🦆 The Duck Pond

Two fixtures out on the park this weekend, and the hunting party returned with just a single bird bagged — a quiet one by Duck Club standards, but this lone quack carries some proper pedigree. Sunday 1st XI — away at Tenterden CC Opening the innings and evidently in a giving mood, Mark Christmas departed early — ct Tom Richards b Harry Karim — for his 3rd duck of the season and 37th of a genuinely distinguished career. That plants him 27th on the all-time roll of 1,496 duck-collectors, a career built on consistency of a very particular kind. Mark remains a card-carrying member of the Duck of the Year honours board courtesy of his 2008 campaign, and sits agonisingly close to completing the club's rarest set — the Full House nearly-man, having now ducked in 10 of the 11 batting positions. One slot left. The suspense is unbearable. A pleasing footnote for the historians: on this very date in 1977, club great John Thirkell — 90 career ducks across a mighty 1943–1967 innings, still 3rd on the all-time table — also trudged off for nought, against West Kent Wanderers CC. Some traditions really do keep to the calendar. Week in Summary One duck from two matches — the rest of both batting line-ups kept their discipline, or their luck, largely intact. A lean harvest, but the art of not scoring rarely rests for long. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - John Karassellos — 11 ducks / 24 innings (45.83%) - Darrell Houghton-Judge — 5 ducks / 35 innings (14.29%) - Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks / 8 innings (50.00%) 🍩 - Jordan Austin — 4 ducks / 31 innings (12.90%) - Aaron Hughes — 4 ducks / 37 innings (10.81%) John Karassellos leads the chase for Duck of the Year, but Anton Bourdillon's frankly alarming 50% strike rate keeps him lurking as the dark horse of the campaign. Next weekend brings fresh fixtures and, inevitably, fresh candidates for the exclusive zero club. Pads on, guards taken, and may the odds be ever in nobody's favour. 🏏0️⃣

Three fixtures, seven ducks, and proof that the exclusive zero club never quite closes for business. Cudham Wyse CC and Linton Park CC did the honours this round, with a rare family double thrown in for good measure and one repeat offender collecting a weekend pair. 🏏 Saturday 14 September — Friendly XI v Cudham Wyse CC Opener Aaron Hughes departed early, caught Inwood bowled Sharp, for his 4th duck of the season — and, remarkably, his 4th career duck, every single one arriving in 2019. He joins the class of this very day in 1958, when Stan Wratten made his own duck against Tunbridge Wells CC on his way to 35 career ducks across four decades of service. Aaron's relatives Toby and Will Hughes are already fellow paid-up members of the club, sitting on 2 and 1 respectively. Archie Fairfax-Ross followed, caught Walayat bowled Sharp, his 2nd of the season and 3rd for his career, drawing level with Daniel McCarthy (2006–07, 19 innings) in the all-time list. Then the afternoon's finest ceremony: a genuine Duck and Ducklings. Henry Bourdillon (caught Mehmood bowled Mohammad, 2nd of the season, 2nd career, level with Abishek Pushpavinothan) and parent Anton Bourdillon (caught Inwood bowled Mohammad, 4th of the season, 9th career, level with Charles Curteis) both departed for nought in the very same innings. Two generations, two ducks, one thoroughly shared shame — the rarest ceremony the club can offer, solemnly noted for the record. Anton, a long-serving member of the Debutante Duck club from his own first-ever innings years back, shows the trait plainly runs in the family. Sandwiched neatly between the Bourdillons, John Karassellos was lbw to Mohammad for his 10th duck of the season and 22nd of his career, drawing level with Alan Boyns (1986–2016, 219 innings). Reigning Duck of the Year for both 2018 and 2019, and still stalking that elusive 11th position for a Full House, Karassellos wasn't quite finished with the weekend... 🏏 Sunday 15 September — 1st XI v Linton Park CC ...because 24 hours later he was back, bowled James West, for his 11th of the season and 23rd career duck — a grim weekend pair, Saturday and Sunday back to back. On this very date in 1982, Trevor Hales made his own duck against The Mote CC; Karassellos now keeps him company in the on-this-day ledger. He wasn't dismissed alone. Ryan Silk, caught Keeler bowled West, added his 2nd of the season and 4th career duck, also sharing that same 1982 date with Trevor Hales. Ryan remains a card-carrying member of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell, though no such drama threatened on this occasion. 📊 Week in Summary Seven ducks from three matches, headlined by a father-and-offspring special at Cudham Wyse and a Saturday-to-Sunday pair for John Karassellos, who now carries a frankly alarming 47.83% season duck rate. The art of not scoring is alive, well, and thoroughly hereditary at Linton Park. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 23 inns, 11 ducks (47.83%) 2. Darrell Houghton-Judge — 33 inns, 5 ducks (15.15%) 3. Anton Bourdillon — 8 inns, 4 ducks (50.0%) 4. Jordan Austin — 30 inns, 4 ducks (13.33%) 5. Aaron Hughes — 36 inns, 4 ducks (11.11%) More fixtures on the horizon, and with them, no doubt, more names queuing for the honours board. The Duck Club never sleeps. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Four fixtures on the card this week, and the zero club welcomed five new inductees across two of them — the other two matches, wherever they were, stayed disappointingly duck-free. Saturday — 2nd XI v Outwood CC - Henry Bourdillon (ct Jason Goulding b Dru Tunstall, position 3) opens his LPCC duck account — 1st of the season, 1st of his career, 543rd on the all-time list. He joins Howard, whose entire club career — 2006 to 2006, one innings, one duck — remains a monument to the swift exit, bagging Debutante Duck, One and Done and Retirement Duck honours in a single afternoon. A modest branch of the Bourdillon family tree, mind you — a relative of Henry's already carries 8 career ducks. - Darrell Houghton-Judge (ct Nat Hiscocks b Max Evans, position 5) notches his 5th of the season and 27th of a properly distinguished career, 50th on the all-time roll, and a standing Full House nearly-man having ducked at 10 of the 11 batting positions. On this very day in 1977, club great Tim Thirkell — still top of the all-time pile with 95 — was also trudging off for nought, against St Just CC. - John Karassellos (b Lucas Evans, position 10) reaches 9 for the season, tightening his grip on back-to-back Duck of the Year honours after taking the title in 2018 and leading the 2019 race handsomely. His 21st career duck draws him level with Dave Todd (1978–2014), who needed 235 innings for the same total John has reached in 70 — efficiency indeed. Sunday — 1st XI v Leeds & Broomfield CC - Jordan Austin (b Monte McCague, position 2) adds his 4th of the season and 27th of his career, 51st all-time, a fixture of both the Homebody and Lone Duck top tens and still fondly remembered for his 2018 Diamond Duck. On this day in 1981, Richard Ashby made a duck of his own against Paul CC, finishing his career on 28 — just one ahead of where Jordan now stands. - Toby Hughes (b Edward Scrivens, position 6) collects his 1st of the season and 2nd of his career, drawing level with Abishek Pushpavinothan (2017–2019, 29 innings) on that same modest tally. Week in Summary Five ducks from four fixtures, all confined neatly to Saturday's 2nd XI and Sunday's 1st XI. No pairs, no king pairs, no family affairs — just honest, unglamorous contributions to the cause. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 9 ducks, 21 innings (42.86%) 2. Darrell Houghton-Judge — 5 ducks, 31 innings (16.13%) 3. Jordan Austin — 4 ducks, 29 innings (13.79%) 4. Fred Taylor — 3 ducks, 5 innings (60.0%) 5. Anton Bourdillon — 3 ducks, 6 innings (50.0%) John remains well clear at the summit, but Fred Taylor's eye-watering 60% strike rate is the sort of quiet menace that could yet cause an upset before season's end. Same crease, same fielders, same appetite for the number that started it all — see you at the next fixture, and may the zeros keep flowing. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Three matches, six ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomed its usual cast of hopefuls this weekend. The art of not scoring was practised with real dedication on both days. Saturday — 1st XI away at Meopham CC Mark Christmas got things moving at first drop, caught by Gary Howorth off Andrew Powney for his 2nd duck of the season and 36th of an extensive career, good enough for 27th on the all-time list. A Duck of the Year winner back in 2008 and a perennial "Full House nearly-man" (10 of 11 positions ticked off), Mark keeps building a CV any duck connoisseur would envy. Neatly enough, on this very day back in 1980 Allan Cooper (1971-1989, 38 ducks) was also making his own contribution to the noughts column, against Staplehurst CC. Craig Sands followed at six, lbw to Stephen Innes, his 3rd of the season and 31st career duck — 35th on the all-time roll. He now sits level with Joshua Knowler (2008-2019, 242 innings), the 2010 Duck of the Year and proud owner of a Diamond Duck for good measure. Last man Martin Harris rounded things off, caught by Mark Lewis-Ranwell off Miles Tucker for his 1st of the season and 30th of his career, ranking 40th all-time — level with Daniel Thirkell (1993-2019, 506 innings). Martin himself carries the 2011 Duck of the Year honour, and isn't even the leading duck-getter in his own house — parent Jon Harris has quietly amassed 94 career noughts. Sunday — 1st XI away at Stone-in-Oxney CC Jordan Austin, caught by Owen Piper off Jay Parker, chalked up his 3rd duck of the season and 26th career nought, 53rd on the all-time list. A Diamond Duck holder from 2018 and a fixture in both the Homebody and Lone Duck top tens, Jordan draws level on 26 with Darrell Houghton-Judge (2012-2019). Ducking clearly runs in the blood too — sibling Benjamin (17) and offspring Mark (1) are both paid-up club members. Sunday — 2nd XI away at Holborough Anchorians CC William Roxburgh survived six balls before falling lbw to Zabi Armani, his 1st senior duck, 715th on the all-time list — level there with the briefest of careers, "- Howard", whose single 2006 innings also yielded a Debutante Duck, a Retirement Duck, and top billing in the One and Done club. And then there was John Karassellos. Bowled by Sayad Jabarkhall for a two-ball stay, his 8th duck of the season already runs away with the 2019 Duck of the Year race — a title he also claimed in 2018 — while his 20th career duck extends a run of five in a row and keeps his Full House nearly-man status warm. He stands 74th all-time, sharing this very calendar date with the club's own runaway leader Tim Thirkell, who made a duck against Whitstable CC back in 1973 en route to a barely believable 95. The Karassellos name is a duck dynasty in miniature too, with Michaela (2) and Anthony (1) both on the books. Week in summary Six ducks from three matches, every single one recorded away from home — Linton's bowlers clearly left the noughts for the road trip. No pairs, no family doubles, just honest one-at-a-time contributions to the cause. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 8 ducks in 19 innings (42.11%) 2. Darrell Houghton-Judge — 4 ducks in 30 innings (13.33%) 3. Fred Taylor — 3 ducks in 5 innings (60.00%) 4. Anton Bourdillon — 3 ducks in 6 innings (50.00%) 5. Craig Sands — 3 ducks in 10 innings (30.00%) Karassellos leads by some distance and shows no sign of loosening his grip on the 2019 crown. Next fixture, next chance — the Duck Club awaits its newest additions. 🦆🏏

Four fixtures out in the field this weekend and the exclusive zero club welcomed just three new entries — quality over quantity, as ever, in the art of not scoring. Saturday 24th August 1st XI v Bidborough CC Craig Sands opened his account for the day in the cruellest possible fashion, caught Pinchin off Ackermann without troubling the scorers — a golden duck, first ball, no messing about. It's his 2nd of the season and 30th for the club overall, good enough for 38th on the all-time list. He now sits shoulder to shoulder with Daniel Thirkell, who assembled the same tally of 30 across 506 innings in a Linton career running 1993 to 2019, and who owns a place among the Tourist Duck top 10 — Craig will need a few more away trips yet to catch him up on that front. 2nd XI v St Lawrence CC Away at St Lawrence, Alastair Allsworth was trapped lbw by Allan Churchman at five, his 2nd duck of the season and 4th in a Linton career of just 17 innings — a rank of 201 that leaves plenty of room to climb, or sink, depending on your outlook. He draws level on career ducks with Matthew Ward, who reached the same total in a brief 2011-12 stint. Keep an eye on the surname, too — his relative Toby Allsworth already has a career duck of his own on the family ledger, so this may be a dynasty in the making. Sunday 25th August 2nd XI v Battle CC Darrell Houghton-Judge continued his prolific 2019 in entirely the wrong direction, caught Lowes off Faulkner for his 4th duck of the season and 26th of a Linton career now standing at 158 innings — good for 52nd on the all-time chart. He's a nearly-man on the Full House honours board, having ducked at ten of the eleven batting positions and presumably saving the last for a rainy day. He joins Paul Brattle on 26 career ducks, a total the 1969-2008 stalwart needed 308 innings to assemble, and who himself is a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his own Linton account with nought. Darrell's getting there rather more efficiently, for better or worse. Week in Summary Three ducks from four matches, one of them the purest kind — first ball, no argument, no appeal required. Not a vintage weekend for the club's least wanted honour, but Darrell Houghton-Judge continues to carry the load almost single-handed. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 7 ducks in 18 innings (38.89%) 2. Darrell Houghton-Judge — 4 ducks in 29 innings (13.79%) 3. Fred Taylor — 3 ducks in 5 innings (60.0%) 4. Anton Bourdillon — 3 ducks in 6 innings (50.0%) 5. Charles Curteis — 3 ducks in 12 innings (25.0%) Fred Taylor's 60% strike rate remains the most efficient failure in the division this season — truly a specialist. Next weekend brings more fixtures and, in all likelihood, more names for the honours board. Get your ducks in a row, Linton — or better yet, don't. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A quiet week for the exclusive zero club — only five fixtures on the go and the ducks mostly evaded the net, but two members still found their way onto the books. Midweek XI Wednesday 21st, away to Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC Benjamin Austin came in at four and was bowled by Iain Barker — his 2nd duck of the season and 17th for the club, good enough for 81st on the all-time list. A long-standing member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first innings years back, Benjamin can console himself with the company he keeps: on this very day in 1955, LPCC great John Ames (1952–1978, 49 ducks, 12th all-time) also trudged off for nought, against Halfway House. Benjamin's sibling Jordan already carries 25 career ducks and relation Mark chips in with 1 — evidently a family with a keen eye for the art of not scoring. Sunday 1st XI Sunday 18th, away to Stowting CC Tobey Castle survived three balls at six before falling to Josh Ward — his 2nd duck of the season and 17th overall, 87th in the club's ignominious history. Fittingly, on this exact day back in 2004, Rob Jackson — Duck of the Year 2002 and himself a Debutante Duck alumnus — recorded his own nought against none other than Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC, this week's opponents for the Midweek XI. Small poultry world. Tobey's relative David carries a formidable 47 career ducks and sibling Mardey adds 2 more, so the Castle name is well represented on the honours board. Week in Summary Just two ducks from five matches — a rare escape for most of the club this week. Benjamin and Tobey did at least match strides, both now sitting on 2 for the season. Triumph through adversity, of a very quiet kind. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - John Karassellos — 7 ducks in 18 innings (38.89%) - Fred Taylor — 3 ducks in 5 innings (60.00%) - Anton Bourdillon — 3 ducks in 6 innings (50.00%) - Charles Curteis — 3 ducks in 12 innings (25.00%) - Glen Rawson — 3 ducks in 15 innings (20.00%) John Karassellos leads the chase comfortably, though with the season not done there's plenty of time for the field to close the gap. Roll on next weekend — the ducks never stay hidden for long. See you at the crease. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Eight ducks laid across four of the week's six fixtures — the zero club has had a busy one. Tail-enders, openers and one thoroughly unlucky pair of debutants all queued up for membership. Saturday 10 August — 2nd XI away at Locksbottom CC A grim afternoon on the road as three Linton batsmen trooped back without scoring in the very same innings — Ed King doing the catching honours on all three occasions, which feels almost personal. Richard Piper opened and departed cheaply, his 3rd of the season and a chunky 85th career duck, keeping him at a mighty 5th in the all-time standings. Already a Full House member (a duck at every position, 1 to 11) and a fixture of the Lone Duck and Homebody Duck top tens, Piper adds another brick to an already imposing monument. On this very day in 1991, Paul Gibson made a duck against Headcorn CC — kindred spirits, 28 years apart. Glen Rawson followed him back for his own 3rd of the season, moving to 19 career ducks and 74th on the all-time list. Like Piper, he shares his moment with Paul Gibson's 1991 vintage. Fred Taylor completed the trio, his 3rd of the season and 5th in career terms — from a mere 7 innings, a duck rate that borders on the industrial. A Debutante Duck club member from way back, Fred now sits level on 5 with Engarshal Sinnaraja, who reached the same tally across 15 innings in 2017-18. Thursday 15 August — Colts & Under 17s v Linton Park CC A busy afternoon on home turf for the club's younger ranks. In the Colts fixture, Anton Bourdillon fell first ball for a golden duck — his 3rd of the season and 8th career, level with Carl Davis, who reached the same mark across 41 innings between 1994 and 2009. Over in the Under 17 encounter, the tail simply did not hold. At number 9, debutant Saranyan departed first ball for a golden duck on their very first-ever senior appearance — straight onto the Debutante Duck board. At number 10, John Karassellos survived three balls before falling, his 7th of the season and 19th career, extending his Ducks in a Row honour and adding to a Duck of the Year collection that now spans both 2018 and 2019. Then, fittingly, number 11 Will Hughes went first ball too — another golden duck on debut, bookending a tail that simply refused to trouble the scorers. All three share their moment with club great John Thirkell, who made a duck against Bowaters CC on this exact date back in 1964. Friday 16 August — Midweek XI v The Dragons CC Jordan Austin was the lone faller, his 2nd of the season and 25th career duck, keeping him at 58th all-time and in good company on the Homebody and Lone Duck top tens. He now sits level on 25 with Darrell Houghton-Judge, who reached the same total across 154 innings between 2012 and 2019. Week in Summary Eight ducks, six fixtures, and a Locksbottom top order that simply vanished. The Under 17s somehow managed golden ducks at both ends of the tail with a survivor sandwiched between — the very definition of "consistency of a very particular kind." Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 7 ducks, 18 innings, 38.9% 2. Fred Taylor — 3 ducks, 5 innings, 60.0% 3. Anton Bourdillon — 3 ducks, 6 innings, 50.0% 4. Charles Curteis — 3 ducks, 12 innings, 25.0% 5. Glen Rawson — 3 ducks, 14 innings, 21.4% Karassellos remains well clear at the top, but the exclusive zero club is famously open to all comers. Next fixture, same invitation as ever — pad up, and may triumph through adversity find you. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Six fixtures out on the paddock this week, but the Duck Club's nets came back fairly light — just three noughts landed in the basket. Sometimes the ducks simply outwit the hunters. Saturday 3 August — 2nd XI v Horsmonden CC George Taylor fell early at first drop, caught by Colin Langridge off William Cunningham. His first duck of the season and third of a career now standing at 20 innings, tucking him in at 252nd on the all-time roll. He draws level on career ducks with Aaron Hughes (2017–2019, 44 innings, 3 ducks) — kindred spirits in the art of not scoring. Sunday 4 August — Sunday 2nd XI v Borstal CC Fred Taylor, in at seven, was bowled by Andy Routledge — his second duck of the season already, and his fourth in a mere five career innings, a strike rate for ignominy that would make veterans blush. A paid-up Debutante Duck club member from his very first knock, he now sits 212th all-time and joins the Debutante's ranks properly. Handily for the family album, brother George also found his way onto this week's sheet — the Taylor name getting a proper workout, even if the club's ledger stops short of calling it official. Fred draws level with Matthew Ward (2011–2012, 10 innings, 4 ducks). Tuesday 6 August — Midweek XI v Bexley CC Opener Jordan Austin held firm for five deliveries before edging Alexander Hill through to Fraser McWhinnie. Season duck number one, and 24th for the career from 177 innings — 61st in the all-time standings. A long-serving member of both the Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, and a veteran of the 2018 Diamond Duck club for a golden effort that year, this one at least troubled the scorers. Brother Benjamin (16 career ducks) and forebear Mark (1) keep the Austin name well represented elsewhere on the honours board. Jordan draws level with Brian Piper, who reached the same 24 in a mighty 445 innings between 1973 and 2018 — efficiency, of a sort. The remaining three fixtures were disappointingly well-behaved, every batter troubling the scorers throughout — the Duck Club will simply have to make do with what it's given. Week in brief: 3 ducks from 6 matches, spread across the 2nd XI, Sunday 2nd XI and Midweek XI, with the Taylor siblings quietly doing their bit for family solidarity. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - John Karassellos — 6 ducks, 15 innings, 40.00% - Charles Curteis — 3 ducks, 10 innings, 30.00% - Will Thew — 3 ducks, 15 innings, 20.00% - Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks, 21 innings, 14.29% - Darrell Houghton-Judge — 3 ducks, 23 innings, 13.04% Karassellos still commands a healthy lead atop the exclusive zero club — can anyone close the gap before the season's out? Same time next week, same crease, same invitation open to all: the ducks are always recruiting. 🍩🏏

A single fixture on the books this week, and for once the exclusive zero club had nothing to add to its books. Eleven bats went out, eleven bats — presumably grudgingly — troubled the scorer. Not a single nought to log, not one candidate for the honours board, not so much as a golden glimmer of ignominy. It happens. Even the art of not scoring takes a rest day now and then. 0️⃣ This week in ducks: 1 match played, 0 ducks recorded. A statistically improbable outbreak of competence up and down the order. The Duck Club committee notes this with mild suspicion and no small amount of disappointment. Rest assured, normal service is very much expected to resume. The season's leaderboard remains fiercely contested and nobody's tally has had the decency to stand still for long. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 🥇 John Karassellos — 6 ducks in 15 innings (40.0%) — a startling strike rate that puts the specialist batsmen to shame 🥈 Charles Curteis — 3 ducks in 10 innings (30.0%) 🥉 Will Thew — 3 ducks in 14 innings (21.43%) 4️⃣ Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks in 18 innings (16.67%) 5️⃣ Darrell Houghton-Judge — 3 ducks in 21 innings (14.29%) John Karassellos sits well clear at the top, cricketing purists might call 40% concerning — the Duck Club calls it consistency of a very particular kind, and applauds accordingly. 🍩 The zero club may have gone quiet this week, but ducks are patient creatures and Linton Park's batting order is nothing if not obliging. Get down to the next fixture, take guard, and give the committee something to write about — preferably first ball, for those chasing golden glory. Until then — 🦆🏏

Three matches took the field this weekend, but only one truly answered the call of the Duck Club — and Speldhurst Green answered it four times over. Harry Dunmall gave a fair impression of the Grim Reaper with the ball, personally accounting for three of the afternoon's four ducks. 🏏 1st XI at Speldhurst CC Glen Rawson fell at first drop, snapped up by Ben Brandt off Dunmall — his 2nd duck of the season and 18th of an increasingly ornamented career, rank 75 of 1490 all-time. He joins James Piper (1998–2019), who reached the same 18 in 337 innings, while brother Iain Rawson (16 career ducks) still trails him in the family standings. Craig Sands followed at four, caught Wesson bowled Waterman — his 1st of the season but a hefty 29th for the career from 476 innings, rank 44. He pulls level with Martin Harris (2009–2019, Duck of the Year 2011), who needed a mere 177 innings to get there. Efficiency, Craig, efficiency. Joshua Knowler extended Dunmall's rampage at six, caught Coffin — his 2nd duck of the season and 31st of the career, rank 36 of 1490. A paid-up member of the Diamond Duck club (2015: out without facing a ball) and a former Duck of the Year (2010), Joshua also carries the rare and faintly cursed distinction of being Quacked by Kin, done over by relation Andrew Knowler back in 2010 — a family tradition his own parent Richard Knowler (12 career ducks) evidently helped instil. On this very day in 2002, Stewart Morrison was completing an identical ritual against Leeds & Broomfield CC. Darrell Houghton-Judge rounded off Dunmall's set at seven, caught Hopwood — his 3rd duck of the season and 25th of the career, rank 56. He now sits level with Dave Charlton (1988–2018), who took 223 innings to reach the same total, and remains an eternal Full House nearly-man, having managed ducks at 10 of the 11 batting positions and still hunting that elusive last one. 📊 The Week in Brief Four ducks, one bowler, one thoroughly chastened top order. Harry Dunmall took three of the four scalps himself — a spell that will live long in Duck Club infamy even if nowhere else. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th XIs, wherever they played, kept their heads down and stayed off the record. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - John Karassellos — 6 ducks, 15 innings, 40.0% - Charles Curteis — 3 ducks, 10 innings, 30.0% - Will Thew — 3 ducks, 14 innings, 21.43% - Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks, 18 innings, 16.67% - Darrell Houghton-Judge — 3 ducks, 20 innings, 15.0% Fixtures resume next weekend — the exclusive zero club never closes for business. Get your names ready, gentlemen. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Seven ducks fell to the hunters across three fixtures this weekend, Saturday doing the heavy lifting. The exclusive zero club welcomes the usual mix of regulars and career top-uppers. 🏏 Saturday 13 July 1st XI v Four Elms CC (home) Glen Rawson went lbw to Jano Moller for his lone duck of the season, ticking to 17 for his career, 82nd all-time — level with Clive Newman (1992–2012, 17 from 371). Sibling Iain Rawson isn't far behind on 16, so the art of not scoring plainly runs in the family. Stuart Cheesman was bowled by Zak Willox at 11 for his first of the season and 47th career duck — 16th all-time, a Debutante Duck, twice Duck of the Year (1994, 1996), and a Full House honouree with a duck at every position. He joins David Castle on 47 (1982–2018, 833 innings). Kin Fred and Steve Cheesman sit on 42 and 14 respectively — a well-stocked family pond. 2nd XI v Farningham CC (away) John Karassellos was bowled by Dave Ward for his sixth duck of the season — the runaway leader of this year's hunt — and 18th career, 77th all-time, level with James Piper (1998–2019, 18 from 335). The reigning back-to-back Duck of the Year looks set for a third. Junior duckers Michaela and Anthony Karassellos already stand on 2 and 1. Ryan Silk was caught and bowled by John Rose for his first duck of the season, third career. On this day in 1968, Paul Bowles also made a duck, against Beverley CC, Kent. 🌱 Sunday 14 July Sunday 1st XI v Saltwood CC (away) Teddy Easthope struck twice. Alastair Allsworth went lbw at 7 for his first season duck, third career, 235th all-time — on this day in 1956, A Hughes made a nought against A.Trembeths. Allsworth's child Toby already has one career duck of his own. Alex Keeler followed, bowled by the same Easthope, for his first season duck and fourth career one, level with -Matthew Ward (2011–2012, 4 from 10). Thomas Beeney was caught Gooding bowled Reed at 9 for his first season duck and 38th career — 26th all-time, a Debutante Duck, 2014's Duck of the Year, and a Ducks on the Road regular. He and fellow Beeney, a parent-and-child pair on these pages, now share that very total of 38. No pairs, no king pairs, no family doubles this week — just seven honest individual contributions, top to bottom of the order. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 6 from 14 (42.86%) 2. Charles Curteis — 3 from 10 (30.00%) 3. Will Thew — 3 from 14 (21.43%) 4. Aaron Hughes — 3 from 17 (17.65%) 5. Michaela Karassellos — 2 from 2 (100.00%) The Karassellos household dominates the podium, so this year's crown looks like a family affair. Next fixture will surely add a few more names — see you there, and good luck avoiding the quack. 🦆

A quiet weekend at the crease, ducks fans, and not the good kind of quiet. Three fixtures out on the paddock this weekend and, remarkably, not a single member of the top order, middle order, or last-man-standing brigade could be bothered to walk back for nought. Eleven-a-side, three times over, and the zero club sat entirely unattended. Somewhere out there Tim Thirkell's 103 and every other career tally in the club ledger remain exactly where they were left on Friday night — untouched, unthreatened, unbothered. Even Duck Hunting Season specialist Michaela Karassellos, currently operating at a frankly alarming 100% strike rate for getting out cheaply, apparently found a way to trouble the scorers this week. Whatever's in the water at Linton Park, someone pass it round. 0️⃣ The Ducks That Got Away No golden ducks. No king pairs. No family affairs. No Duck and Ducklings, no Two of a Quack, no Full House moments. Just eleven-times-three players quietly getting off the mark and denying this correspondent a single line of copy. Frankly selfish. 📊 Week in Summary - Matches played: 3 - Ducks recorded: 0 - Vibes: suspiciously competent 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 5 ducks / 13 innings (38.46%) 2. Charles Curteis — 3 ducks / 10 innings (30.00%) 3. Will Thew — 3 ducks / 13 innings (23.08%) 4. Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks / 15 innings (20.00%) 5. Michaela Karassellos — 2 ducks / 2 innings (100.00%) John Karassellos still comfortably out in front for Duck of the Year honours, with Michaela's flawless 100% record lurking ominously should she get another knock in. The rest of the chasing pack will be relieved of nothing this week — no movement, no new members, no fresh entries on any honours board. The zero club remains an exclusive establishment, and this week it simply declined to open its doors. 🦆 Fear not — the season is young, the bowlers are hostile, and there is always next weekend. Get your pads on, get your gloves on, and may the odds be ever un-in-your-favour. See you at the next fixture, where normal service will surely resume.

Seven matches, seven ducks — the Zero Club kept its books tidy this week, with four different sides queuing up contributions to the exclusive nought column. Saturday 29 June — 1st XI At Meopham CC, Aaron Hughes was run out by George Williams at number 7 for his 3rd duck of the season and 3rd of a career now 36 innings deep, good for 232nd on the all-time list. He draws level with Alex Keeler, who played 2016–2019 and reached the same tally in 32 innings. A family trait, too — relative Toby Hughes already has a career duck of his own on the books. Sunday 30 June — a Woodcoombe hat-trick Three names went cheaply in the same Sunday 2nd XI fixture at Woodcoombe CC — a proper cluster of futility. Will Thew fell caught Ian Davies bowled Dave Burgin, his 3rd of the season and 32nd for the club from 227 innings, 34th all time, and a paid-up Debutante Duck club member with a Duck of the Year to his name from 2012. On this very date in 1956, R- Robinson was managing the same trick against St Lukes Maidstone CC. Charles Curteis went next, bowled Dave Burgin, his 3rd of the season and 9th of a career still finding its feet — level with Jack Gwynn, who took 56 innings across 2011–2017 to reach the same total, rather less efficiently. And John Karassellos completed the set, bowled Ian Davies, for his 5th duck of the season already — enough to put him top of the current Duck Hunting Season standings by daylight. Back-to-back Duck of the Year honours in 2018 and 2019 sit on his board, and he's now stringing together Ducks in a Row (5 consecutive) — ominous form. His 17th career duck draws him level with Clive Newman, who needed 371 innings across 1992–2012 to get there. Fellow Karassellos Michaela is keeping pace too, herself in this season's top five having ducked in both her innings so far. Monday 1 July — Twenty20 at Staplehurst Tobey Castle was bowled by Jacob Smith for his 1st duck of the campaign, his 16th for the club and 89th all time, level with Benjamin Austin (2011–2019, 108 innings). It rather runs in the family — sibling Mardey Castle and a parent-child link to David Castle, who has 47 career ducks of his own, keep the surname well represented. Midweek XI Jon Harris added to a truly formidable pile, bowled Callum Brown against Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC for his 94th career duck — 2nd on the all-time list and an honours board unto himself, with Full House, Homebody and Lone Duck top-ten places, four Duck of the Year titles, and shared quacking honours with both Jim Hall and Trevor Back. Family runs deep here too, with Richard Harris (36) and Martin Harris (29) also carrying career ducks. On this day in 2005, Jack Jenner was falling the same way against Bearsted CC. Luke Welsman kept the Midweek account ticking, bowled by A Reddon against Camellia PLC for his 2nd of the season and 32nd career duck, with a hat-trick of Duck of the Year titles from 2015, 2016 and 2017 already banked. Back in 1973 on this same date, Cliff Anscombe suffered identically against Northend Sunday. Week in summary Seven ducks from seven matches — steady, unspectacular, entirely on brand. Woodcoombe proved the happiest hunting ground with three in one innings, while the Meopham and Staplehurst fixtures each managed one apiece. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - John Karassellos — 5 ducks / 12 innings (41.67%) - Charles Curteis — 3 ducks / 10 innings (30.0%) - Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks / 13 innings (23.08%) - Will Thew — 3 ducks / 13 innings (23.08%) - Michaela Karassellos — 2 ducks / 2 innings (100.0%) John Karassellos sets the early pace in the Duck of the Year race — can anyone catch him before the next round of fixtures? The Zero Club never closes its doors. 🦆

Five fixtures, seven ducks, and one man deliberate enough to collect the same fate twice. The exclusive zero club has had a busy week. Saturday 22 June 1st XI at Bidborough CC: Darrell Houghton-Judge, stumped by Andy Healy off Daniel Page, went for nought at number 11 — the least surprising dismissal spot on the card. His 2nd duck of the season and 24th of an increasingly distinguished career, good for 59th on the all-time list and level with club stalwart Brian Piper, whose own 24 were gathered across a marathon 1973–2018 stint. Darrell remains an honourable one slot short of the Full House, having now failed at ten of the eleven batting positions — number 11 was presumably saving itself. 2nd XI at home to St Lawrence CC: John Karassellos, bowled by Tom Rowley, notched his 3rd duck of the season and 15th career nought, drawing level with Tobey Castle (2010–2019). John already wears the 2018 Duck of the Year crown and sits top of this year's race too — and it's a family trade, with kin Michaela Karassellos second in the season standings herself and Anthony Karassellos also carrying an entry in the ledger. Wednesday 26 June Midweek XI away at The Mote CC: chaos reigned early as Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan was run out by a fielder history has recorded only as "Unsure" — his 2nd of the season and 8th career duck, level with Carl Davis, who closed his own 1994–2009 innings on the very same tally before retiring on a duck himself. Kinship watchers will note his parent-child tie to Abishek Pushpavinothan, already 2 ducks into his own account. John Karassellos then returned to finish the job he'd started four days earlier, bowled by John Stokes for his 4th of the season and 16th career duck — a full pair to his name across St Lawrence and The Mote. Spookily, on this same calendar day in 1971, Andrew Moss also made a duck, against Tilling Steven, and likewise went on to sign off his career on a nought. Saturday 27 June — Twenty20 vs Bearsted CC Three fell in the same innings. Will Thew, caught behind off Alex Lush, made his 2nd of the season and 31st career duck. One place later Luke Welsman, caught off Mark Sandhu, added his 1st of the season but also his 31st career duck — level pegging with Thew to the very number. Both share an eerie historical echo too: on this same day in 1936, E Godden made a duck against these very same Bearsted opponents. Aaron Hughes completed the innings collapse, bowled by Dave Latter, for his 2nd duck of the season and his 2nd career duck overall — level with Abishek Pushpavinothan (2017–2019) — and keeping it in the family with a parent-child tie to fellow duck-holder Toby Hughes. The Week in Numbers Seven ducks from five matches, headlined by John Karassellos's pair across two different XIs, and Bearsted CC quietly helping themselves to three Linton wickets for nought in a single Twenty20 innings. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 4 ducks, 9 innings, 44% 2. Michaela Karassellos — 2 ducks, 2 innings, 100% 3. Anton Bourdillon — 2 ducks, 3 innings, 67% 4. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 2 ducks, 5 innings, 40% 5. Charles Curteis — 2 ducks, 8 innings, 25% Roll on next weekend — the bowlers will be sharpening up, and the zero club never turns a new member away. 🦆🏏

A quieter weekend in the fields of Kent, but the Club's ledger never truly rests. Four matches, four ducks, and one genuinely history-making entry among them. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI away at Penshurst Park CC Three fell in this one alone, a proper cluster for the collection. Anton Bourdillon departed lbw to Muhammed Farooqui at number five, his 2nd of the season and 7th of an LPCC career now standing at 19 innings. He draws level on career tally with Harrison Fermor, who played 2016–2019 and reached the same 7 in 27 innings — both, as it happens, paid-up members of the Debutante Duck club, having opened their Linton accounts with a nought some innings back. Then came the main event. Tim Thirkell, the Club's reigning and seemingly unassailable all-time duck king, fell lbw to Faizan Khan at seven — his 1st of this season but his 95th in a career of 950 innings, a lead nobody else is remotely troubling. The honours board groans under his name already: Duck of the Year 1972, Full House (a duck at every position 1-11, a feat of thoroughness rarely matched), and top-10 placings in both the Homebody and Lone Duck charts, plus Ducks on the Road and Quacking Together with Jim Hall. Fittingly, on this very day in 1969, Frank Brattle also strolled back for nought, against Bobbing Court CC. The Thirkell name runs deep in these annals too — son John on 90, siblings Nigel and Simon on 60 and 59 respectively — a family trade practised with some dedication. Rounding things off, Paul McAllister marked his very first LPCC innings the traditional way, stumped by Keith Stone off Muhammed Farooqui at number eight. A genuine debut duck, and straight onto the Debutante Duck board he goes. He joins "- Howard", whose entire 2006 career amounted to exactly this — one innings, one duck, and a swift enrolment in both One and Done and Retirement Duck. Let's hope Paul's story runs a little longer. 🌱 Sunday — 1st XI at home to The Mote CC Benjamin Austin was caught by Alex Presnell off James Barr at first drop, his 1st duck of the season and 16th of a 108-innings career, ranking 84th all-time. He draws level with Glen Rawson, who played 2005–2019 and took 299 innings to reach the same total — Benjamin rather more efficient in his pursuit of nought. The Austin name is no stranger to this club either, with sibling Jordan sat on 23 career ducks and father Mark on the board with 1. 📊 Week in Summary Four matches, four ducks, no pairs and no family affairs this time round, though Penshurst Park clearly brought the worst out of the 2nd XI's middle-to-lower order. Tim Thirkell simply extends a record that was never really in doubt. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Michaela Karassellos — 2 ducks in 2 innings (100%) 2. Anton Bourdillon — 2 ducks in 3 innings (66.67%) 3. Charles Curteis — 2 ducks in 7 innings (28.57%) 4. John Karassellos — 2 ducks in 7 innings (28.57%) 5. Richard Piper — 2 ducks in 10 innings (20.0%) Michaela sits pretty at the summit on a perfect record — can anyone dislodge her before the next round of fixtures? The ducks are out there, gentlemen and ladies. See you at the crease. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A quiet one on the calendar — just two Sunday fixtures — but the exclusive zero club still found room for two new certificates and one gleaming golden duck. Sunday 1st XI v Selling CC Richard Piper strolled out at first drop and departed without scoring, bowled by Benn Cox. It's his 2nd duck of the season and, more weightily, his 84th for the club — good enough for 5th in the all-time standings, a place of dubious distinction he's held for a good while now. Richard's honours cabinet is groaning under the weight of it: Duck of the Year 2003, a place in the Full House club (a duck at every position, 1 through 11), and top-ten residency in both the Homebody and Lone Duck charts. Keeping it in the family, father Brian sits on 24 career ducks and brother James on 18 — a household clearly bred for the art of not scoring. On this very day back in 1992, Matt Large — vintage 1985–2004, 63 ducks to his name and a repeat Duck of the Year winner across three different decades — was also trudging off against Hollingbourne CC. Some traditions run deep. Sunday NVKC v Borstal CC Lewis Burnham fell for nought, caught and bowled by Alex Porter off 4 balls — his 1st duck of the season and 12th for the club, slotting him in at 105th all-time. Lewis is a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell, though today was merely a Sunday outing rather than a send-off. He now sits level with Gareth Davies, who plied his trade from 2003 to 2013 and also settled on 12 career ducks, from 77 innings. Moments later Joshua Knowler followed him back, bowled by the rampant Alex Porter first ball faced — a proper golden duck, the purest ignominy the club offers. It's his 1st duck of the season and 30th of his career, moving him to 36th on the all-time list. Joshua's cabinet is a family affair too: a Diamond Duck from 2015 (out without facing a ball — clearly today brought back memories), Duck of the Year 2010, and a "Quacked by Kin" entry from that same year courtesy of Andrew Knowler. Father Richard Knowler carries 12 career ducks of his own, so the golden gene runs true. Joshua now draws level with Daniel Thirkell, 1993–2019 and 498 innings, also parked on 30. Week in Summary Two matches, three ducks, one of them golden. Alex Porter did the double on the Borstal ledger, seeing off both NVKC victims inside a handful of overs, while Richard Piper continues his stately climb up the all-time charts. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Michaela Karassellos — 2 ducks in 2 innings (100%) - Charles Curteis — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40%) - John Karassellos — 2 ducks in 7 innings (28.57%) - Richard Piper — 2 ducks in 9 innings (22.22%) - Anton Bourdillon — 1 duck in 2 innings (50%) Michaela sits imperiously on a flawless 100% strike rate — a standard for the rest of the club to fear rather than aspire to. The next fixture is never far away, and neither, one suspects, is the next nought. See you all out there. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Four fixtures, six new noughts joined the exclusive zero club this week — the art of not scoring alive and well at Linton Park. Saturday — 2nd XI at Horsmonden CC A quartet of ducks kept the scorebook interesting for all the wrong reasons. Darrell Houghton-Judge opened the account, run out at four for his 1st duck of the season and 23rd of a distinguished career, rank 64 of 1484 all time — a nearly-man on the Full House board, ducking 10 of 11 positions with one cruelly withheld. He joins Adam Jackson (2001-2018) level on 23. Harrison Fermor followed, caught behind for his 7th career duck, level with Mike Caddick (1993-2009). Harrison is a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his own first-ever innings years back, and the name runs deep — relative Toby Fermor already owns 2 career ducks. Fred Taylor departed run out for his 3rd career duck in only his 4th innings, an alarming rate, pulling level with Alex Keeler (2016-2019). Sibling George Taylor already carries 2 career ducks — the Taylors are quietly building a collection. John Karassellos closed proceedings at ten, caught and bowled for his 14th career duck and 2nd of the season, rank 93 of 1484 — a Ducks in a Row veteran (5 consecutive) and reigning Duck of the Year for 2018 and 2019 alike, a crown he defends as we speak. On this very day in 2002, Matthew Carter also fell to a Horsmonden duck. The Karassellos name runs deep too, with Michaela and Anthony both already club members. Sunday — 2nd XI at Chestfield CC Trevor Back, elder statesman of the honours board, added his 88th career duck lbw, still closing on top spot at rank 4 of 1484. A fixture of the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, he keeps distinguished company via Only Two Quacks with Allan Cooper and Quacking Together with Jon Harris. On this day in 1995, Paul Gibson also made a duck. Wednesday — Twenty20 v Bearsted CC Charles Curteis nicked off after 2 balls for his 8th career duck and 2nd of the season, levelling him with Carl Davis (1994-2009), a Retirement Duck club member. Week in summary Six ducks, four matches, Horsmonden CC doing the most damage with four in one innings. The Karassellos and Taylor households each fielded two duck-club members — ineptitude, like talent, runs in the family. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Michaela Karassellos — 2 ducks / 2 innings (100%) 2. Charles Curteis — 2 ducks / 4 innings (50%) 3. John Karassellos — 2 ducks / 6 innings (33.33%) 4. Anton Bourdillon — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) 5. Archie Fairfax-Ross — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) With John defending his crown and two dynasties in form, next weekend promises fresh names to the board. See you at the crease — or shortly after it. 🦆🍩

Four fixtures out on the paddock this weekend and the Duck Club, so often greedy, mustered just a single nought to its name. Rare restraint from Linton's batting order — or perhaps everyone simply forgot how to get out. Either way, one man carried the torch. 2nd XI — Home to Bearsted CC Anton Bourdillon, batting at 9, departed b Dave Latter to register his first duck of the 2019 season and the 6th of his LPCC career from 18 innings — a duck-rate nudging 33%, proof that "not scoring" is very much part of his game plan. He now sits 163rd of 1484 in the all-time standings, and is a long-standing paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his LPCC account with a nought on debut some seasons back. Anton draws level on exactly 6 career ducks with Adam Wright, who played 2011–2012 across 25 innings before bowing out with a duck of his own to seal Retirement Duck honours — good company to keep, even in ignominy. Week in Summary One duck from four matches is a positively abstemious return for the club — the flock stayed largely uncaptured this week. Elsewhere the season's serial offenders were resting up, no doubt sharpening the art of not scoring for the weeks ahead. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Michaela Karassellos — 2 innings, 2 ducks (100%) 2. Archie Fairfax-Ross — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 3. Anton Bourdillon — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) 4. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) 5. Toby Allsworth — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) Michaela and Archie sit on a flawless 100% strike rate for futility — the rest of the field still has work to do to catch them. Looking Ahead A quiet week by the exclusive zero club's standards, but the season is young and the ducks will surely return to roost. Get out there next weekend and give the honours board something to talk about — for all the wrong reasons. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Four fixtures out on the paddock this weekend, and the harvest was a modest but perfectly formed three. Two matches kept their noses clean; two didn't. Saturday — 2nd XI vs Four Elms CC (away) - Will Thew departed at first drop, bowled by Lee Shepherd for his 1st duck of the campaign and the 30th of a long and distinguished career in the exclusive zero club, across 217 innings. That parks him 41st on the all-time list and level on 30 with the redoubtable Daniel Thirkell, who ground out his own 30 across a marathon 494 innings between 1993 and 2019. Will remains a card-carrying member of the Debutante Duck board, having announced himself with a nought on his very first outing, and a former Duck of the Year back in 2012 — old glories, freshly dusted off. Sunday — 2nd XI vs Nurstead CC (away) A proper poultry double at Nurstead. - Toby Allsworth, in at 9, was bowled by Josh Guyler for his maiden LPCC duck — 1st of the season, 1st of the career, from just 8 innings, landing him 696th all-time. He joins - Howard on the same solitary tally, a 2006 one-and-done merchant who never got the chance to add a second. Toby will be hoping for a rather longer duck-hunting career than that. A chip off the old block too — his relative Alastair Allsworth already carries 2 career noughts of his own. - One place later at the crease, Michaela Karassellos fell to Chris Slater — her 2nd duck of the season and, remarkably, her 2nd from just 2 career innings, a flawless start to life in the zero club that puts her 359th all-time. She draws level on career ducks with Abishek Pushpavinothan, who reached the same tally across 18 innings between 2017 and 2019. Michaela is already a paid-up Debutante Duck, having opened her account with nought first time out — and with a parent and sibling both fellow members of this very club (13 and 1 career ducks respectively), the family tradition looks in very safe hands. Week in summary Three ducks from four matches — Saturday's 1st XI and Sunday's other fixture evaded capture entirely, keeping their scorecards disappointingly duck-free. Nurstead did the double, claiming two Linton wickets for absolutely nothing. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Michaela Karassellos — 2 ducks / 2 innings (100%) 2. Archie Fairfax-Ross — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) 3. Aaron Hughes — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) 4. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) 5. Toby Allsworth — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) Michaela leads the way with a perfect record nobody should be proud of and everybody secretly admires. Next fixture, same paddock, same opportunity for glory — who fancies joining the club? 🦆🏏

The 2019 season is barely a fortnight old and already the exclusive zero club has three fresh names to process. Four fixtures went ahead across the weekend, and honour was found in three of them — the art of not scoring is evidently back in mid-season form already. Saturday 11 May 1st XI away at Four Elms CC — John Karassellos departed for nought at number 10, bowled by Sean Teasdale after seeing off six balls. No golden duck this time, just the slow and dignified variety. It's his 1st duck of the season and 13th of an already storied career, moving him to 96th on the all-time list. He draws level on 13 with Joe Martin, who plied his trade 2004–1916... sorry, 2004–2016, across 86 innings — John needed only 51 to get there. A reigning Duck of the Year for 2018, his name is already inked into this year's Duck of the Year conversation too, and he remains one short of the full set on the Full House nearly-man board, having now ducked in 10 of the 11 batting positions. A member of the Ducks in a Row club as well, for good measure. 2nd XI at home to Farningham CC — Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan fell lbw to Richard Pleydell at number 4, his 1st duck of the campaign and 7th for the club, moving to 159th all-time from 35 innings. He now sits level on 7 with Charles Curteis, a 2016–2019 clubman who took 37 innings to reach the same mark — Thuraiappah rather more economical about it. Young Abishek Pushpavinothan, already 2 career ducks to his name, may yet make it a family tradition. Sunday 12 May 1st XI away to Ash CC — a debut to remember for all the wrong reasons as Michaela Karassellos, playing her first-ever senior innings, was caught and bowled by Charlie Laslett at number 10 without troubling the scorers. A textbook Debutante Duck, straight onto the honours board on day one. She joins "- Howard", a one-and-done stalwart of 2006 whose entire Linton career amounted to a single innings and a single duck — good company for a first outing, if not the company most would choose. Fittingly, her father John Karassellos was out for nought himself just a day earlier at Four Elms — clearly a family with zero in the blood, even if not, strictly, on the same scorecard. The Numbers Three ducks from four matches this weekend. No pairs, no king pairs, and no family doubles landed in the same match this time — though the Karassellos household came close enough across the two days to raise an eyebrow. Duck Hunting Season 2019 — Early Leaderboard - Archie Fairfax-Ross — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Michaela Karassellos — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Aaron Hughes — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - John Karassellos — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) Early days yet, plenty of season left for the pecking order to shuffle. The fixtures keep coming, and so, inevitably, will the ducks — see you all next weekend for the next instalment of Linton's finest tradition of failure. 🦆 0️⃣ 🏏

Slim pickings this weekend, but the Duck Club never turns away a single quality quack, and this one carried some proper pedigree. Saturday 4th May 1st XI away at Bidborough CC — Richard Piper strode out at number 2 and departed just as briskly, run out by Rob Ackermann for a duck. His 1st of the 2019 season and, more weightily, his 83rd career duck from 757 innings — good enough for 5th place in the all-time standings, a rarefied altitude few will ever trouble. Richard arrives with the honours board practically groaning under his name: Duck of the Year 2003, a fixture of both the Ducks on the Road and Homebody Duck top tens (equally committed to failure home or away, a true professional), and — rarest of all — a certified Full House member, having now been dismissed for nought in every position from 1 to 11. Consistency, of a very particular kind. There's poultry in the blood too — Richard's father Brian carries 24 career ducks of his own and brother James a further 18, so this one was never going to skip a generation. And fittingly, on this very day back in 1969, Stan Wratten also strolled back for nought, against Bobbing Court CC no less. Stan racked up 35 ducks across his 1943–1984 span, good for 30th all-time, and sits in the Quacking Together club alongside John Ames. Fifty years apart, same fixture window, same particular art of not scoring. Sunday 5th May A quieter affair — the second fixture of the weekend passed off entirely duck-free, every batter getting off the mark. A rare mercy, and no doubt a temporary one. Week in Summary One duck from two matches — the Duck Club kept its powder dry this weekend, but with Richard Piper closing in on the all-time podium, normal service should resume shortly. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 - Aaron Hughes — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Archie Fairfax-Ross — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Charles Curteis — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - Mark Christmas — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Richard Piper — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) Early days yet in the 2019 hunt, with three names sitting on a perfect record. Plenty of season left for the pack to make its move — see you all, ducks permitting, at the next fixture 🏏0️⃣

A quiet week for the Duck Club numerically, but a fixture at West Farleigh CC still found two Linton batsmen for the exclusive zero club. Sunday NVKC away, and the ledger duly opened for the 2019 season. Sunday NVKC v West Farleigh CC (away) - Aaron Hughes, promoted to four, was trapped lbw by William Norman — his first duck of the season and, as it happens, his first in senior cricket full stop, nudging his career tally to 1 from 24 innings (432nd of 1479 all time). He pulls level on that solitary duck with the enigmatic "- Howard", a one-and-done man of 2006 whose entire career amounted to a single innings and a single nought before quietly retiring — Debutante Duck, One and Done and Retirement Duck all in one tidy package. Aaron will hope to build a longer story than that. Worth noting the surname already has pedigree in the club records — kinsman Toby Hughes also sits on exactly one career duck, so the Hugheses are off to a matching start in the wrong column. - Mark Christmas, in at five, fell caught and bowled to Wyn Barnardo, his first duck of the season and 35th of an illustrious career spanning 389 innings — good enough for 28th on the all-time chart. A two-time honours-board fixture already, Mark carries a Duck of the Year 2008 gong and the unwanted distinction of Full House nearly-man, having ducked at ten of the eleven batting positions and stubbornly refusing to complete the set. He draws level on 35 with Matthew Carter (2002–2018), himself a Duck of the Year alumnus from 2004 — proper company for a player of Mark's poultry pedigree. Week in summary One match, two ducks, West Farleigh CC evidently bowling with intent. No pairs, no family affairs, no king ducks this week — just two honest contributions to the cause. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 - Aaron Hughes — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Archie Fairfax-Ross — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Charles Curteis — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Mark Christmas — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% Early days yet — the season's still finding its feet, and with everyone locked at a flawless 100% strike rate, the race for Duck of the Year 2019 is anybody's to lose. 🍩 Next fixture awaits, and with it, no doubt, fresh recruits to the club. Pads on, bats ready, standards suitably low. 0️⃣🏏

A quiet opening to proceedings this week, but the exclusive zero club still found two willing new entrants, both courtesy of the same Sunday afternoon at Cowdrey CC. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI — Cowdrey CC (h) First to the crease and first to fall was Archie Fairfax-Ross, in at first drop and back in the shed almost as quickly, caught Gautam Juneja off the bowling of Ben Metcalf. It's duck number one of the 2019 campaign for Archie, and the 2nd of his career from 13 innings — a tally that now sits him at 294th of 1479 in the all-time list, level with Abishek Pushpavinothan, who reached the same total in 17 innings back in 2017–18 before signing off with the Retirement Duck to his name. Archie has time yet before anyone starts drafting his farewell speech. Down at number six, Charles Curteis kept the entertainment going, bowled by the same Gautam Juneja — a tidy afternoon's work for Juneja, on the honours board himself now as both fielder and finisher. Charles's duck is his 1st of the season and 7th for the career from 35 innings, moving him to 150th of 1479 all time, drawing level with Mike Caddick, whose own 7 ducks were gathered across a marathon 127 innings between 1993 and 2009. Charles has got there rather more efficiently, for what that's worth in this particular league table. 📊 Week in Summary Two matches, two ducks, both from the same game — Cowdrey CC clearly fancied their chances against Linton's middle order, and Gautam Juneja had a hand, quite literally, in both dismissals. No pairs, no golden ducks, no family affairs to report this week, just two honest additions to the season's tally. Early days yet, but the Duck Hunting Season is officially open. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Archie Fairfax-Ross — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 2. Charles Curteis — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% A leaderboard built for two, and both perfectly, gloriously, 100% committed to the art of not scoring. Plenty of season left for the field to catch them up — or, more likely, join them. Next fixture beckons, and with it the ever-present chance of history: a king pair, a family affair, or another name added to the honours board. The Duck Club never sleeps. 🦆🍩0️⃣