🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 25 Sep 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWDDW

It was our home fixture on Saturday 25 September 1971, and having lost the toss (or perhaps I simply fancied a bowl) we found ourselves in the field first. The opposition were shot out for 135 in 39.5 overs — M Waghorn top-scoring with 31, well supported by A Pooley's 20 — and one of theirs, J Stevens, will have gone home wondering what all the fuss was about, sent back without so much as a run to his name. The story of the innings, though, was Paul Bowles, who ran through them like a fox in a henhouse: 6 for 36, with four maidens thrown in for good measure. Nigel Thirkell (1-6) and David T Lowen (1-26) tidied up the rest. A fine, disciplined shift in the field, and 135 looked a modest target on paper.

On paper. We stumbled to 138 for 3 from our 42 overs, and I confess it was scrappier than it ought to have been — 14 byes is not a figure Cliff Anscombe will want engraved anywhere, and it made for an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps. Thankfully Paul Bowles, not content with his heroics in the field, carried on regardless with a splendid unbeaten 71, ably assisted by David T Lowen's 31.

There was, at least, cause for quiet pride amid the chaos: those 71 runs lifted Bowles past Robert Murray into 7th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he continues to top both the 1971 run and wicket charts. The scorebook, alas, tells the rest of the tale — beaten by seven wickets. Not our day. Heads up, lads — back to the nets.

Sun 19 Sep 1971 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · HomeformLWWDD

Sunday 19 September 1971, and Harrietsham CC came calling. I won the toss — no hesitation, we were batting, thank you very much — and the lads set about building something substantial. Cliff Anscombe led the way with a fine 39, John Thirkell chipped in with 37, and Paul Bowles added a brisk 29, ferrying us to 176/7 from our 51 overs. Not everyone enjoyed the outing, mind — poor Benny Bell endured the walk of shame for a duck, and I shan't let him forget it. I managed 37 myself, more through good fortune than good technique.

Defending it, though, was where the real fun began. Harrietsham's innings resembled a house of cards in a stiff breeze — 49 all out in just 20.5 overs, John Smith's battling 21 the only real resistance. Dennis Stones, Micky Tong and Keith Chaney all trooped back without troubling the scorers. Paul Bowles was in irresistible form, spinning his way to 5-28, while Allan Cooper strangled the life out of them with 4-7 and five miserly maidens, Jon Harris rounding things off with 1-11.

We ran out winners by 127 runs — a proper thumping. Up the season charts, Andrew Moss (563 runs) and Paul Bowles (50 wickets) continue to lead the way for the 1st XI. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one Harrietsham will not be in a hurry to repeat.

Sat 18 Sep 1971 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLLWWD

As we lost the toss on a fine September Saturday, West Farleigh sent us out into the field first — which, given how the afternoon unfolded, may have been the shrewder call. They batted with real purpose to 201/6 from their 45 overs, R Woolley leading the charge with 48, well backed by Colin Clark's 36 and Peter Cooper's unbeaten 35, the openers laying a foundation of 66 for the first wicket before we could prise them apart. Paul Bowles was the pick of our attack, prising out 4-62, with Nigel Thirkell chipping in with 2-42 and Ron Hickman keeping things tight with three miserly maidens. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, though — 12 byes is not a figure he'll want engraved anywhere.

Set 202 to win, we crawled and scrapped our way to 136/6 from our 46, Tim Thirkell the mainstay with an unbeaten 47, Mike Iliffe adding 28 and Andrew Moss 21 — the last of which, modest as it sounds, was enough to nudge him past Frank Taylor into 17th on the club's all-time run charts. Wickets fell in an alarming heap from 19-1 to 38-4, and it was only a defiant last-wicket rally of 48 that spared our blushes and gave the scorers something to write home about. I managed 28 myself, more relief than glory.

So a draw it was — honours shared, pride just about intact, and Paul Bowles's four wickets quietly moving him into 10th on the all-time wicket list. A fair result, if I'm honest, for a match neither side quite deserved to lose.

Sun 12 Sep 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLLWW

Sunday the twelfth of September found us with the visitors in and, having won the toss, we opted for first use of the ball — a decision that looked rather shrewd for the best part of the afternoon. The opposition ground their way to 196/6 from 54 overs, built chiefly around W. Jeanes's 62 and F.H. Ames's handsome 56, with C. Smith chipping in 32. Through it all Jon Harris simply would not be denied, turning the ball square for 5-92 off a spell that included five maidens — not a run given away lightly, and not a batsman entirely comfortable either.

Our reply never quite found its rhythm. Paul Bowles top-scored with a gritty 29, well supported by Paul Brattle's 21, but wickets tumbled steadily and we closed on 128/9 from our 51 overs, saved only by the clock. Poor Mike Iliffe will not thank me for mentioning his duck, but the gazette must have its record.

Amid the modest scoreline, two landmarks worth raising a teacup to: Andrew Moss brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, and Jon Harris's five-for eased him past Graham Mountford into 23rd on our all-time wicket-takers' list. Moss continues to lead our 1971 run charts with 523, while Harris now sits fourth among the season's bowlers with 33 scalps.

In the end, honours shared — neither side could quite force the issue, and a draw, on this occasion, felt like a fair reflection of an afternoon where the bowlers rather had the better of the batsmen.

Sat 11 Sep 1971 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · HomeformWDLLW

Saturday 11th September saw Charles Arkcoll visit for what turned into a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. We lost the toss, were asked to field, and for once that felt like the right end of the coin — first use of the ball on our own square is not something to be sniffed at.

And how the lads used it. Allan Cooper was in irresistible form, tearing through the Arkcoll order with 5 for 47 and seven maidens besides — the sort of spell where you start wondering whether to bother setting a field at all. Jon Harris chipped in with 2 for 3, David T Lowen with 2 for 28, and between us we sent Robin Wilson, John Abnett and B Barratt back for ducks. Only Brian Aiston stood firm, a gritty 80 that alone kept the total respectable, as Arkcoll were bowled out for 115 in 43.5 overs.

Chasing was never going to trouble us unduly, and so it proved. David T Lowen, evidently not content with his bowling exploits, carried on to an unbeaten 55, ably supported by Tim Thirkell's undefeated 33, and we cantered home at 116 for 3 in 41.5 overs — seven wickets and two points safely banked.

A word for Allan Cooper, who reached 50 career wickets in the process — a fine landmark, modestly earned. With Andrew Moss still leading our run charts on 505 and Cooper now top of the wicket pile with 43, the season has no shortage of heroes. A comfortable, well-earned win, and not before time — the tea urn has rarely tasted sweeter.

Tue 07 Sep 1971 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · AwayformLLDDL

Beaten but not bowed – Linton Park's Tuesday, 7th September

We rocked up away from home in confident mood, and having lost the toss found ourselves out in the field first, which on a Tuesday evening is rarely how one hopes the day will go. They batted with more patience than we'd have liked, grinding out 152 for 7 from their 40.5 overs, with H. Dunk the chief architect of our discomfort on 45, well supported by Longfield (29) and Bright (27). Rogers, mercifully, departed for a golden duck without so much as a nibble at our bowling — small mercies gratefully received.

With the ball, though, we were rather more than useful. Jon Harris steamed in for 3 for 38 and, in doing so, ghosted past Brian Relf into 25th on the all-time wicket-takers' list — the sort of milestone that makes the long drive home feel a little shorter. Tony Gauna (2 for 27, with two tidy maidens) and Allan Cooper (2 for 31) chipped in handsomely alongside him.

Chasing 153, we made a fair fist of it, reaching 154 for 4 in 34.5 overs, but fell six wickets short of the win in the end. Paul Bowles was magnificent, his 59 carrying the innings and lifting him past Ray Howard into 8th on the club's run-scoring roll of honour, with Paul Brattle (31 not out) and Allan Cooper (20) lending sturdy support. Bowles now leads our 1971 Midweek run charts with 121, and Cooper tops the wicket-takers with 9.

A defeat, then, but a dignified one — plenty of individual pride to salvage from the wreckage. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 05 Sep 1971 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformDWDLL

Sunday 5 September 1971 saw Anchorians CC visit us on a day when the toss betrayed us and left us in the field. They ground their way to 171 for 5 off 44 overs, propped up chiefly by L. Neate's chanceless 82, with T. Futter (37) and an unbeaten 28 from John Prodger filling out the innings nicely. J. Lock and Jim Fish, to their credit, at least kept our bowlers honest by not troubling the scorers at all. Paul Bowles was the pick of the attack with 2 for 47, Tony Gauna and Allan Cooper chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Ron Hickman bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding the church collection plate — three maidens and not a run given away lightly.

Chasing 172, we made rather lighter work of it than the shine on the ball suggested we might. Cliff Anscombe played the innings of the afternoon, 71 not out of real substance, with Paul Bowles (40) and Robert Chance (29) lending sturdy support as we cantered home on 172 for 3 with over two overs unused. Anscombe's afternoon behind the stumps was less serene, it must be said — twelve byes went through that he'd doubtless rather forget, though nobody begrudged him after that innings.

A seven-wicket win, two points banked, and Bowles once again at the heart of everything — now second in the season's run charts and top of the wicket-takers. All told, a thoroughly earned victory, and a fine one to write home about.

Sat 04 Sep 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDDWDL

Saturday the fourth of September, and I won the toss and, in a fit of confidence I may since have regretted, stuck us in. The lads dug in gamely for 161 all out in 41.2 overs, Nigel Thirkell leading the way with a fine 42, Allan Cooper chipping in with 26 and Tony Gauna unbeaten on 23. I managed a modest 26 of my own, more graft than glory, and between us we cobbled together a total that felt, at tea, like it might just be defendable.

It wasn't quite to be, though not for want of trying. The visitors were bowled out for 110 in 37.3 overs, and the story of the innings was Jon Harris, who ran through them with a magnificent 7-37 — a five-for and then some, thoroughly deserved and the sort of spell you dine out on for months. Allan Cooper backed him up nicely with 2-40, three of his overs maidens, not a run given away for free. G. Davis played the innings of the day for them with 49, well supported by J. Gorf's 26 and P. Hardman's 21, though R. Friend and A. Fell will want to forget the whole afternoon, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Paul Brattle sits fifth in the 1st XI run charts with 222, and Allan Cooper second among the wicket-takers with 37 — the foundations of a decent summer, even if this particular Saturday didn't play ball.

In the end, 51 runs short and no disguising it. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets.

Mon 30 Aug 1971 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWDDWD

Beaten by 2 wickets away at Bearsted, 30th August 1971. Right, on with the report.

The coin did us no favours in disguise, but I called it right and, with visions of a flat, docile pitch dancing before me, sent us in. What followed was not our finest hour with the willow. We limped to 117 all out from 43.2 overs, a total that owed almost everything to David T Lowen's gutsy 39 — the rest of the order treating the crease rather like a bus stop in the rain, keen to be elsewhere. John Thirkell, Richard Ashby and Alan Wilkes all made ducks, and your skipper, never one to be left out of a collapse, contributed a golden blob of his own. Leading by example is all very well, but there are better examples to lead by.

With the ball, though, we scrapped hard. Bearsted wobbled to 7 for the loss of an early wicket and again from 87-3 to 96-6, and for a good while 117 looked like it might just be enough. Alan Wilkes was superb, 4 for 49 with three tidy maidens, backed up nicely by Jon Harris (3-31) and Paul Bowles (1-28), while Michael Livingstone and R. Parsons both departed without scoring. But Colin Fleetwood's 43 and an unbeaten 36 from Denis Cleggett steadied the ship, and Bearsted crept home by two wickets.

A gallant effort with the ball undone by a soft one with the bat. We live to fight another Monday.

Sun 29 Aug 1971 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformDWDDW

Sunday 29 August 1971 saw us make the journey out to Staplehurst, where the coin let us down and we were put straight into the field. It proved a long old afternoon in places, as Thirkell ground out a fine 52, well supported by B Pudney's 30 and R Parr's 26, to carry Staplehurst to 161 for 8 off their 47 overs. We did claim our consolations, though — C Rogers and G Feltham both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Our own Nigel Thirkell was pick of the attack with 3 for 34, backed up nobly by Paul Bowles (2-54) and Ron Hickman, whose 2 for 55 came with four maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly.

Chasing 162, Robert Chance played the innings of the day, a splendid 77, with Stan Wratten weighing in with a handsome 56 as we reached 153 for 4 from our 41 overs. Mike Iliffe's duck was the one blot on an otherwise handsome scorecard, and I regret to report that your captain also fell for nought — we shall draw a veil over that one.

A day of milestones nonetheless: Andrew Moss brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, and continues to lead our 1971 run charts with 475, while Paul Bowles tops the wicket-takers with 38. In the end honours were shared, a draw that neither side could quite force beyond — a fair result, all told, for an afternoon's honest cricket at Staplehurst.

Sat 28 Aug 1971 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · HomeformDDWDD

Saturday 28 August 1971 — Whitstable CC were the visitors, and the coin, as it so often does around here, let us down at the toss. Put in to field, we watched them compile 145 all out, a total that owed most to R- Tipper's 39, with Mike Tritton (35 not out) and J- Waters (32) filling in the gaps rather too comfortably for our liking. Only poor P- Larking departed for a duck without so much as a nibble at the scorebook. But then Jon Harris got to work with the ball, turning it prodigiously for 5-55, while Brian Fuller bowled with the sort of miserly discipline (4-49, five maidens) that makes a captain's job look easy, and Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 1-29 to wrap things up.

A target of 146 is never quite as simple as the arithmetic suggests, and so it proved for a nervous half-hour or two, but Andrew Moss played the innings of the day with a fine 48, well supported by Basil Sears (28) and Mike Iliffe (23). I permitted myself a modest 23 of my own, mostly, I suspect, out of sheer relief. We eventually got home by 5 wickets with overs to spare, 36.5 of them all told.

Andrew Moss, meanwhile, continues to make the rest of us look faintly ordinary, his 474 runs keeping him well clear at the top of the season's charts. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club — the sort that makes the tea taste that bit sweeter on the drive home.

Wed 25 Aug 1971 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformWLLDD

Wednesday 25 August 1971, and I lost the toss — which, in hindsight, was rather the most sensible thing that happened to us all day. Gravesend elected to bat, and proceeded to make themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 181/5 from their 44 overs. Gaynor Kingston led the charge with a fine 61, well supported by Nick Jones (38) and Ian Farthing (25). Credit where due: John Lambert bowled beautifully for 3-36, six of his overs maidens no less, with Alf Thorne (1-54) and David Tolhurst (1-59) chipping in gamely against a well-set batting order.

Then came our reply, and here the wheels came off with some enthusiasm. Bowled out for a distinctly modest 69 in 32.2 overs, we never remotely threatened the target. Steve Gower's 23 was the only innings worth the name; beyond that it was tales of woe, with David Tolhurst, Dick Langridge and Nigel Thirkell all completing the walk of shame for nought. I contributed my own duck to the collection — the less said, the better. Twenty-one byes ballooned past Percy Brattle, which tells you all you need to know about the standard of our glovework on the day.

Beaten by 112 runs, then, and no arguing with the margin. Steve Gower does at least remain top of our Midweek run charts with 78, and John Lambert's bowling continues to earn its keep. A chastening afternoon all round — but the tea was good, and we live to fight another Wednesday.

Sun 22 Aug 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformLDDWD

Skipper's Log — Sunday 22 August 1971. There are worse ways to spend a Sunday than losing the toss's fear entirely, and having called correctly I never hesitated: bat first, ask questions later. As it turned out, 146 all out in 58.2 overs was more grind than glory, though Stan Wratten's 35, Paul Brattle's 33 and Benny Bell's 26 gave the innings a spine of sorts. Not everyone's day, mind — David T Lowen and Percy Brattle both walked back without troubling the scorer, ducks that will doubtless follow them into the bar this evening.

With the ball we set about defending it, and for a good while it looked a rearguard job. They closed on 137/6 from their 45, F-H- Ames the chief tormentor with 48, well backed by J- Copeland's 36 and B- Campbell's unbeaten 21. Allan Cooper was the difference, 3-48 and five miserly maidens that kept the game honest, with David T Lowen chipping in at 1-53. Ten byes behind the stumps off Cooper's own bowling was the one loose thread in an otherwise tidy afternoon.

Amid the toil, a proper occasion: Robert Chance brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, and his 12 runs eased him past Bob Arnold to 19th on the all-time run-scorers' list — a landmark worth more than the scoreline suggests. Andrew Moss continues to lead the season's run charts on 426, with Cooper now 2nd among the wicket-takers on 35.

In the end neither side could force it, and a draw was the fair, if faintly unsatisfying, verdict.

Sun 15 Aug 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLDDW

Sunday 15 August 1971, and the visitors arrived at Linton Park to find the coin falling my way at the toss — batting first seemed the only sensible course, so I took it without so much as a moment's hesitation.

We made a tidy 161/7 from our 57 overs, built chiefly on a fine innings from Paul Brattle, unbeaten on 52, well supported by Benny Bell's 44. My own contribution of 17 will not trouble the record books, though I like to think it had a certain nuisance value. Honourable mention, too, for Cliff Anscombe, whose 18 runs quietly nudged him past George Champion and into 13th on the club's all-time run-scoring list — the sort of milestone that passes almost unnoticed in the tea queue but matters enormously to those of us who keep an eye on such things.

With ball in hand we set about the visitors, who replied with 154/8 from their 42 overs. Baker played the innings of the day with a well-made 84, ably assisted by Paul Clifford's 30, while Lawrence departed for a duck at our hands. Allan Cooper was the chief destroyer with 4-57, and Tony Gauna chipped in admirably with 2-37 from seven miserly maidens — not a run given away lightly.

Honours shared in the end, neither side able to force the issue. A draw, then, but a thoroughly good afternoon's cricket, and with Andrew Moss leading our 1971 run charts on 421 and Gauna sitting second among the wicket-takers on 33, the season continues to take a most encouraging shape.

Wed 11 Aug 1971 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDWLLD

Wednesday 11 August 1971, away at Gravesend, and the coin let us down again — I'm beginning to think it's rigged, though heaven knows by whom. Put into the field, we made the best of it. Gaynor Kingston gave us a proper working-over with a fine 61, well supported by N Phelps' 40, and between them they steered Gravesend to 159 for 9 off their 56 overs — a total that felt bigger than it read, given how little the rest of their order troubled the scorers, with C Mitchell and T Church both back in the pavilion without scoring. Paul Bowles was in irresistible form, turning the ball prodigiously for 5 for 67, while Jon Harris chipped in with 2 for 26 — five of his overs maidens, mind, which tells you all you need to know about the discipline on show — and John Thirkell picked up one for 25.

Chasing 160, we never quite found our rhythm, subsiding to 139 for 9 from our 44 overs. Mike Iliffe led the way with a battling 28, Steve Gower not far behind with 27, but wickets fell steadily enough to keep the required rate uncomfortably out of reach. Ten byes in the innings rather summed up poor Percy Brattle's afternoon behind the stumps — not his finest hour, bless him.

So honours were shared, a draw wrung from a match that might have gone either way. Cliff Anscombe continues to top our run charts and Paul Bowles sits second among the wicket-takers — proof, if any were needed, that not everything about this season has been hard luck. A fair result, all told, and one we'll happily take on the road.

Sun 08 Aug 1971 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · HomeformWDLDD

Sunday 8 August 1971. Sibton Park CC the visitors, sun overhead, and a rare fit of confidence saw me call correctly and elect to bat — a decision I shall be dining out on for weeks. John Ames anchored things beautifully for a well-crafted 59, with Paul Bowles (29) and Cliff Anscombe (20) chipping in handsomely to see us to 151/9 off our 52 overs. Less said the better about the Thirkell family's joint contribution of nought — though I note, with the generosity peculiar to captains who fared little better themselves, that these things even out over a season.

And fare little better I did. A golden blob from the skipper, out first ball without troubling the scorers — leadership by example, evidently reserved for other departments that day. Happily, the ball was kinder: three wickets to my name, and I wasn't alone in enjoying myself with the leather. John Thirkell was superb, 3 for the addition of not a single run off his three overs, while Bowles (3-17) and Tony Gauna (3-18, four maidens, and a tidy milestone of 50 career wickets) squeezed the life out of Sibton's innings. They mustered only 79 all out in 46.1 overs, Geoffrey Kirk's 29 the top score, with Laing and Perry both back in the pavilion for ducks. Poor Cliff Anscombe, so composed with the bat, had rather a torrid time behind the stumps — 14 byes tell their own tale.

A win by 72 runs, then, built on other men's runs and other men's overs — which is, I'm assured, precisely what captaincy is for. Onwards.

Wed 04 Aug 1971 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformLDWLL

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 04 August 1971. A visit from opposition unlikely to trouble the tea urn overmuch, or so I told myself before a ball was bowled.

Put into the field, we set about them with a purpose that would have startled anyone who'd seen our nets the previous week. Ninety-five all out from 38.5 overs told its own story — a- Scott (26) and J- Rance (24) did what they could to give the total some respectability, but the real business was done with the ball. Allan Cooper was quite magnificent, four for 24 off a spell that included eight maidens — the sort of miserly figures that make a captain look far cleverer than he has any right to. John Carter chipped in handsomely with three for 32, and Alan Wilkes tidied up with two for 23. Between the three of them there was precious little for the batsmen to feed on.

Chasing 96, we made steady if unspectacular work of it, reaching 59 for 2 from our sixteen overs before the clock, rather than the opposition, called a halt to proceedings. Andrew Moss batted with real composure, 34 not out, and looked good for a good deal more had time allowed.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue — though on the bowling alone, and with Allan Cooper's name now sitting proudly atop our season's wicket charts on seven, I fancy we'll take it as a job well started rather than a job left unfinished.

Sun 01 Aug 1971 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformDWDLD

Sunday 1 August 1971 saw Staplehurst CC pay us a visit, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in batting first — a decision that owed rather more to instinct than science, though it did us proud in the end. We closed on a respectable 164/7 from our 46 overs, with Paul Bowles unbeaten on 43 the anchor of the innings, well supported by Graham Abel's 28 and Robert Chance's 26. Cliff Anscombe and Allan Cooper both departed for ducks, contributing nothing more than moral support from the pavilion.

In the field we found ourselves scrapping for every run. Staplehurst reached 133/8 from their 45, P. Holland and C. Rogers both making 31 apiece, with J. Munn unbeaten on 22 to keep them interested. M. Pullen went for a duck of his own, some small consolation. John Thirkell was the chief destroyer with a superb 4-12, backed up nicely by Jon Harris (2-18) and Alan Wilkes, whose 2-56 came with six miserly maidens attached — not a run given away lightly. Cliff had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, 13 byes testament to some lively bowling rather than any great fault of his. I chipped in with 4 wickets myself, which I shall modestly mention only once.

Elsewhere, Andrew Moss's 14 runs saw him slip past Bob Arnold into 18th on the club's all-time run charts, and he continues to lead our 1971 run-scoring with 410. In the end honours were shared — a draw that flattered neither side, but pleased both.

Sat 31 Jul 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformLDWDL

Saturday 31 July 1971 — the lads pitched up not entirely sure whether we were meant to be entertaining or being entertained, and by the close honestly nobody was quite sure of the answer to that either.

Put into the field first, we watched the opposition compile a stern-ish 162/7 from their 45 overs, built on a fine 37 from T. Grenfell and steady support from John Golding (36) and R. Vale (25). Credit where it's due, though: Jon Harris ran through the middle order with a splendid 3-35, Benny Bell chipped in with 2-38, Ron Hickman picked up one, and Tony Gauna bowled with such parsimony (three maidens) that the batsmen must have wondered whether he'd brought any actual overs with him. One consolation for the scorebook, if not for a. Spice himself — sent back for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers.

With the bat we replied in kind rather than in excess — 156/7 from our 40, Andrew Moss leading the way with a handsome 43, Gordon Fenner (36) and Basil Sears (26) keeping him honest company. Poor Jim Hall had an afternoon to forget behind the stumps, 16 byes going walkabout past him, though nobody mentioned it more than four or five times in the pavilion afterwards.

There was, at least, cause for a small toast: Moss's knock eased him past Robert Chance into 19th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he continues to sit proudly atop our 1971 charts with 396 runs, with Gauna third among the bowlers on 27 wickets. A draw, then — honours shared, pride largely intact, and tea, as ever, the only clear winner of the day.

Sun 25 Jul 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformLLDWD

Here's the report:

Captain's Log, Sunday 25th July 1971. Winning the toss and sticking the opposition in seemed the sensible move, and for once the sensible move paid off — though not before B. Shaw had ground out a stubborn 31, with K. Emmett lending useful support on 23. Young J. Lawrence departed for a duck without so much as scuffing the paint, but the day belonged entirely to Paul Bowles, whose 5-23 (nine maidens, if you please — the man barely allowed the batsmen a breath) was as fine a spell as this ground has seen in some time. Alan Wilkes and Ron Hickman chipped in with two and one respectively, and 109/8 from their fifty-four overs always felt a touch shy of the mark.

Chasing it down, Brian Humphries played the innings of the day with a fluent 46, John Ames offered sturdy company with 28, and I managed to scrape together 28 of my own before getting overexcited. Cliff Anscombe had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps — fifteen byes is not a number one puts in the scorebook with any great pride — and somehow, despite reaching 110/5 with overs still in hand, we contrived to lose by five wickets. Quite how remains a mystery best discussed over tea.

Still, Andrew Moss continues to lead our run charts handsomely, and Paul Bowles's bowling this season borders on the unfair. A curious defeat, but no disgrace in it — we'll be sharper with the bat next Sunday.

Sat 24 Jul 1971 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · AwayformDLLDW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 24 July 1971

Away to Sibton Park, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — asked to field first, which on a warm Saturday is rather like being asked to do the washing-up before you've had your tea. Sibton batted with a certain grim purpose, C. Wood compiling a fine 60, well backed by D. Keeler's 39 and G. Willis's 33, and they closed on a stiff 178/6 from their 42.3 overs. Small mercies came in the shape of G. Keutenius, back in the hutch without troubling the scorers, and in Brian Fuller, whose 3-45 (including two miserly maidens) was the pick of a bowling attack in which M. Flint and Tony Gauna also chipped in.

156/9 in reply told its own story of a chase that never quite got its boots on. Andrew Moss batted beautifully for 72, ably supported by Basil Sears (28) and Benny Bell (25), but Graham Abel and Mike Iliffe both departed for ducks, and as for your captain — a golden blob, out first ball, which is not the sort of leading-by-example one hopes to furnish the gazette with.

Andrew Moss continues to top the season's run charts on 350, and Tony Gauna sits third in the wickets with 26 — both men rather carrying the rest of us on their shoulders. In the end, honours were shared: a draw, and on this evidence, a fair one.

Sun 18 Jul 1971 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · HomeformDDLLD

Sunday 18 July 1971, and Sevenoaks Vine CC came calling. Batting first, we crawled and occasionally galloped to 154/8 off our fifty, David T Lowen leading the way with a fine 44, Allan Cooper chipping in with 43 and Brian Humphries 28 — though Cliff Anscombe and Jon Harris both departed for the sort of golden duck that makes a captain suddenly very interested in the tea urn.

A hundred and fifty-four looked gettable, and for a while Sevenoaks made it look positively straightforward, with Peter Williams (35), James Graham-Brown (26) and George Downton (25) doing the damage. But cricket has a way of turning on a sixpence, and turn it did. Rodney Crang, Paul Downton and Phil Barnett went back to the pavilion without so much as troubling the scorers, and the innings folded for 110 in 33.3 overs.

The architect of it all was Paul Bowles, whose 6-64 was a spell of real quality — richly deserved, and one that nudges him past George Champion into 12th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Tony Gauna bowled with real discipline for his 2-22 and four maidens, with Jon Harris also chipping in at 2-22.

A two-wicket win, then, scrappy in places but thoroughly deserved in the end. Onwards.

Sat 17 Jul 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformLDDLL

Saturday, 17 July 1971, and off we went with the sun (mostly) on our side and hope, as ever, springing eternal. Asked to field first, we watched the opposition compile a handsome 225 for 5 off their 48 overs, built chiefly around P. Parkinson's polished 64, with useful support from B. Seager (41) and C. Palmer (36) — the sort of scoreboard-filling stuff that makes a skipper reach rather too often for the sunhat. Credit where due, though: M. Flint bowled beautifully for 3-76, Frank Brattle chipped in with 1-30, and Tony Gauna, miserly as a Yorkshireman with the milk, sent down five maidens on his way to 1-50.

Chasing 226, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening to run away with things, closing on 162 for 5 from our 45. Basil Sears played the innings of the day, a fine 58, while Frank Brattle stayed unbeaten on 40 and Jim Hall weighed in with 35 — enough to keep the tail wagging and the tea urn from going cold with worry.

A word too for Tony Gauna, whose 23 wickets now have him sitting third in the 1971 first-team charts — quietly becoming indispensable while the rest of us admire the view.

In the end honours were shared, neither side able to force it home. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and on this evidence, a fair one.

Sun 11 Jul 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLLDDL

Sunday 11 July, and the visitors rolled up on a morning that promised more sunshine than our bowling figures deserved. I won the toss and, in a fit of tactical daring that felt clever at tea and foolish by close, sent them in.

They made themselves at home, reaching 190 for 7 off 45.5 overs. G Cant played the innings of the day, a well-made 72, with D Poulton (32) and A Herd (25) keeping him steady company. Not everything went their way, mind — M Jones trudged back without troubling the scorers, which brought the only smile of the session to our huddle. Jon Harris was pick of the attack with 3 for 46, Dick Langridge chipped in with 3 for 56, and Tony Gauna bowled with the miserliness of a man counting out his own tea money, three maidens and all.

In reply we made a fair fist of it — 191 for 3 off our 40, John Ames striding to a fine 79, Brian Humphries adding 38, John Thirkell unbeaten on 30, and your humble skipper contributing a workmanlike 30 of his own. Our keeping, alas, was rather too generous a host, gifting eight byes.

Not our day in the end — beaten by seven wickets. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets. Small consolation: David T Lowen sits third in this season's run charts with 209 — one bright thread in an otherwise humbling afternoon.

Sat 10 Jul 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLLDD

It was a keen toss to win and no decision at all to make once I had — good batting run at home, so up we went first. Alas, 88 all out in 33.3 overs was a modest return for the honour, with only Alan Cradduck, unbeaten on 24, and my own rather scratchy 18 giving the total any respectability. Stan Wratten and Nigel Thirkell will not thank me for mentioning that both departed for noughts, but the Duck Club ledger must be kept honestly, waddle and all.

Eighty-eight looked a slender total to defend, and so it might have proved, but the bowlers had other ideas. David T Lowen was magnificent, tearing through them for 5-30, with Graham Mountford snapping up 5-32 at the other end and M- Flint refusing to leak a run through three tidy maidens. R Chapman's gutsy 43, well supported by D Jeffery's 21, dragged the opposition to within sight of us, while D Winstanley, D Francis and P Breen joined our own ducklings in the walk of shame. In the end they fell agonisingly short, all out for 84 in 26 overs.

Beaten by four runs — the kind of margin that keeps you up at night replaying every dropped single. Small consolation, but real: Graham Mountford's five-for lifted him past Ernest Cruttenden to 23rd on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and with Lowen third and Mountford second in this season's charts, the cupboard of talent is far from bare. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 04 Jul 1971 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformLDLLD

Sunday the fourth of July found us at Aylesford Paper Mills, having lost the toss and, with it, any say in the matter — into the field we trooped. Fred Baker had clearly had his Weetabix, cantering to a chanceless 101 not out, with John Atkins chipping in a handy 26 as their innings rolled on to 185 for 4 off 48 overs. Credit where due: Paul Bowles was miserly and menacing in equal measure to finish with 1-25, well backed by David T Lowen (1-27) and Ron Hickman, who bowled three maidens with the parsimony of a man counting his own tea money and took 1-39 for his trouble.

Set 186 to win, we settled for something altogether more sedate, closing on 128 for 3 from our 47 overs — the sort of chase that suggests both sides had one eye on Sunday lunch. David T Lowen anchored things beautifully with 45 not out, Andrew Moss farmed the strike nicely for an unbeaten 42, and Paul Bowles weighed in with 20.

Two landmarks worth raising a glass to: Bowles brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, and Moss's 42 nudged him past Roy Clarke into 20th on our all-time run list. Bowles now leads the 1971 charts with 328 runs, Allan Cooper the wickets with 28.

A draw, then — honours shared, nobody beaten, and frankly nobody in a tearing hurry to be. Not a classic, but a thoroughly pleasant way to spend a Sunday.

Sat 03 Jul 1971 🧢 1st XIv CA Charles Arkcoll · AwayformDLDLL

We were away at Charles Arkcoll on Saturday, and having lost the toss for what feels like the ninth week running, we were duly asked to field. No complaints from this corner — the lads settled into it well, and by the close of their 44 overs the opposition had crawled to 139/9. Mick Filmer gave us the most trouble with a well-crafted 69, shepherded home by John Abnett's unbeaten 21, but elsewhere it was a procession: Ron Parsons, Vic Wellard and B Barratt all walked back for ducks, and David T Lowen was in irresistible form, tearing through with 5-53 (three of those overs maidens, for good measure) and reaching the notable milestone of 50 career wickets along the way. Nigel Thirkell (2-26) and Graham Mountford (1-30) mopped up admirably in support — and Mountford's solitary wicket had a story of its own, easing him past Brian Relf into 24th on the club's all-time list.

Set 140 to win, we made a fair fist of the chase without ever quite threatening to complete it. Tim Thirkell top-scored with a tidy 29, Graham Mountford chipped in with 25, and I contributed a modest 18 of my own before we closed on 118/6 — short of the target but never in real danger of losing either.

So honours shared, and rightly so on the day's evidence. A draw is cricket's great diplomat, and out here it suited both sides handsomely — especially with Lowen sitting fourth in this year's run charts and Mountford fourth among the wicket-takers, proof this side has more strings to its bow than the scoreboard always lets on.

Wed 30 Jun 1971 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDLDWL

Wednesday, 30th June, and the visitors duly arrived to find Linton Park in generous mood, for I won the toss and, in what I shall charitably call an act of captain's optimism, put us in to bat. Optimism, alas, is not runs. We were bowled out for 108 in 38.1 overs, a total that flattered nobody. John Lambert top-scored with a gritty 30, Steve Gower chipped in with 28, and John Thirkell added a useful 21 — I managed 21 myself, for what little comfort that offers. Beyond that, the honours board was rather bare: Dick Langridge, Ray Grayland and Ron Hickman all departed for that most humbling of scores, the golden duck. Three in one innings takes a certain talent.

With the ball, we at least made them work for it, though work is a relative term when chasing 108. Their innings closed at 110/1 from 30.2 overs, D. Lackford compiling a handsome 70 and T Smith seeing them home unbeaten on 33. Brian Relf led the attack manfully, picking up 1-9, and Ron Hickman was miserliness personified with two maidens — small mercies on an otherwise chastening afternoon.

Beaten by nine wickets, then, and no dressing it up as anything but a thumping. Cliff Anscombe continues to sit handsomely in second place in our season's run charts, and Brian Relf third among the wicket-takers, so all is not lost for 1971. As for the rest of us — back to the nets, and back next week rather better armed, one hopes, than with ducks and good intentions.

Sun 27 Jun 1971 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · AwayformDDLDL

Sunday 27 June 1971, and off we trundled to Sevenoaks Vine, me clutching the coin with rather more confidence than the innings that followed would justify. It fell kindly, and I put us in — a decision I stand by, even if 74 all out from our 36 overs suggests the pitch had other ideas. David T Lowen dug in gamely for 33 and deserves the game ball for keeping the scorebook from outright embarrassment, while John Ames, John Thirkell and Alan Cradduck each took that lonely walk back for nought. Three ducks in one innings is the sort of statistic that makes a captain reach for the tea urn rather than the highlights reel.

Defending 74 always felt like asking a deckchair to stop a gale, and so it proved. Sevenoaks eased to 77/4 in 24.2 overs, J Graham-Brown leading the chase with 32, well supported by Derek Breed's 26. Credit where due — Allan Cooper was magnificent, 3-34 with four maidens, miserly as ever, and Dick Langridge chipped in with 1-7 to at least make them work for it. As for their skipper, less can be said: a golden blob, out first ball, which is one way of leading from the front, I suppose — just not the way one hopes.

Season honours remain untouched by my afternoon: Paul Bowles still tops the run charts with 308, Allan Cooper the wickets with 27. As for us, beaten by six wickets, heads down and back to the nets — there's no substitute for runs on the board, and on Sunday we simply didn't put enough there.

Sat 26 Jun 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLDDLD

Skipper's Log — Saturday 26 June 1971

We put them in, as is traditional when the skipper can't decide what else to do, and for a long while it looked the shrewder call. Wickets tumbled at our end with pleasing regularity — three of theirs went for a duck apiece — while Graham Mountford turned his arm over like a man possessed, spinning through them for 5-53 with three maidens thrown in for good measure. Brian Fuller and Tony Gauna chipped in with two apiece, and between us we had them shot out for 135 in the 43rd over. J. Cutbush's unbeaten 45 was the only real resistance, though T. Mitchell and B. Woodcock did their bit to drag the total up to something respectable.

Chasing 135 should, on paper, have been a stroll for a side of our modest pretensions. It was not. Jim Hall batted beautifully for his 48, Paul Brattle stuck around gamely for an unbeaten 22, but three of us — Andrew Moss, Basil Sears and David Stevens — contributed nothing more than a trio of ducks, and the rest of the order simply couldn't fill the gap. We folded for 126 in the 42nd, nine runs short.

A word of cheer amid the gloom: Graham's five-for pushed him past Brian Relf into 24th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and Tony Gauna continues to sit second in this year's averages with 22 scalps. Small mercies, but mercies nonetheless.

Verdict: bowled and fielded like champions, batted like also-rans. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 13 Jun 1971 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · HomeformDLDDL

Sunday 13th June, and Bobbing Court came to us on a day that promised much and, in the end, delivered a thoroughly English stalemate. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first — a decision I still stand by, whatever anyone says about my nought. We laboured to 158 all out from our 55 overs, a total built patiently rather than gloriously: Cliff Anscombe led the way with 31, Andrew Moss matched him run for run, and Robert Chance chipped in a handy 28. Graham Abel and John Thirkell both departed for ducks, proving that even the willow has its off days — and as for my own contribution, the less said the better; we shall draw a veil over it, as promised.

In the field we scrapped hard to defend our total, but John McLeod had other ideas, compiling a fine 65 to anchor their reply of 137 for 8 from 52 overs. Alan Wilkes was magnificent with the ball, 4 for 36 including seven miserly maidens, well backed by Paul Bowles's 3 for 56 and a wicket for Thirkell.

A day of quiet milestones too — Paul Bowles brought up 200 career wickets and climbed to 9th on the club's all-time run list, while sitting proudly atop this season's run charts and second among the bowlers. Honours shared, then, and rightly so: neither side could quite force the door open, and we parted, as good cricketing neighbours should, all square.

Sat 12 Jun 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLDLDD

Saturday 12 June 1971, and a fine, watchful afternoon greeted us as we took the field first. Jim Archer (34) and K. Patey Jnr (26) threatened to make a proper afternoon of it, but Paul Bowles had other ideas, running through the order with a magnificent 7-42, well backed up by Tony Gauna's tidy 3-36 off a miserly four maidens. C. Pattenden and D. White departed without so much as a run to their names, and the opposition were done for 118 in the 41st over — a fine team effort with the ball, even if poor Cliff Anscombe had a torrid time behind the stumps, 10 byes slipping past him like he'd forgotten his gloves at home.

Chasing 119, it was Bowles again who stood tallest, carrying his bat for a well-made 53 not out and looking, not for the first time this season, like a man playing a different sport to the rest of us. I contributed a workmanlike 19 of my own, more graft than grace, and we crept to 119/3 off 44 overs — only for the required rate, and the opposition's superior hitting, to see us home a mere seven wickets down at the other end.

Bowles now leads our run charts with 283 and sits second among the wicket-takers with 18 — the man is quietly having the season of his life while the rest of us cling to his coat-tails. A defeat, yes, but not a disgrace, and with performances like that to lean on, we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 06 Jun 1971 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · AwayformWLDLD

Sunday the 6th of June found us on the road to Harrietsham, and having called correctly at the toss, I took the eminently sensible decision to bat first. Sensible, that is, until 130 for 9 off our 45 overs suggested our batting had rather more enthusiasm than substance. John Ames top-scored with a workmanlike 34, Paul Bowles chipped in with 29, and after that it was largely a procession — John Thirkell, Alan Cradduck and Dick Langridge all completing the full walk of shame for a trio of ducks. Not our finest hour with the willow.

Still, 130 wanted defending, and defend it we very nearly did. Harrietsham crawled to 99 for 9 from their 43, Anthony Moss the chief nuisance with 40, well supported by Micky Tong's 27, while D Morgan, John Smith and Michael Gear all trooped back without so much as a run to their names. Allan Cooper was magnificent, 3 for 12 and the pick of a fine attack, Alan Wilkes chipped away for 3 for 45, and Graham Mountford bowled with real discipline — 1 for 20 including four maidens, not a run given away lightly.

As for your captain, I contributed a golden blob — leadership by example is all very well, but on this occasion I led only in the wrong direction. Honours finished shared, a draw when neither side could force it home. Given the state of my batting average, I'll happily settle for that.

Sat 05 Jun 1971 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformDWLDL

As it stands from the captain's chair, Saturday 5th June brought Rumwood CC to Linton Park, and the toss fell kindly enough that I had no hesitation in sending us in to bat.

What followed was rather more than I'd dared hope for. Paul Bowles batted with real purpose to finish 99 not out, agonisingly shy of the century his innings thoroughly deserved, while Cliff Anscombe played his part handsomely with 61 and Andrew Moss chipped in a tidy 30. We closed on 214/3 from 48.3 overs, a total that gave the bowlers something to defend and the rest of us something to talk about at tea.

With the ball, Tony Gauna was the chief tormentor, ripping through with 4-34, well backed by Paul Bowles's 3-75 and a typically economical spell from Graham Mountford, whose 4 maidens in returning 1-26 spoke of a man determined not to leak a run he didn't have to. Don Clayton and James Snr Walker were sent back without troubling the scorers, but D. Burrows dug in for a fine 61 and R. Moore's unbeaten 25 steadied things enough to see Rumwood home to 164/8. Cliff Anscombe had a trickier afternoon behind the stumps, 20 byes finding their way past him, though his runs with the bat nudged him past Gordon Fenner into 14th on our all-time list — no small consolation.

So honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Frustrating, perhaps, but with Bowles and Mountford both flying at the top of this season's charts, I'll happily take a fighting stalemate over a false dawn.

Thu 03 Jun 1971 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sennocke CC · HomeformLDLDW

Sennocke CC arrived at Linton Park on a Thursday evening in June, and for once I won the toss and actually knew what to do with it — batting first, no dithering. Paul Bowles set about proving me right with a fine 47, and Cliff Anscombe chipped in handsomely with 35, the pair of them dragging us to a respectable 140/6 from our 46 overs. A total that looked, over tea, like it might just be enough.

It wasn't, quite. Sennocke chased with a composure that rather spoiled the mood, R Johnson anchoring things with a well-crafted 51 while we toiled away in the field. Tony Gauna was the pick of us by some distance — 3 for 41 and five maidens, not a run given away lightly, the sort of spell that deserved a better fate. Allan Cooper kept him honest with 3 for 49 of his own, and we did at least send a Hall back for a duck without troubling the scorers. But 141/7 came up with overs to spare, and the visitors departed three wickets to the good.

Not our day, then. Bowles and Gauna sit atop the season's charts for runs and wickets respectively, so the ingredients are clearly there — just not quite mixed in the right order on this occasion. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Mon 31 May 1971 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWDWLD

It rained on our chances more than the sky did on Monday 31 May, as Bearsted CC came to Linton Park and gave us a proper hiding. Losing the toss and being asked to chase is never the tonic a captain wants, and so it proved: Colin Fleetwood settled in for a well-made 63, with David Andrews (45) and Dave Bromley (40) keeping him company as Bearsted ground us down to 212/9 from a marathon 66.5 overs. The openers alone put on 63 before we so much as troubled the scorers, which rather set the tone. Credit where it's due, though — Allan Cooper was magnificent with the ball, 5-69 and ten miserly maidens to show for his afternoon's toil, with John Thirkell chipping in a handy 3-47.

Two hundred and thirteen was always going to be a stretch, but 88 all out in 43.4 overs was grim reading even by our modest standards. Andrew Moss (24) and Tim Thirkell (20) did what they could, but 33-1 became 39-4 before anyone could reach for the scorebook, and poor Graham Mountford and John Thirkell both walked back for golden ducks. As for your skipper — a golden blob to his name, which is not the example one hopes to set, though three wickets with the ball offered some small consolation for wounded pride.

Andrew Moss still leads our run charts with 162 for the season, and Allan Cooper his wickets with 21, so all is not lost. But down by 124 runs, this was a chastening one — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 30 May 1971 🧢 1st XIv HC Hythe CC · AwayformDWDWL

Sunday 30 May, and the coach rolled up to Hythe CC with a side full of hope, if not much else. I lost the toss — no shock there, my season's coin-calling remains a national embarrassment — and we were put into the field.

Not that we minded. Hythe were shifted out for 109 in 39.1 overs, R Chappell's 36 the only real resistance, while poor C Giles and Dan Smith trudged off for ducks at our hands. Alan Wilkes was magnificent — 3-14 with five maidens, bowling as though the batsmen owed him money — well supported by Paul Bowles (3-16) and David T Lowen (2-30). A tidy, disciplined bowling display all round.

Chasing 110 should have been a formality. It was not. We stumbled to 105/9 off our fifty, Paul Bowles (30) and David T Lowen (30) doing the heavy lifting while the rest of us, myself very much included, rather lost the plot — Nigel Thirkell, Frank Brattle and Alan Cradduck all joining me in the duck club, and the less said about my own contribution the better.

One bright note: Andrew Moss's watchful 12 eased him past Len Conway into 22nd on the all-time run charts, and he continues to lead our 1971 run-scoring with 138, with Tony Gauna third among the wicket-takers on 8.

A draw, then — honours even, nerves frayed, and a long drive home to reflect on quite how we contrived to make 109 look difficult.

Sat 29 May 1971 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWDWDW

As Linton Park bowled us out for 32-run heroics, here's the report.

Saturday 29 May, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and, with the air of a man who knew exactly what he was doing, put us in to bat. Whether that confidence was misplaced became apparent fairly swiftly: 78 all out in 47.1 overs is not the stuff of legend, though Graham Mountford's 36 gave the scorebook something to be proud of amid the general wreckage. Special mention, of a sort, must go to Basil Sears, who contributed a golden duck to the cause with the kind of commitment that leaves a captain lost for words.

Seventy-eight was never going to frighten anyone, so it was a case of backs to the wall and hoping for miracles. Remarkably, we very nearly got one. Jim Archer and both K- Pateys went back without troubling the scorers, and Graham Mountford — clearly deciding that batting alone wasn't enough exercise for one day — produced a spell of 5-22, five maidens included, that will live long in the memory. Allan Cooper chipped in handsomely with 4-20, and between them the pair reduced the opposition to 46 all out in 26.3 overs.

Alas, 46 was still 47 more than we needed to concede, and the arithmetic finished us off by 32 runs. Andrew Moss continues to lead our run charts for the season with 126, and Allan Cooper tops the wickets with 16 — small consolations on a day when the bowling deserved so much better than the batting gave it. Not our day, then. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 16 May 1971 🧢 1st XIv PC Paddock Wood CC · HomeformLWDWD

Sunday 16th May found us hosting Paddock Wood CC in what turned out to be rather a fine advertisement for the sport. Winning the toss, I elected to bat, a decision I like to think showed tactical acumen rather than a simple desire to see how the tea was coming along. The lads shuffled to 147/8 from 46.3 overs, a total built on Basil Sears's watchful 29, with Andrew Moss (28) and John Thirkell (27) chipping in handsomely. Not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but cricket, thankfully, isn't played on paper.

And so it proved. Our bowlers set about Paddock Wood with real purpose, bundling them out for a modest 77 in 28.2 overs, R- Fawcett's duck the earliest sign of things to come. Paul Bowles was the pick with a splendid 3-11, while David T Lowen (3-18, four maidens — proper miserly stuff) and Allan Cooper (3-32) made sure there was wicket-taking enough to go round. I even managed 27 with the ball myself, which I shall be mentioning at the bar for weeks.

A word too for Paul Bowles, whose 18 runs eased him past Maurice Fenner into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — quiet history made on an already good afternoon. Andrew Moss continues to lead our season's run charts and Allan Cooper the wickets, both looking in no mood to relinquish top spot.

A 70-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 15 May 1971 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWLWDW

Wrote the following report as our village cricket newsletter piece — output only, per the rules.

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Saturday brought Headcorn to Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any self-respecting skipper does with a decent-looking pitch under his boots — I stuck us in. Whether that was tactical genius or simple greed I'll leave for others to judge, but 160/5 from our 45 overs suggested I'd got away with it. Andrew Moss played the innings of the day, a really fine 70, with John Ames giving sterling support on 46 and Stan Wratten seeing us home unbeaten on 21.

Defending it, we were made to work. Headcorn's R- Young played a lovely hand of 51, the sort of innings that has you nodding respectfully from the boundary even as you'd rather he got out. But G- Gore, C- Smith and B- Penny all departed without so much as a run to show for it, and the reason wasn't hard to find: Graham Mountford was in unplayable form, spinning his way to 7-41, while Brian Fuller strangled the life out of the other end with 2-28 and five miserly maidens. Between the two of them Headcorn never really got loose. I chipped in with 46 myself, more by luck than judgement.

A word for John Ames, whose 46 nudges him past William Buck into 4th on the club's all-time run list — not a bad afternoon's work in anyone's book. In the end honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Frustrating, perhaps, but with cricket like that on show, I'll happily settle for it.

Sun 09 May 1971 🧢 1st XIv Gore Court CC · AwayformWWLWD

Sunday 9th May 1971 saw us make the trip to Gore Court, and if I'm honest I wasn't overly troubled when the coin fell wrong and we were put into the field — with Tony Gauna warming up in the outfield, chasing a modest total seemed a fine way to spend an afternoon.

And how right that proved. Gore Court never got going, an early wicket at 0-1 setting the tone, and by the time they'd stumbled from 35-5 to 54-8 you could sense the tea urn being put on early. John Lance's 33 was really the only resistance worth the name as they were bowled out for 74 off 37.1 overs. Gauna was magnificent, 6-35 and a five-for thoroughly earned, with Allan Cooper (2-16, and eleven — eleven! — maidens, the mean old skinflint) and Paul Bowles (2-22) mopping up around him. Spare a thought, meanwhile, for Ken Drury, Peter Holmes and David Laughton, who between them contributed rather less than the tea money.

Chasing 75 held no terrors. John Ames eased to 29 not out, Cliff Anscombe chipped in with a composed 26 not out, and I even managed to get off the mark myself with 29, before we cantered home at 76-2 in just 18.3 overs. Eight wickets to the good, and Paul Bowles and Allan Cooper both climbing the season's charts into the bargain. A thoroughly satisfying away day — onwards indeed.

Sun 02 May 1971 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · AwayformDWWLW

Sunday the 2nd of May found the Linton Park bus rattling down to Bobbing Court, and I'll confess to a rare flush of tactical confidence: winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat, and for once the decision looked positively shrewd by close of play.

The lads settled in nicely, posting 149 for 7 from our 48 overs. Robert Chance was the picture of calm authority, carrying his bat to 59 not out, with Paul Bowles chipping in a handsome 39 alongside him. Not every card is without blemish, mind — poor Cliff Anscombe's contribution amounted to a duck, and I dare say he'll be hearing about it over tea for weeks to come.

Defending the total, we set about Bobbing Court with real purpose. Allan Cooper was magnificent with the ball, snaring 2 for 17 and delivering no fewer than 8 miserly maidens that squeezed the life out of their innings, well supported by David T Lowen (2-19) and Andrew Moss (1-7). C Robinson and B Best both departed without troubling the scorers. Still, Gordon Kemsley dug in gamely for an unbeaten 37, ably assisted by John McLeod's 34, and Bobbing Court crept to 92 for 5 from their 42 overs — enough to deny us, not enough to beat us.

Honours shared, then, and a fair reflection of an afternoon where neither side could quite land the decisive blow. A draw it was — and, dare I say, an honourable one at that.

Sat 01 May 1971 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformLDWWL

Saturday 01 May 1971 — Folkestone CC in town, and for once the coin actually cooperated with my thinking, so I put us in without a second thought. Right call, in my view, though the Folkestone lot may disagree.

We laboured a touch to 143/9 off our 45, saved from mediocrity by Brian Humphries's cracking 57 and a tidy 31 from Stan Wratten in support. Poor Alan Cradduck, meanwhile, made his own kind of history with a golden duck — the walk of shame performed with all the dignity he could muster, which is to say none whatsoever.

If our batting was a stroll, our bowling was a procession. Folkestone were bundled out for a paltry 72 in 41.4 overs, with Gerald Jeanes and Ian McMillen dispatched back to the hutch without so much as a run to their names — quackers, both of them. But the day belonged, unarguably, to Allan Cooper, whose 5-12 (ten of those overs maidens, if you please) was as fine a spell as this ground has seen in some while. Dick Langridge chipped in handsomely too, with 4-25, leaving precious little for the rest of us to do but applaud from the boundary.

So it's Humphries top of the run charts and Cooper top of the wickets as the season gets going, and us seventy-one runs to the good. A thoroughly satisfactory afternoon's work — tea was well earned, and so, I daresay, was the nap that followed.