🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 21 Aug 1897 🧢 1st XIv SC 1st Innings Maidstone Conservative Club CC · HomeformDWLLD

We won the toss on the Saturday and I had no hesitation in electing to bat, the wicket promising well and our visitors, 1st Innings Maidstone Conservative Club CC, put into the field. Knight gave us the finest possible start to affairs, and continued in such form that his innings grew into something remarkable, a truly magnificent century that anchored the whole of our effort. I was glad to lend what support I could, finishing unbeaten on 39, while H G Smith batted soundly for 37. Fortune was less kind to F Smith, who departed without troubling the scorers, though the extras column did its modest duty with a useful 30 added to the total.

Our innings closed with the eleven all out, and it fell to us thereafter to defend what had been built. Here our attack showed to real advantage. Baker, Bransome and Taylor were each sent back without scoring, our bowlers finding a length that gave the visiting batsmen no comfort whatever. I found my own rhythm with the ball and was fortunate enough to finish with nine wickets, well supported by H G Smith, who took one for his trouble. The innings did not long survive such an assault, and our opponents were dismissed in their turn.

The result was a victory by an innings and two hundred runs, a margin as handsome as the batting that produced it. I would add, with no little pride on the club's behalf, that Knight's splendid century has carried him past J N Tonge into seventh place among our all-time run-scorers, a fitting reward for a fine season's work. Our visitors bore their reverse with good grace, and the game was played throughout in the best of spirits.

Wed 11 Aug 1897 🧢 1st XIv Town Malling CC · AwayformDDWLL

Wednesday last, the eleven took the road to Town Malling, there to try conclusions with a side ever ready to give us a sporting game. The toss went against us, and our opponents asked that we take the field first, a decision they may since have reflected upon. Richardson gave their innings its backbone with a fine 89, soberly compiled, while Cooper added 23 and Todman 20 in useful support. Viner, less fortunate, was sent back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. For my own part I found something in the wicket that suited my spin, and had the satisfaction of taking five wickets without cost, Smith bowling with great steadiness for four and Pile chipping in with one.

Our own innings owed most to my bat, forty-five runs that proved the making of the total, with Laurence following handsomely for 44 and Fryer for 39. It was, I confess, a pleasant day all round, for those forty-five runs carried me past Arthur Cornwallis to the head of the club's list of run-getters, while Smith's four wickets saw him pass W Crittenden into sixteenth place among our bowlers of all time. The season continues kindly besides, for I find myself presently leading both the run-scoring and wicket-taking charts for the first eleven this year, with 307 runs and 36 wickets to my name.

Neither side, in the end, could force a conclusion, and honours were shared in a draw that reflected fairly enough the even tenor of the contest. Town Malling proved generous hosts and keen opponents, and we came away well content with an afternoon's cricket played in the right spirit.

Wed 04 Aug 1897 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWDDWL

Wednesday last, the fourth of August, found us away at Headcorn, there to try conclusions with a well-set home eleven. The toss went against us, and our opponents chose to take first use of the wicket. The Reverend A. C. Scott gave a chanceless display of real class, compiling a handsome 135, and found willing company in A. Hubble, who added a useful 20. For our part, F. Newton and W. Clinch were sent back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers, and the spell of the day fell to my own lot, five wickets rewarding a length that held up admirably throughout the afternoon. Jack Fryer and H. G. Smith lent able assistance, claiming three wickets and one respectively, the latter's success carrying him past R. Morris and into twenty-third place among the club's wicket-takers of all time, a small distinction quietly earned.

Called upon to reply, our men found the going hard, though I was fortunate enough to remain unbeaten on 55, a knock that gave the innings what backbone it possessed. Tom Peach Senior, A. Heathfield and R. Tree were less happily placed, each departing without score. Headcorn proved altogether too strong on the day, running out winners by 140 runs. It leaves me, for the season, at the head of the eleven's run-getters with 262 and its wicket-takers with 31, honours held with proper modesty, for the credit of Wednesday belongs chiefly to our visitors, whose strength deserved its reward, and we return home resolved to give a better account of ourselves next week.

Mon 02 Aug 1897 🧢 1st XIv RC Rochester CC · HomeformWWDDW

I confess we came off second best. Rochester CC visited us on Monday last, and losing the toss, I resigned myself to the field first — a decision our opponents used to full advantage. Their innings closed with the score in their favour throughout, F M Atkins compiling a fine half-century of 77 before he was parted from the crease, and C E Hoadley closing unbeaten on 56 after a display of similar quality. R H Wakeley chipped in usefully with 38. For our part, I was fortunate enough to account for two of their number with the ball, while K McAlpine and the Reverend Thomas Burra each claimed a wicket apiece to keep the innings within some bounds.

Our reply, I regret to record, did not answer the occasion. Arthur Cornwallis alone gave a satisfactory account of himself, top-scoring with 23, but the remainder of the order found little comfort at the wicket, and I must own that my own contribution amounted to nought — a blot I share, somewhat ruefully, with McAlpine and the Reverend Burra, all three of us returning to the pavilion without troubling the scorer.

There was, amid the gloom, one small cause for satisfaction: Jack Fryer's 16 runs carried him past A W Fulcher and into fifth place upon the club's roll of run-getters, a distinction earned even in a losing cause.

In the end we were beaten by 189 runs, a margin that leaves no room for argument. Rochester played the better cricket on the day, and we shall return to the nets the wiser for it.

Wed 28 Jul 1897 🧢 1st XIv BC Brenchley CC · AwayformWWWDD

On Wednesday last, the twenty-eighth of July, the road took us to Brenchley, and it was my good fortune to win the toss. I had no hesitation in asking our visitors to take the field first, the afternoon promising well for batting.

Our men gave a fair account of themselves at the wicket. G Knight led the way with a capital knock of 49, well supported by F E Wallis with 30 and by my own contribution of 29. It must be recorded, in fairness to a fine cricketer, that poor Ernest Cruttenden was undone without troubling the scorers, departing for a duck, such misfortunes being the common lot of us all in time.

Called upon to defend our total, the eleven turned to the ball with a will. A White alone gave the Brenchley innings any real substance, compiling 23, while A Hodges and C W Barsley were each sent back without scoring. I found the wicket much to my liking that day and was rewarded with five wickets, a spell I confess gave me no small satisfaction, and I was well served by G Knight with three and Jack Fryer with two. Knight's fine all-round display, I am glad to note, carried him past Leslie Wilson on the club's list of run-getters and past R Morris among our wicket-takers, honours he wears lightly but earns handsomely, and it leaves me, for the present, at the head of both charts for the season.

We prevailed in the end by an innings and 81 runs, a handsome margin against opponents who played the game throughout in the right spirit, and a most satisfactory day's cricket for the club.

Wed 21 Jul 1897 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone CC · HomeformDWWWD

We had first use of the leather on Wednesday last, the twenty-first of July, against Maidstone, and our visitors gave a good account of themselves before their innings closed, all out. F G Hughes led their score with a capital 38, well supported by F E Wallis with 32 and P F Lancaster with 31, and it was no small task to prise them from the wicket. Yet our attack held its nerve throughout, G Attwood and H Mason being sent back without troubling the scorers. The honours of the day belonged unquestionably to George Champion, whose figures of seven wickets for no runs were as fine a piece of bowling as I have witnessed on our ground, bringing him to fifty wickets in his career and leaving him at the head of our wicket-takers for the season with fourteen to his name. Rev J C Wilson and K McAlpine each claimed a wicket in support.

When our turn came to the willow, I was fortunate enough to be well set and carried my score to 55, which I mention not in boasting but with quiet satisfaction, for a half-century is not won every week. H G Smith and George Champion were less fortunate, both departing without troubling the scorers, though Champion's afternoon had already been made by his bowling. Rev J C Wilson's contribution of 14, modest in itself, carried him past Rev J R Leigh into twenty-third place upon the club's all-time list of run-scorers, a distinction he may wear with pride.

Neither side could force the issue, and the match ended honourably shared, a draw that flattered nobody and disappointed nobody, our visitors proving worthy opponents throughout.

Mon 19 Jul 1897 🧢 1st XIv RC Royal Engineers CC · HomeformLDWWW

Monday, the nineteenth of July, brought the Royal Engineers to our ground, and the toss falling kindly to me, I did not hesitate to send our men in first upon a morning that promised well for batting.

We acquitted ourselves handsomely at the wicket. P F Warner gave the innings its backbone with a capital knock of ninety, striking the ball with a certainty that our visitors' bowlers could do little to check. He found willing company in Arthur Cornwallis, whose forty-seven was compiled with much good sense, and in A W Fulcher, who added forty-six of his own quite in the same vein. A generous forty in extras rounded out an innings of which the whole eleven might be proud.

The Royal Engineers replied in like spirit. Captain T Bigge led their effort with forty-eight, well supported by F G Guggisberg's forty-four and C B O Symons' twenty-two, though S D Barrow was sent back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Our bowling honours fell chiefly to J N Tonge, whose four wickets without cost were the mainstay of our attack, the Hon H A Milles and F Marchant each chipping in with two apiece.

The day was not without its milestones, Fulcher's innings carrying him past Jack Fryer into fifth place among the club's run-getters, and S Christopherson's two wickets lifting him above Tom Peach Snr into seventh on the bowling list, while Arthur Cornwallis continues to sit second in this season's run-scoring and Tonge second among the wicket-takers. Neither side could force a decision, and honours were shared, a fair and sporting conclusion to a well-contested match.

Sat 17 Jul 1897 🧢 1st XIv HX H Wilson-Smith XI · HomeformWLDWW

Saturday last, the seventeenth of July, brought H Wilson-Smith's eleven to Linton Park, and the toss falling to me, I chose that we should bat first.

Our men gave a fine account of themselves. A W Fulcher played a truly admirable innings, reaching three figures with 115, a score that carries him past W H Fryer into eighth place among the club's run-getters, and he was well supported by George Champion's fine half-century of 55 and the Hon J R Tufton's useful 36. A E Leatham and R Upcher departed for nought apiece, though extras added a handy 26 to the total. I myself contributed 15.

Turning to the leather, our bowlers made short work of the visitors. The Reverend Thomas Burra was quite unplayable, his spin bringing him six wickets without cost and lifting him past H Freed into second place among our leading wicket-takers, while George Champion lent capital support with four more. J S Hardy and W H L Roberts were both sent back without scoring, and though G Style held firm for 33 not out, ably seconded by W Marchant's 23, the visitors' innings closed well short of the mark.

We carried the day by 217 runs, a most satisfactory result, and one which finds George Champion still heading our run-charts this season with 178 and Rev Thomas Burra leading the wickets with 13. Our visitors met defeat with true sporting grace, and we thank them for a capital game.

Sat 03 Jul 1897 🧢 1st XIv SS Sutton Valence School · HomeformLWLDW

On Saturday the third of July, in the year 1897, we welcomed Sutton Valence School to Linton Park, and the toss falling to my call, I had no hesitation in setting our men in to bat.

Arthur Cornwallis gave a capital display for fifty-seven, well supported by Jack Fryer's watchful thirty-five, though poor S Smith was undone without troubling the scorers and returned to the pavilion for a duck. Our whole side was in due course dismissed, but a total had been laid down that we felt confident to defend.

Sutton Valence, for their part, found in F G Apthorpe a most obdurate opponent, his thirty-two runs standing as their principal resistance, while H D T Alexander fared less happily, sent back without scoring. Our bowling held sway throughout: Jack Fryer was in his finest form and claimed four wickets, George Champion took three, and the Reverend Thomas Burra two, and I was glad to chip in with eighteen myself, before their innings, too, came to a close.

We carried the day by twenty-three runs, a result of which our men may be justly proud. It was, besides, a happy afternoon for Jack Fryer, whose thirty-five runs saw him pass Ernest Cruttenden into fifth place among the club's run-getters of all time, while Arthur Cornwallis continues to lead our run-scorers this season with one hundred and twenty-six, and the Reverend Burra our bowlers with seven wickets. Sutton Valence proved worthy and sporting visitors, and I trust they found in us opponents equally willing.

Wed 23 Jun 1897 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWLWLD

Wednesday last, the twenty-third of June, saw Headcorn Cricket Club visit us at home, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in sending our men in first.

We batted soundly. I was fortunate to find my form and made a superb 120, well supported by Arthur Cornwallis, whose well-made fifty brought him 69, and by the Reverend J C Wilson, who made a useful 49.

In the field the Reverend Thomas Burra was quite unplayable, spinning through the Headcorn batting for five wickets without conceding a run, and I was glad to chip in with four wickets myself, Wilson also finding the timbers for one. R E Lewis batted most resolutely for the visitors and made top score with 23, but it was not enough, and we carried the day by the handsome margin of 232 runs.

It was, besides, a day of landmarks. Cornwallis's innings carried him past George Champion to the very top of our all-time run-scorers, while my own bowling took me past W Crittenden into fifteenth place among the club's wicket-takers, and that same innings leaves me second in this season's run-making, with the Reverend Burra now leading the bowling charts. A thoroughly satisfying game, and I offer Headcorn our thanks for a keen contest.

Wed 16 Jun 1897 🧢 1st XIv BC Brenchley CC · HomeformWWLWL

We opened our account against Brenchley on Wednesday the sixteenth of June, and the toss falling to me I had no hesitation in sending our men in, the wicket promising well for the willow. It proved a sound decision, for we gave a fine display, being all out only after a most creditable total had been posted. I am happy to record that I was able to lead from the front, my own contribution of 121 being, I confess with more pride than modesty becomes, a magnificent century and the innings that carried us. Ernest Cruttenden gave excellent support with a well-made 63 not out, and M A Atkins added a further 35 of sound and useful batting.

Brenchley came to the wicket with every intention of matching us, and were themselves eventually dismissed, though not before giving our trundlers a testing afternoon. W Hodges played a fine innings of 81, the backbone of their reply, while J A Perkins stood firm for 53 not out and A Hodges contributed a further 45. Our bowling honours fell chiefly to G Knight, who proved the pick of the attack, with the Reverend J R Leigh and Cruttenden each accounting for a wicket apiece in support.

In the end neither side could force the issue, and honours were shared in a draw. I may add, without undue pride, that my innings was afterwards said to have carried me to the top of the club's list of run-scorers, a distinction I owe as much to good fortune as to good cricket. Brenchley proved generous and sporting opponents throughout, and I trust we shall meet them again before the season is out.