🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 18 Sep 1949 🧢 1st XIv BM British Legion Boughton Monchelsea · HomeformWDLWW

The captain's pen finds him in reflective mood this week, for Sunday the eighteenth of September brought us British Legion Boughton Monchelsea, and a fine, sporting contest it proved to be. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in sending our men in first, trusting the wicket would play kindly to good batting, as indeed it did.

We closed our innings at 160 for nine from thirty-four overs, a total built chiefly upon John Larking's fine fifty, 52 well-earned runs that formed the backbone of the innings. He found willing company in Richard Harris, whose 23 helped fashion a second-wicket stand worth 55 and set the innings on a sound footing, while G Breden's 21 added further substance further down. Not every man enjoyed such fortune, poor Gordon Fenner making the sorry walk back for a duck, though such things happen to the best of us and are borne, as ever, with good humour.

In the field the Legion batted with resolution, losing an early wicket with but 5 runs on the board, a nervous beginning from which they steadied themselves through Arthur Cradduck's 33 and Des Latham's unbeaten 23, reaching 105 for five from their thirty-four overs. Tubb bowled splendidly for his 3 for 35, well supported by George Winter and Ray Tippen, the latter delivering four tidy maidens among his figures of 1 for 17. Bob Arnold had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, thirteen byes testifying to some lively bowling. I note with quiet satisfaction that my own season's efforts have carried me to third in the run-making table with 160 to my name, while Tippen sits fourth among the wicket-takers with eleven.

Honours were shared in the end, a draw that flattered neither side unduly, and a thoroughly agreeable afternoon's cricket against opponents who played the game exactly as it ought to be played.

Sat 17 Sep 1949 🧢 1st XIv EO Expense Account Officers · HomeformDWDLW

Wearing Officers of the Expense Account down to a stand at Linton Park, we welcomed them for a Saturday's cricket on the 17th of September, and a right good afternoon it made.

Winning the toss, I put the visitors in, and though X May batted with real application for his 43, the innings never quite found its feet, a stumble at 5 for 1 setting the tone. Once we had them from 65 for 4 to 73 for 7 the game was as good as won, Tipple and Little both departing without troubling the scorers. It was Bill Hall's day through and through — six for 47, with six overs given up as maidens, a spell of the sort a captain dreams of and a bowler richly deserves. I chipped in with two for 40 myself, and Ray Tippen took one for 14, but the honours were all Hall's.

Set 120 to win, we made handsome work of it. The openers gave us the platform we wanted, putting on 60 for the first wicket before the breakthrough came, and Basil Sears built handsomely upon it with a fine half-century of 54, well supported by Tom Osborn's 29 and Ray Tippen's 20, bringing us home at 121 for 4 with overs in hand. It was pleasing, too, to see Sears's innings carry him past Gordon Fenner into 23rd on the club's all-time list of run-scorers, a fitting reward for a summer in which he leads our run charts. A fine win by six wickets, and in the best traditions of the club — onwards we go.

Sat 10 Sep 1949 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · AwayformWDWDL

The road to Maidstone found us in good heart, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in sending us in first upon what looked, at the outset, a fair enough wicket for batting. It did not prove so kind for long. We lost a man at 1 for 1 and never quite recovered our composure, three of our number — Basil Sears, Bert Buckoke and C Horton — returning to the pavilion without troubling the scorers, and the whole side was dismissed for 87 in 17.5 overs. Not a total to inspire great confidence, though I fancy there is no shame in a modest score honestly come by against useful bowling.

Yet cricket has its own justice, and so it proved. Maidstone YMCA began briskly enough but fell away sharply from 14 for 1 to 21 for 4, their opener Smart accounting for nought, and thereafter the innings simply crumbled before us. C Horton, having had no fortune with the bat, made handsome amends with the ball, running through the order for 6 for 21, while Bill Hall bowled with admirable control for 4 for 23, two of his overs going entirely unscored. Maidstone were all out for 51 in 18.3 overs, and the match was ours by 36 runs.

A satisfying afternoon's work, and one that leaves me sitting fourth in the season's run charts with 128 to my name, while Horton's fine display lifts him to fifth among the wicket-takers. A sporting contest, played in the right spirit throughout, and a thoroughly earned two points for the club.

Sun 04 Sep 1949 🧢 1st XIv EC East Peckham & Nettlestead CC · HomeformWWDWD

On Sunday last, upon our own ground, we entertained East Peckham & Nettlestead CC, and though the toss went against us and we were put in to field, there was no want of endeavour in the side. Our visitors settled to a long occupation of the crease, R Viyard reaching three figures with a fine 101, well supported by J Nye's unbeaten 43 and J Walker's 31; the three of them added a weighty 142 for the fifth wicket, after an early stumble had left us hopeful at 0 for 1. C Horton bowled with real purpose to finish with 2 for 39, Gordon Fenner toiled honestly for 2 for 60 with three maidens to his name, and Ray Tippen chipped in with 1 for 24, but 208 for 5 from their 37 overs was a stiff total to chase.

Our reply began promisingly, Peter Larking playing the innings of the day for a fine 51, and I was glad to lend support with 36 of my own, while Richard Harris made a tidy 20; the second-wicket pair put on a valuable 69 before the innings, as so often happens, unravelled alarmingly from 164 for 7 to all out for 167. P- Martin, C Horton and Gaskin all fell without troubling the scorer, and thirteen byes told of a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Bob Arnold.

We went down by 41 runs, a defeat honestly earned by the visitors. It is worth noting John Thirkell continues to make his mark, now fourth in our season's run charts with 122, while Ray Tippen sits third among the wicket takers with nine. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 03 Sep 1949 🧢 1st XIv LC Lloyds Social Club · HomeformWWWDW

I called correctly at the toss and, with a firm wicket before us, had no hesitation in asking Lloyds Social Club to take the field first, for it looked a day made for batting.

Our openers set about the task in the finest style, and it was a pleasure to watch Maurice Fenner and Basil Sears carry the score along, the pair putting on 175 for the first wicket before either fell — a partnership that, in truth, settled the whole afternoon in our favour. Fenner went on to reach three figures, a fine and well-deserved hundred, while Sears fell just shy of it for a handsome 76. Don Hartridge lent good sense at the close with an unbeaten 27, and with a generous 26 in extras besides, we declared our innings closed at 263 for 4 from 39 overs, a total to be proud of.

Lloyds Social Club replied gamely, losing an early wicket cheaply at 4 for 1, but Colthup played the innings of the day with 45, well supported by Bedelle's 35 and Hibben's 30, and a stout stand of 52 for the fourth wicket kept our bowlers honest throughout. Sears, so useful with the bat, proved pick of the attack with 3 for 17, Tippen chipped in with 3 for 47, Hartridge took one, and Newport bowled two tidy maidens to keep matters in check. They finished on 137 for 9 from their forty overs, and honours were shared — a draw that pleased both sides equally, and a thoroughly sporting afternoon's cricket all round.

Mon 29 Aug 1949 🧢 1st XIv Town Malling CC · AwayformDWWWD

I journeyed with the eleven to Town Malling on Monday last, the 29th of August, for what proved a keenly fought contest. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock, and though the wicket gave little away, I fancy the decision was proved sound enough by the day's end.

We were all out for 108 in 36.4 overs, a total owing almost everything to Basil Sears, whose fine half-century of 68 stood like a rock amid the ruin about him. The middle order came apart in a rush, 76 for 3 becoming 78 for 6 before we had quite gathered our wits, and E Simmons, Bob Arnold and Peter Weedon were each undone without troubling the scorer.

A modest total to defend, then, but the lads took the field with spirit, and Town Malling found batting no easier than we had. They were dismissed for 103 in 30.5 overs, Chambers alone standing firm with 41, while their innings likewise crumbled from 69 for 3 to 72 for 6, B Simpson and Don Wooden departing for nought. I found some rhythm with the ball and had the satisfaction of 6 for 52, three of them maidens, with Don Hartridge bowling tidily for 4 for 43 in support.

A fine win by 5 runs, and a sporting contest throughout, in the best traditions of the club. I am told those six wickets carried me past Herbert Sunley into eleventh place among the club's all-time wicket-takers, which I set down here more as honest record than as boast. With Basil Sears leading our run-getters this season on 157, and 28 wickets now to my own name, it promises to be a summer worth the remembering.

Sun 28 Aug 1949 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · AwayformLDWWW

Sunday last took us down to Folkestone, a pleasant enough journey for a fixture that promised more than it eventually gave up. The toss went against us, and our hosts, electing to bat, set us to work in the field under a sky that gave little away.

They built their innings patiently, closing on 185 all out from sixty-two overs. Ernie Thunder made the most significant contribution with 42, well supported by E Smith, unbeaten on 35, and Frank Brooks-Hill's useful 28, the pair adding 51 for the second wicket in the innings' best stand. John Lynch and Fred Godden departed without troubling the scorers, but it was Gordon Fenner who did the damage, running through their order to finish with a splendid 6 for 53. Bill Hall bowled with great discipline for his 2 for 33, five of his overs going for nothing at all, and I was fortunate enough to prise out one wicket for 15 runs myself.

In reply we made 181 for 9 from our forty-seven overs, Bill Hall again to the fore with a fine unbeaten 65, his second half-century of the innings, ably assisted by Peter Larking's 22, the two putting on 51 for the seventh wicket when the innings most needed steadying. George Winter's luck was out for a duck, and our wicketkeeper had a busy afternoon of it, eighteen byes finding their way past the stumps.

For my own part, a modest 13 saw me past L Ricketts on the club's all-time list, a small pleasure on a day when the honours were shared fairly and squarely between two well-matched sides.

Sat 27 Aug 1949 🧢 1st XIv HC Hunton Wanderers CC · AwayformDLDWW

Frank Taylor's Skipper's Log, Saturday 27th August 1949 — Away to Hunton Wanderers CC

We won the toss at Hunton and, the pitch looking a fair one for batting, I had no hesitation in taking first strike — a decision that repaid us handsomely before the day was out. The eleven set about their work in businesslike fashion, and though wickets fell at intervals to keep us honest, we closed our innings at a healthy 164 for 6 from 39 overs. The innings owed much to D Simmons, whose fifty was a model of good sense and good timing, and I was glad to lend him support with 48 of my own, the two of us putting on 75 for the second wicket that rather set the tone of the afternoon. Poor Richard Harris, it must be said, departed without troubling the scorers, but such is cricket, and the rest of the order carried the total to a respectable declaration of intent.

If our batting had been sound, our bowling that afternoon bordered on the merciless. Hunton Wanderers never truly settled, losing a wicket without a run on the board and finding themselves at 17 for 5 before they had fairly begun. D Drury batted with some spirit for his 27, but there was precious little else to cheer the home supporters, three of their number failing to trouble the scorers at all. I confess to a happy afternoon with the ball myself, finishing with 8 for 30 and six maidens into the bargain, while H Newport chipped in usefully with a wicket of his own. Hunton were all out for 77, and we came away with a fine win by 87 runs — two points thoroughly earned, and a day the whole eleven may look back on with quiet satisfaction.

Sun 21 Aug 1949 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDDLDW

On Sunday last we journeyed out to meet The Mote, and, winning the toss, I did not hesitate to send us in, for the wicket looked a true one and worth the trusting. An early stumble to 8 for 1 threatened to unsettle us, but John Larking played the anchor's part beautifully, his fifty-seven the backbone of the innings, and found a fine ally in a stand of 77 for the third wicket. Don Hartridge remained unbeaten on 36, John Thirkell chipped in with a useful 27, and though poor Stan Wratten departed without troubling the scorers, the tail wagged handsomely to add a further 59 and carry us to 209 for 7 from our fifty overs — a total I felt gave us every chance.

So it proved. The Mote replied gamely, P. Larkin leading their effort with 38 and W. Hall and A. Day both playing their part, but wickets fell steadily to Don Hartridge, whose 4 for 47 moved him past Gordon Fenner into 22nd on the club's all-time run-scorers list and, with those same four wickets, past Dennis Smith into 6th among our bowlers — a fine double to celebrate. Ray Tippen weighed in with 2 for 31, and I found some rhythm myself, taking 4 for 25 with six maidens to keep the runs honest, while F. Beresford went cheaply. Frank Sutton had a trying afternoon behind the stumps, twenty byes slipping through, and I added a modest 19 with the bat.

The Mote were all out for 198 in 62.1 overs, leaving us victors by 11 runs — a result earned in the true spirit of the game, and a most satisfying afternoon's cricket for the club.

Sat 13 Aug 1949 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · HomeformLDDLD

There is a particular pleasure in winning the toss on a fine August Saturday, and having done so against Tovil I did not hesitate to send us in, trusting the wicket would play kindly enough for runs before it grew tired. We began shakily enough, losing an early wicket with only five on the board, and for a few overs the pavilion held its breath. But the fourth wicket brought about a partnership of 74 that set matters right and gave the innings its backbone, Basil Sears playing a fine supporting hand of 29 and John Thirkell chipping in gamely with 22. For my own part I was fortunate enough to find some form and carried my bat past fifty to 60, though two of our number, I am sorry to report, departed without troubling the scorers. We closed on 150 for 8 from our 38 overs, a total that felt, at the change of innings, neither a fortune nor a trifle.

Tovil began soundly, and L. White in particular played a most watchful innings of 38 not out, well supported by J. Jardine's 26 and K. Harris's 21, but once the middle order gave way the innings fell apart with startling speed, 105 for 7 becoming all out for 119 almost before one had settled into one's chair. Three batsmen departed without scoring, and I confess to a most satisfying afternoon with the ball, finishing with 9 for 57, John Thirkell offering fine support with 1 for 9 and M. Harden bowling with admirable economy. We ran out winners by 31 runs, a hard-fought and thoroughly sporting contest, and Tovil left us, as ever, the best of opponents.

Sun 07 Aug 1949 🧢 1st XIv BW Birchington Wanderers · HomeformDLDDL

We entertained Birchington Wanderers on a fine Sunday, the seventh of August, and I won the toss with, I confess, no great cunning and elected to have the first use of the ball. The Wanderers built steadily to 163 for six from their forty-five overs, J Shaylor leading the way with a watchful 36, well supported by A Walker's 31 and D Edwards, who stood firm to the close of the innings unbeaten on 30. It was their sixth-wicket pair who gave us the most trouble, adding a crucial 59 that took the shine off some tidy bowling. Don Hartridge was the pick of our attack with 2 for 38, Ray Tippen matching those figures, and I had the satisfaction of taking one wicket myself for 21 runs. M Harden bowled three maidens that kept the scoring refreshingly honest.

In reply we made 134 for five from our forty-eight overs, Ray Tippen playing the innings of the day for 48, and B Day giving him fine company with an unbeaten 45, the pair adding 57 for the second wicket. It was, I must own, a trying afternoon behind the stumps, nine byes slipping through that I shall not dwell upon further.

Two milestones deserve a mention in the club's honour roll: Don Hartridge's runs today carried him past F Marchant to twenty-third among our all-time run-scorers, and his two wickets lifted him past the Reverend Thomas Burra into seventh on the all-time wicket-takers' list — fitting reward for a season in which he already leads both our run and wicket charts. Honours were shared in the end, and rightly so, for neither side could quite force the issue. A hard, sporting draw, and no bad way to spend a Sunday.

Sat 06 Aug 1949 🧢 1st XIv SW Sharps Kreemy Works · AwayformWDLDD

We took the field first at Sharps Kreemy Works on a fine Saturday, and I led the eleven out in good heart. Francis gave the home side the innings of the day, a well-made fifty that grew to 66 and carried their total to 138 all out in 42.4 overs. Yet the wicket was not entirely against us, for the first wicket went down cheaply at 5-1, and we sent Harrison and Gray back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. N. Simmons bowled with real sting to finish 2-9, Don Hartridge was miserly as ever with 2-29 and five maidens to his name, and Harden picked up 2-41.

Our reply began soundly enough. Gordon Bugge played the innings that mattered with a well-struck 36, ably supported by Basil Sears with 23. But from 82 for 5 the innings unravelled in a hurry, and by 91 for 8 the game had all but slipped away, Clark, Hughes and Harden each departing for a duck. Seventeen byes spoke plainly of a testing afternoon behind the stumps, and we were all out for 119 in 39.2 overs.

Beaten by 19 runs in the end, then, but not disgraced, and against sporting opposition it was a match worth the playing. Don Hartridge continues to head both the run charts and the wicket charts for the season, with 105 runs and 6 wickets already banked. We shall be the better for this outing, and shall look to put matters right next Saturday.

Sat 18 Jun 1949 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · AwayformLWDLD

The toss went against us at Bowaters on Saturday last, the eighteenth of June, and so it was that we took the field first, resigned to whatever fortune the day might send our way. Bowaters made handsome use of their innings, closing on 170 for five from their forty-six overs, the bulk of the scoring coming from Gordon Williams, who fashioned a fine half-century of 61, and Richard Austin, who stood firm to the end for a well-made 58 not out. Don Hartridge did the damage with the ball, taking two for 39, and found willing support from C Neame and H Newport, each with a wicket apiece, while P Martin bowled with admirable parsimony, three maidens among his figures and not a run given away lightly.

Set the task of matching that total, we replied with 143 for nine from our forty-eight overs, a respectable if unspectacular effort. Don Hartridge, having toiled so usefully in the field, turned his hand to the bat and carried much of the innings with a fifty of his own, 51 well-earned runs, ably supported by P Clark's 35. Poor John Thirkell, alas, contributed a golden duck to the cause, though such things happen to the best of us. Hartridge's innings was doubly satisfying, for it carried him past Bert Buckoke into twenty-fifth place among the club's all-time run-scorers, and confirmed him at the head of both our run and wicket charts for the season.

In the end neither side could force matters home, and honours were shared in a thoroughly sporting draw.

Sat 11 Jun 1949 🧢 1st XIv K Kemsley · AwayformLLWDL

We journeyed down to Kemsley on Saturday last, the eleventh of June, put in to field first on a morning that kept bowlers hopeful and batsmen watchful. Kemsley made full use of their innings, and though wickets fell steadily, two of their number gave us a stern examination. Frank Sutton played a well-made fifty of 61, ably supported by R Austin, who carried his bat to 58 not out. It fell to Don Hartridge to do the damage among the rest, his 2 for 39 the pick of the bowling, with C Neaves and H Newport each chipping in a wicket, 1 for 12 and 1 for 33 respectively, before the innings closed.

Our reply asked much of the order, and it was Hartridge again who shouldered the greater share of the burden, following his bowling with a most useful 51 past his fifty. Poor John Thirkell, for all his willingness, could contribute only a golden duck to the cause, and our innings closed in turn.

There was much, nonetheless, for us to raise a glass to. Hartridge's two wickets brought him to fifty career wickets for the club, and carried him past H G Smith into eighth place on our all-time list of wicket-takers, a fine and thoroughly deserved distinction. He stands this season at the head of our run-getters and level at the top of our wicket-takers besides. In the end neither side could force the issue home, and honours were shared, a draw that did credit to both elevens and sent us home well satisfied with the day's cricket.

Sat 04 Jun 1949 🧢 1st XIv HC Herne Bay CC · AwayformWLLWD

Saturday the fourth of June saw us make the journey to Herne Bay, and a losing toss that sent us into the field first, which suited us well enough on a morning that promised runs to whoever held their nerve. Herne Bay batted through to close their innings, Ec Moyes the chief architect of their total with a fine 71, well past his fifty, and handsomely supported by Cb Lyon's 48 and J Smith's 45. It was a partnership that tested our patience more than once, but the eleven stuck to its task. Stan Wratten bowled with real heart to finish with 3 wickets, and Bob Hartridge chipped in with one of his own, while J Gadsden departed for a duck to our attack, a small mercy amid the runs.

Our reply, I am bound to report, never quite found its rhythm. L. Breedon batted with the most application of any of us and carried the bulk of the scoring with a plucky 39, but wickets fell about him with a regularity that did the side no favours, and John Yeo and T. Jarrett both made the sorry walk back without troubling the scorers. I contributed what I could with the bat, though the innings closed well short of the mark, and we finished the day beaten by 137 runs.

Not our day, then, and no use pretending otherwise, but Herne Bay batted and bowled in the true spirit of the game, and we shall be back at the nets before the week is out, ready to try our fortune again.