🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 27 Sep 1986 🧢 1st XIv HC Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC · HomeformLWWLD

Toss lost again — story of my season — and Hastings & St Leonards Priory duly asked us to field on a fine Saturday afternoon. We did strike early, removing the first wicket for just six, but from there Terry Wright settled in for a fine half-century, 60 well-made runs, ably supported by Tim Booth-Jones with a tidy 30, and between them they hauled the visitors up to a competitive 147 for 7 off their 51.2 overs.

I can't claim it was all one-way traffic for the bowlers, mind — I found some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 3 for 23 including seven maidens, hardly a run given away lightly, while Paul Gibson chipped in gamely with 3 for 37 and Paul Bowles took 1 for 17 for good measure.

Chasing 148, we never quite got out of second gear, subsiding to 98 for 8 off 39 overs — poor Dave Todd contributing nothing but a duck to the cause, bless him. Still, on a personal note it's pleasing to report I lead the 1st XI's run charts this season with 965 and sit second in the wickets with 48 — scant consolation for a Saturday when the runs simply wouldn't flow for the rest of us.

A draw, then — honours shared when neither side could force the matter. Not the win we wanted, but with the bowling doing its job and the batting still finding its feet, I'll happily take that and live to fight another Saturday.

Wed 24 Sep 1986 🧢 Midweek XIv P Penshurst · AwayformLDWWD

We travelled down to Penshurst last Wednesday with the sun doing its best and, having won the toss, I had no hesitation in sending us in to bat — a decision I shall claim full credit for regardless of what followed. What followed, happily, was rather good: 188 for 5 off our 35 overs, built on a marvellous 133-run stand for the third wicket between Nigel Thirkell and Paul Bowles. Nigel cruised to 66, Paul pressed on past his own fifty to 61, and David Castle chipped in with a tidy 32 to round the innings off nicely.

Penshurst, to their credit, did not fold. C. Fry made a fine 66 of his own, and D. Williams saw them home to a respectable 185 for 6 from 40 overs with an unbeaten 58, though Littlechild and D. Cooper will both want quiet words with themselves after departing without troubling the scorers. It was Matt Large who caused the real bother — 3 for 29 with two miserly maidens — while Michael Chambers took 1 for 37 and I managed 1 for 47 myself, more through persistence than penetration.

A word too for Michael Chambers, whose solitary wicket nudged him past Ian Brattle into 25th on the club's all-time list — a small footnote in a long and honourable ledger. With Nigel now top of our 1986 run charts and my own 18 wickets leading the bowling, the season has plenty still to say. As for Penshurst: honours even, a draw that flattered neither side but disappointed nobody either — the very essence of midweek cricket.

Sun 21 Sep 1986 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWLWWL

Called it right at the toss and, with visions of a flat pitch and a fast outfield dancing before me, had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat first — some decisions you live to regret, but this wasn't quite one of them. We ground our way to 160 for 7 from our 46 overs, a total that owed almost everything to Keith Hatcher, who eased past his fifty and finished unbeaten-in-spirit on 56, well supported by David Castle's tidy 27 and a promising 23 from Hayzelton. Elsewhere in the Duck Club ledger, poor Matt Large made the long walk back for nought — the sort of low comedy that keeps this club humble.

Defending 160 always felt like a stiff ask against Anchorians, and so it proved as Barry Diplock played the innings of the day, top-scoring with 44 and dragging his side to within sight of us. But we scrapped hard: Jon Harris was superb, 3 for 29 and every inch the season's leading wicket-taker, while I chipped in with 2 for 18 to do my bit up front, and Alan Boyns picked up a handy 1 for 8. Ian Brattle bowled two tidy maidens, and R Haley joined the duck club at our hands, which cheered us all no end.

In the end Anchorians closed on 121 for 7 from their 37, and honours were shared — a draw when neither side had quite enough left to force it. Not a win, but not a defeat either: a fair result, honestly earned, and a pleasant enough Sunday for all that.

Sat 20 Sep 1986 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWLWW

Skipper's Log — 20 September 1986. Won the toss, and being a captain of unshakeable optimism, or possibly just poor judgement, I stuck us in. The lads did us proud, though: 160 for 5 off our 46, with Paul Bowles playing the innings of the day, 90 not out and still going strong when the overs ran out. The sort of knock that makes the tea taste sweeter.

Defending it was another matter entirely. West Farleigh lost an early wicket for just 1 and we allowed ourselves a hopeful glance at each other, but Tim Baker (79 not out) and Keith Patey (39) had other ideas and steadied the ship rather emphatically. Matt Large did his level best to keep the lid on things — 3 for 29 with five maidens, tight as you like — well supported by Paul Bowles (2-32) and Paul Gibson (1-16), but their last pair found 39 runs we could have done without, and Tony Hyde and M. Waters both departed without troubling the scorers 🦆. West Farleigh got there for the loss of seven, 164 to our 160.

Season's silver linings: Bowles now sits second in the 1st XI run charts with 820, and Large third in the wickets with 43 — proof there's method in among the muddle.

Not our day, then — beaten by three wickets, heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Wed 10 Sep 1986 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLDWW

Wednesday 10 September brought us to The Mote CC, and for once the toss went my way — I had no hesitation putting us in, a decision that for the first hour or so of Dalrimple's fifty looked positively inspired. We'd stumbled early, losing a wicket with just 3 on the board, the sort of nervy start that has openers muttering into their tea, but Dalrimple and Ian Hammond restored calm with a fine second-wicket stand of 105. Dalrimple went on to 86, Hammond made a tidy 44, and I chipped in with 25 lower down, as we closed on a healthy 199/6 from our 46 overs.

Defending it was always going to be the sterner test, and The Mote made us work for every run. Hatcher's 33 and Mullarkey's 31 gave their innings some backbone, with Bristow's 23 and a stubborn 55-run third-wicket stand threatening to bat us out of it altogether. But we kept chipping away — Alan Boyns led the attack beautifully with 2-23, I managed 2-24 with three maidens to keep things tight, and Michael Chambers picked up 2-50, a landmark effort that nudges him past Ian Brattle into 25th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Poor Jordan departed without troubling the scorers, but The Mote dug in to close on 161/8 from their 42 overs.

In the end neither side could quite land the killer blow, and honours were shared. A draw it may have been, but with Dalrimple third in this season's run charts and my own 9 wickets keeping me second in the bowling table, I left The Mote reasonably satisfied with an afternoon's honest toil.

Sun 07 Sep 1986 🧢 1st XIv MH Mad Hatters · HomeformWLWLW

Sunday brought Mad Hatters to Linton Park, and after a summer of steady graft it was rather satisfying to see the lads produce one of those afternoons when everything just clicks. Put in to bowl, we watched their innings tick along nicely enough — O'Neill top-scored with 34, well supported by Hunter's 32 and Robertson's 31, the pair adding a crucial 55 for the third wicket — before we hauled things back sharply, tumbling them from 136-5 to 147-8 in no time and sending Clayton back without troubling the scorers. They were all out for 158 off 48.4 overs. Jon Harris was the story of the day with a richly deserved 5-53, ably backed by Allan Cooper's 2-40 and four miserly maidens from Paul Gibson on his way to 1-25.

In reply, we made harder work of it than the bowling figures might have suggested, stumbling to 1-1 early on before Keith Hatcher's fine 64 and Trevor Back's well-made fifty rebuilt everything with a commanding 107-run stand for the fourth wicket. I shan't pretend my 16 down the order will trouble the record books, but it kept things ticking while the real work went on around me. Hayzelton departed for a duck, but by then the platform was solid enough, and we got home on 161/6 in 41.3 overs.

A fine win by four wickets, then, and thoroughly deserved. Harris's five-for keeps him out in front of the 1986 wicket charts with 73 scalps, and I'm quietly chuffed to still be leading the run charts with 949 for the season. Onwards.

Sat 06 Sep 1986 🧢 1st XIv Sibton Park CC · HomeformWWLWL

It was Sibton Park CC who came to Linton Park on Saturday 6th September 1986, and I sent them in first — a decision I was quietly congratulating myself on and quietly regretting in roughly equal measure as R. Arnold set about us for a fine 57, with N. Morgan (39) and P. Fox (37) lending willing support and a 58-run opening stand that gave them the platform to reach 179/7 from their 42.1 overs. Poor D. Eddie departed without so much as a peep on the scoreboard. It was Dave Todd who did the real damage with a superb 3-27, Jon Harris chipped in with 2-57, Matt Large bowled two tidy maidens to keep things honest, and I managed a modest 1-26 of my own to round things off.

Chasing 180, we lost an early wicket with just 2 runs up and a few of us reaching for the smelling salts — but Dave Todd, fresh from his bowling exploits, then played the innings of the day with 72, and Paul Gibson gave him fine company with a well-made 56, the pair adding 110 for the second wicket to put the result beyond doubt. We got there on 182/6 from 44 overs with wickets and, by our standards, remarkably intact nerves to spare.

A four-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round — Dave Todd's name goes up in lights for the double, and with the season charts showing me still out in front with the bat and Jon Harris leading the way with ball in hand, the old side is in rude health. Onwards.

Sun 31 Aug 1986 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformWLWLL

Winning the toss at Mullion on a bright August Sunday, I had no hesitation in taking first strike — batting first felt like the right call, and so it proved. Sean Charlton set about proving me right in some style, easing to 63 not out with the sort of well-made fifty that makes captaincy look easy, while David Castle chipped in handsomely with 55 of his own. The pair put on a crucial 69 for the fifth wicket that took the game away from Mullion before it had properly begun. I added 29 down the order, and it would be remiss not to mention the two Duck Club entries — Nigel Thirkell and Piers McDonald both endured that lonely walk back for nought. We closed on a healthy 176 for 7 from our 45 overs.

Defending that total, the bowlers did the job in style. Matt Large was the pick with 3 for 26, well supported by Jon Harris's 2 for 17 and Michael Chambers's 2 for 46, the latter squeezing four maidens out of an unforgiving day. Campbell's 31 and Vincent's 27 threatened to make a match of it, but Mullion were bowled out for 152 in 42 overs, Baker departing without troubling the scorers. I'll confess the 12 byes conceded behind the stumps tell their own story of a testing afternoon for me with the gloves.

A fine win by 24 runs, and with Charlton and Large leading the season's run and wicket charts respectively, the signs for the Tour XI are thoroughly encouraging. Onwards.

Fri 29 Aug 1986 🧢 Tour XIv HC Helston CC · AwayformWWLWL

Lost the toss again on Friday — Helston's captain barely disguised his glee at winning it — and we were put into the field on a ground that, I'll admit, had seen kinder days for us. Michael Chambers gave us the early breakthroughs with a tidy 2-25, and I chipped in with 2-31 of my own, while Matt Large bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding his wallet, two maidens and 1-38 to show for it. Still, T Drew's watchful 39 and Alan Plummer's 36 gave Helston the platform, Roy Marshall's 22 the polish, and 150/5 from their 45 overs felt like a total we'd need to bat properly to chase.

We did not bat properly. Five for one had the makings of a wobble; sixty-three for five had the makings of a collapse; and by the time we'd slid to 65/8 it had graduated into a full-blown horror show, with Piers McDonald, Richard Ashby and Simon Thirkell all contributing golden ducks to a batting card best viewed through one's fingers. I dug in for 32 and carried what innings there was, but 74 all out in 36.3 overs was never going to trouble the scoreboard operator.

One note of real pride amid the wreckage: Mike Elworthy brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, which deserves rather more fanfare than the circumstances allowed. Beaten by 76 runs, then — heads up, back to the nets, and onward to the next one.

Thu 28 Aug 1986 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformWWWLW

Thursday last saw us down at Falmouth, and having called correctly for once in my captaincy career, I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat — a decision I stood by right up until we found ourselves 7 for 1 and wondering whether confidence had rather outstripped judgement. Order was gradually restored, though, and I was glad to get among the runs myself with 41, well supported by Paul Gibson's 34 and Roger Crooks's 22. Poor David Castle will not thank me for recording his golden duck for posterity, but record it I must. A generous 26 in extras rounded out a total of 162 for 8 from our forty overs — respectable, if not exactly imposing.

Defending it proved a long afternoon. Keith Meneer played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 61 that Falmouth built around, with useful support from paul stephens's 25 and a stand of 51 for the fourth wicket that did the real damage to our hopes. Matt Large toiled magnificently for 3 for 20 with three maidens, and Jon Harris chipped in with 3 for 51, but Mike Elworthy had a torrid time behind the stumps, 15 byes escaping his gloves as Falmouth eased home at 164 for 6 with two balls to spare.

Beaten by four wickets, then, and no disgrace in it — though I lead our run charts and Matt tops the wickets, neither of us could quite get us over the line. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 24 Aug 1986 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformDWWLW

We won the toss on Sunday and I had no hesitation electing to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scoreboard says by close of play. Old Anchorians arrived at Linton Park to find us posting 158 for 9 off our 55, Piers McDonald leading the charge with a tidy 23, well supported by Jon Harris's 22. Not a total to frighten anyone, but enough, we hoped, to give our bowlers something to work with.

And work with it they did, for a while. I managed 15 with the bat and found some rhythm with the ball afterwards, finishing with 4 for 69 and five maidens to show the over rate wasn't entirely one of leather-hunting. Allan Cooper chipped in with 1 for 24 and Jon Harris, busy man, added 1 for 55. Between us we had Old Anchorians wobbling, only for their lower order — Goodger unbeaten on 33, Meadway 30, Hewitt 29 — to steady the ship, and then that wretched last pair to add an infuriating 38 we simply didn't need to gift them. They got home at 159 for 6 off 39.4 overs, four wickets to spare.

There was a personal silver lining amid the gloom — I brought up 17,000 career runs for the club, which the lads were kind enough to raise a glass to. Small mercies. Not our day overall, though: heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 23 Aug 1986 🧢 1st XIv HC Hempstead CC · HomeformDDWWL

Saturday the 23rd of August dawned kindly enough for Hempstead's visit, and having won the toss I did what any captain with a settled top order and a nervous disposition does — I stuck us in to bat. It looked a dreadful decision inside the first over, with the scoreboard reading a distinctly wobbly 2 for 1, but Paul Brattle and Bob Lines set about repairing the damage with a stand of 112 for the second wicket that turned panic into comfort. Brattle's well-made 61 was the innings' backbone, Lines chipped in with 49, and Keith Hatcher finished unbeaten on 47 to steer us to a handsome 192 for 3 from our 49 overs.

Defending that total, Hempstead never quite got going. J Beautridge's 28 and D Marsden's 27 were about the only runs that troubled the scorers, P Nastaly departed without scoring, and I found some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 5 for 32 — five of those overs maidens — while Malcolm Pay (3-34) and Sean Charlton (1-4) mopped up the rest between them. Hempstead were bowled out for 111 in 40.2 overs, though nine byes suggested poor Mike Elworthy behind the stumps had rather a testing afternoon of it.

Keith Hatcher now sits third in our season's run charts with 646, and I'm rather chuffed to find myself leading the wicket-takers with 65 for the year. A fine win by 81 runs, then — exactly the sort of afternoon that makes all the teas, the traffic and the toss-winning nerves worthwhile.

Wed 20 Aug 1986 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformLDLDW

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 20 August 1986. Gravesend CC visited, and having won the toss I did what any captain does when he can't quite believe his luck — I put us in.

It proved a shrewd call, or possibly a lucky one; the lads made 220 for 5 off 38.5 overs, built around a wonderful third-wicket stand of 177 between Nigel Thirkell, who fell agonisingly short of a century on 95, and David Castle, who cruised past his fifty to 89 and, more significantly, brought up 1,000 career runs for the club along the way — a landmark worth more than any of the runs scored around it. Poor Trevor Back will not thank me for mentioning his duck, but a report without a blot on the card wouldn't be honest.

Two hundred and twenty looked a defendable total, though none of us expected quite how defendable. Gravesend stumbled to 4 for 1 and never recovered their footing, collapsing from 4-1 to 9-4 as Farouk Qureshi and G Diplock both departed without scoring. I had one of those days with the ball that a captain dreams about and rarely gets, finishing with 4 for 32, with Matt Large bowling beautifully mean figures of 3 for 11 including six maidens, and Mike Elworthy chipping in with 1 for 2. Mark Housden's 22 was about the only resistance offered. All out for 63.

A 157-run victory, a milestone for David Castle, and, if I'm allowed one moment of immodesty, a personal haul that keeps me atop the wicket charts. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 17 Aug 1986 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · AwayformWDDWW

I won the toss on a bright Sunday down at Whitstable and, with barely a flicker of doubt, chose to bat. It proved the right call, up to a point. Trevor Back played the innings of the day, 95 that carried us to respectability, and he found the perfect foil in a busy little sixth-wicket stand of 75 with Piers McDonald, who finished unbeaten on 31. David Castle chipped in a tidy 28. As for the captain, I shall be brief: nought, and not a memorable one at that — we motored on to 176 for 6 off our 53 overs regardless.

Defending it, we started like a house on fire. Paul Bowles bowled beautifully — five maidens and 4 for 83 of real substance — with Ian Brattle and Jon Harris chipping in a wicket apiece, and we had Whitstable's last man, C. Clark, back in the hutch without scoring. But cricket has a cruel sense of humour, and their last pair simply refused to read the script, ferreting out an unwanted 115 while we watched half-chances go begging. R. Mills (63 not out) and A. Robertson (54 not out) had already done the damage with two well-made fifties, R. Janes adding 21, and Whitstable snuck home at 178 for 7.

Beaten by three wickets, then, in a match that had us dreaming for forty overs and wincing for the last four. Not our day — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 16 Aug 1986 🧢 1st XIv BC Brackley CC · HomeformDWDDW

The toss went against me — Brackley's captain took one look at the covers, called correctly, and stuck us in the field, which on a Saturday afternoon is not always the tonic a captain dreams of. Still, we set about it with more application than our top order would later manage to look modest about. Brackley wobbled early — 6 for 1 had the tea urn practically singing — before J Rule (42) and M Brown (37) steadied things with a stand of 72 for the sixth wicket that threatened to get away from us. It never quite did. Jon Harris was magnificent, 4 for 26, with Ian Brattle snapping up 4 for 36 and my brother Nigel chipping in with 1 for 6. Matt Large bowled three maidens of the sort that make batsmen question their life choices. All out 136 in 47.4 overs — a total we felt we could chase.

And chase it we did, for the loss of a single wicket. Sean Charlton played beautifully for 47, Nigel added an unbeaten 28, and I was fortunate enough to bat right through for 53 not out — a knock that, rather pleasingly, brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, though poor Ayling and Hutton went back without troubling the scorers at the other end of proceedings. Ian Brattle's four wickets also nudged him past Michael Chambers into 25th on the club's all-time list.

A fine win, then, by nine wickets. Onwards.

Wed 13 Aug 1986 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bobbing Court CC · AwayformWLDLD

I called correctly at the toss on a fine Wednesday and, showing all the boldness of a man who hadn't checked the weather forecast, elected to bat. It proved the right call, more or less — 168/7 off our 39 overs, built on a handsome 49 from Roger Crooks, with Mike Elworthy (38) and Andy Woollett (26) chipping in to give us something to bowl at. Not a total to frighten the neighbours, but respectable enough for a midweek fixture at Bobbing Court.

With ball in hand we set about defending it, and Trevor Back led the charge with a fine 3-53, backed up nicely by Ian Brattle's 2-23. I did my bit too, picking up 2-36 with seven maidens thrown in for good measure — miserly is the word, and I'll take it. R Paul gave Bobsing Court hope with a classy 56, but wickets fell steadily around him and they were bowled out for 147 off 42, 21 runs short.

I won't dwell too long on the 18 byes that crept past Mike Elworthy behind the stumps — a testing day for him with the gloves, and one he'd doubtless like back, though it mattered not in the end. Up the season charts, Roger Crooks now sits second in the run-scoring stakes with 74, and I find myself, rather pleasingly, top of the wicket-takers with 13.

A fine win by 21 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sun 10 Aug 1986 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformLDWDD

Skipper's Log — Benenden away, and a proper nail-biter to boot.

Put in the field first, we chipped away nicely at Benenden's total, though Sam Andrews' 40 and useful contributions from Nigel Phelps (23) and Gary Marshall (21) carried them to 183 all out from their 47 overs. Jon Harris was magnificent, snaring 4-52 and continuing his season-long assault on the wicket charts, with Sean Charlton (2-25, two miserly maidens) and Paul Gibson (2-25) squeezing the runs out at the other end. A fair total, but not an insurmountable one.

Chasing 184, Keith Hatcher played the innings of the day — a composed, classy fifty (51) that gave the run chase its spine, well supported by Paul Gibson's 37 and David Castle's 29, the pair adding a vital 56 for the second wicket. Then, as club cricket so loves to do, we conspired to make it interesting: 171-5 became 178-8 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea, with poor Allan Cooper and Simon Thirkell both departing without troubling the scorers. I did my modest bit with 22 down the order, keeping the required run rate honest rather than winning any style awards. Twelve byes told their own tale of a trying afternoon behind the stumps for David Castle.

We scrambled home 184/8, two wickets to spare — the sort of win that ages a captain by several years but tastes all the sweeter for it. A gritty, unglamorous, thoroughly satisfying victory. Onwards to Benenden's return leg with rather fewer grey hairs to spare, one hopes.

Sat 09 Aug 1986 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLDWD

Saturday took us down to Headcorn, and won the toss I did what any sensible captain does on a decent morning — stuck them in the field. I elected to bat, and for once I shall permit myself the luxury of saying it was the right call.

Paul Bowles set about proving me right with a proper, well-constructed fifty — 58 in the end — the sort of innings that makes captaincy look easy. Sean Charlton chipped in an unbeaten 28 and Malcolm Pay a tidy 25, and between them they carried us to a very respectable 167 for 6 off our 44 overs. Not everything gleamed, mind: Nigel Thirkell, sharing my surname if precious little of my luck that day, and Dave Todd both departed without troubling the scorers.

In the field we set about defending it with real purpose. Ian Brattle bowled beautifully for 3 for 38, and Matt Large was miserliness personified — six maidens on the way to 2 for 36. Headcorn fought hard through Ian Barker, unbeaten on 25, with G Wickens and Rob Parnham both getting to 23, and though P Cooper and Ali Lee went cheaply, 112 for 6 off 36 overs was enough to see them home to safety. Poor Malcolm Pay had a lively afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes the price of an honest effort.

Elsewhere in the season, Paul Bowles now sits second in the club's run-scoring charts with 728, and Matt Large third among the wicket-takers with 36 — form both will want to keep.

A draw, then — honours shared, and no shame in that against a side who battled to the last.

Sat 02 Aug 1986 🧢 1st XIv BK Blackheath CC, Kent · HomeformDWLDW

The coin came down our way, and with a pitch that promised runs, putting Blackheath in was never on the cards — I sent us in instead. It proved the right call. Paul Bowles played the innings of the summer, an unbeaten 109, and had wonderful company from Paul Gibson's fifty and Bob Lines' 41, the top order laying a platform of 106 before we lost our first wicket. We closed on 231/2 from our 39 overs, which felt like more than enough for an August afternoon.

Defending it, we never quite ran through them, but we squeezed hard. Steve Cheale was the pick of the attack with 3-26, Malcolm Pay and I both chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Jon Harris bowled three maidens without conceding an inch. Kafi Khan and Andrew Hughes both departed without troubling the scorers, though X Carr's 66 and useful knocks from their middle order kept Blackheath in the hunt, and they finished on 169/6 from their 47 overs. Sixteen byes was rather more than Jim Hall would have liked, and no doubt he'll hear about it in the bar.

I managed 18 with the bat, a supporting role rather than a starring one, and it was a fine day too for Paul Bowles, who brought up 22,000 career runs for the club along the way. In the end honours were shared, a draw with neither side able to force the issue, but on the balance of the afternoon's cricket, we shaded it.

Sun 27 Jul 1986 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLDWLD

Not a run given away lightly on the coin toss - The Mote had first use of it and put us into the field on a Sunday that had every promise of a long afternoon. Fifty-two overs later we'd shipped 230/4, most of it courtesy of a chap called Hughes who made 118 not out and looked, frankly, unstoppable. Hartshorn chipped in with 40 and Dubec an unbeaten 25, the pair adding a stand of 98 that did the real damage. Credit where due to our attack, though - Paul Bowles led from the front with 1-24, Sean Charlton bowled four tidy maidens en route to 1-27, and I managed to prise one out myself for 1-30. Chambers and Tillott both went for ducks, which was some consolation on an otherwise chastening day in the field.

Chasing 231 could have been a long, anxious watch from the boundary rope, but it never felt that way. Paul Bowles, not content with his morning's bowling, produced a magnificent unbeaten century - 101 not out - to bat us home in some style. Paul Gibson supported nobly with 63 not out, and I was pleased to get among the runs myself with 60, our second-wicket stand of 115 doing most of the heavy lifting. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 13 byes testament to a pitch with ideas of its own.

We got there with eight wickets and, more importantly, no shortage of relief. A proper team performance, capped by a Bowles special that will be talked about in the clubhouse for weeks - a very good day for Linton Park.

Sat 26 Jul 1986 🧢 1st XIv AK Ashford CC, Kent · AwayformDLDWL

Saturday 26 July, and the coin let us down as usual — I called wrong, Ashford chose to bat, and I trudged back to marshal the troops in the field on a pitch that looked altogether too kind to bowlers of my vintage.

They made themselves at home early doors, the openers putting on a chunky 110 before we prised the first one out, and from there Julian Day (64) and F Claridge (60) both brought up handsome fifties, with Duncan Purves (54) following them past the mark for good measure. Ashford declared themselves happy at 227 for 3 from their 52 overs, and frankly so were we to escape further damage. Jon Harris was the pick of a weary attack, 2 for 60 with four miserly maidens thrown in, and Keith Hatcher chipped in with 1 for 52.

Chasing 227 was always a tall order for us, but Ian Webb played the innings of the day, a fine 52, with Keith Hatcher (32) and yours truly (26) lending a hand in a useful third-wicket stand of 64. We closed on a respectable 159 for 4 from 51 overs.

Honours shared, then — a draw that flattered neither side but insulted no one either. With me still leading the season's run charts and Jon Harris tearing through the wickets, I'll happily take a draw at Ashford and live to fight another Saturday.

Wed 23 Jul 1986 🧢 Midweek XIv LC Leigh On Sea CC · HomeformLWLDL

Won the toss on a bright Wednesday and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I felt, and for once nobody argued with me afterwards. Nigel Thirkell set about compiling a fine 90 that anchored everything, well supported by Ian Hammond's 24 and Jim Hall's 21, and we closed on a healthy 185/7 from our 41 overs. Not every name will want reminding of the scorebook, mind — both Keith Hatcher and Dennis Salisbury departed for ducks, the sort of afternoon best forgotten over a pint.

Leigh On Sea came out determined to chase it down, and M. Thompson's watchful 53 kept them in the hunt, with Kenneth Sandeman's 29 lending useful support. But R. Everitt and T. Eve never troubled the scorers, and I had a happy day of it myself with the ball, finishing 4-54 to peg them back. Michael Chambers bowled with real discipline — five maidens and 2-20 — while Nigel Thirkell chipped in again with a wicket. They stumbled to 126/8 from 40.5, our fourteen byes the one blemish, a testing day behind the stumps for Jim Hall.

Worth noting Nigel's 90 nudges him past John Thirkell into second on the club's all-time run list, and he now leads our 1986 run charts, with yours truly topping the wickets column on eleven. Honours shared in the end — a draw, but one that felt rather like ours to have won.

Sun 20 Jul 1986 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformLDLDW

Sunday 20 July found us hosting Folkestone CC, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in asking the lads to bat first — the right call, I still maintain, whatever followed. We compiled a solid 172 for 7 from our 52 overs, anchored by a third-wicket stand worth 77. Keith Hatcher played his part nicely with 41, and I was quietly chuffed to get among the runs myself with 57.

Folkestone's reply was watchful without ever looking entirely comfortable. A second-wicket stand of 54 got them ticking, before Gary Waddup rather took the game away from us with a fine 61, well supported by John Tredwell's unbeaten 24, as they reached 174 for 8 from their 41.3 overs. Credit where due, we had our moments — Bruce Oxenford and R Bates both departed without troubling the scorers, and I had rather a good afternoon with the ball, finishing with 4 for 48. Jon Harris chipped in manfully with 2 for 54, and Ian Brattle bowled a tidy spell of 1 for 35, three of his overs maidens that would have done a monk proud. Behind the stumps poor Jim Hall had a torrid time, ten byes going begging past him.

In the end Folkestone squeezed home by two wickets, which stings rather more given how well we'd bowled and batted in patches. Still, the season ticks along nicely enough — I lead the 1st XI run charts with 751, and Jon Harris tops the wickets with 48, so there's plenty to be cheerful about even in defeat. Heads up, then, and back to the nets; this one got away from us, but not our spirit.

Sat 19 Jul 1986 🧢 1st XIv R Rainham · HomeformDLDLD

Rain didn't get a look-in, and neither, for once, did Rainham's top order once they'd had their fun. We took first use of the ball and watched them cart 196/3 off their 47 overs, with K. Morris compiling a handsome 62 and getting fine support from P. Phipps, unbeaten on 48, and G. Cook's 40 — the pair adding 77 for the second wicket in a stand that did most of the damage. Matt Large kept things admirably tight, four maidens and 1-34 to show for his afternoon's toil, with Paul Bowles and Paul Gibson chipping in a wicket apiece.

Chasing 197, our openers gave us exactly the sort of start a captain dreams about and rarely gets, 66 without loss before the first wicket fell, and the second-wicket pair added a crucial 70 to keep the required rate honest. I was pleased to lead from the front with 70 of my own, and found willing company in Paul Bowles, 41, and Bob Lines, 39, as we eased home to 199/4 with half a dozen overs unused.

Six wickets in hand and the tea urn barely cold, it doesn't get much better than that. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and one that leaves us purring on the drive home. Onwards indeed.

Wed 16 Jul 1986 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformLLWLD

I lost the toss at Gravesend on Wednesday and, in the fine tradition of away trips to sides with sharper kit than sense, was invited to have a bowl. Not that I minded much, mind you.

Gravesend ground out 135 for 9 from their 49 overs, T Morris top-scoring with a watchful 32, Colin Myers chipping in 27 and A Penney 20 — a total that felt, at tea, entirely gettable. I found some rhythm through the middle overs and spun my way to 5 for 59 with three maidens thrown in, which I shall allow myself one line of quiet pride about before moving swiftly on. Paul Gibson bowled tidily for 2 for 24 and Mike Bains chipped away for 1 for 14, so the bowling unit, at least, had done its bit.

Alas, our reply told a different story. We were bowled out for 105 in 39.5 overs, never quite finding the fluency the target demanded. Mike Elworthy's 25 was the innings' one real bright spot, while poor Trevor Back trudged back for a duck — these things happen to the best of us, and frequently to the rest of us too. Jim Hall, meanwhile, had a torrid time behind the stumps, leaking nine byes for his troubles.

In the season's charts, Paul Gibson leads the run-scoring with 65, and I'm pleased to sit second in the wickets column with 7. Small consolations. We went down by 30 runs — not our day, but heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 13 Jul 1986 🧢 1st XIv MC Morden Village CC · HomeformLDLDL

I put us in to bat when the coin fell kindly, and for once the decision looked like genius rather than luck. I settled in and simply didn't get out, finishing unbeaten on a hundred, while David Castle played the perfect foil with a classy 74 alongside me — our second-wicket stand of 169 doing most of the damage before we declared the innings closed at 189 for 2 from our 41 overs. Tea was taken with considerably more swagger than usual.

Defending it should have been the easy part, and for a while it looked it — Morden losing a wicket with just 2 on the board and looking distinctly rattled. But cricket has a habit of humbling the smug, and a stubborn 58-run stand for the fifth wicket, built around G. Henry's well-made 55 and support from D. Grayson's 27, dragged them back into contention. Credit to A. Trickey and P. Mitchell, though — both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Jon Harris was in inspired form, spinning his way to 5 for 53 with five miserly maidens, backed up nicely by Allan Cooper's 2 for 25 and J. Milloy's solitary but useful wicket. Morden closed on 142 for 8 from their 46, agonisingly short and just as agonisingly not out.

So: honours shared, tempers unfrayed, and the tea urn empty. A draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody — which, in village cricket, is very nearly a triumph.

Sat 12 Jul 1986 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWLDLD

We travelled to Horton Kirby CC on Saturday 12 July, where the coin fell their way and we were asked to chase — happy enough, I thought, until I remembered someone still had to bowl first.

Horton Kirby crawled to 111 for 8 from their 46 overs, Andy Scott farming the strike nicely for an unbeaten 31. We had them rocking at one stage, 57 for 3 collapsing to 66 for 6 in a hurry, and I'll admit a little private satisfaction watching Keith Lockyer trudge off for a duck. Then their last pair, with the sort of stubbornness reserved for village cricket, bolted on 43 runs we could all have lived without. Jon Harris was miserly as ever, seven maidens and 1 for 18 to show for it, while I had the day of days with the ball, finishing 7 for 47 — a five-for I'll be dining out on well into the winter.

In reply, we never quite found our rhythm. One run on the board and we'd already lost a wicket, and though Bob Lines battled to 20, the middle order came and went in a blur, 43 for 4 becoming 51 for 7 before we were all out for 76 in 42.5 overs.

Down by 35 in the end. I lead our 1986 run charts with 524, and Jon Harris tops the wickets with 41, so the engine room is ticking over nicely even if Saturday wasn't our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 06 Jul 1986 🧢 1st XIv RA Reeds Aylesford · AwayformLWLDL

I called correctly at the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bat — a wicket that, for once, actually rewarded confidence rather than punishing it.

David Castle set about proving the decision right with a magnificent 127, the sort of innings that makes the tea urn feel entirely secondary. He was backed superbly by Ian Webb, whose fifty gave the innings real backbone, and between them the openers put on 147 before the first wicket finally fell — a stand that did most of the hard work for us. From there it rather tailed off: Trevor Back, Mike Elworthy and I all contributed ducks to the cause, and I fell for nought myself, on which subject we shall draw a veil. Still, 197/6 from 49.3 overs was a total with genuine substance to defend.

Defend it we did, gamely. Reeds Aylesford reached 149/9 from 43 overs, with Michael Caddick top-scoring on 36, well supported by Fred Baker's 30 and Steve Martin's 27, and a 66-run second-wicket stand threatening at one point to run away from us. But Matt Large was the difference, bowling with real discipline for 3-33 including five maidens, backed up by Dave Todd's 3-67 and Allan Cooper's tidy 2-19 — between them they kept just enough pressure on to see the innings stall short.

In the end honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. On the balance of the cricket played, though, I'll happily call it a good day's work — Castle's century and Large's miserly bowling gave us every right to feel the better side.

Thu 03 Jul 1986 🧢 1st XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformDLWLD

Here's the match report:

Thursday 3rd July, and off we went to Sissinghurst with the sun out and, for once, my optimism justified — I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. It's not often the gamble pays off quite so handsomely. We lost an early wicket cheaply, 2 for 1, the sort of start that has a captain reaching for the flask a little earlier than planned, but the middle order restored calm and then some. A crucial stand of 55 for the fourth wicket set us fair, Paul Gibson chipping in a very useful 37, while I was fortunate enough to find some form and carry my bat to 63 not out. We closed on 145 for 4 from our sixteen overs — a total I felt gave us something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did, though Sissinghurst made us work for every run. G. Pocock played a genuinely fine half-century, well supported by G. White's 28, and between them they dragged the game back towards the hosts. T. Allen, at least, departed for a blob without troubling the scorers, which brought a rare smile to my face. I was pleased to chip in with 3 for 64 myself, with Sean Charlton (2-15) and Matt Large (1-38) doing their bit too — Large's continuing to build on a fine season with the ball.

In the end, though, Sissinghurst got home by four wickets. A total that looked competitive at tea proved just short by close of play. Credit to them — and we'll be sharper for it next week.

Sun 29 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv CP Canterbury Pilgrims · HomeformLDLWL

Sunday 29 June, and Linton Park played host — I decided we'd have first use of the ball, and by close of play that call looked rather shrewd. Our visitors were bowled out for 154 in 51 overs, though they didn't go quietly. I Scones made a watchful 53, well supported by N Lewis (36) and D Arcari (22), and after early alarm at 4 for 1 their fourth-wicket pair steadied things with a stand of 51. Then the floodgates opened: 144 for 6 became 147 for 9 in a hurry, and P Henderson and S Rogers were both sent back without troubling the scorers — ducks, the pair of them. The day belonged to Jon Harris, whose 5 for 41 was a spell of real quality and thoroughly deserved; Ian Brattle (2-37) and Matt Large (2-39) chipped in nicely, while Allan Cooper's two maidens were mean enough to make anyone thirsty.

With the bat we made a fine fist of it. David Castle top-scored with a classy 61, ably supported by Ian Webb's 35, the pair of them putting on 92 for the first wicket before the first wicket fell. We closed on 150 for 4 from our 40 overs, honours even.

So it finished all square — a draw that flattered neither side nor shortchanged either. Keith Hatcher remains our leading run-scorer this season with 453, and Harris tops the wicket-takers with 40; the pillars, it would seem, on which this rather likeable side is built.

Sat 28 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformDLDLW

Well, calling correctly at the toss is about as much control as I had over proceedings all afternoon, but I fancied batting on it and stuck us in regardless. It was a decision that looked shrewd for a good while, thanks in no small part to Keith Hatcher, who batted with the calm assurance of a man who knows precisely where his tea is going, carrying his bat for a superb 72 not out. Paul Bowles chipped in nicely with 44, and at 139-6 we were purring along nicely — until the collapse arrived with the subtlety of a group of magpies at a picnic, and we stumbled from 139-6 to 155-9. I'll own my part in that: bowled for a duck, joining David Castle in the Duck Club ledger, and there's little dignity to be found in that particular walk back to the pavilion.

155 was always going to need defending rather than admiring, and for a while our bowlers gave it a real go. Sean Charlton was miserly and menacing in equal measure, finishing with 2-18 and two maidens, with Jon Harris and Matt Large chipping in a wicket apiece. But Mark Wellbelove had other ideas, easing to an unbeaten 62, well supported by Hiatt's 28 and Smart's unbeaten 20, and Meopham eased home on 158-4.

So, beaten by six wickets, with my own contribution best summarised as brief and forgettable. Hatcher continues to bat like a man in form, now second in the club's run charts, and Harris keeps quietly topping the wicket-takers. As for the rest of us — back to the nets, and no more ducks, please.

Fri 27 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv BC Boughton Monchelsea CC · AwayformWDLDL

Friday 27th June saw the good ship Linton Park venture down to Boughton Monchelsea, and having called correctly for once in my captaincy career, I stuck them in — a decision that looked briefly like genius and, for a nervous middle passage, considerably less so.

We were 1 down before some of us had found our guard, but Keith Hatcher (37) and Paul Gibson (25) steadied things nicely, only for the innings to fall apart with theatrical flair — 78 for 4 became 88 for 7 quicker than you could pour the tea. Poor Bob Lines departed for a duck, joining the ranks of the afflicted, and we limped home to 119 for 9 off our sixteen overs, grateful for small mercies and a scoreboard that at least had three figures on it.

If our batting was jittery, their reply was worse. Mike Sendles (37) and K Ladwa (25) did the honest work, but Boughton shed wickets like autumn leaves — 0 for 1 early, then a horror slide from 108 for 7 to all out for 111, with Jeremy Chapman, Trevor Wratten and A Davis all walking back without so much as a single to their names. Allan Cooper bowled beautifully for 2 for 19, with Sean Charlton (2-24) and Alan Boyns (2-27) squeezing the life out of the tail. I chipped in with the bat myself, part of a run of form that's kept me second in the club's charts this season, though the bowlers were the real story today.

An 8-run win, then, snatched from the jaws of our own carelessness. Not pretty, but a win's a win — onwards to the next one.

Wed 25 Jun 1986 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformLLLWL

Wednesday 25 June 1986 saw us make the trip to Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC, and having called correctly at the toss, I didn't think twice about batting first — a decision that looked shaky when we slipped to 3 for 1 almost before the coach engine had cooled. Credit to David Gibson, whose 43 was the innings' backbone, with Trevor Back's 31 and M. O'Neill's 22 lending sturdy support, and a fourth-wicket stand of 51 dragging us back to respectability. Poor Jim Hall will not want reminding of his golden duck, but such is cricket. All out for 164 in 49.1 overs was a total we felt we could defend, if not exactly boast about.

And defend it we very nearly did. Sevenoaks replied with 164 for 9 off their 42 overs, A. Dean's fine fifty (51) the chief threat, well supported by Peter Day (29) and G. Patterson (28), and a second-wicket stand of 62 that had us worried. But we chipped away — Pat Reynolds back in the pavilion for a duck at our hands, B. Dillnutt picking up three, M. O'Neill one more, and I found some rhythm of my own with 5 for 51 and three maidens, a five-for I shan't pretend not to be pleased with.

In the end honours were shared, a hard-fought draw that flattered neither side and satisfied both. A fair result, and one we'll happily take home.

Tue 24 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv MT Maidstone Teachers · HomeformWWDLD

Skipper's log, and not one for the scrapbook. On a Tuesday that promised much, we put Maidstone Teachers in and watched John Coles play the innings of the day, 69 well-struck runs shepherding them to 139 for 4 off their sixteen overs, with P Jackson and R McCormick chipping in 20 apiece and a stand of 58 for the second wicket doing most of the damage. Allan Cooper toiled manfully for 2 for 29, Alan Boyns picked up one, and I managed to squeeze out a wicket myself for 24 runs — small consolation on a day when the bat, not the ball, was the problem.

Chasing 140 was always going to want application, and application was in short supply. Three for one became thirteen for two became, in the blink of an eye, nineteen for five — the sort of collapse that has grown men reaching for the biscuit tin rather than the scorebook. Jim Hall, Matt Large and J Milloy all made ducks, and only Keith Hatcher, unbeaten on 25, showed any sense of occasion. We limped to 53 for 7 from our sixteen overs and were beaten by 86 runs, no arguments offered.

Small mercies: Paul Bowles continues to pile up runs for the season, second in the averages, and my own wickets column ticks along nicely at 34. But that's for another day. This was not our day — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 22 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv DC Dimanchians CC · HomeformWWWDL

From the captain's chair, Sunday 22 June 1986. The visitors arrived to find us electing to bowl first, a decision that looked rather shrewd once we'd reduced them to 36-5, Mike Stapley back in the hutch for a duck and the innings wobbling nicely. Ian Brattle was in miserly, metronomic form — 4-33 with seven maidens, the sort of spell that has batsmen playing shots they didn't know they owned — with Paul Gibson (3-38) and Allan Cooper (1-20) chipping in dutifully. But cricket has a habit of humbling the confident, and a stubborn 59-run stand for the tenth wicket, built on J Best's well-made 69, dragged the visitors all the way to 163 all out in 47.5 overs. The floodgates we'd opened were rather firmly shut again.

In reply we made a nervy start, 2-1 down before we'd properly settled, but Paul Bowles set about repairing things with a composed, well-made unbeaten fifty, ably supported by David Gibson's useful 24. We closed on 95-3 from 20.1 overs — though not without further contributions to the Duck Club ledger, David Castle and Paul Gibson both departing for nought.

With Bowles now second in the season's run charts on 361 and Jon Harris still top of the wicket pile with 33, the form is there even if the result wasn't quite. Honours shared, then — a fair reflection of an afternoon neither side could quite grab by the scruff of the neck.

Sat 21 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformDWWWD

Saturday last took us down to West Farleigh, and for once the coin actually smiled on me — I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock, reasoning that a good total on that square is worth more than early wickets in the field. As so often in this fixture, it didn't quite pan out that way. We were bowled out for 145 in 42.1 overs, rescued from real embarrassment by Bob Lines, who played the innings of the day for 40, with useful support from Keith Hatcher's 32. I chipped in with 12 of my own — modest by any measure, though it did nudge me past Paul Brattle into 8th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which I shall enjoy for approximately as long as it takes someone to remind me we lost.

In the field we fought hard. Jon Harris was in devastating form, spinning his way to 5 for 30 and thoroughly deserving his place at the top of this year's wicket charts, while Sean Charlton bowled with real discipline for 1 for 44 and three maidens. Poor Jim Hall had an afternoon to forget behind the stumps, nine byes going begging, and West Farleigh eventually got home on 148 for 6 from 44 overs, Keith Patey top-scoring with 40.

A four-wicket defeat, then, and no dressing it up. Heads up, chins in, back to the nets — there are runs and wickets enough in this side to put it right next week.

Sun 15 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · HomeformWDWWW

As captain, I'll always tell you it doesn't much matter how you get there, but a draw against Bexhill CC on a fine Sunday takes some getting to, and I'm rather proud of how we got there.

We lost the toss – no shock there, my coin-calling remains the weakest part of my captaincy – and were sent into the field. Bexhill made hay early, John Holland and Martin Grimes putting on 95 for the third wicket with two well-made fifties (70 and 69 respectively), Steve Cox chipping in with 47, and for a spell it looked like they might bat us out of the game entirely as 207 for 3 became 217 for 6 in a flurry of boundaries. Credit where due, though: Sean Charlton bowled beautifully for 2 for 39 with four maidens to show for his discipline, Keith Hatcher took 1 for 35, and I did my bit too, finishing with 2 for 76 – not the tidiest figures I've ever posted, but wickets are wickets. They closed on 219 for 6 from their 48 overs, a total that asked real questions of our batting.

And what answers we gave. Bob Lines and David Castle put on 69 for the first wicket to settle the nerves, Castle following up with 48, before Keith Hatcher played the innings of the day, 70 not out, to see us home to 202 for 5 from 53 overs. Poor David Castle did leak 12 byes behind the stumps, mind you – a testing day with the gloves to go with his runs with the bat.

In the end, honours shared, and on this evidence, entirely fairly so.

Sat 14 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv YM YMCA Maidstone · AwayformWWDWW

Down the A20 to Ymca Maidstone we went, unseasonably confident for men who spend most Saturdays being unseasonably confident. Put into the field, we watched J Adams compile an unbeaten 42, with J Golding and P Husband both chipping in 33 apiece, and for a spell it looked like turning into one of those long, grinding afternoons. The second-wicket pair put on a stubborn 59 after the first fell for just 1, but we kept nibbling away — Jon Harris was magnificent, four wickets for 37 and three maidens besides, and I managed a tidy 2 for 23 myself, with Dave Todd weighing in for one more. Poor P Worsnop had an afternoon to forget, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. All told, 169 for 7 from 45 overs felt eminently gettable.

And gettable it proved. Paul Gibson made a fine 52, Keith Hatcher finished unbeaten on 30, and I was fortunate enough to find some form myself, seeing us home with 73 not out — a personal contribution I shan't pretend wasn't satisfying, particularly as those two wickets earlier nudged me up to second on the club's all-time list, past Paul Bowles. Jim Hall had a trickier time of it behind the stumps, eight byes going astray, but nothing that troubled the outcome.

Eight wickets to the good, and a thoroughly good day for the club. If we can keep finding afternoons like this, the season table might just take care of itself.

Thu 12 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformLWWDW

Nigel Thirkell here, filing from a rather satisfying evening at West Farleigh. Winning the toss and choosing to bat felt like the right call at the time, and I'm pleased to report it was — we posted a solid 121 for 5 off our sixteen overs, built around Keith Hatcher's unbeaten 40, with Paul Gibson chipping in a fine 35 and Bob Lines 22. The stand of the innings came from the fourth wicket, worth 61, and gave us the platform to set a target with a bit of substance to it.

Defending it was never going to be straightforward against this lot, but the bowling did its job when it mattered. Fred Baker departed for a duck with the score still reading nought, which is about as nervy a start as any batting side can have, and though Don Fermor (29) and Keith Patey (20) threatened to drag the game back West Farleigh's way, they never quite got there, closing on 102 for 7. Jon Harris led the attack superbly with 2 for 35, and I was glad to chip in with a tidy 1 for 10 myself, with Paul Gibson again among the wickets for 1 for 21.

A word for the season so far — I find myself leading the run charts for the 1st XI with 379 to my name, while Matt Large continues to run away with the wickets column on 24. Long may both continue.

Nineteen runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly earned by the lads. A proper away win, and one to enjoy on the coach home.

Tue 10 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformWLWWD

Called it right at the toss on a bright Tuesday and, with Hollingbourne CC visiting, there was never much doubt I'd have first knock. Bob Lines set about it in fine style, an excellent half-century the cornerstone of our innings, while I found some form of my own alongside him as we put on 68 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scorers with a wicket. We closed on 128 for 3 from our sixteen overs, a total that felt like runs enough on a good surface. Spare a thought, though, for poor Alan Boyns, who contributed his least favourite number to proceedings and duly took the walk of shame into the Duck Club ledger.

Defending it was another matter entirely, and Hollingbourne made us work for every run, Alan Ovenden compiling a watchful, well-made fifty to keep them in the hunt. Matt Large was the pick of our attack, prising out two for the princely cost of 33, with a bit of support from my own bowling to go with my earlier runs. They fell short at 119 for 4, and we held our nerve to see it home by 9 runs.

A result that keeps me handily placed atop this year's run charts, with Matt now well clear at the top of the wickets column. All told, a proper club cricket win: nervy, scrappy, and thoroughly deserved.

Sun 08 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformDWLWW

The road to Sheldwich is a pretty one, all hedgerows and speed bumps, and for once we arrived in good time and better spirits. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat — the right call, I felt, and I shall keep telling myself that. It didn't look it at 4 for 1, mind, with the top order departing as though they'd remembered a prior engagement. But Sean Charlton settled in for a fine 56, and a stubborn 61-run stand for the seventh wicket dragged us back to something respectable. I contributed 23, Allan Cooper matched me stroke for stroke with the same, and we were all out for 134 in 49.5 overs — though I'll draw a discreet veil over Trevor Back and Alan Boyns, both ducked out without troubling the scorers.

In the field we set about defending it with more optimism than the total probably deserved. Matt Large was magnificent, all discipline and no charity — 4 for 44 with three maidens, the sort of spell that makes a captain's job easy. Jon Harris chipped in with a wicket of his own, and between us we kept Sheldwich to 124 for 8 from their 45, Nigel Mannouch's 20 the only real resistance.

A draw, then — honours shared, nobody quite deserving to lose, nobody quite good enough to win. Fair result, tinged with the faint sense we let two points wander off into the Kent countryside.

Sat 07 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformLDWLW

Down the A20 to Rumwood on a Saturday that promised more than the forecast suggested, and for once the cricket obliged. Put into the field, we watched Griffiths compile a stubborn 47 and Smith chip in with 33, the pair stitching together a 64-run stand for the fifth wicket that threatened to run away from us before Matt Large hauled things back with four for 41, three of his overs going for nothing at all. Jon Harris took three, Alan Boyns two, and amid the tidying-up Roger Crooks was sent back for a duck, which felt like a small mercy earned. All out for 140 in the 46th over was a fair reward for a disciplined display in the field.

With the bat we barely broke stride. Paul Gibson played a lovely, well-constructed fifty and Bob Lines added a brisk 25, but it was the opening pair who set the tone, putting on 76 before the first wicket fell. I came in and made my own contribution with an unbeaten 40, happy enough to see us home in some comfort at 142 for 2.

Eight wickets and a Saturday well spent. A word too for Matt Large, who brought up his hundredth career wicket in the same afternoon he bowled us to victory — not a bad way to mark the milestone. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Thu 05 Jun 1986 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformWLDWL

A curious old game, cricket, and Thursday against Staplehurst reminded me why we play it. I lost the toss — no shock there, my coin-calling remains the weakest part of my captaincy — and we were sent out to field on a green tinged with menace. Staplehurst were 4-1 before some of us had found our fielding legs, and from there the innings simply came apart in our hands: 50-5 became 59-8 with alarming haste, Neil Pullen, Ian Pullen and Peter Askew all shown the door without so much as a run to their names. John Bowers held firm for his 35 and gave the total what little respectability it had, but 61 all out in 13.1 overs was never going to trouble us unduly. I'll confess a quiet pride in returning 4-14, with Matt Large bowling beautifully in support to take 4-27 of his own.

Naturally, we then did our best to make a contest of nothing. Keith Hatcher's unbeaten 23 was the innings' one point of sanity as we slid from 31-2 to 36-5 in a spell of batting that can charitably be called adventurous — Paul Gibson, Allan Cooper and Matt Large all departing for ducks. But 62 came, in fits and starts, for the loss of seven, and the three-wicket win was ours.

Paul Bowles continues to lead our run-scoring with 300 for the summer, and I find myself, somewhat improbably, atop the wicket charts with 16. A scruffy win, but a win nonetheless — and in this league, we'll take scruffy every time.

Wed 28 May 1986 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Burghill & Tillington CC · HomeformDLLLW

Lost the toss on Wednesday and asked to have a bowl first, which at least spared us the ordeal of watching our top order early. Burghill & Tillington ground their way to 184 for 8 from their 46 overs, with Nick Osborne unbeaten on 48 the chief architect, well backed by David Mokler's 46 and L Sparrow's 29 — the pair put on 58 for the sixth wicket and rather took the sting out of our afternoon. Paul Bowles was the pick of us with 2 for 19, I chipped in with 2 for 43, Sean Cook took a couple too, and Matt Large bowled two miserly maidens to keep things honest.

Chasing 185, we never got out of second gear. Six for one early doors set the tone, and though Paul Gibson battled to 40, ably supported by Kevin Draper's 29 and Alan Boyns' 22, we subsided from 116 for 4 to 127 for 7 in the sort of rush that has opposition captains smiling into their tea. Sean Cook fell without troubling the scorers, and I must confess to a duck of my own — the less said, frankly, the better. All out for 128 in 34.3 overs.

Some cheer amid the wreckage: Paul Gibson brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a proper landmark, while Malcolm Pay's 15 edged him past me into 13th on the all-time run-scorers list — I'll take the ribbing in good spirit.

Beaten by 56 runs in the end. We'll be better for it next week.

Mon 26 May 1986 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformLWLDW

Beaten by three wickets on a warm Monday, 26th May, at home to Xii Men — and I'll admit the toss went my way even if the afternoon rather didn't.

Winning the call, I had no hesitation in batting first, and for a good long while it looked the right decision. Paul Bowles played an innings to remember, a magnificent 116, and I was fortunate enough to keep him company through a third-wicket stand of 157 on my way to 74 — a personal contribution I was rather satisfied with, even if I say so myself. Ian Webb's golden duck was the only real blot on an otherwise handsome 236 for 6 from our sixty overs.

Two hundred and thirty-six should have been plenty. Their openers didn't fancy it much, tumbling to 2 for 1, and Jon Harris kept up the pressure all afternoon for 3 for 65, with Matt Large tight as you like — five maidens and 2 for 44 — and Keith Hatcher chipping in for 1 for 10. But A. Armstrong's well-made fifty and a stubborn third-wicket stand of 76 dragged them back into it, and P. Nicholls and John Hartridge, unbeaten at the close, saw them home at 239 for 7. Poor Malcolm Pay had a torrid time behind the stumps, eleven byes going begging.

Paul Bowles now leads our 1986 run charts with 286, Jon Harris the wickets with 15 — form we'll need again next week, when we'll certainly be the better for this one.

Sun 25 May 1986 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformWWWLW

Batting first on a bright May Sunday against Shipbourne, we contrived to make hard work of a small target we hadn't even set ourselves. Four for one had the look of a long afternoon in store, and though Tim Thirkell battled to 23 to give the innings some backbone, we subsided to 93 all out in the 37th over — a total that flattered nobody. Special mention, as ever, for the Duck Club ledger: Matt Large's golden nought earned him the walk of shame past a suspiciously cheerful slip cordon.

With the ball, we began well enough. Jon Harris and Paul Bowles shared the new-ball honours, each finishing with 1 for 26, and Large made amends for his batting with two miserly maidens. But Buckley and May had other ideas, the openers putting on a chanceless 61 before we so much as troubled the scorers, and Buckley went on to an unbeaten 51, well supported by May's 30, to see Shipbourne home in just 28.5 overs. I chipped in with 18 with the bat, for what it was worth on the day.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, and no arguing with the manner of it. Paul Bowles now leads our 1986 Sunday run charts with 63, and Jon Harris sits third among the wicket-takers — small consolations from an afternoon that asked more questions than we answered. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 24 May 1986 🧢 1st XIv Castle Hill CC, Kent · HomeformLLWLD

Saturday 24 May 1986, and Castle Hill CC came to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather less helpfully for us, the coin landing their way. They chose to bat, and for a while looked entirely at home doing so, Brian Henley's 30 the backbone of a steady start. But we've a habit of finding a second wind, and once Jon Harris got his hand in — a superb 4-34 — the innings folded like a deckchair, 95-6 becoming 113-9 before anyone had really settled back into their tea. Paul Bowles chipped in with 3-26, and Matt Large bowled with the parsimony of a man guarding his own allotment, 1-23 and six maidens to show for it. Castle Hill all out 116.

Chasing it, we made rather harder work of things than the target deserved. I was pleased enough with my own 30, and Keith Hatcher matched it stroke for stroke as our third-wicket stand added a vital 57 — the platform, in truth, that won us the match. Then, as is tradition round here, the wheels came off spectacularly, 93-4 crumbling to 107-7 while poor Jim Hall stood behind the stumps watching eight byes trickle through like water off a duck's back.

Still, we got home by three wickets, and a word must go to Jon Harris, who brought up 1,300 career wickets in the same afternoon he was tearing through their order — some going, that. A scratchy, nervy, thoroughly typical village win. I'll take it.

Sun 18 May 1986 🧢 1st XIv BC Battle CC · AwayformDLLWL

Sunday 18 May, and off we trundled to Battle CC with the sun doing its best village-green impression. The coin fell kindly and I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision that looked rather clever until it didn't. We posted 139 for 8 from our 43 overs, and I'll confess to a quiet glow at seeing 64 next to my name, sailing past the fifty with Alan Boyns anchoring things nicely for an unbeaten 22, the pair of us putting on 65 for the fifth wicket that was very much the innings' spine. Alas, spines can crumble, and ours did spectacularly, 122 for 5 becoming 130 for 8 before we knew what had hit us. Paul Gibson, J. Milloy and Simon Thirkell all took the long, sorry walk for ducks — the Duck Club ledger groaning under the weight of new members.

In the field we scrapped hard. Battle reached 139 for 9 off 42, Tim Eldridge's 38 the backbone, with Joe Hanson (33) and Brian Scollay (22 not out) chipping in, while P Meredith departed for nought. Allan Cooper led superbly with 3 for 27, Jon Harris and Ian Brattle both weighing in with 3 for 36 and 3 for 35 apiece, Brattle's two maidens proof nothing was given away cheaply. Eight byes, though, told poor David Castle's story for the day.

A landmark amid it all — 16,000 career runs for the club, which rather put the aches into perspective. Honours shared, then: a draw, and on this evidence, a fair one.

Sat 17 May 1986 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLDLLW

It was Headcorn CC at home on Saturday, and I lost the toss, or won it, depending how you look at these things, and stuck us in the field first. Headcorn's openers gave us hope early with the first wicket down for just 7, but a stubborn third-wicket stand of 67 dragged the game away from us before we hauled it back. S. Phipps top-scored with a watchful 47, well supported by R. Chapman's 30 and D. Harden's unbeaten 29, while at the other end poor B. Cooper trudged off without so much as a single to his name. I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with 6-80, three of those overs maidens, with Sean Charlton (2-48) and Matt Large (1-13) mopping up round me. They closed on 172/9 from their 46 overs — more than we'd have liked, but not a lost cause.

In reply we made a fair fist of it, 167/5 from 44 overs, Paul Bowles playing beautifully for 99 and doing the bulk of the scoring almost single-handed. I chipped in with 25 to keep him company, but the required rate crept up on us in the closing overs and we simply ran out of road, falling five agonising runs short.

Paul now leads our 1986 run charts with 165 and I've nosed ahead in the wickets with a dozen — small consolations on a losing afternoon. We'll be better for it next week.

Tue 13 May 1986 🧢 1st XIv Offham CC · HomeformDLDLL

Won the toss on a fine Tuesday evening against Offham CC, and I had no hesitation in electing to bat — the sort of decision that looks either inspired or idiotic depending entirely on what happens next, but on this occasion I shall take the credit gladly.

The lads gave the total real substance: 133 for 4 from our sixteen overs. Paul Bowles was the class of the innings, a proper half-century, 60 of the finest, while I chipped in with 31 and Bob Lines added a tidy 28, the two of us putting on 53 for the third wicket to give the innings its backbone.

Defending 133 in sixteen overs is never simply a formality, and Offham made us work for it. We struck early, the first wicket falling for just 6, though M- Everest and D- Brooker threatened to spoil the party with a stand of 61 for the sixth wicket, Everest making 40 and Brooker finishing unbeaten on 38. Happily M- Brooker at the other end departed without troubling the scorers at all — a golden duck to remember. I was pleased to lead the attack with 2 for 25, with Jon Harris right alongside me on 2 for 32 and Matt Large chipping in with 1 for 24 to keep the visitors at arm's length throughout.

A quietly special evening besides the result — I passed 1,000 career wickets, and currently sit atop both the 1986 first-team run and wicket charts. But the scoreboard is what matters: victory by 14 runs, two well-earned points, and a thoroughly satisfying night's work.

Sun 11 May 1986 🧢 Sunday NVKCv BC Benenden CC · AwayformLWWWL

Sunday 11th May found us on the road to Benenden, where we lost the toss and were sent straight into the field — no better way to blow away the cobwebs. Benenden made 100 all out from 38.2 overs, though it might have been fewer had we not let Gary Marshall (38) and Ray Harding (22) steady things after an early wobble at 2 for the loss of their opener. Ian Brattle was magnificent, 3 for 7 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, and he had willing support from Matt Large (3-22) and Jon Harris (2-21). Tim Hartley, Nigel Phelps and Roger Lake all walked back without troubling the scorer, which tells its own tale.

A target of 101 was never going to trouble us unduly, and so it proved. Paul Bowles played the anchor role to perfection, unbeaten on 59, with David Castle chipping in a handsome 25 alongside him. I added a modest 16 of my own, more for the look of the thing than out of necessity, and we cruised home at 106 for 1 with overs to spare.

A red-letter day off the field too, as Nigel Thirkell brought up 1,000 career wickets — a milestone the whole club can raise a glass to. Nine wickets, two points, and precious little to trouble the sleep of the Linton Park committee. A fine away day, all told.

Sun 04 May 1986 🧢 1st XIv SC Sandwich Town CC · HomeformWDLDL

Losing the toss on a bright Sunday at Linton Park is never how I'd choose to start proceedings, and so it proved: Sandwich Town elected to bat, and we spent the best part of the afternoon flogging round in the field. They rode a shaky start — gone without a run on the board — through to a defiant 171 for 8 off their 49 overs, Stuart Smith (41), David Mills (41) and Kevin Beaumont (40) doing most of the damage, with an 85-run stand for the fifth wicket the platform we simply couldn't shift. Small mercies: we did send Alan Carpenter and Alex Smith packing without so much as a nibble at the scorebook. Matt Large was excellent, 4 for 40 with three maidens to show for his afternoon's toil, and I chipped in with 2 for 8 alongside Jon Harris's 1 for 29 — between us we just about kept the total honest.

Ninety-one all out in reply told its own sorry tale. Keith Hatcher's watchful 21 and David Castle's 20 were the only real resistance before the middle order simply evaporated, 74 for 4 becoming 77 for 7 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea. David Iliffe went for nought, and I'm afraid I must confess to keeping him company on that particular scoreline — we shall draw a discreet veil over the shot selection.

One bright note: Jon Harris's four runs eased him past Malcolm Pay into 13th on the all-time run-scorers' list, and with the season young I'm quietly pleased to lead the 1st XI's wicket charts. Beaten by 80 runs, then — chastening stuff, but we'll be sharper next week.

Sat 03 May 1986 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformDWDLD

Called it right at the toss on a fresh May morning at Bidborough and, with the sort of confidence that so often precedes a wobble, elected to bat. It was, on balance, the correct call, even if 118 for 8 off our 48 overs felt more like a rescue mission than a declaration of intent. I was glad to anchor things with 55, though poor Dave Todd will want this paragraph over quickly — a golden duck is no way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and I dare say the tea urn saw more of him than the middle did.

In the field we scrapped hard without quite landing the killer blow. Bidborough replied with 119 for 7 from 44.4 overs, D Francis leading the way with 30, ably supported by the Tolhurst duo, David and M, 20 apiece — enough, in the end, to see them home by three wickets. Ian Brattle was miserly and menacing in equal measure, 3 for 37 including four maidens that must have felt like penance to face, while I chipped in with 2 for 12 and Jon Harris took 2 for 41.

So it's my name atop the run charts and Brattle's atop the wickets for the season so far — small consolations on a losing afternoon. Not our day, then, but heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets we go.