🧢 Captain's Log

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

Skipper's Log — Saturday 30 September 1961, away to Staplehurst CC.

Winning the toss on a Saturday always puts a spring in a captain's step, and I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I felt, and for once I wasn't proved a fool by tea. Ron Aiston set the tone with a crisp 53, Tony Snook matched him run for run with a fine half-century of his own, and young J. Mills rounded things off in style, 52 not out and looking like he could have batted through supper. 180 for the loss of only two in 34 overs was as handsome a total as we've posted all season, and I confess I allowed myself a quiet smile at the tea interval.

The Staplehurst reply never quite got away from us, though P. Hodges gave us a fright with a determined 56, well backed by D. Thirkell and J. Lefevre. But wherever there was a threat, there was an answer — Jack Eastland and K. Hyde back in the pavilion for ducks, and Michael Chambers bowling beautifully for 3-34. Alan Tucker chipped in with 2-22 and a pair of maidens for good measure, and Terry Whittaker — who leads our wicket charts with 66 for the season — took 2-28 to keep the squeeze on. 156 for 7 from their 37 overs left them short, but not short enough for a win.

So honours shared, a draw wrought from a match we probably shaded. Not the result the batting deserved, but a thoroughly agreeable afternoon's cricket all the same.

Sun 24 Sep 1961 🧢 Marriedv Linton Park CC · HomeformLDLLL

There was needle in the toss this morning, and when it fell my way I had no hesitation — we'd bat. On a pitch that offered a little for everyone, 197 for 7 from our 42 overs felt like a total with substance to it, built on Robert Murray's watchful, well-paced 67. He was handsomely supported by John Thirkell's brisk 38 and John Crellin's tidy 29, while I contributed my own 38 down the order, mostly by running very hard between the wickets and hoping nobody noticed the shot selection.

Murray's innings deserves its own line in the ledger, mind — those 67 runs carried him past Frank Taylor and into 11th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is the sort of quiet, unglamorous achievement that this club runs on. He also leads our 1961 Married run charts on 67, keeping his nose just ahead of Robert Wood, who tops the Singles column with 58 — a friendly rivalry that, I suspect, will run and run through the autumn.

In the end neither side could force matters home, and honours were shared. A draw is rarely the stuff of legend, but with Murray in this sort of form and the rest of the lads chipping in around him, I came away thinking we're building something rather than merely surviving it. A solid day's work, then — no more, no less, and none the worse for that.

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

Saturday 23rd September saw Bearsted CC pay us a visit, and having lost the toss – a coin that has shown me precious little affection all season – we were invited to field first, which at least spared my ageing legs the indignity of an early declaration of intent.

The visitors compiled a respectable 169 for 7 off their 43 overs, built around a fine half-century from Ron Parsons (51) with good support from Colin Fleetwood (31) and George Lambell (29). It was Alan Tucker who did the real damage with the ball, a splendid 3 for 60, well backed up by Robert Wood (1-23) and Terry Whittaker (1-24) keeping things tight at the other end.

Chasing 170, we made light work of it, wrapping things up at 170 for 2 in just 32.1 overs. John Thirkell played an innings I shall be dining out on for some time – 128 not out, a superb, chanceless hundred that took the game clean away from Bearsted – with Robert Murray (37 not out) offering splendid support. Poor Robert Wood, so miserly with the ball, contributed a golden duck with the bat 🦆, proof that cricket rarely lets a man have it all in one afternoon. There was extra cause for cheer too, as Murray brought up 2,000 career runs for the club along the way.

An eight-wicket win, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round.

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

Sunday 17th September brought Sevenoaks Vine CC to Linton Park, and after I called wrong at the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this season, we were straight out into the field. Sevenoaks made themselves at home, R J Pavitt compiling a thoroughly chanceless-looking century — 102 in the end, no less — with R P King ticking along nicely for 42 in support. They closed on 199 for 9 from their 40, a total that owed rather a lot to Pavitt and rather less to our bowling changes, though Ray Howard had other ideas, tearing through with 5 for 60 including three tidy maidens, and John Ames chipped in manfully with 3 for 74.

Chasing 200, we had Ray Howard to thank all over again — not content with his heroics in the field, he strode out and made a magnificent 113, the sort of innings that has opposition captains muttering into their tea. John Thirkell supported nicely with 32, and I managed to scratch together 32 of my own, though the middle order rather let itself down, with Crellin, Buck and Tucker all departing without troubling the scorer. We finished on 193 for 8 from 45 — agonisingly short.

A draw, then, honours even, and on reflection a fair result — though with Howard in this sort of form, one wonders how much longer he'll be satisfied merely sharing them.

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

It was Bowaters CC at home, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I remain rather smug about. We were rolled up for 128 in 37.2 overs, which sounds modest until you've watched Robert Wood bat as he did for his 34, with John Francis (31) and Robert Murray (22) lending sturdy support. The less said about Terry Whittaker and Brian Relf's twin ducks the better, though I'm told a blob or two builds character.

In the field, though, we were a different proposition entirely. Bowaters were shot out for 94 in 37 overs, William Preston's stubborn fifty the only real resistance, while John Woollett, John Evans and Bill Brown all trooped back for nought — a hat-trick of ducks at our hands, if not literally in one over. The day, and quite possibly the season, belonged to Alan Tucker, whose 8 for 20 — five wickets and more — with five miserly maidens thrown in, was bowling of the highest order. John Francis and Terry Whittaker chipped in tidily either side of him.

A nice footnote: Wood's 34 eased him past Arthur Cornwallis into 21st on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while John Thirkell and Terry Whittaker continue to lead our season's charts with bat and ball respectively.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a 34-run victory that flattered nobody — we simply outbatted, and then thoroughly outbowled, the visitors.

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

As it stands, no toss goes lost with a captain like me at the helm — I called correctly, and with a good drying wicket underfoot there was only ever one decision to make: we batted.

It wasn't a vintage effort, but 182 all out from our fifty overs gave us something to bowl at. Robert Murray played the innings of the day, a really well-made fifty for 54, and he had good company from Stan Wratten and Charles Crellin, both good for 27 apiece. The rest of us, it must be said, made up the numbers rather more modestly.

In the field we fancied our chances, and for a while we had every right to. L Hampshire departed without so much as a nibble at his account, and Gordon Fenner bowled his heart out for three wickets, well backed by John Ames and Michael Chambers. But Ray Tong had other ideas, a fine 74 that did most of the damage, with D La Plain's classy 61 and T Lurcock's unbeaten 22 seeing Harrietsham home at 185 for 7 with overs to spare.

Beaten by three wickets, then, and no arguing with the scoreboard. Small consolation that John Thirkell continues to lead our run charts this season with 678, and that Michael Chambers sits fourth among the wicket-takers with 24 — proof there's substance in this side yet. We'll dust ourselves down, put the kettle on, and be better for it next week.

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

Saturday 9th September, and the coin let us down again — St Lukes Maidstone called correctly and sent themselves in, so it was pads off, boots on for the lads from the off.

They settled nicely, R. Aiston getting his head down for a well-crafted 67, with P. Kenward (32 not out) and B. Lamb (25) chipping in to see them home to 175 for 7 off their forty. Credit where due: Michael Chambers bowled with real discipline, two maidens in a fine spell of 4 for 48, and picked up M. Eastman for a duck along the way. Robert Wood (2-48) and Terry Whittaker (1-38) kept things honest at the other end, though 175 always felt a par score we'd have to work hard to chase down.

Work hard we did not. Our reply folded to 49 all out in 29.4 overs, a horror show enlivened only by Robert Wood's defiant 20 — the sole innings of substance on the card. John Crellin, Michael Chambers and Ricky Lusher all contributed golden ducks, which is one way of saying nothing at all. Poor Roy Clarke had an afternoon to forget behind the stumps too, 15 byes going begging.

If there's a silver lining, it's this: Wood's 20 runs nudged him past Herbert Rayner into 22nd on the club's all-time run charts, and he sits second in our 1961 run standings with 548 to his name. Small mercies. The result, though, was plain: beaten by 126 runs. Heads up, back to the nets — there's work to be done.

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

Sunday the third of September saw Anchorians CC visit us, and I lost the toss — no great surprise this season — so we found ourselves in the field from the off, which at least spared my top order the indignity of an early collapse in front of the tea urn.

Anchorians made a proper fist of it. J. Hickmott played beautifully for his 84, well supported by R. Davis's 27, and between them they gave our attack a stern examination before folding for the total the scorebook records. Credit where due: Robert Wood was magnificent with the ball, snaring 4-39, while Alan Wilkes toiled away for 3-52 with three tidy maidens thrown in, and John Ames chipped in with one. R. Padley and R. Avon departed without so much as a squeak off the bat — ducks both, poor lambs.

Our reply was, shall we say, a collective effort rather than a triumph. John Ames led the way with 37, Robert Wood backed up his bowling heroics with 36 of his own, and we crawled to 140/8 from our 38 overs — though I'll draw a discreet veil over Robert Murray's golden duck. Fifteen byes rather gave the game away about poor Cliff Anscombe's afternoon behind the stumps.

There was a bright footnote amid it all: Wood's four wickets pushed him past Ernest Cruttenden into 16th on the club's all-time list, which is the sort of thing that makes losing feel almost noble. In the end, honours were shared — a draw, and frankly a fair reflection of an afternoon where neither side quite had the stomach to finish the job.

Sat 02 Sep 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLDDL

1961-09-02 v. [opponents]

Won the toss, put them in — always a gamble, but on this occasion one that paid handsome dividends. They rattled up 169 all out, L. Fell top-scoring with a fluent 47, Hughes chipping in 35 and Chance 29, so it wasn't all plain sailing. But the ball did the talking: young John Thirkell was quite simply irresistible, tearing through them for 7-40, with Terry Whittaker (2-16) tidying up at the other end and Ian Brenchley snaring one. Robert Wood, meanwhile, bowled with a miser's discipline — three maidens, not a run given away lightly.

Our reply was, I confess, rather more comfortable than the top order deserved credit for. Norris and Mortlock went cheaply — two ducks before the innings had properly stretched its legs — but Thirkell, not content with his heroics in the field, batted us home with an unbeaten 94, ably assisted by Wood's brisk 43. We cantered to 171 for 4 in just 28.5 overs.

A rather good day, all told, for one member of the side in particular — I shan't be falsely modest about my own 94 and 7 wickets, and I'm reliably informed it's nudged me up to eighth on the club's all-time wicket list, past Whittaker himself. He can console himself with 61 wickets and the season's bowling crown, while I lead the run charts with 666.

Verdict: a proper team performance, even if one chap rather hogged the headlines.

Sun 27 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLDLDD

Sunday 27th August, and a good toss to win — I fancied our chances on this one and elected to bat, which for once didn't come back to bite me.

We made a very tidy 192/8 off our 44 overs, the innings built almost entirely around Ray Howard, who made a superb 89 and dragged us to a total that always looked competitive. Robert Wood chipped in nicely with 31, John Ames added a sound 22, and I'll own my own 22 down the order with something approaching pride. Special mention, as tradition demands, to Stan Wratten, who walked back for nought and duly joins the club's most exclusive society — the ducks.

In the field we were relentless. Ray Howard, not content with his runs, turned the ball over for a magnificent 4-15, while Alan Wilkes bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who simply does not believe in giving runs away — 4-34 and six maidens to show for it. Terry Whittaker weighed in with 2-20, and between us we bowled them out for a paltry 71 in 29.2 overs, J Seward's 22 the only real resistance, with A Major departing for a duck of his own.

A word, too, for the record books — Ray's innings shuffled him past Maurice Fenner into 7th on the club's all-time run charts, and he now sits 2nd in this season's runs with 514, Terry Whittaker still leading the wickets with 59.

A 121-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket. We'll take that all season.

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

Lost the toss again on Saturday — I'm beginning to suspect the coin itself has it in for me — and Aylesford Paper Mills duly stuck us in the field. They ground out 157 all out from their 38 overs, Booker top-scoring with 34, well supported by Mabb's 32 and Mannering's 31. Some comfort came at the other end of the queue, with Brooks, Keynes and Essex all trooping back for ducks. Terry Whittaker was the pick of us, 4-48 and three miserly maidens to boot, with John Thirkell (4-59) and Robert Wood (2-46) doing plenty of the heavy lifting too. And I'll modestly note the skipper chipped in with four of his own.

In reply we laboured to 100/7 from our 40, Robert Murray anchoring things nicely with 37, Robert Wood adding a handy 31 — Richard Harris, meanwhile, made his own quieter contribution to the Duck Club ledger.

A day worth savouring beyond the scorecard, mind: Robert Wood brought up 1,000 runs in Linton colours, Robert Murray turned out for his 100th appearance, and John Thirkell's four scalps nudged him past Terry Whittaker to 8th on the all-time wicket list — Thirkell still tops our 1961 run charts with 572, Whittaker the wickets with 57, so the old firm keeps the honours close between them too.

In the end neither side could force it home, and honours were shared. Given the ducks flying about, I'll happily settle for a draw and live to bat another day.

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

Sunday 20 August 1961, and off we trundled to The Mote CC, having lost the toss and been invited to have a bowl — which, given the sun on our backs and the tea urn presumably already warming, we bore with good grace.

The Mote set about accumulating with quiet menace, M. Howard the chief architect on 76 and D. Parker chipping in with 45, taking them to 193 for 9 from their 48. John Francis was in fine, probing form to return 4-42, Robert Wood matched him wicket for wicket with 4-64, and Len Conway bowled with the sort of miserly discipline that makes batsmen mutter into their gloves — three maidens' worth of frustration. Worth a note in the log: those four wickets carried Robert Wood past Don Hartridge and up to 17th on the club's all-time list, which is the kind of statistic a man can dine out on for a fortnight.

Chasing 194, we replied with 165 for 8 — a touch short, but not for want of application. Roy Clarke anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 50, John Thirkell continuing his golden season with 32 (he now sits proudly atop the 1961 run charts on 568), Robert Wood weighed in with 30, and I contributed a watchful 32 of my own. Poor Robert Murray, alas, departed for a duck — these things happen to the best of us, and did.

So honours shared, a draw forced by neither side's surrender — a fair reflection, I'd say, of two sides too stubborn to lose and not quite good enough to win.

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

1961 saw plenty of promising batting collapse against composure, and Saturday's trip to Bowaters CC followed the pattern faithfully. I lost the toss — no great surprise this season — and we were put into the field, which on a good August afternoon is rather like being asked to mind the drinks while everyone else enjoys the party.

Bowaters made themselves at home, racking up 191 for 5 off their 43 overs. John Woollett was the chief architect, farming the bowling for 96 and looking, for long spells, entirely unstoppable; Bill Brown (33 not out) and William Preston (27) tidied up nicely around him. Credit where it's due, though — Gordon Fenner bowled like a man with a grievance, taking 4 for 42 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, and Terry Whittaker chipped in with 1 for 37 to keep things honest.

Our reply never quite found its rhythm. Gordon Fenner, not content with his heroics in the field, top-scored with 48 and was well supported by Robert Murray's 23, but wickets tumbled around them and we were bowled out for 126 in 34.1 overs. Robert Wood and Michael Chambers both departed for ducks, which is never a pleasant walk back to the pavilion, and 65 runs proved too many to find.

John Thirkell continues to lead our run charts for the season with 536, and Terry Whittaker tops the wicket-takers with 53 — small consolations on an afternoon that got away from us. We were beaten fair and square, and we'll be better for it next week.

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

Sunday 13 August 1961 saw us take the road to Harrietsham, and for once I got the coin toss right — bat first, I said, with the sort of confidence that usually precedes a collapse. Not today.

What followed was as tidy an eleven overs as I can recall. John Ames played beautifully for his unbeaten 32, seeing us to 41 without loss, while I chipped in with 32 of my own — largely, I suspect, by accident and the good grace of the Harrietsham attack. It's the sort of morning's batting a captain dreams about and rarely gets: no alarms, no wickets down, just runs going on the board while the rest of us sat padded up with nothing to do but admire the view and worry about the tea.

Ames continues his fine season with the bat — fourth in the club's run charts with 386 to his name, and on this showing there's no reason that shouldn't climb higher yet.

In the end neither side could force matters, and honours were shared. A draw is rarely the stuff of legend, but there's a certain contentment in a day where the sun shone, the bowling was kept at arm's length, and nobody had to explain a collapse over supper. Call it a draw with a spring in its step — we'll take it, and we'll be back for more.

Sat 12 Aug 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformLDWDD

As reporter I bang the drum for the story now — captain's report first, no scouting needed.

Saturday the 12th of August found us on the road, and for once the coin behaved itself: heads it was, and into bat we went without a second thought. Len Conway set about the bowling with real purpose for 44, John Thirkell chipped in a handsome 36, and Basil Sears added a tidy 26 to see us home to 166 for 7 off our 47 overs. Poor John Crellin, meanwhile, will be pleased to know his golden duck has already been struck from the collective memory — mine included.

If batting was the overture, the bowling was the main event. Terry Whittaker was simply magnificent, scything through their order for 7 for 44 — a five-for and then some, richly deserved and cheered to the rafters. Len Conway backed him up nobly with 3 for 54 and a couple of miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, and between the pair of them three of their batsmen departed without troubling the scorer. Only J. Mills, unbeaten on 47, stood defiantly against the tide as they were bowled out for 106 in 33.5 overs. I contributed a workmanlike 36 myself, more through good fortune than technique.

There was a happy postscript to the afternoon: Terry's seven wickets nudged him past Michael Morton into ninth on the club's all-time list — a fine achievement on a day when the ledger otherwise read defeat by 60 runs. Chins up, though. There was enough good cricket out there to suggest we'll be the stronger for it next week.

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

A funny old day at Bearsted, this one. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling remains as reliable as an English summer — and we were put into the field, which on reflection turned out rather well for us. Bearsted crawled to 125 all out in 33.4 overs, Ted White's watchful 36 and David Andrews' 30 the mainstay, but the middle order fell apart from 47-2 to 51-5 under the sort of pressure that makes a captain feel briefly competent. Ian Lambert, Neville Gibson and Mike Morton all walked back for ducks, and Gordon Fenner was simply magnificent — 9-42 with three maidens, a five-for thoroughly earned and the sort of spell you buy a man a pint for.

Chasing 126, we contrived to make life difficult for ourselves. An early wicket with nought on the board set the nerves jangling, and Ray Howard's gritty 33 held things together until the wheels came off spectacularly — 120-7 to all out for 129 in the blink of an eye, John Ames and Gordon Fenner both departing for golden ducks. Poor Roy Clarke, meanwhile, had a torrid time behind the stumps, the byes mounting from fifteen to seventeen as the ball found every gap but his gloves.

A draw, then — honours shared, and probably a fair result given the wobbles on both sides. With John Thirkell still topping our run charts and Alan Wilkes lurking second among the wicket-takers, the season ticks along nicely. Not a classic, but honest club cricket, and we lived to fight another Monday.

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

Headcorn came calling on the fifth of August full of confidence, and when I lost the toss and watched them elect to bat, I confess my heart sank a little further into my boots. It didn't rise much either as Murrell settled in for a chanceless 87 not out and Excell chipped in with 53, the pair of them putting our attack to the sword before Smith rounded things off with an unbeaten 30. Their 201/2 off 38 overs had the look of a match won already. Credit where due, though: John Thirkell kept plugging away for 1-32, Michael Chambers toiled manfully for 1-65, and Terry Whittaker's two maidens were about the only currency we didn't hand over freely.

Chasing 202, we never quite got up on the balls of our feet, but nor did we fold. Thirkell, having done his bit with the ball, then did it again with the bat, top-scoring with a splendid 58 - and rather handily bringing up 8,000 career runs for the club along the way, a landmark that deserves rather more than a passing mention in these pages. Frank Brattle's unbeaten 26 and Basil Sears's 21 kept the innings ticking, though Gordon Fenner and Brian Relf will want quiet words with themselves after both departed for ducks. Nine byes down the leg side did nothing for the nerves either.

In the end 163/8 from our 43 overs meant honours shared, and on the balance of the afternoon's play a draw felt about right - Headcorn had the runs, we had the fight, and Thirkell had his milestone. A fair result, even if my heart never quite made it out of my boots.

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

Sunday last took us down to Folkestone, and for once the coin fell my way — I called it correctly and had no hesitation in taking first knock, a decision I shall claim full credit for regardless of what followed. What followed was 131 all out in 52.4 overs, a total built more on graft than glamour, John Thirkell leading the way with a watchful 30, Robert Murray chipping in with 23, and your captain — never one to miss a good coincidence — matching Thirkell run for run with 30 of his own.

With the ball, however, we found our afternoon. Folkestone were bowled out for 118 in 43.5 overs, and while Derek Waddup (27), J Atkinson (26 not out) and Ian Pepper (24) threatened to make a match of it, three of their number — David Brickell, Sid Smith and X Bradley — never troubled the scorers at all. Alan Wilkes was quite simply unplayable, running through them for 7-48, with Terry Whittaker (2-15) and the ever-miserly Gordon Fenner (1-34, nine maidens) squeezing the life from the innings between them. Poor Roy Clarke had a wretched time of it behind the stumps, 17 byes going begging, though he'll not thank me for dwelling on it.

Worth noting, too, that Wilkes's seven wickets carried him past John Ames to the very top of the club's all-time wicket-takers — a fine day for the history books as well as the scorebook. We ran out winners by 13 runs. A good day for the club, and no arguing with that.

Sat 29 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLDDLL

Saturday 29 July 1961, and we welcomed the visitors to Linton Park with the sun out and the covers, mercifully, nowhere to be seen. Winning the toss, we sent them in, and C. Pattenden made a proper nuisance of himself, farming the strike for an unbeaten 69, while Micky Taylor's brisk 62 and R. Excell's 39 kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely to 199 for 4 off their forty. John Crellin was the pick of our attack with 1 for 16 — economical enough to make the rest of us look positively generous — and Robert Wood and Terry Whittaker chipped in with a wicket apiece, Whittaker adding three maidens for good measure, proof that not every over need end in a boundary, whatever the batsmen thought.

Chasing 200 is never a stroll, and so it proved, though Basil Sears batted beautifully for his fifty, well supported by Crellin's 31 and Robert Murray's 28, to see us home to a respectable 135 for 5 from our forty-two. Poor Roy Clarke had one of those afternoons behind the stumps that goalkeepers dream up in nightmares, twelve byes going begging, though I shall remind him over tea that the ball has to actually hit the gloves to count against him.

With Sears now top of our season's run charts on 420 and Whittaker leading the wickets with 43, the engine room is plainly firing. In the end honours were shared, neither side able to force it — a fair result, and, dare I say, a rather satisfying one for a club still finding its best cricket.

Tue 25 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWLDDL

Tuesday 25 July 1961, and a pleasant enough afternoon for it at home. I won the toss, elected to bat, and for once nobody in the pavilion questioned my judgement — the right call, I felt, and I'll take the credit while it's going.

We posted 174/8 from our 42 overs, built chiefly on a fine, well-made fifty from Tony Tipples (61), with John Ames chipping in a tidy 30 and your humble skipper adding his own 30 for good measure. Respectable enough, we thought, and a total to defend with a bit of application.

Alas, application was rather the opposition's department. They replied with 177/4 from 38, powered by a chanceless 95 not out from their man Sage, well supported by H. Clarke (34) and an unbeaten 20 from McButcher. We did have our moments — Banks and Coles both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers, and Terry Whittaker toiling manfully for 2-59, with Michael Chambers and John Ames a wicket apiece. But ten byes told their own sorry tale of a testing day behind the stumps for Roy Clarke, and we were undone by six wickets in the end.

Two bright notes amid the gloom: Stan Wratten brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth raising a glass to, and John Ames's solitary wicket carried him past Alan Wilkes to the top of the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Not our day on the scoreboard, then, but not without its history. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 23 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWLDD

Under a sky that promised more than it delivered, we welcomed the visitors to Linton Park on Sunday, and by the close I fancy the tea urn had worked harder than most of my bowling changes. Sent into the field, we watched the opposition compile a stern 229 all out, a- Allom's 52 the innings' spine, well fed by E- Maidment (38) and P- Bennett (37). We did claim three ducks for our troubles — D- Goodliffe, G- Howard and R- Goodridge all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — and Ray Howard bowled beautifully for his 4-70, with Alan Wilkes (3-44) and the ever-parsimonious Len Conway (3-56, two maidens) squeezing hard at the other end.

Chasing 229, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite convincing. Ray Howard, fresh from his bowling exertions, top-scored handsomely with 77, John Ames chipped in with 41 and I managed a personal 41 of my own, thank you very much. Frank Brattle's brisk 20 was worth more than the scorebook shows, easing him past Bob Arnold to 13th on the club's all-time run charts. Robert Murray and William Buck, alas, joined the ducks' club, and poor Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 13 byes the price of an honest effort.

All out for 192, we fell 37 runs short. A proud day nonetheless, with Robert Wood turning out for his 100th appearance in Linton colours — not every side can boast that kind of loyalty. Not our day on the scoreboard, but character enough for two. Back to the nets, heads up.

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

Saturday 22 July, and Rumwood CC came calling. We won the toss, decided to have a bat, and then spent 44.1 overs demonstrating that cricket is chiefly a game of nerve rather than talent. Eddie Lawrence played the innings of the day with a fine 49, and Frank Brattle chipped in gamely with 37, but around them the rest of us queued up for the walk of shame — Brian Relf, William Agate and Derek Pantony all ducked out without troubling the scorers. All out 140 was, frankly, a par-at-best total against opposition who fancied their chances.

And yet the ball, bless it, kept us in the contest. Len Conway was magnificent — three for 36 off a miserly seven maiden overs, and in doing so brought up his hundredth career wicket, a landmark he thoroughly deserved. Ricky Lusher (2-18) and Robert Wood (1-15) squeezed just as hard at the other end, while Rumwood's John Carter, D. Burrows and D. Ransome joined our own procession back to the pavilion for ducks. Poor Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping 14 byes, but by the time v. Pound had steered them to 30 not out — well supported by Apps (25) and Cheesman (21) — Rumwood had run out of overs at 114 for 7.

A draw, then, honours shared, and no shame in it. Robert Wood quietly slipped past F S W Cornwallis into 25th on the club's all-time run list — the kind of milestone nobody notices except the man keeping the book. All told: we batted like startled rabbits, bowled like seasoned foxes, and left Rumwood mildly grateful for the tea.

Sat 15 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWLLWL

Saturday 15 July 1961, and out we trotted, sent into the field first as is so often our lot. They batted with more application than we'd have liked, posting 155/5 from their 43 overs. Fred Ridgeway was the chief architect, a fine 62 that took him well past his fifty, with R. Brigden (30) and Malcolm Bristow (23) filling in the mortar. Small mercy: Brian Fitch trudged off for a duck, which I'm reliably informed is the only score guaranteed not to grow with the telling. Michael Chambers toiled manfully for 3-56, Alan Tucker chipped in with 1-30, and Len Conway bowled the kind of miserly spell — three maidens — that makes batsmen question their life choices.

Our reply never quite found its rhythm. We limped to 117/6 from 29 overs, Basil Sears the mainstay with a composed 39, well supported by Frank Brattle's 33. Poor Robert Wood, meanwhile, endured the walk of shame for nought — the Duck Club ledger duly updated, and I dare say he won't be allowed to forget it over a pint.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Basil Sears continues to lead our 1961 run charts with 370 to his name, and Alan Tucker sits fourth in the wickets with 21 — proof, if any were needed, that somewhere in this scrappy stalemate there's a season quietly taking shape. A fair result, if not an entirely satisfying one.

Sun 09 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWLLW

Beaten at home, but not before we gave the good folk of the gazette something to talk about. I won the toss on a fine Sunday and, as ever, fancied our chances with the bat first — a decision I stand by, even if the wicket column tells its own sorry tale, with Ames, Crellin and Fenner all shuffling back for ducks. What rescued us, and rescued us handsomely, was Ray Howard, who played an innings of real class for 114, well backed by Stan Wratten's 24, as we posted 207 all out in 38.2 overs.

With the ball, we turned the screw properly. Michael Chambers span a web few could escape, taking 5-23, while Alan Wilkes chipped in with 4-26 and a couple of maidens for good measure, and Ray Howard — not content with his hundred — added a wicket for 14. Jones's defiant 30 was the only real resistance as Newberry, Chandler and Russell all fell without scoring, and the innings folded for 93 in 33.2 overs.

And yet — 114 runs the wrong way. Arithmetic, cruelly, does not care how many wickets you take. As for your captain, I contributed a golden blob, which rather undercuts any speech about leading from the front; still, someone has to keep the changing room humble. Ray Howard now sits third in the season's run charts with 312, and Alan Wilkes second among the wicket-takers with 30 — proof that not everything went begging. A curious, uneven day, but there's a side here worth persevering with, and we'll be back next week determined to make the sums add up in our favour.

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

Saturday last took us on the road to face Charles Arkcoll, and the coin, for once, smiled upon me — I had no hesitation in putting us in. We compiled a tidy 161 for 6 off 33.3 overs, Robert Wood the rock of the innings with 48 not out, well supported by Basil Sears's unbeaten 35. Poor Frank Brattle will not thank me for mentioning his duck, but the gazette is nothing if not honest, and a captain's report without at least one small tragedy would hardly ring true.

In the field we set about defending the total, and how the lads delivered. Charles Arkcoll were bowled out for a mere 73 in 23.3 overs, Humphrey Morris departing without troubling the scorers. The day, however, belonged entirely to Terry Whittaker, whose figures of 7 for 32 — two of them maidens — were miserly, relentless, and thoroughly deserved. Robert Wood chipped in with 1 for 6 and Alan Tucker with 1 for 16, tidy support acts to the main event.

I shall gloss lightly over the ten byes that crept onto the card — a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Roy Clarke, and one he will be keen to forget. Elsewhere in the season's ledger, John Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 338, while Whittaker now sits proudly atop the wickets column with 39.

We ran out winners by 88 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Fri 07 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformDWLWL

Friday the seventh of July found us on our travels, and having won the toss I elected to bat — the right call, I still maintain, even if the scorebook rather disagreed with me by close of play. We were bowled out for 58 in just 16 overs, a total that flattered nobody. Cliff Anscombe, Frank Brattle and Roy Clarke all trooped back for ducks, and I shan't dwell on it further than to say the tea urn saw more action than most of our top order.

Fifty-eight was always going to ask questions of our bowlers rather than our openers, and to their eternal credit they very nearly conjured an answer. Terry Whittaker was magnificent, tearing through with 3-39, and Alan Tucker chipped in gamely with 1-19, the pair of them dragging the game by the scruff of the neck when logic said it was already gone. The opposition scrambled home at 59-4 from just 9.1 overs, which tells you everything about how briskly they had to chase a total that would ordinarily have them back in the pavilion before the urn had boiled.

Beaten by six wickets, then, and no arguing with it. Small consolation that John Thirkell continues to top our 1961 run charts with 327, and that Whittaker's afternoon's work takes him to 32 wickets for the season — the engine room still purring nicely even as the top order splutters. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 02 Jul 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDDWLW

Called correctly at the toss and, with the sun doing its level best to hold, there was never much doubt I'd bowl first — sorry, bat first. Old habits. We set about building something respectable, and 203/8 from our 37 overs was rather more than respectable thanks to Ray Howard, whose 87 was the innings' backbone, with Gordon Fenner (28 not out) and Robert Murray (26) lending sturdy support down the order. A total to defend, we thought, and off we trooped to tea reasonably pleased with ourselves.

Defending it proved the easy part, on paper at least. The visitors were bowled out for 151 in 41.3 overs, undone chiefly by Ray Howard, who having done the heavy lifting with the bat then ran positively amok with the ball for 5-35 — enough, we're delighted to note, to lift him past Stan Wratten into 12th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Michael Chambers was miserly and menacing in equal measure, 4-42 including four maidens that must have felt like a prison sentence to face, and Gordon Fenner chipped in with 1-9. J Mills, E Preist and C Bailey all departed without troubling the scorers.

And yet — cricket being cricket — we contrived to lose by 52 runs, Fred Baker's unbeaten 85 doing to us precisely what Ray Howard had done to them. Meanwhile John Thirkell continues his imperious form atop the season's run charts with 324. A chastening afternoon, but with performances like these scattered through the side, we'll certainly be better for it next week.

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

Saturday last saw us make the trek to Aylesford Paper Mills, where I duly lost the toss and was invited to have a bowl — never one to sulk, I obliged with good grace and, as it turned out, rather good reason.

The Mills batted first and never quite got themselves in order. A Burton top-scored with a watchful 36, and Alan Harding chipped in with 24, but round them the innings simply fell away — P Mannering, C Cross and P Pollock all departed for ducks, sent back without so much as a nibble at the scorebook. The architect of the collapse was Alan Tucker, who bowled like a man possessed to finish with a scarcely believable 7 for 28, while Michael Chambers was the soul of miserliness, tucking away five maiden overs on his way to 2 for 19, with Len Conway mopping up with 1 for 38. All out for 106 in 35.4 overs — a total that never looked like troubling us.

And so it proved. Robert Wood played the anchor role beautifully for 39, Basil Sears kept things ticking with 21, and Gordon Fenner saw us home unbeaten on 20, as we reached 109 for 3 in just 22.2 overs. A tidy little footnote: Len Conway's 10 runs today eased him past Richard Harris into 16th on the club's all-time run charts.

A seven-wicket win, built on Tucker's spell and a calm, unhurried run-chase — the sort of Saturday that makes the drive home feel considerably shorter than the one out.

Sun 25 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLDDW

Sunday 25th June saw the visitors roll in with the sun out and, as it turned out, rather more application than us. Winning first use of the ball, we thought we'd asked the right question early, but Malcolm Bristow had other ideas, cantering to 92 while G. Merricks chipped in a handy 38 as their innings rolled on to 180 for 8 off 47 overs. Alan Tucker did his level best to stem the tide with 3 for 51, Robert Wood chipped in 2 for 27, and Terry Whittaker bowled two tidy maidens on his way to 2 for 61 — honest toil, but the total was always going to take some chasing.

Chasing it, sadly, is a generous word for what followed. Fred Ridgeway and Keith Patey departed without so much as a squeak, Robert Murray, John Thirkell and John Crellin all contributed golden ducks of their own, and your captain, leading from the front in theory only, managed a golden blob — proof, if proof were needed, that example is best led by someone else. Forty all out in 19.4 overs is not a total one dwells on longer than necessary.

There was a silver lining amid the wreckage: Robert Wood's two wickets nudged him past J. Donovan into 19th on the club's all-time list, a small flag planted on an otherwise grim afternoon. John Ames continues to sit handsomely 2nd in this season's run charts, and Terry Whittaker leads the wicket-takers with 29.

A defeat by 140 runs, then — heads up, chins in, and back to the nets.

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

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 ? · AwayformDLDLD

Sunday 18th June, and honours ended even on a green wicket that gave everyone a bit of everything. Winning what passed for a toss, we sent the visitors in, and they made a solid fist of it – 176 all out from 46 overs, built around T Ades's fine 67, with Denis Fowle (27) and John Otley (23) chipping in round him. Alan Wilkes was the story of the innings, though: 7 for 65 with the ball, four maidens of pure stubbornness mixed in, ably backed up by John Ames (2-43) and Terry Whittaker (1-23). Colin Robinson and P Jessup, alas, joined the club's less illustrious list, back in the hutch without a run to their names.

Chasing 177, we never quite got there but never looked like losing either, closing on 165 for 7 from our 39. John Thirkell's 38 was the innings of substance, with Ray Howard (31) and William Buck (28) doing steady work either side of him, and I'm happy to report my own 38 kept the eleven on the honours board rather than the horrors board – unlike poor Robert Murray, whose duck joins Colin and P Jessup in this week's rogues' gallery. Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 17 byes testament to a pitch doing more than any of us bargained for.

One bright footnote: Ray Howard's runs today nudge him past Tony Levick and into 9th on the all-time list – a nice bit of history quietly made while the rest of us were getting on with the cricket.

A draw, then, and a fair one. Neither side quite had the legs to finish the job, and on this showing, neither deserved to lose.

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

Skipper's Log — Saturday 17 June 1961, away at Headcorn.

Lost the toss, asked to field first, which on a warm Saturday always feels like drawing the short straw — though as it turned out, the lads didn't mind one bit. Headcorn ground out 171/7 from their forty, propped up almost single-handedly by C. Smith's fine 97, while at the other end our bowlers made life thoroughly miserable for everyone else. Terry Whittaker was quite magnificent — 4-26 with four maidens thrown in, not a run given away lightly, and he now sits proudly atop the season's wicket charts with 26 to his name. John Carter chipped in with 2-14 and Michael Chambers 1-85, and L. Murrell and G. Gore both departed for ducks, poor souls.

Chasing 172, we made a fair fist of it without quite getting there, closing on 134/7. John Carter continued his fine day with 46, well supported by Doug Hitchen's 34. Less fine was the day had by John Crellin, who joined the Duck Club with a nought, and by your correspondent, who also made a duck of such thundering insignificance that I shall say no more about it, except to note I redeemed myself somewhat with four wickets of my own. Eight byes told their own tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Roy Clarke.

A draw, then — honours shared, and probably a fair reflection of an afternoon where neither side could land the killer blow. We'll take it.

Sun 11 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDWDLD

Sunday last, and the toss actually fell my way for once — never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I had no hesitation in sticking us in. Whether that was captaincy or cowardice is a debate for the clubhouse, but 106/5 off 32.3 overs was the tidy reward, built on a composed, well-made fifty from John Crellin and stout support from Stan Wratten, unbeaten on 25. Robert Wood, alas, was undone for a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, and he took it on the chin better than I would have.

With the ball, we set about defending the total with genuine purpose, and for a good while it looked like being our day. R Day departed without troubling the scorers, and Alan Wilkes bowled beautifully for a thoroughly deserved five-for — 5-59 that any bowler in the county would be proud to frame — with Alan Tucker chipping in admirably at 1-25. But A How played the innings of the afternoon, 45 well-crafted runs, ably assisted by R Pavitt's 33, and between them they nudged the opposition home to 108/6 in 18.4 overs.

Beaten by two wickets, then — the narrowest of margins, and no shame in it. Wilkes continues to bowl like a man possessed, third in the club's wicket charts and rising, while Thirkell's runs pile up quietly elsewhere. We'll dust ourselves down and come again next week, wiser if not yet wealthier.

Sat 10 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformLDWDL

Saturday 10 June 1961, and the road took us out for what would prove a proper old-fashioned tussle, honours shared at the close.

Put into the field first, we watched the opposition build steadily to 198/7 from their 43 overs, D. Hitchen top-scoring with 49 and D. Smith not far behind on 44, L. White chipping in with 28. It might have been worse but for Alan Tucker, who turned his arm over to devastating effect — 5-35 of pure mischief — with John Crellin (2-31) doing his bit and Michael Chambers refusing to give an inch, two maidens and barely a run to be had off him.

Chasing 199, we replied with 150/7 from our 41, Basil Sears the undoubted star of the show with a superb 91, well supported by Frank Brattle's 36. Less gloriously, Robert Wood and Charles Crellin both made the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club ledger duly updated. Behind the stumps poor Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon, 13 byes finding their way past him, which rather took the shine off things.

With John Thirkell now leading our 1961 run charts on 264 and John Crellin sitting second in the wickets on 22, the season ticks along nicely even if this match refused to be settled. A draw, then — honest, hard-fought, and honestly, given the state of Clarke's gloves, perhaps the fairest result all round.

Thu 08 Jun 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWLDWD

As the wicketkeeper of a passage that's missing its away-team destination, I'll flag before drafting — the facts say "We travelled to ." with a blank left where the opposition's ground should be. I'll write the report around it, but you may want to fill that in.

Here's the report:

From the captain's chair, Thursday 8th June 1961. We travelled to face our hosts on a day that felt, for once, entirely made for cricket, and winning the toss I did what any captain with a settled top order and a decent square does — I stuck us in.

It proved the right call. We posted 141 for 5 from our sixteen overs, built around a lovely, well-paced fifty from John Ames, 59 to his name, with John Thirkell chipping in a brisk 29 alongside him. Nothing flashy, just runs put on the board the way we like them — steadily, and with enough in hand to bowl at.

And bowl we did. The home side never got comfortable, sinking to 69 for 9 in their sixteen overs, W Luckhurst gone for a duck early doors to set the tone. Terry Whittaker was magnificent, 4 for 27, with Len Conway right alongside him on 4 for 28 and Alan Tucker chipping in 1 for 4. I even managed 29 runs myself, which I shall be mentioning at the bar for weeks. Off the field, a quiet milestone too — Len's 16 runs edged him past Richard Harris into 16th on the club's all-time run list, a nice line for the history books.

For all that, the arithmetic did us no favours and we were beaten by 72 runs in the end. Plenty to be proud of, more to work on — we'll be better for it next week.

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

Sunday saw us welcome Folkestone CC, and having lost the toss for what feels like the fourteenth week running, we were put straight into the field. There are worse fates than an afternoon in the sun with a new ball, and Folkestone certainly made the most of it, posting 216/6 from their 43 overs. David Brickell was the chief tormentor with a handsome 70, Reg Hoskins matched him for craft with an unbeaten 56, and Gerald Jeanes chipped in a breezy 30. Credit where due, though: John Ames bowled beautifully for his 2-55, Alan Wilkes was a picture of thrift with four maidens on his way to 2-91, and Robert Wood snared one for 19. It could have been considerably worse.

Chasing 217, we set about our reply with more composure than usual, reaching 194/5 from 39 overs — close enough to taste, not quite close enough to swallow. Robert Murray was the rock, unbeaten on 55, John Ames followed his bowling with a fine 42 with the bat, and Len Conway's 33 kept the innings ticking along nicely. Worth a mention in dispatches: Ames's knock also nudged him past John Taylor into 5th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a quiet bit of history amid the afternoon's business.

So, honours shared, a draw with honour intact on both sides. Nobody left disgraced, nobody left triumphant — which, in truth, is rather how village cricket ought to feel.

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

Saturday, and Dummy Site paid us a visit at home. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling this season would embarrass a Christmas cracker — and we were sent out to field.

It was, all things considered, a splendid afternoon's bowling. Their innings folded for 107 off 30.3 overs, P- Rye's brisk 54 the only real resistance, while a- Trembeth and - Skeim departed for ducks without so much as troubling the scorebook. Terry Whittaker was the story of the day, tearing through the order for 5-41 with the sort of hostility that makes a captain's job embarrassingly easy, and Len Conway (2-10) and Robert Wood (2-31) tidied up the rest. I even found a bit of rhythm myself, picking up five wickets — the least I could do given the lads had done all the hard work around me.

Chasing 108 held no terrors. Basil Sears anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 42, and Robert Wood, fresh from his bowling exertions, chipped in an unbeaten 41 of his own as we cruised home five wickets down and 27.3 overs in.

A nice footnote: Len Conway's 18 runs today nudged him past Tom Osborn into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Basil Sears now sits 4th in this season's run charts and Terry Whittaker 2nd among the wicket-takers.

A thoroughly good day for the club — the sort where everyone goes home for tea with a smile and nobody has to explain away the scorebook.

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

From the captain's chair — Sunday 28 May 1961. We travelled to Dummy Site with the sun more or less on our side and a decent squad raring to go.

Won the toss, elected to bat, and I'll say it plainly: the right call. 160 all out from 47.5 overs isn't going to trouble the record books, but there was substance in it. Ray Howard led the way with a fine 38, well supported by Stan Wratten's 33 and Eddie Lawrence's 22 — the kind of middle-order graft that keeps an innings honest. Robert Murray, alas, will not want reminding of his contribution: a golden duck 🦆, the sort of dismissal that gets you the first round in afterwards, no questions asked.

With the ball, we set about defending our total with the usual mix of hope and cunning, but the opposition made serene work of it, cruising to 19/0 from just five overs before the heavens — or rather, the umpires' good sense — called a halt. No wickets, no drama, honours shared.

On the season charts, John Thirkell continues to lead our 1961 run-scoring with 218 to his name, a reassuring constant in an afternoon short on conclusions.

Verdict: a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody — honest cricket, honestly halved.

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

Off the game we go for us — down by 6 wickets in the end, though the scoreboard flattered Gore Court more than the cricket did.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat felt like the right call at the time, and I'll stand by it, even if 114 all out from 44.3 overs suggests the pitch had rather more to say about it than I did. Eddie Lawrence's 29 was the innings' backbone, with Frank Brattle matching him run for run and Roy Clarke's 26 keeping the board ticking along nicely. Poor Derek Pantony, though, will want to forget the whole afternoon — a duck to his name, and I suspect a long walk back to the pavilion contemplating the meaning of it all.

With the ball, we gave a proper account of ourselves. Terry Whittaker was in fine, miserly form — three maidens and figures of 3-59 that not only did the damage but, we're delighted to note, carried him past Stan Wratten and into 11th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. A grand achievement on an otherwise chastening day. Ricky Lusher chipped in usefully with 1-27, but Gore Court's Alan Priston (35 not out) and John Bishop (34) had the answers, seeing their side home at 116/4.

Elsewhere, John Thirkell continues to lead our 1961 run charts with 211, and Whittaker now sits second in the wicket standings with 13. As for Saturday: not our day, heads up, and back to the nets we go.

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

Sunday 21 May 1961, and the sun found us at home to Dummy Site with the coin doing us a kindness for once. I called it right, chose to bat, and settled onto the pavilion bench to watch the lads get on with it. John Ames set the tone with a fine 41, Ray Howard chipped in with 38, and Robert Murray weighed in with 37 as we crawled and cantered our way to 159/7 off 35.1 overs. Poor Frank Brattle, it must be said, contributed rather less — a duck to file alongside the club's more distinguished waterfowl, and he trudged off to the sort of silence only village cricket can produce.

With the ball, though, we were a different proposition entirely. Dummy Site's reply folded for 70 in just 21.2 overs, L. Smith's 28 the only real resistance, while O. Fryer, R. Merricks and M. Walter all departed without so much as a nibble at the scorebook. John Ames, not content with his runs, turned his arm over to devastating effect — 5-9 with three maidens thrown in for good measure — ably supported by Ray Howard's 5-13. William Buck, meanwhile, had rather a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, sixteen byes speaking volumes about the standard of bowling he was asked to keep to.

Amid it all, Ray Howard quietly slipped past Frank Taylor into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a milestone worth raising a glass to. A win by 29 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Onwards we go.

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

Down at Gore Court, and down we came unstuck against a determined home side. Losing the toss on Saturday 20 May 1961, we found ourselves inserted straight into the field, which is never quite the tonic one hopes for on a long away trip. Gore Court ground their way to 158 all out in 46.1 overs, Maurice Ingleton the chief architect with a watchful 45, well backed by Jack Bispham's 27 and Phil Scott's 20. Credit where due, though — Len Conway turned his arm over to devastating effect, spinning out five for 30 and leaving their middle order in a right muddle, with Gordon Fenner (2-36, three tidy maidens) and John Crellin (2-38) mopping up either end.

Our reply, alas, never got out of second gear. Seventy-five all out in 29.9 overs tells its own sorry tale, with Richard Dixon and Jack Foley both departing without so much as a nibble at the scorebook, and only Len Conway showing any real fight with a battling 31. Down by 83 runs in the end — no dressing that up.

Still, there was a silver lining or two amid the wreckage. Conway's 31 eased him past Pat Hardwick to 19th on the club's all-time run list, and those five wickets carried him past Ernest Cruttenden into 15th among our leading wicket-takers — a fine personal double on an otherwise chastening afternoon. Not our day, then. Heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 14 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDDLDW

Sunday 14 May 1961 — a fine spring day for cricket, and I took one look at the wicket and elected to bat, feeling rather pleased with myself for the decision. We were bowled out for 125 in 50.3 overs, which tells its own tale, though Robert Murray played a lovely innings for his fifty, well supported by Robert Wood's unbeaten 21. Not every man can say the same, mind — Eddie Lawrence, Musgrave and Alan Wilkes all trudged back for ducks, and I shan't dwell on the walk of shame any longer than they had to endure it.

In the field we asked plenty of questions but didn't get enough answers. Don Capeling made merry with an unbeaten 71 and simply refused to be shifted, guiding the visitors home at 126 for 3 from 34 overs. Denis Fowle at least didn't trouble the scorers before departing. Alan Wilkes toiled away nobly for 2 for 50, with four maidens showing just how tight he bowled even as the runs flowed elsewhere, and Musgrave chipped in with 1 for 15.

A word for the season: John Thirkell continues to top the run charts with 205, and Alan Wilkes sits second among the wicket-takers with a dozen scalps — small consolations on a day that offered few.

Beaten by seven wickets, then, and no arguing with it. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

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

Saturday 13th May 1961 saw Charles Arkcoll visit us at Linton Park, and I won the toss, elected to bat, and for once nobody in the pavilion questioned my judgement.

The lads set about compiling 163/5 from our 29 overs, John Thirkell playing the innings of the day with a handsome 62, and Basil Sears chipping in a solid 37 to keep things ticking along nicely. Alan Tucker finished unbeaten on 28, showing more sense than the rest of us combined, while poor William Agate walked back for a golden duck 🦆 — these things happen to the best of us, and he took it on the chin like a true clubman.

Defending 163, we found Terry Whittaker in inspired form, and what a spell it was — 7 for 35, with nine miserly maidens thrown in for good measure. John Crellin (2-21) and Alan Tucker (1-16) mopped up admirably around him, and three of their batsmen — Humphrey Morris, Sean Carter and M Webb — departed without troubling the scorers 🦆🦆🦆. John Ames (23) and Robin Wilson (23 not out) offered brief resistance, but 98 all out from 40.3 overs was never going to be enough. Worth noting that Terry's seven wickets nudge him past Ray Howard into 12th on the club's all-time list — a fine achievement quietly earned.

A comfortable 65-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round.

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

Sunday the 7th of May 1961, and West Farleigh CC arrived to find Linton Park in generous mood, having lost the toss and given away first use of the willow — a decision that, with the sun out and the wicket looking full of runs, felt rather like handing them the keys to the tea urn.

They battled their way to 110 all out from 44 overs, Reg Oldfield doing the patient work for 22, but it was Alan Wilkes who owned the afternoon, tearing through the order with 5 for 28 — five maidens included, not a run given away lightly — with John Crellin (4-35) and John Ames (1-8) tidying up what little was left. It was, in short, the sort of bowling performance that makes a captain forget he lost the toss at all.

Our reply was rather more sedate. Joe Fenner, G. Reid Marr and P. Theobald departed without so much as a nibble at the scorebook, three ducks in a row doing little for the collective blood pressure, before Frank Brattle steadied the ship magnificently, carrying his bat to 32 not out as we limped home to 57 for 3 from 19 overs — enough, just, to see the thing out.

So honours shared, and on reflection a fair result: our bowlers won the day, our top order lost the plot, and Frank Brattle held the whole enterprise together. A draw, then — but one that owed everything to Alan Wilkes and precious little to the rest of us.

Sat 06 May 1961 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformLWLDD

We hosted Staplehurst CC on Saturday, and I'll confess to a flush of pride when I won the toss and elected to bat — the right call, I felt, though our top order rather kept that opinion to themselves. We laboured to 110/8 from our 38 overs, John Crellin the mainstay with a watchful 39 not out, John Thirkell chipping in 30 and Basil Sears 26. Less said the better about Vic Pound and D. Wright, who both trudged off for ducks without so much as troubling the scorers — the walk of shame performed twice for good measure.

In the field we gave a good account of ourselves without quite landing the killer blow. Staplehurst eased to 111/4 in 28.2 overs, K. Watson leading their reply with 39, well supported by D. Burrow's 29 and J. Sutton's unbeaten 28. We did at least return the compliment by sending O. Pierce back for a duck of his own. John Crellin, having done the business with the bat, led the attack too with 2-37, Terry Whittaker chipping in 1-17 — a wicket which, pleasingly, nudges him past Jack Fryer into 13th on the club's all-time list. I managed 30 myself, for what little that was worth on the day.

Beaten by six wickets in the end, and fair play to the visitors, who chased it down with more composure than we mustered setting it. John Thirkell continues to lead our 1961 run charts on 131, John Crellin our wickets on 8 — the engine room, at least, is purring. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 30 Apr 1961 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLWLD

Sunday 30 April, and honours ended up shared — though for a while it looked as though we might have something rather better to write home about. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting, and John Ames played the innings of the day, 64 to his name, before we settled at 145/5 from our 33 overs. Robert Murray's 36 and John Thirkell's 20 gave the total a bit of backbone either side of him.

Defending 145 always felt a touch tight, but the ball did the talking. Alan Wilkes was in unplayable mood, turning it square for 5-22 with eight overs given up entirely as maidens — a spell to make grown batsmen weep into their tea. John Crellin chipped in with 1-17 for good measure, and between them they had the visitors pegged back to 79/6 from 41 overs, M Taylor's watchful 20 the only real resistance. Poor Don Clayton departed for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers, which I'm sure he'll laugh about eventually. I added a workmanlike 20 myself, more for the honour of the thing than the arithmetic.

The real story of the day, though, was Alan's — 400 career wickets banked, a landmark that deserves rather more than a line in the gazette, but a line in the gazette is what he's getting. In the end neither side could force it home, and a draw, honours shared, felt about right: a day where the bowling outshone the run chase, and nobody went home unhappy. Verdict: more silverware for Alan's mantelpiece than for ours.

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

Saturday 29 April 1961, and off we trundled to West Farleigh in what passes for optimism round these parts. I won the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, chose to bat — a decision that for once did not haunt me by teatime.

We settled to 175 for 5 off our 45 overs, the innings built almost entirely on the calm authority of John Thirkell, who batted through for a splendid 81 not out. Basil Sears chipped in with 25 and Eddie Lawrence with 21, and between them they gave the total a bit of backbone rather than leaving it entirely on Thirkell's shoulders — though goodness knows he could have carried it alone.

Defending it, the lads bowled with real discipline. John Crellin was in unplayable form, spinning his way to 5 for 30 and leaving West Farleigh's middle order groping about like men who'd left their glasses at home, while Don Fermor and John Underdown departed without troubling the scorers. Terry Whittaker was a picture of miserliness — six maidens and 1 for 8 — with Brooks chipping in a wicket of his own. Only W Quayle, with a defiant 29, threatened to spoil the party, but the opposition stalled on 86 for 8 off 31 overs and honours were shared.

A draw, then — not the win our bowling deserved, but with 81 of my own in the book and Crellin among the wickets, I'll take it and drive home content.