🧢 Captain's Log

Wed 30 Sep 1987 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformDLDWD

Wednesday 30th September saw us make the trip to Penshurst Park, and having called correctly for once in my captaincy career, there was never much doubt about what I'd do with it — up we went to bat.

What followed was as handsome a display as this scribe has had the pleasure of witnessing. The openers set the tone with 95 for the first wicket before either fell, and then David Castle simply took over, compiling a majestic 100 not out while Andrew Hales chipped in with a classy 64 and the pair added 110 for the second wicket. Paul Bowles' 35 rounded things off nicely as we closed on 206 for 2 from our 43.3 overs — the kind of total that makes the tea interval taste that bit sweeter.

Defending it was another matter entirely. Penshurst's Milns played a fine hand of 52, well supported by Darby (34) and Boyden (26), and a stand of 66 for the third wicket had us shifting in our boots. But cricket has a way of turning, and turn it did — they slid from 182 for 6 to 192 for 9, with G Cooper and John Lambert both back in the hutch without so much as a run to their name. Ian Brattle was magnificent, snaring 4 for 53, with Bowles (3-23) and Thirkell (1-10) offering fine support. My own contribution behind the stumps was rather less distinguished — 11 byes is not a figure I'll be framing.

A tense finish, but a fine win by 10 runs. Onwards indeed.

Sun 27 Sep 1987 🧢 1st XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformDWDDD

The lads gathered on Sunday, all set for the visit of Dummy Site — and true to form, I lost the toss again, watching them elect to bat while I tried to look unbothered about it.

They ground their way to 158 all out in 57.4 overs, with Titchener-Barrett unbeaten on 34 and Allen (27) and Oldridge (26) chipping in respectably enough. For a while it looked ominous — 56-2 sliding to 70-5 in a hurry — before Jon Harris got among them properly, 4-46 with six miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, ably assisted by Alan Boyns (3-22) and Malcolm Pay (2-5). Poor Irwin and Jefferson trudged back without so much as troubling the scorers, which is never a pleasant walk.

Our reply was a rather more nervous affair. Two down for one run and I confess I did wonder what I'd say in this very report. But Keith Hatcher, calm as you like, played a lovely knock of 58, with David Castle (36) and Bob Lines (23) lending sturdy support — the third-wicket pair adding a priceless 73 before the middle order rather lost its head, 119-3 becoming 128-6 in the blink of an eye. Whyte, Simmonds and Large all made their way back for ducks, bless them, and we finished on 139-8. Castle also had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, 20 byes the price of an entertaining contest — though he can console himself as our leading run-scorer this season, just as Harris tops the wicket charts, and reached 1500 career victims in the process.

A draw, then — honours even, and on the balance of the day's fortunes, a fair result all round.

Sat 26 Sep 1987 🧢 1st XIv HC Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC · HomeformLDWDD

As the toss went against us and we were put in the field, I'll say straight away it was the right decision by our visitors, even if I'd never admit that in the tea queue. Hastings & St Leonards Priory made themselves thoroughly at home, with young Jonathon Coles compiling a really rather elegant 51, backed up handsomely by Ian Gillespie's unbeaten 46 and J Withers' 32. That opening stand of 75 gave them the platform to reach 184/6 from their forty, and there wasn't a great deal we could do about it — save for poor Terry Wright, run out without so much as glancing at the scorebook, a duck to file away in the club ledger. The one shaft of sunlight through the cloud was Jon Harris, who bowled beautifully for 5-54 — a five-for that had the boundary applauding and rightly so — with Matt Large chipping in dutifully, tight as you like with two maidens for his 1-85.

Chasing 185, we settled instead for the quiet satisfaction of survival, closing on 141/6 from our 52. Nigel Thirkell was the mainstay with a composed 43, Dave Todd useful support with 23, and I contributed my customary unspectacular 19. Peter Whyte, meanwhile, joined Terry in the Duck Club for the day — misery loves company.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride just about intact, and Jon Harris continuing his magnificent season with the ball. Not a classic, but an honest afternoon's cricket, and we'll take that.

Sun 20 Sep 1987 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformLLDWD

From the captain's chair, Sunday 20 September 1987. We welcomed Anchorians CC, lost the toss, and were put out into the field — never my favourite way to spend a Sunday, but there it is.

Graham Siveyer batted as though he owned the square, cruising to 96 not out, while Keith Wooding chipped in a handsome 80, the pair putting on 179 for the second wicket and leaving our bowlers rather short of answers. Anchorians closed on 217/2 from their 42 overs. Credit where due: Matt Large kept plugging away for 2-42, and Alan Boyns was miserliness personified with three maidens.

Chasing 218, we made a fist of it. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, 89 well past his fifty, ably backed by David Castle's 40, and the openers laid a fine platform of 93 for the first wicket. Then, as is our club's habit, the wheels came off spectacularly — 141-3 became 146-6 in the blink of an eye, with Simon Thirkell, Tim Thirkell and Ian McKechnie all failing to trouble the scorers. Your correspondent also made a duck; the less said, the better. We finished 149/9 from 43 overs.

Honours were shared. But the day belonged to David Castle, marking his 100th appearance in Linton colours and climbing past Robert Chance to 22nd on the all-time run list — a thoroughly deserved landmark on a day when little else went entirely our way.

Sat 19 Sep 1987 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWLLDW

Saturday 19th September, and the coin toss went as all coin tosses seem to go for us this year — badly. West Farleigh won the call, elected to bat, and left us to spend the afternoon leathering the outfield instead of enjoying it.

To our credit, the lads gave them precious little to smile about. Jon Harris was magnificent, prising out five for 51 in a spell that had their middle order in all sorts of bother, while Nigel Thirkell and David Castle chipped in with a wicket apiece to keep the pressure on. Matt Large, meanwhile, bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who simply refuses to be hit, three maidens to his name. For all that, Mick Holness played the innings of the day with 42, well supported by Mick Beeney's 29 and Tim Baker's 28, and West Farleigh eventually declared themselves satisfied on 156 for 9 from their 48.3 overs.

Our reply amounted to six for none from three overs before, in the finest traditions of the game, both captains shook hands and agreed there was no more cricket to be had in it. Honours shared, then — a draw that suited nobody and offended nobody.

Elsewhere in the ledger, David Castle continues to sit proudly second in our 1987 run charts with 1246 to his name, and Jon Harris now leads the wicket-takers with 89 — form he showed no sign of hiding today. A fair result, if not a thrilling one: we came, we bowled rather well, and we left with a draw and our dignity largely intact.

Wed 09 Sep 1987 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · HomeformDDLDW

Here's the report:

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Wednesday 9 September, and The Mote CC rolled into Linton Park under skies that, for once, seemed to favour cricket. I called correctly at the toss — a rare enough event that I nearly forgot what to do next — and had no hesitation in batting first.

The lads batted with real purpose. Nigel Thirkell was in imperious touch, finishing unbeaten on a chanceless 80, while David Castle chipped in with a fine 51 and Paul Gibson added a brisk 37. Their third-wicket stand of 86 was the platform for everything that followed, and 209 for 3 off our 44 overs left us more than happy with a declaration-shaped total, even if we never quite got round to declaring.

The Mote didn't make life easy in reply. Their openers put on 105 together — the sort of start that has a fielding captain reaching for his cap and rearranging his field for the tenth time — before Jon Harris, bowling beautifully for 3 for 52, finally prised them apart. Malcolm Bristow (64) and Brian Piper (53) kept them in the hunt, but Nigel Thirkell, Trevor Back and I all found a wicket apiece, and Alan Boyns bowled miserly enough to send down seven maidens. They closed on 176 for 7.

A draw, then — honours shared, and nobody quite able to land the decisive blow. Special mention to Paul Gibson, who brought up 3,000 career runs for the club along the way. A thoroughly good day's cricket, even if my captaincy contributed rather less than the toss coin did.

Sun 06 Sep 1987 🧢 1st XIv MH Mad Hatters · HomeformWWLLD

On winning the toss on a fine Sunday in September, I did what any sensible captain does when the sun is out and the outfield looks quick — I stuck us in. It proved the right call. Our openers set about laying a platform, putting on 105 for the first wicket before the breakthrough came, and from there Paul Gibson played the innings of the day with a fine 69, well supported by David Castle's classy 54 and Tim Thirkell's 33. We declared our efforts at 224 for 5 from 32 overs, a total that always felt a good few runs ahead of the game.

Dummy Site began in similarly fluent fashion, their own openers matching ours stride for stride with 106 before the first wicket fell, and A D Robertson's fifty-plus 63 threatened to make a real match of it, backed by R Lankester's unbeaten 35 and J Widgery's 32. But cricket has a habit of turning on an afternoon, and they collapsed from 106 for 1 to 113 for 4, with C O'Neill, P Maynard and C J Blackman all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Trevor Back was magnificent, bowling us to victory with 7 for 42, well supported by Jon Harris (2-43) and Steve Cheale (1-4). They were bowled out for 169 in 35.5 overs. Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, 10 byes escaping his grasp, and I chipped in with 33 with the bat.

Special mention, too, for David Castle, whose 54 eased him past Andrew Moss into 25th on the club's all-time run list. A fine win by 55 runs, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sat 05 Sep 1987 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · HomeformWWWLL

We lost the toss again on Saturday — I'm beginning to suspect the coin has a grudge against me — and Sibton Park duly chose to bat, leaving us to spend the afternoon on our feet under a watchful Linton Park sky. They ground out 194 for 5 from their 49 overs, built chiefly around a fine 61-run stand for the fourth wicket between I Clarke, who finished unbeaten on 54, and J Rouse, who made 52 of his own with N Turrell chipping in 26. Credit where it's due: they batted with real application, and we simply couldn't prise them apart when it mattered.

The bowling, though, was where we earned our corn. Jon Harris was superb, 3 for 37 with four maidens to show for his afternoon's toil — not a run given away lightly, as they say — with Sean Charlton offering fine support at 2 for 37. S Addis, at least, departed for a golden duck without troubling the scorers, small mercies and all that.

Chasing 195, we made a brisk enough start of 21 for 1 from just 3.3 overs before bad light or good sense (I forget which) brought proceedings to a close, and honours were shared. Paul Gibson continues to lead our run charts this season with 1250, and Jon Harris tops the wickets with 81 — the lad is making a habit of these performances. A draw, then, but a thoroughly honest one, and I'll happily take that against a side who made us work for every ball.

Mon 31 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDWWWL

Beaten by 3 wickets, but I'll say this for the lads: we made Bearsted work for it.

Monday 31 August 1987, and we had Bearsted CC in at Linton Park on what felt, at the toss, like a home fixture we ought to win. I called it right and elected to bat — or so I thought at tea. We were bowled out for 138 off 58.5 overs, which tells its own story of application rather than fireworks. Sean Charlton was the mainstay with 40, and a sixth-wicket stand of 56 dragged us to something defendable. Poor Matt Large will want this one struck from the record — a duck to open his afternoon, though he'd have his say later.

Defending 138 was always going to ask questions, and Bearsted answered most of them. An early wicket with just 1 on the board had us dreaming, but Rupert Humphrey (49) and Richard Coward (47) put together a stand of 76 for the fifth wicket that took the game away from us, N Bateman seeing them home unbeaten on 29. Credit where it's due: Matt Large atoned in style with 4-33, Sean Charlton and Allan Cooper chipped in, and Jon Harris bowled six overs as tight as his club-leading wicket tally suggests.

In the end, 144/7 in 54 overs edged us out by three wickets. Not our finest hour, but there was enough good cricket in there to suggest better days are coming — and coming soon, I hope.

Sun 30 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv BC Brighton & Hove CC · AwayformWDWWW

Sunday 30 August found us on the road at Brighton & Hove, where I lost the toss and we were duly asked to bowl first — never my favourite way to start a Sunday, but there it is. Brighton ground their way to 201 for 7 off 55 overs, built almost entirely around A. Hansford's superb unbeaten 103, with Ray Bieber a watchful ally on 51 not out. We had them 3 for 1 early doors and thought we were in business, but their last pair had other ideas, adding a thoroughly unwelcome 154 between them. Some consolation came elsewhere, with P Knight and Tony Payne both walking back for ducks at our hands, and Alan Boyns bowling beautifully for 4 for 36 — eight maidens in there, not a run given away lightly — with Matt Large chipping in with 3 for 86.

Our reply never got out of first gear. Four for one set an ominous tone, and a horror collapse from 29 for 2 to 43 for 5 did for us long before the close; all out for 65 in 21.4 overs. The Duck Club welcomed three new members that afternoon — Brian Piper, Huckstep and Alan Boyns all making the walk of shame for nought.

Happier news amid the wreckage: Nigel Thirkell brought up his 600th appearance in Linton colours, a splendid milestone by any measure, while Paul Gibson (1228 runs) and Matt Large (71 wickets) continue to lead this season's charts. As for the match itself, there's no dressing it up — beaten by 136 runs. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 29 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv YC Yalding CC · HomeformWWDWW

Saturday 29 August 1987, and Yalding CC came calling under skies that mercifully held. The coin obliged me for once, and with a touch of devilment I had few qualms about putting us in to bat. We stumbled almost before we'd begun — 0 for 1 felt like a poor omen — but Bob Lines and company steadied the ship in style. Lines compiled a fine 70, David Castle chipped in with 27 and Malcolm Pay 25, the pair at the second wicket adding a crucial 116 to haul us to 189 for 6 off 44.2 overs. Poor Paul Gibson departed for a golden duck, though a generous 25 extras from Yalding's bowlers did us no harm at all. I managed 21 myself, more through good fortune than good technique.

With the ball, we set about them properly. Yalding slid from 11 for 1 to 29 for 4 in a rush, with C Andrews, L. Hawkins and S Taylor all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Matt Large led the charge with 3 for 31, Jon Harris toiled admirably for 3 for 79 with four tidy maidens, and Paul Gibson picked up 2 for 10. Only Roger Taylor stood defiant, a superb 113 built largely on an 85-run stand for the sixth wicket, but it wasn't enough — Yalding were bowled out for 165 in 44.5 overs.

A fine win by 24 runs, then, and warm applause too for Malcolm Pay reaching 4,000 career runs for the club, with David Castle sitting second in this year's run charts on 1189 and Jon Harris topping the wickets with 77. A grand afternoon's cricket, and a result to be proud of.

Sun 23 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformLWWDW

Sunday 23rd August, and Dummy Site rolled up on a fine afternoon to take our coin-toss winning streak and stamp on it good and proper — they called correctly and had no hesitation in taking first knock. We trudged into the field wondering what sort of day it would be, and for a good while the answer looked like "long one," as K Hewitt settled in for a fine 54 and found willing company in S Smith (38) and R Smith (27), the pair adding a stubborn 68 for the sixth wicket that threatened to bat us out of the game entirely.

But cricket has a way of turning, and turn it did: from 149 for 7 they folded to all out for 149, D Goodger, R Cork and D Moore departing without so much as a run to their names. Matt Large was the chief architect of the collapse, spinning a web for 5-31, with Jon Harris (4-47, four miserly maidens) and Allan Cooper (1-18) refusing to let anyone settle.

Chasing 150, Paul Gibson set about proving why he sits atop our season's run charts with 1224 to his name, cracking a fine 75 and putting on 53 for the first wicket before Keith Hatcher (26 not out) saw us home in fine style — 150 for 3 off 31.2 overs. With Jon Harris also leading the wickets column on 74, this was very much a case of our senior men doing what they do best. Seven wickets, two points, and thoroughly, comfortably earned.

Sat 22 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv HC Horsmonden CC · AwayformLLWWD

Paul Gibson's hundred moved him past Robert Chance to 21st on the all-time run-scorers list, and quite right too — the man carried the innings like it owed him money. Winning the toss at Horsmonden, I fancied batting, and 231 all out from 39.4 overs felt like a proper score, built on Gibson's magnificent 102 and Sean Charlton's fifty, the pair putting on 101 for the third wicket while the rest of us admired the view. Keith Hatcher chipped in with 23, though the tail rather lost its nerve — 215-6 became 221-9 before we knew what had hit us, and poor Stewart Morrison walked back for nought, the Duck Club's newest and least willing member.

Defending it, we needed early wickets, and got one with just 4 on the board to settle the nerves nicely. Sean Charlton, having done his bit with the bat, then set about doing rather more with the ball — 3-8 is the sort of spell that wins matches on its own. Matt Large backed him up superbly with 3-19 and three tidy maidens, Jon Harris took 2-48, and between them they had Horsmonden's last pair — including a duck for Donald Couchman — walking off at 143 all out, Peter Bateup's fighting 54 and Kevin Knight's 27 notwithstanding.

An 88-run win, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Gibson continues to purr along in second in the season's run charts behind nobody much, Harris leads the wickets column with 70, and the rest of us are simply grateful to be along for the ride. Onwards.

Wed 19 Aug 1987 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformWDDLD

Wednesday the nineteenth of August found us at home to Gravesend CC, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly, and there was never any doubt I'd have us in first. Batting first on our own square is the sort of decision that makes a captain look wise regardless of what follows, and follow it did: 202 for 5 off 45.4 overs was a proper score. Peter Whyte anchored things with a fine 78, David Castle chimed in with 66, and Paul Gibson's 36 kept the scoreboard honest, the three of them building a third-wicket stand of 116 that did all the heavy lifting.

Defending it, we bowled Gravesend out for 93 off 43.3 overs, the innings folding from 45 for 3 to 51 for 6 as the middle order lost its nerve entirely — Cross, Myers and Hasler all walked back without so much as a run to show for it. Jon Harris was the pick, 4 for 25 including four maidens of pure stubbornness, with Trevor Back (2-11) and Nigel Thirkell (1-8) tidying up either end. I'll confess to rather enjoying my own four wickets too — only G Franklin, unbeaten on 23, emerged with any credit.

A quiet footnote: Gibson's 36 nudges him past Maurice Fenner into 22nd on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Two points, and thoroughly deserved — won by 109 runs.

Sun 16 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · HomeformLLLWW

We hosted Whitstable CC on Sunday, and I lost the toss — the one contest of the day I'm certain I lost — so we were put into the field. Duncan Hardy (66) and T Bowell (56) put on 85 for the second wicket and dragged Whitstable to a stiff 206/5 from their 52.3 overs, with Andy Simpson unbeaten on 43 for good measure. David Castle bowled beautifully for his 2-22, and Matt Large, four maidens and all, was a picture of miserly restraint for his 2-60; Trevor Back chipped in with 1-34.

In reply we made a fist of it early, Peter Whyte (35) and Paul Gibson (34) putting on 62 for the first wicket before the breakthrough, with Mike Elworthy (26) also weighing in. But cricket, in its infinite capacity for cruelty, then turned 123-3 into 130-6 before most of us had finished our tea, and we subsided to 158/9 from 46 overs — Trevor Back and David Iliffe both walking back for ducks, joining the club's less illustrious ledger.

There was much to raise a glass to regardless: Trevor Back brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, Paul Gibson's runs edged him past Andrew Moss to 24th on the all-time run charts, and Matt Large's wickets took him past George Champion into 19th among our leading wicket-takers. David Castle continues to lead the 1987 run charts, with Large second among the bowlers.

Honours shared, then — a draw, and on the evidence of that middle-order wobble, one we were rather relieved to escape with.

Sat 15 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · AwayformLLLLW

We travelled to Harrietsham on Saturday, lost the toss, and dear reader, we bowled — which after this result I shall claim as tactical genius rather than the coin's indifference. Harrietsham posted 159 all out in 42.2 overs, built on 43 from Micky Tong, 33 from S Tong and 26 from Kevin Grebbell, with a fifth-wicket stand of 60 doing most of the damage. But the tail folded in a hurry, 155-7 becoming 159-10 before anyone could catch breath, as J Swift, B Amey and John Smith departed without so much as a run to their names. Paul Gibson was the chief architect with 3-25, Matt Large chipped in miserly (2-45, three maidens) and Sean Charlton took one for 17.

With 160 needed, our openers set about it properly, putting on 93 before the first wicket fell — the stand of the innings. Paul Gibson carried on his good day with the ball into a fine 62, David Castle made a classy 59, and Keith Hatcher saw us home unbeaten on 23, wrapping things up at 162-3 in 43.3 overs. Jim Hall had a wretched afternoon behind the stumps, 11 byes going begging, though nobody was cruel enough to mention it in the bar.

Milestones tumbled: Matt Large passed 200 career wickets, Sean Charlton reached his half-century of scalps, and Gibson's 62 eased him past Andy Woollett to 25th on the club's all-time run list. Castle remains top of our 1987 run charts, Large second among the wicket-takers.

A comfortable seven-wicket win, and frankly more than we deserved on the toss alone. Onwards.

Sun 09 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformLLLLL

It was a right good day at Linton Park, and one that started, as these things ought, with a spot of luck. I called correctly at the toss on the 9th of August and, with the sun out and Benenden's bowlers looking a touch too pleased with themselves, there was never any question of doing anything other than batting first.

What followed was as tidy an innings as we've managed all season. Sean Charlton set the tone with a fine 56, and David Castle wasn't far behind with 53, the two of them putting together a sixth-wicket stand of 79 that did most of the heavy lifting. Nigel Thirkell finished unbeaten on 24 to see us home to 177 for 6 off our 37. Not everyone's name will make the highlights reel, mind — Bob Lines and Tim Thirkell both contributed the traditional golden duck, for which they have my full sympathy and a small amount of gentle mockery.

Defending it, we were rampant. Jon Harris was simply magnificent, 4 for 54 with six maidens thrown in for good measure, and found willing accomplices in Paul Gibson (3 for 3, remarkably) and Ron Kemp (3 for 18). Tim Hartley's 47 was the only real resistance as Benenden slid from 88 for 7 to all out for 98, with Peter Stubbings and J Wilson both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. I even chipped in with 24 myself, purely in a supporting capacity, you understand.

A 79-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 09 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLLLLL

Sunday last saw us on the road to The Mote, and the coin did us no favours whatsoever — they called correctly, elected to bat, and we trooped out into the field wondering what the day held. As it turned out, quite a lot: an early wicket at 0-1 promised much, and though Adrian Smith settled in for an unbeaten fifty, the middle order rather fell apart around him, 63-4 crumbling to 79-7 in the blink of an eye. Matt Large was the chief tormentor with 3-32, well backed by Sean Charlton (2-25) and Alan Boyns (2-34). They closed on 104/9 from their sixteen — more than the collapse suggested, less than Smith's fifty deserved.

Chasing 105 in sixteen overs is no gentle stroll, and losing a wicket with just 8 on the board did nothing for the nerves. Credit then to David Castle and Nigel Thirkell, whose stand of 68 for the second wicket dragged us back into it — Castle top-scoring with 36, Thirkell 34, and I managed 34 of my own for good measure. We fell agonisingly short at 98/5, six runs shy of victory.

A proud footnote amid the disappointment: Bob Lines brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth far more than any single afternoon's result. David Castle continues to lead our run charts for the season, Matt Large sits second among the wickets — both quietly building fine campaigns.

Not our day, then, but heads up and back to the nets — there's plenty still to play for.

Sat 08 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWLLLL

Saturday 8 August found us welcoming Headcorn CC, and history will record that the toss did us no favours at all — put in to field, we trudged out wondering whether the tea urn had even warmed up yet.

Headcorn made a watchful start, Simon Phipps (30) and John Phipps (28) putting on 57 for the first wicket while Paul Millen chipped in a tidy 25, and for a while 142 looked like it might be the tip of something larger. But cricket, mercifully, has a sense of humour, and ours arrived in the shape of Jon Harris, who bowled like a man possessed to return 6-54 and turn 101-4 into 117-7 before anyone quite knew what had happened. Dave Todd (2-33) and the ever-parsimonious Matt Large (1-30, four maidens and not a run to spare) tidied up the rest, with poor Clive Wickens and Steve Kingsmill both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer.

Chasing 143, we rather specialised in self-sabotage. Two down for one run set an unhappy tone, and although Malcolm Pay battled to 24 not out, wickets fell around him with a regularity that would have made Headcorn's bowlers blush with pride — Matt Large and Jon Harris both departing for ducks, proof that even our matchwinners are human. All out for 116, we fell 26 runs short.

Not our day, then. Heads up, chins slightly less so, and back to the nets — David Castle and Jon Harris continue to lead the run and wicket charts respectively, so the season's silver linings remain firmly intact.

Sat 01 Aug 1987 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWLLL

Skipper's Log — Saturday 1st August 1987

Called it right at the toss and never seriously considered doing anything but batting — you don't turn down a shirt-sleeves afternoon like this one. David Castle then went and reminded everyone why he's top of our run charts, carving out a majestic 150 not out, while Keith Hatcher played the perfect foil with a composed 56 not out. Between them they saw us to a mighty 229/1 off 45.5 overs without so much as a alarm bell ringing. I confess my main job at the other end of the field was pouring the tea and admiring the view.

With the ball, Matt Large simply took the game by the scruff of the neck — 6-10 is the sort of spell that gets talked about in the bar for years, and quite right too, given he's now 2nd in the club's wicket charts. Malcolm Pay (2-13) and Nigel Morton (1-7) mopped up capably around him, and Dave Todd bowled four maidens without so much as a stray half-volley. Three of their number departed without troubling the scorers, and for all J Abbett's gritty 33 and N Burgess's unbeaten 23, the innings folded for 99 in 40.1 overs.

Which rather brings me to the sting in the tail: 17 byes conceded make for a tricky afternoon behind the stumps for poor Peter Whyte, and set against our eventual margin they raise an eyebrow or two.

Down by 130 runs, then — not our day at all, despite the bowling fireworks. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sun 26 Jul 1987 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWWWLL

We travelled to The Mote on a fine Sunday, 26 July, and the coin — for once — smiled on me. In went the openers, and Keith Hatcher and Paul Gibson set about their business with real purpose, putting on 80 for the first wicket before either was parted from the crease. Keith carried on to 59 not out, Paul made a handsome 57, and Nigel Thirkell chipped in an unbeaten 31 to steer us to a healthy 188/4 from our 52 overs. Not every man enjoyed the sunshine, mind — poor Trevor Back completed his walk of shame for a golden duck, and the ledger has been updated accordingly.

Defending that total, we found The Mote in no mood to be troubled. David Barkaway and their opening partner laid a platform of 94 before the breakthrough finally came, and Barkaway went on to a fine 94 himself, well supported by Mickey Back (45 not out) and Dominic Chambers (28). Paul Gibson did what he could with the ball, picking up 1-28, and Jon Harris chimed in with 1-42, but they closed on 190/2 with overs to spare — eight wickets still in the shed. I added 31 with the bat myself, for what little comfort that offers.

Amid the gloom, one shaft of light: Paul Brattle brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to. Gibson still leads our 1987 run charts with 940, and Harris tops the wickets with 58 — the engine room, as ever, doing the heavy lifting. As for the rest of us: not our day, beaten by eight wickets, heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 25 Jul 1987 🧢 2nd XIv NH Newchapel and Horne · Awayform—

Saturday last took us out to Dummy Site, where I lost the toss and duly volunteered us into the field — which these days seems to be my only real captaincy skill. And how they made us pay for it early doors: openers Noakes and Wann put on 198 before we so much as glimpsed a breakthrough, Noakes making a proper hundred (139, no less) with Wann chipping in a handsome 66 alongside him. It took real patience to claw anything back, and credit where due — Ian Brattle stuck to his task for 2-50, while Jon Harris bowled as tight as a drum, four maidens and barely a boundary ball among them. They closed on 216/2 from their 53, a total that had "declaration of intent" written all over it.

Chasing it down, we got to 210/9 from our 42, which felt like honest club cricket toil rather than fireworks. I was pleased enough with my own 94 up top, and Simon Thirkell's 38 and Mike Elworthy's 25 kept the innings ticking, with a handy 71-run stand for the fifth wicket doing the real work. Extras weighed in with 26 — practically an all-rounder in their own right. Spare a thought, though, for Stewart Morrison and A Hayward, both undone for ducks; the walk back is never a fun one.

In the end, honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force it home. A fair result, and one I'll happily take.

Sat 25 Jul 1987 🧢 1st XIv AK Ashford CC, Kent · HomeformWWWWL

We lost the toss on Saturday and were sent in to field, which on reflection may have flattered us more than the scorecard eventually suggested. Ashford CC posted a workmanlike 120/9 from their 47 overs, with Julian Day the pick of their batting on 21. The ball, mercifully, did rather more talking for us than the bat would later manage — Sean Charlton ran through them with a fine 3-27, Matt Large chipped in with 3-37 (six maidens of positively monastic discipline), and Nigel Thirkell mopped up with 2-42. All told, a target of 121 looked eminently gettable on a Saturday afternoon.

It was not to be. We stumbled to 5-1 almost before the tea urn had boiled, and from there the innings never quite found its footing, subsiding to 78 all out in 36.4 overs. Paul Gibson, Bob Lines and David Iliffe all fell for ducks — a trio that will not be troubling the scorers' hall of fame — while Nigel Thirkell's 22 and Malcolm Pay's 22 were the only real resistance, with your captain scratching around for a token 22 of his own. David Castle, having a torrid time behind the stumps, added ten byes to the general disarray.

Amid the wreckage, one shaft of sunshine: Nigel Thirkell brought up 18,000 career runs for the club, a landmark achieved in rather less celebratory circumstances than it deserved. Down by 42 runs, then — not our finest hour, and it's back to the nets with heads up and egos gently deflated.

Fri 24 Jul 1987 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWWWW

Here's the report:

---

Friday brought us a home fixture, and I'll confess I fancied our chances when we put the opposition in — a decision that looked shrewd for about, ooh, ten overs. They rattled up 194 for 6 off their forty, built chiefly around a handsome 60 from S Palmer and 45 from A Prior, the pair sharing a third-wicket stand of 95 that rather took the shine off our morning. Credit where due, though: Matt Large bowled beautifully for his 2 for 6, three maidens and all, tying batsmen down like a man doing his tax return, while David Castle chipped in with 2 for 42 and Sean Charlton with 1 for 16.

Chasing 195, we lost an early wicket at 3 for 1 and I did wonder whether we'd left our bats in the pavilion. But Nigel Thirkell and David Castle put on 95 for the second wicket to drag us back into it, Thirkell going on to a splendid 69 and Castle a fighting 42, with Peter Whyte's 22 useful support. Then, as is our club's great tradition, the wheels came off spectacularly — 127 for 3 collapsed to 140 for 6 before we could catch breath, and we were all out for 189 in the 40th over.

Five runs short, in the end. I'll take some quiet satisfaction from my own 69, but a defeat's a defeat. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets — there's a collapse in there somewhere that needs sorting before it becomes a habit.

Wed 15 Jul 1987 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformWWDDL

We travelled down to Gravesend on a fine Wednesday, and for once the coin did what I asked of it, so I had no hesitation in putting us in. David Castle then proceeded to give the Gravesend attack a proper working-over, falling agonisingly short of his century on 98, which is the sort of innings that has me still shaking my head into my tea. Keith Hatcher chipped in an unbeaten 36 and Trevor Back a tidy 28, the pair of them building on a third-wicket stand of 65 that gave the innings its spine. We closed on 193 for 5 from our 45, a total I felt reasonably smug about as we trooped off for lunch.

Defending it proved rather more nerve-shredding than I'd have liked. Gravesend's T Morris played a lovely hand of 77, and when he and D Holder (40) put on 113 for the second wicket, I confess my smugness evaporated somewhat. A Penney chipped in 25 more. But A Hughes turned in the spell of the season, 5 for 20, hauling us back into it with three ducks for good measure, while Keith Hatcher and Trevor Back mopped up a wicket apiece and Matt Large bowled five miserly maidens. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging, and I did my bit with 28 of my own.

Matt Large's solitary wicket nudged him past Brian Fuller to 21st on the club's all-time list, which felt like the day's tidiest piece of business. Gravesend closed on 181 for 8, and honours were shared. A draw, then — honest, hard-fought, and entirely fair on both sides.

Tue 14 Jul 1987 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformWWWWW

Wearing my captain's cap for the visit of Staplehurst on the 14th, I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the sort of decision that makes you look terribly clever when it comes off, and thankfully this one did. Nigel Thirkell batted with real class for his unbeaten 72, and Paul Bowles matched him stroke for stroke with 65, the pair putting on 125 for the second wicket after we'd stumbled to 7-1 early doors. Poor David Castle's contribution began and ended with a duck, though I'm sure the tea-time cake softened the blow. We closed on a handsome 149/2 from our sixteen overs.

Defending that sort of total ought to be the easy part, and while Staplehurst gave it a proper go through John Robins (31), Neil Pullen (29) and A Henson (22), an early wicket at 3-1 meant they were forever chasing the game. Nigel, not content with his runs, then went and took the ball away from the rest of us with 3-26, well supported by Jon Harris's 2-49 and Matt Large's 1-32 — and I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction in picking up three myself. They finished on 126/7, twenty-three runs short.

A red-letter day off the field too: Paul brought up 23,000 career runs for the club, and Nigel's wickets nudged him past Paul into second on our all-time list. Two points, thoroughly deserved, and a very fine Tuesday's work all round.

Sun 12 Jul 1987 🧢 1st XIv MC Morden Village CC · HomeformLWWWW

Sunday 12th July saw Dummy Site come to Linton Park, and having won the toss I decided we'd bat first — a decision I'm rather pleased to report I stand fully behind. We finished on 207/4 from our 40 overs, built around a wonderful century from Peter Whyte, unbeaten on 113 and looking like he could have batted through tea and into next week. David Castle chipped in with a handy 40 — and, more significantly, brought up 2,000 career runs for the club along the way, which called for a rather generous round of applause. Brian Piper's 21 and an 86-run third-wicket stand gave the innings its spine, though poor Simon Gibson will want to forget his duck in a hurry.

Defending 207, we turned to Jon Harris, who proceeded to run through Dummy Site like a hot knife through the tea urn — 7 for 50, five of them maidens, figures that frankly embarrass the rest of us. Steve Cheale and M Clarke chipped in with a wicket apiece, P Mitchell's 25 was the only real resistance, and R White departed for a duck of his own. All out for 135 in 41 overs, and I confess I rather enjoyed picking up 7 wickets myself into the bargain.

A 72-run win, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Whyte's century, Castle's milestone, and Harris's spin all deserving of a place in the scorebook and, I daresay, in the bar's conversation for weeks to come.

Sat 11 Jul 1987 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformLLWWW

I've cleared the toss and no wickets down since — no memory or side tools needed here, just the report.

Called it right at the toss and, with the sun doing its best impression of an English summer, there was only ever one decision to make: bat. A wobble at 4 for the loss of an early wicket had the tea urn rattling nervously, but Paul Bowles and company steadied the ship in style, the pair adding a magnificent 119 for the second wicket to set us fair. Bowles compiled a fine 77, Keith Hatcher farmed the strike beautifully for an unbeaten fifty, and Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 41 as we posted a handsome 206 for 6 from our 46 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than gulp it.

Horton Kirby's reply never quite found its rhythm. Ian Scott and Peter Tungate threatened briefly with 41 and 33 respectively, but once the middle order wobbled from 114 for 5 to 123 for 8 there was no way back, L Tucker departing without troubling the scorers. Paul Bowles, having done the hard yards with the bat, then produced a spell of quite ridiculous quality — 6 for 13 — to run through the tail, well supported by Matt Large's tidy 2 for 33 (two maidens and not a run given away lightly) and Alan Boyns's 1 for 51. I even had a modest dip myself with 41 in the field's memory, though the ball did rather more talking than I did.

All out for 129 in 38.3 overs, beaten by 77 runs. Two points, thoroughly deserved, and a rare afternoon when everything — bat, ball and the tea — went entirely to plan.

Sun 05 Jul 1987 🧢 1st XIv RA Reeds Aylesford · HomeformWLLWW

Sunday 5th July saw Reeds Aylesford at Linton Park, and my luck was out before a ball was bowled — lost the toss, and they had no hesitation putting us in the field. Not that anyone was complaining once Jon Harris got going. An early wicket at 4 set the tone, and what followed was carnage of the most agreeable kind: 35-4 became 39-7 in the blink of an eye, Tim Baker and A Keynes both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Harris finished with 6-28, a five-for and then some, with Matt Large (3-18) and the wonderfully tidy Paul Gibson (1-6, six maidens — the man barely let the ball off the square) squeezing the life out of anything that survived. All out 71 from 43.4 overs, and frankly they were fortunate to trouble the scoreboard that much.

With a target like that, the only real danger was complacency, but Jim Hall (36 not out) and David Castle (30) saw to it with brisk efficiency, knocking off 73-1 in just 25.2 overs. Nine wickets to the good, and a happy afternoon all round.

I confess a certain smugness at picking up 6 wickets myself with the ball, though I shall let Harris have the headlines — he leads the 1st XI wicket charts with 48 for the season, while Castle sits second in the run charts with 707. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one that reminds you why you keep turning up, aching knees and all.

Sat 04 Jul 1987 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformDWLLW

Saturday 4th July 1987, and Staplehurst rolled up for what turned out to be a proper day's cricket.

The toss went against us, which these days I've come to view as character-building rather than catastrophic. Staplehurst opted to bat, and for a while John Robins looked set to make us pay for it, compiling a watchful 32 with N Pullen chipping in 21. But 46 for 4 became 60 for 7 in the sort of collapse that makes a captain feel almost sorry for the opposition — almost. I Pullen went for a golden duck, and the damage was shared handsomely around: Matt Large ran through them with 4 for 40, Alan Boyns bowled with the miserly discipline of a man counting his own pennies (3 for 29 off three maidens), and Jon Harris weighed in with 2 for 24. All out for 126 off 46 overs felt about right.

With that total in our sights, the chase was almost embarrassingly comfortable. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 51, with Nigel Thirkell keeping him company on 46 not out and Paul Gibson getting 21 under his belt before making way. I managed a tidy 46 myself, which I shall modestly mention only once. 127 for 1 in 27 overs, and we were home by nine wickets.

A good day for the club, and with Gibson and Harris still setting the pace at the top of the season's charts, a very good season to be following.

Thu 02 Jul 1987 🧢 1st XIv BC Boughton Malherbe CC · HomeformWDWLL

Boughton Malherbe CC rolled up to Linton Park on Thursday, and for once the coin actually did what I asked of it — down it came, and I stuck us in, feeling rather pleased with myself. That feeling wobbled a touch when we slipped to 5-1, but Paul Gibson and Nigel Thirkell had other ideas, stitching together a splendid stand of 86 that dragged us up to a very respectable 133/6 off our sixteen. Gibson's fifty (51) was the innings' backbone, Thirkell's 37 the perfect scaffolding round it. Special mention, of course, to Dave Todd, who came, saw, and departed for a golden duck — the sort of contribution only cricket could dress up as "keeping the tempo going."

With the ball, we set about them properly. Their own top order wobbled worse than ours — 2-1 inside the first over or so — and though L Wraight fought hard for his 35, he never really had the support to build on it. Matt Large was superb, 3-14 and rattling through their middle, with Jon Harris (2-14) and Nigel Thirkell (1-1) tidying up the rest. They limped to 73/8 from their sixteen, well short. I even had a small dip myself with 37 to my name, which I shall modestly file under "captain leading from the front."

Warm applause too for Matt Large, whose three wickets nudge him past Michael Morton into 22nd on the club's all-time list — a fine little footnote to a fine team performance.

Sixty runs the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly, unarguably earned.

Tue 30 Jun 1987 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformWWDWL

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 30 June 1987, away at Hollingbourne CC.

I lost the toss, they had a look at the pitch and chose to bat, and off we went into the field. It didn't start well for them — 7 for 1 had me thinking this might be our day — but Mike Donald and his partner strung together 129 for the second wicket and the game slipped away from us rather. Donald made a fine 79, and Ian Hammond chipped in with an unbeaten 51 to push them on to 147/3 from their sixteen overs. Jon Harris was miserly as ever, 1-19 the pick of the bunch, with Matt Large and Alan Boyns each picking up a wicket for their trouble. Dave Hales, sent back to the sheds without so much as a run to his name, will not thank me for the mention.

Chasing 148 was always going to be brisk work, and so it proved. Paul Gibson batted beautifully for 46, ably supported by Matt Large's 28, and the pair put on 53 for the second wicket to keep us in the hunt. But from 139 for 7 the innings simply fell apart, and we were bowled out for 144 in the same over count — three agonising runs short. Spare a thought for Nigel Morton and M Clarke, both back in the pavilion for ducks, joining the club nobody wants to captain.

Gibson continues to lead our run charts with 810 for the season, and Harris tops the wickets with 38 — small consolation on a evening when the margins were cruelly thin. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 28 Jun 1987 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformLWWDW

Sunday, 28th June 1987. Put in to field first, and for a heady moment it looked like it might be over before it began — an early stumble had them 2-1, R Lynch and S Rogers back in the pavilion without so much as troubling the scorers. Credit to them, they steadied: P Henderson dug in for 32 not out and T Carnell added a watchful 26, but there was no answer to Matt Large, who ran riot with 5-35 — five of those overs maidens, not a run given away lightly. Jon Harris (2-5) and Ian Brattle (2-19) tidied up the rest, and the innings folded for 94 off 46.4 overs. A fine team performance, and one that should, by rights, have set us up nicely.

Chasing it down proved a rockier road than the bowling suggested it ought to be. An early wicket with just 7 on the board set the nerves jangling, and the Duck Club claimed a fresh member as Steve Cheale trudged off for nought — the walk of shame indeed. Thankfully Trevor Back batted with real composure for an unbeaten 44, ably backed up by Paul Gibson's 20, but it wasn't quite enough: we closed on 97 for 6 from 37.3 overs, beaten by four wickets in the end.

Silver linings, though — Matt Large's five-for nudges him past Ray Howard into 23rd on the club's all-time wicket-taking list, and the season's charts remain in rude health, with Paul Gibson (764 runs) and Jon Harris (37 wickets) still setting the pace for the 1st XI. A frustrating one, but we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 27 Jun 1987 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformDLWWD

Here's the match report:

Saturday last, 27 June, and Meopham CC made the trip to face us with the sun kind enough to make an appearance. I called it right at the toss and didn't waste a moment deliberating — batting first was the only sensible course, and for once the decision looked like genius rather than luck.

Paul Gibson and Nigel Thirkell set about the Meopham attack as if they had a train to catch, cantering to 95 for the first wicket before anyone so much as troubled the umpire. Gibson went on to a magnificent 110, the sort of innings that makes the tea urn taste sweeter, while Thirkell's well-crafted 70 and David Castle's brisk 20 helped us to a formidable 227 for 3 off our 46 overs. A total, I confess, that had me feeling rather smug walking out to field.

And smug turned to delighted as our attack simply ran through them. Jon Harris was magnificent with 3 for 13, ably backed by Sean Charlton and Alan Boyns, both 3 for 21, with Charlton fairly strangling the life out of the innings with six maidens. Poor S Ledbetter departed for a duck, and Meopham were bowled out for a paltry 67. Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps — 8 byes his one blemish on an otherwise triumphant afternoon — while I was rather chuffed to contribute 70 myself.

A win by 160 runs. Some days, cricket is a wonderfully simple game.

Wed 24 Jun 1987 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformDWWDD

Won the toss on a fine Wednesday and, with the sort of confidence that so often comes before a fall, I stuck us in. That confidence looked misplaced when we shipped a wicket with nothing on the board, but the middle order steadied the ship in style. Trevor Back was immense — 85 not out, calm as you like — with Malcolm Pay (38) and Paul Bowles (20) lending fine support, and the third-wicket pair adding a priceless 79. Ian Hammond and Bob Dyer both fell without scoring, proof that even a good day has its blots, and we closed on 164 for 6 from our 53.

Sevenoaks & District Wednesday lost an early wicket themselves at 4, and for a moment I allowed myself a smile, but A Dean (81) and G Hitchins (32) — helped by a stand of 61 for the fourth wicket — dragged them back into it. Dennis Salisbury (2-36) and Bob Dyer (2-36) chipped away, Jon Harris toiled honestly for 2-57 with three tidy maidens, and poor P Styles departed for nought, but it wasn't quite enough; they got home on 167 for 6 with 32.4 overs gone.

There was real cause for cheer amid the defeat: Trevor Back brought up 3,000 career runs for the club and, with his 85, slipped past Terry Whittaker into 19th on our all-time run-scorers' list — and he now tops the 1987 Midweek XI run charts, with Dennis Salisbury leading the wickets.

Beaten by four wickets, then, but with pride largely intact. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 21 Jun 1987 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWDLWW

Sunday 21 June 1987, at home, and for once the coin actually loved me — I called correctly and had no hesitation in batting first.

We made 181 all out from 44.2 overs, and it was a day of two innings really. The openers gave us exactly the sort of start you dream about, 79 without loss before the first wicket fell, and Paul Gibson built beautifully on that platform with a fine 82, well supported by Nigel Thirkell's 43. Then, as club cricket so loves to do, it all rather fell apart — 160 for 3 became 165 for 6 in the blink of an eye, with poor Stewart Morrison and Ian Brattle both walking back for golden ducks. I chipped in with 43 myself, more relief than glory.

Defending it, M Burnett gave us a proper fright with a well-struck 68, ably helped by a 56-run stand with R Atkinson, unbeaten on 20. But the floodgates opened again — 111 for 3 to 122 for 6 — as Jon Harris (3-30) and Nigel Thirkell (3-35, and three miserly maidens besides) did the damage, with Matt Large chipping in for one. G Saville joined the ranks of the ducks. Eight byes told poor Jim Hall's tale behind the stumps, and I managed 3 wickets myself for good measure.

In the end honours were shared — a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Nobody's fault, plenty of pride, and tea was very good.

Sat 20 Jun 1987 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformDWDLW

Saturday last saw West Farleigh roll up to Linton Park, and I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I felt, and I'm sticking to that story regardless of what followed. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, 48 well-made runs, with Bob Lines (31) and Paul Gibson (23) lending sturdy support; the pair added a crucial 51 for the third wicket to give us a platform. Then, as is our club's proud tradition, the wheels came off in glorious fashion — 142/4 became 151/7 before anyone had finished their tea, with Sean Charlton and Jim Hall each contributing a golden duck to the cause. We closed on 174/8 from our 46, a total that felt either commanding or distinctly gettable depending on which session you'd witnessed.

With ball in hand we were rather better behaved. Mick Holness (36) and Fred Baker (31 not out) built West Farleigh a solid opening stand of 55, but we ran through the middle order — 55/1 to 65/4 — before their last pair, rather cheekily, put on 46 we could have done without. Paul Bowles was the architect throughout, 4-35 with four miserly maidens, well backed by Alan Boyns (2-10). Nine byes told their own tale of a searching examination for Malcolm Pay behind the stumps.

Two points, thoroughly earned, by 47 runs — and with David Castle (629 runs) and Bowles (24 wickets) leading the season's charts, this club is in rude health.

Thu 18 Jun 1987 🧢 1st XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformWDWDL

Thursday last took us down the lanes to Sissinghurst, where the coin did its usual trick of landing the wrong way up and we were asked to field first. No great hardship, as it turned out. Their innings ticked along to 128/6 from the sixteen overs, built chiefly around Mike Burgess, who middled a tidy fifty (53) before Jon Gurr saw them home unbeaten on 21. Paul Bowles was the chief tormentor with 3-31, backed up nicely by Alan Boyns (1-23) and Matt Large (1-32) — and spare a thought for poor Hall, sent back to the pavilion without so much as a glimpse of the scoreboard.

With 129 to chase, we set about it in fine style. David Castle and I put on 73 for the first wicket before the breakthrough finally came, and I confess to rather enjoying leading from the front, finishing unbeaten on 55 while David chipped in a handsome 32. We cantered home on 129/4 with an over to spare, the sort of chase that leaves you feeling faintly smug on the drive back.

A fine win by six wickets, then, and one built on solid foundations rather than fireworks. David Castle continues to top the 1987 run charts with 609 to his name, while Paul Bowles sits second in the wickets column with 20 — both men doing rather more than their fair share of the heavy lifting this summer. Onwards, in good heart.

Tue 16 Jun 1987 🧢 1st XIv RA Reeds Aylesford · HomeformLWDWD

It was a Tuesday to forget more than remember, if I'm honest. Reeds Aylesford came to Linton Park, the coin fell their way, and they had few complaints about the toss once they'd posted 140/6 from their sixteen overs — Chapman's 30 the spine of it, Caddick and Webster chipping in handsomely either side. We did have our moments in the field: Matt Large bowled with real purpose for 2-30, Nigel Thirkell and Martin Larkin lent honest support, and B King departed for a duck, which was about the only laugh we allowed ourselves all afternoon.

Then we batted. Or attempted to. One for one set an ominous tone, and by the time we'd slithered from eleven for two to twenty-nine for five, the tea urn was already being filled early doors. Three ducks for the club ledger — Bowles, Large and Spencer all walking the walk of shame — and ten byes besides, which said everything about a testing day for the man behind the stumps. As for your captain, a golden blob first ball; leading from the front is all very well, but not, perhaps, quite like that.

There was a silver lining amid the wreckage: Matt Large's brace edged him past Herbert Rayner into 24th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and the season charts still flatter us, with Thirkell fourth in the 1st XI run-making and Large third among the wicket-takers.

Beaten by 101 runs, then — a proper hiding, no dressing it up. But cricket has a marvellous way of humbling you on Tuesday and forgiving you by Saturday. We'll dust ourselves down, mend the top order, and come again.

Sun 07 Jun 1987 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWLWDW

Sunday the 7th of June found us hosting Sheldwich CC, and having called correctly at the toss for once in my captaincy career, I didn't so much as blink before choosing to bat. It proved the right call, if a nervy one by the end — 174 all out from 45.4 overs, with David Castle the undoubted star of the show, a lovely 76 that anchored everything around him, well supported by Paul Gibson's 31 and Trevor Back's 27. Credit where due, though the tail did its best to undo the good work, tumbling from 166 for 7 to all out in a rush. Allan Cooper and Adrian Simmonds will not want reminding of their ducks, but such is cricket.

In the field we set about defending our total, and the lads did us proud. Sheldwich were bowled out for 128 for 9 off 47 overs, N Hammond (31) and A Collard (30) the chief resistance, though we had them 4 for 1 early and poor D Elliott went for a duck of his own. Matt Large was quite magnificent — 3 for 19 with five maidens, miserly doesn't begin to cover it — with Sean Charlton (2-18) and Allan Cooper (2-25) chipping in nicely.

In the end neither side could force the issue, and honours were shared. A draw, then, but a thoroughly honest one — and with Castle now top of our season's run charts and Large third among the wicket-takers, there's plenty to be cheerful about as the summer rolls on.

Sat 06 Jun 1987 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformDWLWD

Saturday last, we welcomed Rumwood CC to Linton Park, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in taking first strike — the right call, I still maintain, whatever anyone says about my own contribution to the scorebook. Paul Gibson set about the bowling in style, sharing a brisk 112 for the first wicket with Bob Lines before the breakthrough finally came. From there it rather unravelled — 142 for 3 became 147 for 6 in a collapse that had me wincing on the balcony, with Dave Todd, Tim Thirkell and Nigel Morton all back in the pavilion without scoring. Gibson pressed on to a fine 98, Lines chipped in with 30, and we were bowled out for 182 in 42.5 overs, a total I felt gave us something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did. Matt Large was simply magnificent, ripping through Rumwood with 8 for 54 off five miserly maidens, well supported by Jon Harris's 2 for 14. R Simmonds (37) and G Marsh (23) added 59 for the seventh wicket, but once they slipped from 111 for 7 to 117 all out, the game was ours by 65 runs.

As for my own effort — a golden duck, first ball, leading by example in entirely the wrong direction. Small consolation that Matt Large's haul lifted him past Ian Brattle to 25th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon, and two points banked.

Sun 31 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformWDWLW

Sunday 31st May saw Leeds & Broomfield roll into Linton Park, and I did the decent thing at the toss — won it, and batted without a flicker of doubt, mostly because the tea urn was already on and it seemed rude to keep everyone waiting.

228/7 off 49.4 overs was a tidy return, built on a lovely second-wicket stand of 106. Nigel Thirkell fell agonisingly short of the ton on 98 — cruel game, cricket — while Paul Gibson chipped in a classy 78 and Alan Boyns added a brisk 23. A score, we felt, with enough about it to trouble most attacks.

It didn't quite trouble this one. R Coulter played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 117 that our bowlers simply couldn't shift, with Andy Creamer (26) and P Thomas (24) lending useful support in a third-wicket stand of 53. Allan Cooper was our pick with 2-34, Sean Charlton and Jon Harris both took 2, and Ian Brattle bowled four miserly maidens without much luck to show for it — though behind the stumps David Castle had his hands full, ten byes leaking away like the afternoon itself. They closed on 218/7, honours even.

Plenty to celebrate regardless: Paul Gibson brought up 2,000 runs for the club in his 100th appearance — a landmark worth more than any result — while Ian Brattle's solitary wicket eased him past Matt Large into 25th on the all-time list. A draw, then, and a fair one. Nobody bowled us out, nobody chased us down, and the tea was rather good.

Sat 30 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Gravesendians CC · AwayformDWDWL

Lost the toss again — some things never change — and were promptly invited to spend the afternoon in the field at Old Gravesendians. Their openers made themselves thoroughly at home, putting on 65 before we prised the first wicket loose, and a second-wicket stand of 79 threatened to make the day a long one. J Harris compiled a fine 70, with R Kidd (42) and P Latham (21) offering sturdy support, and the total crept to 161 for 5 off 54 overs. Small mercies: R Smith departed for a duck, and Ian Brattle bowled beautifully for 2 for 14, six overs of it maidens, ably backed by Jon Harris (2-58) and Paul Gibson (1-20).

Chasing 162, we made harder work of it than the scoreboard perhaps suggests — nine byes conceded speaks to a testing afternoon behind the stumps for David Castle — but with the bat he was imperious, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 79 while a second-wicket stand of 52 kept the required rate honest. We got home with five wickets in hand and 36.3 overs gone, for two thoroughly earned points.

Off the field, cause for real celebration: Bob Lines brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, and Ian Brattle's brace nudged him past Michael Chambers into 25th on our all-time wicket-takers' list. With Castle now well clear atop the 1987 run charts and Jon Harris leading the wickets, this was, all told, a very good day to be a Linton Park man.

Fri 29 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv M MCC · HomeformWDWDW

We lost the toss on Friday 29th May and were duly sent in to field — not the start any of us fancied, but that's cricket for you. Keith Wooding gave us an early lesson in patience, compiling a superb 110, and found willing company in W Evans, whose well-made 84 kept the scoreboard humming. A Crockert chipped in with 38 as the pair put on 98 for the first wicket before Trevor Back finally prised out the breakthrough, finishing with 1-17. Paul Gibson and Jon Harris took a wicket apiece, and Matt Large bowled three tidy maidens, but 285/5 from their 54.5 overs left us with a proper mountain to climb.

Sadly, we barely troubled base camp. At 2-1 the top order had already gone missing, and though Paul Gibson batted beautifully for 89 — the innings' one shining light — and Paul Bowles added a useful 25, with the fifth-wicket pair contributing a crucial 54, we subsided to 191 all out in 42 overs. Spare a thought for Matt Large and Ian Brattle, who both endured the walk of shame with ducks to their name.

David Castle continues to lead our 1987 run charts with 419, and Jon Harris tops the wicket pile with 23 — small consolation on a day we finished 94 runs shy. Not our finest hour; heads up, and back to the nets.

Mon 25 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformLWDWD

With no headers, no bullets — just prose. Composing the report now.

Monday last saw us at home to Dummy Site, and I'll confess I rather fancied our chances the moment the coin fell my way — batting first felt right, and for once I wasn't proved a fool. We rattled along to 236 for 5 off our 60.3 overs, though it didn't start smoothly, the first wicket tumbling for just 3 runs. No matter: David Castle and Nigel Thirkell set about repairing things with a stand of 158 for the second wicket that put the innings back on an even keel. Castle finished with a handsome 83, Thirkell chipped in 73 of his own, and Paul Gibson's 23 rounded things off nicely.

Out in the field we made them work hard for their 205 all out, though Andrew Baker's 53 and support from W Haywood (40) and J Campling (32) — with a 76-run third-wicket stand — kept them in the hunt longer than we'd have liked. Paul Bowles was the pick of the attack with 3 for 31, Jon Harris toiled manfully for 3 for 91, and Matt Large bowled a tidy 2 for 25 with two maidens to show for it. S Milsted departed without troubling the scorers, which always raises a cheer. Jim Hall's eight byes, it must be said, told their own tale of a testing day behind the stumps.

A word for Matt Large, whose two wickets nudge him past Michael Chambers into 25th on the club's all-time list — quiet history being made while the tea urn boiled.

A fine win by 31 runs. Onwards.

Sun 24 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv JB John Fisher Old Boys · AwayformWLWDW

Sunday 24 May 1987, and the road took us out to Dummy Site with the sun doing its best village-green impression. The coin obliged, and I put us in – always a bold call when your own top order includes two chaps who'd go on to make ducks, but more of that anon.

We posted 188 for 7 off our 53.2 overs, which felt about right for the surface. An early wicket with just 7 on the board had me chewing my thumbnail, but David Castle (90) and Paul Gibson (72) restored order handsomely, adding 143 for the third wicket in the sort of stand that makes a captain forget his nerves entirely. Naturally, having been so becalmed, we then contrived a collapse of comic proportions – 181 for 3 became 187 for 6 before anyone had really noticed, with Martin Thompson and Alan Boyns both taking the long walk back for nought. The ducks, it must be said, quacked loudly in the clubhouse afterwards.

In reply they made 138 for 9 off their 50, K Mullaney (43) the chief obstacle, with useful support from R Bryant (27) and T Bowles (23). Alan Boyns, restoring his pride with the ball, took 3 for 16, while Sean Charlton (2-15) and Jon Harris (2-28, eight miserly maidens) squeezed the life out of the middle order. Eleven byes past David Castle behind the stumps suggested the gloves were working harder than the bat that day.

Honours shared, then – a draw when neither side could force it. A fair result, and, on reflection, rather a relief.

Tue 19 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv KH KCC Highways · HomeformLWLWD

Tuesday 19 May 1987 saw Dummy Site come to us, and having called correctly for once in my captaincy career, I had no hesitation in sticking us in – a decision that looked considerably more inspired by teatime than it did after fifteen overs of watching us subside to 113 all out. Losing our first wicket for just 4 was not the platform I'd envisaged, but Malcolm Pay's 28 and Paul Gibson's 24 dragged us to something resembling respectability, even if 113 in 15.5 overs is the sort of total that has the tea urn muttering under its breath.

Whatever anxieties I harboured evaporated once we took the field. The opposition's top order threatened briefly through D Harden's 33, but this was as good as it got for them. Jon Harris was simply magnificent, ripping through the middle and lower order for 4-23, with Sean Cook (3-9) and Paul Gibson (1-3) mopping up admirably, and I managed to sneak in four wickets myself for good measure. S Khambay and N Brown both departed without troubling the scorers, and what had been 81-7 became 84 all out inside three balls – the sort of collapse that makes a captain feel almost guilty for enjoying it quite so much.

A 29-run win, then, snatched from what looked a distinctly middling total. With David Castle sitting second in the season's run charts and Jon Harris now leading the wicket-takers with 17, the engine room of this side is purring nicely. Onwards indeed.

Sun 17 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv BC Battle CC · HomeformWLWLW

Sunday 17 May 1987, and Battle CC rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather less sportingly, the toss in their pocket. Asked to field first, we set about the visitors with what I like to call controlled optimism. Alan Boyns was the pick of the attack, 3-34, with Ian Brattle chipping in at 2-51 and Jon Harris bowling six maidens as though runs were rationed. Even so, Joe Hanson (61) and J Quinnell (53) put together a stand of 82 that did rather more than chip in, and Bob Holland's 27 kept the scoreboard ticking, leaving Battle on a stout 176/6 from their 57.3 overs.

Our reply began, sadly, with the sort of theatre we could do without — 2 for 1, and poor Tim Eldridge back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, quacking gently as he went. But cometh the hour, cometh Bob Lines, whose unbeaten 56 anchored things beautifully, ably assisted by David Castle's composed 40 not out, and together they steered us to 104/1 from 31.1 overs without so much as a wobble. Jim Hall, meanwhile, made his own less glorious contribution to the Duck Club ledger.

David Castle's efforts nudge him up to second in this season's 1st XI run charts, on 241 — a man clearly in some form. As for the match itself, honours were shared, neither side able to force the issue. A draw, then, but an honest one — and on the balance of ducks, boundaries and Jon Harris's miserly overs, I'd call it a thoroughly fair result for a fine Sunday's cricket.

Sat 16 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLWLWL

Saturday 16 May 1987, away to Headcorn CC, and I did the only sensible thing at the toss — won it, and stuck us in.

It didn't start well. Four runs on the board and we'd already lost a wicket, the sort of nervy little stumble that has a captain reaching for the flask before the tenth over. But Paul Bowles and Nigel Thirkell had other ideas, putting on 130 for the second wicket to drag us back onto an even keel. Bowles carried on in imperious form to finish 99 not out — cruelly, agonisingly short, and I suspect there'll be no living with him for a fortnight — while Thirkell chipped in a fine 55 and Dave Todd rounded things off with an unbeaten 20. We closed on 193 for 3 from our 46, a total with a bit of substance to it.

Headcorn's reply never quite got away from us. Paul Millen batted nicely for his 80, but wickets fell steadily around him and they collapsed from 160 for 7 to 176 all out — G Wickens gone for a duck along the way. Jon Harris was simply magnificent, running through them for 5-51, with Bowles (2-49) and Thirkell (1-32) mopping up the rest, the latter pair clearly not content with merely winning the game with the bat.

A 17-run win, then, and Bowles — now top of both the run and wicket charts for the season — continues to make the rest of us look thoroughly ordinary. Onwards.

Tue 12 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv Teston CC · HomeformWLWLW

Beaten by 5 runs, and if truth be told we've only ourselves to blame — losing the toss on a morning that plainly favoured batting second was the first misfortune, and Teston's openers made the most of it, cantering to 84 for no loss before Jon Harris finally found a way through. Alan Randall, unbeaten on 74, and Keith Jarrett's 37 saw them home to 150 for 4 from their sixteen overs, with Nigel Thirkell chipping in with 2 for 32 to go alongside Harris's fine 2 for 31 — small mercies amid the carnage.

Chasing 151 was always going to want a cool head, and for a while we had one. Nigel Thirkell, showing rather more composure with the bat than he'd needed with the ball, top-scored with a splendid 46, and a 79-run stand for the second wicket with Bob Lines (45) had the tea urn practically on the boil. Martin Larkin's 21 kept the arithmetic honest, but 145 for 5 in the end left us five runs shy, and shy is shy whichever way you slice it.

David Castle continues to sit proudly second in the season's run charts on 197, and Harris now lies second among the wicket-takers with 8 — proof, if any were needed, that the talent is very much there. As for the result, it was a match we might have won and didn't, which in the fine tradition of this club counts as character-building. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 10 May 1987 🧢 Sunday NVKCv LK Leigh CC, Kent · HomeformWWLWL

Sunday 10 May 1987, and Leigh CC of Kent came calling. I lost the toss, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like a personal character flaw, and we were sent into the field.

Colin Fry gave us a torrid afternoon, motoring to 65 not out, with Nick Waite (48) and Mark Wood (25) lending willing support after a first-wicket stand of 60 got them away to the sort of flying start that has a captain rearranging his field and his stomach in equal measure. Credit where due, though — Jon Harris was quite magnificent, 3 for 23 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, and he chipped in later with a nice round number too, while Matt Large picked up a wicket of his own. Chris Harding and Charlie Raker fell for a pair of ducks, and 194 for 6 felt like a target with teeth.

Chasing, David Castle led beautifully with 44, Bob Lines finished unbeaten on 43, and Keith Hatcher's 39 helped forge a second-wicket stand of 65 that briefly had us dreaming. Nine byes, mind you, told their own tale of poor Jim Hall's afternoon behind the stumps.

There was real cause for celebration amid the defeat — Keith brought up 1,000 career runs, and Jon passed 1,400 wickets, milestones this club will raise a glass to long after the scoreline is forgotten. We fell 13 runs short in the end. A fine effort, honest defeat, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 09 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformDWLWL

Saturday 09 May 1987 saw us head to Rumwood in fine spirits, and for once the coin obliged me — I called correctly and had no hesitation in batting first. 222/9 off our 46 overs was a very tidy return, built on Keith Hatcher's watchful 47 and David Castle's 44, with the pair adding 81 for the second wicket to give the innings its spine. Paul Gibson chipped in a useful 28 lower down, and we walked off feeling we'd left ourselves something to bowl at.

Rumwood, however, did not read the script. Brian Aiston and Rod Bailey put on 83 for the first wicket and looked, for a good while, as though they might simply bat us out of the game — Aiston going on to 44, Bailey 33. But cricket has a wonderful habit of turning, and turn it did: from 115-4 to 131-7 in the blink of an eye, with Geoff Griffiths, S Moorhouse and Paul Heynes all failing to trouble the scorers. Sean Charlton was the architect of the collapse, a magnificent 7-33 that thoroughly deserved its five-for billing, with Paul Bowles chipping in 3-42 for good measure. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 17 byes going begging, but even that couldn't dent the day.

Rumwood were bowled out for 154 and we ran out winners by 68 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club, and Paul Bowles continues to lead both our run and wicket charts this season — the man's clearly playing a different game to the rest of us.

Mon 04 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformDDWLW

Monday the 4th of May found us on the road to Bearsted, blazers brushed and optimism only slightly dented by losing the toss. They chose to bat, which on a green-looking morning felt like the sensible call, and so it proved for a while — Mick Filmer batted beautifully for 74, well supported by N Bateman's unbeaten 25 and Ian Lambert's 20, their second-wicket pair putting on a chastening 75. Credit to Jon Harris, though, who bowled with real discipline for 4-40 including two maidens, backed up nicely by Paul Bowles (2-20) and Ian Brattle (1-39), to peg them back to 194/9 off their 46.

Chasing 195, we lost an early wicket with the board still reading nought — the sort of start that has you reaching for the tea urn early. But a fine 96-run third-wicket stand steadied things, built around Paul Gibson's excellent 68 and Paul Bowles's 33, with your correspondent contributing 33 himself. Then, as so often at this level, it all went rather quickly — 161-5 became 166-8 in the blink of an eye, and ducks for David Castle, Matt Large and Ian Brattle didn't help the cause. All out 177 in 42.4 overs, 17 runs short.

Paul Bowles continues to lead both our run and wicket charts for the season — 184 runs, 8 wickets, and clearly not finished yet. A narrow defeat, honestly earned, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 02 May 1987 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformLDDWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 2nd May 1987, and Bidborough CC rolled up the drive for our first fixture of note.

We lost the toss, were sent out to field, and I confess I muttered the usual prayers to whichever deity governs damp English outfields. Bidborough's openers had other ideas, however, putting on 94 for the first wicket before we so much as glimpsed a breakthrough, and they motored on to a healthy 168 for 3 from their 52 overs. David Tolhurst was the chief architect, unbeaten on 73, with Brian Wood chipping in a handsome 63. Credit where due — our Paul Bowles kept his head when all about were losing theirs, bowling five overs' worth of pure miserliness among his figures of 2 for 12. Not a happy hunting ground for the batsmen facing him, at any rate.

Set 169 to win, we might have been forgiven a nervous cup of tea at the interval, but David Castle had other plans, anchoring the innings with a classy unbeaten 64. Dave Todd's 34 and Paul Bowles's 32 gave him fine support, built on an opening stand of 66 that set the tone nicely. We cantered home by 7 wickets with overs to spare — a canter, mind you, not a stroll, though it rather felt like one from the boundary rope.

Paul Bowles continues to lead the way in both run-scoring and wicket-taking this season, and on this evidence long may it continue. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one I'll happily write up twice if asked.

Sun 26 Apr 1987 🧢 1st XIv CC Chatham Nomads CC · HomeformLLDDW

Sunday last, we welcomed Chatham Nomads down to Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss — a rarer event in my captaincy than I care to admit — I didn't so much as pause before choosing to bat. It proved the right call, and then some.

Paul Bowles and David Castle simply took the game away from our visitors, cantering to 185 without loss before either so much as looked troubled. Bowles went on to a magnificent 113, the sort of innings that has small boys asking for his autograph and large men asking for his secret; Castle stood firm at the other end for a composed 81 not out. We closed on 204/2 from our 47 overs, which felt, over the tea urn, like more than enough.

It nearly wasn't. Barry Martin and M Groves put on 130 for the second wicket — 76 and 55 respectively — and dragged the Nomads back into a contest we thought we'd settled. Bruce Crump's unbeaten 27 kept them ticking to the last. Jon Harris did what he could with 2-71, and Bowles, tidy as ever with two maidens to his name, chipped in with 1-25, but 11 byes through my own gloves did us no favours at all. They got home at 205/5 with two overs unused.

Bowles now tops our run charts for the summer and sits second among the wicket-takers, which is scant consolation for a captain who has just watched a 185-run start turn to defeat by five wickets. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 25 Apr 1987 🧢 1st XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformLLLDD

Off it went at 84, not out to worry — a fifty for Keith Hatcher and a match won in the same afternoon.

We trundled down to Penshurst Park last Saturday with the sun making a rare and welcome appearance, and I promptly lost the toss for my trouble. They elected to bat, which on a good-looking pitch felt like the obvious call, and their openers made early hay, putting on 59 for the first wicket before Keith Hatcher decided enough was enough. He bowled beautifully — 4 for 35 with seven maidens, tighter than my trousers after the tea interval — and with Paul Bowles chipping in for three, we hauled them back from 73-4 to all out for 181, R Pickles' unbeaten 42 the chief obstacle, though their last pair's defiant 43 did test the patience somewhat.

Chasing 182, we contrived to make hard work of easy runs. Five for one felt like the script writing itself, another Linton Park collapse in the offing, but Keith Hatcher — clearly deciding one good performance deserved another — followed his four-for with a rollicking 84, and Dave Todd's 48 gave the innings its spine, the pair adding a priceless 102 for the fourth wicket. Wickets then tumbled in the familiar late flurry, David Castle and Nick Stephens both departing without scoring, and David Castle's afternoon behind the stumps cost eight byes for good measure. My own 18 will not trouble the scorers' memories.

In the end we got there by the barest of margins — one wicket — which is either nerveless cricket or shameless good fortune. I shall claim the former. Two points, thoroughly, agonisingly earned.