🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 11 Aug 1906 🧢 1st XIv SC 1st Innings Boxley CC · HomeformDLLWD

On Saturday last, the eleventh of August, we had the pleasure of receiving Boxley CC upon our ground, and the fall of the coin favoured us; I elected that we should take first use of the wicket. Our innings, though bowled out in the end, produced some pleasing batting, Ernest Cruttenden leading the way with a capital knock of forty-two, well supported by W S Cornwallis, who remained unbeaten on thirty-six. It must be recorded, in fairness, that C L Pemberton and Tom Peach Jnr were both dismissed without troubling the scorers, a blot upon an otherwise creditable card.

In reply our visitors gave a fine account of themselves, T C Roper playing an innings of quality for eighty-three, well past his half-century, and finding sound support from G Bensted with forty-two and C H Style with twenty-nine, before their innings too closed, all out. Our bowling found its hero in G Knight, who ran quite riot and returned the remarkable figures of seven wickets without conceding a run, H G Smith and Tom Peach Jnr each chipping in with a wicket apiece.

Two matters deserve note for the club's records. Smith's brief innings of seventeen runs carried him past me into fourth place among the club's all-time run-scorers, while Knight's fine bowling lifted him past W Peach into twentieth among our wicket-takers, and stands him fourth in this season's list with seven wickets, Rev J R Leigh occupying fourth place among this year's run-scorers with ninety-nine.

For all that, the day was not ours, our opponents proving victorious by nine wickets. We return to the nets with heads high, resolved to do better when next we meet.

Sat 28 Jul 1906 🧢 1st XIv Town Malling CC · HomeformLDLLW

The toss went against us, and Town Malling CC, upon winning it, elected to take first use of the wicket. We took the field in fair heart, and though our trundlers laboured long, the issue was not settled until the last man had gone. F B Leney gave a fine display, his eighty-three carrying the innings well past the half-century mark, and he found willing company in L H Hardy, who made thirty-seven, and F G Busbridge, unbeaten on thirty-three. Only V L Hough departed without troubling the scorers, sent back for a duck. Major Blake bowled with excellent judgement to finish with three wickets, and George Champion and Ernest Cruttenden gave him capital support with two apiece, so that our visitors were eventually dismissed for their pains.

Our own innings brought its share of credit. C Murdoch top-scored handsomely with forty-eight, Major Blake again distinguished himself with an unbeaten thirty-five, and George Champion added a useful twenty-seven, before our men, too, were all out.

There was cause for quiet satisfaction beyond the day's play. H G Smith's nine runs carried him past me into fourth place upon the club's all-time list of run-scorers, a milestone I own I witnessed with more pleasure than envy, while Ernest Cruttenden's two wickets took him past the Reverend Thomas Burra into third among our wicket-takers. Murdoch continues to lead our run-getters this season with 328, and Champion our bowlers with twenty-three wickets. Neither side could force a result, and I confess a drawn game against opponents of such quality was no mean outcome for us.

Fri 20 Jul 1906 🧢 1st XIv RX Royal West Kent Regiment CC - Officers XI · HomeformWLDLL

On Friday last, the twentieth of July, we had the pleasure of welcoming to our ground the Officers XI of the Royal West Kent Regiment, and calling correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in choosing to take first strike upon a wicket that promised well for batsmen.

Our innings, when at length the whole side had been sent back to the pavilion, owed its substance chiefly to C Murdoch, whose fine half-century of 58 anchored the effort, well supported by E A Fulcher with 53 and by Captain Cuthbertson, who remained not out on 38. It must be confessed that R W Mitchell fared less happily, departing without troubling the scorers, though such fortunes befall the best of us in this game.

In the field our visitors could make no lasting headway against the total we had set them. Captain Barrow batted soundly for 67, finding support in Lieutenant Hewitt with 39 and Major Robinson with 29, but three of their number, Captains Druce, Lees and Liebenvood, were each dismissed without scoring. George Champion bowled quite unplayably, taking five wickets, and was well assisted by Major Blake and Captain Campbell, two apiece.

I should note that Rev J R Leigh's useful 27 carried him past F E Wallis on the club's all-time list of run-scorers, while R W Mitchell's solitary wicket saw him overtake S Christopherson among our leading wicket-takers, a happy consolation for his morning's disappointment with the bat.

We were fortunate enough to prevail by 76 runs, a result pleasing to all of us, and I should like to record our thanks to our opponents for a most sporting and agreeable contest, conducted throughout in the best spirit of the game.

Sat 07 Jul 1906 🧢 1st XIv SS Sutton Valence School · HomeformWWLDL

Saturday last, upon winning the toss against Sutton Valence School, I had no hesitation in sending our men in first, the wicket appearing true and inviting to those who could find their form with the willow. C Murdoch batted with much judgement for 25, and was well supported by C H Style, who made a tidy 24. It must be confessed that B W Haynes fell without troubling the scorers, a small blot upon an otherwise creditable card.

Our visitors, in reply, opened confidently, and S E Kay played the innings of the day with 43, ably assisted by E W Pritchard's 29. Yet our trundlers were not to be denied, D G S Urmson and P H Champion both departing without score to our bowling. George Champion was in irresistible form, spinning through their order for five wickets without cost, and finding good support from R W Mitchell, who claimed four, and H G Smith, who took one.

I may record, without undue pride, that my own 13 runs carried me past H G Smith into fourth place upon the club's all-time list of run-scorers, while Mitchell's four wickets lifted him past Tom Peach senior into tenth among our wicket-takers, C Murdoch meanwhile continuing to lead this season's run-getters and George Champion its bowlers.

We were beaten on the day, and honestly so, by the better side. We shall go again, and gladly.

Sat 23 Jun 1906 🧢 1st XIv SC 1st Innings Leeds Castle CC · AwayformLWWLD

Saturday last, the 23rd of June, found us away at Leeds Castle, and the toss falling to me, I elected to send our men in first.

It was not the smoothest of starts, Jack Fryer, the Reverend J R Leigh and Charles Wycherley each returning to the pavilion without score, but I was fortunate enough to find some form with the willow, my 44 proving the innings' anchor before the whole side was finally dismissed.

In the field we fared handsomely. R Whittingham and W Steadman were both sent back for ducks, and the ball turned so kindly for me that I finished with nine wickets for 26 runs, while the Reverend F A Leveson-Gower took one for no runs to his own credit. There was cause for quiet pride beyond the day's play too: the Reverend Leigh's 37 runs have carried him past C Murdoch to thirteenth among the club's all-time run-getters, and Mr Leveson-Gower's wicket has done him like service, passing F Reeves into thirteenth on the bowling list. The season's figures stand fair as well, Mr Leveson-Gower leading our 1906 run charts with 130, and I am pleased to find myself second among the wicket-takers with nine.

For all our efforts, Leeds Castle proved the better side, carrying the match by eight wickets. It was no disgrace to be so beaten, and I have every confidence our fellows shall show improvement when next we take the field.

Mon 04 Jun 1906 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone CC · HomeformLLWWL

On Monday, the fourth of June, we welcomed Maidstone CC to our ground, and having won the toss I elected to send our visitors in first.

Our bowlers gave a good account of themselves throughout the afternoon. R W Mitchell was in his finest form, taking three wickets, well backed up by Ernest Cruttenden with two and H G Smith with one, and it was a source of particular satisfaction to note that Cruttenden's efforts carried him past fifty wickets in a club career, a milestone worthy of remark. Yet the willow was not to be denied us entirely, for C Munds played a fine innings of 77, and G W Leng, with a capital half-century of 57, gave him steady company, while A Brownscombe's 38 was no mean contribution either, before our men at last found a way through.

When our turn came to bat, C Murdoch batted with great composure for 92 not out, and the Reverend F A Leveson-Gower gave a well-made fifty of 86, the two putting on 207 for the second wicket before the breakthrough came, a partnership as handsome as any seen on our ground this season. Captain Hickley added a useful 36, though R W Mitchell and Allan Peach were less fortunate, each departing without troubling the scorers. The Reverend's innings carried him past E C Streatfield into eighth place among the club's run-getters, just as Mitchell's bowling lifted him past J N Tonge into eleventh among our wicket-takers, both now leading the season's charts besides.

In the end neither side could force a result, and honours were shared, a fitting and sporting conclusion to a thoroughly enjoyable day's cricket.

Sat 12 May 1906 🧢 1st XIv Town Malling CC · AwayformWLLWW

On Saturday last, the twelfth of May, we journeyed to Town Malling, and there, losing the toss, found ourselves asked to field first while our hosts took first strike upon a wicket that plainly favoured the willow. Mr F B Leney gave us a chastening afternoon of it, compiling a capital ninety-three, and was well supported by G H Adam, whose seventy-five was a knock of real quality, and by J G Smith, who added a useful thirty. Some consolation was to be had in the bowling of R W Mitchell, who returned the admirable figures of six wickets without cost, as fine a spell as any seen on our fixture list this season, with Ernest Cruttenden and myself each claiming a wicket apiece to keep him company.

Set a heavy total to chase, our reply never truly threatened it. L Caldecott batted with the most credit, carrying his effort to twenty-five and finishing the season thus far as our leading run-getter, though the early loss of D H Luck and J W Bowles without troubling the scorer told against us. I was pleased to contribute eighteen with the bat, and to see my solitary wicket carry me past T Gandy into thirteenth place among the club's wicket-takers of all time, a small personal satisfaction amid a disappointing day, while Mitchell's haul left him comfortably at the head of our season's bowling returns.

We were beaten in the end by 160 runs, a margin our efforts do nothing to disguise, yet Town Malling played the finer cricket throughout and deserved their victory handsomely. We shall look to profit by the lesson next Saturday.