🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 27 Sep 1959 🧢 Marriedv Linton Park CC · HomeformDWDLW

The coin behaved itself for once, and with it my mind was made up in an instant: we'd bat. Whether that owed more to instinct than genius is a debate for the clubhouse, but the lads repaid the confidence handsomely, posting 196 for 8 from our 37 overs. Tony Levick was the class of the innings, striding past his fifty to finish on a commanding 69, while Stan Wratten's watchful 43 and Pat Hardwick's brisk 28 gave the total real substance.

There was a quieter story unfolding too. Richard Harris's unassuming 7 runs carried rather more weight than the scorebook suggests, easing him past Don Hartridge and into 13th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a milestone he will no doubt play down with the usual modesty.

The season's ledgers, meanwhile, continue to tell their own tale. Ray Howard sits third in the 1959 first-team charts with a formidable 558 runs to his name, Tony Levick now leads the Married run charts on 69, and John Abnett, with a modest but table-topping 8, leads the Singles.

With the bowlers and fielders doing their bit to defend the total, we came home 45 runs to the good. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon, and proof, if any were needed, that a captain's hunch at the toss can occasionally look like wisdom. Onwards indeed.

Sat 26 Sep 1959 🧢 1st XIv A A.Trembeths · HomeformDDLLW

Losing the toss on a fine late-September afternoon and being asked to bowl first is not usually my idea of a treat, but the lads set about A. Trembeths with real purpose. They ground their way to 186/9 from their 37 overs, Norris top-scoring with a stubborn 44, Holland chipping in 23 and Rye 20, while poor Johnson trudged back without so much as a nibble at his stumps. The story of the innings, though, was Ray Howard, who turned his arm over to devastating effect and finished with 5-61 — a spell that, rather splendidly, also carried him past Ernest Cruttenden and up to 13th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Terry Whittaker toiled admirably in support, two tidy maidens among his 2-60, with Stan Wratten chipping in a wicket for 21.

Set 187, we made distinctly harder work of it than the required rate suggested, stumbling to 190/7 in 40.3 overs. Stan Wratten was magnificent, his 87 the innings' backbone, with Tony Snook (31) and Pat Hardwick (20) offering sturdy company. Robert Wood, alas, departed for a golden duck, and poor Roy Clarke had an afternoon to forget behind the stumps, 23 byes leaking through. I shall confine myself to one boast: it was pleasing to see my own season's run tally edge further clear at the top of the 1st XI charts, with Terry now handily placed third among the wicket-takers too.

Three wickets to spare, two points banked, and a great deal of grey hair earned along the way — but a win, thoroughly and stubbornly, is a win.

Sun 20 Sep 1959 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Steven · HomeformLDDLL

I called correctly at the toss and there was never any hesitation in my mind — we would bat first. Pat Hardwick set about the Tilling Steven bowling with real purpose, a fine 71 the platform for everything that followed, and Robert Murray played the anchor role beautifully for an unbeaten 47. We closed on 157 for 6 from our 38 overs, though the scorebook was not without its blemishes — Eddie Lawrence departed for nought, and I fared no better myself, my own duck the sort of innings one prefers not to dwell on.

Defending the total, we need not have worried. Tilling Steven's reply folded to 45 all out in just 12.3 overs, three of their number — Baker, Webb and Seager — following my own sorry example into the pavilion for ducks. The bowling honours belonged unarguably to John Ames, whose 8 for 25 was a five-for and then some, while Ray Howard chipped in with a tidy 2 for 20.

It was a day for the record books too. Robert Murray brought up 1,000 career runs for the club and, with his 47, passed William Blight into 20th on our all-time run charts. Ray Howard's brace saw him move past Don Hartridge into 14th among the club's wicket-takers. For the season, Pat Hardwick sits second in the 1st XI's 1959 run charts with 551, while John Ames leads the wicket-takers with 52.

A comfortable win by 112 runs, then, and a fine afternoon's work all round — my own contribution notwithstanding. Onwards.

Sat 19 Sep 1959 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWLDDL

The coin, as is becoming a tiresome habit, did not fall my way, and Bearsted duly stuck us in the field on a Saturday that had promised better things. George Lambell and Tony Snook set about building an innings brick by brick, adding a rock-solid 111 for the third wicket on their way to 63 and 56 respectively, with Gordon Hawkins chipping in 23 as they posted a stern 196 for 5 off their 43 overs. Pat Hardwick was our chief tormentor with the ball, 2 for 51 and three tidy maidens for good measure, Tony Snell backing him up with 2 for 64 and G Martin picking up one.

Chasing it down, we made a fist of things early — 60 for none looked promising enough — before the innings folded in that peculiarly English way, five wickets tumbling for a mere eight runs between 142 and 150. Frank Brattle held things together beautifully with 53, Bob Arnold and Basil Sears offering fine support with 29 and 27, but 154 all out was always going to leave us short. Poor Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, conceding nine byes, and G Martin's golden duck rather summed up our luck.

Still, there was cause for a raised glass: Frank brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, easing past Robert Murray into 21st on the all-time list, while I find myself, somewhat to my own surprise, sitting atop the 1959 run charts with 649. Small consolations for a 42-run defeat — heads up, back to the nets, and on we go.

Sun 13 Sep 1959 🧢 1st XIv TC Tunbridge Wells CC · HomeformWWLDD

The toss went against us, as it so often does when the sky looks kind and the outfield looks quick, and Tunbridge Wells duly padded up. Roger Phillips made hay to the tune of a superb, unbeaten 105, well supported by Peter Lloyd's tidy fifty, and between them they steered the visitors to 202 for 4 from their forty-three overs. I can't claim we let it happen without a fight — I picked up 2 for 17 with the ball, which I'm reliably informed nudges me past Herbert Rayner into 9th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and Pat Hardwick and John Ames chipped in for a wicket apiece, toiling manfully for little reward on an unresponsive pitch.

Chasing 203 was always going to want application, and we mustered rather less of it than the situation demanded, bowled out for 118 in the fortieth over. Frank Brattle played the innings of the day, a well-made 63 that quietly moves him past Len Conway into 22nd on the club's all-time run charts, with Trevor Fermor's 22 the only other real resistance. The rest of us, it must be said, rather queued up to get out — John Ames, Robert Wood and Roy Clarke all walked back for nought, a triple duck that will not go unmentioned in the bar.

Down by 84 runs, then, and no way of dressing that up. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets — Tunbridge Wells had the better of us fair and square.

Sat 12 Sep 1959 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · HomeformLWWLD

Saturday, 12th September 1959 — Bowaters CC at home, and I lost the toss for the umpteenth time this season, so we were straight out into the field.

Bowaters made themselves comfortable, running up 205 for 7 off their 48 overs, with Roy Cole the chief architect of our afternoon's toil, cruising past fifty to 64, well backed up by Colin Cole's unbeaten 43 and William Preston's 35. It wasn't all one-way traffic, mind: S Lusher bowled with real purpose to return 3 for 40, while Maurice Fenner (2 for 57) and Pat Hardwick (1 for 23) chipped away gamely at the other end. Fourteen byes crept onto the card too — a number that speaks volumes about Roy Clarke's afternoon behind the stumps, and not kindly.

Chasing 206, we replied with 177 for 6 from our 37, never quite closing the gap but never disgracing ourselves either. I'll allow myself one line here: a personal 70 was the innings' backbone, and reaching my own fifty along the way was every bit as satisfying as it sounds. Pat Hardwick's 38 and Frank Brattle's 23 gave it proper support, though poor S Lusher, having bowled his heart out, trudged off for a duck — cricket's little cruelty.

Amid the runs and near-misses, a small piece of club history: Maurice Fenner's 9 nudged him past John Ames into 7th on our all-time run-charts, a name now etched a little higher on the honours board. In the end, honours were shared — a draw, neither side quite able to land the decisive blow, which on this showing felt about right.

Sun 06 Sep 1959 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWLWWL

Sunday last brought Anchorians CC to the ground, and for once I'll admit the coin let us down — losing the toss meant watching them settle in first, though at least that gave us the ball and a chance to make early inroads. Ufton looked ominously solid on his way to 59, and Dixon kept him company with a tidy 52, while Hart's 35 rounded out a total that felt a shade beyond us at 206/9 from their 47 overs. Credit where it's due, though: John Ames was in inspired form with the ball, scything through the middle order for 4-46, and picking up three soft-dismissal ducks along the way to boot. MacIldowie toiled away superbly in support, 3-52 with six maidens that choked the life out of their innings, and Howard chipped in with 2-79 for good measure.

Chasing 207 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and while Ames continued his fine day with 42 to lead the reply, and Murray held firm at the other end for an unbeaten 31, we never quite found the momentum to push on, closing at 136/6 from our 34. I contributed a little myself with the bat, though the less said about our fifteen byes the better — poor William Buck will want that innings back. Still, honours were shared in the end, and with nobody quite able to force the issue, a draw felt a fair reflection of an afternoon where both sides had their moments but neither their day.

Sat 05 Sep 1959 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · AwayformWWLWW

John Thirkell called it right at the toss, elected to bat, and I fancied us to make it count on a good Tovil surface. And so it proved, up to a point: 179 for 5 from our 43 overs was a fair total, built almost entirely on the shoulders of Maurice Fenner, whose unbeaten 80 was a proper captain's-innings-in-all-but-name — controlled, watchful, and worth every run. I chipped in with 49 myself, glad to give Maurice some company while the total climbed to something respectable.

Respectable, it turned out, was not nearly enough. Tovil's reply was a lesson in how cricket keeps you humble: L. White simply refused to get out, farming 104 not out with the serene indifference of a man who had somewhere better to be, while Jim Archer's brisk 57 did the early damage alongside him. I did what I could with the ball, leading the attack for figures of 1 for 33, M. Brunger picked up a wicket for his 39, and Tony Snell bowled with real discipline, three maidens a small mercy on an otherwise chastening afternoon. They cruised home at 180 for 2 with overs to spare — an eight-wicket defeat that flattered nobody but them.

There was a silver lining amid the wreckage: Maurice's 80 nudges him past John Ames and up to seventh on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a landmark worth raising a glass to even in defeat. As for me, I remain in credit for the season, sitting atop the 1959 first-team run charts with 639. Small comfort on the coach home, but comfort nonetheless. Not our day, gentlemen — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 30 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv HH Halfway House · HomeformLWWLW

It was Halfway House at home, and won the toss I did what any captain worth his salt does on a good August wicket — stuck us in. Ray Howard led the way with a fine 48, and got sturdy support from Maurice Fenner and Pat Hardwick, both making 45 apiece, as we ground our way to 208/8 from 49.1 overs. I added 34 down the order, more grateful than gifted, and by the close we felt we had enough runs to make an afternoon of it.

Enough, as it turned out, was something of an understatement. Halfway House never got going, subsiding to 90 all out in 32.3 overs, with Jack Whibley, P Goodwin and L Tyler all sent back without troubling the scorers. T Ades and Denis Fowle offered the only real resistance with 23 and 21, but Ray Howard was in destructive form, taking 4-43 with three miserly maidens thrown in, well backed by Maurice Fenner's 3-35 and my own solitary but tidy 1-0.

There was a little club history made along the way too — Robert Murray's 9 eased him past Len Conway into 21st on the all-time run-scorers list, while Ray's four wickets carried him past J Donovan into 16th among the wicket-takers. A comfortable 118-run win, then, and with the season charts showing me still out in front with the bat and Ray motoring along nicely with the ball, this was, without a shadow of a doubt, a very good day for the club.

Sat 29 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv SC 1st Innings Chart Sutton CC · HomeformDLWWL

As the eighty-lads settled in for the last Saturday of August, we won first use of the ball, and it showed. Chart Sutton never got going, folding for a threadbare 26 in 18.4 overs, with D Smith, Dave Knowler and J Witt all back in the pavilion without so much as a run to their name. S Lusher was the story of the afternoon, scything through with 6-10 including five maidens, while Terry Whittaker chipped in a very tidy 4-13 at the other end. Twenty-six all out is the sort of total that makes the tea urn feel almost superfluous.

Chasing so few, we could afford the occasional wobble, and duly obliged with one, slipping to 104 for 3 in reply. Bob Arnold played the anchor role beautifully with 67, well supported by Roy Clarke's unbeaten 22, though Clarke's day had its trickier moments behind the stumps too, with eighteen byes conceded telling their own tale of a testing afternoon in the field. I managed a small contribution with the bat myself, glad to see the job finished off in style.

Elsewhere in the record books, Frank Brattle's ten runs eased him past Jack Fryer into 24th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and Whittaker's four wickets lifted him past Bert Buckoke into 20th among the wicket-takers, while I continue to lead the 1959 first-team run charts with 556, Whittaker sitting handily second in the bowling with 39.

A five-wicket win, two points banked, and precious little to trouble the scorebook beyond our own occasional generosity. We'll take it, gladly, and head home for tea rather pleased with ourselves.

Sun 23 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv S S.Kimmins · HomeformDDLWW

Sunday, 23 August 1959, and we welcomed S.Kimmins to Linton with the sun out and, for once, a decent tea promised. Alas, I lost the toss and we were put straight into the field — never my favourite way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but the lads set about it well enough. Their innings rattled along to 147/7 off fifteen overs, with P. Gardiner-Hill playing the anchor role for 40 and getting good support from J. Woodhouse (27) and A. Raikes, unbeaten on 20. Alan Wilkes was superb with the ball, bowling his heart out for 4-51, while John Ames (2-31) and Gordon Fenner (1-31) chipped away at the other end. Poor Roy Clarke had one of those afternoons behind the stumps — eight byes is the sort of thing that keeps a wicketkeeper awake at night, though I shan't hold it against him.

Chasing 148, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite getting there, closing on 134/5. Ray Howard was in fine touch and made the runs that mattered with 44, and I was pleased to chip in with 32 of my own alongside him. It was, as it happens, my 300th appearance in Linton colours — not a bad milestone to notch up, even in a losing cause, and I currently sit atop the 1959 run charts with 552, with Alan leading the wickets on 51.

In the end we fell short by 13 runs — a fair result, honestly, and no disgrace in it. We'll dust ourselves down, have a word about those byes, and come back stronger next week.

Sat 22 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · AwayformWDDLW

Saturday last took us out to Charles Arkcoll, and for once the coin obliged me — I called correctly and, ever the optimist, stuck us in. It proved a canny toss to win, if a slightly nervy one to watch, as we limped to 159 all out in 37.4 overs. I chipped in with 34, and Robert Murray matched me run for run, with Basil Sears's 22 the other real contribution; Roy Clarke, Alan Wilkes and Tony Snell, meanwhile, walked back for ducks, presumably having left their bats in the changing room.

But 159 proved plenty. The bowlers turned executioner and the opposition were bundled out for a paltry 61 in 32.2 overs, three of them collecting ducks of their own for good measure. Alan Wilkes was the chief tormentor with 4-12, ably backed by Terry Whittaker's 4-14 and Tony Snell's tidy 2-13, four maidens and all. Roy Clarke had a trickier time of it behind the stumps, shipping 11 byes — his gloves clearly still smarting from the earlier duck.

Some milestones to toast in the bar afterwards: Len Conway's 20 eased him past Robert Murray to 21st on the club's all-time run charts, while Wilkes's four-for lifted him past Gordon Fenner into second on the all-time wicket list. I remain top of our own 1959 run charts with 520, and Wilkes now leads the wickets with 47.

A comprehensive 98-run victory, two points banked, and a very satisfactory afternoon's work all round.

Sun 16 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv MA Mote A · HomeformLWDDL

Sunday last brought Mote A to the ground, and for once the coin obliged me kindly — I had no hesitation in taking first use of a good-looking pitch. What followed was, if I say so myself, rather a fine day's batting. We compiled 201 for 6 from our sixty overs, and I was fortunate enough to be there at the close, 116 not out and thoroughly enjoying myself by the finish. William Buck gave sturdy support with a well-made 54, though the tail wagged rather less impressively — Eddie Lawrence and Pat Hardwick both trudging back for ducks, poor souls.

Two hundred and one looked a defendable total, and so it proved. Mote A were bowled out for 120 in 45.1 overs, never quite getting to grips with our attack. J. Waters and S. Kitchin top-scored with 38 apiece, but three of their number departed without troubling the scorers. John Ames was the pick of the bowlers with a splendid 4 for 35, while Gordon Fenner bowled with real discipline for 3 for 19 including six maidens, and Alan Wilkes chipped in with 3 for 56. William Buck had a testing time behind the stumps, nine byes leaking through, though nobody's holding it against him.

A word too for Gordon Fenner, whose three wickets nudged him past Alan Wilkes into second on the club's all-time list — a fine landmark on a fine day.

Two points, won by 81 runs, and thoroughly deserved.

Sat 15 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · AwayformWLWDD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 15 August 1959. Away at Bowaters CC, I won the toss and, fancying our chances on a decent-looking strip, had no hesitation in putting us in.

It proved a sound enough call. William Buck played the innings of the day, a well-made 59, and found good company in Pat Hardwick with 49 and Frank Brattle with 31, the three of them steering us to a respectable 183 for 6 from our 41 overs. Nothing spectacular, perhaps, but enough to feel we had something to bowl at.

And bowl we did, with Terry Whittaker in inspired form — 3 for 16 off a miserly seven maidens, the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen playing for their guard rather than their shots. Gordon Fenner chipped in with 2 for 44, and in doing so quietly moved up to second on the club's all-time wicket-taking list, which is no small thing to tuck into your cricket bag. I did my bit with the bat earlier on, though it was Alf Jewiss, with a fine 57, and Roy Ecclestone with 47, who did the damage the other way, dragging Bowaters home to 184 for 6 in 39.4 overs. Ten byes off Bob Arnold's gloves told of a testing afternoon behind the stumps.

Beaten by four wickets, then, in a match that had promised more. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 09 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · HomeformWWLWD

On a warm Sunday at the start of August we welcomed Harrietsham CC, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first use of the strip — the right call, I felt, and I'll stand by it in print if nowhere else.

Our innings had its ebbs and flows across 52.4 overs before we were all out for 191. Ray Howard was the mainstay with a fine 49, William Buck chipped in with 29, and I was happy enough to finish unbeaten on 34. Robert Wood and John Abnett, alas, will not be dining out on their contributions — a pair of ducks between them reminding us cricket is a great leveller.

Defending the total, we set about Harrietsham with intent. Keith Chaney played the innings of the day for them, 70 not out, and try as we might we couldn't shift him. Small mercies came in seeing D Brown and T Lurcock trudge back for nought apiece. Ray Howard was magnificent with the ball too — 5 for 71 and nine maidens, a spell to frame — with John Ames (3-25) and Gordon Fenner (1-30) offering fine support. Poor William Buck had a torrid time behind the stumps, conceding 30 byes, though nobody begrudged him after his morning's batting.

Harrietsham closed on 158 for 9 from their 58 overs, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but a thoroughly entertaining one, and no shame in it.

Sat 08 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLWWLW

Saturday the 8th of August found us at home to Headcorn CC, and having lost the toss I discovered we'd been invited to chase — though happily we had first use of the ball, which felt like some consolation for losing the coin's argument. Headcorn built steadily to 173 all out in 48.1 overs, L. Murrell's fifty (52) the backbone, well supported by K. Goodhall (34) and L. Woodcock (24). M. Porter and C. Foster departed without troubling the scorers, both ducks. But the day belonged to Pat Hardwick, whose 6-60 was a five-for and thoroughly deserved, with Terry Whittaker chipping in beautifully — 4-41 including four miserly maidens, and in the process reaching fifty career wickets, a landmark worth raising a glass to.

Chasing 174, we made a fair fist of it without quite getting there, closing on 134/8 from our 42 overs. Frank Brattle's 43 was the innings' spine, and I was glad to lend a hand with 34 of my own. Poor Bob Arnold bagged a golden duck, and twelve byes told their own tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Roy Clarke. Small mercies amid the toil: Robert Murray's four runs eased him past Jack Fryer into 23rd on the club's all-time run charts, while Whittaker's four wickets nudged him past Basil Sears into 24th among our leading wicket-takers — and he sits third in this year's wicket charts with 28, Murray still top of the run pile on 330.

A draw, then — honours shared, and on this evidence, an entirely fair result.

Sun 02 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv NC Newington CC · HomeformDLWWL

Lost the toss again on Sunday — I do wonder if I should start bringing a different coin — and Newington duly elected to bat, leaving us to toil in the field first. It proved no bad thing. They limped to 87 all out in 31 overs, K. Ivory doing most of the damage with 30, but our attack had the last word. Stan Wratten was in irresistible form, tearing through with 4-27, John Ames was miserly and menacing in equal measure with 3-19 and three maidens to his name, and I chipped in with 2-17 for good measure. Not a run was given away lightly.

Chasing 88, we made harder work of it than the scorecard perhaps deserved, crawling to 91/7 from 33 overs. T. Phipps and N. Couchman went early without troubling the scorers, and poor Pat Hardwick joined the ranks of the ducks, but Robert Murray played the anchor role beautifully for 27, ably supported by Stan Wratten's unbeaten 20 to see us home. Murray continues to lead our 1959 run charts with 326 to his name, while Ames now sits second in the wicket-takers' list with 30 — form that shows no sign of deserting either man.

We got over the line by three wickets in the end, more nervously than the bowlers' efforts warranted, but a win is a win. A good day for the club, and one the tea urn thoroughly deserved.

Sat 01 Aug 1959 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformLDLWW

We travelled down to Aylesford Paper Mills CC last Saturday full of hope, lost the toss, and found ourselves in the field on what turned into rather a long afternoon. Peter Medhurst played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 52 that anchored their total of 174 for 6 off 45.4 overs, with R Harvey (46) and Cliff Anscombe (25) lending sturdy support. We did have our moments — Tony Snell toiled manfully for 4-86, Ricky Lusher chipped in with 1-29, and we did for K Kennison without troubling the scorers, which was some small comfort.

Chasing 175 was always going to ask questions of us, and we didn't have enough good answers. Robert Murray top-scored with a battling 24, Robert Wood added a useful 20, and I managed to scratch together 19 of my own before departing, but around us the innings rather crumbled, with Roy Clarke, Terry Whittaker and Tony Snell all departing for ducks. We were bowled out for 117 in 40.2 overs, some 57 runs shy of the target.

Not all doom, mind — Murray's 24 sees him ease past Ernest Cruttenden into 24th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he now sits 2nd in this season's 1st XI charts with 299 runs to his name. A landmark for one man, then, but a chastening day for the side. Back to the nets it is.

Sun 26 Jul 1959 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · AwayformLLDLW

The road to Folkestone is a long one, and I confess I spent most of it fretting about my decision to bowl first — except I didn't, because the coin obliged and I sent us in to bat, which at least meant I could do my fretting from a deckchair. Ray Howard set about proving why he's having the season of his life, ticking his way to 61 with the calm indifference of a man who has done this before, while Robert Murray chipped in an unbeaten 39 and John Ames a tidy 30. Robert Wood and Tony Snell, less fortunate, were both back in the pavilion before troubling the scorebook — these things happen, and we shall say no more about it. All out for 224 off 49.5 overs, a total that felt useful without being conclusive.

It was Alan Wilkes who made the difference with the ball, bowling with a discipline bordering on the miserly — seven maidens and 6 for 66, a spell that will live long in the memory and rightly nudges him up to second on the club's all-time wicket-takers, past Gordon Fenner. John Ames backed him up handsomely with 4 for 68. Folkestone's John Butler played a captain's innings of his own, 74 well made, with Blacklocks and Smith lending support, and they pushed us all the way to 223 before falling agonisingly short.

One run. One. I shall be lying awake counting it for weeks — but a win is a win, and we'll take it gladly.

Sat 25 Jul 1959 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · HomeformLLLDL

Saturday the 25th of July found us hosting Tovil, and for once I won the toss and had no hesitation putting the ball in our hands first. It proved a shrewd call. Robert Wood was in irresistible form, spinning his way to 5 for 49 and leaving Tovil's middle order thoroughly bamboozled, while I chipped in with 3 for 26 and four miserly maidens, and Basil Sears kept things tight with 2 for 33. Jim Archer's 37 and D. Hitchin's 21 were the only real resistance on offer, and Tovil were bowled out for 121 in 37.5 overs, a total that never looked like troubling us.

Chasing it down was a scratchier affair than the bowling deserved. Basil Sears top-scored with a fine 33, William Buck saw us home unbeaten on 33, and Pat Hardwick weighed in with 31, but we shed wickets along the way, not least poor Roy Clarke and H. Clarke, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Still, 124 for 5 in 26.5 overs got the job done, and we crossed the line five wickets to the good.

A word for the record books: Basil's two wickets nudged him past Ray Tippen and up to 24th on the club's all-time list of wicket-takers, a fine milestone quietly earned. He now sits third in this year's run charts with 249, while I find myself second in the 1959 wicket standings with 24, which I shall try not to let go to my head.

All told, a thoroughly good day for the club, sharp with the ball and steady enough with the bat when it mattered. Tovil were seen off in style, and I for one shall sleep well tonight.

Sun 19 Jul 1959 🧢 1st XIv JL John Larkings · HomeformDLLLD

Sunday the nineteenth found John Larkings visiting Linton Park, and having won the toss I elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and for once nobody in the pavilion disagreed with me. We ground our way to 237 for 9 from 54.5 overs, built on a fine, forceful 73 from Tony Levick, well past his fifty, with Ray Howard and I contributing 48 apiece in support — proof that even the captain can occasionally middle one.

Two hundred and thirty-eight to chase is never a formality, and John Larkings set about it with real purpose. G. Clarke played the innings of the day, a polished 76, backed up by J. Baker (36) and D. Goodliffe (26). We did have our moments — R. Dollymore departed without troubling the scorers — and Alan Wilkes toiled magnificently for 4 for 85, with Ray Howard (3 for 80) and John Ames (2 for 54) chipping in. But it slipped away from us by the cruellest of margins: one wicket.

Not all gloom, mind. Tony Levick brought up 2,000 career runs for the club and climbed to 9th on our all-time run-scorers' list, while Alan Wilkes's four wickets lifted him to 3rd among our wicket-takers. For the season, I lead the run charts with 261, and Wilkes tops the bowling with 34.

A single wicket the wrong side of glory. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 18 Jul 1959 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformLDLLL

Lost the toss on Saturday and condemned ourselves to leather-flinging duty first, which on a warm 18th July felt rather like drawing the short straw, though it turned out no bad thing. Rumwood built steadily to 170 for 9 off their 49 overs, Pound top-scoring with a watchful 27, Iliffe chipping in 21 and Cheesman 20. I can't claim modesty stopped me enjoying my own afternoon's work — 2 for 26 with four maidens thrown in, not a run given away lightly — while Tony Snell and Robert Wood both did their bit with 2 for 37 apiece. A proper team effort in the field, even if my knees didn't thank me for it afterwards.

With the bat we were sedate rather than swashbuckling, closing on 135 for 5 from our 36. Maurice Fenner batted with real class for an unbeaten 59, ably shepherded by Frank Brattle's tidy 21 — a knock that, pleasingly, nudged Frank past Robert Murray into 25th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a small piece of history amid the afternoon's toil. Poor Bob Arnold will want to forget his duck entirely, and Roy Clarke had a torrid time behind the stumps, 19 byes rather giving the game away.

Honours shared in the end, neither side able to force the door open. With Robert Wood now 2nd in our 1959 run charts and yours truly 2nd among the wicket-takers, there's plenty still to play for this season — a draw, but a thoroughly honest one.

Thu 16 Jul 1959 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformW

From the captain's chair — Thursday 16 July, away at Benenden CC.

Called it right at the toss and had no hesitation electing to bat, which felt like the shrewd move on a morning that promised more than it delivered. We laboured somewhat for our 103/9 off 22 overs — never quite fluent, always fighting — but it proved a total with teeth. Amid the toil, two singles of mine turned out to carry rather more weight than they looked: they eased me past Herbert Rayner and into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which I shall wear with entirely disproportionate pride.

Whatever Benenden expected chasing 104, it certainly wasn't what followed. Tony Snell was simply unplayable — 6 for 24 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, a thoroughly deserved five-for and, more significantly, the milestone that carried him past 200 career wickets and up to 6th on the club's all-time list, leapfrogging George Champion in the process. Alan Wilkes chipped in handsomely with 3 for 9, and I managed to get in on the act myself with 1 for 19. Poor M. Price and J. Gunn never troubled the scorers at all, and Benenden were bowled out for a paltry 59 in 21.3 overs.

Two points, forty-four runs to spare, and a couple of personal landmarks besides — a thoroughly satisfying Thursday's work, and one the lads can be justly proud of.

Sun 12 Jul 1959 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · AwayformWLDLL

Sunday found us on the road to Tovil, and for once the coin actually cooperated — I called correctly and, feeling uncharacteristically bold, had no hesitation in asking the lads to bat first. Whether that was wisdom or vanity I shall let the reader decide, because 98 all out from 35 overs is not the stuff of legend. Tony Tipples top-scored with a battling 27, well supported by Pat Hardwick's 26, but the middle and lower order rather fell away, and I must confess to contributing nothing whatsoever myself — out for a duck, alongside William Buck, in what the scorebook will unkindly record as a matching pair of golden eggs.

Defending 98 was always going to be an uphill task, and so it proved, though not for want of trying. Tony Tipples backed up his batting with the ball, 2-14 of genuinely hostile stuff, and I did what I could to keep things tight at the other end, sending down three maidens for my trouble. But M. Bristow had other ideas, motoring past his fifty to finish unbeaten on 71 as the visitors cantered home to 100-2 in 26.2 overs.

Elsewhere, Robert Murray continues to lead our 1959 run charts with 224 to his name, a rare bright spot on an otherwise chastening afternoon.

In short: not our day, beaten by eight wickets, and there's nothing for it but to dust ourselves down and get back to the nets.

Sat 11 Jul 1959 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · HomeformDWLDL

Down by 62 runs to the visitors, but let's not dwell on the arithmetic just yet.

Saturday brought us the ball first, and for a good while it looked a sensible enough decision. S- Gore had other ideas, though, digging in for an unbeaten 44 that stitched the innings together, with B- Patey (34) and G- Bugge (21) chipping in around him. Small mercies: E- Capiling departed without so much as a nudge off the mark. Terry Whittaker toiled away for a fine 4-59, Tony Snell bowled with real discipline — three maidens and 2-47 to show for it — and Ricky Lusher chimed in with 1-17. All told, 170/8 from 46 overs was a total that asked serious questions.

Questions we rather fluffed the answers to. Pat Hardwick stood alone with the bat, carving out an unbeaten 49 while wickets tumbled around him, and when Brian Mills, Terry Whittaker and Tony Snell all trooped back for ducks, the writing was very much on the pavilion wall. All out for 108 in 36.3 overs told its own sorry tale. Poor Roy Clarke, meanwhile, had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping 11 byes for his trouble — no doubt more due to a lively pitch than any want of effort.

Still, the season ticks on: Basil Sears sits 5th in the run charts with 207, and Whittaker's 19 wickets keep him 4th among the bowlers. As for Saturday — simply not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 05 Jul 1959 🧢 1st XIv HB Hambros Bank · HomeformDDWLD

Here's the match report:

It was Hambros Bank at home, and having lost the toss we were put into the field first — never the most cheering way to start a Sunday, but the lads went to work with good grace. Alas, D Hill-Wood had other ideas, compiling a fine 84, well supported by X Bowraillon's 76 and C Hambro's 37, as their innings stretched to a rather weary-making 328 all out from 56.2 overs. I did manage to find some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 5-110, while Gordon Fenner bowled tidily for 4-85, including two maidens, and Maurice Fenner chipped in with 1-64. A long afternoon in the field, but not without its consolations.

Chasing 328 was always going to be a stern examination, and so it proved. Pat Hardwick led the way with a top score of 46, I contributed 30, and Maurice Fenner added a useful 21, but wickets fell steadily around them and we were bowled out for 204 in 44 overs — Michael Fagg's afternoon summed up neatly by a golden duck.

There was, at least, one small ray of sunshine amid the gloom: Frank Brattle's 21 runs eased him past the Reverend F A Leveson-Gower and into 25th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a moment for quiet applause if nothing else.

In the end, beaten by 124 runs. Not our day by any stretch — heads up, chins out, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 04 Jul 1959 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · HomeformLDDWL

Called it right at the toss on a warm Saturday and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first — old habits. The lads set about Charles Arkcoll with real purpose, and 206 for 4 from our 41 overs was a score to be proud of. Eddie Lawrence anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 48, Len Conway chipped in with a handsome 45 of his own — enough to see him leapfrog F S W Cornwallis into 21st on the club's all-time run-scorers list — and I was happy enough to weigh in with 41 alongside them.

With the ball I had one of those afternoons where everything you try comes off, finishing with 3 for 42 as we worked through their order. Ricky Lusher and Robert Wood chipped in handily either side, and Tony Snell was miserly as ever with four maidens. Stan Wratten had other ideas, though, and a fine 70 kept Charles Arkcoll afloat almost single-handedly — though poor P Beasley won't remember his golden duck fondly. Roy Clarke had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes escaping his gloves, but no complaints from me — wicketkeeping is a thankless trade. Quiet satisfaction too for Basil Sears, reaching 50 career wickets with the solitary scalp that also nudged him past H G Smith into 24th on the all-time list.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A thoroughly decent day's cricket, even if this diplomat of a draw settled nothing at all.

Sun 28 Jun 1959 🧢 1st XIv A A.Trembeths · AwayformLLDDW

Sunday 28th June, and we won the toss and had a bowl first — a decision that looked shrewd for about three overs before G. Davis decided to make a proper afternoon of it. He finished unbeaten on a magnificent 105, well fed by L. Fell (28) and M. Beacon (24), as they racked up 208 for 7 from their 39.3 overs. A. Trembeth, at least, never troubled the scorers, sent packing without so much as a single to his name. Credit where due — Alan Wilkes bowled beautifully for 5-84 with two maidens, and Pat Hardwick and Robert Wood chipped in a wicket apiece, but 208 was always going to take some chasing.

And chase we did, briefly, gloriously, in the shape of Basil Sears, who batted like a man who'd read the script and decided he alone would follow it — 85 of the finest, well supported by Robert Wood's 25. Everyone else, alas, seemed to have left their bats in the car; Michael Fagg, John Abnett and Roy Clarke all made the long walk back for nought, and the ledger will not let them forget it. We folded for 159 in 40.5 overs.

Basil's now third in the club's run charts for the season, and Alan Wilkes sits proudly atop the wicket-takers with 30 — small consolations on a day we lost by 49 runs. Not our day, lads. Back to the nets, and let's find some company for Basil next time.

Sat 27 Jun 1959 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformWLLDD

I lost the toss and, with rain-threat murmurings around the boundary, we were sent in to field first — Aylesford Paper Mills setting about their business against us at home.

They batted with real intent. J Bate found his rhythm early and went well past a composed fifty for 59, while R Fowler matched him stroke for stroke with a well-made 55 of his own; B Pointon chipped in with 31 to round out a total that, at 191/5 from their 46.3 overs, looked to have some substance about it. It was Pat Hardwick who did the damage with the ball, prising out 1-33, and I was glad to lend a hand myself with 1-59 in support. Terry Whittaker bowled a tidy, miserly spell for 1-57 with two maidens to show for his patience, and Terry Donovan chipped in with 1-59 as well — between us we kept the mill workers from running away with it entirely.

Chasing 192 is never a stroll on our ground, but Robert Wood set about it in fine style, sailing past his fifty to finish unbeaten-in-spirit on 73 and giving the innings its backbone. Terry Donovan's 35 and H Clarke's 24 kept the required rate honest, and though it took until the 36.3rd over and a few grey hairs along the way, we scrambled home by 3 wickets.

A proper afternoon's cricket, then, and a deserved win to bank — the sort of tight finish that reminds you why we bother turning up at all.

Sun 21 Jun 1959 🧢 1st XIv RX Ron Aiston's XI · HomeformLWLLD

Sunday 21 June 1959, and we welcomed the opposition for what turned into a real tug-of-war of a match. Put into the field, we watched G. Murrell settle in for a chanceless 69, with E. Gill (27) and P. Barnes (22) offering stubborn support, and the total crept to a stiff 197 all out from 54 overs. S. Skinner departed for a duck without so much as a glance at the scoreboard, small mercies. The day, though, belonged to Ray Howard, whose 7-80 — three miserly maidens included — was as fine a piece of bowling as we've seen on our ground in some time, ably backed by Gordon Fenner's 2-22 and John Ames chipping in with one.

Our reply had its wobbles. Clive Smith batted with real class for 83, the innings' backbone, but 185/9 from 43 overs left us short of the target, the extras column a painful sight with 20 byes gifted through poor Roy Clarke's gloves on an unforgiving afternoon.

Amid the toil, some tidy footnotes for the club historians: Gordon Fenner's 11 runs eased him past H.G. Smith into 18th on the all-time run list, while his two wickets lifted him past John Taylor into 2nd among the club's leading wicket-takers — Ray Howard, meanwhile, continues to lead the 1959 run charts with 212, and John Ames sits third among the season's bowlers.

A draw, then, honours shared and pride largely intact — not the win we wanted, but with Howard in this form, few sides will fancy batting against us twice.

Sat 20 Jun 1959 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformDLWLL

Saturday last took us out to Rumwood CC, and won the toss I duly elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and I'll happily take credit for the ones that come off. We were bowled out for 141 in forty overs, a total that owed everything to S Lusher's fine 44, with Len Conway (36) and S House (24) lending sturdy support. Poor Robert Wood, alas, departed for a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, usually at the worst moment.

Defending 141 is never a comfortable afternoon's work, and so it proved, Rumwood grinding their way to 140 for 8 from forty-six overs. Pound's 48 was the innings that threatened to see them home, backed up by Iliffe (32) and Buckland (21), while Chapman and Greenaway both trudged back without so much as a run to their names. Len Conway was the pick of our attack with 3 for 31 — a splendid return that, rather satisfyingly, also carried him past Ernest Cruttenden and up to 23rd on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Tony Snell chipped in with 3 for 67, and I did my modest bit with 1 for 18, four of those overs maidens, which at least kept the scoreboard honest.

In the end, honours were shared — a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Frustrating, but no disgrace; we'll settle for that and live to fight another Saturday.

Sun 14 Jun 1959 🧢 1st XIv HH Halfway House · AwayformLDLWL

Sunday last, 14 June, saw us make the trip to Halfway House with ball in hand first — a decision that for once looked rather clever. They were bowled out for 163 in 42.4 overs, though not without a fight: Robin Bush top-scored with 30, Denis Fowle chipped in 28 and Don Capeling 24, while T Aylett and B Clarke departed without so much as troubling the scorebook. The real story, though, was Alan Wilkes, who span his way through their order for a magnificent 6-55 — and in doing so brought up 300 career wickets, a milestone very much for the mantelpiece. D Hughes (2-34) and John Ames, miserly with four maidens on his way to 2-51, tidied up the rest.

Had we managed even a modest chase, this would have been a report of quiet triumph. Instead we contrived to be shot out for a threadbare 67 in 22.2 overs, Stan Wratten and John Abnett both departing for golden ducks, and precious few of us troubling Halfway House's bowlers for long. I did what I could with the bat — enough, at least, to keep me second in the 1st XI run charts for the season on 205 — but it was nowhere near enough support for Wilkes's heroics. Poor Roy Clarke, meanwhile, endured a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 11 byes escaping his grasp.

Beaten by 96 runs, then, and no dressing it up. Wilkes remains imperious and now leads our wicket charts with 25 — if only the rest of us could bat like he bowls. Heads up, lads; back to the nets.

Sat 13 Jun 1959 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLDLW

Beaten by 43 runs at Headcorn, but not before we gave the scorers plenty to scribble about.

Losing the toss meant we were straight into the field, and Headcorn made themselves at home to the tune of 178 for 9 off their 47 overs, with G. Murrell compiling a fine 57 and C. Smith chipping in with 37. Credit to the lads, though — we winkled out Goodall and Woodcock without troubling the scorers at all, and I had one of those afternoons where everything came out right, finishing with 6 for 56. Len Conway was immaculate at the other end, eight maidens and 3 for 36 telling you all you need to know about the pressure he built, and in doing so he sailed past Bert Buckoke into 18th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — no mean feat.

With the bat we never quite got the platform to build on, bundled out for 135 in 33.4 overs. Eddie Lawrence's 35 and Len's 32 were the shining lights on an otherwise patchy card, and poor Peter Hughes will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry. Twenty-nine byes, meanwhile, made for an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps for Roy Clarke — these things happen to the best of us.

So, 43 runs the wrong side of the ledger, and a scoreline that flatters Headcorn rather more than the cricket suggested. Robert Murray continues to churn out the runs for the season and Len's wicket tally keeps climbing nicely — the bones of a good side are there. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sun 07 Jun 1959 🧢 1st XIv HB Hambros Bank · HomeformDWLDL

Sunday the seventh of June found us hosting Hambros Bank, and for once the coin behaved itself in my favour. I had no hesitation in sticking us in, and the lads repaid the confidence handsomely, ambling to 186 for 8 off our 49 overs. I'll confess to rather enjoying myself at the crease, finding form for a well-made fifty, and I was grateful for sturdy support from Frank Brattle with 32 and Robert Murray with 29 — the sort of middle-order graft that turns a decent total into a competitive one.

Defending it, we were relentless. Hambros Bank were bowled out for 109 in 34.1 overs, R Day's gutsy 29 the only real resistance, with R Pavitt (22) and D Harris (21) chipping in dutifully around him. G Williams and A How departed without so much as troubling the scorers, which tells its own tale. Alan Wilkes was the story of the innings, turning his off-breaks through the visitors for 5-27 with three maidens thrown in for good measure — miserly and menacing in equal measure. John Ames weighed in with 4-33, and Len Conway's solitary wicket, unassuming as it looked, nudged him past Bill Hall into 19th on the club's all-time list.

Victory by 77 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. A good day for the club, no argument there.

Sat 06 Jun 1959 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Steven · AwayformLDWLD

The road to Tilling Steven is a long one at the best of times, and Saturday's did nothing to lift the spirits before a ball was bowled. Still, the coin obliged me, and with visions of a flat track and quick runs I put us in to bat. Those visions did not survive contact with reality. We limped to 82 for 9 off 34.2 overs, a scorecard with rather too many zeroes on it for comfort — both Brian Mills and Roy Clarke departed without troubling the scorer, and only Basil Sears, with a fighting 30, gave the innings any shape at all.

Eighty-two was never going to trouble anyone at Tilling Steven, and so it proved, though not without a fight. G. Winters played the anchor role beautifully for 32, well supported by E. Priest's 23, while at the other end K. Lambeth fell for a duck to our bowling — small mercies. Robert Wood was the pick of the attack by some distance, snaring 3 for 25, with J Donovan chipping in for 1 for 26. I did what I could with the ball myself, two maidens my only real contribution to proceedings, more container ship than destroyer.

In the end the opposition strolled home by 6 wickets with overs to spare. Not our day, and no amount of purple prose will dress it up as one. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets — there are worse things in life than a Saturday at Tilling Steven, though on Saturday's evidence, not many spring to mind.

Sun 31 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformWLDWL

I lost the toss and we were put in to field – Folkestone's revenge, no doubt, for something we've long forgotten. They ground their way to 172 for 9 off 45.5 overs, with John Spanswick's 30 the backbone of the innings, Cecil Blacklocks (25) and David Brickell (22) filling in around him like good tenants. But the day belonged to Alan Wilkes, whose 5 for 80 – three of those overs maiden, mind you – was as fine a piece of miserliness as this club has seen all season. I managed 2 for 33 myself, with Gordon Fenner picking up one for 40, and between us we kept Folkestone from running away with it entirely.

Chasing 173, we replied with 162 for 5 off our 38, falling agonisingly short of the winning post but never in any real danger of losing either. Robert Murray's unbeaten 34 anchored things nicely, with Tony Tipples and Ray Howard both weighing in with 30 apiece – and I'll allow myself the modest boast of adding 30 of my own to the cause. William Buck, less fortunately, contributed a golden duck, the sort of innings we've all had and none of us enjoy.

So honours shared, a draw wrung from neither side's willingness to force the issue. Ray Howard continues to lead our run charts for the season with 206, and Alan Wilkes' bowling grows ever more fearsome with 14 wickets to his name. A fair result, if an unsatisfying one – rather like a cup of tea gone lukewarm while you weren't looking.

Sat 30 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Williamsonians CC · HomeformDWLDW

Sent us in to field first and had us chasing leather rather than runs — that was the shape of the day. Old Williamsonians settled in and made themselves at home, with L. Waddams timing his way to a fine 85, well supported by Ward's 35 and A. Robinson's 26, as their total climbed to a chastening 217 for 7 off 45.2 overs. I can't claim much credit for stemming the tide, though I did what I could with the ball, taking 4 for 82 including four maidens, while Richard Harris nipped in for 1 for 4 and Terry Whittaker toiled manfully for 1 for 42.

Chasing 218 was always going to ask serious questions of our top order, and frankly we didn't have many good answers. Ricky Lusher batted with real substance for his 48, and I chipped in with 22 to give the scorebook something to look at, but H. Clarke, Roy Clarke and Arthur Cradduck all departed for ducks, and 95 all out in 37.2 overs told its own sorry story. The 25 byes conceded made for an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps for Roy Clarke, poor chap.

Still, silver linings: I sit second in the season's run charts with 142, and Terry Whittaker third among the wicket-takers with seven. Beaten by 122 runs in the end — a proper hiding, no dressing it up. We'll lick our wounds, put the kettle on, and be better for it next week.

Sun 24 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv MA Mote A · AwayformDDWLD

Called correctly at Mote A on a fine Sunday and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first — some decisions make themselves. The lads set about it with real purpose, and by the close of our innings we'd piled up 215 for 4 from 57 overs, built almost entirely on the back of Ray Howard, who strode to a magnificent 128. Stan Wratten chipped in handsomely with 41, and between them they gave the total the sort of heft that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than fret over it.

Defending it, Mote A never really got going. They were bowled out for 141 in 53.5 overs, with Zilka (37), Cousins (33) and Hinks (30) doing what they could, but three of their number — Moore, Brooker and Ratcliffe — trooped back without so much as a run to their name. Len Conway was the chief architect of the collapse, a superb 4 for 14 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, well backed by Ray Howard's 3 for 31 and a wicket for Gordon Fenner.

A day thick with milestones too — William Buck's 200th appearance in Linton colours, Howard's ton lifting him to 11th on the all-time run charts, and Conway's four-for pushing him to 20th among the wicket-takers. Both now sit proudly atop this season's charts as well.

Seventy-four runs the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved.

Sat 23 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · HomeformLDDWL

Here's the report:

We may have lost the toss and been asked to field first, but on a sunny Saturday against Gore Court there are worse things than an afternoon in the field to work up an appetite for tea. Gore Court made a watchful start, their openers putting on 81 before anyone troubled the scorers, and John Bishop went on to compile a fine 74, with Laurence Rostron (37) and J Vince (34) filling in around him as they reached 203/7 from their 46 overs. Terry Whittaker was the pick of our attack with 3-34, well backed up by William Blight (3-57) and S Lusher (1-30) — enough, just about, to keep the total within reach.

Chasing 204, we stumbled early to 5-1 and for a moment the tea urn looked like it might be needed sooner than hoped. Basil Sears's duck did the card no favours, but Frank Brattle steadied things with a composed 49, and a stand of 54 for the fourth wicket — Bob Arnold (34) and Whittaker (27) chipping in nicely along the way — dragged us back into contention. I chipped in with my own small contribution along the way, while poor Roy Clarke had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes going begging. We closed on 193/9 from 42, agonisingly short.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride intact, and Bob Arnold quietly climbing the club's all-time run charts in the process. Not a win, but not a defeat either, and on a day like this, that will do very nicely.

Wed 20 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Steven · AwayformWLDDW

Wednesday last saw us make the trip out to Tilling Steven, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in electing to bat — a decision I may have regretted by close of play, though I'd make it again given the choice. We limped to 89 for 9 off our fourteen overs, with Robert Murray's 22 the only score of any substance. Michael Fagg, Alan Wilkes and William Buck all contrived to depart for golden ducks, which is the sort of thing that gives a captain grey hairs and gives the tea urn something to talk about. I chipped in with a few runs myself along the way, for what little comfort that provided.

Defending 89 always felt a stretch, and so it proved, though not without a fight. J. Mills batted through for an unbeaten 37, well supported by B. Allard's unbeaten 31, while F. Baker at least joined our ducks club before departing. Len Conway was superb with the ball, picking up 3 for 39 and, in doing so, sailed past the Reverend Thomas Burra into 20th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — the Reverend, I imagine, offering a wry blessing from wherever he's watching. Alan Wilkes chipped in with 1 for 23, while poor Roy Clarke had a torrid time behind the stumps, conceding 8 byes.

In the end they cantered home by 6 wickets. A total of 89 was never going to trouble anyone at Tilling Steven, and we know it. We'll regroup, we'll bat with a bit more application, and we'll be better for it next week.

Mon 18 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformLWLDD

1959 saw a great deal of cricket, though on Monday 18th May at home to Marden CC we were made to work harder than the scorebook alone might suggest. I lost the toss — no great surprise, I'm rarely trusted with a coin — and Marden had few qualms about putting us in.

It was not, by our lofty standards, a vintage batting display. We crawled to 112 for 6 from our 32 overs, rescued from the more ordinary contributions by John Ames's watchful 22, and I confess there were moments in the shed when the tea urn seemed the more reliable performer. Still, on a pitch offering enough for the bowlers, we sensed 112 might do.

So it proved, and handsomely. John Ames, having done his bit with the bat, turned the innings on its head with the ball, running through Marden with a magnificent 5 for 15 — the sort of spell that has grateful teammates queuing to buy the pints. Cliff Anscombe bowled with real discipline, 3 for 22 including four maidens, not a run given away lightly, and Stan Wratten chipped in with 1 for 5, a wicket that quietly nudged him past Jack Fryer into 11th on the club's all-time list. F Day held out gamely for Marden with 28 not out, but it was not nearly enough, and they folded for 70.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved. A total that looked modest at four o'clock looked rather grand by close of play — the very essence of village cricket.

Sat 16 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · AwayformWLWLD

Saturday, 16 May 1959, took us to Gore Court. The toss went against us; they chose to bat.

They made a watchful 191 for 9 from 54 overs, John Bishop top-scoring with a well-made 80, Alan Priston (28) and J Vince (27) offering support. The openers built a platform of 62 before the first wicket fell, and a second-wicket stand of 64 threatened to run away from us — until we found our range, ripping through the middle order from 167 for 4 to 180 for 7 in a hurry. David Rigden and John Stapley both walked back for ducks. Len Conway did the damage with 4 for 51, Maurice Fenner chipped in with 3 for 36, Robert Wood one for 35, and Terry Whittaker was miserly with three maidens.

In reply we made 190 for 9 from 42 overs, Maurice Fenner batting beautifully for 93, well supported by Len Conway's 25 and my own 30 in a second-wicket stand of 56. The innings wobbled late, 178 for 5 slipping to 189 for 8, Bob Arnold and R Spillane both collecting ducks.

There was much to celebrate: Fenner reached 2,000 career runs for the club, his 93 also carrying him past Frank Taylor into 7th on the all-time run-scorers' list, while Conway's 50th career wicket saw him move past Ray Tippen into 23rd among the wicket-takers. I lead the 1959 run charts with 105 for the season, and Conway sits second among the bowlers with 7. A draw, then — honours shared, and a fair result all round.

Sun 10 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWLWL

As we lost the toss — no, wait, I won the toss and elected to bat, and for once my judgement was vindicated.

The pitch played true and the lads set about their work with a will. I found some form of my own with 48, and while I say it myself, it was rather nice to have a hand in steadying the ship. Robert Murray chipped in handsomely with 32 and John Francis added a brisk 29, and between us we nudged the total along to a respectable 180/6 from our 46 overs — not a total to frighten anyone, perhaps, but enough to give the bowlers something to bowl at, and a declaration of sorts against the clock.

West Farleigh came out determined to chase it down, and Reg Oldfield gave them a fine platform with 33, well supported by S Hughes, unbeaten on 31, and R Muir with 29. But our attack held its nerve. Cliff Anscombe was the pick of the bowlers, tidy and probing for figures of 2 for 13, with Tony Tipples and John Ames both chipping in with two apiece, and Gordon Fenner refusing to give an inch — two maidens, not a run given away lightly. Farleigh finished on 176/7, agonisingly short.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue — and on a warm Sunday, with tea and good company on offer, I shan't complain about that one bit.

Sat 09 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lukes Maidstone CC · HomeformLWWLW

I called correctly at the toss on a fine Saturday and, with St Lukes Maidstone in the field, I never hesitated in choosing to bat — a decision I'd spend the rest of the afternoon quietly reconsidering. Ninety-two all out from 37.1 overs is not a total to frighten anyone, and it owed almost everything to Basil Sears, who battled to 39 while the rest of us came and went with varying degrees of dignity. I chipped in with 22, which felt almost heroic by the standards on display, but Brian Mills, S House and Roy Clarke all contributed the kind of golden duck that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces.

Ninety-two was always going to need defending with a bit of devil, and to our credit the lads found some. Len Conway was the pick of the attack by a distance, tying the visitors down for figures of 3-11, while I managed to have a rare old time of it myself with 3-46 and three maidens — the sort of day where you feel every ball is on a string, even when the scoreboard says otherwise. J- Francis went for a duck at our hands, and Robert Wood chipped in too, but E- Lawrence played the innings of the day, unbeaten on 47, and shepherded St Lukes home by three wickets from 23.3 overs.

Beaten, then, but not disgraced — a match that hinged on twenty runs we simply didn't have. Basil's knock keeps him second in the season's run charts, and I'll happily take third in the wickets column as some consolation. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 03 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · AwayformLLWWL

Won the toss at Harrietsham on Sunday, and I had no hesitation in taking first knock — sound judgement, as it turned out, though you'll have to take my word for that rather than my bat's, since I contributed nothing more than a first-ball procession back to the pavilion. Ray Howard set the tone with a fine 48, Stan Wratten chipped in handsomely with 38, and John Ames added a classy 25 — enough, en route, to nudge him past Frank Taylor and into 7th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is the sort of thing that ought to earn a man a pint. Tony Tipples joined me in the ranks of the dismissed-for-nought; we all out for 159 was a fair total, if not one to frighten anybody outright.

It frightened them anyway. Harrietsham's reply folded to 62, with only Ray Tong showing any real resistance on 29. L Lambert, Keith Chaney and B Berry all fell for ducks of their own — misery loves company — as Alan Wilkes tore through the order in thoroughly ungentlemanly fashion, 7 for 25 with six maidens thrown in for good measure, ably backed by Gordon Fenner's 2-18 and a wicket for Ray Howard too, busy man.

Ray Howard now tops our 1959 run charts and Alan Wilkes the wickets, and frankly both deserve the recognition. A 97-run win, two points banked, and a long, cheerful drive home — my golden duck notwithstanding, this was a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work.

Sat 02 May 1959 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDLLWW

Saturday 02 May 1959, and Bearsted CC came calling. I lost the toss — no change there — and they trotted off to bat, reaching a tidy 113/3 from 26.4 overs. We had them three down for just 3, mind, and thought we had a sniff, but Gordon Hawkins (57 not out) and George Lambell (45) put on 98 for the third wicket and calmly took the game away from us. Credit to Terry Whittaker, who bowled beautifully for 3-28, and Tony Snell, tight as a drum with two maidens — without them it could have been considerably worse.

Chasing 114, we made a hash of it. Gone for a duck first ball, 0-1, and though we steadied for a while, the innings folded spectacularly from 60-7 to 66 all out — the sort of collapse that has grown men reaching for the shed and a stiff cup of tea. Frank Brattle, Brian Mills and Roy Clarke all made the walk of shame with ducks apiece, swelling the club's least wanted ledger nicely. Out in 23.4 overs, beaten by 47 runs.

Small mercies: Eddie Lawrence still tops our season's run charts with 16, and Terry Whittaker leads the wickets with 3 — early days yet, and plenty of room to grow into both tables.

Not our finest afternoon, all told. Heads up, bats reslung, and back to the nets we go.