🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 01 Oct 1988 🧢 1st XIv HC Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC · HomeformWWDLL

Beaten before we even got the toss decided — chase 197, and chase we did, but this was one of those Saturdays where the visitors simply had the edge in every department that mattered.

Hastings & St Leonards Priory made the short trip and, put in first, wobbled early — 6 on the board and a wicket already down looked promising for us. But Keith Turk (40) settled things with useful support from I Phillips (29) and Ian Gillespie (28), and a stubborn 51-run stand for the fourth wicket rebuilt what we'd threatened to dismantle. Their last pair then had the cheek to bolt on 50 more, which we could frankly have done without. Matt Large was the pick of the attack, 2-46 with four maidens of proper miserliness, well backed by Simon Hammond (2-62) and David Castle (1-41), but 196/6 from 45.2 overs was always going to be a stretch for us.

And so it proved. Nigel Thirkell top-scored with 37, Tim Thirkell chipped in with 31, and the pair put on 83 for the third wicket that briefly had us dreaming. I managed 37 myself, for what little comfort that provides the captain's conscience. But from 117-6 we collapsed to 129-9 in a flurry nobody enjoyed, with poor Paul Sendles and Stewart Morrison both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes testament to a tricky pitch rather than tidy glovework.

Beaten by 67 runs, no arguments. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 28 Sep 1988 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformLLDWD

Wednesday 28th September, and out we trundled to Penshurst Park CC with the coin doing us a favour for once — I called it right and took first use of what looked a decent strip. We were duly bowled out for 143 in the 40th over, which felt a touch light, but Nigel Thirkell batted with real purpose for his 57, well backed up by brother Tim's 29. Less said the better about the middle order, where Peter Whyte and Jon Harris both took the long walk back without troubling the scorer — the Duck Club ledger swells again.

With the ball, we set about defending the total and for a good while it looked a contest. Simon Hammond led from the front with 2-27, Nigel Thirkell chipped in again with 1-21, Jon Harris took 1-31, and Ian Brattle bowled two tidy maidens to keep things honest. But Penshurst's third-wicket pair had other ideas, adding 90 between them as Grayland (52) and John Hyde (50) both brought up well-made fifties, and the total edged past us at 144-5 in the 36th over.

As for your correspondent — a duck, and a rather tame one at that. We move on. Nigel Thirkell remains the season's shining light, top of both run and wicket charts, and long may that continue. Beaten by five wickets, no disgrace in it, and we'll be sharper next week.

Sun 25 Sep 1988 🧢 1st XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformWWWDL

From the captain's chair, Sunday 25 September 1988: we welcomed Dummy Site, I won the toss, and — with more optimism than evidence — elected to bat first. It was not a vintage effort. We were bowled out for 140 in 47.4 overs, rescued from something rather worse by a battling 59-run stand for the third wicket, with Paul Gibson top-scoring on 46. Not our most fluent innings, but respectable enough to defend, or so we told ourselves at tea.

With the ball, we made a promising fist of it. S Turner departed without so much as a single to his name as we struck early, the total reading a tidy 0 for 1. But Dummy Site steadied, and P Rudd's fifty, well supported by D Oldridge's 29 and P Allen's 24, gradually turned the tide our way. Matt Large toiled magnificently for 4 for 46, two maidens among his overs, with Nigel Thirkell chipping in for 2 for 20 — but it wasn't quite enough, and they got home at 141 for 6 in 35.3 overs.

Two footnotes lifted the gloom: Paul Gibson brought up 4,000 career runs for the club, and Matt Large's four wickets carried him past Ron Hickman into 13th on our all-time list. Nigel Thirkell still leads the run charts this summer, Matt the wickets — small mercies. Not our day, beaten by four wickets. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 24 Sep 1988 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWWWD

Saturday 24 September 1988. Won the toss, and with autumn in the air I fancied runs on the board, so in we went.

It didn't quite go to plan. 140 all out from 45.5 overs tells its own tale — Mark Stevenson's 23 and Piers McDonald's 23 gave us something to build on, Alan Boyns unbeaten on 20 kept the tail wagging, but the middle order chose 15-1 to 26-4 as the moment to lose all sense of direction. Poor Dave Todd walked back for nought, his name duly inscribed in the Duck Club ledger for all posterity.

140 was never going to be enough to frighten anyone, and so it proved. D Wilkinson (59 not out) and B Piper (55) put on a chanceless 92 for the second wicket that settled matters long before the close, and though Piers McDonald bowled his heart out for 2-16 and Nigel Thirkell strangled the scoring with two miserly maidens, Tim Thirkell chipping in with a wicket, there simply wasn't enough runs to work with. M Blumberg did at least keep Dave Todd company in the book, dismissed without troubling the scorers. They cantered home at 143-4 with ten overs unused.

Down by five wickets, then, and no arguing with it. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts for the season, which is about the only unambiguously good news to take from the day. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets — there's work to do before we're troubling anyone again.

Sun 18 Sep 1988 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWWWWW

Anchorians came to Linton Park on a fine Sunday, the 18th of September, and having called correctly I did the only sensible thing a captain can do with a coin in his favour and sunshine overhead — I stuck them in.

It rather worked out. David Castle batted with real authority for his unbeaten 87, and once he and Nigel Thirkell (51) had put on 92 for the second wicket the innings had the sort of spine that lets a captain relax on the boundary edge, if only for a while. Tim Thirkell chipped in with 23, and we rattled along to 202 for 6 off our 37. Poor Stewart Morrison will not want reminding of his contribution — a golden duck that nobody in the changing room has let him forget.

Two hundred and two looked defendable, and for long stretches it was, but Anchorians had other ideas. R Haley made a classy 72, Colin Myers 44 and C Tappin 37, and their openers gave the innings exactly the platform ours had — 111 without loss before the breakthrough finally came. Matt Large was the pick of our attack with 2 for 31, Ian Brattle chipped away for 2 for 45, and Nigel Thirkell, not content with his runs, took 1 for 14. R King departed without so much as troubling the scorers.

In the end honours were shared, and I confess I'll happily take a draw against opposition that good. A fair result, fairly fought.

Sat 17 Sep 1988 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Chelmsfordians CC · HomeformLWWWW

Saturday 17 September 1988, and Old Chelmsfordians CC came calling. Won the toss, elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and I'll stand by that all winter if I have to. The lads got us to 157 all out from 39 overs, Matt Large the pick of them with a fine 43, Tim Thirkell chipping in handsomely with 33. Not every innings can be a triumph, mind — poor Dave Charlton had a day to forget with the bat, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers.

Charlton, to his eternal credit, made up for it tenfold with the ball. Chasing 158, the visitors battled to 145 all out from 31.5 overs — Robertson unbeaten on 43 and Castle's 38 the backbone of their reply — but Charlton was magnificent, 3-12 and clearly a man with a point to prove after his morning's duck. Nigel Thirkell (2-24) and Matt Large (1-11) tidied up around him, and three Old Chelmsfordians batsmen — Flint, Brewer and Greenwood — trudged off for ducks of their own, which felt only fair after our own top order had donated one to the cause.

A dozen runs the margin, and not a run to spare by the sound of it. Nigel Thirkell continues to top our run charts for the season with 1040, and Matt Large now sits on 60 wickets — the sort of season most of us can only watch from the boundary rope with a cup of tea and quiet envy. A fine win, honestly earned, and onwards we go.

Sun 11 Sep 1988 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformDLWWW

Sunday 11 September, and the toss fell kindly for once — I called correctly and, with the sky doing that classic English maybe-it-will-maybe-it-won't routine, sent Dummy Site in. They ground out a respectable 183/4 from their 47 overs, built on a watchful opening stand of 53 and knocks of 35 from B Fairall, an unbeaten 33 from T Smith and 30 from M Smith. Credit to the bowling unit for keeping a lid on things throughout: S Fielder was the pick with 2-19, well backed up by Ian Brattle (1-31) and Stewart Morrison (1-35), while Alan Boyns simply refused to be scored off, sending down three maidens.

Chasing 184, we flew out of the blocks — 103 for the first wicket before anyone so much as thought about a second — and never really looked back, closing on 187/4 with seven overs unused. Peter Whyte played the innings of the day, a commanding 81, with David Castle (40) and Dave Charlton (32) both making handsome contributions of their own.

If there was a blot on the afternoon it was behind the stumps — eight byes suggests Jim Hall was chasing shadows rather than catching them. Still, small mercies: David Castle continues his fine season, now up to second in the 1988 run charts with 871.

A six-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfactory way to spend a Sunday. Onwards.

Sat 10 Sep 1988 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformWDLWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 10 September 1988. We travelled to Southborough CC, the sun more or less behaving itself, and I won the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, stuck us in to bat.

What followed was the kind of innings that makes all those cold April nets sessions feel worthwhile. Brian Piper and Paul Bowles put on 215 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scorebook with a dismissal, Piper going on to a magnificent 102 and Bowles falling agonisingly short with 97. Paul Gibson finished unbeaten on 52 to help us declare, in effect, at a formidable 280 for 2 from our 46 overs — extras chipping in a generous 25, presumably while I fretted in the pavilion doing sums on the back of a scorecard.

With that total in the bank, the bowling looked after itself. Southborough rallied through Peter Young's fighting 77 and a handy stand of 91 for the fourth wicket, but Ian Brattle was in destructive form with 3 for 37, well backed by Alan Boyns, Paul Gibson and a typically parsimonious Matt Large. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 12 byes going begging, while I can't pretend my own 97 didn't feel rather satisfying.

Nice touches too: Gibson reaching 100 career wickets, and Piper's century easing him past Jim Hall into 10th on the all-time run-scorers' list. We ran out winners by 113 runs — a thoroughly good day for the club, and one for the scrapbook.

Wed 07 Sep 1988 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLLDW

Wednesday 07 September 1988, away at The Mote CC, and the coin let us down before we'd even got our pads on — they won the toss and had few doubts about batting first on what looked a decent surface for it.

Nigel Mullarkey made us pay in full, ambling to a chanceless 106 while G Lloyds (30) and Andrew Barr (26) played their supporting roles nicely, the pair of them stitching in a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket that let the total get away from us. 214/8 from their fifty overs was a stiffer chase than we'd have liked, though credit where due — Jon Harris toiled manfully for 3-60, with Ian Brattle (2-32, and two maidens for good measure) and Paul Bowles (2-47) chipping away at the other end. Dominic Chambers and N Patel both departed without troubling the scorers.

With the bat, David Castle led from the front with a fine 38, well supported by Mike Bains (28) and Paul Bowles (26), the openers putting on 56 together before the middle order rather ran out of overs, closing on 151/5 from 39. Ten byes gave poor Mike Elworthy a day to forget behind the stumps, though I'll not dwell on that, having rather enjoyed myself with three wickets of my own. Ian Brattle's brace, meanwhile, nudged him past Michael Morton into 23rd on the club's all-time list — a moment for quiet pride amid the general scramble.

A draw, then — honours even, and honestly, after that Mullarkey innings, we'll take it gladly.

Sun 04 Sep 1988 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformWLLLL

Sunday last, the coin let us down – Mullion called it right and stuck us in the field, which on a September afternoon is never quite the tonic one hopes for. Still, the lads knuckled down: Mark Johnson (24), C Vincent (23) and J White (23 not out) gave Mullion's total a bit of respectability, but J Gibbons was in fine form with 3-14, well backed by Alan Boyns (3-22) and Jon Harris (2-19), while Tim Baker bowled two overs so tight you couldn't get a fielder between them. 131/9 from their forty felt like a target within reach.

And reach it we did, though not without the customary palpitations – four on the board and already a wicket down, and poor A Pay's afternoon summed up in a single egg-shaped digit. David Castle, however, was in imperious touch, top-scoring with 41 and, more significantly, bringing up 4,000 career runs for the club along the way – raise a glass to that. Alan Boyns (29) and Will Vincent (25) lent sturdy support, I chipped in with 29 of my own, and rather pleasingly picked up three wickets earlier to boot.

We scrambled home 132/9, a one-wicket win as narrow as the club bar on a Saturday night, but two points are two points, and on the balance of nerves shown, thoroughly earned. A day, in short, that had everything – bar a calm cup of tea.

Fri 02 Sep 1988 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformLWLLL

Beacon CC, Friday 2nd September, and I won the toss — never a bad start, even if what follows rather undoes the good work. I had no hesitation putting us in to bat, and 125/5 from our 25 overs felt a respectable platform, built almost entirely on the broad shoulders of Tim Thirkell, who cruised to 73 not out, the heart of a fine 74-run fourth-wicket stand. Elsewhere the Duck Club took on two new members, Simon Thirkell and Ian Brattle both departing for nought — the walk of shame performed with admirable speed, if not style.

In the field we scrapped hard. Beacon slipped to 8-1 early, S Hawkin gone without troubling the scorers, and for a moment we dared to dream. Jonathan Lean, though, had other ideas, ambling to 34 with C Martin lending sturdy support on 29, and between them they nudged the game away from us. Matt Large was superb, 2-13 and the pick of the attack, with Ian Brattle (1-7) and David Castle (1-11) tidy in support — but 129/8 proved just enough.

As for my own contribution, I fell for a duck, and the less said the better; a veil is duly drawn. Tim Thirkell now leads our 1988 Tour XI run charts with 112, and Matt Large tops the wickets with 4 — small consolations on a day we lost by two wickets. Heads up, chaps. Back to the nets.

Mon 29 Aug 1988 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWDLW

As it stands in July 1988, the diary tells me this fixture was played back on Monday 29 August 1988 — but never mind the calendar, here's the report:

Bearsted CC, Monday 29 August. Lost the toss, and with it any say in proceedings — they had first knock, we had first use of the new ball, which as any club skipper knows is rather the consolation prize. Still, the lads made the most of it. An early wobble had them 4 for 1 and, though Ian Lambert (41) and Anthony Cornwell (23) steadied things with N Bateman's 22 alongside, they never quite escaped the shadow of that start. Matt Large was in irresistible form, spinning his way to 5-29 with a staggering twelve maidens — the sort of spell that makes batsmen question their life choices — well backed by Nigel Thirkell (3-33) and Brian Piper (1-20). All out 142 from 58.5 overs; a fair morning's toil.

With the bat we chased it down in style. David Castle played the innings of the day, 92 not out and quietly majestic, sharing a fine 66-run second-wicket stand with Paul Gibson (31) to put the result beyond doubt. Poor Mick Filmer and Mike Redman weren't required to trouble the scorers at all — 143 for 2 from 34.1 overs told its own story. Jim Hall had a busier afternoon behind the stumps than he'd have liked (12 byes), and I even helped myself to 3 wickets, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity.

Milestones too: Nigel Thirkell passed 1,100 career wickets, and David Castle's innings lifted him past Paul Gibson to 14th on the club's all-time run charts. An eight-wicket win, and a thoroughly satisfying day out. Onwards.

Sat 27 Aug 1988 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformWWWDL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 27 August 1988. Maidstone Dissidents CC were the visitors, and I won the toss, elected to bat, and for once nobody in the pavilion questioned my judgement. Tim Thirkell led the way with a well-made 73, Paul Gibson chipped in with 38 and Bob Lines with 32, the pair putting on 70 for the third wicket while I sat with my tea going cold, scarcely able to watch. We closed on a handsome 203/5 from our forty overs, which felt like enough runs to be getting along with, though as ever one worries.

And worry we did, briefly. Mike Bains gave us a proper fright with a chanceless 78, well supported by Russell Longmuir's 32 and an unbeaten 26 from Steve Manser, and a stubborn sixth-wicket stand of 62 threatened to spoil our afternoon entirely. But an early wicket at 2-1 had set the tone, David Castle went for a duck, and the Dissidents never quite escaped the hole they'd dug. They finished on 184/8.

The day, though, belonged unmistakably to Matt Large, whose 6-6 — three of those overs maidens — was as miserly a spell as I can remember, with Jon Harris (1-34) and Dave Charlton (1-36) tidying up around him. It also nudged him past Dick Langridge into 14th on the club's all-time wicket list, no small thing.

We got home by 19 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one for the scorebook to be proud of.

Sun 21 Aug 1988 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDWWWD

As of Sunday 21st August 1988, we welcomed our visitors to Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the sort of decision one likes to be proved right about, and for once I was.

Batting first, we compiled a handsome 198 for 2 from our 41 overs, built on the back of a superb second-wicket stand of 175 between Nigel Thirkell and David Castle. Thirkell was in majestic form, reaching a well-deserved century, while Castle himself was no mere passenger, finishing unbeaten on 86 and, in doing so, easing past Paul Gibson into 15th on the club's all-time run-scoring list — the sort of quiet milestone that tends to go unnoticed at the tea urn but not, I hope, in these pages.

With the ball, our visitors never quite got going, bundled out for 86 in just 27.2 overs, R Smith's 21 the only real resistance. Ian Brattle was the pick of the attack with 4 for 32, a haul that also carried him past Ray Howard into 24th on the club's wicket-taking honours board, while Matt Large chipped in with 3 for 34 and Alan Boyns bowled two tidy maidens on his way to 2 for 4 — miserly stuff.

A win, then, by 112 runs, and a fine team effort all round — not that I'll pretend my own century didn't please me enormously. Thirkell continues to lead our season's run charts and Large the wickets, and on this evidence long may both continue.

Sat 20 Aug 1988 🧢 1st XIv EC Elliotts CC · HomeformLDWWW

As it stands, twenty August, and Elliotts CC rolled up the drive under fair skies to find me winning the toss and, for once, actually knowing what to do with it — we batted.

Malcolm Pay set about proceedings in fine style, compiling a really well-made 77, and found the perfect foil in Tim Thirkell, whose unbeaten 69 anchored things beautifully; their 125 for the third wicket was the innings in miniature, the rest of us merely decorating the scorebook either side of it. We closed on a handsome 185 for 4 from our 41 overs, which felt, over tea, like enough.

It nearly wasn't. Elliotts settled into their chase with David Hales (34 not out), Paul Etheridge (33) and Graeme Williams (29) all chipping away, and just when we thought we had them measured, their last pair put on an infuriating 43 to drag it right back into the balance — the sort of last-wicket cussedness that gives grey hairs to captains who don't have enough left already. Alan Boyns did the heavy lifting up front with 4 for 58, Ian Brattle chimed in with 1 for 10, and Jon Harris, tidy as ever with two maidens, took 1 for 62. Steve Swindell and A Kearney departed without so much as a whisper on the scoreboard. Elliotts finished 162 for 7 from their 32 — short, but not short enough to prise out that last wicket.

A draw, then — honours shared, and grumbled about equally by both sides on the boundary rope. Fittingly, it was also the day Tim Thirkell brought up his 500th appearance in Linton colours, which rather puts a stubborn last-wicket stand in its proper, trivial place.

Wed 17 Aug 1988 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformWDLLD

Under overcast skies at Linton Park on Wednesday 17th August, we lost the toss and were invited to have a bowl first — never our preferred start, but Gravesend CC's early confidence took a knock when they lost their opener with just two runs on the board. From there D Holder settled in for a fine 59, with Colin Myers (43) and Barry Diplock (22) chipping in, and a stubborn fourth-wicket stand of 57 dragged the visitors up to 181 for 8 from their 46 overs. Alan Boyns was the pick of the attack by some distance — four wickets for 37, five of his overs maidens, relentless enough to make the batsmen wish they'd stayed in the pavilion — well supported by Mike Bains and N Fielder with a wicket apiece. Gary Myers, T Gulliver and Les Hewitt, for their part, contributed three ducks between them, which we shall gloss over in the spirit of village cricket charity.

Chasing 182, we barely broke sweat. Paul Bowles played the innings of the season, striding to a majestic 115, with Paul Brattle unbeaten on 65 in fine support, and we cantered home at 184 for 1 in just 34.2 overs. Ten byes off S Henry's bowling suggest our lads behind the stumps had rather less work than his did — a testing afternoon for him, no question.

A word too for Paul Brattle, who brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark to be properly toasted in the bar. With Bowles now topping the Midweek XI run charts and Jon Harris second among the wicket-takers, the season has a pleasingly Linton flavour to it. Nine wickets, two points, and a thoroughly satisfying day's work — the sort of result that makes the tea taste even better.

Sun 14 Aug 1988 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · AwayformLLDWW

We won the toss on Sunday 14 August at Whitstable, and with the wicket looking a decent one I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat. David Castle led the way with a fine 54, Nigel Thirkell chipped in an unbeaten 43, and Trevor Back added 28, while the openers gave us 69 for the first wicket before the middle order rather lost the plot — 116-4 becoming 129-7 quicker than you could pour the tea. The tail, bless them, wagged for a useful 56 to see us to 185/8 off our 47. Simon Thirkell and Matt Large both took the long walk back for nought, and the Duck Club ledger duly groaned under the weight of two more entries.

In reply, Whitstable never quite got away from us despite I Crossley's excellent 96, well supported by G Janes' 22 — P Townsend departed without troubling the scorers, joining our own quacking club. Jon Harris was the pick of the attack with 4-63, Nigel Thirkell chipped in 3-37, and Matt Large bowled a mean line for 2-64 including three maidens that must have felt like penance to face. I managed 43 with the bat and picked up three wickets myself, which I shall modestly describe as a captain's all-round contribution.

Whitstable were bowled out for 168 in 37.4 overs, leaving us winners by 17 runs. A thoroughly satisfying day's work, and with Nigel Thirkell and Matt Large both flying at the top of the season's charts, the engine room of this side is purring nicely. Onwards.

Sat 13 Aug 1988 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · HomeformWLLDW

Saturday 13th August, and Harrietsham CC came calling. I lost the toss – no great surprise there, my coin-flipping record remains stubbornly poor – and duly found myself leading the lads out into the field, which at least saved us the bother of padding up in the heat.

Harrietsham compiled a workmanlike 146/5 from their 46 overs, built chiefly around a fine unbeaten 70 from Ray Tong and a watchful second-wicket stand of 53 that threatened, briefly, to bat us out of it. Full credit to Matt Large, who bowled beautifully for 3-47 including two maidens – not a man in generous mood – with Nigel Thirkell chipping in for 1-33. A total that felt gettable, if not exactly a gift.

And so it proved, though not without the customary flutter of nerves: 6-1 had the tea urn rattling early on. But Nigel Thirkell, in the sort of form that suggests he's simply enjoying a different season to the rest of us, played a captain's innings of his own – 85 not out, calm and correct – ushered along by Tim Thirkell's unbeaten 28 as we cruised home to 147/3 with overs to spare. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time of it behind the stumps, 11 byes testament to a wicket doing rather more than advertised.

A fine seven-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sun 07 Aug 1988 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformDWLLD

Sunday last saw us make the short trip to Benenden, where I duly called wrong and we were sent out to field first — never my favourite way to start a Sunday, but there it is.

Benenden battled to 117 all out in 31 overs, Ray Harding the chief architect with 45, well supported by Richard Wall's unbeaten 22, the pair adding 61 for the eighth wicket when it looked for a while like the innings might run away from us. But run through them we did — from 39-2 to 46-5 in the blink of an eye, with poor Andrew Cloke, Adam Playford and Mike Chambers all shown the door without so much as a run to their names. The engine room of it all was Sean Charlton, who simply ran riot, returning a magnificent 7-67, with Matt Large (2-34, and four maidens besides — not a run given away lightly) and Jon Harris (1-14) tidying up the rest.

Chasing 118, we lost an early wicket with just 4 on the board and a few of us on the boundary edge started reaching for the tea flask rather early. But Brian Piper settled things with a fine 38, and Sean Charlton, not content with his heroics in the field, added an unbeaten 36 to complete a proper captain's-dream of an afternoon for him. We eased home by seven wickets.

A thoroughly good day for the club, and Sean Charlton's name will be on everyone's lips at the clubhouse bar tonight.

Wed 03 Aug 1988 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDWDLL

Fielder's toss went the other way, so we had first crack with the ball on a fine Wednesday, and I can't say the boys minded much. Bexley made themselves at home to the tune of 202/8 off their 49, with H Mohammed the chief nuisance on 48, well backed by Graham Ball and Richard Holliman with 37 apiece. But Nigel Thirkell had other ideas, tying them down with six maidens and prising out 3-13 — the sort of spell that makes a captain's job easy — with Jon Harris (3-42) and Dave Todd (1-45) chipping away either end.

Chasing 203, we made a decent fist of it without ever quite getting there, closing on 171/7 from our 47. Alan Boyns top-scored with a handsome 48, Mark Stevenson finished unbeaten on 37, and Heine Costen chipped in 29, but it was the seventh-wicket stand of 67 between Stevenson and company that did the real work after a horrid little collapse saw us slide from 74-2 to 90-5 in the blink of an eye. Spare a thought for poor S Fielder, whose duck will be entered into the ledger with due ceremony.

Heine Costen had a trickier time of it behind the stumps, shipping eight byes, though he made amends with the bat. I managed 3 wickets myself, which I shall modestly mention once and move swiftly on, and a word of real note — Nigel Thirkell's efforts saw him leapfrog Paul Bowles into second on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and he now sits proudly atop both the season's run and wicket charts. In the end honours were shared, and on this evidence a draw felt about right — nobody quite deserved to lose, and nobody quite managed to win.

Sun 31 Jul 1988 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWDWLL

Sunday 31 July 1988, and out we went in fine spirits, though quite where to has slipped my memory this week — no matter, the cricket did the talking.

Batting first, we settled in nicely and rattled along to 214 for 4 off our 39 overs. Nigel Thirkell was in imperious touch, cashing in for 77, while Brian Piper chipped in handsomely with 59 of his own. Paul Gibson, unbeaten on 36, kept the tail wagging and ensured we finished with real substance behind us — a total that gave the bowlers something to defend and the tea urn something to celebrate.

In the field we were tidy without ever quite running away with it. Their opener Ward played the innings of the day with a well-crafted 60, ably assisted by Hutchinson's 28, and between them they threatened to make a real fist of the chase. But Steve Cheale had other ideas, snaring three for 34 with the kind of miserly, probing spell that puts a lid on any run chase, while Brian Piper and Matt Large chipped in too — the latter bowling four maidens with the sort of parsimony that makes a captain's job easy. They finished 146 for 7 off their 45, well short, and honours were shared.

I confess I rather enjoyed leading from the front with 77 of my own, and with Nigel now top of the season's run charts and Matt topping the wickets, this club is not short of form. A draw it may have been, but it felt, in truth, rather like a win.

Sat 30 Jul 1988 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWDWL

Saturday 30 July 1988 saw us play host, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook might suggest thereafter. We laboured to 103 all out in 44.1 overs, Paul Bowles top-scoring with a workmanlike 28, but the middle order rather fell over itself in sympathy with the tea urn, 84 for 5 becoming 97 for 8 before anyone had quite noticed the day slipping away. Poor Alan Boyns, meanwhile, departed for a duck that he will no doubt be reminded of at the bar for some seasons yet.

Defending such a modest total was always going to ask a lot of the lads, and so it proved. The visitors cantered to 109 without loss in just 26 overs, C Ruskamp compiling a handsome unbeaten 59 and D Bekedam offering watchful support with 35 not out, leaving our bowlers chasing shadows and poor Peter Whyte a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 11 byes testament to a pitch with ideas of its own.

Amid the gloom, one candle burned bright: Sean Charlton brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly toasted. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our season's run charts with 715. But make no mistake — beaten by nine wickets, this was not our day. Back to the nets, heads up, and onward.

Thu 28 Jul 1988 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Moreton CC · HomeformWDWDL

Won the toss on a Thursday evening that promised more than the scoreboard eventually delivered, and I had no qualms about batting first against Moreton. Which made the sight of us at 2-1 all the more alarming — I'd barely sat down with my tea before the openers were in trouble. Credit to the middle order for steadying things: Brian Piper's 66 was the innings that mattered, ushered along by Mick Filmer's 30 and Nigel Thirkell's unbeaten 29, with the fourth-wicket pair's stand of 60 doing the heavy lifting. Poor Peter Whyte, meanwhile, made his own kind of history with a golden duck — the walk of shame performed to perfection. We closed on 166/6 from 55.2 overs, a total I felt had just enough substance to defend.

It wasn't quite enough. Moreton's Mike Howat played the innings of the day, an imperious 84, well supported by J Linton's 23, and their third-wicket stand of 57 turned the tide firmly their way. Paul Bowles fought hard for us, finishing with 4-56 and, in doing so, climbing above Nigel Thirkell into second on the club's all-time wicket-taking list — a nice consolation on a losing night. Dave Todd and Thirkell chipped in too, but Moreton got home by 3 wickets.

Brian Piper still leads our 1988 run charts, Nigel Thirkell the wickets — small comforts. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sun 24 Jul 1988 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLLWDW

It was our old friend, the toss, that started the afternoon well — I called correctly and, home advantage in hand, sent us in to bat. It proved a shrewd call. David Castle and Nigel Thirkell set about the bowling from the off, the openers putting on a splendid 110 before the first wicket finally fell, and from there the innings never really lost its shape. Castle brought up a fine 66, Paul Bowles chipped in with a well-crafted 64, and Nigel Thirkell finished unbeaten on 59 — one of those knocks that looked entirely unhurried while the scoreboard ticked ever upward. We closed on a handsome 213 for 2 from 42.4 overs, which felt, even to my cautious captain's eye, like more than enough.

So it proved. Our opponents never found their footing, slipping from 64 for 4 to 75 for 7 as the pressure told, and were all out for 84 in 31.2 overs. Paul Bowles, having already done his bit with the bat, ran through them with 4 for 15, with Dave Todd (2-13) and Mark Stevenson (2-16) mopping up either end, and Matt Large tying things down with three tidy maidens. Eight byes were the one blemish, a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Piers McDonald.

A satisfying 59 of my own, and Nigel Thirkell's 707 runs and Matt Large's 36 wickets confirm they remain the backbone of our season. All told: a proper day out, the sort that reminds you why you keep turning up on Sunday mornings. Verdict: a job well done — heads up, and back to the nets for the next one.

Sat 16 Jul 1988 🧢 1st XIv RC Rainham (Kent) CC · HomeformWLLWD

Saturday 16 July 1988 – Linton Park CC v Rainham (Kent) CC

We lost the toss, which around here counts as tradition rather than misfortune, and were sent out into the field. Rainham made a jittery start — a wicket down with just the one run on the board — but steadied through Alfie Fisher's 41, with R Mercer (27) and Dave Wood (26) doing the patient graft, to close on 131 all out from 48 overs. Then came the collapse every captain dreams of and no batsman enjoys: 109 for 6 became 117 for 9 in a blur, with Terry Crickmore, P Patel and Ivan Willis all despatched for ducks, presumably wondering what had hit them. Dave Todd led the charge with 4 for 54, Paul Bowles (3-30) and Nigel Thirkell (1-14) chipped in handsomely, and Matt Large bowled five maidens of the sort that make batsmen question their life choices.

A target of 132 is never quite the formality the scoreboard suggests, and so it proved, though we got there with something to spare — 134 for 6 in 36.5 overs. Nigel Thirkell top-scored with a fine 34, Simon Thirkell weighed in with 26, and I permitted myself 34 of my own, mostly, I suspect, out of relief.

Two points, and thoroughly earned. A tidy afternoon's work all round — bowled well, batted sensibly, and nobody had to explain away a defeat over tea. We'll take that every week.

Sun 10 Jul 1988 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWLLW

The lads batted first at my say-so, and if any of them thought hosting on 10 July owed us tea and sympathy rather than hard graft, they soon learned otherwise. Tim Thirkell led from the front with a well-paced 54, Nigel Thirkell in equally handsome touch for 51, and David Castle chipped in a tidy 29 — the second-wicket pair adding a crucial 65 together. But cricket has a habit of humbling the comfortable, and 157/6 unravelled to 170/9 before we'd so much as finished our tea. Poor Steve Cheale collected a duck for his troubles. We closed on 179/9 from our 43 — respectable, if a touch generous in the giving away.

In the field we scrapped hard. K Singh made merry with a fine 65 and T Miller added 49, though we struck early with a wicket for just one run and had A Trickey back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Nigel Thirkell was the pick with 2-20, Trevor Back and Matt Large both took 2 apiece — Large bowling with real miserliness, eight maidens to his name — and I was rather pleased to get among the runs myself earlier with 51.

A quiet word of pride: Tim's 54 nudges him past William Buck into 7th on the club's all-time run list. With honours shared in a draw, it was that rarest of things — a match where nobody quite lost, and nobody quite let themselves off the hook either.

Sat 09 Jul 1988 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWWWLL

24 July 1988, Horton Kirby CC, and I called correctly at the toss for once — you'll forgive me a small crow about that, since it doesn't happen nearly often enough. Batting first felt the right call on the day, and how the lads repaid that hunch: 256 for 4 off our 46 overs, built around Nigel Thirkell's magnificent 102 not out, a genuine captain's-innings-except-it-wasn't-mine effort that anchored everything around it. Paul Gibson chipped in a handsome 54 and David Castle 28, with the pair of them putting on a match-defining 100 for the third wicket. I allowed myself 102 of my own from the top of the order, which I mention here purely in the interests of accurate record-keeping.

Horton Kirby made us work for it. Their openers set off at a fair old gallop, 81 on the board before we prised the first one out, and Ian Scott's 61 kept them in the hunt throughout, with J Thomas (43) and Graham Connold (34) lending sturdy support. Their last pair then had the cheek to bolt on 35 runs we could have done without — the sort of late impertinence that ages a captain prematurely. Paul Bowles was the pick of our attack with 3 for 37, backed up nicely by Matt Large's 3 for 81 and Alan Boyns's 1 for 40, while poor Peter Whyte had his gloves thoroughly tested behind the stumps, 19 byes the price of an eventful afternoon.

We held on for a 30-run win. A footnote worth framing: Nigel brought up 19,000 career runs for the club — the sort of number that puts one's own contribution firmly in its place. A very good day for Linton Park.

Sun 26 Jun 1988 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWWWL

It was a Sunday made for cricket, and for once the toss went with me — not something I take for granted, given my track record with coins. I had few doubts about batting first, and the lads repaid the faith, if not entirely without alarm: 1-1 inside the first over had me reaching for something stronger than tea. But David Castle steadied the ship with a fine 47, Nigel Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 46, and a stout third-wicket stand of 50 gave the innings a backbone. Trevor Back's 27 and, if I may be permitted a moment of self-regard, my own 46 helped push us to a very respectable 200/8 from 48 overs.

Defending it, we bowled with real purpose. The opposition threatened briefly through P Henderson's 44 and D Garrett's 27, with a fifth-wicket stand of 51 that had me pacing the boundary rather more than my knees appreciate. But once that partnership broke, it was carnage — 122-7 to 132 all out in the blink of an eye. Paul Bowles was magnificent, tearing through with 5-41, well backed by Paul Gibson and Allan Cooper with two apiece, while Nigel Thirkell's three maidens choked the life out of the middle overs. Poor Jim Hall, mind you, endured a torrid afternoon behind the stumps — nine byes is not a number one forgets in a hurry.

A word, too, for David Castle, whose 47 today eases him past Cliff Anscombe into 16th on the club's all-time run charts — a quiet piece of history amid the din.

Victory by 68 runs, and thoroughly deserved. More of the same, please.

Sat 25 Jun 1988 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformLLWWW

Down at Meopham on Saturday 25th June, and it fell to me to make the big call at the toss — coin obliged, and with more hope than science I put us in.

It was, in truth, a scratchy afternoon with the bat. We laboured to 119 all out off 45.4 overs, the innings unravelling in that peculiarly English way, 47 for 3 becoming 66 for 6 before we'd had time to open the second flask of tea. Bob Lines held things together with a workmanlike 27, though the less said about poor Matt Large's golden duck the better — he'll have chances to make amends, not least with ball in hand.

And make amends he duly did, sharing the new ball honours as Meopham chased our modest total. We struck early, 6 for 1, and for a moment dared to dream — but J Ward (36) and Mark Wellbelove, unbeaten on 36, with useful support from Beale's 27, stitched together a fifty partnership for the fourth wicket that rather took the sting out of our attack. Nigel Thirkell was the pick of a willing bowling effort with 2 for 33, Sean Charlton chipped in with 1 for 27, and Matt Large, redeeming his morning nicely, took 1 for 42 with four miserly maidens thrown in.

In the end Meopham cantered home by six wickets. A modest total was never going to hold up on a good pitch, and we know it. Character-building stuff — we'll regroup, and we'll be better for it next week.

Thu 23 Jun 1988 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Invicta CC · AwayformWLLWW

Thursday 23 June 1988, and the road took us down to Maidstone Invicta CC with the sun out and, rather more worryingly for the tourists among them, the toss lost. We were put in the field first, which on paper felt like a mixed blessing but proved rather the opposite.

Invicta huffed and puffed their way to 80/7 from their sixteen overs, D Britten doing the honest, patient work of a top-order man with 27, but around him the innings kept losing its footing — 34-1 became 43-4 as the pressure told, and poor A Reynolds departed for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers, bless him. Paul Bowles was the chief architect of the collapse, a splendid 3-13 that did most of the damage, with Martin Larkin (2-33) and Alan Boyns (1-19) tidying up what was left.

Eighty-one to win, then, and we barely broke stride: 84/1 in ten overs, Paul Gibson striding to an unbeaten 53 with the minimum of fuss, Paul Bowles chipping in 26 not out having presumably not yet taken his bowling boots off. Gibson, it should be said, now leads the 1988 first-team run charts with 448 to his name, while Boyns sits fourth among the wicket-takers with ten — quietly building rather good seasons for themselves while the rest of us admire from the boundary rope.

A nine-wicket win, achieved with time and dignity to spare. Onwards, indeed — and long may the tea urn keep pace with us.

Wed 22 Jun 1988 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformDWDWD

Not our finest Wednesday, but here it is – 22 June 1988, and the road took us to Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC, where we duly lost the toss and were sent out to field first. Story of the season, that.

Batting second on paper suits nobody, and so it proved when we finally had our go: 96 all out in 42.4 overs is not a total to frighten anyone, though David Castle's 34 and Nigel Thirkell's watchful 20 at least gave the innings some backbone. We lost an early wicket with just 5 on the board, which set the tone rather, and then came the collapse of collapses – 94 for 7 crumbling to 96 all out in a flurry that nobody in the pavilion much enjoyed watching. Three ducks on the card (Martin Larkin, Alan Boyns and Paul Lines all failing to trouble the scorers) did nothing for the mood at tea.

And yet – cricket, eh. With ball in hand we were a different side entirely. Paul Lines was simply unplayable, spinning his way to 5 for 8 with seven miserly maidens, while Nigel Thirkell (2-35) and Martin Larkin (1-21) chipped in handsomely. We had them 49 for 3 sliding to 60 for 6, and sent both A Housden and P Styles back without scoring, but S Hallbrook's unbeaten 24 steadied the ship just enough, and they scrambled home by 2 wickets with 97 for 8 on the board. Jim Hall had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes testament to a pitch with ideas of its own.

Small consolations: Castle now leads our run charts with 72, Lines our wickets with 5. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 19 Jun 1988 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Chestfield CC · AwayformLWWWW

Beaten by 64, but I'd take another Sunday like this any week — mostly for the fielding, if I'm honest, because the batting was another matter entirely.

Chestfield won the toss and, wisely as it turned out, decided to have a bat. We had them 5 for 1 early on, which had me thinking we might be home for tea rather sharpish, but a second-wicket stand of 80 settled the visitors' nerves and set the tone for the innings. Paul Taylor made a fine 65, well supported by Neil Williams (33) and Paul Hutley (29), and they closed on a challenging 180 for 7 from their forty. Credit to the attack, though — Paul Bowles was excellent up front with 3 for 33, Trevor Back and Matt Large chipped in a wicket apiece, and Nigel Thirkell bowled three maidens of the sort that make batsmen mutter to themselves. Clinton Wells departed for a duck, poor lamb.

With the bat, we never quite got going. Fifteen for one became twenty-three for four before most of us had found our rhythm, and only Malcolm Pay, unbeaten on 33, and Sean Charlton (20) offered any real resistance. Paul Gibson and Matt Large both bagged ducks, which is never a fun way to spend an afternoon. All out for 116 in the 35th, and the match was gone.

Small consolation: Trevor Back's 18 runs nudged him past Mike Iliffe into 20th on the club's all-time run list, and the season charts keep ticking along nicely with David Castle and Matt Large both prominent. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 18 Jun 1988 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformDWLLW

Saturday 18 June 1988. Away to West Farleigh, and I lost the toss — no great surprise this season — so we were sent into the field, which suited us rather nicely as it turned out.

West Farleigh crawled to 110 all out from 33 overs, Micky Back battling through to 36 not out while wickets tumbled at the other end. Matt Large was in inspired form, mixing accuracy with menace to return 4-34, with Sean Charlton (3-52, four maidens of pure stinginess) and Nigel Thirkell (2-17) tightening the screws either side of him. A fine team effort in the field, and one that left them well short of a defendable total.

Our reply began less than gloriously — Mick Holness, Trevor Back and D Alloway all departed for ducks, and at 1-1 there were mutterings on the boundary that we might make a meal of this. We needn't have worried. Paul Gibson settled the nerves with a beautifully constructed 58 not out, finding a willing partner in Paul Bowles (36 not out), and together they saw us home to 114-1 in just 18.4 overs.

A word too for the record books: Gibson's innings edged him past Cliff Anscombe into 15th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he now sits second in this season's run charts behind only the bowling exploits of Matt Large, who leads the wickets column.

Nine wickets, two points, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work.

Sun 12 Jun 1988 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · HomeformWDWLL

Sunday last saw Bexhill CC roll up to Linton Park with the sun out and my luck notably absent — lost the toss, they had first knock, and there we were, leather in hand before we'd even had a decent cup of tea. Simon Reynolds settled in for 38, with Richard Matthews (27) and John Holland (26) doing their best to build something lasting, but Sean Charlton had other ideas, spinning away merrily to figures of 5-45 with four maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of miserly spell that has batsmen muttering into their gloves. Matt Large chipped in with 4-50 and Jon Harris picked up one, and when Stephen Green departed for a duck the writing was rather on the wall. All out 159 in 44.3 overs — a fair total, but not an insurmountable one.

Chasing it down, we made a proper fist of things. Nigel Thirkell and Peter Whyte put on 55 for the first wicket, the platform from which the whole innings was built, Whyte falling for a handsome 46 and Thirkell carrying his form to an unbeaten 49. David Castle weighed in with 24, and I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at contributing 49 of my own — though I shan't dwell on it, as captains banging on about their own batting is precisely the sort of thing this gazette exists to mock. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 15 byes escaping his clutches, but we got home by 4 wickets with the overs to spare.

A good day's work, then — Charlton in irrepressible form, Thirkell continuing his march up the season's charts, and the side showing exactly the sort of resolve that wins matches and, more importantly, earns a decent tea afterwards.

Sat 11 Jun 1988 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWWDWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 11 June 1988. We rolled up not entirely sure what the pitch, or indeed our top order, had in store for us, and for a while it looked ominous: gone for nought before the scoreboard had so much as cleared its throat. Paul Gibson though was in no mood for early panic, compiling a fine half-century, and found a willing ally in Ron Kemp with 27, the pair putting on 65 for the second wicket to drag us back into some sort of shape. Then, as is our club's proud tradition, the wheels came off in spectacular fashion — 65 for two became 78 for five before anyone could reach for the urn, Dave Todd departing for a duck along the way. We limped to 128 for 9 off our 43, a total that felt more hopeful than convincing.

Out in the field, though, it was a different story entirely. The opposition stumbled to 6 for 1 and never recovered, 16 for 4 following in a blur, J. Adams gone without troubling the scorers. Matt Large was simply unplayable, spinning his way to 6 for 27, with Jon Harris a model of parsimony alongside him — 4 for 13 including five maidens. I even chipped in with four of my own, purely, I insist, through sound captaincy rather than luck.

Bowled out for 69, the visitors never laid a glove on us. A watchful day with the bat, a ruthless one in the field — verdict: a thoroughly satisfying win, and tea never tasted sweeter.

Sun 05 Jun 1988 🧢 Sunday NVKCv BC Benenden CC · HomeformLLWWW

We won the toss, and for once I trusted my own judgement and put us in to bat — history, on this occasion, was kind to me. Forty overs brought us 140 for 9, a total that owed most of its shape to Nigel Thirkell's watchful 31 and Dave Todd's tidy 20, while the rest of us pottered about making up the numbers, myself included, though my own 31 with the ball later almost felt like an apology for whatever I contributed lower down the order.

Benenden's reply began promisingly for us and alarmingly for them: their first wicket fell for just 2 runs, and though Ray Harding threatened to make a proper fist of it with 20, the middle and lower order simply melted away — 85 for 6 became 90 for 9 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea. Three of their batsmen departed without troubling the scorers at all, ducks all round, and by the end they were bowled out for 107 in 36.3 overs.

The day, though, belonged entirely to Matt Large, whose 6 for 11 — with two maidens thrown in for good measure — was as fine a spell as this club has seen in some time, and enough to nudge him past Trevor Back into 15th on our all-time wicket-takers' list. Sean Charlton chipped in admirably with 3 for 11 in support.

A comfortable win by 33 runs, and a thoroughly satisfying Sunday's cricket. Onwards.

Sat 04 Jun 1988 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWWWDW

Saturday last took us out to Rumwood, and losing the toss meant we were straight out into the field before the tea urn had even warmed up. Still, the lads knuckled down, and by the close of our 50 overs we'd posted a very respectable 199 for 7. The openers gave us exactly the sort of start you dream about, putting on 67 for the first wicket, and from there Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day with a fine 75, well supported by David Castle's tidy 60. I confess my own 75 gave me no small amount of quiet satisfaction — one for the memory, if not quite for the result.

Chasing 200, Rumwood made it look rather too straightforward, closing on 203 for 5 with an over and a half of our fifty still in hand. Mick Palmer was the chief architect of our downfall with an unbeaten 64, and he found good company in Ted Holloway (47) and John Appleyard (32), the pair sharing a partnership of 58 for the fifth wicket that rather took the game away from us. Ron Kemp did his best to stem the tide with 1 for 8, backed up by Dave Charlton and Nigel Thirkell, the latter also bowling two admirably miserly maidens.

Elsewhere, congratulations to Paul Gibson, whose 11 runs today nudged him past David Castle into 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — onward and upward. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our 1988 run charts in some style, with Jon Harris third among the wicket-takers.

Not our day, in truth — beaten by five wickets. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Wed 01 Jun 1988 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Burghill & Tillington CC · HomeformLDWDW

It was Burghill & Tillington away at Linton Park on the 1st of June, and I confess I was already reaching for excuses when the coin came down against us — bat first on a good pitch is nine wickets in ten out here, and they duly took the option gratefully.

They ground their way to 144 all out from their forty overs, K Bayliss the chief tormentor with 48, Nick Osborne chipping in with 33 and L Sparrow with 23. But credit to the lads — we squeezed hard through the middle and turned 69-3 into 83-6, with poor C Rose given his marching orders without troubling the scorers. Paul Gibson was magnificent, 4-17 off his allocation, with Nigel Thirkell (2-26) and Dave Charlton (1-20) mopping up round him. A fine shift in the field, and 144 felt eminently gettable over tea.

It wasn't to prove quite so simple. We laboured to 136-8 from our forty-five, David Castle the mainstay with a watchful 38, Nigel Thirkell unbeaten on 25, and I managed a workmanlike 25 of my own without ever threatening the tea urn's dominance. Matt Large will be reminded, gently but repeatedly, of his contribution of nought.

So honours shared — a draw, when neither side had quite enough left in the tank to force it. Frustrating with the ball doing so much early work, but a fair reflection: eight runs shy is no disgrace, and the ledger says we're improving. Castle and Gibson lead our charts this season, and rightly so.

Sun 22 May 1988 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWLLWW

Sunday last took us down the road to Shipbourne, and having lost the toss we were put straight into the field — never our favourite start to a Sunday, but the lads set about it with more enthusiasm than the fixture list strictly demanded.

Shipbourne slipped to 7 for an early wicket and we allowed ourselves a quiet smile, but a stubborn third-wicket stand of 60 dragged them back into the contest before the innings wobbled again, 81 for 3 becoming 89 for 6 in a hurry as three of their number departed without troubling the scorers. Barry Hart's unbeaten 45, well supported by Eddie May's 36, saw them home to 121 all out from their 40 overs — a total that flattered to deceive. Sean Charlton was the pick of our attack with 4 for 18, Matt Large chipped in with 3 for 16 and three tidy maidens, and Jon Harris took 1 for 34 for his troubles.

Chasing 122, we lost an early wicket with just 8 on the board and for a moment old habits threatened to resurface. But Paul Gibson played the innings of the day, 48 well-crafted runs that not only steadied the ship but eased him past Robert Murray into 16th on the club's all-time run charts — a fine feat for a Sunday afternoon. Sean Charlton, having already done the damage with the ball, added an unbeaten 26 to see us home for 122 for 4.

A six-wicket win, two points banked, and Gibson and Harris continuing to lead our Sunday charts. Thoroughly earned, and thoroughly enjoyed.

Sat 21 May 1988 🧢 1st XIv CK Castle Hill CC, Kent · HomeformWWWWD

Nigel Thirkell 86 not out, so we lost the toss the other way round — actually, the coin fell my way, so I'll bat first. Let me write the report.

Skipper's Log, Saturday 21 May 1988 — Castle Hill CC, Kent, at home.

Won the toss, and for once I actually knew what to do with it: in we went to bat, and 266/5 from our 44 overs was rather more than I'd dared hope for over breakfast. Nigel Thirkell was the architect, 86 not out and looking thoroughly unbothered by the whole affair, with Paul Gibson chipping in a handsome 55 and Tim Thirkell 33 alongside him — their stand of 93 for the fifth wicket the innings' centrepiece. Even the extras got in on the act with a generous 30. As for my own contribution of 86 — well, a chap's allowed a quiet moment of satisfaction, and I shan't apologise for it.

Kent never really got a foothold in reply. Michael Carter's 33 and useful knocks of 23 apiece from Brian Henley and P Rowe were the best they could muster against 131/8 from their 46 overs, with Jon Harris steaming in for 3-26 and Matt Large following up with 3-33, five of those overs maidens — not a run given away lightly, that. Sean Charlton weighed in with 2-17 for good measure. Twelve byes did rather give the game away about poor Peter Whyte's afternoon behind the stumps, though he'll live to tell the tale.

A word for the record books: Paul Gibson's 55 nudges him past David Castle into 17th on the club's all-time run charts, while Nigel continues to lead our 1988 run-scorers and Matt Large the wicket-takers. Won by 135 runs, two points banked, and thoroughly earned — a proper afternoon's cricket.

Sun 15 May 1988 🧢 1st XIv BC Battle CC · AwayformWWWWW

Sunday the fifteenth of May found us on the road to Battle, and it began, as these things so often do, with a lost toss and a sinking feeling as the home side chose to bat. They made a bright fist of it too, cantering to 81 without loss before we prised out the openers, and eventually declared us victims of 212 for 5 from their 52 overs — Clinton Douch unbeaten on 59, Tim Eldridge a classy 53, and C Mason chipping in with 38. Small mercies, though: I had one of those days with the ball that a captain dares not mention too loudly for fear of jinxing the next one — 5 for 53, seven of the overs maidens, not a run given away lightly.

In reply we stumbled early, 0 for 1 before some of us had found our guard, and might have been in real trouble but for a watchful 51-run stand for the second wicket. Brian Piper simply refused to be parted from his crease, batting all the way to 81 not out — enough, I'm reliably informed, to send him past Frank Brattle and into 11th on the club's all-time run-scorers' list — well supported by Paul Gibson's 26 and Alan Ovenden's 25, Gibson now sitting proudly second in this season's run charts. Poor David Castle and Simon Thirkell will want the scorebook burned, and fifteen byes suggest Peter Whyte earned his tea harder than most. We closed on 163 for 7 from 43 overs.

A draw, then — honours shared, and honestly, after that start, we'll take it.

Sat 14 May 1988 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformDWWWW

Saturday saw Headcorn CC roll up to Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any sensible skipper does on a decent-looking track — stuck us in to bat, and for once nobody in the pavilion questioned my judgement. We made a tidy 215/5 from our 46 overs, built on a lovely stand of 59 for the fourth wicket between Paul Bowles, who battled to 38, and Sean Charlton with 36. As for my own contribution, I'll confess to a flush of pride bringing up my fifty and finishing 52 not out — the sort of innings that reminds you why you keep turning up every Saturday.

Headcorn didn't make it easy, mind. Richard Chapman played a genuinely fine hand of 55, well supported by Simon Phipps (37) and John Phipps (28), and for a good while it looked like our total might not be quite enough. But Matt Large was in irrepressible form, choking the runs with three maidens on his way to 4-77, with Sean Charlton (2-58) and Paul Bowles (1-30) chipping away at the other end. They fell agonisingly short on 208/9 from their 44.

A word for David Castle, whose 34 runs eased him past Paul Gibson into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a proper landmark, and richly deserved. He now leads our 1988 run charts with 262, with Matt Large topping the wickets column on 11.

A fine win by 7 runs, then, earned the hard way. Onwards.

Sun 08 May 1988 🧢 Sunday NVKCv FC Four Elms CC · AwayformLWLLW

As it stands this season, I'm rather chuffed to report the coin did us a favour at Four Elms, and my decision to bat first is one I shall be dining out on for weeks.

David Castle set the tone with a thoroughly well-made 68, the sort of innings that makes a captain's job look easy, and found good company in Paul Gibson (31) and Nigel Thirkell (21) as the pair put on 54 for the second wicket. My own 21 was, I'll admit, mostly a case of trying not to get in the way. All told, 177/8 from our forty overs looked a defendable total, if not quite an unassailable one.

As it turned out, we needn't have worried. Four Elms never got comfortable, T Theobald's gutsy 47 the only real resistance, and once we found our rhythm — 89-5 becoming 94-8 in the blink of an eye — it was really just a matter of tidying up. Jon Harris was magnificent with the ball, 4-21, ably backed by Matt Large's 3-26 and a typically economical shift from Nigel Thirkell, two maidens and all. Poor Jon Pike will be less keen to relive his golden duck, though I dare say he'll take the ribbing in good spirit.

A nice footnote too: Paul Gibson's 31 today nudges him up to 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, past David Castle himself — the sort of quiet milestone that makes a season worthwhile.

Home by 73 runs, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 07 May 1988 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformDDWWW

Saturday the 7th of May, and Rumwood CC came calling at Linton Park under skies kind enough to let cricket happen. Winning the toss, I did what any captain fancying a long afternoon in a deckchair does and stuck us in first. Paul Gibson set about proving that theory handsomely with a superb 116, while at the other end Paul Bowles matched him stroke for stroke with an unbeaten hundred of his own — the pair adding a whopping 185 for the second wicket after David Castle's 47 had helped lay the platform. We declared, as it were, on 271 for 2 off 42.1 overs, which is the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather more than usual.

Defending it should have been the easy part, and for once it very nearly was. Rumwood lost an early wicket with just 2 on the board, and though Terry Ketley (35) and Ted Holloway (30) did their best to steady things, our attack never let them settle. Paul Bowles, evidently not content with runs alone, took 2 for 8 with the ball, Matt Large and Sean Charlton chipped in with two apiece, and Matt bowled three tidy maidens for good measure. David Castle had a fiddly afternoon behind the stumps — eight byes is eight byes — but nobody was counting by the time they folded for 143.

A special day all round: Paul Bowles brought up his 700th appearance in Linton colours, and Gibson's century nudged him past Castle into 17th on the all-time run charts. Victory by 128 runs — a very good day for the club indeed.

Mon 02 May 1988 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDDDWW

Sunny start to the fixture list, Bearsted CC the visitors, and having won the toss I didn't linger over the decision — batting first felt right, and so it proved. We stumbled early, 8 for 1 barely off the mark, but David Castle settled things beautifully, his 81 the innings' backbone, with Nigel Thirkell's 26 lending sturdy support and a third-wicket stand of 63 doing the real repair work. Poor Matt Large will want to forget his golden duck, though he'd more than make amends later. We closed on 174 for 9 from our 46 overs — not flawless, but respectable enough to defend.

And defend it we did. Bearsted fought through Richard Coward's 41 and Mark Stevens' 28, with an 82-run third-wicket stand threatening to run away from us, but we squeezed the innings shut from 129 for 5 to 135 all out in a hurry, Clive Elliott and Robin Cunningham both departing for ducks off our bowling. Ian Brattle was the chief tormentor with 3 for 19, Alan Boyns and the redeemed Matt Large chipping in with 3 for 38 apiece, Large adding two miserly maidens for good measure. Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 13 byes finding their way past him, while I contributed a watchful 26 with the bat.

Milestones too: David Castle's 81 lifts him to 20th on the all-time run charts, and Brattle's three wickets nudge him to 25th among our leading wicket-takers. A thoroughly earned two points, won by 39 runs — the sort of afternoon that makes the teas taste sweeter.

Sat 30 Apr 1988 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformDDDDW

Called it right at Bidborough on Saturday and, with a pitch that looked too good to leave out there for the opposition, had no hesitation in sticking us in. Quite why I then decided to bat like it mattered is anyone's guess, but 103 not out later I'm not complaining. David Castle was in magnificent touch alongside me, and after we'd put on 97 for the first wicket before anyone troubled us, Malcolm Pay chipped in with 44 to push us to a hearty 260/5 off our 43 overs. Declarations are for teams who don't trust their bowlers; we just batted the overs out and hoped for the best.

As it turned out, hope was barely required. Alan Boyns produced the spell of a lifetime, 6-19, and one does wonder what Bidborough's batsmen had done to upset him personally. Jon Harris and Matt Large mopped up admirably either side of him, Large bowling four miserly maidens as though runs were rationed, and M Tolhurst's golden duck set the tone early. M King's 26 was as good as it got for the home side, who folded for 126 in 40.2 overs. Nine byes did rather suggest poor Piers McDonald was having one of those afternoons behind the stumps, but no matter.

A landmark day all round: David Castle's 3,000th run for the club, and 50 career wickets for Alan Boyns. Add the individual milestones and a thumping 134-run win, and this was as good as club cricket gets.

Sun 24 Apr 1988 🧢 Sunday NVKCv HC Horsmonden CC · HomeformWLWLL

Sunday 24 April 1988 saw Horsmonden CC roll up for what turned into a proper afternoon's cricket, and having called correctly at the toss, I didn't waste a second in sending us in to bat.

We posted 187/8 from our forty overs, built on the back of Paul Gibson's fine 60, with David Castle chipping in a handsome 46 and Nigel Thirkell adding 27. The second-wicket pair put on a crucial 88 to set the platform, though anyone glancing away for their tea will have missed the collapse — 168/5 became 187/8 before we knew what had hit us. I added my own modest 27 to the cause, more make-weight than match-winner.

With the ball, we made light work of Horsmonden's reply. Simon Poore's 40 was the only real resistance, but from 88/4 to 89/7 we ran through them like a hedge fire, sending Martyn Hook, N Dean and Chris Tyler back for ducks. Alan Boyns was pick of the attack with 3-21, well supported by Jon Harris (3-28) and the miserly Sean Charlton (2-15, two maidens). Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping 8 byes for his trouble — no doubt the wicketkeeping equivalent of standing in for the Changing of the Guard.

Gibson now leads our Sunday NVKC run charts, Boyns the wickets — early season, but promising signs. A fine win by 78 runs, and a thoroughly satisfactory way to open the account. Onwards.

Sat 23 Apr 1988 🧢 1st XIv Penshurst Park CC · HomeformWDDDD

Saturday last brought Penshurst Park CC to our ground, and for once the toss actually went my way — I called correctly and didn't waste a second thought on bowling first. A shirt-sleeves sort of afternoon, and 178/7 off our 38 overs felt like a total with a bit of backbone to it. Tim Thirkell led the way with 31, Paul Bowles chipped in a tidy 28 and Paul Gibson 27, and the openers gave us the platform with 57 for the first wicket. Even the extras column pulled its weight with 27 — I shall say nothing more about that except to note the scorer's pencil was kept busy.

Out in the field, the wheels came off for the visitors rather spectacularly. Michael Meade fell for a duck at our hands, and what was 55-2 became 60-5 before Penshurst quite knew what had hit them — and what had hit them was Dave Todd, weaving his spells through their middle order for a magnificent 7-18, four of those overs maiden. Jon Harris backed him up nicely with 2-33 and Ian Brattle picked up 1-10. Poor David Castle had a torrid time behind the stumps, 9 byes slipping past him, but nobody was counting once the innings folded for 87 in 42.1 overs.

A comfortable 91-run victory, then, and Thirkell and Todd now sit atop the season's run and wicket charts respectively. A thoroughly good day for the club.