🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 30 Sep 1961 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformLLWDW

Saturday 30 September 1961, and we rattled up the road to Staplehurst for what proved a fittingly diplomatic finish to a fine day's cricket. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — and for once the skipper's hunch paid off handsomely. Ron Aiston set the tone with a stylish 53, Tony Snook matched him run for run with a half-century of his own, and J Mills saw us home unbeaten on 52 to leave us purring at 180 for 2 from our 34 overs. Not a bad afternoon's work with the bat, even if I say so myself.

Staplehurst's reply was a different shape of innings altogether. P Hodges dug in for a defiant 56, well supported by D Thirkell's 23 and J Lefevre's 20, while at the other end Jack Eastland and K Hyde trudged back without troubling the scorers. I managed to prise out a couple myself, finishing with 2 for 28, though the day's real damage was done by Michael Chambers, whose 3 for 34 led the attack, with Alan Tucker (2 for 22, and two miserly maidens besides) squeezing the life out of the middle overs. Staplehurst crawled to 156 for 7 from their 37 overs, leaving us short of victory but comfortably on top of proceedings.

A draw it was, then — honours shared, tea no doubt excellent, and my own season's tally now standing at 66 wickets, top of the 1st XI charts, with Robert Murray's 542 runs holding steady in fourth among the batsmen. All told, a thoroughly satisfactory way to spend a Saturday.

Sun 24 Sep 1961 🧢 Marriedv Linton Park CC · HomeformWDLWW

Here's the match report:

Sunday 24th September, and with the toss falling my way I had no hesitation in electing to bat — the ground was true, the sky was kind, and I fancied our top order would enjoy themselves. So it proved. Robert Murray played the innings of the day, a wonderfully composed 67 that anchored everything around him, while I chipped in with 38 alongside a similarly useful 38 from John Crellin — sorry, I mean myself — and John Crellin's own tidy 29 gave the total real substance. We closed on a handsome 197 for 7 from our 42 overs, the sort of score that makes a captain's declaration-less life rather pleasant.

There was more to celebrate than mere runs, mind you. Robert's innings brought up 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark achieved with typical understatement — and his 67 also eased him past Frank Taylor into 11th on our all-time run-scorers list, which is the kind of thing that gets a nod in the bar rather than a fuss on the field. He now sits proudly atop this season's Married run charts, while Robert Wood leads the Singles with 58 — a friendly rivalry I suspect will run all summer.

As for the cricket itself, honours were shared: a draw, neither side able to force the issue. Frustrating, perhaps, but with milestones tumbling and the sun still out, I shan't complain too loudly. A satisfying afternoon's work, all told.

Sat 23 Sep 1961 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDLLWD

It was against Bearsted CC that we lost the toss and were put into the field, which on a warm September afternoon is generally the point at which I start composing excuses in my head. As it turned out, none were needed. Ron Parsons anchored the visitors' innings with a fine fifty, well supported by Colin Fleetwood and George Lambell, but Alan Tucker bowled with real purpose to finish with three wickets, and Robert Wood and Terry Whittaker chipped away either side of him to keep the total to a very gettable 169 for 7 from their 43 overs.

Chasing it, we barely broke sweat. I found some rare and welcome form of my own, ably supported by Robert Murray at the other end, and between us we knocked the runs off with more than a few overs to spare, finishing on 170 for the loss of just two. Robert Wood, having bowled his heart out earlier, returned the favour with the bat by contributing precisely nothing — a golden duck, and I'm sure he'll dine out on that story rather less than the rest of us will dine out on it for him.

A personal contribution of 128 not out was, I confess, rather satisfying, and it keeps me handily placed at the top of the season's run charts, with Terry Whittaker still doing the business with the ball as our leading wicket-taker. Eight wickets and two points: a proper thumping, thoroughly earned, and exactly the sort of Saturday that makes the winter months bearable.

Sun 17 Sep 1961 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · HomeformWDLLW

Lost the toss on a fine Sunday, 17th September, and watched Sevenoaks Vine trot out to bat first — never my favourite outcome, but there are worse fates than a long afternoon in the field with tea to look forward to. R J Pavitt made an infuriating nuisance of himself with a chanceless century, 102 in all, and found a willing ally in R P King's 42, the pair carrying Vine to 199 for 9 off their forty. Ray Howard, bless him, refused to let the game drift entirely away from us, bowling with real discipline for 5 for 60 including three maidens, while John Ames chipped away for 3 for 74 at the other end.

Chasing 200 always has a way of concentrating minds, and ours needed concentrating rather badly after John Crellin, William Buck and Alan Tucker all departed for ducks — three noughts on one card is the sort of thing that makes a captain stare hard at his tea and say nothing. Fortunately Ray Howard, having bowled us back into it, now proceeded to bat us back into it too, with a magnificent 113. I did what I could in support with 32 — a modest contribution, though it keeps me handily placed atop the 1st XI's run charts for the season with 711 so far. We closed on 193 for 8 off forty-five, agonisingly short.

A draw, then — honours shared, nobody quite satisfied, everybody rather pleased all the same. Ray Howard's day, by any fair reckoning, though the whole side can hold its head up.

Sat 16 Sep 1961 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · HomeformWWDLL

John Thirkell here, filing this one with a satisfied sigh and slightly cleaner boots than of late.

Bowaters came to Linton Park on a fine September Saturday and I won the toss — took one look at the strip and elected to bat, which I still maintain was the right call, whatever anyone mutters at the bar. We were bowled out for 128 in 37.2 overs, a total that flattered to deceive at times: Robert Wood's 34 was the innings' backbone, with John Francis (31) and Robert Murray (22) chipping in handsomely. Less gloriously, both Terry Whittaker and Brian Relf departed without troubling the scorers — the sort of pair of ducks that has men staring hard into their tea.

Defending 128 always felt like a stretch, but the lads had other ideas. Bowaters were shot out for 94 in 37 overs, William Preston's well-made fifty their only real resistance. At the other end it was carnage — John Woollett, John Evans and Bill Brown all bagged ducks against us — as Alan Tucker produced the spell of the season, 8 for 20 with five wickets and five miserly maidens to his name. I managed to get among the wickets myself, and John Francis and Terry Whittaker mopped up the rest between them.

A fine afternoon all round, with Robert Wood's 34 easing him past Arthur Cornwallis to 21st on the club's all-time run charts, and my own tally for the summer now standing at 679 with Whittaker's 63 wickets leading our attack. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a 34-run win to send us home content.

Sun 10 Sep 1961 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · HomeformDWWDL

Sunday last brought Harrietsham CC to Linton Park, and for once the coin behaved itself for me at the toss. Batting looked the sensible option under grey but forgiving skies, so in we went. We were shot out for 182 in the full fifty overs, which felt about twenty short of comfortable — Robert Murray played a lovely, well-constructed fifty for 54, and Stan Wratten and Charles Crellin both chipped in useful 27s to give the total some respectability, if not much sparkle.

Defending it was always going to be a nervy afternoon, and so it proved. Ray Tong took the game by the scruff of the neck with a fine 74, and D La Plain's polished 61 kept the required rate ticking along nicely for the visitors, with T Lurcock unbeaten on 22 to see them home. Small mercies: L Hampshire departed without so much as troubling the scorers. With the ball, Gordon Fenner toiled manfully for 3-92, ably backed by John Ames (2-20, tidiness personified) and Michael Chambers (2-69), the latter continuing a fine season with the ball. My own runs this year now stand at 678, top of the 1st XI pile, for whatever comfort that offered from the boundary edge. A nod too to Robert Wood, whose 6 runs eased him past Herbert Rayner into 22nd on the club's all-time list.

We lost by 3 wickets. Not our day at all — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 09 Sep 1961 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lukes Maidstone CC · HomeformDDWWD

Lost the toss again — I'm beginning to think the club coin has a grudge against me — and St Lukes Maidstone CC had no hesitation in padding up first. It proved a shrewd call. R- Aiston played the innings of the day, a fine 67, while P- Kenward stayed unbeaten on 32 and B- Lamb chipped in with 25 as their total climbed to a stiff 175 for 7 off forty overs. Credit to our attack, mind: Michael Chambers was relentless, snaring four for 48 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure, Robert Wood picked up two, and I managed one for 38 myself, sending M- Eastman back for a duck.

Set 176 to win, we never remotely threatened it. Robert Wood's watchful 20 was the innings' one bright spark, and pleasingly it took him past H G Smith into 23rd on the club's all-time run-scoring list, but around him the card told a sorry tale, with John Crellin, Michael Chambers and Ricky Lusher all back in the pavilion for ducks. Poor Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps too, 15 byes going begging as we subsided to 49 all out in under thirty overs.

A chastening 126-run defeat, then, and no way of dressing it up as anything else. Robert Wood remains second in our 1961 run charts and I'm still topping the wicket-takers with 62, which are the only crumbs of comfort from a long walk back to the nets.

Sun 03 Sep 1961 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformLDDWW

Sunday 3 September saw Anchorians CC roll up to Linton Park with the sun out and, thanks to losing the toss, us condemned to leather-chasing duty first. No matter — we set about them with rather more purpose than usual. Robert Wood was the pick of the attack, 4 for 39 and thoroughly deserved, while Alan Wilkes chipped in a tidy 3 for 52 including three maidens that gave nothing away, and John Ames picked up one for good measure. Even so, J. Hickmott made merry with 84 and R. Davis added a steady 27, and between them they saw Anchorians safely to their total. Small mercies: R. Padley and R. Avon both departed without so much as a nudge.

Our reply was the usual mixture of application and farce. John Ames led the way with 37 and Robert Wood, having already done his bit with the ball, added 36 more with the bat — I'll confess to getting among the runs myself, which made a pleasant change. Robert Murray, alas, was undone for a golden duck, and fifteen byes flew past a clearly bewildered Cliff Anscombe behind the stumps. We closed on 140 for 8 from our 38 overs, short of victory but not disgracefully so.

A draw, then — honours shared, and nobody quite able to land the killer blow. Frustrating in the moment, but with the season ledger showing me atop the run charts and Alan Wilkes lurking second among the wicket-takers, I'll happily settle for a point apiece and tea that ran late.

Sat 02 Sep 1961 🧢 1st XIv A A.Trembeths · HomeformDLDDW

Saturday brought A.Trembeths to Linton Park, and we found ourselves out in the field first under a sky that, for once, behaved itself. They battled to 169 all out in 43.1 overs, L- Fell top-scoring with 47 and getting decent support from J- Hughes (35) and B- Chance (29). Openers J- Norris and J- Mortlock went early and cheaply, back in the hutch without troubling the scorers, which set the tone nicely. I had one of those days with the ball that you dream about, finishing with 7-40, a five-for and then some, backed up well by Terry Whittaker's tidy 2-16 and I- Brenchley's 1-47, while Robert Wood strangled the life out of the middle overs with three maidens.

Chasing 170, we made light work of it, cruising home to 171/4 in 28.5 overs. I found some form with the bat too, carrying my innings to 94 not out, and Robert Wood chipped in handsomely with 43 to see us over the line. A satisfying afternoon all round, and one with a bit of history attached besides — those seven wickets nudged me past Terry Whittaker into 8th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, while the season charts keep ticking along nicely, 666 runs and counting for me, and Terry still out in front with 61 wickets to his name.

Six wickets to the good, two points banked, and thoroughly earned. A very fine day to be captain.

Sun 27 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv AX A L Newberry XI · HomeformWDLDD

Sunday 27 August 1961, A L Newberry XI, home fixture, and I won the toss — bat first, no debate in my mind, and the lads made me look sensible for it. Ray Howard set about them for a fine 89, the kind of innings you build an afternoon around, with Robert Wood chipping in a tidy 31 and I added 22 to the pile. We closed on 192/8 from our 44 overs, a total that felt like enough even before a ball was bowled at them. Less happily, Stan Wratten's walk back for a duck will be filed in the ledger with the usual glee reserved for such things.

Defending it, we were rampant. A L Newberry XI never got comfortable and were bowled out for 71 in just 29.2 overs, J Seward's 22 the only real resistance, while A Major departed for nought at our hands. Ray Howard, not content with his runs, turned the ball over with 4-15, Alan Wilkes bowled with real discipline for 4-34 including six maidens, and Terry Whittaker weighed in with 2-20. A thoroughly professional bowling display, if I'm allowed to say so of my own side.

It was also a day for the record books rather than just the scorebook. Stan Wratten brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, Robert Murray his 100th, and Robert Wood passed 1,000 career runs for the club. Ray Howard's 89 lifted him to 7th on our all-time run charts, and Alan Wilkes's four wickets took him past me into 1st on the all-time wicket-takers list — happily overtaken, I should add. A 121-run win, and a very fine one at that. Onwards.

Sat 26 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformDWDLD

Saturday 26th of August saw Aylesford Paper Mills CC roll up for what turned out to be a proper old-fashioned battle of attrition, and I lost the toss – no great surprise there, my coin-calling has been a shambles all season. They elected to bat, and we set about them with the ball in good heart. Booker's 34 and Mabb's 32 gave their innings a spine, with Mannering chipping in 31, but we kept chipping away too: Brooks, Keynes and Essex all walked back for ducks, which cheered the slip cordon no end. Terry Whittaker was the pick of us, 4 for 48 with three miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, while I managed 4 for 59 myself and Robert Wood picked up a couple. All out for 157 from 38 – a target that felt gettable, if we kept our heads.

We didn't, entirely. Robert Murray played the innings of the day with a fine 37, well supported by Wood's 31, but wickets tumbled around them and poor Richard Harris made the long walk back for nought – the Duck Club ledger swells again. We closed on 100 for 7 from our 40, honours even, neither side quite able to land the killer blow.

A quietly pleasing afternoon for me personally, with those four wickets nudging me up to eighth on the club's all-time list, past Whittaker himself – sorry, Terry. A draw, then, and on this evidence a fair one: we bowled like champions and batted like men who'd had a good lunch. I'll take it.

Sun 20 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDDWDL

Here is the report for the club gazette.

We drew the short straw on the toss at The Mote and were sent in to field first, which on a Sunday afternoon in August is rarely the news you want, but the lads set about it with good cheer nonetheless. Howard made hay for the home side, ninety past his fifty in fact seventy-six, well supported by Parker's forty-five, and for a while it looked as though we might be chasing leather all day. But John Francis bowled beautifully for his four for forty-two, Robert Wood chipped in with four of his own, and Len Conway kept things admirably tight with three maidens, restricting The Mote to 193 for 9 from their forty-eight overs — a target stiff but not impossible.

Our reply was built on watchfulness rather than swagger. Roy Clarke anchored the innings superbly with an unbeaten fifty, and I was glad to lend a hand with 32 of my own, while Robert Wood chipped in usefully again with 30 with the bat this time. Poor Robert Murray will want to forget his afternoon entirely, bowled for a duck, but that is cricket, and no one round the tea urn held it against him. We closed on 165 for 8, short of the mark but never disgraced.

A word too for Robert Wood, whose four wickets nudged him past Don Hartridge and into seventeenth on the club's all-time list — a fine, quiet piece of history on an otherwise honest draw. And an honest draw is exactly what this was: honours shared, nothing settled, and the ideal excuse for another pint on the way home.

Sat 19 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · AwayformWDDWD

John Thirkell here, filing this week's despatch from the road at Bowaters — and not, alas, a triumphant one.

It began badly, as these things so often do, with the coin letting us down and Bowaters electing to bat. They set about compiling a thoroughly businesslike 191/5 from their 43 overs, the innings built around John Woollett's fine 96 — a proper captain's knock, and one I watched with a mixture of admiration and dread from mid-off. Bill Brown chipped in unbeaten on 33 and William Preston made 27, the pair squeezing every last run out of a pitch that, frankly, gave us precious little in return. Credit where it's due: Gordon Fenner bowled beautifully for 4-42, four of those overs maidens, and Terry Whittaker backed him up nicely with 1-37. Without them it could have been considerably worse.

Chasing 192 was always going to ask questions of our batting, and we answered rather too many of them incorrectly, bundled out for 126 in 34.1 overs. Gordon Fenner, having done the damage with the ball, then top-scored with 48 to at least give the innings some shape, with Robert Murray useful support on 23. I made my own small contribution along the way, though not nearly enough to trouble the scoreboard. Robert Wood and Michael Chambers both departed for ducks, which rather summed up our afternoon.

Beaten by 65 runs, then, and no arguing with it. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sun 13 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · AwayformDWDDW

Since I won the toss on that sunny Sunday at Harrietsham, there was really only one decision to make, and I made it without much agonising — we'd bat first, and I fancy history will agree it was the right call.

It has to be said, the pitch was kind to us and we made the most of it. Eleven overs in, we sat unbeaten at 41 without loss, the kind of start that lets a captain lean back on the boundary rope with a cup of tea and something approaching contentment. I found my own form with the bat, farming the strike and finishing 32 not out — not fireworks, but tidy enough, and it kept the scoreboard ticking while Harrietsham's bowlers searched in vain for a breakthrough. It's rather satisfying, too, to see the season's efforts adding up: 386 runs now has me sitting fourth in the First XI's run charts, which I'll modestly admit gave me a private smile on the walk back to the pavilion.

In the end neither side could force matters, and honours were shared — a draw that felt entirely fitting given the afternoon's gentle rhythm. No last-wicket heroics, no declarations gone wrong, just good cricket played in good spirit on a good Kent afternoon.

Verdict: a satisfactory day's work rather than a stirring one — we batted sensibly, I did my bit, and Harrietsham proved stubborn hosts. A draw earned rather than settled for, and the run charts, at least, are heading in the right direction.

Sat 12 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Stevens · AwayformLDWDD

Won the toss at Tilling Stevens and stuck us in to bat, which for once turned out to be the right call. Len Conway led the way with a fine 44, I chipped in with 36, and Basil Sears added a tidy 26 as we built up to a respectable 166/7 from our 47 overs. Spare a thought for John Crellin, who contributed nothing but a golden duck to proceedings — these things happen to the best of us, and no doubt he'll have his day.

With the total defended, it was Terry Whittaker's afternoon through and through. Figures of 7-44 is the kind of spell you dream about over your porridge, and thoroughly deserved it was too, ripping through the Tilling Stevens order with Len Conway offering fine support, 3-54 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure. Buchanan, Bailey and Allard all departed without troubling the scorers, and though J Mills held firm for an unbeaten 47, it was nowhere near enough. All out for 106 in 33.5 overs, and the game was ours by a handsome 60 runs.

A day for the record books besides the result: I brought up 8,000 career runs for the club, a landmark I shall try not to mention too often down the clubhouse, while Terry's seven-for saw him leapfrog Michael Morton into 9th on our all-time wicket-takers list. With the season still unfolding, I sit top of the 1st XI run charts and Terry top of the wickets. All told, a thoroughly good day for Linton Park, and one we'll happily bank.

Mon 07 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLLDWD

Rain never came, but nor did a result — and after nine of the best from Gordon Fenner, I'll admit I fancied us for more than that.

We lost the toss at Bearsted and were put into the field, which on a Monday evening always feels like the captain's punishment before a ball is bowled. Ted White and David Andrews built the only partnership of note, but around them Gordon simply ran through the order — 9 for 42, three maidens, and three ducks for good measure. Watching Ian Lambert, Neville Gibson and Mike Morton all walk back without troubling the scorer was a rare pleasure from square leg. Bearsted's 125 all out felt, at tea, like a job well started.

Chasing it, though, we contrived to make hard work of easy arithmetic. A wicket with the score still on nought set the tone, and although Ray Howard batted with real application for his 33, and I chipped in with a score of my own along the way, we never quite settled. From 120 for 7 we somehow shed our last three wickets without adding what we needed, John Ames and Gordon following their heroics with the ball with two golden ducks with the bat. Poor Roy Clarke, meanwhile, spent the day chasing byes like a man late for a bus.

There was still a smile for William Buck, whose 28 eased him past Stan Wratten into second on the club's all-time run charts — a nice bit of history on an otherwise nervy afternoon. A draw, then: honours shared, pride dented, but the tea was good and the drive home forgiving.

Sat 05 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformDLLDW

Here's the match report:

Saturday last saw Headcorn CC roll into Linton Park, and for once the coin failed to smile on me — I called wrong, and they were straight in to bat. No matter; we settled to our task in the field, and while L. Murrell made merry with a fine 87 not out and R. Excell chipped in a handy 53, our bowlers kept the scoreboard honest enough. I managed to nip one out for 32, Michael Chambers picked up a wicket for his 65, and Terry Whittaker bowled with real discipline — two maidens when boundaries were the fashion of the day. They closed on a stiff 201 for 2 from their 38 overs, a total that left us with work to do.

Our reply began steadily enough, though Gordon Fenner and Brian Relf will not thank me for mentioning their ducks in print. I was fortunate to find some form myself, top-scoring with 58, and had good company from Frank Brattle, unbeaten on 26, and Basil Sears with a watchful 21 — Sears continuing his splendid season and now the leading run-scorer in the 1st XI for 1961 with 441. We finished on 163 for 8 from our 43, our wicketkeeper having rather a torrid afternoon of it behind the stumps, nine byes the evidence.

In the end honours were shared, neither side able to force home the advantage. A draw, then — and on a warm August Saturday, perhaps exactly what village cricket ordered.

Sun 30 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · AwayformDDLLD

Sunday last saw us on the road to Folkestone, and I won the toss and elected to bat — a decision I'll happily take credit for, since it's the sort of call that either gets you a knighthood or a stern word in the bar afterwards. As it turned out, the right one. We were bowled out for 131 in 52.4 overs, an innings that never quite flowed but had enough substance to work with. I made 30 at the top, and Robert Murray chipped in with a tidy 23, the pair of us doing rather more graft than glamour.

Folkestone's reply had moments of real threat — Derek Waddup's 27, J Atkinson's unbeaten 26 and Ian Pepper's 24 kept us honest for a spell — but they never quite got away from us, and three of their number departed for ducks along the way. The story of the innings, though, was Alan Wilkes, who simply ran riot, returning a magnificent 7 for 48. Terry Whittaker (2-15) and the wonderfully miserly Gordon Fenner (1-34, with nine maidens to his name) squeezed the life out of the rest. Poor Roy Clarke had a torrid time behind the stumps, 17 byes going begging, though I shan't hold it against him — we've all had afternoons like that.

Folkestone were dismissed for 118, and we came away 13 runs to the good. A proper team effort, capped by a bowling spell to remember. Onwards.

Sat 29 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · HomeformWDDLL

Terry Whittaker here, and what a curious old game cricket is. We won the toss, put Tovil in, and watched from the field as they piled up 199 for 4 off their forty overs — a scoreline that had "declaration bowling" written all over it by the time C. Pattenden reached an unbeaten 69, well supported by Micky Taylor's fifty (62) and R. Excell's brisk 39. John Crellin was the pick of our attack with 1 for 16, tidy as ever, while Robert Wood chipped in with 1 for 25. I managed 1 for 37 myself, with three maidens thrown in for good measure — proof, if nothing else, that not every ball I bowled disappeared to the boundary.

Chasing 200, we never quite found the urgency the target demanded, closing on 135 for 5 from our forty-two. Basil Sears was the mainstay with a well-crafted fifty, John Crellin (31) and Robert Murray (28) lending sturdy support, but the required rate always felt a field or two out of reach.

Spare a thought for Roy Clarke behind the stumps, who had one of those afternoons — twelve byes is the sort of figure that follows a wicketkeeper home. Altogether happier news was Robert Wood's hundredth appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the result.

So: honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. Not the tidiest cricket we've played this season, but with Basil Sears topping the run charts and yours truly leading the wickets, there's plenty to be cheerful about as the summer rolls on.

Tue 25 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv NC Northern Assurance Group Club · HomeformWWDDL

I elected to bat on winning the toss, and I still say it was the right call — though the way the day unfolded, you'd forgive anyone for wondering. Tony Tipples played the innings of the day, a well-crafted fifty on his way to 61, and I chipped in with 30 to help us to 174 for 8 from our 42 overs. Respectable enough on a Tuesday afternoon, we felt, and certainly enough to bowl at.

Northern Assurance had other ideas. Sage was immaculate, ninety-five not out and never troubled, with H. Clarke's 34 and an unbeaten 20 from McButcher steering them home on 177 for 4 with two overs to spare. We did have our moments — Banks and Coles both sent back without scoring, and Terry Whittaker toiling manfully for 2 for 59, well supported by Michael Chambers (1-38) and my own 1 for 40. But ten byes off Roy Clarke's gloves told you everything about the kind of afternoon it was — the sort where the ball simply won't sit still for anyone.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Whittaker's two wickets carried him past Herbert Rayner and into tenth on the club's all-time list, a landmark worth raising a glass to even in defeat. I'll also note, purely for the record, that I now sit third in this year's run charts, with Whittaker still out in front with the ball.

Six wickets the wrong way, then, and heads understandably down. But there's no cure for a day like this except the nets, and I daresay we'll find our range again before too long.

Sun 23 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv JX John Larkin's XI · HomeformLWWDD

Sunday 23 July, and John Larkin's XI came calling, sunshine willing and the outfield running true. Asked to bowl first, we watched Allom cash in for a chanceless 52, with Maidment (38) and Bennett (37) keeping him honest company as the total climbed to a rather stiff 229 all out in 43.3 overs. Small mercies: Goodliffe, Howard and Goodridge all trudged back for ducks, and Ray Howard did the heavy lifting with the ball, 4 for 70, ably backed by Alan Wilkes (3-44) and the metronomic Len Conway, 3 for 56 with two tidy maidens thrown in for good measure.

Chasing 229 was always going to want some starch in the top order, and Ray Howard supplied it in spades with a lovely 77, the innings' backbone by some distance. I chipped in with 41, and Frank Brattle's brisk 20 kept things ticking, though Robert Murray and William Buck both departed for golden ducks and the tail found little to add. Poor Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 13 byes leaking through to remind us all that gloves are not mere decoration. We folded for 192 in 53.1 overs.

One bright footnote amid the gloom: Frank Brattle's 20 nudged him past Bob Arnold into 13th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — history made, if not the match. Ray Howard remains imperious atop the season's run charts on 389, with Alan Wilkes second in the wicket-takers on 33. As for the result, beaten by 37 runs: not our day. Heads up, lads — back to the nets.

Sat 22 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWLWWD

Another gloriously indecisive Saturday at Linton Park, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Rumwood rolled up expecting runs, and for a while we gave them precious few reasons to worry — 140 all out in 44.1 overs is not a total to frighten anyone, propped up chiefly by Eddie Lawrence's fine 49 and Frank Brattle's willing 37. Elsewhere the top order rather fancied an early bath, with Brian Relf, William Agate and Derek Pantony all completing that most English of walks — out for nought, heads down, bats dragging.

Needing to defend a modest total, the lads dug in beautifully. Rumwood limped to 114 for 7 from their 51 overs, never quite finding the fluency to chase us down, with only v- Pound (30 not out), D- Apps (25) and C- Cheesman (21) offering any real resistance. John Carter, D- Burrows and D- Ransome joined the ducks' parade without so much as troubling the scorebook. Len Conway was magnificent, 3 for 36 with seven parsimonious maidens, and in doing so brought up his hundredth career wicket — a landmark thoroughly earned. Ricky Lusher (2-18) and Robert Wood (1-15) chipped in handsomely, though Wood's real headline was moving past F S W Cornwallis into 25th on the club's all-time run charts. Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 14 byes testament to a lively pitch rather than careless gloves. I continue to lead our 1961 wicket charts with 40, for what little comfort that offers.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride intact, tea presumably excellent.

Sat 15 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv TM Tovil and Bridge Mill · AwayformWWLWW

Saturday 15 July took us across to Tovil and Bridge Mill, and the toss put the side in the field first, which on a warm afternoon is not always the worst fate to befall a captain. Their innings ran to 155 for 5 off 43 overs, built chiefly around Fred Ridgeway's fine 62, with useful support from R. Brigden's 30 and Malcolm Bristow's 23. Brian Fitch fared rather less happily, sent back for a duck. With the ball, Michael Chambers did the heavy lifting, finishing with 3 for 56, Alan Tucker chipped in with 1 for 30, and Len Conway bowled with real discipline, three maidens among his overs telling their own story of batsmen denied the boundary.

Chasing 155, the lads could only manage 117 for 6 from our 29 overs, a shade short in the end. Basil Sears was the mainstay with a well made 39, Frank Brattle lending sound support with 33 of his own. Poor Robert Wood will not thank me for recording it, but a nought is a nought, and the Duck Club ledger grows longer by one entry. Basil Sears continues to top our 1961 run charts with 370 to his name, while Alan Tucker's 21 wickets keep him a comfortable fourth in the season's bowling figures.

In the end honours were shared, a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody either, which is perhaps the fairest way for two sides who could each point to their own passages of the upper hand.

Sun 09 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv AX A L Newberry XI · HomeformLWWLW

Winning the toss on Sunday, I had no hesitation at all in taking first strike, and how the lads repaid that confidence. We were bowled out for 207 in 38.2 overs, built almost entirely around Ray Howard's magnificent century, 114 of the finest, with Stan Wratten chipping in a very useful 24. Not every contribution sparkled, mind — John Crellin and Gordon Fenner joined me in the unwanted club of ducks, and I shall come to my own effort shortly.

With the ball, we were altogether more ruthless. A L Newberry XI's reply folded for 93 in 33.2 overs, A Jones's defiant 30 the only real resistance, while J Newberry, G Chandler and P Russell all departed without troubling the scorer. Michael Chambers span a web few could escape, taking 5-23, Alan Wilkes was tidy and threatening in equal measure with 4-26 including two maidens, and Ray Howard, not content with his century, chipped in 1-14 for good measure.

As for the skipper, I can report a golden blob, out first ball, which rather proves that leading by example doesn't always mean with the bat. Small consolation was watching Stan Wratten's 24 carry him past William Buck into 2nd on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Ray Howard and Alan Wilkes continue their fine season, sitting 3rd and 2nd respectively in this year's charts.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved, sealed by a thumping 114-run win.

Sat 08 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · AwayformWLWWL

Saturday 8th July found us on the road at Charles Arkcoll, and having called correctly for once, I had no hesitation in putting the opposition in – a decision that, for once, didn't come back to haunt me.

Batting first, we ground our way to 161 for 6 off 33.3 overs, a total built almost entirely on the sturdy shoulders of Robert Wood, unbeaten on 48, with Basil Sears offering fine support on 35 not out. Not every contribution was quite so noble – poor Frank Brattle departed for a duck, and I shall say no more about that, save that even captains occasionally know when to change the subject.

Seventy-three isn't a total that troubles the sleep of many sides, and so it proved. Terry Whittaker was quite magnificent, scything through the Charles Arkcoll order for 7 for 32, two of them maidens, and thoroughly deserving of the five-for and more besides. I chipped in with 1 for 6 myself, Alan Tucker took 1 for 16, and Humphrey Morris fell to us without troubling the scorers. Ten byes, meanwhile, told their own tale of a chastening afternoon behind the stumps for Roy Clarke – he'll want that one back.

There was even a footnote for the history books, as Robert Wood's solitary wicket eased him past J Donovan into 19th on the club's all-time list. I lead the season's run charts with 338, and Terry now sits proudly atop the wicket charts with 39 – long may it continue.

An 88-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying day's work.

Fri 07 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Stevens · AwayformDWLWW

Away at Tilling Stevens on a Friday evening that promised more than it delivered, I won the toss and elected to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook might suggest otherwise. Alas, "right call" and "good outcome" are not always on speaking terms in this game, and 58 all out from sixteen overs was a distinctly modest return for the confidence I'd shown. Cliff Anscombe, Frank Brattle and Roy Clarke all fell without troubling the scorers, a hat-trick of ducks that rather set the tone for our afternoon at the crease.

Defending such a total was always going to require something special, and for a while we very nearly conjured it. Terry Whittaker was magnificent with the ball, tearing through them for 3-39, with good support from Alan Tucker, whose 1-19 kept things admirably tight at the other end. But 58 was never going to be enough against a side with any application, and Tilling Stevens duly got there, reaching 59/4 in just 9.1 overs.

For the record books, I find myself leading the 1961 run charts with 327 for the summer, while Terry continues to top the wicket-takers with 32 — small consolations on a night when the team result mattered rather more. Beaten by six wickets, then, and no arguing with it. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sun 02 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Stevens · HomeformDDWLW

Sunday last, and Tilling Stevens rolled up to find me unusually decisive at the toss — called it right, and did not linger over the decision to bat. Bold, some might say reckless, but the sun was out and the lads fancied their strokes, so bat we did.

And how we batted. Ray Howard set about the bowling with real intent for 87, the sort of innings that makes a captain's job absurdly easy, while Gordon Fenner chipped in an unbeaten 28 and Robert Murray a tidy 26. We closed on 203 for 8 from our 37, a total that felt, even before a ball was bowled in reply, rather comfortably beyond Tilling Stevens' reach. For what it is worth, I have quietly ground my way to 324 runs for the season, which currently has me leading the 1st XI charts — a statistic I mention once, briefly, before returning to matters of greater interest.

Defending it, Ray Howard turned executioner with 5 for 35, well backed by Michael Chambers' miserly 4 for 42 including four maidens, and Gordon Fenner's canny 1 for 9. Only Fred Baker, unbeaten on 85, stood defiantly amid the wreckage as three Tilling Stevens batsmen departed for ducks and the innings folded for 151.

A word too for William Buck, whose 16 runs eased him past Stan Wratten into second on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Howard's five-for did likewise on the bowling charts. A fine win by 52 runs. Onwards.

Sat 01 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformLDDWL

A trip out to Aylesford Paper Mills on Saturday brought its usual test of nerve and knees, and true to form the coin let me down again — I called wrong, they chose to bat, and I trudged back to the boundary to captain from the field rather than the crease.

It proved no bad thing. Aylesford huffed and puffed their way to 106 all out in 35.4 overs, A Burton's 36 the only innings of real substance, with Alan Harding's 24 lending support. Three of their number — Mannering, Cross and Pollock — never troubled the scorers at all, which tells its own story. The tale of the innings, though, was Alan Tucker, who simply ran amok with 7 for 28 and left the rest of us feeling rather surplus to requirements. Michael Chambers chipped in with 2 for 19, five of his overs maidens, and Len Conway took 1 for 38 for good measure.

Chasing 107, we strolled home at 109 for 3 in 22.2 overs, Robert Wood the anchor with 39, Basil Sears adding 21 and Gordon Fenner seeing us home unbeaten on 20. A quiet word, too, for Len Conway, whose ten runs today eased him past Richard Harris and up to 16th on the club's all-time run list — modest arithmetic, but the ledgers don't lie. I'll allow myself one boast: with 318 runs, I still lead our 1961 run-scorers, for whatever that's worth against Tucker's bowling this week.

Seven wickets and a job well done — a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 25 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · HomeformDLDDW

Sunday 25th June, and Tovil rolled into Linton Park bathed in early summer sunshine, no doubt expecting a gentle afternoon's cricket. We had first use of the ball, which felt promising at the time. It didn't stay promising for long. Malcolm Bristow set about us with real purpose, ninety-two priceless runs, well past his fifty, with G. Merricks chipping in a useful 38 to help Tovil close on 180/8 from their 47 overs. To our credit, the bowling never gave up: Alan Tucker led from the front with 3-51, Robert Wood chimed in with 2-27, and Terry Whittaker was typically miserly, 2-61 with a couple of maidens thrown in, and the satisfaction of sending both Fred Ridgeway and Keith Patey back without troubling the scorers.

Chasing 180 was always going to want application. What it got instead was carnage. Robert Murray, John Crellin and I all trooped back for golden ducks, myself included, and I can report that leading by example is a fine principle that rather deserted me on the day. The whole side folded for a wretched 40 all out in 19.4 overs, and the game was gone long before tea.

Beaten by 140 runs, then, and no dressing it up. Elsewhere in the season John Ames continues to bat beautifully, second in the run charts with 269, while Terry Whittaker's 29 wickets keep him top of the pile. As for the rest of us, we'll regroup, dust ourselves down, and be better for it next week.

Sat 24 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWDLDD

Saturday 24 June 1961, and off we trundled to Rumwood CC with bat, ball and the usual optimism.

Put into the field, we watched Rumwood build steadily to 141/4 from their 51 overs, M. Oakley top-scoring with a composed 40, Paul Apps chipping in 27 and V. Pound 25. Credit where due — Tony Snell was superb, 2-20 with a miserly seven maidens, the sort of spell that makes the batsmen play a different, more sombre innings altogether. Robert Wood weighed in with 2-38 to keep the scoring honest. Poor Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, mind you — 25 byes is not a figure one puts in the scorebook with any pride, and I daresay he'll be diving a little sharper next week.

Chasing 142, Robert Wood again did us proud, this time with the bat — a fine 40 that set the tone — while Alan Tucker saw us home unbeaten on 31. We stumbled to 147/6 in 33 overs, helped in no small part by a generous 26 extras from our hosts, which we accepted without complaint. Basil Sears, sitting second in the season's run charts on 266, watched from the sidelines this time but the side managed well enough without him needing to trouble the scorers.

Four wickets to the good, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — bowled well, batted just well enough, and got home before the tea urn went cold.

Sun 18 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv HH Halfway House · AwayformDWDLD

John Thirkell here, filing from Halfway House on a Sunday when the sky couldn't decide anything and, as it turned out, neither could the cricket.

Winning the toss and putting the opposition in felt like the right call, and for a while it was, until T Ades got hold of things and made a fluent 67, with Denis Fowle (27) and John Otley (23) chipping in to drag them to 176 all out. Alan Wilkes was the story of the innings, though — 7 for 65 with four maidens thrown in, bowling with the kind of miserly discipline that makes batsmen question their life choices, while John Ames (2-43) and Terry Whittaker (1-23) tidied up the rest. Colin Robinson and P Jessup will want to forget their contributions entirely, back in the hutch without so much as a run to their names.

Chasing 177, I managed 38 that I'm rather pleased with, well supported by Ray Howard's 31 and William Buck's 28, but 165 for 7 from our 39 overs left us short of the target with overs unused — the sort of finish that has you totting up "what ifs" over tea. Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 17 byes testament to a pitch doing more than anyone bargained for, and poor Robert Murray made the long walk back for nought. A word for Ray, too, whose 31 nudged him past Tony Levick and into the club's all-time top ten — a fine piece of history-making on an otherwise scrappy day.

In the end honours were shared, a draw that suited nobody and disappointed everybody equally. Not our finest hour, but not our worst either — we'll take the point and the pub afterwards.

Sat 17 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWDWDL

Lost the toss at Headcorn on Saturday and asked to bowl — never the news you want on a warm June afternoon, but there it is. Their number three, C. Smith, played the innings of the day, farming the strike to 97 while wickets tumbled around him; L. Murrell and G. Gore both departed without troubling the scorer, ducks apiece. I found some rhythm through the middle overs, finishing with 4-26 and four maidens to show for it, with John Carter (2-14) tidy in support and Michael Chambers (1-85) doing the honest toil at the other end. Headcorn closed on 171/7 from their 40 overs — competitive, but not out of reach.

In reply we made a fair fist of the chase, 134/7 from 41, John Carter again the mainstay with a fine 46, Doug Hitchen chipping in with 34 alongside him. Less happily, John Crellin joined the Duck Club with a first-ball-shaped nought, and I'm obliged to confess I kept him company there myself — the least said about my own contribution with the bat, the better. Eight byes told their own tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Roy Clarke.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. With 26 wickets now to my name this season I'll happily take the bowling form home with me — even if my batting average continues to resemble a decent snooker break. A draw, then, and no shame in it: two sides well matched, and a lovely evening for the drive home.

Sun 11 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv HB Hambros Bank · HomeformDWDWD

As we won the toss, I sent the opposition in—no, hang on, I put us in to bat myself, and for once the decision looked halfway sensible. We ground our way to 106 for 5 off 32.3 overs, anchored by a really rather good fifty from John Crellin, unbeaten at the close, with Stan Wratten keeping him company on 25 not out. Robert Wood's contribution was, in the fine tradition of these things, a duck—these afflictions come to us all sooner or later, and today it was his turn to wear it.

Defending 106 always felt a touch skinny, and so it proved, though not without a proper fight. Hambros Bank's A How played the innings of the day, 45 well-struck runs, backed up by R Pavitt's 33, while R Day departed without so much as a nudge to the scoreboard. The one shaft of real sunshine was Alan Wilkes, who bowled beautifully for 5 for 59—a five-for thoroughly earned and no more than he deserved—with Alan Tucker chipping in usefully alongside him for 1 for 25. For my own part, I contributed what I could with the bat, though it was Crellin's innings that did the heavy lifting.

In the end Hambros nudged home by 2 wickets, a margin that flatters neither side and torments both. Still, there's plenty in this to build on, and we'll be a better side for the lesson next Sunday.

Sat 10 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · AwayformLDWDW

There are Saturdays when Tovil feels like the far side of the moon, and 10 June had that flavour from the moment we lost the toss and were shown straight into the field. Their innings ran to 198/7 off forty-three overs, built chiefly around Hitchen's 49 and Smith's 44, with White chipping in 28 more — but for once the bowling had the upper hand of the batting. Alan Tucker was in irresistible form, turning his off-breaks past bat and pad alike for 5-35, John Crellin backed him up nicely with 2-31, and Michael Chambers bowled two tidy maidens to keep the scoreboard honest. Poor Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, thirteen byes testament to a pitch with ideas of its own.

Set 199 to win, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite getting there, closing on 150/7 from our forty-one. Basil Sears played the innings of the day, 91 full of proper cricket shots, with Frank Brattle a willing lieutenant for 36. I contributed my own small share along the way — nothing to trouble the scorers unduly, though it keeps me handily placed atop the season's run charts with 264, and John Crellin's efforts have him second in the wicket-taking table with 22. Robert Wood and Charles Crellin will not thank me for mentioning their ducks, but the Duck Club ledger must be kept honestly.

A draw, then — honours shared, nobody quite satisfied, everybody home in time for tea. On this evidence we can bowl with the best of them; batting out a winning position is this season's homework.

Thu 08 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv HK Hanwell (Kent) · AwayformLLDWD

From the captain's chair — Thursday 08 June 1961. We travelled to Hanwell, Kent, on a day that felt made for cricket, and having called correctly for once in my captaincy career, I had no hesitation in putting us in.

The lads did not let me down. We racked up a healthy 141 for 5 from our sixteen overs, built around a genuinely classy fifty from John Ames, who made a well-crafted 59 and looked, for a spell, as though Hanwell's bowlers had wandered into the wrong fixture entirely. I chipped in with 29 down the order, more graft than grace, but runs are runs and nobody at tea asked to see the scorecard for style points.

Defending 141 in sixteen overs is never quite the formality the maths suggests, but Terry Whittaker made it look that way, tearing through Hanwell's order for 4 for 27, with Len Conway right alongside him on 4 for 28 and Alan Tucker chipping in with 1 for 4. Poor W Luckhurst departed for a golden duck, which I mention only because he will not thank me for it. Hanwell were bowled out for 69, and the game, along with most of their dignity, was over well before the last over.

A word too for Len Conway, whose 16 runs with the bat nudged him past Richard Harris into 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a fine bit of history-making tucked inside an already fine afternoon.

A comfortable 72-run win, then, and one that keeps the season humming along nicely. Onwards.

Sun 04 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformLLLDW

Here is the report:

Toss lost, decision made for us: Folkestone would bat, and bat they did, ambling to 216 for 6 off their forty-three overs with the sort of unhurried authority that makes a fielding captain's knees ache. David Brickell led the charge with a handsome 70, Reg Hoskins anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 56, and Gerald Jeanes chipped in 30 for good measure. Credit where it's due — John Ames worked hardest for his 2 for 55, Alan Wilkes bowled with real discipline for 2 for 91 including four maidens that must have felt like penance to the batsmen facing them, and Robert Wood picked up a deserved wicket for 19.

Chasing 217, we settled rather than sprinted, closing on 194 for 5 from our thirty-nine overs — short of the target but never short of application. Robert Murray was the innings' beating heart, unbeaten on 55 and playing the sheet-anchor role to perfection, with John Ames again to the fore with 42 and Len Conway a tidy 33. I managed to get a few runs of my own in the mix, which I shan't dwell on further.

A word for Ames, whose 42 also eased him past John --'s Taylor into 5th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a quiet milestone amid the afternoon's toil. As for the match itself: honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Frustrating, honest, and thoroughly good cricket — I'll take it.

Sat 03 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv A A.Trembeths · HomeformLLLLD

Lost the toss again on Saturday — my calling arm remains as unreliable as ever — and our visitors, A.Trembeths, sent us out to field, leaving us to chase. Their innings limped to 107 all out in 30.3 overs, P. Rye top-scoring with a tidy half-century that for a while threatened to carry them to something more troublesome. We had our moments though: Trembeth and Skeim both departed without so much as a run to their names, and I found some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 5 for 41 — the sort of afternoon a bowler dreams about and rarely gets. Len Conway (2-10) and Robert Wood (2-31) chipped in nicely to wrap things up.

With 108 to get, Basil Sears set about the chase with real purpose, finishing unbeaten on 42, well supported by Robert Wood, who added an unbeaten 41 of his own — between them seeing us home in 27.3 overs, the total closing on 108 for 1. A win by five wickets, and a thoroughly comfortable one at that. A word too for Len Conway, whose 18 runs today nudged him past Tom Osborn and into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — the sort of quiet milestone that makes a long club history worth keeping.

As it stands this season, Basil sits fourth in the run charts with 133, and I find myself second in the wicket-takers with 18 — figures I'll happily take, though the lads up top deserve just as much credit. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one worth raising a glass to.

Sun 28 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv MA Mote A · AwayformWLLLL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 28 May 1961. We travelled to Mote A, and I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat, a decision I still maintain was the right one, whatever the scorebook might later suggest.

Batting first, we compiled 160 all out from 47.5 overs — a total built patiently rather than spectacularly. Ray Howard was the mainstay with a fine 38, well supported by Stan Wratten's 33 and Eddie Lawrence's 22, while further down the order things grew rather thinner on the ground, not least poor Robert Murray, who departed for a duck without troubling the scorers. Still, 160 felt like something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did, though Mote A seemed entirely unbothered by our efforts, cruising to 19 without loss from just five overs before the heavens, or perhaps simply good sense, called proceedings to a halt. A draw it was, honours shared, neither side willing or able to force the issue.

There was, at least, something to raise a pint to: Stan Wratten's 33 runs saw him leapfrog William Buck into second on the club's all-time run-scoring list, a landmark worth savouring even in a match that petered out. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction of my own too, having now passed 200 runs for the summer and sitting atop the 1961 first-team charts. Verdict: an honest draw, an unhelpful duck, and a very handy string of runs to our name.

Sat 27 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · HomeformDWLLL

I lost the toss argument with myself before it even began — no, actually, for once I called it right and elected to bat.

We made 114, and it was very much a case of "share the runs about, gentlemen" — Eddie Lawrence and Frank Brattle both chipping in 29, Roy Clarke a tidy 26, everyone doing a bit and nobody doing quite enough. Derek Pantony, less fortunately, will not be troubling the scorers this week — a golden duck to file alongside the rest of his season. From 44.3 overs it never felt like a match-winning total, more a "let's see what the bowlers can do with it" total, and so it proved.

Gore Court chased it down calmly enough, closing on 116 for 4 from 33 overs, Alan Priston seeing them home unbeaten on 35 with good support from John Bishop's 34. Credit where due — Terry Whittaker bowled beautifully for 3 for 59 with three maidens thrown in, proper miserly stuff, and Ricky Lusher chipped in with 1 for 27. I managed a few useful runs myself along the way, which at least keeps me atop the run charts with 211 for the season, while Whittaker's efforts have him up to second in the wickets.

Beaten by six wickets in the end, then — no disgrace, but no cigar either. We batted a shade too politely and bowled a shade too late. Back to the nets, and back next week better for it.

Sun 21 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv YM YMCA Maidstone · HomeformLDWLL

Sunday 21 May brought Ymca Maidstone to our ground, and when the coin fell kindly I had no hesitation in asking the lads to bat first. It proved a solid if unspectacular afternoon with the willow, 159 for 7 from 35.1 overs, built around John Ames's 41, Ray Howard's 38 and Robert Murray's 37. Poor Frank Brattle will not thank me for mentioning his duck, but the ledger must be kept honestly.

Out in the field we were altogether more ruthless. Ymca Maidstone were bowled out for 70 in just 21.2 overs, only L- Smith's 28 offering any real resistance. O- Fryer, R- Merricks and M- Walter all departed without troubling the scorers, while John Ames spun through the middle order for a magnificent 5 for 9 with three maidens, well supported by Ray Howard's 5 for 13. Sixteen byes, mind, told their own tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps for William Buck.

There was cause for quiet pride beyond the scorecard. Ray Howard's 38 runs carried him past Frank Taylor into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and his five wickets lifted him past Jack Fryer into 13th among the wicket-takers, a fine double for one afternoon's work. In the season standings, Robert Murray sits second in the 1961 1st XI run charts with 143, while John Crellin continues to lead the wicket charts with 20.

For all that good work, we finished up beaten by 29 runs. A curious afternoon, then, plenty to admire and rather less to celebrate, but we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 20 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · AwayformDLDWL

Saturday 20 May took us to Gore Court, and the coin gave us nothing to work with — they won it and had few doubts about batting first. Maurice Ingleton settled in for 45, with Jack Bispham (27) and Phil Scott (20) chipping in around him, and between them they nudged the hosts to 158 all out in 46.1 overs. It could have been considerably worse. Len Conway was in devastating touch, turning his off breaks through their order for 5-30, Gordon Fenner backed him up tidily with 2-36 and three maidens, and John Crellin took 2-38. We sent Richard Dixon back and had Jack Foley off for a duck, small mercies on an afternoon that never quite went our way.

Chasing 158 should have been within our compass, but our reply folded to 75 all out in 29.5 overs, Len Conway again the mainstay with 31 — the same knock that eased him past Pat Hardwick into 19th on the club's all-time run charts. Terry Whittaker's solitary wicket had its own quiet significance too, nudging him past Stan Wratten into 11th among our leading wicket takers. My own season continues to tick along nicely, 210 runs keeping me atop the 1961 run charts, while John Crellin leads the wickets with 16 — small consolations on a chastening day.

Down by 83 runs in the end, and no dressing it up. Heads up, back to the nets, and onward to the next one.

Sun 14 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv HH Halfway House · HomeformDDLDW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 14 May 1961. We hosted Halfway House on a day that promised much and, in the end, delivered rather less than we'd hoped. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat — the right call, I felt, and nothing that followed changed my mind on that score.

We were bowled out for 125 in 50.3 overs, which had a rather threadbare look about it by the close. Robert Murray was the shining light, compiling a well-made fifty of 52, with Robert Wood offering sturdy support down the order for an unbeaten 21. Less gloriously, the Duck Club welcomed three new members for the season — Eddie Lawrence, Musgrave and Alan Wilkes all completed that dispiriting walk back for nought, watched, no doubt, by a crowd trying very hard not to laugh.

Defending 125 was always going to ask a great deal of the lads, and so it proved. Halfway House eased to 126 for 3 from 34 overs, with Don Capeling ​the chief tormentor, farming the strike beautifully for an unbeaten 71. We did at least send Denis Fowle back without troubling the scorers, and Alan Wilkes toiled manfully for 2-50 — four tidy maidens among them — with Musgrave chipping in at 1-15.

On the season's charts I'm pleased to find myself leading the 1st XI runs with 205, and Wilkes sits second among the wicket-takers with a dozen. But none of that softens the verdict on the day: beaten by seven wickets, heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 13 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · HomeformWDDLD

John Thirkell's Match Report — 13 May 1961 v Charles Arkcoll

Won the toss on a fine Saturday and had no hesitation putting us in to bat — one of those calls that either looks inspired or foolish by teatime, and I'm delighted to report it was very much the former. We batted with real purpose to post 163 for 5 off our 29 overs, and I'll allow myself one boast for the scorebook: I found some form with the bat, getting to a well-made fifty and finishing on 62. Basil Sears chipped in handsomely with 37, and Alan Tucker saw us home unbeaten on 28 to give the total some real substance. Poor William Agate, meanwhile, was back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — these things happen to the best of us, and I daresay he'll have his day.

With 163 on the board, the question was always whether we had enough runs in the bank, and it turned out we had rather more than enough. Charles Arkcoll were bowled out for 98 in 40.3 overs, undone chiefly by Terry Whittaker, who bowled beautifully for 7 for 35 — nine maidens in there too, which tells you all you need to know about the pressure he applied. John Crellin (2-21) and Alan Tucker (1-16) mopped up admirably in support, while John Ames' 23 and Robin Wilson's unbeaten 23 were the only real resistance offered.

A 65-run victory, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. With Terry in this sort of mood and runs coming from up and down the order, we can be rather pleased with ourselves — verdict: a job well done.

Sun 07 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWDDL

Sunday brought West Farleigh CC to the ground, and losing the toss meant we were asked to chase, which at least gave us first use of the ball. I can't say I minded that — there's something rather satisfying about setting the tone with leather rather than willow.

And what a tone it was. Alan Wilkes ran absolutely riot, tearing through their order with 5-28, five of those overs maidens, not a run given away lightly. He had good company too, John Crellin chipping in with 4-35 and John Ames a tidier 1-8, and between us we sent Fenner, Reid Marr and Theobald back without troubling the scorers. West Farleigh limped to 110 all out from 44 overs, Reg Oldfield's 22 the only real resistance. Wilkes, in passing, also brought up 400 career wickets along the way — a landmark worth raising a teacup to.

With the bat we were rather more sedate, mustering 57/3 from our 19 overs, Frank Brattle unbeaten on 32 doing the bulk of the graft while the rest of us pottered about in support. I contributed my share to what's now a season's tally of 134 runs, tops for the 1st XI, while Crellin leads the wicket charts with 12.

In the end neither side could force it home, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but one where the bowling did all the talking, and did it rather well.

Sat 06 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformWWWDD

Skipper's Log — Saturday 6th May 1961. Home to Staplehurst, and after winning the toss I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat, a decision I remain rather smug about.

It wasn't the most fluent of afternoons with the willow — 110/8 from our 38 overs is the sort of total that has you totting up singles rather than sixes — but there was substance in there. John Crellin carried his bat with real application for an unbeaten 39, I chipped in with 30, and Basil Sears's 26 gave the innings a bit of backbone. Less said the better about Vic Pound and D. Wright, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — the ducks quacking loudly in the clubhouse that evening.

In the field we gave it a proper go. Staplehurst eased to 111/4 in 28.2 overs, K. Watson their chief tormentor with 39, well supported by D. Burrow (29) and an unbeaten 28 from J. Sutton — though we did at least send O. Pierce packing for nought. John Crellin, clearly not content with his batting heroics, led the attack superbly with 2-37, and Terry Whittaker chipped in with 1-17 — a wicket that quietly nudged him past Jack Fryer into 12th on the club's all-time list, which is the kind of statistical footnote that makes club cricket so wonderfully daft and lovable.

Beaten by six wickets in the end, then, and no arguing with it. But with Crellin among the wickets and runs, and yours truly still propping up the season's run charts, there's plenty to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 30 Apr 1961 🧢 1st XIv MA Maidstone AKCC · HomeformDWWWD

I called correctly at the toss on Sunday and, with a fine April day in prospect, had no hesitation in asking Maidstone Akcc to have a bowl first. It's a decision I'll happily take credit for, given what followed with the bat.

We posted a very respectable 145/5 from our 33 overs, built almost entirely around a lovely innings from John Ames, who sailed past his fifty to finish on 64. Robert Murray chipped in handsomely with 36, and I managed a tidy 20 of my own lower down to help push the total to a defendable total.

In the field, Alan Wilkes was the story of the day — spinning a web through the Maidstone order for 5-22, and miserly enough with it to bowl 8 maidens, which on a Sunday afternoon borders on the unsporting. John Crellin picked up a well-earned 1-17 in support. Maidstone battled to 79/6 from their 41 overs, M Taylor top-scoring with 20, but poor Don Clayton departed for a duck without troubling the scorers — every club needs one of those innings to keep the rest of us humble.

In the end neither side could force it home, and honours were shared. A draw feels like the honest result on the day — we had rather the better of it with both bat and ball, but Maidstone dug in admirably to deny us. Frustrating for the scorebook, but there are worse ways to spend a Sunday than watching Wilkes run through a batting order.

Sat 29 Apr 1961 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformLDWWW

I called correctly on a bright Saturday down at West Farleigh, and having won the toss there was really only one decision to make — the pitch looked a belter, so we batted.

And what a shop window it turned out to be. Forty-five overs brought us 175 for 5, a total built on watchfulness rather than fireworks, with useful support from Basil Sears (25) and Eddie Lawrence (21) either side of my own contribution — I was fortunate enough to still be there at the close, unbeaten on 81, which was every bit as satisfying as it sounds after a winter of net practice that mostly involved standing about in the cold.

Defending it was where the real fun began. West Farleigh limped to 86 for 8 from their 31 overs, never remotely troubling the target, and the reason was simple: John Crellin turned it square and made an absolute mockery of their top order, finishing with 5 for 30 — bowling of the sort that has opposition batsmen muttering darkly into their tea. Terry Whittaker was miserly in support, six maidens and 1 for 8, while J. Brooks chipped in with 1 for 34. Don Fermor and John Underdown both departed without troubling the scorers, undone by our bowling before they'd even got started. Only W Quayle, with a determined 29, offered any real resistance.

In the end honours were shared — a draw, with neither side quite able to land the killer blow. Frustrating, perhaps, but with runs and wickets like that in the bank, I'll happily take it and drive home content.