🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 02 Sep 1950 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · HomeformDDDWW

We took to the field on Saturday against Bowaters CC, and, winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first strike — a decision that repaid us handsomely before the day was out.

Our innings was built on the sound if unspectacular foundations that so often serve a club side well. D Simmons played the anchor's part with 39, and Arthur Cradduck batted with real composure for his 30 not out, seeing the tail through with patience and good sense. I was glad to contribute 24 of my own down the order, though Brian Relf and Bert Buckoke found the Bowaters bowling too searching and departed without troubling the scorers. All told we were dismissed for 148 in 44.2 overs — not a total to set the pulse racing, perhaps, but one with substance to it, and enough, as it transpired, to give our bowlers something worth defending.

And defend it they did, in the most emphatic fashion. Bowaters' innings never found its feet against an attack that scarcely gave a run away, Henry Martin, Stephen Jarrett and John Ibbotson all back in the pavilion without scoring. I had the good fortune of the day with the ball, taking seven wickets for nineteen runs from four maidens, while H Newport chipped in handsomely with three more. Only William Hammond, unbeaten on 24, stood firm against the tide. Bowaters were all out for 48 in twenty overs, and we ran out winners by a comfortable 100 runs.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket, played in good spirit throughout, and a fine advertisement for the game as we and Bowaters know and love it.

Sat 08 Jul 1950 🧢 1st XIv HC Hayle Place CC · HomeformWDDDW

Hayle Place CC were our visitors, and I put them in without hesitation. It proved a sound decision, for though H Gosling batted handsomely for 39, well supported by T Ewell's 23, the innings had a fitful character, the first wicket falling for a mere 5 and the middle order crumbling from 96 for five to 98 for eight in short order, X Lockyer and C Pilbeam both departing for nought. I found my length that afternoon, taking five for 45 with three maidens, well supported by Basil Sears's four for 17 and John --'s Taylor's one for 37. Hayle Place were all out for 100 in 37.3 overs.

Our reply began shakily, a wicket down before a run was scored, but settled handsomely. J Baker played a well-made fifty of 66, Arthur Cradduck remained unbeaten on 37, and John Thirkell chipped in a plucky 22, the two adding 61 for the sixth wicket. John --'s Taylor, for once, could not trouble the scorers, but with 197 all out from 41.1 overs we had runs enough to spare and got over the line in style.

The day brought its milestones. Thirkell's 22 carried him past Joe Fenner to twelfth on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while John --'s Taylor's wicket lifted him past E C Streatfield into seventeenth among our bowlers, each still leading the 1950 first eleven's charts, Thirkell with 343 runs and Taylor with 34 wickets on the season. A thoroughly sporting contest, generously fought, and a fine day's cricket for the club.

Sat 01 Jul 1950 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWWDDD

The toss went against us, and Bearsted chose to bat. An early stumble at 7 for 1 set the tone, and we ran through them smartly, 7 for 1 becoming 16 for 4, with Gordon A Hawkins, Norman Tiley and John Colegate all back without troubling the scorers. Only Vic Pound played a defiant hand, carrying his side to 99 all out in 35.5 overs with a fine unbeaten 67. John Taylor did the damage, four for 47 with five maidens, C Horton chipped in three for 43, and I was pleased to take two for 5.

A target of a hundred looked modest, yet cricket has a way of humbling such certainties. John Taylor and Basil Sears gave us a flying start, putting on 72 for the first wicket, and John went on to a fine half-century of 54 while Basil made a useful 30. Then came one of those familiar flurries, 106 for 2 becoming 109 for 5, poor Bert Buckoke departing for a golden duck among them, but the runs were safely banked and we came home by five wickets.

It was a fine day for the record books. Basil Sears's 30 runs carried him past E Humphreys into 14th on the club's all-time run-scorers, while John Taylor's four wickets took him past S Christopherson into 18th among the wicket-takers, fitting reward for a season in which he stands second in our run charts with 249 and leads the wickets with 33. A sporting contest, in the best traditions of the club, and a win to remember.

Sun 25 Jun 1950 🧢 1st XIv DR Desert Rats · HomeformLWWDD

On the Sunday of the twenty-fifth of June, in the year of grace 1950, we had Desert Rats down to Linton Park, and a fair blue sky promised an afternoon's cricket worth the having. I put them in, and for a while the wicket gave them little trouble — Hendley batted soundly for his 31, with Dominey 26 and Thorndycraft 20 lending their weight — until the innings folded from 47 for one to 48 for four in the space of a few overs, three of their number, Wright, Baker and Dove, walking back without troubling the scorers. Robert Muir span a web through the middle order for a handsome 5 for 33, well backed by 3 for 25 and two miserly maiden-studded overs from Newport, and the visitors were dismissed for 121 in the thirty-sixth over.

Our reply was the sterner test. From 20 for one we slipped to 29 for four in a passage that had the pavilion holding its breath, poor Hartridge among the fallen for a nought, but William Buck played the anchor's part beautifully, carrying his bat to 57 not out and sharing a stout fifty-two for the sixth wicket, and we closed on 108 for seven from our thirty-three overs.

Worth recording too, a modest thirteen runs took one of our number past John Thirkell and into twelfth place on the club's all-time list, a quiet milestone amid the day's larger business, and fine seasonal form besides in both bat and ball.

Honours were shared in the end, and rightly so — a hard, cheerful game, played in the best traditions of the club.

Sat 24 Jun 1950 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · HomeformWLWWD

The captain from Linton Park, Gordon Fenner, presents his account:

Saturday last, the twenty-fourth of June, saw Tovil come to us on a fair afternoon, and I had no hesitation in sending them first to the crease when the toss fell my way. They mustered 128 all out from their 38.5 overs, S. Carrington playing the pick of the innings with a fine 54, well supported by J. Branchett's 23, though the middle order rather lost its way, subsiding from 120 for 7 to all out in short order. I had the good fortune to find my length that day, finishing with 5 for 41 and three maidens into the bargain, while Basil Sears bowled with equal purpose for 4 for 29 — between us we accounted for the greater part of their innings.

In reply we made a steady if unspectacular 104 for 7 from our 33 overs. Basil Sears carried on his good work with the bat to top-score with 37, and I was glad to contribute 26 of my own, with G. Breden chipping in 22 and a useful stand of 50 for the second wicket giving us a platform. The innings rather stumbled thereafter, four wickets falling between 91 and 98, and poor Arthur Cradduck could not trouble the scorers, but the tail held firm enough to see us safely through to the close.

A word too for Basil Sears, whose 37 lifted him past Frank Sutton on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a fine achievement quietly earned. Honours were shared in the end, and a draw against so competitive a Tovil side, decided by neither bat nor ball but by the clock alone, was no bad afternoon's cricket for either eleven.

Sun 18 Jun 1950 🧢 1st XIv HB Hambros Bank · HomeformWWLWW

We welcomed Hambros Bank to our ground on Sunday the eighteenth of June, and winning the toss I elected to bat, a decision I felt was the right one from the outset.

The lads did not let me down. Tony Levick played a fine innings of 61 not out, the backbone of our total, well supported by Stan Wratten with 33 and Richard Harris with a sound 30. Poor Joe Fenner was undone for a duck, but the tail wagged handsomely thereafter, a final ninety runs coming to vex the fielding side no end, and we closed on a most respectable 201 for 7 from our fifty overs.

In the field we held them well in check. G Clarke batted soundly for 29, the best of their effort, but S Andrews and R Murrell both went back without troubling the scorers. Don Hartridge was pick of the attack with 2 for 19, John Thirkell and Stan Wratten each took a wicket, and for my own part I was pleased to send down three maidens as Hambros Bank were held to 81 for 7 from their thirty-eight overs. Stan Wratten's wicket, I might add, carried him past Herbert Sunley and into twelfth place among the club's all-time wicket-takers, a milestone quietly and deservedly won.

Honours were shared in the end, a draw that left both sides, I think, well content, and Hambros Bank proved companionable opponents throughout.

Mon 12 Jun 1950 🧢 1st XIv RS Rochester Maths School · HomeformDWWLW

On Monday the twelfth of June we welcomed Rochester Maths School to our own ground, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in asking the eleven to bat, a decision that answered handsomely. John Thirkell played the innings of the day, a fine half-century of 56 that carried us along in style, the openers first putting on 66 before a wicket fell and the third-wicket pair adding a crucial 78 besides. D Simmons batted with great good sense for an unbeaten 40, and I was glad to chip in with 35 of my own before we closed on 188 for 3 from our 44 overs, a total that promised a sporting afternoon's work in the field.

Rochester made a fair fist of the chase, Jameson leading them with 35, well supported by Lambkin's 32 and Finch's 30, and an opening stand of 54 that gave their innings a solid foundation. But once the middle order was broken the tail could not wag for long, and they went from 158 for 7 to all out for 173 in a mere handful of overs. It fell to me to lead the attack, and I finished with 7 for 57 from nine tidy maidens, figures that carried me past A Eltham into twenty-first place on the club's all-time list of wicket-takers, with William Newport a fine ally at 3 for 69.

Thirkell's innings likewise lifted him past Joe Fenner to twelfth among our run-scorers, and with the season young he leads our batting for 1950 as I am pleased to lead the bowling. We won by 15 runs, a close and honest contest played in the best traditions of the club, and Rochester left us, I think, with no complaints about the manner of their defeat.

Sun 11 Jun 1950 🧢 1st XIv Town Malling CC · HomeformWDWWL

Here is the report:

We had no fortune with the coin at all on the eleventh of June, and Town Malling, choosing to bat, gave us first crack at them in the field. It proved a happy misfortune. Stan Wratten bowled quite beautifully to finish with 6 for 27, cutting through the middle order in irresistible fashion, while Gordon Fenner kept a miserly length at the other end for 3 for 33, four of his overs going entirely unscored. Only Harrison, with a defiant 26, gave the innings any real shape, and the visitors were bowled out for a modest 69 in 26.2 overs, having slipped from 26 for 2 to 31 for 5 under the pressure we set upon them.

With such a start in hand, we set about our reply in the best of spirits, and what a reply it was. Gordon Fenner batted with real maturity for an unbeaten 69, and I was fortunate enough to find my own form, finishing 56 not out, while Stan Wratten weighed in handsomely with 47. Between us the runs came steadily and cheerfully, and we closed on 309 for 6 from 43.5 overs, a fine tally by any measure, sealing victory by four wickets.

It was, besides, rather a landmark afternoon for the club's record books, Joe Fenner's 45 carrying him past E. Humphreys into twelfth place among our all-time run-scorers, and Stan Wratten's six wickets lifting him past R. W. Mitchell into thirteenth on the bowling list. A thoroughly good day for Linton Park, and a match Town Malling may reflect upon as one lost, in truth, to bowling of real quality.

Sat 10 Jun 1950 🧢 1st XIv LC Lloyds Social Club · AwayformDWDWW

We travelled to Lloyds Social Club on the tenth of June with fair hopes and a fair sky, and elected to put the opposition in. They made themselves thoroughly at home, running to 173 for 7 in their forty overs, with R. Thompson the chief architect of our discomfort, carrying his innings to a fine 69, well supported by L. Luscombe, unbeaten on 29, and G. Williams with 23. It was their fourth-wicket pair who did us the greatest mischief, adding 73 between them, though we did have the satisfaction of sending S. Jarrett back to the pavilion without so much as a run to his name. Basil Sears bowled with real purpose to take 3 for 28, John Thirkell and D. Simmons chipped in with a wicket apiece, and I was pleased enough to keep things tight myself, sending down three maidens for my trouble.

Our reply, alas, told a sorrier tale. From 59 for 6 we subsided to 60 for 9 in the space of a few unhappy overs, and were all out for 63 in but twenty-two. Joe Fenner, Bert Buckoke and E. Lockyer each departed for a golden duck, and poor Norman Young had a trying afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes slipping past him for good measure. There was one bright note amid the wreckage: Don Hartridge's watchful 11 carried him past Basil Sears and up to nineteenth on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a modest triumph on an otherwise chastening day.

We were beaten by 110 runs, fair and square, and no argument to be had about it. Lloyds Social Club played the better cricket throughout, and we shall be back in the nets before the week is out, determined to give a better account of ourselves next time.

Sun 04 Jun 1950 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLDWDW

Sunday last brought West Farleigh CC to our ground, and a match it proved worth the telling. I lost the toss and we were put in to field first, which on reflection may have suited us very well, for it was our bowlers who set the tone of the day. West Farleigh gathered only 71 before being put out in the twentieth over, Ron Kemp's 22 the mainstay of an innings that otherwise crumbled from 50 for 4 to 57 for 7 in short order. Ray Tippen bowled quite beautifully to finish with five for 13, a spell richly deserved and the talk of the pavilion afterwards, while Stan Wratten and Robert Muir chipped in with three and two wickets apiece. I was pleased enough to keep things tight myself, sending down three maidens for my part.

Set a modest target, we found the going rather less comfortable than the arithmetic suggested it ought to be. John Thirkell played the innings of the day with a fine 47, well supported by Richard Harris with 39 and George Winter with 29, the two putting on 81 together for the sixth wicket in the stand that really won us the match. William Buck had a trying afternoon behind the stumps, but no matter — such things happen to the best of keepers.

In the end we scrambled home by the narrowest of margins, one wicket in hand, which is perhaps the most agreeable way of all to win a cricket match. West Farleigh were sporting opponents throughout, and a fine, tense contest it was, decided only in its final overs and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Sat 03 Jun 1950 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Williamsonians CC · HomeformDLDWD

Old Williamsonians CC came to us on a bright Saturday, the third of June, and having called correctly at the toss I did not hesitate to send us in — a decision I have seldom regretted less. Joe Fenner played the innings of the day, a handsome fifty not out that anchored all that followed, with William Buck's brisk 24 and Don Hartridge's unbeaten 24 lending it good company. The tail, never to be despised at Linton Park, wagged merrily for a further 47 before I called a halt at 136 for 6 from our thirty-three overs. Only poor E. Lockyer trudged back for a duck, and bore it, as our club expects, like a sportsman.

If our batting had promise, our bowling that afternoon had teeth. Old Williamsonians found themselves 9 for 1 and soon 18 for 4, a collapse as swift as it was merciless, and though B. Weatherhogg battled gamely to 26 not out, there was no reprieve for the rest, P. Cox falling for nought among them. Don Hartridge bowled beautifully for his 4 for 16, well backed by John Thirkell's 3 for 8 and a wicket apiece for Joe Fenner, while I was content to keep matters tight with a pair of maidens of my own. The innings closed at 97, and the match with it, a fine margin of 39 runs to us.

It was, besides, a day of quiet milestones — Fenner's fifty carries him past Frank Sutton to fourteenth on our all-time run-scorers' list, Thirkell stands second in this season's charts with 146 runs, and I find myself, not without pride, at the head of the 1950 wicket-takers with 21. A thoroughly good day for the club, and Old Williamsonians left us, I fancy, with much to ponder on the journey home.

Mon 29 May 1950 🧢 1st XIv HC Herne Bay CC · HomeformWDLDW

Monday last, the 29th of May, brought Herne Bay CC to Linton Park, and I lost the toss — so into the field we went, with fair skies and Herne Bay's batsmen looking settled from the off. E Moyse played the anchor's part beautifully for a well-made 50, with B Knill giving sound support at 28, and between them they carried the visitors to 135 all out in 42.1 overs. Yet our attack had its say too: I was fortunate enough to take 4 for 53, John --'s Taylor bowled with real discipline for 4 for 68, including three maidens, and William Newport chipped in with 2 for 5. E Williams departed for a duck, which was some consolation for a total that asked a proper effort of us with the bat.

That effort we duly made, if not quite enough to force the issue. John --'s Taylor again led the way, this time with the bat, top-scoring with 38, while Basil Sears made a tidy 25 and John Thirkell 22, our opening pair having laid a useful platform of 52. Richard Harris and Bob Arnold were less fortunate, both departing without troubling the scorers, and we closed on 134 for 8 from our 47 overs — agonisingly short, and the match was drawn, honours shared between two sides who had each done enough to deserve rather better.

A pleasant footnote: Basil's 25 runs saw him pass A W Fulcher into 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a fitting reward for a fine afternoon's cricket all round.

Sun 28 May 1950 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformDWDLD

Sunday last, the twenty-eighth of May, saw Folkestone CC our guests at Linton Park. I lost the toss, and their captain sent us into the field first.

Folkestone opened briskly, ninety runs up before we could prise the first pair apart, and John Lynch anchored the innings with 96, well supported by Cecil Blacklocks with 29 and J Court with 28. The middle order wobbled from 162 for three to 169 for six, and poor R Barrett walked back without troubling the scorers, so they closed on 184 for seven from their forty-one overs. Robert Muir bowled splendidly for four for 23, and I chipped in with two for 56, a contribution that leaves my season's tally at sixteen wickets, best in the 1st XI this summer.

A target of that order wanted careful handling, and though we lost our first wicket cheaply at 1 for 1, Maurice Fenner and John Thirkell soon put matters right. Fenner batted magnificently for an unbeaten 106, a knock that lifts him past Joe Fenner into fifteenth place among the club's all-time run-scorers and confirms him our leading run-getter of the summer with 180 to his name, while Thirkell's well-made 74 helped the pair add 146 for the third wicket. Ray Tippen fell without scoring, and I must own to a golden duck myself, a captain's lesson in humility if ever there was one.

We got home at 201 for three from thirty overs, four wickets to spare, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 27 May 1950 🧢 1st XIv HC Hunton Wanderers CC · HomeformWDWDL

Saturday last, the 27th of May, saw Hunton Wanderers CC as our guests, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first use of a pitch that looked full of runs. It proved a sound decision. Maurice Fenner played the innings of the day, a handsome 59, and shared a firm opening stand of 55 that gave the whole innings its backbone. Joe Fenner batted with great good sense for an unbeaten 42, and Basil Sears chipped in with a brisk 25, so that we closed on a healthy 180 for 6 from our 43 overs. I confess I contributed nothing myself with the bat, gone for a duck, and Hooper kept me company in that small misfortune — but such things happen even in the best-ordered sides, and nobody thought the worse of either of us for it.

If the willow had let me down, the leather made handsome amends. Hunton Wanderers battled gamely, R Moon in particular playing a fine unbeaten 36, but wickets fell steadily at the other end, Huggate and Wells both back in the pavilion without scoring, and they could only manage 81 for 9 from their 37 overs before the close. I was fortunate enough to find my rhythm, finishing with 6 for 39 and six maidens, well backed up by Hooper's 2 for 13 and Bert Buckoke's useful 1 for 4.

Neither side could quite force the issue, and honours were shared in a draw that did credit to both elevens. Joe Fenner's innings, incidentally, carries him past Frank Taylor into 15th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a fine landmark fairly earned, and a thoroughly pleasant afternoon's cricket all round.

Sun 21 May 1950 🧢 1st XIv J J.Milsted · HomeformDWDWD

I called correctly and had no hesitation in taking first strike on a fine May afternoon, J.Milsted come over to Linton Park in good heart and finer weather still. We made 190 for 5 in our 46.4 overs, and it was a handsome effort built upon a stand of 111 for the second wicket. Stan Wratten batted with real authority for his 68, and in doing so passed Arthur Cornwallis to stand second on the club's list of run-scorers, a distinction he wore lightly enough at tea. William Buck matched him run for run with a well-made fifty of his own, and John Thirkell chipped in with a useful 22 to round the innings off tidily.

Defending 190 is never an idle afternoon's work, and so it proved. J.Milsted batted with purpose, S. Brown leading the way with 47, well supported by H. Milstead's 45 and I Milsted's 36, their third-wicket pair adding a crucial 79 that rather turned the game our way. Don Hartridge bowled with good heart for his 2 for 50, and Gordon Fenner chipped in with 2 for 56. Poor Frank Sutton had an uncomfortable time of it behind the stumps, sixteen byes going begging, and one felt for him as the total crept on. For my own part I was glad to add a little to the season's tally, which now stands at 120 runs and leads the first eleven's charts, while Gordon Fenner sits third among the wicket-takers with seven to his name.

In the end the visitors ran out winners by five wickets, and deservedly so on the day's play. We shall be the better for the lesson, and look forward keenly to renewing acquaintance with a side that gave us a thoroughly sporting game.

Sat 20 May 1950 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · AwayformWDWDW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 20 May 1950

We journeyed out to meet Charles Arkcoll on a fine day for cricket, though the coin ran against us and their captain, needing no second invitation, chose to take first strike. It proved a wise call on the face of it, for Stan Wratten played a lovely, watchful innings of 71 not out, well supported by Gordon Fenner's 25, and their last pair had the impertinence to add 42 runs we could gladly have done without. For our part I was pleased with the effort in the field, taking 4 for 55 myself, while John --'s Taylor bowled with real discipline, 2 for 33 and seven maidens, seldom giving away a run lightly. Their total of 154 for 6 from 45 overs left us a fair task.

We began our reply in the best of heart, John --'s Taylor and John Thirkell putting on 66 for the first wicket before the breakthrough came, though poor Thirkell himself departed for a golden duck, a fate that comes to us all sooner or later. John --'s Taylor went on to a fine fifty, 52 in all, and with Joe Fenner's useful 20 in support, and a modest 19 from my own bat, we closed on 106 for 4 from our 33 overs. Bob Arnold had a trying afternoon behind the stumps, nine byes slipping through, but such things happen on any ground.

In the end honours were shared, a draw that flattered neither side unduly, and a thoroughly sporting contest against a Charles Arkcoll side who gave us a fine game from first ball to last.

Sun 14 May 1950 🧢 1st XIv YC Yalding CC · HomeformWWDWD

We lost the toss on a fine Sunday and were asked to field first against Yalding, who put together a useful 151 all out in 40.5 overs. We struck early, the first wicket falling for a mere 3, but W. Norris settled in nicely and played the innings that mattered, a fine 68 that gave their total its backbone, helped along by a stand of 57 for the sixth wicket. S. Oliver, by contrast, departed without troubling the scorers. Gordon Fenner was in irresistible form, spinning his way to 5 for 37 with three maidens besides, and I was glad enough of my own 4 for 50, while Don Hartridge chipped in with a tidy 1 for 19.

With the bat we set about our task in good order, Tom Osborn and his opening partner laying a platform of 135 before the first wicket fell, and Osborn went on to an unbeaten 90, ably supported by Stan Wratten's polished 41 not out, to bring us home at 154 for 3 in 31 overs and a win by seven wickets. Osborn's innings carried him past Jimmy Jameson into 22nd on the club's all-time run-scorers, and my own bowling lifted me past Dennis Smith into 7th among the wicket-takers, a pleasing marker on a day when everything about our cricket, in the field and after tea, spoke well of the club.

Sat 13 May 1950 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLWWDW

Bearsted gave us a warm welcome on Saturday the thirteenth of May, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in sending us in to bat. An early stumble at 7 for 1 threatened to unsettle the innings, and poor D Simmons was undone for a golden duck, but the middle order set matters right handsomely. I found my touch and carried the innings to 60, well past my half-century, while John Taylor's steady 36 and J Baker's brisk 21 gave the total real backbone. We were all out for 177 from 43.2 overs, a total I felt would ask real questions of the home side.

Bearsted replied in fine style, Gordon A Hawkins playing a lovely unbeaten half-century of 53 to anchor their innings, well supported by Vic Pound's 25 and E Hawkins's 22. Neville Gibson and R C Brook Palmer went back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers, and our attack kept the runs commendably in check throughout. Don Hartridge led the bowling with 2 for 41, John Taylor bowled with great discipline for 2 for 55 including four tidy maidens, and I was glad to chip in with 2 for 43. Bearsted closed on 148 for 8 from their 39 overs.

A pleasing note for the club's records — my 60 today carries me past E C Streatfield into sixteenth place among the club's all-time run-scorers, and leaves me, not without some pride, at the head of both the run and wicket charts for the first eleven this season.

Neither side could quite force the issue in the time allowed, and so honours were shared in a draw. Bearsted proved generous and sporting hosts, and it was cricket very much in the best traditions of the game.

Sat 29 Apr 1950 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLWWD

On Saturday the twenty-ninth of April we travelled to The Mote, and the coin falling kindly I had no hesitation in sending us in to bat first.

Our batting was a curious affair. 94 all out in 32 overs told of a pitch offering little comfort, and though I was fortunate to top the card with 30, the middle order lost its head badly, 11 for 1 becoming 27 for 4 in the blink of an eye. Yet 94, modest as it was, proved enough.

The Mote replied with 71 all out from 30.1 overs, Tom Osborn making a plucky 25, but their innings too fell away, 57 for 4 crumbling to 65 for 7 in short order. J Coomber, Freeman and B Smith were all sent back without troubling the scorers. Bowling quite unplayable off-spin, I finished with 6 for 16 from 5 maidens, while John Taylor bowled with real craft for 4 for 21 at the other end.

It was besides a day for the record books, my six wickets carrying me past fifty for the club and up to ninth on the all-time wicket-takers list, while Joe Fenner's five runs lifted him past A W Fulcher to seventeenth among our run-getters. I lead the 1950 1st XI charts this season for both bat and ball. A sporting contest, honestly won by 23 runs, and two points gained in the best traditions of the club.