🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 25 Sep 1955 🧢 Marriedv Linton Park CC · HomeformLDDD

Sunday last, 25th September, saw Linton Park CC take the field as visitors, and when the coin span my way I did what any optimist with a soft outfield in mind would do — I stuck us in. History, and Wratten's bat, very nearly bore me out.

We were bowled out for 101 in 40.1 overs, which reads better than it felt watching the middle order come and go. Stan Wratten was the innings in miniature — 47 runs of real substance, top of the Married run charts for the season and, on this evidence, a man in form while the rest of us were still finding our guard. Tony Levick chipped in nicely with 20, I managed a workmanlike 16 of my own, and then the wheels came off in the manner club cricket does so well: Frank Brattle, Ray Tippen and Peter Weedon all walked back for ducks, three names now etched into the club's least glamorous ledger. 🦆

In the end it wasn't enough, going down by eight runs — the sort of margin that leaves you replaying every dot ball on the drive home. Not our day, by any measure.

Still, no crisis. Heads up, back to the nets, and Stan's runs are banked for the summer if not for Sunday. We live to bat again.

Sat 24 Sep 1955 🧢 1st XIv Town Malling CC · HomeformDWDDD

Saturday 24 September 1955, and Town Malling CC were the visitors to Linton Park. I won the toss, and there was never much doubt about my decision — up went the finger, in went the openers, and we settled to bat.

It was not, in truth, a vintage afternoon with the willow. We limped to 89/6 from 25.3 overs, a total that owed most of its respectability to John Thirkell's watchful 36 and Stan Wratten's useful 25. I contributed my own 36 to the cause, which I mention here purely for the sake of the record and not out of any vanity. Special mention, as tradition demands, to poor John Carter, who walked the walk of shame for a duck — the sort of innings that has a man studying his bootlaces rather awkwardly at tea.

Seventy-two on the board looked gettable, but our bowlers had other ideas. Town Malling were bundled out for exactly that, 72 all out in 30.4 overs, with only R- King's defiant 25 offering any real resistance. J Donovan was quite magnificent, scything through the order for 6-21 — a five-for and thoroughly deserved — while Stan Wratten, having already contributed with the bat, chipped in with 2-20 and five miserly maidens, and Bob Brigden picked up 1-18. Richard Terry, Raymond Hollands and P- Hollands all departed without troubling the scorers.

A scratchy batting display redeemed by bowling of real class. Seventeen runs the margin, and not before time — onwards we go.

Sun 18 Sep 1955 🧢 1st XIv TC Tunbridge Wells CC · HomeformWDWDD

It was 40 overs each way at Linton Park on Sunday, and after losing the toss for what feels like the third week running, I dispatched the lads into the field first — never the worst outcome when the ball's doing a bit and the tea urn's already on.

Tunbridge Wells settled in and posted 133 all out, Peter Lloyd the chief nuisance with a well-made 45, Charles Wicker (29) and Jack Hickmott (28) lending sturdy support. But just as they threatened to bat us out of the game, Gordon Fenner decided enough was enough and ran through them like a man late for his Sunday roast — 7 for 31, including ducks for James Scrace and Jim Willard, figures that will take some beating in this or any season. John Carter (1-6) and Bob Brigden (1-22, with two tidy maidens thrown in for good measure) kept things admirably mean at the other end.

Chasing 134, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite making it look easy — 130 for 7 in our forty, Ray Howard the mainstay with 32, Stan Wratten (23) and Richard Harris (20) chipping in nicely. Three runs short at the death, honours were shared, which felt about right for an afternoon of honest toil on both sides. Elsewhere, John Thirkell continues his imperious form atop the season's run charts with 793 to his name — the rest of us mere spectators.

A draw, then — no losers, but with Fenner bowling like that, no shortage of winners either.

Sat 17 Sep 1955 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDWDWD

I called correctly for once, and with rain never far from Kent in September, I had no hesitation in taking first knock. It didn't feel like a masterstroke early on, but John Thirkell settled things with a fine 45, Stan Wratten chipped in handsomely with 39 and Frank Brattle added a brisk 22 to see us to 145/8 from our 42. Poor C. Haylor will want to forget the whole afternoon — out for a duck, though he took it on the chin, as one must.

Defending 145 against Bearsted looked a tall order on paper, but the bowlers had other ideas. Michael Morton was magnificent, snaring 4-32, with Basil Sears (2-29) and J. Donovan (1-13, two miserly maidens) squeezing the life out of the Bearsted innings. Tony Snook's 30 and Gordon Hawkins's 27 kept the visitors interested, but 105/7 from their 43 overs was as far as they could push us, and I was glad of my own small contribution of 45 to keep the scoreboard honest.

Two landmarks to raise a glass to: Michael Morton brought up his 100th career wicket, and Basil Sears's brace edged him past R.W. Mitchell into 24th on the club's all-time list — company he can be proud to keep. Thirkell continues to lead our run charts for the season with 780, and Morton now sits third among the wicket-takers with 35.

A draw, then — honours shared, tea well earned, and nobody quite sure whether to call it a triumph of defiance or a missed opportunity. I shall call it the former.

Sun 11 Sep 1955 🧢 1st XIv MT Medway Towns · HomeformDDWDW

It was another of those Sundays that reminded us why we love this maddening game. We lost the toss, were sent out to field, and watched Dummy Site build a respectable 192/6 from their 54 overs, with H. Doust playing the innings of the day — a well-crafted 74 — ably assisted by K. Walker (39) and A. Lawson (37). Credit where it's due: Len Conway bowled beautifully for 2-35 with three miserly maidens, while Bob Brigden (2-45) and John Thirkell (1-30) kept things honest at the other end.

Chasing 193, we made a fair fist of it, closing on 166/7 from our 36 overs. John Thirkell top-scored with a fine 59, well supported by Stan Wratten (32) and Tony Levick (22) — and yes, that 59 was mine, and I shan't pretend I wasn't rather pleased with it.

Two milestones worth toasting in the clubhouse this week: Stan brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, a landmark built one gritty innings at a time, and John's solitary wicket nudged him past Jack Fryer into 8th on our all-time wicket-takers list — and he now leads the 1955 first-team run charts with 735 for the season, a fact he will doubtless remind us of at every opportunity.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, then — honest toil, no shame, and tea was rather good.

Sat 10 Sep 1955 🧢 1st XIv OR Old Roffensians · HomeformWDDWD

From the captain's chair, Saturday 10 September 1955 — we hosted Dummy Site, and having lost the toss, found ourselves invited to bowl first, which around here always feels less like an invitation and more like a summons.

They totted up 147 all out in 46.2 overs, Kingston the chief architect with 42, R. Howard and Roberts chipping in with 30 and 25 respectively. It might have been a good deal worse had Bob Brigden not decided to turn the ball square all afternoon, finishing with the wonderful figures of 5-29, four of them maidens — miserly barely covers it. J Donovan and Michael Morton mopped up a wicket apiece, and between them we kept Dummy Site to a total that felt gettable.

Getting it, mind, was another matter. We reached 148 for 7 in 31.4 overs, C. Martin and Deer having gone quietly early on without troubling the scorers — ducks, the pair of them, sympathies extended. Bob Arnold led from the front with a fine 38, John Thirkell added 31 and Tom Osborn 22, while John "-'s Taylor and Michael Morton both departed for golden ducks of their own. I managed to contribute 31 myself, which I shall modestly describe as timely rather than pretty.

Gordon Fenner's 22 nudged him past Bob Arnold to 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while John Thirkell continues to lead the 1955 run charts and John "-'s Taylor sits second among the season's wicket-takers. A fine win by three wickets — onwards we go.

Sun 04 Sep 1955 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWDDW

We hosted the visitors on a fine Sunday, 4th September, and won the toss — I elected to bat, and for once I shan't be second-guessing myself in these pages, as it proved the right call. We compiled a solid 197 for 6 from our 51 overs, built around a composed half-century from William Buck, unbeaten on 67, with Len Conway (37) and John --'s Taylor (20) chipping in handy support. John Ames, alas, contributed nothing more than a golden duck to the cause — these things happen to the best of us, John, and no doubt you'll make up for it with the ball. Twenty-five extras rounded out a total that felt about right on a good pitch.

In reply, the visitors made a real fist of it, reaching 165 for 3 from their 45 overs, anchored by E Webb's fine 67 and useful contributions from A Goodenough (43) and D Edwards, unbeaten on 37. Len Conway led our attack superbly with 2 for 31, John Ames found a touch of redemption with 1 for 61, and John --'s Taylor bowled with real discipline, sending down three maidens — fitting, too, as it marked his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark few of us will ever reach.

As it stands, John Thirkell continues to top the season's run charts with 645, while John Ames — duck notwithstanding — leads the wickets with 70. In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, but a thoroughly good afternoon's cricket, and Taylor's ton of appearances made it one to remember.

Sat 03 Sep 1955 🧢 1st XIv YC Yalding CC · AwayformWLWDD

1955, Yalding CC away. We lost the toss and were asked to bowl first, which on a fine September afternoon felt less like misfortune and more like Yalding sparing us the indignity of batting first ourselves. Yalding were dismissed for 91 in 42.4 overs, a total that flattered them somewhat given the treatment meted out by John "--'s" Taylor, whose 7-41 (eight maidens, no less — the man was positively stingy) was as fine a spell as the gazette will report all season. John Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 3-35, R. Woollett departed for a duck at our hands, and only a- Stickings, with 33, offered any real resistance for the home side.

Our reply was, in the finest traditions of Linton Park, rather more eventful than the situation required. Chasing 92 to win, we contrived to make hard work of it, stumbling to 98/6 from 32 overs before finally getting over the line — John Taylor again to the fore with 22, proving he's rather good at this game in both disciplines. Your skipper, meanwhile, enjoyed a happy afternoon of his own with three wickets, which I shall modestly mention and then move swiftly on from.

Four wickets the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly earned despite our best efforts to make a nonsense of it. With Thirkell now leading the 1st XI run charts on 631 and Taylor sitting second in the wickets with 39, the season has rather the look of a two-man band carrying the rest of us along — and long may they keep playing.

Sun 28 Aug 1955 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWLWD

It was Sunday, 28 August 1955, and the sun found us at home with our whites on and the tea urn warming — happy days.

We took first use of the ball and the visitors made a fair fist of it, closing on 189 for 9 from their 46 overs. R Aiston led the charge with a well-crafted 52, and got good company from E Lawrence (36) and J Basten (32). But the story of the innings belonged to John Ames, who bowled with real purpose to return 5 for 76 — a five-for thoroughly earned and thoroughly deserved. Tony Tipples (2-33) and Tony Snell (1-30, with two tidy maidens to his name) kept things honest at the other end.

In reply we made 140 for 7 from our 39, William Buck the pick of the willow with 42, backed up nicely by Tom Osborn's 24 and an unbeaten 22 from Tony Levick. Less gloriously, Tony Tipples, John Ames and Peter Weedon all took the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club swells its ranks again. Your correspondent must confess to joining that unhappy list with the bat, though I found some consolation with the ball, picking up five wickets of my own.

One shining moment amid it all: Tom Osborn brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly applauded by all.

Honours ended shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the door open — and on a day like this, with milestones reached and ducks laid, I'll happily settle for that.

Sun 21 Aug 1955 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWWLW

From the captain's chair, Sunday 21st August 1955 — a fine day for it, and the visitors duly arrived to find us electing to have first use of the ball, a decision I still maintain was the correct one even if the scorebook took its time agreeing with me. They were bowled out for 179 in 44.4 overs, Jack Whibley giving us a proper going-over with a stylish 55, Gordon Kemsley chipping in with 45 and Denis Fowle 24 more for good measure. But it was John Ames who did the real damage, spinning away merrily to finish with 5 for 47 including two maidens — the sort of spell that makes a captain feel he's earned his tea rather than merely poured it. Tony Snell (3-21) and Bob Brigden (1-37) tidied up the rest, while Don Capeling, Cyril Dyson and G Bruce all departed without troubling the scorers.

In reply we mustered 135 for 8 from our 58 overs, William Buck top-scoring with a gritty 32 and Stan Wratten a handy 24, though John Ames — so masterful with the ball — rather let the side down with a duck of his own. Buck also had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, leaking 8 byes for his trouble.

There was, happily, a footnote of celebration: William Blight's 17 runs eased him past Joe Fenner into 25th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a small but permanent piece of Linton Park history. In the end, honours were shared, neither side able to force it. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and no bad way to spend a Sunday.

Sat 20 Aug 1955 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · HomeformLLWWL

We lost the toss on Saturday and were duly sent in to chase — never our preferred order of business, but there we are. Charles Arkcoll made themselves comfortable at the crease and posted a stern 190/9 from their 48 overs, with Randolph Thompson batting like a man who'd brought his own sandwiches for the duration, unbeaten on 85. Gordon Fenner (27) and Stan Wratten (25) chipped in dutifully. Basil Sears, however, had other ideas, tearing through their order with 5-50 — a spell that did more damage than the tea urn running dry — while Richard Harris and J Donovan picked up a wicket apiece, Donovan additionally bowling three maidens as if he'd personally taken against the concept of runs. Humphrey Morris departed without so much as a nibble.

Set 191 to win, we replied with 192/7 from our 37, and I'll confess a certain pride in leading from the front with 65 not out — though "leading" rather understates the efforts of Bob Arnold (46) and Basil Sears, doing a fine impression of an all-rounder with bat as well as ball, chipping in 30. Poor Peter Weedon fell for nought, and Bob Arnold's afternoon behind the stumps was rather more eventful than his bowlers would have liked, with ten byes leaking through. Still, his 46 runs quietly nudged him past Ernest Cruttenden into 20th on the club's all-time run charts — a small piece of history amid the chaos.

We scrambled home by three wickets. Untidy in places, occasionally alarming, but a win is a win, and on a warm August Saturday, that will do very nicely indeed.

Sun 14 Aug 1955 🧢 1st XIv MA Mote A · HomeformWLLWW

The lads and I gathered on a fine Sunday, 14th August, with Dummy Site down to visit Linton Park. I won the toss and, fancying the wicket would only get harder to bat on as the day wore on, had no hesitation in sending us in first.

As it turned out, 114 all out from 46.1 overs was a modest return for the confidence I'd shown. Stan Wratten held things together with a battling 43, and B- Pointer chipped in usefully with 29, but wickets fell around them with the sort of regularity that makes a captain study his boots rather awkwardly.

Defending 114 was always going to ask a great deal of the bowlers, and to their enormous credit they very nearly pulled off the impossible. Bob Brigden was superb, 2 for just 6, while Alan Wilkes (2-30, six maidens - not a run given away lightly) and John Ames (2-38) kept the pressure on throughout. We even had the small mercy of F- Holding departing for a duck. But C- Warnett's 28 and J- Waters' 23 nudged the visitors past us, poor Tony Levick having an afternoon of it behind the stumps with 17 byes conceded, and they crept home at 118 for 8 from 54.4 overs.

Two wickets the margin, and a long, thoughtful drive home for me. Not our day, but heads up - it's back to the nets, and there's a season yet to be won.

Sun 07 Aug 1955 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformDWLLW

Sunday the 7th of August, and Anchorians CC came to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather less welcome, the toss lost — we were put in the field. Not that we minded much, as it turned out. They wobbled from the off, one down without a run on the board, and never quite found their feet, subsiding from a hopeful-ish 89-7 to 102 all out in 55.4 overs. Only P- Clarke, with a battling 32, threatened to give the innings any shape. John Ames was the chief tormentor, prising out four for 22 with eight overs of maidens that must have felt like a small siege, Tony Snell chipped in with four for 33 of his own — enough, we're told, to nudge him past Ernest Cruttenden into 12th on the club's all-time list — and Bob Brigden took one for 27 for good measure. S- Harden, J- Harris and B Mitchell all departed without so much as troubling the scorers.

Set 103 to win, we made harder work of it than the target deserved, losing our own opener without a run before Tony Levick (42) and Ray Howard (41 not out) put together 76 for the second wicket and steadied the ship. William Buck and John Thirkell both walked for nought, I contributed my customary duck, and eight byes suggested the wicketkeeping was having as testing a day as anyone. Still, 105 for 4 in 28.3 overs got us home with six wickets to spare — a fine win, however scruffily assembled, and one we'll happily take.

Sat 06 Aug 1955 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWDWLL

As we lost the toss and were asked to chase, I could only console myself that at least someone was making decisions on my behalf on a Saturday.

Headcorn set about building a total with the sort of patience that makes a captain's hair grey — K. Goodhall's unbeaten fifty (56) the backbone, well supported by C. Smith (40) and W. Offen (22), and between them they ground us down to 181/9 from 56.2 overs. Credit where due, though: J. Donovan was a different animal altogether, spinning his way to 5-56 and thoroughly earning his tea, while Gordon Fenner (2-34) and Michael Morton (1-49) chipped away too. John Taylor's five maidens deserve a mention of their own — not a run given away lightly, even if our keeper's afternoon behind the stumps, with 11 byes to his name, told a rather less disciplined story.

Chasing 182, we got there in some style, 187/8 from 37 overs, thanks chiefly to Basil Sears, who reached a fine 51 and, in doing so, quietly slipped past John Taylor into 5th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — not bad for an afternoon's work. Gordon Fenner's unbeaten 31 and Bob Arnold's 30 kept things ticking, and I managed a workmanlike 26 of my own, more by accident than design.

Two points, won by two wickets — tight enough to keep the nerves jangling, comfortable enough to enjoy the tea afterwards. A day where the bat, just about, had the last word over the byes.

Mon 01 Aug 1955 🧢 1st XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformDWDWL

Monday the 1st of August found us at home to Dummy Site, and disaster struck before a ball was bowled: I lost the toss, and they had no hesitation in sticking us in the field. Not that it seemed to matter much — we bowled tidily enough, and 163 all out in 49 overs felt like a score we could chase down over the tea urn. Cornwallis gave us the most trouble, ambling to 57, with Marsham (26) and Checksfield (22) chipping in dutifully. John Ames was magnificent, tearing through their order with 5 for 69 and three maidens besides, while G Hill (2-12) and Bob Brigden (2-32) tidied up the rest.

Chasing 164 should have been a formality on a decent pitch, but the top order rather fancied a lie-down. Tony Levick's 27 was the innings' backbone, well supported by John Ames (22, doing his bit with bat as well as ball) and G Hill (20). Beyond that, grim reading: William Buck, John Thirkell and John Abnett all walked back for ducks, and I led by example with a golden one of my own — the less said, the better. All out 111 in 35.1 overs, beaten by 52 runs.

One bright note amid the wreckage: John Ames's five-for nudged him past Alan Wilkes into 6th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, which is more than can be said for the rest of us. Levick continues to sit handsomely 4th in this season's run charts. A chastening afternoon, all told — back to the nets, heads up, ducks quietly forgotten.

Sun 31 Jul 1955 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDDWDW

Sunday 31 July 1955 dawned fair and, as ever, faintly ominous, for we were sent into the field and made to graft for it. The visitors settled in nicely, closing on 181/4 from their 52 overs, with a top-scoring Humphrey (48) and H Carrington (44) doing most of the damage, Ron Aiston seeing them home unbeaten on 39. Stan Wratten was our chief tormentor with the ball, 3-35 and grim of expression throughout, well backed by R Waters (1-7) and Tony Snell, who bowled two maidens as though personally offended by the idea of a boundary.

Our reply was, in the finest traditions of the club, a touch shambolic. William Buck battled manfully for 30 and was rather left holding the innings together on his own, while the rest of us contributed generously to the extras column and little else — Tony Snell in particular returning a golden duck 🦆, a feat he will no doubt dine out on in the clubhouse for weeks to come. All out for 93 in 32.3 overs, we were.

Small mercies: I picked up three wickets myself, so the walk back to the pavilion wasn't entirely without cheer, and William Buck continues his fine season, now third in the 1st XI run charts with 298 to his name.

Beaten by 88 runs, then — no dressing it up. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 30 Jul 1955 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformDDDWD

Saturday 30th July, and off we trotted to Aylesford Paper Mills, losing the toss and finding ourselves put out into the field first — never quite the news you want to hear, but there we are.

Credit where it's due: John "The" Taylor bowled like a man possessed, 4-70 with five maidens thrown in for good measure, not a run given away lightly, and J Donovan chipped in handsomely with 3-43 to keep them honest. Even so, Alan Baker played a proper captain's-nightmare of an innings, a well-made fifty, with Eric Churchyard lending support to the tune of 21, and Aylesford closed on 152/7 from their 58 overs. Bob Arnold had one of those afternoons behind the stumps that goalkeepers and wicketkeepers alike would rather forget — 8 byes is the sort of number that gets mentioned in the bar for weeks.

Chasing it down, I'm rather pleased to say I found some form myself, 94 not looking a bad way to lead from the front, with C Sandford steady and unbeaten on 25 to see us home. Not everyone's day, mind — R Waters and Basil Sears both took the long walk back for nought, and the Duck Club ledger duly groans. Elsewhere, Frank Taylor quietly brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, which rather puts my own efforts in perspective.

We got over the line by 5 wickets. All told, a proper day out — runs, wickets, byes and ducks in equal measure, and the win is all that matters.

Sun 24 Jul 1955 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · AwayformDDDDW

Sunday 24 July 1955 saw us pack the kit bags for Folkestone, hopes modest, sun (mercifully) cooperative. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling remains as reliable as an English summer — and we were duly sent out to field first, which at least spared us the indignity of batting on a fresh pitch with cold hands.

Folkestone set about building a total with the quiet confidence of a side who'd had a decent breakfast, reaching 193 for 6 from their 62 overs. Frank Brooks-Hill was the chief architect with a well-made 91, given sturdy support by Len Godden's 45 and Cecil Blacklocks' 20. We did have our moments, mind — Ernie Thunder walked back for a duck, which cheered us no end, and John Ames bowled beautifully throughout, finishing with 4 for 54 and a remarkable 8 maidens, the sort of miserly spell that has opposing batsmen muttering into their gloves. Alan Wilkes chipped in with 2 for 78.

Chasing 194, we made a fair fist of it without quite getting there, closing on 173 for 6 from our 55. Ray Howard anchored things nicely with an unbeaten 44, Stan Wratten and Tony Levick both weighing in with 27 apiece, and I contributed a workmanlike 20 of my own before getting out in the manner captains traditionally do.

So, honours shared — a draw, with neither side able to force it. Not the win we wanted, but a thoroughly good day's cricket, and John Ames continues to lead our 1955 wicket charts with a splendid 48 to his name.

Sun 17 Jul 1955 🧢 1st XIv J J.G.Larking's · HomeformLDDDD

Sunday last brought Dummy Site to Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any captain with a decent top order and a suspicious weather app does — I stuck us in.

It proved a shrewd call, or at least I'm claiming it was. We ground out 218 for 7 from our fifty-nine overs, built on Ray Howard's watchful 64 and handsomely supported by Tony Levick's 42 and John Ames's 40. Nothing flashy, just the sort of steady accumulation that leaves a bowling attack quietly despairing over their tea.

Whatever despair they'd banked, ours arrived quicker. Dummy Site were bowled out for a mere 95 in 25.5 overs, their innings never remotely under control. J. May's 33 was the only real resistance; J. Baker and D. Goodliffe both departed without troubling the scorers. Stan Wratten was the chief tormentor with 4 for 30 and two miserly maidens besides, well backed by John Ames (3 for 37) and Alan Wilkes, whose 2 for 5 was economy bordering on the impertinent. I even managed to get in on the act myself, picking up three wickets to go with my 40 with the bat — not bad for a captain who mostly exists to lose the toss and field at mid-off.

Two footnotes for the record books: Stan Wratten sailed past 100 career wickets, and Alan Wilkes's efforts nudged him above John Ames into sixth on the club's all-time list. We ran out winners by 123 runs — a proper win, all told, and precisely the sort of afternoon that makes the winter nets worthwhile.

Sat 16 Jul 1955 🧢 1st XIv SL St Lukes · HomeformDLDDD

Saturday 16 July, and Dummy Site came to us with the sun out and, rather less helpfully, the toss lost — chasing was our lot for the day. In the field first, we watched J- Francis compile a fine 60 and L- Morris chip in with 56, H- Aiston adding 42 for good measure, while B- Lamb walked back for a duck at our hands 🦆. They closed on 217/8 from 48.2 overs, a total that felt rather larger with every over. Tony Snell was magnificent with the ball — 4-52 and three maidens, not a run given away lightly — with John Thirkell (3-18) tidy and effective, and John --'s Taylor chipping in a wicket for 51.

Chasing 217, we mustered 119/8 from our 40, Basil Sears the rock at 51 not out, ably supported by William Blight's 27. Tony Levick and John Thirkell both bagged ducks — the walk of shame — and eleven byes told their own tale of a testing day behind the stumps for William Blight. I fell for nought myself, and we shall draw a veil over that, though I found some consolation with three wickets to my name.

Amid the arithmetic, the day belonged to the milestones: Basil Sears brought up 2,000 career runs and his 100th appearance in Linton colours, while Frank Taylor also reached his century of appearances. Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could force the issue, and on reflection, about right.

Sun 10 Jul 1955 🧢 1st XIv SC Selsted CC · AwayformLDLDD

Sunday 10 July 1955, and off we trundled to Selsted, where a lost toss meant we were straight into the field before the tea urn had even warmed up. Not that anyone was complaining — until T. Learman got hold of us, that is, and proceeded to compile a thoroughly chanceless-looking hundred, 104 of the finest, while E. Glassborrow purred along to an unbeaten 55 and L. Bachellor Snr weighed in with 35. By the time Selsted declared themselves satisfied at 222/4 off 38.3 overs, the bowling figures made for grim if respectful reading. John Ames stood alone as chief tormentor with 3-52, and Gordon Fenner did his bit too, 1-42 with two maidens thrown in for good measure — not a man to give runs away lightly, even on a day when runs were rather the order of business.

Our reply was built on patience rather than fireworks. Len Conway anchored things nicely with 44, Tony Tipples chipped in a handy 33, and John Ames — having already earned his keep with the ball — added 27 more with the bat, in the process easing past Don Hartridge into 9th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. A tidy afternoon's work by any measure. We closed on 177/6 from our 42 overs, short of the target but never in danger of collapse.

So honours shared, a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody in equal measure — which, on reflection, is about as English a result as Sunday cricket ever produces.

Sat 09 Jul 1955 🧢 1st XIv A A.Trembeths · HomeformWLDLD

Saturday last, Dummy Site rolled up as our visitors, and true to form the coin let me down — over went the toss, and over went the innings to them. Not that it did them a power of good in the end. They laboured to 153 all out in 44.4 overs, Clancy top-scoring with a watchful 45, Chance chipping in 36 and Beacon 27, while at the other end McDowall and Dengate both trudged off for ducks. The story of the day, though, was John --'s Taylor, who ran through them for a magnificent 5-15 — the sort of spell that has the tea urn buzzing with talk long after the covers go on. Snell (3-34, with two miserly maidens for good measure) and Morton (2-72) did their bit to tidy up the rest.

Our reply never quite found its rhythm, closing on 118 for 9 from 41 overs — a chase that felt rather like wading through treacle. William Buck led the way with 45, well supported by John Thirkell's 21 and Bob Arnold's 20, while I did my modest best with 21 of my own. Poor Taylor, hero with the ball, fell for a duck with the bat — cricket's little joke, that one. William Blight had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Snell's three wickets nudged him past Don Hartridge into 13th on the club's all-time list, and with Thirkell still ploughing on at the top of our season's run charts and Morton second among the wicket-takers, the future looks bright even if Saturday's afternoon was a stalemate. A draw, then — honours shared, pride mostly intact, and the urn refilled for another week.

Sun 03 Jul 1955 🧢 1st XIv S S.Kimmins · HomeformWWLDL

We hosted Dummy Site on Sunday and, having lost the toss yet again — I'm beginning to think my coin-calling is a genuine handicap to the club — watched them elect to bat. It's fair to say Popplewell had other ideas about our afternoon plans, compiling a fine 113 while Pawson (42) and Kimmins (40) chipped in handsomely as the visitors racked up 252 all out. Credit where it's due, though: John Ames was magnificent with the ball, tearing through their order for 5-74, with Donovan (3-77) and Brigden (1-26) mopping up around him. Matheson and De Quetle, alas, will remember the day chiefly for the walk back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers.

Chasing 252 with 51 overs at our disposal, we set about it with more application than our top order sometimes musters. Stan Wratten played an innings to remember, a majestic 109, with Ray Howard's 48 giving him fine support in the middle order. John Ames, having done his bit with the ball, rather generously left his batting heroics for another day, departing for a duck — the cricketing gods do like their little jokes. We finished on a highly respectable 193/6, short of the target but never disgraced.

A word of celebration amid the near-miss: Ames's five-wicket haul carries him past Jack Fryer and into 7th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, a landmark thoroughly earned. With honours shared in a draw, this was a match that flattered nobody's ego and satisfied everybody's appetite for proper cricket — no shame at all in coming away with the game unresolved.

Sat 02 Jul 1955 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · AwayformLWWLD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 02 July 1955. The road took us to Charles Arkcoll, we lost the toss, and were sent in the field, which on reflection told us most of what we needed to know about how the afternoon would go.

They batted with real purpose. John Ames made a fine 59, well supported by Jack Knowler's 24 and Stan Wratten's 20, and they closed on a stern 181/8 from their 47 overs. Jack Parsons at least gave us one small mercy, back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. Michael Morton was the pick of our attack by some distance, toiling to figures of 4-71, with J Donovan chipping in 3-21 and John "-'s Taylor tight as you like, 1-54 with two maidens — not a run given away lightly, whatever the final total suggested.

Chasing 182, we never quite found our rhythm. John Thirkell battled hard for 45, Frank Taylor added 32 and J Donovan 20, while I contributed 45 of my own for whatever comfort that provides the committee. Poor G Hill's golden duck rather summed up our luck. All out for 132 in 28.5 overs, we fell 49 runs short.

A word of cheer amid the gloom: Morton's four wickets carried him past Ernest Cruttenden to 11th on the club's all-time list, and in the season charts Thirkell still leads the run-scoring with 374 while Morton sits third among the wicket-takers with 25. Small consolations, but consolations nonetheless. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 26 Jun 1955 🧢 1st XIv SC Selsted CC · HomeformWLWWL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 26 June 1955, and Dummy Site rolled up as our visitors on what turned out to be a proper afternoon of cricket. I lost the toss, as is now practically tradition, and they had no hesitation in padding up first while we made do with the ball.

They set about building a total, S- Smith easing to a well-made 62 and B- Fletcher not far behind with 58, D Clarke chipping in 23 more, and they closed on a healthy 182/6 from their 46 overs. Poor R- Mummery, though, never troubled the scorers, and John Ames span through the innings like a man possessed, finishing with 5-69 and three maidens to boot — miserly doesn't quite cover it. Alan Wilkes picked up his own reward with 1-70.

Chasing 183, we made a fair fist of it. Frank Taylor led the way with a crisp 42, Tony Levick added a handy 32, and Gordon Fenner saw us home to 164/6 from 41 overs with an unbeaten 25 — a knock that, rather splendidly, eased him past Ernest Cruttenden and into 19th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. I managed 25 myself, more by luck than judgement.

In the end neither side could force the issue, and honours were shared. With Frank Taylor now 2nd in this season's run charts and John Ames leading the wickets with 33, there's plenty to be cheerful about — a draw, but a thoroughly satisfying one.

Sun 19 Jun 1955 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDWLWW

We were beaten, folded to a total that the scorebook rather too honestly wrote down as "None" – which even the most creative arithmetic can't dress up as a good day at the crease, though a game of two very different halves is nearer the mark.

Sent out to field first at home, we did our jobs with the ball rather better than we managed with the bat. The opposition ground their way to 152 all out from 44 overs, G Williams top-scoring with 46, well backed by A How's 36 and R Pavitt's 35. Small mercies: F Chapman went back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers 🦆. The day belonged to Alan Wilkes, whose 5-53 was a five-for richly earned, with John Ames chipping in admirably at 5-54.

Chasing 152 should have been within our compass, but our reply came unstuck and we were dismissed for a total the record book has chosen to leave blank. Tony Levick played the innings of the day with a fine 53, ably supported by Stan Wratten's 29 and John Ames's 20 – though Richard Harris contributed a golden nothing 🦆 to proceedings.

There was cause for celebration amid the gloom: Levick's 53 lifted him past Don Hartridge to 8th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Ames's five wickets took him past John Thirkell into 8th on the all-time wicket-takers list. Beaten by 0 wickets in the end, we've little to show for a match with real individual merit in it. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 18 Jun 1955 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformWDWLW

Saturday 18 June 1955, and Aylesford Paper Mills CC came calling. We lost the toss, were put into the field, and I confess my heart sank slightly at the prospect of a long afternoon chasing leather.

Long it was — 46.2 overs of it — with Aylesford compiling 162 all out. Alan Baker's well-made fifty (69) was the backbone of the innings, E Carrington chipped in a fine 56, and Cliff Anscombe's 24 rounded things out. But it was Tony Snell who turned the day on its head, ripping through the order with a scarcely believable 5-21, backed up handsomely by J Donovan's 3-54 and a wicket for John --'s Taylor. Three of theirs went back without troubling the scorers, which always raises a cheer from the boundary.

Chasing 163, we made light work of it — 163/2 in 36.3 overs, John Thirkell leading from the front with a magnificent unbeaten 70, ably supported by Basil Sears's own unbeaten 59. I'll admit a personal contribution of 70 was rather satisfying, and it wasn't lost on me that those runs took me past William Buck into top spot on the club's all-time run-scorers list — one for the mantelpiece indeed.

Eight wickets to the good, and a thoroughly good day for the club all round.

Sat 11 Jun 1955 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLWDWL

Saturday 11 June 1955, away to Headcorn CC — and what a way to spend an afternoon.

I lost the toss, which these days I take as read, and duly found us leather in hand. Headcorn made a fair fist of their 45 overs, ambling to 215 for 7, with K. Goodhall the chief architect on 62 and L. Murrell (34) and G. Gore (29) filling in the mortar. G. Hill was the pick of our attack by some distance, 3 for 66 with the look of a man enjoying himself, while Michael Morton (2-54) and William Blight (1-15) kept things honest at the other end.

Chasing 216, we got there with four wickets and, one suspects, several grey hairs to spare — 219 for 6 in 43 overs. I shall attempt modesty about my own 111 not out and fail entirely; it's not every Saturday one gets to lead from the front like that. Frank Taylor (52) batted beautifully in support, and William Buck's brisk 22 did rather more than win us runs — it vaulted him past yours truly to the top of the club's all-time run-charts, a piece of history he can dine out on for years. Poor Bob Arnold, though, had an afternoon to forget: a golden duck, and twelve byes besides that told their own sorry tale behind the stumps.

A scrappy, generous, thoroughly enjoyable win. We'll take it, byes and all.

Sun 05 Jun 1955 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLWDW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 05 June 1955

Winning the toss and putting the visitors in seemed the sensible thing to do, and for a while it looked rather clever. T Cobb led their charge with 42, D Martin chipped in a solid 36, and R Boughton saw them home unbeaten on 29, but our bowlers kept chipping away throughout — R Thain gone for a duck was a particular highlight of the afternoon. John Ames was magnificent, five wickets for 41 and every one of them earned, while J- Coomber bowled with the patience of a saint, six maidens and 2-22 to show for it, and Alan Wilkes weighed in with 2-70. All told, 166 for 9 from 52 overs felt like a target we ought to have chased down without too much fuss.

We did not chase it down without too much fuss. William Buck batted nicely for 24 and looked, briefly, like a man who might rescue the innings single-handedly, but support was thin on the ground — J- Coomber and Tony Snell both departed for ducks, and the rest of us shuffled off in similarly unconvincing fashion. All out for 103 in 33.4 overs told its own sorry story.

There is some comfort in the wider picture — William Buck now sits second in the season's run charts with 140, and John Ames tops the wicket-takers with 23 — but comfort butters no parsnips on a Sunday evening. Beaten by 63 runs, fair and square. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 04 Jun 1955 🧢 1st XIv BC Birkenhead Grasshoppers CC · HomeformDDLWD

Alan Wilkes tore through Birkenhead Grasshoppers CC on Saturday to set up a hard-earned three-wicket win, our men's side scrambling home in a match that did the club gazette proud.

Losing the toss is never how you'd script it, and being asked to field on a warm June afternoon is not every captain's idea of fun, but the lads set about their business well enough. Birkenhead crawled to 116 all out in 49.5 overs, with H Clements top-scoring on 45 and R Davies chipping in 29, while at the other end R Williamson departed without troubling the scorers. The bowling was where the afternoon was won: Alan Wilkes simply ran riot, returning a magnificent 6-54, with Michael Morton miserly and menacing in equal measure — 3-32 including four maidens — and John Thirkell picking up one for good measure.

Chasing 116 ought to have been the easy part, and in truth we made rather harder work of it than the scorecard suggests, stumbling to 117/7 from 39.4 overs. William Buck anchored the innings superbly for an unbeaten 44, well supported by John Thirkell's 32, while poor Frank Taylor's duck was the one blot on an otherwise respectable card. I managed 32 myself, more through good fortune than good technique, I suspect.

Milestones were ticked off along the way too — Bob Arnold's 15 lifted him to 21st on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and Wilkes's six-for pushed him up to 6th among our wicket-takers, past Jack Fryer. Two points, and thoroughly, nervously earned. We'll take it, and say no more about the manner of it.

Mon 30 May 1955 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformDDDLW

The Duck Club match report:

---

Monday 30 May, and Marden CC rolled up to Linton Park under skies that made no promises either way. I lost the toss — a habit I'm cultivating this season, it seems — and we were put in to field. No complaints; a morning in the field beats a morning watching your top order fail to score.

And fail they very nearly did, though happily it was Marden's top order doing the failing. John Ames was in wonderful, wicked form, spinning his way to 5-23, while Michael Morton bowled with the discipline of a man late for church — 4-20 from eight maidens, not a run given away lightly. John Thirkell chipped in with one. P Tipples, A Tipples and G Tompkinson departed for nought between them, and Marden were skittled for 57 off 28 overs.

Chasing was never really the word for what followed — we had all day and used most of it, 159 all out in 50.3 overs. Ames continued his fine afternoon with a well-made 69, John Abnett unbeaten on 28 in support. Your correspondent, I regret to report, contributed a duck of his own — as did John Thirkell and L Skinner. The walk of shame was well attended.

There was cause for real celebration, mind: Richard Harris brought up 1,000 career runs and his 100th appearance for the club in the same afternoon, while Ames's runs lifted him to 10th on the all-time list and Morton's wickets to 12th. A draw, in the end — honours shared, and on the balance of duck-eggs, perhaps fairly so.

Sun 29 May 1955 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformWDDDL

We drew the shorter straw at the toss on Sunday, Folkestone electing to bat, and for a while it looked as though the sun had rather gone to their heads too, C Copping's 30 the only real substance in a total of 86 all out. John Ames turned in the kind of spell captains dream of and rarely receive, 5 for 24, ably backed by Alan Wilkes's tidy 4 for 35 (five maidens — the man barely let the ball off the leash) and Gordon Fenner chipping in with 1 for 23.

Our reply was rather less serene than the bowling had promised. Frank Brooks-Hill and Ernie Thunder both departed without so much as a glance at the scorebook, and Clive Smith joined that select and unglamorous company with a golden duck of his own — the walk of shame performed with due solemnity. But William Buck stood firm for 37 not out, Stan Wratten weighed in with a handy 20, and I managed to scratch together 20 myself before the target was safely reached at 87 for 3.

Off the field there was rather more to celebrate: John Ames sailed past 100 career wickets and, with his five on the day, leapfrogged Stan Wratten into 9th on the club's all-time list — not a bad afternoon's work by anyone's reckoning.

Two points, seven wickets to spare, and honestly rather more comfortable than the scorecard's early wobbles suggested. A thoroughly satisfactory Sunday.

Sun 22 May 1955 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWWDDD

From the captain's chair — Sunday 22 May 1955. The road took us there in good spirits and, having won the toss, we chose to bowl first, which on reflection was the easier half of the day's work.

Their innings closed on 146 all out from forty overs, built chiefly around Jack Whibley's well-made 62, with Cyril Dyson (31) and Don Capeling (23) filling out the rest. Alan Wilkes was in irrepressible form, running through the order for 7-43 with two tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, and shunting John Thirkell out of 7th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list in the process — a fine bit of history-making between overs. Tony Snell (2-40) and John Ames (1-38) mopped up what little was left, while T Ades, Denis Fowle and Ralph Allsworth all trudged back without so much as a run to their names.

146 looked gettable, and for a while it was. Tony Levick played a lovely hand of 51 — enough to nudge him past Maurice Fenner into 9th on the club's run-scoring roll of honour — but wickets fell around him with the regularity of a village clock, poor John Abnett among them for a duck, and William Buck's afternoon behind the stumps cost us eight byes we could ill afford. We were bowled out for 143 in 40.3 overs, three agonising runs short.

Not our day, then — the kind of defeat that has you replaying every dropped run on the walk to the car park. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 21 May 1955 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · HomeformLWWDD

Saturday 21st May, and Gore Court came calling. I lost the toss — no great surprise there — and we were sent into the field, which on reflection was probably a mercy given what happened to my batting later.

They huffed and puffed to 81 all out, and for a while it looked like a proper score in the making, but a wicket at 6-1 set the tone and we ran through them like a scythe through long grass, 22-4 before anyone had settled. John --'s Taylor was the chief tormentor, 6-31 with five maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of spell that makes the tea urn taste sweeter — with John Thirkell mopping up 4-41 alongside him. R R Ledger, P Bradley and P Logue all walked back without troubling the scorer.

Chasing 82, we somehow contrived to make hard work of it, limping to 78-7 off our 33. Thirkell and Richard Harris both departed for ducks, and your skipper — leading, as ever, from the front — managed a golden blob of his own. A captain ought to set an example with the bat; on this occasion I set one with the bat still under my arm. Small mercy that the ball was kinder, four wickets to the good, and a word of pride for Thirkell, who leapfrogged Alan Wilkes into 7th on the club's all-time wicket list.

Honours even in the end — a draw when neither side could land the killer blow. Not a classic, but character enough for the gazette.

Sun 15 May 1955 🧢 1st XIv MA Mote A · AwayformWLWWD

Sunday 15 May 1955, and off we trotted to Dummy Site with hope in our hearts and, as ever, precious little else. I lost the toss – I generally do – and we were put into the field, which at least meant an early cup of tea was on the cards.

H- Hawkins had other ideas, ploughing on to 78 not out, with J- Worley (53 not out) offering cheerful support and J- Waters chipping in 35 as they racked up 200/3 from their 62 overs. John Ames was the pick of our attack with 2-53, while Stan Wratten bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding the last biscuit in the tin – seven maidens and just 1-27 to show for it. Poor Tony Levick had a torrid time behind the stumps, 11 byes escaping his gloves like naughty spaniels off the lead.

In reply we laboured to 146/9 from our 46, Ray Howard leading the way with 39, Len Conway a solid 33 alongside him. Young William Blight, alas, joins the Duck Club ledger with a nought and the walk of shame 🦆. I contributed a workmanlike 16, which is to say I got out before anyone could get bored watching.

Elsewhere, Frank Taylor continues to top our 1955 run charts with 148, and John Ames now sits third among the wicket-takers with 7. As for this one – honours shared, a draw when neither side could force the issue. Not a classic, but an honest afternoon's toil, and the tea, I'm reliably informed, was excellent.

Sat 14 May 1955 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · AwayformWWLWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 14 May 1955. We travelled to Gore Court CC, lost the toss, and were sent out into the field, which on a bright May afternoon is no great hardship if the batting cooperates. For a while it very much did: Gore Court stumbled from 1-1 to 13-4, with Brian Reynolds, Maurice Ingleton and Joe Downes all walking back without troubling the scorer. John --'s Taylor was the chief tormentor with 4-51, well backed by J Donovan's 3-30 and three miserly maidens from Tony Snell on his way to 2-32. Just when we sniffed a rout, P Bradley dug in for a fine 61 and dragged the total up to 118 all out from 39.1 overs — respectable, but nothing that should have troubled us.

And it didn't, not really, though we did our best to make a drama of it. Five on the board and we'd already lost a wicket, the sort of start that has you reaching for the flask early. But Frank Taylor, unbeaten on a well-made 56, and John --'s Taylor, 46, put together a crucial 92 for the fourth wicket to see us home to 109-4 from 24 overs. I myself contributed a duck, as did William Blight and John Thirkell — the Duck Club swelling nicely, thank you for asking.

Honours were shared, but there was much to toast: John --'s Taylor reached 2,000 career runs and climbed to third on our all-time wicket-takers list. A draw, then, but a thoroughly cheerful one.

Sun 08 May 1955 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformDWWLW

Sunday the 8th of May, and West Farleigh CC arrived at Linton Park for what turned into rather a fine afternoon's work. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I felt, and I shall keep telling myself that regardless. We laboured a touch to 121 for 9 off 40.1 overs, propped up chiefly by John --'s Taylor, unbeaten on 27, with Ray Howard chipping in a tidy 26. Poor Tony Tipples, meanwhile, walked off for a golden duck, the sort of dismissal that earns a sympathetic pat and nothing more.

Modest as our total looked, it proved plenty. West Farleigh were bowled out for 72 in 38 overs, W- Paton's unbeaten 22 the only real resistance, while Roly Day and Rob Gibberson both departed without troubling the scorers. John Ames was the story of the innings, ripping through with 5 for 17, well supported by John --'s Taylor's 4 for 23 and Ray Howard's solitary strike; Tony Snell, meanwhile, bowled four maidens, not a run given away lightly.

There was history in there too: John --'s Taylor brought up 200 career wickets, Tony Levick's five runs eased him past Herbert Rayner into 11th on the all-time run-scorers' list, and John Ames's five-for lifted him past Ernest Cruttenden into 10th among our wicket-takers — with John Thirkell (83) leading this season's run charts and Ames himself sitting handsomely second among the bowlers.

A 49-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying Sunday's work.

Sat 07 May 1955 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformDDWWL

Won the toss and had no hesitation about it — flat pitch, good outfield, put Bearsted in the field and set about building something substantial. Frank Taylor played beautifully for his unbeaten 63, Michael Morton wasn't far behind with 48 not out, and John Thirkell's 32 gave the middle order some proper backbone. Not everyone's name will be read out with pride, mind — William Blight and J Donovan both fell for ducks, and the ledger shows no mercy. Still, 179/6 from our 39 overs was a total worth defending, and defend it we most certainly did.

Bearsted never really got going. H "Bert" Wood battled hard for his 48, but around him the innings simply came apart — Snook, McBrien and Hawkins all trooped back without so much as troubling the scorers, and 74 all out in 28.1 overs told its own story. The architect of the collapse was Michael Morton, who span his way to a quite extraordinary 7-46, five of his overs maidens, each one squeezing the life further out of the innings. John Thirkell (2-21) and J Donovan (1-4) tidied up what little was left, and I even had my say with the ball, chipping in with 32 of the runs earlier and enjoying every minute of it.

A word for the record books: those seven wickets carried Michael past Tony Snell and into 14th on the club's all-time list, and he now leads our 1955 wicket charts with eight, with John Thirkell topping the run charts on 82. A thumping, thoroughly deserved 105-run victory, and two points banked — the sort of afternoon that reminds you why we bother with this daft, wonderful game.

Sat 30 Apr 1955 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformDDDWW

After a bright Cup run, we came unstuck at West Farleigh on the last Saturday of April.

Losing the toss meant we were put into the field first, and it wasn't the worst place to be — Frank Taylor ran in with real purpose to finish with 2-19, backed up nicely by John Thirkell (1-5) and Basil Sears (1-10), while Michael Morton bowled three tidy maidens to keep the scoreboard honest. But Peter Rivington had other ideas, striding to 96 and dragging West Farleigh to a stiff 166 for 7 off their 37 overs. Bob Arnold had one of those trying afternoons behind the stumps — 14 byes is the sort of number that keeps a wicketkeeper awake at night, though I shan't hold it against him; we've all had days like that.

Chasing 167, John Thirkell picked up where he left off with the ball and produced a lovely half-century, well supported by J Donovan's unbeaten 30. I managed to contribute 50 myself, which was some consolation, but three ducks on the card — Taylor, Pierce and Arnold all making that same lonely walk back — meant we folded for 133 in 36.4 overs, 33 runs shy of the target.

One footnote worth savouring amid the gloom: John Thirkell brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, a landmark that deserves warm applause even on a losing afternoon, and it's enough to see him lead our early-season run charts.

The verdict: not our day, but not without its bright spots. Heads up, and back to the nets.