🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 01 Oct 1989 🧢 Marriedv Linton Park CC · HomeformDDDLL

It was a Sunday to bat first and no argument about it — win the toss, have a hit, was very much the order of the day. On paper we did the job: 173 for 6 off our 25 overs, built on a lovely stand of 58 for the third wicket between Tim Thirkell (48) and Nigel Thirkell (37), with Bob Lines steady and unbeaten on 27 to see the innings home. I even chipped in with 37 myself, which felt rather grand at the time.

Not everything went to plan, mind. Poor Allan Cooper marched out, marched back, and left with a duck to his name — these things happen to the best of us, and he took the ribbing with good grace. Credit too to the extras column, which weighed in with a hearty 30 — some would say our most consistent performer of the summer.

Elsewhere in the runs charts, Nigel continues to sit proudly second in the 1989 1st XI standings on 880, Tim leads the Married table with 48, and David Castle tops the Singles with 58 — proof, if nothing else, that somebody in this club knows what they're doing with a bat.

As for the match itself: 173 ought to have been defendable on any decent Sunday, but the visitors had other ideas, cruising home by 8 wickets. Not our day, then. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 30 Sep 1989 🧢 1st XIv HC Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC · HomeformDWLDL

Saturday 30th September, and I called it right for once — coin came down my way, and with a hint of dampness in the air I fancied our seam bowlers before I fancied our batting, so in we put Hastings & St Leonards Priory.

It looked the correct call for a good while. Jon Harris steamed in for 4-40, with Nigel Thirkell doing the mean, miserly work at the other end — 4-48 and four maidens, not a run given away without a fight. But B. Phillips had other ideas, compiling a proper fifty (51), well supported by Tim Booth-Jones (36) and I. Phillips (25), and a stubborn 53-run sixth-wicket stand dragged the visitors to a competitive 184/8 from their 49.1 overs.

Chasing it down, we never quite got away, closing on 175/7 — honours even, in truth. But what a way to fall two runs short of the job: Nigel Thirkell, having bowled his heart out in the morning, then batted through the innings for a superb 95, the bulk of our total built on his shoulders alone. I'll confess a personal note of satisfaction too — 95 with the bat myself, and four wickets to boot, the kind of afternoon a captain doesn't get too often and certainly won't complain about. Amid it all, Tim Thirkell quietly brought up 7,000 career runs for the club — a landmark rather lost in the shuffle, but not by us.

A draw, then, and a fair one — neither side could quite land the killer blow. Two fine Thirkell efforts, honours shared, and everyone home in time for tea.

Wed 27 Sep 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformDDWLW

Under leaden Wednesday skies we rolled into Penshurst Park, and rather against habit the coin actually did as it was told, so I had no hesitation in putting us in.

The lads batted with real purpose. Andrew Hales set the tone with a well-crafted 53, and once he and Piers McDonald (48) had put on a crucial 97 for the second wicket, the innings had a spring in its step that even our tea urn couldn't dampen. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 43, and 219 for 5 off our 42 overs felt like a total with a bit of menace to it.

Penshurst, though, had other ideas, chiefly in the form of I Mitchell, who ground out a fine 95 and, ably supported by M Latter's tidy fifty, dragged them into contention with an 86-run sixth-wicket stand. For a while we feared the worst. But cricket has a way of rewarding patience, and under pressure they subsided from 204 for 6 to 211 for 9 — three ducks (commiserations to P Grayland, John Hyde and F Manville) among the wreckage. Alan Boyns was the chief architect, 3 for 37 with four miserly maidens, well backed by Martin Larkin and Nigel Thirkell, both 2 for 19.

In the end neither side could quite land the killer blow, and honours were shared. A draw, then — honest, hard-fought, and entirely in keeping with the spirit of the game. We'll take it, and head home already looking forward to the next one.

Sun 24 Sep 1989 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWDWLD

Beaten but not bowed, then — 24th September and Anchorians came calling. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock, and for once the decision looked shrewd rather than rash. Trevor Back and David Castle both raised the bat in style, 73 not out and 61 respectively, their third-wicket stand of 71 the spine of a total of 185/6 from our 41 overs. Poor Piers McDonald will want the scorebook burned — a duck to his name — but otherwise it was a tidy, purposeful effort with the willow.

Defending it, we very nearly did the job. Nigel Thirkell was superb with the new ball, 3-31, backed handsomely by Alan Boyns (2-29, three maidens and not a run given cheaply) and Nick Froom (1-28), while your captain chipped in with three of his own — happy days. We had Anchorians reeling at one stage, sliding from 144-5 to 160-8, and sent Keith Wooding packing without so much as a nibble. But G. Tappin's 47 and a stubborn 53-run third-wicket stand kept them in the hunt, and fifteen byes past poor Peter Whyte's gloves proved a costly afternoon's leakage. They crept home by the narrowest of margins — one wicket.

A word of real cheer amid the gloom: Jon Harris brought up 1600 career wickets, a landmark worth toasting in the bar regardless of the result. David Castle continues to top our 1989 run charts, Harris sits second among the wicket-takers. As for the match itself — cruelly close, honestly earned, and we'll be considerably better for it next week.

Sun 17 Sep 1989 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformWWDWL

Sunday last, 17 September, we welcomed Dummy Site to Linton Park, and for once the coin behaved itself — heads, and into bat we went. What followed was rather more than I dared hope for: 208 for 3 off 42.3 overs, built on a second-wicket stand of 162 that did most of the heavy lifting. Trevor Back played beautifully for his 78, and I'll confess to rather enjoying my own afternoon in the middle, reaching three figures — a hundred that, I'm reliably informed, also brought up 21,000 career runs for the club. Not bad for an old pair of legs that complain rather more than they used to.

In the field we chipped away without ever quite finishing the job. Dave Todd was miserly and menacing in equal measure — 2 for 35 with five maidens, the sort of spell that has batsmen playing for their suppers — while Stewart Morrison (2-50) and Ian Brattle (1-15) chipped in. W Creed made a determined 67 and P Dann held firm on 20 not out to see them home to a respectable 143 for 7 off their 46, safely short of us but safely out of our reach too.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. With David Castle and Matt Large still setting the pace atop this season's charts, there's plenty to play for yet — but a century and a personal milestone in the same afternoon is not a bad way to spend a Sunday.

Wed 13 Sep 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · HomeformLDDWL

We beat The Mote CC by 5 wickets in a run chase on a September Wednesday.

We lost the toss — never a good omen — and were sent out into the field, where The Mote set about compiling a stiff-looking 185/7 from their 45 overs. Mike Cutler was the chief architect with a well-crafted 44, with Dave McInnes (33) and Nigel Mullarkey (33 not out) lending sturdy support, the pair putting on 55 for the 7th wicket just when we thought we had them contained. Credit to the bowlers, though — Alan Boyns led from the front with 2-33, Trevor Back and Ian Barker chipped in a wicket apiece, and Pete Westrop, tight as ever, squeezed out two maidens for good measure.

185 is never a formality on a Mote pitch, but Paul Gibson had other ideas. He and David Castle put on 79 for the second wicket to set the platform, then Gibson simply refused to get out, finishing unbeaten on a magnificent 85. Castle's 51 and Trevor Back's brisk 41 filled in the rest of the picture as we cantered home on 186/2 with overs to spare — five wickets in hand and, frankly, more comfort than the scoreline suggests. A tidy footnote for the scorebook: Gibson's innings nudges him up to 14th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, past Malcolm Pay, while Castle continues to sit 3rd in this season's Midweek run charts and Nigel Morton 2nd among the wicket-takers.

All told, a thoroughly good day out — professional in the field, ruthless with the bat, and home in time for tea.

Sun 10 Sep 1989 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · AwayformDWWDW

Sunday 10 September 1989, and off we trundled to Sibton Park with the toss lost and the fielding boots laced up whether we fancied it or not. Andy Allon proceeded to remind us why sides fear a man in form, ambling to an unbeaten 112 while Paul Fox chipped in a handy 21, and between them they steered Sibton to a stiff 215/8 from their 41 overs. Credit where due: Nigel Thirkell bowled beautifully for 2-30, with Alan Boyns (2-50, two maidens, tight as you like) and Matt Large (2-74) doing their bit to keep the total from getting entirely out of hand.

Chasing 216 was always going to want a calm start, and calm was not on the menu — 6-1 had the tone set before most of us had found our rhythm. Peter Whyte battled to 26, Brian Piper made a fine 25 and Mark Stevenson chipped in 20, but three ducks on the card, for Trevor Back, Alan Boyns and Matt Large, told their own sorry story, and we were all out for 136 in the 43rd over.

One crumb to warm ourselves with: Matt Large's two wickets nudged him past John Thirkell into 9th on the club's all-time list — the lad's quietly building something. Beaten by 79 runs in the end, no way to dress it up. Not our day. Back to the nets, heads up, and on to the next one.

Sun 03 Sep 1989 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformWDWWW

Sunday 03 September 1989, and off we trundled down to Beacon CC, Cornwall, for what I fancied might be a pleasant afternoon's cricket. I won the toss and, with the sun out and the pitch looking a picture, elected to bat — a decision I still maintain was the correct one, whatever the scorebook might suggest by close of play.

We were bowled out for 168-9, and precious few of us troubled the scorers along the way. Nigel Thirkell was the shining exception, cracking a fine 81 to give the innings some backbone, while Peter Whyte, Mark Stevenson and Mike Bains all contributed the sort of golden duck that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces. A par score at best, and we knew it.

With the ball, we fought hard but couldn't quite land the killer blow. Beacon reached home at 170-4 off 37.3 overs, built on a commanding second-wicket stand of 102 between Larry Martin (52) and Clive Thomas (51), with Kevin Thomas unbeaten on 26 to see them over the line. Nigel Thirkell, showing he can do it with both bat and ball, was our pick of the bowlers with 1-15, well supported by Alan Boyns (1-18, two tidy maidens) and David Castle (1-41). My poor wicketkeeper had a torrid time of it too, with 15 byes leaking through — not his afternoon, bless him.

Beaten by five wickets in the end. Thirkell's purple patch continues, and Boyns leads our wicket charts — silver linings enough to send us home unbowed. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 02 Sep 1989 🧢 Tour XIv SC St Austell CC · AwayformLWDWW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 2nd September 1989. St Austell, and a toss lost, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition. Asked to field first, we watched Hancock cash in with a fine 54, with N Carter (38) and I Collings (26) doing tidy work around him — that second-wicket stand of 68 was the spine of the innings. Small mercy: A Bray departed for a duck, and if you can't take a wicket you can at least enjoy one. St Austell closed on 172 all out from 45 overs, kept honest throughout by Nigel Thirkell, whose 2-13 with seven maidens was the sort of miserly spell that makes batsmen question their life choices. Alan Boyns (2-40) and David Castle (1-21) chipped in handsomely.

A target of 173 looked entirely gettable, and so it proved. David Castle set about it with real intent for a well-made 83, and Brian Piper supported beautifully with a fine fifty of his own — 144 for the first wicket before either fell, which rather took the drama out of proceedings early. I did my bit at the top with 53, and a generous 25 in extras rounded things off nicely. We coasted home at 173/3 in 35.1 overs, six wickets in hand.

David Castle now leads the Tour run charts with 212 for the season, and Alan Boyns sits third among the wicket-takers with six. A thoroughly good day for the club — the sort that makes the drive home feel shorter than it is.

Fri 01 Sep 1989 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformLLWDW

Won the toss on a Friday morning that felt too good to waste, and with the outfield running fast I had no hesitation shoving Mullion CC into the field. Piers McDonald then went about reminding everyone why he opens the batting, striking a glorious 87 as he and his partner put on 112 before anyone so much as troubled the scorers. Mike Bains chipped in with an unbeaten 49 and Mark Stevenson a brisk 41, and by the time we'd had our forty overs we'd posted 227 for 5 — the sort of total that makes the tea taste that bit sweeter.

Defending it should have been the tricky part, but Stewart Morrison had other ideas, steaming in for 3-39 with the kind of hostility that has him now sitting second in our Tour XI wicket charts. Fred Cheesman and David Castle mopped up two apiece, and though Reuben Curnow (22) and Ben Willey (20) tried gamely to build something for Mullion, the innings folded for 169. Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping 17 byes — the only blemish on an otherwise tidy day, and one he'll not thank me for mentioning.

David Castle, meanwhile, continues to lead our run charts with 129 for the season, quietly getting on with the job while others take the headlines.

A fine win by 58 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying way to spend a Friday. Onwards.

Thu 31 Aug 1989 🧢 Tour XIv TC Troon CC · AwayformLLLWD

Thursday 31st August 1989, and off we trundled to Troon, in reasonably good heart and, for once, reasonably good weather.

Winning the toss, I fancied a bat, and it's fair to say the lads didn't let me down — 194 for 4 from our 25 overs is a proper score by any village reckoning. David Castle was in imperious touch, cruising to 98 not out, and found the perfect foil in Nigel Thirkell, whose own well-crafted 56 helped the pair put on 130 for the second wicket — the innings in microcosm, really. Elsewhere the card wasn't so kind: poor Piers McDonald marched out and back again without troubling the scorers, a duck to file quietly away and never mention again (consider it mentioned).

In the field we set about defending it, and defend it we did. Troon were held to 129 for 9, with only Tuckey making any real inroads on 22. Chapple went first ball — sorry, cheaply, at 2 for 1 — to set the tone, and from there Alan Boyns ran through them with a fine 4 for 27, well backed by Stewart Morrison's 3 for 31 and Matt Large's 2 for 16. Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, 15 byes escaping his grasp, though nobody's holding it against him after a display like that up front.

Sixty-five runs the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved. Castle now tops our Tour XI run charts with 128, Large leads the wickets with 6 — form the pair of them can keep, thank you very much.

Tue 29 Aug 1989 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformLLLLW

Splendid day out for a golden duck, this one — off it goes.

Tuesday last saw us take the road to Falmouth, where the coin, as is so often its custom against me, landed the wrong way up. They chose to bat, and 200/7 from their 43 overs was the toll — John Lowry easing to a well-made 56, with N Barrington's 36 and Keith Meneer's unbeaten 27 filling out the innings nicely. Small mercies: we did for poor Jeremy Gimpson before he'd troubled the scorers. Matt Large was the chief tormentor with 3-61 and four maidens besides — not a man in generous spirits that afternoon — well backed by Jon Harris (2-34) and Simon Thirkell (1-19).

Our reply had all the hallmarks of village cricket at its most theatrical. Peter Whyte batted beautifully for a half-century (51), with David Castle (30) and Simon Thirkell (25) lending sturdy support, and a stand of 56 for the sixth wicket dragging us back from the brink after a horror stretch from 42-1 to 56-4 that had the tea urn shaking in sympathy. Stewart Morrison and Tim Lush both departed for ducks of their own, proof that misery does love company. We closed on 180/9 from 42 overs — short of the target, but not for want of trying — while Peter Whyte, having done his bit with the bat, then leaked 9 byes behind the stumps for good measure.

So it finished all square, honours shared, neither side quite able to land the killer blow. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and frankly no worse than we deserved.

Mon 28 Aug 1989 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDDWWD

Monday 28 August 1989, and Bearsted CC rolled up as our guests. Won the toss, had a look at the surface, and stuck us in to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever certain members of the committee muttered into their tea.

Brian Piper and David Castle set about proving me right, the openers putting on 131 before the first wicket fell, Piper going on to a fine 74 and Castle following with a well-crafted 54. After that platform we rather threw the furniture about — 164 for 6 became 167 for 9 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a pint — but 182 all out from 45.3 overs was a total worth defending. Nigel Thirkell and Sean Charlton made early returns to the pavilion for nought, and your correspondent, batting at whatever number spares his blushes least, contributed a duck of his own. The less said, the better.

In the field we were altogether more disciplined. Bearsted stumbled to 5 for 1 and never really recovered, David Gibson, Norman Bateman and Murray Pennells all back in the hutch without scoring. Matt Large was the pick of the attack with 3 for 39 and two tidy maidens, well supported by Charlton's 3 for 39 and Thirkell's 2 for 14. D Howson's unbeaten 30 was a lone rearguard effort, but 111 all out from 32.2 overs left us home by 71 runs.

A fine win, and Piper's 74 nudges him past William Buck into 8th on the club's all-time run charts — not a bad afternoon's work at all.

Sun 27 Aug 1989 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformDDDWW

We hosted Dummy Site on Sunday 27 August 1989, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first strike — a decision I was rather pleased with as the day unfolded. David Castle led the way with a stylish 62, well supported by Keith Hatcher's 30 and Brian Piper's 20, the pair combining in a sturdy 53-run stand for the fourth wicket that gave our innings its backbone. We closed on 171/7 from our 54 overs — not a total to frighten anyone, perhaps, but enough to work with.

In the field it was Matt Large's afternoon through and through. He bowled with real discipline, six maidens among his figures, and finished with a thoroughly deserved 5-54, ably backed up by Jon Harris's 2-45. Poor G Pole never troubled the scorers, though the visitors dug in gamely — M Heather's fifty-plus knock of 73 and S Smith's 26 anchored a recovery built on a 65-run fifth-wicket stand, after they'd wobbled to just 2 for an early wicket. They finished on 149/7 from 45, leaving honours shared. Peter Whyte had a fiddly time behind the stumps, nine byes going astray, but nobody's perfect on a tricky pitch.

Two notes for the scorebook: Keith Hatcher raised his 2,000th run for the club, and Matt Large's five-for eased him past Tony Gauna into tenth on our all-time wicket-takers' list. With Castle still leading the 1st XI run charts and Large the wicket charts, the season continues to purr along nicely. A draw, then — honours even, and no complaints from this corner of the pavilion.

Sun 20 Aug 1989 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · HomeformDDDDW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 20 August 1989, v Whitstable CC

Won the toss, elected to bat, and for once my own judgement didn't let me down. We posted 214/6 from our 47 overs, built on a proper backbone of a knock from Trevor Back — 57 of the best — with Nigel Thirkell (48) and Peter Whyte (38) doing sterling work either side of him. The innings really turned on a fifth-wicket stand of 92, and a defiant last-wicket flurry of 36 gave the total a very respectable look on the board, the kind that makes the tea taste that bit sweeter.

Whitstable never quite got hold of it. Duncan Hardy played a lone hand — 56 well made — but around him we simply ran through the order, 12-1 becoming 23-4 before anyone had settled. Matt Large was magnificent, 4-31 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, ably backed by Nick Froom (3-23) and Jon Harris (1-18); nothing was given away cheaply. All out for 124 in 31.1 overs, and I even chipped in with 48 with the ball for good measure.

A moment to doff the cap: Peter Whyte brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, which rather put the icing on the afternoon. David Castle continues to lead our 1989 run charts on 937, and Matt Large the wickets on 78 — both showing no signs of slowing.

Won by 90 runs, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved. A day when everything I asked of the lads, they gave back with interest.

Sat 19 Aug 1989 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · AwayformDDDDD

Saturday 19 August 1989, away to Harrietsham CC. Won the toss, and with a pitch that looked fit for batting I didn't waste breath thinking twice — in we went.

232 for 6 from our 45 overs, and what a knock from Nigel Thirkell, unbeaten on 98 and unlucky not to see three figures for his troubles. Paul Bowles chipped in with 47 and Peter Whyte with 46, and the pair of them stitched together 93 for the fifth wicket while I watched on, rather pleased with life. My own 98 not out I shall allow myself to mention once, and only once, before modesty reasserts itself.

Harrietsham's reply never quite got out of second gear. Keith Chaney battled to 42, Micky Tong made 35 and D Pegg 20, with a second-wicket stand of 54 the only real resistance — but from 132 for 7 they folded to 139 all out in 42.2 overs, D Winskill, P Cusworth and T Fittall all departing without so much as troubling the scorers. Paul Gibson was the chief tormentor, five wickets for 27 and five maidens of positively miserly intent, with Paul Bowles (4-34) and Sean Charlton (1-28) mopping up. Twelve byes did rather give the game away about poor Alan Boyns's afternoon behind the stumps, but nobody's perfect.

Up in the season's reckoning, David Castle continues to lead our run charts with 932, and Bowles now sits third among the wicket-takers with 25. As for Saturday: 93 runs to the good, two points banked, and a rare afternoon where everything — bat, ball, and captain's luck — came off together.

Sun 13 Aug 1989 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformWDDDD

Won the toss on a bright Sunday and had no hesitation in having a bat — Benenden CC were the visitors, and I fancied runs would be there for the taking. So it proved, up to a point. We rattled along to 200 for 7 in our 44 overs, though the top order gave us a fright when the first wicket fell for just 2, David Castle and Nigel Thirkell then setting about repairing things with a splendid 113-run stand, both going on to register fifties — 52 apiece, no less. Alan Boyns chipped in with a well-made 32 not out, while poor Dave Charlton contributed nothing more than a golden duck for his troubles. I was pleased to lead from the front myself with 52.

Defending 200 in 43 overs, we bowled with real discipline. Stewart Morrison was superb, 3 for 34 and four miserly maidens to show for his efforts, with Nick Froom (2-10) and Matt Large (2-40) chipping in handsomely. Benenden slumped from 66 for 5 to 80 for 8 as the innings came apart at the seams, Richard Fautly (39) and Peter Stubbins (30 not out) doing most of the damage before that. Their last pair then had the cheek to add an unwanted 42, denying us the win as they finished on 122 for 8.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could force it home. Worth noting: Matt Large brought up 400 career wickets, a landmark deserving far more fuss than we gave it on the day.

Sat 12 Aug 1989 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWDDD

Saturday 12 August 1989 — Headcorn CC at home, and I lost the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this season. They fancied batting, and who could blame them on a decent August afternoon.

They rattled up 200/7 off 36.2 overs, though not without a scare — an early wicket with just 4 on the board had us dreaming of a rout before Simon Phipps (69) and Paul Millen (59) put us firmly back in our place, adding a chastening 86 for the third wicket. Peter Westrop chipped in with 21, and there was some small justice when John Phipps trudged off for a duck. Matt Large was the pick of our attack by some distance, 4-39 of genuine craft, with Nigel Thirkell (2-35) and Alan Boyns (1-36) tidying up round him. A word for Boyns, too — a hundred career wickets in the bag, a proper landmark for any club stalwart.

Our reply never quite got going. Nigel Thirkell's 37 was the innings' backbone, David Castle (31) and Mark Stevenson (29) lending support after a solid 58-run opening stand, and I managed a workmanlike 37 myself. But 115-4 became 117-7 in the sort of collapse that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces, and poor Simon Thirkell's nought completed a miserable afternoon for the Duck Club. We closed on 151/9 from our 37, short of the target but safe.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride dented but not broken. On this evidence, a point salvaged is a point earned.

Thu 10 Aug 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Mundford CC · HomeformLLDDW

Thursday 10 August 1989, and Mundford CC arrived at Linton Park to find us winning the toss and, in a fit of uncharacteristic decisiveness, choosing to bat. It proved the right call, more or less: 187/7 from our forty overs, built around a lovely fifty from Nigel Thirkell, who eventually fell for 76 having done the heavy lifting, with Gary Fryer (35 not out) and Mark Stevenson (31) chipping in either side of that match-defining third-wicket stand of 116. Not everyone had their name in lights, mind — Keith Francis endured the walk of shame for a duck, and the ledger duly notes it.

Out in the field we made a fair fist of things without quite closing it out. Mundford got to 188/6 from 42.2 overs, G Bamford playing the innings of the day with 67, ushered along by Tony Veal (29 not out) and G Garrett (25 not out) in a fifth-wicket stand of 76 we could see coming but couldn't quite stop. Their last pair then added an unwelcome 45 that we really didn't need. Nigel Thirkell, having done his bit with the bat, did the damage with the ball too — 2-19 — well supported by Nigel Morton (2-82) and a typically miserly Jon Harris (1-57, two maidens). Small mercy: Julian Bamford went back to the pavilion none the wiser, another for the duck club.

So, down by four wickets in the end. Nigel Thirkell continues to purr nicely in the run charts, Jon Harris still tops the wickets — but for the side as a whole, it's heads up, and back to the nets.

Wed 09 Aug 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformWLLDD

Wednesday 09 August 1989 – Home to Bexley CC

Lost the toss, asked to field, and I confess my heart sank a little as I trudged out with the lads on what turned into a proper long afternoon. Bexley's Neil Mobey had other ideas entirely, ghosting to 126 not out and simply refusing to give it back, well supported by Paul Ladbrook (41) and Ian Kersey (30). They were away to a flyer, 72 up before we so much as troubled the scorers, and a fifth-wicket stand of 94 did the real damage. Small mercies: David Pask departed for a golden duck, and David Castle (2-29) at least gave us something to cheer, with Jon Harris (2-47) and Paul Bowles (1-41) chipping in. 242/6 from 51.3 overs left us with a proper mountain, and poor Piers McDonald had a torrid time behind the stumps, eight byes going begging as if the ball had a mind of its own.

Facing 243 to win, we might reasonably have settled in for a beating, but Gary Fryer (53) and Mark Stevenson (50) both brought up well-earned fifties, and Paul Bowles, unbeaten on 44, kept his head when it mattered most, the pair adding 57 for the seventh wicket to drag us home. We scrambled over the line by three wickets with barely a fingernail to spare.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Brian Piper sits third in our Midweek XI run charts with 128, while Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers with 10 — the engine room, quietly getting on with it.

A day when we were second best for most of the afternoon and somehow still won: not pretty, not comfortable, but a very good day for the club indeed.

Sun 06 Aug 1989 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWWDD

Winning the toss on a fine Sunday in August, I had no hesitation in taking first use of the wicket — and for a good long while it looked the shrewdest decision I'd made all season. Sean Charlton led from the front with a fine 39, Trevor Back chipped in with 36 and Mark Stevenson made a handsome 32, while the seventh-wicket pair stitched together an invaluable 63 to give the innings some backbone. But cricket has a way of humbling a man, and from a healthy 71-3 we contrived to stumble to 78-6 in the blink of an eye — Dave Charlton and Peter Whyte both departed without troubling the scorers, a pair of ducks I'd rather not dwell on. We limped home to 179/9 from our 46 overs, respectable enough but leaving a nagging sense of runs left out there.

In the field we set about defending it with real purpose. Sean Charlton was magnificent, 3-50 with four maidens to show for his miserliness, Jon Harris chipped away with 2-26 and Nick Froom took one for just 4. We had them 1-1 and sniffing victory, only for their last pair to add a thoroughly unwelcome 84, with Benton unbeaten on 46 and Page on 37 seeing them home to 126/6.

Honours shared, then — a draw that felt like a shared sigh of relief on both sides, and, on reflection, probably a fair result for a match that swung both ways.

Sat 05 Aug 1989 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformLLWWD

Saturday saw the Maidstone Dissidents roll into Linton Park under grey but forgiving skies, and I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I felt, and for once I shall allow myself the satisfaction of saying so. Brian Piper anchored things beautifully for an unbeaten 49, with Peter Whyte weighing in handsomely alongside him with 47 and Tim Thirkell chipping in 35, their third-wicket stand of 71 the platform on which the innings was built. We closed on a healthy 219 for 5 from our 42 overs, the sort of total that makes tea taste that much sweeter.

Then came David Castle, who proceeded to remind us all why cricket is a humbling game. After the Dissidents stumbled to 6 for 1 and things briefly threatened to become a rout — 10 for 4 in a blink — Castle simply refused to be parted from his bat, compiling a magnificent unbeaten 114 and finding an admirable ally in Mike Bains (36) for a fifth-wicket stand of 68. Matt Large toiled superbly for 4 for 31 with five miserly maidens, and Simon Thirkell chipped in with 2 for 13, while Piers McDonald, D Diamond and Tim Lush all departed without troubling the scorers 🦆. Sixteen byes behind the stumps did little for the blood pressure, and their last pair's defiant stand of 90 was, frankly, more than we needed to see.

Honours shared in the end — a draw that flattered nobody and disappointed nobody, which is perhaps English cricket in a nutshell.

Thu 03 Aug 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Moreton CC · HomeformLWLLD

Thursday the third of August found Moreton CC at Linton Park, and true to form the coin let me down again — they won it, chose to bat, and I trudged back to the boundary already composing excuses for the tea interval. Dawson made us pay for it in style, ghosting to 93 while Peel and Howat chipped in 38 apiece; the opening pair alone put on 69 before Dave Todd finally prised one out, and a stubborn second-wicket stand added a further 103 for good measure. We clawed our way to 255/6 off the fifty, with Todd's 2-37 the pick of the bowling, Trevor Back and Jon Harris chiming in with a wicket apiece, and Jeff Todd tight enough with two maidens to suggest the boundary boards were the safer investment that afternoon.

With the bat we made a fair fist of the chase. Brian Piper batted beautifully for 72, and an opening stand of 82 gave us the platform, with Back (43) and Stevenson (33) keeping the innings ticking along nicely — poor Ron Kemp, alas, will remember the day only for his duck. Eleven byes told their own tale of a trying afternoon behind the stumps for Jim Hall. We closed on 197/7, honours even, a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody. Small consolation, and no small one at that: Back's 43 sent him past Cliff Anscombe to 17th on the club's all-time run list — some men chase Ashes glory, we chase Cliff Anscombe, and gladly.

Sun 30 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLLLWW

Sunday 30th July found us on the road to The Mote, and I won the toss — never a bad way to start a Sunday. I had few doubts about batting first, and the lads didn't disappoint. Trevor Back and Keith Hatcher put on a magnificent 152 for the first wicket before anyone so much as glanced at the scorebook, Back eventually falling for a splendid 89 and Hatcher motoring on to 87 not out. We closed on a handsome 203/2 from our 45 overs — though I ought to mention, in the interests of full disclosure, that poor Nigel Thirkell contributed a duck to proceedings. The walk of shame was performed with admirable dignity.

Defending it, we found The Mote in no mood to roll over. An early wicket for six had us purring, but Alan Hughes (58) and Geraint Hughes (54) — no relation, one assumes, beyond a shared gift for batting — stitched together 106 for the second wicket and dragged the game back level, with Mike Foster chipping in 22. Jon Harris did the heavy lifting with 4-83, and Matt Large was tidiness personified — 2-40 with three maidens, and, for the record, still tops our 1989 wicket charts with 64. They finished on 189/6, six shy of parity, and honours were duly shared.

As for my own contribution — nought, and I shall say no more about it. A draw, then, but an honest one: two sides that gave as good as they got, and nobody going home with much to complain about.

Sat 29 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformWLLLW

On a warm July afternoon we took the road out to Hollingbourne with hope in our hearts and, for once, a bit of sense in my head — I called it right at the toss and never seriously considered doing anything other than batting first.

It didn't start well. Four for one had the tea urn practically whistling with concern, but Nigel Thirkell and Brian Piper steadied things nicely, the pair putting on 51 for the second wicket to give the innings some backbone. Thirkell's 30 and Piper's 29 were the mainstays of a total that crept to 162 for 9 off our 46 overs — respectable rather than swashbuckling, though poor Matt Large will want that duck struck from the record.

Hollingbourne's reply began ominously, 64 on the board before we so much as troubled them, Bob Dyer and Andrew Hales putting on the lot between them. But cricket, mercifully, is a game of two acts, and ours arrived with a vengeance: 88 for 4 became 96 for 7 in the blink of an eye, Neville Smith and Kevin Phillips departing without scoring. Matt Large, redeeming his morning handsomely, ran riot with 7 for 39, Thirkell chipped in with 3 for 25 and four tidy maidens, and I allowed myself a quiet smirk with 3 wickets and 30 runs of my own. Hollingbourne folded for 107.

A win by 55 runs, then — and a personal landmark for Brian Piper, whose 29 eased him past Paul Brattle into 9th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Onwards, indeed.

Fri 28 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformDWLLL

On Friday, we made the short trip out to Benenden, and for once the coin obliged me kindly enough that I didn't have to feign confidence in front of the lads — I put us in.

What followed was as handsome an innings as we've strung together in a while. Nigel Thirkell and Brian Piper simply refused to be parted, the openers piling up 139 for the first wicket before either so much as looked troubled. Thirkell went on to 63, Piper to 60, and between them they turned what might have been a modest total into a thoroughly imposing 147 for 3 off our sixteen overs. I can't claim any tactical genius for that one — I mostly stood at the non-striker's end admiring the view.

Defending it was another matter, and Benenden made us work, Gary Marshall batting sensibly for an unbeaten 45 with Peter Newman chipping in 28. But we'd struck early — the first wicket falling for a duck — and though there was a stubborn stand of 60 for the fourth, it was never quite enough. Matt Large did the heavy lifting with 2 for 23, and I permitted myself a quiet nod when my own single wicket for 10 runs edged me past Paul Bowles into second on the club's all-time wicket-takers' list — not bad for a captain who mostly just points at fields.

We got home by 54 runs. A very good day indeed, and Thirkell's bat deserves the last word.

Mon 24 Jul 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv CW Coleshill CC, Warks · HomeformLLWLL

Monday 24 July 1989, and the visitors were Coleshill CC of Warwickshire — a fine excuse for tea and a spot of drama on a midweek afternoon.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first, and for once my judgement wasn't entirely misplaced. David Castle played the anchor role beautifully for 49, with Keith Hatcher chipping in 32 and Brian Piper unbeaten on 27, the pair sharing a sturdy 69 for the third wicket. There was a wobble thereafter, wickets clattering from 113-3 to 125-6 in a manner that had me reaching for the scorebook in some alarm, but 166/7 from our 44 overs felt a defendable total. Poor Matt Large, meanwhile, made his way back to the pavilion for a duck — the walk of shame indeed.

In the field we made him work for redemption, and how he answered. Matt tore in for 3-15 with four maidens to boot, Darren Styles backed him up handsomely with 3-28, and Jon Harris chipped in with 2-48. Coleshill's J Lutwyche fought hard for his 33, and they slid from 68-3 to 81-6, but crawled to 127-9 — agonisingly short.

A special mention for Brian Piper, who brought up 6,000 career runs for the club — a milestone worthy of more than the usual ripple of applause.

A draw, then, honours even — but with Brian's landmark and Matt's redemption with the ball, I'd call it a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket.

Sun 23 Jul 1989 🧢 Sunday NVKCv HH Hambledon CC, Hants · HomeformLWWWW

It was Hambledon CC visiting on Sunday, and I won the toss and put them in — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorecard might say about it afterwards.

They made a shaky start, tumbling to 5-1, but Mark Le-Clercq and company had other ideas, and a stand of 96 for the second wicket dragged them back into calm waters. Le-Clercq went on to 59, with Adrian Magrath (40) and Simon James (36) chipping in handsomely, and they closed on a respectable 185/6 from their forty overs. Matt Large was superb with the ball, miserly through four maidens on his way to 3-24, with Alan Boyns and Jon Harris picking up a wicket apiece to keep things honest.

Chasing 186, we too stumbled early — 0-1 doesn't leave much room for manoeuvre — before Brian Piper played the innings of the day, 83 out of a total of 180, with Keith Hatcher (28) and Nigel Thirkell (20) offering support and a second-wicket stand of 78 giving us genuine hope. But cricket has a way of humbling the optimist, and 152-4 unravelled into 159-7 before we knew what had hit us. David Castle and Dave Charlton both departed for ducks, I scratched together 20, and we were bowled out for 180 in the 39th over — five runs shy.

Not our day, then, though Brian Piper's knock keeps him top of the season's run charts and Matt Large's spell atop the wickets — small mercies for the walk back to the pavilion. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 22 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformDDWLL

Lost the toss again — Gravesend duly sent us out to field, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition. They ground their way to 192 for 6 off their 47, with Mark Aaron the chief architect on 56, T Gardner chipping in a tidy 51, and Richard Barrett unbeaten on 46 for good measure. We had them wobbling at 8 for 1 early doors and I allowed myself a quiet smile, but the sixth-wicket pair put paid to that, adding a stubborn 85 and taking the game rather firmly out of our hands. Credit where due: Sean Charlton was excellent with 2 for 26, well backed up by brother Dave (1-16) and Matt Large (1-17).

Chasing 193, we never remotely looked like getting there. Two wickets down for one was hardly the platform we'd hoped for, and when 67 for 4 became 78 for 7 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea, the innings had rather given up the ghost. Dave Charlton's 26 was the lone flag planted on an otherwise bare hillside, and poor Matt Large — so miserly with the ball — went for a painful duck with the bat, proof that cricket delights in evening its scores. All out for 99 in 31.5 overs, beaten by 93 runs.

Elsewhere in the ledger, Peter Whyte continues to sit a creditable fifth in this season's run charts with 264, while Matt Large tops the wicket-takers with 53 — small consolations on a chastening afternoon. We'll be better for it next week.

Fri 21 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLDDWL

Friday 21st July 1989, and we welcomed the visitors to Linton Park with the sun out and hopes reasonably high. Winning what passed for the toss, we opted to bowl, and for a while it looked the shrewder call — 57 for 6 from their sixteen overs was hardly a total to frighten anyone, though M Thorneycroft's 20 gave them a bit of backbone. Matt Large was the pick of us by a distance, mixing accuracy with menace to return 3 for 27, with Alan Boyns (1-5) and Ian Brattle (1-13) chipping away tidily at the other end. All told, a fine team bowling effort, and one that should have set up an afternoon stroll.

Instead, we contrived to make it interesting for precisely twenty-six balls. Paul Gibson and David Castle strode out, took one look at the target, and simply helped themselves — 61 for 0 in four overs and two balls, Gibson finishing unbeaten on 34 and Castle, still topping our season's run charts with 812 to his name, an ice-cool 24 not out alongside him. It was the sort of batting that makes bowlers reconsider their career choices.

And yet — somehow — we still finished up on the wrong end of it, beaten by five wickets. Quite how remains a mystery best pondered over a pint in the pavilion. M Dickerson and M Smith will want quiet words with their bats, and Matt Large, now up to 52 wickets for the summer, deserves better luck than this. Not our day, then. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Thu 20 Jul 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDLLWL

Beaten by five wickets at home on Thursday, but there's a fair bit to be cheerful about before the self-flagellation begins.

Sent in to bat first, they crept along to 171/9 from their forty overs, though not before we'd struck early — T Sikkema back in the hutch without so much as a sniff at the scoreboard, 0 on the board and the openers already nervy. B Heyden top-scored with 35, well supported by R Luenen and M Winters with 23 apiece, but the day belonged to Jon Harris, who bowled like a man possessed for 5-71 and now leads the season's wicket charts. Nigel Morton chipped in with a tidy 3-29, including two maidens that gave nothing away, and Darren Styles picked up one for his troubles.

With 172 to chase, we made surprisingly serene work of it — 174/4 from 36.4 overs, despite losing our first wicket for just 8. Keith Hatcher was imperious, unbeaten on 93 and now the leading run-scorer in the Midweek XI this year, ably assisted by Gary Fryer's 26 and Piers McDonald's 22, with the two of them putting on 63 for the fourth wicket to steady things after that early wobble. I even found some rhythm with the ball myself, snaffling five wickets in the field — though clearly not enough to stop them getting home.

A tight, well-fought contest that could have gone either way, and in the end it didn't go ours. We'll dust ourselves off, raise a glass to Keith and Jon's fine form, and be better for it next week.

Sun 16 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · AwayformWLDDW

It was Folkestone away, a coin toss lost before we'd even had our tea, and the sort of afternoon that reminds you why English summers are best enjoyed with low expectations.

Put in to bat, we ground out 150 all out in 59.3 overs — hardly a declaration-worthy total, but a battling one. David Castle led the way with 38, Brian Piper chipped in a fine 36, and the two of them put on 57 for the first wicket to give the innings some spine before it inevitably wobbled. Elsewhere the effort was more modest — Paul Gibson's contribution to the Duck Club ledger was a duck of the purest vintage, and your correspondent must confess to matching him stroke for stroke with one of his own. We shan't dwell on it.

With the ball, we simply couldn't land the killer blow. Folkestone strolled to 151/1 in 37 overs, Roy Downey unbeaten on a classy 84 and Martin Daniels supporting nicely with 41 not out. Matt Large was our one shining light, miserly as ever with four maidens and figures of 1-37 — the sort of spell that deserved better luck at the other end.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: David Castle's 38 sees him leapfrog Frank Brattle into 12th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he continues to lead our 1989 charts with 788 runs, with Matt Large's 49 wickets keeping him top of the bowling table.

Seven wickets down, then, and pride rather dented. Back to the nets it is.

Sat 15 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformWWLDD

Not out for 40, Peter Whyte the pick of a top order that laid a platform Horton Kirby could only dream of chasing.

Saturday 15 July, and we lost the toss again — the coin's had it in for me all season — so Horton Kirby had first use of a decent-looking strip. Not that it did them much good. Matt Large was in irresistible touch, tearing through their order for 7-33 off a miserly seven maidens, the sort of spell that has the tea urn conversation all sorted before you've had your first cup. Sean Charlton chipped in with 3-35 and, rather wonderfully, brought up his 100th career wicket along the way — one for the mantelpiece indeed. Between the two of them Horton Kirby simply had nowhere to hide: from 10-1 to 19-4 in the blink of an eye, with Alan Powell, Zak Wick and Ken Gibbins all back in the pavilion without so much as troubling the scorers. Keith Lockyer's 29 and Alastair Scott's 23 were about the only resistance offered, and 98 all out in 42.2 overs was a modest target by anyone's reckoning.

We made light work of the reply. Peter Whyte and David Castle put on 60 for the first wicket in the sort of style that makes captaincy look easy, Whyte going on to 40 before David Castle saw us home unbeaten on 32, and we strolled to 100-4 with overs and wickets to spare. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon all round — five wickets the margin, but really it was no contest. A very good day for the club.

Wed 12 Jul 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformWDLLW

We were away at Gravesend on Wednesday 12th July, and Trevor's coin lost us the toss for the third week running — chase it was.

Put in the field first, we watched Gary Myers compile a well-made 98, with Danny Burnett's fine 83 and Dave Elliott's 36 doing the rest of the damage as Gravesend racked up 228/4 off their 33.1 overs. Their openers put on 140 before the first wicket fell, which rather set the tone. David Castle was our pick of the bowlers with 2-31, Stewart Morrison and Nigel Morton chipping in with one apiece, though by the close it felt a touch like rearranging deckchairs.

We began our reply full of purpose — Keith Hatcher and Roger Crooks put on 86 for the first wicket, and Hatcher went on to a truly magnificent century, 109 of pure class, ably supported by Crooks' 35. But cricket has a cruel sense of humour, and from 149-3 we collapsed to 153-6 in the blink of an eye, with Mike Bains, Simon Hammond and Simon Thirkell all departing for ducks. As for your captain, I contributed a golden blob — leading by example is all very well, but not, on this occasion, with the bat in hand. All out for 180 in 45.3 overs, we fell 48 runs short.

Not our day, then, but Keith's ton keeps him top of the Midweek XI run charts, and there's always the nets to lick our wounds in before next week.

Sun 09 Jul 1989 🧢 Sunday NVKCv BS Blackheath CC, Surrey · AwayformWLWWW

Sunday 09 July 1989 saw us make the trip down to Blackheath CC, Surrey, in reasonably confident spirits — confident enough that when I won the toss I stuck us in the field, and for once I shall permit myself a small pat on the back for the decision.

It proved a shrewd one. Blackheath never got going, subsiding to 59 all out from 33 overs after a jittery 4-1 start that set the tone nicely. From 47-5 the floodgates fairly burst open to 58-8, with C Card, P Jones and J Card all trooping back for ducks. The architect of the collapse was Sean Charlton, spinning a web the batsmen simply couldn't read for a magnificent 6-12, well supported by Matt Large's 2-11 and the miserly Nigel Thirkell, who conceded just 7 in his allotment and bowled three maidens for 1-7. Not a run given away lightly indeed.

Chasing 60 ought to have been a formality, and in the end it very nearly wasn't. We lost an early wicket with just 4 on the board, Brian Piper contributing a golden duck to proceedings, and there were one or two anxious looks exchanged before we scrambled home 63-7 from 21.3 overs.

A scruffy chase, but a thumping bowling display — three wickets to spare and two points banked. On a day when David Castle and Matt Large continue to lead the Sunday run and wicket charts respectively, this was a fine team effort. A good day for the club, and no mistake.

Sat 08 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformLWWLD

We hosted Staplehurst CC on Saturday and, winning the toss, I never seriously considered doing anything but batting first on it. The lads gave a decent enough account with the willow, posting 124/8 from our 46 overs — Peter Whyte led the way with a tidy 27, well supported by David Castle's 20, while poor Jim Hall endured the walk of shame for a nought that will live long in the Duck Club ledger. I chipped in with 19 myself, more through persistence than class.

Defending 124 is never a comfortable business, but Staplehurst's reply lasted all of 0.1 overs before the heavens, or something very like them, intervened, leaving them stranded on 0/0. Not quite the tense run-chase finale one dreams of, but there's a certain dry comedy in a game settled by the weather rather than the bowling figures.

Off the field, the season continues to belong to David Castle, whose 718 runs keep him well clear at the top of the 1st XI charts — a fine effort the rest of us can only admire from a respectful distance.

So, honours shared: a draw born of circumstance rather than stalemate. Not the result any of us set out for, but with Jim's duck safely tucked away and Castle's runs still piling up, there was plenty for the tea room to chew over.

Sun 02 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv ? · AwayformWLWWL

From the captain's chair, Sunday 2nd July 1989. A day for the bench, the biscuit tin, and the ancient art of holding a draw dear.

Winning the toss and putting them in, we watched N Lewis play the innings of a man with somewhere else to be, an unbeaten 68 that anchored their 196/6 off 48 overs. G Bennett (44) and X McCall (37) chipped in nicely, and the pair strung together a stand of 102 for the fifth wicket that rather took the shine off our afternoon. Small mercies: we had them 5 for 1 at one stage, and P Carnell departed without so much as a single to his name — the poor fellow's walk back to the pavilion the loneliest of the day. Nigel Thirkell top-scored with the ball, 2-22, well backed by Matt Large's 2-26, while Alan Boyns bowled with the quiet discipline of a man rationing his tea, 1-41 and three maidens for his trouble.

Set 197 to win, we settled rather than chased. Piers McDonald batted with real composure for his unbeaten 44, David Castle stroked a fluent 42, and Mark Stevenson's 29 kept the innings ticking along nicely to 171/4 off our 45 — Castle, incidentally, still ploughing on at the top of this year's run charts with 698, and Large leading the wicket column with 41.

So, honours shared. Not the stuff of legend, but a thoroughly honest draw between two sides neither able to land the killer blow — and on a Sunday like this, that will do very nicely indeed.

Sat 01 Jul 1989 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWWLWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 01 July 1989. We hosted Meopham CC, and I lost the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this season; they had no hesitation in choosing to bat, leaving us to make first use of the new ball.

They settled in nicely and closed on 186/8 from their 46 overs, Brian Sambrook top-scoring with 36, well supported by R Turner (34) and A Beard (30). We did claim one small mercy — A Ogden sent back for a duck without troubling the scorers. Jon Harris was superb, 4-20, with Nigel Thirkell (3-42) and Alan Boyns (1-15) chipping in nicely behind him.

Chasing 187, we never quite got comfortable, slipping to 8-1 early and setting the tone for a nervy afternoon. Keith Hatcher held things together with 32, and Nigel Thirkell and Dave Todd both weighed in with 26 apiece. I managed 26 myself, and picked up 3 wickets earlier in the day for good measure, though poor Trevor Hales will not thank me for mentioning his duck. We were bowled out for 175 in 43.2 overs — eleven runs short.

There was, at least, one moment to raise a cup of tea to: David Castle brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, and continues to lead our 1989 run charts with 656, with Jon Harris second in the wickets column on 27.

Not our day, then. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 25 Jun 1989 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crockham Hill CC · AwayformWWLWW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 25 June 1989. The road took us to Crockham Hill CC, and no luck at all with the coin: they called correctly and had first use of the bat, leaving us to trudge into the field wondering what sort of afternoon we were in for.

As it turned out, a perfectly good one. Crockham Hill posted a healthy 206/6 from their 40 overs, built chiefly around Stuart Seal's fine 81 and A Walker's own half-century of 50, the pair putting on a crucial 136 for the third wicket while the rest of us chased leather. Stuart Taylor added an unbeaten 20 to round things off. J Mantovani, at least, departed for a duck — small mercies. Matt Large led our attack beautifully with 2-25, with Dave Charlton (2-55) and Alan Boyns (1-54) chipping in to keep the total honest rather than alarming.

Two hundred and seven to win is no formality, but you'd hardly have known it watching Paul Gibson and Brian Piper bat. Gibson finished unbeaten on 69, Piper unbeaten on 61, with David Castle's brisk 49 setting the tone early and 29 useful extras swelling the total nicely. We cantered home on 208/1 with overs to spare, the coin toss a distant memory.

David Castle now tops the 1989 Sunday NVKC run charts with 120, and Matt Large leads the wickets with 7 — form the club can be proud of. A fine win by 9 wickets, then, and one that rather made a mockery of losing the toss. Onwards.

Sat 24 Jun 1989 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWWLW

It was West Farleigh CC at home on Saturday last, and for once the coin did the decent thing and let us know exactly where we stood: it landed against us, they took first knock, and we trooped out into the field wondering whether the tea urn had been switched on yet.

To their credit they batted with some purpose. An early wicket for just 3 gave us hope of a quick finish, but Tim Baker (58) and Fred Baker (30) steadied things, and a stubborn 64-run third-wicket stand for the third wicket kept us honest. When it looked like getting away from us at 99-3, we hauled it back to 112-6 and never let go — Paul Bowles bowling beautifully for 4-45, Matt Large chipping in with 4-47 and a pair of tidy maidens, and Ian Brattle taking 2-40, in the process easing past Brian Fuller into 22nd on the club's all-time wicket list. Don Fermor departed for a duck, which cheered nobody more than the man himself, I'm sure. All out 166 in 45.4 overs.

Chasing that down, David Castle (68 not out) and Paul Bowles (62) put on 91 for the first wicket and left the rest of us with precious little to do but pad up and admire the view. We cantered home at 167-2 in 42.2 overs for the loss of just two wickets. Eight byes gave poor Jim Hall behind the stumps a testing afternoon, but nobody's perfect.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine day's work all round — won by six wickets.

Wed 21 Jun 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformDWDLL

It was Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC who came calling on Wednesday 21 June, and I confess my heart sank slightly when the coin let me down and they elected to bat. Nothing for it but to trot out into the field and hope for the best, which for a good while looked like a forlorn hope — John Salako carved out a majestic 108, ably supported by P. Styles with a fine 51 and S. Hallbrook unbeaten on 50, the two of them putting on 109 for the second wicket while we toiled away. They finished on 228 for 3 from their 46 overs, a score that had "declaration by tea" written all over it. Credit where due, though: Stewart Morrison kept things honest with 1 for 20, and Nigel Thirkell, tight as a drum with two maidens, and Alan Boyns chipped in a wicket apiece to stop it becoming a complete procession.

Chasing 229 always felt a stretch, but Nigel Thirkell played the innings of his season, 86 of the best, well supported by Keith Hatcher's fine 68 and a useful 22 from Jim Hall, the pair adding 100 for the second wicket to give us something to build on. Poor Martin Mears will want this report burned before anyone reads of his golden duck, and nine byes suggest Jim Hall spent rather too much of his day chasing leather rather than watching it — a personal 86 from your captain, I'll admit, was rather satisfying too.

We got home by 3 wickets, two points thoroughly banked, and with Nigel Thirkell now topping the run charts and lurking third among the bowlers, the old boy is quietly having himself a season.

Sun 18 Jun 1989 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · HomeformLLWWL

Sunday 18th June, and Bexhill CC came calling — sunshine, tea urn on, and yours truly losing the toss for the umpteenth time this season. Asked to field, we trudged out with the new ball, and Matt Large made a proper nuisance of himself, running through Bexhill's order with 8 for 60 off ten miserly overs including four maidens — figures that will be quoted at the bar for weeks. Richard Matthews (35) and a robust third-wicket stand of 57 between Steve Cox (24) and Billy Hunter (24 not out) kept them respectable, and poor Simon Funnell walked for a duck, but 175/8 from 45 overs never felt like enough against that kind of bowling.

Chasing 176, it fell to Brian Piper to play the innings of the day — a composed 76 that was the backbone of the whole effort — with Tim Thirkell (37) and an unbeaten 35 from Trevor Back lending sturdy support after we'd lost our first wicket for just 1. The pivotal second-wicket stand of 82 did the real damage to Bexhill's hopes. Less said the better about Nigel Thirkell and Mark Stevenson's twin ducks, or indeed my own golden blob — a captain is meant to lead from the front, and on this occasion I led rather smartly back to the pavilion. Jim Hall, meanwhile, will want a word with the umpires about those 14 byes.

One bright footnote: Trevor Back's 35 eased him past Robert Murray into 18th on the club's all-time run list — quiet history made amid the chaos.

We got home by four wickets. Ugly in places, heroic in others, but a win is a win, and Bexhill leave Linton Park empty-handed.

Sat 17 Jun 1989 🧢 1st XIv TP Thames Poly · HomeformWLLWW

Won the toss, elected to bat, and for once the decision looked good the moment I made it rather than three hours later over a pint of regret. David Castle and our openers set about the business with real purpose, putting on 65 before the first stumps went over, and by the time Castle brought up a superb hundred — 106 in the end — the lads at the boundary rope had rather lost their voices. Alan Boyns, unbeaten on a tidy 59, kept the innings ticking along nicely, and a stand of 69 for the third wicket set us up handsomely for 214/3 from our 44 overs. Declarations of undying love were exchanged in the tea interval.

With the ball, we were positively rampant. Stewart Morrison bowled like a man with a grievance, finishing with 3-22, while Matt Large (2-4, four maidens — not a run given away lightly) and Dave Todd (2-6) squeezed the life out of the innings from the other end. Only Lee, unbeaten on 23, showed any real resistance; J Churchill, Davies and Braddell all departed for ducks, victims of our little vendetta. The visitors were bowled out for a mere 75 in 28.5 overs.

A win by 139 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Castle continues to lead the 1st XI run charts with 516 for the season, and Large the wickets with 25 — the pair of them fast becoming indispensable. A proper team performance, and one we'll happily take.

Sun 11 Jun 1989 🧢 Sunday NVKCv FC Falconhurst CC · AwayformWWWLW

Sunday 11 June found us on the road at Falconhurst, and the coin did us no favours — Falconhurst won the toss and elected to bat, which on a ground like theirs always feels like a decision made twelve hours in advance. They made a solid fist of it too, Simon Knechtli anchoring things with 49, well supported by C Lewis's 46 and W Bellamy's 25, their openers putting on a chastening 53 for the first wicket. For a while 173 looked a distinct possibility of becoming rather more, but we found our discipline in the closing overs — 163-5 became 169-8 in the blink of an eye, and poor F Griffith-Jones was sent back for a duck, never troubling the scorers. Nigel Thirkell did the heavy lifting with 2-25, Matt Large chipped in 2-28 with two tidy maidens, and Alan Boyns took 2-45. 173/8 from their 40 overs felt, by the end, gettable.

And gettable it proved. David Castle played the innings of the day, 63 full of the sort of assurance that makes a captain's job easy, with Nigel Thirkell (37 not out) and Paul Gibson (35 not out) seeing us home in style — the openers laying a platform of 81 for the first wicket. I contributed a workmanlike 37 of my own, more grateful than glorious.

176/2 from 34.3 overs, an eight-wicket win, and Nigel and Matt both sitting proudly atop the season's charts. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — onwards we go.

Sat 10 Jun 1989 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWWLLW

Won the toss on Saturday and stuck us in to bat, which I shall now, with all the false modesty I can muster, remind everyone was the right call. We rattled along to 150 all out in 48.3 overs, though "rattled" rather undersells the wobble in the middle order. Piers McDonald played the innings of the day with 47, and David Castle chipped in a tidy 23, the pair putting on 51 for the first wicket before the rest of us decided to make things interesting — 78 for 2 became 96 for 5 with alarming speed, the sort of collapse that has spectators reaching for their flasks a little earlier than planned.

Still, 150 proved plenty. Rumwood never quite got going, undone by tight bowling and their own top order's generosity — 5 for 1 was the sort of start that puts a real dent in confidence. Kevin Mullins (26) and C Sage (21) did what they could, but the floodgates opened again from 70 for 3 to 83 for 6, and poor N Armstrong departed for a duck. Alan Boyns led the charge magnificently with 4 for 56, backed up by Matt Large's miserly 2 for 19 (three maidens — not a run given away lightly) and Jon Harris's 2 for 29. All out for 123.

A fine win by 27 runs, then, and with David Castle now topping the season's run charts and Matt Large the wickets, the engine room is purring nicely. Onwards.

Sun 04 Jun 1989 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformWWWLL

Sunday 4th June saw Leeds & Broomfield CC visit, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I shall claim full credit for, whatever the truth of it.

The lads set about the business nicely. David Castle and I put on 109 for the second wicket, a stand that did the heavy lifting, before I went on to 68 and David chipped in with a well-made 54 of his own. Trevor Back's 33 kept things ticking, and we closed on a handsome 229/7 from 52.4 overs — the kind of total that lets a captain sleep easy over lunch.

In the field, it rather turned into a procession. Jon Harris was magnificent, scything through the order for 6-31, with Dave Todd tidying up the rest for 3-56 and Alan Boyns positively miserly with five maidens. Stonestreet and John Hartshorn offered the only real resistance with 21 and 20, but once 112-6 became 112-9 in a hurry there was no way back — Lecompte and David Wratten both departed without so much as troubling the scorers, poor souls. Peter Whyte will want a quiet word with himself after gifting 12 byes, mind.

Bowled out for 114, they fell 115 runs short. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and with David Castle now top of our season's run charts and Jon Harris second among the wicket-takers, the signs for 1989 are rather promising. All told: a good day for the club, and an even better one for the tea urn.

Wed 31 May 1989 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Burghill & Tillington CC · HomeformLDWDL

The lads gathered on Wednesday to face Burghill & Tillington, and for once the coin did me a favour — I had no hesitation in putting us in, and how it paid off. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of a man twice his years' worth of experience, 74 not out, while Paul Bowles gave him fine company with a classy 65, and Andrew Hales weighed in with 30 more. We closed on 200/2 from our 37 overs, which had the tea urn rattling with satisfaction.

Defending it proved rather more fraught. Burghill & Tillington kept finding the gaps, with D Gower — yes, that sort of touch about him — top-scoring with 53, backed up by P Sparrow's 44 and Nick Osborne's 21. Bowles, not content with his runs, then ran through their order with 4-82, Trevor Back chipped in with 2-37, and Jon Harris bowled two tidy maidens to keep things honest. Poor Bob Dyer had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes escaping him, and in the end the visitors squeezed home by three wickets from 36.2 overs.

There was, however, one moment to bottle: Nigel brought up 20,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth savouring even amid the gloom, and he now leads our Midweek run charts with Bowles topping the wickets.

Not our day, then — but heads up, and back to the nets.

Mon 29 May 1989 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformWWWWL

A cracking day at the Dummy Site, and one that flattered to deceive.

We lost the toss on 29 May and were sent in to bowl, which suited us rather well until it didn't. Andrew Baker (45) and A Pattenden (30) put on a brisk 77 for the first wicket to give the visitors a proper platform, and David MacInnes (27 not out) tidied up the tail end nicely. But it was Paul Bowles who stole the afternoon with the ball, spinning his way to 5-39 with four maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly, as they say. Martin Larkin (2-14) and Alan Boyns (2-58) chipped in admirably, and 191 all out from 61.1 overs felt, on reflection, a target within reach.

And reach it we very nearly did, in some style. Brian Piper played the innings of the day with a fine 77, Paul Bowles followed his bowling heroics with a well-made 62, and Nigel Thirkell saw us home in spirit with 36 not out. The openers laid down 118 for the first wicket, and I even got my whites dirty with a workmanlike 36. Alas, 194 all out from 43.2 overs left us seven wickets shy of victory.

A word for Paul Bowles, whose five wickets nudged him past Nigel Thirkell into second on the club's all-time list — a fine achievement on a losing afternoon. Beaten, then, but far from disgraced. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 28 May 1989 🧢 1st XIv MC Morden Village CC · HomeformLWWWW

Sunday 28 May 1989, and we welcomed Dummy Site to Linton Park in conditions that, for once, gave nothing away to either side. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first — and how the lads repaid that faith. David Castle set about the bowling with real intent for a chanceless 88, David putting on 57 for the first wicket in a stand that set the tone for the whole innings. Peter Whyte played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 58, and Mike Bains finished things off nicely with 22 not out as we closed on a handsome 212/3 from our 44 overs.

With that total in the bank, I fancied our chances chasing leather. Early on it looked rosy — M Popple gone with just 7 on the board, and Holcombe back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. But Miller dug in for a defiant unbeaten 55 to give their innings some respectability, even as wickets tumbled at the other end. Paul Bowles was in destructive form, turning the ball square for 5-22, with Jon Harris (3-36, four maidens — miserly stuff) and Nigel Thirkell (2-9) mopping up the rest. Dummy Site were skittled for 131 in 33.4 overs.

So how, with such a gulf on paper, did we contrive to lose by 81 runs? Ah — cricket. Poor Stewart Morrison had an afternoon to forget behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging, and therein, I suspect, lies our tale. Heads up, lads — back to the nets, and no doubt back to winning ways before long.

Sat 27 May 1989 🧢 1st XIv CK Castle Hill CC, Kent · AwayformWLWWW

As it were, we set sail for Castle Hill on the 27th of May with the coin doing us a kindness, and I had no hesitation in sending us in to bat. David Castle was in irresistible touch, compiling a glorious 131 not out, and after the openers had put on 97 without loss he and Nigel Thirkell (81) added a further 163 for the second wicket that rather took the game away from our hosts. Paul Bowles chipped in with 44, and we declared our innings closed, so to speak, on a handsome 276/3 from 44 overs. Less gloriously, young Tim Thirkell contrived the walk of shame for a duck — the Duck Club ledger duly updated, much to his chagrin.

In the field we were made to work rather harder for our supper. Castle Hill rallied to 187/7 from their 46, Brian Henley's 70 the backbone of the effort, with useful support from N Bardsley (26) and George Chambers (22 not out) and a stubborn 65-run stand for the third wicket. But Matt Large was magnificent, prising out 3-33 with six maidens of positively miserly length, well backed by Jon Harris (2-68) and Paul Bowles (1-24). Our wicketkeeping, it must be said, had a wobble — 29 byes tells its own tale of a testing day behind the timbers — and I was rather chuffed to have led from the front with 81 of my own.

There was cause for extra celebration besides: Paul Bowles brought up 24,000 career runs for the club, and David Castle's innings carried him past Malcolm Pay to 13th on our all-time run-scorers list. A fine win by 89 runs — the lads did us proud, and onwards we go.

Sun 21 May 1989 🧢 1st XIv BC Battle CC · HomeformWWLWW

Sunday 21 May 1989, and Battle CC came to us with the sun out and, I like to think, a healthy respect for what was to come. I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first — sometimes captaincy is agonising, this wasn't one of those days. Losing an early wicket at 5-1 was hardly the script I'd written in my head, but the lads dug in, and a fine 67-run stand for the third wicket dragged us back onto the front foot. Brian Piper played the innings of the day, 74 well-earned runs, with Peter Whyte (48) and Tim Thirkell (39) chipping in handsomely. We closed on a formidable 234/7 from our 39.4 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather more than usual.

Battle never got close. Bob Holland's 22 was as good as it got for them, and once they slipped from a steadying 59-4 to a distinctly wobbly 61-7, the innings had the feel of a house of cards in a breeze. Brian Scollay and Terry Howard both departed without a run to their name — harsh, but cricket can be a cruel game. Matt Large was the chief architect with 3-11, well supported by Trevor Back (3-22) and the metronomic Alan Boyns, 3-23 with five maidens thrown in for good measure. All out for 111.

A word for Matt, too, whose three wickets nudged him past Terry Donovan into 11th on the club's all-time list — a fine effort, and one for the history books.

Two points, 123 runs to the good, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work.

Sat 20 May 1989 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLWWLW

Saturday 20th May, 1989, and the caravan rolled up to Headcorn CC on what turned out to be a rather splendid afternoon for it. Lost the toss again — I'm beginning to think the Club coin has a grudge against me — and Headcorn had no hesitation in taking first knock.

Not that it did them much good. They huffed and puffed to 72 all out in 22.4 overs, Richard Chapman's 33 the only real resistance, and once 62-4 became 72-7 the innings rather resembled a house of cards in a stiff breeze. Nigel Thirkell was magnificent, 5-20 and thoroughly deserved, with Matt Large chipping in at the other end for 5-48. I managed to find some rhythm myself and picked up five, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for the rest of the season. Spare a thought, though, for T Jones, Dave Harden and John Keynes, all sent back without troubling the scorers — the sort of afternoon best forgotten over a pint.

Chasing 73, we made harder work of it than the bowling figures suggested we might, but Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, 38 not out, guiding us home to 75-3 in 18.1 overs and two wickets to spare. Bowles now sits proudly atop the season's run charts with 138, while Large leads the wickets with 15 — the engine room doing its job nicely.

A tight, nervy finish, but two points are two points, and on this occasion thoroughly, gratefully earned.

Sun 14 May 1989 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · HomeformWWWWL

It was High Halstow at home, a fine May Sunday for it, and I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I shall allow myself a small pat on the back for. It wasn't all plain sailing; we were wobbling at 8-1 and poor Alan Boyns walked back for a golden duck, the sort of dismissal that has a captain studying his boots rather awkwardly. But Nigel Thirkell played an absolute gem, 73 not out, calm as you like while wickets fell about him, and a splendidly obstinate last-wicket stand added 53 to haul us up to a defendable 150-8 from our forty.

Defending it, we never quite let High Halstow settle. They too stumbled early, 0-1, and Paul Cherrison joined Alan in the duck club before troubling the scorers. Paul Whelan battled hard for his 27, but it was never enough against an attack in fine voice — Matt Large the pick of them with 3-24 and two miserly maidens, well supported by Alan Boyns (2-8, redemption after his own morning) and Ian Brattle (2-12). All out for 95 in 36.5 overs, and the job was done.

I confess a certain quiet satisfaction leading from the front with the bat, and seeing Nigel and Matt now topping the season's run and wicket charts is a nice bonus besides. A 55-run victory, two points banked, and — dare I say it — thoroughly deserved.

Sat 13 May 1989 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformLLWWL

Well, we shall have to console ourselves with 130 all out, tossed the coin badly again on Saturday and Rumwood CC took first knock — a decision that, on reflection, suited us rather nicely. J Appleyard threatened to make a proper afternoon of it with 32, but once we found our rhythm the middle order simply evaporated: 73 for 3 became 78 for 6 before anyone had finished their tea, with John Burbridge and J Winnington both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer. Jon Harris was the chief architect of the collapse, spinning his way to a magnificent 6 for 31, ably backed up by Matt Large (2 for 26, five maidens of pure parsimony) and Paul Bowles (1 for 27). All out for 130 in 43.3 overs — a fine team bowling effort, if I do say so myself.

Chasing it down, we were rather more sedate about things, cruising to 131 for 2 in 29.1 overs. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, 51 not out and unbothered by the whole affair, with Paul Gibson lending excellent support on 43 — their second-wicket stand of 56 did the real damage. Bowles now sits second in the season's run charts with 100, while Large tops the wicket-takers on 10, and on this evidence neither shows any sign of slowing down.

A seven-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one — bowled well, batted sensibly, and were home in time for a leisurely pint. Onwards.

Sun 07 May 1989 🧢 1st XIv SC Sandwich Town CC · AwayformLLLWW

Sunday the 7th of May found us on the road to Sandwich Town, and if only my luck with the coin had travelled with us. It didn't — they won the toss, chose to bat, and set about making themselves thoroughly at home. Their openers put on 84 before we prised the first one out, and from there Tony Curwen played the innings of the day, a magnificent 103, while S Smith chipped in a tidy 57 and Mark Baldock finished unbeaten on 44. A third-wicket stand of 151 did the real damage and left them declaring, so to speak, on 248 for 4 from 43.1 overs. Matt Large toiled hardest for 2-79, with Jon Harris chipping away for 1-75, though truth be told the pitch and the visitors both had the better of us.

Chasing 249, we had our own tale of one man against the world. Trevor Back played a genuinely superb knock of 111, well supported by Brian Piper's 28 and David Castle's 20, and a fourth-wicket stand of 73 gave us hope of something special. But cricket, as ever, had other ideas — we slipped from 132-4 to 142-7 in the time it takes to put the kettle on, with poor Ron Kemp and Adrian Simmonds both departing for ducks. All out for 207 in 53.1 overs, 41 runs short.

Not our day, then, but Trevor Back's century keeps him top of our run charts and Matt Large leads the wickets — small consolations. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 06 May 1989 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformDLLLW

We had first use of the ball on a bright May Saturday, and if the coin wouldn't play ball, Bidborough at least had the decency to bat as if they too weren't quite sure what to do with the good fortune. D Stead compiled a tidy 53, with David Tolhurst chipping in 38, and a 93-run stand for the third wicket did most of the damage to our figures after we'd struck early with the first wicket down for just 8. Credit where it's due, though: Matt Large bowled beautifully for 3-28, six of his overs going for nothing at all, with Paul Bowles (2-37) and Alan Boyns (1-26) tidying up around him. 143/6 from their 51 overs felt like a target we could have a proper go at.

And go at it we did. Peter Whyte played the innings of the day, 50 not out and calm as you like, with Piers McDonald unbeaten on 29 and David Castle a brisk 26 either side of him. We cantered home on 147/3 with plenty of the 27.5 overs to spare — six wickets and, frankly, a stroll compared to the tension the scorecard might suggest.

A nod, too, to the record books: Matt Large's three wickets nudged him past John Taylor into 12th on the club's all-time list, while he and Piers McDonald continue to top this season's bowling and batting charts respectively. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club — bat, ball and biscuits all present and correct.

Sun 30 Apr 1989 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWDLLL

Sunday, 30th April, and Sheldwich rolled up to Linton Park under skies that promised nothing in particular, which in this club is as good as a guarantee. I won the toss, elected to bat, and permitted myself a small private smugness that I felt was entirely justified.

We began wretchedly — 4 for 1 and then, in the sort of rush that has grey hairs sprouting on committee members, 12 for 4. Paul Bowles and Peter Whyte both departed without troubling the scorers, and for a while it looked as though the tea urn would be doing more work than the batsmen. Salvation arrived in the fifth-wicket stand, a stout 71 built on Malcolm Pay's 46, with Nigel Thirkell (29) and Piers McDonald, unbeaten on 26, steadying a ship that had rather alarmingly begun taking on water. We closed on 128 for 7 off 40.5 overs — not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but cricket, mercifully, isn't played on paper.

With the ball we were rather better behaved. Sheldwich lost David Sanderson without scoring and never truly recovered their poise, Jon Shields' 29 and A Creed's 22 the only real resistance. Matt Large was superb, 3 for 8, with Alan Boyns miserly and threatening in equal measure (3 for 25, four maidens) and Paul Bowles chipping in with 2 for 34 — and, rather splendidly, passing 1,100 career wickets along the way. I contributed 29 myself and won't pretend not to be pleased about it. All out for 96, and we home by 32 runs.

A wobbly start, a proper recovery, and a thoroughly good day for the club.