🧢 Captain's Log

Mon 28 May 1928 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWDLTL

On Monday, the twenty-eighth of May, Bearsted CC came to us as visitors, and a fair afternoon it promised for cricket. Sent in first, our eleven found the going was not always easy, though J Clark gave the innings its backbone with a fine 24, well supported by L Crundwell's 20. The card bore its blot, as these things will — Bert Buckoke and F Amies both departed without troubling the scorers — but there was enough substance in the middle order to leave Bearsted a proper task before them.

Taking the ball, we found Bearsted's batsmen made us work hard for our reward. W White carried his bat through to 29 not out, and had capable company in Major Taylor's 28 and R A Palmer's 23, the three of them doing most of the damage. Yet for all their application, three of their number — Frank Harnett, M Corps and B Beech — fell for ducks at our hands, a reminder that fortune is a fickle companion at the crease. L Crundwell bowled with real heart to take 4 for 43, and found good support from C Hartridge, 2 for 7, and J Piper, 2 for 18.

I confess our custodian behind the stumps had an afternoon to forget, eleven byes finding their way past him, though I am glad to say I have kept my end up with the bat this season, leading our run charts with 97, while Crundwell now heads the wicket-takers with his four. The match ended honours even, a draw that pleased neither side outright but did credit to both, and Bearsted proved, as ever, the most sporting of visitors to our ground.