🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 24 Sep 1966 🧢 1st XIv HC Hartley Country Club CC · HomeformLWLWW

Saturday 24th September, and we welcomed Hartley Country Club to Linton Park under skies that felt, for once, in a benevolent mood. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first strike — the right call, and I'll take the credit while it's going.

168/9 from our 44 overs told a story of feast, famine, and a defiant final flourish. Dick Langridge batted with real composure for 46 not out, well backed by Terry Whittaker's 32 and Derry Evans's unbeaten 27. But cricket, cruel game that it is, saw us slide from 11-1 to 12-4 before we'd barely settled — John Thirkell, Benny Bell and Mike Iliffe all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Credit to the last pair, who conjured 59 priceless runs from nowhere to give the total some dignity.

In the field we held our nerve. Gordon Fenner was the chief tormentor with 3-20, Dick Langridge (3-34, five miserly maidens) barely let anyone breathe, and Paul Bowles chipped in with 1-40. E Cherry's 48 and A Lush's 24 kept Hartley in it, but they could only reach 128/7 — C Cooper falling for a duck at our hands. As for your correspondent, I too made a duck — the less said, the better.

Two names on the honours board: Terry Whittaker climbed to 15th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and Dick Langridge to 13th among the wicket-takers. A draw, then — honours shared, and honestly, a fair reflection of a match that gave as good as it got.

Sun 18 Sep 1966 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformDLWLW

Sunday 18 September 1966, and Anchorians CC arrived as our visitors with the sun doing its level best and the toss doing its level worst — down we went, and out we were sent to bowl.

Not that any of us minded overmuch once Terry Whittaker got his fingers round the ball. Turning it square all afternoon, he finished with a scarcely believable 7 for 29, and by the time he'd finished tormenting the Anchorians middle order there wasn't much of an innings left to torment. From 3 for 1 we had them reeling to 16 for 4, A Hart and M- Brown both back in the pavilion without so much as a squint at the scoreboard, and Gordon Fenner strangling the other end with nine maidens and 3 for 37 for good measure. Only J- Lock, unbeaten on 29, kept the innings from complete collapse, and 79 all out in 37.4 overs felt, frankly, generous of us to allow.

Chasing so modest a total ought to be simple, and for once it very nearly was. Ron Wratten batted with the calm of a man who knew the hard work was already done, seeing us home unbeaten on 35, with Robert Chance (21 not out) and Stan Wratten (20) doing the early legwork. We reached 80 for 1 in 32.5 overs without ever looking troubled.

A fine win by 9 wickets, then, and no false modesty required this week — Whittaker was magnificent, Fenner was miserly, and the rest of us simply had to turn up. Onwards.

Sat 17 Sep 1966 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · AwayformDDLWL

We travelled to Bowaters on the 17th of September full of the usual optimism, which lasted right up until I lost the toss and was sent into the field — never my favourite way to spend a Saturday, but there we are. The lads rallied well behind the ball, restricting the hosts to 129/9 from their 52 overs. Brian Relf was the pick of the attack, cutting through with figures of 3-12, while Dick Langridge (2-16) and Benny Bell (2-38) chipped in handsomely, and Terry Whittaker bowled a spell of admirable parsimony, five maidens and barely a run to be had off him.

A gettable total, then, though you wouldn't have known it from our start — 1-1 had the tea urn muttering before it had even boiled. But John Thirkell and Basil Sears steadied the ship with a stand of 61 for the second wicket, Thirkell top-scoring with a fine 38 and Sears a very useful 29. I contributed my own 38 down the order, and between us we saw the side home at 130/5 in 37.1 overs. Spare a thought for poor Benny Bell, whose morning with the ball was rather undone by an afternoon duck — the Duck Club ledger grows heavier still.

Elsewhere, Thirkell continues to lord it over the season's run charts with 932 to his name, and Langridge sits fourth among the wicket-takers with 38. A five-wicket win, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfactory way to spend a September Saturday — even if I never did get to choose whether we batted or bowled.

Sun 11 Sep 1966 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformDDDLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 11 September 1966. We travelled down to Staplehurst in good spirits, and I won the toss and elected to bat, which I still maintain was the right call whatever anyone says afterwards.

We posted 181 for 8 off 48.5 overs, a total built on a fine 72 from Robert Chance, who passed his fifty with something to spare, well supported by John Thirkell's 35 and Basil Sears' 27. The second-wicket stand of 79 was the innings' backbone. Poor Frank Brattle contributed a golden duck for his troubles, and the extras column weighed in with a generous 26 — Staplehurst's bowlers evidently as wayward as our batting was assured.

In the field we couldn't quite close it out. Staplehurst reached 183 for 5 off 39 overs, L- Murrell leading the chase with a well-made 71 not out, backed by G- Murrell's 39 and W Tipples' 29, their fourth-wicket stand of 61 doing the damage. Gordon Fenner bowled tidily for 2 for 31 with two maidens, Dick Langridge took 2 for 46, and Paul Bowles 1 for 39 — honest toil, but not quite enough, with Benny Bell enduring a tricky afternoon behind the stumps as 10 byes went astray. I chipped in with 35 myself for what it was worth.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Dick Langridge's two wickets carried him past Herbert Rayner into 14th on the club's all-time list, while John Thirkell continues to lead our 1966 run charts and Langridge sits fourth among the season's wicket-takers.

Beaten by five wickets in the end. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 10 Sep 1966 🧢 1st XIv RC Reeds CC · HomeformLDDDL

Lost the toss on a bright September Saturday, and duly found myself condemned to the field while Reeds CC helped themselves to batting first — the fate of a captain who has never once called correctly, and probably never will. Still, we made the best of it. Jepson gave us a proper working-over with a classy 51, well backed by Dampier's 37, and their third-wicket pair put on a stubborn 57 that had me wondering whether we'd be there till Sunday. But cricket has a way of turning on its head: from 101 for 4 they were 108 for 7 before anyone had finished their tea, Medhurst, Holmes and Franks all trudging back for ducks. Dick Langridge was the chief tormentor, a wonderfully mean 5 for 18 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, Paul Bowles chipping in with 2 for 45 and Terry Whittaker with 1 for 27. All out 122 in 37.5 overs — a total we could work with.

And work with it we did. A second-wicket stand of 62 set us on our way, though poor Benny Bell will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry. As for yours truly, I'm rather pleased to report I led from the front with 79 not out, seeing us home at 123 for 4 in 37.4 overs.

Six wickets the margin, and a thoroughly good day for the club. Dick's bowling and my own modest run of form this season — now the top of the pile with the ball and bat respectively — suggest 1966 still has a few more Saturdays like this in store.

Wed 07 Sep 1966 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Birchington CC · AwayformWLDDD

We travelled to Birchington CC on Wednesday and, winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first strike — a decision I'm rather pleased to say vindicated itself. John Ames played the innings of the day, a crisp 61, while John Thirkell chipped in a sturdy 48 and Terry Whittaker weighed in with 35; the two Johns' 66-run stand for the third wicket was very much the spine of our 171/6 from 43.2 overs. Poor Mike Iliffe, meanwhile, will be pleased to know a duck reads no worse in the scorebook than a century, even if it feels rather worse walking off.

With runs on the board, it fell to the bowlers to make them count, and count they did. Birchington's C Smith gave us a fright with a well-crafted fifty, and their opening pair put on a stubborn 54, but beyond that it was one-way traffic — P Smith back in the hutch without so much as a nibble, and the innings folding for 136 in 33.2 overs. John Ames, not content with his runs, then ran positively riot with the ball, returning a startling 6-61, with Dick Langridge lending admirable support at 4-37. I managed a tidy 48 myself, more by luck than judgement.

A 35-run victory, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. With Thirkell topping the run charts and Ames the wicket column for the season, the Midweek XI is looking in fine fettle. Onwards indeed.

Sat 03 Sep 1966 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lukes Maidstone CC · HomeformLLDDD

Lost the toss on Saturday and, as is tradition at Linton Park, watched St Lukes Maidstone elect to bat on a morning that gave no clues as to what was coming. They ground their way to 138 all out in 50.1 overs, W Hunt top-scoring with 44 and J Beesley chipping in a useful 28, the pair building a stand of 53 for the third wicket after we'd nipped out their opener for nought. Paul Bowles was in a mood all afternoon, turning it square for 5-53, with Terry Donovan miserly and menacing in equal measure — 4-33 including four maidens — and Terry Whittaker tidying up with 1-22. A fine shift in the field, and 138 looked eminently gettable.

It was not gettable. C Pearson and C Hull departed without so much as a squeak, and from 4-1 we somehow contrived to be 19-4 before most of us had finished our tea. Terry Donovan and Jon Harris both walked back for golden ducks, and only Paul Bowles, with a defiant 20, offered any resistance as we folded for 50 in 28.5 overs — a collapse to make the clubhouse curtains twitch. Small consolation that John Thirkell still leads the 1966 run charts with 780, and Terry Whittaker sits fourth among the bowlers with 32 scalps.

Beaten by 88 runs, no argument. Heads up, and back to the nets — this one's for forgetting quickly.

Mon 29 Aug 1966 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformDLLDD

Monday 29th August, and off we trundled to Bearsted, where I called correctly at the toss and, feeling unusually decisive for a man who normally can't choose a tea order, sent us in to bat. It proved the right call. John Ames and Terry Whittaker put on 85 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scorers with a dismissal, and from there Ames went on to a fine 59, well supported by Don Clayton's 49 and Whittaker's 33, as we posted 240 all out in 71.2 overs. Your captain rattled along to 25 himself, though the less said about Fred Greenfield and Derry Evans the better — both ducks, both walking back with that particular gait reserved for the dismissed of nought.

With the ball, we gave Bearsted every encouragement early on, their openers helping themselves to 84 before the first wicket fell, and David Andrews compiling a superb, chanceless 109 that made the afternoon feel longer than it was. A 'Tony' Snook's unbeaten 35 and Colin Fleetwood's 20 kept them ticking, but Dick Langridge turned the screw beautifully, spinning his way to 5-90, with John Thirkell chipping in for 3-42 and your captain grabbing three of his own. Poor Paul Bowles had a torrid time behind the stumps, nine byes speaking to a testing day with the gloves. Bearsted closed on 224-8.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Frustrating, perhaps, but with Thirkell topping our run charts and Langridge lurking fifth among the wicket-takers, there's no cause for gloom in the Linton Park dressing room.

Sat 27 Aug 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLDLLD

Saturday 27th August 1966, and after a summer of near-misses we finally got the chance to play host, though I confess I spent the toss half-hoping to bat first and spare my bowlers' blushes — no such luck, and it was they who piled up 222 for 3 from their 49 overs. Trembeth went about his half-century with the sort of unhurried menace that has visiting captains reaching for the flask of tea rather than the field placings, cashing in for 75, with Norris (47) and Fell (43) offering cheerful support. Credit where due — Dick Langridge tore in for 2 for 51 and Brian Relf chipped away for 1 for 53, while Terry Whittaker bowled two maidens as though daring anyone to actually score off him.

Chasing 223 was always going to ask questions of a batting order more accustomed to village showers than sustained pursuit, and so it proved: 121 for 6 from our 48 overs told its own tale. Terry Donovan, unmoved by the mounting equation around him, finished unbeaten on 33, with Fred Greenfield's 27 the ideal accomplice — their sixth-wicket stand of 51 was, in truth, the only period of the innings where we resembled a side chasing rather than merely surviving.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride dented but intact. John Thirkell continues to lord it over the rest of us with 751 runs on the season, and Langridge's 24 wickets keep him lurking menacingly in fifth. As for the match itself: not a win to sing about, but on a day when the sun shone and nobody disgraced themselves too badly, I'll happily call it a fair result and a good tea.

Sun 21 Aug 1966 🧢 1st XIv EC East Peckham & Nettlestead CC · HomeformLLDLL

Sunday 21st August, and East Peckham & Nettlestead rolled up to find the toss going their way and the covers thankfully redundant. They chose to bat, and for a while it looked like they might bat forever — 81 on the board before we so much as glimpsed a breakthrough, N Ashman purring along to 49 with A Morris (31) and K Miles (29) offering polite support. Credit where due: John Ames toiled manfully for his 3-55, with Gordon Fenner (2-30, two tidy maidens thrown in) and Dick Langridge (2-49) chipping away at the other end. 202 all out from 51.4 overs — a proper afternoon's graft in the field, and by the closing overs the knees were audibly creaking.

Chasing was never really on the cards once we'd seen that total off that many overs, and with the light and the clock both against us, 47 without loss from just 7 became the sensible order of the day. John Ames, having bowled his heart out, then batted us to safety with an unbeaten 25, ably abetted by William Buck's equally composed 22 not out — the sort of low-key rearguard that wins you nothing but loses you nothing either.

Special mention, and a small cheer from the boundary, for William Buck reaching 6,000 career runs for the club — a proper milestone, quietly achieved, as is his way. Honours shared in the end; nobody quite had the legs or the inclination to force it. A draw, then, and on a day like this, no bad result at all.

Sat 20 Aug 1966 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformDLLDL

Saturday 20th August found us at home to Aylesford Paper Mills, and having called correctly at the toss — a rare enough pleasure in itself — I had no hesitation in taking first knock on what looked a decent strip.

It didn't start well. We were four down before the tea urn had properly warmed up, and for a while it looked like being one of those afternoons. But the middle order steadied things nicely, Don Clayton leading the way with a fine 32, and a spirited late flourish saw the tail add a stubborn 36 to leave us 132/8 from our 45 overs — respectable, if not exactly imposing.

Defending it was always going to be a tall order, and so it proved. J. Penn played a thoroughly well-made 68, ably supported by Eric Churchyard's 22, the pair putting on 66 for the second wicket and rather taking the game away from us. Credit where it's due — Gordon Fenner bowled beautifully for his 3-25, with Terry Donovan (2-24) and Dick Langridge (1-29) chipping in, and Terry Whittaker kept things admirably tight with two maidens. But Aylesford got home by four wickets, 133/6 from their 40.

A little cheer amid the gloom: Don's 32 nudged him past Len Conway into 18th on the club's all-time run charts, and he now sits third in this season's run tally with 511, while Dick holds fifth in the wicket-takers with 20. Not our day, but heads up — back to the nets.

Sun 14 Aug 1966 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformDDLLD

Sunday 14 August 1966, and we welcomed The Mote CC to Linton Park under skies that promised more than the day delivered. I lost the toss — no great surprise this season — and we were put into the field, which at least gave the lads something to grip onto early.

They made themselves at home to the tune of 217/6 from their 55 overs, Mike Foster unbeaten on a classy 64 and Tim Gunter chipping in a well-crafted 53, with Shujaat Beg's unbeaten 26 rounding things off. Their last pair then had the cheek to add 58 runs we frankly didn't need to see. Alan Tucker toiled manfully for 3-64, with John Ames (2-52) and Dick Langridge (1-42) doing their bit — Ames continuing his fine season, now 2nd in the club's run charts, and Tucker 3rd among the wicket-takers.

Our reply, if you can call it that, lasted 21.3 overs and yielded just 46 all out. A wicket down for nought set the tone, and things unravelled from 17-3 to 21-6 with almost indecent haste. Robert Chance, Don Clayton and Frank Brattle all took the walk for nought apiece — the Duck Club ledger groaning under the weight. Poor Paul Bowles had a torrid time behind the stumps too, 8 byes finding their way past him.

Beaten by 171 runs, then — no dressing it up. Back to the nets, and back to the drawing board.

Sat 13 Aug 1966 🧢 1st XIv BC Bowaters CC · AwayformLDDLL

Saturday 13 August 1966, and off we trundled to Bowaters CC, losing the toss and finding ourselves asked to bowl first — which, given how the day unfolded, may have been the more comfortable half of our afternoon.

Bowaters made a watchful 169 for 9 off their 41 overs, built patiently around Jack Day's 35, with Colin Ecclestone (29) and Alan Douglas (21) chipping in to keep the scoreboard ticking rather than galloping. Credit to the attack, mind — Terry Donovan bowled beautifully for 3-51, well backed by Derry Evans (3-51) and Gordon Fenner (3-64, and two tidy maidens besides). Nothing was given away cheaply, and I even helped myself to three of the skipper's own with the ball, which is always a pleasant way to spend a Saturday.

Chasing 170, we never quite got out of second gear, subsiding to 98 for 9 off our 42 overs. John Mattingley battled hard for 27, but the middle order rather fell over itself between 66 for 3 and 66 for 6, and poor Paul Bowles and Alan Cridland will want their ducks back before anyone notices.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride largely intact, and Don Clayton's 479 runs still sitting handsomely third in the season's charts. On another day we chase that down; on this one, we'll gladly settle for a share of the spoils and a pint on the way home.

Wed 27 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformLLDDL

It was a heartbreak we brought entirely upon ourselves, and no mistake.

Winning the toss at Aylesford Paper Mills, I elected to bat, and for a while it looked the sound decision it usually is. Brian Aiston played the anchor beautifully for 28, John Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 24, and their stand of fifty for the third wicket was the spine of the innings. Beyond that, though, the runs came in fits and starts, and 75 for 4 off our fourteen overs always felt a touch light — the sort of total that leaves a captain doing sums in his head rather than enjoying his tea.

Sure enough, the Mills made a jittery start, losing an early wicket with just the one run up, and poor Colin Watson departed for a duck at our hands to boot. For a moment I allowed myself a flicker of hope. But Fred Baker had other ideas, batting through unbeaten for 37 and steering them home. David Gale was magnificent with the ball, 3 for 16 and full value for his figures, with Terry Whittaker and Brian Aiston chipping in a wicket apiece — I even had a bowl myself and managed 24 with the bat earlier, for what little comfort that offers.

So it's five wickets the wrong way, and heads rightly down. Thirkell keeps ploughing on at the top of the run charts, Gale likewise with the ball — small mercies in a lean afternoon. Back to the nets, lads; we'll have this lot next time.

Tue 26 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWLLDD

Tuesday the 26th of July found us on our travels, kit bags rattling with the usual mix of hope and mild dread that an away fixture inspires. We had first use of the ball, and the lads made the most of it, setting about our hosts with rather more venom than the tea urn's genteel steam suggested was proper. Alan Wilkes bowled as though auditioning for a benefit match, finishing with 6 for 14 and reducing grown men to museum pieces, while David Gale chipped in handsomely with 3 for 21. Wickets tumbled from 12 for 1 to 21 for 4 in the blink of an umpire's eye, and R. Sidebottom, L. Buchanan and B. Wolford all trooped back without troubling the scorer's pencil. All out for 39 in 11.5 overs — a total better suited to a rain-shortened Sunday knockabout than a proper fixture.

Chasing so modest a target ought never to be taken for granted in this game, but the side made light work of it, cantering home to 40 for 1 in just 9.4 overs. A comprehensive win by 9 wickets, and the openers can put their feet up with a clear conscience.

With John Thirkell still ploughing on at the top of the season's run charts on 723, and David Gale now up to 48 wickets, the engine room of this side remains in rude health. A tidy afternoon's work all round, and I daresay the tea wasn't bad either.

Sun 24 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformLWLLD

Sunday 24 July 1966, and Folkestone CC rolled up to find the coin unkind to us once again — theirs was the choice, and theirs was the bat. It promised to be a long afternoon in the field, and so it proved, though not without honour: we had them at 1 for 1 inside the first over and allowed ourselves a flicker of hope before Ian Pepper and company reminded us why cricket is a game of patience. Pepper made a magnificent 126 — three figures, no less, the sort of innings you applaud through gritted teeth — with Brian Humphries a fine support act on 61 and Mike Stephens unbeaten on 29. A 122-run stand held their innings together like mortar in a wall, and they declared us weary at 254 for 5 off 47.5 overs.

Credit where due: David Gale bowled beautifully for 2 for 37, with Terry Whittaker (2 for 76) and Alan Wilkes (1 for 65) chipping away, and we did at least send C Farreley back for a golden duck, which cheered the tea interval no end.

Chasing was never really the plan — bad light called an early halt with us 15 for 2 off 8 overs, another early wicket setting the tone before we'd even settled our feet. So a draw it was, honours shared, nobody quite satisfied. A stern workout against a strong Folkestone side; character shown, no victory to show for it — file under honourable draw, and pass the sandwiches.

Sat 23 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWLWLL

Saturday 23 July 1966, and away we went with a spring in our step and, as it turned out, a stalemate in our boots.

Put into the field, we watched their innings wind on to an unspecified all-out total, with Woodcock's well-crafted 57 the backbone, Parkinson (33) and Ferguson (32 not out) lending sturdy support. Seager and Carcary at least had the good manners to depart without troubling the scorers. But the day belonged to Gordon Fenner, who span a web through their middle order for a magnificent 6-43 — and did so, no less, on the occasion of his 200th appearance in Linton colours. A cap doffed to him. Dick Langridge (2-26) and Terry Whittaker (1-43) chipped in gamely, while David Gale bowled two maidens with the quiet discipline of a man saving his breath for the tea interval.

Our reply of 155/7 off 24.2 overs began in some disarray — 6 for 1 is no way to settle the nerves — before Terry Whittaker's 49 and Basil Sears' 42 anchored a third-wicket stand worth 69, with Dick Langridge unbeaten on 25 tidying up the tail. I contributed 49 of my own, more by application than elegance. Ten byes, meanwhile, made for an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps for poor Fred Greenfield.

Whittaker's innings also nudged him past Roy Clarke into 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he continues his fine season sitting fourth in both the 1st XI's run and wicket charts.

In the end, honours shared and nobody quite able to land the killer blow — a fair reflection, I'd say, of an afternoon where both sides fought well but neither could quite finish the job.

Sun 17 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWLWL

Sunday 17 July 1966 at home, and a curious one to try to put into words. We won the toss, sent them in, and watched them post 207/6 from their 41 overs — M. Everest and R. Harding both making handsome fifties, 55 and 52 apiece, with R. Craddock chipping in 34 and the pair at the top laying a platform of 64 before we made a breakthrough. John Ames was the pick of the bowling with 3-26, David Gale toiled hard for 2-71, Dick Langridge took one, and Alan Tucker bowled two tidy maidens for good measure.

Chasing 208, we set off in fine style — 65 for the first wicket — before a stand of 82 for the third steadied matters nicely. John Ames again led the way with a classy 69, John Thirkell made 44, Robert Chance 36, and I managed to scratch together 44 myself, for whatever that's worth to the historical record. Poor Stan Wratten will want this paragraph skipped over quickly — a duck to nurse home. We finished on 209/6 from our 44, four wickets shy of the winning line.

So: not our day. Plenty to admire in the effort, precious little to show for it on the board. John Thirkell continues to top the season's run charts and David Gale the wickets, which is some consolation as we dust ourselves down. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets — there's cricket yet to be won this summer.

Sat 16 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformLLWLW

The lads made the trip out to Rumwood on a Saturday that promised more than it delivered. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling remains a black art even I don't trust — and we were sent into the field, which suited us well enough given how the morning ended up.

Rumwood's innings pottered along to 113/8 from their 48 overs, never quite taking flight. Phillips led the way with a watchful 34, with Coatsworth (26) and Hill (21) chipping in either side of him. Credit to the bowling and the ground fielding — Robin Venner and David Gale both went back to the shed without so much as a single to their name, which tells you how tightly we squeezed them for spells. On another day 113 looks eminently gettable.

This was not that day. Our reply began sensibly enough before the wheels came off spectacularly — 12 for 1 became 21 for 4 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea, and from there we never really recovered. Don Clayton and Paul Bowles both departed for ducks, and the innings folded for 65 in 32.2 overs, a full 48 runs shy of the target.

Not our finest hour, and no amount of village-green charm will dress up a batting collapse like that. Heads up, though — it's back to the nets this week, and I dare say a few of us have some very pointed throwdowns coming our way.

Sun 10 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · HomeformLLLWL

Sunday 10 July 1966, and we welcomed Sevenoaks Vine CC to Linton Park in fine style. Winning the toss, I chose to bat without a flicker of doubt, and the lads made me look rather clever, romping to 230 for 4 off our 48 overs. John Ames was magnificent, striking a commanding 113, and Terry Whittaker chipped in handsomely with 53, while William Buck kept his composure to finish unbeaten on 28. The 113-run third-wicket stand was the innings' backbone. I'll draw a discreet veil over Don Clayton's golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, and he'd more than make amends later.

Sevenoaks fought hard in reply, Graham Gaston leading the way with 34, well supported by George Downton's 30 and Rodney Crang's 26, their sixth-wicket pair adding a stubborn 56. But once we broke through, the innings unravelled with delightful speed — 147 for 6 became 147 all out in a flurry, with Notley, Francis and Reid all departing without troubling the scorers. Dick Langridge was the chief destroyer with a superb 4 for 35, Alan Tucker bowled miserly and effective for 2 for 17 with three maidens, and Don Clayton found his redemption with 2 for 69. My own 53 with the ball rounded things off nicely.

An 83-run victory, then, and a thoroughly satisfying Sunday's work all round. John Ames continues his fine season, now third in the 1st XI run charts, with Alan Tucker sitting second among the wicket-takers. Onwards we go, in good heart.

Sat 09 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv RC Reeds CC · AwayformDLLLW

Saturday 09th July 1966 saw us make the trip to Reeds CC with the sun (or something like it) on our backs and the coin, mercifully, on our side. I called correctly and, in a fit of optimism I would spend the rest of the afternoon regretting, put us in to bat.

What followed was very much a game of two halves within our own innings. Basil Sears played a lone hand of real substance, 43 well-made runs that for a while had us dreaming of something respectable. Then, as is the Linton Park way, the wheels came off spectacularly — 90 for 7 became 92 all out with a haste that left spectators barely time to refill their tea. Mike Iliffe, Terry Donovan and Richard Ashby all contributed golden ducks to the cause, a hat-trick of nothing that will not trouble the record books kindly.

With the ball, however, we found our mettle. Reeds wobbled early at 4 for 1, D. White gone for nought, and though Jim Archer's unbeaten 28 steadied things, our attack never let them settle. David Gale was magnificent — 4 for 32 with four maidens, not a run given away lightly — well supported by Paul Bowles (3 for 31) and Terry Donovan (1 for 10), the latter passing his 100th career wicket along the way. Don Clayton's 8 runs, meanwhile, eased him past Robert Wood into 19th on the club's all-time run charts.

In the end Reeds crept home by a single wicket. Cruel, but honest defeat — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 03 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformLDLLL

We travelled down to Aylesford Paper Mills last Sunday with the sun out and spirits, if not our recent net practice, in reasonably good order. The coin let us down again — I really must learn to call it properly one of these weeks — and Aylesford took first strike, leaving us to toil in the field. Toil we did, but happily to good effect: the home side were shot out for 112 in 40.5 overs, Cliff Anscombe's 22 the only real resistance. Terry Whittaker was the chief tormentor, a splendid 4-27 built on three miserly maidens, while Brian Aiston (3-44) and John Ames, tidiness itself with 2-6, tightened the screws from the other end.

Set 113 to win, we made it look rather straightforward, romping home at 113/2 in 26.3 overs. John Ames, having bowled like a dream, then batted like one too, seeing us home with an unbeaten 54 — his fifty thoroughly deserved. Don Clayton chipped in handsomely with 38, the pair adding 82 for the second wicket and putting the result beyond doubt long before tea.

Don Clayton continues his fine season, now 2nd in the 1st XI run charts with 430, while David Gale sits 2nd among the wicket-takers with 37 — the sort of form that wins matches like this one.

An eight-wicket victory, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards indeed.

Sat 02 Jul 1966 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · AwayformTLDLL

Beaten by seven wickets away at Charles Arkcoll, and truth be told we can have few complaints. Winning the toss and electing to bat, I fancied us to build something substantial, but 7-1 became 16-4 before most of the tea urn had boiled, and only a battling 40 from Eddie Lawrence kept the scorebook respectable as we folded for 88. Three of the lads — Don Clayton, John Thirkell and Jon Harris — will be quietly signing up to the Duck Club this week, and I daresay the quacking will follow them into the clubhouse for a while yet.

With the bat done, it fell to the ball to keep us in it, and for a spell it did. Eddie Lawrence, having top-scored, then set about the opposition with the new ball, while John Thirkell and Terry Donovan bowled tight, disciplined lines in support — Donovan's three maidens were the mark of a man giving nothing away. But an 83-run stand for the second wicket, built on a fine 43 from Brian Aiston and 38 from Stan Wratten, was too much of a mountain to climb, and they eased home at 89 for 3.

As for my own contribution, a golden duck at the top of the order — the least said about that the better. All told, a match where the batting let down the bowling, and where the Duck Club did rather better business than the win column. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Wed 29 Jun 1966 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformLWLDD

Wednesday 29th June saw us make the trip to Gravesend, and for once the coin fell my way — a rare enough event that I daren't tempt fate by describing it further. I had no hesitation in taking first knock, and how the lads repaid that faith. Roger Craddock and John Thirkell put on a magnificent 130 for the first wicket before Gravesend so much as troubled us, Craddock going on to 73 and Thirkell following with a thoroughly correct 63. John Mattingley chipped in with 49, and we declared our innings closed, so to speak, at a handsome 237/5 from our 43 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew his fingernails over it.

In reply, Gravesend set about us in fits and starts. R Stubb's unbeaten 36 and useful contributions from R Langford (34) and Roger Barrett (28) kept them ticking, and a stubborn 61-run stand for the seventh wicket threatened to spoil our afternoon, but John Carter was in mean form with 3-38, well backed by Terry Donovan's miserly 1-16 off four maidens and D Simmons's 1-20. Poor Cliff Anscombe, meanwhile, had one of those days behind the stumps that 18 byes rather sums up. T Pickering and F Harris departed without scoring, but Gravesend held firm at 177/7 from their 51.

A draw, then — honours shared, and I confess a personal 63 with the bat gave me quiet satisfaction. Craddock now tops our run charts and Carter our wicket charts for the season. Not a win, but a jolly good watch, and no complaints from this captain.

Mon 27 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformDTLDL

Under a leaden Linton Park sky on Monday 27th June, I called correctly at the toss and, in a fit of what I like to call bold captaincy (others might say recklessness), had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat first. It was, in hindsight, a decision that tested the lads' nerve rather more than I'd bargained for. We limped to 88/8 from our sixteen overs, with the middle order collapsing from 31-2 to 46-5 in the sort of rush that has become distressingly familiar down at this end of the ground. Stan Wratten stood firm for 44 not out, a lone beacon of sense amid the chaos, while poor John Ames made the long walk back for nought and duly earned his place in the Duck Club ledger.

Defending 88 always felt like asking a lot, but the bowlers made a proper fist of it. David Gale was simply unplayable, spinning through their order for a magnificent 5-32, with Alan Wilkes (1-17) and Alan Tucker (1-33) chipping in and three more of their batsmen — Chapman, Smith and Woodcock — joining the Duck Club themselves. Only Pound, with 39, threatened to take the game away from us. In the end they closed on 87/8, and we were pipped by a single, agonising run.

Not our day, then — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 26 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWDTLD

Sunday 26th June, and we welcomed our visitors on a fine home fixture with the ball first in our hands — always a decision that flatters the ego until the bowling has to back it up. Back it up it did, mind. After an early wobble at 0-1 we simply ran through them, 30-3 becoming 39-6 before anyone had settled their deckchair, with A Vaughan and R Pipe both shown the door for ducks. David Gale was quite magnificent, 6-28 of pure destruction, ably supported by Alan Wilkes (2-49, five maidens — not a run given away lightly) and Dick Langridge (1-14). Only R Gawler, unbeaten on 30, kept them respectable as they folded for 102 off 43 overs.

Chasing 103, we contrived to make the tidiest of totals look like Everest. Our own early stumble at 3-1 set the tone, and though Don Clayton battled to 35 and I chipped in with 19, we limped to 104-8 from 41.4 overs — 11 byes along the way telling their own story about Roy Clarke's afternoon behind the stumps. A word of pride amid the wreckage: William Buck brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a milestone the scoreboard cannot begin to capture.

So — not our day, beaten by two wickets when the bowlers had done more than enough to win it twice over. Heads up, chins forward, back to the nets. John Thirkell and Alan Wilkes continue to fly the flag atop the season's charts, and there'll be another Sunday along shortly to put this one right.

Sat 25 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · AwayformWWDTL

Off to Sevenoaks Vine we trundled on Saturday 25th June, and having somehow called the coin correctly for once, I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat — a decision I was still congratulating myself on some hours later.

It didn't look like genius early on, mind, as we slipped to 4 for 1 and I began drafting my resignation speech. But the top order steadied the ship, and what followed was really the Don Clayton show: 110 not out, an innings of real substance, anchoring us through to 168 for 9 off our 47 overs, with a fine eighth-wicket stand of 52 doing much of the heavy lifting lower down. Less gloriously, Paul Bowles, J Walker and Derry Evans all took the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club, I'm afraid, did brisk business this week.

With the ball, we set about them with purpose, and Alan Tucker was superb — two maidens and a wicket for just 25, miserly stuff that never let Sevenoaks settle. But R. Howeson dug in for 28 not out and saw them home to 58 for 1 in 17.4 overs before the rain, or good sense, or both, brought things to a close.

Splendid news off the field, too: Basil Sears raised 6,000 career runs for the club, and Don's century sees him leapfrog Richard Harris into 20th on our all-time run-scorers' list. He now sits second in this season's charts on 353, with Alan top of the wicket-takers on 35.

A draw, then — honours shared, and honestly, after that start, I'd have signed for it in permanent ink.

Thu 23 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWWDT

Captain's Log — Thursday 23 June 1966

Won the toss, and there was never much debate in my mind about what to do with it — up on the board and let the bat do the talking. We laboured to 77/4 from our 16 overs, a total that felt more like a foundation than a fortress. John Thirkell led the way with a tidy 23, and Don Clayton chipped in handsomely with 21 to give the innings some backbone. I'll admit, defending 77 always has the whiff of a rearguard action about it, but stranger things have happened on our square.

Alas, not today. The visitors set about the chase with a purpose we could never quite blunt, racing to 78/2 in just 11.4 overs — a canter, frankly. Smitherman was the chief architect, unbeaten on 25 and playing the innings of a man who'd read our bowling plans in advance. David Gale did what he could, prising out one for 34, and I threw my own thruppence worth into proceedings with 23 with the bat. Small consolation: that solitary wicket nudged Gale past George Champion and up to 9th on the club's all-time list — the lad continues his quiet, relentless climb, and sits third in this year's wicket charts with 25 to his name, while Thirkell now leads the run charts on 634.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, and no dressing it up as anything else. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets — there's a total in this side yet.

Tue 21 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWWWWD

Tuesday 21 June 1966. Away from home, and I won the toss — elected to bat, and I still maintain it was the right call, whatever certain members of the tea hut might have muttered afterwards.

It didn't look it for a while, mind. We laboured to 83 for 9 off our sixteen overs, and the middle order went through a properly wretched patch, tumbling from 57 for 6 to 69 for 9 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a cup of tea. Poor Richard Ashby will want this one struck from the record — out for a duck. I chipped in with 17, which on the day counted as digging in for the Ashes.

Out in the field, though, the lads were magnificent. They too found 83 all out beyond them, bowled out in fifteen overs despite a battling 23 not out from K. Spiken and 22 from R. Laker. M. Cloude, R. Smith Snr and J. Marchant all departed for ducks at our hands, and the middle order caved from 77 for 7 to 83 all out. The story of the day, and frankly the season, was Alan Tucker: seven for seventeen, three maidens, a five-for and then some — a spell of genuine class. Terry Whittaker chipped in manfully with one for twenty-nine.

So there we have it: a tie, dead level after a whole day's honest toil, and not a thing between us. John Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 611, Tucker now has 34 wickets to his name, and I daresay a share of the spoils is exactly what this match deserved.

Sun 19 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv EC East Peckham & Nettlestead CC · AwayformLWWWW

Sunday 19th June saw us on the road to East Peckham & Nettlestead, and true to form the coin let us down at the toss — they batted, and we spent the afternoon chasing leather rather than choosing our fate.

Fourteen overs brought them 98 for 6, a total flattered somewhat by C Brock's unbeaten 28 and useful support from K Taylor (23) and K Miles (22 not out). Credit where due, though — our bowlers kept a lid on things throughout. T Ball went for a golden duck without so much as a nibble, and Robert Chance was the pick of the attack, ripping through with 2 for 3, backed up nicely by Don Clayton's 2 for 13 and Richard Ashby's 1 for 17. A tidy shift with the ball, all things considered.

Our reply of 78 for 7 from 13 overs was rather more of a rollercoaster. Robert Chance, clearly the man of the day, carried the innings with a fine 32, but he found little company at the crease — Benny Bell, Terry Whittaker and Alan Tucker all departed for ducks, contributing what the scorebook cruelly calls "nothing" to the cause.

Still, Chance's form is no fluke — he now sits fourth in this year's first XI run charts with 223 to his name, and on this evidence the runs keep coming.

In the end honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Not a classic, but an honest afternoon's cricket — and with Chance in this sort of touch, we'll take a share of the spoils and live to fight another Sunday.

Sat 18 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWLWWW

Saturday 18 June, and Rumwood CC came calling at Linton Park. I lost the toss — a record I maintain with admirable consistency — and we were put into the field for our troubles.

Rumwood ground out 173/7 from their 40 overs. An early wicket at 7 had us hopeful, but a stubborn 55-run stand for the fourth wicket set them straight, N. Phillips leading the way with a fine 51, well supported by R. Moore (48) and R. Galgey (22). We did for Vic Pound and Robin Venner without troubling the scorers, small mercies both. David Gale was pick of the attack with 4-56, Benny Bell and Terry Donovan chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Brian Relf bowled two maidens as tight as anything all season. Gale also passed 200 career wickets along the way — not a bad afternoon's work.

Chasing 174, we wobbled early to 3-1 before Benny Bell played the innings of the day, a well-made 67, sharing a crucial 99 for the third wicket with Terry Whittaker (43). Terry Donovan saw us home unbeaten on 25, and I chipped in with 43 of my own. Mike Iliffe and David Gale both fell for ducks, and our 14 byes gave poor Don Clayton a torrid time behind the stumps.

We reached 175/6 with overs in hand: four wickets, two points, a win built on Bell's fifty and that third-wicket stand. Thoroughly earned, and I'll take it gladly.

Thu 16 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformDWLWW

We travelled to West Farleigh CC on Thursday 16th June with the sun out and, for once, my luck in — the coin came down my way, and with a wicket that looked fit to bat all day I had no hesitation putting us in.

We made 121/3 off our sixteen overs, and it was a proper captain's innings from John Thirkell, unbeaten on 64, ably assisted by Mike Stephens' 36 as the pair put on a crucial 54 for the second wicket. Not every man's day, mind — poor Fred Greenfield endured the walk of shame for a duck, though he'd more than make amends later. A total of 121 felt like a fair platform, if not an unassailable one.

Defending it, we were made to work. West Farleigh built nicely to 60-1 before Alan Wilkes turned the screw in the most emphatic fashion, finishing with 6-54 — a five-for and thoroughly deserved, with David Gale (2-37) chipping in as the innings slid from 77-2 to 93-5. Micky Back's 44 and Joe Fenner's 22 threatened to see them home, and we sent T Newport and Tony Hyde back cheaply to keep the pressure on. Fred, meanwhile, had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping eight byes — the sort of thing that balances the ledger after his own duck. They finished on 102/8, nineteen runs short.

My own 64 was a satisfying knock, though the day belonged to Alan Wilkes, who continues to lead our wicket charts in some style. A good day for the club, and a fine advertisement for village cricket.

Mon 13 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv LS Len Social · HomeformWDWLW

It was Len Social at home, Monday 13 June 1966, and I won the toss with no hesitation whatsoever about what to do with it — up we went. On a morning that seemed to invite runs, John Ames set about proving the point with a fine 45, and Mike Stephens chipped in handsomely with 22, the pair of them dragging us to a very respectable 126/5 from our sixteen overs. Not a total to frighten the neighbours perhaps, but enough, I felt, to be going on with.

And so it proved. Whatever Len Social had planned for our bowling attack, they hadn't reckoned on Alan Tucker, who simply ran through them for figures of 4-33 that flattered nobody but himself. Derry Evans (2-0) and John Thirkell (2-3) offered splendid support, and between the three of them the wickets tumbled — M. Pilbeam, J. Levett and R. Kennard all departed without troubling the scorers, three ducks for our collection. From 58-6 the innings simply came apart, and they were all out for 68 in fifteen overs, looking rather like men who'd wandered into the wrong fixture.

A word too for the season so far: John Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 526, and Alan Tucker now stands top of the wicket pile with 25 — form neither man shows any sign of relinquishing.

A fine win, then, by 58 runs, achieved with more comfort than the scorecard perhaps suggests. Onwards.

Sun 12 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · AwayformLWDWL

Sunday 12 June 1966, and we made the pilgrimage to Bobbing Court CC in what I'm reliably informed was fine village-green weather for it. I called correctly and, in a fit of confidence I'd later have cause to question over tea, sent us in.

It was not a vintage batting display. We were bowled out for 142 in 42.2 overs, rescued from real embarrassment by Robert Chance's 26, with Don Clayton and John Thirkell weighing in with 24 apiece. Poor Colin Eldred will not thank me for mentioning his golden duck, but a captain's report is nothing if not honest.

Happily, 142 proved plenty. Bobbing Court's reply was a procession — 77 all out in 31.5 overs, wobbling to 4-1 early and never really finding their feet, collapsing from 73-7 to 77-10 in a blur. D Whibley bagged a duck of his own for good measure. The architect of it all was Alan Wilkes, spinning a web for 6-30 with six miserly maidens thrown in — bowling of real quality. Dick Langridge (3-24) and Alan Tucker (1-14) did their bit too, and I even chipped in with 24 myself, mostly by standing in the right place.

A word of club history: Langridge's three wickets nudged him past Stan Wratten into 15th on our all-time wicket-takers list, which felt worth a second pint. Thirkell continues to lead our 1966 run charts on 521, Wilkes our wickets on 22 — both very much in form.

We won by 65 runs. A scratchy batting effort papered over by superb bowling — I'll take that every time.

Sat 11 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLWDW

Beaten, but not bowed. On a Saturday when the sun had the good grace to shine on Headcorn, I won the toss and, with the sort of confidence I'd later question, sent us in to bat. It didn't go to plan. We stumbled to 4 for 1 almost before the tea urn had boiled, and while Fred Greenfield dug in gamely for an unbeaten 26, the middle order rather lost the plot — 29 for 3 collapsed to 36 for 6 in a spell that had me studying my boots. Paul Bowles, Terry Whittaker and Terry Donovan all made the walk back without troubling the scorers, and 72 all out from 39.5 overs was a total that flattered nobody.

With the ball, though, we at least gave a good account of ourselves. Headcorn lost an early wicket at 1 for 1, and D Excell and N Kennell both departed without scoring, but G Murrell settled in and played the innings of the day, an excellent 41 that steadied their ship. David Gale was superb, three wickets for 33 and three maidens besides, with Brian Relf and Terry Whittaker chipping in for one apiece. It kept us interested longer than the total probably deserved.

In the end Headcorn cantered home by 5 wickets, and no amount of arithmetic makes 72 look respectable. Still, John Thirkell continues to bat like a man with somewhere to be, 497 runs and counting this season, and Terry Whittaker's 19 wickets keep him second in the charts. As for the rest of us — we'll regroup, we'll bat rather better next week, and we'll try to keep the ducks for the pond, not the scorebook.

Tue 07 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv RC Reeds CC · AwayformLWLWD

Lost the toss at Reeds on a bright Tuesday evening and duly found ourselves out in the field, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition. Reeds threatened to build something respectable before the innings folded like a deckchair in a gale — 56 for 5 became 57 for 8 in the blink of an eye, and they were bowled out for a modest 83 in just 15.3 overs. David Gale was magnificent, snapping up five for 32, with Alan Tucker (4-37) doing the heavy lifting at the other end and Terry Whittaker nabbing one for the princely sum of a single run.

Chasing 84, we contrived to make it interesting, as is our way. C Simmonds, J Doe and R Millett all trooped back without scoring, and the top of the order went at 1 for 1 — hardly the platform we'd have drawn up. But Mike Stephens played the innings of the day with a fine 41, and John Ames anchored things nicely with an unbeaten 29, the pair adding a vital 53 for the third wicket to drag us to 85 for 6 off 15.2 overs. Stan Wratten's contribution was, shall we say, nothing to write home about, and poor Cliff Anscombe had a torrid time behind the stumps, 11 byes escaping his gloves.

Still, a win's a win, and four wickets to spare is four wickets to spare. Onwards.

Mon 06 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWLWLW

Monday 6th June found us hosting, and having called correctly at the toss I did not need to be asked twice about batting first on what looked a decent surface. The lads set about their work nicely, and 178/6 from our 49 overs was a total we could be pleased with. John Thirkell led the way with a fine 46, well supported by Terry Whittaker's 38 and William Buck's 30. I confess to a modest 46 of my own, which I shall claim as leading by example rather than hogging the strike.

With the ball, it was a story of two efforts. Alan Wilkes bowled beautifully for 3-40, Dick Langridge was miserly as ever with 2-25 and six maidens to boot, and Brian Relf chipped in with 1-21. Poor B Butler departed without so much as a run to his name — that duck will sting more than the scorecard lets on. But P Barton dug in for an unbeaten 35, ably assisted by H Farrall's 28 and R Stubbs' 20, and then their last pair had the temerity to add 39 runs we could all have done without, closing on 128/6 from 46 overs.

A nod, too, to the record books: Terry Whittaker's 38 nudged him past Len Conway into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while John Thirkell continues to top our 1966 run charts and Alan Wilkes sits third among the season's wicket-takers.

In the end, honours were shared. A draw, then — honest toil from both sides, and nobody quite able to land the killer blow. We'll take it.

Sun 05 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv HC Hartley Country Club CC · AwayformLWLWL

Fine turnout, fair skies, and a toss I was rather pleased to win — I had no hesitation putting us in on a Sunday that felt made for batting. The top order didn't quite agree at first, with three ducks dotting the card like a bad hand of cards, but John Thirkell steadied the ship in fine style, his 53 the backbone of the innings, well backed by Don Clayton's 42 and Fred Greenfield's 32. That 73-run stand for the fifth wicket was the making of us, and 168 all out from 57.4 overs felt, by the end, like a total worth defending rather than apologising for.

And defend it we did. Hartley's E Cherry threatened to bat us out of it with 31, ably assisted by J Lillie's 29 and X Pothecary's 25, but once we got among them — 60 for 2 sliding to 71 for 5 in a blink — the game turned properly our way, poor I King departing without so much as a single to his name. Paul Bowles was the chief destroyer with 4 for 36, Dick Langridge chipped in with 4 for 52, John Ames took one, and Alan Tucker bowled three tidy maidens for good measure.

We got home by 18 runs, and I'll confess my 53 felt rather satisfying from where I was standing. Don Clayton's 42 nudges him up to 21st on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Thirkell and Tucker continue to lead the way in this year's charts. All told: a proper team effort, and a very good day for the club.

Sat 04 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLLWLW

It was a Saturday to savour at Linton Park. Winning the toss on a June afternoon that fairly demanded runs, I had no hesitation in taking first knock, and the lads didn't let me down — 208 for 3 off our 45.3 overs, built on an opening stand of 115 that set the tone beautifully. Don Clayton was in fine touch for his 71, John Thirkell weighed in with 48 and Basil Sears with 43; I even managed to get off the mark myself with 48. All told, a proper batting performance, the sort that makes the tea urn taste sweeter.

Then came our turn in the field, and what a turn it was. The visitors never found their footing, slipping from 58 for 4 to 67 for 7 as the pressure told, and were all out for a rather forlorn 68 in 35.5 overs — only John Archer's 30 offering any real resistance. Three of their number, Jim Archer, E. Maitland and D. Hitchen, departed without so much as a run to their name. Paul Bowles was magnificent, claiming five for 12, well supported by Brian Relf's three for 17 and John Thirkell's two for five, while Terry Whittaker bowled three tidy maidens and, in doing so, edged past Robert Wood into 18th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a fine personal landmark on a memorable day. John Thirkell, meanwhile, continues to lead our 1966 run charts with 383.

Beaten by 140 runs, then, and no dressing that up — but with bowling and batting like this in the locker, we'll be better for it next week.

Thu 02 Jun 1966 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformDLLWL

Lost the toss on Thursday and asked to bowl — which, on reflection, turned out to be the shrewdest piece of captaincy I didn't actually choose. Marden CC came to Linton Park and never quite got going: 2 on the board and already a wicket down, a start nervy enough to suggest they'd left something at home. John Sunnucks battled hard for his 28, but around him the innings simply came apart — 29 for 2 became 30 for 5 in the blink of an eye, with M. Owen, R. Day and L. Murrell all departing without troubling the scorers. David Gale was quite magnificent, finishing with 6-29, ably supported by Alan Tucker's 4-32, and Marden were bowled out for 66 in just 14.4 overs.

Chasing so little ought to be straightforward, and for once it very nearly was — 67 for 3 in 12 overs, Mike Stephens seeing us home in style with a composed 32 not out. Seven wickets to spare, and time to spare for tea besides.

A word for the record books: Alan Tucker's four wickets nudged him past Michael Morton into 11th on the club's all-time list — quietly done, but not to be overlooked. He now sits second in this year's wicket charts with 15, behind only John Thirkell's imperious 335 runs with the bat.

All told, a thoroughly good day for the club — bowled well, chased better, and home in time for a proper pint.

Mon 30 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLDLLW

Monday 30 May 1966, and Bearsted CC rolled into Linton Park with the sun rather more committed to the afternoon than my top order would prove to be. I lost the toss, we were put in the field, and there we remained while Colin Fleetwood compiled an unbeaten 95 of real substance, David Marshall chipped in with a handsome 68, and David Andrews sailed past his fifty to 57. Their third-wicket pair put on 128 while we bowled increasingly hopeful overs, and by the time they declared themselves satisfied at 246 for 3 from 64 overs, the damage was well and truly done. Gordon Fenner at least had something to show for his efforts with 1 for 28, John Carter bowled miserly with three maidens on his way to 1 for 50, and Terry Whittaker took 1 for 53.

Chasing 247, we never quite got out of first gear. Stan Wratten batted with real heart for 59, John Carter finished unbeaten on 21, but from 135 for 7 the innings unravelled at pace to 150 all out from 68 overs, with poor Richard Ashby collecting a golden duck for his trouble. Roy Clarke had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, conceding 8 byes.

There were bright notes amid the gloom: Stan Wratten brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, and Gordon Fenner's 12 eased him past Frank Taylor to 13th on the all-time run charts. But the scoreboard read defeat by 96 runs. Heads up, lads — back to the nets.

Sun 29 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · AwayformLLDLL

29 May 1966, and the fixture took us down to Folkestone — never an easy away day, and it began badly enough when I lost the toss and was invited to field. No matter; the lads set about it with purpose. An early breakthrough at 8 had Folkestone rattled, and though Stephens (58 not out) and Brickell (38) threatened to steady the ship, the middle order rather fell apart around them — Godden, Cox and Waddup all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. The bowling honours belonged to J Cant, whose 5-36 with two tidy maidens was as fine a spell as you'll see on a Sunday, well backed by John Ames's 4-35 and Thirkell's solitary strike. Folkestone all out 138 in the 24th over — a job well done in the field.

Chasing 139, we made it interesting, as ever. Ames (35) and Thirkell (33) laid the foundations, Chance chipped in with 23 and I managed 33 myself, and at 127-4 it looked a formality. Then, with the sort of collapse that keeps club cricket honest, we shed three wickets for eight runs, Brattle among the fallen without scoring. Somehow we scrambled home 142-8, winners by two wickets — Duck Club subscriptions duly swelled on both sides of the ledger.

A word for Don Clayton, whose 17 eased him past Arthur Cornwallis into 24th on the all-time run charts — a quiet milestone amid the chaos. All told: an unconvincing win gratefully received. We'll take it, and say no more about the manner of it.

Sat 28 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · HomeformWLLDL

Terry Whittaker walked out to bat as if he had somewhere important to be, and rattled off a fine 60 to give us something to build on. Paul Bowles chipped in with 28 and Basil Sears a tidy 25, the two of them putting on 67 for the fourth wicket while I looked on from the boundary feeling rather pleased with myself for winning the toss and choosing to bat. That satisfaction dimmed somewhat as we lost three wickets for four runs at the death, 156 became 160 all out from 49.5 overs, and Mike Iliffe, Richard Ashby and Brian Relf all made their way back to the pavilion for ducks, presumably wishing the ground would swallow them whole.

Defending 160 always asks questions of a side, and Sevenoaks Vine had answers for most of them. G. Mai played the innings of the day with a composed 64, well supported by A. Woodman's 36 and James Fife's 34, and a fourth-wicket stand of 50 did the real damage. Whittaker, not content with his runs, led the attack manfully for 2-48, with Brian Relf and Paul Bowles chipping in a wicket apiece, and Gordon Fenner bowled two maidens as tight as his waistcoat. Phil Francis, at least, departed without troubling the scorers.

A word of cheer amid the gloom: Basil Sears's 25 saw him leapfrog William Buck into third on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and Whittaker continues to lead our 1966 wicket charts. But five wickets is five wickets, and we were beaten fair and square. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Tue 24 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWLLD

Skipper's Log — Tuesday 24 May 1966

We won the toss, put them in, and for a while it looked rather like a good idea. An early wobble to 4-1 set the tone, and though N Cox held things together with a stubborn 25, the rest of the order rather crumbled around him. Terry Whittaker was in irresistible form, finishing with 4-29, ably supported by David Gale's 4-34, and between them they turned a respectable start into a rout — 52-3 became 55-6 before anyone had quite settled into their deckchair. Special mention, if that's the word, to poor D Jeffery, back in the pavilion without so much as a run to his name. All out for 67 from just 16 overs — the sort of collapse that makes a captain feel almost sorry for the opposition. Almost.

Which made what followed all the more baffling. Chasing 68 should have been the easy part of the afternoon, a gentle stroll to tea. Instead we contrived to make hard work of it, stumbling to 68/5 from 11.1 overs and somehow contriving to lose by five wickets in a match we had, by rights, already won with the ball. My own 16 was tidier than most, but tidy wasn't really what was required.

So: bowled like champions, batted like the nets were closed for repairs. John Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 280 for the season, and Terry Whittaker's 14 wickets show no sign of slowing — small mercies. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 22 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLWWLL

We touched down at The Mote on a Sunday that promised more than it delivered, and having won the toss there was really only one decision to make — we'd bat, and see where the pitch took us.

169 for 9 off our 49 overs was a scrap more than a stroll. John Ames led the way with a tidy 37, R Dudney chipped in with 30 and John Thirkell 28, and it was the opening pair's 56-run stand that gave the innings its backbone before the middle order rather lost the thread. Less said the better about William Buck and Gordon Fenner, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — the club duck pond gains two more residents.

Out in the field we set about defending it, and The Mote made us work for every run of their 163 for 6 off 43. Tim Gunter was the difference, an unbeaten 78 that had the look of a man who'd decided the game was his alone, well supported by Mike Foster's 30 as the pair put on 62 for the third wicket. Credit to R Dudney, who backed up his runs with 2 for 47, Alan Tucker miserly as ever with 2 for 49 and a couple of maidens, and Dick Langridge weighing in with 1 for 31 — between them enough to send E Howes and Murray Nissen packing for nought and keep the game alive to the last.

I added 28 with the bat for good measure, though the real headlines belong to John Thirkell, now top of our 1966 run charts, and Alan Tucker, second in the wickets. In the end honours were shared — a draw, and on the day's evidence, a fair one.

Sat 21 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · HomeformDLWWL

Saturday last, we welcomed Gore Court CC to Linton Park, and having called correctly I did what any captain with sunshine on his back does — sent us in.

It proved a sound instinct. We compiled a healthy 177 for 6 off our 52 overs, the innings built around a fine fifty from John Thirkell, who battled his way past three figures' little brother to 52. Don Clayton chipped in with a tidy 30 and Frank Brattle 24, but it was the fifth-wicket pair who did the real work, stitching together 59 priceless runs when the innings needed backbone rather than fireworks. Thirkell, incidentally, now leads our 1966 run charts with 236 for the season — a man in irresistible form.

Alas, 177 proved rather less imposing once David Hillier got hold of it. The man made a magnificent, unbeaten 108, and try as we might — Eddie Lawrence toiled manfully for his solitary wicket at 1-48 — we simply couldn't prise him from the crease. With David Harris adding a brisk 38 and John Bishop an unbeaten 25, Gore Court cantered home at 179 for 1 in just 32 overs, seven wickets and, frankly, our dignity to spare.

For my own part, a personal 52 was some small consolation amid the wreckage. But cricket, like the English weather, has a way of humbling you just when you think you've got its measure. Beaten, fairly and squarely, by a class innings — we'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Mon 16 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDDLWW

Not our finest fifty overs, but a game with plenty to smile about nonetheless.

Won the toss on a fine Monday evening and, fancying a total on the board first, I had no hesitation in putting us in. It didn't quite go to script — 7-1 had the tea urn wobbling before it had even boiled — and we never really found our stride, limping to 88/6 from our sixteen. Robert Chance top-scored with a battling 36, holding the innings together while wickets fell around him, but 88 always looked a touch light on a ground where the ball was clearly doing plenty.

Defending it, though, we gave ourselves every chance. Two on the board and they'd already lost their first, and when A Mewlyn, G Johnson and Rees all trooped back without scoring, the nerves in the home dressing room were audible. Alan Tucker was the story of the day — 5-28, a thoroughly deserved five-for that also eased him past Ray Howard into 12th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, a fine landmark on a day when he needed it most. Alan Wilkes chipped in handsomely with 4-40, and between them they left the opposition needing a-Cruttenden's defiant 30 just to get within touching distance. Poor Cliff Anscombe had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, nine byes going begging, and in the end those extras proved the difference as they crept home by 9 runs.

A defeat, in truth, we shouldn't have suffered — and one we largely gave away with the bat. Heads up, back to the nets.

Sun 15 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · HomeformDDDLW

Sunday 15 May 1966 saw Gore Court CC come to Linton Park, and I lost the toss for my trouble — they had few doubts about batting first on what looked a decent surface. As it turned out, we didn't mind one bit. Terry Whittaker set about them with real discipline, five maidens and figures of 3-27 that told you everything about the control on show, with Alan Tucker (3-47) and Benny Bell (2-13) squeezing from the other end. Poor D Drury and Martin Lukehurst never troubled the scorers, out for ducks, and though Paul Buckingham (34) and Robert Clay (25 not out) offered some resistance, Gore Court were all out for 125 in the 50th over. A fine team effort in the field, and not a run given away lightly.

With 126 to chase, John Ames played the innings of the day — 67 not out, a fifty compiled with real assurance — and found a willing partner in John Thirkell, unbeaten on 35. I managed to get bat on ball for 35 myself, which I shall claim credit for at every future committee meeting. We cantered home on 129 for 2 in just 27.3 overs, eight wickets and plenty of tea to spare.

A word too for Alan Tucker, whose three wickets nudged him past Herbert Rayner into 13th on the club's all-time list — a fine, quiet piece of history in the making. With Thirkell topping our run charts and Bell leading the wickets this season, the engine room looks in rude health. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work: onwards we go.

Sat 14 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformDDDDL

Saturday, 14th May, 1966. The toss went against us — as it so often does — and Maidstone YMCA elected to bat, leaving us to make the early running with the ball. Make it we did: they were rattled out for a modest 88 in 34.4 overs, despite Tony Grenfell's 37 and a watchful 55-run opening stand that briefly threatened to get away from us. Once that partnership broke, the innings folded with startling speed — 55 for 1 became 57 for 4 in the blink of an eye, poor Butler back in the pavilion without so much as a glance at the scoreboard. The architect of the collapse was Benny Bell, whose 8 for 20 (five maidens included) was as miserly as it was lethal, with Gordon Fenner chipping in for good measure with 2 for 30.

Chasing a target that ought to have been a formality, we somehow contrived to make hard work of it. Fred Greenfield's 31 was the innings' one solid pillar, but around him the card told a grim tale — Eldred, Whittaker and Bowles all back for ducks, and 9 for 1 became 18 for 4 before we'd caught breath. As captain, I led from the front in the worst way possible: a golden blob, the sort of innings one hopes the scorebook will one day misprint.

Somehow, against all sense and reason, we scrambled home 89 for 9 — a win by the barest possible margin of one wicket. Not pretty, not comfortable, but a win nonetheless, and in club cricket that is all that is asked of us. Onwards.

Thu 12 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDDDDD

We reached home comforts on Thursday 12 May 1966, and I won't pretend I wasn't relieved to see us bat second on a track that seemed to reward a bit of patience — of which our openers had precious little to spare.

Put into the field, we made steady if unspectacular inroads, reducing the visitors to 35-5 with the ball doing rather more than we'd bargained on. Alan Wilkes was magnificent, 4-47, ably backed up by Terry Donovan's 2-33, and we even had the satisfaction of sending R. Macaffry and R. Kemp back without so much as a run to show for it. But cricket has a habit of humbling you just when you think the job's done, and their last pair put on an infuriating 44 to drag them to 80-6 from their fourteen overs — a- Farnell (24 not out) and J. Peat (23 not out) the chief culprits with the willow.

Eighty-one, then, was hardly Everest, and I confess I rather fancied our chances. An early stumble to 2 on the board threatened a case of the jitters, and poor Benny Bell's golden duck did nothing to settle nerves. But John Thirkell — who I'm delighted to report brought up 12,000 career runs for the club along the way — played the anchor beautifully for an unbeaten 56, with Fred Greenfield (23 not out) keeping him steady company, and I had the pleasure of leading from the front myself with 56.

And yet we lost by eight wickets. Quite how remains a mystery best pondered over a pint. Back to the nets, chaps.

Sat 07 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · HomeformDDDDD

Lost the toss again on Saturday — I'm beginning to suspect the club coin has it in for me — and Charles Arkcoll had no hesitation in padding up first. They rattled along to 148 all out in 41.2 overs, built chiefly around Stan Wratten's fine 63 and a watchful 37 from John Ames, the pair putting on a crucial 56 for the third wicket after we'd had them wobbling at 1-1 and must have fancied our chances. Credit to the lads for hauling it back, though: 131-6 became 141-9 in the twinkling of an eye, with Sean Carter and John Perkins both sent packing without scoring off the bat, and Terry Whittaker was quite magnificent, 4-19 with three maidens to boot, well backed by Brian Relf's 2-35 and Benny Bell's tidy 1-2.

Chasing 148, we matched them almost run for run, closing on 148-9 from 43 overs — honours shared, and not a run to spare either way. Basil Sears led the way with 32, Fred Greenfield and John Thirkell chipping in with 29 and 27, their fourth-wicket stand of 57 the spine of the innings, and I managed a workmanlike 27 myself, more good fortune than good judgement.

A draw, then, and a fair one — neither side could quite land the killer blow. But the day belonged to Terry Whittaker, who brought up 400 career wickets in some style and now leads our 1966 bowling charts with seven; John Thirkell tops the run column with 81. A splendid afternoon's cricket, honours even, and tea rather better than the batting deserved.

Sun 01 May 1966 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLDDDD

It was a Sunday like any other, and — for once — the toss favoured us before I even had to bluff my way to it. I called correctly, elected to bat, and for a change that decision didn't come back to haunt me over tea. John Thirkell led the way with a fine 54, well backed up by Robert Chance and William Buck with 40 apiece, their fifth-wicket stand of 76 doing most of the heavy lifting. Poor Colin Eldred managed the rarest of feats — a golden duck — though I'm reliably informed he took it on the chin with good grace. We closed on 169/6 from our 48 overs, a total I felt gave us something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did. Alan Wilkes was in irresistible form, spinning his way to 5-53 with three maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly, as they say — with Alan Tucker and John Ames chipping in a wicket apiece. Barton and Pike threatened to make a match of it with 45 and 43 respectively, and poor D Blackman joined Colin in the duck club, but 145/7 from their 40 overs wasn't quite enough to get past us.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could force the issue — though I confess a quiet pride in leading from the front with the bat, and no small celebration for Alan Wilkes reaching 500 career wickets. A red-letter day, even without the win.

Sat 30 Apr 1966 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformWLDDD

We won the toss on Saturday and I had no hesitation electing to bat — call it a hunch, call it thirty years of village cricket instinct, but it proved the right one. Terry Whittaker led from the front with a fine 42, and with Frank Brattle chipping in 28 and Gordon Fenner unbeaten on 22, we posted a respectable 143/7 from our 45 overs. Not a total to have Staplehurst quaking in their boots, but enough to work with, we felt, over a good tea.

And work with it we did. P- Hope was magnificent with the new ball, ripping through with 3-14, while Terry Whittaker backed up his batting with 3-33 and Gordon Fenner strangled the scoring with 2-34 and four maidens that gave away nothing but frustration. J- Rice and F- Ecclestone threatened to spoil the party with 29 and 23 respectively, but three of their number — Hollands, Battel and Westacott — trudged back without so much as a run to their names. In the end Staplehurst fell short at 106/8, unable to force the win.

A word for Gordon Fenner, who brought up 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth raising a glass to, ball in hand as well as bat. As for me, 42 with the bat and three wickets to boot; not bad for an old crock. A draw, then — honours shared, nobody beaten, and everybody home in time for supper. I'll take that.