will Thew — Debutante Duck and 2012 Duck of the Year — was bowled for his 3rd of the season, 15th career (76th all-time), drawing level with none other than Iain Rawson (2006–2013, also 15). A small world in the Rawson household this week. Saturday — 2nd XI v Rumwood (a) Tim Wright was caught behind without scoring, his 2nd of the season and 9th career (121st all-time), level with Richard Knowler (2004–2013, 9). His relative -Adam Wright already carries 6 career ducks — the tradition continues. Sunday — 1st XI v Eastchurch (a) Richard Perkins opened his season account with his 1st career duck from just 2 innings (620th all-time), joining the modest company of "- Howard" (2006, One and Done, Retirement Duck) on the same lonely tally. Sunday — 2nd XI v Borden (a) 🍩🍩 A proper family occasion: brothers Matt and Will Bramley-Harker both fell without scoring — a bona fide Two of a Quack. Matt moves to 2 career ducks (335th all-time), Will to 3 (268th, and a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell). Both share their on-this-day company with Cliff Anscombe (1957–1975, 25 ducks), who also ducked on this date in 1970. Matthew Gladwell also fell without scoring, his 1st of the season and 3rd career (250th all-time) — echoing Anscombe's 1970 effort too. Sunday — NVKC v Bidborough (h) Jordan Austin, a fixture in the Homebody and Lone Duck top tens, faced just 2 balls before departing — his 4th career duck (199th all-time), level with -Matthew Ward (2011–2012, also 4). Sibling Benjamin isn't far behind on 3. Stuart Cheesman — Debutante Duck, double Duck of the Year (1994 and 1996) and Full House honouree — brought up his 42nd career duck (20th all-time, still keeping Cliff Anscombe company), landing exactly level with father Fred Cheesman, also on 42. A true family heirloom of failure. The Week in Numbers 10 ducks from 5 matches, headlined by the rare Bramley-Harker sibling double at Borden. Cliff Anscombe's vintage 1970 duck got name-checked three times over — the ghost of Ozonair past clearly enjoyed his Sunday. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Matthew Carter — 5 ducks / 13 inns (38.46%) 2. Craig Sands — 4 ducks / 14 inns (28.57%) 3. Nat Presneill — 3 ducks / 6 inns (50.0%) 4. Chris Newman — 3 ducks / 10 inns (30.0%) 5. Martin Harris — 3 ducks / 11 inns (27.27%) Next weekend's fixtures await fresh candidates for the honours board. The zero club never sleeps. 🦆0️⃣

Five fixtures, four ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomes its usual cast plus a genuine mid-week collapse. Let's get into it. Sunday 1st XI v Charing CC Benjamin Austin departed at 9, caught Titchmarsh bowled Chambers, for his 1st duck of the season and 3rd of an already colourful career in just 9 innings — sitting 218th of 1413 in the all-time ledger. Benjamin is a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first innings, though this outing was no debut, merely business as usual. He now sits level on 3 with Daniel McCarthy (2006–2007, 19 innings) — kindred spirits separated by seven decades. Keep an eye on the family ledger too: sibling Jordan Austin also carries 3 career ducks, though the two haven't managed the feat together just yet. Twenty20 v Lenham CC (away) A rough night with the bat saw three LPCC names fall in the same innings. Martin Harris, in at 2, was lbw to Richard Cuckow for his 3rd duck of the season and 12th of his career from 53 innings — rank 94 of 1413. He draws level on 12 with Adam Jackson (2001–2012, 107 innings). Martin was Duck of the Year back in 2011 and, fittingly, is the son of club legend Jon Harris, who sits on a staggering 90 career ducks — clearly a nought-shaped gene in that family. Chris Newman, at 6, was caught Livesy bowled Barr — his 3rd duck of the season and a hefty 30th career duck from 169 innings, 31st on the all-time list. On this very day in 1971, Graham Abel also made a duck, against Bobbing Court CC — history repeating itself, quietly. Matthew Carter capped the collapse at 8, bowled by Jack Ambrose, for his 5th duck of the season — now the runaway leader of this year's hunting season — and his 30th career duck from 206 innings, rank 32. Matthew was Duck of the Year in 2004 and, like Benjamin, a card-carrying Debutante Duck from his first-ever knock. He joins Chris in sharing that same "on this day in 1971" echo of Graham Abel's Bobbing Court duck. Week in summary Four ducks from five matches, three of them arriving in a single unhappy cluster against Lenham. The art of not scoring remains alive and well at Linton Park — triumph through adversity, adversity through Lenham's opening bowlers. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. Matthew Carter — 11 inns, 5 ducks (45.5%) 2. Nat Presneill — 6 inns, 3 ducks (50.0%) 3. Chris Newman — 9 inns, 3 ducks (33.3%) 4. Martin Harris — 11 inns, 3 ducks (27.3%) 5. Craig Sands — 12 inns, 3 ducks (25.0%) Matthew Carter leads by a distance, but the season's young yet. Next fixture, the ducks will no doubt be watching too — see you all out there 🏏🍩0️⃣

A quieter weekend for the Duck Gods, but Sunday cricket still found five volunteers for the exclusive zero club across three fixtures. Saturday's sides, rather selfishly, kept their noughts to themselves. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI v Norton Sports CC (h) Chris Newman departed at number 8, bowled Michael Yates, his 2nd duck of the season and 29th of a long and distinguished career — good for 36th on the all-time list. He now sits level with Matthew Carter (2002–2013, 203 innings), himself a Debutante Duck club member and Duck of the Year in 2004. A family trait too, it seems — his relation Clive Newman carries 17 career noughts of his own. Nat Presneill followed at 9, bowled Chris Gaze, for his 3rd duck of the season already — 6 career ducks from just 12 innings, a rate that keeps him handily placed in this year's Duck of the Year reckoning. He joins Adam Wright (2011–2012, 25 innings), a Retirement Duck alumnus, on the same tally. Kin Kevin Presneill (19 career ducks) will recognise the family gift. 🏏 Sunday 2nd XI v Herne CC (a) Martin Harris, ct Alex Taylor b Mark Whitling at 8, took his 2nd of the season and 11th career duck, rank 102 — level with Andrew Moss (1968–2008, 135 innings), another Retirement Duck man. Harris was Duck of the Year back in 2011, so this is hardly new territory. His relation Jon Harris, a genuine club legend of the art of not scoring on 90 career ducks, will be unmoved. Alan Boyns, ct Alex Taylor b Mark Gibson at 9, opened his account for the season and moved to 22 career ducks, rank 56 — a paid-up Diamond Duck club member since 1990. Fittingly, on this very day in 1995 Paul Gibson (1984–2012) also made a duck, against Rumwood CC. The Boyns name runs deep in these annals too, with Ryan (11) and Sam (5) both carrying the family torch. 🏏 Sunday NVKC v Eynsford CC (h) Mark Christmas battled through 4 balls before falling lbw to Howard Collins, his 2nd duck of the season and 24th career, rank 49. Duck of the Year in 2008 and a Full House nearly-man (ducked in 10 of 11 positions), Christmas shares his on-this-day namesake with Paul Gibson too, who ducked against Rumwood CC back in 1995. 📊 Week in summary: 5 ducks from 4 fixtures, all the damage done on Sunday. Norton Sports CC alone accounted for two of them — clearly a green worth avoiding. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Matthew Carter — 4 ducks / 8 innings (50%) - Nat Presneill — 3 ducks / 6 innings (50%) - Craig Sands — 3 ducks / 10 innings (30%) - Chris Newman — 2 ducks / 6 innings (33.3%) - Martin Harris — 2 ducks / 8 innings (25%) Presneill and Carter share top billing on a flawless 50% strike rate — the race for Duck of the Year 2013 is wide open. Next weekend's fixtures await their inevitable additions to the honours board 🥇🍩0️⃣

Four ducks laid across four matches this weekend, the exclusive zero club welcoming both familiar faces and a bowler enjoying a fine afternoon's poultry farming. Saturday 1st XI v Boughton & Eastwell CC Craig Sands battled through 6 balls before edging Craig Mannering to Edward Schryver — a fighting effort, but a duck all the same 🍩. It's his 3rd of the season and 20th career nought, rank 59 of 1412 all-time, drawing him level with Dave Todd (1978–2010), who needed only 232 innings to reach 20 against Sands's rather more determined 360. 2nd XI v Meopham CC Phil Glenwright enjoyed himself here, claiming a brace. Joshua Knowler edged behind for his 1st duck of the season and 14th career, rank 78 of 1412, joining Will Thew (2009–2013, 14 in 87 innings, Debutante Duck, Duck of the Year 2012) on the honours board. A former Duck of the Year himself back in 2010, Knowler keeps it in the family — kin Richard Knowler carries 9 career noughts of his own. Moments later Jack Gwynn holed out to the same Glenwright, caught and bowled, for his 1st of the season and 4th career, rank 198 of 1412 — level with Matthew Ward (2011-12), who reached the same total in a considerably brisker 10 innings. Sunday 2nd XI v Sissinghurst CC Nat Presneill was bowled by Stephen Brown for his 2nd duck of the season, taking him to 5 career and rank 175 of 1412. Presneill currently holds the 2013 Duck of the Year crown — and with the season young, there's plenty more quacking to come. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck and Retirement Duck honours boards from a past chapter of his Linton career, and with kinsman Kevin Presneill sitting on 19 career ducks, ignominy clearly runs in the blood. The Week in Numbers 4 ducks, 4 matches — a modest but perfectly formed haul, headlined by a two-for from Phil Glenwright and a family affair on both sides of the Knowler and Presneill clans. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Matthew Carter — 4 ducks / 8 inns (50%) 2. Craig Sands — 3 ducks / 8 inns (37.5%) 3. Nat Presneill — 2 ducks / 5 inns (40%) 4. Will Thew — 2 ducks / 8 inns (25%) 5. Will Thirkell — 2 ducks / 11 inns (18.18%) Matthew Carter sits proudly atop the pile at a startling 50% strike rate — the rest of the club will need to pull their fingers out if they fancy dethroning him. Next fixture looms 🏏 — who'll be joining the club this time? We watch. We wait. We celebrate. 0️⃣🦆

Eight ducks paddled out across five matches this weekend, and one member had the dubious honour of collecting a full weekend brace. Saturday 18 May 1st XI v Headcorn CC 🍩 Matthew Carter fell caught Munro bowled Fisher at 9, his 3rd of the season and 28th career nought — level with Chris Newman, who reached the same mark across 2002-2013. 36th on the all-time list, and not finished for the weekend just yet... Sunday 19 May Sunday 1s v Rodmersham CC 🦆 Will Thew, bowled Hashimi at 4, brings up his 2nd of the season and 14th career — drawing level with Will Thirkell (127 innings). A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club and a past Duck of the Year, 2012 vintage. 🦆 Martin Harris, bowled Emmett at 9, moves to 10 career ducks from 48 innings — joining Jack Jenner (2003-2008) on the honours board. A chip off the old block too, with kinsman Jon Harris sat on a mighty 90 career noughts of his own. Sunday 2s v Stockbury CC 0️⃣ Luke Welsman, bowled Martin at 7, opens his season account and reaches 2 career ducks in as many innings — level with Alan Probert. Already flirting with Full House nearly-man status, 10 of 11 positions visited. 🥇 Christopher Bridle marked his LPCC debut in the finest Duck Club tradition — lbw Clare for nought, first ball of a senior career spent — joining -Howard's 2006 vintage on exactly one, and straight onto the Debutante Duck board. 🍩 Nat Presneill, bowled Clare, takes his season and 4th career duck, level with Matthew Ward (2011-12), and keeps his name firmly in this year's Duck of the Year conversation. Kin to Kevin Presneill, who carries 19 career noughts of his own. Sunday NVKC v Hollingbourne CC 🦆 Richard Knowler survived two balls before falling ct McLean b Griffiths, his 9th career duck from 93 innings. On this very day in 1974, Paul Bowles was doing exactly the same thing against Aylesford Paper Mills. 🥇🍩 And there he is again — Matthew Carter, golden this time, first ball faced, bowled Griffiths. Having ducked at Headcorn on Saturday, he completes the weekend pair at Hollingbourne — 4th of the season, 29th career, and evidently allergic to Bank Holiday weekends. Week in summary Eight ducks, five matches, one determined pair and one brand-new Debutante. Stockbury proved the happiest hunting ground of the weekend with three victims in a single innings. 🏏 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Matthew Carter — 6 inns, 4 ducks (67%) - Craig Sands — 6 inns, 2 ducks (33%) - Will Thew — 6 inns, 2 ducks (33%) - Will Thirkell — 9 inns, 2 ducks (22%) - Christopher Bridle — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) Roll on next weekend — the crease awaits, and so does the Duck Club. 🦆

Three Linton sides took the field this weekend, but only the 1st XI's trip to Meopham CC answered the Duck Club's call — and answered it thoroughly. All three ducks fell in the same innings, all three to the same bowler. Ryan Lewis-Ranwell, take a bow, or rather, take three. 🏏 1st XI — Meopham CC (away) Craig Sands went first, holing out to Matt Sparkes off Lewis-Ranwell after a watchful 8 balls at the crease — watchful, and entirely fruitless. It's his 2nd duck of the season and 19th of an increasingly distinguished career, good for 60th on the all-time list. He draws level on 19 with Kevin Presneill, who played 2001–2013 and took 208 innings to reach the same total. Craig got there in 356 — consistency of a very particular kind. Next in was Will Thirkell, and the innings didn't survive contact — bowled by Lewis-Ranwell first ball for a golden duck, the purest form of ignominy the game offers. It's his 2nd of the season and 14th career nought, 79th on the all-time roll. A proud son of the Thirkell dynasty — his father Nigel sits on 60 career ducks of his own — Will keeps the family tradition alive, if not the scoreboard. On this very day back in 1997, David Castle was performing much the same ritual against Chestfield CC, en route to a career total of 44. Rounding things off, Matthew Carter departed for 5 balls, caught Simon Burton bowled Lewis-Ranwell, his 2nd duck of the campaign and 27th of a career that already carries genuine silverware — Carter is a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having ducked on his very first outing, and was crowned Duck of the Year back in 2004. He now sits 39th on the all-time list. Like Will before him, Carter's nought echoes David Castle's own effort against Chestfield on this day in 1997. 📊 Week in Summary Three matches, one bowler, three ducks — Meopham's Ryan Lewis-Ranwell did the Duck Club's recruiting for it this week, claiming the entire haul himself. The other two fixtures were, disappointingly, poultry-free. Full marks for thoroughness, Ryan. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Craig Sands — 4 innings, 2 ducks (50%) - Matthew Carter — 4 innings, 2 ducks (50%) - Will Thirkell — 7 innings, 2 ducks (28.57%) - Chris Newman — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) - Daniel Thirkell — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) Sands and Carter share top spot on a flawless 50%, with Will Thirkell hot on their heels. Early season, plenty of batting still to come — and plenty of opportunity for the zero club to grow. Next fixture looms, and with it, the Club watches on with quiet optimism for more additions to the honours board. The art of not scoring waits for no one. 🦆0️⃣

Three matches, four ducks, and every single one of them laid at Chestfield Green on the Saturday — the exclusive zero club opening its 2013 books with a proper cluster booking. Welcome, as ever, to the art of not scoring. 1st XI v Chestfield CC (home, Sat 4 May) Top of the order first: Glen Rawson departed for his customary nought, caught by a fielder the scorebook simply couldn't identify — "ct Unsure" — off Duncan Brown. His first duck of the season is a 12th career quack from 176 innings, 90th on the all-time list, drawing level with Adam Jackson (2001–2013, 107 innings) on that exact dozen. A family trait, too — sibling Iain Rawson already carries 15 of his own. At first wicket down, Daniel Thirkell fell to Arron Bennett for his 25th career duck in 388 innings, ranked 46th of 1,409 and a proud member of the Tourist Duck top ten. He joins Christopher Thirkell (1998–2009, 142 innings), the 2005 Duck of the Year, on the same total. Mark Christmas, in at seven, became Duncan Brown's second scalp of the innings — bowled for nought, his 23rd career duck from 268 innings. A Duck of the Year winner back in 2008 and a Full House nearly-man to boot, he now sits level with Brian Piper (1973–2008, 441 innings). And at eight, Nigel Thirkell completed Duncan Brown's hat-trick of victims — also bowled, also nought. This is duck number 60 from a mighty 1,197 innings, 8th on the all-time chart, a Homebody Duck, a Tourist Duck, the 1986 Duck of the Year and one half of Only Two Quacks with Jim Hall. On this very day back in 1969, Stan Wratten (1943–1984) was performing the same trick against Bobbing Court CC. A family affair Special ceremony required: Nigel and his son Daniel Thirkell both walked back without scoring in the very same innings — a bona fide Duck and Ducklings entry for the honours board, parent (60 career ducks) and child (25) sharing the indignity together. Truly, the family that quacks together. Week in brief All four ducks fell in one innings, three of them to Duncan Brown, who clearly fancied his chances against the home order. Sunday and the rest of the midweek programme, by contrast, were a vegan affair — not a feather ruffled. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. Daniel Thirkell — 1 duck, 1 innings, 100% 2. Nigel Thirkell — 1 duck, 1 innings, 100% 3. Chris Newman — 1 duck, 2 innings, 50% 4. Kevin Presneill — 1 duck, 2 innings, 50% 5. Ray Dixon — 1 duck, 2 innings, 50% Early days yet in the race for Duck of the Year 2013 — plenty of overs left for the field to close the gap. Next fixture looms, bats at the ready, and the zero club never turns anyone away 🍩0️⃣🏏

Early season, and the club's most exclusive society is already welcoming fresh applicants for the summer ahead. Saturday 1st XI (away at Mersham Sports CC) Will Thew departed at number two, caught John Southern bowled Darren Pugh, his 1st duck of the young 2013 season and 13th of an illustrious career from 80 innings, good for 84th on the all-time list. Will remains a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first innings, and carries the Duck of the Year 2012 crown besides — quite the pedigree for a man walking back for nought again. He now sits level on 13 career ducks with Ian Hollingworth, who plied the same trade for the club between 2004 and 2013. Kevin Presneill followed him back not long after, bowled Darren Pugh at first-drop, his 1st duck of the season and 19th of his career from 206 innings, 60th on the all-time chart. Kevin has kin in the ranks too, with relative Nat Presneill carrying 3 career ducks of his own — clearly the family knows the way to the pavilion. On this very day back in 1985, club great Paul Bowles (1965–1997, 54 ducks, 10th all-time) was also trudging off for nought, against Penshurst Park CC. Chris Newman completed Saturday's misery at number seven, bowled Mark Gill, his 1st duck of the season and 28th career blob from 161 innings, 36th in the all-time standings. Chris also has kin on the books, with relative Clive Newman sitting on 17 career ducks. And, like Kevin, he shares his on-this-day company with Paul Bowles's 1985 effort. Sunday 1st XI (home to Brasted & Sundridge CC) Craig Sands provided Sunday's solitary offering, caught Paul Clifton bowled Bill Sanders at number two, his 1st duck of the season and 18th career nought from 355 innings, 62nd on the all-time list. Craig now draws level on 18 with Ray Dixon, who racked up the same tally between 1999 and 2013 and once wore the Duck of the Year crown himself in 2007. Week in summary: four ducks from two matches, all clean bowled or caught behind, none golden — every one of them at least troubled the scorer before troubling the pavilion steps. Mersham Sports CC did the early damage with three, Brasted & Sundridge CC content with one of their own. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇🍩 1. Chris Newman — 1 inns, 1 duck (100%) 2. Kevin Presneill — 1 inns, 1 duck (100%) 3. Ray Dixon — 1 inns, 1 duck (100%) 4. Will Thew — 1 inns, 1 duck (100%) 5. Matthew Carter — 2 inns, 1 duck (50%) Early days yet, and plenty of season left for the standings to turn over. The fixture list marches on next weekend — who fancies adding their name to the honours board? 0️⃣🏏🦆

The 2013 campaign got off the mark this weekend, and Horton Kirby CC's opening attack wasted no time putting the Duck Club's initiation rites into effect. Four ducks in a single innings — the exclusive zero club welcomed new arrivals thick and fast down at Horton Kirby. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI v Horton Kirby CC Opener Tim Wright fell first, caught Darren Bull off Dan McLean without troubling the scorers — his 8th career duck from 173 innings, planting him 137th in the all-time list. That draws him level on career noughts with Carl Davis, who reached the same figure across 1994–2009 in a far more economical 41 innings, proof that quality over quantity was never really the Duck Club's guiding principle. Elsewhere in the bloodline, kin-in-noughts Adam Wright already carries 6 career ducks of his own — clearly there's a gene for it. Will Thirkell followed at first drop, caught by X Peters off the increasingly menacing Dan McLean — his 13th career duck in 119 innings, 84th on the all-time chart. He joins Ian Hollingworth (2004–2013, 45 innings) on the same total, though with a Thirkell clan boasting tallies running from John's 90 down through Tim's 85, Nigel's 59, Simon's 59, Christopher's 25 and Daniel's 24, Will is really just doing his civic duty to keep the family name on the honours board. Dan McLean completed his hat-trick of misery at number four, bowling Ray Dixon for his 18th career duck from 71 innings, 63rd all-time and a proud holder of the Duck of the Year 2007 gong from years back. Ray now stands shoulder to shoulder with Kevin Presneill, who took a far more leisurely 205 innings to reach the same 18. Down at seven, Matthew Carter edged Peters through to Aaron Boon, his 26th career duck from 196 innings, 41st in the all-time standings — a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first senior innings, and a former Duck of the Year back in 2004 besides. He draws level with Paul Brattle, another Debutante Duck alumnus, who needed 308 innings across 1969–2008 to reach the same 26. 📋 Week in Summary One match, four ducks, and Horton Kirby's new-ball pair doing almost all the damage — Dan McLean claimed three of the four, with X Peters mopping up the rest. A genuine team effort, on Linton's side of the ledger, in donating wickets rather than taking them. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard Honours are shared four ways at the summit as the season gets under way: - Matthew Carter — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Ray Dixon — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Tim Wright — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Will Thirkell — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% Early days yet, but the race for Duck of the Year 2013 is already wide open. See you at the next fixture, when someone will inevitably add to the tally. 🦆🍩