🧢 Captain's Log

Wed 28 Sep 1983 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformWDDDL

Wednesday the 28th of September found us on the road to Penshurst Park, and having called correctly at the toss I didn't dither over the decision — a good morning for batting if ever I saw one, and I wasn't about to let it go to waste. We settled in nicely, running up 211 for 3 from our 44 overs. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction in leading from the front with 78, though Andy Woollett was hardly a passenger, cracking a fine 58 past his own fifty, while Bob Lines saw us home in style with an unbeaten 36.

With the ball, things went rather better still. Penshurst fought hard and posted a respectable 180 for 9 off their 45, Richard Watters top-scoring with a well-crafted 54 and N Fowler chipping in 46, but poor Jim Littlechild trudged back without troubling the scorers. I found some turn to spin through them for 5 for 60 — and, unlikely as it sounds, that same over of business saw me tick past 900 career wickets, which is very much one for the mantelpiece. Trevor Back and Malcolm Pay lent able support, and Michael Chambers bowled with the meanness of a man guarding his allotment, five maidens and all.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but with a milestone in the bag and the season's charts still mine to lead, I'll take that as a very good afternoon's work.

Sun 25 Sep 1983 🧢 1st XIv Linton Park CC · HomeformDDDWW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 25 September 1983

I'll confess I fancied our chances the moment that coin landed my way, and, with the pitch looking a shade too kind to leave out, I had few qualms about batting first. Malcolm Pay set about proving me right with a fine 45, Brian Piper stood firm for an unbeaten 43, and Bob Lines chipped in with a tidy 35, the three of them dragging us to a very respectable 202 all out from our 45 overs — though I use "respectable" loosely, given poor Jim Hall's afternoon began and ended without troubling the scorers. Even the extras got in on the act with a generous 29, rather more than some of the specialist batsmen managed, and I added a workmanlike 20 of my own, more grit than grace.

There was a proper occasion to mark, too: Mike Iliffe brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a milestone that rather put the rest of us whippersnappers in our place and deserved a good deal more than the ripple of applause it got between overs.

As for the season at large, Paul Bowles continues to purr along in 2nd spot in the 1st XI charts with 996 runs to his name, while over in the 2nds Tim Thirkell leads the way with 51.

In the end it came down to the finest of margins — beaten by just 2 runs, a result that will sting rather more for its closeness than any thumping ever could. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 17 Sep 1983 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformDDDDW

As Mrs. Higgins in the tea hut once observed, you can tell a good deal about a captain's judgement by what he does with the coin, and on this occasion I'd like to think mine was sound. Winning the toss at West Farleigh and electing to bat felt, even at the time, like rather a shrewd move — and by the close of our innings I was struggling to disagree with myself. Nigel Thirkell played an innings of real substance, 107 of the finest, and found a willing ally in Jim Hall, whose well-constructed 73 kept the scoreboard humming along nicely. Between them they steered us to 201 for 3 off our 39 overs, a total that had a satisfying heft to it as we trooped off for tea.

Defending it was, happily, a rather more comfortable afternoon than some I could mention. Paul Bowles was in irresistible form, snaring five for 27 and bowling with the kind of relentless accuracy that has strangers in the crowd asking his name, while Jon Harris chipped in handsomely with five for 40 of his own — between the two of them there wasn't much West Farleigh could do. Mike Elworthy, meanwhile, went about his business with three tidy maidens, the sort of unglamorous graft that wins matches without ever making the highlights. Peter Cooper, Tony Hyde and Micky Back all got in but couldn't kick on, and poor Fred Baker and Don Fermor departed without so much as troubling the scorer — these things happen to the best of us. All out for 122 in 38.1 overs told its own story.

A win by 79 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Onwards.

Tue 06 Sep 1983 🧢 Tour XIv H hexham · AwayformLLLLW

We drew Dummy Site for our Tuesday fixture, and winning the toss I did what any sensible captain does on a decent morning — stuck us in to bat. I'll take the credit for that call, though it was really Paul Bowles who made it look clever, ploughing on to a splendid 80 while Nigel Thirkell (26) and Fran Briley (23) chipped in around him. Extras chimed in with a hearty 32 of their own, rather more useful than the batting of Mike Elworthy, Simon Thirkell and Allan Cooper, who all took that lonely walk back for nought — the Duck Club ledger groans under the weight of it. Still, 181 all out from 39.5 overs felt like a total with some teeth.

In the field we fancied our chances, and Trevor Back made sure of it, ripping through with 3 for 6 — the sort of spell that has opposition openers checking the fixture list for next year. Ian Brattle (1-7) and Jon Harris (1-11, two miserly maidens) kept the squeeze on throughout. Only Allan Cooper, so influential with the bat for them on 52, threatened to spoil the party, and 12 byes did stray past our man behind the stumps on an afternoon when the gloves simply wouldn't behave.

They finished on 147 for 8, and we ran out winners by 34 runs. Paul Bowles now leads our 1983 Tour XI run charts, Trevor Back sits second in the wickets — proper form from both. A good day out, all told, even if the byes column needs a stern word before next week.

Mon 05 Sep 1983 🧢 Tour XIv BC Bellingham Riverdale CC · AwayformLLLLL

A rare Monday fixture, this one — away at Bellingham Riverdale, and a sky that felt like it owed us a decision. I won the toss and had no hesitation in putting them in; call it captain's instinct, call it a hunch born of one too many soggy Bank Holidays, but it felt right and it stayed right all afternoon.

The lads bowled beautifully. Riverdale were shuffled out for 119/9 in 35.2 overs, never quite finding the fluency to trouble the scoreboard. Woodward and Dagg both chipped in with 23 apiece, but around them Michael Chambers was simply magnificent — 3-12 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, tight as a Sunday collection plate. Paul Bowles (3-27) and Ian Brattle (2-26) mopped up the rest between them. I'll confess our ground fielding wasn't at its tidiest — eight byes is a stat that rather gives the game away, and poor Fran Briley behind the stumps had an afternoon to forget.

Chasing 120, we got there with something to spare, 121/5 in 20.4 overs, thanks in no small part to a knock of 68 from yours truly — not one I'll be modest about, given it now tops our 1983 Tour XI run charts. Bowles, meanwhile, sits proudly atop the wicket pile with seven.

A five-wicket win, a tidy afternoon's work, and byes notwithstanding, thoroughly deserved. Onwards indeed.

Thu 01 Sep 1983 🧢 Tour XIv MH Meir Heath · AwayformWLLLL

Skipper's Log, Thursday 1st September 1983, away at Dummy Site — a good toss to lose, as it turned out, and lucky for our lads that it didn't matter.

Put into the field, we found ourselves grateful for it before long. J. Dowling gave us the fright of an unbeaten-feeling 39, well backed up by N. Jones (23) and N. Rawlins (20), and 128/9 off their forty overs looked, at the drinks break, rather more than we'd bargained for. But J. Holden and G. Wild both quacked their way off for ducks, and the bowling did the rest of the talking. Paul Bowles was quite magnificent — 4 for 27 and, not content with that, the man's now leading both our run charts and our wicket charts for the season, which is either admirable or faintly embarrassing for the rest of us. Jon Harris and Trevor Back chipped in nicely with 2-13 and 2-26 apiece, and Harris's four maidens suggested a man in no mood to be driven.

With 129 to get, we ambled to 130/3 in 31.5 overs, Bowles again the mainstay with 48, D. Adams a tidy 33 in support, and the whole business wrapped up with seven wickets in hand and time to spare for tea.

Not our day, alas — beaten despite the runs on the board, proof if it were needed that cricket delights in irony. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Mon 29 Aug 1983 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLDDDD

As we won by 7 wickets on 155/3, tearing off the field first and Nigel Thirkell's day with both bat and ball was the story, here's the report.

Monday 29 August 1983, home to Bearsted, and I'll confess I rather liked the toss going our way to bowl first — the wicket had the look of one that would do a bit early on, and so it proved. Bearsted laboured to 152/8 from their 46 overs, David Brown top-scoring with a watchful 39 before Nigel Thirkell arrived like the taxman and helped himself to 5-36, five of those maidens miserly enough to have the tea urn cold by the time he'd finished. Ted Holloway held things together with an unbeaten 35, Paul Bowles chipped in with 2-26, and somewhere in the middle Mark Stevens departed for nought, which I shan't dwell on out of Christian charity.

Chasing 153, we made a rather more comfortable fist of it, cantering home on 155/3 in 42.1 overs. Nigel, evidently not content with his morning's work, then set about the bowling with the bat as well, cracking a fine unbeaten 75 to finish the job almost single-handedly, well supported by Paul Bowles's 36. Poor Jim Hall behind the stumps had a torrid afternoon of it, 13 byes leaking through like a village hall roof in a downpour — a word in his ear at nets, perhaps.

All told, a thoroughly satisfying day's work, and with Nigel now sitting proudly atop the run charts and Bowles leading the wickets, this Linton Park side is playing some proper cricket. Seven-wicket win, tea was good, and nobody's grumbling.

Sun 28 Aug 1983 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformLLDDD

Sunday last took us out to Dummy Site, and winning the toss presented no dilemma whatsoever — on a page like that, you bat, and bat we did. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the season, ticking serenely past three figures to 114, the sort of knock that makes a captain feel rather redundant in the field of tactics. Brian Piper chipped in with 40 and Tim Thirkell a tidy 29, and we declared our efforts closed at a handsome 220/5 from 46 overs.

Defending it proved sterner work. The opposition dug in nicely through B. Knope (43), S. Wavell (32) and L. Bull (30), though we did at least have the satisfaction of sending B. Penney back for a golden duck. Allan Cooper was the pick of the attack, miserly with three maidens on his way to 3-28, with Brian Piper (3-29) and Paul Bowles (2-45) doing sterling supporting work. Poor Jim Hall had his hands full behind the stumps, and 21 byes will not have done much for his evening's sleep. They finished on 197/9 from their 49, honours even.

A word for the mantelpiece: Brian Piper passed 100 career wickets, a landmark thoroughly earned. Nigel Thirkell now sits second in the season's run charts with 941, and Paul Bowles tops the wicket pile with 63 — the old firm still delivering. A draw, then — no losers today, and precious few complaints either.

Sat 27 Aug 1983 🧢 1st XIv BA British Rail Ashford · AwayformDLLDD

Rain threatened all morning as we made our way to British Rail Ashford, and I confess my heart sank further still when we lost the toss and were sent in to bowl. Not the start a captain dreams of, but the lads set about it with good cheer. T Zaman gave us a torrid afternoon, compiling a fine 106 and finding a willing ally in Don Murrell's 44, as the visitors built steadily to 228/9 from their 46 overs. Small mercies arrived in the form of Shafiq Hussein's golden duck, and rather larger ones from Paul Bowles, who bowled his heart out for 4-58. Jon Harris chipped in handsomely with 3-37 and three maidens besides — not a run given away lightly — while Mike Elworthy tidied up with 2-51.

Chasing 229, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite getting there, closing on 198/7 from our 48. Paul Bowles, evidently not content with his exploits with the ball, marched to a splendid century, ably supported by Bob Lines with 45. Less gloriously, Mike Elworthy and Simon Thirkell both made the long walk back for nought, joining the club's ever-swelling Duck Club ledger. Poor Malcolm Pay had a torrid time behind the stumps too, 13 byes finding their way past him.

As for your correspondent, I rather enjoyed myself — a century with the bat and four wickets to boot, which I shall be dining out on for weeks. With Bowles now sitting proudly atop both the season's run and wicket charts, honours were shared: a draw, and on this evidence, entirely fair.

Wed 24 Aug 1983 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDWDDD

Wednesday 24 August 1983, and off we trundled to Gravesend CC, losing the toss and asked to bowl — which, on reflection, may have been the last thing that went right for us all day.

We made them work for it, mind. Gravesend eventually posted 181 for 4 off their 43, with Stuart Waterton getting in and staying in for 54 and Jonathan Hinks unbeaten on 37 giving him good company, A Simms chipping in 25 besides. Paul Bowles was superb with the ball — 3 for 42, three maidens too, not a run given away lightly — and Steve Petty picked up a wicket for his 46. I even managed 3 wickets myself, which felt like the high point of the afternoon in hindsight.

Because when we batted, it all rather fell apart. Seventy all out in 37 overs is not the stuff of legend. Reg Oldfield battled to 23 and top-scored, I scratched together 16, but Trevor Back and David Lines both departed for ducks and the rest of us offered little resistance. Beaten by 111 runs in the end — a proper hiding, no dressing it up.

Small consolation that Paul Bowles continues to lead both our run and wicket charts for the season, 266 runs and 17 wickets and counting — the man is single-handedly keeping our averages respectable. As for the rest of us, we'll dust ourselves down, have a pint, and be better for it next week. We'll need to be.

Sun 21 Aug 1983 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformWDLLD

Sunday 21st August, and Dummy Site rolled up to find Linton Park in fine fettle, or so I told myself as I called correctly and elected to bat — a decision I stand by, whatever the scorebook might later suggest about our 124 all out in 49.2 overs. Nigel Thirkell was the mainstay of that innings with a fine 46, and I chipped in with 46 of my own, which felt at the time like a partnership worth boasting about at teas even if it wasn't actually a partnership at all.

With the ball, we turned distinctly more fearsome. Paul Bowles was simply unplayable, spinning his way to 5 for 39 with four maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of miserly, probing spell that has strangers asking who on earth taught him to bowl like that. Mike Elworthy and Allan Cooper chipped in with a wicket apiece, and there was a moment of pure theatre when B. Goodger departed for a golden duck, much to our collective delight. K. Hewitt top-scored with a defiant 34, but it wasn't enough to drag Dummy Site past 104 for 8 from their 44 overs.

So honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue — and with Paul Bowles now sitting proudly atop both the 1983 run and wicket charts with 841 runs and 57 wickets respectively, one wonders what the man can't do. A fair result, then, and, dare I say, rather a good watch.

Sat 20 Aug 1983 🧢 1st XIv HC Hartley Country Club CC · HomeformDWDLL

Twenty-Sixth of August, Nineteen Eighty-Three. We lost the toss — no great surprise there, my coin-calling remains a season-long liability — and Hartley Country Club CC elected to bat first on what turned into a long afternoon in the field.

They ground their way to 153 all out from 50.4 overs, B Middlemiss the chief architect with 46, well supported by C Davies (27) and G Bass (23). Poor Peter Jordan will want to forget his contribution entirely, back in the pavilion without a run to his name. But it was Jon Harris who owned the day — 6 for 63, five of those overs maidens, bowling with the relentless accuracy of a man who clearly had somewhere better to be than watching us leak runs. Sean Cook (2-20) and Ian Webb (1-21) tidied up nicely around him.

Chasing 153, we never quite got there, closing on 107 for 9 from our 40 overs. Ian Webb top-scored with a gritty 36, Jon Harris chipping in with 26 with the bat as well as his heroics with the ball — not a bad way to spend an afternoon. I managed 26 myself, and rather enjoyed pocketing 6 wickets earlier, though clearly forgot to bring my batting form along too. Andy Woollett and Sean Cook both had afternoons to forget with the willow.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue — and with Ian Webb and Jon Harris both sitting third in the season's charts, I'd say we've little to be ashamed of.

Wed 17 Aug 1983 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformLDWDD

Wednesday 17th August, Gravesend CC the visitors, and for once the coin actually did what I asked of it. I called correctly and had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I shall be dining out on for weeks. Paul Bowles set about the bowling in fine style, compiling a handsome 56, with Andy Woollett giving splendid support down the other end for 43. Not everyone's afternoon went to plan, mind — poor A Nichols contributed a duck of the purest vintage, though I understand he took it with the good grace we've come to expect. All told we closed on 157/7 from our 45 overs, a total I felt gave us something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did. Danny Burnett top-scored gamely for the visitors with 35, while L Menheniott joined our Mr Nichols in the duck club, dismissed without troubling the scorers. Jon Harris was the chief tormentor with a fine 3-47, Paul Bowles chipped in with bat-and-ball honours by adding 2-43, and Nigel Thirkell bowled with the sort of miserly control that has bank managers weeping — 1-16 with two maidens. I confess to a quiet satisfaction at claiming three wickets myself, the sort of thing a captain likes to slip into the log without making too much fuss about.

Gravesend held firm at 122/8 from their 43, and honours were shared. With Paul Bowles now sitting proudly atop both our run and wicket charts for the season, one wonders what he leaves for the rest of us to do. A draw, then — no losers, but plenty of pride restored after the batting stumbled early. A thoroughly satisfactory Wednesday.

Sun 14 Aug 1983 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · HomeformDDWDL

Sunday 14 August 1983, and Dummy Site came calling on our own turf, the toss slipping through our fingers as usual and consigning us to the field first. It is a truth universally acknowledged that Linton Park never quite wins a toss when it matters, but no complaints — 163 all out from them in 49.2 overs was a total we felt we could chase down with tea still warm in the pot. Rivers gave us a proper working-over with 59, well supported by Stroud's 44 and Merritt's unbeaten 24, but three of theirs departed without troubling the scorers, ducks all, and Paul Bowles was simply magnificent, tearing through with 8 for 52 and four maidens to boot — the sort of spell that makes a captain's job look easy, even when it isn't. Trevor Back chipped in nicely with 2 for 50.

Chasing 164, Ian Webb played the innings of the day, 96 not out and unlucky not to reach three figures, with Andy Woollett's 27 the next best contribution. I even found some rhythm myself with the ball, eight wickets to my name, which doesn't happen twice in a season. We reached 166 for 6 from 40.3 overs — but fell four wickets short all the same, a cruel arithmetic that no amount of Webb's class could quite undo.

Not our day, then, heads up and back to the nets we go — though with Bowles leading both the run and wicket charts for the summer, there's rather a lot to be cheerful about between the sulking.

Sat 13 Aug 1983 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lukes Maidstone CC · HomeformWDDWD

Saturday 13 August 1983, and the toss fell kindly — I called correctly and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first on our own turf against Dummy Site.

Credit where it's due: Nigel Thirkell led the way with a fine 56, Tim Thirkell chipped in an unbeaten 36, and Malcolm Pay's 30 rounded out a proper batting effort, with extras contributing a generous 28 to leave us on a healthy 176/4 from our 37 overs. Runs on the board, feet up, tea taken with quiet confidence.

And then it rather got away from us. Chasing 177, the visitors were bowled out for a mere 89 — figures that on paper look like a rout in our favour, if only the sums had gone the right way. Jon Harris span a web through their order, unplayable for 5-14, with Paul Bowles miserly and menacing alongside him for 4-30 (seven maidens — not a run given away lightly), and Mike Elworthy weighing in with 1-9. Beckwith's 29 and Moon's 21 were the only real resistance; three others departed without troubling the scorers. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes telling their own tale.

So how, you ask, does bowling a side out for 89 chasing 177 end in defeat by 87 runs? I shall leave that particular arithmetic to the club statisticians and simply note that cricket, like life, occasionally declines to make sense. My own 56 was some personal consolation, and it's pleasing to see Nigel sitting second in the seasonal run charts with 781, Paul second among the wicket-takers with 44. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 10 Aug 1983 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · HomeformLLDWD

Wednesday 10 August, and Bobbing Court CC rolled up the drive to find me in an uncharacteristically decisive mood: won the toss, elected to bat, and for once nobody in the pavilion argued with me. The lads duly obliged with 184 all out from 37.4 overs, built handsomely around Paul Bowles's well-made 67 and Andy Woollett's fifty-and-past-it 50, with David Castle's 26 a tidy bit of mortar in between. Less gloriously, Nigel Thirkell and Ian Brattle both departed for ducks, proof that even a good total needs a couple of martyrs along the way.

Defending it, we set about Bobbing Court with rather more discipline than I can claim for my own innings — of which the less said the better; I fell for nought, and a veil shall be drawn accordingly. Jon Harris was the chief tormentor with 3-20, backed up nicely by Nigel Thirkell's 2-13 and Paul Bowles's 2-19, while Ian Brattle bowled three maidens without so much as a run escaping. Daniel Ball's 30 and L Smith's 25 kept the visitors afloat, and they closed on 126/9 from their 47 overs — enough to survive, not enough to win.

Paul Bowles continues his quietly magnificent season, now 2nd in the Midweek XI run charts on 194 and top of the wicket-takers with 12. As for the match itself: honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the door — which, given my own contribution with the bat, felt about right.

Sun 07 Aug 1983 🧢 1st XIv HC Holmesdale CC · HomeformDWDDW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 07 August 1983. Holmesdale CC were the visitors, and having won the toss I elected to bat, a decision I shall happily take credit for as it proved the right one. The lads set about their work with real purpose: Paul Bowles played a lovely innings of 79, Nigel Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 61, and Andy Woollett's 41 rounded things out nicely as we posted a healthy 201/6 from our 46.5 overs. A total, I felt, with enough about it to trouble anyone.

And trouble them it did, for a while at least. Holmesdale fought back through Paul Bailey's 44, with Mark Taylor (35) and Martyn Gregory (27) offering support, but the middle and lower order simply couldn't get going — Dave Smith, Paul Cohen and Peter Smith all departed without so much as a run to their names, which I'm sure they'll want forgotten by teatime. Jon Harris was the pick of the attack with 3-43, backed superbly by Nigel Thirkell's miserly 2-9 and my own 2-43, five maidens included — not bad for an old dog. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes his only blemish on an otherwise willing display.

In the end Holmesdale closed on 153/8 from their 48, honours shared and a draw that satisfied nobody entirely. My own 61 was pleasing enough on a personal note, and with Bowles now sitting proudly atop the season's run charts and Thirkell leading the wickets, the signs for the rest of the summer remain thoroughly encouraging. A fair result, if not quite the story we came to tell.

Sat 06 Aug 1983 🧢 1st XIv SK St Johns CC, Kent · AwayformWDWDD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 06 August 1983. The road took us to St Johns CC, Kent, on a day when, for once, everything I touched turned out right.

Won the toss, elected to bat, and I'll admit a small swagger accompanied that decision — the right call, I felt, and nobody in the changing room seemed inclined to argue. We settled to 155/4 from our forty overs, the innings built on a proper captain's-delight of a knock from Malcolm Pay, 58 not out and unhurried with it, well supported by Ian Webb (26) and Bob Lines (26). A tidy total, nothing flashy, but enough to make the opposition dressing room go rather quiet.

And quiet it stayed. St Johns were bowled out for a startling 54 in 31.5 overs, their openers D. Hookway and D. Hope departing without so much as a run to their names — ducks apiece, and no sympathy offered from our end. Mike Elworthy was quite magnificent, 6-12 with five maidens tucked in for good measure, the sort of spell bowlers dream about and rarely receive. Ian Brattle (3-7) and Jon Harris (1-12) mopped up what little was left. Malcolm Pay's day behind the stumps was less serene — 13 byes conceded — but nobody was counting byes by the close.

Worth noting too: those 58 runs eased Malcolm past Mike Iliffe into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Ian Webb and Jon Harris continue their fine seasons, third in both the run and wicket charts respectively.

A fine win by 101 runs. Onwards.

Sun 31 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformLWDWD

Nigel called us in from the field on a rare Sunday when the toss actually went my way, and with Benenden CC visiting I fancied our chances with the willow first. I needn't have worried on that score — 176 for 6 off our 44 overs was a proper platform, built almost single-handedly by Nigel Thirkell, who cruised past his fifty and kept going to 77 before he could be shifted. Andy Woollett chipped in nicely with 28, and between the two of them the rest of us barely had to trouble the scorers.

Defending it was rather more nervous work. Benenden dug in, with Gary Marshall and Mick Fagg both making handy 41s and S Montgomery adding 33, and for a good while it looked like our total might not be quite enough. Thankfully Nigel, not content with his runs, turned his arm over for a splendid 3 for 10 and dragged us back into it, with Paul Bowles (2 for 40) and Martin Larkin (1 for 21) chipping away and Jon Harris bowling three tidy maidens to keep the lid on things. I found a bit of rhythm myself with 3 wickets, which I shall modestly claim as leading from the front twice in one afternoon.

In the end Benenden fell short at 156 for 7 off 43, and honours were shared. A word too for Malcolm Pay, whose 13 runs eased him past Terry Whittaker into 18th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — quiet history made while the rest of us were busy panicking.

A draw, then, but an honest one: neither side quite had the legs to finish the job, and I'll happily take that as a fair reflection of a good, hard-fought contest.

Sat 30 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv BC Brackley CC · HomeformLLWDW

30 July 1983

From the captain's chair — a good toss to win, and I fancy the right call to take first knock against Brackley CC. The lads made a fair fist of it, wobbling only occasionally, to post 195 for 7 off our 44.5 overs. Nick Dunham was the architect-in-chief with a handsome 59, well backed by Paul Bowles (44) and Bob Lines (39). Less said the better about poor David Iliffe's contribution — a golden duck to mark the occasion, though he'd more than make up for it later.

Brackley set off in pursuit and for a while J Greenwood-Hone, with a fine 59, threatened to make a match of it alongside Stuart Green (29 not out) and M Brown (27). But this was Nigel Thirkell's afternoon through and through — five wickets for 23 runs, a thoroughly deserved five-for, with Paul Bowles (2-46, and five miserly maidens to boot) and Mike Elworthy (1-9) chipping away at the other end. Mike had his hands full behind the stumps too, 11 byes the price of an eventful day's keeping. I managed a happy 19 with the bat and, rather pleasingly, five wickets with the ball to match Nigel's effort.

There was much to celebrate beyond the scorecard: David Iliffe's 100th appearance in Linton colours, Malcolm Pay reaching 3,000 career runs, and Nigel passing 900 career wickets — riches indeed for one afternoon. In the end, honours were shared, a draw that neither side could quite force beyond. A day, on balance, thoroughly well spent.

Sun 24 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformWLLWD

Sunday the 24th brought Kent's own Mote CC to Linton Park, and losing the toss meant we were sent out to field first — never my favourite way to start a Sunday, but there we are, the coin has never once listened to my captaincy pretensions.

Mote posted a respectable 193/8 from their fifty overs, built chiefly around N. Trigg's well-crafted fifty (56), with Richard Chapman (29) and R. Coombe (27) filling in the mortar. Our bowling had its moments of real discipline: Trevor Back was miserly throughout, three maidens to his name and figures of 2-17 to lead the attack, while Mike Elworthy (2-46) and Jon Harris (1-19) chipped in dutifully. Poor Malcolm Pay had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes going begging past him, though nobody blamed him too loudly — wicketkeeping in this county remains a game of faith as much as skill.

Set 194 to win, we made rather harder work of it than the scoreboard perhaps suggests, edging home at 196/5 with just two balls of the fortieth over to spare. Paul Bowles was magnificent, 97 to his name and unlucky not to reach three figures, ably assisted by Ian Webb (31) and Nigel Thirkell (24). I contributed a watchful 24 myself, more nurdle than flourish.

A fine win by five wickets, then, and Bowles continues his extraordinary season — 675 runs and 34 wickets to his name, a one-man cricket club if ever there was one. Onwards indeed.

Sat 23 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv NH Newchapel & Horne · HomeformWWLLW

Saturday 23 July 1983 – a fine one for it, and rather less for the toss, which we duly lost. Dummy Site elected to bat, which on paper looked ominous, and for a while it was: R Ebers made merry with a polished 62, with Young (36) and Wann (31) keeping the scoreboard ticking over nicely as they racked up 189/6 from their 51 overs. Bennett, at least, made no such trouble, back in the hutch without so much as a scowl at his bat. Credit where due — Paul Bowles led the attack beautifully with 2-34, Jon Harris chipped in with 2-69, and Martin Larkin bowled with the parsimony of a man checking every receipt, 1-26 and four maidens to show for it.

We came out chasing 190 with the sort of quiet optimism that usually precedes disaster, and indeed there were wobbles — poor Simon Thirkell's duck will not trouble the highlights reel — but Jim Hall's 44 gave us real backbone, with Malcolm Pay (24) and Bob Lines (23) lending sturdy support. In the end we fell agonisingly short at 173/9 from our 39, the tail simply running out of overs rather than heart.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride more or less intact, and the tea urn, as ever, the only clear winner. Paul Bowles continues his splendid season, top of the run charts and second among the wickets, and if he keeps this up we may have to start paying him in something other than gratitude. All told: a proper game of cricket, decided by nothing more dramatic than the clock.

Fri 22 Jul 1983 🧢 Midweek XIv WC Withnell Fold CC · HomeformDLLDW

Won the toss, took first knock — the right call, and for once nobody in the pavilion argued otherwise. Paul Bowles and Nigel Thirkell made the decision look positively inspired, putting together an innings of real substance: Bowles fell one short of a deserved century on 98, while Thirkell simply refused to get out, finishing unbeaten on 89. Between them they carried us to a handsome 213/2 from our 39 overs, and I confess I spent the tea interval wondering whether we hadn't just made the game safe there and then.

Dummy Site, to their credit, had other ideas. G Thomas played the innings of the day for the visitors with 48, well supported by Blocksidge (28) and Banks (27), and between the lot of them they gave our lead a proper examination. Trevor Back was the pick of the attack, bowling with real discipline for 4-50 including two maidens, with Bowles chipping in (3-45) on top of his morning's batting heroics, and Thirkell taking one for good measure. They got to 186/9 from their 46 overs before running out of partners, or perhaps out of patience with us.

Bowles did have a mare behind the stumps, mind — 11 byes is not a number he'll want inscribed anywhere near his season figures, though those remain rather glowing regardless: he leads the wicket charts with 10, and Thirkell tops the run charts with 216.

In the end neither side could land the final blow, and honours were shared. A draw feels about right — entertaining, hard-fought, and nobody quite deserving to lose.

Sun 17 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · AwayformLWWLL

We drew Folkestone away, and winning the toss on a Sunday is always half the battle — I had no hesitation putting us in to bat, and for once the decision looked as good four hours later as it had at the coin. Paul Bowles led the way with a handsomely made 65, Ian Webb kept him honest with 51 of his own, and Brian Piper's unbeaten 35 gave the innings a proper tail-end flourish. 221/5 from our 49.2 overs felt like a total with some bite to it, and so it proved.

Folkestone made a fair fist of the chase — Roy Downey's 42 and useful contributions from Richie Ryall and Nicholas Guy kept it interesting for a while — but they never quite got away from us, and poor Ian May will want to forget his afternoon entirely, bowled for nought. Martin Larkin was the pick of our attack with 3-50, Paul Bowles chipped in superbly with bat and ball for 3-51, Nigel Thirkell tidied things up with 2-20, and Allan Cooper's two maidens made sure nothing came cheap. My one wince of the day was behind the stumps, where Paul Bowles's generosity extended to 13 byes — I shall have a quiet word.

Splendid milestones too: Paul Bowles reaching 18,000 career runs for the club, and Martin Larkin bringing up his hundredth wicket — the sort of numbers that remind you what this club is really about. Both remain streets ahead atop the season's charts. All told, 29 runs to the good and two points banked — a thoroughly satisfying day out.

Sat 16 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv R Rainham · HomeformLLWWL

Bowles the Younger, or so I'm inclined to call him after Saturday's efforts, has rather spoiled us for choice this season, and Dummy Site were the unwitting recipients of his double act.

Winning the toss on a fine Saturday, I had little hesitation in taking first strike — a decision I'll happily take credit for. The lads batted with real purpose, Paul Bowles constructing a handsome 64, with Bob Lines (39) and Ian Webb (23) chipping in nicely, and we closed on a respectable 184/6 from our 41 overs. Not a total to frighten anyone outright, but enough, I felt, to make Dummy Site work for it.

And work they did, though not quite hard enough. Fisher and Swaine threatened to make a match of it with 33 and 29 respectively, and Wilson's 23 kept us honest, but Paul Bowles — clearly not content with runs alone — turned his arm over to devastating effect, spinning his way to 6-58 and leaving their order in tatters. Jon Harris chipped in with three of his own, and Sean Cook bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who begrudges every run, three maidens to his name. P. Fisher, for what it's worth, departed for a golden duck. All out for 155 in 40.1 overs — a fine effort from us, if I do say so myself.

And yet, cricket being cricket, we somehow contrived to lose by 29 runs. Quite how remains a mystery best pondered over a pint. Bowles continues his extraordinary season, now second in both the run and wicket charts, and frankly carrying us more than we deserve. We'll be better for it next week — we rather have to be.

Sun 10 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv MC Morden Village CC · HomeformLLLWW

Sunday 10th July, and Dummy Site had the good grace to visit us at home rather than the other way round — small mercies. I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first, which I still maintain was the right call, whatever certain members of the committee muttered into their teacups. We compiled a very respectable 168 for 4 off our 43 overs, built on a lovely, composed 81 from Ian Webb — a proper half-century of substance — with Nigel Thirkell weighing in with 48 alongside him. I chipped in with 48 myself, more through stubbornness than style.

Defending it, we bowled them out for 161 in 38.3 overs, so the arithmetic was desperately close throughout. K Singh (40) and J Jones (33) gave them hope, and poor Tomlinson departed without so much as a nibble at the scorebook. But Mike Elworthy was superb — 2 for 11 with five miserly maidens, the sort of spell that makes batsmen question their life choices — well supported by David Castle (2-48) and Nigel Thirkell (2-59). Fourteen byes, mind, made for an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps for Jim Hall.

Amid the disappointment, two proper landmarks: Ian Webb brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, and Nigel Thirkell — still leading both our run and wicket charts this season — reached 13,000. Remarkable company to keep.

In the end, seven runs shy. Not our day, but heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 09 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformDLLLW

It was the coin that let us down first — Horton Kirby called it right and elected to bat, leaving us to toil away in the field on a Saturday that threatened to belong to them. And for a while it did, as Graham Connold (41) and Alastair Scott (40) put together the sort of stand that has skippers reaching for the aspirin, with Leonard Morris (28) chipping in for good measure. But Nigel Thirkell had other ideas, spinning his way to a magnificent 5-45 to drag them back, with Jon Harris (2-58) doing his bit and Martin Larkin (1-24, and three miserly maidens besides) squeezing the runs dry. A Lee departed for nought, which felt like a small mercy at the time. They closed on 166/9 from their 46 overs — competitive, but not, as it turned out, quite enough.

Chasing it down, we made harder work of it than the target perhaps deserved, but Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 77 that anchored everything around him. Nigel Thirkell, not content with his heroics in the field, added 39 with the bat, Ian Webb weighed in with 33, and I managed a useful 39 of my own. Poor Jon Harris bagged a golden duck, but with runs elsewhere to spare it mattered little. We got home on 167/5 with overs to spare.

Five wickets in hand, five wickets with the ball for your skipper, and Thirkell once again proving he's the engine of this side — top of both the run and wicket charts, and not showing any signs of easing off. A fine win, and one to enjoy on the drive home. Onwards.

Sun 03 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformLDLLL

As the Aylesford lot won the toss and stuck us in, batting first was never on the cards — but 179/7 always felt chaseable on a Sunday like this.

Steve Martin gave us plenty to think about with a classy 67, and with Fred Baker (28) and A Keynes (25) chipping in, Aylesford Paper Mills looked to be building something substantial. Enter Mike Elworthy, who bowled with real discipline — 2-33 and three maidens to show for it, including the small mercy of sending M Cheesman back for a duck without so much as a whimper from the bat. Jon Harris (2-59) and Allan Cooper (1-13) kept chipping away too, and Cooper's solitary wicket carried extra weight: it eased him past John Thirkell into 8th on the club's all-time list, which is the sort of thing that gets a nod of approval over the teas.

Chasing 180, Ian Webb played the innings of the day — 71 full of purpose — with Brian Piper (52) matching him stride for stride and Trevor Back (28 not out) shepherding us home. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 8 byes leaking away, but nobody was counting too closely by the time we crossed the line with six wickets in hand. Paul Bowles continues to purr along in 2nd in the run charts, Cooper now 4th among the wicket-takers — the season's shaping up nicely. All told: a proper win, earned the hard way, and one for the scorebook to be proud of.

Sat 02 Jul 1983 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformWLDLL

We won the toss on a bright Saturday and I had no hesitation putting Dummy Site into the field — the right call, I felt, and for once I was allowed to say so without argument from the committee bench. Paul Bowles set about proving me right with a splendid 82, the sort of innings that makes a captain look considerably cleverer than he is, and found a willing partner in Ian Webb, whose well-crafted 68 kept the scoreboard humming nicely. We closed on a healthy 175/4 from our 46 overs — though poor Tim Thirkell's contribution amounted to a golden duck, the kind of dismissal that earns a consoling pint rather than a post-mortem.

With the ball, Jon Harris was magnificent, prising out 3-32 with the sort of control that makes the rest of us look faintly amateurish, well backed by Martin Larkin's 2-39 and Paul Bowles adding a wicket and four maidens to his earlier heroics with the bat — not a run given away lightly, that man. Dummy Site fought hard through J. Bowers (41) and Mick Eastland (34), with L. Bull unbeaten on 22, and we did our bit for the cause by accounting for both P. Dickens and S. Wavell without troubling the scorers. Poor Malcolm Pay had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, nine byes the price of some lively bowling.

In the end they got home by 19 runs, and there's no dressing that up. But with Nigel Thirkell still striding out at the top of both our run and wicket charts this season, the engine room is very much intact. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 26 Jun 1983 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crockham Hill CC · AwayformLLLWW

Sunday 26 June 1983, away to Crockham Hill, and I did the honourable thing by winning the toss and sticking us in to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook might later suggest.

We limped to 111 for 7 off our forty, a total that owed almost everything to Jim Hall's unbeaten 45, playing the innings of a man who'd clearly had a proper breakfast while the rest of us were still finding our feet. Not so fortunate were Trevor Back and Andy Woollett, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — two ducks that will not, I fear, be framed for the clubhouse wall.

Defending 111 always felt like asking a lot, and so it proved. Jon Harris was magnificent with the ball, 3 for 15 and full value for his place in the county's top five wicket-takers this season, while Mike Elworthy chipped in and Paul Bowles bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding his own wallet — four maidens, not a run given away lightly. But D. Fischel's 39 and a composed 24 not out from Ken Vizard saw the home side coast home by six wickets with overs to spare. I contributed a modest 17, more padding than substance.

A defeat, then, honestly earned rather than stolen from us — Crockham Hill were simply the better side on the day. We'll dust ourselves down, raise a glass to Jim Hall's defiance, and come back stronger next week.

Sat 25 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformLWLDL

Here's the report:

Saturday 25 June, and Dummy Site welcomed us for a home fixture on what I'm reliably informed was a fine day for it. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I still maintain was the right one, whatever the scorebook eventually had to say about it. The lads worked hard for 134/7 off our 46, with Nigel Thirkell playing the innings of the day, a fluent 65 that dragged us to a total we felt we could defend.

And defend it we very nearly did. The opposition were bowled out for 98 in 40.5 overs, a collapse built almost entirely by our own hands — Paul Bowles the chief architect with a superb 4-39, six of those overs maidens, not a run given away lightly. Nigel Thirkell backed up his batting with 3-19, and Martin Larkin chipped in with 3-29 of his own; between them they left the visitors' middle order picking ducks out of their pads. Only R- Campbell, with a defiant 32, and N- Phelps with 22, threatened to make a match of it.

For my own part, 65 with the bat and three wickets to follow made for a thoroughly satisfying afternoon, even in defeat. Beaten by 36 runs in the end — a margin that flattered the opposition rather more than it flattered us. We'll be better for it next week, and with Thirkell in this sort of form leading both our run and wicket charts, I rather fancy we will be.

Wed 22 Jun 1983 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformDDLLD

It was Sevenoaks & District Wednesday who came calling on the 22nd, and having called correctly at the toss, there was never much doubt in my mind — on a day like that, you bat. Nigel Thirkell set about proving me right in some style, compiling 92 in an innings that had the tea urn boiling early with anticipation, well backed up by Reg Oldfield's 49. Poor Jim Hall contributed rather less to the cause — a golden duck, first ball gone, the sort of dismissal that gets you a sympathetic pint and precisely nothing else. We closed on 174/7 from 47.4 overs, a total that felt about right without ever feeling entirely safe.

Defending it was another matter, and the Sevenoaks openers R- and S- Gorman (41 and 25) threatened for a spell to make a nonsense of our modest total. But Paul Bowles had other ideas, scything through with 4-4 — the kind of spell that wins matches and buys drinks — ably assisted by D- Chapman (2-27) and Trevor Hales (2-41), while Michael Chambers strangled the life out of the middle overs with three tidy maidens. P- Tapper and Peter Day both departed without troubling the scorers, and Sevenoaks folded for 150 in 40.2 overs.

A personal 92 was satisfying, though I'll not pretend I wasn't watching the scoreboard for Bowles as much as my own. With Thirkell now top of the Midweek run charts and Bowles leading the wickets, this side is building a habit of winning. Twenty-four runs the margin, and a thoroughly fine one at that. Onwards.

Tue 21 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformLLWLD

Tuesday the twenty-first of June found us at home to Hollingbourne, and having called correctly at the toss I elected to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook might suggest afterwards. It was not, in truth, our finest hour with the willow. Sixty for nine from sixteen overs is the sort of total that has you studying your shoelaces in the tea interval, and with Brian Piper, Ian Webb and Martin Larkin all departing without so much as troubling the umpire's finger for a run, the duck pond was doing brisk trade. I chipped in with seventeen, which felt almost heroic by comparison.

Needing something special with the ball, the lads duly delivered. Hollingbourne were shot out for sixty-one in fifteen overs, Trevor Hales and Ray Radmore joining our own procession of ducks as Paul Bowles ran through them with a magnificent four for twenty-three. Nigel Thirkell backed him up handsomely — two for thirteen, with two maidens thrown in for good measure, not a run given away lightly. He continues to lead both our run and wicket charts for the season, a one-man cottage industry of quiet excellence while the rest of us flap about him.

Alas, one run short proved beyond us, and we went down by four wickets in the end. A game of two low totals and no little comedy, but there was enough steel in that bowling performance to suggest we'll be considerably better for it next week.

Sun 19 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLLWL

Sunday 19 June 1983, and a rare thing occurred at the ground: I called correctly at the toss and, for once, made the sensible decision rather than the brave one — we batted.

It proved a shrewd bit of captaincy, even if I say so myself. Brian Piper played the innings of the day, 71 not out, the sort of unhurried, unshakeable knock that makes the rest of us look faintly ridiculous in comparison, while Ian Webb (46) and Tim Thirkell (27) chipped in handsomely around him. We closed on a healthy 195 for 4 from our 48 overs — enough, I felt, to make the opposition work hard for their tea.

And work they did. J Saville and R Atkinson both compiled fine half-centuries apiece, 68 and 68, and for a spell it looked rather too comfortable for their liking and not enough for ours. It was Paul Bowles who kept us in the contest — four wickets for 59, four maidens besides, absolute miserliness with the ball — well backed by Jon Harris (2-60) and Sean Cook (1-10). I even managed to find a bit of rhythm myself, four wickets to my name, which I shall be dining out on at the clubhouse bar for some weeks yet.

In the end neither side could quite land the killer blow, and honours were shared. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and on this evidence, a fair one. Ian Webb continues to climb the season's run charts, and Paul Bowles the wickets; both men, I suspect, have rather better summers still in them.

Sat 18 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLDLLW

Beaten by 63 runs it may say in the book, but there was rather more to Saturday's proceedings than that bald line suggests. West Farleigh won the toss, opted to bat, and I dare say I felt a familiar sinking feeling as C. Milstead settled in to compile a handsome 78, with Micky Back (46) and B. Brigden (39 not out) lending sturdy support. Ian Webb, bless him, kept us in the contest with a superb 4-26, Martin Larkin chipping in with 1-64, but 225/5 from their 46 overs was always going to take some chasing.

Chase it we very nearly did. I shan't pretend to modesty I don't feel — 102 not out, my first century in a Linton Park shirt this season, and what a thing to bring up in a losing cause. Malcolm Pay (29) and Ian Webb (22, proving his worth twice over) gave the innings its backbone, and 162/2 from 44 overs will have looked, for a good while, like the platform for something special. It wasn't quite to be.

Still, there's much to take heart from. Two centuries posted between the sides tells you it was cricket worth watching, and with Bowles now 2nd in the club's run charts and Larkin 3rd among the wicket-takers, the season's shaping up nicely even if Saturday didn't go our way. Beaten, yes — but not remotely disgraced. We'll be better for it next week.

Tue 14 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv Addington Village CC · HomeformWLDLL

Tuesday 14th June, and Addington Village CC came to Linton Park with the sun out and, for once, so was I in decent time. Won the toss, and there was never really a debate — pitch looked true, outfield quick, and I fancied us to post a total worth defending. As it turned out, 63/7 from our sixteen overs felt more like a scrap than a stroll, but a total on the board is a total on the board, and I've learned never to sneer at runs in the bank, however scruffily assembled.

Then came the fun part. Chasing 64, Addington never quite got away from us — Keith Stone battled to 25 and looked the only man with a plan, but around him wickets tumbled at just the right intervals to keep our hearts in our mouths rather than our boots. Mike Elworthy was magnificent, ripping through with 3-5, backed superbly by Allan Cooper's 2-18 and a tidy 1-11 from Paul Bowles. Special mention to W Carey, sent back without so much as a nibble at the strike — a golden duck to treasure, or perhaps quietly forget, depending which side of the boundary rope you sit.

Their innings folded on 62/7. One run. ONE. I'm not sure my nerves have fully recovered, and I suspect neither have theirs. With Bowles now second in our season's run charts and Cooper second among the wicket-takers, the form is there for all to see. A scratchy, nail-biting, thoroughly ridiculous win — and I wouldn't have swapped it for a comfortable one.

Sun 12 Jun 1983 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Cudham Wyse CC · HomeformWLLLW

Sunday 12 June 1983, and Cudham Wyse CC came to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather less pleasingly, the coin against me. They chose to bat, and off we trooped into the field wondering what the pitch might have in store.

It rather turned out to be pantomime villain-territory for the visitors. An early wicket with just 5 on the board set the tone, and from a respectable-ish 49-7 the whole thing simply collapsed to 52 all out in 34.4 overs — Russell Brockett among the fallen, out for a golden duck. Paul Bowles was quite simply unplayable, tearing through them with 7 for 13, while Jon Harris (1-11, three miserly maidens to his name) and Mike Elworthy (1-13) tidied up what little Bowles left behind. I shan't pretend I did much beyond admiring the spectacle from mid-off.

Chasing 53 was never going to trouble us, and so it proved. Nigel Thirkell led the reply with a brisk 24, Ian Webb saw us home unbeaten on 22, and I contributed a tidy 24 of my own for good measure, the whole business wrapped up inside sixteen overs for the loss of a single wicket. Webb now sits proudly atop the season's run charts, and Bowles second in the wickets — form the club can be rather smug about.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved. A famous nine-wicket win, and Cudham Wyse rather wishing they'd stayed home.

Sat 11 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformLWLDL

Saturday the 11th of June, and Dummy Site were the visitors at Linton Park. We lost the toss and were asked to chase, which meant first use of the ball - no bad thing, as things transpired. They laboured to 85 all out in 32.4 overs, John Golding and Dave Goodyer both getting to 21 before running out of partners. Martin Larkin was the chief tormentor with a superb 5-35, and I'm delighted to report your correspondent, Jon Harris, chipped in with 4-32 and six maidens besides - the sort of spell a captain dines out on for weeks. Ian Webb rounded things off with 1-13.

Rod Warboys and K. Thurlow both departed without scoring, the sort of start that has a skipper reaching for the tea urn rather than the scorebook, but with only 85 needed it scarcely mattered. Ian Webb, unbeaten on a composed 38, and Andy Woollett with a breezy 32 saw us to the target in style: 87 for 1 from 21 overs.

Pleasing news, too, from the season's ledger - Ian Webb now sits third in the 1st XI's run charts on 124, and Martin Larkin third among the wicket-takers with 7. A thoroughly satisfying nine-wicket win, then, and a rare Saturday when the tea was drunk in celebration rather than consolation. Back to the nets all the same - can't have the lads getting complacent.

Tue 07 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv MT Maidstone Teachers · HomeformLLWLD

Beaten by four wickets on our own turf, but there was a Tuesday-evening charm about the whole affair. I won the toss and, with the sun still high and the tea urn already on, chose to bat first — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook eventually said. We limped and lurched to 71 for 7 from our sixteen overs, rescued from something rather more embarrassing by Nigel Thirkell's 42, a knock of real substance amid the rubble. Allan Cooper and Jon Harris both fell for ducks, and I shan't dwell on it further out of kindness, though I dare say the tea-hut heard about it.

Seventy-one looked light, and so it proved, though not without a fight. Mike Elworthy set about their innings with real purpose, snaring 2 for 15, with Martin Larkin and Allan Cooper chipping in a wicket apiece — Cooper redeeming his golden duck rather nicely with the ball. I managed 42 myself, which felt like some small personal consolation even as Dummy Site edged past us to close on 72 for 6 from their fifteen. Four wickets in it, no more, no less.

A defeat, plainly, but not a disgrace — Thirkell continues to top both our run and wicket charts this season, and a side with that kind of engine room will win more than it loses. We'll dust ourselves off, put the kettle back on, and be better for it next week.

Sun 05 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLLLWL

Sunday 5th June saw Sheldwich CC roll up to Linton Park under fine skies, and having won the toss I didn't so much as pause for breath before opting to bat — a decision I shall, for once, take full credit for.

What followed was a study in unhurried accumulation. Brian Piper and Ian Webb simply declined to get out, ambling to 44 without loss from our 19 overs, Piper finishing unbeaten on 23 and Webb keeping him honest with 20 not out. It wasn't fireworks so much as a gentle, purposeful stroll — the sort of partnership that has opposition fielders wilting more from boredom than exertion.

Sheldwich, for their part, offered up rather less resistance than we'd bargained for, their innings closing without registering a run to their name. Quite what transpired out there I shall leave to the imagination of the gazette's readers, but the upshot was honours shared — neither side able to force home an advantage, and the match petering out into that most English of conclusions, a draw.

Elsewhere, credit where it's due: Ian Webb continues his quietly excellent season, now sitting third in the 1st XI run charts with 83 to his name — a fact he will no doubt mention unprompted at the bar.

All told, a fair contest fairly shared. Not a classic for the ages, perhaps, but a thoroughly pleasant Sunday afternoon of cricket, and you can't say fairer than that.

Sat 04 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWLLLW

Here's the match report:

There are days when the toss feels like a gift, and Saturday against Dummy Site was one of them. I called correctly, elected to bat, and for once fortune seemed to be smiling on Linton Park. We laboured to 131/7 from our 46 overs — not a total to frighten anyone, if we're honest — but Nigel Thirkell played a proper captain's innings of his own, 74 well-struck runs that dragged the scoreboard into respectability. Elsewhere the batting card made for wincing reading, not least poor Martin Larkin's duck, gone without troubling the umpire's finger for long.

With the ball, though, we were a different proposition entirely. Thirkell, not content with his runs, ran through their order with 3-4 — bowling of real hostility — while Ian Brattle (3-21) and Jon Harris (2-25) squeezed from the other end, and Larkin made amends for his blob with the bat by bowling three miserly maidens. Mick Palmer's 21 was as good as it got for the visitors, and when P- Kinnell departed without scoring, the writing was on the pavilion wall. All out for 99 in 37.5 overs — bowled out, in truth, by our own tail.

And yet. Cricket has a cruel sense of humour, and despite restricting them so admirably, we fell short by 32 runs. My own afternoon — 74 with the bat, three wickets with the ball — was satisfying on a personal level, but it counts for little in a losing cause. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Thu 02 Jun 1983 🧢 1st XIv DC Ditton CC · AwayformLWLLL

Thursday 2nd June, 1983 — off we trotted to Ditton CC, and I won the toss and, in a fit of optimism I'd rather forget, stuck us in. Fifty-three all out in fifteen-and-a-bit overs is not a total to frighten anyone; Nigel Thirkell's 22 was the one bright spark in an otherwise threadbare innings, while Ian Webb, Sean Riley and Martin Larkin all took that lonely walk back for nought, adding three fresh entries to the Duck Club ledger. Tea was, shall we say, a subdued affair.

And yet. Cricket has a wonderful habit of making fools of us all, and Ditton duly obliged. Paul Bowles turned in an absolute masterclass, spinning them into knots for 7-19 and, en route, sailing past 800 career wickets — a landmark that deserves rather more fanfare than a soggy Thursday in Kent can provide. Nigel Thirkell backed him up beautifully with 1-7 and two maidens, having already contributed with the bat, and Allan Cooper chipped in with 1-14. N Asar, S Rooney and A Longmuir joined the ducks' club of their own, and Ditton folded for 42.

We scraped home by 11 runs, which on paper looks a mere formality but felt, from the boundary, like daylight robbery of the most satisfying kind. A wretched batting display salvaged entirely by bowling of the highest order — and with Thirkell now sitting proudly atop both the run and wicket charts for the season, and Bowles into four figures of legend, this was, all told, a very good day for the club.

Mon 30 May 1983 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformDLWLL

From the captain's chair, and what a rollercoaster it proved. We won the toss and lost it in the same breath, really—Dummy Site chose to bat, leaving us out in the field on a day when patience was the only currency worth having. They ground their way to 141/7 off their 49, with M- Cornett unbeaten on 41 and Tony Armstrong chipping in 31, and credit where it's due: Brian Piper was superb with the ball, 3-24, backed up nicely by Nigel Thirkell's 2-33 (six maidens—the man barely let the batsmen breathe) and Mike Elworthy's 1-28. John Hartridge and David Buck departed without so much as a nibble at the scoreboard.

Chasing 142, we never quite found our rhythm. Nigel Thirkell top-scored with 42, I managed to match him with 42 of my own, and Brian Piper's 30 kept hope alive a while longer—but three ducks (Tim Thirkell, David Iliffe, Mike Elworthy) told their own sorry tale, and we folded for 111 in 38.1 overs.

Amid the gloom, a proper moment of club history: Jim Hall brought up 4,000 career runs for Linton Park, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the result. Nigel Thirkell continues to sit atop both the run and wicket charts this season—one man doing the work of three.

Beaten by 30 runs, then, and fairly enough. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sun 29 May 1983 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Cudham CC · AwayformLWLLL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 29 May 1983. We travelled to Cudham CC in reasonable spirits, though those spirits took a further blow when I lost the toss and Cudham, showing the confidence of men who fancied our bowling wouldn't trouble them, elected to bat.

As it turned out, they'd have done better keeping the pads dry. Cudham limped to 80 all out in 37 overs, J Linderbringhs's 28 the only innings of note while poor Jim Davis trudged off for a duck. Nigel Thirkell was the chief tormentor, four wickets for a miserly 11, with four maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of spell that makes a captain's job look easy. Trevor Back chipped in handsomely with 4-25, and Martin Larkin tidied up with 2-9. Not a run given away lightly, and not much of an afternoon for Cudham's scorers.

Chasing 81 was never going to trouble us unduly, and so it proved, though we made a bit of a meal of it before getting home at 81/3 in 29.5 overs. Nigel Thirkell, evidently not content with his heroics in the field, top-scored again with 28, with Ian Webb unbeaten on 27 in fine support. I managed 28 of my own with the bat, and — dare I say it — four wickets with the ball, a rare afternoon when the skipper contributed at both ends.

Ian Webb now leads our Sunday NVKC run charts with 46, and Nigel Thirkell tops the wicket-takers with 7. Seven wickets to the good, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Tue 24 May 1983 🧢 1st XIv DC Ditton CC · HomeformLDLWL

Beaten they may have been, but Ditton CC's 81 was never going to trouble us badly — or so I thought when Nigel Thirkell took the new ball as if he'd a personal grudge against every stump in Kent. Six for twelve, the figures read, and I shan't argue with them; Sarat Arasaratnan, J Shirley and D Shelton were all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer, and only A Longmuir, unbeaten on 29, kept the innings from complete collapse. Allan Cooper chipped in with a tidy two for eighteen. Fifteen-point-four overs, all out for 81 — on paper, a formality.

Paper, as ever, proved a poor substitute for cricket. We were bowled out for 39 in thirteen overs, a batting collapse so comprehensive it deserves its own chapter in the club's darker annals. Paul Bowles did what he could with 23 — and sits second in this season's run charts on 123 for his trouble — and I managed to scrape together 23 of my own, but around us the ducks came thick and fast: Nigel Thirkell, fresh from his heroics with the ball, Ian Webb and Sean Riley all walked back for nought, presumably wondering how a man can be hero and villain inside the same afternoon.

Forty-two runs the wrong side of the ledger in the end, which on a target of 82 tells its own sorry tale. Thirkell leads our wicket charts with thirteen scalps and can hold his head high; the rest of us shall be doing some quiet reflecting over tea. We'll be better for it next week — we rather have to be.

Mon 23 May 1983 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDDDLL

Monday 23 May 1983, and we welcomed our visitors to the middle for what would prove a proper tussle of a draw.

Winning the toss and opting to bowl, I can't say I regretted the decision as we worked through their order for 148 all out in 48.3 overs. D. Burgess led their reply with 33, well supported by M. Howe (29) and N. Duval (27), but the real story was with the ball — Paul Bowles was a menace, 3 for 12, while Nigel Thirkell (2-23) and Brian Piper (2-43) chipped in handsomely. Piper in particular bowled with the meanness of a man who'd left his wallet at home, five maidens and barely a run given away.

With the bat, we were rather more sedate about things, closing on 114 for 6 from our 46 overs. Nigel Thirkell, clearly not one to leave all the good work to his bowling arm, top-scored with 35. I managed a workmanlike 18 and found some late rhythm with the ball for good measure. Spare a thought, though, for poor Tim May, whose duck will be entered into the ledger with the solemnity it deserves.

So, honours shared — a draw when neither side could force it home. Frustrating, perhaps, but with Thirkell and Bowles both sitting proudly atop the season's charts, I'll happily call this one a point salvaged rather than two lost.

Sun 22 May 1983 🧢 Sunday NVKCv ? · HomeformLLWLL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 22 May 1983, and a home fixture that promised more than it delivered by the close.

Winning what passed for the toss, we put the visitors in, and for a good while it looked a shrewd call. Nigel Thirkell was in wonderful nick, hooping it about to return 3-9, while Martin Larkin bowled with the tightness of a man who simply didn't fancy conceding runs — 2-9 and four maidens to show for it — and Trevor Back chipped in handsomely with 2-13. Poor Mike Burgess, B-Stretfield never troubled the scorers, back in the pavilion for a duck 🦆, and by the time the innings folded for a modest 63 all out in 34.4 overs, we were rather pleased with ourselves.

Sadly, cricket has a way of humbling the pleased. Chasing what should have been a formality, we contrived to make hard work of it, stumbling to 64/4 from 23.5 overs — I did my bit with 18, though "my bit" undersells the nervous energy that went into every run. In the end the visitors held their nerve better than we held our bats, and we were beaten by six wickets, a scoreline that flatters neither our batting nor my captaincy.

Still, the season ticks along: Ian Webb sits proudly atop the Sunday run charts with 19, and Nigel's 3-9 keeps him top of the wicket pile too. As for us — we bowled like champions and batted like it was our first go with a straight bat. We'll be better for it next week.

Fri 20 May 1983 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLDLW

Friday 20 May 1983, and we welcomed the visitors to Linton Park on a day when winning the toss felt like half the battle — I called correctly and, with the pitch looking a picture, there was never much doubt I'd stick us in to bat first.

The lads made a fair fist of it, 93/3 from our sixteen overs, built on a tidy little partnership of application rather than fireworks. Brian Piper anchored things nicely with an unbeaten 26, Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 24, and Paul Bowles weighed in with 23 — enough to give the bowlers something to defend, though none of us were entirely sure it would be enough.

As it turned out, the ball did the talking. The visitors never quite got away from us, reaching 71/9 from their fourteen — a Davey innings of 26 the only real resistance, with Phil Jackson's 22 for support, while poor Bryant, Hughes and Monro all trooped back for ducks. Nigel Thirkell was magnificent, 4-16, ably backed by Brian Piper's 2-6 and Allan Cooper's 1-29 — and I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at chipping in with 4 wickets myself, alongside 24 with the bat. Nigel continues to top both run and wicket charts for the season, and deservedly so.

And yet — beaten by 22 runs in the end, our total simply a shade short. Plenty of individual cheer, not enough collective steel. We'll be better for it next week.

Tue 17 May 1983 🧢 1st XIv RA Reeds Aylesford · AwayformWDLDL

Tuesday 17 May 1983, and off we trundled to Reeds Aylesford in reasonably good heart. Winning the toss is one thing, but knowing what to do with it is another matter entirely, and for once I got the big decision right, sticking us in to bat. Nigel Thirkell set about proving me correct with a fine 75, and Paul Bowles kept him excellent company with a well-crafted 53, the pair of them hauling us up to a brisk 131 for 2 from our 16 overs. Not a bad afternoon's work at all.

Defending that total, the bowling did its job with rather more discipline than my own batting usually manages. Allan Cooper was the chief destroyer, ripping through their order with a splendid 4 for 11, while Nigel Thirkell and Mike Elworthy chipped in admirably with 2-22 and 2-26 respectively. Only T Cornwall, with 25, threatened to make a proper fist of it for the home side, but they subsided to 99 for 9 from their 16 overs, well short of the mark.

A pleasant footnote: Allan's four-for was enough to see him leapfrog Tony Gauna into 9th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — a fine piece of history-making on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday. He now leads our 1983 wicket charts too, while Nigel sits proudly atop the run-scoring table.

A 32-run win, then, and I'll happily take the credit for the toss while giving the lads all the credit for the rest. Onwards indeed.

Sat 14 May 1983 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformDWDLD

Saturday 14th May, and off we trundled to Headcorn CC in what can only be described as hopeful spirits. I won the toss and, in a fit of what I told myself was strategic wisdom, put us in to bat. Nigel Thirkell led the way with a fine 36, and I chipped in with a matching 36 of my own, but the rest of the card made for grim reading — Ian Webb, David Iliffe and Jim Hall all departed for ducks, and we were bowled out for 107 in 45.3 overs. Not the platform we'd hoped to build a defence on.

And so it proved. Alastair Lee played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 62 that simply took the game away from us, and Headcorn cruised home at 108/2 in 29.4 overs — eight wickets to spare. Nigel was again our shining light, 1-11 with three miserly maidens, and Martin Larkin chipped in with 1-28, while Simon Phipps at least gave us one wicket to cheer without troubling the scorers. My afternoon behind the stumps, meanwhile, will live long in infamy — sixteen byes is not a figure I care to dwell on.

One bright footnote amid the gloom: Mike Iliffe's two runs nudged him past Terry Whittaker into 17th on the club's all-time run charts, a small piece of history on an otherwise chastening day. Nigel Thirkell now leads both our run and wicket charts for the season — carrying the side almost single-handedly.

Verdict: outplayed with bat, ball and gloves alike. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets.

Sun 08 May 1983 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lawrence & Highland Court CC · AwayformLDWDL

On a fine Sunday at the start of May, we headed out to Dummy Site with spirits high and, having called it right at the toss, I didn't think twice about batting first — a decision that, for once, looked rather clever by tea.

Nigel Thirkell and Ian Webb set about proceedings with a calm that belied the occasion, the pair seeing us through to 102 for the loss of just one wicket in 30.3 overs. Thirkell finished unbeaten on 44, Webb not far behind on 41, and between them they gave the innings a shape and solidity that owed more to patience than pyrotechnics. I chipped in with 44 of my own, more through good fortune than good technique, but I shan't be turning down runs at my time of life.

Out in the field we set about defending the total, and the lads did their jobs with a will — the opposition were dismissed for their lot, wickets falling steadily enough to keep us interested, though not quite enough for either side to press home an advantage. In the end neither camp could find the extra push required, and honours were shared in a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody in equal measure.

Thirkell's 44 now leads the 1983 first-team run charts, and on this evidence he'll take some catching. A fair result, all told — no losers, but then again, no glory either. Onwards to the next one.