🧢 Captain's Log

Wed 29 Sep 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv P Penshurst · AwayformWDDDL

Wednesday last took us down to Penshurst, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I stand by, whatever the lads mutter about my track record with a coin. We batted our way to 176 for 7 from the 45 overs, Paul Bowles the architect with a fine 57, well past his fifty, and useful support from Ian Hammond with 32 and Dave Latter with 21. Nothing flashy, but enough runs on a good pitch to make an afternoon of it.

Defending it was another matter entirely. Penshurst rallied around a battling 59 from Darby, with Ray Grayland chipping in 25 and Jenner 20, and for a spell it looked as though our total might not be enough. But Mike Elworthy simply refused to be collared, tearing through with 5 for 31 including five miserly maidens, and sent Walters and Bailey back for ducks along the way. I did my bit with the ball too, taking 2 for 54, and Steve Gower chipped in with 1 for 15. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 14 byes going begging, which rather took the shine off things.

In the end Penshurst fell four runs short, 172 for 9 to our 176 for 7 — as tight a finish as you'll find on a Wednesday. Paul Bowles now leads our 1982 run charts with 520, and Mike Elworthy tops the wickets with 17. A nervy one, but a win's a win, and we'll take it gladly.

Sun 26 Sep 1982 🧢 1st XIv Linton Park CC · HomeformLWDWD

Sunday last saw us welcome the visitors to Linton Park, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in electing to bat first — a decision I'm still rather pleased with, whatever the final scoreline might suggest.

Batting proved the day's chief pleasure. We racked up a thoroughly respectable 200 all out from our 25 overs, built on a fine platform from Andy Woollett, unbeaten on 21, with Richard Ashby also finishing not out on 20. I contributed 20 of my own down the order, which I shall take without complaint. The extras column weighed in with a generous 28 — whether that reflects generosity from the opposition's bowling or a certain wildness I couldn't possibly say, though I have my suspicions. Two hundred from 25 overs is the sort of total that ought to give any side a fighting chance, and for a good while it felt exactly that.

The real story of the afternoon, though, belonged to Mike Iliffe, who brought up 3,000 career runs for the club — a landmark achieved with typically little fuss, and one thoroughly deserving of the round of applause it received. Elsewhere in the season's charts, Nigel Thirkell continues his relentless progress, sitting second in the 1st XI run standings with 1,141 to his name.

As for the result, it wasn't to be — we came up short by seven wickets, our bowlers unable to defend what had looked a competitive score. Heads up all the same; back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Thu 23 Sep 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv WC Withnell Fold CC · HomeformWWDDD

Beating the drum first, I'll admit it: winning the toss and having a bat looked a fine idea for about three balls, at which point your captain's leg stump was rearranged and he trudged back for a duck. Not the start I'd envisaged, but Paul Bowles had other ideas, batting through for a superb 56 not out, with Nigel Thirkell (32) and Jim Hall (22) chipping in nicely as we hauled ourselves to 140 for 7 from our 35 overs. Respectable, if not the sort of total that lets a captain sleep easy.

Withnell Fold, needing 141, made a proper fist of the chase. C Annand played the anchor role beautifully for an unbeaten 49, well supported by David Smith (30) and Gareth Thomas (23 not out), and between them they nudged the game away from us. Michael Chambers was superb with the ball — 4 for 52, with three tidy maidens thrown in for good measure — and Mike Elworthy chipped in with 2 for 29, but it wasn't quite enough, the visitors getting home by four wickets with three balls to spare.

Bright spots amid the gloom: Paul Bowles now sits top of the Midweek XI run charts with 463 for the season, and Mike Elworthy is up to second in the wickets列 with a dozen scalps. As for my own contribution — a golden duck — the less said the better.

A defeat, then, but not a disgrace. We batted a shade under par, bowled with real heart, and were beaten by the better side on the day. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 22 Sep 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv HC Hawkenbury CC · HomeformDWWDD

Wednesday 22 September 1982, and Linton Park hosted the visitors on what turned out to be a proper old-fashioned battle of attrition. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first strike — the pitch looked a belter, and I still reckon it was the right call.

We made hay to the tune of 175/3 from our 47 overs, which on this ground is a total with real teeth. Andy Woollett was in irresistible form, cracking a superb 83, and he found the perfect foil in Ian Hammond, whose polished 69 kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely. Between the two of them they did most of the heavy lifting, and I could hardly have asked for a better platform.

With the ball, we set about defending it in some style. T Theobald played the innings of the day for the opposition with a well-crafted 55, ably assisted by R Jones's 30, but it was our bowlers who had the last laugh. Paul Bowles was quite magnificent, ripping through with 3-18, S Gower departed without troubling the scorers, and Mike Elworthy bowled with real discipline — 2-31 including three maidens — while Trevor Back chipped in with 1-13. They finished on 156/7 from their 40, agonisingly short.

In the end neither side could quite land the killer blow, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but one that felt, in the best traditions of this fine game, rather like a win for everybody.

Sun 19 Sep 1982 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWLWDW

Anchorians CC came calling in fine weather, I lost the toss, and — as is traditional in these parts — we were promptly put into the field. No complaints; a good captain takes what the coin gives him and gets on with it. They battled to 141 all out in 29.2 overs, S Grubb the chief architect with 46, well supported by Barry Diplock's 26, while A Hart and P Diplock departed without troubling the scorers. Mike Elworthy was superb with the ball, 4 for 37, and I was rather pleased to chip in with 3 for 28 myself, Trevor Back matching me wicket for wicket with 3 for 30. A proper team effort with the leather.

Chasing 142, we replied with 137 for 6 from our thirty overs — Andy Woollett the undoubted star of the show with a classy 79, ably assisted by Malcolm Pay's 22, though poor David Iliffe made a golden duck for his troubles. Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes going begging, but no matter — the real story was Andy reaching 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth far more than the two runs we fell short of victory by.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow — and with Malcolm third in this year's run charts and yours truly leading the wickets with 73, I'd call that a highly satisfactory Sunday: nobody won, but nobody really lost either, and the tea was, as ever, the true victor.

Sat 18 Sep 1982 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWLWD

The coin fell kindly on Saturday, and with West Farleigh CC visiting Linton Park, I had no hesitation in taking first use of a firm, sun-baked strip. It proved the right call. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the summer, compiling a majestic 111 not out that anchored everything around him, while I chipped in with a fifty of my own — 56 that felt rather more laboured in the making than it looked from the boundary rope. Andy Woollett's brisk 28 not out gave the innings a flourish at the death, and we closed on a formidable 211 for 3 from our 46 overs. Poor Brian Piper, meanwhile, was made to feel thoroughly unwelcome at the crease, departing for a golden duck — though he would have his revenge before the day was out.

Defending such a total, we set about our work with real purpose. Piper, still smarting, bowled beautifully to finish with 2 for 7, and I managed to add a couple of wickets myself for 14. Mike Elworthy was the picture of miserliness, sending down five maidens on his way to 2 for 28, and between us we had Norman Underdown back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Only Fred Baker, with a defiant 24, offered any real resistance, as West Farleigh subsided to 100 for 8 from their 44 overs.

A comfortable 111-run victory, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round for the lads.

Wed 15 Sep 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWDWWD

Lost the toss on a fine Wednesday at The Mote, and watched them elect to bat — which, given how the afternoon unfolded, felt about right for the way our luck's been running this season. Still, we scrapped hard with the ball. Bob Dyer was magnificent, 4-41 and clearly enjoying himself, while Mike Elworthy toiled away for 2-45 with three maidens that gave the batsmen precisely nothing to feast on. Even so, Jon Payne (67) and N. Mullarkey (65) both got in and made merry, and The Mote closed on a healthy 191/7 from their 43.3 overs.

Chasing 192, we made a proper fist of it. Trevor Back batted with real substance for an unbeaten 72, well supported by Paul Bowles's 68, and between them they dragged us to 188/7 off our 43 — agonisingly short. Less said the better about Trevor Hales, Jim Hall and Bob Dyer, all three of whom took the long walk back for nought, quacking in unison. Jim's afternoon behind the stumps was no easier, with eight byes escaping his gloves like they had a train to catch.

One moment did lift the gloom rather nicely: Trevor Back brought up 2,000 runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to. Paul Bowles now leads our Midweek run charts with 393, and Mike Elworthy sits third among the wicket-takers with eight. A draw, then — honours shared, pride mostly intact, and tea, as ever, the only guaranteed victory of the day.

Sun 12 Sep 1982 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformWWWLW

Sunday brought Northend Sunday to Linton Park, and when the coin fell my way there was never much doubt what I'd do with it — up we went to bat. Paul Bowles set the tone in the manner we've all grown used to this summer, motoring to 76 before the innings ran out of steam, Andy Woollett chipping in a tidy 29 and Fred Cheesman finishing unbeaten on 24 as we closed on 195 for 7 from our 67 overs. Not every entry in the ledger was so happy — poor David Iliffe was undone for a duck, and trudged off to that particular walk of shame we've all made at one time or another.

Northend replied with 194 for 8 from their 58 overs, Mike Tritton leading their effort with 47, well supported by W Creed's 44 and T Pearce's 37. I had one of those afternoons with the ball that a captain dreams about and rarely gets, finding some rhythm to take 4 for 69 with three maidens thrown in, while Trevor Back and Paul Bowles chipped in with a wicket apiece to keep the squeeze on.

There was cause for real celebration too — Paul Bowles brought up 17,000 career runs for the club, a landmark that puts the rest of us rather in the shade, and he now sits proudly atop the 1982 run charts with 1823, while I find myself leading the wickets column with 70. As for the match itself, honours were shared — a draw, and on a day of milestones like this, a thoroughly fair result for all.

Sat 11 Sep 1982 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformDWWWL

Southborough away, and for once the coin fell kindly. I took the perhaps eccentric decision to bat first, trusting more to hope than to the state of the wicket. Not sure the lads thanked me at the time.

Andy Woollett top-scored with a fine 46, well supported by Nigel Thirkell's 42 and Malcolm Pay's 30, and between them they carried us to 185 for 8 from our 46 overs, a total that felt useful without being conclusive.

Defending it turned into a proper arm-wrestle. D. Farrier's unbeaten 31 and D. Thorpe's 30 threatened to see Southborough home, but I found some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 4 for 65 including five maidens, not a run given away lightly. Mike Elworthy chipped in with 2 for 22 and Martin Larkin with 2 for 43, and together we held them to 156 for 9 from their 44 overs.

Twenty-nine runs the right side of the ledger at the close, and a thoroughly satisfying day's work. It caps a fine season on the personal front too, I go into the run charts leading the 1st XI with 1747 for the year, while Nigel continues to bowl beautifully, second in the wicket charts with 55. But today belonged to the team: a solid total, disciplined bowling, and two points banked at Southborough. A good day for the club, no question.

Wed 08 Sep 1982 🧢 Tour XIv TC Troon CC · AwayformWWLLL

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 08 September 1982. The road took us to Troon CC, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation in choosing to bat. It seemed the sensible thing to do at the time, which, in this game, is usually the first sign of trouble ahead.

We limped to 120 for 8 from our 40 overs, a total that owed rather more to application than elegance. I made 46, and David Iliffe chipped in nicely with 23, though poor Kevin Riley will not want reminding of his golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, and he is certainly not the worst of us.

With the ball, though, we made a proper fist of it. Paul Bowles was the pick, miserly as ever with three maidens on his way to 2 for 16, and Kevin Riley made amends in fine style with 2 for 17, Michael Chambers chipping in with 1 for 20. For a good long while it looked like we might defend our modest total, but Troon's Smith saw them home unbeaten on 29, with Piper and James lending sturdy support, and they reached 121 for 5 in the 37th over.

A word, too, for Richard Ashby, who marked his 200th appearance in Linton colours — a splendid landmark, and one that put our own troubles rather in perspective.

Beaten by five wickets, then, and no disgrace in it. We'll be better for it next week.

Mon 06 Sep 1982 🧢 Tour XIv GC Grampound Road CC · AwayformLWWLL

Well, another Monday, another away trip that started with the loss of the toss and ended with a fair old walloping. The road to Grampound Road CC is a pleasant one; the cricket that followed was rather less so, at least in the second half.

Put into the field, we could have no complaints about the eventual total — 179 all out isn't a score you claw back easily, particularly with J Rowe motoring to a well-made 50 and getting hearty support from D Behennah (38) and T Willetts (34). But it wasn't all doom: Paul Bowles turned his arm over like a man possessed, spinning through them for a magnificent 6-29, with Allan Cooper (3-42) and Michael Chambers (1-39, and three miserly maidens to boot) doing their bit to keep the scoreboard honest. J Olver and T Martin went back without so much as a scratch on the board, which was some small comfort.

With the bat, though, we never quite got going. Richard Ashby played the innings of the day with a battling 27, Paul Bowles chipping in an unbeaten 21, but 104 all out from 36.5 overs was never going to chase down 179. David Iliffe's blob didn't help matters, and poor Ashby, having done the honest toil behind the stumps all day (22 byes his only real blemish), couldn't quite repeat the trick with the bat. I did what I could with the bat myself, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide.

Beaten by 75 runs, then — no disgrace against a side batting first with the luck of the toss, but we'll want more application next week.

Sun 05 Sep 1982 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformWLWWL

Called correctly for once, and with the sun doing its best over the Cornish coast at Beacon CC, I had no hesitation in sticking us in. Quite why remains a mystery even to me now, because 103 for 9 off our fifteen overs was scratchy fare — held together by Tim's battling 31, and I chipped in with 22 to keep the total respectable. Poor Mike Elworthy will want this edition of the gazette lost in the post; a golden duck is never a comfortable walk back, and the Duck Club ledger duly noted it.

In the field we scrapped hard. Simon Thirkell was superb, 2 for 6 of the tidiest bowling you'll see on a Cornish outfield, with Tim (2-12) and David Iliffe (2-15) both chipping away at the other end, and M Williams joined the club's growing duck collection. But Daniel Tonkin's 37 and an unbeaten 29 from Ralph Williams proved too much, Beacon reaching 104 for 7 from their twelve to see us off by three wickets.

A word must go to Allan Cooper, who sailed past 400 career wickets — a landmark achieved with rather more elegance than most of what preceded it that afternoon. I remain on top of the Tour XI run charts with 150 for the season, and Tim sits third among the wicket-takers.

A tight, honest defeat against decent opposition. We'll regroup, lick our wounds, and be better for it next week.

Fri 03 Sep 1982 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformWWLWW

Friday the third of September found us rattling down to Falmouth, and I'll confess I rather fancied our chances the moment I won the toss and chose to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the lads mutter into their teas. Nigel Thirkell made an absolute mockery of the Falmouth attack, carrying his bat to an unbeaten 128 that had the tea urn boiling with excitement, and found fine support from Allan Cooper's brisk 39. Poor David Iliffe, meanwhile, contributed nothing but a golden duck to proceedings — these things happen to the best of us, David, chin up. We closed on a handsome 188 for 5 from our 45 overs.

Defending it should have been the easy part. Falmouth's Keith Meneer had other ideas, cracking a fine 66, and was shepherded home by Tim Miles's unbeaten 35 and paul stephens's unbeaten 31, while Phil Stephens, A Allen and R Trewhella all trudged back for ducks at our hands. Mike Elworthy was superb, 4 for 53 and now leading our wicket charts, with Nigel Thirkell (2-14, and topping the run charts besides — the man is enjoying his season) and the ever-miserly Michael Chambers (1-27, two maidens) in fine support. Poor Paul Bowles had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 14 byes testifying to a pitch with ideas of its own.

Falmouth got home by two wickets in the 40th over. Not our day, but heads up — back to the nets.

Mon 30 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDDWWW

As it stands, Monday the 30th of August was a day for stoic acceptance rather than celebration.

Bearsted CC arrived at Linton Park in fine fettle, and truth be told, so did our bowling attack — it was just our batting that decided to take the day off. We were bowled out for 121 in 47.4 overs, a total that flattered to deceive from the moment David Iliffe's watchful 27 gave way to lesser things. Nigel Thirkell and Andy Woollett both chipped in with 23 apiece, proving there was some substance to be had, but two ducks on the card — from Paul Bowles and Jim Hall — rather summed up an afternoon where the bat seemed heavier than usual. One does wonder whether a stray goose was circling the ground, such was the run of luck.

If our batting was apologetic, our bowling at least had manners. Bearsted crept to 123 for 5 from a patient 56 overs, T Ringland unbeaten on 29 and Paul Gibson useful support with 22, but they never quite cut loose against a Thirkell in inspired form — 3 for 36, with a miserly ten maidens, was bowling of real substance, well backed by Paul Bowles's 1 for 23. Sadly, containment isn't quite the same as victory, and the visitors got home by five wickets.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Jon Harris's unassuming 4 runs eased him past Ray Howard into 15th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a small personal triumph on an otherwise chastening day. As for the season, Nigel Thirkell continues to purr along nicely, sitting second in both the 1982 batting and bowling charts.

Verdict: outbowled them, outbatted by them — heads up, back to the nets.

Sun 29 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformWDDWW

Losing the toss at Staplehurst and being asked to bowl first is not exactly the tonic I'd have chosen for a Sunday afternoon, but there are worse things in life, and by the close of their innings I was rather glad of it. Staplehurst were shot out for 111 in 45.2 overs, a total that never looked like troubling us once Mike Elworthy got his radar working, finishing with a splendid 4-42. Allan Cooper was every bit as parsimonious, 3-13 with four maidens to his name, the sort of spell that makes a captain's job embarrassingly easy, and Paul Bowles chipped in with 1-0 for good measure. Poor P. Askew departed without troubling the scorers at all, a golden duck to remember him by, while C. Rogers (32) and N. Pullen (20) at least gave their side something to write home about.

Chasing 112 is the sort of target that ought to be a formality and, credit to the lads, we largely treated it as one, getting there for the loss of four wickets in 35.4 overs. Paul Bowles was the architect, sailing past his fifty to finish unbeaten on 64 and doing most of the heavy lifting himself.

It caps a fine season for the club so far, with Bowles now well clear at the top of the 1st XI run charts on 1735, and I'm quietly pleased to find myself sitting second in the wicket-takers with 51. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a six-wicket win to show for it.

Sat 28 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv BA British Rail Ashford · HomeformDWDDW

Saturday 28 August 1982, British Rail Ashford the visitors, and I won the toss and had few doubts about what to do with it — elected to bat, and on a morning that gave nothing away, I still felt it was the right call.

We were skittled for 110 in 45 overs, which is not a total to frighten anyone, though Mick Filmer's 24 gave the innings a bit of backbone amid the general procession. Not our finest hour with the willow, and I'll admit there were a few raised eyebrows over the tea urn about whether we'd given ourselves enough to bowl at.

As it turned out, we had. British Rail Ashford never quite got going against us — Mike Elworthy ran thoroughly riot with 5-29, the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen muttering into their gloves, while Martin Larkin chipped in with 1-15. S Elliott and Z Hadi both departed without so much as a run to their name, and only N Pichowski's determined 20 kept the innings afloat before it folded for 107 in 43.4 overs. I found some rhythm myself, taking 4-52 with five maidens — and, for what it's worth, the four runs I scraped together with the bat nudged me past Ray Howard into 15th on the club's all-time run-scoring list, while my season's haul now stands at 66 wickets. Mick Filmer's gloves had a busier afternoon than his bat, eight byes leaking through.

A slender, nerve-jangling win by three runs — the kind English club cricket was invented for. Onwards.

Wed 25 Aug 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformLWDWW

Called correctly for once — a rare enough event to note in itself — and with barely a thought I stuck us in, or rather stuck us in to bat, on a Wednesday that Gravesend CC had kindly agreed to share with us. Nigel Stallard set about proceedings with a fine 39, Paul Bowles chipped in with 33 of his usual no-nonsense stuff, and Jim Hall's 22 rounded out a total of 192 for 8 from our 43 overs — respectable enough that I allowed myself a small, private smile at the toss having gone my way.

Defending it turned into rather more fun than I'd bargained for. R Swain looked the danger man with 30, well supported by B Hiscock's 25, but Trevor Back simply refused to let Gravesend settle, tearing through with 3 for 12 and, in doing so, easing past Michael Morton into 21st on the club's all-time wicket-taking list — a moment for the mantelpiece if ever there was one. Mike Elworthy picked up a wicket, Michael Chambers bowled five miserly maidens, and I managed to have a happy afternoon myself with 3 for 29. Gravesend closed on 108 for 8 from their 47, well short but doggedly unbowled-out.

So honours shared, and a draw it was — not the tidy finish anyone wanted, but with Bowles now top of our run charts and yours truly leading the wickets, I'll happily call it a good day's work all round.

Sun 22 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformDDWDD

Sunday last, we had Old Anchorians CC round for what turned into rather a satisfying afternoon. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock, and the lads did us proud: 170 for 9 off our 49 overs, built around a handsome fifty from Paul Bowles, 59 in the book, with Jim Hall giving him fine support on 47. Not every entry on the card was one for the scrapbook, mind — poor Malcolm Pay's duck will need no reminding of from me, though I daresay he'll get one anyway.

With the ball, we set about defending it, and Old Anchorians never quite got themselves in front, all out for 139 in 43.5 overs. G. Cooper played a lovely hand for his fifty, well backed by T. Jones on 49, but three of their number — Green, Hewitt and Wilson — went back without so much as troubling the scorers. Trevor Back was the chief tormentor, four wickets for 26 and four maidens to boot, thoroughly miserly, while I chipped in with four of my own, and a useful 16 with the bat earlier for good measure. Paul Bowles picked up one more to round things off.

A word too for Brian Piper, who brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark worth toasting on its own. We got over the line by 31 runs, Bowles and I still leading the runs and wickets charts respectively as the season rolls on. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 21 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv FC Frindsbury CC · AwayformWDDWD

Lost the toss on a bright Saturday at Frindsbury, and duly found myself consigned to the field while our hosts had first dig — the story of my captaincy career in one sentence. They ground their way to 159 all out in 39.5 overs, David Cogger doing the damage with a fluent 55, well supported by B Martin's 21. Mercifully we had an answer: Paul Bowles turned his arm over to devastating effect, spinning through their order for 5-27, with Martin Larkin (2-38) and Mike Elworthy (2-45) mopping up either end. M Haines and B Hill will not remember their innings fondly, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers.

Chasing 159 out in the middle myself, I found some form and made 45, with Paul Bowles following his bowling heroics with a brisk 38 and Malcolm Pay chipping in with 25 — though poor Malcolm had rather a torrid time of it behind the stumps, 14 byes being eloquent testimony to a tricky day with the gloves. We closed on 158/5 from 44 overs, one solitary run shy of victory, honours even.

Not without significance, mind: Bowles's 38 runs today nudged him past John Thirkell to the very top of the club's all-time run-scorers list, while his season tally of 1612 keeps him clear at the top of this year's charts, with Elworthy's 29 wickets sitting handsomely in third. A draw, then, but one that felt rather like a shared triumph — honours shared, spirits high, and the tea urn, as ever, the real winner of the day.

Sun 15 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · HomeformLWDDW

Sunday the 15th of August, and the toss fell my way for once — I had no hesitation in putting us in, and for once the decision looked positively inspired rather than merely stubborn.

Paul Bowles played the innings of the summer, an unbeaten 106 that made the rest of us look like we were holding the bat the wrong way round, with Brian Piper's tidy 30 offering excellent support. We closed on a healthy 171 for 3 off our 49.1 overs, though poor Malcolm Pay will want to forget his contribution — a golden duck to file away and never speak of again.

Defending it, Whitstable never quite let us relax, Rivers top-scoring with 41 and getting handy assistance from Robertson (30) and Stroud (29) to push them to 164 for 8 off 39 overs. I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with 4 for 38, including two maidens, with Mike Elworthy (2-36) and Allan Cooper (1-15) chipping in nicely to keep the pressure on throughout.

A personal word, if I may indulge myself for a line: those four wickets took me past 1,000 for my career, which is the sort of milestone that makes the knees ache a little less on a Monday morning. Add in Paul's continued dominance of the season's run charts and my own place atop the wickets column, and it's been a fine campaign so far.

In the end neither side could force it home, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but one played in the right spirit, and I'll happily take that.

Sat 14 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lukes Maidstone CC · HomeformDLWDD

I called correctly at the toss and, with the sun out and the outfield fast, there was never much doubt in my mind: we'd bat. It proved the right call. We compiled a handsome 185/6 from our 42 overs, and I'm rather chuffed to say I found some form, getting through to three figures — 102 in the book, and it doesn't happen every Saturday. Jim Hall batted beautifully alongside me for 51, and between us we gave the innings the sort of backbone St Lukes Maidstone clearly didn't fancy chasing. Spare a thought for poor Malcolm Pay, though, who walked back for a duck and duly joins the club's ledger of shame — the quacking will follow him into the bar.

With the total looking healthy, it was over to the bowlers to finish the job, and finish it they did. St Lukes were bowled out for 121 in 41.3 overs, J. Hunt's unbeaten 40 the only real resistance. Mike Elworthy was superb, tight as a drum with four maidens on his way to 3-24, Fred Cheesman chipped in with 2-14, and I managed to get among the wickets myself with 2-19.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved, sealed by a comfortable 64-run margin. A proper team performance from top to tail, and just the sort of Saturday that makes the long drive home fly by.

Sun 08 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv HC Holmesdale CC · HomeformWDLWD

Won the toss on a bright Sunday at home to Holmesdale, and — showing more confidence in the square than in my own judgement — I stuck us in. It paid off handsomely. Brian Piper led the way with a lovely 58, well past his fifty and, more importantly, taking him through 4,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth more than one round of teas. Malcolm Pay chipped in with a fine half-century of his own, enough to nudge him past Robert Chance and up to 19th on the all-time run-scorers' list, and Paul Bowles added a brisk 21 lower down. We closed on 187 for 6 from our 52 overs, a total that looked defendable and, as it turned out, was.

With the ball, I had one of those days where everything comes off the seam right — 5 for 35, and I shan't pretend I wasn't rather pleased with myself walking off. Nigel Thirkell bowled beautifully in support, five maidens and a wicket for just 7, while Paul Bowles picked up another for the princely sum of 2 runs. Robert Duckworth's 29 and Mark Taylor's 23 threatened to make a match of it, and X Sylvester saw them home to 119 for 9 off 44 overs, with Paul Cohen and Ken Cowan both back in the hutch without scoring.

A draw, honours even, but with Piper's milestone and Pay's climb up the club's history books, a thoroughly good afternoon's cricket all round.

Sat 07 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLWDLW

Since the toss went against them, they fielded first, and their lads bowled us out for 157/9 - wait, let me get this right from the facts.

Saturday last, and Headcorn beckoned - a fixture I always relish, if only for the tea. I lost the toss, which these days feels less like fifty-fifty odds and more like a personal vendetta from the coin, and we were put into the field. Headcorn made a fair fist of things, closing on 157 for 9 off their fifty overs, Richard Chapman doing the damage with a well-crafted 51 and Simon Phipps chipping in with 24. I can't claim to have watched from the boundary on this one - I got among the wickets myself, 3 for 40 with five maidens thrown in for good measure, while Mike Elworthy (3-51) and Paul Bowles (1-23) kept things tight enough that nothing was ever given away cheaply.

With 158 to chase, we set about it in no great hurry, closing on 127 for 3 off 43 overs - not quite enough to get us home, but never in any danger of losing either. Andy Woollett was the pick of the batting, unbeaten on a fine 51, with Malcolm Pay (42) and Paul Bowles (26) offering steady support around him. A word too for Malcolm, whose 42 nudged him past Maurice Fenner into 21st on the club's all-time run-scorers list - the sort of quiet milestone that deserves a nod in the bar.

So, honours shared. Not the result either side wanted, but on a pitch that gave precious little away all afternoon, a draw felt about right - and there are certainly worse ways to spend a Saturday than three wickets, a stack of maidens, and tea at Headcorn.

Wed 04 Aug 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv MP Maidstone Police · HomeformWLWDW

It was Maidstone Police at home, and having called correctly I didn't need long to make up my mind: on a Wednesday like that, you bat.

The lads got us to 152 for 9 off our 43, which felt like a proper score even if it came the hard way. Graham Abel led the charge with a fine 30, Paul Bowles chipped in handsomely with 28, and between them they gave the innings its backbone. Elsewhere the runs came in dribs and drabs, and poor Sean Cook's contribution was a golden duck, the sort of dismissal that gets you a pint bought in sympathy rather than celebration.

Out in the field, though, we were a different animal entirely. Maidstone Police folded for 67 in just 26.2 overs, and I'll allow myself one boast in among all this praise for others: I found the sort of rhythm you dream about, taking 3 for 5 with three maidens thrown in for good measure. Michael Chambers backed that up with 2 for 11 and Sean Cook, making amends for his duck with the bat, took 2 for 21. R. Mayes was the one man to offer any real resistance with 28, while M. Finn and W. Wardle both departed without troubling the scorers.

A word too for Trevor Back, whose solitary wicket nudged him past Ray Howard into 22nd on the club's all-time list, a quiet piece of history on an afternoon of louder ones. We ran out winners by 85 runs. A very good day for the club indeed.

Sun 01 Aug 1982 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformDLWDL

I put us in and Bowles gave the innings a proper going over — a hundred, no less, with Piper's brisk 40 keeping him honest at the other end. Poor Elworthy trudged back for a duck, but nobody minds a golden egg from the lower order when 178/7 is on the board. Not a total to frighten anyone outright, but on a August wicket like Sunday's, enough to make Staplehurst work for it.

And work they did. Robins and Munn strung together a decent pair of thirties, Maher held firm unbeaten on 30, and for a good while it looked like our lead might evaporate into the Kent air. But three ducks in a row — Henson, Wavell and Hotson all sent packing without troubling the scorers — told the real story of the innings. Elworthy, redeeming his blob with interest, ripped through with 3-23 including three miserly maidens, Piper chipped in with 2-30, and I managed 2-63 for my part, plus a handy 15 with the bat to help see us home.

166 all out from 45.5 overs left them 12 runs short, and us grinning into our teas. Bowles continues to torment bowling attacks up and down the county — 1319 runs and counting this season — while I'll modestly note the wickets column is ticking along nicely too. A tight, tense, thoroughly enjoyable win, and exactly the sort of afternoon that makes captaincy feel like the easiest job in the world.

Sat 31 Jul 1982 🧢 1st XIv BC Bromley CC · AwayformLDLWD

Beaten by 8 wickets at Bromley on a day I'd sooner not dwell on, but here goes. Winning the toss, I fancied batting first — a decision I've had cause to regret before teatime. Seventy-two all out from our thirty-two overs was a modest return, rescued from outright embarrassment only by Malcolm Pay's spirited 24. Paul Bowles, Andy Woollett and Fred Cheesman between them managed a hat-trick of ducks, which is one way to keep the scorebook tidy, I suppose, if not the way any of them intended.

Bromley's reply was altogether more comfortable reading, for them at least. T Nash carried his bat to 35 not out, well supported by Ian Giles's unbeaten 31, and the home side strolled to 76 without loss inside twenty overs — the sort of chase that barely troubles the tea urn. As for my own contribution, a golden duck of my own, over which the least said the better; the scorer's pencil moved swiftly on, and so shall we.

One bright note amid the wreckage: Nigel Thirkell continues his fine season, now sitting second in the 1st XI run charts with 871 to his name — a reminder that not everything at Linton Park has gone to pot in 1982.

All told, a chastening afternoon and a defeat we can have few complaints about. We'll dust ourselves down, have a word with the bat-makers, and fancy our chances of a sterner showing next week.

Tue 27 Jul 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Margate CC · AwayformLWLWD

Tuesday last took us down to Margate, and for once the toss gods smiled unkindly then handed us a gift anyway — we lost the call and found ourselves asked to bowl, which on a used Kent wicket in late July felt rather like being told to eat our greens before pudding. Not that anyone in the side minded much. Mike Elworthy was in irresistible form, four maidens and 3-29 that squeezed the life out of Margate's innings, with David Castle (2-16) and Trevor Back (2-28) mopping up admirably around him. K. Adams battled to 36 and A. Carter chipped in with 23, but M. Ellis departed without so much as a sniff at the scorers' pencil, and 144/9 from their 40 overs never looked like troubling us.

Chasing 145, I confess I rather enjoyed myself, carrying my bat all the way to a hundred not out — the sort of innings that reminds you why you keep turning up on a Tuesday evening. David Castle again showed his class with an unbeaten 37, and between us we saw the side home to 145/1 in just 32 overs, wrapping up a nine-wicket win with time to spare for the tea urn.

It's shaping into rather a fine season — I find myself atop the Midweek XI run charts with 264 for the summer, and Trevor Back sits proudly second among the wicket-takers with seven. Onwards we go, in thoroughly good heart.

Sun 25 Jul 1982 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLLDLW

From the captain's chair, Sunday 25 July found us on the road to The Mote CC, where the toss — as it too often does — deserted me entirely, and we were put into the field. Their innings ambled on to a healthy 221 for 6 off 47.3 overs, built chiefly on N- Pitt's polished 54, with Ron McCormick (44) and N- Trigg (37) filling in nicely either side. Mike Elworthy was pick of our attack with 3 for 55, while I chipped in with 2 for 62, two maidens keeping the scoreboard honest, and Trevor Back picked up 1 for 39.

Chasing 222 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and Paul Bowles answered most of them with a fine 47, well supported by Malcolm Pay's unbeaten 40 and my own 31. Sadly the Duck Club welcomed two new members, Trevor Back and Martin Larkin both departing for ducks — walks of shame performed, as ever, with good humour. We closed on 159 for 9 from 45 overs.

Small print worth savouring: Trevor's solitary wicket eased him past Herbert Rayner into 23rd on the club's all-time list, while up in the season's charts Paul continues to plunder runs (1219 and counting) and I find myself, somewhat improbably, on 49 wickets for the year. As for the match itself — honours shared, neither side able to land the decisive blow. Away from home, against decent opposition, on a Sunday that threatened more than it delivered: I'll happily take a draw and the drive home in good spirits.

Sat 24 Jul 1982 🧢 1st XIv NH Newchapel & Horne · AwayformLLLDL

I called it right at the toss on a Saturday afternoon at Newchapel & Horne and, with barely a flicker of doubt, sent us in to bat. It proved a scratchy sort of knock in truth — 144/9 from our 48 overs — rescued by Sean Riley's unbeaten 34 and handsome support from Andy Woollett's 25. Fred Cheesman, bless him, walked back for a duck, the sort of dismissal that earns a man nothing but ribbing over tea.

With the ball, though, we were a different side altogether. Newchapel were bowled out for 129 in 39 overs, despite a fine fifty from Bennett and 42 from Saffery that for a while threatened to spoil our afternoon. We sent Aston, Spratt and Narain back for nought apiece, and Mike Elworthy was magnificent throughout, five wickets for 36 and five maidens besides, the sort of spell that wins matches on its own. David Iliffe chipped in with one, and I had the great pleasure of a personal double, 33 with the bat earlier and 4-32 to follow, a rare day when both disciplines behaved themselves at once.

There was a quieter cause for cheer too: Mike Iliffe's 17 runs eased him past Terry Whittaker into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. And with the season ticking on, I find myself leading the 1982 run charts on 1172 and sitting fifth among the wicket-takers with 16. A fine win by 15 runs. Onwards.

Wed 21 Jul 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv DC Detours CC · HomeformDLWLW

Right, back to the crease. Wednesday 21 July 1982 brought Detours CC to Linton Park, and winning the toss I had no hesitation electing to bat first — a decision I'll happily take credit for, since it came off rather nicely. James Skinner played the innings of the season, a magnificent century that dragged us to 230/5 from our 49 overs, with excellent support from Gareth Thomas, whose well-made 74 gave the total real substance.

With the ball, we made early inroads that any captain would relish, sending R Wall and D Furminger back without so much as a run to their names — ducks are always a pleasure to hand out, if not to receive. I'll confess to rather enjoying my own afternoon in the field, finishing with 3-24, while Glen Bolton (2-23) and James Skinner (1-15) chipped in nicely, and Dave Knight bowled two miserly maidens to keep the screws turned. Only J Bradnock, with a battling 47, and John Furminger (39) and G Marshall (27) stood between us and victory, dragging Detours to 193/9 from their 51 overs. Poor Dave Hales had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping 8 byes — the one blot on an otherwise tidy display.

In the end, honours were shared, a draw when neither side could force it home. With Skinner now sitting second in the Midweek XI run charts and Trevor Hales third among the wicket-takers, the season ticks along nicely — and a draw against a side who battled hard to the last is no disgrace at all.

Sun 18 Jul 1982 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformDLLLD

Winning the toss on a bright Sunday against Folkestone, I decided we'd have a bat first — a decision I stood by right up until our last pair were shepherding singles like nervous sheepdogs. We crawled and occasionally sprinted to 164 for 9 off 56.3 overs, the innings built almost entirely on Brian Piper's excellent 81, with Ian Webb chipping in a handy 29 alongside him. Poor Trevor Back, however, endured the long, lonely walk back for nought — a genuine quack of a duck, and no doubt the subject of some ribbing in the bar afterwards.

Defending 164 was always going to ask a lot of the bowling attack, and so it proved. Stan Purcell settled in for an unbeaten 64, well supported by Adrian Bray's 42 and Roy Downey's 37, while Martin Highland joined Trevor in the Duck Club with a first-ball departure. Credit where it's due — Trevor atoned handsomely with the ball, snaring 3 for 31, and I did my bit too, keeping things tight enough for a couple of maidens along the way. Folkestone eased home at 165 for 3 in 40.3 overs, comfortable winners by seven wickets.

Not our day, then, and the batting simply didn't give the bowlers enough to work with. Still, there's ample time yet in the season, and it's back to the nets we go — heads up, spirits only mildly dented, and Folkestone fairly and squarely the better side today.

Sun 11 Jul 1982 🧢 1st XIv MC Morden Village CC · HomeformDDLLL

Baking sun, damp outfield, and Morden Village CC rolling up for what turned into a proper old-fashioned stalemate.

Winning the toss on a Sunday like that leaves you no decision at all — you bat, and so we did. It wasn't exactly champagne cricket: 137 for 7 off our 47 overs told its own story of application over artistry, though I was rather pleased to lead from the front with a half-century, 59 of the runs that mattered most. Poor Jim Hall and Fred Cheesman will not thank me for mentioning that they both departed for golden ducks — these things happen to the best of us, usually on the days your mother-in-law has come to watch.

With the ball we were altogether happier. Trevor Back was superb, ripping through their order with 4 for 6, while Martin Larkin (2 for 27) and Mike Elworthy (2 for 30, and four miserly maidens besides) squeezed the life out of anything that looked like a partnership. Only Russell, with a defiant 21, gave Morden's innings any shape at all, but 93 for 9 off 41 overs was never going to chase down our total, and nor, in the end, did they need to — the clock beat both sides.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could force the issue, which on reflection about sums up the state of my season too — second in the run charts, top of the wickets, and still waiting for that one match where everything comes together at once. There's always next Sunday.

Sat 10 Jul 1982 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformDDDLL

Lost the toss again on Saturday — I'm beginning to think the coin has taken against me — and so it was pads off, boots on, and out into the field at Horton Kirby. Alastair Scott gave us a proper working-over, an assured 80 that did most of the damage, with Keith Lockyer chipping in an unbeaten 28 to help them to 186 for 8 off their 46. Nigel Thirkell was superb, tight as you like with three maidens on his way to 4 for 58, and I managed 3 for 98 for my troubles, with Fred Cheesman picking up one for a frugal 13. Eighteen more overs of accuracy from the rest of us wouldn't have gone amiss, but there we are.

Chasing 187, we never quite got the platform we needed — 157 for 9 off our 44 tells its own story, not helped by three ducks for Mick Filmer, David Iliffe and Sean Cook, nor by 17 byes that made for an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps for poor Mick. I dug in for an unbeaten century, which at least kept the scoreboard ticking and, I'm reliably informed, brought up 16,000 career runs for the club along the way — a nice enough landmark, though I'd have swapped it gladly for the extra 30 we needed. That century also puts me top of the 1982 run charts on 1139, with Nigel now the season's leading wicket-taker on 46.

Twenty-nine runs short in the end. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 04 Jul 1982 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · AwayformLDDDL

The toss went against us at Aylesford, and once they'd elected to bat we knew we were in for a long afternoon in the field. So it proved — 258/5 from 57.4 overs, with T Cornwall making a fine 84 and Steve Martin not far behind on 76, P Carroll finishing unbeaten on 38. Small mercies: I managed to prise out three wickets for 88, including sending Tim Baker back for a golden duck, but with figures like that against us it felt rather like bailing out a rowing boat with a teacup.

Chasing 259 was always going to ask serious questions of the top order, and the answers weren't pretty. We were bowled out for 94 in 35.4 overs, a collapse that will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons. Malcolm Pay battled to 28 and I chipped in with 23, but around us the innings simply came apart — Andy Woollett, Steve Cheale and David Cheale all walked back for ducks, a hat-trick of blobs that would make even the club president wince.

Beaten by 164 runs, then, and no amount of spin in the clubhouse bar will dress that up as anything but a hammering. Small consolations remain — Malcolm continues his fine season with the bat, and I'll keep chipping away with the ball having now reached 44 for the summer — but this was a day to file firmly under "lessons learned" and turn up rather better next week.

Sat 03 Jul 1982 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformWLDDD

Lost the toss at Staplehurst on Saturday and, as is traditional when the coin fails to cooperate, found ourselves out in the field working up an appetite for tea rather than batting for it. Chris Rogers gave us a torrid afternoon, cruising to 76 before we could prise him out, with M Eastland (39) and John Robins (28) doing the tidying up around him. Credit where it's due, though — Anthony West departed for a golden duck, a small mercy in an otherwise long stint of leather-chasing, and Nigel Thirkell bowled beautifully throughout, four maidens included, to finish with 3-50. Jon Harris chimed in with 3-67 and Martin Larkin picked up one for 44, and between us we dragged them back to 188/8 from their 46 overs — more than we'd have liked, but not the horror show it threatened to become at one stage.

Chasing 189 was always going to ask questions of us, and in truth we didn't have enough of the right answers. I managed to get in and make a few, 47 in the end, and Nigel followed his bowling with the bat too, adding 41, but around us the innings never quite found its rhythm and we folded for 151 in 42.4 overs.

Nigel remains our leading wicket-taker for the season with 42, and I'm still out in front with the bat on 1039 runs, which is some consolation on a day that offered precious little else. Beaten by 37 runs, fair and square. Not our day — heads up, and back to the nets.

Wed 30 Jun 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · AwayformDDLWL

Wednesday 30th June found us on the road at Bobbing Court, and winning the toss I didn't so much as pause for thought before sticking us in to bat — a decision I stand by, whatever the scorebook might later suggest. We huffed and puffed our way to 138 all out from 43.2 overs, a total that owed most of its shape to Brian Allsworth's 33 and a tidy, unbeaten 23 from Simon Thirkell holding the tail together. Special mention, for entirely the wrong reasons, to R. Dowens, whose golden duck will be logged for posterity in the club's ledger of shame.

138 is not a total to strike fear into anyone, and I'll confess to a fair bit of pacing about at the tea interval. But cricket delights in humbling the pessimist, and Trevor Back proceeded to spin through the Bobbing Court order like a hot knife through butter, finishing with a scarcely believable 5-23. He had good company too — Richard Witts, Mike Elworthy and Back's own victims all departed without troubling the scorers, and I chipped in with 2-0 myself, James Skinner adding a wicket of his own to squeeze the life out of any reply. Bobbing Court were dismissed for none, and we crept home by 17 runs looking rather more composed than we felt.

A word on the season: I now find myself atop the 1982 Midweek XI wicket charts with 8 to my name, which is either a triumph of guile or a worrying sign that I've nothing better to do on a Wednesday. Either way — a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 27 Jun 1982 🧢 1st XIv R Rainham · HomeformWWLDD

Sunday last saw Rainham roll up for what turned into one of those honours-even afternoons that leaves you feeling simultaneously satisfied and faintly cheated. I called correctly at the toss and had no hesitation in taking first use of a pitch that looked, and largely played, like a shirtfront. We laboured somewhat to 145 for 9 off our 32 overs — respectable rather than imposing — with Nigel Thirkell the shining light, compiling a thoroughly well-made fifty on his way to 59. The rest of us, myself included, offered rather more scaffolding than substance around him.

In the field we scrapped hard for parity. Rainham replied with 120 for 7 from their 33, Fisher (37) and Jones (27) doing the steadying work, though we struck early and often elsewhere — Morris and Fullager both back in the pavilion without so much as a run to their names, which will have made for an uncomfortable tea. Trevor Back was superb, tearing through with 4 for 31, Nigel Thirkell chipped in handsomely again with the ball (2-18, on top of his runs — some afternoon), and Martin Larkin picked up one. I did my bit too, holding it tight for three maidens, which felt like my main contribution to keeping the visitors in check.

In the end neither side could quite force the door open, and honours were shared. A draw, then — no shame in it, and rather a fitting reward for two sides who simply refused to lose.

Sun 20 Jun 1982 🧢 1st XIv DC Dimanchians CC · HomeformDWWLD

Sunday 20th June, and the sun was kind enough to make an appearance for our visit from Dimanchians CC. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — and for once the decision looked positively astute. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, cruising to 84, with Brian Piper's tidy 43 giving the total real backbone. We closed on a healthy 163 for 3 from our 44 overs. Not everyone had their name in lights, mind — poor Paul Bowles endured the walk of shame for a golden duck, and he'll be relieved to see the back of this paragraph.

With 164 to defend, I'll confess I rather fancied our chances, and so it proved. Their reply never quite got out of second gear, stumbling to 99 for 8 from 48 overs despite B Hiscock's gutsy 29 and Mike Stapley's supporting 20 — J Saville, for his part, departed without so much as troubling the scorers. I had one of those days that come along rarely enough to be savoured, spinning my way to 5 for 26 with five maidens thrown in for good measure, while Fred Cheesman chipped in admirably with 1 for 2. Poor Jim Hall had his work cut out behind the stumps, conceding 8 byes to a bowling attack clearly intent on keeping him busy.

In the end neither side could quite force the door open, and honours were shared. A draw it may have been, but with bat, ball and gloves all playing their part, this was Linton Park cricket at its most entertaining — and I'll happily take that.

Sat 19 Jun 1982 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformDDWWL

Saturday 19 June 1982, and it fell to me to call the coin as West Farleigh CC visited us at home. It came down my way, and with a decent look at the square I saw no reason to do anything but bat.

The lads set about it in fine style. Malcolm Pay batted beautifully for an unbeaten 55, the sort of innings that reminds you why watching cricket beats doing almost anything else on a Saturday, and I was glad to lend a hand at the other end, finishing unbeaten myself on 43 as we closed on 105 without loss from our 25 overs — a proper platform, even if declaring never quite came into it.

West Farleigh had their turn with the willow, and for all our toil in the field neither side could quite land the killer blow; the game drifted, as these things sometimes do on a fine June afternoon, into an honourable draw, honours shared and nobody especially aggrieved.

Worth a mention in dispatches: Malcolm's 55 today eased him past George Champion and up to 23rd on the club's all-time run-scoring list, a lovely marker for a lovely innings. And for those keeping half an eye on the bigger picture, I find myself, somewhat improbably, atop the 1st XI's run charts for the season with 992 to my name — though I'd trade the lot for one more Saturday like this. A draw, then, but a thoroughly pleasant one: no losers here, just two sides who enjoyed the sunshine rather more than the cricket demanded.

Fri 18 Jun 1982 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWDDWW

Captain's Log — Friday 18 June 1982. We travelled to The Mote CC in fair spirits, though the coin let us down again — they called correctly and had first use of what looked a decent track, so it was pads off, boots on, and out into the field for us.

They made a fair fist of it, racing to 170 for 4 from their sixteen overs. Malcolm Bristow was the chief architect, motoring to 64, with Richard Chapman (40 not out) and G. Jarman (27 not out) keeping the scoreboard turning at the death. Credit where it's due, though — Allan Cooper bowled with real heart to return 3 for 42, and Martin Larkin chipped in behind him with 1 for 49, so it wasn't all one-way traffic.

Chasing 171 was always going to want a bit of daring, and Mick Filmer set about it properly with a spirited 35. I managed to get bat on ball for 21 of my own, but between us we could only drag the side to 128 for 7 from our sixteen — falling agonisingly short by 42 runs.

Not our day, then, and no use pretending otherwise. But there were encouraging signs in defeat — Cooper's bowling remains a real weapon (third in the season's wicket charts with 19 now), and I'm quietly chuffed to still be leading the run charts with 949. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets — The Mote have our measure for now, but only for now.

Tue 15 Jun 1982 🧢 1st XIv ME Maidstone Etceteras · HomeformLWDDW

From the captain's chair, Tuesday 15 June 1982: we hosted Maidstone Etceteras, and for once the coin actually landed the way I wanted it to. I had no hesitation sticking us in first, reasoning that runs on the board never hurt anyone, least of all a captain who'd rather not be chasing come the last over.

The lads didn't let me down. We racked up 134/5 from our sixteen overs, built on a proper gem of an innings from Nigel Thirkell, who eased his way to 59, while Paul Bowles played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 44 to give us something to bowl at. It was the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than pace behind the boundary rope.

With the ball, Maidstone Etceteras never quite got the pieces to fit. Adrian Smith did what he could with a well-made 30, but wickets kept tumbling around him and they finished on 93/6, well short of the mark. I'll allow myself one line of self-congratulation here: 4-24 with the ball was as good a day as I've had this season, with Brian Piper and Allan Cooper both chipping in a wicket apiece to keep the squeeze on.

We ran out winners by 41 runs, a proper afternoon's work all round. With Bowles still leading our run charts on 928 and yours truly sat second in the wickets with 33, the season's shaping up rather nicely. A good day for the club, and not a bad one for the skipper either.

Sun 13 Jun 1982 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · AwayformWLLWW

Here's the match report:

Sunday last took us out to High Halstow, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — put in to field on a pitch that, in hindsight, owed us little sympathy. High Halstow batted with real assurance, racking up 175/4 from their forty overs. R Brown was the chief architect with a polished 59, well supported by Alex Smith's 32 and Paul Whelan's 30. Credit to the bowling unit for keeping it respectable: Jon Harris led the way with 1-27, with Allan Cooper (1-29) and Martin Larkin (1-34) chipping in dutifully against a set batting order.

Chasing 176 was always going to ask questions of our order, and we never quite found the answers, folding for 135 in 35.4 overs. Malcolm Pay batted nicely for 33, and I was glad to get among the runs myself with 34, though between us it wasn't enough to trouble the target.

Off the field, the day had rather more to celebrate. Jim Hall brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours, and Tim Thirkell his remarkable 400th — sobering numbers for the rest of us to admire from a respectful distance. Malcolm's 33 also nudged him past Gordon Fenner into 24th on the club's all-time run-scoring list, while season-long, Malcolm leads our Sunday NVKC run charts and Nigel Thirkell tops the wickets.

Beaten by 40 runs in the end, then — no disgrace against a side who simply outbatted us, and with landmarks like these to toast, we'll take the defeat on the chin and fancy ourselves better for it next week.

Tue 08 Jun 1982 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformDLWDD

A rare correct call at the toss on Tuesday saw me elect to bat without a second thought, and off we went to Hollingbourne with the sun more or less behaving itself. Nigel Thirkell set about the bowling in fine style for a top score of 41, and Paul Bowles chipped in handsomely with 32 of his own, the pair of them dragging us up to a healthy 139 for 5 from our sixteen overs. Not a total to frighten anyone in isolation, perhaps, but enough to be going on with.

Defending it was always going to be the sterner test, and Hollingbourne didn't make life easy, Bob Dyer playing the anchor role rather better than we'd have liked with 31, well supported by Dave Hales's 22. But Martin Larkin was in irresistible form with the ball, snaring 3 for 36, and Allan Cooper backed him up nicely with 2 for 21. I was pleased enough to get among the wickets myself, finishing with 2 for 32, as we squeezed the innings shut at 102 for 9 from their sixteen overs.

Thirty-seven runs the right side of the ledger at the close, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. With Bowles now sitting proudly atop the season's run charts and the bowling doing its bit too, this looks like a summer where Hollingbourne, and most others besides, had better watch themselves. A good day for the club, and no mistake.

Sun 06 Jun 1982 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWDLWD

Won the toss at Sheldwich on a bright June Sunday, and elected to bat — no hesitation, as if I hadn't seen the wicket. We were bowled out for 157 in 43.2 overs, rescued from embarrassment by Nigel Thirkell's fine 65 and Malcolm Pay's steady 41. For the rest of us it was a grim afternoon at the crease: I contributed a duck of my own, and was keeping unwanted company with Sean Cook and Steve Cheale in the walk-of-shame club. Three noughts in one innings is the sort of thing that gives the tea urn something to talk about.

In the field we fared rather better. Sheldwich closed on 123 for 9 from their 45 overs, F. Ames top-scoring with 40 and J. Stanford chipping in 28, while A. Creed departed without troubling the scorers. Nigel Thirkell, not content with his runs, ran through them with a superb 5 for 42 — a five-for thoroughly deserved. Paul Bowles picked up a tidy 2 for 21, and I did my bit too, 1 for 45 with five maidens to show I hadn't entirely abandoned my line. Malcolm Pay's afternoon behind the stumps was less serene, 15 byes leaking through like water under a garden gate.

Honours shared in the end — a draw when neither side could force the issue. Paul Bowles continues to lead our run charts for the season with 852, and Nigel Thirkell now has 37 wickets to his name. A fair result, and frankly, after my own contribution with the bat, one I'll happily take.

Sat 05 Jun 1982 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformDWDLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 05 June 1982. We travelled to Dummy Site with the sun, remarkably, on our side, and I won the toss and elected to bat, a decision I shall allow myself a small pat on the back for.

What followed was largely a one-man show, and what a show it was. Paul Bowles played an innings of real class, carrying us to 200/6 from our 41 overs with a superb 117, well backed up by Nigel Thirkell's brisk 39. Elsewhere the card made for less comfortable reading — poor Malcolm Pay departed for a duck, the sort of dismissal that earns a sympathetic pint rather than a stern word, and not much else troubled the scorers.

Two hundred looked a defendable total, and so it proved, though the opposition did not go quietly. They closed on 131/4 from their 45 overs, Sam Simmonds top-scoring with 41, with Rob Bailey (28) and an unbeaten 27 from Geoff Marsh keeping them in the contest longer than we'd have liked. Martin Larkin was miserly and menacing in equal measure, taking 1-19 with four maidens — not a run given away lightly, as they say — with Nigel Thirkell (1-23) and Ian Brattle (1-24) chipping in dutifully.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. With Bowles now sitting proudly atop the 1982 run charts and Thirkell leading the wickets, the season has plenty of encouraging shape to it. A draw, then — not the ending we wanted, but on this evidence, no disgrace either.

Fri 04 Jun 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · HomeformWDDLW

Friday 4th June, and The Mote CC rolled into Linton Park with the sun out and, alas, the coin against us — they called correctly and had no hesitation in batting first. What followed was a lesson in application from Richard Slee, whose 94 was the sort of innings that makes a captain wish he owned more fielders, well supported by Malcolm Bristow's 82 and John Lawrence's 48. Ian Brattle toiled honestly for his 2-59 and Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 1-62, but 296/3 from 40 overs was a mountain, not a molehill, and our lot behind the stumps did us no favours either, with 15 byes gifted like a benevolent uncle at Christmas.

Chasing 297 was always going to want something special, and Paul Bowles very nearly conjured it with a fine 64, ably assisted by Jim Hall's unbeaten 37 and Thirkell's 23. But the middle order rather lost the plot, and the Duck Club welcomed two new members — Michael Chambers and Ian Brattle both making that forlorn walk back for nought, quacking all the way. We closed on 176/9, well short, and 120 runs adrift by the close.

Bowles at least has cause for quiet satisfaction, topping the Midweek XI run charts for the season on 164, with Brattle third among the wicket-takers on two. For the rest of us, it's heads up, chins out, and back to the nets — not our day, but the tea was good and the company better.

Thu 03 Jun 1982 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformLDWDL

A fine Thursday evening's work at Linton Park, 3 June, as Maidstone Ymca CC came calling and left rather the worse for it. Winning the toss and opting to bowl, I can't say I expected quite such a tidy afternoon in the field. Maidstone huffed and puffed to 97 for 8 from their sixteen overs, John Golding batting nicely for his 40 and Pete Worsnop chipping in with 20, but there was precious little support beneath them — Steve Wyles and Terry Franks both departed without so much as a single to their names, which I imagine made for a quiet walk back to the pavilion. Mike Elworthy was quite magnificent with the ball, ripping through with 3 for 8, while Jon Harris (2 for 28) and Nigel Thirkell (2 for 30) mopped up admirably either side of him.

A target of 98 was never going to trouble us unduly, and so it proved. I found some form myself, ending unbeaten on 44, with Nigel Thirkell — clearly determined to have a hand in everything today — adding a brisk 30 in support. We cruised home by eight wickets with fifteen overs gone, barely breaking sweat.

With the season now well under way, I lead the 1st XI's run charts with 724, and Nigel sits proudly atop the wicket-takers with 31 — the sort of season that wins matches like this one almost before they've begun. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Mon 31 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformWLDWD

Beloved diarists, gather round — Monday 31st May, home to Xii Men, and I called correctly at the toss. No dithering: with a pitch that looked kind and a forecast kinder still, we batted.

And bat we did. 241 for 2 from our 61 overs, built almost entirely on the extraordinary Paul Bowles, who ground the opposition into submission for an unbeaten 151 — the sort of innings you tell your grandchildren about, assuming they'll sit still long enough. Nigel Thirkell chipped in a composed 37 not out at the other end, content to let the great man have the stage.

Defending it should have been the easy part. It wasn't. They replied with 245 for 6 off 57.1 overs, Paul Nicholls playing the innings of the day with 73, well supported by J. Richards (48) and Tony Armstrong (42), while our attack huffed and puffed without quite landing the knockout blow. I found some rhythm and picked up 3 for 47, with three maidens thrown in for good measure, while Fred Cheesman and Ian Brattle chipped in a wicket apiece. Twelve byes told their own sorry tale of a testing day behind the stumps for poor Paul Bowles, presumably still recovering from the effort of scoring a century.

One footnote amid the gloom: Ian Brattle reached 50 career wickets, a landmark worth raising a glass to even in defeat. Beaten by four wickets in the end — a match we should have won and somehow contrived not to. Character-building, we'll call it, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 30 May 1982 🧢 Sunday NVKCv W Weald · AwayformWWLLW

Sunday last took us to Weald, and for once the coin obliged me: I called correctly and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first on what looked a fine surface. The lads did me proud. Malcolm Pay played the innings of the summer, ninety-five not out and unbeaten at the close, with Nigel Thirkell (35) and Mick Filmer (29) building sturdily around him. We closed on 208/6 from our forty overs, a total with real substance to it. My own contribution, for the record, amounted to precisely nought — out for a golden duck, in the company of Tim Thirkell, who fared no better. We shall move swiftly on.

With ball in hand the side was magnificent. Weald never got close, bowled out for 115 in 34.2 overs, Jennings (30) and Sykes (29) the only real resistance while Barnacle and Marchant departed without scoring. Nigel Thirkell was quite unplayable, 3-7 off his allocation, with Brian Piper and Martin Larkin chipping in either side of him — Larkin's four maidens in particular strangled any hope of momentum.

A word beyond the scorecard: this was my five hundredth appearance in Linton colours, a milestone that means rather more to me than my duck does. Two points, and thoroughly deserved, sealed by a margin of 93 runs. A proper afternoon's cricket, and a fine way to mark five hundred games.

Sat 29 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv CC Chatham Nomads CC · HomeformLWLDW

Saturday 29 May 1982, Chatham Nomads CC the visitors, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I felt, whatever the lads mutter about my scoring rate later in this report.

We posted a tidy 156 for 5 off 46.4 overs, built on a fine fifty from Paul Bowles (73), with Paul Brattle (32) and Malcolm Pay (28) keeping things ticking along nicely. Nothing spectacular, but enough runs, we felt, to make an afternoon of it.

And so it proved. The Nomads found scoring hard-won, closing on 128 for 7 from their 46 overs. Bruce Crump (39) and C Jordan (37) did the heavy lifting, George Phillips chipping in with 20, while poor Keith Bowman trudged back without so much as a single to his name. I found some rare purchase off the pitch, spinning my way to 5 for 41 with eight maidens for company, and was grateful for the support of Martin Larkin (1-28) and Paul Bowles (1-50) at the other end.

A draw, then — honours shared, neither side able to force the issue. Frustrating in the moment, perhaps, but with Bowles now top of our run charts on 529 and me sitting second in the wickets with 20 for the season, there's plenty still to play for. Not a bad way at all to spend a Saturday.

Tue 25 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv LC Leybourne CC · HomeformLLWLD

Tuesday last saw Leybourne CC descend upon us, and true to form I lost the toss — a run that shows no sign of ending — and we were shown straight into the field. It could have been grim, but the lads had other ideas. Their innings never quite got away from them: E. Harris top-scored with a watchful 34, and there was tidy support from Bridger (26) and Smith (24), but at the other end wickets kept falling, with Symes and Bacon both departing without so much as a single to their name. Allan Cooper was the chief tormentor with a fine 3-41, and I'll allow myself one mention of the figures — I chipped in with 2-4, while Martin Larkin picked up a well-earned wicket for 29. Leybourne closed on 110/8, a total that never felt quite enough.

Chasing it down, we barely broke sweat. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, a composed 52, with Paul Bowles unbeaten on 44 to see us home at 112/1 with overs to spare — nine wickets in the bag and the coin toss long forgotten. A word too for Nigel, who brought up 11,000 career runs for the club along the way, a landmark worth savouring over a pint or two in the bar afterwards.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved. A day when the ball did the early talking and the bat finished the conversation in style.

Mon 24 May 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv OX Oxford XIII · HomeformDWDDL

Monday 24 May 1982, and we had Oxford XIII down at Linton Park for what turned into rather a satisfying afternoon's work. I won the toss and, with the sun doing its best impression of summer, didn't need asking twice before opting to bat.

The lads set about it sensibly rather than spectacularly, and 169 for 4 from our 55 overs was a very respectable platform. Micky Back was the mainstay, 76 well-constructed runs that anchored the innings, with fine support from A- Grant, whose 51 was a proper half-century in anyone's book. Enough runs, I felt, to give our bowlers something to defend.

And defend it we did. Oxford XIII were bowled out for 142 in 49.1 overs, D- Burgess their best with 35, N- Abbott chipping in 24 and B- Yates 20, but nobody could quite build the innings that mattered. I'll confess to a rare moment of pride here — the ball came out of my hand exactly as I'd hoped, and five for 53, with nine maidens to show for the discipline, was as good a spell as I've bowled in a long while. Micky Back (1-30) and Paul Bowles (1-48) chipped away at the other end to keep the squeeze on.

It leaves Micky second in the season's run charts and, modesty briefly suspended, me at the top of the wicket-takers. A win by 27 runs, thoroughly deserved, and a fine way to spend a Monday. Onwards indeed.

Sun 23 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · HomeformDLLWL

I called it right at the toss and, with the sun out and the tea urn already on, there was only ever going to be one decision: we'd bat.

It was not, in truth, the smoothest of innings. Jim Hall played beautifully for his 54, and found willing company in Trevor Back (27) and Paul Bowles (26), the pair adding a handy 61 for the sixth wicket to give the innings some backbone. Before that, though, we'd contrived to turn 14 for 1 into 31 for 4 in the time it takes to pour a cuppa, and the scorebook makes for grim reading lower down, with Brian Piper, David Iliffe and Mike Iliffe all departing for ducks. All out for 140 in 51.2 overs was a recovery of sorts, even if it flattered us slightly.

With ball in hand we fared rather better. I found some rhythm and nagging length to finish with 2 for 26 from four maidens, while Nigel Thirkell (1-15) and Allan Cooper (1-29) chipped away at the other end. Martin Grimes batted sensibly for his unbeaten 40, and Bexhill closed on 72 for 4 from 27.3 overs when the clock, rather than either side, called a halt.

A draw, then — honours even, and nobody quite deserving to lose. In the season standings Paul Bowles continues to lead our run-scoring with 412, and Nigel Thirkell tops the wicket charts with 28. A curious afternoon, but an honest one.

Sat 22 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformLDLLW

Saturday 22 May 1982, and Maidstone YMCA rolled up to find us losing the toss and being asked to chase — never my favourite way to start a Saturday, but there we are. Out we went into the field, and for once the seam bowling did us proud: the visitors were shot out for 126 in 41.3 overs, John Golding's 30 and J. Adams' 26 the only real resistance while Gardner and Tucker both walked back without troubling the scorer. I managed 4-29 myself, with Sean Cook (2-3) tidy as you like, Nigel Thirkell chipping in with 2-30, and Martin Larkin堅堅堅 metronomic with three maidens — not a run given away lightly.

126 to chase looked eminently gettable. It was not gotten. We folded for 72 in 20.5 overs, a horror show broken only by Nigel Thirkell's defiant 28. Malcolm Pay, Nick Dunham and I all contributed ducks to the cause — I shall draw a veil over my own, except to note that a pair of them (mine with bat, four with ball) rather summed up my afternoon. Poor Paul Bowles had a torrid time behind the stumps too, 9 byes leaking through as the ball did all sorts.

Down by 54 runs, then, and no dressing it up as anything but a chastening one. Bowles remains our leading run-scorer for the season and Thirkell tops the bowling with 27 wickets, so the engine room is sound — we simply ran out of road with the bat. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Wed 19 May 1982 🧢 Midweek XIv WC Woodbridge College · HomeformWDWDD

The coin obliged, and with a rare flash of confidence I sent Woodbridge College out to field. It proved a shrewd call, at least for forty-odd overs. Paul Bowles played the innings of the season, a majestic unbeaten hundred that carried us to 199 for 4 from 43.5 overs, with Nigel Thirkell chipping in a handy 28 and Don Fermor 22. I sat in the pavilion admiring Bowles's strokeplay and wondering, not for the first time, why I don't bat that well myself.

Chasing 200 always looked a tall order for the visitors, but Rushmere had other ideas, easing past his fifty to finish unbeaten on 68, well supported by Charlaff's 32 and Rovelli's unbeaten 25. Trevor Hales did his level best to keep us in it with a fine 3 for 38, and Nigel Thirkell bowled two miserly maidens to go with his earlier runs — the sort of afternoon that makes you wonder if the man ever tires. I took 1 for 60 for my troubles, more toil than triumph, and could only watch as Woodbridge crept home with five wickets in hand from 52.2 overs.

Bowles now leads our 1982 run charts with that hundred, and Hales tops the wickets with three — small consolations on a day that got away from us. Not our day, then, but heads up and back to the nets we go, no doubt wiser and only slightly less optimistic than before.

Tue 18 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformWLDLL

Tuesday the eighteenth of May, and Maidstone Ymca CC rolled up as our visitors for what turned into a proper nail-biter. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat — the right call, I felt, and I'll stand by it in print even if the scorebook gave me one or two anxious moments along the way.

Ninety-eight for seven from our sixteen overs wasn't exactly a declaration of intent, but Nigel Thirkell held the innings together in fine style with 33, playing the sensible cricket around him while others came and went. Less said the better about Mick Filmer and Martin Larkin, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — every side has its off days, and today theirs arrived together.

Defending under 100 always has the makings of a long afternoon in the field, but the lads dug in. Maidstone got themselves to 94 for six from their sixteen, with Pete Worsnop's 26 and John Golding's 22 the main threats to our composure. It was Thirkell again who did the real damage, following his runs with the ball for 3 for 35, well backed up by Allan Cooper's tidy 2 for 25.

A win by four runs, then — the kind that has you totting up the equation twice to make sure. Thirkell's all-round afternoon keeps him top of the season's wicket pile on 25, while Paul Bowles continues to lead the run charts on 372. A fine result, and onwards we go.

Sun 16 May 1982 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Cudham CC · HomeformLWWLL

Sunday 16 May brought Cudham CC to Linton Park, and for once I can report the coin let us down but the cricket did not. Losing the toss and being asked to field is never how one hopes to start a Sunday, but the lads set about it with real purpose. Cudham crawled to 103 all out in 39.4 overs, R Evans doing most of the damage for them with 38, while Allan Cooper did the damage for us — 3-26 of tidy, probing stuff. Jon Harris chipped in with 2-13 and Martin Larkin bowled beautifully for 2-17, four of his overs going entirely unrewarded by the batsmen; not a run given away lightly, as they say, and not one that afternoon either.

A target of 104 should never trouble a side with any ambition, and so it proved. I'll allow myself one boast for the scorebook: I found some form with the bat, carrying the innings through to 69 not out, well supported by Brian Piper's brisk 23, and we cantered home at 104/2 in just 19.2 overs. Eight wickets to spare and tea barely cold.

As for the season's charts, it seems I'm currently topping the Sunday run-getters with those very 69, while Allan Cooper leads the wickets column with his three. Early days, but I shan't complain about being mentioned in dispatches. A fine win, all told — onwards to the next one.

Sat 15 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLWLDL

15 May 1982, Headcorn CC (h)

Lost the toss, and Headcorn, showing more sense than manners, sent us out to field first on what turned out to be a fairly featherbedded afternoon. Richard Chapman set about us with real intent and finished unbeaten on a majestic 108, ably supported by Alastair Lee's composed 37 not out, as the visitors racked up 221/6 from their 46 overs. There were crumbs of comfort - Nigel Thirkell toiled away superbly for 3-57, Martin Larkin chipped in with 3-57 of his own, and C. Wickens departed for a golden duck at our hands - but by the close of their innings 221 looked a stiff ask on a good pitch.

And so it proved, though not for want of trying. I found some form at just the right moment, making 107 - always a satisfying feeling, and doubly so given it brought up 15,000 career runs for the club, a landmark I shall allow myself a small glass of something to celebrate. Malcolm Pay made a spirited 31 and Nick Dunham 21, but twelve byes conceded told their own tale of a testing day for Malcolm behind the stumps, and we could only reach 205/5 from our 44 overs before running out of road.

Beaten by 16 runs, then - closer than the scorecard suggests, and no shame in it against a Headcorn side with a hundred in the book. With 365 runs to my name and Nigel sitting on 22 wickets this season, there's plenty to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

Tue 11 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv RA Reeds Aylesford · HomeformWLWLD

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 11 May 1982, and a visit from Reeds Aylesford under skies that, for once, behaved themselves. I called correctly at the toss and, with the sort of confidence that generally precedes a comeuppance, had no hesitation in choosing to bat first.

We limped and lurched our way to 116/5 from our sixteen overs, rescued from something rather more modest by Nigel Thirkell, unbeaten on 57 and looking entirely too composed for a man batting alongside my somewhat agricultural top order. Brian Piper chipped in nicely with 23, and between them they gave us a total that felt, at tea, like it might just be defendable.

It wasn't. Steve Martin set about our bowling with a fine, unbeaten 55, well supported by J Swift's 26, and Reeds Aylesford strolled home with four wickets and four balls to spare, wrapping it up in 15.2 overs. Thirkell, at least, salvaged some pride with the ball as well as the bat, picking up 2-34, and got honest support from Allan Cooper (1-37) and Martin Larkin (1-42) — though none of it was quite enough to stem the tide.

Thirkell remains the man of the moment on both fronts, now top of the season's run charts with 258 and its wicket charts with 19 — carrying the rest of us, not for the first time. Not our day, then. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 09 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lawrence & Highland Court CC · HomeformLWLWL

Right, mark it down as one of those Sunday afternoons where the sun shone, the tea urn worked overtime, and absolutely nobody could land the killer blow. Sunday 9th May 1982, Dummy Site the visitors, and the coin betrayed us from the off — they won the toss and, unsurprisingly, fancied batting on a belter. We contented ourselves with first use of the ball, and made a fair fist of restricting them, but Merriman had other ideas, ghosting to an unbeaten hundred while Rodway's well-crafted fifty and Reeves' 33 kept the scoreboard ticking merrily along to 226/3 off 48.5 overs. Trevor Back toiled manfully for 1-32, with Allan Cooper chipping in at 1-37, but on this occasion the bowling attack was rather knocking on a locked door.

Chasing 227 was always going to ask questions of the lads, and 150/8 from our 49 overs tells its own story — honourable resistance rather than a serious pursuit. Paul Bowles led the reply with 37, well supported by Jim Hall's 35, though poor J. Dunn will not thank me for immortalising his golden duck in these pages. Jim also had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping eleven byes for good measure.

So, honours shared — a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. Bowles continues to lead our run charts superbly, and Cooper's wickets keep him well placed too. Character-building stuff, and I'll take the point.

Sat 08 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWLWLW

Lost the toss again on Saturday — I'm beginning to think the coin has it in for me — and Rumwood CC had no hesitation in sending us out into the field first. They ground their way to 181 for 8 off their 46 overs, built chiefly around Mick Palmer, who passed his fifty and finished unbeaten on 66, with useful support from Brian Aiston's 47. Small mercy: we did at least see off P. Garner without him troubling the scorers, which felt like the least the day owed us. The real story with ball in hand was Nigel Thirkell, who turned his off-breaks through their middle order like a man possessed, finishing with 5 for 50 and three maidens to boot — miserly and menacing in equal measure. Jon Harris and Martin Larkin chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Chasing 182, we were bowled out for 176 in 44 overs — five runs short, which is the cruellest sort of arithmetic in cricket. I got in and made 48 at the top of the order, with Malcolm Pay's 31 and Andy Woollett's 20 keeping hope alive longer than it perhaps deserved.

There were bright spots for the mantelpiece regardless: Nigel passed 800 career wickets, and Martin reached his 50th. I'm pleased to say I lead the 1st XI's run charts this season with 210, and Nigel tops the wickets with 17 — small consolations on a day we were, in the end, undone by five runs and our own generosity with the bat. We'll be sharper next week.

Mon 03 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLWLWL

Here's the match report:

Monday's trip to Bearsted was one of those days where the scorecard tells a rather more dramatic story than the walk back to the pavilion suggested. Put in first, we watched Colin Fleetwood bat like a man with somewhere to be, farming the strike to an unbeaten 62 while Mark Stevens chipped in with a useful 28. Poor Peter Mills, meanwhile, was back in the shed before he'd troubled the scorers — these things happen to the best of us. Nigel Thirkell was the story of the innings with the ball, tearing through Bearsted's order for 5-61 with five miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, well backed up by Mike Elworthy's 3-28. I managed to prise out one for 35 myself, more through persistence than genius, and Bearsted closed on 145/9.

Chasing 146, we made a proper fist of it. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, 58 full of the strokes that make Tuesday nights at the nets worthwhile, with Nigel Thirkell adding a fine 31 to go with his bowling exploits. J Dunn's golden duck was the only real blemish, and poor Malcolm Pay had a torrid time behind the stumps, leaking 13 byes — though his 11 runs did at least see him leapfrog Tony Levick into 25th on the club's all-time run charts, which is the kind of consolation only cricket offers.

We got home by two wickets, and thoroughly earned it too — a proper away win, hard fought and worth every one of the two points.

Sun 02 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv Chestfield CC · HomeformDLWLW

Won the toss on a bright first Sunday in May, and with Chestfield CC rolling into the ground looking altogether too pleased with themselves, I decided we'd bat. Whether that was shrewd captaincy or just fancying an ice cream in the sun before fielding, I'll leave you to judge. We crawled and occasionally galloped to 131 for 6 off 52.1 overs, the innings built almost single-handedly by Malcolm Pay, whose 53 was the sort of fifty that makes a captain's job easy. Allan Cooper chipped in nicely with 29, Brian Piper with 24, and somewhere in the middle of it all poor Nigel Thirkell trudged off for a golden duck — the walk of shame, complete with the traditional ripple of sympathetic applause.

Defending 131 was always going to ask questions of our bowling, and Nigel, to his enormous credit, answered back with 2 for 60, atoning handsomely for his morning's batting mishap. Allan Cooper was miserly as ever — seven maidens and 1 for 12, the sort of spell that makes opening batsmen doubt their life choices — while I managed to prise out one for 22 myself, more relief than triumph. But Parden's 38 and Morgan's 33 steadied Chestfield's ship, and they eased home with four wickets in hand off 38 overs.

Beaten fair and square, then, but not disgraced. Plenty to work on with the ball, plenty to smile about with Pay's bat — we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 01 May 1982 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformWDLWL

Saturday 1st May 1982 saw us make the trip to Bidborough, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I'm rather pleased to say vindicated itself by the close.

Nigel Thirkell set the tone with a well-crafted 58, and found good company in David Iliffe (29) and an unbeaten 24 from Mike Iliffe, steering us to a respectable 159/8 from our 48 overs. Not every name will trouble the scorers fondly, mind — Malcolm Pay and Fred Cheesman both contributed a golden duck apiece, the sort of thing best laughed off over a pint afterwards.

With the ball, the lads were magnificent. Bidborough threatened to make a real match of it thanks to Dave Crowest's fine 91, but wickets fell steadily around him — Tolhurst, Angel and Dakin all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — and they were all out for 136 in 36.3 overs. Paul Bowles was quite simply the story of the day, running through the order with 5-46, well backed up by Nigel Thirkell's 3-11 and a tidy 1-35 from Martin Larkin, who kept things admirably mean with two maidens.

A fine win by 23 runs, then, and Paul Bowles now sits proudly atop both the season's run and wicket charts. Onwards we go.

Sun 25 Apr 1982 🧢 1st XIv CC Chatham Nomads CC · HomeformLWDLW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 25th April 1982, and a fine one it was too, in a purely meteorological sense. Chatham Nomads CC were our visitors, and having lost the toss (a wretched habit of mine that season showed no sign of abating), we were put into the field. It must be said, we bowled with more heart than luck. Trevor Back was the pick of us, snaring 2-50 with three tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, and I chipped in with 1-36, which felt at the time like rather more of an achievement than the scorebook suggests. But George Phillips had other ideas, compiling an unbeaten 84 that we simply couldn't shift, with Barry Martin's 55 and P Loader's 35 rubbing salt in rather liberally. 178/3 declared felt like a very tall order indeed.

And so it proved. Chasing 179, we subsided rather meekly to 91 all out in 37.5 overs — a batting collapse of the sort that makes a captain wish the pavilion had a trapdoor. Ian Webb stood firm for an unbeaten 42, second in our run charts this season and thoroughly deserving of the honour, but around him wickets tumbled like dominoes, with poor Jim Hall and Martin Mears both departing for ducks.

Down by 87 runs, then, and no amount of tea and sympathy in the clubhouse could disguise it. Not our day. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets — there's work to do before we trouble Chatham Nomads again.

Sat 24 Apr 1982 🧢 1st XIv WC Wadhurst CC · AwayformWLWDL

Skipper's Log — 24 April 1982, and the road took us to Wadhurst. I lost the toss, they chose to bat, and I confess my heart sank a little as R Wright set about compiling a fluent 37, with J. Plumley (27) and D. Bishop (25) chipping in to give the innings some backbone. But Allan Cooper had other ideas, steaming in for a marvellous 4-29, while Nigel Thirkell and I shared the spoils with two apiece — mine costing 37, his 41 — and Martin Larkin bowled two maidens as tight as his waistcoat. G. Everdell walked for a duck, which cheered us no end. All out 151 from 45.2 overs felt like a target we could chase down with a fair wind.

And chase it we did, though not without the customary wobbles that make this game the glorious torment it is. Paul Bowles played an innings of real substance, 84 not out, seeing us home in the company of Nigel Thirkell's useful 23. I contributed a modest 18 along the way, happy simply to keep the scoreboard ticking. Steve Gower and Fred Cheesman both made the long walk back for nought, and the Duck Club ledger grows fatter still — two more names added to a season already rich in feathered ignominy.

152 for 6 from 48.4 overs, and a four-wicket win to show for it. Paul Bowles now tops our 1982 run charts, Allan Cooper leads the wickets, and Wadhurst will not remember this one fondly. Two points, thoroughly earned, and the tea, I'm reliably informed, was rather good too.