🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 19 Sep 1976 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWWWDW

Sunday 19 September saw Anchorians travel to us at Linton Park, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I'm rather pleased to report vindicated itself handsomely. We posted 202 for 5 from our forty overs, built around a wonderful hundred from Paul Bowles, who middled it beautifully for 101. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with a fine 56, and Paul Brattle's 21 added the sort of late impetus that turns a good total into a defendable one.

With the ball, I confess I rather fancied our chances, and so it proved. Anchorians were bowled out for 155 in 40.4 overs, J Coppins battling hardest with 40, Alan Dixon adding 38 and S Tapping 28, but the middle and lower order simply couldn't build partnerships against our attack — poor E-Cherry departed for a duck without so much as a glimpse of the scoreboard. Paul Bowles, not content with his century, ran through them with 4 for 11, Trevor Back chipped away for 3 for 9, and Tony Gauna bowled a tidy line for 1 for 9 with two maidens thrown in for good measure. I managed 4 wickets myself, which I shall modestly describe as leading from the front twice in one afternoon.

A word for the history books: Paul Bowles's century sees him leapfrog Stan Wratten into 4th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he continues to top our 1976 run charts with 1381, with Nigel Thirkell leading the wickets column on 89.

A comfortable 47-run win, and a thoroughly satisfying way to spend a September Sunday. Onwards.

Sat 18 Sep 1976 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformDWWWD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 18 September 1976. We hosted West Farleigh CC on a fine afternoon, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking us in to bat. Batting first is always the captain's little vanity project, and for once it paid handsome dividends.

Paul Bowles made an absolute mockery of the West Farleigh attack with a superb 104, the sort of innings that has the tea urn practically applauding itself, while Paul Brattle chipped in with a stout 42 in support. We closed on 178/3 from our 45 overs, a total that felt, even to my cautious captain's eye, rather more than useful.

With the ball, the lads set about their work with real purpose. Jon Harris led from the front with 4-68, Nigel Thirkell was miserliness personified with 2-15 and five maidens to his name, and Martin Mears weighed in with 2-18. Don Fermor (36) and Brian Piper (31) threatened to make a match of it for the visitors, with Peter Cooper adding 20, but Trevor Fermor's golden duck rather summed up their afternoon. I even found some rhythm myself, taking four wickets, though poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes slipping through his gloves like eels. West Farleigh were all out for 160 from 50 overs.

A win by 18 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Paul Bowles continues to lead our run charts for the season, Nigel Thirkell the wickets — long may both continue. Onwards.

Sun 12 Sep 1976 🧢 1st XIv MH Mersham Hatch · HomeformDDWWW

It was Dummy Site at home on Sunday 12th September, and having lost the toss I was informed, with the usual lack of ceremony, that we'd be bowling first. No great hardship — the lads took the news well enough, though I confess I'd rather fancied batting under what passed for sunshine.

Dummy Site made steady if unspectacular progress to 155/7 from their 44 overs, a- King the chief architect with 41, well supported by J- Copeland's 32 and F-H- Ames's unbeaten 23. B- Moorhead departed for a duck, one of several scalps claimed by Nigel Thirkell, who bowled beautifully for 4-53 with five maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of miserly spell that has opposing batsmen muttering into their gloves. Allan Cooper and Trevor Back chipped in with a wicket apiece to round out a thoroughly disciplined effort in the field.

In reply we were somewhat becalmed, closing on 143/7 from our 43, always chasing the game rather than the target. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, a fine 71 that held the middle order together, with Nigel Thirkell adding a brisk 20 for good measure. Jon Harris fell for a duck, and as for your captain — I shall draw a discreet veil over my own contribution of nought, save to say the walk back to the pavilion felt considerably longer than the walk out.

Honours shared, then, in a draw that flattered neither side particularly. Bowles continues to lead our run charts for the season with 1176, and Thirkell the wickets with 86 — the two pillars propping up a captain who really ought to pull his weight rather more.

Wed 08 Sep 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformWWDDW

Beaten by 114, and not much argument from me about it. I called it right at the toss and fancied 40 overs to build something substantial, and for a while we did — 193 for 3 is a proper score by any midweek reckoning. Jim Hall gave us the meat of it with a well-earned 59, and John Copplestone, unbeaten on 47, batted with the calm of a man who knows exactly where the tea urn is. David Tolhurst chipped in a tidy 29. All told, a total I'd have happily defended against most sides.

Not, it turns out, against this lot's top order woes and our bowling on the day. They were bowled out for a paltry 79 in 28.1 overs, undone chiefly by John Thirkell, whose 4 for 19 was the pick of a genuinely excellent attack. Ron Hickman kept things miserly with 3 for 12 and three maidens besides, and Tony Gauna weighed in with 3 for 18 — enough, incidentally, to see him leapfrog Tony Snell into 13th on the club's all-time wicket list, and to keep him third in this season's Midweek XI charts on 12. C. Hull's 31 was the only real resistance; Addison, Chivers and Manser all went for ducks. Brian Piper, meanwhile, continues to purr along nicely in 2nd on the run charts with 330.

So how, with figures like that, did we contrive to lose by 114 runs? A question for the clubhouse rather than the scorebook. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 05 Sep 1976 🧢 1st XIv CC Crowborough CC · HomeformLDDWW

Sunday the fifth of September found us hosting Crowborough CC, and the toss went every bit as well as my luck with these things usually does — they called correctly and, unsurprisingly, fancied batting first. Not that it troubled us unduly. Nigel Thirkell was in one of those moods that makes a captain's life embarrassingly easy, spinning his way to 5-21 and leaving Crowborough's middle order looking thoroughly bamboozled, while Jon Harris bowled with the miserly discipline of a man auditing the tea fund (1-21, six maidens) and Tony Gauna chipped in with 1-22. M Hepworth's 31 and C Over's unbeaten 29 were about the only resistance on offer, and 130/8 from their fifty overs always felt a touch shy of the mark.

I confess poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps — eleven byes is the sort of statistic one quietly omits from the scorebook if one can — but with the bat we made light work of the chase regardless. B Cornford and J Collinson departed for nought, but nobody else troubled the pavilion gate: Paul Bowles played an innings of real substance, 89 not out and well past his fifty, with Paul Brattle a composed 32 not out alongside him, and we strolled home at 131/0 in just over thirty overs.

Ten wickets to spare, Bowles still top of the season's run charts and Thirkell top of the wickets — a thoroughly satisfying Sunday, and precisely the sort of afternoon that makes the winter months bearable.

Sat 04 Sep 1976 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformWLDDW

Saturday 4th September saw Dummy Site roll into Linton Park, and having called correctly I did what any self-respecting skipper does with a good toss and no real idea what the pitch would do — I stuck us in. The lads repaid the faith with 157 for 7 off 47.2 overs, Nigel Thirkell the pick of the willow-wielders with a handsome 66, well supported by brother Tim's 39. Not a total to send anyone home early, but enough, as it turned out, to be going on with.

Then came the afternoon shift, and what a shift it was. Paul Bowles decided he fancied a bit of everything, spinning his way to a magnificent 6 for 47 and reducing the visitors to 120 all out in 47.3 overs — a- Jones's defiant 42 the only real resistance, while S- Lee and J- Lycett both departed without troubling the scorers. Nigel Thirkell, not content with his runs, chipped in with 2 for 3, and Jon Harris bowled with the meanness of a man guarding the last biscuit, 5 maidens on his way to 2 for 41. I'll confess to rather enjoying my own six-wicket haul too — one of those days where everything you bowl seems to find the edge.

Quiet satisfaction also for Paul Brattle, whose 19 eased him past Robert Murray into 10th on the club's all-time run list — these things matter more than we let on.

We came home 37 runs to the good. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one for the scorebook to remember fondly.

Tue 31 Aug 1976 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformDWLDD

Tuesday 31 August 1976 saw us on the road to Bearsted, where the toss went against us and we were put in the field first — the traditional Linton Park welcome to an away fixture. Bearsted battled to 168 all out in 57.3 overs, Julian Bond leading the way with 49, well supported by Colin Fleetwood's 42 and Mick Filmer's 25. Jon Harris, however, had other ideas, spinning his way to a magnificent 5-31 and leaving Mike Reed to trudge off having troubled the scorers not one jot. Tony Gauna (3-64) and Paul Bowles (2-28, with five miserly maidens thrown in for good measure) mopped up the rest — not a run given away lightly, and not a batsman given an inch.

With the pressure duly established, we set about our reply and got home at 172/3 in 37.2 overs. Paul Bowles, not content with terrorising Bearsted's batsmen, terrorised their bowlers too, striding to a magnificent 109 not out — three figures, no less — with John Copplestone chipping in a fine 38 alongside him. Their third-wicket stand of 113 put the result beyond doubt long before the close.

A word, too, for the milestone: Paul Bowles brought up 7,000 career runs for the club along the way — a thoroughly deserved landmark for a man who now leads the 1976 first-team run charts with 1004, while Jon Harris sits second in the wicket-takers' list with 73. A fine win by 7 wickets, and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's cricket. Onwards.

Sun 29 Aug 1976 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformWDWLD

As Linton Park's opening batsmen strode out at Staplehurst, a fine August Sunday, I won the toss and took first knock without much hesitation — on that pitch, runs on the board seemed the wiser policy, and so it proved.

Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, 96 well-crafted runs carrying us handsomely, with Paul Bowles a splendid ally on 78. Between them they did most of the heavy lifting, though the card wasn't without its blemishes — Brian Piper and Tim Thirkell both departed for ducks, reminders that cricket has a cruel sense of humour. We closed on 203 for 7 from our 45 overs, a total that felt worth defending.

And defend it we very nearly did. Tony Gauna bowled beautifully for 3 for 24, Jon Harris was miserly in the extreme with 2 for 15 and six maidens — six! — and Nigel Thirkell, not content with his runs, chipped in with 2 for 23. N Pullen went for a duck of his own, but M Pontin and A Thirkell, both on 33, steadied Staplehurst enough to see them home to 137 for 8. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 20 byes going begging — the sort of day that ages a wicketkeeper prematurely.

Amid it all, Nigel's 96 quietly nudged him past Robert Murray into 9th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a nice footnote to a fine day's work, and further proof of why he leads our 1976 wicket charts as Paul Bowles leads the run charts.

In the end honours were shared, a draw that flattered neither side but insulted neither either — a fair result from an afternoon of good cricket, better tea, and one truly wayward pair of gloves.

Wed 25 Aug 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformWWWDD

Winning the toss on a fine Wednesday against Gravesend, I did what any sensible skipper does when the coin behaves itself — I stuck them in the field and told the lads to bat. And bat we did. Paul Bowles played an absolute blinder, 122 not out, ordering himself a sofa at the crease and refusing to budge, while Jim Hall kept him company with a classy unbeaten 54 and J. Salmon chipped in with 26. Poor Brian Piper was the one blemish on an otherwise gleaming card, back in the pavilion for a duck before he'd had time to admire the scenery. We closed on a handsome 205/2 from our 37 overs.

Defending that lot, Tony Gauna set about Gravesend with real purpose, snaring 3-29, with Francis Manville metronomically tidy for 2-16 including three maidens, and Paul Bowles — evidently not content with his century — adding 2-25 for good measure. Nick Jones gave Gravesend hope with a well-crafted 51, Colin Myers made 31 and M. Biscombe 24, but B. Hiscock and R. Fright both departed without troubling the scorer. Jim Hall had a trickier time behind the stumps, leaking 13 byes, though nobody's holding that against him after his innings. Gravesend were all out for 191 in 46.3 overs.

A fine win by 14 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. Onwards.

Sun 22 Aug 1976 🧢 1st XIv HC Hempstead CC · HomeformWWDWL

It was a fine toss to win, and with Hempstead CC visiting on a proper August Sunday, I had no hesitation putting us in — the sort of decision that either looks like genius or folly by teatime. This one leant towards genius. Paul Brattle and Brian Piper batted as if they had all afternoon and most of the evening too, Brattle compiling a magnificent 94 and Piper following him home with 86, the pair simply refusing to give it away. Twenty-six extras rounded out a total of 219/2 from 53.4 overs that had the tea urn working overtime with anticipation.

In the field we asked the questions but Hempstead, marshalled by an unmoved W Ellis (84 not out) with useful support from H Mason and R Keen (31 apiece), had the answers for most of it, reaching 192/7 from their fifty. Tony Gauna was the pick of the attack by some distance — 3-37 with five maidens, not a man in a generous mood — backed up by Jon Harris (3-89) and Trevor Back (1-28). I even found a spot of rhythm myself for three wickets, though Jim Hall's ten byes suggested the day tested more than just the batsmen. D Owen departed for a golden duck, which is always a small mercy for a captain.

Nigel Thirkell was duly overtaken on the all-time run charts by Brattle's innings — quiet history made on a Sunday afternoon. In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, but a thoroughly entertaining one, and I'll take that.

Sat 21 Aug 1976 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lukes Maidstone CC · HomeformWWWDW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 21 August 1976, and Dummy Site paid us a visit on our own turf. Lost the toss, as is tradition round here, and were put into the field, which at least spared us the ordeal of watching our top order fret over their pads for an hour first.

They ground their way to 115 all out in 41.5 overs, M- Beckwith the chief architect with 24, B- Mitchell chipping in 21, while - Noel and C- Cross departed without troubling the scorers at all. Paul Bowles was magnificent, 3-26 with six maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of miserly spell that has opposition batsmen muttering into their tea. Nigel Thirkell and Jon Harris weren't far behind, three wickets apiece, and I managed to sneak in three of my own, which was a rare treat for the skipper.

Chasing 116, we mustered 113 all out in 43 overs, Nigel Thirkell top-scoring with 20 in what became rather too familiar a tale of good starts unfulfilled. Eight byes slipped through behind the stumps — poor Jim Hall will not thank me for mentioning it, but a report without honesty is no report at all.

Two runs. Two runs the difference between glory and the long walk back to the pavilion in silence. Paul Bowles keeps his nose in front for runs this season and Nigel Thirkell reigns supreme with the ball, so all is not lost — but this one will sting on the drive home. Heads up, lads. Back to the nets.

Wed 18 Aug 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDWWWD

Trevor Back's 108 arrived like the finest of August afternoons at Gravesend – unhurried, immaculate, and thoroughly ruining the opposition's tea plans. Having won the toss and, in a fit of uncharacteristic decisiveness, opted to bat first, I watched from the boundary with the sort of nervous pride usually reserved for watching one's dog attempt a jump it has no business clearing. Nigel Thirkell chipped in a tidy 30, S. Cooper weighed in with 27, and we closed on a handsome 198 for 6 from our 41 overs – handsome enough, at least, that I allowed myself a second slice of cake at the interval.

Defending it was another matter entirely. Gravesend set about the total with M. Biscombe (35) and Colin Myers (34) doing most of the damage, Gaynor Kingston adding 23, and for a good while it looked rather too competitive for my liking. Thankfully Nigel Thirkell, clearly not content with his runs, turned his arm over for 2 for 36, while Trevor Back and John Thirkell picked up a wicket apiece. Special mention to Tony Gauna, who bowled four maidens and gave away precisely nothing – the sort of miserly spell that makes a captain sleep soundly.

In the end Gravesend closed on 140 for 5, and honours were shared. A draw, then – not the stuff of legend, but on a warm Wednesday with Nigel Thirkell now leading our wicket charts, I'll happily call it a job well shared.

Sun 15 Aug 1976 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Hawkhurst CC · Awayform—

Sunday 15 August 1976, and off we trotted to Hawkhurst with the sun, for once, cooperating. I won the toss and elected to bat, which I shall claim full credit for, thank you very much. Our openers set about laying a platform of real substance — 100 for the first wicket before the breakthrough finally came, the sort of start that lets a captain sit back with a flask of tea and pretend he always knew it would go this well. Trevor Back was the chief architect, a well-made 91, with Stan Wratten chipping in 43 and Tim Thirkell seeing us home unbeaten on 20. We closed on 182/5 from our 43 overs — a total with a bit of everything about it.

Defending it, Hawkhurst never quite got the platform to match ours. X Piper made a battling 48 and M. Saunders 28, but X Watson departed for a golden duck, and the middle order simply couldn't build. Trevor Back, evidently not content with his runs, turned the ball beautifully for 3-15, John Thirkell picked up 3-43, and Ron Hickman bowled two tidy maidens on his way to 2-23. I even found a bit of rhythm myself for 3 wickets — old dog, new tricks. Hawkhurst were all out for 140 in 38.4 overs, and we came home 42 runs to the good.

Nice milestones too — Tim Thirkell's 20 eased him past George Champion into 19th on the club's all-time run list, and Ron Hickman's brace lifted him past Tony Snell into 12th among the wicket-takers. All told: a proper day out, and one for the scrapbook.

Sun 15 Aug 1976 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Lordswood CC · Homeform—

Sunday 15th August 1976, and the sun found its way onto Linton Park for our meeting with Lordswood CC. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the pitch looked a good one to bat on, and for once my judgement wasn't entirely wrong.

We laboured our way to 158 for 7 off 47 overs, a total built rather than blazed. John Copplestone led the way with a watchful 30, Colin Dicker matched him unbeaten, and Jim Hall chipped in a handy 23 to give us something to bowl at. Spare a thought, though, for poor Martin Mears, whose contribution amounted to a golden duck and the long, lonely walk back to the pavilion — the sort of innings one doesn't put in the scrapbook.

With the ball we found our range. Lordswood were bowled out for 135 in 41.1 overs, Neil Fairclough's gritty 56 not out and Henderson Carrington's 34 the only real resistance, while Beg, Myur and Middleton all departed without troubling the scorers. Nigel Thirkell was the chief destroyer with 5 for 33, Jon Harris backed him up superbly with 5 for 47 — five maidens included, not a run given away lightly — and I managed to sneak among the wickets myself with five of my own.

A splendid afternoon all round, crowned by Brian Piper reaching 1,000 career runs for the club. We ran out winners by 23 runs — a thoroughly good day, and one the tea urn will be talking about for weeks.

Sat 14 Aug 1976 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · HomeformWWWWD

Saturday 14 August 1976, and Bobbing Court CC came calling. Lost the toss, they had first knock — and by the end of it, honours were rather comfortably ours.

Their 161 all out in 45.5 overs owed most to Richard Witts, who went well past his fifty to make 59, with John McLeod chipping in a tidy 30. But it was the ball that told the real story: Jon Harris bowled beautifully for 3-48, three of those overs maidens, backed superbly by Nigel Thirkell's 3-49 and a steady 1-31 from John Copplestone. Not a run given away lightly, as they say.

Our reply was rather more serene — 164 for 3 in 35.4 overs, Bedelle and Aylward aside (both back without troubling the scorers, bless them). Brian Woodcock's 49 did the heavy lifting, Brian Piper unbeaten on 43 and Paul Brattle a handy 31 seeing us home in style. And I'll confess a quiet satisfaction at picking up three wickets myself with the ball — the skipper allowed the odd moment of glory.

Special mention for Jon Harris, whose three scalps nudged him past John Thirkell into 6th on the club's all-time wicket list — a fine bit of history-making on an already good day. Nigel Thirkell, meanwhile, continues his splendid season, sitting 2nd in the run charts and top of the wicket pile for 1976.

Seven wickets, two points, and a thoroughly earned win. We'll take that all day.

Wed 11 Aug 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv WC West Kent Wanderers CC · HomeformDDWWW

Wednesday, 11th August 1976, and Dummy Site came calling to Linton Park under skies that, if memory serves, were doing exactly what an English August ought. We lost the toss, were sent out to field, and I confess my heart sank slightly at the prospect of 43 overs in the sun. C. Fry gave us a proper working-over, 66 well-crafted runs, with J. Kerby (35 not out) and A. Williams (26) chipping in as the total crept to 183/6. Small mercy: D. Gower departed for a duck, and young David Buck was in inspired form, 2-6, backed up by Tony Gauna's 2-62 and the ever-parsimonious Nigel Thirkell, 1-35 with two maidens that must have felt like small victories in themselves.

Chasing 184, we made a fair fist of it. Brian Piper played the innings of the day, 78 in fine touch, with Nigel Thirkell weighing in with 28 to keep us in the hunt. Less gloriously, John Thirkell and David Buck both trudged back for ducks — the walk of shame performed twice over — while poor Jim Hall's day behind the stumps is best summed up by ten byes that told their own sorry tale.

We closed on 155/5 from 38, honours shared, neither side able to force the issue. Brian Piper continues to lead our run charts with 309, Nigel Thirkell tops the wickets with 12 — the old firm keeping us respectable. A draw, then: not a win to sing about, but no disgrace either. We'll take it.

Sun 08 Aug 1976 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday brought Sibton Park to Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any captain raised on flat, dry tracks and blind optimism does — I stuck us in. It didn't entirely repay the faith. We laboured to 112 all out in 45.3 overs, with Brian Piper the mainstay for 38 and Jon Harris giving him good company with 30, but the middle order rather let the side down, Jim Hall and Allan Cooper both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers.

In the field we set about defending what felt, on a good day, like a modest total and, on a bad one, like a fortress made of sand. Geoff Kirk had other ideas, ushering himself past fifty on his way to a chanceless 61 that threatened to run away with the afternoon. But Nigel Thirkell, bowling with the miserly discipline of a man counting his own tea money, sent down five maidens and finished with 4-47, ably backed up by Trevor Back's 1-15, while Nick Guy and Eric Impett both departed without scoring. Sibton were held to 106/8 from their 47, and honours were shared.

A word for the ledger: Jon Harris's 30 eased him past Bob Arnold and into 24th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — quiet history made on a grey Sunday. I chipped in 30 myself, more relief than glory.

A draw, then — no losers, but with Kirk's innings still ringing in our ears, no great winners either. We'll take it and go again.

Sat 07 Aug 1976 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday the 7th of August 1976 saw us take the road down to Headcorn, and I won the toss and elected to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever anyone says about the state of that square. We were bowled out for 170 in 42 overs, Brian Woodcock leading the way with a fine 40, Stan Wratten unbeaten on 29 and Nigel Thirkell chipping in 22. Less gloriously, Colin Dicker and Jon Harris both trudged back for ducks, proof that even a good total has its blemishes.

With ball in hand we were altogether more ruthless, dismissing Headcorn for a modest 93 in 39.2 overs, John Phipps' 37 the only real resistance and B- Austin gone without troubling the scorers. I found some rhythm of my own, finishing with 6 for 33 and six maidens — apparently enough, I'm told, to carry me past 400 career wickets, though I confess I was too busy concentrating on line and length to do the sums myself. Nigel Thirkell backed it up handsomely with 3 for 43, and John Copplestone chipped in with 1 for 10.

As for the skipper's batting — a golden blob, first ball, no messing about. A captain ought to lead by example; on this occasion I led rather more persuasively with the ball than the bat.

Nigel's 22 runs, meanwhile, eased him past Paul Brattle into 10th on the club's all-time run-scoring list, and he now sits 2nd in this year's 1st XI charts for both runs (644) and wickets (63) — a season to be reckoned with. We ran out winners by 77 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 04 Aug 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sennocke CC · AwayformWDDWW

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 04 August 1976. The road took us to Sennocke CC, and won the toss I did, electing to bat, which for once was the right call rather than the usual coin-flip guesswork.

What followed was a proper batting exhibition. I'll confess to leading from the front myself with 106 — not a boast I make lightly, more a case of the bat simply behaving itself for once — while Jim Hall's unbeaten 27 and Nigel Thirkell's 26 gave the innings real backbone. Robert Chance, bless him, contributed nothing at all to the golden-duck cause, though we shan't dwell on that. We closed on 174 for 6 from our 43 overs, a total that felt like it had some bite to it.

And bite it did. Sennocke were bowled out for 94 in 37.3 overs, undone chiefly by Nigel Thirkell, who span through them like a man possessed for 5 for 22 — a spell for the ages. Mick Brown backed him up beautifully with 3 for 19 off five miserly maidens, and Ian Webb chipped in with 1 for 5. Three of their batsmen departed without troubling the scorers at all.

A tidy note for the records: Nigel's 26 runs nudged him past Paul Brattle into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — quietly historic stuff on an otherwise cheerful Wednesday. A fine win by 80 runs. Onwards.

Sun 01 Aug 1976 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformWWWWW

It was Staplehurst CC at home, and the toss went their way as it so often does — they had first use of what looked a fair Linton Park strip, and elected to bat. Fifty-seven overs of honest toil later we'd restricted them to 148 for 9, which felt like a job well done in the field. I. Pullen top-scored with 32, with B. Wibberley and Bev Taylor both chipping in 25 apiece, but it was Allan Cooper who did the real damage — 4 for 22 off a miserly spell that included four maidens, well supported by Paul Bowles (2-29) and Jon Harris (2-43). A. West and S. Howell went back without troubling the scorers, which is always a pleasing sight from the boundary rope.

Chasing 149, we made rather light work of it in the end, getting there for the loss of three wickets in 34.4 overs. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 79 that carried us home in some style, ably assisted by Brian Piper's 47. Spare a thought, though, for poor Tim Thirkell, whose walk to the middle and back yielded a golden duck — the sort of afternoon best forgotten over a pint.

A personal 79 not out was, I'll confess, rather satisfying to bank. Allan Cooper's four-for also nudged him past Brian Fuller into 19th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, while Paul Bowles continues to lead both the run and wicket charts for 1976 — a rare double that shows no sign of slowing.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a seven-wicket win to file under "afternoons that went rather well."

Sat 31 Jul 1976 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformDWWWW

Lost the toss on Saturday and, as is tradition at Linton Park, promptly found ourselves out in the field wondering why we ever bother calling heads. Bidborough huffed and puffed their way to 89 all out in 28.5 overs, though "puffed" rather undersells J Kerby's 30 and C Sizer's watchful 23 not out. The real story, though, was Paul Bowles, who bowled as if he had a personal grievance with the Bidborough top order and finished with 6-43 — a five-for and then some. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 4-21 and three miserly maidens, the sort of spell that makes batsmen forget what a boundary looks like.

Chasing 90, we made hard work of easy work, as ever. Dave Crowest, David Tolhurst and T Ham all trooped back without so much as a single to their names, and Colin Dicker joined them for a golden duck of his own — the ducks were very much in season. Bowles, having done the damage with ball, added 28 with the bat, and Paul Brattle's unbeaten 26 saw us home at 93/4 in 29.4 overs. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, coughing up 11 byes, but no matter.

Brattle's runs nudge him past Thirkell into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Bowles continues his one-man crusade atop both the 1976 run and wicket charts. Six wickets, two points, and a thoroughly deserved pint. A good day at Linton Park.

Fri 30 Jul 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Margate CC · AwayformDWDDW

Friday 30 July 1976 saw us pitch up at Margate CC in fine fettle, and having called correctly at the toss I didn't dawdle over the decision — bat first, no question. The lads duly obliged: 208/6 off our 49 overs, built around a lovely 84 from Nigel Thirkell, well marshalled by Brian Piper's 41 and John Copplestone's 23. A total with a bit of substance to it, and one that let us set the field with a smile rather than a grimace.

Margate's reply never really got going. They were bowled out for 107 in 37.1 overs, I. Sandwell's 30 and Richard Dale's 25 the only real resistance, while M. Corden and I. Gosling both departed without so much as troubling the scorers — ducks apiece, poor souls. Paul Bowles led the charge with 3-38, Trevor Back chipped in with 2-19, and Jon Harris took 2-29 while somehow finding time to bowl four maidens — not a run given away lightly, that man.

A tidy personal footnote: Paul Brattle's 16 runs nudged him past Nigel Thirkell into 11th on the club's all-time run charts. And in the wider 1976 Midweek XI reckoning, Brian Piper (229 runs) and Jon Harris (10 wickets) remain out in front.

Won by 101 runs, two points banked, and the sort of afternoon that makes the drive home feel considerably shorter than the drive there.

Sun 25 Jul 1976 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLDWWW

Sunday 25th July, and the Log Book records a trip out to The Mote. We lost the toss, were sent out to field, and duly settled in for what turned into rather a long afternoon in the sunshine — 45.5 overs of it, no less. The Mote crawled to 91 all out, with N Bett top-scoring on 36 while the rest of the order rather queued up to disappoint him. Jon Harris was the chief architect of the collapse, running riot with 5-24, and I'm reliably informed Miner departed for a golden duck at our hands, which never fails to cheer a fielding side. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 3-17 and four maidens — not a run given away lightly, that man — while Trevor Back mopped up with 1-6.

Chasing 92 should have been formality enough, and so it proved, though we took our time about it, ambling to 93 for 3 off 29.2 overs. I'm not too proud to say my own contribution of 53 not out was rather satisfying — the sort of innings a captain quietly hopes for and rarely gets. It also keeps me handily placed atop the 1976 run charts on 691, with Nigel now second in the wickets table on 56 — the old firm doing its bit.

Seven wickets and a day out in the Kent sunshine: you can't ask for much more than that. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 24 Jul 1976 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · AwayformWLDWW

Sibton Park chose to bat first upon winning the toss — no surprises there, as my luck with the coin remains as reliable as an English summer. Still, no complaints: the lads set about their work in the field with real purpose, and Paul Bowles turned in the sort of spell you dream about but rarely witness, 7 for 24 off a mean allocation that included six maidens. David Rawlings held firm for Sibton with an unbeaten 35, but with B. Gray, K. Swaffer and Michael Yorke all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, and Nigel Thirkell and Jon Harris chipping in with two and one respectively, the innings folded for exactly 100 in 44.4 overs.

A target of 101 looked a formality on paper, and so it proved, though not without the odd nervous glance at the scorebook. Paul Bowles, having already done his damage with the ball, added 39 with the bat for good measure, and Nigel Thirkell saw us home unbeaten on 21 as we cantered to 102 for 3 in 19.4 overs.

Seven wickets the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly deserved on the balance of play. Paul Bowles continues his extraordinary season, now sitting atop both the run charts and the wicket charts for the year — one wonders whether the rest of us are merely here to make up the numbers. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and the tea, as ever at Sibton Park, went some way to softening the blow of a long drive home.

Sun 18 Jul 1976 🧢 1st XIv SC Sevenoaks Vine CC · HomeformLWLDW

It was Sevenoaks Vine CC at home on Sunday, and the coin let us down as it so often does — they won the toss, elected to bat, and I trudged back to the boundary to set fields instead of pad up. Not that it mattered in the end. Sevenoaks Vine were bowled out for 131 in 39.2 overs, Phil Barnett top-scoring with 42 but finding little support once Tony Gauna got his fingers working. Gauna was quite unplayable, spinning his way to 5-21 with five maidens thrown in for good measure — the kind of miserly spell that makes a captain's job easy. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 3-42, Paul Bowles picked up one, and Phil Francis and R Raikes both departed for ducks, which I'm sure they'll want struck from the record.

Chasing 132, we got there in some comfort at 134/3 from 40.5 overs. Paul Bowles led the way with a well-made half-century, Nigel Thirkell stayed unbeaten on 38, and Robert Chance weighed in with 30. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at contributing 50 myself — one doesn't like to mention these things, but there it is. Fourteen byes did rather give the game away behind the stumps, and someone owes the wicketkeeper a pint.

Two milestones worth toasting: Nigel Thirkell brought up 3,000 runs for the club and climbed to 12th on the all-time run charts, while Tony Gauna's five-for lifted him to 14th among our wicket-takers. A seven-wicket win, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved.

Wed 14 Jul 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sennocke CC · HomeformLDWDD

Sennocke arrived at Linton Park on Wednesday and duly won us the toss, which by now feels less like bad luck and more like a standing arrangement. They chose to bat, and for a while looked set to make a real afternoon of it, with D. Wheatley cruising to 55 and I. Franks unbeaten on 48 in support, Brian Scragg chipping in with 25. C. Boon, mercifully, departed for a golden duck before he could add to the discomfort. It was Nigel Thirkell who kept us in the contest with the ball, eight miserly maidens and figures of 1-24, while Paul Bowles and Tony Gauna took a wicket apiece to help peg them back to 177/4 off their fifty-three overs.

Chasing 178, we made distinctly harder work of it than the target deserved, needing 40.4 overs to get there, but get there we did on 178/7. Paul Bowles played the fine, patient fifty of the innings with 65, and Nigel Thirkell, clearly not content with his heroics in the field, added a second-half 50 with the bat as well. Fourteen byes, however, told their own quiet story about John Copplestone's afternoon behind the stumps — a day best filed under "character-building."

Brian Piper continues to lead our Midweek run charts with 188 for the season, and Thirkell now sits second in the wicket-takers with five, his double act with bat and ball not going unnoticed. A three-wicket win, scrappy in places but thoroughly deserved. Onwards.

Sat 10 Jul 1976 🧢 1st XIv SC Snodland Community CC · HomeformWLWLD

As of Saturday 10th July 1976, the visitors were Snodland Community CC — the sun apparently in no mood to disappoint. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat, a decision that still looks a sound one from where I'm sitting. The lads set about building a total, and while nobody quite ran away with the innings, Mike Iliffe's 31 was the backbone, with Nigel Thirkell (26) and Tim Thirkell (24) chipping in handsomely. We closed on 167/9 from our 40 overs — a respectable total, if not one to have the opposition trembling in their boots. Ken Webb and Ian Webb, meanwhile, both made the long walk back for nought, and I shall say no more about that, other than to note the club duck pond continues to fill nicely.

Whatever confidence Snodland brought with them evaporated rapidly once we took the field. Their innings folded for a paltry 58 in just 24.3 overs, with C Smitherman, Nigel Thirkell and F Waller all departing without troubling the scorers. Nigel Thirkell, having already batted us to a healthy total, then turned his arm over to devastating effect — 5 for 1, with five maidens thrown in for good measure, bowling that bordered on the unfair. Ron Hickman (2-14) and Paul Bowles (1-19) tidied up what little resistance remained, and I even managed to get among the wickets myself with 21... runs, that is, not wickets, lest I get carried away.

A word too for Paul Bowles, whose 16 runs saw him leapfrog William Buck into 5th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — quietly historic stuff. A fine win by 109 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Wed 07 Jul 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformWLDWD

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 07 July 1976. We were away at Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC, and having lost the toss I found myself doing what I do best: standing in the field with my hands on my hips, wondering aloud why we always seem to bowl first on the hottest afternoons of the summer.

Sevenoaks made a solid fist of their 51 overs, closing on 205 for 6. S Taylor anchored things nicely with an unbeaten 40, and had good company from P Reynolds (32) and K Adams (25) — the sort of steady, unspectacular partnership-building that gives a bowling attack precious little to work with. Nigel Thirkell toiled manfully for his 2-68, with Trevor Back and Jon Harris chipping in a wicket apiece, while Allan Cooper bowled with real discipline, wringing out three maidens and not giving his runs away lightly.

Chasing 206, we made a proper fist of it. Brian Piper played the innings of the day with a fine 82, and Nigel Thirkell — not content with his earlier bowling shift — added a battling 58 with the bat as well, well supported by Paul Bowles's 32. We finished on 197 for 5 from our 44, agonisingly short. Mind you, 21 byes rather gave the game away about Paul Bowles's afternoon behind the stumps — a testing day for him in every sense.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. With Piper now leading our 1976 run charts and Harris topping the wickets, there's plenty to be cheerful about even in a game we couldn't quite win.

Sun 04 Jul 1976 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformLWLWL

Sunday the fourth of July found us on the road to Aylesford Paper Mills, and having called correctly for once in my captaincy career, I stuck us in without a moment's hesitation — a decision I stood by right up until the point where two of our number contrived to bag a golden duck apiece.

Still, 173 all out from our forty-one overs was a respectable effort, built chiefly on Nigel Thirkell's fine 56, with John Copplestone (35) and Paul Brattle (31) filling in the mortar rather nicely. Martin Mears and Tony Gauna, meanwhile, will not be troubling the club's batting averages this month, and made their walks back to the pavilion with the particular dignity reserved for those dismissed for nought.

In the field, Tony Gauna made handsome amends with the ball, 2 for 20, and found willing company in Paul Bowles (2-40) and the ever-tidy Nigel Thirkell, whose 1-15 and three maidens suggested a man rationing his hospitality. Colin Watson fell to us without troubling the scorers. Fred Baker had other ideas, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 60 and, with John Atkins's 38 alongside him, steering Aylesford to 159 for 6 and safety. Poor Robert Chance had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, twelve byes the unwelcome souvenir.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride largely intact, and Paul Bowles quietly getting on with topping both our run and wicket charts as if none of this concerned him in the slightest.

Sat 03 Jul 1976 🧢 1st XIv MV Medway Valley · HomeformLLWLW

Not our day — but here's the report.

The Skipper's Log, 3 July 1976

Dummy Site rolled up to ours on a Saturday that promised much and, in the finest traditions of this fixture, delivered a heart-breaker. I lost the toss — inevitably — and we were put into the field, which on reflection may have been the least of our worries.

Credit where it's due: the bowling was a proper joy to watch. Paul Bowles was at his relentless best, ripping through them for 4-23, with Jon Harris (3-17) buzzing about at the other end and Ian Brattle chipping in with 1-18. Nigel Thirkell bowled with the tightness of a man guarding the tea urn, two maidens and all. Between them they had Dummy Site 80 all out in 26.3 overs, M. Barker's unbeaten 31 the only real resistance, while D. De-Negri, P. Waters and D. Crosby all trudged off without so much as a run to their name.

Eighty seemed gettable. It was not gotten. Our reply subsided to 74 all out in 27.2 overs, the innings featuring a golden duck from the unfortunate Ian Brattle, whose day thus went from hero to zero and back to hero again with admirable consistency. We fell agonisingly six runs short.

So: a match won twice over by our bowlers and lost once by our batting order, which on the day was quite enough. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets — there's a wicket-taker's spirit in this side yet, we just need to remember which end to hold the bat.

Wed 30 Jun 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformDWLDW

Wednesday 30th June, and the visitors from Dummy Site rocked up to find your skipper had lost the toss yet again — a run stretching back, well, further than I care to audit. Asked to chase, we took the ball first, and the lads did us proud with it. Tony Gauna was in irresistible mood, prising out three for a miserly 20, with Mick Brown (2-29) and the metronomic Trevor Back (1-18, three maidens — not a run given away lightly) squeezing the innings shut at 163 for 7 from their 45. T Smith's unbeaten 59, well supported by M. Bull's 42, was the difference between a good day and a very good one for the visitors.

Chasing 164, we made a decent fist of it without quite landing the blow. Brian Piper batted beautifully for 81 — the innings of the day by some distance — with Paul Bowles chipping in a tidy 23. Alas, poor Tony Gauna, having done his bit with the ball, marked his return to the pavilion with a duck 🦆 — cricket's way of keeping a man humble. Behind the stumps, William Buck had a torrid afternoon of it, 12 byes going begging past him. We closed on 155 for 7 from 43, agonisingly short.

So honours shared, and on reflection a fair one — neither side could quite force the door open. Brian Piper continues to top the season's run charts on 99, and Tony Gauna sits third among the wicket-takers on 3. A draw to nod at, rather than celebrate, but no complaints from this skipper.

Sun 27 Jun 1976 🧢 1st XIv DC Davington Priory CC · AwayformWLLWL

Sunday last saw us venture to Davington Priory, and I'll confess I strutted about like a man who'd read the pitch report when really I'd just fancied batting first. Won the toss, elected to bat, and for once the coin justified my confidence. John Copplestone played the innings of the day, 68 full of the sort of clean, unhurried hitting that makes a captain's job easy, with Nigel Thirkell's 24 and Ken Webb's unbeaten 24 filling out a total of 161/6 from our 33 overs that felt, even as we walked off, like rather more than enough.

So it proved. Jon Harris turned in one of those afternoons spinners dream about — 7 for 42, three of them maidens, and a procession of Davington batsmen trooping back without so much as a run to show for it. Allan Cooper and Tony Gauna nibbled a wicket apiece to tidy things up, and the whole innings was over inside 32.2 overs for 84. David Matthews battled hard for his unbeaten 38, but he was fighting a lost cause against Harris in that mood.

I'll own my part modestly — 16 with the bat and, happily, 7 wickets to go with it, which is more than I've any right to expect. Poor Trevor Back had a torrid time behind the stumps, 13 byes rather giving the game away, but no matter. Two points, 77 runs to the good, and a thoroughly satisfactory Sunday all round.

Wed 23 Jun 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv MP Medway Police · AwayformLDWLD

Wednesday 23 June 1976, and the road took us to Dummy Site with the sun on our backs and, for once, a plan in my head that actually held together. Winning the toss and electing to bat felt like the right call, and I'll allow myself a small pat on the back for that one. John Copplestone set about the bowling in fine style, compiling a superb 91, while Paul Bowles chipped in handsomely with 68 of his own. Between them they steered us to a commanding 198 for 4 off our 39 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew through it.

Defending it, we were rampant. John Thirkell was simply magnificent, ripping through with 4 for 13 and, in the process, bringing up 400 career wickets — a landmark worth raising more than one cup of tea to. Nigel Thirkell was miserliness personified, 2 for 4 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure, and Jon Harris weighed in with 2 for 33. I even found a bit of rhythm myself and picked up four wickets, which I shall be mentioning at the bar for weeks to come. Only Mayes, with 25, offered any real resistance as they were bowled out for 102 in 27 overs, with duck for both J. Lawrence and Gillett at our hands.

A 96-run victory, two points banked, and John Copplestone and Jon Harris continuing to lead the season's run and wicket charts respectively. All told: a proper day's cricket, thoroughly earned.

Tue 22 Jun 1976 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWLLW

Tuesday 22nd June saw West Farleigh CC roll up to Linton Park, and the coin, as it so often does, let us down — they had first use of the bat, and off we trudged to the field like men who'd already sensed how the afternoon might go.

Sixteen overs later they'd posted a brisk 116/7, built chiefly on Simon Day's fine half-century, with Micky Back (31) and Don Fermor (23) chipping in handsomely. Barry Brigden, mercifully for us, departed without troubling the scorers. The bowling honours were Nigel Thirkell's — a superb 4-27 that kept us in the hunt — with Tony Gauna (2-38) and Allan Cooper (1-23) offering solid support.

A target of 117 from sixteen overs is no stroll, and so it proved. Nigel Thirkell, having done his bit with the ball, followed up with a battling 38, well supported by Paul Bowles's 33. Beyond that, alas, the rest of the order rather lost the plot, with Tim Thirkell and Tony Gauna both departing for ducks as we were bowled out for 103.

Thirteen runs short, then, and another one that got away — heads up, and back to the nets it is. On the brighter side, Paul Bowles continues to lead our 1976 run charts with 517, and Nigel Thirkell sits second in the wicket-takers with 42 — proof, if any were needed, that even in defeat there's a season's worth of good work being quietly done. Not our day, but not a bad summer either.

Tue 15 Jun 1976 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformDWWLL

Tuesday 15 June 1976, and Hollingbourne CC came calling, with the toss going their way and us sent out to bowl first — which, on reflection, suited us rather nicely.

The lads made a decent fist of it in the field, restricting the visitors to 94/5 from their sixteen overs, Andrew Hales the chief nuisance with an unbeaten 33. Allan Cooper was the pick of our attack, snaffling 2-17 with the sort of control that makes a captain's job easy, well supported by Nigel Thirkell (2-31) and Ron Hickman (1-21). A target of 95 looked eminently gettable, and so it proved.

Paul Bowles set about the chase with real purpose, finishing unbeaten on 42 and dragging us home in style, with Nigel Thirkell chipping in a handy 27 alongside him. I managed 42 myself, which I shall mention only in passing lest anyone think me boastful. Less fortunate was young Tim Thirkell, who contrived a golden duck and duly joins the club's rather infamous ledger — the walk of shame, complete with quacking emoji for posterity.

We wrapped it up in 11.5 overs for the loss of just three wickets, romping home by seven. With Bowles now sitting second in the 1976 run charts and Nigel Thirkell second among the wicket-takers, this was a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — professional with the ball, ruthless with the bat, and Hollingbourne sent home with plenty to think about.

Sun 13 Jun 1976 🧢 1st XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · AwayformLDWWL

Sunday 13 June saw us make the pilgrimage to Bobbing Court CC, and I lost the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this season — they took first knock without hesitation. Once we finally got the ball in our hands, J Gorf gave us a proper afternoon's work, cruising to 75, with Denis Fowle (30) and Roy Weller (25) chipping in to help the hosts to 160/7 off their 48. Credit where it's due: Nigel Thirkell was superb, 4-54 with three miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, and John Thirkell and Tony Gauna backed him up nicely with a wicket apiece.

Chasing 161, we never quite got the innings purring. Tim Thirkell fought hardest for his 36, with Tony Gauna unbeaten on 26, but wickets tumbled around them and we folded for 119 in the 32nd over. Less said the better about Paul Brattle, G Kemsley and Jon Harris, who all took that lonely walk back for nought — the Duck Club ledger swelling nicely, if nothing else.

Small mercies amid the gloom: Nigel Thirkell's six runs eased him past Maurice Fenner into 13th on the all-time run-scorers list, and he continues to sit second in this year's wicket charts behind nobody but himself, it sometimes feels, while Tim leads our run charts for the summer.

In the end, 41 runs short and another one filed under "character-building." Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 12 Jun 1976 🧢 1st XIv YM YMCA Maidstone · AwayformWLDWW

Saturday the 12th of June found us at Dummy Site, where I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling form remains as reliable as an English summer — and we were asked to field first. They batted soundly enough, posting 160 all out in 49.2 overs, J- Golding top-scoring with 46, well supported by R- Mercer's 36 and P- Worsnop's 23. Credit to the lads with the ball, though: P- Mitchell, J Adams and J- Eate all trudged off without troubling the scorers, and I must confess I rather enjoyed myself, finishing with 6-75. Allan Cooper (2-34) and Nigel Thirkell (2-43, five of them maidens — not a run given away lightly) chipped in handsomely.

Batting, alas, was where the wheels came off. We were bowled out for 116 in 23.4 overs, Brian Woodcock's unbeaten 39 the innings' one real bright spot, ably supported by Paul Brattle's 27. Stan Wratten and I both trudged back for ducks apiece — mine, the less said the better, though misery does love company.

A small ray of sunshine amid the gloom: Nigel Thirkell's 6 runs today nudged him past John Taylor into 14th on the club's all-time run-scoring list, while he sits second in this season's 1st XI wicket charts with 32, behind only brother Tim, who leads the run charts with 470.

Beaten by 44 runs in the end. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 06 Jun 1976 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWWLDW

Sunday 6th June saw us take the road to Sheldwich, and winning the toss on a morning that promised runs, I had no hesitation in sticking us in first — a captain's call I shall claim full credit for regardless of how the day unfolded.

Bat we did, to the tune of 191 all out in 44.4 overs. Paul Brattle led the charge with a fine 48, well backed up by Tony Gauna's unbeaten 44 and Brian Piper's tidy 27. Special mention, in the interests of full disclosure, must go to John Copplestone, who contrived to bag a nought and take that long, lonely walk back to the pavilion — the Duck Club welcomes another member.

Sheldwich's reply never quite got away from us. They were bowled out for 129 in 36.5 overs, R. Scott's 40 the only real resistance, while Graham Mountford, Tim George and R. Heward all fell for ducks of their own at our hands. Nigel Thirkell was in irresistible form, turning it square for 5-49 with three miserly maidens thrown in, well supported by Jon Harris's 4-33 and Trevor Back's 1-10. I confess to a quiet satisfaction at chipping in with 4 wickets myself.

Beyond the scoreline, it was rather a landmark afternoon: Paul Brattle reached 3,000 career runs for the club and climbed to 11th on the all-time run charts, while Nigel Thirkell's five-for lifted him to 8th among the club's wicket-takers. A 62-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Onwards.

Sat 05 Jun 1976 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWWWLD

Rarely does a toss decision feel so vindicated. Saturday last, we welcomed Rumwood CC and I elected to bat, and while I won't pretend the applause was deafening, it proved the right call. We ambled to 164 for 8 off our 46, Brian Woodcock leading the charge with a fine 41, Paul Bowles and Paul Brattle chipping in handsomely with 39 and 33. Jon Harris, meanwhile, made his contribution to the Duck Club ledger with a golden duck — the walk of shame performed, as ever, with good grace.

If our batting was solid, our bowling was something altogether more devastating. Rumwood were bowled out for a paltry 64 in 27.4 overs, S. Simmonds' 33 the only real resistance amid a procession of ducks for Rod Bailey, A. Jones and A. Boorman. And here I must simply doff my cap: Paul Bowles was quite unplayable, spinning his way to 10 for 27 with three maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly, nor, frankly, much of anything else. I managed to get among the wickets myself, finishing with ten, and chipped in with 39 with the bat for good measure.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved, sealed by a comfortable 100-run margin. With Tim Thirkell now our leading run-scorer this summer and Paul Bowles sitting proudly atop the wicket-takers' pile, the season has a most agreeable shape to it. A fine day's work, and the tea urn has rarely been more welcome.

Mon 31 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDWWWL

It was Bearsted at home on the Bank Holiday Monday, and having called correctly I did what any captain with a settled top order and a pot of tea inside him does — I stuck us in. Not a decision requiring much genius, and it repaid us handsomely. The openers put on 96 before the first wicket went down, and then Paul Bowles and Tim Thirkell added a priceless 105 for the second, the sort of stand that lets a captain sit back in his deckchair and pretend he planned it all along. Bowles went on to a majestic 107 not out — and in doing so brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, which called for rather more than the usual ripple of applause. Thirkell made a fine 52, and Paul Brattle chipped in with 40, as we declared-in-all-but-name on 239 for 2 from our sixty overs. A quiet word too for Tim, who turned out for his 200th appearance in Linton colours — not a milestone many manage, and fewer still mark with a fifty.

Defending it, Bearsted never got going. Nigel Thirkell was magnificent, hurrying through his overs and finishing with 4 for 15 including four maidens — miserly doesn't begin to cover it — while Jon Harris picked up one for eleven. Three ducks and a collapse from 23 for 1 to 27 for 4 had us dreaming of the win, only for Chris Collett to dig in for an unbeaten 21 and see his side to 67 for 5 from their 28.

So, honours shared. A draw, then, but one with two milestones tucked inside it and a bowling performance to remember — I'll happily take that walking off the field.

Sun 30 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWDWWW

Sunday 30 May 1976, and a fine spring day found us welcoming the visitors to Linton Park with bat, ball and the usual quiet optimism. Winning what passed for a toss decision, we put the opposition in, and for a good long while it looked the shrewder call — they laboured to 123 all out from 53.2 overs, G. Brown top-scoring with 47 and G. Phillips chipping in 25, while J. Phillips and R. Sydeham both trudged off for ducks. Tony Gauna was magnificent, 4 for 43 with seven maidens thrown in for good measure, and Jon Harris (3-29) and Nigel Thirkell (2-29) tidied up the rest. Not a run given away lightly, as they say.

Chasing 124, we made harder work of it than the bowling figures suggested we might, reaching home at 124/4 in 36.2 overs. Nigel Thirkell, in the sort of form that has him second in this season's wicket charts too, batted through unbeaten for 46, with John Copplestone a steady 28 alongside him. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes leaking through to remind us all that keeping wicket is no picnic, though the skipper found some consolation with three wickets of his own with the ball.

For all that, we came away beaten by six wickets — the arithmetic of the run chase never quite in our favour despite the bowlers' good work. Tim Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 396 for the season, which is some comfort. As for the rest of us: a game of two honest halves, lost fair and square, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 29 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv DC Davington Priory CC · HomeformWWDWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 29 May 1976. We hosted Davington Priory CC on a day that, I like to think, will be spoken of in the Linton Park pavilion for some seasons yet.

Winning the toss, I elected to bat, and for once my judgement was not merely stubbornness dressed up as strategy. Tim Thirkell led the charge with a superb 84, and was handsomely supported by brother Nigel with 61 of his own — a knock that, I'm reliably informed, carries him past Andrew Moss to 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which I suspect will earn him at least one free pint. Brian Woodcock chipped in an unbeaten 25, while poor Paul Bowles departed for a golden duck, though he would have his revenge later. We closed on a commanding 215/4 from our 30 overs.

If our batting was a feast, our bowling was famine for the visitors. Davington Priory subsided to 55 all out in 24.1 overs, undone by Stan Wratten's excellent 3 for naught, fine support from Paul Bowles (3-6, duck well and truly avenged) and John Thirkell (1-0), while Martin Mears strangled the life out of proceedings with four miserly maidens. Mervyn Halls's 26 was the lone flicker of resistance amid three ducks for the visitors.

A win by 160 runs, then — the kind that makes the tea taste sweeter and the drive home shorter. Tim Thirkell now leads our season's run charts with 388, Paul Bowles tops the wickets with 32, and Linton Park march on.

Tue 25 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformWWWDW

Here's the match report:

It was one of those Tuesdays that reminds you why you bother lugging the kit bag out of the shed. Aylesford Paper Mills came to Linton Park, we lost the toss and were sent out to field first — which, as it turned out, suited us rather nicely.

Tony Gauna was the story of the innings, steaming in to return 4-18 and leaving the Mills top order in a state of some disarray, Arasathan back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Nigel Thirkell chipped away with 3-16 and Allan Cooper picked up one for 13, the three of them squeezing the visitors out for a modest 71/9 from their sixteen overs. Credit too to Colin Watson for his part in the field. It was the kind of collective bowling and fielding effort that makes a captain's job easy — nobody let the pressure off for a moment.

Chasing 72, Paul Bowles and Brian Woodcock strolled to the target without so much as a hint of alarm, Bowles finishing unbeaten on 39 and Woodcock 30 not out, wrapping things up inside thirteen overs for the loss of no wickets at all. I managed 39 myself earlier in the summer's reckoning, though the real headline is Bowles sitting second in the season's run charts and Thirkell second among the wicket-takers — form that shows no sign of deserting either man.

Ten wickets, no fuss, tea on time. We'll take that all day.

Sun 23 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv Lordswood CC · HomeformLWWWD

Sunday 23rd May found us at home to Dummy Site, and for once the coin actually did what I asked of it, so I had no hesitation in sticking us in — a decision that, for a change, I shan't have to defend at the bar afterwards. Nigel Thirkell led from the front with a handsome 68, and while John Copplestone (33) and Brian Woodcock (26) chipped in nicely, poor John Thirkell will be nursing a golden duck rather than his figures this week. All told we posted 193 in 46.1 overs, a total with a bit of substance to it.

Defending it, the lads were magnificent. They were bowled out for 102 in 41.2 overs, Goodwin's 20 the only real resistance, while Middleton and Carrington both departed without troubling the scorers. Paul Bowles was superb with 3-34, Allan Cooper and Tony Gauna chimed in with two apiece, and Jon Harris bowled four maidens of the sort that makes batsmen question their life choices. I even managed three wickets myself, which I shall be mentioning rather more than is strictly necessary. Sixteen byes, mind you, told their own tale about Brian's afternoon behind the stumps — a subject best left there.

Nigel's fifty also eased him past George Champion into 18th on the club's all-time run charts, no small thing. A fine win by 91 runs, then, and one to enjoy on the drive home. Onwards.

Sat 22 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv YM YMCA Maidstone · HomeformDLWWW

Saturday 22 May 1976, Dummy Site, and I won the toss with all the ceremony of a man remembering which pocket his keys are in — no debate needed, we were batting.

We rattled up 202 for 5 from 42.4 overs, which on our featherbed of a wicket felt like a job well done before tea. Tim Thirkell was in glorious touch for 88, striding about like he owned the place, with Nigel Thirkell (48) and Paul Bowles (30) both chipping in handsomely. Jim Hall, alas, was not so fortunate, back in the pavilion for a diplomatic nought — these things happen to the best of us, Jim, and no one will mention it again. Probably.

Defending it, the opposition dug in gamely, closing on 136 for 8 from their 49 overs — P Worsnop unbeaten on 43 the chief nuisance, backed up by A Stuckey and J Golding with 30 apiece. P Husband and J Eate both departed for ducks at our hands, small mercies gratefully accepted. Jon Harris was the pick of our attack with 3 for 44, Nigel Thirkell and Paul Bowles both took 2, and Bowles was positively parsimonious, sending down five maidens without conceding so much as a sniff. I even found time to potter to 30 myself.

A word for the record books: Tim's 88 nudges him past Tony Levick into 21st on the club's all-time run charts — quietly one for the mantelpiece.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A fair result, if I'm honest, and one that leaves everybody happy enough to still be speaking to each other at the bar.

Tue 18 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv YM YMCA Maidstone · HomeformWDLWW

Tuesday, 18 May 1976, and Dummy Site played host as we lost the toss and were sent out to field first — never my favourite way to start an afternoon, but there's no arguing with the coin. The opposition ground their way to 88/7 from their sixteen overs, B- Merser the chief architect with 29, well supported by P- Worsnop's 26. Paul Bowles was in fine, probing form with the ball, plucking out 3-21 and sending J- Golding back for a duck along the way, while Ron Hickman and Allan Cooper chipped in with a wicket apiece to keep things honest.

Chasing 89 is never quite the formality it looks on paper, but Paul Bowles clearly hadn't finished his afternoon's work, following up his bowling with an unbeaten 38, John Copplestone keeping him company with a composed 28 not out. I contributed a modest 38 of my own and found some late rhythm with the ball for three wickets, which I shall claim as an all-round captain's innings even if nobody else does. We cantered home on 89/2 with two overs to spare — eight wickets in hand and no cause for alarm.

A quiet but notable footnote: Allan Cooper's solitary wicket eased him past Michael Morton into 20th on the club's all-time list, a small climb worth toasting in the bar. All in all, a thoroughly good day for the club, and one the lads can be proud of.

Sun 16 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv WK Woodlands (Kent) · HomeformWWDLW

Wonderful news, they said. Turned out to be a very pleasant Sunday for us.

Skipper's Log, 16 May 1976: Dummy Site came to visit, I called correctly at the toss, and elected to bat — quite right too, as it happens. Brian Piper set about proving me right with a well-made fifty (59), and Tim Thirkell wasn't far behind with a fine half-century of his own (55) — a knock that, we discovered afterwards, carried him past Frank Taylor into 22nd on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is the sort of thing that ought to earn a man a pint. Robert Chance chipped in with a tidy 27, while poor Jon Harris made his way back to the pavilion for nought, joining the Duck Club with all the dignity that particular walk allows. We closed on a healthy 199/7 from our 49.

With the ball, it was rather our afternoon. Dummy Site never quite got going, R Lane's battling 29 the only real resistance, while D Bowen and B Stevens both departed without troubling the scorers. Paul Bowles was in unplayable form, spinning his way to 5-22 with five miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, and I'm rather chuffed to report five wickets fell to the skipper too. Jon Harris made amends for his batting with 5-53. They folded for 96 in 46.3 overs.

A win by 103 runs, then — Tim Thirkell now leads our 1976 run charts with 203, Paul Bowles our wicket charts with 21. Onwards, in fine spirits.

Sat 15 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWWDL

Saturday 15 May 1976 — Headcorn CC visited, the sun (or something like it) shone, and I won the toss. I elected to bat, and for once my judgement wasn't entirely wayward. We posted 152/8 from our 41 overs, John Copplestone the rock of the innings with a splendid unbeaten 42. Not every man had his day out there — Brian Woodcock and Tim Thirkell both trooped back for ducks — but the extras column did us proud with 30, which is either a compliment to our running between the wickets or an indictment of Headcorn's line and length. I'll leave that one open.

Out in the field, we turned distinctly more clinical. Headcorn were bowled out for 95 in 32.3 overs, John Phipps giving them something to cheer with 37, well supported by B. Penney (21) and C. Wickens (20), but three of their number — R. Thomason, K. Couchman and Bryan Whatman — departed without troubling the scorer. Martin Mears was magnificent, ripping through with 4-11, while Allan Cooper (3-19, and four maidens to boot) and Brian Fuller (2-22) tidied up what was left. I contributed a workmanlike 17 with the bat, which I shall count as a good day's work and leave it there.

A fine win by 57 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket all round. Onwards we go.

Thu 13 May 1976 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDLDWL

Thursday 13th May, 1976, and Linton Park welcomed the visitors under skies kind enough for cricket. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in putting them in the field first — a decision that looked rather shrewd once Tim Thirkell got into his stride, cracking a fine 72, with Steve Gower unbeaten on 65 playing the perfect foil, and young John Thirkell chipping in a handy 26. Not everything glittered, mind — Mike Iliffe and John Copplestone both departed without troubling the scorers, though the quacks were drowned out by the applause as we closed on a formidable 209 for 7 from our thirty-four and a bit overs.

Defending it, the visitors dug in gamely. M Sendell led their reply with a well-crafted 51, backed up by T Ferley's 37 and B Clarke's 22, and for a good while it looked as though they might chase us down. But Jon Harris had other ideas, twirling his way to a magnificent 5 for 78 with two miserly maidens thrown in, ably supported by Martin Mears (2-29) and John Copplestone, who atoned for his duck with 2 for 48. They finished 182 for 9 from their fifty-three overs — I even had a small say in proceedings myself with 26 down the order.

There was a rather lovely footnote to the afternoon: Tim Thirkell brought up 2,000 runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly toasted in the bar afterwards. Honours were shared in the end — a draw, and a fair one at that, with Tim now topping our season's run charts and Jon leading the wickets. Nobody beaten, nobody disgraced; just good, honest cricket.

Tue 11 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv HC Hunton Wanderers CC · HomeformWWWWD

Tuesday, 11 May 1976, and Hunton Wanderers rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather less welcomely for us, the toss in their pocket. They elected to bat, which in hindsight was the correct call, and set about accumulating 144 for 5 from their sixteen overs. R Cross led the charge with a fluent 44, K Patey chipped in a handsome 40, and J Brook added 23 for good measure. To our credit, John Copplestone bowled beautifully for 3-48, with Ron Hickman and Allan Cooper each prising out a wicket apiece to keep the total from running away completely.

Chasing 145, however, we rather fell over our own bootlaces. Eleven and a bit overs later we were all out for 65, a collapse as swift as it was thorough. Tim Thirkell battled manfully for 22 and carried the bulk of the scoring virtually single-handed, while John Ames, Stan Wratten and Allan Cooper each contributed nothing at all to the cause — three ducks in a pond that already had one swimming in it, mine, for a golden nought I'd sooner not relive.

So, down by 79 runs, and no amount of polite English understatement will disguise that this was a proper hiding. Tim continues to climb the season's run charts admirably, and John's bowling remains a bright spark, but for the rest of us it's heads up, chins up, and back to the nets before someone suggests we take up bowls instead.

Sun 09 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv CC Chatham Nomads CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday 9th May 1976, and Chatham Nomads CC came calling to Linton Park on what turned into a proper old-fashioned Sunday grind. I won the toss and never seriously entertained the idea of doing anything but batting first — a decision I shall claim full credit for regardless of how the rest of the afternoon unfolded. The lads got us to 192 all out in 45.4 overs, Brian Piper the class of the innings with a handsome 50, Paul Bowles ticking along nicely to 31 not out and Trevor Back chipping in with 28. Less said the better about Nigel Thirkell and Mike Iliffe, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer — every side has its passengers, and on this occasion it was theirs to bear.

With ball in hand we set about defending it, and the Nomads dug in gamely to finish 178/5 from their 47 overs, largely thanks to a magnificent, chanceless-looking century from Barry Martin — 112 not out and utterly out of our reach — with useful support from D Barton (28) and W Balderstone (26). Nigel Thirkell, redeeming himself splendidly with the ball after his duck, picked up 2-35 with three tidy maidens thrown in, and en route brought up 300 career wickets — a landmark worth raising a glass to. Tony Gauna and Trevor Back offered honest support either side of him.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride intact, and Barry Martin left to dine out on his century while we console ourselves with Thirkell's milestone. Not a bad Sunday's work.

Sat 08 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday 08 May 1976 — away at Rumwood CC, and for once the coin behaved itself. I called correctly and, with the pitch looking full of runs, had no hesitation in putting us in.

Didn't we make hay. 225 for 5 off our 42 overs, built around a wonderful 93 from Paul Bowles that had us purring on the boundary rope, well supported by Tim Thirkell's polished 55 and Paul Brattle's brisk 42. Runs enough, I felt, to make any chase distinctly uncomfortable — though as any captain will tell you, defending a total is where the real nerves live.

Rumwood never got close to it. Bowled out for 104 in 35.3 overs, with only John Pearson (24) and Terry Ketley (20) offering serious resistance, while poor Keith Filmer and S- Simmonds trooped back without so much as a run to their names. The damage was done chiefly by Paul Bowles, spinning it square for a magnificent 5-14 to cap his day with bat and ball, ably backed by Nigel Thirkell's miserly 4-27 (four maidens — not a run given away lightly) and one for Jon Harris (1-30).

A tidy footnote for the scorebook: Tim's 55 eases him past Bob Arnold into 23rd on the club's all-time run list, while Brattle and Bowles continue to lead our 1976 charts with bat and ball respectively.

A fine win by 121 runs, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sun 02 May 1976 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Mersham Le Hatch CC · AwayformWLLWL

Sunday the 2nd of May found us on the road to Mersham Le Hatch, a fixture I always rather enjoy, if only for the drive. The coin did its duty and landed my way, and with a pitch that looked worth batting on, I had no hesitation putting us in.

We compiled 148 for 9 from our 40 overs, a total built rather than blazed. Paul Brattle led the way with a fine 42, well supported by Paul Bowles's 32 and Brian Piper's 21. Poor Nigel Thirkell, though, will want to forget his own contribution with the bat entirely — a duck to his name, though he'd more than make amends later.

In the field, Jon Harris was the pick of the attack with 2 for 34, backed up by Nigel Thirkell's 2 for 42 and a wicket for Paul Bowles. Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping 8 byes, while I chipped in with 32 of my own as the home side eased to 151 for 5 in 36.3 overs, J. Smith (40) and the unbeaten Bruce Campbell (26) seeing them home by 5 wickets.

Small consolations amid the defeat: Thirkell's two scalps nudge him past Terry Donovan to 9th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and he now tops our Sunday wicket charts for the season, with Brattle leading the run-scoring. A fair contest, honestly lost. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 01 May 1976 🧢 1st XIv TL Teynham & Lynsted · HomeformDWWWW

The lads gathered on a bright first of May with the toss lost and the ball put into our hands, which, as it turned out, suited us rather nicely. Dummy Site huffed and puffed their way to 108 all out from 47.3 overs, with E Lawrence (30) and K Furminger (24) offering the only real resistance while T Glover trudged off for a golden duck, not a run to his name. The real story with the ball was Paul Bowles, scything through the order for 4-22, with Nigel Thirkell (3-16, and seven maidens of positively miserly discipline) and Jon Harris (2-31) tidying up what was left. A collector's item too, as Bowles quietly brought up 400 career wickets along the way — the sort of milestone that deserves rather more fanfare than a polite ripple of applause from the boundary.

Chasing 109, we made rather light work of it, racing to 112 for the loss of just one wicket in 28.5 overs. Paul Brattle led from the front with an unbeaten 41, ably assisted by Tim Thirkell's equally composed 33 not out, the pair seeing us home with the minimum of fuss. Brian Woodcock had a rather more testing afternoon behind the stumps, shipping eight byes, though nobody was much minded to dwell on it given the result.

A thoroughly satisfying nine-wicket win, two points banked, and both Brattle and Bowles continuing to top the season's charts. More of the same, please.

Sun 25 Apr 1976 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformWDWWW

Sunday 25th April 1976, and Aylesford Paper Mills CC came calling. Won the toss, had a look at the pitch, and decided we'd bat first — never one to overthink these things.

We posted a healthy 183 for 7 off our 48, and it was Paul Brattle who did the heavy lifting, timing his way to a splendid 75 not out and, quietly, past Maurice Fenner into 12th on the club's all-time run charts — a fine bit of history-making disguised as a Sunday knock. Nigel Thirkell chipped in a handy 39, keeping his name at the top of this season's run charts with 98 to his name, and Jon Harris added a brisk 23. Trevor Back and Allan Cooper, less fortunately, will find their names alongside a duck egg apiece in the book — these things happen to the best of us, gentlemen, chins up.

With 183 to defend, our bowlers proceeded to strip the wallpaper off Aylesford's innings. Jon Harris was magnificent, 3 for 13 with five overs given away for nothing, and Tony Gauna (2-19) and Paul Bowles (2-22) mopped up the rest — Bowles's brace enough to see him leapfrog John Thirkell into 5th on the all-time wicket-takers' list, and stretch his own 1976 tally to a league-leading 7. Aylesford were bowled out for a meagre 79, A Keynes departing without so much as a squeak from the scorebook.

A comfortable 104-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — the sort of afternoon that makes the teas taste that much sweeter.

Sat 24 Apr 1976 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformLWDWW

Saturday 24 April 1976, and the road took us to West Farleigh. No luck with the coin — they won it, elected to bat, and off we trudged into the field wondering what sort of afternoon we were in for.

The answer, initially, was a testing one. Reg Oldfield and Simon Day both raised handsome half-centuries, 56 and 50 respectively, and for a good while it looked as though West Farleigh's total of 164 all out from 38.4 overs might be beyond us. But Paul Bowles had other ideas, spinning his way to a magnificent 5-24, with Nigel Thirkell chipping in a mean 4-47 including six maidens — not a run given away lightly — and Jon Harris tidying up with 1-32. All out, and the game very much alive.

Chasing 165, Nigel Thirkell continued his fine day with the bat as well as the ball, top-scoring with 59, well supported by Tim Thirkell's 27, as we crept to 166/7 from 37 overs. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps — 8 byes tells its own story — and I confess I rather enjoyed myself with the ball, taking 5 wickets for good measure.

Nigel Thirkell now leads our run charts for the season with those 59, and Paul Bowles tops the wickets with 5 — early days, but promising ones. A fine win by 3 wickets, and a very satisfactory way to start the summer. Onwards.