🦆 The Duck Pond

A single fixture out on the green this week, and — for once — the quacking classes were nowhere to be found. Every bat that walked out, walked back with at least a run to its name. No ducks recorded. No golden ducks, no pairs, not so much as a nervous single-ball dismissal to report. Rare, and frankly a little unsettling. The Duck Club exists to celebrate the art of not scoring, and this week the membership let the side down by scoring instead. One suspects a few of the regulars had a quiet word with the umpires beforehand. Still, the season standings remain fiercely contested, and the leaderboard waits for no man's clean sheet: Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏆🦆 1. John Karassellos — 8 ducks from 17 innings (47.06%) — the runaway leader, closing in on being dismissed for nought roughly every other visit to the crease. A truly committed campaign. 2. Ian Hollingworth — 5 ducks from 8 innings (62.5%) — the division's most efficient collector, ducking at a rate the rest of the club can only admire from a safe distance. 3. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 5 ducks from 20 innings (25.0%) — steady, patient accumulation of noughts, one in every four trips. 4. Benjamin Austin — 5 ducks from 21 innings (23.81%) — level on ducks with the top three but working harder for each one, bless him. 5. Will Thew — 4 ducks from 16 innings (25.0%) — rounding out the top five and keeping the chasing pack honest. Karassellos remains the clear favourite for Duck of the Year with the campaign well into its back half, but Hollingworth's strike rate is the one to watch — at that pace he could yet close the gap on volume alone. A quiet week for the honours board, then, but the season is far from over. 🍩 With fixtures still to come, normal service — dismissal for nought, in all its ignominious glory — is expected to resume shortly. Get out there, middle nothing, and give the correspondent something to write about next week. 0️⃣🏏

A single fixture on the books this week, and for once the Duck Club must report... nothing. Not a solitary nought. Eleven Linton batsmen took guard and, in an act of collective defiance the club rarely witnesses, every single one of them troubled the scorer. The zero club sits empty this week — doors locked, kettle off, honours board gathering dust. It happens. Even the most dedicated hunting season needs the occasional close season of its own, and this was it: one match, no ducks, no drama. The art of not scoring took a rare week off, rather ironically by everyone succeeding at scoring instead. Do not mistake this for a crisis of form, however. The season standings remain fiercely contested below, and with the campaign still very much alive there's ample time for the drought to break spectacularly next weekend. Ducks, like poultry generally, have a habit of turning up when you least expect them. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇🍩 1. John Karassellos — 8 ducks / 17 innings (47.1%) 2. Ian Hollingworth — 5 ducks / 8 innings (62.5%) 0️⃣ 3. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 5 ducks / 20 innings (25.0%) 4. Benjamin Austin — 5 ducks / 21 innings (23.8%) 5. Will Thew — 4 ducks / 15 innings (26.7%) Ian Hollingworth continues to lead the percentages with a frankly alarming conversion rate — over six in ten trips to the crease ending in nought is the kind of consistency the club exists to celebrate. John Karassellos meanwhile holds top spot on volume, eight ducks deep into a season that shows no sign of mercy. Spare a thought, too, for those lurking just off this table — the hunting season is long, and a quiet week like this one has a habit of luring the overconfident back to the crease. Roll on the next fixture, when normal service — and no doubt a fresh crop of golden ducks, pairs, and the odd king pair — will surely resume. The zero club never stays closed for long. 🏏🦆

Three fixtures, seven ducks, and a midweek match at Penshurst that did more damage than the entire weekend put together. The exclusive zero club welcomes its members back to the fold. Saturday 8th — 1st XI v Limpsfield Chart CC (h) Openers of ignominy Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan and Charles Curteis both fell to the same Charles House-Martin Phillips combination in short order. Pushpavinothan chalks up his 5th of the season and 6th career duck from 33 innings, sitting 176th of 1479 all time — and, rather neatly, on this day in 1981 Richard Ashby (1962–1995, 28 ducks, a Tourist Duck top-10 man) also fell against Paul CC. Curteis, meanwhile, notches his 2nd of the season and 6th career, and finds the exact same historical company on the exact same date. John Karassellos went next, caught behind for his 7th season duck and 11th career, level with Andrew Moss (1968–2008, 135 innings) on the all-time list. As reigning Duck of the Year 2018 and a proud member of the Ducks in a Row club (5 consecutive — a genuinely fearsome run), Karassellos is clearly not done yet. Martin Harris rounded things off, chopping on for his 3rd of the season and 28th career duck, drawing level with Christopher Thirkell (1998–2015, 157 innings). A Duck of the Year 2011 alumnus, and a chip off no ordinary block — his son Jon Harris carries 93 career ducks of his own. Sunday 9th — Sunday 1st XI v Cobham CC, Kent (h) Trevor Back added to his imperious collection, his 3rd duck of the season and a staggering 87th of his career from 761 innings — good enough for 4th on the all-time leaderboard, with Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top-10 memberships to his name, plus shared quacking honours with Allan Cooper and Jon Harris. On this very day in 2000, Daniel Thirkell (1993–2018, 30 ducks) also made the walk, against Bearsted CC. Wednesday 12th — Midweek XI v Penshurst Park CC (a) Jake Cheesman ran through the middle order, and two names from Saturday came straight back for more. Martin Harris departed first ball — a genuine golden duck — for his 4th of the season and 29th of his career, completing a grim weekly pair after Saturday's effort. On this day in 1959, S Lusher suffered the same fate against Bowaters CC. John Karassellos followed for his 8th season duck and 12th career, also completing his own pair for the week, and joins a splendidly crowded shelf on 12 — including Bert Buckoke, who reached the same mark across 1928–1953 and twice took Duck of the Year honours along the way. Week in summary Seven ducks from three matches, with Penshurst Park doing the week's heaviest lifting. Two full pairs recorded — Harris and Karassellos both fell twice — and Karassellos continues to build a formidable case for retaining his Duck of the Year 2018 crown. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - John Karassellos — 17 inns, 8 ducks (47.06%) - Ian Hollingworth — 8 inns, 5 ducks (62.5%) - Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 20 inns, 5 ducks (25.0%) - Benjamin Austin — 21 inns, 5 ducks (23.81%) - Will Thew — 15 inns, 4 ducks (26.67%) Next fixture beckons, and the zero club never sleeps 🦆🏏 — bring your bats, gentlemen, or at least a straight face for the walk back.

September arrived and, true to form, so did the ducks. Four matches, three fresh entries to the exclusive zero club — let's get into it. 🏏 Saturday 1st — 1st XI v Speldhurst CC (h) Daniel Thirkell fell early at first wicket down, bowled by Harry Fitzgerald, for his opening duck of the season and the 30th of a mighty 492-innings career — 35th on the all-time list of 1,479. He lands on exactly the tally held by Luke Welsman (2012–2018), who reached his 30 in a far leaner 162 innings and carries three Duck of the Year titles (2015-17) plus a near-miss on the Full House board for his trouble. Daniel also sits proudly, and unsurprisingly, inside cricket's most committed duck-laying bloodline — kin Tim Thirkell (94), John Thirkell (90), Nigel Thirkell (60) and Simon Thirkell (59) between them accounting for a small nation's worth of noughts. Some families collect stamps. 🏏 Saturday 1st — 2nd XI v West Farleigh CC (a) At number seven, Brian Piper was bowled by Tom Osborne for his first duck of the season and 24th of the career — 445 innings gone, 58th all-time. He draws level with Nat Presneill (2010–2018), whose 24 came in a brisker 94 innings and who holds the rare Quack-to-Quack double, duck on debut and duck on farewell, capped by a Retirement Duck credit. Piper carries the family torch too, with parent-child kin Richard Piper (82, one of the club's true stalwarts of failure) and James Piper (18), plus sibling David Piper (7) also on the books. 🍩 Sunday 2nd — Sunday 2nd XI v Chestfield CC (h) The weekend's showpiece. John Karassellos, batting eight, was bowled by Robson Hulks first ball — a fully certified golden duck, gone before his eyes adjusted to the light. It's his sixth of the season, enough to lead the entire Duck Hunting table outright, and his tenth for the career from just 47 innings, 122nd all-time. The honours board already has him down as reigning Duck of the Year 2018, mid-way through a run of Ducks in a Row (five consecutive) and edging towards Full House nearly-man status with 10 of 11 positions covered. He joins Jack Jenner (2003–2008) on ten career ducks, Jenner having got there in 53 innings before signing off with a Retirement Duck of his own. The Karassellos name runs deep too — kin Anthony Karassellos already has a solitary career duck to his name. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks from four matches — modest by the club's own extravagant standards, but quality over quantity: one golden, one dynasty double-header, and a season leader extending his grip on top spot. No pairs, no king pairs, and the family ducks column stayed refreshingly, disappointingly empty this week. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 6 ducks / 15 inns (40.0%) 2. Ian Hollingworth — 5 ducks / 8 inns (62.5%) 3. Benjamin Austin — 5 ducks / 20 inns (25.0%) 4. Will Thew — 4 ducks / 15 inns (26.67%) 5. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 4 ducks / 19 inns (21.05%) Karassellos leads on volume, Hollingworth leads on sheer percentage terror. Plenty of season left for the chasing pack to make their move. 🦆 See you all next weekend — the ducks never take a Sunday off, and neither should you. Bat straight, watch the ball, and if all else fails, at least fall for a memorable one.

Six additions to the ledger this weekend as Linton's top two sides went hunting for nought against Bidborough and Pembury. The exclusive zero club welcomes its latest recruits below. 1st XI v Bidborough CC (away) - Warren Jackson opened the innings and closed it again just as fast, lbw to Rob Ackermann first ball — a golden duck to lead off the day. His 2nd of the season and 2nd of a career now standing at rank 396 of 1479. He joins Abishek Pushpavinothan (2017–2018, 14 innings) on exactly 2 career ducks, a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club. - Stuart Cheesman continued his long and distinguished service to the art of not scoring, caught behind off Robin Underwood after seven balls of defiance. Season duck number 3, career duck number 46, and he sits pretty at 17th all-time — a Debutante Duck, two-time Duck of the Year (1994, 1996), and a rare Full House member with a duck logged at every position 1 to 11. He draws level on 46 with Mike Elworthy (1982–2008, 492 innings), and keeps it in the family — kin Fred Cheesman carries 42 career ducks of his own, with sibling Steve on 14. Noughts clearly run in the blood. - At the other end of the order, Martin Harris bookended the innings with another golden duck, bowled by Anthony Bouffe first ball. His 2nd of the season, 27th of a career that includes Duck of the Year 2011 honours, and he joins Will Thirkell (2008–2017, 222 innings) on that same tally. Relative Jon Harris watches on with 93 career ducks banked. 2nd XI v Pembury CC (home) - Trevor Back was run out for his 2nd of the season, extending an already imperious career total of 86 — good enough for 4th on the all-time list, with membership of the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens to show for it. On this very day in 1976, Brian Piper was also making a duck, against Gravesend CC. - Harrison Fermor edged behind off Charlie Johns for his 3rd of the season and 6th career duck, a fellow Debutante Duck honouree. He joins Adam Wright (2011–2012, 25 innings) on 6 apiece. Kin Toby Fermor has 2 career ducks of his own. - James Watkins was run out for his 3rd of the season, his 3rd career duck from just 5 innings — early days, but a Debutante Duck already. He draws level with Alex Keeler (2016–2018, 19 innings) on 3. Week in summary Six ducks from two matches — the 1sts obligingly bookended their innings with golden ducks at one and eleven, while the 2nds preferred the scenic route via two run outs. No pairs, no family affairs this week, but plenty of history repeating on the honours boards. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Ian Hollingworth — 5 ducks in 8 innings (62.5%) 2. John Karassellos — 5 ducks in 14 innings (35.71%) 3. Benjamin Austin — 5 ducks in 19 innings (26.32%) 4. Will Thew — 4 ducks in 14 innings (28.57%) 5. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 4 ducks in 18 innings (22.22%) Ian Hollingworth still commands the summit with a duck rate most bowlers would sell their whites for. Next fixture is never far away — plenty of scope yet for the club's newest and most reluctant members. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Six ducks found their way onto the record this week across five fixtures, with one Kent opening attack doing rather more than its fair share of the damage. 🏏 Saturday — 1st XI v Four Elms CC Pat Jackson helped himself to a brace of Linton top-order scalps. Jordan Austin went first, b Pat Jackson after six balls of honest resistance, his 4th duck of the season and 23rd of a growing career collection, moving him to 66th in the all-time standings. He joins Adam Jackson (2001-2018, 192 innings) on 23 apiece — a fittingly named companion, given the bowler responsible. Mark Christmas needed only one ball to follow him in, lbw b Pat Jackson for a golden duck — out first ball, the purest ignominy the club has to offer. His 3rd of the season and 34th career duck keeps him a lofty 31st all-time, a "Duck of the Year 2008" laureate still riding high. On this very date back in 2004, Rob Jackson was performing an identical service against Tunbridge Wells Wednesday. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI v Fordcombe CC (away) Three fell away at Fordcombe. Will Thew departed b Max O'Collins for his 4th of the season, his 29th career duck edging him to 43rd all-time, level with Daniel Thirkell (1993-2018, 490 innings) — who took rather longer over it. James Watkins was caught behind off Callum Parker, just his 2nd career duck from a mere four innings, though he remains a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from an earlier occasion. Like Mark Christmas, he shares his date with Rob Jackson's 2004 effort. John Karassellos, b Clem O'Collins, brought up his 5th of the season and 9th career duck, joining Jack Gwynn (2011-2017, 56 innings) on 9 apiece. He stays the man to catch for Duck of the Year 2018, and his repeat offending earns him a nod on the "Ducks in a Row" honours board — five on the bounce is not for the faint of heart. 🌱 Sunday — 2nd XI v Withyham CC (away) Mardey Castle was the lone Sunday faller, caught Nicklin bowled Matthew Taylor for his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of his career. Sibling Tobey (15 career ducks) and parent David (47) already fly the family flag well ahead of him. Fittingly, on this same date in 1956, John --'s Taylor also made a duck, against Mote A. 📊 Week in Summary Six ducks from five matches, two of them served up by the same bowler in the same innings at Four Elms — a proper working week for Pat Jackson. The Duck of the Year 2018 race stays wide open with Karassellos among the front-runners. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Ian Hollingworth — 5 ducks in 8 innings (62.5%) 2. John Karassellos — 5 in 14 (35.71%) 3. Benjamin Austin — 5 in 19 (26.32%) 4. Will Thew — 4 in 14 (28.57%) 5. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 4 in 17 (23.53%) Fixtures resume next week — pads on, Duck Club, the zero club never rests. 🦆0️⃣

A quieter week in the exclusive zero club, but four names still queued up for membership renewal across five fixtures — and one of them arrived as a genuine family occasion. Saturday 11 August 2nd XI away at Cudham Wyse CC produced the week's headline act: a proper Duck and Ducklings ceremony as Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan and his son Abishek both trudged back for nought in the same innings. Thuraiappah went first, lbw to Shuaib Rabbani — his 4th duck of the season and 5th for his career, sliding to 195th of 1479 all time and drawing level on the career ledger with Anton Bourdillon, whose own five arrived in a brisk 15 innings back in 2016-17. Abishek followed him out and back — caught Chris Barnes bowled Danny Thomas — his 2nd of the season and 2nd of his career from just 13 innings, level with Alan Probert, whose entire two-duck career was wrapped up inside two innings in 2008-09. A shared-bloodline duck is the rarest ceremony the club offers, and the Pushpavinothans have earned their place in the minutes 🍩 Midweek, 17 August The Dragons CC visited Linton Park and Benjamin Austin obliged, bowled by Harrison Pack for his 5th duck of the season and 15th for the club — up to 87th of 1479 all time and level with Tobey Castle, who took 102 innings to reach the same total across 2010-18. Benjamin already carries a Debutante Duck credential from a past life, and with sibling Jordan Austin sat on 22 career ducks of his own, the poultry clearly runs in the family. Sunday 12 August Nat Presneill provided the away-day contribution against Leeds & Broomfield CC, surviving three balls before edging behind, caught Harry Houillon bowled Fred Roberts. It's Nat's 2nd of the season and 24th of a long and decorated career, good for 59th all time and drawing level with Tim Wright, who needed a marathon 307 innings to assemble the same total between 2004 and 2017. Nat's honours board is already groaning under past glories including Duck of the Year 2013, and with father Kevin Presneill sat on 28 career ducks, this is evidently a family trade. Week in summary Four ducks from five matches — modest by Linton standards, but quality over quantity, with a genuine two-generation double as the undoubted highlight. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Ian Hollingworth — 5 ducks / 8 innings (62.5%) - Benjamin Austin — 5 ducks / 18 innings (27.78%) - John Karassellos — 4 ducks / 13 innings (30.77%) - Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 4 ducks / 17 innings (23.53%) - Tobey Castle — 4 ducks / 25 innings (16.0%) Benjamin Austin's midweek effort keeps him snapping at Ian Hollingworth's heels, and Thuraiappah's family outing this week has him firmly in the hunt too. The next fixture awaits, and the zero club always has room for new arrivals. See you all out there 🦆0️⃣

A quieter week in the ledger, three ducks harvested from five matches, but each one earns its place on the honours board. Saturday — 1st XI v Sissinghurst CC Mark Christmas fell first ball, lbw b Bilal Omar — a golden duck to open his account, his 2nd of the season and 33rd of an illustrious career, good enough for 32nd on the all-time list of 1,479. A former Duck of the Year (2008) and a perennial Full House nearly-man, stuck on 10 of 11 batting positions visited and still hunting the last one. On this very day back in 2001, Ron McCormick (1991–2011) was also trooping back for nought against Headcorn CC — some anniversaries write themselves. Sunday 1st XI v Stone-in-Oxney CC Jordan Austin didn't trouble the scorers either, caught Nick Maitland bowled Lee Freeman first ball — his 3rd of the season and 22nd career duck, 71st on the all-time roll. A first-ball departure that also ticks off this year's Diamond Duck honour (2018: out without facing a ball) — official title, no arguments — alongside his existing Homebody and Lone Duck top-ten pedigree. He joins Alan Boyns (1986–2016), level on exactly 22 career ducks from 219 innings. Keeping it in the family, brother Benjamin sits on 14 career ducks of his own, and father Mark Austin has one to his name too — the poultry gene clearly runs deep in that household. Sunday 2nd XI v Pett CC A rarer occasion this one: James Watkins made his senior debut and marked it the traditional way, caught Elliot Upton bowled Isaac Perrin without scoring. First duck, first innings, first everything — a fully paid-up Debutante straight out of the gate. He joins the solitary "- Howard" (2006), whose entire Linton career amounted to precisely one innings and one duck. Let's hope James proves rather more durable than that particular one-and-done. Week in brief Three ducks, five matches, two of them golden and one a debutant special, all in the space of 96 hours. Modest numbers, but a fine vintage in quality. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇🍩 1. Ian Hollingworth — 5 ducks / 8 innings (62.5%) 2. John Karassellos — 4 ducks / 12 innings (33.33%) 3. Benjamin Austin — 4 ducks / 16 innings (25.0%) 4. Tobey Castle — 4 ducks / 22 innings (18.18%) 5. Richard Piper — 4 ducks / 25 innings (16.0%) Ian Hollingworth sits pretty at the summit for now, but with the season run-in approaching there's still time for someone to sneak past him for that dubious crown. Next fixtures await, and with them, the inevitable next instalment. Pads on, guard taken — here's hoping, or not, for more nought-based nonsense. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A quiet weekend on the hunting grounds, but the Duck Club never truly rests, and one gentleman made sure the honours board kept ticking over. 🏏 2nd XI at Sissinghurst CC Batting at 7, Darrell Houghton-Judge became the solitary victim of the weekend, trapped lbw by Neal Metcalf. It's his 3rd duck of the season and the 22nd of a career now stretching to 121 innings, good enough for 70th on the all-time list of 1478. Darrell remains cruelly perched as a "Full House" nearly-man, having ducked in 10 of the 11 batting positions — one more slot to fill and he completes a truly dubious set. One suspects the top order awaits him with dread. His 22 career noughts draw him level with club legend Alan Boyns, who played from 1986 to 2016 and took 219 innings to reach the same tally — proof that Darrell is getting there rather more efficiently, if "efficiently" is the right word for accumulating ducks. 📊 The Week in Summary Two matches, one duck — the ducks mostly evaded capture this weekend, content to let Darrell carry the flag alone. Consistency of a very particular kind continues at Linton Park, even when the harvest is light. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Ian Hollingworth — 5 ducks in 8 innings (62.5%) 2. John Karassellos — 4 ducks in 11 innings (36.36%) 3. Benjamin Austin — 4 ducks in 15 innings (26.67%) 4. Tobey Castle — 4 ducks in 19 innings (21.05%) 5. Richard Piper — 4 ducks in 23 innings (17.39%) Ian Hollingworth continues to lead the exclusive zero club at a positively alarming strike rate, but with plenty of season left, the race for Duck of the Year remains very much alive. That's your lot for this period. The middle order awaits its next volunteer, and Darrell's Full House quest surely can't stay unfinished forever. See you at the next fixture, where the art of not scoring will no doubt claim fresh members. 🦆🍩

Four fixtures out on the park this weekend and three of them found their way into the club's exclusive zero club. Eight ducks banked in total — a fine haul of triumph-through-adversity for the archives. 🏏 Saturday, 1st XI away at Penshurst Park CC Warren Jackson got things moving early, trapped lbw by David Smith for his maiden LPCC duck — 1 for the season, 1 for the career, in 12 innings so far. Rank 705 of 1478 and climbing the wrong way already. On this very day back in 1980, Martin Thompson made a duck against West Farleigh CC on his way to 10 career noughts across a 1975-1987 stint that ended, fittingly, with a Retirement Duck to his name. 🏏 Saturday, 2nd XI at home to St Lawrence CC A proper family occasion here. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan edged behind for his 3rd of the season and 4th career duck in 27 innings, drawing level with -Matthew Ward's tally from 2011-12. Then son Abishek followed him back to the pavilion two batters later for his own 1st career duck — a rare "Duck and Ducklings" double for the honours board, a parent and child both back in the shed in the same innings. Sandwiched between them, club stalwart Thomas Beeney nicked off for his 2nd of the season and 37th career duck in 223 innings, hauling him to 26th on the all-time list — a Debutante Duck, Diamond Duck and former Duck of the Year 2014 all rolled into one very experienced nought. His own relative Michael Beeney sits just one duck ahead of him on 38, so the bar keeps moving. 🌱 Sunday, 1st XI away at Wingham CC Archie Fairfax-Ross opened his account the wrong way, bowled by Jason Cork for his 1st career duck in 7 innings — on this day in 1973, Cliff Anscombe did the same against Sevenoaks Vine CC en route to 25. Benjamin Austin followed for his 4th of the season and 14th overall in 97 innings, a fine showing from the Austin clan whose sibling Jordan already carries 21 of his own. Martin Harris was next, bowled by Fabian Weldon for his 26th career duck in 159 innings, level with Paul Brattle's tally from a 308-innings career — Martin's own kin Jon Harris looms large on 93. And to close the innings, Ian Hollingworth was run out for his 5th duck of the season and 23rd career, level with Adam Jackson. 📊 Week in Summary Eight ducks, three fixtures affected, one match staying suspiciously dry. The Pushpavinothan household provided the week's headline act, and the tail continues to do the club's dirty work up and down the order. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Ian Hollingworth — 5 ducks in 8 innings (62.5%) 2. John Karassellos — 4 in 10 (40.0%) 3. Benjamin Austin — 4 in 15 (26.67%) 4. Tobey Castle — 4 in 18 (22.22%) 5. Richard Piper — 4 in 22 (18.18%) Ian Hollingworth sits ominously clear at the top of the season standings. Who joins him next weekend? The Duck Club never rests. 🦆🍩

A quieter weekend on the Duck Hunting front — just two additions from four matches — but both arrived with proper pedigree, so the exclusive zero club still had reason to celebrate. 🏏 Saturday - 2nd XI Away at Kilndown & Lamberhurst CC, Luke Welsman departed for nought at number 2, bowled by Oliver Clark. His third duck of the season and 30th of a Linton career now 150 innings deep, keeping him 35th in the all-time standings. Luke remains a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club — his very first Linton innings was a duck too — and a three-time Duck of the Year (2015, 2016, 2017), while cruelly sitting just one position short of completing the Full House with ducks recorded at 10 of the 11 batting slots. He now draws level on 30 career ducks with Paul Gibson, who played 1984-2012 and took 515 innings to reach the same tally, himself a Platinum Duck laureate from 1991 for departing without facing a ball. Efficiency, Luke — efficiency. 🌱 Sunday - 2nd XI Away at Loose CC, Richard Piper fell for nought at number 2, caught Stephen Puxty bowled Ian Barter, surviving five balls before the inevitable arrived. His fourth duck of the season lifts him to 82 career ducks from 741 innings — a commanding 5th on the all-time list — and adds to a mantelpiece already carrying Duck of the Year 2003, plus top-10 finishes in Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck. It rather runs in the family: his kin Brian Piper (23 career ducks) and James Piper (18) bring the household total to a formidable haul between them. And on this very calendar day in 1997, Piers McDonald - who played 1986-2012 - also made a duck, against Snodland, en route to 48 career ducks and back-to-back Duck of the Year honours in 1997 and 1998. Some things, it seems, are written in the fixture list. 0️⃣ Week in Summary Just two ducks from four matches this weekend — a rare outbreak of restraint from a club not usually known for it — though both carried genuine honours-board weight. No pairs, no king pairs, and no family affairs to report this time round. The art of not scoring took a breather, but not for long, one suspects. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Ian Hollingworth — 4 ducks in 7 innings (57.14%) - John Karassellos — 4 ducks in 8 innings (50.00%) - Tobey Castle — 4 ducks in 17 innings (23.53%) - Richard Piper — 4 ducks in 20 innings (20.00%), fresh off this weekend's addition - Will Thew — 3 ducks in 9 innings (33.33%) Ian Hollingworth clings to top spot for now, but with the season entering its business end, the race for Duck of the Year is very much alive. Next fixture, more crease time, more opportunities for the willing and unwilling alike to add their names to the list. The Duck Club watches, waits, and celebrates. 🦆🍩

A five-match week and the exclusive zero club welcomed eleven new arrivals. The art of not scoring was alive and well up and down the club. 🏏 Saturday — 1st XI at Meopham CC Adam Jackson departed for his 2nd duck of the season, caught behind off Max Luckett. His 23rd career nought puts him level with Brian Piper, a Linton stalwart of 1973-2013 who reached the same total in 444 innings — Adam's getting there rather quicker. Jordan Austin followed him back for his own 2nd of the season and 21st overall, holed out to David Pollard. He joins Darrell Houghton-Judge (2012-2018) on 21, and arrives with a season that already features a Diamond Duck among the silverware, plus a standing berth in the Homebody and Lone Duck top tens. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI v Betsham CC (home) Shehryar Gul was lbw to Tim McArthur after 4 balls, his 2nd duck of the season and career — a tally he now shares with Alan Probert, who managed the same feat in just 2 innings back in 2008-09. Tobey Castle was bowled by the same Tim McArthur for his 3rd of the season — on this day in 1979 he'd have found kindred company in Paul Brattle. Little did he know the week wasn't done with him yet. 🌙 Midweek XI v Lord Cornwallis XI Tobey Castle went again, bowled by L Cross, for his 4th duck of the season and 15th career, completing a grim weekly pair. Back in 1967, Mike Stephens marked this very date with a duck of his own. Tobey now sits 3rd in the season charts on a chastening 23.53% duck rate. 🌞 Sunday — 1st XI at Selling CC Will Thew was bowled by Tom Simmonds for his 3rd this season, 28th of a career already carrying a Debutante Duck and a Duck of the Year 2012 gong. He joins Christopher Thirkell (1998-2015) on 28. Benjamin Austin, brother Jordan having ducked just a day earlier, was caught and bowled by Gabriel Hamlyn for his 3rd of the season and 13th overall, level with Joe Martin (2004-2016). Joshua Knowler edged Gabriel Hamlyn behind for his 3rd of the season and 29th career, joining Daniel Thirkell (1993-2018) on the same mark — no mean feat given Daniel needed 484 innings to Joshua's 207. Ian Hollingworth was lbw to Tim Gower for his 4th of the season and 22nd career, level with Alan Boyns (1986-2016). Ian now leads the Duck Hunting Season standings outright. 🌞 Sunday — 2nd XI v Frittenden CC (home) Glen Rawson fell to Finn McGinley off the bowling of Niclas Rodreigo for his 1st of the season and 16th career — a total he shares, fittingly, with his own brother Iain Rawson. John Karassellos was lbw to Charlie Dobson for his 4th of the season and 8th career, level with Carl Davis (1994-2009). With five ducks in a row on the all-time board and Duck of the Year 2018 already in his cabinet, John is making a real fist of defending the crown. 📊 Week in Summary Eleven ducks across five matches, one full weekly pair for Tobey Castle, and the season table now decidedly crowded at the top. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Ian Hollingworth — 4 ducks, 7 innings (57.14%) 2. John Karassellos — 4 ducks, 8 innings (50.0%) 3. Tobey Castle — 4 ducks, 17 innings (23.53%) 4. Will Thew — 3 ducks, 8 innings (37.5%) 5. Benjamin Austin — 3 ducks, 14 innings (21.43%) 🍩 Roll up next fixture — the zero club never closes, and there's always room for one more.

Ten quacks in five matches this week — the exclusive zero club welcomes old regulars and two fresh inductees into the art of not scoring. 1st XI v Speldhurst CC (away) - Stuart Cheesman fell for his 2nd of the season, ct Crees b Booth, his 45th career duck putting him 18th all-time — level with Stewart Morrison (1987–2014). A two-time Duck of the Year (1994, 1996) and Full House laureate, a duck at every position 1 to 11. The wider Cheesman clan keeps pace too: Fred on 42 career ducks, sibling Steve on 14. - Luke Welsman followed, ct Chambers b Waters, his 2nd of the season and 29th career — a three-time reigning Duck of the Year (2015–17), now drawing level with Daniel Thirkell (1993–2018) at 41st all-time. 2nd XI v West Farleigh CC (home) - John Karassellos went first ball, b Meyrick — a golden duck, his 3rd of the season and 7th career, stretching his Ducks in a Row streak to five while defending the 2018 crown. Joins Mike Caddick (1993–2009) on 7. Family member Anthony Karassellos already has one of his own. - Jacob West marked his senior debut with a Debutante Duck, b Osborne off 4 balls — echoing R- Robinson, who made a duck against St Lukes Maidstone on this very day back in 1956. - Ian Hollingworth chalked up his 3rd of the season, b Osborne, moving to 21 career — level with Darrell Houghton-Judge (2012–18). - Ryan Silk also golden-ducked, ct Smith b Osborne first ball, his 2nd duck of the season and career — joining short-lived member Alan Probert (2008–09) on 2. Midweek XI v Camellia PLC (home) - Benjamin Austin, ct McLean b Faruk, his 2nd of the season and 12th career — level with Gareth Davies (2003–13). Sibling Jordan sits on 20, family member Mark on a lone 1. Sunday 2nd XI v Sissinghurst CC (away) - Tobey Castle, ct Winner b Latham off 5 balls, his 2nd of the season and 13th career — joins Joe Martin (2004–16). Family member David Castle towers on 47, sibling Mardey on 1. - Nat Presneill, ct Latham b Morley-Clarke off 5, his 1st of the season and 23rd career — a paid-up member of the Quack-to-Quack club from a past farewell, now level with Brian Piper (1973–2013). Family member Kevin Presneill carries 28 of his own. - Max Butler debuted and departed in the same breath, b Morley-Clarke off 9 balls — a first LPCC innings. On this day in 1995, Matt Large also made a duck, against Meopham CC. Good company. Sibling Riley already owns 2. Week in summary Ten ducks from five matches — West Farleigh alone claimed four scalps in the 2nd XI innings, with Tom Osborne personally responsible for three. Two debutantes, two golden ducks, and the Cheesman and Austin ledgers both a little heavier. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Ian Hollingworth — 6 inn, 3 ducks (50%) 2. John Karassellos — 6 inn, 3 ducks (50%) 3. Richard Piper — 17 inn, 3 ducks (17.65%) 4. Alastair Allsworth — 4 inn, 2 ducks (50%) 5. Engarshal Sinnaraja — 5 inn, 2 ducks (40%) Hollingworth and Karassellos locked together at the summit — who blinks first? The next fixture will surely offer fresh candidates. See you at the crease 🦆🍩0️⃣

Six ducks across three matches this weekend, as Linton's batsmen continued their shared pursuit of the game's rarest currency: nothing at all. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI at Pembury CC Openers are supposed to set the tone. Shehryar Gul set it early, lbw to Luke Packman without troubling the scorers. His maiden Linton duck moves him to 1 for the season and 1 for the career from just 5 innings, 673rd of 1,475 all-time — level with the mysterious "- Howard", whose entire Linton career lasted one innings back in 2006: a duck on debut immediately followed by retirement, the most efficient membership the club has ever handed out. At seven, Charles Curteis was bowled by Ian Scott for his first duck of the season and 5th of his career from 26 innings, 179th all-time, drawing level with Anton Bourdillon, who reached the same total in 2016–17 from 15 innings. 🌱 Sunday — 1st XI vs Harbledown CC Four ducks in one innings is a proper harvest, and Harbledown obliged handsomely. Richard Piper opened and lasted 8 balls before Richard Heywood removed him — his 3rd duck of the season and 81st of a mighty career spanning 737 innings, still an imperious 5th on the all-time list. His honours board reads like a museum wing: Duck of the Year 2003, Full House (a duck at every position 1–11), and top-ten billing across the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck categories. Keeping it in the family, father Brian sits on 23 career ducks and brother James on 18 — clearly bred for the role. At first drop, Kevin Presneill made no effort at all — first ball, bowled by Toby Vaughan, a fully golden duck. His season-opener and 28th career duck from 302 innings puts him 44th all-time and adds a page to his Diamond Duck (2017) collection. Son Nat isn't far behind on 22. Joshua Knowler was caught Sam Curd off Toby Vaughan after 11 balls, his 2nd of the season and, remarkably, also his 28th career duck — level pegging with Presneill above — from 203 innings, 43rd all-time. Knowler's cabinet already holds a Diamond Duck (2015), Duck of the Year 2010, and the rare distinction of being Quacked by Kin, dismissed for nought by Andrew Knowler back in 2010. Son Richard carries the torch on 12 career ducks of his own. Rounding things off, Darrell Houghton-Judge went lbw to Jago Pearson after 17 balls, his 2nd of the season and 21st career duck from 113 innings, 69th all-time — level with Dave Todd, who reached the same mark across a career from 1978–2014. Darrell also remains agonisingly one short of a Full House, having ducked at 10 of 11 positions. Remarkably, Piper, Presneill and Knowler all fell on the very date — 24 June — that club great Ian Brattle, on 51 career ducks, also made a nought against Leybourne CC back in 1975. History repeating, three times over. 📊 Week in Summary Three matches, six ducks, two grounds troubled. Pembury took two, Harbledown took four — evidently the more hospitable of the pair. No pairs and no king pairs this week, though Presneill's golden duck kept the purists happy. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Richard Piper — 16 inns, 3 ducks (18.75%) 2. Harrison Fermor — 3 inns, 2 ducks (66.67%) 3. Alastair Allsworth — 4 inns, 2 ducks (50.0%) 4. Engarshal Sinnaraja — 4 inns, 2 ducks (50.0%) 5. Ian Hollingworth — 4 inns, 2 ducks (50.0%) The season race remains wide open. Next weekend's fixtures await — bring your bat, and bring your sense of humour. 🦆🍩

A lean weekend for the exclusive zero club — just three noughts recorded across four fixtures, but each one earns its rightful place in the ledger. 1st XI Away at Four Elms, Stuart Cheesman departed for a second-ball nought, bowled by Pat Jackson at number four. It's his first duck of the season and takes him to 44 for his career — 18th on the all-time list of 1472 — and this paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club (his very first Linton innings, long ago, was also a blob) has topped the Duck of the Year table twice before, in 1994 and 1996, and holds the rare Full House honour: a duck at every position from 1 to 11. On this very day back in 1970, Cliff Anscombe was performing the same trick against Ozonair on his way to 25 career ducks and his own Duck of the Year crown in 1957. The art of not scoring runs in the family too — brother Steve carries 14 career ducks and father Fred isn't far behind on 42, making the Cheesmans a thoroughly decorated household. 2nd XI At home to Fordcombe, the ducks came in twos. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan, caught and bowled by Keith Exton at number four, collected his second duck of the season and third of his career from just 21 innings — drawing level with Alex Keeler, who reached the same tally in 13 innings across 2016-2018. Ian Hollingworth followed at nine, snapped up by Matt Colegate off Alex Latter, for his own second duck of the campaign and 20th of his career — 72nd on the all-time list of 1472. He now stands shoulder to shoulder with Darrell Houghton-Judge, who needed 112 innings to reach the same total, and who came agonisingly close to a Full House of his own, falling one short with 10 of 11 positions ducked. Week in Summary Three ducks from four matches, with Fordcombe clearly to the 2nd XI's taste this week. The other two fixtures passed without incident — no additions to the honours board there, this time. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Engarshal Sinnaraja — 2 ducks from 3 innings (66.7%) 2. Harrison Fermor — 2 ducks from 3 innings (66.7%) 3. Alastair Allsworth — 2 ducks from 4 innings (50.0%) 4. Ian Hollingworth — 2 ducks from 4 innings (50.0%) 5. John Karassellos — 2 ducks from 5 innings (40.0%) The 2018 Duck of the Year race is finely balanced with five names locked on two apiece — triumph through adversity, and no one yet pulling clear. Next weekend's fixtures will surely settle a few scores, or rather unsettle a few more. See you at the crease — or, more likely, on the long walk back from it. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Seven ducks, four matches, ladies and gentlemen — the closed season hasn't blunted anyone's appetite for the art of not scoring. Saturday — 1st XI away at Withyham CC Dirk Nell claimed both Linton wickets for nought in the same innings. Adam Jackson survived four balls before edging behind to Liam Cook, his 1st duck of the season and 22nd of his career, good for 65th on the all-time list. He joins Alan Boyns, who played 1986-2016 and reached the same 22 in 219 innings, with a Diamond Duck from 1990 on his board. Duck DNA runs in the family too, brother Rob Jackson carries 13 career noughts of his own. Moments later Mark Christmas fell lbw after seven deliveries, his 1st duck of the season and 32nd of a decorated career, 32nd all-time and a proud member of both the 2008 Duck of the Year board and the exclusive Full House nearly-man club, 10 of 11 positions and counting. On this very day in 1992, club great Matt Large, a six-time Duck of the Year on 63 career ducks, was doing exactly the same against Hollingbourne CC. Sunday — 1st XI at home to Knockers CC Three fell in the same innings. Sam Boyns, bowled by Ollie Marsh, brought up his 8th career duck from 105 innings, 145th all-time, level with Carl Davis, a Retirement Duck alumnus of 1994-2009 who reached 8 in just 41. Ducking runs in the Boyns bloodline too, father Alan sits on 22, brother Ryan on 13. Ryan Silk followed, caught off an uncertain fielder and bowled by J Wade, the very first duck of his career from just 4 innings. On this day in 1961 against Tovil, a young Robert Wood made his own duck on debut. Riley Butler completed the set, bowled by E Marsh for his 2nd career duck in 15 innings, Robert Wood's 1961 vintage keeping him company once again. Sunday — 2nd XI away at Cobham CC, Kent Toby Hughes edged behind off Ethan Pike for his maiden LPCC duck, just 2 innings into his career, Robert Wood's 1961 shadow looming large yet again. And closing the weekend's account, Alastair Allsworth was caught off Clive Marshall for his 2nd duck of the season already. On 3 innings and 2 ducks, he sits second in the early Duck Hunting standings, just behind division leader Engarshal Sinnaraja. The Numbers 7 ducks, 4 matches, and Dirk Nell's double the standout bowling of the weekend. Somebody give that man an honorary Duck Club membership. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Engarshal Sinnaraja — 2 ducks / 2 innings (100%) 2. Alastair Allsworth — 2 ducks / 3 innings (66.7%) 3. Harrison Fermor — 2 ducks / 3 innings (66.7%) 4. John Karassellos — 2 ducks / 5 innings (40%) 5. Will Thew — 2 ducks / 6 innings (33.3%) Early days yet, but the race for Duck of the Year 2018 is on. Next fixture, same story, same suspects probably. See you all back at the crease. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Six ducks fell across four fixtures this weekend, proof positive that the art of not scoring is alive and well at Linton Park. Saturday 1st XI v Sissinghurst CC (h) - Will Thew, promoted to 6, was smartly taken ct Angus Knowler b Bilal Omar after 9 balls of stubborn resistance. It's his 2nd of the season and pushes him to 27 career ducks, 48th of 1469 all time — level with Joshua Knowler (1908–2018 vintage, 27 in 199 innings). A Duck of the Year winner back in 2012 and a paid-up Debutante Duck member, Will knows this club rather too well. - Alex Keeler didn't linger either, bowled by Karl Rummery for his maiden duck of the season in just 3 balls. It's his 3rd career nought, 232nd of 1469, level with Daniel McCarthy who managed the same feat back in 2006–07. 2nd XI v Sennocke CC (a) - Engarshal Sinnaraja was stumped, Dan Callingham completing the formalities off Tom Wild. A 2nd duck of the season vaults him to top spot in the current Duck Hunting Season standings — a faultless 100% strike rate from 2 innings. 5 career ducks now, 180th of 1469. On this very day back in 1995, Paul Gibson — a Platinum Duck holder no less, 1984–2012, 30 ducks — was doing precisely the same thing against Rumwood CC. Sunday 1st XI v Sheldwich CC (a) - Tobey Castle was stumped by Daniel Ray off Alex Roe for his 1st of the season, moving to 12 career ducks, 106th of 1469 — level with Gareth Davies (2003–2013, 12 in 77 innings). It runs in the family: father David sits on 47 career ducks and brother Mardey on 1. - Harrison Fermor followed him back, trapped lbw by Thomas Copestake off just 2 balls. His 2nd duck of the season and 5th overall now sees him spend 66.67% of his 3 senior innings walking straight back out again — good enough for 2nd on the current season charts. Father Toby (2 career ducks) will know the feeling. On this day in 1967, Alan Cridland fell the same way against Tovil Nomads CC. 2nd XI v Nurstead CC (h) - The headline act: Richard Piper, bowled by Andrew Dent, notched his 2nd duck of the season and, remarkably, his 80th career duck — 5th of 1469 all time. His honours board reads like a trophy cabinet: Duck of the Year 2003, Full House (a duck at every position 1 to 11), plus top-10 finishes in both Lone Duck and Homebody Duck. Brother James (18) and father Brian (23) know their way to the pavilion too. Fittingly, Richard's fall also echoes Alan Cridland's, on this very day in 1967. The Week in Numbers 6 ducks from 4 matches — 1.5 per game on average, with every team represented and both 1st XIs doing the heavy lifting on two apiece. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. Engarshal Sinnaraja — 2 ducks / 2 inns (100%) 2. Harrison Fermor — 2 ducks / 3 inns (66.67%) 3. John Karassellos — 2 ducks / 5 inns (40%) 4. Will Thew — 2 ducks / 6 inns (33.33%) 5. Richard Piper — 2 ducks / 10 inns (20%) Four names tied on two apiece, with Sinnaraja out in front on cold, hard percentage. Plenty of season left for the chasing pack to strike back. Next fixture, next opportunity — the exclusive zero club never sleeps. See you all out there. 🦆🍩

A quiet couple of days by the club's usual voracious standards — four fixtures, but only two of them cared to feed the exclusive zero club. Still, quality over quantity, and this weekend's trio did not disappoint. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI v Sissinghurst CC (home) John Karassellos departed at number six, caught Colin Jenkins bowled Mick Winner, for his second duck of the season and sixth of an ever-more-distinguished career in 37 innings — 170th on the all-time roll. That puts him level with Adam Wright, who reached the same half-dozen in a brisker 25 innings across 2011–2012 before bowing out on a Retirement Duck of his own. With two already banked, John sits nicely in this year's Duck of the Year conversation, and carries his Ducks in a Row (5 consecutive) and Full House nearly-man honours with the quiet pride of a man who has made a study of not scoring. A chip off the old block too — his kin Anthony Karassellos already has a career duck to his name. 🌱 Sunday — Sunday 1st XI v Wye CC (away) Openers James Piper and Jordan Austin gave Wye's bowlers a rare early double. James lasted two balls before being bowled by Ian Lewis — his first duck of the season and 18th of an epic 306-innings career, good for 75th all-time. That's level with Russell Baldwin, who found his 18th across 208 innings between 1988 and 2006. Ducking clearly runs in the family — sibling Richard Piper carries 79 career noughts and kin Brian Piper another 23, so James is in thoroughly practised company. One place down the order, Jordan Austin went without facing a delivery at all — run out by Joshua White for a genuine Diamond Duck, out without troubling the strike, his qualifying entry for the 2018 vintage. It's his season-opener and 20th career duck, 72nd on the all-time list, level with Darrell Houghton-Judge who reached the same 20 in 107 innings between 2012 and 2018. Jordan is already a fixture of the Homebody and Lone Duck top tens, and kin Mark Austin has a career duck of his own to keep him company. 📊 Week in Summary Three ducks from four matches — a modest harvest, with the 1st XI and midweek sides keeping their noses admirably clean. Wye CC alone claimed two scalps without a run troubling the board, a fine morning's work for their attack. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - John Karassellos — 5 inns, 2 ducks, 40% - Engarshal Sinnaraja — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% - Thomas Beeney — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% - Alastair Allsworth — 2 inns, 1 duck, 50% - Harrison Fermor — 2 inns, 1 duck, 50% The season is young and the honours board has plenty of room left. Next fixture, someone's number will be up — we'll be watching, as ever, for the art of not scoring. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Four fixtures, four ducks, and one genuine slice of club history stitched in among a quiet weekend. Let's get into it. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI away at St Lawrence CC Tim Thirkell fell for nought at number 9, bowled by Corrie Thompson — his 94th career duck, and he remains the undisputed monarch of the exclusive zero club, ranked 1st of 1467 in Linton's all-time standings. A veteran of Duck of the Year 1972, the Full House board (a duck at every position 1-11), and a permanent resident of both the Lone Duck and Homebody Duck top tens, Tim doesn't chase milestones, he sets them. On this very day in 1974, Paul Bowles was doing much the same thing against Aylesford Paper Mills CC, on his way to a career total of 54. Engarshal Sinnaraja followed at number 10, caught behind off Thomas Burles — his 1st duck of the season and 4th career nought from just 6 innings, rank 206 of 1467. He now sits level with -Matthew Ward, who reached the same tally in 10 innings back in 2011-12. 🏏 Sunday — 1st XI at home to Littlebourne CC Benjamin Austin, in at 3, gave it four balls of respectability before being caught by Robbie Loomer off Byron Gould. Season duck number 1, career duck number 11 from 85 innings, rank 108. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his own first-ever knock, Benjamin also has noughts in the blood — sibling Jordan sits on 19 career ducks. He joins Andrew Moss, 1968-2008, on 11. 🏏 Sunday — 2nd XI away to Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow CC Alastair Allsworth, also at 3, survived two balls before an lbw from Trevor Earl ended things. His maiden club duck — 1st of the season, 1st of a career now 2 innings old, rank 424. He joins the compact legend of "- Howard", whose entire senior career amounted to a single innings and a single duck back in 2006 — Debutante, One and Done and Retirement Duck all in one tidy package. Early days for Alastair yet. 📋 The weekend in brief Four matches, four ducks — one shared by rank-1 royalty, three by names still building their case. Triumph through adversity, and consistency of a very particular kind. 🍩 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Engarshal Sinnaraja — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 2. Thomas Beeney — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 3. Trevor Back — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 4. Alastair Allsworth — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) 5. Harrison Fermor — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) Early season, wide open, and the perfect-percentage club is filling up fast. Next fixture's inevitable additions await — see you at the crease, or shortly thereafter. 0️⃣🦆

Three fixtures out on the paddock this weekend, and the 2nd XI at home to Hollingbourne CC took it upon itself to do all the collecting — a full quartet of ducks in a single innings, while the 1st and 3rd XIs apparently remembered how to hold a bat. 2nd XI v Hollingbourne CC (home) Richard Piper opened up and departed courtesy of a smart Robbie Palmer catch off Adam Doggett. It's duck number 79 for the season, lifting him to 6th on the all-time chart — level with Jim Hall, who reached that same 79 across a 1967–2008 career and 503 innings. Piper's honours cabinet already groans under a 2003 Duck of the Year, membership of the Full House club (every position 1 through 11 conquered, for nought), and top-ten billing in both Homebody and Ducks on the Road. Consistency of a very particular kind. Darrell Houghton-Judge followed at three, bowled by Miles Henslow for his 20th career duck, good enough for 71st on the all-time list and another tick toward Full House nearly-man status — just the one position left to complete the set. On this very day back in 1906, D H Luck was doing exactly the same thing against Town Malling CC. Some traditions never die. At five, John Karassellos was bowled by Adam Doggett for his 5th career duck. With 2018 already his to claim as Duck of the Year, the crown sits a little firmer today, and his career column carries the rare Ducks in a Row honour for good measure. He draws level on tally with Anton Bourdillon, who also reached 5 in a brief 2016–2017 stint. A chip off the old block too — his father Anthony Karassellos is a fellow paid-up club member with a duck of his own on the books. Rounding things off, Ian Hollingworth was caught by Jason Ovenden off Jack Cook for his 19th career duck, 72nd on the all-time roll of dishonour. He now sits shoulder to shoulder on 19 with Jordan Austin, whose 2008–2018 career yielded the same total — Austin himself no stranger to zero, with Homebody and Lone Duck top-ten status of his own. Week in Summary Four ducks, one unlucky top order, three matches played — and every single one of them fell in the same innings against Hollingbourne. A genuinely rare morning where half a batting order queued up for the long walk back. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏆 1 Thomas Beeney — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% 1 Trevor Back — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% 3 David T Lowen — 2 inns, 1 duck, 50% 3 Harrison Fermor — 2 inns, 1 duck, 50% 3 Ian Hollingworth — 2 inns, 1 duck, 50% Roll on the next fixture — the exclusive zero club always has room for new arrivals. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Four fixtures, eight ducks — the 2018 hunting season is up and running nicely. Saturday, 1st XI v Meopham CC - Craig Sands opened the innings and departed off the very first ball he faced 0️⃣ — a golden duck, b Andrew Powney. His 28th career nought (42nd of 1464 all-time) sits him alongside Paul Bowles, who quacked on this very day in 1974 against Leeds & Broomfield on his way to 54. - Will Thew followed shortly after, also b Powney — Andrew clearly fancied his chances against LPCC's top order. Thew's 26th career duck draws him level with Paul Brattle (1969-1997). - Joshua Knowler completed the misery, caught for his 27th, matching Kevin Presneill (2001-2017). A family trait, perhaps — kin Richard Knowler carries 12 of his own in the cabinet. 1st XI v Kenley CC - Trevor Back, the club's 4th-most prolific duck-getter in history on a mighty 85, added another — a proud member of the Ducks on the Road, Homebody and Lone Duck top tens. - Harrison Fermor joined him for his 4th (from just 11 innings) — kin Toby Fermor keeps 2 of his own. Both Back and Fermor share the day with Malcolm Pay, who ducked on this same date back in 1978. 2nd XI v Betsham CC - Thomas Beeney edged out for his 36th, closing on kin Michael Beeney's 38 — and, like several others this weekend, keeping company with 1974's Paul Bowles. - David Lowen also fell, his 4th, similarly in Bowles' shadow. Sunday NVKC v High Halstow CC - Luke Welsman, a three-time reigning Duck of the Year (2015, 2016, 2017), notched his 28th — joining Stewart Morrison, who quacked on this exact day back in 2001. 🍩 Week in summary: 8 ducks across 4 matches — a full house of fixtures and not one escaped unscathed. Special mention to Andrew Powney, who bagged a brace of LPCC batsmen inside the same over of ignominy. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. David Lowen — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) 2. Harrison Fermor — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) 3. Thomas Beeney — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) 4. Trevor Back — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) 5. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 2 inn, 1 duck (50%) Early days yet — plenty of time for the pack to spread out. Next fixture awaits, and with it, no doubt, fresh recruits for the exclusive zero club. 🏏🦆

Season 2018 gets its account open. Two fixtures went into the book across the weekend and, appropriately for the opening skirmishes of the year, the exclusive zero club found precisely one new applicant to process. 🏏 Saturday 21st — 1st XI v Headcorn CC (home) Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan, in at four, departed the way so many before him have departed — ct Simon Phipps b Rob Mansell, a tidy little dismissal that will read the same in the book for the next hundred years. It's his 1st duck of the fresh 2018 campaign and, notably, only his 2nd in a career now standing at 14 innings — the art of not scoring practised sparingly, but practised well. That tally slots him in at 382 of 1463 in the all-time standings, and pulls him level with Alan Probert, who managed the same feat — 2 ducks in just 2 innings back in 2008-1909 — before promptly retiring on one of them, a paid-up member of both the Debutante Duck and Retirement Duck honours boards. Pushpavinothan has, mercifully, plenty of innings left to decide which way his own story bends. 🌱 Sunday 22nd The second fixture of the weekend passed by disappointingly clean — not a single nought to report. A rare weekend where the ducks mostly evaded the net, though early season form is early season form, and there's a long summer yet for the club's less celebrated talents to make themselves known. 📊 Week in Summary Two matches, one duck, one very lonely entrant to the 2018 Duck Hunting Season. Consistency of a very particular kind is off to a modest start — plenty of time for the field to fill out as the season gets into its stride. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% With only one name on the board so far, the race for 2018 Duck of the Year is Thuraiappah's to lose — though with the season barely a fortnight old, that crown is anything but safe. Get out there next weekend, LPCC — the Duck Club is always recruiting, and the nets never sleep. 🦆🍩0️⃣