🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 21 Sep 1975 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWLWDW

I'll won by 4 runs, 93 all out then bowling them out for 89 — got it.

Sunday 21 September 1975, and Anchorians CC came to Linton Park for what turned out to be one of those afternoons that reminds you why you bother with this ridiculous game. I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook might suggest about our efforts once we got out there. Ninety-three all out in 37.5 overs was hardly a declaration of intent, and the Duck Club had a busy afternoon of it, with John Thirkell, Jon Harris and Tony Gauna all making that lonely walk back for nought. I can't claim the moral high ground either, having contributed nothing myself — we shall draw a veil over that, as I always do when it's my own name in the ledger.

Somehow, gloriously, it was enough. Anchorians replied with 89 all out in 38.2 overs, undone chiefly by Nigel Thirkell, who ran through them with 5-25 and six miserly maidens besides — the sort of spell that makes a captain's job absurdly easy. Ron Hickman chipped in with 4-20 and Tony Gauna, redeeming his duck rather handsomely, took 1-17. L. Neate went for nought at the other end, which felt only fair.

Four runs. Two points. Thoroughly undeserved on our batting, thoroughly earned on our bowling — and with Nigel Thirkell now sitting atop both the season's run and wicket charts, one wonders what the man can't do. A scrappy, nervy, entirely typical win. We'll take it.

Sat 20 Sep 1975 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWLWD

As it stands, the toss went our way and I had no hesitation putting West Farleigh in the field. 134/6 off 43 overs wasn't quite fireworks, but Nigel Thirkell's unbeaten 47 gave it real backbone, with Paul Bowles (39) and Paul Brattle (22) chipping in nicely. Poor Jim Hall, meanwhile, made the long walk back for nought — the sort of duck that gets you a mention in the ledger whether you like it or not.

Then came the ball, and this is where the afternoon turned thoroughly in our favour. West Farleigh were bowled out for 88 in 38.4 overs, and frankly they never looked like troubling us. Don Fermor's 25 and Brian Piper's 22 were the only real resistance; Reg Oldfield, Peter Cooper and Norman Underdown all departed without scoring. Nigel Thirkell was in a different postcode to everyone else, spinning his way to 5-15 with five maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly. Jon Harris (3-33) and Paul Bowles (2-13) tidied up the rest between them. Ten byes did rather give the game away behind the stumps, and our man there will no doubt be reflecting on it over a pint.

Nigel continues to lead both the run charts and the wicket charts for the season, and on this evidence it's not hard to see why. A fine win by 46 runs — onwards we go.

Sat 13 Sep 1975 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformWLWLW

13 September 1975 — Southborough CC at home.

Won the toss, and with a rare flash of tactical clarity I put us in — a decision that looked considerably better once Paul Bowles got going than it had any right to. He played beautifully for his 81, the kind of innings that makes the teas taste sweeter, and found a willing ally in John Ames, whose watchful 20 shored things up nicely. The middle order, alas, rather fell through a trapdoor — both John and Tim Thirkell contributed golden ducks apiece, proof that the Thirkell name alone cannot guarantee runs, only enthusiasm. We closed on 168/8 from our 44 overs, a total that felt like it had been carried home on one man's shoulders.

As for the captain — well, the less said the better. A golden blob, out without troubling the scorers, which rather undercuts any pre-match talk I'd given about leading from the front. Leading by example is all very well until the example is a blob.

In the field we held our nerve if not much else, restricting Southborough to 11/0 from their 7 overs before bad light or good sense brought us together on a draw — honours shared, and probably fair enough.

The day belonged, in truth, to Alan Cradduck, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a wonderful milestone, and a reminder of what this club is really about. Meanwhile Nigel Thirkell continues to top the season's run charts with 619 to his name, quietly getting on with the job the rest of us keep threatening to do.

A draw, then — no losers, but with that top order, no complaints either.

Sun 07 Sep 1975 🧢 1st XIv TL Teynham & Lynsted · HomeformDWLWL

Won the toss, and with the sun out and the outfield running fast, batting first felt like the only sensible decision — for once, I got one right. We set about building something substantial, and 224 for 3 off our 44 overs was a total I was rather proud of. Robert Chance played beautifully for his 56, Brian Piper chipped in with a brisk 36, and I'll admit to a quiet satisfaction at getting to 84 myself — the sort of innings that makes the drive home feel a good deal shorter.

Defending it was a different sort of afternoon. Our visitors dug in gamely, H. Eastburn top-scoring with 24, but wickets fell steadily around him — poor M. Heathfield never got off the mark, ducking out for nought. Jon Harris was the pick of the attack with a fine 4 for 43, and I had the pleasure of picking up 3 for 41 with seven maidens thrown in for good measure, while Nigel Thirkell chipped away with 2 for 6. All out for 137 in 50.4 overs. The 23 byes, mind you, told their own story — a chastening day behind the stumps for poor Allan Cooper.

There was a personal landmark too, with Robert Chance's runs easing him past Andrew Moss and up to 15th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — the sort of quiet history that makes this game what it is.

A handsome 87-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 06 Sep 1975 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformDDWLW

Saturday 6th September saw Dummy Site pitch up at Linton Park, and having called correctly, I had no hesitation in sending us in — the right call, I still maintain, even if the scorebook rather undermined me afterwards.

We stumbled to 119 all out in 38.4 overs, a total that flattered to deceive. Nigel Thirkell top-scored with a battling 33, though the rest of the order rather melted around him. Special mention — and not the good kind — to poor Colin Dicker, whose blob will earn him a starring role in the Duck Club ledger. The lads will let him forget it eventually. Possibly.

In the field we scrapped hard but never quite got there. Dummy Site cantered home at 120 for 3 in 38.1 overs, with P Francis compiling a fine unbeaten 58 and K Hewitt chipping in with 30 in good support. Nigel Thirkell, bless him, did everything but win the match single-handed — two wickets for 48 and five miserly maidens, a real captain's performance even if I wasn't the one delivering it. Brian Fuller offered honest support with 1 for 9, but it wasn't enough to halt the visitors.

One bright note amid the gloom: Jon Harris's 15 runs edged him past Roy Clarke into 25th on the club's all-time run charts — a nice bit of history on an otherwise forgettable afternoon. Nigel continues to lead both the season's run and wicket charts, carrying the side almost single-handedly.

Beaten by seven wickets, then. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 31 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformWDDWL

As the very last summer of a decade whose cricket we'll all remember for the heat rolls on, we trundled down to Staplehurst on a fine Sunday, lost the toss, and were duly asked to field — never my favourite way to start a Sunday, but there we are.

It turned out rather well for us. Paul Bowles bowled like a man possessed, spinning through their order for 5-18 with three tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, and Staplehurst never really recovered, folding for 149 despite useful knocks from B Thurlow (31), C Rogers (29) and Nigel Bardsley (23). Nigel Thirkell and Brian Piper chipped in with two apiece, and we even managed three ducks along the way — M Pontin, Bev Taylor and G Chipperfield all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, mind you, with 20 byes going begging — I shall have a quiet word about that over tea.

With 150 to chase, Paul Bowles simply carried on where he'd left off, striding to 97 not out and dragging us home almost single-handed, well supported by Robert Chance (30) and Paul Brattle (20), as we cantered to 153/3. Not a bad day at the office for the skipper either, it must be said — five wickets with the ball to go with the runs.

Two points, thoroughly earned, seven wickets to spare. If Bowlesy keeps this up we may have to rename the club after him.

Sat 30 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · AwayformWWDDW

Whitstable away, and a rare stroke of fortune when the coin came down in our favour — bold as brass, I stuck us in to bat, which in retrospect required either more courage or more sense than I possess in equal measure.

We were bowled out for 184 in 36.5 overs, a total that flattered to deceive somewhat but was rescued from mediocrity by Mike Iliffe's excellent 81, well supported by John Ames with 25. Less gloriously, both Jim Hall and Nigel Thirkell took that lonely walk back for nought apiece — the Duck Club welcomes two new members, and the tea urn was, as ever, sympathetic.

In the field we toiled manfully but Whitstable had the legs on us, reaching 188 for 4 off 49.4 overs. S. Tritton's 60 did the early damage, with J. Robertson (43) and E. Watts (40 not out) seeing them home in no great hurry. Jon Harris bowled beautifully for 2-62 with five maidens to his name — miserly doesn't begin to cover it — while both Thirkells chipped in with a wicket apiece. I managed 18 with the bat for what it's worth, which wasn't much.

A word of cheer amid the gloom: Mike Iliffe's innings pushed him past George Champion into 17th on the club's all-time run charts, and Jon Harris continues to purr along nicely in this year's charts.

Beaten by six wickets, then — not our day, but the sun was out, the tea was decent, and there's always next Saturday.

Wed 27 Aug 1975 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformDDLDW

Beaten by 8 wickets to Gravesend on Wednesday, and if I'm honest, we did this one to ourselves. Winning the toss, I fancied batting first — a decision I was revisiting somewhere around the fourth or fifth wicket. Ninety-one all out in 44 overs is not a total that troubles anyone, though credit where due: Jon Harris battled to 29 and Brian Piper chipped in a tidy 25. The rest of us, myself very much included with a rather forgettable 29 shared across the innings' worth of collapse, did our best impressions of village-green mediocrity, and poor David Piper and S. Oldfield will want their ducks noted only in the scorebook and nowhere else, thank you very much.

With the ball we at least gave them a game of sorts. Phil Hickman was the pick of the attack, prising one out for 12 runs and bowling two miserly maidens that, briefly, had us dreaming, while Brian Piper's 55 runs bought a solitary wicket the hard way. But Duncan Hiscock had other ideas, compiling a composed, unanswerable 57 not out, ably assisted by M Biscombe's 24, and Gravesend cantered home on 92 for 2 with overs to spare.

Phil Hickman continues to lead our run charts this season and sits fifth among the wicket-takers — a rare beacon in an otherwise chastening afternoon. Eight wickets is a beating by any measure. We'll dust ourselves down, have a stern word with the top order, and be better for it next week.

Mon 25 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLWWDD

In the depths of an August that had already forgotten what sunshine was for, we packed the coach and set off for Bearsted CC, and the coin, as ever, showed us no mercy — they called correctly and stuck us into the field.

They made a fair fist of it, 198/5 from their 53 overs, built on a stand of 61 for the first wicket before Anthony Hunt (54) and Colin Fleetwood (an unbeaten 50) took the total to somewhere respectable, with M. Livingstone chipping in 31. Poor Mick Filmer trudged off without so much as troubling the scorers. But it was Nigel Thirkell who did the damage with the ball — 3 for 87, five of his overs pure maiden aunt, and John Thirkell backed him up with 2 for 32. A tidy shift in the field, then, if not an entirely economical one.

Chasing 199, we set about it with real intent — 93 for the first wicket, no less — and never really looked back. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, 87 not out, Paul Brattle weighed in with 40 and Tim Thirkell 28, and we cantered home on 202/4 with overs to spare. Nigel Thirkell, so miserly with ball in hand, marked his day with a golden duck — the game does love its little cruelties. Jim Hall, meanwhile, endured a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 14 byes escaping his gloves like naughty schoolboys.

Six wickets the margin, and a thoroughly satisfactory day out. Onwards we go.

Sun 24 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv MH Mersham Hatch · AwayformDLWWD

Sunday 24 August, and off we trundled to Dummy Site with hope in our hearts and, as ever, no luck whatsoever with the coin. They batted, we bowled, and 229/6 from their 52 overs told us we'd have some catching up to do — C. Breed's 70 and A. King's 69 doing most of the damage, with A. Gosling's 21 rounding things off nicely for them. Credit where it's due, though: Nigel Thirkell was in fine form with the ball, 4-28 and five maidens of pure miserliness, backed up by useful support from Tony Gauna (1-9) and Brian Piper, whose 1-90 suggests he was bowling to a rather more generous field.

Chasing 230, we made a fair fist of it — 200/5 from our 47 overs, with Nigel Thirkell following his bowling heroics with the bat, 60 well-made runs, Tim Thirkell unbeaten on 37 and John Thirkell chipping in with 33. I did my bit with 33 of my own, and can only apologise to Cliff Anscombe for the 10 byes that rather summed up his afternoon behind the stumps.

A word too for Paul Brattle, whose watchful 13 nudged him past Andrew Moss into 14th on the club's all-time run charts — history quietly being made while the rest of us just tried to survive.

In the end honours were shared, neither side able to force it home. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and not the worst way to spend a Sunday.

Sat 23 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lukes Maidstone CC · HomeformLDLWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 23rd August 1975, and Dummy Site the visitors on a day that promised much and, in the end, delivered honours shared.

Won the toss and, in a fit of confidence I shall claim was tactical acumen, stuck us in. The lads repaid the faith handsomely enough: 153/6 from our 42 overs, built on a fine half-century from Nigel Thirkell (66) with Tim Thirkell chipping in a tidy 37 alongside him. Not a total to frighten anyone into early retirement, but a platform, and platforms are what county championships are built on, or so I keep telling myself.

Defending it, we set about our work with more discipline than usual. The visitors crept to 123/5 off their fifty, C. Pearson doing most of the damage with 45, well supported by J. Beesley's unbeaten 33. M. Beckwith, mercifully, troubled nobody — back in the pavilion without so much as a run to his name. Nigel Thirkell, having already done his bit with the bat, turned his arm over to devastating effect: 3-47 and eight — eight! — maidens, bowling like a man with somewhere better to be but too stubborn to leave. Phil Hickman and Jon Harris chipped in a wicket apiece.

Nigel's 66 also nudged him past Tony Levick into 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and with 485 runs and 71 wickets this summer he continues to lead both our charts by some distance — the rest of us merely orbiting him.

A draw, then, honours even, and honestly, a fair reflection of an afternoon where neither side quite had the nerve to finish the job.

Sun 17 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv HC Hawkhurst CC · HomeformWLDLW

Sunday 17th August, and Hawkhurst came calling on what turned out to be a fine day for the home side. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the pitch looked a belter for batting, and I still maintain I got that one right. Paul Brattle led from the front with a brisk 30, Jon Harris chipped in with 20, and between them they dragged us to 114 all out in 38 overs. Less said the better about the middle order, where Tim Thirkell, Alan Cradduck and Paul Croucher all contrived to bag ducks — a collective effort in the wrong direction, if ever there was one.

Defending 114 always felt a tall order, but the ball had other ideas. Jon Harris was magnificent, following his runs with the bat by ripping through Hawkhurst for 4-34, while Ron Hickman bowled with real discipline — 3-30 including four maidens — and Tony Gauna picked up a telling wicket for 14. Only X Williams, with a well-crafted fifty, threatened to spoil the party; everyone else found the going tough, with Piper, Samuel and Levett all departing without scoring. Hawkhurst were bowled out for 99 in 38.2 overs, and we had ourselves a 15-run win.

Nice individual notes too — Mike Iliffe's 15 runs nudged him up to 18th on the club's all-time run charts, and Tony Gauna's wicket lifted him to 16th among our leading wicket-takers, while Brattle and Harris continue to sit handsomely 2nd in this season's charts. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sat 16 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · HomeformDWLDL

Bobbing Court CC came calling on the 16th, the sun did its bit, and I called correctly for once — batting it was.

It didn't feel like a triumph at the time. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of a man who'd read the script alone, compiling a stout 55, but around him the order rather fell over itself, with Martin Thompson, Colin Dicker and Phil Hickman all contributing that most traditional of club offerings — the golden duck. All out for 105 in 40.5 overs was, frankly, a modest total to defend, and there may have been a flask of tea drunk in nervous silence at the fall of each wicket.

But cricket, as ever, delights in making fools of committee-room pessimists. Nigel, having done his bit with the bat, then took the ball and simply refused to let the game go anywhere else, bowling with a miserliness that bordered on the ungenerous — 7 for 44, six of those overs maidens, figures that will take some beating in this or any gazette. Martin Thompson chipped in with 3 for 29, W Webb, A Johnson and Kevin Wood all departed for ducks of their own, and only Paul Bedelle's 21 offered the visitors any real resistance. Bobbing Court were bowled out for 73.

A word too for Paul Brattle, whose 14 runs quietly nudged him past Robert Chance into 15th on the club's all-time run charts — the sort of milestone nobody notices until the scorebook insists on it.

We won by 32 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 13 Aug 1975 🧢 Midweek XIv W Wanderers · HomeformDDDLD

As the toss-winning captain who chose to bat, walking off having won by 8 runs, here's the report.

Wednesday last, the thirteenth of August, and Dummy Site rolled up at Linton Park for what turned into rather a good afternoon's cricket. I won the toss — a rare enough event to merit its own line in the scorebook — and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first. The pitch looked kind, and I fancied our top order fancied it too.

As it turned out, only one of us truly did. Reg Oldfield played the innings of the day, an assured 62 that gave the whole effort its spine, while the rest of us rather let him down around it — Jim Hall and Tim Thirkell both departing for ducks as we limped to 138 for 8 from our 41 overs. Not a total to frighten anyone, on paper.

Paper, however, does not account for Nigel Thirkell in this sort of mood. He simply took the ball and did not let go, spinning through Dummy Site for 9 wickets at a cost of 38, six of his overs going for nothing at all. David Tolhurst fought a lone and rather excellent hand of 71 for the visitors, well supported by Mick Brown's 21, but three more Dummy Site batsmen went for ducks and the innings folded at 130. Michael Chambers chipped in with a wicket for his figures' sake, and poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 9 byes leaking away — though nothing, in the end, that mattered.

Eight runs the margin, two points banked, and Nigel's nine wickets nudge him past Tony Snell into 11th on the club's all-time list. A thoroughly deserved win, snatched from what looked, at tea, like a moderate total.

Sat 09 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformDDWLD

Headcorn arrived on a fine August Saturday, we lost the toss, and were sent into the field — which, on reflection, may have been the day's only decisive piece of captaincy, and it wasn't mine.

Nigel Thirkell proceeded to bowl as though he had a personal grievance with Headcorn CC, spinning his way to 9 for 37 off 34.5 overs, four of them maidens, and reducing the top order to rubble almost single-handedly. Jon Harris chipped in with a tidy 1 for 24 for good measure. Ashdown's 32, with support from Cooper and Wickens, dragged them to 110 all out, but it felt like a total well below what the pitch, and Nigel's figures, deserved.

So 111 to win, and here the tale turns sour. Jim Hall battled to 31 and Basil Sears made a useful 21, but wickets tumbled around them — Ames, Thirkell and Thompson all back for ducks, and your correspondent joining them in that unhappy club, the least said the better. We folded for 101, nine runs short.

Small consolations amid the gloom: Paul Brattle's 19 lifted him to 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and Jon Harris's wicket moved him to 7th among the wicket-takers — history quietly made even as history repeated itself in the field. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead the 1975 wicket charts by some distance.

Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Wed 06 Aug 1975 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sennocke CC · AwayformDDDDL

Wednesday 6th August found us on the road to Sennocke, and for once the coin obliged me — heads it was, and bat it was.

We settled in nicely, closing on 189/8 from our forty overs and a bit. Jim Hall was the innings' backbone with a handsome 75, and got fine support from Nigel Thirkell (49) and John Thirkell (26) — I even managed to scratch together 26 myself, more through stubbornness than style. Less gloriously, the Duck Club ledger swelled by three: commiserations to Paul Brattle, Trevor Back and Michael Chambers, who all made the long walk back for nought. Still, 189 felt like a total worth defending.

And defend it we very nearly did. Sennocke were held to 155/6 off their 43, J- Keys top-scoring with 34 and precious little else troubling the scorer beyond Steve Ledsham's 27 and S- Fry's 25. Jon Harris did the early damage with 2-50, while Trevor Back and Michael Chambers chipped in a wicket apiece — Trevor's afternoon rather redeemed after a wobble behind the stumps, where 8 byes went begging. Nigel Thirkell, meanwhile, bowled with the miserliness of a man counting his pennies, four maidens and not a run given away lightly.

There was proper cause for pride too: Nigel brought up 2,000 runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly earned. In the end neither side could force it, and we shook hands on a draw — honours shared, pride intact, and the tea urn, as ever, the real winner of the day.

Sun 03 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformLDDWL

Here's the report:

There are moments in a captain's life when the coin lets you down, and Sunday against Staplehurst was one of them — they called correctly, elected to bat, and I was left to set fields on a morning better suited to standing about with hands in pockets. Staplehurst made hay to the tune of 193/6 from their 49 overs, C Rogers the chief architect with a fine 93, well supported by H Pontin's 47. Small mercy: N Bardsley departed without so much as a squeak off the bat. Our bowling had its moments of real discipline — Phil Hickman toiled superbly for 3-44, Jon Harris chipped in with 2-58 and four maidens of positively miserly intent, and Ron Hickman picked up 1-42.

Chasing 194, we made a real fist of it without quite getting there, closing on 158/6. Jim Hall played the innings of the day, 72 full of good sense, with Jon Harris again to the fore with 47 — a fine all-round showing from him with bat and ball both. I contributed a workmanlike 47 myself, more graft than glory. Phil Hickman, having bowled his heart out, endured the walk of shame for a duck, and Cliff Anscombe will want a quiet word with himself after 8 byes went begging.

In the end honours were shared, and rightly so — a draw that flattered neither side but insulted neither either. A fair result, and tea, as ever, was the true winner.

Sat 02 Aug 1975 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformWLDDW

Saturday 2nd August 1975 — Bidborough CC visited, and having won the toss I did what any captain does when he wants an afternoon to think it over: stuck us in.

152/8 off 41.3 overs was a decent, if unspectacular, effort, rescued from the ordinary by Nigel Thirkell's excellent 71 — the sort of innings that makes the rest of us look on with a mixture of admiration and quiet resentment. My own contribution of 19 will not trouble the record books, but every run counts when you're building a total to defend.

And defend it we tried. Thirkell, not content with saving the day with the bat, took the new ball and bowled beautifully — 3-45 with three maidens thrown in for good measure, well supported by Brian Fuller's 2-42. We even had Bidborough's M. Tolhurst and B. Ball back in the pavilion for ducks. But B. Milns played the innings of the day with a composed 53, and with David Tolhurst (45) and P. Kerby (28) chipping in around him, the visitors chased down 156/5 in 38.5 overs. Poor Jim Hall had one of those afternoons behind the stumps — nine byes is not a number he'll want reminding of — and in truth those extras told their own story.

Beaten by four wickets, then, and no arguing with it. Thirkell continues to lead our run and wicket charts like a man playing an entirely different sport to the rest of us — small mercies. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Fri 01 Aug 1975 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Margate CC · AwayformWDDDD

I won the toss on a Friday jaunt down to Margate and, ever the optimist, had no hesitation in taking first strike. It proved a mixed blessing. Paul Brattle played the innings of the day, a really fine 56, with Nigel Thirkell (24) and Jon Harris (21) lending sturdy support, but the middle order rather fell apart at the seams — Brian Piper, David Buck and Peter Elms all contributed golden ducks to the cause, and 160 all out from 50.3 overs felt a touch light on a good pitch.

So it proved. Graham Venn treated us to a chanceless century, unbeaten on the day, ably supported by B. Hayter (29) and D. Lewis (20), and Margate cruised home on 161/3 inside 39 overs. Nigel Thirkell toiled manfully for his 2-52, eight of his overs maidens, John Thirkell chipping in with 1-33, but with the bat doing all the talking at the other end there was precious little we could do. I added a watchful 15 of my own, for what it was worth.

One bright note amid the gloom: those two wickets carried Nigel past Frank Taylor and into 13th on the club's all-time list, and he continues to lead our Midweek wicket charts this summer, with Phil Hickman still setting the pace with the bat. Beaten by seven wickets, then, and no arguing with it. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sun 27 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWWLDD

From the captain's chair — Sunday 27 July 1975. We travelled to The Mote CC, lost the toss, and were asked to chase — which, on a ground where the tea urn is generally more reliable than the top order, is never quite the news you want first thing.

Put into the field, we set about them with more discipline than our recent efforts had suggested we possessed. K Emmett dug in for a well-made 66 not out, with Mike Foster (24) and P Higgins (22) lending a hand, and between them they nudged the hosts to 174/8 from a marathon 56.2 overs. J Munn and John Barker departed without troubling the scorers — quacking their way back to the pavilion — but it was Nigel Thirkell who made the afternoon his own, spinning a web for 5-56 including four maidens, not a run given away lightly. Jon Harris (1-18) and Ron Hickman (1-57) chipped in tidily either side of him.

Chasing 175, we made light work of it in the end, reaching 177/3 in 40.2 overs. Paul Bowles led the way with a handsome 50, well supported by John Ames (42 not out) and Paul Brattle (40), and we cantered home by seven wickets. A tidy personal note too: Bowles's fifty edges him past Frank Brattle into sixth on the club's all-time run-scorers list.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and Thirkell continues to lead both the season's run and wicket charts — a one-man show we're rather grateful isn't asked to bat as well.

Sat 26 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · AwayformDWWLD

Chasing at Sibton Park is never anyone's idea of a picnic after losing the toss, and so it proved on Saturday, as we spent the best part of 49 overs traipsing round in the field while the hosts compiled a hearty 195/8. The Guy brothers did most of the damage between them, Ian and Nick both passing fifty in a partnership that had us wondering whether we'd wandered into a family reunion rather than a cricket match, with Eric Impett chipping in a useful 22. Small mercies came in the shape of B. Gray and G. Keutenius both departing for ducks at our hands. With the ball, Nigel Thirkell was magnificent, 4-61 of pure toil, backed up nicely by Phil Hickman's 2-26 and Martin Thompson's solitary wicket, while Ron Hickman bowled with the miserly precision of a man who simply refuses to give runs away — three maidens to show for it.

Set 196 to win, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening to get there, closing on 153/9 from our 54 overs. Ken Webb was the rock, unbeaten on 72, with Nigel Thirkell (22) and Mike Iliffe (21) offering sturdy support around him — and I'll modestly note my own 21 kept the scoreboard ticking. Less happily, Les Fell, Peter Elms and Ron Hickman all made the long walk back without troubling the scorers. Mike Iliffe's contribution, incidentally, nudged him past Paul Brattle into 18th on the club's all-time run list, which is the sort of thing that ought to earn a chap a pint.

A draw, then — honours even, and honestly, given the state of us in the field, I'll take it gladly.

Tue 22 Jul 1975 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformWWDDD

Their innings closed on 167/8 from their 52 overs, and Deeks, Garton and Bond between them made sure it never felt like an under-par total, whatever we might have hoped when Caldow and Gamwell trooped off for ducks in fairly short order. Full credit to Paul Bowles, who bowled with the sort of miserly discipline that makes a captain's job easy — 4-64 and six maidens to boot — while Trevor Back chipped in with 2-29 and Jon Harris toiled manfully for his one wicket at the other end.

Our reply of 164/9 from 37 overs kept us in touching distance throughout, Robert Chance leading the way with 36, well supported by Phil Hickman's 35. Whether we'd have got there with more overs in hand is the sort of question best left to the clubhouse rather than these pages. Thirteen byes, meanwhile, made for a long afternoon behind the stumps for poor Jim Hall — the sort of statistic that needs no further comment from me.

There was, at least, one moment of genuine cheer amid the toil: Robert Chance's 36 eased him past George Champion into 15th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a fine achievement and one the lads were quick to raise a glass to. Phil Hickman continues to lead our 1975 Midweek run charts with 90, and Jon Harris the wickets with 8 — form that bodes well for the rest of the season.

In the end, honours shared felt about right. A draw, and both sides walked off no worse for it — which, on a day like this, will do nicely.

Sun 20 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · HomeformLDWWL

Sunday 20th July found us hosting Sevenoaks Vine on what turned out to be one of those afternoons where honour, rather than victory, was the prize on offer. I lost the toss — again — and duly took up my customary spot in the field while they had first use of a decent-looking wicket. They eased along to 171/6 from their 45 overs, John Odell unbeaten on 36 the chief architect, with Steve Beaumont (35) and Stephen English (24) lending sturdy support. Tony Gauna was our chief tormentor with 2-31 and four miserly maidens thrown in for good measure — and along the way brought up 200 career wickets, a landmark that rather deserved a bigger cheer than it got. Jon Harris (2-33) and Phil Hickman (1-34) chipped in nicely alongside him.

Chasing 172, we never quite got out of second gear, subsiding to 74/8 from our 44 overs. Jon Harris battled to 24 top score, while poor Phil Hickman completed a rather less enviable double, following his bowling figures with a golden duck — the walk of shame indeed. Behind the stumps Jim Hall had an afternoon to forget, 19 byes leaking through like the club roof in March.

So a draw it was, honours shared and nobody much minding either way. Not our finest batting display, but Tony's milestone and some tidy bowling gave us plenty to raise a glass to in the bar afterwards.

Sat 19 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWLDWW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 19th July 1975.

Won the toss, elected to bat, and for once I shall claim the credit before the innings talks me out of it. We crawled and cajoled our way to 123 for 9 off 43 overs, a total that owed everything to Tim Thirkell's unbeaten 28, with Robert Chance (25) and Jim Hall (22) chipping in nobly. Elsewhere the story was less flattering — Jon Harris made his way to the crease and back again without troubling the scorers, a golden duck to file under lessons learned, and your correspondent fared no better, out for nought myself. We shall draw a discreet veil over both dismissals and move swiftly on.

Defending 123 was always going to ask a lot of the bowlers, and to their credit they made a proper fist of it. Nigel Thirkell was the pick, 2 for 26, with Martin Thompson chipping in a wicket, and Brian Fuller bowling with real discipline for three maidens. But B- Seager was in no mood to be dislodged, finishing unbeaten on 48, well supported by B- Woodcock's unbeaten 30 and a composed 25 from Dilip, and the visitors strolled home by seven wickets with overs to spare.

Not our day, then — heads up and back to the nets. One bright spot amid the gloom: Paul Brattle's 16 runs nudged him past Mike Iliffe into 18th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, proof that something was gained even in defeat.

Wed 16 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformDWLDW

Wednesday 16 July found us on the road to Hollingbourne, and for once the coin obliged me at the toss — I called correctly and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first on a day that felt made for it. Nigel Thirkell settled in for the long haul and simply refused to get out, finishing unbeaten on a superb 82 that carried the innings almost single-handed, with Paul Bowles (27) and myself (25) offering support down the order. Phil Hickman and Colin Dicker were less fortunate, both departing for ducks, but 177/6 from our sixteen overs looked a handsome total to defend.

And defend it we did. Hollingbourne never got close, subsiding to 96/9 despite a spirited 31 from Ian Hammond, with Colin Pack and J Dewey both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. I found some rhythm with the ball myself, picking up 4-39, well supported by Brian Piper (3-10) and Paul Bowles (2-25) as the innings was squeezed from both ends.

Nigel continues to plunder runs for fun and now leads the 1975 run charts with 231, while Paul Bowles sits a creditable fifth among the wicket-takers with 18. As for Hollingbourne, they were sent home 81 runs shorter than they'd have liked. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 13 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv SC Sennocke CC · HomeformLDWLD

Sunday 13 July found us welcoming Sennocke CC to Linton Park under skies that promised more than they delivered, and my luck at the coin was no better than usual — down went the toss, and Sennocke elected to bat. No matter; we've always fancied ourselves with the new ball, and so it proved. They laboured to 94 all out from 50.3 overs, D Cheeseman's 35 the only real resistance, while poor D- Stovell trudged off for nought without so much as a nibble. Paul Bowles was magnificent, 4 for 20, with Ron Hickman (2-8) and Nigel Thirkell (2-20, seven maidens and not a run given away lightly) squeezing the life out of the innings from the other end.

Ninety-five to win is never quite the formality the scoreboard suggests, and so it proved a touch nervy, but Brian Piper played the innings of the day — 56 well past his fifty — with Cliff Anscombe (27) offering sturdy company. We got there at 95 for 4 in 37.4 overs, six wickets in hand, though I shall draw a discreet veil over the 17 byes that slipped past poor Jim Hall; a testing afternoon behind the stumps if ever there was one.

Elsewhere, the season ticks along nicely — Tim Thirkell sits fifth in the run charts with 177, and young Nigel third among the wicket-takers with 38, proof that keeping it in the family pays dividends. A fine win by six wickets, then, and one to savour on the drive home. Onwards.

Sat 12 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · AwayformLLDWL

Lost the toss again on Saturday — I'm beginning to suspect the club coin has a grudge against me personally — and so off we trooped into the field while the opposition padded up at Dummy Site. They ground their way to 176/8 off 43.4 overs, Barratt the chief architect with 48, well supported by Jones (30) and Chapman (27). Credit where it's due: Ron Hickman was magnificent with the ball, 3-33 including five maidens that must have tested the patience of every batsman and spectator alike, with Nigel Thirkell (2-26) and Phil Hickman (2-55) chipping in nicely to keep them honest.

Chasing 177, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening to canter home, closing on 144/8 from our 44 overs. Phil Hickman top-scored with 38, backed up gamely by Basil Sears and Nigel Thirkell, both with 23 apiece — the middle order doing its bit while the rest of us, myself very much included, made up the numbers.

Two small pieces of history along the way: Mike Iliffe's 12 runs eased him past Paul Brattle into 18th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and Ron Hickman's three wickets took him past Frank Taylor into 12th among our leading wicket-takers — the old names shuffling aside for the new. Phil Hickman, meanwhile, continues to purr along nicely, now third in this year's run charts with 208, while Brian Fuller sits proudly atop the wicket-takers on 41.

In the end, honours shared — a draw that flattered neither side but insulted nobody either. A fair result, and tea was good.

Tue 08 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformDLLDW

We lost the toss on Tuesday, which these days feels like a formality — West Farleigh had us in the field before I'd finished my tea. Not that I'm complaining, mind, because the lads made a fine fist of it: 71 all out in 15.2 overs, with only Simon Day (22) and Micky Back (21) offering any real resistance. Don Fermor, Peter Cooper and Peter J Day all trooped off for ducks, which tells its own story. Nigel Thirkell was magnificent with the ball, 4-17, with Paul Bowles (3-4) and Brian Fuller (2-9) mopping up round him. I managed four wickets myself, more by luck than design, though I shan't be turning down the credit.

Chasing 72 should have been the easy part. It was not. We folded for 37 in 11.1 overs, with Jim Hall, John Thirkell and Ron Hickman all making the same lonely walk back for nought — the Duck Club membership swelling nicely this season. Batting, in short, remains a work in progress.

Small consolations amid the wreckage: Nigel's 4 runs saw him nudge past Roy Clarke into 23rd on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and Brian Fuller continues to lead the 1975 wicket charts with 40 — a fine season for him if not for the rest of us.

Beaten by 34 runs in the end, and fairly so. We bowled like a side with a plan and batted like one without. We'll be better for it next week — we'll have to be.

Sun 06 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformWDLLD

Sunday 6th July, 1975 — an away trip to Aylesford Paper Mills, and I'll admit to a spot of smugness after calling correctly at the toss and opting to bat. The decision looked positively inspired as Paul Brattle set about the Aylesford attack with real intent, compiling a magnificent 117 not out, while Nigel Thirkell chipped in a handy 38 to help us to a commanding 200/3 from our 38 overs. Declarations were unnecessary — the runs simply flowed.

With the ball, we were in no mood to let the game drift. Jon Harris span his web through the Aylesford order in thoroughly unplayable fashion, finishing with 5-28 and five maidens to boot — the kind of miserly, probing spell that has opposition batsmen muttering into their tea. The Thirkell brothers did their bit too, Nigel taking 2-13 and John 2-22, and between us all Aylesford were bowled out for a modest 101 in 40.3 overs, X Price's 21 the top score. I even had a small hand in proceedings myself with 19, for what little that's worth alongside such company — and yes, poor Rowlands trudged back without so much as a run to his name, but these things happen to the best of us.

A tidy 99-run victory, then, and a landmark day for Paul, who leapfrogs Mike Iliffe into 18th on the club's all-time run charts. With Jon now on 39 wickets for the season and Paul sitting second in the run charts, the omens are rather good. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 05 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv MV Medway Valley · HomeformLWDLL

As a spectator at the crease, this one wrote itself in the margins of the scorebook.

Losing the toss on Saturday and being asked to chase never quite settles the nerves, but with ball in hand first we made a decent fist of it. Dummy Site batted us to 150 for 7 off their 53 overs, R Pettitt getting in among the runs with a tidy 51, well supported by Nichols with 31 — though we did manage to send Weir back for a duck, small mercies and all. The real story was Nigel Thirkell, who bowled with the sort of miserly discipline that makes tea taste sweeter: 3 for 58 and seven maidens, proof that patience is still a virtue in this game. Brian Fuller and Jon Harris chipped in with a wicket apiece to round out a spirited effort in the field.

Our reply was, shall we say, more workmanlike than watchable. Jim Hall's 21 and Mike Iliffe's unbeaten 21 were the only innings of any substance as we limped to 78 for 9 from our 41 overs — with Nigel Thirkell and Jon Harris both departing without troubling the scorers, a reminder that bowling heroics don't always translate with the bat.

So honours were shared, neither side quite able to force the issue. With John Ames still purring along at the top of the run charts and Brian Fuller leading the wickets, the season's engine room remains in good order — even if, on this showing, the rest of us might stick to making the tea.

Thu 03 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLLWDL

From the captain's chair — Thursday 03 July 1975. We were away at The Mote CC, and having called correctly at the toss, I elected to bat, a decision I still stand by even now, sat here with the benefit of hindsight and a cup of tea. What followed, alas, was not the innings I had pictured on the drive over. Sixteen overs brought us just 47 for 6, the sort of total that has a captain studying his shoelaces rather rather more closely than usual.

Still, cricket being cricket, we dusted ourselves down and turned to the defending of it, ever hopeful that something might be conjured from the boot with ball in hand. Tony Gauna did his level best, picking up 1 for 11 and continuing a fine season that now sees him fourth in the 1975 wicket charts with 18 to his name. But The Mote's P. Higgins had other ideas, farming the strike beautifully for an unbeaten 28, and their innings closed at 48 for 1 off just ten overs — a canter, frankly, rather than a chase.

Nine wickets down, and precious little argument to make otherwise. Phil Hickman, third in our run charts with 170 for the season, will no doubt want more of a say next time out, as will we all. Not our day, then. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets — there's work to be done before we're fit to call ourselves Linton Park again.

Wed 02 Jul 1975 🧢 Midweek XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformDWWDD

Wednesday 2 July 1975, and Dummy Site welcomed us for a home fixture that had a bit of everything except, alas, a result.

Winning the toss and electing to bat felt like the obvious call at the time, and I'll stand by it despite what followed. Trevor Back led the way with a fine 47, well supported by Mick Brown's 44, but 159 all out from 39.4 overs suggested a middle order rather too keen to get home for tea — not helped by John Inkpen and Tim Thirkell both departing for ducks. Still, a defendable total, we thought.

So it proved, up to a point. B. Hinks played the innings of the day, 73 well beyond his fifty, ably assisted by T Smith's 35 and Nicholls' 20, while at the other end T Leach joined our openers in the ranks of the undisturbed scorers. Trevor Back was the pick of the attack yet again — 1-22 with two miserly maidens thrown in — and found good company in Mick Brown (1-25) and John Inkpen (1-28), the three of them doing for the ball what they'd earlier done with the bat.

In the end they reached 156-4 from 41 overs, agonisingly short, and honours were shared. Trevor Back continues to lead our run charts and sits fourth among the wicket-takers — the form man of the season, no question. A draw, then: fair reflection of two sides giving as good as they got, and nobody quite good enough to finish the job.

Tue 01 Jul 1975 🧢 1st XIv HC Hunton Wanderers CC · HomeformWLLWD

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 1st July 1975, Hunton Wanderers CC the visitors, and I shall spare you the suspense: it was not our finest hour.

Sent in, we huffed and puffed our way to 77/8 from our sixteen overs, a total that flattered to deceive from the moment the shine came off the ball. Robert Chance stood rather alone with a battling 22, doing the lion's share against a card otherwise littered with regret — Phil Hickman and Ian Brattle both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer, ducks that will no doubt follow them round the clubhouse for weeks to come. Seventy-seven felt light before we'd even taken the field again, and so it proved.

Hunton strolled to 78/3 with an over to spare, J Brook unbeaten on 32 and J Chaney chipping in with 27 as our attack huffed valiantly but without the ammunition to make a game of it. Brian Fuller was again the shining light with the ball, 2 for 17 his reward for the only real discipline on show — and with 37 wickets to his name this season he continues to lead our charts by some distance, while John Ames's 225 runs keep him top of the pile with the bat, small consolation on a chastening evening.

Seven wickets the margin, and no arguments from this corner. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets — there is plainly work to do.

Sun 29 Jun 1975 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWWLLW

Down by 55 runs to Shipbourne, Sunday 29 June 1975 — and I'll admit the toss going against us set the tone for the whole afternoon. Asked to field first, we watched Shipbourne build a stiff 178 for 8 off their forty, David Mills the chief architect with a well-made 44, Peter Phillips chipping in 33 and J. Sly 24. A- Oliver, at least, departed for a golden duck to give us one small crumb of comfort. Tony Gauna was magnificent with the ball, 4 for 28 and a constant menace, with Nigel Thirkell (2-35) and Ron Hickman (1-39) offering fine support from the other end.

Chasing 179 was always going to ask questions of the top order, and 123 all out in 37.5 overs was, frankly, not the answer. Paul Bowles battled to 31 and Cliff Anscombe added a useful 24, but wickets fell around them at regular intervals, and the sight of Tony Gauna — hero of the field just hours earlier — trudging back for a duck rather summed up our luck with the bat.

There were bright spots amid the gloom, mind. John Ames brought up his 400th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark few of us will ever approach, and Nigel Thirkell's two wickets nudged him past George Champion into 15th on the club's all-time list. Paul Bowles and Tony Gauna, meanwhile, continue to top the season's run and wicket charts respectively.

Not our day, then, beaten by 55 runs. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 28 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWLLW

We drew Linton Park into a war of attrition on Saturday last, and honours finished shared — which felt about right, though there were moments when either side might have snatched it.

Put into the field, we watched their innings roll steadily on to 223 for 6 off 44 overs. Woodcock (83) set the tone with a fine fifty, and Seager (58 not out) and Dilip (56) kept the scoreboard turning over long after we'd hoped it might stall. Parkinson at least fell for a duck, small mercy that it was. Nigel Thirkell toiled manfully for 2 for 87, with Brian Fuller (1-26, two maidens to his name — not a run given away lightly) and Ian Brattle (1-38) chipping in when it mattered.

Chasing 223 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and 152 for 7 off our 44 overs was the honest answer. Paul Brattle's 31 was the backbone, Les Fell (28 not out) and Martin Mears (27) lending willing support, while Phil Hickman and Nigel Thirkell both fell for ducks of their own — a case of what the bowlers give, the bowlers take away. I contributed a workmanlike 27, and our wicketkeeper had an afternoon to forget, nine byes leaking through like a Kent hedgerow.

One bright note amid the toil: Nigel Thirkell passed 200 career wickets, a landmark thoroughly deserved after a long, honest shift with the ball. A draw, then — not the stuff of legend, but a fair reflection of two sides who wouldn't yield.

Wed 25 Jun 1975 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformDDWWD

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 25 June 1975

Well, the coin let us down again — call it wrong more often than the church clock, I do — and Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC took first knock. Not that it troubled us unduly. Nigel Thirkell was in one of those moods bowlers dream about and batsmen have nightmares over, gliding through 6-41 with seven maidens stitched in for good measure, a spell as mean as a parish council debating the tea budget. Jon Harris (2-33) and Trevor Back (1-17) tidied up the loose ends, R. Ogley and J. Malpas both walked back for ducks, and Sevenoaks were shot out for 134 in 51.1 overs, Peter Day's 39 and M. Gregory's 23 the only real resistance.

Chasing it down should have been the easy part, and for a while it looked it, John Thirkell playing the anchor with a fine 37, Phil Hickman busy for 24, and yours truly contributing 37 of his own — though modesty forbids further comment on that. But 115/8 from our 36 overs told its own story of a middle order that rather lost the plot, Jim Hall among those departing without troubling the scorers.

A draw, then — honours shared, nobody quite deserving to lose, nobody quite earning the win. Worth noting amid it all: Jon Harris brought up 300 career wickets, a landmark that rather puts my 37 in its place. A fair result, if a frustrating one — we shall have to finish the job next time.

Tue 24 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv LC Leybourne CC · HomeformLLWLL

Skipper's Log — Tuesday 24 June 1975. Leybourne CC at home, and I won the toss, elected to bat, and stand by that decision even now, several hours and several cups of tea later.

We were not, in truth, at our fluent best. Seventy-six all out in sixteen overs is the sort of total that has opposition bowlers smirking into their sandwiches, and only Paul Bowles, with a stout 34, gave the innings any shape at all. Special mention, as tradition demands, for Ian Brattle, whose golden duck earns him this week's walk of shame — the ledger does not forget, Ian.

So seventy-six looked, frankly, defendable only by the most generous interpretation of the word. And yet. H. Carrington's 20 was the best Leybourne could muster as they too subsided, all out for 71, and we found ourselves celebrating not one but two ducks of our own claiming — J. Combes, A. Booth and David Edmonds all departed without troubling the scorers, proof that ducks, like rain, are no respecter of home advantage. Nigel Thirkell was magnificent, 4 for 21, ably supported by Paul Bowles (3-20, and worth his weight in runs and wickets both) and Ron Hickman (1-24). I even managed to contribute with the ball myself, three wickets to go with my 34 — not a bad afternoon's work, even if I say so.

Nigel's four scalps, incidentally, ease him past Tony Gauna into 17th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — the mantelpiece groans a little louder.

A five-run win, snatched rather than strolled to, but a win nonetheless. Onwards.

Sun 22 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLLLWL

Sunday 22 June 1975, and the coin did the decent thing for once, coming down in our favour. I had a look at the sky, felt strangely confident, and put us in — a decision I would spend the rest of the afternoon quietly reconsidering.

Fifty-five all out in 26.1 overs is not the stuff of legend, and the Duck Club did brisk business: Tim Thirkell, Colin Dicker and Ian Brattle all made the long walk back for nought, three ducks laid before lunch was barely digested. It was less a batting collapse than a batting non-event, and I'll say no more about it than the scorebook already has.

Defending 55 asks a great deal of a bowling attack, and for a while the lads made a proper fist of it. Nigel Thirkell was the pick of us, 2 for 20 and clearly bowling like a man with 19 wickets already banked this season, while Tony Gauna's two maidens suggested somebody, at least, understood the meaning of parsimony. R Barret went for another Duck Club entry without so much as troubling the scorers. But Gregor Hiscock had other ideas, batting through unbeaten on 38 to see the visitors home at 59 for 2 in 17.2 overs.

Beaten by six wickets, then — no disgrace in the bowling, precious little to shout about in the batting. Jon Harris and Nigel Thirkell continue to fly the flag in the season's charts, which is more than can be said for the rest of us. We'll be better for it next week. We rather have to be.

Sat 21 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv HC Hythe CC · HomeformWLLLW

It rather sums up our summer that, having lost the toss on a bright June afternoon, we were promptly invited to have a bowl and then a bat, in that order of misfortune. Hythe made themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 209 for 7 in their 39.2 overs, with a certain S. Wraight helping himself to a majestic century (118) while Ralph Carter played the perfect lieutenant with a fine 64. John Thirkell toiled away manfully for figures of 4 for 65, and Brian Fuller was rarely collared either, going for just 76 off his allotment with 3 wickets and two tidy maidens to show for it. K. Best and poor Richard Chappell were both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, sent packing by our attack — small mercies, and all that.

Our reply, alas, read rather like a rejected first draft: 101 all out in 33.3 overs. Mike Iliffe battled hardest for 23, I chipped in with 19 and did at least manage 4 wickets to soften the blow, but Colin Dicker's contribution began and ended at nought, and the rest of the card told a similarly gloomy tale.

There was one gleam of sunshine amid the wreckage — Brian Fuller's three wickets nudged him past Michael Morton into 19th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, a achievement he can enjoy while the rest of us lick our wounds.

Beaten by 108 runs, then, and no dressing it up: not our day. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Tue 17 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv W Whitbreads · HomeformLWLLL

Tuesday 17 June saw us welcome Dummy Site, and for once I called correctly and stuck us in without a moment's hesitation — a decision I was quietly rather pleased with by the close.

We posted 94/7 from our sixteen overs, a total that felt distinctly wobbly on paper but proved stickier than expected. Jon Harris played the anchor beautifully for his 46, with Jim Hall chipping in a tidy 21 alongside him — the sort of partnership that turns a fragile total into a defendable one. It didn't look much walking off, but cricket has a way of humbling those who judge a book by its cover.

And so it proved. The opposition replied with 88/8, P. Punyer battling to 28 before Ron Hickman went through them like a hot knife, finishing with 3-16 and leaving G. Marsh and N. Cox to trudge off without so much as a run to their names. Brian Fuller offered fine support with 3-34, Tony Gauna weighed in with 1-33, and six runs was all that separated triumph from tea-and-sympathy.

Off the field, plenty to raise a glass to: Jim Hall brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark few of us will ever reach, while Brian Fuller's three scalps nudged him past Allan Cooper into 20th on the all-time wicket-takers' list. Jon Harris sits third in this year's run charts, Fuller second among the bowlers.

A tight, nervy, thoroughly earned two points. We'll take it, and gladly.

Sun 15 Jun 1975 🧢 Sunday NVKCv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWWLL

Sunday 15th June saw West Farleigh CC pay us a visit, and having called correctly at the toss I saw no earthly reason to do anything but bat first — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or reckless by close of play, and I'm delighted to report it fell into the former camp. We posted 128/9 from our forty overs, a total owed almost entirely to Paul Bowles, who compiled a well-crafted 57 while the rest of us made up the numbers with varying degrees of conviction.

It never looked a match-winning score on paper, but cricket, as ever, had other ideas. West Farleigh were bowled out for 97 in 35.5 overs, Brian Piper's 26 and Peter Cooper's 22 the only real resistance, while poor Trevor Fermor and Mick Marks trudged back without opening their accounts. Tony Gauna was the chief tormentor with 3-20, Paul Bowles chipped in with bat and ball alike (3-25, two maidens, positively parsimonious), and Ron Hickman weighed in with 2-25.

Off the field there was much to raise a glass to: Paul Bowles brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, and Nigel Thirkell's 18 eased him past Fred Greenfield into 25th on the all-time run charts. Bowles now tops both the season's run and — alongside Gauna's wickets — the bowling charts too.

A 31-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round.

Sat 14 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · AwayformLLWLL

Not our finest afternoon, but a decent tale nonetheless. On the toss winning, batting first felt the obvious shout, and I'll stand by it despite the outcome — 115 all out in 35.2 overs was a touch light on runs, if honest about our footwork against the new ball. Alan Cradduck top-scored with a gritty 28, and Stan Wratten chipped in a tidy 21, but too many of us contributed only our presence at the crease rather than runs upon it.

With the ball, though, we very nearly turned water into wine. Brian Fuller was magnificent — 6 for 33 off six miserly maidens, a spell that will live long in the memory and, rather splendidly, lifts him past Ray Howard to 20th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Nigel Thirkell (2-20) and Jon Harris (1-40) offered fine support, and John Golding departed for a duck without so much as a whimper. Sadly, eight byes down the leg side told their own tale of a keeper having a testing afternoon, and Pete Worsnop's unbeaten 30 nursed the opposition agonisingly over the line at 116/9.

Elsewhere in the club, Phil Hickman continues to purr along in 2nd in the season's run charts, and Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers with 32 — form the rest of us might do well to imitate.

Down by one wicket, then — as tight a margin as cricket allows, and about as painful. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets we go.

Thu 12 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWLLWL

From the captain's chair — Thursday 12 June 1975. Fine visitors down at Linton Park, and the coin, for once, fell kindly my way. I had little hesitation in putting us in, a decision that felt bold at the time and only slightly less bold by close of play.

We laboured to 117/7 from our sixteen overs, which on this ground and in this form is a total you defend with hope rather than confidence. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day with a fine 38, and he found willing company in Jon Harris (22) and Phil Hickman (21) — the sort of middling, gritty contributions that keep a scoreboard ticking without ever quite letting a captain relax.

With ball in hand we asked a few honest questions. Brian Fuller was superb, snaring 2-12 with the kind of control that makes a captain look cleverer than he is, and Nigel Thirkell followed his batting with the ball too, taking 1-19, while Ron Hickman chipped in with 1-22. But Mike Sendles simply would not be shifted, compiling an unbeaten 33 that eased the visitors home to 75/4 and a 42-run victory.

Elsewhere, John Ames continues to top our 1975 run charts with 203, and Brian Fuller sits second among the wicket-takers with 22 — small consolations on an afternoon that offered few. Not our day, then. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 08 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLWLLW

Sunday 08 June 1975. We won the toss— actually, no, we didn't; Sheldwich called it correctly and sent us out to field, which on a warm afternoon felt less like punishment and more like a slow march to the sausage rolls at tea.

They batted with a patience that bordered on the sadistic, grinding their way to 155 for 9 off 53 overs. Brian Newman was the chief architect at 41, with F- Scott (24) and P- Juniper (21) chipping in the mortar. Credit where it's due: Tony Gauna bowled like a man with a personal grievance against the Sheldwich order — 4 for 40, six of those overs maidens, not so much as a single given away out of charity. Jon Harris (2-42) and Paul Bowles (2-46) kept the pressure on at the other end.

Chasing 156, we made a decent fist of falling short, bundled out for 103 in 33 overs. Tim Thirkell top-scored with a gritty 31, Les Fell chipping in 25, and after that the innings rather lost the plot. Mike Iliffe and Tony Gauna both walked the plank for ducks — harsh, especially for Mike, who chose this of all matches to bring up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark rather undersold by a nought next to his name. Spare a thought too for Benny Bell, whose afternoon behind the stumps cost us 9 byes.

Beaten by 52 runs, then — no disgrace against a side who batted us out of the game, but we'll be sharper with the willow next week.

Sat 07 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformLLWLL

Saturday 07 June 1975, and we welcomed Rumwood CC to Linton Park under skies that, for once, behaved themselves. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling remains a batting-order-length list of failures — and we were put into the field.

Rumwood ground their way to 171/8 from 51 overs, B Aiston top-scoring with a well-crafted 71 and S Simmonds providing sturdy support with 38 not out. Poor P Macbean departed for a golden duck, which I'm sure will haunt him more than it haunted us. The day, though, belonged to Jon Harris, whose 5-86 — with a miserly eight maidens thrown in for good measure — was a five-for thoroughly earned through sheer stubbornness. Phil Hickman (2-34) and Brian Fuller (1-32) chipped in nicely, tidying up what Jon didn't already claim.

Chasing 172, we got there in some style, 174/6 off 42.4 overs. John Ames led our reply with a handsome 51, Jim Hall added a brisk 32, and Basil Sears finished unbeaten on 27 to see us home. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction in contributing 51 myself — leading from the front and all that, even if my legs disagreed by the twentieth over.

Worth noting: Jon's five wickets nudged him past Terry Donovan into 8th on the club's all-time list — quite the achievement, and he's now well clear atop this season's bowling charts, with John Ames doing likewise with the bat. Four-wicket win, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 04 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformLLLWL

Beaten by 46 runs, but not before we'd had a proper go — and on a warm Wednesday like that, there are worse ways to spend an evening.

Winning the toss, I fancied our chances with the bat first, and 105/4 off our sixteen overs was a tidy return. John Ames led the charge with a fluent 33, Phil Hickman rounded things off nicely with 24 not out, and John Thirkell chipped in a handy 22. Not a total to frighten anyone, perhaps, but enough to give the bowlers something to defend.

And defend it we did, for a while. K Spiken and P Turnbull both departed without troubling the scorers 🦆, and Brian Fuller was magnificent, snapping up 4-20 to keep the innings honest. Tony Gauna bowled with real discipline — 2-8 and two maidens, not a run given away lightly — while Ron Hickman weighed in with 2-26. I even had a small say myself with 22. Worth noting, too, that Tony's two wickets nudged him past Nigel Thirkell into 17th on the club's all-time list — a quiet bit of history amid the toil.

In the end the opposition's 59/8 wasn't quite enough to get near us, and 46 runs was the margin — rather more comfortable for them than for us. Still, with John Ames leading the run charts and Brian Fuller among the wickets for the season, there's plenty to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

Tue 03 Jun 1975 🧢 Midweek XIv MP Maidstone Police · HomeformWDDWW

A gloriously eccentric afternoon at Linton Park on Tuesday the 3rd of June, as Dummy Site rolled into town and I duly called correctly at the toss — batting first, I decided, was the only sensible option, and I still maintain I was right to say so.

What followed was brisk, if brief: 28 without loss in just 4.3 overs, the openers seeing off everything thrown at them without so much as a raised eyebrow. Whether that was murderous intent or simply a declaration of confidence in our bowling attack, I shall leave to the reader's imagination — either way, we were rather pleased with ourselves trudging off for tea.

Then came the turn to defend, and defend we did with some conviction, for Dummy Site could conjure nothing from their innings — all out for None, which even by the strange arithmetic of village cricket takes some doing. Two sides, it seemed, equally unable to press home an advantage, and so honours were shared: a draw that satisfied nobody and yet offended nobody either.

Elsewhere, the season rolls merrily on, with Paul Bowles continuing to top our 1975 Midweek XI run charts on 31 — a lead he'll no doubt be reminding us all of over pints this week.

A curious game, then, honours even, and perhaps the fairest result of all for an afternoon that defied straightforward description.

Sun 01 Jun 1975 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWLLLW

Sunday last, the visitors rolled up to Linton Park under skies that promised more than they delivered, and having called correctly at the toss I did what any captain of sound mind and questionable judgement does — I stuck us in. It did not go entirely to plan. We laboured to 78/9 from our 56 overs, a total that owed almost everything to Paul Brattle's gutsy 31, and rather less to Tim Thirkell and Alan Cradduck, both of whom made the long walk back for nought. The Duck Club ledger grows heavier by the week.

Still, cricket is a game of two innings, and ours arrived like the cavalry. The visitors' 58 all out in 35.2 overs was a thing of real beauty to watch unfold. Tony Gauna was quite magnificent, tearing through with 5-23 — a five-for thoroughly earned — while Jon Harris bowled with the miserly precision of a man who simply refuses to be hit, returning 4-26 including eight maidens. G- Brown and D- Masters both departed for ducks at our hands, and even your captain got in on the act with four wickets of his own.

For the record books, Jim Hall now sits fourth in our 1975 run charts with 68, while Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers with 24 — figures that flatter him even by his own high standards.

In the end, 20 runs shy, and a defeat that stings rather more than the bowling figures suggest it should. But there was heart in that display with the ball, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 31 May 1975 🧢 1st XIv DC Davington Priory CC · HomeformLWLLL

Saturday 31 May 1975, and Davington Priory came calling. I won the toss and, in a fit of uncharacteristic confidence, fancied our chances with the bat first.

We weren't wrong. John Ames played a lovely innings for 69, the sort that makes a captain look wiser than he has any right to, with Phil Hickman (31 not out) and John Thirkell (27) chipping in nicely as we posted 149/5 from our 38 overs. Respectable enough that I could enjoy my tea without too much indigestion.

Then Jon Harris got the ball in his hand and simply took the afternoon away from Davington Priory. Five for 37, spinning it past bat after bat, while Brian Fuller bowled with the sort of miserly discipline that had six maidens to his name and finished with 4-24. Ken Hammond and John Larner were sent back without so much as a run to their credit — not the sort of duck anyone enjoys collecting, but it kept the scoreboard honest. All out for 64 in 33.5 overs, with only Peter White's 28 offering any real resistance. I even got in on the act myself with 27, for whatever that's worth in a rout like this.

A quiet word too for Robert Chance, whose 8 runs nudged him past Gordon Fenner into 16th on the club's all-time run charts — the sort of milestone that means everything to the man and nothing to the scorebook. Victory by 85 runs. A very good day for the club indeed.

Tue 27 May 1975 🧢 Midweek XIv NC Newport Fugitives CC · HomeformLWDDW

Tuesday last, we welcomed Newport Fugitives CC, and I won the toss and put us in — the right call, though I say it myself. Phil Hickman (29) led the charge with the bat, Paul Brattle (27) and Trevor Back (26 not out) chipping in handsomely, and we closed on a respectable 157/7 from our 47 overs. Poor John Thirkell, though, will want that duck struck from the record before his mother reads it.

Out in the field, it was a different story entirely — a rout, frankly. Newport Fugitives were bowled out for 73 in 36 overs, with only T. Elwell (29) putting up any real resistance while Davis, Drewett and Went all trooped back for ducks. The day belonged to Jon Harris, who bowled like a man possessed for 5-10 with six maidens to boot — a thoroughly deserved five-for. Paul Bowles (3-26) and Tony Gauna (1-11) tidied up the rest between them, though our wicketkeeper had rather a torrid afternoon, gifting 12 byes in the process.

As for the skipper, I contributed a golden blob — leadership by example is all well and good, but on this occasion I led only in the queue back to the pavilion. Still, with Hickman topping our run charts and Harris our wickets for the season, the engine room is purring nicely.

Two points, and thoroughly earned — victory by 84 runs, and not a bad way to spend a Tuesday.

Mon 26 May 1975 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLLWLL

Monday the 26th of May brought Bearsted CC to Linton Park, and the coin fell against us — we lost the toss and were asked to chase. No matter; there's an honest pleasure in getting first use of the ball, and we set about it with real intent. Bearsted ground their way to 135 all out from 71 patient overs, Colin Fleetwood the chief architect with a fine 76, ably supported by Julian Bond's 23. We had them 8 for 1 early doors, and when we ran through the tail — 122 for 7 collapsing to 135 all out — the morning's promise was very nearly repaid in full. Duncan Andrews and C. Britcher both departed without troubling the scorers. Jon Harris was magnificent, 5 for 58 and thoroughly deserved, with Nigel Thirkell (1-17, nine miserly maidens) and Tony Gauna (1-22) squeezing the taps dry at the other end.

Chasing 135 proved a mountain too far. We stumbled early ourselves, 1 for 1, and though John Thirkell battled to 31 and Phil Hickman chipped in with 20 — and I managed 31 of my own — the middle order simply evaporated, 62 for 5 becoming 68 for 8 in the blink of an eye. Jim Hall, Martin Mears and Ian Brattle all fell without scoring, and we were bowled out for 68 in 34.4 overs.

Phil Hickman still leads our season's run charts with 82, and Jon Harris the wickets with 15 — small consolations on a day we lost by 67 runs. Heads up, lads. Back to the nets.

Sun 25 May 1975 🧢 1st XIv Lordswood CC · HomeformDLLWL

Skipper's Log — Sunday 25 May 1975. Lordswood CC the visitors, and I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock. Whether that was wisdom or vanity, I'll let the scorebook decide.

Ninety-one all out in 36.4 overs is not the stuff of legend, and it pains me to record that Jon Harris and Paul Croucher both walked back for ducks, contributing nothing but company to one another's misery. A modest total, then, and one that left us needing something rather special with the ball to have any say in proceedings.

And special it was. Jon Harris, having done his penance with the bat, turned executioner with the leather, running through Lordswood for a staggering 7-24 — the sort of spell that has the tea urn talking for weeks. Nigel Thirkell held up his end beautifully too, 1-30 from four maidens, miserly as ever and now sitting proudly atop our 1975 wicket charts with 13 to his name. Colin Gardener's 33 and P. Treadwell's 22 kept Lordswood afloat, but three more of their number — Barber, Marsh and Sewell — joined our own duck club before the day was out. They crawled to 92/9 off 41 overs, and pipped us by the cruellest of margins: one solitary wicket.

Not our day, then, but not without honour either. Heads up, lads — back to the nets, and let's make sure the bat catches up with the ball.

Sat 24 May 1975 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformWDLLW

Saturday last, 24 May, we welcomed Dummy Site to the ground, and for once I shan't blame the weather for what followed — only the coin, which landed against us and sent them in first. It seemed a fair enough decision at the time. Their innings limped to 97 all out in 39.3 overs, John Golding the chief obstacle with a watchful 43 not out, but Nigel Thirkell had other ideas, running through them with 6-26 off nine miserly maidens — not a boundary given away lightly. Brian Fuller chipped in with 2-4 and Jon Harris with 1-40, while Dave Goodyer, Butler and Geoff Dearing all trooped back without so much as a single to their name.

Ninety-eight to win should have been within our compass. It was not. We were bowled out for 78 in 36 overs, with Benny Bell, John Ames and Brian Fuller all departing for ducks, and your correspondent contributing a golden blob of his own — a captain, I'm told, should lead by example, though not, on this occasion, the example I had in mind. Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps too, ten byes escaping his gloves, though he can console himself with 57 runs still leading our season's charts.

There was, at least, one shaft of sunlight: Nigel's six wickets carried him past Tony Gauna to 17th on the club's all-time list, and his 12 wickets keep him top of the pile this summer. Beaten by 19 runs, then — chastened, but not despairing. We'll be better for it next week.

Mon 12 May 1975 🧢 1st XIv LC Leybourne CC · AwayformDWDLL

Monday last took us down the road to Leybourne, and for once I can report a happy captain's diary entry. I lost the toss — no change there — and we were put into the field, which on a green May morning suited us rather well. Leybourne never got going: their innings folded for 41/9 off just 14 overs, with only P. Bringer showing any real resistance, unbeaten on 24 while wickets tumbled at the other end. R. Smith, A. Leggett and N. Brockwell will each want to forget their contributions, back-to-the-pavilion ducks all three. The damage was done by Allan Cooper, who ran through them with 4-12, well supported by Tony Gauna's 4-13 — between them they barely left Leybourne standing.

Chasing 42, we made light work of it, cantering home on 43 without loss from just seven overs, Jim Hall doing almost all the heavy lifting with a composed 31 not out. Rather fittingly, that innings brought up 1,000 career runs for the club for Jim — a landmark earned the old-fashioned way, over many a long afternoon, and thoroughly deserved.

There were bonuses in the paperwork too: Allan Cooper's four wickets nudge him past Ray Howard into 20th on the club's all-time list, while Jim now leads our 1975 run charts and Tony sits third among the bowlers. A ten-wicket win, precious little sweat, and plenty to celebrate in the bar. Onwards, indeed.

Sun 11 May 1975 🧢 1st XIv CC Chatham Nomads CC · HomeformDDWDL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 11 May 1975. We hosted Chatham Nomads CC, and having lost the toss for what feels like the ninth week running, I duly sent us out to field, telling myself as ever that it was tactical rather than habitual bad luck.

For once the plan came off beautifully. The Nomads never got comfortable, subsiding to 69 all out in 31.2 overs, D Barton's 20 the only innings of any substance. But the day belonged entirely to Nigel Thirkell, who bowled with a miser's economy — five maidens among his figures — and finished with a glorious 6-15, ably backed up by Paul Bowles's 4-32. It was the sort of spell that has spectators checking the scorebook twice, and it duly nudged Nigel past Tony Gauna into 17th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, which felt like just reward for a man currently sitting second in our 1975 wicket charts.

Sadly, batting proved rather less to our taste. Barry Martin, P Bovis and P McNeeney went without troubling the scorers, and further ducks for Cliff Anscombe and Nigel himself kept the card looking untidy. Only John Thirkell's unbeaten 20 and my own modest 20 gave the innings any shape as we limped to 70/5 from 32 overs — enough, in theory, but nowhere near enough in practice, as we fell by five wickets.

A match of two distinct halves, then: bowling to frame on the wall, batting best forgotten. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 10 May 1975 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformDDDWD

Saturday 10 May 1975, and the road took us to Rumwood — a fixture that promised much and, in the end, delivered a familiar tale of nearly-but-not-quite.

Winning the toss, I did what any captain fuelled by misplaced optimism does and stuck us in. John Ames battled to 41, Phil Hickman played the anchor role beautifully for an unbeaten 37, and Brian Fuller chipped in 21 as we compiled 140 all out from 46.1 overs — respectable enough, though poor Paul Croucher's golden duck will not trouble the highlights reel. 🦆

In the field we gave a decent account of ourselves. John Ames, clearly not content with his runs, took the ball and ran through with 2-29, while Brian Fuller toiled away for 2-79 and five miserly maidens, and Phil Hickman weighed in with 1-35. Another duck for the ledger too, R- Cooper departing without so much as a nibble. But Rumwood's B Aiston had other ideas, an unbeaten 51 steering them home with support from P- Cooper and K- Jones, both 22, as they reached 144/6.

Amid the gloom, a shaft of light: Paul Brattle's 13 runs nudged him past Tony Levick into 19th on the all-time run charts — a small but real piece of history. John Ames leads our season's run tally, Brian Fuller the wickets, and long may that continue.

Beaten by four wickets, then — not our day. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Sat 26 Apr 1975 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformLDDDW

Saturday 26 April 1975 saw us on the road to West Farleigh, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they won the toss and sent themselves in, leaving us to graft in the field first.

Grafting we did. West Farleigh's 124 all out from 34 overs owed most to Simon Day's watchful 49, with Trevor Back chipping in 33 alongside him, but the day belonged to Brian Fuller, whose 7-65 was a five-for and then some — the sort of spell you buy a man a pint for on the strength of alone. Jon Harris weighed in with 2-38, and Terry Donovan's three maidens meant not a run was handed over lightly.

With the bat, though, we rather made hard work of a modest target, limping to 116/8 from 46 overs. Cliff Anscombe's 29 and Jon Harris's matching 29 were the innings' backbone, and I'll confess I chipped in 29 myself for good measure — clearly the fashionable number of the day. Alan Cradduck and Colin Dicker, alas, contributed nothing but ducks for their trouble, and Brian Piper, Mick Marks and Paul Baines had gone the same way with the ball earlier, so the scorers had a quiet afternoon all round.

Honours shared in the end — a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. With Cliff topping our run charts and Brian leading the wickets, there's plenty to build on. A fair result, fairly earned, and the tea was, as ever, the real winner.