🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 29 Sep 1973 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · HomeformDLLLD

Here is the match report.

The toss went against us on Saturday, and once again we found ourselves trudging out to field rather than pad up — a state of affairs I am beginning to take rather personally. Bexhill made their way to 117 for 9 off 48.3 overs, built patiently around Shrubb's 24, with useful support from King (21) and Cowley (20). If it's any consolation to my aching shoulder, I managed 2 for 8 with the ball, which I like to think set the tone, while Moss (2-11) and Gauna (2-34) chipped in nicely. Special mention, though, must go to brother Nigel, who bowled five maidens without conceding so much as a sniff — the sort of miserly spell that makes the opposition question their life choices.

Chasing 118 should have been well within our compass, but cricket has a way of humbling the confident. We were bowled out for 105 in just 32 overs, Andrew Moss batting nicely for 30 and Ken Webb chipping in with 23, but too many of us came and went without troubling the scorers. Nigel, having bowled like a dream, rounded off his day with a golden duck — the game's cruel sense of balance at work.

There was, at least, cause for quiet pride: Tony Gauna's brace of wickets nudged him up to 20th on the club's all-time list, past Allan Cooper, while Paul Brattle and Nigel continue to sit second in this season's batting and bowling charts respectively.

We fell 12 runs short in the end. A game we ought to have won, and one we'll be better for having lost.

Sun 23 Sep 1973 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWDLLL

Sunday's fixture against Anchorians CC was billed as a battle, and it very nearly delivered one — except I lost the toss again, which by now is less bad luck than a personality trait. They chose to bat, and set about their 44 overs with quiet purpose, posting 136/6. E. Cherry led the way with a tidy 34, well supported by Derek Ufton (23) and Alan Dixon (22), while our attack chipped away throughout. Nigel Thirkell was the pick of the bowlers by some distance — 4-34 with five maidens thrown in for good measure, proof that not a run was given away lightly. Tony Gauna and Allan Cooper each took a wicket apiece to keep the visitors honest.

Chasing 137, we made light work of it in the end. Paul Brattle and Paul Bowles simply refused to be parted, carrying us to 78/1 from 19 overs with unbeaten knocks of 35 and 32 respectively — the sort of composed batting that makes a captain's job look easy, even when it wasn't him doing any of the composing.

A nod, too, to the record books: Tony Gauna's solitary wicket nudged him past Len Conway into 21st on the club's all-time list, while Paul Brattle continues to sit 2nd in this season's run charts on 555, and Nigel Thirkell holds 2nd in the wicket charts with 51.

In the end honours were shared, neither side quite able to force the issue. A draw, then — honest, hard-fought, and entirely fitting for a Sunday when both attack and bat had their say.

Sat 22 Sep 1973 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWDLL

Saturday, 22 September 1973, and West Farleigh came to Linton Park in fine spirits, which state I'm sorry to report we then rather punctured with the bat. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first — though quite why, on 131 all out from 46 overs, remains a question for the tea tent rather than these pages. Mike Iliffe held things together with a fine 45, well supported by Nigel Thirkell's 36, but the rest of us rather let the side down, and 131 always looked a touch light against a side of West Farleigh's calibre.

Still, cricket is a funny old game, and for a while it looked like we might defend the indefensible. Terry Donovan bowled like a man possessed, ripping through the top order for 6-57 with four miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, and even accounted for Norman Underdown without so much as troubling the scorer. I chipped in with 1-8, and Thirkell picked up another for 34, but Peter Cooper's 38, well supported by J Archer's 34 and Simon Day's 22, steadied West Farleigh's ship just enough, and they scraped home at 133/8 from 39.5 overs.

There was, at least, one moment of real pride amid the gloom: Mike Iliffe brought up 2,000 runs for the club, a landmark worth toasting whatever the scoreboard says. Thirkell continues to lead our run charts for the season with 599, and I'm pleased to say the wickets column still has my name on it with 61. As for the match itself — beaten by two wickets, fair and square. Not our day. Heads up, back to the nets.

Sun 16 Sep 1973 🧢 1st XIv MH Mersham Hatch · HomeformLLWDL

Sunday the 16th of September saw Mersham Hatch visit us at home, and having won the toss I elected to bat — the right call, I felt, though the scorebook rather begs to differ. We were bowled out for a distinctly modest 78 in 37.1 overs, Ken Webb doing the honourable thing with 31, while Allan Cooper and Ron Hickman both departed for golden ducks, the sort of contribution best not dwelt upon over tea.

Seventy-eight was never going to trouble anyone for long, and so it proved. Mersham Hatch eased to 79 for 2 in 29.3 overs, F.H. Ames unbeaten on 31 and C. Smith chipping in with 30 as the target melted away with barely a murmur of resistance from us. Allan Cooper, to his great credit, atoned handsomely for his duck with the ball — 1 for 15 including two tidy maidens — and Paul Bowles picked up a wicket of his own for 20, but two wickets and two maidens were never quite enough against batting of that calm authority.

Elsewhere in the season, Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our 1973 run charts with 563 to his name, and Allan Cooper's all-round afternoon nudges him to third in the wicket charts with 30. As for us, beaten by eight wickets — no arguing with that. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sat 15 Sep 1973 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformLLLWD

Beaten by four wickets in the end, but not before we'd given Southborough a proper afternoon's work for it.

We put them in, and Peter Young made sure the pitch's kindness was felt early, easing to a classy 54 that set the tone for their innings. Martin "Baz" Bailey chipped in a handy 39 and Richard Russell 29, and between them they steered Southborough to 214 for 6 off their 48 overs — a total that always felt a shade beyond us on a good batting deck. Paul Bowles did the damage with the ball, 3 for 71 and worth every run he conceded, while Brian Fuller and Nigel Thirkell picked up a wicket apiece, Thirkell bowling with real discipline — five maidens is not a spell you get from a man in a generous mood.

Our reply never quite got out of second gear. I found some form with 42, and Paul Bowles and Tim Thirkell both weighed in with 25 apiece, but 142 all out in 43.3 overs tells its own story, not helped by Mike Iliffe and Colin Dicker both taking the long walk back for nought. Poor Gordon Dent had one of those afternoons behind the stumps too — 18 byes is the sort of figure that makes a wicketkeeper want the ground to open up.

Elsewhere, a nod to Jon Harris, whose solitary wicket nudged him past Michael Morton and into 16th on the club's all-time list — quiet history being made while the rest of us were losing.

Four wickets the margin, but plenty to build on. We'll be sharper next week.

Sun 09 Sep 1973 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · AwayformWLLLW

Sunday the ninth of September saw us travel to Bexhill in reasonable spirits, though those spirits took an early dent when I lost the toss and watched Bexhill make themselves entirely at home, choosing to bat on what looked a decent track. Andy King set about us with a fine 72, and with R Bennett chipping in 43 and Dave Cowley an unbeaten 41, they eventually declared themselves satisfied at 202 for 4 from their 48 overs. Jon Harris toiled nobly for his 1-48, I managed a wicket myself for the outlay of 52, and Nigel Thirkell bowled with real discipline, two maidens amid the carnage — though the bowling figures rather flattered to deceive against that top order.

Chasing 202 was always going to ask questions of us, and our answers were, in the main, unconvincing. Benny Bell top-scored gamely with 25, but wickets tumbled steadily around him and we subsided to 99 for 8 from our 45 overs. As for my own contribution — nought, and the least said about it the better; I shall draw a veil over proceedings and simply note that Nigel Thirkell kept me company in the pavilion with a golden duck of his own. Nine byes, meanwhile, spoke volumes about a testing afternoon behind the stumps for poor Benny.

So it finished honours even, a draw when neither side had quite the wherewithal to force the issue — Bexhill too strong with the bat, we too generous with the ball and too fragile in reply. Elsewhere in the season, Paul Brattle continues to bat beautifully, second in our run charts with 486, while Jon Harris leads our wicket-takers with 59. As for Bexhill: a fair result, honestly earned, and one we'll happily take home along with our bruised egos.

Sat 08 Sep 1973 🧢 1st XIv A A.Trembeths · HomeformWWLLL

Saturday last, A. Trembeths came to Linton Park, and for once the toss fell kindly enough that I could put them in. It proved a shrewd move, or at least I shall claim it was. Their innings limped to 97 for 9 off 38.3 overs, poor J. Raffael marching back without so much as a look at the scoreboard, and our attack fairly purred throughout. Nigel Thirkell was the chief tormentor, 3 for 29 off a spell studded with five maidens that must have driven their middle order to quiet despair, with Paul Bowles chipping in 3 for 30 and Terry Donovan a tidy 2 for 28. Between the three of them there was precious little room to breathe, let alone score.

Set a target that never looked likely to trouble us, we eased to 101 for 3 in 29.4 overs, Paul Bowles following his afternoon's bowling with a well-made fifty, 51 to his name, to see us home in style. It was, all told, a thoroughly comfortable seven-wicket win.

I ought to note, purely in the interests of the record and not at all out of vanity, that I now sit atop the 1973 first-eleven wicket charts with 58 to my name, while Paul Brattle continues his fine season in second on the run charts with 478. Two points banked, and a Saturday that asked very few awkward questions of us. More of the same would suit me nicely.

Sun 02 Sep 1973 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformDWWLL

Sunday 2nd September saw us make the short trip to Staplehurst, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I'm still rather pleased with, whatever the final scoreline suggests.

We batted our fifty overs for 154/9, which felt about right for the surface rather than a total to frighten anyone. I got us going with 29, Ken Webb chipped in with a tidy 24 and Robert Chance made 23 — a knock that, we later discovered, nudges him past Tony Levick into 17th on the club's all-time run charts, which is no small thing for a Sunday afternoon in September. Jon Harris, alas, will not be troubling the scorers this week, departing for a duck.

In the field, Staplehurst's P. Holland made merry with 88, well supported by J. Munn's 27, and they eventually reeled us in at 158/5 with fifteen overs unused. T. Pullen joined Harris in the duck club. There were bright spots with the ball — Allan Cooper bowled beautifully for 3-30 with two maidens, and Tony Gauna's 2-33 was tidy enough to move him past Cooper himself into 22nd on the all-time wicket-takers list, proof that even a losing effort can rearrange the record books.

Beaten by five wickets, then, but not disgraced. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our season's run charts and Gauna sits third among the bowlers, so the engine room is purring even if the scoreboard didn't favour us today. We'll regroup, dust ourselves down, and be better for it next week.

Sat 01 Sep 1973 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · AwayformLDWWL

Here's the match report.

We travelled to Whitstable on a Saturday that promised much and delivered, in the end, a thorough lesson. Losing the toss set the tone rather neatly, and we were straight into the field to watch the home side compile a stately 187 for 4 off their 49 overs. Jim Long was the chief architect of our discomfort, ploughing on to 68 not out, with Mike Tritton (33) and S. Tritton (28) offering cheerful support. To our credit, Nigel Thirkell bowled tidily for 2-45, and Brian Fuller ran him close with 2-56 and a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure — not that either could stem the tide entirely.

Chasing 188 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and rather too many of them went unanswered. Paul Brattle battled to 32, Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 30 and John Thirkell with 20, but around them the innings had all the structural integrity of a garden shed in a gale — Tim Thirkell, Alan Cradduck and Terry Donovan all departed for ducks, and 110 all out from 38 overs was the sorry sum of it.

Nigel Thirkell continues to carry the side on his shoulders, now top of the 1973 run charts with 514 and second in the wickets with 42 — a one-man cottage industry holding the rest of us up.

In short: beaten by 77 runs, heads bowed, and it's back to the nets for a long, hard look at ourselves.

Wed 29 Aug 1973 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformLDLLW

Wednesday last, and the toss went our way for once — I had a look at the strip and, in a fit of confidence I'd soon regret on my own account, stuck Gravesend CC in the field. Richard Watters made sure it looked a shrewd call, batting beautifully to 82, with Paul Brattle chipping in a tidy 29 to help us to 178 for 9 off our 49. As for my own contribution — I'll be brief, since brevity was rather the theme: a golden duck, first ball gone, back to the pavilion to nurse a cup of tea and my dignity.

Defending 178 always felt like it might be a stretch, and so it proved. Barry Diplock played the innings of the day, 92 of pure class, well backed up by D Clark's 23 and Kevin Wilson's 20, while Roger Barrett at least had the decency to join me in the nought column. David Tolhurst was outstanding with the ball, 3 for 26, with Allan Cooper (2-40, four maidens and barely a run to his name) and Tony Gauna (1-22) chipping away gamely. Poor Steve Gower had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes speaking to a pitch that clearly had ideas of its own.

In the end Gravesend edged it by two wickets, and I fell for nought myself — we shall draw a veil over that. Paul Brattle and Tony Gauna continue to lead our season's run and wicket charts respectively, which is some consolation. A losing effort, but not a shameful one — we'll be better for it next week.

Mon 27 Aug 1973 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformDLDWW

I chose Bearsted CC for our little Bank Holiday jaunt on Monday, and though the coin fell their way, I can't say the toss cost us the game so much as the byes did. Put in first, we found Colin Fleetwood in determined mood — his 44 the backbone of their innings, with Brian Burnett (31) and Chris Collett (25 not out) chipping in to see them to 184/9 off their 47. We did claw one wicket back sharply, 7-1 early doors, and Allan Cooper toiled manfully for 3-64. I was pleased enough with 2-14, and Nigel Thirkell bowled with real discipline — 2-23 and three maidens, tight as you like.

Chasing 185, we lost an early wicket at 8 and my heart sank rather predictably, but a spirited stand of 63 for the fifth wicket dragged us back into it. Benny Bell led the way with 39, Nigel Thirkell added a handy 25, and I was happy to contribute an unbeaten 24 down the order. Sadly Paul Brattle and Colin Dicker both fell for golden ducks, and poor Benny's afternoon behind the stumps was rather undone by 20 byes — enough on its own to have made the difference. All out for 148 in the 49th, we went down by 36.

Elsewhere, congratulations to Allan Cooper, whose three wickets nudged him up to 23rd on the club's all-time list — a nice footnote on an otherwise chastening day. Not our finest hour, but heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 26 Aug 1973 🧢 1st XIv MH Mersham Hatch · AwayformLDLDW

The road to Mersham Hatch is a long one, and I confess I spent most of it wondering whether winning the toss and batting first was inspiration or folly. It turned out to be the former. We laboured to 155 all out in 44.2 overs, Nigel Thirkell the mainstay with 36, well supported by Benny Bell's 31. Extras chipped in a generous 26, which tells you something about the wayward Kent bowling, and poor Paul Brattle endured the walk of shame for a golden duck. Not our most fluent effort, but runs on the board nonetheless.

Defending 155 always promises a nervy afternoon, and so it proved, though the lads bowled superbly to keep the visitors to 132 all out in 35.5 overs. F-H- Ames battled to 26, with useful contributions from J- Smith and C- Breed, while W- Jeanes departed without troubling the scorers. I managed to find some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 4-30 including five maidens, and Tony Gauna and Dick Langridge chipped in with three and two wickets respectively. Poor Cliff Anscombe had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping 16 byes, but held his nerve when it mattered.

Two landmarks worth raising a glass to: Benny Bell brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, and I edged past Ray Howard into 17th on the all-time wicket-takers list. A fine win by 23 runs, and the season charts continue to make pleasant reading. Onwards.

Sat 25 Aug 1973 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lukes Maidstone CC · HomeformWLDLD

Saturday last, 25 August, and St Lukes Maidstone rolled up expecting a game. We had first use of the ball, and by the time the innings folded they'd mustered just 96, all out in 39.5 overs — a modest total that flattered them, frankly. Poor Beesley, Moon and Summerfield never got off the mark, three ducks in a top order that never found its feet, though B. Mitchell dug in gamely for 29. Nigel Thirkell was the chief destroyer with 4-22, Jon Harris chipped in handsomely with 4-32, and I managed to prise out one for 10 of my own, which I shall not mention again for fear of sounding pleased with myself. Terry Donovan, meanwhile, bowled with the miserly discipline of a man counting out his own tea money — four maidens and barely a run to be had.

Chasing 97, we strolled home for the loss of just two wickets in 20.4 overs, Tim Thirkell striding past his fifty to finish unbeaten on 52, well supported by Ken Webb's watchful 25 not out. Eight wickets in it, and never truly in doubt.

A word for the record books: Jon Harris's four scalps carried him past Herbert Rayner into 18th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, while in the season standings Paul Brattle sits second in the 1st XI run charts with 411 and Harris himself leads the wicket charts with 51.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved.

Wed 22 Aug 1973 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformLLDLL

I put us in to bat at Gravesend on a Wednesday that will live long in the Linton Park almanac, and how right that decision turned out to be. Rutherford set about the bowling with real purpose, cashing in a fine half-century, while Trevor Back's 38 and R. Philips's 28 kept the scoreboard humming nicely along. We closed on 201 for 6 from our forty-six overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew his fingernails over it.

Whatever confidence Gravesend had brought with them evaporated the moment we took the field. S. Studd was gone for a duck before he'd had time to get comfortable, and from there it was really no contest. Michael Chambers bowled like a man possessed, tying the batsmen in knots for six maidens on his way to a magnificent 7 for 30 — the sort of spell you talk about in the bar for weeks afterwards. I chipped in with 2 for 31 to keep things ticking at the other end, and Mick Brown grabbed one for no runs at all, presumably while the rest of us were still finding our run-ups. Gravesend were bowled out for a paltry 70 in just 27.1 overs.

A win by 131 runs, two points banked, and Michael Chambers's name now sitting handsomely in the season's wicket charts. Paul Brattle continues to lead the way with the bat for the Midweek XI, but on this showing it was our bowlers who did the talking. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and one Gravesend will be glad to see the back of.

Sun 19 Aug 1973 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformDWLDL

Sunday 19 August 1973. The Mote CC visited Linton Park, I lost the toss — no great surprise there, my record with the coin remains a national disgrace — and we were sent into the field.

The Mote batted through their 48 overs to close on 179/8, built chiefly around B. Lewis's well-made 71 and a fine half-century from J.N. Shepherd (64), the pair putting bat to ball with a fluency the rest of us could only admire from a respectful distance. Credit to the lads for hauling things back: Allan Cooper bowled beautifully for 4-41, four maidens included — not a run given away lightly — with Tony Gauna chipping in a lively 3-36 alongside him. Between them they kept a strong total from becoming an alarming one.

Chasing 180, we mustered 121/8 from our 50, never quite finding the rhythm. Benny Bell's unbeaten 23 was the innings' backbone, well supported by Paul Brattle's 20, while poor Mike Iliffe and, earlier, Ron McCormick and Nigel Bett all trudged back without troubling the scorers — a hard afternoon for the top order. Eleven byes told their own tale of a testing day behind the stumps for Cliff Anscombe, bless him.

One bright footnote: Tony Gauna's three wickets carried him past Jack Fryer into 22nd on the club's all-time list, and he now sits third in this season's wicket charts with 24, while Nigel Thirkell continues to lead the run-scoring with 423.

Honours shared, then — a draw that flattered nobody and offended nobody, which in village cricket terms is really rather diplomatic.

Sat 18 Aug 1973 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · HomeformLDWLD

Saturday 18 August 1973 saw Bobbing Court CC visit us, and having called correctly at the toss I opted to bat — sound thinking at the time, less sound by close of play. Seventy-one all out in 35.1 overs is not the stuff of legend, and the Duck Club ledger did brisk business: Paul Brattle, Nigel Thirkell and Colin Dicker all took that long, lonely walk back for nought, quacks ringing in their ears. A modest total, and we knew it.

Still, cricket is a funny old game, and for a while it looked as though we might defend even that. It wasn't to be. Denis Fowle played the innings of the afternoon, 39 not out of watchful, unhurried batting, with Damien Hudson doing the supporting work in style for 32 not out, and between them they saw Bobbing Court home to 74/1 in just 22.4 overs. Terry Donovan was the one bright spark with the ball — 1-34 and two maidens, giving away nothing he didn't have to, a lone voice of resistance in an otherwise one-sided afternoon.

Beaten by nine wickets, then, and no dressing it up as anything else. Tim Thirkell's 354 runs keep him third in the season's charts, which is some consolation on a day when the rest of us contributed rather less to the cause. We'll regroup, we'll bat with a bit more conviction next week, and we'll be better for it.

Wed 15 Aug 1973 🧢 Midweek XIv WC West Kent Wanderers CC · HomeformDLLDL

John Thirkell here, and — well, when the coin came down my way I didn't so much as blink before opting to bat. West Kent Wanderers had made the journey, and I fancied giving the lads first use of a decent-looking track. What followed was a curate's egg of an innings: Phil Hickman played the anchor role beautifully for 33, Cliff Anscombe kept him honest with a tidy 31, and Paul Brattle chipped in with 21. But the middle order rather fell through a trapdoor — Paul Bowles, Brian Piper and Trevor Back all departed without troubling the scorer, and 128/9 from our allotted overs felt distinctly light on the sort of pitch we'd hoped might yield more.

Still, cricket's a funny old game, and for a while it looked like we might defend it. Trevor Back was magnificent with the ball — 3 for 33 including four maidens, proper miserly stuff — and D. Drysdale fell to us for nought. I managed to grab a wicket myself for not many runs, with Paul Bowles picking up another, but D. Tolhurst simply wouldn't be shifted, easing to an unbeaten fifty and steering the visitors home with Steve Gower's useful 25 alongside him. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, nine byes leaking away like water through a colander.

There was a bright spot amid the gloom: Paul Bowles brought up 300 career wickets, a landmark worth raising a glass to even in defeat. But raise a glass is about all we could do — beaten by five wickets, heads bowed, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 12 Aug 1973 🧢 1st XIv Sibton Park CC · HomeformWLDWL

Sunday saw Sibton Park CC visit us at Linton Park, and winning the toss I elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and I'll stand by it in print even if nobody else does. We made a solid fist of it, posting 158/8 from our 47 overs. Nigel Thirkell led the way with a fine 39, well supported by Paul Brattle's 38 and a tidy 23 from Tim Thirkell, while I contributed my own small share further down the order. Not a total to frighten anyone off their tea, perhaps, but enough to give the bowlers something to work with on a pitch that never quite gave up its secrets.

And work with it they did. Sibton were held to 104/7 from their 42, R- Arnold's 37 the only innings of real substance, with Geoff Kirk chipping in 20. The damage, though, was all Allan Cooper's doing — a superb 3-15 off a miserly spell that included four maidens, the sort of bowling that makes a captain's job look easy. Tony Gauna (2-19) and Jon Harris (1-16) tidied up admirably around him. Cooper's afternoon had a footnote too: those three wickets carried him past Graham Mountford and into 25th on the club's all-time list — a proud moment, and richly deserved.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, then, but one earned by discipline with the ball rather than given away cheaply — and with Nigel Thirkell and Jon Harris both flying high in this season's charts, there's plenty for the club to be cheerful about.

Sat 11 Aug 1973 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformDWLDW

I won the toss and lost it in the same breath, being asked to chase, so we took the new ball on a bright afternoon at home to Headcorn CC. Their innings had the look of a long one from the start. G Wickens set about accumulating a fine 58, well supported by R Groombridge and John Phipps with 31 apiece, and by the time they were finally wrapped up for 192 in the 46.3rd over my arm had had a proper workout. Nigel Thirkell was the pick of us with 3-52, I chipped in with 3-63, and Paul Croucher took 1-10, while credit to whoever found the edge that sent Robert Westrop back for a duck.

Chasing 192 was always going to be a stretch, but nobody could have predicted quite how short a stretch it proved. Nigel Thirkell, Colin Dicker and Paul Croucher all contributed the same golden nothing, and the innings folded for 38 in a brisk and brutal 20.1 overs. Ten of those runs came as byes, which rather says everything that needs saying about our afternoon behind the stumps.

So, beaten by 154 runs, and no amount of clever phrasing will dress that up as anything other than a hiding. Small consolation that I remain top of the 1973 wicket charts with 46, and Paul Brattle sits second among the run-scorers, but consolations are cheap on a day like this. We'll regroup, we'll bowl straighter and bat longer, and we'll be considerably better for it next week.

Wed 08 Aug 1973 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sennocke CC · AwayformWDLLD

Beaten before we started, some might say – the coin let us down again on Wednesday, and Sennocke elected to bat on what looked a good, flat one at their place. Whalton settled in for 38, Tapper chipped in with 24 and Brant with 23, and for a while it threatened to run away from us. But Trevor Back had other ideas, steaming in for five wickets – five maidens too, not a run given away lightly – with Tony Gauna chiming in with three of his own to peg them back to 155 for 8 off their 46.5 overs.

Sadly we couldn't do it justice with the bat. Ninety all out in 39 overs is not the stuff of gazette legend, though Alan Cradduck's 31 was a lone flag planted on an otherwise bare card. Brian Piper and Tony Gauna both fell without troubling the scorers – two ducks for the price of one, which even by our modest standards takes some doing.

There was, at least, a footnote worth raising a teacup to: Tony Gauna's three wickets nudged him past Robert Wood into 23rd on the club's all-time list, and he continues to lead our 1973 Midweek XI wicket charts with ten, while Trevor Back sits proudly fifth in the run charts. Small mercies, in a 65-run defeat. We'll dust ourselves off and be better for it next week.

Sat 04 Aug 1973 🧢 1st XIv YM YMCA Maidstone · AwayformWDWLD

We travelled to Ymca Maidstone on Saturday hoping for a decent afternoon's cricket, and by the close we'd got rather more drama than that. Put in to bowl, we watched Gardner and Stuckey put together well-made fifties of 55 and 54 to give the innings real backbone, with Golding chipping in 32 more, and their total climbed to a stiff 189/7 from 48 overs. I can't say I minded seeing Marston walk back for a duck, though, and I managed to find a decent rhythm myself, taking 3-65 to lead the attack. Dicker was tidy and dangerous in equal measure with 2-10, and Donovan chipped in with 1-42 to keep the pressure on throughout.

Chasing 190 is never a formality, and 36.4 overs of nerve-jangling cricket followed. Dent anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 47, Nigel Thirkell weighed in with 46, and Ames added a solid 29, and between them they dragged us over the line at 190/7 with three wickets and precious little else to spare. I'll confess I enjoyed getting among the wickets again with three of my own, though the batting did the heavy lifting on the day.

There was a lovely moment amid the tension too, with Tim Thirkell bringing up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the result. Nigel continues to lead our run charts for the season with 371, and I'm rather chuffed to be topping the wickets with 43. A tense, scrappy, thoroughly satisfying win by three wickets. Onwards indeed.

Sun 29 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDWDWL

Sunday 29th July, and the road took us to The Mote CC in cautiously optimistic spirits. Winning the toss, I had few doubts about our course of action, and asked the lads to bat first — a decision that paid off handsomely thanks to Paul Brattle, whose 83 was the innings of the day and dragged us to a highly respectable 171/6 off 46.4 overs. Robert Chance (26) and Paul Bowles (23) played their supporting roles nicely, though poor Tim Thirkell will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry.

With the ball, we set about defending the total, and for long stretches looked the likelier winners. Tony Gauna was magnificent, prising out three for 22 with four maidens that strangled any momentum The Mote tried to build, while Nigel Thirkell (2-29) and Paul Bowles (2-57) chipped in handsomely — Bowles enjoying a fine all-round day. M Austin departed for nought at our hands, but K Emmett (46), C Ash (28) and John Reader (26) steadied their ship enough to see them home to 148/7 and a share of the spoils.

Honourable mention to the record books: Robert Chance's runs nudged him past Tony Levick into 17th on the club's all-time run charts, while Tony Gauna's wickets took him past Graham Mountford into 24th among our leading wicket-takers — both quietly climbing the pantheon while the rest of us just try to hold our catches.

A draw, then — honest toil rewarded with honours shared, and nobody quite able to land the killer blow. Frustrating, perhaps, but there are worse ways to spend a Sunday than watching Brattle bat and Gauna bowl.

Sat 28 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv Sibton Park CC · AwayformDDWDW

Saturday 28 July 1973 saw us make the trip to Sibton Park CC, and having called correctly for once in my captaincy, I decided we should have first use of a pitch that looked, in hindsight, rather friendlier to the bowlers than I'd bargained for.

We were bowled out for 106 in 39.5 overs, which tells its own sorry tale. Tim Thirkell batted beautifully for an unbeaten 42, and Mike Iliffe chipped in with a handy 21, but around them the innings rather fell away, with Colin Dicker and Charlie Le Milliere both departing for golden ducks. It was, in short, the kind of batting effort that leaves a captain studying his tea very intently.

With the ball, though, we at least gave a good account of ourselves. Nigel Thirkell was the pick of the attack, snaring 2-25, while Ron Hickman toiled away superbly for 1-39, including four maidens that gave nothing away cheaply. We did have Eric Impett back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, but Sibton's Colin Clark had other ideas, sailing to an unbeaten 65 with sound support from D. Keeler's unbeaten 24, and they reeled in 107/3 in just 27.5 overs to see the game out in some comfort.

For the record, Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our 1973 run charts with 325 and sits second in the wicket-takers with 28 — a rare bright spot on an otherwise chastening afternoon.

Not our day, then — beaten by seven wickets, and it's heads up and back to the nets for the lot of us.

Wed 25 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformLDDWD

Wednesday the 25th of July found us on the road to Hollingbourne, a fixture I've always rather enjoyed, if only because their tea urn is more reliable than our top order. I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or reckless depending entirely on what follows, and I like to think this one erred towards shrewd.

We laboured somewhat to 79 for 3 from our sixteen overs, never quite cutting loose but ticking along steadily enough, with Sam Simmonds top-scoring on 20 and giving the innings its backbone. Not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but cricket has a habit of making fools of paper.

So it proved. Hollingbourne were held to 76 for 8 in their sixteen overs, Ian Hammond's 22 the only real resistance, while Andrew Hales departed for a golden duck to remind him what sort of afternoon it was. Alan Cradduck was superb with the ball, taking 3 for 15, well backed by Ron Hickman's 3 for 20, and I chipped in with 1 for 10 for good measure — happily extending a season in which I now lead the 1st XI wicket charts with 40, while Tim Thirkell continues to press up the run charts in third.

Three runs. That was the margin, and honestly it felt like ten more than we deserved and ten fewer than we'd earned — but two points is two points, and I shan't be asking questions of a gift horse.

Tue 24 Jul 1973 🧢 Midweek XIv WW West Wirral · HomeformLWDLL

It was a stalemate at Linton Park, but by heavens it was a well-earned one.

Winning the toss on a fine Tuesday, I had no hesitation in sending us in — and the lads didn't let me down. We posted a healthy 176 for 8 off our 40 overs, built around a lovely fifty from Steve Gower (56), who continues to bat like a man with something to prove, and sturdy support from Paul Brattle (45). Between them they did most of the heavy lifting while the rest of us contributed the odd useful nudge and, doubtless, one or two rash swishes best left undiscussed.

In the field we started like men possessed. John Lambert steamed in for a splendid 3 for 25, Trevor Back chipped away with 2 for 16, and Tony Gauna bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding his allotment — 2 for 23 including three maidens, not a run given away lightly. Caldow and Gamwell departed without troubling the scorers, and for a while it looked like the game was ours. But T. Tottey (35) and D. Kiley, unbeaten on 33, dug in wonderfully and steered the opposition to 102 for 7, just enough to deny us.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride intact. Small consolation on the mantelpiece: Tony Gauna's efforts nudged him past Brian Fuller into 25th on the club's all-time wicket list, and he now sits second in our season's bowling charts behind only Steve Gower's bat. Not victory, but no disgrace either — a proper afternoon of cricket, and we'll take it.

Sun 22 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · AwayformDLDDW

Skipper's Log — 22 July 1973, Sevenoaks Vine CC

Lost the toss again — I'm beginning to think that coin has a grudge against me — and were duly asked to bowl. Sevenoaks made themselves at home, racking up 176 for 9 off their 49, with Rodney Crang the chief architect of our discomfort, cruising well past fifty to 96, and Phil Dew chipping in a useful 24. Happily we had our moments with the ball: Tony Gauna bowled beautifully for 4 for 35, I found a bit of nip myself for 2 for 17, Paul Bowles picked up 2 for 52 either side of a golden duck at the crease, and Allan Cooper strangled the life out of the middle overs with five maidens. Valentine, Ian Haffenden and Paul Bowles all walked back without troubling the scorers.

Chasing it down, we never quite got there, closing on 119 for 8 from our 46. Robert Chance top-scored with a gritty 35, well supported by Ken Webb's 26, but poor Cliff Anscombe had a day to forget — out for nought and then shipping 15 byes behind the stumps for good measure.

Not all bad news, mind: Paul Brattle brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, and Allan Cooper's solitary wicket nudged him past Brian Fuller to 25th on our all-time list. A draw, then — honours even, and on this evidence a fair reflection. We'll take it and drive home content, if a little saddle-sore.

Sat 21 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Steven · AwayformLDLDD

Won the toss at Tilling Steven on a Saturday that felt made for batting, and for once I trusted my own instincts and had no hesitation in putting willow to leather. Gordon Dent played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 89, while Paul Brattle chipped in with a composed fifty of his own, 65 not out, and Basil Sears's 22 rounded things off nicely. We closed on 206 for 2 from our 39 overs, which even by my own generous standards of optimism looked a handsome total to defend.

And defend it we did, in some style. Nigel Thirkell was simply relentless, tying the Tilling Steven batsmen in knots for figures of 4 for 21, including six maidens that must have tested the patience of anyone timing the tea interval. Colin Dicker chipped away with 2 for 15, and I allowed myself a rare moment of captain's indulgence with the ball, picking up 4 for 23 to round out a thoroughly happy afternoon. Only B. Woodcock, with 32, threatened to make a match of it, but the visitors were bowled out for a modest 89 in 39.3 overs.

A win by 117 runs, then, and a thumping one at that. With Thirkell now sitting atop the season's run charts on 317 and yours truly leading the wicket column with 37, the club can be forgiven a little swagger this week. A very good day indeed.

Sun 15 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformWLDLD

Here's the match report:

Not for the first time this season, the coin let me down — Folkestone won the toss, elected to bat, and I was left to set fields rather than pad up first. They ground their way to a healthy 192/6 from their fifty-five overs, with James Kirby's 43 the backbone of the innings, well supported by Peter Sumpter's 38 and Ian McMillan's 30. Credit where it's due: Brian Fuller was our chief tormentor with 3-44, Dick Langridge chipped in with 2-41, and I did my bit too, one wicket for 96 — expensive, yes, but I like to think the six maidens I bowled showed I wasn't simply handing runs away.

Chasing 193 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. We limped to 86/7 from our forty-eight overs, never quite finding the fluency the target demanded. Tim Thirkell held things together with a battling 30, and Dick Langridge finished unbeaten on 20, but around them the card told a sorrier tale, with both Stan Wratten and Paul Brattle back in the pavilion for ducks.

So honours were shared, a draw when neither side had the wit or the weather to force the issue. Small consolation from the season charts: Thirkell continues to build a fine year with the bat, third in the 1st XI run standings, while I find myself, somewhat to my own surprise, still leading the wicket-takers' table. A fair result, then, if not exactly a thrilling one — cricket, as ever, finding new ways to keep us all thoroughly English about it.

Wed 11 Jul 1973 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformDLWDL

Wednesday 11 July 1973, and Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC rolled up as our guests. I lost the toss – some things never change – and duly found myself and the lads out in the field while the visitors padded up in the sunshine.

They batted with a good deal more application than we'd have liked, closing on 154/6 from their 45 overs. G. Durdant-Hollamby led the charge with a fluent 36, well supported by P. Baxter's 33 and Taylor's 28. Credit where it's due: Tony Gauna bowled beautifully for 3-46, A. Day chipped in with 2-31, and John Lambert was maddeningly economical, 1-27 with six maidens to his name – the sort of spell that has batsmen muttering into their gloves. Poor E. Fleming departed without so much as a run to console himself with.

Chasing 155, we never quite got going, bundled out for 98 in 34.2 overs. Brian Piper battled hard for his top score of 28, but wickets fell around him with grim regularity. Jim Hall, meanwhile, had an afternoon to forget behind the stumps, shipping eight byes – the sort of thing that gives a keeper nightmares involving flying bails.

Piper's knock keeps him third in the season's run charts, and Gauna's effort nudges him to second among the wicket-takers, so all is not entirely gloomy on the horizon. But there's no dressing up a 56-run defeat. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets – Sevenoaks had the better of us fair and square.

Sun 08 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformLWLDL

On Sunday 8 July 1973 we welcomed Aylesford Paper Mills CC to Linton Park, the toss lost and my afternoon plans rearranged for a spell in the field first. Aylesford ground their way to 174 for 9 from their 48 overs, John Atkins the chief architect with 41, well supported by Geoff Crane's 28 and Terry Parker's 26. There was some small mercy in their middle order, with both Bobby Brigden and Richard Wood departing without troubling the scorers, and I found some rhythm of my own, spinning through their line-up for 5 for 69. Tony Gauna chipped in with 1 for 19 - four maidens of positively miserly restraint - and Nigel Thirkell picked up 1 for 25 for good measure.

A target of 174 was always going to take some careful chasing, and we never quite laid a glove on it. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day with 37, Paul Brattle offering fine support with 21, but wickets tumbled steadily around them and poor Cliff Anscombe's contribution was a golden duck. We closed on 100 for 7 from 46 overs, well adrift but far from disgraced.

So honours were shared - a draw, as neither side could quite force the issue. As the season stands, Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 301, while I find myself, rather to my own surprise, atop the wicket-takers with 32. The bat let us down rather more than the ball on this occasion, but there are worse ways to spend a Sunday.

Sat 07 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv MV Medway Valley · HomeformLLWLD

Winning the toss ought to feel like an omen, but omens, like Kent weather, can turn on you within the hour. I put us in, more in optimism than judgement as it turned out, and we contrived to fold for a modest 36 in 21 overs. Mike Iliffe's 22 stood like a lone oak in an otherwise barren field, while Paul Brattle, Basil Sears and Benny Bell all trooped back without troubling the scorer — three ducks before tea is not a hat-trick anyone wants.

With so little to defend, I turned to the ball and managed 1-20, which felt rather like polishing a full-length mirror to paper over a crack in the wall. Medway Valley strolled to 37 for 1 in a brisk eight overs, P. Dixon unbeaten on 21 and looking entirely unbothered by our attack.

My own effort with the bat was, in the fullest sense of the word, nought — a duck to match the ones I'd just watched from the other end, and the less written about it the better. Still, the season presses on regardless: Nigel Thirkell leads our run charts with 294, and the wickets column still has my name on top with 27.

Beaten by nine wickets, then, and fairly so. A chastening afternoon, but the sort that sharpens rather than dispirits — we'll be back at it, and better for it, next week.

Thu 05 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformLLLWL

It was Hollingbourne away on Thursday 5th July, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in sticking us in first — the right call, I felt, though as ever the proof is in the pudding rather than the coin.

Eight overs was all the elements allowed us, and we scratched together 53 for 5 in that time — a scoreline that flatters no one but keeps the show on the road. M. Pullen led the way with a brisk 23, well supported by Sam Simmonds's 22, the pair doing rather more than their fair share of the heavy lifting. As for your captain, I contributed precisely nothing to proceedings — bowled, caught, or simply undone, the manner scarcely matters when the number on the board reads a duck. The walk back to the pavilion is never a long one, but it can feel it.

With the total defended as best we could manage, Hollingbourne's reply never found its way to a conclusion either, and honours were shared — a draw when neither side had quite the wherewithal to force the issue. Elsewhere in the season's ledger there was better news: Tim Thirkell continues his quietly excellent campaign, sitting third in the 1973 first-team run charts with 194 to his name.

A fair result, all told, though I'd rather be remembered for runs than ducks.

Wed 04 Jul 1973 🧢 Midweek XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformDDLWD

Called it right at the toss on a warm Wednesday and, with visions of a flat pitch and a fast outfield, had no hesitation in sticking us in. As so often in these matches, ambition outstripped execution: we were bowled out for 123 in 36.5 overs, a total that owed everything to a battling 33 from yours truly and a fine 30 from Gordon Dent, and rather less to poor Cliff Anscombe, who contributed a golden duck to proceedings and will no doubt dine out on it in the clubhouse for weeks to come.

Northend Sunday, chasing what looked a distinctly gettable total, made steady work of it, reaching 124 for 2 in 25.4 overs. B Fairall played the innings of the day with 47, and was well supported by K Stapley (35 not out) and T Smith (33 not out), the pair seeing them home with time to spare. Tony Gauna toiled manfully for his 2 for 38, and in doing so brought up his 100th career wicket — a landmark richly deserved and warmly applauded by all, defeat notwithstanding. Nigel Thirkell, meanwhile, was miserly as ever, sending down two maidens and continuing to lead our 1973 Midweek XI run charts, with Gauna now sitting second in the wicket-takers' table.

We went down by 8 wickets in the end, comprehensively outbatted rather than outclassed. A landmark for Tony, a duck for Cliff, and plenty for the rest of us to ponder over a pint. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 01 Jul 1973 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · HomeformWLLLW

Here is the report.

Sunday found us at home to Sevenoaks Vine, and I lost the toss again — a run of form I'm becoming rather too familiar with — so we were put into the field. It's fair to say John Odell had other ideas about how the day should go, easing to a well-made 57 while Paul Downton (29) and George Downton (27) chipped in around him, and Sevenoaks eventually settled on 175 for 8 from their 51 overs. Credit where it's due: Allan Cooper was a model of miserliness, four maidens and 3 for 31, with Tony Gauna (2-44) and Nigel Thirkell (1-20) doing their bit to keep the total from getting properly out of hand.

Chasing 176, we never quite found the rhythm the pitch demanded. Tim Thirkell battled hard for 38, Paul Bowles added a tidy 29 and Robert Chance 25, and I contributed 22 of my own, but wickets fell steadily around the middle order and both Dick Langridge and Colin Dicker departed for golden ducks. All out 161 in 40.4 overs, and fourteen runs shy of where we needed to be.

Small mercies amid the gloom: Robert Chance's 25 nudged him past Frank Taylor to 18th on the club's all-time run list, and Allan Cooper's three wickets lifted him past Brian Fuller into 25th among our leading wicket-takers — the ledger, at least, had a good afternoon. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run-scoring this summer, and I'm rather pleased to say the wickets column still has my name at the top.

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

Sat 30 Jun 1973 🧢 1st XIv TS Tilling Steven · HomeformWWLLL

Saturday last, against Tilling Steven, I won the toss and fancied our chances with the bat first — a decision I stand by, all things considered.

We were bowled out for 192 in 41.2 overs, a total built on a fine innings of 84 from Nigel Thirkell, who timed a well-made fifty and kept going, with useful support from Jim Hall (37) and Charlie Le Milliere (31). Further down the order it was rather less glorious — Paul Brattle, Mike Iliffe and Gordon Dent all made the long walk back for nought, and I'm sorry to report I joined them, out for a golden blob. A captain ought to lead by example; on this occasion I led by cautionary tale instead.

With the ball, redemption of sorts. Tilling Steven were dismissed for 101 in 41.2 overs, D. Pound (33) and B. Seager (26) offering the only real resistance. Nigel Thirkell was quite unplayable, spinning his way to 5-5 with six miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, while I chipped in with 4-44 and Brian Fuller took 1-31.

A word too for Tim Thirkell, who made his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a fine landmark, and one the whole club can be proud of.

Two points, and thoroughly earned: a 91-run win, and not a bad way to spend a Saturday, blob and all.

Sun 24 Jun 1973 🧢 1st XIv DC Dimanchians CC · HomeformDWWLL

Sunday 24th June, 1973, and we welcomed the visitors to Linton Park with the sun out and, briefly, our confidence intact. Winning what passed for a toss decision, we put them in, and watched Gregor Hiscock compile a watchful 25 as the anchor of their innings. Credit where due — our attack scrapped hard throughout, Paul Bowles the pick with a fine 4-27, Allan Cooper matching him almost wicket for wicket with 4-31 and eight miserly maidens, and Tony Gauna chipping in with 2-21. R Barret departed without so much as a wobble on the scoreboard, and for all that discipline we had them back in the hutch for 116 off 47.2 overs — a total that, on paper, looked eminently gettable.

Paper, as ever, proved a poor substitute for application. Dick Langridge held things together with a gutsy 21, but around him the innings had the structural integrity of a garden shed in a gale — Bowles, Cooper and Colin Dicker all back for ducks, and the whole lot bundled out for 99 in 44.3 overs. Cliff Anscombe, meanwhile, had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, conceding 16 byes for his trouble.

There was a silver lining amid the wreckage: Allan Cooper's four wickets carried him past Brian Fuller into 25th on the club's all-time list, a fine personal landmark on an otherwise chastening day. Seventeen runs short in the end. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 23 Jun 1973 🧢 1st XIv HC Hythe CC · HomeformLDWWL

Saturday 23 June 1973 dawned fine, which should have told me something was amiss, because the coin certainly didn't favour us — Hythe won the toss and had no hesitation in batting. We toiled dutifully in the field as R Apps compiled a chanceless 97, ushered along by G-W- Cloke's 47 and a brisk 20 from P Sherington, and by the time they declared themselves satisfied at 208/7 from 48.4 overs, my legs had a fair few overs' worth of complaint in them. I finished with 4-72, which felt like scant reward for the toil, while Brian Fuller bowled with real thrift — two maidens among his figures of 2-47 — and Gordon Dent had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes escaping his gloves like eels.

Our reply was, in a word, brief. Basil Sears, Mike Iliffe and Paul Croucher all contributed that most traditional of club cricket offerings — the golden duck — and we were bowled out for 58 in 26.3 overs, a collapse so comprehensive it barely troubled the scorer's pencil. Beaten by 150 runs, there is no dressing it up.

One crumb of comfort: my four wickets nudged me past Stan Wratten into 19th on the club's all-time list, and I remain top of this summer's wicket charts with 21, with Tim Thirkell fourth among the season's run-scorers on 136. Small mercies. We'll be considerably better for it next week.

Sun 17 Jun 1973 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · AwayformDLDWW

Beaten before we'd left the changing room, some might say, once Bobbing Court called correctly and stuck us in the field for the afternoon. We toiled honestly enough, and while Damien Hudson made merry with a fine 63 — well supported by John McLeod's 34 and C Robinson's 24 — we kept plugging away. Dick Langridge was the pick of the attack with 3-19, Allan Cooper chipped in 3-35 and bowled with a miser's discipline, five maidens and not a run given away lightly, and we even had Brian Best back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. All told, 157/6 from 47.4 overs felt like a total we could chase.

Reader, we could not. Ken Webb batted beautifully for his 63, and Allan Cooper (26) and Gordon Dent (20) did their bit to keep the innings afloat, but wickets fell around them with a regularity that would test the patience of a saint. Alan Cradduck and Tony Gauna both departed for golden ducks, and 127 all out in 43.4 overs was the sorry sum of our labours — thirty runs short in the end.

Ken Webb continues to bat like a man with somewhere else to be, and now leads our 1973 run charts with 271; Allan Cooper's all-round afternoon nudges him to fourth in the wicket-takers with eight for the season. As for the rest of us, we'll put it down to a testing pitch, a hot afternoon, and the general unreliability of the English top order. Beaten by thirty runs, chins up — we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 16 Jun 1973 🧢 1st XIv GC Godlands CC · AwayformWDLDW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 16 June 1973, away at Godlands CC.

Won the toss and stuck us in to bat — the right call, I felt, and I'll stand by it in print even if it hadn't come off. Nigel Thirkell set about proving me right with a well-made 65, with Paul Brattle and Tim Thirkell both chipping in 26 apiece to help us to 209 all out. Not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but cricket is rarely played on paper.

And so it proved. Godlands never got going, subsiding to 97 all out with only X Wright's 22 offering any real resistance. Three of their number departed without troubling the scorers at all, which is always a sight to warm a captain's heart. I had one of those afternoons with the ball that you dream about walking out to the middle, finishing with 4-24, while Nigel Thirkell followed his fifty with 3-14 and five miserly maidens, and Brian Fuller weighed in with 2-15. Twenty byes did rather tell their own tale about poor Benny Bell's day behind the stumps, though he'll have taken more satisfaction from bringing up his 100th appearance in Linton colours than from counting them.

A word too for Mike Iliffe, whose 15 runs eased him past Bob Arnold and up to 20th on the club's all-time run charts. Two points, 112 runs to the good, and a landslide by any honest measure. Delighted to skipper a win like that.

Sun 10 Jun 1973 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLWDLD

Won the toss on a Sunday that promised more than it delivered, I had no hesitation in having a bat — a decision I spent the next forty-four overs quietly regretting. We limped to 101 all out, saved from real embarrassment by Tim Thirkell's gutsy 43, while further down the order Jim Hall and Alan Cradduck both walked back without troubling the scorebook. Not our finest hour with the willow, and I said as much to the lads over the urn at the interval — though I suspect my face said it rather more eloquently.

Still, cricket has a way of forgiving a poor first innings if the ball behaves, and behave it did. Sheldwich never looked comfortable chasing, and I found some rhythm to finish with 4-33, with Dick Langridge doing tidy damage at 2-1 and Tony Gauna bowling with real discipline — 2-38 and six maidens that strangled any momentum they tried to build. Mitchell, Sainsbury and White all departed for nought as the innings folded for 88 in 36.3 overs.

A pleasing personal footnote: those four wickets nudge me past Jack Fryer into 21st on the club's all-time list, and keep me top of this season's wicket charts, with Ken Webb still setting the pace with the bat.

A scrappy total defended with real skill — thirteen runs the margin, and a very good day for the club indeed.

Sat 09 Jun 1973 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWLWDL

Saturday brought Rumwood CC to Linton Park, and having won the toss, I had few doubts about batting first — the pitch looked too good to waste. Ken Webb made sure the decision paid off in style, cruising past his fifty to finish on 78, with Tim Thirkell (22) and Jim Hall (21) chipping in nicely around him. Mike Iliffe's contribution, alas, was a golden duck — the sort of thing that gets you a pint bought for you at the bar, though not for the right reasons. We closed on a healthy 182/9 from our 49 overs, a total that felt like it ought to be enough on a lazy summer's day.

Defending it, I can't deny a certain satisfaction in taking 4-41 with the ball, six of my overs going for nothing at all — the kind of afternoon a captain dreams about but rarely gets. Brian Fuller weighed in with 2-31, and in doing so nudged his way past Allan Cooper into 25th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, a quietly pleasing footnote to the day. Terry Donovan chipped in with a wicket too. Rumwood fought hard through Keith Filmer's unbeaten 36 and Don Clayton's 27, but couldn't quite force the pace, closing on 117/7.

So honours shared, and on reflection a fair result — we had the better of it with both bat and ball, but Filmer's obduracy denied us the win our efforts probably deserved. Ken Webb continues to lead our run charts for the season, Brian Fuller our wickets, and long may both continue. A draw, then, but a thoroughly satisfying one.

Tue 05 Jun 1973 🧢 Midweek XIv NF newport fugitives · HomeformDDDLW

Tuesday the 5th of June found Newport Fugitives on our patch, and having won the toss I opted to have a bowl first — a decision that looked positively inspired for about two hours. They rattled along to 134 all out in 54.1 overs, with B. Hoppe's 45 the backbone of the innings, well supported by E.J. Davies and H. Pearce, both good for 26 apiece. Walters, Drewett and Adams departed cheaply without so much as troubling our scorer, and I had one of those afternoons every bowler dreams of and precious few get: 8 for 49, seven of the overs maidens, the ball doing more or less whatever I asked of it. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 1-14 and P. Hatt with 1-47, tidy support acts to a rather greedy headline turn.

With 135 to chase, we never quite found the fluency to match it, subsiding to 129 for 9 from our 39 overs. Nigel Thirkell, clearly not short of form, top-scored with 41, Ken Webb ably supporting with 29, while poor Terry Donovan trudged back for a golden duck.

A creditable little footnote to the day: that spell carried me past Robert Wood into 22nd on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and left the 1973 Midweek XI's charts led by two familiar names — Thirkell with the bat, and yours truly with the ball. But footnotes don't win matches, and neither side could quite force this one home. Honours shared, then — a draw that flattered nobody and disappointed nobody either, which, in this most English of games, might just be the fairest result of all.

Mon 04 Jun 1973 🧢 1st XIv PC Primrose & Len CC · AwayformWWLWD

Monday saw us make the trip to Primrose & Len, and my luck deserted me before a ball was bowled: lost the toss, and no prizes for guessing what they chose to do with it. Into the field we went, and for all our efforts a target of 108 for 3 off just 14 overs rather told its own story. X. Morgan (35 not out) and A. Wright (28 not out) built calmly, with J. Allin's 23 giving the innings its backbone, though we did have M. Marks and R. Cross back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Nigel Thirkell was the pick of our attack, tidy and probing for 1 for 26, well supported by Terry Donovan's 1 for 43.

Our reply never really got going. Alan Cradduck and Ron Hickman both fell for ducks as we slid to 72 all out in a brisk 13 overs — brisk being one polite word for it. Nine byes in the tally rather gave the game away too, a long and testing afternoon behind the stumps for poor Gordon Dent.

Season honours remain intact at least: Ken Webb sits second in the 1st XI run charts with 124, and Nigel Thirkell now leads the wicket-takers with 10 for the summer. None of that, sadly, softened the blow of a 36-run defeat. Not our finest hour, all told — heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 03 Jun 1973 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crockham Hill CC · HomeformWWLWW

Sunday last, we welcomed Crockham Hill CC to Linton Park, and won the toss — I elected to bat, and for a good half hour I congratulated myself on the decision. That congratulation proved premature. We were bowled out for a modest 81 in 35 overs, rescued from utter embarrassment only by Paul Brattle's watchful 33. The Duck Club, meanwhile, enjoyed a bumper afternoon — Nigel Thirkell and Tim Thirkell both walked back without troubling the scorers, and I'm obliged to confess my own contribution was a golden nought. The less said, the better, though I did say it, right there in the log.

Eighty-one was never going to trouble anyone, and so it proved: Crockham Hill cruised home at 86 for 4 in 27.1 overs, Gould's unbeaten 23 seeing them across the line comfortably. We did not go quietly — Nigel led the attack manfully with 1-11, Jon Harris and Tony Gauna chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Ron Hickman bowled beautifully mean, five maidens for his trouble. Poor Cliff Anscombe had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes escaping his gloves, though I shan't hold it against him.

One shaft of sunshine amid the gloom: Allan Cooper brought up his hundredth career wicket, a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly toasted in the pavilion. Not our day, all told — beaten by six wickets, heads gently lowered, and back to the nets we go.

Mon 28 May 1973 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLWWLW

Skipper's Log — Monday 28 May 1973. Bearsted CC at home, and the coin let me down again as they had first use of both toss and bat.

They battled to 177 for 7 off their sixty, Derek Morgan the chief architect with a composed unbeaten 53, well backed by Colin Fleetwood's 45 and Anthony Newport's 29 — that fifth-wicket stand of 58 doing most of the damage to our afternoon. Credit to Nigel Thirkell, who bowled beautifully for 3 for 43, with Tony Gauna (2-24) chipping in nicely, and I managed to do my bit too, 2 for 46 with four maidens thrown in for good measure — not that I'll dwell on it, having said my piece.

We replied in similarly stubborn fashion, 177 for 8 off 46, though the top order rather let itself down at 8 for 1 before Ken Webb (43) and Cliff Anscombe (34) put on a priceless 82 for the second wicket to drag us back into it. I was fortunate enough to bat right through for 89, and pleased to lead from the front when it mattered, though wickets came in a rush from 159 to 177 and three of the lads — John Thirkell, Jon Harris and Dick Langridge — will be doing the walk of shame this week.

Two lovely milestones to raise a glass to: Cliff reaching 3,000 career runs for the club, and Nigel bringing up his 50th career wicket — timing to be proud of.

In the end, honours shared, a draw with neither side quite able to land the killer blow. On a day like this, I'll happily settle for stalemate and a pint.

Sun 27 May 1973 🧢 1st XIv PC Paddock Wood CC · HomeformDLWWL

It was a golden Sunday at Linton Park, 27 May 1973, and when the coin landed my way against Paddock Wood I had no hesitation — bat first, ask questions later. The lads duly delivered 172 for 5 off our 41 overs, built on a fine, unhurried innings of 47 from Ken Webb and steered home by Nigel Thirkell's unbeaten 35. I chipped in with 23 of my own, more grateful than gifted, and felt rather pleased with myself for having called it right at the toss.

Defending that total, we simply never let Paddock Wood breathe. They were rolled over for 53 in just 29.2 overs, with P. Crouch and K. Butler both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Tony Gauna was the chief architect of the carnage — 3 for 5 and four maidens is the sort of spell that has opening batsmen studying their guard rather too closely — with Colin Dicker (2 for 4) and Allan Cooper (2 for 8) mopping up whatever was left.

A word too for Cliff Anscombe, whose 13 runs eased him past Terry Whittaker into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers' list — quiet history made on an afternoon of louder headlines. Nigel Thirkell now leads our 1973 run charts with 105, and Allan Cooper sits 4th among the wicket-takers with 5.

We won by 119 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club, and not a bad one for the captain either.

Sat 26 May 1973 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformWDLWW

Beaten by 121 runs, and no complaints. Maidstone Ymca made themselves at home on our square, John Golding compiling a thoroughly well-made 71 while we chipped away round the edges — Brian Fuller doing the real damage with 4-59 and three tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, well supported by Terry Donovan's 2-34 and a couple for me as well. 182 all out from 41.5 overs felt about par on a day when nothing was ever quite easy, though in hindsight it was a good deal more than we needed to concede.

Then came our reply, and the less said the better — though I shall say plenty. Gordon Dent battled to 25 and deserves a medal for standing alone against the tide, while the rest of us contributed what the scorebook charitably calls "a golden nothing": ducks all round for Benny Bell, Terry Donovan and myself. As for the captain, I managed a golden blob of my own — the theory being that a skipper leads by example, the practice on Saturday rather less inspiring. Sixty-one all out in 31.3 overs is not a total one dwells on longer than necessary.

There was, at least, one item for the mantelpiece: Brian Fuller's four wickets took him past a century of career scalps and up to 25th on the club's all-time list, edging out Allan Cooper along the way — a fine personal landmark on an otherwise chastening afternoon. Dent still leads our season's run charts and Fuller the wickets, so the engine room is in good order even if the rest of the coachwork wants attention. Beaten by 121 runs, then, but not beaten in spirit — we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 20 May 1973 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Addington Village CC · HomeformWWWLW

Won the toss on a fine Sunday against Addington Village, and with a good pitch under a decent sky I had no hesitation in sticking us in. It proved the right call, if not for me personally. Paul Brattle set about the bowling in fine style for a well-made 63, with Jon Harris (45 not out) and Tim Thirkell (36 not out) keeping the scoreboard ticking nicely to bring us home at 188 for 6 off our forty overs. I, meanwhile, contributed rather less to proceedings — out for nought, and the walk back to the pavilion was every bit as long and lonely as tradition demands. We shall draw the customary veil over it and move swiftly on.

Addington's reply never got out of second gear. J Mills, Peter Robinson and Richard Raye all departed without troubling the scorers, and the innings folded for 82 in 39 overs. Ron Hickman was the chief destroyer with a superb 4 for 7, three of those overs maidens, ably assisted by Jon Harris (3 for 20) and Benny Bell (1 for 5).

Worth noting for the record books: Ron's four wickets carried him past Michael Morton into 15th on the club's all-time list, and he now leads our 1973 Sunday wicket charts with 8, with Paul top of the run charts on 105. A comfortable 106-run win, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — even if my own contribution was strictly ornamental.

Sat 19 May 1973 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLWDLW

Saturday 19 May 1973 saw us make the trip to Headcorn, and having won the toss I never seriously entertained the idea of bowling first — batting looked the sensible option, and so it proved, if only just. We laboured to 147/8 from our 47 overs, a total that felt a touch light walking off but grew more respectable as the day wore on. Mike Iliffe played the anchor role beautifully for 42, with Paul Bowles chipping in a tidy 29 alongside him; the rest of us, myself included, offered rather less resistance, but a platform had been laid.

Headcorn's reply was where the afternoon turned in our favour. R. Young battled to 29 and R. Hipkiss added 23, but they never quite found the partnership to push past us, folding for 135 in 34.4 overs. I'll allow myself one boast for the season's records: I found some rhythm with the ball and came away with 4-33, which nudges me up to second in the club's wicket charts with five for the summer. Brian Fuller bowled with real heart for 3-49, and Paul Bowles backed up his runs with 2-27 — a proper all-round shift from him.

Twelve runs the margin in the end, tighter than any of us would have liked watching from the boundary rope, but a win is a win, and on a ground as unforgiving as Headcorn's, I'll take that all day long. A good day for the club.

Mon 14 May 1973 🧢 1st XIv BC Boughton Malherbe CC · HomeformDLWDL

Monday 14 May, and we welcomed Boughton Malherbe CC to Linton Park. The coin fell kindly and I opted to bat first — a decision that for once looked shrewd rather than reckless.

Nigel Thirkell was in irresistible form, cruising to 59, well supported by Paul Brattle's brisk 35, as we posted a healthy 147 for 6 from our sixteen overs. Not everyone enjoyed such fortune — Ken Webb and Allan Cooper both trudged back for ducks, joining cricket's least exclusive club, though Cooper would have his revenge shortly.

Defending 147 is rarely a comfortable business, but Boughton Malherbe never remotely troubled us, subsiding to 47 for 9 from their fifteen overs. Allan Cooper turned villain into hero with a fine 3 for 12, while I chipped in with 18 runs and 1 for 4, and Nigel Thirkell weighed in again with 1 for 5. Morley, Davidson and Shersby all departed without scoring — a hat-trick of ducks to match our own tally.

Special mention, too, for Jon Harris, who brought up 100 career wickets — a landmark worth raising a glass to long after stumps were drawn. With Nigel Thirkell now topping both the season's run and wicket charts, the lad is having quite a summer. As for the result: a thumping 100-run victory and two points banked — a proper afternoon's work, and no mistake.

Sun 13 May 1973 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Harvel CC · HomeformWWWWL

John Thirkell here, filing my report from the captain's chair for our meeting with Harvel CC on a Sunday afternoon in May.

The coin let me down and Harvel elected to bat, which after their innings I suspect they rather regretted. Their top order simply couldn't get going — Hanks and Boorman both trudged off without so much as a single to their name — and the whole innings folded for 75 in 28.1 overs. Ron Hickman was the chief architect of the collapse, bowling with real discipline for 4-15, including five maidens that must have felt like a slow strangulation to face. Nigel Thirkell (2-6) and Allan Cooper (2-9) mopped up admirably in support.

Chasing 76, we made harder work of it than the bowling figures suggested we might. Paul Brattle held the innings together with a fine 42, though the rest of the card made for sobering reading — myself included, caught for a duck I'd rather forget than dwell on. Cliff Anscombe had a torrid time behind the stumps, with ten byes escaping his gloves, and between us we somehow conspired to make 75 look like a mountain rather than a molehill. In the end we scraped home on 78/8 with two wickets to spare.

A note for posterity: Allan Cooper's two wickets nudged him past Brian Fuller into 25th on the club's all-time list — quiet history made on an otherwise scrappy afternoon. Ugly cricket, but a win is a win, and we'll take it gladly.

Sat 12 May 1973 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformLDLWD

Rumwood CC, Saturday 12 May 1973 — a proper day out on the road, and I won the toss and asked them to bat, fancying our seamers on a morning that promised some help. They made themselves at home all the same, posting 186 for 6 off 43.2 overs, built chiefly around Terry Stevens's fine 96, with useful support from Robin Venner (46) and S. Simmonds (21). We did have our moments — Royston Moore back in the pavilion for a duck was one small mercy — and the day belonged, in the end, to Nigel Thirkell, whose 5 for 40 was a five-for thoroughly earned and the pick of a tidy attack. Brian Fuller toiled away for 1 for 34, two maidens included, not a run given away without a fight.

Chasing 187, we made a fair fist of it without quite getting there, bowled out for 182 off 47.4 overs. I chipped in with 33, well supported by Alan Cradduck's 30 and Ken Webb's 24, but Brian Fuller's golden duck with the bat rather cancelled out his good work with the ball — though happily that solitary wicket nudged him past Allan Cooper into 25th on the club's all-time list, a nice footnote to a chastening afternoon.

So, beaten by 4 wickets, and no arguing with it. Cradduck leads our run charts this season, Thirkell the wickets, and there's clearly method in both their madness. As for the rest of us — heads up, and back to the nets.