🦆 The Duck Pond

A quiet one this week at the crease — the ducks kept a low profile, but the exclusive zero club still found one new name to welcome through the turnstile, and that's really all the excuse we need to fire up the newsletter. 🏏 Friendly XI v Town Malling CC Batting at six, Euan Beardwell departed caught Daniel Barrett bowled Bill Calvert, opening his LPCC duck account in style. It's his first nought in only his second senior innings for the club, moving him to 1 career duck and, inevitably, 1 for the season too — nowhere to go but sideways from here. That lone zero is already enough to land Euan at 538th of 1555 in the all-time standings, level on career ducks with a name from the archives — Howard, whose entire LPCC career began, lived and ended inside a single season back in 2006. Debut duck, one season and out, farewell duck to match — a tidy little full house of misfortune Euan will hopefully take his time matching. 📊 Week in Summary One match, one duck, one very efficient Town Malling bowling pair doing the club's recruiting for it. A restrained week by Duck Club standards — either the ducks were resting up, or everyone else was simply too busy scoring runs to notice them circling. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Nick Tromp — 7 ducks / 24 innings (29.17%) 2. Anthony Karassellos — 5 ducks / 22 innings (22.73%) 3. Luke Welsman — 5 ducks / 34 innings (14.71%) 4. Thomas Beeney — 4 ducks / 17 innings (23.53%) 5. John Karassellos — 4 ducks / 23 innings (17.39%) Nick Tromp remains out on his own at the top, closing in on a duck in nearly one innings out of three — a rate the rest of the field can only watch from a respectful distance. 🍩 Next Up Quiet weeks never last long around here. Middle it or don't — either way the Duck Club will be watching, and there's always next fixture's crop of hopefuls waiting to join the honours board. See you all out there. 0️⃣🦆

Two fixtures played across the weekend and, remarkably, not a single soul troubled the scorers for nought. The Duck Club's talent scouts were out in force at both grounds and returned entirely empty-handed. A blank weekend. The zero club recorded zero new entries — which, if you think about it for slightly too long, is almost its own kind of poetic injustice. 🍩 The Ducks That Got Away Somewhere out there, batters walked to the crease and simply... got on with it. Runs were scored. Dismissals, where they occurred, involved actual contact with actual balls that had travelled actual distances. Frankly, disappointing viewing for anyone hoping to update the honours board this week. Even the club's most reliable suppliers of ignominy — you know who you are — kept their powder dry. The season standings remain exactly as they were on Friday evening, untouched and unbothered. 📊 Week in Summary - Matches played: 2 - Ducks recorded: 0 - Golden ducks: 0 - Pairs, king pairs or family ducks: none — a quiet weekend on every front Sometimes the hunting season goes cold. The ducks are still out there, they're just choosing their moment. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Nick Tromp — 7 ducks / 24 innings (29.17%) 2. Anthony Karassellos — 5 ducks / 22 innings (22.73%) 3. Luke Welsman — 5 ducks / 34 innings (14.71%) 4. Thomas Beeney — 4 ducks / 17 innings (23.53%) 5. John Karassellos — 4 ducks / 22 innings (18.18%) Nick Tromp remains out in front and will be quietly relieved not to have been caught this week — nobody wants to watch their lead evaporate from the comfort of the pavilion. The chasing pack will need to pull their fingers out if they fancy closing the gap before the season's curtain falls. 🦆 Fear not, fellow ducklings — Linton Park's batting order will surely provide fresh material soon enough. Get down to the next fixture, keep your eyes on the middle stump, and let's see who's brave (or careless) enough to add their name to the list.

Eight ducks fell to the collector across five matches this weekend, with Sidcup CC doing the lion's share of the damage. The exclusive zero club welcomes a healthy new intake. Saturday 9 September 2nd XI away at West Farleigh CC: Nick Tromp opened the weekend's account, caught Beechey bowled Lynch for his 6th duck of the season and 7th of a 43-innings career (#153 all-time), level with 2017-2023 stalwart Henry Bourdillon on the same tally. His name already sits on the Duck of the Year 2023 board, so this was very much business as usual. Lower down, James Gray fell bowled Lynch off 5 balls for his maiden career duck from just 5 innings (#608 all-time), joining the eternal one-and-done man "- Howard", whose entire 2006 career amounted to a single innings and a single duck. Not company Gray will want to keep for long. Sunday 10 September Friendly XI at home to The Mote: Nick Tromp completed the weekend's pair, caught Luksich bowled Hall for his 7th of the season and 8th career duck. Neat timing too — on this very date in 1955, John --'s Taylor also strolled back for nought, against Old Roffensians. Two ducks in two days keeps Tromp firmly out in front of this year's chase. Twenty20 away at Sidcup CC provided a full house of failure. Abishek Pushpavinothan (ct Corbett b Walker) opened the rout with his 1st of the season and 6th of a 58-innings career (#177), a paid-up Retirement Duck club member from a past farewell, and evidently hereditary — parent Thuraiappah carries 10 career ducks of his own. George Taylor (b Walker) followed with his 3rd of the season and 9th overall (#137), a fellow Debutante Duck alumnus now level with sibling Fred on that exact number. Harrison Fermor (ct Kilbey b Dawes) made it three, his 2nd of the season taking him to 9 also (#139), another Debutante Duck old boy whose parent Toby sits on 2. Thomas Roxburgh (lbw b Dawes) chalked up his 4th of the season and 6th career duck (#192), matched by brother William on 4. All four, by pure calendar coincidence, share their nought with John --'s Taylor's 1955 vintage. Rounding off the collapse, Pieto Swart (ct Crust b Corbett) took his 1st of the season to 4 career ducks (#240), level with 2011-2012's -Matthew Ward. The week in numbers 8 ducks, 5 matches, one proper pair, and Sidcup CC alone accounting for five of the eight scalps. Not a golden duck among them — everyone at least troubled the scorer's pencil before departing. Small mercies. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Nick Tromp — 24 inns, 7 ducks (29.17%) 2. Anthony Karassellos — 20 inns, 5 ducks (25.0%) 3. Luke Welsman — 34 inns, 5 ducks (14.71%) 4. Thomas Beeney — 17 inns, 4 ducks (23.53%) 5. John Karassellos — 21 inns, 4 ducks (19.05%) The season's not done yet. Next fixture, the exclusive zero club stands ready to welcome its newest members — bring your bat, and low expectations. 🦆🍩

Six fixtures, nine ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomed its usual mix of the unlucky, the unlikely and the utterly inevitable. Grab a cuppa. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI v Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC (h) A proper procession at the death. Nolan Wilde went lbw for his 4th of the season and 14th career — and, fittingly, on this very date in 1968 club great Paul Bowles (54 ducks, twice Duck of the Year) also fell, against Bearsted no less. Aaron Hughes departed caught for his 4th of the season, 15th career, drawing level with 2000s stalwart Richard Knowler (15 in 173 innings). Laurie Probert's lone season duck was his 11th overall, sharing Bowles' 1968 date too. Then the tail went quietly quackers. Anthony Karassellos — Full House honours-board member (a duck at every position 1-11) and Debutante Duck alumnus — fell for his 5th of the season and 11th career, moving him top of the season table. And closing it out, Tim Thirkell — the club's undisputed #1 all-time duck-getter — banked his 101st career nought, extending a lead nobody is threatening. A six-time honours-board resident (Duck of the Year 1972, Lone Duck, Homebody Duck, Full House and more), Tim shares this calendar date with Bowles too. He's used to the company by now. 🏏 Saturday — 3rd XI v Brasted Chart and Toys Hill CC (a) A rare and cherished ceremony: a genuine Duck and Ducklings. Johan Eloff (1st career duck, 3 innings) and his father Brandon Eloff (also 1st career duck, and an Only Two Quacks honours member alongside Praveen Tunga) fell in the same innings — the purest bloodline blank the club can offer. 🌱 Sunday — 1st XI v Stone-in-Oxney CC (h) Nick Tromp, this year's reigning Duck of the Year, faced 7 balls before falling for his 5th of the season and 6th career, level with -Adam Wright (6 ducks, 2011–12). Nick now shares top spot in the season race. Benjamin Austin wasn't so lucky — gone first ball for a golden duck, his 1st of the season but 24th career, level with veteran Brian Piper (24 in 447 innings). Ben remains a paid-up Debutante Duck club member from his own actual debut, long before this one. 📊 Week in Summary Nine ducks from six matches, five arriving in one Holcombe innings alone — when the 2nd XI collapse, they do it as a team. A family double for the Eloffs and a record extension from Tim Thirkell made this a week to remember for all the wrong reasons. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Anthony Karassellos — 19 inns, 5 ducks (26.3%) 2. Nick Tromp — 22 inns, 5 ducks (22.7%) 3. Luke Welsman — 33 inns, 5 ducks (15.2%) 4. Thomas Beeney — 17 inns, 4 ducks (23.5%) 5. John Karassellos — 20 inns, 4 ducks (20.0%) 🍩 Next weekend brings fresh fixtures and, no doubt, fresh recruits to the zero club. Bring your bat. Or don't bother.

The exclusive zero club opened its books wide this week — nine new entries across five fixtures, proof that the art of not scoring is alive and well at Linton Park. Saturday 26th — 1st XI v Mersham Sports CC (h) - Thomas Roxburgh battled through 8 balls before edging to Parth Tewari off Ashley Cook — his 3rd of the season, 5th career duck, tucking him in at 213th of 1,554 all-time. Kin note: sibling William Roxburgh already carries 4 of his own — clearly a family trait. On this very date in 1979, none other than club legend Tim Thirkell (100 ducks, 1967–2023, Lone Duck and Full House royalty) was also walking back for nought. - Martin Harris fell lbw for 4 balls' work, his 2nd this season and 38th career — 30th on the all-time list, and still a proud holder of Duck of the Year 2011. Son Jon Harris (94 career ducks) makes it a proper dynasty. Same 1979 company as Roxburgh above. Saturday 26th — 2nd XI v Hunton Wanderers CC (a) - Junaid Mufti was bowled by Alan Surrey for his 2nd of the season, 3rd career (285th all-time), a paid-up Retirement Duck club member from a past farewell. Level on 3 career ducks with Archie Fairfax-Ross (2018–2022). - Anthony Karassellos, caught behind off Alan Surrey, notched his 4th of the season and 10th career — 123rd all-time — adding to a Full House and Debutante Duck already on the mantelpiece. Father John (39) and sister Michaela (3) keep it in the family. Joins Jack Jenner (2003–2008) on exactly 10. - Matthew Carter, bowled for his 1st of the season, sits on 38 career ducks — level with Martin Harris above, funnily enough — and owns Duck of the Year 2004. Also echoes the 1979 Thirkell anniversary. Saturday 26th — 3rd XI v Bearsted CC (a) - Magnus Boxer marked his actual senior debut with a golden entry into the Debutante Duck club — 1 season, 1 career, first ball of a long career of possibilities. Fittingly parallels "- Howard" (2006), whose entire career was one innings, one duck, One and Done. Sunday 27th — 2nd XI v Wye CC (a) - Nick Pennefather, caught off Ethan Jones, moves to 4 career ducks (236th all-time), joining -Matthew Ward (2011–2012) on the same tally. - Alex Wade, bowled by Huw Roberts, reaches 8 career ducks (143rd all-time), level with Carl Davis (1994–2009). Monday 28th — Twenty20 v Town Malling CC (a) - Nick Tromp went first ball, lbw to Joshua Leake — a genuine golden duck, the purest form of the art. His 4th of the season keeps his Duck of the Year 2023 crown firmly on his head. On this day in 1996, Daniel Thirkell also fell for nought. Week in summary: 9 ducks from 5 matches — a healthy harvest, headlined by Nick Tromp's golden effort and Magnus Boxer's baptism by nought. Sharp-eyed readers will spot Harris and Carter both parked on exactly 38 career ducks — kindred spirits in mediocrity. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Luke Welsman — 31 inns, 5 ducks (16.13%) 2. Anthony Karassellos — 17 inns, 4 ducks (23.53%) 3. Thomas Beeney — 17 inns, 4 ducks (23.53%) 4. John Karassellos — 18 inns, 4 ducks (22.22%) 5. Nick Tromp — 19 inns, 4 ducks (21.05%) Two of this week's own — Karassellos and Tromp — sit right there in the top five. The race for Duck of the Year is wide open. Get down to the next fixture and see who joins them 🦆🏏

A quieter week in the exclusive zero club, but five noughts across seven matches still gave the honours boards plenty to chew on. Saturday 19 August 1st XI v Rodmersham CC — Tobey Castle opened the batting and departed first ball, caught Kevin Jones bowled Jamie Rigden, a proper golden duck to greet the day. It's his 3rd of the season and 29th of a career now 267 innings deep, good enough for 50th on the all-time list. On this day back in 1956, John "-'s Taylor was doing much the same against Mote A, one of 15 ducks across a career running 1949 to 1960. Tobey, incidentally, keeps it in the family — father David Castle sits on 48 career ducks of his own, with sister Mardey a more modest 7. 3rd XI v Teston CC — Connor Wakley became acquainted with the zero club for the very first time, caught Toby Allsworth bowled Anil Kumar at number 7. Season duck number 1, career duck number 1 from just 6 innings, rank 504 of 1550 and climbing fast. He already carries the presumptive Retirement Duck honour on his record, though nobody's suggesting he's going anywhere just yet. On this same August day in 1956, John "-'s Taylor was falling for nought against Mote A too — welcome to the club, Connor, good historical company to keep. Sunday 20 August Egerton CC, Kent proved a fruitful hunting ground, claiming a duck from both Linton sides. Sunday 1s — Ian Hollingworth, bowled by Salim Ahmadzai at number 10, chalks up his 3rd duck of the season and 29th of his career in 116 innings, rank 49 of 1550. He's a paid-up member of this season's Diamond Duck club too. Back in 1944, W Bunting was suffering the same fate against KCC Maidstone, one of 5 career ducks in a stint running 1941 to 1948. Sunday 2s — Freddie Seymour, bowled by Daniel Brenchley at number 4, opens his account with his 1st season and career duck from 10 innings, rank 548 of 1550. He too is filed under the presumptive Retirement Duck honour, strictly for future reference. Like Ian, his parallel reaches back to 1944 and W Bunting's duck against KCC Maidstone. Wednesday 23 August Midweek XI v Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC — John Karassellos, bowled by V Vivek at first drop, brings up his 4th duck of the season and 39th of his career from 134 innings, rank 26 of 1550. A three-time Duck of the Year (2018, 2019, 2020) and holder of Ducks in a Row (5 consecutive) and Full House nearly-man honours, John draws level on exactly 39 career ducks with Chris Newman, who reached the same tally across 230 innings between 2002 and 2017. Keeping it in the family too — son Anthony sits on 9 career ducks, daughter Michaela on 3, a proper Karassellos cottage industry. Week in summary Five ducks from seven matches, with Egerton CC, Kent doing the double on Linton batting on Sunday. A gentle week by Duck Club standards, but the season race remains very much alive. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Luke Welsman — 5 ducks in 29 innings (17.24%) - Thomas Beeney — 4 ducks in 16 innings (25.00%) - John Karassellos — 4 ducks in 17 innings (23.53%) - Jordan Austin — 4 ducks in 35 innings (11.43%) - Thomas Mundell — 3 ducks in 4 innings (75.00%) John Karassellos closes the gap on the summit with this week's effort — plenty of season left for the standings to turn again. Next fixture, the ducks will no doubt be back. Bring your bats, gentlemen, and try to use them. 🦆

Nine ducks hit the water across seven fixtures this week, with two matches doing almost all of the damage. Read on for the carnage. Saturday 12th — 3rd XI vs Offham CC Trevor Back, Linton's number three all-time duck merchant with 92 to his name in 789 innings, notched only his first of the season, bowled by Joel Jacob at home. A card-carrying member of the Lone Duck and Homebody Duck top tens, Trevor keeps distinguished company — and fittingly, on this very day in 1970, Mike Iliffe was doing exactly the same thing against Gravesend CC. Sunday 13th — Sunday 2nd XI away to East Sutton CC A proper cull here — four ducks in one innings. Nick Pennefather fell early, caught Ian Exall bowled Ben Tragett, his first duck of the season and third for the club — level with Archie Fairfax-Ross (2018–2022). Frank Harbord followed, snapped up by Colin Crampton off the same bowler, his third of the season from just 14 innings. On this day in 1960, Pat Hardwick was posting his own quack against Bowaters CC. Zach Wilde made it three down, bowled George Welton, also his third of the season — a chip off the old block, with father Nolan sitting on 13 career ducks of his own. He shares his on-this-day billing with Pat Hardwick too. Completing the rout, John Karassellos was caught Harry O'Connell bowled Mark Whitmill for his third of the season and 38th career duck — level with Michael Beeney (1995–2015). A three-time Duck of the Year past champion, and with two duck-prone offspring already on the books, the Karassellos name is fast becoming a Linton institution. Wednesday 16th — Midweek XI away to The Mote CC Not to be outdone, four more went down here. Nick Tromp got proceedings underway, bowled Sam Reed, his third of the season and firmly in the mix for Duck of the Year 2023. Seventy years to the day, John Ames was doing much the same against Mote A back in 1953. Varunkrishna Karthik was next, caught Daisy Conway bowled Abraham Thomas for his very first Linton duck — level on one with the mysteriously monikered "- Howard", whose entire 2006 career began and ended with that same solitary nought. Alex Keeler edged into the same net, held again by Daisy Conway, off Nathan Hinckley, his second of the season and twelfth overall — level with Gareth Davies (2003–2013). And last man Martin Harris fell to the same bowler for his 37th career duck, level with Matthew Carter (2002–2023) — with father Jon Harris a club-record 94 ducks strong, evidently a family trait worth watching. Week in summary Nine ducks, seven matches, and remarkably eight of the nine came courtesy of just two unfortunate top-to-tail collapses at East Sutton and The Mote. Daisy Conway alone accounted for two of the Mote's catches — a keeper clearly enjoying her week. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Luke Welsman — 5 ducks, 27 innings, 18.52% - Thomas Beeney — 4 ducks, 14 innings, 28.57% - Jordan Austin — 4 ducks, 32 innings, 12.5% - Thomas Mundell — 3 ducks, 4 innings, 75.0% - Frank Harbord — 3 ducks, 11 innings, 27.27% The season's still wide open at the top, and with collapses like this week's on offer, the leaderboard won't sit still for long. See you all — and your bats — at the next fixture 🦆🏏

Five deliveries with the same fatal outcome this week, spread handsomely across formats — league, midweek and T20 all took their tithe. Let's get into it. Sunday 6th August Down at Chestfield, the 1st XI's top order found the artist formerly known as "getting off the mark" strangely elusive. William Roxburgh dug in for three deliveries — no mean feat by golden-duck standards — before Jonty Barnes had the final word, bowled for his 4th career duck in 52 innings. He joins -Matthew Ward, who managed the same tally across 2011–12 in a rather more generous 10 innings — efficiency, of a sort. Lower down, Thomas Beeney continued his one-man crusade for the honours board, caught Benfield bowled Barnes for his 4th duck of the season and 47th of an increasingly distinguished career — rank 18 of 1548 and climbing. He now sits shoulder to shoulder with Stuart Cheesman (1990–2022, 483 innings), proof that whichever era you play in, the zero endures. A paid-up Debutante Duck club member from years back and a Duck of the Year winner in 2014, Thomas treats Chestfield's bowlers like old friends. Meanwhile at Bobbing Court, the 2nd XI's Zach Wilde was caught Lord bowled Lineker for his 2nd duck of the season, taking him to 3 career ducks in just 15 innings — a tally he shares precisely with Archie Fairfax-Ross (2018–22, 33 innings). Zach's father Nolan carries 13 career ducks of his own, so the family knows the walk back well, even if nobody's sharing a scorecard this week. Wednesday 9th August — Twenty20 at Minster Format changes, outcome doesn't. Aaron Hughes fell bowled Collins for his 3rd duck of the season and 14th of his career, rank 94 of 1548. On this very day back in 1964, club great John Thirkell — 90 ducks, four Duck of the Year titles to his name — was also trudging off against Harrietsham CC. Some traditions outlast the decades. Aaron's brothers Toby and Will carry 8 and 1 career ducks respectively, so the Hughes clan is well represented in the club's less celebrated records. Friday 11th August — Midweek XI v The Dragons Louis Turney was bowled by Ross Davies for his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of his fledgling career — remarkably, that's two ducks from precisely two senior innings, a flawless if unwanted strike rate. He's now level with Alan Probert, who achieved the identical feat across his 2008–09 stint, also finishing on 2 from 2. Louis remains a card-carrying member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first innings, though this week's effort was merely his encore. The week in brief Five ducks, four matches, no pairs and no family doubles to report this time — just honest, individual application to the art of not scoring. Formats varied, results didn't. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Luke Welsman — 5 ducks / 26 innings (19.2%) - Thomas Beeney — 4 ducks / 13 innings (30.8%) - Jordan Austin — 4 ducks / 28 innings (14.3%) - Thomas Mundell — 3 ducks / 4 innings (75.0%) - Anthony Karassellos — 3 ducks / 12 innings (25.0%) The season race stays wide open, with Thomas Mundell's frankly alarming 75% strike rate one to watch. Next fixture, next chance — the exclusive zero club is always recruiting. 🦆🍩

A quieter week for the exclusive zero club — just three new inductees across four fixtures — but quality over quantity, as ever, in the art of not scoring. 1st XI v Offham CC (away, 29 July) Thomas Roxburgh strode out at first wicket down and departed seven balls later, bowled by Harry Legg. It's his 2nd duck of the season and 4th of his LPCC career, a tally that sits him at 243 of 1548 in the all-time ledger, level with Matthew Ward, who reached the same total across 10 innings during his 2011–12 spell. Thomas's sibling William Roxburgh already carries 3 career ducks of his own, so the naught clearly runs in the family. Lower down, Luke Welsman held out no longer, also lasting seven deliveries before Tom Miller had him. It's Luke's 5th duck of the season and a hefty 49th of his career, moving him to 13th of 1548 all-time — one single duck from Full Membership of the Duck Club Hall of Fame. A paid-up Debutante Duck club member and four-time Duck of the Year (2015, 2016, 2017, 2022), Luke will know exactly what's riding on his next visit to the middle. On this very day back in 1989, Matt Large — who finished his career on a mighty 63 — was also trudging back against Hollingbourne CC. History has a sense of humour. 3rd XI v Capel CC, Kent (away, 29 July) Thomas Mundell fell for nought at number nine, bowled by Clancy Clark — his 3rd duck of the season and 3rd of his career from just 4 innings, an eye-watering strike rate that already has him keeping company with Archie Fairfax-Ross, who took 33 innings to reach the same total between 2018 and 2022. Thomas's father Blair Mundell sits on exactly 3 career ducks too, while brother Reuben has 2 — a proper family collection in the making, even if this week's effort was a solo one. The Week in Brief Three ducks from four matches, with Offham and Capel doing the damage while everyone else escaped unblemished. No goldens, no pairs, no family doubles this time — just three honest walks back for nought. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Luke Welsman — 5 ducks, 23 innings (21.7%) 2. Jordan Austin — 4 ducks, 26 innings (15.4%) 3. Thomas Mundell — 3 ducks, 4 innings (75.0%) 3. Anthony Karassellos — 3 ducks, 12 innings (25.0%) 3. Thomas Beeney — 3 ducks, 12 innings (25.0%) Thomas Mundell's strike rate belongs in the nightmares column, or the dreams column, depending which side of the Duck Club you sit on. Next fixture, same standing invitation: middle stump, first ball, and a place in history awaits. See you all out there. 🦆🏏

Seven matches, seven ducks. The exclusive zero club welcomes its usual blend of seasoned campaigners and the freshly initiated this week — the art of not scoring is alive and well at Linton Park. 🏏 Saturday — Three Grounds, Three Ducks 1st XI at home to Ash CC saw Tobey Castle bowled by Peter Gambrell, his 2nd duck of the season and 28th of a long and distinguished career, edging him to 53rd on the all-time list. He now sits level with Christopher Thirkell, whose own 28 ducks were compiled across 1998–2015 and earned him Duck of the Year honours in 2005 — fine company for a very particular kind of consistency. A nod too to kinsman David Castle, quietly sitting on 48 career ducks of his own. Away at Southfleet, Jordan Austin departed for just 2 balls faced, caught by William Hawkins off Alex Buckley, his 4th duck of the season and 39th of his career, 26th all-time. A Homebody Duck top-ten fixture and a Duck of the Year alumnus from 2021, Jordan draws level on 39 with Chris Newman, who needed 230 innings across 2002–2017 to reach the total Jordan has managed in 281. Over at Bearsted, 3rd XI's Henry Campbell opened his duck account, caught by Angus Kenny off Jamie Baker, his maiden career duck from just 3 innings. He joins one-innings wonder "- Howard", whose entire 2006 career amounted to a single duck before a swift retirement. Henry, we trust, has grander ambitions. 🌱 Sunday — A Procession at Sissinghurst The Sunday 1st XI's trip to Sissinghurst turned into a proper carnival for Henry Elliott, who claimed all three ducks in a single innings. Aaron Hughes went first, bowled for his 2nd duck of the season and 13th of his career, joining Joe Martin (2004–2016) on the same tally. Then came the golden brace: Thomas Beeney, first ball, his 3rd duck of the season and a hefty 46th career duck, level with Mike Elworthy's tally from 1982–2008 and adding to his own Ducks on the Road pedigree. Moments later Darrell Houghton-Judge followed, also first ball, his 2nd of the season and 33rd career, matching Daniel Thirkell's total built across three decades — and edging closer to his own Full House, having now ducked in ten of the eleven batting positions. Sunday 2nd XI away at Marden saw Jonathan Sisley given lbw to Edward Chapman for his 2nd duck of the season and, remarkably, his 2nd in only 4 career innings, joining Alan Probert, whose brief 2008–09 career also read two from two. 📊 Week in Summary Seven ducks from seven matches, one apiece bar Sissinghurst's hat-trick of misery, and two of them gone without troubling the scorers for so much as a single ball. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Luke Welsman — 4 ducks, 22 innings (18.2%) 2. Jordan Austin — 4 ducks, 25 innings (16.0%) 3. Anthony Karassellos — 3 ducks, 11 innings (27.3%) 4. Thomas Beeney — 3 ducks, 12 innings (25.0%) 5. Nolan Wilde — 3 ducks, 20 innings (15.0%) Jordan and Thomas both padded out their season tallies this week and hold firm in the top five — the race for Duck of the Year is anyone's. Next fixtures loom, and the zero club is always recruiting. See you at the crease. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A quieter week in the exclusive zero club, with just four new arrivals across six fixtures. Quality over quantity, as ever. 🏏 Saturday 15 July — 3rd XI At home to Groen Geel Ladies, Blair Mundell was trapped lbw at number two by a bowler the scorebook simply lists as "Unsure" — appropriately enough. It's Blair's second duck of the season and third of an LPCC career now standing at six innings, drawing him level with Archie Fairfax-Ross, who took 33 innings to reach the same total during his 2018–2022 stint. Blair remains a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club courtesy of his own first-ever knock, and the surname carries weight in these parts — Reuben and Thomas Mundell both already sit on two career ducks apiece, with Thomas currently gracing the season's leaderboard. 🌱 Sunday 16 July Away at Sevenoaks Vine CC, the 1st XI's Jonathan Sisley showed real application before departing — eight balls faced before Jaison Ramchandran had him at number four, no golden duck here. It's his first LPCC duck from three innings, levelling him with a name from 2006: a certain Howard, whose entire senior career yielded exactly one duck in one innings, securing him a place in both the One and Done and Retirement Duck honours. A rather more permanent club than the one Jonathan's just joined, one hopes. Meanwhile the 2nd XI, at home to Norton Sports CC, saw Theo Clements well taken by Anthony Kennard off Sam Sketchley at number seven. His fifth career duck from 25 innings and first of the season puts him level with Abishek Pushpavinothan, who reached five across 54 innings between 2017 and 2022 before bowing out on a duck of his own, per the Retirement Duck board. ⏰ Wednesday 19 July — Midweek XI The week's most decorated casualty came against Lord Cornwallis XI, where Will Thew was bowled by Alex Hunter at four. His second duck of the season is his 35th career nought from a mighty 302 innings, good enough for 35th on the all-time list, and adds to a résumé already carrying Duck of the Year 2012 and Debutante Duck honours. Fittingly, the date has form — on this very day in 1975, club great Jon Harris also fell for a duck, against Tilling Steven, on his way to 94 career ducks and a seat near the very top of the table. 📊 Week in Summary Four ducks, six matches, no pairs and no family combinations this time round — the Mundells, Elofs and Wildes of this world will have to wait for their next crack at the honours board. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Luke Welsman — 4 ducks, 20 innings, 20.0% - Anthony Karassellos — 3 ducks, 11 innings, 27.27% - Nolan Wilde — 3 ducks, 19 innings, 15.79% - Jordan Austin — 3 ducks, 23 innings, 13.04% - Thomas Mundell — 2 ducks, 3 innings, 66.67% Thomas Mundell's strike rate for nought remains the stuff of legend — one to watch as the race for Duck of the Year hots up. 🦆 See you all next weekend — the ducks never stay away for long.

Five matches, five ducks this week — a modest catch by Linton's usual standards, but the exclusive zero club never turns away new business. Saturday 8th July — 2nd XI away at Kings Hill CC Will Thew fell at first drop, pouched by Neil Miller off Ben Clarke, for his 1st duck of the season and 34th of a properly decorated career — 37th on the all-time list, level with Joshua Knowler (2008–2022, 281 innings), also parked on 34. Will remains a card-carrying Debutante Duck member and a Duck of the Year champion from 2012, proof that early promise ages rather well here. Nick Tromp followed at seven, ct Noah Hutchins b Tom Bray, his 2nd of the season and 3rd career duck — rank 288 of 1546, level with Archie Fairfax-Ross (2018–2022, 33 innings). Nick already wears the Duck of the Year 2023 crown, and he's clearly not letting anyone else near it. Thomas Beeney rounded things off at ten, bowled by Atif Bhatti, for his 2nd of the season and a hefty 45th career duck — 20th all-time, level with club legend Stewart Morrison (1987–2014, 382 innings). Thomas is a Debutante Duck, a Diamond Duck from 2017 and Duck of the Year 2014, with Ducks on the Road top-10 pedigree besides. It's in the blood too — kinsman Michael Beeney carries 38 career noughts of his own. Sunday 9th July — Sunday 1st XI away at Hadlow CC Anthony Karassellos departed for nought at first drop, caught by Jack Poore off Mayson Pasquale after 2 balls, his 3rd duck of the season and 9th career — rank 132 of 1546, level with Charles Curteis (2016–2020, 50 innings). Anthony holds the rare Full House honour, having ducked at every position 1 to 11 across his Linton days, and is himself a Debutante Duck. The family trade runs deep — father John sits on 37 career ducks, sister Michaela on 3. Alex Wade went next at four, caught by Matt Dineen off the same rampant Mayson Pasquale after 4 balls, his 2nd of the season and 7th career duck — level with Henry Bourdillon (2017–2023, 71 innings), rank 162 of 1546. Week in brief Five ducks, five matches, and Mayson Pasquale doing his level best to single-handedly stock the club's larder with both Hadlow scalps. A quietly efficient weekend in the art of not scoring. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 🥇 - Luke Welsman — 4 ducks, 18 innings, 22.2% - Anthony Karassellos — 3 ducks, 10 innings, 30.0% - Nolan Wilde — 3 ducks, 17 innings, 17.6% - Jordan Austin — 3 ducks, 20 innings, 15.0% - Thomas Mundell — 2 ducks, 2 innings, 100% 🍩 Anthony's Sunday nought vaults him to 2nd in the season standings, his 30% strike rate breathing hard down Luke Welsman's neck. Thomas Mundell, meanwhile, remains statistically undefeated in his quest to avoid runs entirely. 🦆 The Duck Club's books stay open. Next fixture, more names will surely join the honours board — see you all out there.

A tidy little haul this week: four fresh entries to the exclusive zero club across two fixtures, as Warlingham and Harrietsham both did their bit for the cause. Midweek XI v Warlingham CC — 5th July Nolan Wilde walked out at first drop and walked straight back in again, ct Nigel Field b Howard Owens without troubling the scorer — a golden duck, out first ball, the purest form of the art. It's his 3rd of the season and 13th of an increasingly distinguished career, moving him to 99th of 1546 in the all-time table and drawing him level with Joe Martin, who played 2004–2016 and reached the same 13 in 86 innings. A chip off a duck-shaped block too, with son Zach only three days earlier making his own contribution down at Harrietsham — a father and son both finding form this week, if "form" is the word. Thomas Beeney lasted four balls longer than his teammate before falling ct David Andrews b Waseem Sherwani — his 1st duck of the season but a hefty 44th for the career, good enough for 20th on the all-time list. Thomas is a paid-up member of several honours boards, including the Debutante Duck club and the Duck of the Year 2014 vintage. On this very day back in 2003, club legend Trevor Back was also trudging off against Shipbourne CC — some traditions never die. Sunday 2nd XI v Harrietsham CC — 2nd July Zach Wilde departed b Shefin Nazir for his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of his career, ranking 427th of 1546. He joins Alan Probert, who managed the same tally in just two innings back in 2008–09 before promptly retiring — Zach, with 10 innings and counting, is taking the scenic route to the same number. John Karassellos was bowled by Mohan Nekkanti for his 2nd duck of the season and a serious 37th career total, 30th on the all-time roll of honour. John is a three-time Duck of the Year (2018, 2019 and 2020) and holds down a spot in the Ducks in a Row club with five on the bounce, plus nearly-man status on the Full House board. He now sits level with Matthew Carter, who racked up his 37 across 2002–2023, a fellow connoisseur of consistency of a very particular kind. Week in Summary Four ducks from six matches, a modest but respectable harvest, with the Wilde and Karassellos names doing the heavy lifting. No pairs, no king pairs, no family doubles this time round — everyone kept their ignominy to a single innings apiece. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Luke Welsman — 4 ducks, 17 innings, 23.53% - Nolan Wilde — 3 ducks, 14 innings, 21.43% - Jordan Austin — 3 ducks, 17 innings, 17.65% - Thomas Mundell — 2 ducks, 2 innings, 100% - Reuben Mundell — 2 ducks, 4 innings, 50% Thomas Mundell remains a perfect, if unwanted, 100% through the campaign so far. Can anyone catch Luke at the top before the season's out? Next round of fixtures awaits — same bat, same ball, same dubious glory on offer. See you all at the crease 🏏🦆

Six fixtures, five nought-scoring souls added to the ledger, and one repeat offender who made sure of a grim personal double along the way. The exclusive zero club welcomes its latest inductees. 🏏 Saturday — 1st XI v Mersham Sports CC Thomas Roxburgh walked in at 7 and departed without so much as troubling the scorers, lbw to Matthew Fagg first ball faced — a proper golden duck. It's his 1st of the season and 3rd career nought from 45 innings, sitting him at 304 of 1,543 on the all-time list. He joins Archie Fairfax-Ross, who played 2018-2022 and reached the same tally of 3 in just 33 innings. Amusingly, Thomas needn't look far for company — sibling William Roxburgh also carries exactly 3 career ducks. Keeping it in the family, evidently. 🌱 Sunday — Bearsted CC away A rough afternoon for the top order. Luke Welsman edged behind for 7 balls' worth of defiance before falling to Will Terry — his 3rd duck of the campaign and 47th of an increasingly decorated career, drawing level with Stuart Cheesman (1990-2022, 483 innings) on that exact number. Luke remains a fully paid-up Debutante Duck club member and a four-time Duck of the Year, so this was very much business as usual. Little did we know, he wasn't finished for the week. Ian Hollingworth followed him back shortly after, caught and bowled by James West having faced 4 deliveries — his 2nd of the season and 28th career duck from 111 innings, ranking 50th all-time. He joins Christopher Thirkell (1998-2015, 157 innings) on the same figure. Ian already holds a Diamond Duck credit from earlier this season, so he knows the drill for the golden variety too — this one, mercifully, wasn't quite that fast. 🦆 Sunday — 2nd XI v Offham CC Nolan Wilde also joined the queue, bowled by Dave Francis, taking him to his 2nd duck of the season and 12th career, from 76 innings — rank 111 of 1,543. He draws level with Aaron Hughes (2017-2023, 174 innings) on the same total. Nolan keeps it a family business too, with relatives Zach Wilde and Russell Wilde each carrying a career duck of their own — the Wilde name is quietly building a presence on the honours board. 🌊 Midweek — v Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC And there he was again. Luke Welsman, only three days after his effort at Bearsted, walked out and was bowled by Ashwani Arora first ball — a golden duck, and his 4th of the season, 48th of his career. That completes a proper pair for the week: survived seven balls on Sunday, lasted precisely none on Wednesday. Consistency of a very particular kind. On this very day back in 1975, Phil Hickman was doing much the same thing against Tilling Steven — some traditions never die. 📋 Week in Summary Five ducks from six matches, and one player responsible for two of them. Not a vintage week for the top order generally, but a triumphant one for the Duck Club's membership rolls. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Luke Welsman — 15 innings, 4 ducks (26.67%) 2. Jordan Austin — 14 innings, 3 ducks (21.43%) 3. Thomas Mundell — 2 innings, 2 ducks (100.00%) 4. Reuben Mundell — 3 innings, 2 ducks (66.67%) 5. Ian Hollingworth — 4 innings, 2 ducks (50.00%) Thomas Mundell's perfect record deserves a wary glance — two from two is either a blip or the start of something historic. 🍩 Next fixture looms, and with it, fresh opportunity for the top order to add to this list. The zero club never sleeps. See you all out there.

Six matches, six ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomes its latest inductees. On with the ceremony. Saturday 17 June 🏏 1st XI away to Rodmersham CC Mark Christmas departed at six, bowled Craig England, for his 1st duck of the campaign and 41st of a distinguished career — 23rd in the all-time table of 1,543. A Duck of the Year 2008 laureate, Mark also sits agonisingly on the Full House nearly-man board, ten positions ducked out of eleven and the last one taunting him from the shadows. On this very day in 1997, Adrian Caddick was doing much the same against Maidstone Teachers. 🏏 3rd XI at home to Bearsted CC Down at ten, Thomas Mundell was caught (umpire unsure of the catcher's name, cricket's finest tradition) off Matt Klimke — his 2nd duck of the season, and remarkably his 2nd career duck from only 2 career innings. A flawless, if unenviable, 100% record so far, and a fully paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from way back. He draws level with Alan Probert (2008–2009), also 2 from 2. The Mundell name already runs deep in these parts — brother Reuben and father-or-son Blair both carry 2 career noughts of their own; a family collection quietly assembling itself. Sunday 18 June 🍩 2nd XI at home to Teston CC Richard Piper, at two, was caught Rob Mitchell bowled Nick Egan for his 1st duck of 2023 but a whopping 88th of his career — 5th in the entire 1,543-strong all-time list. Boards held: Duck of the Year 2003, Ducks on the Road top 10, the rare Full House (a duck at every position, 1 to 11), Homebody Duck top 10 and Lone Duck top 10. A proper museum piece of a wicket. On this day in 1961, Robert Murray fell the same way against Halfway House. The Piper line runs strong in noughts too, with kin Brian (24) and James (20) both established club members. ⚡ Twenty20 at home to Headcorn CC Harley Gilks enjoyed himself here, claiming two ducks in the same innings. First, Toby Hughes departed first ball faced — a golden duck, the purest form of the art — his 1st of the season and 8th of his career. On this day in 1991, Dave Charlton suffered identically against West Farleigh CC. Three balls later Harrison Fermor followed, also to Gilks, for his own 1st duck of the season and 8th career nought — a card-carrying Debutante Duck club member from a debut long since passed. And at five, Luke Welsman edged James Barker's gloves off David Savage for his 2nd duck of the season and 46th of his career, drawing level with the legendary Mike Elworthy (1982–2008). Luke's honours case is groaning already: four Duck of the Year titles (2015, 2016, 2017, 2022) and, inevitably, a spot on the Full House nearly-man board. Week in Summary Six ducks from six matches, evenly spread across the club's teams, with Harley Gilks doing his bit for the cause by removing two Linton batters without troubling the scorer twice in one innings. The art of not scoring remains alive and well. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 🥇 1. Jordan Austin — 3 ducks, 10 innings (30.0%) 2. Thomas Mundell — 2 ducks, 2 innings (100.0%) 3. Reuben Mundell — 2 ducks, 3 innings (66.67%) 4. Frank Harbord — 2 ducks, 5 innings (40.0%) 4. George Taylor — 2 ducks, 5 innings (40.0%) Thomas Mundell leads the field on strike rate alone, which is either terrifying or magnificent depending on your view of the art form. Fixtures roll on next weekend, and with them, no doubt, fresh names for the honours board. Bring your bat. Bring your luck. We'll be watching. 🦆0️⃣

Four fixtures on the go this weekend and the exclusive zero club kept things refreshingly modest — just three admissions to the ledger. Quality over quantity, as the club motto very much isn't. Saturday — 1st XI vs Chestfield CC (h) Alex Keeler did the honourable thing at number 8, seeing off five balls before edging one through to Beckham Hulks off the bowling of Gabe Mitchell. His 1st duck of the season and 11th of an ongoing career, good enough for 113th on the all-time list of 1,542. He now sits level on career ducks with Andrew Moss, whose own 11 came in a longer 135-innings stint spanning 1968–2008 — a career that fittingly ended on a Retirement Duck. Saturday — 2nd XI vs Swanscombe & Greenhithe CC (a) Opening the innings is supposed to set the tone. Aaron Hughes set a rather different one, bowled by Adam Harding for his 1st duck of the season and 12th for his career, 102nd of all time. He joins Gareth Davies (2003–2013), who reached the same dozen in a brisker 77 innings and carries a Diamond Duck of his own from 2010. Fittingly, Aaron isn't the only Hughes in this club's records — sons Toby (7 career ducks) and Will (1) are presumably watching closely and taking notes. Sunday — 1st XI vs Stowting CC (a) Batting at 10, Ian Hollingworth was run out by Ryder Wallis without facing a single delivery — his 1st duck of the season, 27th of his career, and his Diamond Duck for 2023, out without ever troubling the bowlers. That takes him level on 27 with the well-travelled Tobey Castle, who needed 250 innings across 2010–2023 to get there. Ian, characteristically efficient, managed it rather faster. The week in brief Three ducks from four matches, and a full house of dismissal types too — one caught, one bowled, one run out without facing a ball. A restrained weekend, but the zero club never turns away a subscription. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Jordan Austin — 3 ducks / 8 innings (37.5%) - Reuben Mundell — 2 ducks / 2 innings (100%) - George Taylor — 2 ducks / 4 innings (50%) - Frank Harbord — 2 ducks / 5 innings (40%) - Anthony Karassellos — 2 ducks / 6 innings (33.33%) Reuben Mundell's perfect record remains either a triumph of consistency or a cry for help. The committee continues to deliberate. 🦆 Plenty of season left, and the ducks are never far from the surface. See you at the crease — or, more likely, shortly after it.

Four fixtures out on the paddock this weekend, but the harvest was a lean one — just two victims answered the Duck's call, both away at Leeds & Broomfield CC on Saturday. The other three sides, disappointingly, kept their noses clean. 1st XI at Leeds & Broomfield CC In at four, George Taylor departed ct Philip Morrison b Marcus Prime for his second duck of the season and 8th of a career now standing at 39 innings — a tally he shares stroke for stroke with Anthony Karassellos (2017–2023, 85 innings), fellow paid-up member of the Full House honours. George himself is a Debutante Duck man from way back, and keeps it in the family regardless — sibling Fred Taylor sits one nought ahead of him on 9, the elder statesman of the pairing for now. Batting at seven, Jordan Austin was run out by Saurav Parmar for his third duck of the campaign, the 38th of an increasingly formidable career spanning 264 innings and good enough for 28th on the all-time list. That parks him level with Michael Beeney (1995–2015, 299 innings), a name from the Only Two Quacks and Retirement Duck honours. Jordan's own cabinet is hardly bare — a Diamond Duck, the 2021 Duck of the Year crown, and top-10 residency in both the Homebody and Lone Duck charts. He's not alone in the family either, with brother Benjamin on 23 career ducks and son Mark just getting started on 1 — the next generation of the dynasty, apparently keen. Week in summary Two ducks from four matches this week, the entire haul confined to one top-order wobble against Leeds & Broomfield. A rare week of restraint from the wider membership — enjoy it while it lasts. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 Jordan Austin — 3 ducks, 8 innings, 37.5% 🥈 Reuben Mundell — 2 ducks, 2 innings, 100% 🥉 George Taylor — 2 ducks, 3 innings, 66.67% Anthony Karassellos — 2 ducks, 4 innings, 50% Frank Harbord — 2 ducks, 5 innings, 40% Reuben Mundell's flawless 100% strike rate is not the kind anyone wants to defend — the rest of the field watches on nervously. Plenty of willow still to come this season, and the Duck Club always has room on the honours board for new arrivals. See you at the crease. 🏏🍩0️⃣

Ten ducks in five matches over the Bank Holiday weekend — the exclusive zero club threw open its doors to debutants, veterans and one rather symmetrical bowling feud. Saturday — 2nd XI at Gravesend CC Glen Rawson fell lbw to Stavros Elia, his 2nd of the season and 21st career duck (76th of 1,541 all-time) — he joins Dave Todd, who plied his trade 1978–2014, on exactly the same tally. Darrell Houghton-Judge was bowled by Simran Padda for his 1st of the season and 32nd career (40th all-time), a Full House nearly-man still one position shy of completing the set. On this very day in 2006, Simon Thirkell (59 ducks, 1980–2012) also strolled back for nought against Sheldwich. Sunday — 1st XI v Newenden CC A golden double off Dan Edwards. Opener Jordan Austin was bowled first ball — his 2nd of the season, 37th career duck, 29th of 1,541 all-time, and already a Duck of the Year (2021) and Diamond Duck (2018) man. He draws level on 37 with Matthew Carter, who played 2002–2023. Moments later Junaid Mufti nicked his very first delivery to Charlie Sloan — golden duck number two, his 1st this season and 2nd career, echoing Bert Buckoke's vintage 1928 effort. Nick Tromp made it three, caught off Garry Smith after weathering three balls — his 1st of the season, 2nd career, and already crowned reigning Duck of the Year 2023. Sunday — 2nd XI at Yalding CC Alex Wade bowled by Justin Gregory, his 1st of the season and 6th career duck (175th all-time), level with -Adam Wright (2011–2012). Monday (Bank Holiday) — v Linton Park CC A neat quirk of the fixture list: Frank Harbord was bowled by Reuben Mundell in one match, while Reuben Mundell was bowled by Frank Harbord in the other — each did for his rival before falling himself. Frank's dismissal was his 2nd of the season, career duck 3 from just 8 innings, level with Archie Fairfax-Ross (2018–2022). Reuben's was his 2nd of the season and career — he's already a Debutante Duck club member from his very first senior knock, and kin Blair Mundell and Thomas Mundell both carry career ducks of their own (2 and 1 respectively). South African XI newcomer Altus Diener made his senior debut and departed lbw to Thomas Beeney without scoring — a fresh Debutante Duck, level with one-and-done club legend - Howard of 2006. Anton Bourdillon was bowled by Jordan Austin for his 1st of the season and 17th career (83rd all-time), joining Clive Newman (1992–2012) — and a long-standing member of the Quacked by Kin club, having once been sent packing by relative Henry Bourdillon back in 2020. Week in Summary 10 ducks, 5 matches, and two golden ducks in the same over-ish for Dan Edwards, who'll be dining out on that spell. Honourable mention to the Harbord–Mundell bowling exchange — proof the Duck Club rewards symmetry as much as failure. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🏏 1. Reuben Mundell — 2 inns, 2 ducks (100%) 2. Anthony Karassellos — 4 inns, 2 ducks (50%) 3. Glen Rawson — 4 inns, 2 ducks (50%) 4. Frank Harbord — 5 inns, 2 ducks (40%) 5. Jordan Austin — 6 inns, 2 ducks (33.33%) Next fixture looms — pads on, bats loose, the zero club awaits its next recruits 🍩0️⃣🦆

Four fixtures, eleven ducks — the 2023 season's zero club is already back in rude health. Best to get the earliest noughts out of the system before the fixtures start counting for anything serious. Saturday 20 May 1st XI at Ash CC — Tobey Castle opened the collection, bowled by Tom Laslett for his 1st duck of the season and 27th of his career (53rd of 1538 all time), drawing level with 2008-2020 servant Will Thirkell, who took 223 innings to reach the same total. Fred Taylor was next, caught behind off Rob Milton for his 9th career duck, a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, now level with Charles Curteis (2016-2020). Anthony Karassellos closed out the innings, bowled by Charlie Laslett for his 7th career duck — a Full House honoree who now sits level with George Taylor, who would add his own name to the card just a day later. 2nd XI v Southfleet CC — Glen Rawson fell lbw to Joel Mulley-Goodbarne for his 20th career duck, level with 1998-2021 clubman James Piper. Luke Welsman followed for his 45th, a four-time Duck of the Year (2015, 2016, 2017, 2022) drawing level with fellow serial offender Stewart Morrison (1987-2014). Srikrishna Challa edged behind for his 2nd career duck, matching the brief but perfectly formed record of Alan Probert (2008-2009). Nolan Wilde was caught in the deep for his 11th, joining current player Aaron Hughes on the same tally. Sunday 21 May Friendly XI at Cobham CC, Kent — Toby Joseph, lbw for his 8th career duck, unwittingly echoed this very day in 1956, when John --'s Taylor also made a duck against Marden CC, Kent. Sunday NVKC v Leeds & Broomfield CC — Jordan Austin departed first ball faced for a golden duck, his 36th career and a Duck of the Year 2021 alumnus, level with John Karassellos. George Taylor survived two balls before falling for his 7th career duck, level with Harrison Fermor (2016-2021) — and, as it happens, sibling to Saturday's own Fred Taylor, a fine weekend for the family collection. Anthony Karassellos returned to the crease only to fall again, his 8th career duck completing a grim pair for the weekend — Ash CC on Saturday, Leeds & Broomfield on Sunday — with this same calendar day in 1956 once again claiming John --'s Taylor. Week in brief Eleven ducks, one golden (Jordan Austin), one pair (Anthony Karassellos), and the Taylor name on the card twice without the siblings ever sharing a crease. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Anthony Karassellos — 3 inns, 2 ducks (67%) - Blair Mundell — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) - Fred Taylor — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) - Reuben Mundell — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) - Thomas Mundell — 1 inn, 1 duck (100%) The season's young and the record book long. Next fixture brings fresh inductees to the club — until then, quack on. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Five fixtures out this weekend and yet the entire Duck Club story fits in one innings. Away at Stone CC, Kent, the 3rd XI staged a top-order collapse so thoroughly domestic that the honours board may need to open a new wing. 🏏 3rd XI — away at Stone CC, Kent Reuben Mundell opened the family's account at number six, bowled by Tom Purton for his maiden LPCC innings and, fittingly, his maiden LPCC duck. A debut duck is never a wasted trip to the crease — it's a season ticket to the exclusive zero club, and Reuben is now a fully paid-up Debutante Duck, 693rd of 1,538 names on the all-time roll. On this very day back in 2006, Craig Sands was doing precisely the same thing against Headcorn CC, en route to a career haul of 31. One place later Blair Mundell fell lbw to Reece Frater, his second career duck from three innings and his own entry logged at 321st all-time. Blair already carries the Debutante Duck badge from his own bow some innings back, so this was less a first taste and more a top-up. He now sits level on career ducks with Alan Probert, whose brief 2008-09 career yielded the same tally of two in just two innings before a Retirement Duck sealed his file. And in walked Thomas Mundell at eight, lbw to Ryan Garratt, to complete the set — his own maiden innings, his own maiden duck, 726th of 1,538 all-time. Thomas joins his brother in the Debutante Duck club and, extraordinarily, on the exact same on-this-day parallel as Reuben — 2006, Craig Sands, Headcorn CC. Twins in misfortune if not in the record book. 👨‍👦‍👦 Family of Ducks This is the rare ceremony the club exists for. Blair Mundell and his two children Reuben and Thomas all walked back for nought in the same innings against Stone CC — a full Family of Ducks, three generations of one household united by the art of not scoring. The honours board does not see this often, and when it does, it insists on a fanfare. Consider this the fanfare. 📋 Week in Summary Three ducks from five fixtures, every single one supplied by the Mundell household on Saturday at Stone CC. The other four matches — a rare weekend of near-total continence from the rest of the club — passed entirely fowl-free. Make of that what you will. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Blair Mundell — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Reuben Mundell — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Thomas Mundell — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - David T Lowen — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% - John Karassellos — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% A Mundell-shaped clean sweep atop the standings this early in the season. Next weekend's fixtures await their own volunteers — the zero club never turns anyone away. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A quieter week in the hunting grounds, but the club's two newest arrivals to the naughty list both stepped up with real pedigree behind them. 🏏 Sunday 1st XI — away at Borstal CC John Karassellos departed for nought at number 8, bowled by Andy Routledge. It's his 1st duck of the 2023 season and the 36th of an illustrious career — a career, it should be said, decorated with Duck of the Year honours in 2018, 2019 and 2020, plus a place on the exclusive Ducks in a Row (5 consecutive) board and a lingering nearly-man's ache on the Full House table, just one position short of a duck at every spot in the order. He sits 30th of 1,534 in the all-time reckoning, and draws precisely level on 36 with Martin Harris, who plied his trade at Linton from 2009 to 2022 across 226 innings — proof that some standards, once set, simply endure. 🏏 Sunday 2nd XI — home to Holborough Anchorians CC Frank Harbord fell at number 7, bowled by Suhail Akram, for his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of his young Linton career from just 5 innings — an early but respectable entry at 344th of 1,534 all-time. He joins Alan Probert on exactly 2 career ducks, a man who packed his entire Linton innings — and both ducks — into the 2008-2009 seasons before departing the honours board via the Retirement Duck route. Frank has plenty of time yet to decide whether he follows that particular exit. 📋 Week in Summary Four matches, two ducks — the art of not scoring took a rare Sunday off elsewhere across the club, with the 1st XI's Sunday friendly and other fixtures declining to add to the tally. Still, when the exclusive zero club does convene, it convenes with pedigree — two players levelling with genuine Linton greats in the same round of golf, so to speak, that neither of them was actually playing. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. David T Lowen — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 1. John Karassellos — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 3. Frank Harbord — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) 3. Martin Rivers — 2 innings, 1 duck (50%) Perfect percentages all round at the top — a leaderboard built entirely on early-season small sample sizes and large early-season nerve. Whether it survives the weather, or the bowlers, remains to be seen. 🍩 Next fixture looms, and with it, fresh candidates for immortality — or at least a fresh line on the honours board. The Duck Club never sleeps. 0️⃣🦆

The season's Duck Hunting campaign is up and running, and Detling CC away proved fertile ground for the club's finest art: the art of not scoring. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI at Detling CC First to the crease and first to the pavilion was David T Lowen, undone at first drop for a golden-egg-free nought, bowled by Oliver Eves. It's David's 1st duck of the new season and the 5th of a career now standing at 71 innings, sliding him to 195th of 1532 in the all-time roll of dishonour. Curiously, on this very day back in 1962, John Ames — a Linton stalwart of 1952 to 1978 with 49 ducks to his name — was also queueing for the long walk back, against Maidstone AKCC. Some traditions simply repeat themselves. He wasn't alone for long. In at four, Martin Rivers fell to the very same bowler, Oliver Eves, for the very same nought — a tidy piece of symmetry that will do wonders for Oliver's figures and nothing at all for Linton's. It's Martin's 1st duck of the season too, his 5th career duck from 48 innings, and he lands at 203rd of 1532. And wouldn't you know it — 1962, this same date, John Ames again, also dismissed for nought against Maidstone AKCC. The great man really did keep this calendar entry busy. Two batters, two ducks, one bowler, one baffling coincidence of dates. Oliver Eves may want to frame the scorecard. 📅 Week in Summary Two matches, two ducks, both harvested in the same innings at Detling — the rest of the club's batting order got away completely unmolested. A quiet weekend by Duck Club standards, but a perfectly formed one: tidy, symmetrical, and delivered by the same bowler twice. We'll take it. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - David T Lowen — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Martin Rivers — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% Early days yet, and both gentlemen currently share top billing on a flawless — if unwanted — 100% strike rate. Someone will have to spoil the symmetry eventually. 🍩 Next fixture looms, and with it, fresh candidates for the exclusive zero club. Who fancies joining David and Martin at the summit? We watch. We wait. We celebrate. 🦆0️⃣