🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 29 Sep 1990 🧢 1st XIv HC Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC · HomeformWWDWD

Saturday 29 September saw Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC roll up for what promised to be the last real cricket of the season, and having called correctly at the toss I didn't so much as pause for thought before opting to bat — the sort of decision that either marks you out as a shrewd tactician or a man who simply likes batting first, and I shall let the reader decide which.

We made a fine fist of it. The openers put on 63 before the first wicket fell, and from there Piers McDonald simply refused to come back in, compiling a majestic 127 not out — three figures, no less, and worth every ripple of applause from the boundary. Peter Whyte chipped in nicely with 26, and the third-wicket pair added a further 73 for good measure. By the time we declared our innings closed at 212 for 3 off 43 overs, I confess I allowed myself a small smile in the pavilion, and I was pleased enough with my own contribution to the run charts this season without needing to dwell on it further here.

Defending that total, we found Hastings watchful rather than reckless, limping to 10 for 1 from their three overs before bad light or good sense — I forget which — brought proceedings to a close. Matt Large struck early with figures of 1 for 8, a timely reminder of why he leads our wicket charts this year.

Honours shared, then. Not the win our batting deserved, but on a golden autumn afternoon like that, nobody in whites or blazers seemed too troubled by the scorebook.

Wed 26 Sep 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformWWLWL

Wednesday last saw us venture to Penshurst Park, and for once the coin obliged me — I won the toss and, with the pitch looking full of runs, had no hesitation in batting first. Tim Thirkell was in fine form for his 68, well past his fifty, while Trevor Back chipped in a handsome 48 and Piers McDonald finished unbeaten on 42, the pair sharing a priceless stand of 69 for the fifth wicket. We closed on 241 for 8 from 39.1 overs — enough, even to my ever-nervous captain's eye, to be going on with.

So it proved. Penshurst's T Bones played a lone hand of real quality, 72 before he too passed his fifty, supported by P Grayland's 26, and the pair put on 85 for the second wicket that briefly had me regretting my earlier confidence. But we hauled them back, tumbling from 103 for 2 to 115 for 5 in the blink of an eye, poor David Smith sent packing without troubling the scorers. I found some rhythm with the ball myself, finishing with 3 for 54 and, rather pleasingly, easing past 1,700 career wickets along the way — one for the mantelpiece. Martin Larkin bowled beautifully for 2 for 34 with three miserly maidens, and Alan Boyns chipped in with 1 for 18. Penshurst were all out for 143.

A handsome win by 98 runs, then, and with Piers McDonald still topping our run charts and my own tally ticking along at 35 wickets for the season, spirits in the Linton Park camp remain thoroughly high. Onwards.

Sun 23 Sep 1990 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformLWWDW

Sunday 23rd September saw us welcome Anchorians CC, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation whatsoever in sending us in to bat — a decision I stand by in principle, if not entirely in outcome. What followed was twenty overs of what I might charitably call "character-building" batting, the innings folding for 69 all out. It was not, I confess, a total to strike fear into anyone, and there were one or two shots played that will be quietly revisited over a pint before they're revisited again in the retelling.

Credit where it's due, though — Peter Whyte stood firm throughout, carrying his bat for a splendid 36 not out while wickets fell around him like autumn leaves. Without him we'd have been discussing something considerably more embarrassing than 69, and the club owes him a round for services rendered.

With such modest fuel in the tank, containing Anchorians became the order of the day, and to the lads' great credit that's precisely what we did — a draw secured through grit, guile, and no small measure of stubbornness in the field.

Elsewhere in the season, it's worth noting Paul Gibson continues his fine form with the bat, sitting fourth in the 1990 first XI run charts on 591 — a reminder that not everything this season has been quite so scratchy.

Verdict: a scrappy 69 rescued by Whyte's defiance and a team effort in the field — no classic, but a draw earned is a defeat avoided, and we'll gladly take it.

Sat 22 Sep 1990 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWLWWD

Saturday 22 September 1990, and West Farleigh CC rolled up to Linton Park with the sun doing its level best to make a liar of the forecast. I lost the toss, as is customary these days, and duly watched the opposition trot out to bat first, leaving us to see what the ball could do for us.

It nearly went swimmingly from the off, with a wicket down for just 1 run, but West Farleigh steadied through a stubborn 60-run stand for the fifth wicket, built chiefly around Mick Holness's fine 78, with Don Fermor and Micky Back each chipping in 35. Tim Baker and Norman Underdown both fell without troubling the scorers, which cheered us no end. I was fortunate enough to find some rhythm, finishing with 3-38 including four maidens, while Jon Harris (2-36) and Dave Todd (2-39) kept things tight elsewhere. West Farleigh closed on 187/9 from their 44.4 overs — competitive, but not insurmountable.

Chasing that down, David Castle played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 86 that did the heavy lifting, well supported by Dave Charlton's 31 and a second-wicket stand of 92 that set us fair. I added an unbeaten 35 myself for good measure, and we cantered home to 190/2 in just 32.5 overs.

Five wickets in hand and overs to spare — I'll happily take that. With 1360 runs now to my name atop the season's run charts, and Jon Harris sitting second among the wicket-takers with 50, the old firm looks in decent shape as autumn draws in. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 19 Sep 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv KC Kent Invicta CC · HomeformWWWLW

Lost the toss, lost the match, and in between lost rather a lot of hair — such is life as skipper of Linton Park. Kent Invicta chose to bat on a Wednesday evening that promised more than it delivered, and by the close we'd shipped 226 for 3 off 41.5 overs. We did have them five down early doors and dared to dream, but M Janaway settled in for what became a thoroughly chanceless 102 not out, with P Gibson supplying the perfect foil in a fine 64. Their third-wicket pair put on 130 while we toiled in the field like men digging their own graves. Ian Brattle worked hardest for his 2 for 68, with Fred Cheesman miserly and useful alongside him for 1 for 19.

Chasing 227 was always a stretch, and 137 all out in 29 overs told its own sorry story. Peter Whyte's 37 and Piers McDonald's 36 gave us a platform via a handy 55-run opening stand, and I chipped in with 21 to keep the scoreboard honest. Ron Kemp, alas, departed for a golden duck. Twenty-two byes is the sort of statistic that makes a captain wince rather more than a lost wicket — a testing evening behind the stumps for Peter Whyte.

Elsewhere, Piers McDonald continues to lead our 1990 Midweek XI run charts with 292, and Fred Cheesman sits third in the wickets with four. As for the match itself — beaten by 89 runs, fairly and comprehensively. Heads up, chaps. Back to the nets.

Sun 16 Sep 1990 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformWWLWW

Sunday, and Northend came calling on our own turf. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or reckless by teatime, and I'm pleased to report it landed on the right side of the ledger. Paul Gibson set the tone with a fine 47, I chipped in with 43 of my own alongside a brisk 24 from Trevor Back, and between us we hauled the total to a respectable 169 for 7 from our 48 overs. Not everyone's afternoon bore fruit — Keith Hatcher and Piers McDonald both departed for ducks, proof that this game retains its capacity for cruelty even on a sunny Sunday.

Defending that total, we set about our work with more graft than grace. Northend lost an early wicket cheaply before W Creed (49) and company rebuilt with real application, and a stubborn 55-run stand for the second wicket threatened to make a mockery of our morning's efforts. But cricket has a habit of turning, and turn it did — the innings crumbled from 153 for 6 to 160 for 9 in a hurry, with the East brothers both back in the pavilion without scoring. Trevor Back was outstanding with the ball, 2 for 20, well supported by Fred Cheesman and Paul Gibson with two apiece, while Matt Large bowled four maidens without conceding a run of note. Twenty-five byes, mind you, made for uncomfortable reading behind the stumps — a testing day for Piers McDonald, and no mistake.

In the end, honours were shared, neither side able to force home the advantage. A draw, then — fair reflection of an afternoon where both sides had their say, and nobody quite had the last word.

Sat 15 Sep 1990 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformDWWLW

Saturday 15 September took us down to Southborough CC, and for once I can't blame the coin — we called wrong, they batted, and there was nothing to be done about it but roll our sleeves up and bowl.

As it turned out, that suited us rather nicely. Southborough huffed and puffed their way to 169 all out in 44.4 overs, Chris Bass the chief nuisance with 46, and a sixth-wicket stand of 65 threatening at one point to turn a tidy afternoon into a long one. But Matt Large had other ideas, spinning it past bat, pad and occasionally common sense for 5-28, eight of his overs maidens — the sort of spell that makes the rest of us look faintly decorative. Sean Charlton chipped in smartly with 3-20 and Jon Harris took one. Poor Paul Spencer never got off the mark, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, and I'm afraid Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, 23 byes going begging.

With 170 to get, Paul Gibson played the innings of the day, 64 not out and calm as you like, ably supported by Brian Piper's well-made 53 not out, the two of them adding a vital 59 for the second wicket. I weighed in with 29 myself, glad to feel useful, while Dave Charlton endured the walk of shame for a duck.

We got there in 38.1 overs for the loss of just three wickets. A fine win by seven, and with the season's charts still smiling on us, thoroughly deserved. Onwards.

Wed 12 Sep 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · HomeformLWWWL

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 12th September 1990. Lost the toss, and The Mote wasted no time reminding us why we never win it, opting to have first knock on what looked a decent track. They batted with more application than we'd have liked, Jared Barr playing the innings of the day with a well-crafted 73, and getting handy support from Nigel Mullarkey (21) and Jason Dunk (20) as their second-wicket pair put on 60 and threatened to bat us out of the game entirely. Credit where due, though — our bowling had its say. Tom Whyte was the pick, 3-29 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure, Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 2-21, and I managed 2-28 myself, while three of their batsmen departed without troubling the scorers. All out 153 in the 41st over felt, on reflection, a target we could chase.

And chase it we did, though not without the customary self-inflicted wobble. Piers McDonald set the tone with a fine 51, and with Steve Kember (29) he laid the foundations of an 80-run opening stand that made the rest of the innings look almost comfortable — almost. Ian Wicks weighed in with 28, but then, as is tradition at Linton Park, we contrived a collapse from nowhere, 120-3 crumbling to 134-6 before anyone could catch breath.

We got there in the end, 154-6, a three-wicket win and two well-earned points. Not pretty, not calm, but a win's a win — and with Piers topping our run charts and yours truly leading the wickets column this season, I'll take it and say no more.

Sun 09 Sep 1990 🧢 1st XIv Sibton Park CC · HomeformDDWWL

We beat Sibton Park by six wickets at home on Sunday, having lost the toss and been asked to bowl — no great hardship, as it turned out.

Sibton Park's innings never quite found its feet. Poor C Wren departed for a golden duck at 6-1, and though M Woods dug in gamely for 21, the rest of the order couldn't build around him, and 100 all out from 38.3 overs was a modest total to defend. Sean Charlton was magnificent with the ball, 4-29, ripping through with the kind of spell that makes a captain's job embarrassingly easy, while Tom Whyte (2-14) and Matt Large (2-21) mopped up efficiently either side of him — Large keeping his season's tally ticking nicely towards a rather startling 77 wickets for the summer.

Chasing 101, we made hardly a fuss of it. Dave Charlton batted with real composure for an unbeaten 39, Sean Charlton — evidently not content with his heroics in the field — added 23 not out, and Piers McDonald chipped in with a breezy 21, seeing us home at 101/2 in just 20.3 overs.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, bowled and batted with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency. Six wickets to the good, and the Charlton family doing rather more than their fair share. Onwards indeed.

Sat 08 Sep 1990 🧢 1st XIv SC Sandwich Town CC · HomeformDDDWW

The toss went against us, and Sandwich Town CC seemed rather too delighted to be inserting us into the field on what promised to be a fine September Saturday. Field we did, and watched Mark Baldock compile a polished 78 with S Smith weighing in for 71 of his own, the pair adding 128 for the second wicket after an early stumble had us one down for just 4. I chipped in with 1-27 myself, Jon Harris was pick of the attack with 2-61, and Matt Large bowled with real discipline — three maidens on his way to 1-48 — but nothing could stop the visitors reaching a hefty 201/4 from their 48 overs.

Our reply never really got going. Another cheap wicket at 4-1 set an ominous tone, and though I dug in for 32 and Brian Piper chipped in gamely with 25, the middle order simply melted away — 90-6 became 103-9 quicker than you could pour the tea. Poor Peter Whyte and Fred Cheesman both trudged back without troubling the scorers, and we were bowled out for 108 in 40.3 overs.

There was, at least, one gleam of sunshine amid the debris: I brought up 23,000 career runs for the club, and lead the 1990 first-team run charts with 1253, with Matt Large topping the wicket-takers on 75. Small comfort, though, when the final reckoning was a defeat by 93 runs. We'll be better for it next week.

Mon 03 Sep 1990 🧢 Tour XIv SC St Austell CC · AwayformLWWWW

Here is the match report:

Monday, 3rd September, and off we trundled to St Austell CC in what I can only describe as splendid touring weather. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat — the pitch looked a belter, and for once my judgement matched my confidence. We were duly rewarded with 216 all out from 44.3 overs, built on a fine unbeaten 52 from Paul Gibson, with Alan Boyns (48) and Nigel Thirkell (42) lending stout support. Less gloriously, both Matt Large and Jon Harris trudged back for ducks — the walk of shame is never a pleasant stroll, but someone has to make it.

With 216 on the board, our bowlers fancied their chances, and how they delivered. St Austell were bowled out for a paltry 105 in 33 overs, D Tregunna's 25 and Jeremy Grigg's 23 the only real resistance, while A Truscott, L Williams and Stuart Watson all departed for nought. Jon Harris was quite simply magnificent, ripping through the order with 5 for 10, and I was delighted to chip in with 3 for 9 myself — a happy afternoon with the ball, to go with a tidy 18 with the bat — while Nigel Thirkell (1-8) rounded things off nicely.

A comfortable 111-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club. Paul Gibson continues to lead both our run and wicket charts for the season, and if the lads keep playing like this, St Austell won't be the last side left wondering what hit them.

Sun 02 Sep 1990 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformWLWWW

Won the toss at Beacon CC on a fine Cornish Sunday and, feeling uncharacteristically decisive, I stuck us in to bat. For once the decision looked shrewd rather than reckless. Nigel Thirkell set about the Beacon attack in fine style for 85, Paul Gibson chipped in a handsome 60 and Dave Charlton weighed in with 55, the pair at second wicket putting on a crucial 98 that took the game away from our hosts before it had properly begun. We closed on 259/4 from our 40 overs — the kind of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than gnaw at it.

Defending it was another matter entirely. Kevin Thomas played a proper captain's innings of his own for Beacon, 59 well made, with Larry Martin and David Hocking (37 not out) keeping the required rate honest, and a stubborn 90 for the seventh wicket threatened to turn the afternoon distinctly sour. Robert Hocking and Nigel Goldsmith both fell without troubling the scorers, and I managed to find some rhythm with the ball myself, finishing with 3-13 including two maidens, well supported by Gibson (2-13) and David Castle (2-18). Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, 17 byes going begging, which rather took the shine off matters. Worth noting too that Castle's 23 eased him past Tim Thirkell on the club's all-time run list.

Ten runs the final margin, and a thoroughly good day for Linton Park.

Fri 31 Aug 1990 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformWWLWW

Skipper's Log — Friday 31 August 1990, away to Mullion CC.

Lost the toss, so no choice in the matter — Mullion batted, and we spent the afternoon leathering the ball about the outfield instead of belting it. They ground their way to 156 for 8 off their forty, with David Roberts the chief architect of our discomfort on 55, well backed by Jonathan Gibbons's unbeaten 24 and B McOrkhill's 23. Fred Cheesman was the pick of a tidy attack, 2 for 19, with David Castle and Dave Charlton chipping in a wicket apiece and Jon Harris bowling three overs nobody could get away.

Chasing 157, we made rather a meal of losing our openers early doors before Richard Ashby walked back for nought — the ceremonial duck, applauded ironically as ever. But it hardly mattered, because the top order had already done the damage: a magnificent 125 for the first wicket set up the whole run chase, and I was fortunate enough to be at the crease for the bulk of it, getting in and staying in for 81, with David Castle a fine ally on 32. Twenty-six extras rounded things out nicely, and we cantered home 157 for 5 with overs to spare.

A red-letter day all round — Simon Thirkell brought up his hundredth appearance in Linton colours, and my 81 nudged me past Frank Brattle into 13th on the all-time run charts. A fine win by five wickets, and a thoroughly good afternoon's cricket. Onwards.

Thu 30 Aug 1990 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformWWWLW

As it stood at Falmouth on Thursday, I fancied a bowl first, and for once the coin and my instincts agreed with each other. It proved the making of the day: after an early wobble left them 0-1, our attack simply refused to let go, with Paul Gibson leading the charge in fine style (3-14), well backed by Matt Large (3-26, four maidens of pure stubbornness) and Alan Boyns (3-26). Falmouth crawled to 133/9 off their 52, Keith Meneer's 30 the top score, with David Toseland (26) and Steven Young (23 not out) tidying up around him. Jeremy Gimpson, L Driver and M Blackmore all trooped back without so much as a nudge to the scoreboard — a hard day at the crease, and no mistake.

Chasing 134, we were rather more sedate about it, but got there with something to spare. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, 62 not out and now up to second in the Tour XI run charts, with Andrew Hales (41) alongside him in a second-wicket stand of 71 that did the heavy lifting. Peter Whyte and Matt Large both bagged ducks, poor souls, and Whyte's afternoon behind the stumps was rather summed up by the ten byes we leaked — a testing shift for him all round. We closed on 137/5 in 34.3 overs.

A five-wicket win, two points banked, and Paul Gibson now sits proudly atop the wicket charts. All told, a thoroughly satisfying day's work — the sort that makes the tea afterwards taste that much better.

Wed 29 Aug 1990 🧢 Tour XIv PC Paul CC · AwayformDWWWL

Wednesday 29 August 1990 saw us make the trip to Paul CC, and my luck with the coin was as reliable as ever — none at all. They won the toss, chose to bat, and set about building what looked, for a while, like a useful total.

T Addicoat led their charge with 35, well supported by Philip Stephens (26) and A James (20), and 118/8 from their twenty overs seemed a fair par score. But we found another gear in the middle, tearing through them from 100-4 to 105-7 in the blink of an eye, sending R Badcock and Paul Osborne back without troubling the scorers. Paul Gibson was the chief tormentor with a fine 4-20, well backed up by Stewart Morrison (1-10) and Nigel Thirkell (1-20).

Chasing 119, Peter Whyte and Matt Large gave us the ideal platform, the openers putting on 69 before the first wicket fell — Whyte going on to an unbeaten, well-made 62, with Large a handsome 37 in support. Fred Cheesman's duck was the only real blemish on an otherwise tidy card, and we cantered home by five wickets with 19.4 overs on the clock. Whyte's keeping was rather more generous than his batting, mind, with 10 byes leaking through, but nobody was complaining on a day like this.

A word too for Simon Thirkell, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark well worth raising a glass to. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club.

Mon 27 Aug 1990 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWDDDW

Lost the toss at Bearsted on a Monday that promised more sunshine than it delivered, and duly found myself leading the lads into the field. It didn't look clever early on — 6 for 1 had me thinking about tea rather too soon — but Bearsted dug in nicely, David Gibson easing to a well-crafted 55 and Christopher Filmer chipping in with 44, the pair adding 112 for the sixth wicket to drag things back from the brink. Murray Pennells's 20 was the only other score of note as they folded for 156 in 60.3 overs. Matt Large was in irresistible form, ripping through them for 5-49, with Paul Gibson tidy alongside him for 2-14. I managed 2-32 myself, seven maidens keeping things honest at the other end, for whatever small comfort that offered the skipper's pride.

With the bat, Dave Charlton played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 71 that anchored us throughout, well supported by Peter Whyte's 34 and Paul Gibson's calm 22 not out — the second-wicket pair adding a handy 54 along the way. We cruised home at 158 for 3. Whyte's afternoon behind the stumps was rather less serene, ten byes escaping his gloves, but nobody was complaining by the close.

A word too for Paul Gibson, marking his 200th appearance in Linton colours in some style. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a six-wicket win to show for a proper away-day dig.

Sun 26 Aug 1990 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformWWDDD

Called it right at the toss on a fine Sunday against Old Anchorians, and there was never much doubt in my mind — we were batting. David Castle set about compiling a superb 79, and I was pleased to lead from the front myself with a fifty, the two of us putting on a crucial 101 for the second wicket that took the game away from anyone's grasp. Dave Charlton chipped in with a tidy 22 down the order, and we closed on a handsome 215/8 from our 43 overs. Spare a thought for poor Nick Froom, who suffered the walk of shame for nought — every side needs one to carry the can.

Defending 215 is one thing, bowling the opposition out for 153 is quite another, and that is precisely what we did. M Heather threatened to make a match of it with 62, well supported by S Smith's 25 and a stand of 55, but once we broke through it was carnage — 148-7 became 153 all out inside no time, with M Hughes and D Sparke shipped back without scoring. Matt Large was magnificent, a five-for at 5-18, backed superbly by Jon Harris's 2-47 with three miserly maidens. I managed a wicket myself for next to nothing. Fifteen byes gave poor Peter Whyte a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, but no matter.

A resounding 62-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying day all round.

Sat 25 Aug 1990 🧢 1st XIv PC Petts Wood CC · HomeformWWWDD

Lost the toss again on Saturday — my one true talent, some might say — and we were sent into the field against Petts Wood CC. They made themselves thoroughly at home, posting 204 for 9 from 46 overs, John Walshe compiling a fine 69 and Chris Watson a well-made 54, the pair adding a crucial 76 for the second wicket. Neil Symonds finished unbeaten on 28. Happily the ball turned kindly for me and I spun my way to 5 for 60 with three maidens, seeing off Phil Fry and Andy Symonds without either troubling the scorers, while Dave Charlton took 3 for 67 and Fred Cheesman 1 for 7.

Poor Steve Cheesman had a tricky afternoon behind the stumps, 17 byes slipping through — the kind of figure that earns gentle ribbing at teas for weeks.

Our reply, 139 for 7 from 29.3 overs, was never entirely comfortable. I was pleased to finish unbeaten on 41, well supported by Piers McDonald's 31, though Mike Bains's duck was a blot on the card. A defiant last-wicket stand of 61 dragged us to something respectable.

There was cause for celebration regardless: Piers McDonald reached 1,000 career runs for the club, and the season charts are kind to us too, with David Castle second among the 1st XI's run-scorers and myself second in the wickets column. Honours ended up shared, neither side able to force it — on this occasion, a draw felt like the fair result.

Wed 22 Aug 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDLWWW

Skipper's log, then, and what a curious old game it is. We won the toss at Gravesend and, in a fit of optimism I may live to regret less often than I fear, stuck us in. For once the top order didn't let me down: Keith Hatcher played the innings of the day, 67 to his name, with Tim Thirkell chipping in a tidy 29 and the two of them putting on 62 for the fourth wicket that turned a wobble into a total. We closed on 190/9 from our 43 overs — respectable enough, though I'll draw a discreet veil over Brian Piper's contribution, who departed for a duck and can expect the traditional ribbing in the clubhouse. 🦆

Defending it, we simply ran into a man in irresistible form. Danny Burnett helped himself to a chanceless 114 not out, with Gary Myers keeping him company on 66 not out, and between them they walked Gravesend home on 195/1 with more than two overs unused. Nigel Thirkell alone emerged with real credit — 1-37 off his allotment, three maidens among them, bowling as though the runs were his own money.

Beaten by nine wickets, then, comfortably outplayed by a batsman having the kind of day club cricketers dream about and wake up from. Keith Hatcher's fine form at least keeps our season ticking along nicely — he now leads our 1990 run charts with 241. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sun 12 Aug 1990 🧢 Sunday NVKCv GC Goatacre CC · AwayformWWWWW

The toss went against us at Goatacre on Sunday, and there's a particular flavour of dread in being told to bowl first on a shirtfront in August — rather like being handed the bill before you've ordered pudding. Goatacre duly helped themselves to 252 for 7, built chiefly on Kevin Iles's fine 75 and Mark Hunt's well-made fifty, with John Spencer chipping in 37 and a stand of 89 for the fourth wicket doing the real damage. Paul Rose, mercifully, walked back for us without troubling the scorers. Sean Charlton toiled hardest for 2-53, Ian Brattle picked up a couple of his own, David Castle snared one, and I did what I could with a pair of maidens — miserly, if nothing else.

Chasing 253 was always going to want something special, and for a while Paul Gibson threatened to provide it, cracking a lovely 67. I found some form of my own with 44, Keith Hatcher added a tidy 34, and our third-wicket pair put on a crucial 105 — but wickets then tumbled in a rush from 186-6 to 194-9, and we were bowled out for 197. Trevor Back and Sean Charlton both made the long walk without scoring.

A proud footnote amid the gloom: Brian Piper turned out for his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth more than any scoreline. Beaten by 55 runs, then — we'll regroup, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 11 Aug 1990 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformDWWWD

Saturday 11th August, and off we trundled to Headcorn with the sun cooperating, for once. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat — the pitch looked a belter, and so it proved. We were rattled early, losing our first wicket for just 6, but David Castle and I settled in for a stand of 141 that changed the whole complexion of the innings. Castle was magnificent, compiling an unbeaten hundred of real quality, while I chipped in with 80 of my own, and Peter Whyte's brisk 20 rounded us off nicely at 228/3 from our 35 overs. A word too on the milestones: Castle's century took him past 7,000 career runs for the club, which is no small thing and richly deserved.

With 229 to defend, we knew Headcorn wouldn't go quietly, and they didn't. Their openers put on 60 before we made the breakthrough, and John Phipps and Simon Phipps then added a further 94 for the second wicket to keep them right in it. Phipps senior finished unbeaten on 75, Simon made a fine 65, and Rob Mansell's 28 kept the required rate ticking. Tim Thirkell bowled tidily for 2-28, with Fred Cheesman and Sean Charlton chipping in among the wickets, and Matt Large kept things admirably quiet with two maidens — though eight byes suggested Peter Whyte was having rather a testing afternoon behind the stumps.

In the end, honours were shared, neither side able to force it home. A draw, then, but a thoroughly satisfying one — good runs, good milestones, and not a bad way to spend a Saturday.

Thu 09 Aug 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Mundford CC · HomeformLDLWW

Skipper's log, 9 August: Mundford CC rolled up, called correctly, and stuck us in. On another day that might have been the end of us; instead the openers decided we'd have none of it, Dave Charlton and Piers McDonald putting on a magnificent 119 for the first wicket before either troubled the scorers with a dismissal. Charlton went on to a fine 81, McDonald a classy 64, and Brian Piper finished unbeaten on 28 as we declared our innings closed, so to speak, at a handsome 219/3 from 36.5 overs. Tea was taken with considerable satisfaction.

Defending that lot should have been the easy part, and for long stretches it was, though Mundford insisted on making a nuisance of themselves. They lost their first wicket without a run on the board, which was more like it, but Robin Mail dug in for a stubborn 67 and M Woods chipped in with 23 as a 63-run fourth-wicket stand threatened to make a match of it. Their last pair then had the cheek to add 100 runs we could all have done without, before finally folding for 165 in 35.2 overs.

Trevor Back was the star of the show with a beautifully earned 5-24, including two miserly maidens that strangled the life out of their middle order. I found some rhythm myself and picked up 3-40, with Ron Kemp weighing in at 2-29, while poor Peter Whyte behind the stumps had a torrid afternoon of it, 8 byes his only blemish on an otherwise cheerful day. A 54-run victory, and two points thoroughly banked — the lads can be very pleased with that.

Wed 08 Aug 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDLDLW

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 08 August 1990. We hosted Bexley CC, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in electing to bat, a decision that, for once, I shan't be second-guessing over the winter.

The openers set about laying a proper platform, 92 for the first before the breakthrough finally came, and from there Keith Hatcher took the innings by the scruff of the neck with a fine 64, well supported by Dave Todd's 36 and Nigel Thirkell's unbeaten 28. The tail then had its say too, wagging merrily to add a further 35 and leaving the Bexley fielders thoroughly fed up, though poor Steve Cheesman will be filing his golden duck quietly away and hoping nobody mentions it at the bar. We closed on 190 for 7 from 42.4 overs, a total that felt like runs enough on a good pitch.

And so it proved. Bexley never got going, losing an early wicket with just 4 on the board and never quite recovering their poise, despite Dean Webster's spirited 35 and Neil Mobey's 33. Paul Ladbrook, Tom Appleby and John Trice all departed without scoring, and I confess I had one of those days with the ball that come along rarely enough to be treasured — 6 for 25, with three maidens thrown in for good measure, ably backed up by Sean Charlton's 2 for 39 and Martin Larkin's solitary but useful wicket. All out for 152 in the 37th.

A 38-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — even if I do say so myself.

Sun 05 Aug 1990 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformWDWWW

Sunday 5th August 1990, and Staplehurst rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather unhelpfully, the toss going their way. They chose to bat, and for long stretches of the afternoon it looked a shrewd decision, as A Henson played the innings of the day — a thoroughly magnificent century, 101 no less — with J Escott chipping in a tidy 31 alongside him in a 92-run stand for the fourth wicket that threatened to bat us out of the game entirely. Credit where due to the bowlers for hauling things back: Matt Large was superb with 3-42, well backed up by Keith Hatcher's 2-6 and Trevor Back's 2-28, while David Castle bowled four maidens and barely gave a run away for fun. A West, at least, departed for nought, which felt like a small mercy.

Chasing their total, we made a spirited fist of it. The openers put on a hundred before the first wicket fell — proper positive batting — and David Castle carried on in the same vein for a well-made 52, with Keith Hatcher supporting nicely on 40. Then, as club cricket so often insists upon, the middle order rather lost the plot, 126-3 collapsing to 135-6 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea. I contributed precisely nothing myself, out for a duck, and the less said about that the better.

163-8 from our 39 overs meant honours shared — a draw, with neither side able to force the issue. Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps with nine byes, but no complaints from the captain: a fair result, fairly fought.

Sat 04 Aug 1990 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformWWDWW

Here is the match report:

Saturday last, and the toss went against me — the way it usually does when I'm feeling brave enough to call heads. Maidstone Dissidents duly took first knock, and for a good ten minutes I feared I'd handed them the game before a ball was bowled. But cricket has a sense of humour, and at 5-1 it was already going their way rather less than planned. Piers McDonald departed without troubling the scorers, and from there Matt Large simply took over, spinning his way to a scarcely believable 6-22 and leaving the Dissidents' middle order groping about like men searching for their car keys in the dark. Mike Bains's 29 was as good as it got for them. Nick Froom and Jon Harris chipped in either side of him, and Dave Todd bowled four maidens with the sort of miserliness normally reserved for splitting a pub bill. All out 114 from 36.4 overs — a fair morning's work.

Chasing it down, I found some form myself with 31, well supported by Dave Charlton's 29 and Malcolm Pay's 23, though poor Fred Cheesman will want this innings struck from the record — a duck to file alongside McDonald's. We got there at 115/5.

Worth raising a glass: Matt Large sailed past 500 career wickets and climbed to 8th on the all-time list, past Allan Cooper. A five-wicket win, and a very fine Saturday indeed.

Thu 02 Aug 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Moreton CC · HomeformWDLDL

Jon Harris here, and what a scrap that turned out to be.

Winning the toss on a fine Thursday, I had no hesitation in taking first knock, and for a while it looked the right call as our openers put on 64 for the first wicket. Keith Hatcher batted beautifully for his unbeaten fifty, with good support from Piers McDonald's 49, but the middle order rather fell apart around them — Fred Cheesman, Ron Kemp and yours truly all contributing ducks to a card that otherwise had real substance. All out for 177 in the 53rd over, it felt a touch light, but there was enough there to defend.

And defend it we did, by the barest of margins. Moreton batted with real application — Mike Howat and Nigel Hessey both got in and made 34 apiece, R Wilson chipping in with 29 — but M Stimpson departed for nought early on to set the tone. I can't claim much with the bat that day, but the ball was rather kinder: 6 for 48, with three maidens thrown in, was as good a day's bowling as I could hope for, and Ian Brattle (2-39) and Ron Kemp (1-23) tied things up beautifully at the other end. Poor Steve Cheesman had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 10 byes going begging, but it mattered not.

A two-run win, then — the kind that ages a captain overnight but tastes all the sweeter for it. Onwards to Piers atop the run charts and, dare I say, a rather healthy 21 wickets of my own in the book.

Mon 30 Jul 1990 🧢 1st XIv Addington Village CC · AwayformWWWDW

From the captain's chair — Monday 30 July 1990. We travelled to Addington Village CC, and for once when the coin went up it dropped my way; I had no hesitation in electing to bat.

The lads made handsome use of the invitation. Our openers put on 64 for the first wicket before the bowlers found a breakthrough, and from there David Castle simply carried on regardless, farming the strike to a fine, well-constructed 60. We finished on 154 for 5 from our sixteen overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew through it.

In the field we made early inroads, with N Tasker back in the pavilion without so much as a single to his name and the score wobbling at 8 for 1. I took the new ball myself and picked up 1 for 24, with Ian Brattle chipping in alongside me with 1 for 25, and between us we kept Addington honest throughout. Only B Currie, unbeaten on 31, and Nik Robinson with a tidy 21, threatened to drag them back into it, but they never quite found the required rate, closing on 105 for 6. I'd earlier added 17 with the bat, not that anyone will remember that by closing time.

A fine win by 49 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. Onwards to the next one.

Sun 29 Jul 1990 🧢 Sunday NVKCv HC Horndon On The Hill CC · HomeformWWWWW

Skipper's Log, Sunday 29 July 1990: Horndon on the Hill roll up on a fine afternoon, I win the toss, and — never one to overthink these things — elect to bat.

We post a healthy 210/6 from our forty, built on a stand of 102 for the fourth wicket that did most of the heavy lifting. I found some form with 81, Peter Whyte batted beautifully for a well-earned fifty of his own, and Brian Piper chipped in a tidy 20. Poor Paul Gibson, meanwhile, was undone for a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, and he took it with the good grace the club expects.

With the ball, Horndon threatened to make a match of it, Dave Stitson compiling a fifty of real substance and Barry Stanley and Ashley Norton lending support. But we ran through the tail in a hurry, 172-6 becoming 178 all out inside 36.3 overs, with M Wilson and D Stitson Snr sent back for nought apiece. Ian Brattle was the chief destroyer with 4-38, Matt Large bowled with real discipline for 2-18 and three maidens, and I picked up 1-24 to round things off.

A win by 32 runs, then, and a personal note for the mantelpiece: Brian Piper's 20 nudged him past Tim Thirkell into 7th on the all-time run-scorers list. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket. Onwards.

Sat 28 Jul 1990 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformWWWWD

As Nigel Thirkell, here it is — 28 July 1990's report:

Won the toss on a bright Saturday and, with barely a moment's hesitation, decided we'd bat. That decision looked shaky when we slipped to 0 for 1 before most of the tea urn had boiled, but a fine 66-run stand for the second wicket steadied the ship rather nicely. Brian Piper played the innings of the day, cruising past fifty on his way to a splendid 81, and I was glad to chip in with 31 alongside Keith Hatcher's tidy 21. Special mention, if that's the word, for David Castle's golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, David, and you'll get 'em next week. We closed on 182 for 7 from our 46 overs, a total that felt defendable without being wholly comfortable.

And so it proved. Hollingbourne gave us the jitters, Mike Palmer's 36 the backbone of their reply with useful support from Neville Smith (32) and Dave Hinks (29), and a stubborn 52-run stand for the seventh wicket threatened to spoil our afternoon entirely. But Matt Large had other ideas, spinning his way to a magnificent 5 for 61 with three maidens thrown in for good measure, backed up by wickets apiece for David Castle and Jon Harris. They fell agonisingly short on 175 for 7.

A fine win by 7 runs, then — the sort that has you sleeping well on a Saturday night. Warm applause too for Paul Gibson, who brought up 5,000 career runs for the club; a landmark built one match at a time, much like this victory. Onwards we go.

Thu 26 Jul 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv FO Fred Kenyons XI - Other · HomeformDWDLD

From the captain's chair — Thursday 26 July 1990. Fred Kenyons XI - Other at home, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled: they won the toss and took first knock, leaving us to trudge into the field on what turned out to be a long, sweaty afternoon.

They made themselves thoroughly at home, racing to 124 for the first wicket before we finally prised the openers apart, and rolled on to 257 for 7 from their forty overs. J Mitchell (76) and J Ranger (72) both middled it beautifully, with G Thomas (67) chipping in for good measure — frankly, we ran out of ideas rather quicker than they ran out of runs. Credit where it's due: Fred Cheesman kept things tightest with 2-22, Stewart Morrison chimed in with 2-36, and I managed 2-49 with three maidens thrown in, which I shall claim as a moral victory even if the scoreboard disagreed.

Chasing 258 was always a stiff ask, and we simply never got going. Bob Lines battled hard for 29, but wickets clattered from 64-4 to 64-7 in the sort of collapse that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces. Steve Cheesman, Fred Cheesman and I all contributed ducks to a card that read more like a nature reserve than a scorebook — and yes, I include myself in that ignominious trio, the less said the better. All out for 83 in 25.4 overs.

Down by 174 runs, then — not our finest hour, and no amount of prose will dress that up. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Wed 25 Jul 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv CW Coleshill CC, Warks · HomeformWDWDL

Fine skies, a green Coleshill pitch, and I sent us in without a moment's hesitation — call it captain's instinct, call it a coin flip that landed my way, but I've been dining out on worse decisions.

We laboured to 171/9 from our forty, a total that felt like it was assembled by committee rather than crafted. Brian Piper was the anchor, 44 of good honest application, with Jon Harris unbeaten on 28 to add some late polish, and I chipped in 23 myself, more grit than grace. Spare a thought for Adrian Simmonds, whose duck will haunt the clubhouse noticeboard until someone kindly enough forgets to update it.

In the field we asked the questions but couldn't quite get the last honest answer. Coleshill's Daunceys — M with an unbeaten 35, R with 32 — put on a stand of 53 for the first wicket that set the tone, and Paul Brattle's 29 kept the chase ticking along nicely, thank you very much. Dave Todd was magnificent with the ball, 4-89 of pure toil, well backed by Jon Harris (2-18) and Nick Froom (1-33), but Coleshill crawled home to 157/7 and safety.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride largely intact. And amid the general muddle, one moment worth savouring: Brian Piper brought up 7,000 career runs for the club, which is rather more than can be said for the rest of us put together. All told, a fair old scrap that pleased nobody and offended nobody — which, in village cricket, is as close to diplomacy as we get.

Sun 22 Jul 1990 🧢 Sunday NVKCv HC Hursley Park CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday saw Hursley Park CC pay us a visit, and I lost the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this season — they took first use of a pitch that looked to have runs written all over it, and duly helped themselves to 185/6 from their forty overs. C Surry led the charge with a fine 46, well supported by Paul Wright's 38 and M Fletcher's 29, their second-wicket pair putting on a crucial 62 that threatened to bat us clean out of the match. Credit to the bowlers for hauling it back to something gettable: Ian Brattle was superb with 3-33, Matt Large chipped away for 2-42, and Jon Harris picked up 1-31.

Chasing 186, we set off steadily enough, with Paul Gibson the mainstay of the innings — 39 well-crafted runs — backed up by Brian Piper's 24 and 22 of my own. A fourth-wicket stand of 50 had us purring along nicely at 134-4, and then, in the way only village cricket can manage, it all went horribly wrong: three wickets tumbled for ten runs and suddenly 144-7 had the tea urn rattling with nerves in the pavilion.

Somehow, through gritted teeth, wagging tails and no doubt several grey hairs on my part, we scrambled home 187/9 with barely two balls to spare — a win by the finest of margins, one wicket. Not remotely pretty, but then the best ones rarely are. Onwards.

Sat 21 Jul 1990 🧢 1st XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformLWWWW

Saturday 21 July found Gravesend CC visiting Linton Park, and having lost the toss I watched us condemned to bowl first — no bad thing, as it turned out, though it felt scant consolation at the time. Gravesend ground their way to 217 for 8 from their 49 overs, Richard Walker anchoring things with a well-crafted 75, well supported by Gary Myers' 35 and Simon Cross's 25, the pair adding 78 for the third wicket to give their innings its spine. Credit to our attack for prising out Mark Aaron for a duck along the way. Jon Harris was superb, four wickets for 63 and four maidens besides, with Stewart Morrison (2-36) chipping in nicely, and I managed a couple myself, 2-45, not that I'm one to boast.

Our reply never quite got going. David Castle held things together with a battling 32, but from a promising 86 for 4 we contrived to lose three more for the addition of just nine runs, and we eventually subsided to 123 for 9 from our 41. I contributed rather less with the bat than the ball, walking back for nought and joining the Duck Club for my trouble.

There was a happier note amid it all — my hundredth appearance in Linton colours, a landmark I shall treasure rather more fondly than my batting. David Castle sits second in our 1990 run charts with 708, while I lead the wicket-takers on 50.

Honours shared, then. A draw, when neither side could quite land the killer blow — and on this evidence, an entirely fair one.

Sun 15 Jul 1990 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformLLWWW

I was pleased to lead from the front with 96, having lost the toss and been asked to field on a warm July Sunday against Folkestone. Truth be told, I'd have liked to bowl them out for rather less than 207/5 off their 46 overs, but Salisbury and Po-Ba had other ideas, both compiling fine fifties (56 and 52) and stitching together a 64-run stand that gave their innings its backbone, with Allon's 25 adding further gloss. Credit to the bowling unit for hauling it back into the realms of the gettable: Jon Harris led the way with 2-48, Castle and Boyns chipped in a wicket apiece, and Matt Large - our leading wicket-taker this season with 48 to his name - bowled two miserly maidens to keep the scoring rate honest.

Chasing 208, I can't pretend the nerves weren't jangling, but having got in I found the sort of form that, happily, has become something of a habit this summer - I now lead the run charts with 1012 for the year, and 96 here was as satisfying an innings as any of them. Boyns (33) and Castle (31) both played their part, and it was our 95-run stand for the fifth wicket that really settled matters and saw us home with overs to spare, 208/6 in 42.1.

Eight byes did rather suggest poor Piers McDonald behind the stumps had a torrid afternoon of it, and he has my sympathies. But a three-wicket win is a three-wicket win, thoroughly earned, and two points banked - I'll take that all day.

Sat 14 Jul 1990 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWLLWW

Saturday 14 July found us on the road to Horton Kirby, and for once the coin obliged — heads, and into bat we went. I can't pretend the surface troubled me overmuch: I found myself in wonderfully greedy form and carried on to 127, a score that still feels faintly unreal typing it out, ably supported by David Castle's watchful 49 as we put on 89 for the second wicket. Six down for 231 off our forty-six overs felt like a total with a bit of bite to it.

It very nearly wasn't enough. Keith Lockyer batted with real class for his unbeaten 56, and between Ian Scott's 43 and Michael Rushton's not-out 29 they built a stand of 63 for the third wicket that had us checking our watches nervously. Then, just when it looked won, their last pair had the temerity to bolt on 98 runs we could very much have done without — the sort of last-wicket cheek that ages a captain prematurely. Small mercies arrived in triplicate as Zak Wick, Alan Powell and Keith Williams all departed without troubling the scorers. Matt Large was the difference, bowling with real hostility and miserly discipline for 5-62 including four maidens, with a hand from my own 1-20 and Castle's 1-41. Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 17 byes going begging.

We scraped home by 26 runs. Untidy, occasionally alarming, but a win is a win — a jolly good day for the club.

Wed 11 Jul 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformLWDWD

Lost the toss on a warm Wednesday and duly asked to make first use of the pitch fielding — which is club captain's code for "we're in the field till tea." Gravesend settled in and made a proper job of it, closing on 184 for 6 from their 52 overs. Ben Williams was the chief architect with a well-made 54, and he found willing company in Peter Preston (37) and Steve Hasler (29), the pair putting on 76 for the fourth wicket while I stood at mid-off wondering when the breakthrough might come. It arrived eventually — I finished with 3 for 66, Jeremy Thorpe chipped in with 2 for 45, Kevin Mullins picked up one, and Trevor Back bowled four miserly maidens that kept the scoreboard honest even if the wickets column didn't show it.

Chasing 185, we made a promising fist of it. Trevor Back and Fred Cheesman put on 58 for the first wicket, and Back went on to a fine 76, well supported by Thorpe (24) and Cheesman (21). Sadly the middle order rather ran out of ideas, poor Kevin Mullins bagging a golden duck for his troubles, and we folded for 161 in 37.4 overs — 23 runs short.

Not our day, then, though Back's 76 keeps him top of the season's run charts, and my haul nudges me to 11 wickets for the summer. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Tue 10 Jul 1990 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWWLLW

He took winning the toss out of my hands as usual — it went against us, and they chose to bat first at The Mote. They never quite got going, restricted to 102 for 8 from their sixteen overs, Dave McInnes unbeaten on 26 the mainstay of the innings with John Lawrence's 20 lending good support. There was a spell in the middle where they slid from 49 for 2 to 59 for 5, and it was pleasing to be among the wickets myself with 2 for 18, alongside Pete Westrop's excellent 3 for 34, the pick of the bowlers, and Matt Large chipping in with 1 for 35.

Chasing that total, we made light work of it, racing to 104 for 3 in just 15.4 overs. Seventy-four runs were already on the board before the first wicket fell, a stand that did most of the hard graft for us, with Brian Piper the chief architect on 41 and my own 31 offering useful support down the order.

Up in the season's run charts I currently sit top with 789, while Matt Large leads the wicket-takers with 42 — a reminder that there's rather more to this side than my luck with the coin.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved ones at that: a comfortable six-wicket win, achieved without undue fuss or alarm. Not the stuff of legend, perhaps, but exactly the sort of tidy, professional evening that wins leagues rather than headlines — and on a warm Tuesday in July, I'll happily take that.

Sun 08 Jul 1990 🧢 Sunday NVKCv FC Fletching CC · HomeformLWWWW

Nigel Thirkell's Captain's Log, 8th July 1990. Fletching CC visited us at Linton Park, and having lost the toss I found myself doing what all English captains do when denied a choice — smiling through gritted teeth and setting the field. As it turned out, the ball did rather nicely for us. Matt Large steamed in for 3-32, Ian Brattle chipped in with 3-42, and David Castle mopped up with 2-20, while I pottered about sending down four maidens of the sort that make batsmen sigh and glance at their watches. Fletching were shot out for 161 in 39.2 overs, Clive Horscroft (42) and Andy Horscroft (32) doing most of the damage before the tail folded — G Cogger and M Elwin both departing without so much as a single to their name, poor devils.

Chasing 162, we made light work of it, reaching 164/4 in 39 overs. David Castle and I put on 69 for the first wicket in a flying start before the openers finally parted company, and I was rather chuffed to carry my bat through to 82 not out, leading from the front as one hopes to on these occasions. Castle's 30 gave splendid support, and the rest was tidied up without alarm for a six-wicket victory.

A day of landmarks besides: my 700th appearance in Linton colours, and Brattle's three wickets nudging him past George Champion into 20th on the club's all-time list. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a thoroughly satisfying Sunday all round.

Sat 07 Jul 1990 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformWWWLL

Down to Staplehurst on Saturday, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and had no hesitation in sticking us in. The openers must have enjoyed the drive down, because they put on 191 before anyone troubled the scorers with a dismissal, and from there 292 for 4 off our 46 overs was a very tidy afternoon's work. I'll confess to rather enjoying myself with 104 — three figures always taste better with a pot of club tea afterwards — while David Castle's 83 and Paul Gibson's unbeaten 57 meant the runs kept flowing long after I'd retired to the shade.

Staplehurst's reply never quite got going. John Robins battled to 32, with L Bull and I Pullen chipping in either side of 20, but 116 all out in 33 and a bit overs told its own story — even allowing for their last pair's rather cheeky, unwanted century stand, which did nothing for my blood pressure. B Sherwood and P Braganza both fell without troubling the scorebook. Jon Harris was superb with 4 for 29, well backed by Dave Todd's 4 for 38 — a nice landmark for Dave, reaching 50 career wickets on the day I ticked over 22,000 runs for the club — and Matt Large, miserly as ever with two maidens in his 1 for 17.

A 176-run win, then, and a red-letter day all round. Staplehurst will remember us; we'll remember the tea.

Sun 01 Jul 1990 🧢 1st XIv CP Canterbury Pilgrims · HomeformLWWWL

Skipper's Log — Sunday 01 July 1990. We hosted, and won first use of the ball, which felt like the sort of good fortune that ought to have been an omen. Their innings crept to a total (the book, for once, has failed us on the final tally, though the shape of it is clear enough) built around a solid 31 from G Bennett and 31 from N Edens. Matt Large was the chief tormentor with 3-11 and a couple of miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, while Nick Froom chipped away with 2-25 and I managed 2-35 of my own, more through persistence than menace.

Chasing 125 was never going to be a stroll, and so it proved. We lost our first wicket for just 2 runs, the sort of start that has a captain reaching for the flask rather too early. Brian Piper stood rather magnificently against the tide with a fine 60, and I did what I could alongside him with 21, our fourth-wicket stand of 55 the one passage of real defiance in the innings. Elsewhere the card made for grim reading — Mark Stevenson, Steve Cheesman and Matt Large all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer, and poor Peter Whyte having an afternoon of it behind the stumps, eight byes slipping past like they had a train to catch.

All out for 125 in 29.5 overs, beaten by 24 runs. Not our finest hour, but not our last one either — we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 30 Jun 1990 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformLLWWW

Saturday 30th June found us on the road to Meopham, and if you'd told me at the toss — which, naturally, I lost — that we'd concede 257 for the loss of only four wickets, I'd have suggested an early tea and a long drive home. Meopham's openers set about us with real intent, sixty-one on the board before we prised the first one out, and from there R Turner and C Beard simply carried on as if we weren't there, both cruising past their fifties (80 and 61 respectively), with S Beard chipping in a brisk 43 and a third-wicket stand of 74 doing the real damage. Alan Boyns was the pick of the attack with 2-42, Paul Bowles chipped away for 1-27, and I was rather pleased to bowl four maidens even if the figures elsewhere told a grimmer tale — Matt Large's 1-105 the unfortunate one to fall on.

Chasing 258 was always going to be a stretch, and losing a wicket with just five on the board did nothing for the nerves in the pavilion. Credit to the middle order for steadying things — a second-wicket stand of 73 gave us something to build on, David Castle made a tidy 44, Brian Piper 26, and I managed to find some form myself with 62, which was satisfying even in a losing cause. Piers McDonald had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 14 byes going begging, and we subsided to 209 for 9, forty-eight runs short at the close.

Not our day, then, and no amount of purple prose will dress up a defeat. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets — there's a season still to be won, and with 633 runs in the bank I'm not packing it in just yet.

Sun 24 Jun 1990 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crockham Hill CC · HomeformWLWWW

Here's my match report for Sunday 24 June 1990.

Winning the toss on a fine Sunday against Crockham Hill, I had no hesitation in electing to bat — and for once the decision looked a good one before a ball was bowled, which is not always how these things go. We posted 175/9 from our forty overs, a total built chiefly on Matt Large's unbeaten 34 and a useful 27 from Paul Gibson, the pair doing the heavy lifting while others of us made rather less fuss about it. Alan Boyns will not thank me for mentioning his duck, but a captain's log is nothing if not honest.

In the field, Crockham Hill made a fair fist of the chase, reaching 166/9 in their forty overs. A. Walker's well-made fifty of 54 was the innings' backbone, with Stuart Seal (28) and S Smith (24) lending sturdy support and a fifty partnership for the second wicket threatening to undo us — though T Bourke, at least, departed without so much as troubling the scorers. David Castle led our attack beautifully with 2-31, Ian Brattle chipped in with 2-33, and Matt Large took 1-15. I bowled three maidens for my trouble and added 16 with the bat for good measure.

A word too for Ian Brattle, who passed 200 career wickets and, with his two scalps, climbed past Alan Tucker to 21st on the club's all-time list — a fine personal landmark on a fine team day.

In the end we held on for a 9-run win. Nervy in patches, deserved on the whole. Onwards.

Sat 23 Jun 1990 🧢 2nd XIv TO Tonbridge Onward · AwayformD

Saturday 23 June found us on the road to Tonbridge Onward, and my luck with the coin remained as reliable as ever – none at all. They won the toss, chose to bat, and we trudged out into the field wondering what the afternoon had in store.

Quite a lot, as it turned out. J. Irving compiled a handsome 74, well supported by G. Roberts's 53, and Wilf Moon added an unbeaten 25 to steer them to 199 for 7 off their 47 overs. Not everything went their way, mind – Larkin and Rowswell both departed without troubling the scorers, and I managed to have one of those days with the ball, finishing with 3 for 36. Paul Bishop and Jon Harris chipped in with 2 for 47 apiece, Harris bowling with real miserliness – four maidens to his name – and reaching 4,000 career runs for the club along the way, a landmark worth raising a glass to.

Chasing 200 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and so it proved. Don Dansie's watchful 30 and Steve Cheesman's 29 provided the foundations, but wickets fell steadily around them and we closed on 112 for 8 from our 40, well short of the target but safely short of defeat too.

A draw, then – honours shared, pride largely intact, and Dansie and I now propping up the top of the 2nd XI's season charts for runs and wickets respectively. Not a bad afternoon's work, all things considered, though the tea urn back at the pavilion had rather more to celebrate than our batting did.

Sat 23 Jun 1990 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWLLWW

Saturday last took us away to West Farleigh, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in asking the lads to bat first — the right call, I felt, and one I'm rather pleased to have been proved right on. Paul Gibson set the tone with a well-made fifty, 63 in the end, Keith Hatcher stayed unbeaten on 45, and David Castle chipped in a tidy 34. It was the sixth-wicket pair who did the real damage, though, putting on 58 together, and by the end of our 46 overs we'd posted a handsome 234 for 6 — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew his fingernails.

Out in the field, West Farleigh made a fist of it early on, their openers putting on 64 before we prised the first wicket loose, and poor Tim Baker was sent back without so much as a sniff at the scoreboard. But patience won out. David Castle was quite unplayable, spinning his way to 5 for 40, with good support from Paul Bowles (2 for 23) and myself (1 for 22), while Ian Brattle kept things admirably tight with two maidens. Fred Baker's 38, plus useful knocks from A Hughes (26) and Paul Baines, unbeaten on 20, couldn't stem the tide, and they were held to 144 for 8 from their 44.

Ninety runs to the good, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — though it's Castle's spell, not my own modest figures, that will live longest in the memory. A very good day for the club indeed.

Wed 20 Jun 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformWLWDW

As a mid-June away trip to Sevenoaks & District Wednesday, I had no qualms about batting first once I'd won the toss — good pitches don't wait for you to make your mind up.

David Fulton played the innings of the day, 70 well past his fifty, and found the perfect foil in Keith Hatcher, whose own well-made sixty helped the pair put on 107 for the second wicket and give our total real substance. Brian Aiston chipped in nicely with an unbeaten 34 down the order, and we closed on a handsome 211 for 4 from our 43.3 overs — the sort of score that lets a captain relax at tea, if only slightly.

Defending it, we made early inroads when D Morrison departed without troubling the scorers, but S Doel had other ideas, ploughing on to 71 and anchoring a game rescue with S Hallbrook's unbeaten 34 and P Holdstock's 22, the pair sharing an opening stand of 53 that always kept the game just out of reach. I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with 5 for 65, well supported by John Bowden's tidy 2 for 14, Fred Cheesman's breakthrough at 1 for 27, and Ron Kemp, who gave nothing away with two maidens. Sevenoaks closed on 188 for 8, short of our total but stubborn enough to deny us.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite force it. With Fulton topping the run charts and my eight wickets leading the way this season, there's plenty to be pleased about even without the win.

Tue 19 Jun 1990 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWWLLW

Here's my captain's report for the club gazette:

Winning the toss on a fine June evening, I had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking Rumwood into the field first — a decision that, for once, looked shrewd rather than reckless. Paul Bowles set about the bowling with real intent, cruising past his fifty and finishing on 51, while David Castle chipped in handsomely with 34. The pair put on 74 for the first wicket before anyone so much as troubled the scorers with a dismissal, and I was rather pleased to potter along unbeaten on 35 myself as we closed on a hearty 143 for 2 from our sixteen overs. Tea, as ever, was taken with considerable satisfaction.

Defending that total is never quite the formality the scoreboard suggests, and Rumwood did their best to make a match of it, with P Humphries top-scoring gamely on 32. But Matt Large was in destructive form, snaring 2 for 20, well backed up by Alan Boyns with a matching 2 for 20, and I managed to sneak in a wicket of my own for good measure. Between us we squeezed the visitors to 102 for 7, and the game — and the runs — were safely ours.

A 41-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club. With the season now well underway, I find myself leading the run charts on 558, and Matt Large continues to terrorise opposition batsmen with 36 wickets to his name. If this is a sign of things to come, Rumwood were merely the latest to discover what the rest of the league already knows.

Sun 17 Jun 1990 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · AwayformLWWLL

As from the captain, here's the report for the Bexhill fixture.

We travelled down to Bexhill on Sunday full of quiet optimism, and for once the optimism was justified. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat — the pitch looked a belter, and so it proved, with Brian Piper batting through unbeaten for a magnificent 88 and Trevor Back weighing in with a well-crafted 64, the pair adding 136 for the third wicket while the rest of us watched on, admiringly redundant. Peter Whyte's 25 rounded things off nicely as we closed on a formidable 233 for 3 from our 44 overs.

Defending that kind of total ought to be the easy part, and so it largely proved, though Bexhill's Steve Cox gave us a nervy afternoon with a fighting 64, well supported by Simon Funnell's 28. Happily the rest of their order rather capitulated around them — Martin Coleman and G Moody both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers — as Matt Large produced the spell of his life, six wickets for a miserly 27 with four maidens thrown in for good measure. David Castle chipped in with two, and I was pleased enough to pick up one for 15 myself. All out for 168 from 34 overs, and the job was done, won by a handsome 65 runs.

Off the field there was extra reason to celebrate: Trevor Back brought up 4,000 career runs for the club and, with his 64, leapfrogged Jon Harris into 16th on our all-time run-scorers list — a fine landmark on a fine day. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a report I've thoroughly enjoyed writing.

Wed 13 Jun 1990 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Boughton Monchelsea CC · HomeformDWLWD

Won the toss on a bright Wednesday and, with the pitch looking full of runs, I had no hesitation in asking Boughton Monchelsea to leave their pads on. That decision looked shaky when we shipped an early wicket for just seven, but B Nixon set about repairing things in fine style, top-scoring with 37, and found excellent company in a second-wicket stand of 58 with Piers McDonald, who chipped in a handsome 30. I found some form too, seeing us home to a competitive 183 for 9 from our 43 overs with an unbeaten 28 — and, though I say it myself, moving a place higher on the club's all-time run list in the process, sliding past Trevor Back into 16th. Not bad for a Wednesday afternoon.

Defending the total, we needed early inroads, and got one straight away — poor J Chapman trudged off without so much as a single to his name. X Bywater threatened to make a match of it with 37, well supported by Steve Kember (23) and X Thorburn (21), but the middle order never quite got a foothold. The ball behaved kindly for me, and three wickets fell my way for 34, with Martin Larkin (2 for 35) and David Castle (1 for 10) squeezing the life out of the innings until they were all out for 135 in the 37th over.

A win by 48 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying all-round contribution from the skipper to boot. Onwards to the next one.

Tue 12 Jun 1990 🧢 1st XIv MT Maidstone Teachers · HomeformWLWWL

Tuesday last saw Maidstone Teachers roll into Linton Park, and true to my luck with the coin this season, they called it right and stuck us in the field. J Appleyard gave us a proper lesson with a classy fifty, well backed up by G Walker's 30 and G Sutton's unbeaten 21, and they eventually declared themselves satisfied at 140 for 4 off their sixteen. Keith Hatcher toiled away for 2-30, with David Crompton chipping in for one, and I managed to prise out a wicket myself for the outlay of 42 — a fair trade, all things considered.

Chasing 141 was always going to want a bit of application, and application was rather in short supply. We shipped an early wicket with the board still reading nought, and I can report that I contributed to that particular malaise myself, falling for a duck I'd rather not dwell on further. Daryl Gregory battled to a fine 26 and David Crompton added a determined 21, but around them the innings simply came apart — 42 for 3 became 55 for 6 in the blink of an eye, with Piers McDonald, Keith Francis and Stuart Cheesman all completing ducks of their own. All out for 99 in sixteen overs told its own story.

Forty-one runs the margin in the end, and no arguing with it — Maidstone were the better side on the day. Still, with 23 wickets on the season I'm not entirely without use to this team, and there's a great deal of cricket still to play. We'll dust ourselves down, have a word about application with bat in hand, and come back stronger next week.

Sun 10 Jun 1990 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · AwayformWWLWW

Sunday 10 June 1990, and off we trundled to High Halstow CC in what turned out to be rather a fine day for Linton Park. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first strike — call it captain's instinct, call it luck, but it proved the right one.

We settled in nicely and posted 186 for 6 from our 40 overs, a total built on a lovely second-wicket stand of 82. Paul Gibson led the way with a well-crafted 52, Brian Piper wasn't far behind with 49, and I chipped in with 46 of my own to keep the scoreboard ticking along nicely. All told, a total that felt like it had a bit of substance to it.

Out in the field, High Halstow never quite got going. Tim Munday battled hard for his 21 but found little support, and poor D Swadling trudged off for a duck without troubling the scorers — every captain's favourite sight. Matt Large was the chief destroyer with a splendid 4 for 21, backed up nicely by Ian Brattle's 2 for 16 and Jon Harris's 2 for 33, and the innings folded for 133 in 39.5 overs.

A 53-run victory, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. With Nigel Thirkell topping the season's run charts and Matt Large leading the wickets, the omens for 1990 look rather promising. A good day for the club, and no mistake.

Tue 05 Jun 1990 🧢 1st XIv SC Stonehouse CC · HomeformWWLWW

Skipper's Log — Tuesday 5th June 1990, Stonehouse CC at home.

Won the toss and, in a fit of what I like to think was tactical daring rather than sheer bloody-mindedness, stuck us in. We laboured to 100/7 off our sixteen — the sort of total that has you murmuring "defendable" while quietly not believing a word of it. I chipped in with the bat myself, ending the day well satisfied with a personal contribution that keeps me handily atop the 1990 run charts, though on this occasion runs alone weren't going to be enough.

And so it proved. Stonehouse strode out and simply refused to read the script. Hale, in particular, batted like a man who'd had a very good breakfast, sailing past his fifty and finishing unbeaten on 69, with Smitherman's brisk 26 doing the sort of quiet, unfussy damage that captains dread. Between them they saw the visitors home to 102/1 in just 12.2 overs — a chase completed with such indecent haste that our lads barely had time to loosen up in the field, let alone lay a glove on the game.

Five wickets the margin, and no arguments to be had about it. Not our day, and no amount of creative scorebook-reading will dress it up as one. Heads up, though — it's back to the nets, back to basics, and back again next week, because that, in the end, is what village cricket is all about.

Sat 02 Jun 1990 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformDWWLW

Right at the top's a leaked date in Milstead. We won the toss and I elected to bat, and for once the decision looked sound before it looked reckless. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, 69 well made, and found an admirable ally in Brian Piper, whose 31 helped forge a second-wicket stand of 77 that was the making of our total. All was calm until it wasn't — three wickets became six in the twinkling of an eye, 129 to 141, and poor Fred Cheesman contributed nought for his trouble. We were bowled out for 156 off 45.3 overs, a total that felt both entirely adequate and thoroughly hard-won.

Milstead's reply never quite got going. R Poole and N Fisher departed cheaply, and only K Ford, unbeaten on 30, offered any real resistance. Matt Large was in irresistible form, spinning his way to 5 for 46, while I chipped in with 2 for 27 and seven maidens — the one contribution I'll allow myself to mention, since my afternoon with the bat was rather less distinguished. Eighteen byes told their own tale of a trying day behind the stumps for Peter Whyte, and Milstead subsided to 107 for 9 off their 44.

As for the captain: a golden blob, out without troubling the scorers first ball. One is meant to lead by example, and on this occasion I led rather too enthusiastically back to the pavilion. Still, a 49-run win is a 49-run win, and no one remembers the captain's duck when the team gets over the line. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Thu 31 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformWDWWL

Thursday last saw us cart the kit over to Leeds & Broomfield, where I lost the toss and was promptly invited to have first use of the leather — not quite the invitation I'd hoped for, but there we are. In the field we made a fist of it: an early breakthrough with just 5 on the board settled the nerves nicely, though Geoff Hunt had other ideas, compiling a well-made fifty (51) that threatened to take the game away from us. A stand of 73 for the fourth wicket kept them ticking, but credit to the lads for the fightback — from 111-6 they subsided to 125-9 as the pressure told, poor Malcolm Broadway sent back without troubling the scorers along the way. Ian Brattle led the attack beautifully with 4-38, well supported by Matt Large (3-27) and my own 2-38, and we restricted them to 131/9 from their sixteen overs.

Chasing wasn't meant to trouble us, and so it proved, though Paul Gibson had a torrid time behind the stumps — nine byes is not a stat for the scrapbook. I was in generous mood with the bat, bringing up a well-made fifty of my own on the way to 63 not out, with David Castle (36) and Gibson (20 not out) offering fine support as we cruised home to 133/1 in just 14.2 overs. A word too for Castle, whose 36 nudged him past William Buck into 9th on the club's all-time run charts. With 514 runs I sit atop the 1990 run charts, and Large leads the wickets with 23 — the engine room is purring nicely.

Three wickets to spare, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved: a proper away-day job well done.

Mon 28 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformLWDWW

Monday's toss went against us, as it so often does, and Xii Men elected to bat — a decision they had little cause to regret. Their openers put on 66 before we broke through, and then D Welch and C Watson set about rebuilding with real intent, adding 155 for the second wicket. Welch reached a magnificent century, 110, Watson made a fine 86, and Bill Hickling finished unbeaten on 25 as they closed on 272/3 from their 55 overs. G Sutton bowled tidily for 2-33, while Matt Large toiled for 1-94, three maidens among them — not a run given away lightly, whatever the final figures suggested.

Chasing 272 was always going to ask questions of us, and for a spell we answered them handsomely. Paul Brattle and I added 160 for the fourth wicket, he passing his fifty to make 60, and I was quietly satisfied with my own 80, the top score of the innings. But from 176-4 the innings unravelled alarmingly, wickets clattering to 190-7 in the blink of an eye, with G Sutton and Tom Whyte both enduring the walk of shame for ducks. Twenty-six extras did their bit, but 215 all out from 59 overs was never going to be enough.

Beaten by 57 runs, then — though with 451 runs to my name and Matt Large's 20 wickets still topping the season's charts, the summer isn't lost yet. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 27 May 1990 🧢 Sunday NVKCv UC Underriver CC · HomeformWWWLW

Sunday the 27th of May found Underriver CC visiting Linton Park, and for once I can report we lost the toss and somehow it barely mattered. Put in to bat, they ground their way to 129 for 9 off their forty overs, S Barr-Smith top-scoring with 40 and Paul Lack unbeaten on 22 after their openers had put on a stubborn 53. There was a pleasing wobble in the middle order — 65 for 4 became 73 for 7 — and poor Adrian Barr-Smith made the long walk back without so much as a single to his name. With the ball I managed 2 for 22 with three maidens thrown in for good measure, ably supported by Matt Large's matching 2 for 22, though the real star of the afternoon was Alan Boyns, whose 3 for 22 did the real damage.

Chasing 130, our openers set the tone in style, putting on 79 before the first wicket finally went down. Paul Bowles led from the front with 42, David Castle chipped in with 34 and Paul Gibson saw us home unbeaten on 31; I added a modest 21 along the way. Peter Whyte had a trickier afternoon behind the stumps, gifting nine byes, but nobody was counting by the close.

A comfortable seven-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. Onwards we go.

Sat 26 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv Castle Hill CC, Kent · HomeformWLWDW

Saturday 26th May found us welcoming Castle Hill CC to Linton Park, and I confess losing the toss and being asked to field first is not how any captain likes to begin his afternoon. But needs must, and the lads set about their work with real purpose.

Dave Todd was the star of the show with the ball, prising out three for a miserly ten runs, while Matt Large and Jon Harris both chipped in with three apiece. Matt's four maidens told their own story — Castle Hill simply couldn't lay a bat on him. All told we had them back in the pavilion for 120, and though 39.4 overs is a fair stretch of graft in the field, it never once felt like hard labour with bowling of that quality.

Then came the formality of the chase, and what a formality it turned out to be. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 68 struck with the sort of authority that makes a captain's job rather easy, while David Castle — quietly amassing runs all season and now second in the club's charts with 334 — offered watchful, elegant support with 46 not out. Between them they knocked off 125 without so much as troubling the other end of the order, wrapping things up in 19.3 overs.

Ten wickets, two points, and Jon Harris still sitting proudly atop the wicket charts on 20. A thoroughly one-sided afternoon, and I shan't apologise for saying so — some days the village game is beautifully, brutally simple.

Tue 22 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformLWLWD

Tuesday evening, Staplehurst CC the visitors, and for once the coin fell our way. I had no hesitation in sending us in to bat — the outfield looked quick, and I fancied runs on the board more than the toil of chasing them under lights.

Sixteen overs brought us 117 for 6, built chiefly on Piers McDonald's breezy 35, with yours truly nudging and occasionally middling my way to 25 in support. Not pretty, but useful.

Defending it, we made unnecessarily hard work of the opening exchanges — Staplehurst were 2 for 1 and looking rather too pleased with themselves — before the bowlers remembered why they're picked. From 41 for 4 to 55 for 7 in what felt like the blink of an eye, wickets falling like autumn conkers, and J Bowers trudging off for a duck without so much as troubling the umpire. David Crompton did the real damage with 3 for 22, Matt Large chipped away for 2 for 5, and Ron Kemp mopped up with 1 for 21. Only I Gosling's stubborn 25 kept Staplehurst's hopes flickering, but it wasn't quite enough — 106 for 9 at the close.

Eleven runs the margin, and I'll bank that gladly. Pleasing, too, to see myself somewhat sheepishly atop the 1990 first-team run charts with 371, and Matt Large sitting third among the wicket-takers with 16. A fine win, honestly earned, and onwards we go — bruised knuckles, happy hearts, tea urn drained to the dregs.

Sun 20 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv BC Battle CC · AwayformWLWLW

Sunday last saw us make the pilgrimage to Battle CC, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or daft depending entirely on what follows, and for once I'll claim shrewd. Brian Piper made an absolute meal of the Battle attack, farming it to all corners for a magnificent unbeaten hundred, and found a fine ally in Keith Hatcher as the pair put on a priceless 124 for the second wicket. I chipped in with 45 myself before the middle order rather lost the plot — 177 for 2 became 189 for 5 in the time it takes to pour a tea, with Tim Thirkell and Fred Cheesman both departing for ducks. We closed on a handy 209 for 5.

Defending it, we had Battle wobbling early at 3 for 1, but Tim Eldridge played a lovely knock of 79, well supported by B Smith and Bill Mozley, and a stand of 68 for the fifth wicket threatened to drag the game away from us. Jon Harris span a web round their lower order for a superb 5 for 97, and I managed 4 for 77 with seven maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly, even if I do say so myself. A Watson went for nought at our hands, but Battle held on at 183 for 9.

A draw, then — honours shared, and on the strength of the afternoon neither side will feel hard done by. A grandstand finish, a fair result, and the tea urn, as ever, the real winner.

Sat 19 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWLWL

Saturday 19th May, Headcorn CC at home, and for once I got the toss right — elected to bat, and I'll allow myself a small pat on the back for that.

We posted 179 for 6 off our 46, though it wasn't all serenity out there. Poor David Castle walked back for nought before he'd troubled the scorers, and we were 0 for 1 in the blink of an eye, but Peter Whyte settled things beautifully with a fine 53, and I chipped in with 37 as we put on a hundred together for the second wicket to give the innings some backbone. The extras column added a generous 28 of its own, which I shall claim as a tactical masterstroke rather than admit to anyone's bowling.

Defending it, Headcorn never quite got away from us. They lost an early wicket at 8, then collapsed alarmingly from 63 for 4 to 71 for 7 — Alastair Lee, C Bentwood and M Dyball all back in the pavilion without scoring, poor souls. John Phipps (41 not out) and Simon Phipps (36) mounted a spirited rearguard, but it was too little. I found something that day with the ball — six for 43, my best of the season — with Matt Large tidy and mean (2 for 43, four maidens) and Alan Boyns picking up one for 18.

We got home by 56 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club, and, dare I say, not a bad one for the captain either.

Tue 15 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv LC Leybourne CC · HomeformWWWLW

Beaten by 8 wickets in the end, but not before we'd found several new and inventive ways to get out.

We won the toss on Tuesday and I had few doubts about batting first — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook might suggest afterwards. We motored along nicely enough to 49 for 4 before deciding that was quite enough competence for one afternoon, and collapsed to 56 for 7 in the time it takes to put the kettle on. Jim Hall, Steve Cheesman and Jon Harris each contributed a golden duck to the cause, which is one way of saying three grown men were bowled, caught or trapped without so much as troubling the scorers. All out for 76 in 14.4 overs — a total that flattered nobody.

With the ball, I'll admit I rather enjoyed myself, picking up 1 for 22 and giving the shine a good talking-to, but Leybourne's S Wall had other ideas, cantering to 41 while B Harris chipped in an unbeaten 27, and the pair walked them home to 80 for 2 in just 13.4 overs. Eight wickets the margin, and no argument from this end.

David Castle continues to lead our 1990 run charts with 288, and I'm quietly pleased to sit third in the wickets column with 8 — small mercies. As for the match itself: a chastening one, brisk, honest, and over well before tea. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 13 May 1990 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Sissinghurst CC · HomeformWWWWL

Sunday 13 May, and Sissinghurst arrived at our place, won the toss, and had the good manners to put us in the field first — never let it be said we don't repay hospitality. Their openers set about building something solid, 61 for the first before we finally prised one out, and from there James Hammond (44) and Graham White (30) kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely, with I Culley chipping in 21 more. They closed on 145 for 7 from their forty, which felt like a target we could have a proper go at. Credit where it's due: Matt Large was the pick of the attack with 3 for 32, well supported by Alan Boyns' 2 for 48, and Jon Harris bowled with real discipline — three maidens and a wicket for just 19.

Chasing 146, we were rather more efficient about our business. Peter Whyte played the innings of the day, a commanding 72 that anchored everything, while David Castle's 33 kept him honourable company in an opening stand of 85 before the first wicket finally fell — Andrew Knowler and Jon Gurr, I'm sorry to report, both departed without so much as a nibble at their scores. I found my way to an unbeaten 25 to help see us home in good order, wrapping things up in 33.4 overs for the loss of just three wickets.

Seven wickets to the good, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — bowled tight, chased sensibly, home in time for tea. More of this, please.

Sat 12 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWWWWL

Nigel Thirkell's Match Report — Saturday 12 May 1990

Rumwood CC were our visitors on Saturday, and I lost the toss — no great surprise, given my record with the coin this season — so we were straight out into the field. Rumwood built steadily to 167/6 from their 46 overs, Darren Brame anchoring things beautifully with an unbeaten 45, well supported by P Humphries (41) and G Appleby (27), the pair adding a stubborn 64 for the fourth wicket. We had them in some trouble before that, mind, with A Morgan back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Ian Brattle was superb, snaring 2-18 and bowling four maidens that must have felt like a form of quiet torture to the batsmen, with Matt Large (2-40) and Jon Harris (2-42) chipping in handsomely. Their last pair then had the cheek to add 35 we could really have done without.

Chasing 168, we made steady work of it, reaching home at 168/5 with two overs to spare. I found some form with the bat, top-scoring with 70 — a personal contribution I shan't pretend not to be rather pleased with — while Paul Gibson (41) and David Castle (22) played their parts, the second wicket producing a match-defining stand of 110. Castle continues to lead our run charts for the season with 279, and Large our wickets with 12 — form both are entitled to be smug about.

A five-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Tea was, as ever, the real fifth-wicket partnership of the day.

Tue 08 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformDWWWW

Tuesday brought Hollingbourne CC to Linton Park, and true to early-season form I lost the toss yet again — they had no hesitation in taking first use of a docile pitch. They cantered to 136 for 4 off their sixteen overs, Neville Smith setting the tone with a brisk 38, Geoff Griffiths chipping in with 24 and Mike Donald with 21. Credit where due: I managed to drag a wicket or two out of the surface for 1-20, with Jon Harris (1-28) and David Castle (1-30) keeping things respectably tight given the runs flowing elsewhere.

Chasing 137 was always going to ask questions of us, and we answered them badly. We were 6 for 1 before some of the lads had found their guard, steadied briefly, then collapsed from 23-2 to 40-5 as if the whole order had somewhere better to be. Mike Bains, Ron Kemp and Matt Large all contributed a golden duck apiece to what was becoming a rather forgettable afternoon, and only David Castle, unbeaten on 26, showed any real fight as we folded for 57 in fourteen overs.

Piers McDonald had a torrid time behind the stumps, 18 byes testament to a pitch that clearly had more tricks left than we'd credited it with. Small consolations: Castle still tops our 1990 run charts with 257, and Harris sits second in the wickets column with 10. Beaten by 79 runs — a chastening one, but we'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Mon 07 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDDWWW

Won the toss on a fine Monday evening and, contrary to all known laws of village cricket diplomacy, I stuck Bearsted CC into the field first. It proved rather a shrewd move, or at least I shall claim it was. Paul Gibson batted like a man who had somewhere rather important to be, ending unbeaten on a magnificent hundred, while I chipped in with 89 of my own — a personal contribution I was thoroughly satisfied with, and about which I intend to dine out for some weeks. David Castle weighed in with a stout 44, the two of us adding 116 for the third wicket, and we declared the innings closed at a formidable 295 for 3 off 46 overs.

Defending that sort of total ought to be the easy part, and so it largely proved. Norman Bateman's 37 was the backbone of the Bearsted reply, well supported by David Gibson and Sean Carter, but a 60-run stand for the fifth wicket was as good as it got for them. Paul Bowles bowled beautifully for 3 for 47, Matt Large chipped in with 2 for 33, I managed 1 for 9, and Jon Harris was positively miserly with four maidens — poor Martin Constable departed for a duck. Peter Whyte had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 19 byes rather spoiling an otherwise tidy scorecard.

Special mention, too, for David Castle's 200th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark achieved in some style. We ran out winners by 127 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 06 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv SC Sandwich Town CC · HomeformLDDWW

Won the toss on a fine Sunday and, with the sun out and the outfield running true, there was really only one decision to make — I stuck us in. David Castle made it look easy, batting through to 84 not out, while Paul Gibson gave him fine company with 79 of his own; the pair put on 135 for the third wicket and rather took the afternoon away from Sandwich Town before it had properly begun. I chipped in with a fifty of my own, 62 in the end, which I shan't pretend didn't feel rather satisfying. We closed on 240 for 3 from our 43.2 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea.

Defending it, we never really let Sandwich Town settle. John Jones battled to 33 and Michael Birch supported with 21, the pair adding 52 for the second wicket, but wickets kept falling at the other end — B Birch bagging a golden duck along the way. Jon Harris was the pick of the attack, tidy and miserly with 3 for 33 and five maidens to show for his discipline, Tim Lush chipped in with 3 for 44, and I managed 2 for 12. Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging, though nobody held it against him.

We got home by 103 runs — a thoroughly good day, with Castle's 84 easing him past Paul Brattle into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. A fine result, and a fine advertisement for village cricket at its most agreeable.

Sat 05 May 1990 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformDLDDW

Saturday 5th May 1990 saw us make the short trip to Bidborough, and for once the coin obliged me — I called correctly and, without much hesitation, stuck us in to bat.

It proved the right call. Paul Bowles and our openers set about the Bidborough attack with real purpose, the pair putting on 95 before the first wicket finally fell, and Bowles simply carried on from there, motoring to an imperious 134 not out. Tim Thirkell chipped in nicely with 33, and by the close of our 45 overs we had posted a formidable 210 for 2 — the sort of total that lets a captain sleep easy over his sandwiches at tea.

Defending it was rather less serene. Bidborough dug in and gave us a proper fright, racking up 203 all out from 54.5 overs, with Adrian Bassett (45), Brian Wood (42) and P Wood (24) all threatening to spoil our afternoon. It was Jon Harris who dragged us over the line with a magnificent 5 for 96, thoroughly deserved and worth every one of the wickets. Dave Todd bowled with real discipline for 3 for 30, including three maidens, and I was happy enough to chip in with 1 for 15 of my own.

In the end we hung on by just 7 runs — nerve-shredding stuff, but a win is a win, and the scorebook doesn't record how many fingernails were lost along the way.

Sun 29 Apr 1990 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformLDLDD

Sunday took us to Sheldwich CC, and for once the coin fell my way — I had no hesitation in putting us in. It looked a shrewd call once Trevor Back settled into an unbeaten 55, the innings' backbone. David Castle added a tidy 33, our third-wicket pair put on 53, and I chipped in with 41 myself as we reached a healthy 177 for 4 from 47 overs.

Sheldwich's reply began well enough — A Collard's 48 and Martin Mills's 34 built a second-wicket stand of 67 — but cricket turns quickly, and 81 for 2 became 94 for 5 in a hurry, with Nigel Mannouch and Tim Penn both trudging off for ducks. Matt Large was unplayable, spinning to 5 for 25 with five miserly maidens, while I took 2 for 20 and Alan Boyns 1 for 13. Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps — 25 byes slipped through — but Sheldwich were all out for 140 in 41.3 overs.

Two landmarks worth raising a glass to: David Castle brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, and Trevor Back's half-century eased him past Jon Harris into 16th on the all-time run-scorers' list. Castle now leads our 1990 run charts with 103, and Large tops the wickets with 8 — early season, but promising.

A 37-run victory, two points banked, and — for once — thoroughly deserved.

Sat 28 Apr 1990 🧢 1st XIv Penshurst Park CC · HomeformWLDLD

I won the toss on a fine Saturday against Penshurst Park and had no hesitation in electing to bat — the sort of call that looks either shrewd or lucky depending entirely on the scorebook, and for once I'll claim shrewd. David Castle set about proving me right with a fine unbeaten 70, anchoring the innings as he and his opening partner put together 80 for the first wicket before the roof rather suddenly fell in — 80 for 1 became 88 for 4 in the time it takes to pour a tea. Paul Bowles chipped in with a handy 33 and Alan Boyns 21 to steady us at a respectable 157 for 8 from our forty overs. I contributed nothing whatsoever to that total, and Matt Large kept me company on the walk of shame with a duck of his own. We shall, as agreed, draw a veil over it.

Penshurst's reply never quite got going either. They lost an early wicket with just 8 on the board and never truly settled, eventually crawling to 81 for 7 from their 41 — John Hicks and B Curtis both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Ian Brattle was the star of the show, 3 for 7 off a miserly seven maidens, with fine support from Matt Large (3-13) and Paul Bowles (1-12). Thirty byes, mind you, told their own sorry tale of poor Piers McDonald's afternoon behind the stumps.

Neither side could force it home, so honours were shared — a fair result, on reflection, for a match that neither of us deserved to lose.