🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 29 Sep 1984 🧢 1st XIv HC Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC · HomeformWWWLD

Lost the toss on a fine late-September afternoon and were asked to field — hardly the omen I'd hoped for against Hastings & St Leonards Priory, but the lads had other ideas. Alan Booth-Jones was back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers with just 7 on the board, and from there the visitors never quite settled. I found some rhythm with the new ball and kept finding it, finishing with 5-37 including three maidens, while Paul Bowles (2-15) and Ian Brattle (2-25) tidied up around me. Only C Watson, with a battling 27, gave their innings any real shape as they were bowled out for 108 in 43.2 overs. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps — 8 byes is not a line he'll want read out too loudly at the AGM — but nobody begrudges a keeper an off day on a treacherous one.

With 109 to win, Bob Lines simply strolled to it, cruising to an unbeaten 70 and barely breaking a sweat, ably supported by Brian Piper's composed 28 not out, and we cantered home at 112/1 in 32.5 overs. Nine wickets to the good and two points safely banked — about as tidy an afternoon as club cricket offers. Bob's knock keeps him third in our 1984 run charts with 549, and I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at leading the wicket column with 90 for the season. A thoroughly deserved win, and a fine one to bank before the autumn draws in.

Wed 26 Sep 1984 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformWWLWD

Wednesday last saw us head to Penshurst Park, and for once the toss fell kindly — I called it right and had no hesitation in taking first knock. Trevor Back set the tone with a well-made fifty, and when we wobbled alarmingly from 12 for 1 to 21 for 4, it was the calm restoration act of Paul Bowles, unbeaten on 53, alongside Jim Hall's watchful 30, that steadied nerves; their fifth-wicket stand of 80 was the innings' backbone. Poor Tim Theobald will want to forget his duck, but a defiant last-wicket flourish of 48 gave our 177 for 7 from 48 overs a rather more respectable look than the middle order had threatened.

Defending it, we never quite let Penshurst settle, an early wicket falling with the board still reading nought. Jim Littlechild, Mark Jenner and John Boyden all departed without troubling the scorers, though P Grayland's fifty-plus 72 and A Robertson's 28 kept us honest for a while. The day, though, belonged to Paul Bowles, whose 6 for 39 was a five-for richly deserved and thoroughly earned. Ian Brattle chipped in with 3 for 37, and I did my own bit too — 1 for 40 with seven miserly maidens to show for my efforts. Jim Hall had a trickier afternoon behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging.

Trevor Back's fifty also nudged him past Gordon Fenner into 25th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he now leads our 1984 Midweek XI run charts with 143, with Brattle top of the wicket pile on 15. A fine win by 48 runs — onwards indeed.

Sun 23 Sep 1984 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformLWWWL

Jon Harris here, filing this month's despatch from Linton Park on what turned out to be a fine Sunday for cricket, if not quite a decisive one.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — and for a while it looked a shrewd call, notwithstanding the alarming sight of 2 for 1 before some of us had properly finished our tea. Andy Woollett, however, was in no mood to let early jitters spoil his afternoon, compiling a superb unbeaten 76 to drag us to a defendable 128 for 9 off our 35 overs. Less gloriously, David Iliffe, Jim Hall and Sean Cook all trudged back for ducks, and the Duck Club ledger groaned under the weight of new entries 🦆 — a hazard of the game we accept with good grace, if gritted teeth.

With the ball, we set about defending our total with real discipline. I managed to find some rhythm, picking up 3 for 8 and chipping in with 18 with the bat for good measure, while Allan Cooper bowled two miserly maidens to choke the runs. Anchorians never quite got away from us, finishing on 47 for 4 off their 16 overs as the game petered into a draw honours shared.

There was a quiet personal footnote too — those 18 runs nudged me up past Cliff Anscombe into 13th on the club's all-time run list, which is either a triumph or simply proof of longevity. A draw, then: no losers, but plenty for both sides to mull over on the drive home.

Wed 19 Sep 1984 🧢 Midweek XIv HC Hawkenbury CC · HomeformLWWLW

I first won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Hawkenbury CC to have a bowl at us — the right call, I felt, even if our top order didn't entirely agree, with the first wicket down for just one run and both Andy Woollett and Mike Elworthy back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. It took the steady application of Bob Lines, 31 well-worked runs, with good support from my own bat — I chipped in a useful 21 and picked up 2-23 with the ball later on — to drag us to a defendable-looking 95/9 from our 47 overs. Not a total to frighten anyone, but on a slow Wednesday evening pitch, enough to work with.

And work with it we did. Hawkenbury lost their first wicket cheaply too, 3-1, and when we got among them properly it turned into a procession — 3-1 became 16-4 before they'd had time to settle, with T Theobald, T Cooper and X Boakes all departing without scoring. Ian Brattle was quite magnificent, 4-11 with seven miserly maidens, and found fine support from Trevor Back's 3-24. Only A Chapman, with a defiant 25, stood between us and victory, dragging them to 82/9 from 41 overs before the close.

For the record books, Trevor Back now sits second in our 1984 run charts and Ian Brattle tops the wicket pile with a dozen scalps — form the club can be proud of.

In the end neither side could quite land the final blow, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but one that felt, in the fading September light, rather like a shared victory for good, honest cricket.

Sun 16 Sep 1984 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformWLWWW

I'm the captain (Jon Harris) writing the club gazette match report — no tools needed, just prose.

The bar was set at 113 all out from 46 overs on Sunday, and if I'm honest it felt about forty runs light before we'd even taken the field. I chipped in with 33 to top-score, for which small mercies were duly given, though quite what the rest of the order were thinking during that mid-innings wobble — 35 for 3 collapsing to 49 for 6 quicker than you could pour a tea — is a question best left for the AGM.

Defending a total like that against Northend Sunday always felt like asking a deckchair to stop a freight train, and so it proved. T Pearce made merry to the tune of 58 not out, ably assisted by M Smith's unbeaten 32 and a brisk 20 from B Fairall, and between them they walked it home at 114 for 1 in 35.3 overs without ever looking remotely troubled. If there was a crumb of comfort in the wreckage, it was Allan Cooper, miserly as ever with four maidens and the solitary wicket to show for a genuinely tidy spell — the sort of bowling that deserved a far kinder scoreline around it.

Small personal footnote amid the gloom: my 33 nudges me past Malcolm Pay into 14th on the club's all-time run charts, which I shall enjoy for approximately as long as it takes to forget the result. Paul Bowles, meanwhile, continues his imperious form atop the 1984 season charts with 1405 runs — some of us are playing a different sport entirely.

Six wickets the margin, and a fair reflection of the afternoon. Not our day. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Wed 12 Sep 1984 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLWWL

Wednesday brought us to The Mote CC, and I lost the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this season — not that it mattered much, as they were only too happy to bat first anyway.

They made a nervy start, losing a wicket with just 4 on the board, but David Castle had other ideas and simply refused to get out, compiling a magnificent unbeaten century to drag them to 166/8 from their 52 overs, with useful support from A Holding's 20. Credit to our attack for keeping them honest throughout: Paul Gibson was pick of the bowlers with 2-15, Andy Woollett chipped in with 2-36, and I managed 2-50 myself for good measure, while Ian Brattle bowled two maidens and gave nothing away cheaply.

A target of 167 looked eminently gettable, and so it proved — though not without the traditional early wobble, with Ian Hammond and Trevor Hales both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. No matter: Nigel Stallard, in the form of his life, played a superb innings of 84 to do the bulk of the damage, with Andrew Hales (32) and Paul Gibson (31 not out) lending capable support as the second-wicket pair added a crucial 68. We cantered home in 33.1 overs for the loss of just four wickets.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine reminder — as if Stallard and Gibson's positions atop the season's charts weren't reminder enough — that this Midweek XI is building something rather special. Verdict: a proper away win, no fuss, no fluke.

Sun 09 Sep 1984 🧢 1st XIv LC Locksbottom CC · HomeformWWLWW

The coin fell kindly for once, and with Locksbottom CC arriving in good spirits I had no hesitation in asking us to bat first. It proved the right call. Nigel Thirkell was in imperious touch, finishing unbeaten on 73, and found the perfect foil in Paul Gibson, whose fine 59 helped the pair add 118 for the third wicket and put real distance between us and the chasers. Brian Piper chipped in with a brisk 32 as we closed on a handsome 188 for 3 from 39.1 overs, the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than fret over it.

Locksbottom came out fighting with the bat, Fred Taylor leading the way with 36, well supported by Peter Shaw's 31 and Graham Stoner's 20, and a stubborn sixth-wicket stand of 53 threatened to drag the game away from us. But we kept our nerve, sending them from 147 for 6 to 157 for 9 as the pressure told, John Paine departing without troubling the scorers. I found some rhythm of my own with the ball, finishing with 4 for 26 including three maidens, while Thirkell backed up his batting with 3 for 23 and Piper claimed 2 for 25. Poor Allan Cooper had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 21 byes conceded, though nobody begrudged him after a long shift in the field.

A special mention for Thirkell, who brought up 14,000 career runs for the club in style. We got over the line by 29 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 08 Sep 1984 🧢 1st XIv CC Chadwell Thors Oak CC · HomeformDWWLW

Tim Thirkell writing his match report — no tools needed for this one.

Saturday last, the eighth of September, and Chadwell Thors Oak rolled up to find us in the mood for early season heroics, never mind the calendar. Put in first with the ball, and didn't we make a fist of it. Sixteen overs later the visitors were shuffling back to the pavilion on 90 for 8, M Page their best with 24, and the middle overs told the real story as we went from 38 for 1 to 54 for 4 before anyone had time to reach for a second custard cream. Poor J Liggins never got off the mark, walking back to a duck and, I imagine, a fair bit of ribbing from his own dressing room. Martin Mears was the chief tormentor with a splendid 3 for 13, and I was glad to chip in myself with 1 for 6, Jim Hall doing likewise with 1 for 14.

Chasing 91, we made light work of it, getting home in just 11.3 overs for the loss of three wickets. Andy Woollett played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 51 that carried us home in style, with Nigel Stallard a fine foil on 25 not out. Woollett now sits second in the club's run charts for the season with 530 to his name, and on this form the top spot looks distinctly nervous. Mike Elworthy had a trickier afternoon behind the stumps, nine byes leaking through, but nobody was counting once the runs were in.

A seven-wicket win, then, comfortably taken. Onwards indeed.

Fri 31 Aug 1984 🧢 Tour XIv PC Paul CC · AwayformWWWWW

Called correctly for once, and with the sun doing its level best over at Paul CC, there was never any question — we batted. Fran Briley set about proving why he leads our 1984 Tour XI run charts, ghosting past his fifty en route to a splendid 74, while the openers laid the groundwork with a chanceless 80 before the first wicket finally fell. Bob Lines finished unbeaten on 41 and Paul Bowles chipped in a handy 25 as we posted 188 for 9 from our forty overs — a total that felt, even before a ball was bowled in reply, rather more than useful.

And so it proved. Paul CC lost an early wicket with the board still reading nought, and though Mike Mason (49) and T Swanson (37) threatened to drag them back into it, we simply would not be denied. From 140 for 7 to 155 all out took no time at all, with poor N Wildgust and J Maddern trudging back without so much as troubling the scorers. I'll allow myself one boast: 2 for 7 was as tidy as I've bowled all season, with splendid support from Paul Bowles (2-19, three maidens of positively monastic discipline) and Ian Brattle (2-35). Poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 11 byes testifying to some lively bowling rather than any great sin on his part.

A 33-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying day's work — village cricket at its most cheering.

Thu 30 Aug 1984 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformLWWWW

Called it right at the toss on a fine Thursday down at Falmouth, and with the sun out and the outfield running quick, there was never much doubt in my mind — we'd bat. Fran Briley set the tone with a busy 39, Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 24, and Richard Ashby saw us home unbeaten on 29 to leave us a highly respectable 194/9 from our forty overs. Not everything glittered, mind — poor Paul Gibson trudged back for a duck, and I shall say no more about that other than to note the tea urn was a comfort to him afterwards. I added a watchful 20 myself, more accumulation than artistry.

In the field we were relentless. Falmouth's openers put on a stand of 54 that had me shuffling my feet rather anxiously, but once the breakthrough came the innings unravelled with wonderful speed — 54 without loss became 64 for four in the blink of an eye, N Barrington among the fallen for nought. Sean Turner (40) and David Toseland (38) had threatened to drag them clear, but Paul Gibson, avenging his duck in style, ripped through with 3-8, Fran Briley chipped in with 3-25, Richard Ashby with 1-0, and Paul Bowles bowled three miserly maidens to strangle any hope of a chase. All out for 151 in 36.2 overs.

Forty-three runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly earned both. A fine day's cricket, and Falmouth left in no doubt who'd travelled better.

Wed 29 Aug 1984 🧢 Tour XIv SC St Austell CC · AwayformLLWWW

Losing the toss at St Austell and being asked to chase is never the news you want on the team sheet, but the lads have never much minded doing things the hard way. In the field we found our rhythm early, prising out wickets steadily until St Austell's innings ran away from us in a hurry, 120-7 becoming 133 all out in the blink of an eye. Jon Harris was magnificent with the ball, 4-36 that did real damage, backed up nicely by Paul Bowles's 2-20 and a tidy 1-0 from Andy Woollett. Nigel Thirkell bowled two maidens without so much as a run to show for St Austell's trouble, and we even had A Brown back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. J Rowe's 27, R Lang's 27 and Guy Trembath's 24 were the only real resistance.

Chasing 134 is rarely a formality on a good club wicket, and so it proved. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, a well-crafted fifty worth 56, with Jon Harris chipping in 28 alongside him in a partnership of 59 for the sixth wicket that dragged us home. Paul Gibson's duck will earn him his place in the club's less illustrious ledger, and I'm afraid I must confess to a golden blob of my own — a captain ought to lead by example, though evidently not always with the bat in hand.

Still, 134-8 off 36.3 overs got us there by two wickets, and a win is a win however scruffily assembled. Two points, thoroughly earned, and the tea afterwards tasted all the sweeter for it.

Mon 27 Aug 1984 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLDWWL

Lost the toss on Monday and duly trooped out into the field — Bearsted, seeing something in the wicket the rest of us must have missed, chose to bat first. As it turned out, they saw rather less than they'd hoped: 163 all out in 56.3 overs, Ian Lambert's 33 the backbone of it, ably supported by Sean Charlton's unbeaten 30 and Rupert Humphrey's 20. Poor Mike Redman never troubled the scorers, gone for a duck. I found some rhythm I hadn't quite expected from these creaking limbs, finishing with 5 for 50 and eleven maidens — the sort of spell a captain dreams of and rarely gets, and one that keeps me atop our 1984 wicket charts with 81 for the season. Ian Brattle chipped in handsomely with 4 for 60, en route to a rather lovely landmark of 100 career wickets, and Martin Larkin picked up one for 28.

Chasing 164, Paul Bowles simply strolled off with the match, an imperious unbeaten century — 105, and it keeps him well clear at the top of our run charts with 1395 for the season. Andy Woollett's 48 gave him fine company, and we cantered home to 164 for 1 in 43.2 overs. Ten byes made for uncomfortable reading for Jim Hall behind the stumps, though nobody begrudges a keeper a testing day when the bowling's doing that much of the talking.

A fine win by six wickets, then, and a happy walk back to the pavilion. Onwards.

Sun 26 Aug 1984 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformWLDWW

Sunday 26 August 1984, and Old Anchorians CC came calling to Linton Park. I won the toss, elected to bat, and to this day I stand by it.

We laboured to 108 all out from 43.3 overs — a total that flattered to deceive at 61 for 2 before the middle order decided collective batting was overrated, and we slid to 67 for 5 in the time it takes to pour a tea. My own 32 held things together for a while, with Brian Piper's 23 lending a hand, but three of our number — David Iliffe, Steve Cheale and Ian Brattle — took the long walk back for nought apiece, swelling the Duck Club ledger nicely. 🦆

In the field, though, we found our mettle. Ian Brattle was simply magnificent, tearing through the Anchorians order with 5 for 34 including three maidens, and I chipped in with 1 for 27 for good measure. Mike Elworthy had a torrid time behind the stumps, nine byes escaping his gloves, but Anchorians ground their way to 111 for 6 off 36.1 overs, T Jones's 22 proving the difference, and took it by four wickets.

One shaft of sunshine amid the gloom: Andy Woollett brought up 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth raising a glass to, whatever the scorebook says elsewhere. 🎉

Verdict: not our day, heads up, back to the nets.

Wed 22 Aug 1984 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformLDLWW

Wednesday last, we welcomed Gravesend CC in reasonable spirits, though those spirits dimmed somewhat when I lost the toss and duly found us asked to bowl. No matter — first use of the ball can be a fine thing, and so it proved for a while, Peter Preston accounting for one Gravesend batsman without so much as a run to his name. Ian Brattle bowled with real purpose for 3-44, I chipped in with 2-41 for what it's worth, Sean Cook took one, and Paul Gibson kept things tight with a couple of maidens. Alas, Jonathan Hinks had other ideas, compiling a thoroughly chanceless 117 while Dave Elliott farmed the strike nicely for an unbeaten 20, and 214/7 from their 44 overs left us with a proper mountain to climb.

Climb it we did not. Jim Hall led the reply with a battling 36, Paul Gibson chipped in with 28 and Andy Woollett 26, but wickets tumbled around them and we were all out for 146. Jim also had a torrid time behind the stumps, twelve byes going begging — the sort of afternoon that makes a keeper wish the ground would swallow him whole.

Beaten by 68 runs, then, and no arguing with the scoreline. Small consolation that I still lead this season's run charts with 89, and Ian tops the bowling with 8 wickets — but Gravesend deserved their day. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 19 Aug 1984 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · HomeformDWLDW

Lost the toss and Whitstable took first use of a pitch offering little in the way of sympathy. They were all out for 158 in 53.1 overs, but not before surviving an early wobble at 0 that had us purring. Andy Stroud's 47 was the mainstay, well supported by R Mills (27) and Tom Robertson (22), and a 53-run third-wicket stand was the innings' spine. Once that partnership broke we ran through them in a blur, 150-7 becoming 158 all out with John Robertson and M Bowtle both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Steve Cheale was the chief destroyer with 3-10, I chipped in with 3-45, and Ian Brattle bowled beautifully tight for 2-24 off three maidens.

Chasing 159, Paul Gibson's fine 57 and Andy Woollett's well-made 51 put on 107 for the second wicket and had us dreaming of a canter home. Cricket, being cricket, had other ideas: 144-2 became 150-5 in the time it takes to put the kettle on, with Allan Cooper, Mike Elworthy and Sean Cook all departing for ducks. Somehow, gloriously, we stumbled over the line by two wickets in 40.3 overs.

Elsewhere, Jim Hall sits second in the 1984 run charts with 486, while my 76 wickets keep me atop the bowling table - a statistic my heart rate during that run-chase did nothing to justify.

A ragged, nerve-shredding, entirely typical village win - the sort that makes the tea taste better than ever.

Sat 18 Aug 1984 🧢 1st XIv BC Brackley CC · HomeformDDWLD

Come on, Linton — bat first, they said, and for once I actually got one right at the toss.

We rattled up 209/5 from our 47 overs, though we didn't half make hard work of the beginning, losing our first wicket with just one run on the board. Enter Andy Woollett and Malcolm Pay, who between them proceeded to bat as if the rest of us weren't required at all, putting on 162 for the second wicket — Woollett with a classy 86, Pay right behind him with 75. I chipped in with 22 down the order, more nudge than nurdle, while poor Ian Webb's afternoon began and ended without troubling the scorers — the Duck Club welcomes another member.

Brackley's reply never got out of first gear. Two down with just 2 on the board set the tone, and from there it was largely a procession — 81/6 became 91/9 before most of us had finished our tea. Jon Harris was in unplayable form, spinning his way to 7 for 30 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, and found willing support from Peter Day (2-10) and yours truly (1-10). R Edmondson and J Fitzgerald departed without scoring, swelling the Duck Club ranks further. Spare a thought too for Mike Elworthy behind the stumps, who had a torrid time of it with 19 byes going astray.

We ran out winners by 118 runs — and a word of celebration for Malcolm, whose 75 now sees him climb to 14th on the club's all-time run charts. All told: a thoroughly good day for Linton Park, and one to savour on the drive home.

Wed 15 Aug 1984 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · AwayformDLDLW

Wednesday 15 August 1984 saw us head to Bobbing Court, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in batting first — the pitch looked too good to leave to chance, and I fancy it was the right call.

Trevor Back played the innings of the day, an excellent 82 that carried us to a total worth defending, well supported by Bob Dyer's 42 and a tidy 22 from Jim Hall. It wasn't all sunshine, mind — Ian Brattle and Sean Cook both endured that particular walk of shame reserved for the golden duck, the sort of thing that gets mentioned in the bar for weeks afterwards whether you like it or not.

Defending the total, we set about our work with real discipline. Tony Mountford's 26 and Rick Bourne's 23 threatened briefly to make a match of it, but once the innings turned — 102 for 7 becoming 107 all out in short order — the floodgates well and truly opened, with Don Capeling and D White both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Steve Petty was superb, 4 for 30, with Ian Brattle chipping in 2 for 19. I'll allow myself one line of self-congratulation: 3 for 35 and four maidens felt about as tidy as I've bowled all season, and it was a genuine pleasure to have a hand in it with both bat and ball.

A fine win by 104 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying day's work all round. Onwards.

Sun 12 Aug 1984 🧢 1st XIv HC Holmesdale CC · HomeformLDDWL

The coin fell kindly for once, and with Holmesdale CC in fine weather and finer mood, I had no hesitation in sending us in first. It didn't look a masterstroke when we shipped our first wicket for a solitary run, and for a horrid over or two the pavilion egos took a battering. But Paul Gibson, playing the innings of the day, ground it out to a fine 75, and once he and the middle order strung together a sturdy 87 for the fifth wicket, respectability returned. Allan Cooper's 27 and Jim Hall's 25 gave the total real backbone, and we closed on 170 for 8 from our 52 overs — not a total to frighten anyone, but enough, we hoped, to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did. T Stevenson and X Lewicki both threatened to take the game away with 26 apiece, and Neil Taylor's 21 kept us honest, but Holmesdale never quite escaped the shackles. I found my rhythm at last, four maidens and figures of 5 for 46 giving me the pick of the bowling, with Paul Bowles chipping in gamely for 2 for 66. They closed on 149 for 8 — pinned down but unbowled-out.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride intact, and the tea urn, as ever, the only clear winner.

Sat 11 Aug 1984 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLDDW

Saturday 11 August 1984 saw us take the road to Headcorn, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first, leaving us to toil in the field on what turned into a long afternoon.

Toil we did, closing them out on 168 for 8 from their 49 overs, though not without a scrap. John Phipps and Paul Millen put on a crucial 52 for the third wicket, Phipps finishing unbeaten on 47 and Millen chipping in 45, and between them they gave our attack more work than we'd have liked. Credit where it's due, though: Jon Harris was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 40, Paul Bowles bowled with real discipline for 3 for 49 and five maidens, and Andy Woollett picked up 1 for 29.

Chasing 169, we made a fair fist of it. G Makin played a lovely fifty, well supported by Nigel Stallard's 35 and Paul Bowles's 22, and the second-wicket pair added a useful 60. But cricket has a cruel habit of unravelling quickly, and we slid from 141 for 7 to all out for 147 in a rush, with poor Malcolm Pay standing helplessly by behind the stumps as 13 byes went begging.

Twenty-one runs the wrong side of the ledger, then — not our day. Bowles keeps ploughing on at the top of the season's run charts and Harris atop the wickets, so there's plenty to be proud of even in defeat. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Sun 05 Aug 1984 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformWWLDD

I put us in to bat at Benenden on a Sunday that turned into rather a triumphant afternoon for the club. We rattled up 230/6 from our 54 overs, built on a fine platform from the openers, who put on 62 before the first wicket fell, and then a crucial second-wicket stand of 72. Paul Gibson was the star of the show with a majestic 101 not out, well supported by Andy Woollett's well-made 55. Not everything gleamed, mind — poor David Iliffe won't want reminding of his duck — but 230 felt like a total with some substance to it.

Defending it, we never quite let Benenden settle. John Marshall's 28 and useful contributions from Ray Harding (24) and Andrew Cloke (23) threatened to drag them into contention, but Mick Fagg's early duck set the tone for a batting effort that never really got away from us. Ian Brattle was simply unplayable, spinning his way to 7-42 with three miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, and I chipped in with 3-45 myself for a thoroughly happy afternoon with the ball. Poor Mike Elworthy had a torrid time behind the stumps, 19 byes going begging, but nobody was counting complaints by the close.

Benenden folded for 164, and we came away with two points and a 66-run win, thoroughly earned from start to finish.

Sun 29 Jul 1984 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLWWLD

Skipper's Log, Sunday 29 July — out to The Mote, sun more or less behaving itself, and I won the toss and elected to bat, which for once I don't think anyone could quibble with. We settled to 212 for 4 off 48.4 overs, built almost entirely on the extraordinary generosity of Paul Bowles, who ground out an unbeaten 131 that had the tea urn practically applauding itself. Andy Woollett chipped in nicely with 41, and the two of them put on 113 for the third wicket — the kind of stand that lets the rest of us sit padded up feeling faintly redundant.

Defending it, we huffed and puffed rather more than I'd like to admit. Mickey Back gave us an absolute lesson with 112, Richard Slee ground past his fifty to 53, and the pair added 90 for the second wicket while we searched increasingly desperately for answers. We did at least have Bruce Nissen back in the pavilion for a diplomatic duck, and I managed to find some late rhythm, picking up four for 91 — expensive, but wickets are wickets. Paul Bowles, not content with his century, also took three for 31, with Ian Brattle chipping in one for 26. They finished 210 for 8 off 47.

A word for the mantelpiece: Paul brought up 20,000 career runs for the club, an astonishing landmark from an astonishing player. Honours shared in the end — a draw, honestly earned, and nobody quite robbed.

Sat 28 Jul 1984 🧢 1st XIv NH Newchapel and Horne · AwayformDLWWL

Saturday last took us out to Newchapel and Horne, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first use of a good-looking track — the right call, as it turned out. Bob Lines set about proving me correct, farming the bowling for a superb 82, while Andy Woollett settled in alongside him for an unbeaten 79 that was every bit a half-century and then some. Their fourth-wicket stand added a priceless 100, and David Iliffe finished things off nicely with 27 not out as we closed on a handsome 217 for 4 from our 41 overs.

Defending that total, we let Newchapel and Horne get themselves rather too comfortable early on, with T Wells constructing a fine 54 and I Bennett and P Wann chipping in with 48 and 41 apiece — their own fourth-wicket pair worth 64. But cricket has a way of turning on an afternoon, and turn it did: from 189 for 5 to 198 for 8 in the blink of an eye, with R Holland and D Pocock both back in the pavilion without so much as a run to show for it. I found some rhythm at last, finishing with 5 for 77 and six maidens to show the lads I hadn't entirely lost the knack, with Mike Elworthy (2-28) and Nigel Stallard (1-19) offering fine support. Poor Malcolm Pay had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes slipping through his gloves like eels.

In the end honours were shared — a draw, with neither side quite able to force the issue. Not the win we wanted, but a battling, entertaining draw all the same, and no shame in that whatsoever.

Thu 26 Jul 1984 🧢 Midweek XIv WC Withnell Fold CC · HomeformDDLDL

Jon Harris here, back in the chair after Thursday's visit from Withnell Fold CC — and for once I can report a result that didn't require creative accounting to look respectable.

Having lost the toss and been sent out to bowl, we made the most of first use of the ball on a surface that clearly had a bit in it for the seamers. Steve Petty was the pick of the attack, running through the visitors with 3-18, while Ian Brattle (3-21) and Trevor Back (2-17) tidied up either end. I did my bit too, plugging away for six maidens while the wickets fell at the other end — not glamorous work, but somebody has to keep the scoreboard honest. Withnell Fold were dismissed for a modest 91 in 47.4 overs, which on a midweek evening felt like a job well done before we'd even picked up the bats.

Chasing 92 was never going to trouble us unduly, and so it proved, though we contrived to make it last 30.1 overs rather than the ten it perhaps deserved — that's club cricket for you. Andy Woollett led the way with a composed 26, well supported by Nigel Stallard's 23, and between them they saw us home for the loss of four wickets.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a six-wicket win to show for it. Woollett now tops our 1984 Midweek XI run charts and Brattle sits second among the wicket-takers — early season form that bodes well, if we can just learn to finish a run-chase before the tea urn goes cold.

Sun 22 Jul 1984 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformLDLWW

Sunday 22 July, and Folkestone CC arrived at Linton Park for what I sensed, correctly as it turned out, was a good toss to win. I had no hesitation in taking first knock, and by the time we declared our innings closed at 221 for 1 off 51.3 overs, I was rather glad of the decision — a hundred came my way, and Brian Piper batted beautifully alongside me for an unbeaten 94, the pair of us barely troubled by anything Folkestone could offer.

Two hundred and twenty-two to chase, then, and for a good while it looked a formidable enough target. But Mick Buller had other ideas, compiling a magnificent unbeaten 116, with Gareth Williams playing a fine hand of 65 not out in support and Stan Purcell chipping in with 21. A stand of 61 for the second wicket was really the making of their innings, and try as we might — I managed 1 for 37 with the ball, Ian Brattle picked up 1 for 48 — we simply couldn't prise them apart. They cantered home on 225 for 2 with overs to spare, and we trooped off eight wickets the poorer.

Small consolation that the season's charts still make pleasant reading, topping the run-scoring with 1,087 and sitting second among the wicket-takers with 31. But caps off to Folkestone, who outplayed us on the day. Not our afternoon, then — heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 21 Jul 1984 🧢 1st XIv Rainham (Kent) CC · HomeformWLDLW

Saturday 21 July found us hosting Rainham (Kent) at Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss I confess I didn't dither long over the decision — a good pitch and a fine day meant only one sensible option, and we batted.

What followed was as handsome an innings as we've strung together all season. Paul Bowles set about the Rainham attack for 83, with Nigel Stallard right alongside him for a classy 73, the pair adding 113 for the second wicket and effectively deciding matters before tea. Andy Woollett chipped in with a tidy 26 — fitting, too, as this was his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark that deserved every one of those runs. We closed on 220/5 from our 44 overs, a total with a bit of menace about it.

Rainham never quite found their footing chasing it, stumbling to 1-1 before Mark Swaine (63) and D Cooper (30) briefly threatened to make a match of it with a defiant 71 for the fourth wicket. But our bowlers had the last word. Paul Bowles, having done the damage with the bat, did it again with the ball — 4-20 — well backed by Ian Brattle's 4-36, Mike Elworthy's solitary strike and Jon Harris, miserly as ever with nine maidens. Poor S Tabrem departed for a golden duck, and Rainham were done for 157.

A fine win by 63 runs, and on Andy's big day too. We'll take that, and gladly. Onwards.

Sun 15 Jul 1984 🧢 1st XIv MC Morden Village CC · HomeformLWLDL

Called correctly for once, and with a green-looking strip and Morden Village due at the crease later, there was never much debate — we batted.

It went rather well. Brian Piper and Bob Lines gave us the ideal start, the pair putting on 73 for the first wicket before either fell, and from there the innings simply ticked along. Piper finished with 39, Lines with 34, and Paul Gibson saw us home unbeaten on 34 as we closed on a healthy 141 for 5 from 35 overs and one solitary ball.

Defending it, mind, turned into something of a formality. Morden never found their footing — 12 for 1 became 18 for 4 in a hurry, with K Singh, R White and Williams all trudging back without so much as opening their account. Ian Brattle was the chief tormentor with a fine 4 for 22, Piper backed up his batting with 3 for 7, and I chipped in with 3 for 19 and five maidens, which I shall allow myself to mention just the once and enjoy quietly. Fifty-four all out in 33 overs told its own story.

An 87-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. Bob Lines continues to churn out runs and sits third in the season's charts, while I find myself, somewhat improbably, leading the wicket-takers. Onwards indeed.

Sat 14 Jul 1984 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformLLWLD

Down at Horton Kirby with the roof falling in, I called it right at the toss and took first strike — 28 all out doesn't look like a triumph of judgement now, but I'm sticking to my story. We simply didn't lay a bat on it: the openers were back before the tea urn had boiled, 0-1, and from there it was carnage, 0-1 to 5-4 in the blink of an eye. Paul Bowles, Jim Hall and Sean Riley all trudged off for ducks, a hat-trick of nought entries for the club ledger that nobody will be framing.

Chasing a modest 28, we at least gave Horton Kirby something to think about, prising out R Costley without a run to his name — small mercies, but mercies all the same. Ian Brattle was the pick of a willing attack, 1-16 in a losing cause, and they cantered home at 32/1 from 12.3 overs with barely a bead of sweat between them.

On the brighter side, Bob Lines continues his quietly excellent season, now third in the 1984 first-team run charts with 363 to his name — a rare bit of sunshine on an otherwise soggy afternoon.

Nine wickets is nine wickets, and there's no dressing that up. We were undone with the bat long before the ball was even in play. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets — this one goes down as a lesson, not a disaster.

Sun 08 Jul 1984 🧢 1st XIv AC Aylesford Paper Mills CC · HomeformWLLWL

It was Aylesford Paper Mills CC who came calling on Sunday 08 July, and it was Aylesford Paper Mills CC who called correctly, electing to bat and leaving us to toil in the field first. Toil we did too, watching their openers put on a breezy 88 before we so much as troubled the scorers, and then watching Fred Baker (73) and Mike Caddick (53) settle in as though they'd booked the ground for the season. A crucial 98 for the fourth wicket rather took the wind out of our sails, and by the close of their 54 overs they'd posted a handsome 230/5. Small mercies: Richard Gower departed for a duck at our hands, and Paul Gibson (2-47) led a tidy bowling effort, with Trevor Back and Paul Bowles chipping in a wicket apiece — the latter also parsimonious enough to bowl three maidens.

Chasing 230 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. Jim Hall's 37 was the innings' backbone, well supported by Paul Bowles (34) and Trevor Back (29), with a useful 60 added for the fifth wicket to give us something to cling to. But Andy Woollett and Sean Riley both made the long walk back for nought, and we closed on a battling 141/9 from our 47 overs, well short of the target but with wickets enough in hand to suggest a draw was always on the cards.

Honours shared, then — a fair reflection of an afternoon where neither side could quite land the killer blow. Paul Bowles continues his splendid all-round season, and we live to fight another Sunday.

Sat 07 Jul 1984 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformLWLLW

The road to Staplehurst on a bright July Saturday, and I lost the toss — asked to chase, which at least meant an afternoon in the field before the real work began. Their openers set about us with real intent, seventy-two on the board before we prised the first one out, and from there Ian Henson simply refused to leave, compiling a magnificent unbeaten 126, well supported by John Munn's fine unbeaten fifty and Nigel Bardsley's 42. A third-wicket stand of 76 did for what remained of our morale, and 277/3 from 45 overs left us with a mountain rather than a target. Jon Harris toiled manfully for 2-61, two maidens included — not a run given away lightly, even as the boundaries kept coming elsewhere.

Chasing that lot was always fanciful, though Andy Woollett's well-made fifty and Bob Lines's 44 gave us hope, the openers putting on a crucial 61 before the wheels came off spectacularly — 126 for 7 became 136 all out in the blink of an eye. I can report my own part in the collapse plainly: a golden blob, first ball, the sort of dismissal a captain hopes nobody photographs. Fred Cheesman and Ian Brattle joined me on the duck list, and 136 in 31.5 overs was the sorry sum of it. Beaten by 141 runs. A chastening day, but the season charts still glitter — Paul Bowles on 868 runs, Jon Harris on 42 wickets — and we'll be better for this next week.

Sun 01 Jul 1984 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformWLWLL

There's a particular flavour of Sunday cricket where the match seems determined to go the distance, and this one obliged from first ball to last. With the ball in our hands first, Xii Men set about building a total: J Richards led with a well-made 63, Paul Evans stood firm for an unbeaten fifty, and John Hartridge chipped in with 43. Just as we thought the innings was buttoned up, their last pair had other ideas, wagging their way to an extra 68 we could have done without. I'll allow myself one modest boast, 2-38 with the ball, while Paul Bowles and Sean Cook picked up two and one apiece, and Martin Larkin bowled two miserly maidens. All told, 250/8 from 60.1 overs was a target with some bite.

Bite it had, and for long stretches it looked like having the last laugh. Sean Riley and Martin Larkin both departed without scoring, but Paul Bowles played the innings of his life, a magnificent 167 not out, ably supported by David Iliffe's 38, the pair adding 88 for the fifth wicket. Somehow, agonisingly, gloriously, we scrambled over the line by a single wicket, 251/9 from 60.3 overs.

Fittingly, Bowles brought up his 600th cap on the very day he produced his finest innings, and now leads our 1984 run charts with 851, while I'm rather chuffed to lead the wickets with 40. Fifteen byes will need a quiet word with the gloves. A one-wicket win and a hundred to remember: a very good day for the club.

Sat 30 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformDWLWL

Skipper's Log — Saturday 30 June 1984. Away to Meopham CC, and I won the toss and had no hesitation putting us in — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook eventually said about it.

We never quite got going with the bat, folding for 130 off our 44 overs on a pitch that clearly had more in it than we gave credit for. Mike Iliffe carried his bat for a gritty 25 not out, and precious little else troubled the Meopham bowlers — a total that always felt a touch light on the sort of outfield that punishes anything less than full concentration.

Defending it was always going to be an uphill task, and so it proved. Their openers simply refused to be parted, putting on 107 before the breakthrough finally came — by which point the game had rather slipped from our grasp. R Woodbridge was the chief architect, farming the bowling superbly for 85. I myself went back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers, which is a sentence I'd rather not have written but there it is. Credit where it's due: Brian Piper was magnificent, snaring 3-17, with Paul Bowles (1-32) and Nigel Thirkell (1-44, three tidy maidens among them) chipping in for reward that undersold their efforts.

In the end, beaten by five wickets — a defeat that owed as much to a below-par batting effort as to Woodbridge's fine innings. Paul Bowles continues to lead our season run charts and sits third among the wicket-takers, proof there's real quality in this side even when the collective doesn't fire. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 27 Jun 1984 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformDDDLD

Wednesday, 27th June, and the road wound out to Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC, where I called wrong at the toss and watched us traipse into the field like men reporting for jury duty. Hallbrook and Dean set about repairing whatever confidence we started with, both cantering to fine half-centuries and putting on 80 for the third wicket while we stood about admiring the scenery. S Fry chipped in with 33 as their total climbed to a hefty 212 for 7 off 41 overs. Credit where due: Paul Gibson was the pick of the attack with 3 for 55, Michael Chambers bowled with real miserliness — three maidens on his way to 2 for 39 — and J Winnington picked up one. P Tapper, at least, we sent back without troubling the scorers.

Chasing 213 was always going to want application, and application was in short supply. I top-scored with 22, which tells its own sorry tale, and from a steady-ish 32 for 2 we contrived to become 36 for 5 in the time it takes to put the kettle on. Paul Gibson and J Winnington both departed for ducks, and the whole innings folded for 61 in 24.2 overs.

Beaten by 151 runs, then — no dressing that up. But it's early days in the season, and with Paul Gibson topping our wicket charts and yours truly leading the run column, there's a foundation, however modest, to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

Tue 26 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformWDWLW

Tuesday 26 June 1984, and off we trundled to Hollingbourne, where the toss deserted us as reliably as ever and we were put into the field. On a day when the ball did rather more work than our figures suggest it should have, Mike Donald gave us a lesson in how it's done, compiling a composed unbeaten 85 while C Crang chipped in a useful 37, and between them they hauled Hollingbourne to 162 for 5 off their sixteen overs. Martin Larkin was our pick of the bowlers with 2 for 36, well backed up by Mike Elworthy (1-39) and Paul Gibson (1-45), though none of it was quite enough to stem the tide.

Chasing 163 was always going to want application, and for a while Paul Bowles (23) and Paul Gibson (22) suggested we might just have it in us. Alas, from 91 for 6 to 94 for 9 the innings went up in smoke like a badly lit barbecue, and we were bowled out for 94 in twelve overs and two balls. Martin Larkin, so miserly with the ball, returned the compliment with the bat by contributing a golden duck — cricket's way of keeping a man humble in the same afternoon he'd excelled.

Bowles continues to lead our 1984 run charts with 667 to his name, and Elworthy sits second in the wicket-takers with 23, so the season's furniture is in good order even if Tuesday wasn't. A defeat by 68 runs, then, and no dressing it up: not our day. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sun 24 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv DC Dimanchians CC · HomeformLWDWL

Sunday brought Dimanchians CC to Linton Park, and having won the toss I elected to bat — the right call, I felt, though our top order took its time agreeing with me. We were reduced to nervous muttering at 4 for one, and poor David Lines contributed nothing but a duck to the cause, but Brian Piper settled things beautifully with a well-made fifty, 58 in all, steering us to 125 all out from 51.2 overs. Not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but cricket, thankfully, isn't played on paper.

So it proved. Dimanchians lost their first wicket for just five and never truly recovered their poise, slipping from 83 for five to 92 for eight as the innings unravelled under pressure, with P Barton, J Casely and S Dhiman all departing without troubling the scorers. R Walker's 34 and B Whiteford's 23 were the only real resistance. The day belonged to Paul Bowles, whose relentless 7 for 30, five maidens included, was as fine a spell as you'll see on this ground. I found some rhythm myself with 3 for 45, and between us Dimanchians were bowled out for 98 from 38.3 overs.

A 27-run win, two points banked, and a tidy footnote besides: Paul Bowles's haul lifts him past Nigel Thirkell into second on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and he leads our 1984 run charts to boot. I find myself, rather improbably, top of the season's wicket pile with 38. A thoroughly deserved victory, and a thoroughly enjoyable one to captain.

Sat 23 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformLLWDW

We lost the toss at West Farleigh and were sent out to field, which on a warm June afternoon felt rather like being handed the washing-up before you'd even had your tea. Their openers set about us with real purpose, putting on 83 before the first wicket fell, and Micky Back went on to make a chanceless 81, well supported by Chris Milstead's 25 and Barry Brigden's 22, as they built towards 198 all out in 45.4 overs. To our credit we hauled them back from 151-3 to 159-6 when it mattered, and Jon Harris span through them beautifully for 5-61, with Mike Elworthy toiling away for 4-83 including two maidens, and Paul Bowles chipping in with 1-30.

Chasing 198 was always going to ask questions of us, and Paul Bowles answered most of them with a fine 45, ably backed by Nigel Stallard's 36 and Malcolm Pay's 24, the pair adding 60 for the second wicket to give us something to dream on. But dreams, like teapots, are fragile things, and we subsided from 146-6 to 153-9 in the time it takes to butter a scone. Fred Baker, David Iliffe and Sean Riley all made the long walk back without troubling the scorers — three ducks paddling about the Linton Park pond this week.

We finished 153 all out in 42.5 overs, beaten by 45 runs. Paul Bowles remains our leading run-scorer this summer with 641, and Jon Harris tops the wicket charts with 35 — small consolations, but honest ones. A defeat, fair and square, but not a disgrace; we'll dust ourselves off and come again next Saturday.

Tue 19 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformLLLWD

Tuesday last, under a sky that couldn't quite make its mind up, we welcomed Maidstone Ymca to Linton for what turned into a proper nerve-shredder. Put in the field first, we did our early work well enough, restricting the visitors to 81 for 7 from their sixteen overs. Pete Worsnop was the main obstacle with a brisk 21, but the day belonged to Paul Gibson, whose figures of 4 for 18 did the real damage, with Allan Cooper chipping in usefully at 2 for 8.

Eighty-two to win from sixteen overs sounds gentle enough on paper. It did not feel gentle. We lost a wicket before the scoreboard had troubled itself with a single run, and from there the innings seemed determined to test every cardiac muscle in the clubhouse, slumping from 0 for 1 to 12 for 4 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea. Poor Bob Lines contributed a golden duck to proceedings, gone before he'd properly arrived. I did what I could with 17, and it was Allan Cooper, fittingly making his 200th appearance in Linton colours, who steadied things with a fine 26 to drag us home.

We scraped over the line at 82 for 8, winners by two wickets, hearts firmly in mouths throughout. A wobble, a milestone, and a win — you cannot ask for much more from a Tuesday. Onwards.

Sun 17 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv Lordswood CC · HomeformLLLLW

Sunday 17th June saw Lordswood CC come to us at Linton Park, and for once the coin obliged me — I called correctly and, with a rare flash of tactical clarity, sent us in to bat.

What followed was as fine an opening stand as this diary has had the pleasure of recording. Our openers put on 95 before the first wicket finally fell, batting with a composure that left the rest of us purring on the boundary and wondering aloud whether we'd even be needed. Bob Lines was the chief architect, a fluent 62 that had the makings of something bigger, while Jim Hall — who continues his quietly magnificent season, now sitting second in the club's run charts with 369 to his name — chipped in a typically busy 42. Nigel Thirkell saw us home in style with an unbeaten 26, and we closed on a handsome 145 for 2 from our 34.2 overs.

With the bat done, it fell to us to defend it, and defend it we did — Lordswood's innings closed without registering a run to their name, a stubborn rearguard that denied us the win but denied themselves rather more besides.

So honours were shared, neither side able to force matters to a conclusion. A draw, then — not the result the scorebook suggests we deserved after that top order performance, but with batting like that on show, I'll take the point and the pride in equal measure.

Sat 16 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · AwayformDLLLL

Won the toss at Maidstone Ymca and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I felt, and for once nobody in the pavilion argued with me. Bob Lines set about proving me correct with a fine 67, marshalling a handy 60-run stand for the second wicket before Jim Hall chimed in with an unbeaten 44 and David Iliffe chipped in a tidy 30. Even the tail found something to say for itself, adding a cheeky final 46 to leave the fielding side thoroughly out of sorts. We closed on 202/6 from our 39 overs, which felt like a total with a bit of steel in it.

Steel it proved to be. Maidstone lost their first wicket for just 6, with L Read and S Tucker both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers — ducks apiece, and no sympathy offered. Dave Goodyer's 21 was as good as it got for them. Jon Harris was in irresistible form, tearing through with 5 for 34 including four maidens that strangled any hope of momentum, well backed by Mike Elworthy's 4 for 45 and a wicket for Nigel Stallard. Their innings folded for 118 in 31.2 overs.

An 84-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. With Jim Hall now sitting second in the season's run charts and Jon Harris leading the wickets column, the form is there for all to see. A good day for the club, and one I shall enjoy remembering rather more than most.

Tue 12 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWDLLL

Tuesday saw us make the trip to The Mote, and my call at the toss deserted me entirely — down it went, and we were asked to bowl. Sixteen overs later I rather wished I'd lost more convincingly, as their total climbed to a hefty 197 for 5. R Holmes was the chief architect, ninety not out and looking, for long spells, entirely unstoppable, with John Lawrence's well-made fifty and William Hickling's 25 lending sturdy support — their fourth-wicket pair adding a crucial 79 that rather took the match away from us. Martin Larkin toiled hardest for 2-51, I chipped in with figures to match, and Allan Cooper picked up 1-18 for his troubles.

Chasing 198 was always going to ask questions of our batting, and we answered them badly. Jim Hall's 28 was the one substantial contribution, but the middle order folded like a deckchair in a gale — 51 for 3 became 59 for 6 with barely time to draw breath, and we limped to 72 for 7 from our sixteen overs. Special mention, if that's the word, to Sean Cook, whose nought earns him this week's entry in the Duck Club ledger — the walk of shame duly completed.

We finished 125 runs adrift, a margin that flatters no one. Still, Jim Hall continues his fine season, now second in the run charts with 283, and I'll take some quiet satisfaction in staying top of the wicket-takers with 25. A chastening evening, but we'll be better for it next week.

Mon 11 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv ME Maidstone Etceteras · HomeformTWDLL

Monday 11 June 1984, and we welcomed our visitors with the sun out and hopes reasonably high — the kind of afternoon that promises much and, as it turned out, delivered rather less than we'd have liked.

Put into the field, we had them in some bother early on, and the middle overs were a joy to watch: 62-3 became 75-6 in the blink of an eye, and Paul Gibson led the charge with a fine 3-30, well supported by Mike Elworthy's 2-23 and Allan Cooper's solitary but useful scalp. Only Nigel Stallard, digging in for 34, gave the innings any real backbone, and they limped to 110/9 from their sixteen overs — a target that felt, briefly, within our compass.

It was not to be. Our reply never found its feet, collapsing from 61-3 to 69-6 in a rush that will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons, and we were bowled out for 72. The duck club welcomed three new members — Mike Elworthy, Simon Thirkell and David Lines all making that most dispiriting of walks back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Small mercy that Elworthy's ball still swings, his season's haul now sitting second in the 1st XI wicket charts with fourteen.

A defeat by 38 runs, then, and no dressing it up: heads down, back to the nets, and hope for sunnier scoring next time out.

Sun 10 Jun 1984 🧢 Sunday NVKCv LK Leigh CC, Kent · AwayformWWWLW

Sunday 10th June saw us make the pilgrimage to Leigh CC, a fixture that always demands more of the legs and the patience than most. The coin let us down at the toss and we were put into the field, which on reflection may have suited us less than we'd have liked. Nick Waite gave us a torrid time of it, easing to 73, with Gary Wood chipping in a handy 49, and a stand of 71 for their sixth wicket did the real damage as they closed on a stiff 189 for 9 from their forty overs. Credit where it's due, though — Trevor Back was magnificent with the ball, snaring 4 for 30, and Allan Cooper bowled with real discipline, 3 for 19 including three maidens, tight as a drum. Jon Harris weighed in with one for his efforts, and at least E Houghton departed for nought, which offered some small consolation amid the carnage.

Chasing 190 always looked a tall order, and so it proved, though not without a fight. Trevor Back, having done his bit with the ball, then did it again with the bat — a fine 66 that was easily the innings' backbone — well supported by Malcolm Pay's 21, the pair adding 60 for the third wicket to give us hope. In the end we fell short on 165 for 8, twenty-four runs shy.

Not our day, then, but Trevor Back's all-round effort was the story of the match, and sits him proudly atop both the run and wicket charts this season. Heads up, lads — back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Sat 09 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWTWDL

Saturday the ninth of June found us away at Rumwood, and the coin did me no favours — they won the toss and chose to bat, so we were straight into the field. They settled in and made themselves at home, closing on 160 for 5 from 49 overs. John Pearson anchored things with 41 not out, Sam Simmonds chipped in 38, and Brian Aiston finished unbeaten on 33. We struck early — a wicket for just 7 — but a stand of 58 for the fifth wicket let the innings breathe again. Fred Cheesman was pick of the bowlers with 3 for 51, Martin Larkin bowled tightly for 1 for 28 with six maidens, and Mike Elworthy took 1 for 30.

Chasing 161, we could only muster 80 all out from 44 overs. An early stumble at 0 for 1 set the tone, and though we steadied for a spell, the innings collapsed from 67 for 6 to 80 for 9 in a rush that made grim viewing. Mike Elworthy, Simon Thirkell and John Hansford all walked back for ducks, and ten byes told their own tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Jim Hall, who can at least point to second place in this season's run charts on 255. Mike Elworthy sits third in the wicket-takers on 12.

All out for 80, beaten by 80 runs — as tidy a scoreline as it was chastening. Not our day; heads up, and back to the nets.

Tue 05 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWTWD

Skipper's Log — Tuesday 05 June 1984

Won the toss, elected to bat — the right call, I felt, though the scorebook took its own view of matters shortly afterwards. We slumped to 4-1 before a wicket had barely been troubled, and from there the innings had all the shape and dignity of a deckchair in a gale: 28-2 became 33-5 before most of us had finished our tea. Special mention, as tradition demands, for Paul Gibson's golden duck — the full walk of shame, bat under arm, dignity left somewhere back in the pavilion. I chipped in with 17, which felt at the time like rather more than the rest of the order was managing between them. We were bowled out for 65/9 from our sixteen overs, a total that flattered nobody.

Then it was West Farleigh's turn to bat, and I'm afraid they made rather light work of it. Fred Baker played the anchor role to perfection with an unbeaten 33, well supported by Micky Back's equally composed 30 not out, and the pair saw their side home in just 10.3 overs without losing a wicket. Not so much a chase as a stroll to the tea urn.

Down by five wickets, then, and not our day by any stretch. For what it's worth, I'm now sitting atop the 1984 1st XI run charts with 596 for the season — small consolation on an afternoon like this. Heads up, chins together, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 03 Jun 1984 🧢 Sunday NVKCv UC Underriver CC · HomeformLWWWL

Lost the toss on Sunday and asked to bowl first — not the worst fate against Underriver, as it turned out. They laboured to 122 all out in their 40 overs, with only Jeremy Bentall looking entirely at home, ambling to a fine unbeaten 65, well supported by G Hall's 29. We had them 8 for 1 early doors, though a stubborn 82-run stand for the sixth wicket threatened to get away from us before the middle order collapsed in a heap — Cowdroy, Gray and Scott all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Allan Cooper did the real damage with 2 for 18, Trevor Back matched him for figures while sending down four miserly maidens, and I chipped in with 2 for 22 to keep things honest.

Chasing 123, we made a proper meal of it before getting there, scrambling home on 126 for 7 with two overs to spare. Trevor Back, clearly enjoying his afternoon, carried on where he'd left off with the ball to make an unbeaten 32, ably backed up by Jon Harris's 23, and a watchful 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket dragged us over the line after Allan Cooper's golden duck threatened to derail things. I added a steady 15 down the order.

Three wickets, two points, and a great deal more anxiety than the scoreline suggests — but a win is a win, and I'll take it gladly.

Sat 02 Jun 1984 🧢 1st XIv CC Chatham Nomads CC · HomeformLLWTW

Saturday last saw Chatham Nomads roll into Linton Park, and having lost the toss I was told, politely but firmly, that we'd be doing the chasing. No matter — first use of the new ball is a fine consolation prize, and the lads made the most of it. The Bartons did their best to build something substantial, K Barton top-scoring with 33 and brother B chipping in 23, but Jon Harris was in irresistible mood, prising out three for 21, while Nigel Stallard and I shared the mopping-up with two apiece. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at five maidens of my own — not a run given away lightly, and there's a certain stubborn joy in boring the opposition into submission. All out for 138 off their fifty overs felt like a job well done.

Chasing it down should have been the formality. It wasn't. I dug in for an unbeaten 45 and did what I could to shepherd things along, but around me the innings rather came apart at the seams — 36 for 4 became 44 for 7 before anyone quite knew what had happened, Nick Dunham's duck the cruellest cut of a chastening afternoon for the Duck Club ledger. We limped to 113 for 9 off our 54, agonisingly short, and honours were shared.

A draw, then — honest reward for honest cricket, if a little more nerve-jangling than the scorecard suggests. Special mention to Jon Harris for sailing past 1,100 career wickets; the rest of us will just have to keep chasing his shadow, on the field and up the season's table alike.

Thu 24 May 1984 🧢 1st XIv Snodland Community CC · AwayformWLLWT

Thursday last took us down to Snodland Community CC, and for once the coin actually did as it was told — I called correctly and, with the sun out and the outfield fast, there was never any doubt I'd have us bat first.

It proved the right call. Sixteen overs brought us a brisk 135 for the loss of only two, and I'll admit to a quiet glow of satisfaction at contributing 63 of them myself — a knock that, for once, went entirely to plan. Malcolm Pay was the ideal foil, ticking along to an unbeaten 60 of his own, and between us we rather took the shine off Snodland's afternoon before they'd bowled a ball in anger.

Defending 135 in 16 overs is never quite the formality the scorebook suggests, and Richardson gave their innings some backbone with a fighting 43. But the bowlers kept squeezing: Mike Elworthy was the pick with 2 for 27, well supported by Jon Harris (2 for 33) and Paul Gibson (1 for 23), while poor C Hale trudged off for a duck without troubling the scorers at all. Snodland limped to 101 for 8, and the required rate simply ran away from them.

A win by 34 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — with the runs and wickets column for the season ticking along nicely besides. Onwards to the next one.

Sat 19 May 1984 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWLLW

Saturday 19 May 1984, Headcorn CC at home, and I lost the toss for the umpteenth time this season – they had a look at the covers, decided they liked the weather, and sent us out to field.

To our credit, we made a proper fist of it. Alastair Lee got in and stayed in, motoring past his fifty and finishing on exactly that, with John Phipps (34) and Simon Phipps (26) chipping in to nudge Headcorn to 198/8 off their 46. Jon Harris was the pick of the attack by some distance – four wickets for 56, five maidens in the bargain, bowling with the sort of miserly discipline that has him leading our season's wicket charts, and rightly so. Martin Larkin weighed in with three for 59 to keep the squeeze on at the other end.

Chasing 199, we set about it in good order. Bob Lines played the innings of the day, 78 full of the kind of strokes that make tea taste better, with Nick Dunham (23) and Malcolm Pay, unbeaten on 23, doing the steady work around him. I had my own small say in proceedings too, though it was very much a team effort that got us to the doorstep. We closed on 198 for 7 off 44 – one run short, one wicket in hand, and not a thing to choose between the two sides.

A tie, then – the most maddening and most magnificent result in cricket. Two teams, one whole day, and not a blade of grass between us. Nobody lost, which in Linton Park terms feels rather like everybody won.

Tue 15 May 1984 🧢 1st XIv Addington Village CC · HomeformWWWLL

Tuesday the 15th of May, and Addington Village CC the visitors — the sort of fixture that either does for you or does you proud. Won the toss, had a look at the strip, and elected to bat, which I still maintain was the right call even before a ball was bowled. Early wobble though — 4 for 1 was hardly the platform I'd ordered — before I settled in and simply refused to leave, carrying on to 78 not out while the innings built nicely around me. Jim Hall chipped in with a tidy 23 (and in doing so, quietly nudged past Brian Piper into 11th on the club's all-time run charts — no fuss, no fanfare, just history being made at the non-striker's end), and Allan Cooper finished unbeaten on 22 as we added a crucial 68 for the third wicket. Poor Paul Gibson, meanwhile, made his contribution rather too quickly, back in the pavilion for a duck and no doubt already dreading the ledger. 132 for 3 from our sixteen felt like a total with some bite to it.

Defending it, we made them work but never quite let them settle. Another cheap opening wicket, 2 for 1, then John Scott and T Francis threatened to make a match of it with a stand of 51, but the floodgates burst wonderfully — 99 for 3 became 101 for 6 in the blink of an eye, and Jon Harris, with 2 for 23, led the charge beautifully, well backed by Allan Cooper and Paul Gibson with a wicket apiece.

A win by 26 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Onwards we go.

Sun 13 May 1984 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lawrence & Highland Court CC · HomeformWWWWL

Sunday 13th May found us at home to St Lawrence & Highland Court, and the coin let me down before I'd even had chance to bowl — down went the toss, and up went their innings. Two hundred and thirty-one for five off their 48 overs told its own story, built chiefly around R Merriman's fine 95 and a watchful 71 not out from C Wells, the pair putting on 123 for the fourth wicket while the rest of us toiled in the field. Only R Harriott troubled the scorers not at all, back in the hutch without a run to his name. Paul Gibson led our attack manfully with 2-56, Allan Cooper metered things out beautifully with three maidens on his way to 1-21, and Mike Elworthy chipped in with 1-24 for good measure.

Chasing 232 was always going to ask questions of the top order, and an early wicket with just four on the board set nerves jangling before we'd settled. I'm pleased to say I found some form and made 108, the only three-figure score of the day, with David Iliffe offering fine support in a 58-run third-wicket stand. But cricket has a habit of humbling you, and a horror collapse from 150 for six to 153 for nine undid all our good work, with Malcolm Pay, David Lines and Sean Cook all departing without troubling the scorers.

All out for 158, beaten by 73 runs. A chastening afternoon in the field made worse by a familiar failing with the bat — but there's plenty to build on, not least in the middle order, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 12 May 1984 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWWWWW

Right, well, it was a bright Saturday for the 12th of May and I lost the toss – which, given how the day went, might have set the tone. Rumwood CC had us in the field first, and 187 for 5 off their 46 overs felt like a competitive total once Colin Palmer (59) and Neville Smith (55) got their heads down and put on 110 for the fourth wicket, the kind of stand that has fielders checking their watches. Credit where it's due: Mike Elworthy was superb with 4 for 49, I chipped in with 1 for 35, and Jon Harris strangled the life out of the middle overs with six maidens – not a run given away lightly.

Chasing 188, we made a fair fist of it. Jim Hall anchored things beautifully for an unbeaten 71, ably supported by my own 31 and Bob Lines's 22, though poor Nigel Stallard will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry. Nine byes crept through as well – a testing day behind the stumps for Jim Hall, wicketkeeping gloves clearly not immune to Saturday jitters. We finished on 172 for 4 from our 44, falling agonisingly short by 15 runs.

Not our day, then, but no disgrace in it either – Rumwood batted well and we simply came up short at the death. On the season's charts I'm pleased to be leading the run-scoring with 277 and sitting second among the wicket-takers with 11, so there are grounds for quiet satisfaction amid the defeat. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets we go.

Mon 07 May 1984 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWWWW

Skipper's Log — Monday 7th May 1984. Off to Bearsted we went, and having lost the toss I duly volunteered us into the field, which is captain's code for "I called wrong and Bearsted fancied batting." They ground their way to 179 for 8 off 46 overs, Ted Holloway playing the innings of the day with a handsome fifty, well supported by David Brown's 40 and Paul Gibson's 26, the two of them putting on 51 for the fourth wicket while the rest of us stood about admiring it. Mick Filmer, mercifully, went for a duck at our end — small mercies. Allan Cooper did the heavy lifting with 3 for 37, Sean Cook chipped in 3 for 40, and Jon Harris toiled away for 2 for 72 with five miserly maidens that kept the scoring, if not the swearing, down.

Chasing 180, we got there with three wickets and a few overs to spare, which felt rather more comfortable in the writing than it did in the doing. Bob Lines led from the front with 40, Malcolm Pay kept him honest with 35, and I contributed a tidy 26 of my own, the pair of us at the top adding a vital 55 to set the tone. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time of it all round — golden duck with the bat, then eight byes through the gloves, though I shan't be the one to remind him of it twice.

Two points, and thoroughly earned. A scrappy, honest win — the sort that reminds you cricket owes you nothing, and occasionally pays up anyway.

Sun 06 May 1984 🧢 1st XIv SC Sandwich Town CC · HomeformWWWWW

A curious toss to lose on a bright Sunday, this one — Sandwich Town called correctly and asked us to bowl, and for once I wasn't sorry to be defending rather than chasing. It could hardly have started better: Sandwich Town lost their opener with nothing at all on the board, and things briefly threatened to turn into a rout. Jon Harris was in imperious form with the new ball, finishing with 3-13, while Paul Gibson bowled beautifully tight for 3-20 including four maidens, and Allan Cooper chipped in with 2-25. Only Kevin Beaumont, with a defiant 40, gave the innings any real shape, and Sandwich Town were all out for 94 in 39.3 overs.

Chasing 95 should have been a stroll, and in truth it very nearly wasn't — 96 for 5 in 36.3 overs tells you there were a few alarms along the way. Alan Carpenter, David Mills and Andy Chapman all fell without scoring, which is not the batting order I'd choose to put my name to, but Jim Hall held firm superbly for an unbeaten 37, and I was glad to lend him some support with 33 of my own before the job was done.

A five-wicket win, then, and a tidy one on the scorecard if not always on the nerves. I find myself atop the season's run charts with 220, and Jon Harris leads the wickets with ten — early signs of a promising summer. Onwards indeed.

Sat 05 May 1984 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformWWWWW

No luck with the coin on a grey Saturday down at Bidborough — they called it right and stuck us in the field, which after the winter we'd had felt like typical village cricket justice. Still, we made them work for their 147, all out in 48.5 overs. M Tolhurst held firm for 41, with G Reiss (26) and R Stedman (23) chipping in, and a seventh-wicket stand of 66 that threatened to get away from us before we hauled things back. Eddie Keates, S Bristow and Alf Thorne all trooped off without so much as a run to their name, and we tore through the middle order from 12-1 to 18-4 in a blur. I found a rare rhythm with the ball and finished with 4-20, while Jon Harris bowled beautifully for 4-31 — eleven maidens, not a run given away lightly — and Fred Cheesman chipped in with 2-40.

Chasing 148, Jim Hall played the innings of the day, a composed 52, ably backed by Bob Lines with 27. Poor David Iliffe endured the walk of shame for a duck, but we got home by three wickets with overs to spare — 151/7 in the end.

Extra cheer for Jon Harris, whose 11 runs eased him past Robert Murray into 14th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. And with 187 runs and 10 wickets, I find myself atop both the 1984 batting and bowling charts — a statistic I intend to enjoy while it lasts. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 29 Apr 1984 🧢 1st XIv CC Chatham Nomads CC · HomeformDWWWW

Won the toss on a fine Sunday and, with the outfield running quick, there was only ever one decision to make: we'd bat. Runs came steadily rather than in a torrent, and 202/4 off our 44 overs was a fair reflection of a tidy top order — Paul Gibson's 44 and Jim Hall's 35 gave the innings its spine, and an 87-run stand for the third wicket did the real donkey work of taking the game away from Chatham Nomads. I'll confess to rather enjoying my own afternoon with the bat, finding the sort of rhythm that doesn't come along often, and was delighted to bring up a hundred and, with it, 19,000 career runs for the club — not a bad way to spend a Sunday.

With the ball we were relentless. Trevor Back bowled with the miserly discipline of a man auditing the tea urn — six maidens and 3-16 — while I found some rhythm of my own for 3-13. Paul Gibson chipped in too, and between us we turned 140-7 into 146 all out in the blink of an eye, P Loader's battling 43 the only real resistance. Ten byes was the one blot on Jim Hall's afternoon, and no doubt he'll hear about it in the bar.

Individual landmarks aplenty — Trevor's 200th career wicket, and a leap-frog of George Champion into 18th on the all-time list — but the true story was a team performance from top to bottom. A comfortable 56-run win, and a thoroughly satisfying way to open the season's account.

Sat 28 Apr 1984 🧢 1st XIv Penshurst Park CC · HomeformDDWWW

Saturday 28 April 1984 saw Penshurst Park CC pay us a visit, and the coin, as it so often does to me, sided with the visitors. They elected to bat, which on reflection suited us nicely.

They made 155 all out in 43.4 overs, though not without alarm — an early wicket at 0 had them wobbling before Mark Jenner (46) and John Lambert (30) steadied things with a 64-run stand for the seventh wicket. It didn't last: 33-2 became 40-5 in a hurry, Geoff Ray departing without troubling the scorers. I was fortunate enough to find good rhythm with the ball, taking 3-3, while Mike Elworthy (3-16) and a positively miserly Jon Harris (2-22, four maidens) squeezed the life out of the middle order.

With 156 to chase, I decided the sensible thing was to bat sensibly, then rather less sensibly carry on batting — 73 not out in the end, well supported by Malcolm Pay (31) and Nigel Stallard (27), as we cruised to 157/2 in 33.1 overs. Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes leaking away, though nobody seemed to mind much with the game so firmly in hand.

A word for Malcolm Pay, who brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours and, in the same knock, eased past Ray Howard into 16th on the club's all-time run charts — not a bad way to mark two centuries of service. Eight wickets, a fair few smiles, and a season table I find myself rather unexpectedly topping. Onwards indeed.