🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 17 Aug 1940 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · AwayformWWWLL

Skipper's Log — Saturday 17 August 1940. The road took us to Charles Arkcoll, a pleasant enough journey for a game of cricket, and I confess I was not sorry to lose the toss for once, for their captain elected to bat and gave our bowlers first crack at a wicket that looked, to my eye, to hold a little for the seamer.

And hold it did. K Heathfield played the best innings of the day for the home side, a watchful 45 that alone kept them respectable, but around him the innings crumbled handsomely, from 24 for 2 to 40 for 5 as our attack found its rhythm. D Jolliffe, G Wratten and X Heard all departed without troubling the scorer, and J Short was the chief tormentor with a fine 3 for 12. I was glad to chip in with 3 for 33 myself, and Don Hartridge kept up the pressure with 2 for 20, so that Charles Arkcoll were dismissed for 110 in 23 overs, a total we felt we could chase down with sensible batting.

So it proved, though not without the usual alarms, our eleven getting home for 112 in 27.5 overs, a target reached with more nerve than grace but reached all the same. I made a useful 17 down the order. Worth recording too that J Short's 19 runs carried him past Leslie Wilson into 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Bert Buckoke's solitary wicket lifted him past J N Tonge into 15th among our wicket-takers, quiet milestones in a season Percy Brattle continues to lead with the bat and I am fortunate enough to lead with the ball. A fine, sporting contest, and a thoroughly satisfying win to bring home to the pavilion.

Sat 10 Aug 1940 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · HomeformDWWWL

We had first use of the ball against Tovil on the tenth of August, and for a good while it seemed a sound enough decision, though the visitors made us pay handsomely for it in the end. Day gave us a well-made fifty, batting with real assurance for his sixty-eight, and found a willing ally in White, who compiled a fifty of his own in equally fine style. Their third-wicket pair put on a crucial ninety-three, and though Epsley finished unbeaten on thirty-six, it was Short who kept us in the contest, bowling with real miserliness through two maiden overs to finish with two for thirty-three, well supported by Westover's one for thirty-four. Even so, one hundred and ninety-five for three off thirty-two overs was a formidable total to chase.

Our reply never gained a footing. The first wicket fell at six, and though Short played the innings of the day with a defiant twenty, wickets tumbled from sixty-nine for five to seventy-two for eight in a rush that undid all his good work. I must confess my own part in the affair was a sorry one, a golden blank that proved a captain does not always lead by example with the bat, and Smith and Westover kept me company in that unhappy company of ducks. Behind the stumps I fared little better, fifteen byes slipping past for the visitors' benefit.

There was, at least, cause for quiet pride: Short's twenty runs carried him past G J V Weigall into twenty-second on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Brattle continues to lead our season's run-getters with four hundred and sixty-five, and Short himself stands fourth among the wicket-takers with fourteen. Beaten by one hundred and seventeen runs, we shall doubtless be the better for it next week.

Sat 03 Aug 1940 🧢 1st XIv NX 2nd Innings George Fenner XI · HomeformWDWWW

Here is the match report for the gazette.

We won the toss on the third of August and, with the wicket looking full of runs, I had no hesitation in putting the visitors, Fenner's men, in to field first. Herbert Rayner led us handsomely with thirty-one, and Percy Brattle followed in fine style with twenty-eight, while the extras column swelled generously to twenty-seven as we compiled a solid one hundred and sixty from our thirty-three overs before the innings closed.

Defending that total, we found the George Fenner XI in no mood to be denied. J Bunting played the innings of the day, a fine half-century of fifty-seven that carried his side along, with John Anscombe and Thomas Crawford lending sturdy support with twenty-nine and twenty-six apiece. We did have our moments in the field, W Hall sent back without so much as a run to his name, and J Short bowled with real venom to finish with four for forty-seven, well backed by Don Hartridge and Dennis Smith, who took a wicket apiece. For my own part I chipped in with eighteen down the order, though it was not quite enough to turn the tide.

It was pleasing, amid a losing cause, to note that Herbert Rayner's thirty-one carried him past F Marchant into sixteenth place among the club's all-time run-scorers, and that Don Hartridge's solitary wicket lifted him past J Woollett into twentieth on the bowling list — small consolations on a day that finished with Fenner's home by two wickets. A close, sporting contest throughout, and we shall be the better for it next week.

Fri 26 Jul 1940 🧢 1st XIv BC Boughton Monchelsea CC · HomeformDWDWW

We won the toss on a fine Friday afternoon and I had no hesitation in electing to bat, a decision that felt right from the first ball. Percy Brattle batted quite beautifully for his unbeaten hundred, finding a willing ally in Dennis Smith, himself not out on 34, and between them they carried us to 171 for six from our thirty-three overs. There was a wobble in the middle order, from 34 for one to 37 for four in the twinkling of an eye, though the tail wagged gamely to add a further 96 and leave the fielding side thoroughly out of patience. I confess I contributed nothing with the bat that day, joining J Short and B Westover in that most humbling of cricketing fraternities, though I was glad to make amends later in the afternoon with the ball, taking 3 for 21.

Boughton Monchelsea's reply never gathered the momentum such a beginning promised. B Botting's 24 and V Ames's 22 were the mainstay, but wickets tumbled in a heap from 39 for two to 41 for five, and Gordon Fenner, R Marsh and Des Latham all departed without troubling the scorers. Dennis Smith bowled beautifully to finish with 3 for 19, and Don Hartridge chipped in with 3 for 24, the innings closing at a modest 84 in just twenty-one overs.

There was cause for quiet satisfaction beyond the scorecard, too. Percy Brattle's splendid century carried him past J N Tonge into ninth place among the club's all-time run-scorers, while those same three wickets lifted me past E C Streatfield into ninth on the wicket-takers' list, Brattle now leading the season's run charts with 424 and I find myself, not without some pride, at the head of the wicket-takers with 28. A fine win by 87 runs, and a thoroughly sporting contest from start to finish.

Sat 20 Jul 1940 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLDWDW

As we came in from the field on that Saturday, 20th July, with Bearsted's total of 48 upon the board, there was scarcely a man among us who did not feel we had had rather the better of the exchanges before a ball had been faced. The toss went against us and Bearsted chose to bat, but their innings never truly settled, an early wicket falling with the score still at nought, and the top order subsiding from 0 for 1 to 3 for 4 under a real weight of pressure. Hodge, Coles and Barnes were all despatched without troubling the scorers, and it was Phil Bowles who bowled quite beautifully throughout, his figures of seven for twenty-two a five-for richly earned and the spell of the day by common consent. Dennis Smith and Don Hartridge chipped in usefully with a wicket apiece, and Bearsted were all out for 48 in fourteen and two overs, a modest total by any reckoning.

Our reply was not without its own alarms. We built soundly enough before the middle order stumbled, the score slipping from 52 for 2 to 61 for 5 in short order, Bert Buckoke and Phil Bowles each departing without scoring. But the innings held its shape, and I was glad to contribute 13 runs myself in the course of getting us home, a knock which I am told carried me past Guy Bracher into seventeenth place on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a pleasant small landmark on an afternoon otherwise given over to the team's cause. We reached 97 all out from twenty-one overs and, having bowled Bearsted out for so few, that proved comfortably enough.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket, and a good day for the club.

Sat 29 Jun 1940 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformWLDWD

In an innings that will not detain the historians for its exact figure — my memory of the total has quite deserted me, though the manner of its making has not — we won the toss on Saturday and I had no hesitation in asking Staplehurst CC to take the field first. J Short played the anchor's part with a fine 45, and there was a stand of 54 for the first wicket that set us up handsomely. Stan Pierce, unbeaten on 29, and Ernie Chiesman, with a plucky 21, saw that the innings did not want for backbone before we were finally all out.

Staplehurst replied with some spirit, closing their nineteen overs on 151 all out, F. Austin playing a fine, watchful half-century of 82 that for a time threatened to undo us, aided by a second-wicket stand worth 50. But the middle order could find no lasting answer, and we ran through them from 143 for six to 151 for nine in scarcely any time at all, sending back L Munn, A. Harringdon and poor F. Bourne, who departed without troubling the scorers.

I found the wicket much to my liking that afternoon, turning the ball prodigiously to finish with 5 for 34, with good support from Phil Bowles, 4 for 19, and Bert Buckoke chipping in with one. We came home by 48 runs — a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket, and one played, I think, in the best traditions of the club.

Fri 28 Jun 1940 🧢 1st XIv Linton Park CC · HomeformWWLDW

Friday last, the twenty-eighth of June, saw Linton Park CC visit us on a fine afternoon, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first use of the wicket — the right course, as it turned out, though the eleven made rather harder work of it than I should have liked.

We lost Richard Harris without a run on the board, and at 6 for 1 the innings wore a sorry look, but better things followed. J Wenham played the innings of the day, 31 runs gathered with real application, and found a willing partner in Bert Buckoke, whose 22 kept the score moving along nicely. Between them the total was carried to 103 for 7 from our fourteen overs, a modest total but one that gave us something to bowl at. I contributed to the season's reckoning too, my 213 runs now standing me second in the 1st XI's run charts, a position I hold with some pride and no little surprise.

There was a pleasant footnote to the day's play in Percy Brattle's 13, a knock that carried him past G Knight and up to thirteenth upon the club's all-time list of run-scorers — a fine and lasting achievement quietly won. Elsewhere in the season's ledger, P. Richmond continues to lead the 2nd XI's run charts with 27 to his credit.

In the end neither side could force a result, and honours were shared upon a draw — no bad way, I think, for two sporting sides to spend a summer's afternoon.

Sat 22 Jun 1940 🧢 1st XIv BC Boughton Monchelsea CC · HomeformWWWLD

Boughton Monchelsea CC came to Linton Park on Saturday the twenty-second of June, and the toss going against us, we were sent into the field first, which suited the eleven well enough on a morning that promised runs for whoever held their nerve longest.

Their innings never truly settled. The first wicket went down for a single run, J Baker departing for a duck, and from there our attack scarcely let up. Herbert Rayner bowled in inspired fashion to take six wickets for a mere nine runs, supported handsomely by Don Hartridge's three for twenty and Bert Buckoke's one for twenty-six, while J Short bowled two tidy maidens. Only D Hoadley, with a stubborn twenty, gave the innings any shape, and the visitors were dismissed for ninety in twenty overs and one ball, Percy Brattle having a busy time of it behind the stumps, nine byes slipping past him in the general excitement.

Our reply had its own moments of anxiety, a wicket falling with the score at a mere six. But Stan Pierce played a splendid innings, finishing unbeaten on fifty-six, and found a fine ally in Percy Brattle, whose twenty-one with the bat made amends for his earlier troubles with the gloves. We reached home at one hundred and sixty-seven for nine off thirty-three overs, the match won by the barest of margins, one wicket.

A notable afternoon for Herbert Rayner besides, his runs carrying him past W H Fryer and his wickets past Bert Buckoke on the club's all-time lists, and he leads our bowlers this season with eighteen wickets, Percy Brattle heading the run charts with two hundred and sixty-eight. A hard-fought and thoroughly sporting contest, and a result the pavilion will be talking of for some weeks yet.

Sat 08 Jun 1940 🧢 1st XIv LC Loose CC · HomeformLWWWL

Saturday last brought Loose CC to us as visitors, and I lost the toss, so it was we who took the field first while our guests had first use of the wicket. They made themselves thoroughly at home, running up 217 all out in thirty-one overs and one ball. J. Piper played the innings of the day, a well-made 93, and found sound company in H. Ogden's 41 and B. Kimber's 22, the pair adding 93 for the third wicket in a stand that gave their innings its backbone. We had our moments too, none finer than the sight of the Reverend Hale walking back for a duck. Bert Buckoke bowled with real heart to take 4 for 32, and I was glad enough to chip in with 2 for 31, Dennis Smith supporting handsomely with 2 for 38.

Our reply, with Percy Brattle labouring hard behind the stumps earlier and paying for it with thirteen byes, began in fine style, the openers putting on 66 before the first wicket fell, and a further 70 for the second kept the innings on its feet. Brattle then produced a splendid 91 with the bat, and I added 27 of my own, though the tail — Pierce, Hartridge and Bowles — could contribute nothing but three golden ducks between them, and we closed on 179 for 8 from twenty-six overs.

There was quiet satisfaction off the field besides: Brattle's 91 lifted him past F. E. Wallis to fourteenth among the club's run-scorers, while Buckoke's four wickets carried him past T. Gandy into sixteenth on the bowling list, and both now lead the club's 1940 charts.

A draw it was, honours shared, and no side could grumble at that.

Sat 25 May 1940 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · HomeformWLWWW

The coin fell kindly for us that Saturday, and against Charles Arkcoll I had no hesitation in sending our own men in first. It proved no easy wicket for sustained batting, and though Herbert Rayner played a fine and patient innings for his half-century, the rest of the order could not build about him, and we were all out for 119 in eight and twenty overs. Poor Joe Fenner will not thank me for recording that he departed for a golden duck, though such things happen to the best of us. I chipped in with 18 of my own, no great ornament to the scorebook but useful enough in the circumstances.

The visitors batted with real authority. J Parsons compiled a handsome 63, well supported by E Humphreys with 49 and Ossie Fryer unbeaten on 31, and their total of 210 in six and thirty overs put the match beyond our reach. Bert Buckoke bowled splendidly for his 5 for 75, with good support from Rayner's 3 for 39 and J Short's solitary wicket, and we did at least have the satisfaction of seeing Ron Wratten and W Burton back in the pavilion without scoring. Percy Brattle had a trying afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes slipping past him.

There was cheer amid the defeat, for Buckoke's five wickets carried him past Arthur Cornwallis to twenty-fifth on the club's all-time list, while Brattle leads our season's run-getters and Short sits second among the bowlers. Beaten by 91 runs, but not disheartened, we shall come again next week the stronger for it.

Sat 18 May 1940 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformWWLWW

Sadly, the wicket at Staplehurst offered up a lean afternoon for the willow before it did us any favours, and it was won and lost, in truth, before ever we came to bat. Staplehurst, sent in after I lost the toss, could find no answer to our bowling on a pitch that plainly suited us, and were dismissed for a modest 68 from 22 overs, 36 for 3 collapsing to 41 for 6 in short order as the middle order simply melted away. J. Priest bowled quite beautifully to finish with 6 for 23, a five-for and more, well supported by W. Barton's 1 for 11 and J. Short's 1 for 22, and Benton, Munn and Veal will not care to be reminded how they departed without so much as troubling the scorers.

Set so modest a target, we might have expected a comfortable stroll, and so in the end it proved, though not without one or two anxious moments along the way, an early wicket falling with just 7 runs to our name. Herbert Rayner then played the innings of the day, a fine 42 that steadied all around him and carried us most of the way home, while I must confess to a duck of my own, on which the less said the better. Joe Fenner, W. Barton and Bert Buckoke kept me company in that regard, yet for all the ducks in the book we reached 120 all out from 22.2 overs comfortably enough to see the match safely home.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket, and full credit to Staplehurst for their sporting company throughout. Priest's bowling in particular will long be remembered, and we returned to the pavilion well pleased with a win to savour.

Mon 13 May 1940 🧢 1st XIv GX George Fenner XI · HomeformWWWLW

I choose to open the innings with the ball, as is my custom when the morning looks true for bowling. George Fenner's men made a nervous start, losing their first wicket with only five on the board, and though J Hubble battled through to a fine 67 and anchored a stubborn eightieth-run stand for the ninth wicket, the innings never truly settled. The middle order came apart in a rush, twenty-seven for three becoming twenty-eight for six almost before one had taken one's seat in the pavilion, and three of their batsmen — L Williams, X MacOnegal and F Berry — departed without troubling the scorers. J Priest bowled beautifully throughout, five wickets for twenty-eight runs and two maidens besides, well backed by Dennis Smith's three for forty-four, and Fenner's XI were dismissed for one hundred and twenty-one from twenty-one overs.

We set about our reply in good heart, and Percy Brattle played the innings of the day, a splendid seventy-nine that carried us handsomely towards our target, though we too found the going sticky in patches, losing wickets from one hundred and fifty-six for six to one hundred and sixty-four for nine in short order, B Westover unlucky to depart for nought. We closed on one hundred and eighty all out in twenty-nine and one overs, victors by a comfortable margin.

It was a happy afternoon besides for Percy Brattle, whose innings carried him past Tom Peach Jnr to twenty-third on the club's all-time run-scorers' list, and he leads our 1940 run charts still, with J Priest close behind atop the season's bowling. A fine win, and one played in the best traditions of the club.

Sat 11 May 1940 🧢 1st XIv SB 1st Innings Medway Brewery · HomeformWWWWL

Frank Sutton's Match Report — Linton Park CC v Medway Brewery, Saturday 11 May 1940

The coin ran kindly for us on Saturday, and with Medway Brewery come calling I had no hesitation in sending our men in first. It proved a sound enough notion, though we did not have it all our own way, an early wicket falling at 2 for 1 that might have unsettled lesser sides. But J Short played the finest of innings, 41 well made, and found willing company in I Hambro's 33 and H Barton's 22, so that we closed our twenty-nine overs at a most respectable 161 for 9, a total we felt would give the bowlers something to defend.

And defend it they did, in style that will long be spoken of in the pavilion. Medway Brewery's innings fell away before us in the most alarming fashion, 11 for 1 becoming 15 for 4 almost before one had settled into one's chair, with B Mercer and J Constable both back in the hutch without troubling the scorer. J Short, not content with his morning's batting, took the ball and ran through the visitors with a spell of 5 for 6, a five-for thoroughly deserved and the talk of the day. Don Hartridge bowled with great discipline for 3 for 5, two of his overs maidens, while B Westover chipped in with a wicket of his own. I confess the wicketkeeping duties gave me a busy afternoon, eight byes conceded behind the stumps, though it mattered little against a total of 41 all out in thirteen overs and two balls.

We ran out winners by 120 runs, a fine and one-sided contest, and Medway Brewery took their reverse in thoroughly good spirit. A capital day for the club, and one the eleven will remember with quiet pride.

Sat 04 May 1940 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformWWWWW

Marden CC came to us at Linton Park on the fourth of May, and the coin, as is so often its way, declined to favour us — they chose to bat, and we took the field with what cheer we could muster. They batted soundly enough for their 154 for 9 in the thirty overs allotted, F. Day leading the way with a well-made 34, Levett following with 31 and Smith with 27. I was fortunate enough to find some rhythm with the ball and finished with 5 for 34, and I had good company in Don Hartridge, who took 2 for 21, and J. Short, who claimed one for 29.

Our reply never quite settled. Stanley, Tipples and Price went early and cheaply, and though Percy Brattle played the innings of the day with a plucky 37, well supported by Short's 21, the middle order could not build upon the fifth wicket's useful stand of 52. From 73 for 5 we slid to 81 for 8 in a few unhappy overs, Barton, Pierce and Sutton all departing without scoring, and we were all out for 91.

Sixty-three runs the better on the day, Marden deserved their victory, and we shall take the lesson back to the nets in the spirit the game demands — Brattle and I head our own small charts for the season, which is something, even in defeat.