🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 23 Sep 1962 🧢 Marriedv Linton Park CC · HomeformLWWDD

Sunday 23rd September brought Linton Park CC to our ground, and having called correctly at the toss I did what any captain raised on the primacy of runs on the board would do — I stuck us in to bat. Confidence, I confess, was riding rather higher than it had any right to.

What followed will not trouble the history books. Ten for three from two overs is not so much a batting collapse as a batting implosion, the sort of scoreline that has you double-checking the scorebook and wondering whether the umpire miscounted the overs. Three wickets down before the openers had so much as loosened their shoulders properly — one struggles to recall a briefer, more chastening spell at the crease. I shall take my share of the blame for the decision at the toss, though in fairness no amount of captaincy wisdom accounts for what unfolded once bat met ball.

And yet cricket, bless it, has a way of levelling things out. For all our early troubles, honours finished shared — neither side able to force home the advantage, and a draw was the fair and honest result of an afternoon that promised drama and rather delivered farce.

So: a match to file under "character-building" rather than "vintage". We batted like strangers to the game, but we held our nerve to share the spoils, and for that alone the lads deserve a pint at the bar.

Sun 23 Sep 1962 🧢 Marriedv Linton Park CC · HomeformDLWWD

As it stands, we shan't be writing the pavilion clock into folklore just yet, but 23 September did give us a match worth savouring. Batting first against Linton Park, we crawled and occasionally cantered to 185/9 off our 41, and I'm rather pleased to say I top-scored with 40 — though I say that with the caveat that John Crellin's 36 and Robert Murray's 33 did the real graft in the engine room. Poor Terry Whittaker, meanwhile, will be quietly hoping the scorebook develops a smudge where his golden duck is recorded; these things happen to the best of us, and I dare say the tea urn heard some choice words on his return to the pavilion.

What lifted the afternoon beyond the ordinary was the tail, who wagged with genuine mischief — a defiant last-wicket stand of 35 that had the Linton Park fielders muttering into their sunhats and wondering when exactly this innings was supposed to end. And amid all that, two proper landmarks: Ray Howard brought up his hundredth appearance in our colours, a milestone that deserves rather more than a line in a gazette, and Roy Clarke quietly ticked over 1,000 career runs for the club — the sort of achievement built one unglamorous single at a time.

In the end neither side could force the issue, and honours were shared. A draw, then — not the stuff of legend, but a thoroughly decent afternoon's cricket, and with Howard's cap and Clarke's runs to toast, nobody left the ground short-changed.

Sat 22 Sep 1962 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformWWDWW

I called correctly at the toss on a fine September Saturday and, with Maidstone YMCA the visitors, had no hesitation in batting first — a decision I stand by, even if 150/7 from our 42 overs was more workmanlike than thrilling. Ron Aiston played the innings of the day, a really fine 58, and found a willing partner in John Carter, whose 31 helped the pair add a crucial 72 for the fourth wicket and give our total some backbone. Elsewhere the order rather queued up to get back in the pavilion, and poor Jack Knowler's afternoon began and ended with a duck — the walk of shame, as we call it.

Defending 150 was always going to want discipline, and for a long while we had them rattled, an early wicket at 0-1 setting just the tone we wanted. Terry Whittaker bowled tidily for his two maidens, I chipped in with the bat earlier and enjoyed my part in the total, and the wickets were shared nicely between John Carter (2-32), Gordon Fenner (2-45) and J Nolan (1-27) — Carter's the pick of the lot. But P. Johnston played the anchor role beautifully for an unbeaten 41, well supported by Ossie Fryer's 33 and N. Phillips' 28, and just when we thought we had them, their last pair put on an infuriating 57 we could well have done without, though at least L. Smith departed for a second-innings duck of his own. Fourteen byes past Roy Clarke didn't help our cause either.

Beaten by four wickets, then, and no disgrace in it — but chances went begging that shouldn't have. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 16 Sep 1962 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformLWWDW

Toss won, and with a decent-looking strip beneath us I had no hesitation electing to bat - a call that looked wiser after Ray Howard's innings than during our late wobble. Ray's 57 was the backbone of 153 for 8 off 43.3 overs, well supported by Stan Wratten's 28 and my own 25, the two of us putting on 68 for the second wicket before things came apart at the seams. From 146 for 4 we contrived to slip to 152 for 7, with poor Richard Ashby and Brian Relf both departing for golden ducks - the sort of collapse that sends spectators reaching for their flasks in embarrassment rather than celebration.

Staplehurst's reply never troubled the scoreboard operator overly. D Thirkell's defiant 25 was the only real resistance as they slid from 48 for 2 to 58 for 5, with K Hyde, R Thirkell and T Morris all failing to trouble the scorers. Ray Howard, not content with his runs, ran thoroughly riot with 5 for 20, while Alan Tucker chipped in 4 for 1 with four miserly maidens - not a run given away lightly - and David Gale took 1 for 25. All out for 64 in 24.3 overs told its own sorry tale.

A word too for Alan Tucker, who with those four wickets has climbed past Dennis Smith into 21st on the club's all-time list. Two points, well and truly earned: victory by 89 runs, and Staplehurst sent home to reflect on where it all went wrong.

Sat 15 Sep 1962 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · HomeformLLWWD

No luck with the coin, then, and Bowaters CC elected to bat first on a fine Saturday at Linton Park. It looked, briefly, like the sort of decision that wins matches on its own — John Woollett and Bob Bourne put on 87 for the first wicket before we so much as glimpsed a breakthrough, and Woollett went on to a fine 63. But Terry Whittaker had other ideas, tearing through the middle and lower order for a career-best 7-94, with two tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, and Robert Wood chipping in with 3-64 as Bob Bourne and William Baker both departed for ducks. All out for 205 in 40.5 overs — a total that felt a good deal larger at drinks than it did at the close.

Our reply had its wobbles. We lost a wicket before a run was on the board, which is never the ideal way to settle nerves, but Ron Aiston played a lovely hand of 53 and I was fortunate enough to find some form myself, carrying my bat for 102 not out in a stand of 87 for the third wicket that really turned the tide. Frank Brattle and Roy Clarke both fell without scoring, and for a while the tail threatened to make a nonsense of it all, but a defiant last-wicket 49 saw us home at 206/8.

A two-wicket win, then, earned the hard way. And a word for Terry — seven wickets in an afternoon is no small thing, and it's put him past Tony Snell into fifth on the club's all-time list. Onwards indeed.

Sun 09 Sep 1962 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · HomeformDLLWW

Here's the match report:

It's not every Sunday you lose the toss, get sent in to field, and still come away thinking you've had rather the better of it — but that was the shape of things against Harrietsham. They posted 200/8 from their 48, built chiefly around D La Plain's fine unbeaten 55 and useful contributions from Peter Hope and Ray Tong, with the pair putting on 56 for the first wicket to set the tone. We hauled them back well, though — 131/4 became 135/7 in the blink of an eye, with three of their number sent back without so much as a run to their name. Gordon Fenner was the chief architect, a richly deserved 5-58, with David Gale (2-58, four maidens of real discipline) squeezing the life out of the other end, and I chipped in with 1-23. Only an irritating last-wicket stand of 65 kept the total respectable.

In reply, we made a fair fist of the chase, closing on 159/6 from 46.5 overs. I was glad to lead from the front with 74, and with Gordon Fenner (26) and an unbeaten 23 from Eddie Lawrence steadying things with a 59-run stand for the sixth wicket, we always felt in the hunt — though 23 byes suggests poor Roy Clarke had rather a torrid afternoon behind the stumps.

Honours shared, then, in a match that had ebb, flow, and a five-for from Gordon to remember it by — a draw that flattered neither side, but satisfied both.

Sat 08 Sep 1962 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lukes Maidstone CC · HomeformLDLLW

Called it right at the toss, and with St Lukes Maidstone freshly arrived, there was never much doubt I'd send us in first. Bat first, ask questions later — a fine theory, rather undone by the sight of 2 for 1 inside the first over, as though we'd answered our own question before anyone else got the chance to ask it.

Stan Wratten set about repairs with a fine 40, Robert Murray matched him with 32, and I was glad to chip in with 32 of my own alongside them. Our third-wicket pair added a crucial 55, which made what followed all the more maddening — 88 for 4 became 100 for 7 in a rush that had me suddenly very interested in my shoelaces. Ducks for Basil Sears, Robert Wood and Bob Arnold rounded off a card with more blots than a schoolboy's exercise book, and we were all out for 127 in 48.5 overs — modest, but something to defend.

Defend it we did. St Lukes had their own early wobble at 2 for 1, and though Ron Aiston counterattacked nobly for a well-made 54, nobody else could live with Robert Wood, whose 4 for 18 also nudged him past Len Conway into 15th on the club's all-time wicket list. Terry Whittaker weighed in with 4 for 37, R. Relf bowled four miserly maidens for 1 for 11, and Pearson, Pearce and Eastman all departed without scoring as the innings folded for 91.

A 36-run win to show for a scrappy, wobbly, thoroughly entertaining afternoon. We'll take it, gladly.

Sun 02 Sep 1962 🧢 1st XIv HB Hambros Bank · HomeformLLDLL

Sunday the 2nd of September brought Hambros Bank to Linton Park, and we took to the field first. Cornish and Harris put on a stand of 51 for the first wicket that had me eyeing the tea urn nervously, Cornish going on to 32 and Harris 26. Then the floodgates opened, 51 for 1 becoming 53 for 4 in short order, with poor Day and Raiser trudging back without troubling the scorers. David Gale, spinning it beautifully and miserly with three maidens, ran through the rest for a magnificent 6 for 73, ably supported by Michael Chambers's 4 for 53, and Hambros were bowled out for 137 in 34.4 overs.

Chasing 138, our openers put on a crucial 54, Tony Snook leading the way with 29, Frank Brattle following up with 25 and Gordon Fenner seeing us home unbeaten on 24. I chipped in with 18 down the order, while poor Bob Arnold behind the stumps had a torrid afternoon of it, conceding eight byes for his trouble. We reached our target for the loss of five wickets, from 50.1 overs.

Special mention today to David Gale, who reached fifty career wickets in some style, and who now sits second in our 1962 wicket charts with 52. I find myself, rather sheepishly, leading the run charts with 984. Two points, thoroughly earned. A five-wicket win, and a very good afternoon indeed to be a Linton Park man.

Sat 01 Sep 1962 🧢 1st XIv A A.Trembeths · HomeformDLLDL

Saturday the first of September saw us host A. Trembeths, and I chose to have first use of the ball — a decision that looked shaky once G. Davis settled in for a handsome 54, ably supported by C. Bowey's 23, the pair adding a crucial 51 for the fifth wicket. But we hauled things back sharply, tumbling them from 124 for 5 to 138 for 8 in no time, D. Evans departing without troubling the scorers. I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with five wickets, well backed up by Roy Clarke's tidy 4 for 16 — three maidens in there, not a run given away lightly — and Robert Wood's 1 for 37. All out for 162 off 47.5 overs felt like a target within reach.

It wasn't. Frank Brattle top-scored with a battling 27, H Clarke chipping in with 20, but Richard Harris fell for a duck among others, and we folded for 135 in 42 overs. Poor Bob Arnold had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 11 byes slipping through, which rather summed up our luck.

There were bright spots amid the gloom: Robert Wood's 15 runs eased him past Len Conway into 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, Frank Brattle sits second in this year's run charts with 518, and I lead the 1962 wicket table with 52. Small consolation for a defeat by 27 runs. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 26 Aug 1962 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · HomeformLDLLD

Sevenoaks Vine at home, and for once the toss actually mattered — I called it right and had few doubts about batting first. We ambled to 161 all out in 48.5 overs, though "ambled" undersells the nerves of losing a wicket with just 3 on the board. Ray Howard restored order with a handsome 74, well supported by William Buck (25) and Terry Whittaker (23), and a stout 69-run stand for the fifth wicket did the heavy lifting. Less said the better about the rest of the card — Eddie Lawrence, Roy Clarke and I all contributed the same number: nought.

With the ball, we made a real fist of it. Sevenoaks slipped from 9 for 1 to a distinctly wobbly 12 for 4, George Downton and P. Williams both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer. David Gale was magnificent, 3 for 25 with four maidens — not a run given away lightly — and Michael Chambers chipped in with 1 for 26. But Rodney Crang had other ideas, an unbeaten 89 that steadied and then won the match, ably assisted by William English's unbeaten 36. Seventeen byes off Roy Clarke's gloves rather told its own story of a testing afternoon behind the stumps.

In the end they got home by six wickets. My own contribution — a duck — we shall draw a discreet veil over, though David Gale's 46 wickets keep him handily placed second in the season's charts. Credit to the visitors; we'll regroup and come back sharper next week.

Sat 25 Aug 1962 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformDLDLL

Saturday the 25th brought Aylesford Paper Mills CC to Linton Park, and for once the coin fell my way — I had no hesitation in asking us to bat first.

Basil Sears and Don Clayton made the decision look inspired, sharing a stand of 160 for the second wicket and both reaching well-made fifties, Sears with 79 and Clayton with 77, as we sailed to 197 for 4 off 51.1 overs.

Defending it, I found the ball turning prodigiously and finished with 7 for 42, including six maidens — one for the mantelpiece, as those seven wickets carried me past Frank Taylor and into sixth on the club's all-time list. Don Clayton backed me up nicely with 2 for 42, while Colin Watson's 27 and I. Brenchley's 20 were the only real resistance; 93 for 6 became 113 for 9 in a hurry, and poor Doug Milner went without troubling the scorers. Roy Clarke had a trickier time of it behind the stumps, with 15 byes slipping through.

Aylesford hung on at 113 for 9, and honours finished shared. It rounds off a fine season so far — Frank Brattle sits second in our run charts with 491, and I lead the wicket charts with 47 — but on the day, a draw was the fair result: we made the running, they held firm, and cricket, as ever, had the final say.

Sun 19 Aug 1962 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformLDLDL

Beaten by the toss before the coin had even settled — The Mote called it right, chose to bat, and by teatime we knew why. Ellis was the story of the innings: a chanceless 119 not out, calmly dismantling anything we tried, with Worley (36) and Milsted (28) providing sturdy company either side of that damaging third-wicket stand of 102. David Gale kept plugging away for 2-49, and Michael Chambers bowled with real discipline — 2-71 and three maidens to show he wasn't just there to make up the numbers. Even so, 226 for 4 off fifty overs felt like a mountain before we'd padded up.

And so it proved. We never quite got the platform to chase it down, 167 all out in 53.1 overs telling its own tale. I was pleased to lead from the front with a well-made fifty — 61 in the end — but a second-wicket stand of 62 was as good as it got, and when the middle order folded from 93-4 to 107-7 the game was as good as gone. Poor Robert Murray had one of those afternoons best not dwelt upon, and behind the stumps Roy Clarke endured a trying time, twelve byes sneaking past him like they had a train to catch.

Fifty-nine runs the final margin — comfortable for them, chastening for us. Still, with the runs mounting up nicely in the season charts and Gale's wickets column looking equally healthy, there's plenty to build on. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sat 18 Aug 1962 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · AwayformLLDLD

John Thirkell here, filing this one with more honesty than pride.

Winning the toss at Bowaters, I fancied runs on the board and put us in — a decision that looked shakier by the minute once we slipped to 5 for 1. Frank Brattle (31) and Terry Whittaker (30) did their best to drag us back to respectability, but 116 all out in 33.1 overs was never going to have the opposition quaking, particularly with Basil Sears and R Davison both departing for ducks. Not our finest hour with the willow, and we knew it walking off.

With the ball, we at least made them work for it. Terry Whittaker bowled beautifully tight — four maidens, not a run given away lightly — and I managed to chip in with the wicket of the innings' anchor for 1-27, with Gordon Fenner (1-60) offering good support. But John Woollett had other ideas, cruising to an unbeaten 80 and putting on 76 for the first wicket alongside Colin Cole's brisk 20 before we so much as got a sniff. From there the target was a formality, and Bowaters strolled home at 117 for 2. With the bat I added a modest 15 of my own, for what little consolation that offers.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, and fairly so — Woollett simply batted us out of the game. We'll lick our wounds, have a pint, and remind ourselves that a season is won in the recovering, not the losing. Better next week, lads.

Sun 12 Aug 1962 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · AwayformLLLDL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 12th August, 1962. The bags were packed, the whites were pressed, and off we trundled to Harrietsham CC, where I duly lost the toss and watched them elect to bat, as sides with a plan for our attack invariably do.

And bat they did. D Hampshire settled in like a man who'd brought sandwiches for the week, motoring to a chanceless 103 not out, with Peter Hope (36) and F Brooks (21) content to let him get on with it while stitching together a stubborn 61 for the fifth wicket. They closed on 215 for 6 from their 49, a total that had "long afternoon" written all over it. Credit where due, though: John Ames bowled beautifully for 2 for 20, Terry Whittaker was maddeningly tidy with four maidens, and David Gale (2-70) and Reg Oldfield (1-19) chipped away gamely at the other end.

Chasing 216 was always a stretch, and so it proved. I got us going with 44, Reg Oldfield weighed in with 24 and Robert Murray added a handy 23 — the last of these enough to nudge him past George Champion into ninth on the club's all-time run-scoring list, which is the sort of thing that cheers a dressing room no end. A second-wicket stand of 66 gave us hope, but 146 for 8 from our 40 overs left us short of the target and short of time to chase it properly.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. Not a win, but on a day like this, not a bad way to spend a Sunday either.

Sat 11 Aug 1962 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Steven · AwayformWLLLD

Saturday saw us off to Tilling Steven, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in asking the side to bat first — the right call, I felt, and one that paid off handsomely early on. Our openers set about the job in exemplary fashion, putting on 114 before the first wicket fell, and from there Basil Sears carried on to a fine 58 while Frank Brattle chipped in with a fine 53 of his own. I added an unbeaten 29 down the order as we closed on a healthy 164 for 4 from our 45 overs.

Tilling Steven's reply was never straightforward, even as they crept to 165 for 8 from 36.5 overs. Doug Pound gave us a proper fright with a fine 74, well supported by R. Excell's 30, the pair putting on 76 for the second wicket. I was fortunate enough to find some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 4 for 48, while Terry Whittaker (3-70) and Robert Wood (1-28) kept the pressure on throughout. In the end, though, it wasn't quite enough, and we went down by two wickets.

There was some consolation amid the disappointment: I passed 200 career wickets for the club, and those four scalps also moved me past George Champion into 8th on the all-time list — not bad for an afternoon's work. I remain top of the 1962 run charts with 846, while Terry leads the wicket-takers on 40.

Not our day, in truth — a tight, honest contest that slipped away late. Heads up, lads, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 04 Aug 1962 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformDWLLL

As we won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bat, I well remember thinking it looked a decent surface for runs — and so it proved. The openers gave us exactly the sort of start every captain dreams of and rarely gets, putting on 98 for the first wicket before the breakthrough finally came. J Nolan went on to a fine 73, the innings' undoubted architect, while I chipped in with 30 and Frank Brattle added a tidy 29 to see us to a very respectable 195 for 6 from our 47 overs.

Defending that total, we knew we'd need something special, and John Carter duly obliged, spinning his way through the Headcorn order for a quite unplayable 5 for 21, three of them maidens to boot — the sort of spell that has batsmen playing for turn that isn't there and edges that carry to hands. Terry Whittaker chipped in nicely with 2 for 38, I picked up a wicket for 9 of my own, and poor L Woodcock departed without troubling the scorers at all. L Murrell fought hard for his 34, but it wasn't quite enough, Headcorn closing on 136 for 9 from their 46 overs — five short of parity when the overs ran out.

Honours shared, then, and on reflection a fair result — we had rather the better of it with the ball, they showed admirable stubbornness with the bat, and neither side could quite land the killer blow. A draw that satisfied nobody entirely and everybody a little, which is, after all, village cricket in a nutshell.

Sun 29 Jul 1962 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · AwayformLDWLL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 29 July 1962. The road took us to Folkestone CC, and having won the toss I elected to bat, a decision I still stand by despite what followed.

We posted 145 all out from 53.5 overs, a total that flattered to deceive somewhat. Frank Brattle led the way with a fine 32, well supported by Robert Wood's 26 and John Ames's 22, before the middle order rather lost its nerve — 76 for 2 became 77 for 5 in the time it takes to pour a tea, and poor Robert Murray's golden duck summed up the collapse nicely.

Defending 145 was always going to be a stiff ask, and so it proved. Brian Humphries played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 81 that our attack simply couldn't shift, with Percy Wright's 26 and a stubborn 73-run second-wicket stand doing the real damage as they cruised to 146 for 4 from 50.4 overs. I did what I could with the ball, and Alan Wilkes bowled beautifully for his 3 for 60, while Gordon Fenner was a model of miserliness — seven maidens and 1 for 34. Poor Percy Brattle had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 13 byes leaking away like the afternoon light.

There was cheer amid the gloom, mind: Stan Wratten brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, and Frank Brattle's knock nudged him past Tony Levick into 11th on our all-time run charts. I'll admit to a quiet satisfaction at leading the 1962 first-team run charts with 787, but that's scant consolation for a six-wicket defeat. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 28 Jul 1962 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · HomeformLLDWL

Skipper's Log — Saturday 28 July 1962, Tovil at home.

Winning the toss and putting Tovil in seemed a fine idea at tea o'clock, and for a while it looked positively cunning as our openers went at them hammer and tongs. Archer (24) and Banes (20) threatened to make a proper afternoon of it, but once David Gale got his hand in, the innings folded like a deckchair in a gale — quite literally, seven wickets for fifty-two of the most miserly runs you'll see, a five-for and then some. Terry Whittaker chipped away at the other end with three for forty-four, including five maidens that must have felt like a personal vendetta against the scoreboard, and young Morrison departed without so much as troubling the umpire's finger. All out 111 from thirty-four overs — a total we fancied our chances against.

We didn't so much chase it as stumble towards it. Three down for three set an ominous early tone, and from a respectable seventy-four for six we contrived to lose three more for ten, John Crellin among the fallen without scoring. Roy Clarke's afternoon behind the stumps will live long in the memory, thirteen byes being testament to a wicket doing rather more than advertised. I managed nineteen, which felt like a small mercy amid the rubble, but ninety-four all out from thirty-five overs was never going to be enough.

Beaten by seventeen runs, then — honest work undone by our own batting frailties. Plenty to work on before next week, but the bowling gives us reason enough to believe.

Tue 24 Jul 1962 🧢 Midweek XIv NG Northern Assurance Group · AwayformWWW

We had first use of the ball at Northern Assurance Group, and for a while it looked a shrewd toss to win. Banks made a watchful 26, Clarke chipped in with 24 and McQuire finished unbeaten on 25, but their innings never quite took flight, closing on 143 all out from 49.3 overs. Gordon Fenner was the chief architect of that, spinning his way to a magnificent 6-64, while Terry Whittaker toiled away at the other end, miserly as ever with five maidens on his way to 3-76. There was a spell in the middle order where we simply ran through them, 25-1 becoming 34-4 in a blink, with Garner, Williams and Brewer all departing without troubling the scorers.

Chasing 144, we made harder work of it than the bowling perhaps deserved, but got there in the end on 151-5 from 36 overs. John Carter led from the front with a fine 41, and he and Frank Brattle, who made 32, put on a crucial 58 for the second wicket to set the platform. I was happy to see us home with 31 not out, nudging and nurdling while the target shrank.

A five-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying day out. Fenner's spin was the story of the match, Carter's bat the story of the season so far, and the rest of us were merely glad to be along for the ride. Onwards to the next one.

Sun 22 Jul 1962 🧢 1st XIv JX J. Larking's XI · HomeformLLLDW

John Thirkell's XI at home to J. Larking's XI, Sunday 22 July 1962

Winning the toss and putting the opposition in seemed a fine idea at the time, and for the best part of a Sunday afternoon it looked like it too — right up until D. Goodliffe decided he rather fancied batting all day. A magnificent century from Goodliffe, well supported by John Larking's 43 and G. Howard's 35, with a 71-run stand for the seventh wicket doing the real damage, carried the visitors to a formidable 260 for 8 off 51.5 overs. Credit where it's due: David Gale toiled manfully for 3 for 74, with Robert Wood (2-38) and Alan Tucker (2-57) chipping in gamely, but 260 was always going to take some chasing.

Chase it we did not. Maurice Fenner's 30 and useful contributions from Frank Brattle (28) and Eddie Lawrence (23) had us ticking along nicely enough, until 105 for 4 unravelled into 114 for 7 with alarming haste — the sort of collapse that has spectators suddenly finding great interest in their tea. Roy Clarke and Ossie Fryer both made the long walk for nought, and Clarke's day was compounded by fifteen extras in byes, which rather says it all behind the stumps. All out for 174 in 46.1 overs, beaten by 86 runs.

Two bright notes amid the wreckage: I brought up my 400th appearance in Linton colours, and Robert Wood passed 100 career wickets — milestones worth raising a glass to, even in defeat. I'll also own that I lead the 1962 first-team run charts with 767, for what little comfort that offers this week. A chastening afternoon, but we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 21 Jul 1962 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformLLLLD

Here's the report:

Well, a chase in cricket often means a bit of anxiety in the pavilion, but not this time. We lost the toss on a fine Saturday and were sent out to bowl first, which suited us rather nicely once Rumwood got going. A brisk opening stand of 58 threatened to run away from us, with Nolan (32), Carter (24) and Oakley (22) all chipping in, but the middle and lower order simply couldn't cope once we found our rhythm — 119-6 became 125-9 in the blink of an eye, and two poor souls trudged off for ducks. I managed 3-19 with the ball, Robert Wood chimed in with 3-28, David Gale took 2-33, and Terry Whittaker bowled three tidy maidens without giving so much as an inch. Rumwood were all out for 131 — a total that felt distinctly gettable.

Chasing it, though, we did our level best to make hard work of it. One run for the first wicket set nerves jangling early, but a stubborn 50-run stand for the fourth wicket steadied the ship. I contributed 41, John Crellin batted sensibly for 34 not out, and Robert Wood added 25 — though poor Don Clayton and Bob Arnold both walked the plank for nought. Roy Clarke, bless him, had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, spilling 15 byes for the scorers to tut over.

Still, we scrambled home 133/8, two wickets to spare. Untidy, occasionally alarming, thoroughly Linton Park — but two points are two points, and I'll take it every day of the week.

Sun 15 Jul 1962 🧢 1st XIv LX L.Newbury's XI · HomeformLLLLL

Sunday 15 July found us taking the field first against L. Newbury's XI, and it was soon plain we had our work cut out. Their openers made themselves thoroughly at home, putting on 80 before we managed to prise the first wicket loose, and from there W.J. Barnes went serenely on to an unbeaten 85, ably supported by V. Broderick's 57. To our credit we didn't let the total run away entirely: Gordon Fenner took 2-46, Terry Whittaker 2-53, and I chipped in with 1-30, while J.L. Newbury departed for a duck at our hands — small mercies, gratefully received. They closed on a healthy 181/5 from their 36 overs, a score that asked serious questions of our batting.

Questions we answered rather well, if not quite to a finish. Maurice Fenner played beautifully for 66, and I found some form of my own with 30, our opening pair putting on a crucial half-century to lay the foundations. We finished on 130/3 from our 24 overs, honours very much shared, and a draw was the fair result when neither side could force the issue further.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Robert Murray continues to press for the top of our run charts with 342 to his name, while Terry Whittaker's 30 wickets keep him second in the bowling table. As for Sunday — a hard-fought stalemate, no shame in it whatsoever, and about as quintessentially English an afternoon as this club is ever likely to produce.

Sat 14 Jul 1962 🧢 1st XIv TM Tovil and Bridge Mill · AwayformDLLLL

Captain's Log — Saturday 14 July 1962

We travelled with hope in our hearts and, it must be said, not quite enough runs in our bags to back it up. Winning the toss and putting them in felt the right sort of decision at the time — the sort you make with a straight bat and a hopeful eye on the clouds. Alas, Malcolm Bristow had other ideas, ghosting to 72 not out with the unhurried menace of a man who knows there's a tea interval to look forward to, while J. Jaganathan chipped in a handsome 63 and Brian Fitch tidied up with 24 not out. 163 for 1 off their 33 overs left us with a mountain, and precious few of us brought our climbing boots.

Our reply began wretchedly — 4 for 1 before some of us had found our guard — and though Roy Clarke (28) and Alan Tucker (25) fought manfully to drag us to 57 for 3, the middle order then conspired to lose the plot entirely, tumbling to 73 for 6 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a pint. Three ducks on the card — B. Russell, R. Davison and Richard Ashby all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer — rather summed up our afternoon. All out for 81.

Beaten by 82 runs, then, and no arguing with the arithmetic. Small consolation that Don Clayton continues his quietly excellent season, now 4th in the club's run charts with 166 for the summer — a reminder that not everything about 1962 has gone begging. We'll dust ourselves down, have a word with the middle order, and be better for it next week.

Sun 08 Jul 1962 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformDDLLL

The Aylesford road, wind in the willow, and I called it right at the toss — never one to overthink these things, I stuck the pads on and let us have first dig. It didn't repay the confidence in style. We were bowled out for 121 in 44.2 overs, an early wicket at 4 on the board setting the tone before John Ames (42) and Robert Murray (38) dragged us into respectability with a stand of 53 for the fourth wicket. Elsewhere the card made grim reading — ducks for Frank Brattle, Len Conway and John Crellin, three batsmen present in body only.

Defending 121 was always going to want discipline, and for a while we had it. Alan Tucker bowled with real purpose for 2-36, well backed by Alan Wilkes, whose 2-37 included two tidy maidens — nothing given away cheaply there. But Aylesford had answers of their own: J. Spencer top-scored with 31, Cliff Anscombe chipped in 23 and Colin Watson 20, and between them they eased home to 122/4 in 32.2 overs.

Six wickets the margin, and no arguing with it. Small personal consolation that I go into the rest of the season still leading the run charts with 716, though runs in the book count for little when the result goes against you. Not our day, then — heads up, and back to the nets for the lot of us.

Sat 07 Jul 1962 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · AwayformDDDLL

We travelled down to Charles Arkcoll on a Saturday that started well enough for us and finished rather less so. I lost the toss, they chose to bat, and for a while it looked like we might make a fist of it — Ames, Bridal and Perkins all trooped back without troubling the scorers, and Alan Tucker span through their order in genuinely unplayable fashion to finish with 7-80. I chipped in with 2-32, seven of those overs maidens, and Ricky Lusher took one for 35, but Stan Wratten's 35 and useful contributions from Ron Hickman and Keith Filmer dragged them to 161 all out.

Chasing that, we simply never got going. Wickets fell in a heap from 34-2 to 47-5, R Davison, Ricky Lusher and Frank Wright all departing for ducks, and we were bowled out for 48 in barely sixteen overs. Roy Clarke had an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps too, with eleven byes leaking through that we could ill afford.

There were bright spots amid the wreckage. Frank Brattle's 19 saw him climb past Frank Taylor into 12th on the club's all-time run list, and Tucker's haul moved him past Bert Buckoke into 22nd among our wicket-takers — I'll take those small mercies. I still lead the 1st XI's season run charts with 710, and Tucker tops the wickets with 29.

Beaten by 113 runs, no dressing it up. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 01 Jul 1962 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Steven · HomeformWDDDL

Here's the match report:

Sunday last saw Tilling Steven roll up for what I'd hoped would be a proper contest, and having won the toss I fancied our chances enough to put them in the field first. That, in hindsight, may have been the last good decision I made all afternoon.

We were bowled out for 75 in 37 overs, a total that flattered to deceive even as it was being compiled. Ray Howard held the innings together manfully with 31, while at the other end of the card things were rather less distinguished — Len Conway and I both departed without troubling the scorers, ducks the pair of us, proof if any were needed that batting is a great leveller.

With the ball we at least gave a decent account of ourselves. Tilling Steven reached 78 for 4 in 28.1 overs, Brian Seagar top-scoring with 31 and R. Bailey seeing them home unbeaten on 20, though J. Mills fell for nought at our hands. Ray Howard was the pick of the attack, 2 for 17 and three tidy maidens to go with his earlier runs — a proper allrounder's day — with David Gale chipping in for 1 for 43.

As for the captain, I can only offer a golden blob by way of contribution, which rather undercuts any claims to leading from the front. We went down by six wickets in the end. Not our day, then — heads up, and back to the nets.

Tue 26 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformWWDDD

Beaten by 12 runs and toss lost inside the same paragraph — some days the Almanack writes itself against you. The Mote won the toss, chose to bat, and made 114/7 from their sixteen overs. Terry Whittaker was magnificent with the ball, 4-53 to lead the attack, with Alan Tucker chipping in a tidy 2-33 alongside him.

In reply we made a proper fist of it. Cliff Anscombe led the way with a fine 24, I weighed in with 21 of my own, and Basil Sears saw us home to what runs we could muster with an unbeaten 21 — though "home" is doing some heavy lifting, as we finished seven down on 102 from our sixteen, twelve runs shy of the target. Alan Tucker's afternoon summed up cricket's cruelty in miniature: a golden duck with the bat, followed almost immediately by the news that his two wickets had nudged him past Basil Sears and up to 24th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Not many men manage heartbreak and history in the same match, but Tucker isn't most men.

Elsewhere the season charts continue to make pleasant reading regardless of Tuesday's result — I sit atop the 1962 run charts with 705, and Terry Whittaker leads the wickets with 28, figures that suggest this defeat was very much the exception rather than the rule.

A narrow defeat, honestly earned by a side that never stopped competing. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 24 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv TM Tovil and Bridge Mill · HomeformLWWDD

Sunday 24 June saw Tovil and Bridge Mill roll up for what promised to be a proper contest, and by close of play we'd delivered exactly that. Put into the field first, we watched M- Howard set about us with a fine 86, well supported by J- Jeganathan's unbeaten 74 and a brisk 25 from M- Patey, the total climbing to a stern 205/3 from their 47 overs. David Gale toiled manfully for his 2-77, while Terry Whittaker did the tidying up — 1-49 and three maidens of positively monastic discipline, the sort of bowling that makes batsmen play a lot of cricket without actually scoring any runs.

Chasing 206, I'll confess I rather enjoyed myself, batting through for an unbeaten 65 and finding an admirable ally in Tony Snook, who chipped in with 42 not out at the other end. Between us — and with the extras column putting in a shift of its own, 36 in the book, practically an all-rounder in its own right — we steered the side to 161/3 from our 45, though time rather than the bowling brought us up short of the target. A personal 65 was satisfying, if I'm honest, though I'd trade every run for a result.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. With the season charts showing me leading the run-scoring and David Gale topping the wickets, the engine room is clearly in good order — we simply ran out of overs to finish the job. A fair result, fairly earned, and a very pleasant Sunday's cricket all round.

Sat 23 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformDLWWD

Basil Sears here, penning the tale of our trip to Rumwood on a fine Saturday, 23rd June.

Winning the toss, I didn't dither for a moment — batting first on a Rumwood pitch always feels like the right call, and so it proved, up to a point. Don Clayton played the innings of the day, a crisp 52 that held the whole thing together, with Alan Tucker chipping in nicely alongside him with 36. We limped home to 179/9 off our 47, a total with a bit of everything in it — including a painful duck for poor Bob Arnold, who I'm sure would rather forget his afternoon with the bat entirely.

With the ball, we set about defending it, and defend it we did, restricting the home side to 122/6 from their 44 overs. Cheesman looked the most fluent of their batsmen with 29, ably assisted by Buckland's unbeaten 22, but our bowlers kept a tight enough leash throughout. Ricky Lusher was superb — two wickets for just 25, five overs of it maidens, mean as you like — while Terry Whittaker also picked up a couple. I managed to sneak in for one wicket myself, which I'm rather chuffed to report nudged me past the Reverend Thomas Burra into 24th on the club's all-time list — sorry, Vicar.

Bob Arnold's afternoon behind the stumps was trickier still, 16 byes testament to a tricky surface. In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, then — fair reflection of an honest scrap, and no bad way to spend a Saturday.

Sun 17 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · AwayformLDLWW

Sunday 17 June, and off we trundled to Bobbing Court, losing the toss and finding ourselves put into the field on what turned out to be a proper working day for the bowlers.

They ground their way to 205 for 7 off their 42 overs, with Goodwin (43), Otley (43) and Witts (39) all doing tidy, unspectacular damage in that order that tells you nobody ever really cut loose but nobody ever gave it away either. Small mercy: Gordon Kemsley departed for a golden duck, which at least gave us something to cheer. David Gale was superb, snaring four for 63 and looking the most likely man all afternoon, with Gordon Fenner (1-30) and Michael Chambers (1-42) chipping in dutifully.

Chasing 206, we replied with 152 for 9 off our 45 – Crellin top-scored with a gritty 38, well backed up by Brattle's 30 and Wratten's 21, but we never quite got the platform to push on. Seventeen byes said everything about the day Roy Clarke had behind the stumps – these things happen to the best of us.

There was, at least, plenty to raise a glass to: Frank Brattle brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, I had the pleasure of reaching 9,000 myself, and Stan Wratten's 21 eased him past William Buck into second on the all-time run-scorers' list. I'm also, for what it's worth, leading this year's 1st XI run charts, with David Gale top of the wicket pile.

A draw, then – honours shared, nobody quite deserving more, and a fine excuse for a second pint on the way home.

Sat 16 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLDLW

Lost the toss at Headcorn on Saturday and duly asked to bowl first — not the news I wanted at ten past two, but the lads set about it with more enthusiasm than my team talk deserved. Headcorn ground their way to 207 for 8 off 46 overs, with G. Murrell's well-made 68 doing most of the damage and G. Gore not far behind on 59; L. Murrell chipped in with 23. Robert Wood, however, was in wonderfully mean form with the ball, plucking out 3 for 8 and sending poor K. Goodall back before he'd troubled the scorers. Terry Whittaker toiled hard for his 3 for 77, two of those overs maidens, while Don Clayton picked up a wicket too. A stiff enough total, but not, in the end, a mountain.

Chasing 208, I found the sort of form one dares not mention twice — 131 came off the bat, and I'll simply say a personal contribution of that size was thoroughly satisfying and leave it there. R. Bishop played the perfect foil with a composed 58 not out, though Robert Wood, having done such fine work with the ball, was undone for a duck with the bat — cricket's little joke, evening the ledger.

We got home by 5 wickets with 37.1 overs on the clock. With 613 runs and Terry Whittaker's 21 wickets leading the county charts this season, the old firm shows no signs of slowing. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — onwards to the next one.

Thu 14 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv BC Boughton Malherbe CC · AwayformDWLDL

Lost the toss again on Thursday — I'm beginning to think the Boughton Malherbe coin has it in for me — and duly found myself leading the lads out into the field first. Not that anyone was complaining once the tea was poured, mind, because our bowlers made an absolute mess of the home side's afternoon. Fourteen overs, fifty-one all out, and three of their number back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers at all. Alan Tucker was the chief architect of the carnage, tearing through with 5-14 including two overs where he simply refused to concede a run, while David Gale (2-29) and Terry Whittaker (1-1) tidied up the rest. A word too on Alan reaching fifty career wickets in the process — a fine landmark, richly deserved, and one he marked in the only way he knows how, by taking another straight after.

With the target so modest, our reply was never going to be elegant, and it wasn't — 53 for 4 in nine overs, more scramble than stroll, with poor Cliff Anscombe enduring the walk of shame for nought. I contributed a watchful 17 to keep things ticking along, and we duly got home with six wickets in hand.

A comfortable win, then, built on bowling of real quality and batting that got the job done without troubling anyone's aesthetic sensibilities. I'll take it every time.

Sun 10 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWDWLD

Sunday saw Bearsted CC pitch up at Linton Park in fine weather, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, as it turned out, even if 65.2 overs later my legs would have disagreed. We were bowled out for 213, a total built on Robert Murray's excellent 77 and, if I may say so just the once, a fifty of my own to go with it. William Buck chipped in with a tidy 24, though poor Alan Tucker will be buying the teas after his nought — the walk of shame duly noted in the ledger, complete with the traditional duck.

Two-fourteen looked gettable when we took the field, and for a good while it was anyone's game, but David Andrews had other ideas, cracking a fine 82, with Colin Fleetwood (60 not out) and Gordon Hawkins (39 not out) seeing them home in some comfort. Terry Whittaker bowled beautifully in defeat — four maidens and a wicket that quietly moved him up to 7th on the club's all-time list — while our ten byes rather told the story of Roy Clarke's afternoon behind the stumps; he'll want that one back.

There were bright spots amid the gloom: William Buck's runs nudged him into 2nd on the all-time run-scorers' list, and the season charts still make pleasant reading. But seven wickets is seven wickets. We were beaten fair and square by the better side on the day — we'll regroup, have a pint, and come back stronger next week.

Sat 09 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv T Tovil · AwayformWWDWL

As we're batting first in Tovil, next in the field, we drew — a fair result. We finished the game 199-179/8, a tight, well-fought draw.

Match Report — Linton Park CC vs Tovil, Saturday 9th June 1962

There's a particular flavour of Yorkshire tea that tastes better after a day like this one, and I fancy the urn back at the pavilion earned its keep on Saturday as we made the journey to Tovil for what turned into a proper old-fashioned arm-wrestle of a cricket match.

Put into the field, we watched Tovil compile a chunky 199 all out from 46.5 overs, built chiefly around a fine half-century from L.D. White (72), with useful support from M. Taylor (32) and J. Morrison (22). Credit to the bowlers for dragging it back to something chaseable — Terry Whittaker led from the front with 3-42 and a couple of tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, while Alan Tucker and David Gale chipped in with 3-48 and 3-59 respectively. C. Banes departed for a duck, which I'm sure he'll have forgotten about by the time you read this.

In reply, 179/8 from our 38 overs left us agonisingly short. A personal contribution of 70 was satisfying, and I was well supported by Frank Brattle's own well-made fifty of 51 — between us we did the bulk of the scoring, though Basil Sears and R. Davison will be buying the teas after both bagging ducks. Spare a thought too for Roy Clarke behind the stumps, who had a tricky afternoon of it with 13 byes going astray.

Amid the toil, there was cause for celebration: Terry Whittaker passed 200 career wickets, and Robert Wood's unassuming 6 runs quietly nudged him past Richard Harris into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Honours shared, then, and no complaints — a draw when neither side could quite force the door open, and a thoroughly good day's cricket for all that.

Sun 03 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformWWWDW

John Thirkell's Match Report — Sunday 3rd June 1962

Won the toss, and for once didn't overthink it: pitch looked a belter, so in we went. Folkestone CC arrived at the Park in fine spirits, which by tea they had every right to be in, though I'm getting ahead of myself.

We batted with a decent amount of purpose, closing on 193 for 4 from our 44 overs. I found some form I'd rather forgotten I had, finishing 75 not out, and can report the personal contribution was thoroughly satisfying — though I'll leave it there before I start sounding pleased with myself. Robert Wood chipped in nicely with 46 not out, and Robert Murray's 30 gave the innings a proper spine. All told, a total that looked competitive enough over the teapot.

Alas, defending it proved another matter entirely. Folkestone chased it down for the loss of 5, reaching 194 in 38.1 overs, with Percy Wright (58 not out) and John Spanswick (53) doing the bulk of the damage, ably assisted by Brian Humphries's 32. Alan Wilkes toiled manfully for his 3 for 81, with Alan Tucker and Michael Chambers picking up a wicket apiece, and David Gale keeping things honest with two maidens. Ten byes, meanwhile, told their own quiet story about William Buck's afternoon behind the stumps.

Not our day, in the end — beaten by five wickets, heads dropped a touch, but nothing the nets won't sort out.

Sat 02 Jun 1962 🧢 1st XIv A A.Trembeths · HomeformDWWWD

It was a fine afternoon at home to A.Trembeths, and having lost the toss I sent them in, more in hope than any great tactical cunning. They made 155 all out in 40.3 overs, with L- Fell top-scoring on 42, well supported by R- Holland's 37 and R- Russell's 28. Credit to the bowlers for the rest: Terry Whittaker was in fine, probing form to return 4-34, David Gale chipped away for 3-35, and Charles Crellin picked up one for 31. Robert Wood, meanwhile, was miserly enough to squeeze out two maidens, and three of their batsmen — Walker, Mortlock and McKeen — trooped back for ducks, which always cheers a fielding side no end.

Chasing 156, we got home in some comfort at 157/5 from 34.3 overs, though not without the odd flutter along the way. Robert Murray was the innings' backbone, finishing unbeaten on a really excellent 69, and I was glad to lend a hand with 39 of my own. I Harris chipped in with 22, while poor Basil Sears and Don Clayton both fell without troubling the scorers. Eight byes crept through, which suggests Bob Arnold was having one of those days behind the stumps that wicketkeepers would rather forget.

A thoroughly deserved five-wicket win, then, and two points safely banked. All told, a proper afternoon of village cricket — heroes, ducks and byes in equal measure, and honours very much ours.

Sat 26 May 1962 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · HomeformWDWWW

I only have satisfaction, so I did not consult with all the tools and skills. I did what was asked directly.

Winning the toss is meant to be a captain's privilege, not a permission slip — but Gore Court called correctly and took first use of a pitch that, in the end, gave nothing away easily. Their innings ground on to 216 for 8 from 41 overs, built chiefly around David Hillier's well-crafted 75 and John Bishop's 72, with Maurice Ingleton chipping in 27. Credit where it's due: Don Clayton was in menacing form, spinning his way to 5 for 61 and doing most of the damage himself, while David Gale (2 for 49, with two tidy maidens) and Terry Whittaker (1 for 66) kept things honest at the other end. A useful afternoon's work in the field, even if 216 felt a stiff ask by tea.

Chasing it, we made a fair fist of things without ever quite getting there, closing on 155 for 5 from 40.4 overs. I'll allow myself one boast for the scrapbook: 57 not out, unbeaten and rather satisfying, with I Harris (30) and Don Clayton (27) lending good support in the middle order. Poor R Davison departed for nought, one of those days that comes to us all sooner or later, while Bob Arnold had his gloves worked hard behind the stumps, conceding 11 byes in a spell that will not trouble the wicketkeeping awards committee.

So honours shared, and rightly so — neither side could quite force the issue, and a draw felt the fair reflection of an even contest. With the bat now sitting proudly atop the 1962 run charts, I'm rather enjoying this purple patch; here's hoping the next fixture settles matters one way or the other.

Mon 21 May 1962 🧢 1st XIv AC Alabaster Passmore CC · HomeformDWDWW

We had first use of the ball on a fine Monday evening, and I shan't pretend I wasn't rubbing my hands together as Alabaster Passmore CC strode out to bat. E Amey departed without troubling the scorers, which set the tone nicely, and from there Alan Tucker simply ran amok, finishing with a scarcely believable 6-45. David Gale chipped in handsomely with 4-24, and between the two of them the visitors were bowled out for a modest 72 from just fifteen overs. Tidy work all round, and rather more comfortable than most Mondays.

Chasing such a total ought to have been a formality, and so it proved, though not without the odd anxious over. We reached 73 for the loss of only two wickets in eleven, with Robert Murray unbeaten on 21 in fine support. I found some form myself, seeing us home with 23 not out, which I mention only the once lest anyone think I'm labouring the point.

The season charts continue to make pleasant reading: I find myself atop the 1962 1st XI run tally with 174, while Tucker sits second in the wicket-taking table with 11 to his name. A win by 8 wickets, then, and a thoroughly satisfying evening's work. Onwards we go.

Sun 20 May 1962 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformDDWDW

Sunday 20 May 1962, and the sun found us at home to Anchorians CC in a mood to bowl first — a mood confirmed the moment I lost the toss and they took first knock. Anchorians ground out 127 all out in 50.4 overs, propped up almost entirely by G. James, who nudged and nurdled his way to a defiant 71 not out. The top order fared rather less well against us — Lock, Farnfield and Harris departed without so much as a run to their names, which I like to think rattled a few cages. But the story of the innings was John Ames, unplayable off both ends, spinning his way to 5 for 40 with six maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly. Alan Tucker chipped in nicely with 3 for 35 and Terry Whittaker took one for 14, tidy support all round.

Chasing 128, we strolled home at 128 for 3 in 26.3 overs, Frank Brattle the anchor with an unbeaten 44, Ray Howard weighing in with 30 and John Ames following his bowling heroics with 22 more with the bat. I managed 20 myself, more scratch than style but runs all the same. Sixteen byes did rather betray a testing afternoon behind the stumps — someone owes the wicketkeeper a pint.

A fine win by seven wickets, then, and one built almost entirely on Ames's twin heroics with bat and ball. Onwards we go.

Sat 19 May 1962 🧢 1st XIv L Loose · AwayformDDDWD

Saturday 19 May, away at Loose, and for once the toss fell kindly enough to let us have first use of the ball — always my preference on an away pitch you haven't had time to size up. Terry Whittaker made the decision look inspired, running through their order with a positively miserly 5-35, five of those overs maidens, while David Gale mopped up nicely with 3-40. I managed a couple myself, 2-11, not that I'll dwell on it. Merricks was the only one of theirs who looked like he meant business, top-scoring with 23, while poor Colebrook trudged off for a duck at our hands. All out for 94 in 34.4 overs — a fair morning's work.

Chasing 95 should never be taken for granted in this game, but Don Clayton batted with real sense for his 24, and I was fortunate enough to see us home unbeaten on 36. We wrapped it up at 95/3 in 20.3 overs, seven wickets in hand and no undue alarm along the way.

Worth a mention in the club annals: Terry's five-for nudges him up to 8th on the all-time wicket-takers list, and he now sits second in this year's bowling charts behind nobody in particular, while I find myself leading the 1962 run charts on 131. Loose were competitive but never quite threatening. A thoroughly satisfying seven-wicket win, and long may it continue.

Sun 13 May 1962 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · HomeformDDDDW

Sunday 13 May 1962, and Bobbing Court arrived to find us losing the toss for the umpteenth time this season — they had first knock, and we had a long afternoon in the field ahead of us. Jack Whibley settled in for a watchful 62 and Gordon Kemsley chipped in with 26, dragging them to 169/7 from their 55 overs. Michael Chambers, though, was in irresistible form, prising out five for 50 to keep us in the hunt, with a touch of support from my own 1-8 and John Ames's 1-37 — Ray Howard, meanwhere, was positively parsimonious with three maidens. Poor C Robinson departed for a golden duck, which felt like scant reward for his troubles.

Chasing 170, we never quite got out of second gear, subsiding to 132/8 from our 46 overs. Ray Howard, having bowled so tidily, then top-scored with 46, ably assisted by Frank Brattle's 25 — though Michael Chambers, having taken five wickets in the morning, rounded off his day with a nought in the afternoon, a fair trade by any reckoning. William Buck had a torrid time behind the stumps, 10 byes escaping his gloves like eels.

Amid the toil, some proper milestones: John Ames brought up 3,000 runs for the club, and Ray Howard's innings eased him past John Taylor into 6th on our all-time run list. I'm rather chuffed to be leading the 1962 run charts myself, with Ames setting the pace among the bowlers.

A draw, then — honours even, and honestly, after that effort with bat, ball and gloves, everyone rather relieved to shake hands and head for the tea urn.

Sun 06 May 1962 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWDDDD

Sunday last, we welcomed West Farleigh CC to Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss – a rare enough event in itself – I saw no reason to do anything but bat. It proved the right sort of morning for it, and 163/4 from our 37 overs was a total built on Maurice Fenner's excellent 87, a fifty carried through with real authority, and well supported by Robert Murray's 27. The rest of us contributed what we could around them, which is the traditional euphemism for "not very much."

In the field we found ourselves rather enjoying the afternoon. West Farleigh's reply never got out of second gear, and they were bowled out for 77 in 26.3 overs, a- Parker's 22 the only real resistance. P- Theobald departed without so much as troubling the scorers, which we tried very hard not to enjoy quite as much as we did. John Ames was superb, 3-12 the pick of the bowling, with Gordon Fenner miserly as ever (2-28, three maidens) and I chipped in with 3-13 myself, which I shall claim was entirely deliberate.

A day of small landmarks too, with Maurice's innings and my own bowling each nudging us up the club's all-time lists. But the headline stands well enough alone: won by 86 runs, two points thoroughly earned, and tea, as ever, the closest contest of the day.

Sat 05 May 1962 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformDWDDD

We won the toss and put Staplehurst in to chase, declaring at 168/5 off our 39.4 overs — Basil Sears the architect with a fine 57, well backed by Don Clayton's 46 and Frank Brattle's 31. A total to be pleased with, even if the last few overs were more agricultural than aesthetic on my part as I waved the lads through to a total that felt, at tea, like it might just be enough.

It very nearly was. Staplehurst set about the chase with more urgency than sense and were 69/5 after 17.1 overs when someone in the committee tent must have had a quiet word, because the required rate suddenly stopped troubling anyone. Don Clayton, fresh from his runs, turned his arm over beautifully for 2-7 and looked for a spell like he might win it outright, with Alan Tucker (2-18) and David Gale (1-27) squeezing from the other end. D. Burrow's defiant 25 was the difference between collapse and stalemate, and in the end honours were shared — a draw when neither side could quite summon the nerve, or the overs, to force it.

Sears now sits second in our 1962 run charts and Gale fourth among the wicket-takers, which is either a sign of a side building nicely or a sign we need to bowl a team out occasionally. A draw, then — the great English compromise. Nobody lost, nobody quite won, and the tea was, as ever, the best part of the afternoon.

Sun 29 Apr 1962 🧢 1st XIv MA Maidstone AKCC · HomeformWDWDD

I lost the toss but Maidstone Akcc's decision to bat first suited me down to the ground, or so I thought at tea. What followed was a bowling performance that will live long in the memory. John Ames, spinning away like a man possessed, tore through their order for a remarkable 6-72, while Ray Howard chipped in admirably with 3-60 and a couple of maidens for good measure. Ron Aiston and Michael Chambers were both sent packing without troubling the scorers, though D Andrews (37), William Dover (36) and Brian Seager (27) dragged the visitors up to 176 all out, which felt a good deal more than the innings deserved.

Our reply never quite got going. Robert Murray battled well for 35 and Stan Wratten added a handsome 30, and I was pleased to get among the runs myself as our own top scorer with 70 for the season so far. But John Ames and Robert Wood both fell for ducks, and 113/8 from our 38 overs was, frankly, scratchy stuff. Poor Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, coughing up 13 byes, which did nothing for anyone's blood pressure.

Two records did fall amid the mediocrity — Wratten's 30 lifted him past William Buck into second on the club's all-time run charts, and Ames's six-for took him past Alan Wilkes to the top of the wicket-takers' list. A draw, then, honours shared, and on this evidence entirely fair. We bowled like champions and batted like it was our first go with a bat in hand.

Sat 28 Apr 1962 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformLWDWD

Saturday last took us down to West Farleigh, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and didn't dither for a second before choosing to bat. Good job too, as we ground out 169 for 9 from our forty overs. I found some form of my own, seeing off the early jitters to reach a fifty and press on to 65, with Robert Wood a fine ally at 44 and John Crellin chipping in a tidy 27. Less said the better about poor Basil Sears and Percy Brattle, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — a pair of ducks to file under "character building."

Defending 169 is never a comfortable afternoon, and West Farleigh made us work for every run, closing on 168 for 6 from their thirty-six. Reg Oldfield anchored things nicely with 55, Ron Kemp stayed unbeaten on a stubborn 43, and W Quayle added 20. Terry Whittaker did the heavy lifting with the ball, 2 for 51, backed up well by John Crellin and Charles Crellin with a wicket apiece, while David Gale bowled three maidens as tight as a Sunday collection plate. Percy Brattle had a torrid time behind the stumps, 10 byes leaking through — the poor lad clearly hadn't recovered from his duck.

Two runs shy at the death and honours were shared. Robert Wood's 44 eases him past Tom Osborn into 18th on the club's all-time run-scorers, and Terry Whittaker's brace edges him above me into 8th among the wicket-takers — I'll take that gracefully, for now. A draw, then, but an honest one: nobody stole it, nobody gifted it. We'll take that on the road any day.