🦆 The Duck Pond

A rare and troubling sight this week at Linton Park: the ducks have gone to ground. One solitary fixture played, and not a single nought to show for it. All parties, it seems, managed the bare minimum requirement of getting off the mark — a genuinely alarming outbreak of competence. The exclusive zero club held no admissions this week, no honours boards were troubled, and the art of not scoring was, disappointingly, not practised by anyone. We shan't pretend this isn't unsettling. A season built on the reliable rhythm of arrivals and swift departures has hit a rare quiet patch. Somewhere out there, half-forward and playing no shot, a duck went unclaimed. The Committee views this as a temporary aberration rather than a trend, and requests are already in for a return to normal service. 0️⃣ Week in summary: 1 match, 0 ducks, 0 honours boards disturbed. A blank page in the ledger — enjoy it while it lasts, because it never does. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 2021 - 🥇 Jordan Austin — 5 ducks from 22 innings (22.73%) - 🥈 Aaron Hughes — 5 ducks from 43 innings (11.63%) - 🥉 Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks from 6 innings (a startling 66.67%) - Mardey Castle — 4 ducks from 22 innings (18.18%) - Tobey Castle — 4 ducks from 45 innings (8.89%) Anton Bourdillon remains the statistical marvel of the season — two ducks in every three visits to the crease is dedication bordering on vocation. Jordan Austin and Aaron Hughes sit level at the summit with 5 apiece, and with the season winding down, the race for Duck of the Year is very much alive. 🏏 Next time out, normal service will surely resume — bails will fly, ducks will hatch, and someone somewhere will middle it straight to short leg. Get down to the ground and see who's added to the collection. The zero club never sleeps for long. 🦆 Until then — quack on.

A single, solitary sighting from the hunting ground this week — but a golden one, and golden ducks are always worth the ceremony. 1st XI — away at The Mote CC Anthony Karassellos strode out at number five and departed without troubling the scorers, bowled by Matthew White off the very first ball he faced — a proper golden duck, the purest and swiftest form of ignominy the game offers. It's his 2nd duck of the 2021 season and the 5th of his career from 56 innings, lodging him at 188th of 1516 in the club's all-time roll of dishonour. Anthony is also a card-carrying member of the Full House club, having now collected a duck in every position from 1 to 11 — a completeness of failure most batters never achieve. And yes, he's a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck society too, though that particular nought was filed away seasons ago, not today. Keeping it in the family, father John Karassellos carries 30 career ducks of his own and sister Michaela a further 3 — clearly a household that takes its ducks seriously. On the all-time ledger, Anthony now sits level on exactly 5 career ducks with Abishek Pushpavinothan, who played for Linton between 2017 and 2021, reached the same tally in 50 innings, and sits one place above at 185th — Abishek, for what it's worth, bowed out of his Linton career on a duck of his own, a solemn honour reserved for the Retirement Duck club. Week in summary One match, one duck — a lean harvest, but quality over quantity, and a golden one at that. Nothing beats the theatre of a first-baller to keep the Duck Club's standards high. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Jordan Austin — 22 inns, 5 ducks (22.73%) - Aaron Hughes — 42 inns, 5 ducks (11.90%) - Anton Bourdillon — 6 inns, 4 ducks (66.67%) - Mardey Castle — 22 inns, 4 ducks (18.18%) - Tobey Castle — 45 inns, 4 ducks (8.89%) Anton Bourdillon's two-thirds duck rate remains a standing rebuke to the rest of the top five — truly the art of not scoring, perfected. Fixtures roll on, and the Duck Club never sleeps 🦆🏏 — see you next weekend for the next round of nought-scoring nobility. 0️⃣

Slim pickings this week, but the Duck Club never truly rests — one match, one arrival, and the exclusive zero club welcomes its latest inductee. 🏏 Friendly XI — away at Selling CC Batting at six, Nolan Wilde did what Nolan Wilde apparently does best this season: departed for nought, caught Kashif Anwar, bowled James Balicki. This is his 3rd duck of the campaign and takes his career tally to a tidy 4, good enough for 228th of 1516 in the all-time standings — proof, if any were needed, that consistency comes in more than one flavour. Nolan now sits level on career ducks with -Matthew Ward, who plied his trade for Linton between 2011 and 2012 and reached the same figure of 4 in just 10 innings. Ward got there quicker, but Nolan's still got innings left to close the gap — or extend the lead, this being the Duck Club. 📊 Week in Summary One match, one duck, one lonely soldier flying the flag for the art of not scoring. A quiet weekend by Duck Club standards — no pairs, no family affairs, no honours-board fireworks — but every nought counts, and Nolan's third of the season keeps him firmly on the club's radar heading into the business end of the year. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard — Top 5 - Jordan Austin — 5 ducks in 22 innings (22.73%) - Aaron Hughes — 5 ducks in 42 innings (11.9%) - Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks in 6 innings (66.67%) — a frankly alarming strike rate - Mardey Castle — 4 ducks in 22 innings (18.18%) - Tobey Castle — 4 ducks in 45 innings (8.89%) Anton Bourdillon remains the season's most efficient collector by some distance — two ducks for every three trips to the crease is a rate the rest of the club can only admire from a safe distance. 🦆 Looking Ahead The season's drawing in but the Duck Club's books stay open till the last ball's bowled. Who joins Nolan in the zero club next time out? Get out there, middle it or don't — either way, we're watching. 0️⃣🏏

Two fixtures out on the paddock this weekend, and the ducks proved remarkably elusive — only one addition to the exclusive zero club this time round. Quality over quantity, as any true collector will tell you. Friendly XI Sunday's trip to face Kent Royals (Hollingbourne) CC brought the weekend's lone casualty. Michaela Karassellos, in at number 9, was bowled by Gul Khan Hashmat for the 1st duck of her season and the 3rd of her career from just 4 innings — a startling duck rate that plants her at 279th of 1515 in the all-time standings. Michaela is already a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having ducked on debut at some point in her still-fledgling career, and with parent John Karassellos sitting on 30 career quacks and sibling Anthony on 4, the art of not scoring clearly runs in the family. She now draws level on career ducks with Archie Fairfax-Ross, who plied his trade 2018–2021 across 32 innings for the same tally of 3 (245th all-time) — welcome to the club, Michaela. Week in Summary A quiet one — just a single duck from two matches, proof that even the Duck Club takes the occasional rest week. Normal service will surely resume shortly. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Jordan Austin — 5 ducks, 22 innings, 22.73% 2. Aaron Hughes — 5 ducks, 41 innings, 12.20% 3. Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks, 6 innings, 66.67% 🍩 4. Mardey Castle — 4 ducks, 22 innings, 18.18% 5. Tobey Castle — 4 ducks, 45 innings, 8.89% Anton Bourdillon's strike rate remains a thing of dubious beauty — four ducks from six visits to the crease is triumph through adversity of the very highest order. See you at the next fixture, where the Duck Club always finds room for new recruits. Bring your bat. Or don't — clearly it's optional. 🦆0️⃣

A single Linton fixture out on the park today, and for once the Duck Club must report… nothing. Not a solitary nought to its name. Every batsman who walked to the crease walked back having troubled the scorers at least once — a genuinely rare and slightly unsettling state of affairs for this parish. 0️⃣ The exclusive zero club stayed exclusive by staying empty. No new entrants, no honours board movements, no golden ducks, no pairs, no family affairs to toast. The art of not scoring took the day off, which frankly feels more newsworthy than most ducks we report. Do not mistake this for the season going soft, however — the campaign has plenty of ducks banked already, and the leaderboard below shows the standard is not slipping. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏆 - 🥇 Jordan Austin — 5 ducks in 22 innings (22.73%) - 🥈 Aaron Hughes — 5 ducks in 40 innings (12.5%) - 🥉 Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks in 6 innings (66.67% — a truly ferocious strike rate for all the wrong reasons) - 4th Mardey Castle — 4 ducks in 22 innings (18.18%) - 5th Tobey Castle — 4 ducks in 45 innings (8.89%, consistency of a very particular kind) Anton Bourdillon deserves a special mention in dispatches — two ducks in every three visits to the crease is triumph through adversity of the highest order, and he'll be desperate to add to it before Jordan and Aaron pull clear at the summit. 📅 Looking ahead A quiet week for the Duck Club is, if anything, more ominous than a busy one — the ducks are surely just regrouping. Get out there next weekend, LPCC, and give the correspondent something to write about. The zero club never sleeps for long. 🦆🏏

A five-day flurry saw six ducks laid across three fixtures, with the Castle family and the ever-reliable Hughes household doing most of the damage. Read on. 🏏 Saturday 4th — 1st XI v Bearsted CC (h) Tobey Castle fell for 2 balls faced, caught Will Terry off Miles Henslow — his 4th of the season and 22nd of a long career, sliding him to 73rd on the all-time list. That tally puts him level with Alan Boyns (1986–2016, 219 innings), a fellow member of the exclusive 22 Club. Moments later Aaron Hughes edged Miles Henslow's next victim behind, caught Dave Shutt, for his own 4th of the season and 9th career duck — drawing level with Alex Keeler (2016–2021) on 9. Aaron wasn't done for the weekend, mind — more below. And at number 9, Mardey Castle was lbw to Ben Johnston after 6 balls of defiance, his 4th of the season and 6th career, joining the late-career company of -Adam Wright (2011–2012) on the same total. 🍩 A Family Occasion: with Tobey and Mardey both back in the pavilion for nought in the same innings, the Castle boys claim a rare Two of a Quack — brothers united in failure. Their father David Castle sits on 48 career ducks of his own, so the apple, one might say, has not fallen far from the tree. 🥇 Sunday 5th — Sunday 1st XI v Wingham CC (h) Aaron Hughes opened the batting and the misery both, bowled by Jason Cork for 5 balls faced — his 5th duck of the season and 10th of his career. On this very day back in 1970, David T Lowen also made a duck, against A.Trembeths, so Aaron keeps fine historical company. With ducks on both Saturday and Sunday, Aaron completes a grim weekend pair — not the King variety, but a fair effort at consistency of a very particular kind. His sons Toby (4 career ducks) and Will (1) are already paid-up members too — clearly a family with a gift for the art of not scoring. 🏏 Wednesday 8th — Midweek XI v The Mote CC (a) Benjamin Austin was bowled by Ajith Peethambaran for his 3rd duck of the season and 21st of his career, level with Dave Todd (1978–2014, 235 innings) on the same tally. Benjamin is already a long-standing Debutante Duck honours-board member from a past first-innings nought, and keeps it in the family too — brother Jordan Austin carries 32 career ducks, son Mark Austin has 1. And a genuine arrival: Louis Turney, on debut, was bowled by Keith Alexander to open his account with a duck on his very first senior innings — his 1st ever, and instantly a Debutante Duck club member, joining -Howard (2006) on the books for company. 📊 Week in Summary Six ducks, three fixtures, one proper family occasion. The Castles supplied a Two of a Quack, the Hugheses a weekend pair, and Linton Park welcomed a brand new Debutante in Louis Turney. The zero club continues to recruit generously. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Jordan Austin — 22 inns, 5 ducks, 22.73% 2. Aaron Hughes — 40 inns, 5 ducks, 12.5% 3. Anton Bourdillon — 6 inns, 4 ducks, 66.67% 4. Mardey Castle — 22 inns, 4 ducks, 18.18% 5. Tobey Castle — 45 inns, 4 ducks, 8.89% Anton Bourdillon's 66.67% remains a formidable statistic — four ducks from six knocks is triumph through adversity if ever there was one. Next fixture looms, and with it more candidates for the honours board. Bring your bats, gentlemen — or don't bother, some might say. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Only three ducks were laid across the weekend's five fixtures, but each one earned its place on the honours board — quality over quantity, as any Duck Club statistician will tell you. 🥇 Saturday 1st XI v Meopham CC — William Roxburgh departed for nought at number 2, bowled by none other than his own kin, Adam Roxburgh. A proper family affair, and it lands William squarely on the "Quacked by Kin" board for 2021 — dismissed by blood is a special kind of ignominy. It's his 2nd duck of the season and 3rd for his career from 30 innings, ranking 299th of 1,513 all-time. He's level with Archie Fairfax-Ross, who played 2018-2021 and reached the same tally in the very same 30 innings — kindred spirits separated only by time. William's sibling Thomas Roxburgh already carries 2 career ducks of his own, so the family clearly has previous. 🦆 Sunday 1st XI v Holmesdale CC — Wes Fernandez fell to Cameron Lindsay for his 1st duck of the season and career, from just 2 innings, sitting 729th of 1,513 all-time. He joins "- Howard", whose entire senior career in 2006 amounted to a single innings and a single duck — a Debutante Duck, One and Done, and Retirement Duck all in one sitting. Wes has time yet to avoid that particular treble. 2nd XI v Battle CC — Alistair Mills, a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first innings, edged Laurence Flint through to Jo Carthew's gloves for his 2nd duck of the season and career from just 3 innings. He draws level on 2 with Alan Probert, who reached the same mark in exactly 2 innings back in 2008-09 before promptly retiring on one himself. 0️⃣ Week in Summary Five matches, three ducks — a quiet weekend by the Duck Club's usual voracious standards, though the Roxburghs kept the flame of family ignominy well and truly lit. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Jordan Austin — 5 ducks in 21 innings (23.81%) 2. Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks in 6 innings (66.67%) 3. John Karassellos — 3 ducks in 9 innings (33.33%) 4. Abishek Pushpavinothan — 3 ducks in 12 innings (25.0%) 5. Mardey Castle — 3 ducks in 21 innings (14.29%) Anton Bourdillon's two-thirds strike rate remains the stuff of nightmares — and legend. 🍩 Next fixtures loom, and with them, fresh candidates for the honours board. The Duck Club never sleeps. 🦆🏏

Slim pickings this week, ducklings — five fixtures across the club yielded just the two visits to the crease of shame. Quality over quantity, as ever, in the exclusive zero club. 🏏 Midweek XI Out at home to Birmingham Bulls on the 26th, Toby Joseph departed for nought at first drop, bowled by Pritpal. It's duck number 2 of his season and, handily, duck number 2 of his career too, from just 5 innings — parking him at 403 of 1512 in the all-time standings. That tally sits him level with Alan Probert, whose brief but eventful 2008–2009 stint also yielded exactly 2 ducks from 2 innings — Probert managed the rare double of a Debutante Duck and a Retirement Duck, bookending his LPCC career with precisely nothing. Toby isn't retiring anytime soon, but he is a chip off the family block — sibling Andrew Joseph is also a paid-up duck club member, sat on 2 career noughts of his own. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI At home to Sheldwich CC, Luke Welsman survived four deliveries before Harry Harding had the final word, bowled at number five. It's duck number 3 for the season and the 36th of an extensive Linton career spanning 249 innings, keeping him at a lofty 28th of 1512 all time. Luke is, of course, a three-time Duck of the Year man (2015, 2016 and 2017) and a card-carrying Debutante Duck honouree, plus a nearly-man who once fell one position short of the coveted Full House — so this one barely dents the honours board, merely business as usual for a club stalwart. On this very day back in 1953, J Barclay made a duck of his own against Charles Arkcoll — the reigning Duck of the Year 1953, who himself bowed out of the game on a nought. 📊 Week in Summary Two ducks from five matches — a quiet week by Linton's usual standards of self-sacrifice. No pairs, no family affairs this time round, just two lone soldiers doing their bit for the cause of not scoring. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Jordan Austin — 5 ducks / 21 innings (23.81%) 2. Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks / 6 innings (66.67%) 3. John Karassellos — 3 ducks / 9 innings (33.33%) 4. Abishek Pushpavinothan — 3 ducks / 12 innings (25.0%) 5. Mardey Castle — 3 ducks / 20 innings (15.0%) Anton Bourdillon's blistering 66.67% strike rate remains the one to watch — triumph through adversity, perfected. Next fixture beckons, and with it fresh opportunity for the zero club to swell its ranks. See you at the crease — or, more likely, on the way back from it. 🦆🍩

Five fixtures, four ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomes its latest inductees. A quieter week on the quacking front by Linton standards, but quality over quantity, as ever, was not really the point. 🏏 Saturday — Speldhurst & Bearsted At Speldhurst CC, last man Richard Knowler did his number 11 duty in style, trapped lbw by James Waters. It's his first duck of the season and the 13th of a career now standing at 165 innings, good enough for 98th of 1512 on the all-time list. He draws level on 13 with Joe Martin, who played 2004–2016 in 86 innings and, rather fittingly, is a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club himself. Elsewhere in the family tree, Knowler's kin Joshua Knowler already carries 31 career noughts of his own, so the aptitude is evidently hereditary. Away at Bearsted CC, Darrell Houghton-Judge edged behind off Tom Mullins, caught by Simon Barker, for his second duck of the season and 31st of his career. That's 38th on the all-time roll of dishonour, and it sits him level with Craig Sands, a fixture of the 2002–2020 era across 483 innings. Darrell also remains a Full House nearly-man, having ducked in ten of the eleven batting positions — position 11 the one stubborn holdout. 🌱 Sunday — Hythe Sunday 1st XI travelled to Hythe CC where Abishek Pushpavinothan holed out caught and bowled to Cameron Potter, his third duck of the season and fifth of his career from 49 innings, ranking 184th of 1512. He joins Engarshal Sinnaraja, who reached the same tally in just 15 innings across 2017–2018. Abishek is also a longstanding name on the Retirement Duck honours board from a past campaign, and keeps company with kinsman Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan, who has ten career ducks of his own. 🌙 Midweek — Tunbridge Wells Wednesday The floodlit fixture against Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC brought the club's most decorated repeat offender back to the crease. John Karassellos was bowled by A Watts for his third duck of the season, his 30th overall, and 43rd on the all-time list. A three-time Duck of the Year (2018, 2019, 2020) and owner of five ducks in a row at his peak, John joins Daniel Thirkell, a Tourist Duck top-10 mainstay who reached 30 across a mighty 529 innings between 1993 and 2021. The Karassellos name runs deep in these parts too, with Anthony and Michaela both already established members of the club. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks from five matches, one apiece across Saturday, Sunday and Midweek — the ducks spread their attentions evenly this week, sparing nobody a particular grudge. No pairs, no king pairs, no family affairs to report, just steady, professional application of the art of not scoring. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Jordan Austin — 5 ducks / 21 innings (23.81%) 2. Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks / 6 innings (66.67%) 3. John Karassellos — 3 ducks / 9 innings (33.33%) 4. Abishek Pushpavinothan — 3 ducks / 12 innings (25.00%) 5. Mardey Castle — 3 ducks / 17 innings (17.65%) Anton Bourdillon's strike rate remains a thing of dubious beauty, and the top five is far from settled with plenty of season left to play. 🍩 Fixtures resume shortly, and with them the inevitable next additions to the honours board. Bring your bats, gentlemen — the ducks are watching. 🦆0️⃣

A quiet week for the exclusive zero club — three matches played, and only one of them cared to contribute. Frindsbury CC away proved the sole hunting ground, but what it lacked in volume it made up for in pedigree. 🏏 Sunday 2nd XI v Frindsbury CC Toby Joseph, in at five, was held at slip — ct Bailey Driver b Tom Pike — for his maiden LPCC duck, his 1st of the season and 1st of a career now three innings young (716th of 1511 all time). He arrives on exactly the tally of "- Howard", a strict one-and-done from 2006 whose entire Linton career was a single innings, a single duck, and a swift retirement — not the omen anyone wants for a debutant, but a fine bit of company to keep on the honours board nonetheless. Toby's sibling Andrew already carries 2 career ducks of his own, so the Joseph name is quietly building a presence in these pages. Then, batting eleven and presumably just trying to get everyone home for tea, Tim Thirkell fell lbw to Stewart Bromley. Season duck number 1 — but career duck number 96, extending a lead that was already untouchable. Tim sits at #1 of 1511 in the all-time standings, the reigning and seemingly permanent monarch of Linton noughts, a Full House member (a duck at every position 1 through 11, positional completism at its most magnificent), a fixture of the Lone Duck, Homebody Duck and Ducks on the Road top tens, Duck of the Year back in 1972, and one half of Quacking Together with the late great Jim Hall. On this very day in 1998, Richard Piper — himself no stranger to these pages on 87 — was doing exactly the same thing against Bearsted CC. Some traditions simply repeat on the calendar. Worth noting too that Tim bats in genuinely elite family company — father John Thirkell (90), and siblings and kin stacking up ducks of their own — a dynasty built, in part, on the art of not scoring. 📊 Week in Summary Two ducks, three matches, one unfortunate fixture bearing the entire weight. The 1st and 3rd XIs kept their noses clean this week — whether through good form or good fortune, only next weekend's scorecards will tell. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Jordan Austin — 5 ducks / 19 innings (26.3%) - Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks / 6 innings (66.7%) - Mardey Castle — 3 ducks / 15 innings (20.0%) - Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks / 29 innings (10.3%) - Tobey Castle — 3 ducks / 34 innings (8.8%) Anton Bourdillon's rate remains genuinely alarming — two in three innings ending in nought is either terrible luck or a special kind of dedication. 🦆 The season rolls on, and with it the next fixture's inevitable haul. Bats up, ducks incoming — see you at the crease.

Four fixtures out on the paddock this week, and the Duck Club had precisely one specimen to show for it. Slim pickings for the collection, but quality over quantity — and Beckenham CC's James Ronay made sure the trip wasn't entirely wasted. Development — home v Beckenham CC, Thursday 5 August Anthony Karassellos, sent in at number 11, departed b James Ronay for his 4th career duck (44 innings) and his 1st of the 2021 season — a modest but respectable 211th of 1511 in the all-time table. A long-serving paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his actual first-ever knock years back, and a Full House honouree with a duck logged at every position 1 through 11 — rather fitting that this latest one should arrive from the No.11 slot itself. He now sits level on exactly 4 career ducks with Matthew Ward, who played 2011–2012 across 10 innings — welcome to the club, Anthony, or rather, welcome back. Worth a footnote for the family archive too: father John Karassellos already carries 29 career ducks and sister Michaela a tidy 2 of her own. The apple, evidently, doesn't fall far from the crease. Week in summary The other three fixtures were, disappointingly, a vegan affair — not a single nought to be found anywhere else on the card. One duck from four matches is about as close to a clean sheet as this club ever gets, and frankly it makes the committee nervous. Someone, somewhere, is overdue. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Jordan Austin — 18 inns, 5 ducks (27.78%) - Anton Bourdillon — 6 inns, 4 ducks (66.67%) 🍩 - Mardey Castle — 14 inns, 3 ducks (21.43%) - Aaron Hughes — 28 inns, 3 ducks (10.71%) - Tobey Castle — 32 inns, 3 ducks (9.38%) Anton Bourdillon remains the season's most efficient collector by some distance — two-thirds of his innings ending in the exclusive zero club is a rate the rest of the field can only admire from a respectful distance. Fixtures resume next weekend, and with them, no doubt, fresh additions to the honours board. Pads on, guard taken, destiny — as ever — pending. 🦆0️⃣

Slim pickings this week from the Duck Hunting fields of Linton Park — but the exclusive zero club never turns away a single application, however modest the harvest. 1st XI v Shipbourne CC (away) Batting at six, Thomas Roxburgh became this week's sole inductee, caught Angus Willis off the bowling of Ryan Redman for nought. It's his 1st duck of the 2021 campaign and the 2nd of his LPCC career from 19 innings — a tally that sits him at 401st of 1511 in the all-time standings, proof that the art of not scoring takes practice even in modest doses. Thomas joins Alan Probert on exactly 2 career ducks apiece — Probert reached his in the same 2 innings back in 2008–2009, before promptly departing the club on the Retirement Duck, having already opened his account with a Debutante Duck. Efficient, if nothing else. Keep an eye on sibling William Roxburgh too, already quietly amassing 2 career noughts of his own — a family affair may yet be brewing on the honours board. Elsewhere, the day's second fixture passed off as a thoroughly vegan affair — not a feather ruffled, not a duck in sight. Sometimes the birds simply refuse to be caught. Week in Summary Two matches, one lone casualty. A quiet weekend by Duck Club standards — consistency of a very particular kind, just not quite enough of it. The zero club will be back in business soon enough; it always is. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks, 6 inns (66.67%) 🍩 - Jordan Austin — 5 ducks, 17 inns (29.41%) - Mardey Castle — 3 ducks, 12 inns (25.0%) - Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks, 26 inns (11.54%) - Tobey Castle — 3 ducks, 29 inns (10.34%) Anton Bourdillon continues to set the pace with a frankly alarming strike rate for scoring nothing at all — a two-thirds duck ratio is triumph through adversity if ever there was one. 🏏 Next weekend brings fresh opportunity for glorious failure — the crease awaits, and so does the Duck Club. See you out there. 0️⃣🦆

A quiet week for the exclusive zero club — five fixtures out on the paddock, but the poultry stayed largely uncaptured this time round. Just the one nought worthy of the honours board, though it's a decent one. 2nd XI Away at Sissinghurst CC on Saturday 17th, William Roxburgh strode out at number 2 and was sent packing b Gary Nutbourne without troubling the scorers — his 1st duck of the 2021 season and 2nd of his career from 20 innings, a tidy 10% strike rate in the art of not scoring 🍩. That places him 408th of 1511 in the all-time standings, drawing him level with Alan Probert, who banked the same 2 career ducks in a brisk 2 innings across his fleeting 2008–2009 stay — a Debutante Duck and a Retirement Duck both, the rare sort who arrived and departed the club on matching pairs of nothing. William, with a fuller 20 innings to his name, is taking the scenic route to the same total. Keeping it in the family, William already holds the "Quacked by Kin" honour from earlier this season courtesy of kinsman Adam Roxburgh, and carries the bloodline further still with sibling Thomas Roxburgh sitting on a career duck of his own. The Roxburghs, it would seem, hunt in pairs 🦆. Week in brief 5 matches, 1 duck — the ducks evidently had other engagements this week. Sissinghurst can at least claim the week's only scalp, and Gary Nutbourne pockets a tidy piece of Duck Club history for his trouble. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏏 - Jordan Austin — 5 ducks in 17 innings (29.41%) - Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks in 6 innings (66.67%) - Mardey Castle — 3 ducks in 11 innings (27.27%) - Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks in 25 innings (12.00%) - Tobey Castle — 3 ducks in 28 innings (10.71%) Anton Bourdillon's 66.67% remains the standard nobody wants to chase, though the field is bunching nicely behind Jordan Austin at the top. A slim week overall — but the season's still young, and the coop rarely stays quiet for long. Next fixture, the hunt resumes. See you all out there 🦆0️⃣

Six matches, six ducks, and the Austin household doing rather more than its fair share this week. On with the carnage. Sunday 11th — Sunday 2nd XI away at Bredgar CC Benjamin Austin opened the week's account, caught and bowled by Jack Louden for a two-ball duck — his 2nd of the season and 20th of a well-stocked Linton career. That tally draws him level with James Piper (1998–2021), who took 367 innings to reach the same number Benjamin has managed in 148 — some batters simply commit harder. Benjamin keeps company on the family honours boards too, with brother Jordan (32 career ducks) and kinsman Mark Austin (1) both paid-up members. Keep that name in mind — it comes up again. Wednesday 14th — Midweek XI away at Penshurst Park CC A miserable middle-and-lower-order collapse into the zero column. Nolan Wilde went first, caught Ranson bowled Conway, his 2nd of the season and 3rd career duck in just 20 innings — level with Anthony Karassellos (2017–2021), who needed 43 innings and picked up a Full House board along the way. Two wickets later Mardey Castle followed, his 3rd of the season and 5th career duck, matching Engarshal Sinnaraja's 2017–18 haul reached in a brisker 15 innings. The Castle bloodline runs deep in this club — kin David (48 career ducks) and Tobey (21) keep the surname well represented on the boards. Last man out was Martin Harris, his 2nd of the season and 32nd career duck — a tally that once crowned him Duck of the Year back in 2011. Rather neatly, on this very date in 1956 a young A Hughes was doing exactly the same thing against A.Trembeths. Martin's kin Jon Harris (94 career ducks) remains a Linton legend in his own right. Thursday 15th — Stags at home to Tunbridge Wells CC Opener Jordan Austin, this season's reigning Duck of the Year, was caught by Hugo Williams off the very first ball he faced — a proper golden duck, his 5th of the campaign and enough to keep him clear at the top of the Duck Hunting Season table. He sits on 32 career ducks, boards already groaning under a 2018 Diamond Duck and top-ten spots in both Homebody and Lone Duck. On this same day in 1997, Piers McDonald (1986–2012, 48 ducks) was performing an identical vanishing act against Snodland — the art of not scoring, it seems, respects no calendar. And with brother Benjamin's duck at Bredgar four days prior, it's been a golden week for the Austins in every sense but the good one. Also back in the hutch was Abishek Pushpavinothan, surviving three balls before Freddie Freeman had him for his 2nd duck of the season and 4th career duck, level with -Matthew Ward's 2011–12 tally. Abishek already holds a Retirement Duck board from a past farewell, so no need to panic on that front just yet. Kinsman Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan (10 career ducks) will be nodding along approvingly. A tidy little week for the exclusive zero club — no golden pairs, no family doubles in the same innings, just honest, workmanlike failure spread evenly across three teams. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Jordan Austin — 15 inns, 5 ducks, 33.33% - Anton Bourdillon — 6 inns, 4 ducks, 66.67% - Mardey Castle — 10 inns, 3 ducks, 30.0% - Aaron Hughes — 23 inns, 3 ducks, 13.04% - Tobey Castle — 26 inns, 3 ducks, 11.54% Next fixture is only days away, and the ducks are already circling. Who fancies joining the club? 🏏🍩0️⃣

Two matches, five ducks, and the LPCC Duck Club found itself busy in the sunshine. Here's this week's dispatch from the exclusive zero club. 1st XI — away to Bearsted CC Tobey Castle strode out at first wicket down and departed even quicker than he arrived, caught Dave Shutt bowled Andrew Dampier without troubling the scorers — a golden duck, first ball, the purest form of ignominy on offer. It's his 3rd of the season and 21st for the club, lifting him to 75th on the all-time list. He now sits shoulder to shoulder with Dave Todd, who played between 1978 and 2014 and reached the same 21 across 235 innings. Ducking clearly runs in the family too — father David Castle carries 48 career noughts of his own, with sister Mardey a more modest 4. 2nd XI — home to Eynsford CC A rockier afternoon for the seconds, who lost four to the duck in one innings. Pieto Swart fell at six, caught Callum Hamill bowled Pete Day, his 2nd of the season and career — level already with Alan Probert, a brief but eventful presence at the club in 2008-09 who also finished on 2 from just 2 innings, a card-carrying member of both the Debutante and Retirement Duck honours. Inus Joubert followed at seven, caught Kevin Waters bowled Keith Wheeler, his maiden duck for the club from 6 innings. On this very date back in 2005, Jack Jenner also made a duck against Bearsted CC — Jack finished his LPCC career on 10, a Retirement Duck club member from his own eventual farewell. At ten, Blair Mundell made his LPCC debut and departed for nought, caught Callum Hamill bowled Keith Wheeler — an inauspicious but now permanent entry onto the Debutante Duck board. Welcome to the club, Blair, in more ways than one. And at eleven, Karthik Damodaran was trapped lbw by Keith Wheeler for his first duck of the season, from just his 2nd career innings. He too shares today's date with Jack Jenner's 2005 effort, and is already a paid-up member of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell of his own. Week in summary Five ducks, two matches, and Keith Wheeler doing more damage to the 2nd XI's card than anyone since somebody last left their box at home. A quiet weekend by LPCC standards, but the zero club never truly sleeps. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks, 6 innings (67%) 2. Jordan Austin — 4 ducks, 14 innings (29%) 3. Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks, 19 innings (16%) 4. Tobey Castle — 3 ducks, 22 innings (14%) 5. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 2 ducks, 2 innings (100%) Anton clings to top spot for now, but with Jordan level on four and Tobey adding to his tally just this weekend, don't bet the farm on it lasting. See you all at the crease next week — the ducks are already sharpening their beaks. 🦆

A tidy half-dozen ducks landed across three fixtures this weekend, spread evenly between Saturday's away days and a Sunday gathering at home to Kings Hill. The exclusive zero club welcomes its latest inductees below. 1st XI — home v Meopham CC Tobey Castle departed run out at first drop, the fielding equivalent of being asked to leave early. His season's 2nd duck and 20th of an ever-growing career (178 innings), good for 76th on the all-time list. He now sits level with James Piper, who played 1998–2021 and took 366 innings to reach the same 20 — Tobey's getting there rather more efficiently, for better or worse. A family trade, too: his sibling Mardey carries 4 career ducks and elder relation David Castle a hefty 48. 2nd XI — away v Penshurst Park CC Pieto Swart, caught behind at 7, opened his account in the cruellest way — his very first senior duck. He joins the late, great "- Howard", whose entire Linton career in 2006 consisted of one innings and one duck, a triple honour of Debutante Duck, One and Done, and Retirement Duck all in a single ball. Anton Bourdillon was bowled at 9 for his 4th duck of the season, moving to 14 for his career from just 32 innings, 92nd on the all-time roll. A card-carrying Debutante Duck member and already "Quacked by Kin" courtesy of Henry Bourdillon back in 2020 — the family clearly has a taste for it. On this very day in 1971, against Tilling Steven, Andrew Moss (1968–2008, 11 ducks) was doing precisely the same thing. Sunday 2nd XI — home v Kings Hill CC Trevor Back, lbw at 4, notched only his 1st duck of the season but his 90th of an extraordinary career across 775 innings — 4th on the all-time leaderboard and a permanent fixture of the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens. On this same day back in 1936, against Bearsted CC, E Godden was reaching for the pavilion too, in what became his Duck of the Year. Darrell Houghton-Judge, caught behind at 7, took his season tally to 1 and career to 30 from 192 innings, 42nd all time, and remains cricket's eternal Full House nearly-man with 10 of 11 batting positions ducked in. He draws level with Daniel Thirkell, who played 1993–2021 and needed 524 innings to find the same 30. John Karassellos was bowled at 8 for his 2nd duck of the season, his 29th career, 85 innings, 48th all time — a three-time reigning Duck of the Year (2018, 2019 and 2020) with 5 Ducks in a Row to his name, and evidently breeding more of the same, with Anthony (3 career ducks) and Michaela (2) also on the books. Like Trevor above, he shares his slot in history with E Godden's 1936 duck against Bearsted CC. Week in summary 6 ducks from 3 matches, honours shared evenly between Saturday's travelling party and Sunday's home comforts — no pairs, no family doubles this time, just steady, dependable failure across the order. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. Anton Bourdillon — 4 ducks/6 inns (66.67%) 2. Jordan Austin — 4 ducks/14 inns (28.57%) 3. Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks/18 inns (16.67%) 4. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 2 ducks/2 inns (100.0%) 5. John Karassellos — 2 ducks/6 inns (33.33%) Anton leads the chase by percentage alone — a fearsome rate if he can keep it up. The season marches on, and with it, no doubt, more names for the board. See you all at the next fixture, bats (allegedly) at the ready 🏏0️⃣

Three fixtures in the diary this week and the ducks mostly stayed migratory — only one soul found himself walking back for nought. Quality over quantity, as the Duck Club likes to say. Midweek XI Away at The Mote CC, Tobey Castle came in at four and departed caught and bowled by Ajith Peefhambaran, no runs to show for his trouble. It's his 1st duck of the 2021 campaign but hardly his first rodeo — this is career nought number 19, keeping him handsomely placed at 78th of 1509 in the all-time roll of dishonour. That tally puts him level with Benjamin Austin, who plied his trade 2011–2021 and reached the same 19 in 146 innings, good enough for 76th spot and a spot on the Debutante Duck board for good measure. Fittingly, Tobey isn't even the family's leading exponent of the art — elder relative David Castle sits on a formidable 48 career ducks, with sibling Mardey Castle chipping in 4 of their own. Not quite Duck and Ducklings material this week, but the bloodline clearly knows its way to the pavilion. Week in Summary One duck from three matches — a rare quiet spell for the club's most exclusive society. No pairs, no king pairs, no family gatherings on the honours board this time round. Sometimes the ducks simply decline the invitation. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 - Jordan Austin — 14 inns, 4 ducks (28.57%) - Anton Bourdillon — 5 inns, 3 ducks (60.00%) - Aaron Hughes — 17 inns, 3 ducks (17.65%) - Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 2 inns, 2 ducks (100.00%) - Mardey Castle — 7 inns, 2 ducks (28.57%) Note Mardey Castle lurking in the top five already this season — evidently the Castle name is not one to bet against when nought is on offer. That's the lot for this week, ladies and gents. Quiet weeks never last long around here — 0️⃣ the next fixture is only days away, and the Duck Club always finds new recruits. See you at the crease. 🏏🍩

Five fixtures, six noughts, and the Duck Club's ledger is looking healthily busy. Let's get into it. 🏏 1st XI — away at St Lawrence & Highland Court CC (Sat 12th) Alex Keeler fell early, bowled by Oli Millard for his 1st duck of the season and 8th of an increasingly distinguished career — 127th on the all-time list and level on 8 with Aaron Hughes, who plied his trade 2017-2021. Little did Alex know he'd be back for more within 24 hours (see below, the Duck Club rewards persistence). Ian Hollingworth followed him back, bowled by Brad Reynolds, moving to 24 career ducks and 63rd on the all-time roll — exactly the tally amassed by club stalwart Brian Piper across a mighty 446 innings between 1973 and 2019. Ian got there in a rather more efficient 94. 🦆 Stags — home to Offham CC (Wed 16th) Mardey Castle departed bowled by Harry Legg for a 2nd duck of the season, taking the career tally to 4 — company kept with Matthew Ward, whose brief 2011-12 stint yielded the same total in just 10 innings. Mardey ducks with pedigree too, a Castle family affair, with sibling Tobey sitting on 18 career noughts and parent David a formidable 48. ☀️ Sunday 1st XI — home to Chestfield CC Alex Keeler again. Bowled this time by Oliver Jordan-Smith, and with that Alex completes a grim weekend brace, a pair across Saturday and Sunday, ducks in two different fixtures inside 24 hours. Career tally nudges to 9, drawing a parallel with Graham Abel, who made a duck on this very day back in 1971 against Bobbing Court CC. Some things never change. 🌤️ Sunday 2nd XI — away to Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow CC A golden duck to open proceedings, Benjamin Austin trapped lbw by Trevor Earl first ball, the purest form of ignominy. His 1st duck of the season takes him to 19 for his career, level with Glen Rawson (2005-2019, 309 innings) and a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his own first-ever innings, though this one was very much a repeat performance. Kept in the family too, with sibling Jordan Austin, this week's Duck Hunting Season pacesetter no less, sitting on 31 career ducks of his own. Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan didn't last much longer, caught by Colin Benham off Jacob Smith after 4 balls for his 2nd duck of the season and 10th of his career, 125th on the all-time list, level with Jack Jenner, who reached the same mark in 53 innings between 2003 and 2008. 📊 Week in Summary Six ducks in five matches, a solid week's harvesting for the Club. Alex Keeler's weekend pair was the standout feat, proving that once the Duck Club has its hooks in, 24 hours is no obstacle. The rest fell in ones, but every one counts toward the only leaderboard that celebrates failure. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Jordan Austin — 4 ducks in 13 innings (30.77%) - Anton Bourdillon — 3 ducks in 5 innings (60.00%) - Aaron Hughes — 3 ducks in 15 innings (20.00%) - Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan — 2 ducks in 2 innings (100.00%) - Mardey Castle — 2 ducks in 5 innings (40.00%) Thuraiappah sits on a flawless 100% strike rate for noughts this season, truly heroic consistency. Can anyone catch Jordan at the top before the next round of fixtures? Bring your bats, gentlemen, the Duck Club is always recruiting. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Six fixtures, thirteen ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomed old faces and brand new members alike this week. Let's get into it. 🏏 Saturday — 1st XI v Bidborough CC (home) George Taylor departed at four, caught Baldock bowled Hillhouse after seeing off a couple of balls — his 5th career duck (rank 189/1508), drawing level with Engarshal Sinnaraja (2017–18). Sibling Fred Taylor quacked too this week, over at Chelsfield Park — a fine weekend for the family collection. Mark Christmas offered no resistance whatsoever, bowled by Peter Davis first ball — a proper golden duck 🍩. His 39th career nought (rank 23/1508) ties him with Chris Newman (2002–17), and leaves him stuck on the Full House nearly-man board, ducked at 10 of 11 positions. Junaid Mufti opened his Linton duck account, caught Jobber bowled Davis for his first-ever nought in just three innings (rank 596/1508). On this very day in 1993, Chris Tymms made a duck against Rumwood CC. Martin Harris joined the queue at 11, caught Jobber bowled Davis for his 31st career duck (rank 39/1508) — Duck of the Year 2011, and a chip off the old block, his kin Jon Harris sits on a club-record 94. Same calendar day, 1993, saw Chris Tymms doing likewise. 🏏 Sunday — 1st XI v The Mote CC (away) Jordan Austin was bowled by Chris Feltham for his 4th duck of the season and 31st overall (rank 37/1508) — the reigning Duck of the Year 2021, and a permanent fixture on both the Homebody and Lone Duck top tens. On this day in 1967, John Thirkell made a duck against the same opponents, Civil Service CC, Kent. Harvey Lowe marked his senior debut with a duck, caught Fawcett bowled Feltham — straight onto the Debutante Duck board (rank 549/1508). Alistair Mills did likewise moments later, caught Satkunaseelan bowled Nippy on his own debut (rank 443/1508). Both new boys join the 1967 vintage of John Thirkell for their day-of-year parallel. Anton Bourdillon, bowled Saj Masood, took his tally to 13 career ducks (rank 95/1508) and 3 for the season — currently topping the Duck Hunting Season table on a startling 75% strike rate from just 4 innings. He levels with Joe Martin (2004–16), and remains a Debutante Duck alumnus, once "Quacked by Kin" by relative Henry Bourdillon back in 2020. 🏏 Sunday — 2nd XI v Chelsfield Park CC (home) Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan was caught Aniyath bowled Busireddy for his 9th career duck (rank 135/1508), level with Charles Curteis (2016–20). Fred Taylor followed brother George into the book, bowled Busireddy for his 8th career duck (rank 144/1508) — level with currently active Aaron Hughes. Ryan Silk was caught Packianathan bowled Busireddy for his 6th career duck (rank 182/1508), matching -Adam Wright's tally from 2011–12. David Castle, bowled Puneet Sharma, brought up his 48th career duck (rank 13 of 1508!) — just two shy of the sacred 50 and Hall of Fame Full Membership, and a Tourist Duck top-10 regular. He levels with Piers McDonald (1986–2012). Kin Tobey and Mardey Castle already carry 18 and 3 career ducks apiece — clearly the family trade. 🏏 Sunday — NVKC v Leeds & Broomfield CC (away) Toby Hughes was bowled by Matthew Mustill after two balls for his 4th career duck (rank 233/1508), level with -Matthew Ward (2011–12). Relatives Aaron and Will Hughes both carry noughts of their own. 📋 Week in summary Thirteen ducks across six matches. Anton Bourdillon's blistering 75% and David Castle's march on 50 were the standout storylines, alongside two fresh Debutante Duck entries in one afternoon at The Mote. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Jordan Austin — 4 ducks/11 inns (36.4%) 2. Anton Bourdillon — 3/4 (75.0%) 3. Aaron Hughes — 3/13 (23.1%) 4. Luke Welsman — 2/11 (18.2%) 5. Alistair Mills — 1/1 (100.0%) The season rolls on — who fancies joining the honours board next weekend? See you at the crease 🏏🦆

Five fixtures out on the paddock this week, and the Club harvested a modest but perfectly formed clutch of three eggs. Quality over quantity, as ever. 🏏 Saturday 29th May — 1st XI away at Outwood CC Henry Bourdillon opened this week's account, caught Ashley Middleton bowled Dru Tunstall after a stubborn 8 balls at the crease — no golden duck ignominy here, just a fair dismissal earned the honest way. It's his 1st duck of the summer and the 6th of a growing career, now 28 innings deep and sitting 176th of 1503 in the all-time order. He shares that exact tally of six with Adam Wright, who played 2011–2012, reached his sixth in 25 innings, and later bowed out on a duck himself — a fate the Retirement Duck board reserves for those who go out exactly as they came in. The zero clearly runs in the family too — relative Anton Bourdillon carries 12 career ducks of his own. 🏏 Sunday 30th May — Sunday 1st XI away at Egerton CC, Kent Opener Jordan Austin fell early, bowled by Salim Ahmadzai, for his 3rd duck of the season and 30th of an extraordinary career spanning 211 innings — 40th in the all-time list and closing fast. He now sits level on 30 with Daniel Thirkell, ever-present from 1993 clean through to this very season, who needed 520 innings to get there and owns a place in the Tourist Duck top 10. Jordan's own honours board groans already — a Diamond Duck from 2018, out without facing a ball, places in both the Homebody and Lone Duck top tens, and he wears the crown of Duck of the Year 2021 outright. The Austin name does its bit too — sibling Benjamin carries 18 career ducks of his own. 🏏 Wednesday 2nd June — Stags at home to Meopham CC Opening the batting, Aaron Hughes was bowled by Ben Stanley for his 3rd duck of the campaign and 8th of his career from 85 innings, good enough for 135th on the all-time roll. He draws level on eight with Carl Davis, who plied his trade from 1994 to 2009 and, like so many before him, bowed out on a duck of his own. The Hughes name is well represented in the Club's dubious history — Toby Hughes (3 career ducks) and Will Hughes (1) both keeping the tradition alive. 📊 Week in Summary Three ducks from five matches, and a curious symmetry taking shape — Jordan Austin and Aaron Hughes both moved to their 3rd duck of the season within four days of one another, and now occupy first and second in the season standings. The other two fixtures passed off disappointingly duck-free — a rare outbreak of competence. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Jordan Austin — 9 innings, 3 ducks, 33.33% 2. Aaron Hughes — 10 innings, 3 ducks, 30.0% 3. Anton Bourdillon — 3 innings, 2 ducks, 66.67% 4. Luke Welsman — 8 innings, 2 ducks, 25.0% 5. John Karassellos — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50.0% 🍩 Next fixtures approach and the exclusive zero club stands ready to welcome its newest members. Bring your bats, gentlemen — or don't bother, some of us clearly aren't.

Four fixtures, six noughts, and the exclusive zero club welcomed its usual mix of regulars and one rather unwelcome repeat visitor. On with the ceremony. Saturday — 1st XI v Shipbourne CC (h) Aaron Hughes departed for a duck at four, caught by Angus Willis off Keith Willis, and quietly opened his weekend account. That's 6 for his career in 82 innings, level with -Adam Wright, who reached the same tally in just 25 innings back in 2011–12 before bowing out on a duck himself. Aaron isn't planning on following that particular script just yet — more on him shortly. Luke Welsman edged behind off William Clark for his 2nd of the season and 35th of his career from 228 innings — rank 29 of 1503 all-time. A three-time Duck of the Year (2015, 2016, 2017) and a paid-up Debutante Duck, he now draws level on 35 with Matthew Carter, who reached the same total between 2002 and 2019. Saturday — 2nd XI v Southborough CC (a) Anton Bourdillon, batting at 10, went lbw to Steve Smith for his 2nd this season and 12th overall from just 29 innings — rank 101 of 1503. A Debutante Duck member, and one who owes a debt to family history: he was "Quacked by Kin" back in 2020 courtesy of Henry Bourdillon, who has 5 career noughts of his own. Anton joins Gareth Davies (2003–2013) on that tally of 12. Sunday NVKC v Eynsford CC (a) Jordan Austin nicked off after 2 balls for his 2nd of the season, moving to 29 career ducks in 209 innings — rank 47 of 1503. Reigning Duck of the Year for 2021, he's building a strong case to defend the title, and draws level with Darrell Houghton-Judge (2012–2021) along the way. His sibling Benjamin sits on 18 career ducks — clearly a family with a nose for the nought. And so to Aaron Hughes, back for more. Run out after 2 balls at five, he completes a grim weekend double — a duck on Saturday against Shipbourne and another on Sunday against Eynsford, taking his career tally to 7. Not quite the ignominy of a king pair, but a proper pair all the same. On this very day in 1959, Basil Sears also trooped back for nought, against Gore Court CC. Abishek Pushpavinothan was bowled by Ben Wise after 5 balls for his 1st of the season and 3rd career duck from 41 innings — rank 240 of 1503. He joins Anthony Karassellos on that mark. His father Thuraiappah Pushpavinothan carries 8 career ducks of his own — the art of not scoring, evidently inherited. Week in Summary Six ducks from four matches, headlined by Aaron Hughes' unwanted weekend pair — Saturday and Sunday, two different oppositions, the same result. Jordan Austin continues to lead the 2021 Duck of the Year race in some style. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Anton Bourdillon — 3 inns, 2 ducks, 66.67% 2. Luke Welsman — 5 inns, 2 ducks, 40.0% 3. Aaron Hughes — 7 inns, 2 ducks, 28.57% 4. Jordan Austin — 7 inns, 2 ducks, 28.57% 5. John Karassellos — 2 inns, 1 duck, 50.0% The season's still young and the club's finest are already circling. Next fixture, same story — who fancies joining the honours board? 🦆🏏0️⃣

A rare and troubling report from the Duck Club this week: two fixtures played, and not a single quack to show for it. Every batsman who walked out across both matches on Saturday managed, at minimum, to trouble the scorers. Bats were middled, singles were nudged, and the exclusive zero club was left standing at the gate with nobody to induct. A lean week for connoisseurs of the art of not scoring. We shan't pretend to be anything other than disappointed. The Duck Club thrives on adversity, and this weekend's adversity was, infuriatingly, all directed at the opposition's bowlers rather than our own batting order. Still, early season this is — plenty of overs left in 2021 for standards to slip in the traditional manner. 🍩 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. John Karassellos — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) — a flawless start, nowhere to go but down 2. Anton Bourdillon — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) 3. Sam Boyns — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) 4. James Piper — 3 innings, 1 duck (33.33%) 5. Luke Welsman — 3 innings, 1 duck (33.33%) John Karassellos leads the way on a perfect record, though with only one innings on the board it's early days — the true test of a champion duck-hunter is sustaining the habit across a full season, not a single golden moment. 📅 Looking Ahead The Duck Club committee remains quietly confident that this drought is temporary. Somewhere out there, a batsman is shouldering arms to a straight one, or shuffling across their stumps into a plumb lbw, just waiting for their moment of ignominious glory. We simply haven't found them yet. Until then, keep your bats loose and your footwork loose enough to miss one entirely. See you at the next fixture — surely, surely, the ducks cannot evade us twice running. 🦆 0️⃣

Two matches out on the road this weekend, and Lydd CC proved happy hunting ground for the Duck Club, claiming two more souls for the exclusive zero club. Sunday 2nd XI at Lydd CC - Richard Piper opened the innings and departed the way only the truly committed do, bowled by Alec Lindsey for his 1st duck of the season and his 87th of an extraordinary career — good enough for 5th on the all-time list, a place of very serious dubious distinction. A Duck of the Year champion back in 2003 and a fixture of the Full House, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, Richard is practically Duck Club royalty, and with sibling James (24 career noughts) and parent Brian (24) also members of the fold, the talent for not scoring clearly runs in the family. Rather beautifully, on this very day in 1959 Brian Mills was doing exactly the same thing against St Lukes Maidstone CC — some traditions refuse to die. - Luke Welsman followed him back not long after, run out by Adam Watts for his 1st duck of the season and 34th of his career, landing him 32nd on the all-time list. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first Linton innings, and a three-time Duck of the Year (2015, 2016, 2017) still chasing that elusive Full House, Luke keeps distinguished company — echoing the very same Brian Mills, and the very same 1959 date against St Lukes Maidstone CC. Week in Summary Two matches, two ducks, both falling within the same Sunday 2nd XI innings at Lydd. Consistency of a very particular kind — Piper and Welsman marching back to the pavilion in close succession, proving the art of not scoring is alive, well, and thoroughly rehearsed on the road. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 1. John Karassellos — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) 2. Anton Bourdillon — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) 3. James Piper — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) 4. Luke Welsman — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) 5. Sam Boyns — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) John Karassellos leads the way on a flawless, if entirely unwanted, 100% strike rate. Can anyone catch him before the season's out? The next fixture looms, and the Duck Club always has room for new arrivals. See you all out there 🦆🏏0️⃣

The 2021 season is barely a week old and already the exclusive zero club has its first three inductees. Four matches played, three noughts recorded — the art of not scoring is alive and well at Linton Park. Saturday 1st May 2nd XI v Bidborough CC Nolan Wilde opens the club's account for 2021, trapped lbw by Eli Clarkson at number five. A tidy way to begin proceedings — Nolan's 1st duck of the season and 2nd of his career from 10 innings, tucking him in at 374th of 1502 on the all-time roll. He arrives level on tally with Abishek Pushpavinothan (2017-2021, 39 innings), who also settled his career account on exactly two before departing the crease for the last time. Sunday 2nd May Sunday 1st XI v Leeds & Broomfield CC A productive afternoon for the away side's bowlers, who helped themselves to a brace. 🥇 Jordan Austin faced a single ball, edged it, and was gone — a fully certified golden duck, caught behind off Owen Matthews before he'd troubled the umpire's concentration. It's his 1st of the season but 28th of an increasingly distinguished career, drawing him level with Christopher Thirkell (1998-2015, 157 innings) at a rarefied 49th of 1502 all-time. Jordan already carries the Diamond Duck honour from 2018 and sits proudly in both the Homebody and Lone Duck top tens — and with the club's Duck of the Year 2021 title already round his neck, the early running suggests nobody fancies the chase. Poultry clearly runs in the blood too: sibling Benjamin is up to 18 career ducks and father Mark has one of his own on the board. Sam Boyns held out rather longer — four balls faced before being bowled by Matthew Mustill down at nine. His 1st duck of the season, 9th of his career, and it plants him level with Charles Curteis (2016-2020, 50 innings) at 134th of 1502. The Boyns household knows the feeling well too, with father Alan on 22 career ducks and brother Ryan on 13. Week in Brief Three ducks from four matches — a gentle, orderly start to the campaign. Leeds & Broomfield did the double, Bidborough content with a single scalp. No pairs, no family affairs this week, just three honest men walking off without troubling the scorers. Plenty of season left for that to change. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏏 - Anton Bourdillon — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - John Karassellos — 1 duck / 1 innings (100%) - James Piper — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Sam Boyns — 1 duck / 2 innings (50%) - Mardey Castle — 1 duck / 3 innings (33%) That's the early state of play 0️⃣🦆. Next fixture is never far away — plenty of opportunity for the club's numbers to swell further. Bat carefully out there, or don't, we're not fussy.

Two Linton sides out in the middle this weekend, and the zero club kept things refreshingly restrained — just the one nought banked, though a quality one it was. Sunday — NVKC v Offham CC (away) Opening the batting is a position of trust, a position of responsibility, a position from which James Piper departed for nought. Seven balls survived before he was ct Daniel Gilbert b Nigel Stoodley — no golden duck here, he did at least look at a few before the inevitable arrived. It's his 1st of the 2021 season and the 20th of a career now well into three figures of innings — 358 and counting — landing him 75th of 1502 in the all-time standings. Consistency of a very particular kind. Neatly, on this very day back in 1982, the legendary Jim Hall — 79 career ducks, 6th of all time, and a name that fills half the honours board on his own — was also trudging back for a duck, against Chatham Nomads CC. Some traditions, it seems, are calendar-bound. Worth a footnote: James arrives with pedigree. Sibling Richard Piper carries 86 career ducks of his own, and kinsman Brian Piper isn't far behind on 24 — between them the Piper name is doing serious work on the club's zero ledger. Week in Summary Two matches, one duck — a quiet weekend by Duck Club standards, but the season is young and the art of not scoring rarely stays dormant for long. One to nil to the batsmen this time round. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Anton Bourdillon — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - James Piper — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - John Karassellos — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) - Mardey Castle — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) A congested top of the table already, with three players locked at a flawless 100% duck rate. Early days, but the race for Duck of the Year 2021 is very much open. 🏏 The season rolls on, and with it the promise of more scoreless heroics. See you at the next fixture — the ducks always find a way. 🍩0️⃣🦆

Season 2021 is up and running, and so — mercifully swiftly — is the Duck Club. Three matches played this weekend, and while two of them stayed disappointingly fowl-free, the Sunday 1st XI made up the shortfall single-handedly against Mersham Le Hatch CC. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI v Mersham Le Hatch CC Brace yourselves — this one has a common thread. All three LPCC ducks this weekend fell to the same bowler, Alex Markwick, who evidently fancied his chances and was proven emphatically right. First to go was Mardey Castle, caught Godden bowled Markwick at number 6 after a watchful 10 balls that promised more than it delivered. It's duck number 1 of the season and 3 for the career from 39 innings, nudging him to 274th in the all-time list. He joins a well-populated table on exactly 3 career ducks, drawing level with none other than fellow club man Anthony Karassellos — and keeps it in the family too, being brother to Tobey Castle (18 career ducks) and son of David Castle, who sits on a formidable 47. Next in was John Karassellos, bowled Markwick for a third-ball duck at 7. A modest-sounding season tally of 1, but the career number tells the real story — 28 ducks from 80 innings, 48th on the all-time list, and a name that already adorns the honours board with Duck of the Year in 2018, 2019 AND 2020, plus Ducks in a Row (5 consecutive) and a Full House nearly-man entry for good measure. John now sits level on 28 with Christopher Thirkell, who racked his up across 157 innings between 1998 and 2015 — John's getting there in considerably less time. Keeping it cosy on the family front, his children Anthony (3) and Michaela (2) are both already paid-up members of the club themselves. Rounding off Markwick's afternoon's work was Anton Bourdillon, bowled for 3 balls faced at number 9. His first duck of 2021 takes him to 11 for his career from 27 innings, 112th all time, and level with Andrew Moss, who reached the same tally over a marathon 1968-2008 career. Anton is already a Debutante Duck club member from way back, and carries the rare distinction of being Quacked by Kin, having been out for nought in the same match as father Henry Bourdillon back in 2020 — clearly a family that does its ducking together. 📊 Week in Summary Three ducks, three victims, one bowler — Alex Markwick's spell reads like a Duck Club fixture list of its own. The 1st XI's Sunday and Saturday sides and the rest of the midweek card stayed frustratingly clean, so this week's entire haul came from one unfortunate top-to-middle-order procession against Mersham Le Hatch. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Anton Bourdillon — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 2. John Karassellos — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 3. Mardey Castle — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) Early days yet, but a perfect record at the top of the table for now. 🦆 The season is barely a fortnight old and the Duck Club is already in fine voice. Who'll be adding their name to the list next weekend? We'll be watching every dismissal with great interest.