🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 22 Sep 1991 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWLWDD

Sunday 22nd September, and Anchorians came to Linton Park to find the toss going against us, which as ever meant an afternoon in the field with hope our chief tactic. They made a fair fist of it too: 215 for 4 off their 41 overs, built largely around Keith Wooding, who batted through for a really rather rude 122 not out, well supported by Graham Siveyer (29) and Ray Willis (22), their second-wicket pair putting on 58 while we tried everything short of asking him nicely to get out. Rob Doick was the pick of our attack with 1 for 29, Jon Harris and Nigel Thirkell chipped in a wicket apiece, and Matt Large bowled two maidens of such stubborn accuracy that Wooding must have wondered whether he'd ever face another bad ball.

Chasing 216, we simply refused to make hard work of it. David Castle and Piers McDonald put on 124 for the first wicket before anyone so much as troubled the scorers with a dismissal, and from there it was really just a question of who got to their fifty first. Castle went on to a fine 62, McDonald made 53, and Peter Whyte added a classy 52 of his own — three half-centuries in a total of 217 for 4, reached with overs to spare.

A thoroughly satisfying six-wicket win, and proof once again that the best response to a lost toss is simply to bowl tidily, bat beautifully, and let the rest take care of itself. Onwards indeed.

Sat 21 Sep 1991 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWLWD

Saturday 21 September 1991, and West Farleigh CC came calling at Linton Park. I won the toss and, with barely a flicker of hesitation, sent us in to bat.

What a platform we built. The openers put on 99 for the first wicket before the breakthrough came, and from there David Castle simply refused to leave, compiling a glorious unbeaten 103. Paul Bowles chipped in handsomely with 62, and Dave Charlton's 38 rounded out a total of 223/3 from our forty overs that had the tea urn rattling with anticipation.

Defending it proved rather more of a grind. Andy Golding gave us an early sniff with a wicket for just 8 on the board, but Golding himself then dug in for 84 and, with Micky Back's 60 alongside him, the pair added a chastening 129 for the second wicket. Dave Latter's 23 kept the total ticking, and D Todd departed for a duck without troubling the scorers, but by the close they'd reached 210/5 from 39 overs. Ian Brattle bowled his heart out for 3-57, with two tidy maidens thrown in, and Paul Bowles backed him up with 2-54 — though poor Roly Edwards had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, twelve byes finding their way past him.

In the end honours were shared, neither side quite able to force the door open. A draw, then — fair reflection of a match that gave rather more than it settled, and no bad way to spend a Saturday.

Sun 15 Sep 1991 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformLWWLW

Sunday 15 September 1991, and I won the toss against Dummy Site with the sort of confidence that usually precedes disaster — not this time, though. I had no hesitation in batting first, and the lads repaid the faith handsomely: 217 for 3 off our 41 overs, built on a monumental second-wicket stand of 172 between yours truly and Piers McDonald. I'll confess to a certain quiet pride in bringing up a hundred of my own, but Piers's 72 was every bit as vital in getting us to a total that felt, by teatime, thoroughly imposing.

Defending it was another matter. Dummy Site made a proper fist of the chase, J Bolding compiling a fine 52 with useful support from N Twiddy (24) and D Abernathy (22), and an opening stand of 54 that had us shuffling our feet a touch. But Jon Harris turned the afternoon on its head with a superb 6 for 55 — a five-for and thoroughly deserved — while Paul Gibson and Matt Large chipped in with a wicket apiece and Alan Boyns bowled three tidy maidens to keep the squeeze on. Poor N Wood departed for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers. In the end they closed on 158 for 9 off 49, short of our total but stubborn enough to deny us victory.

A word too for Paul Gibson, whose 17 runs eased him past Paul Brattle into 11th on the club's all-time run charts — a nice footnote to the day. So: honours shared, a draw when neither side could force it home. Not the win the scoreline of our innings deserved, but a match to be proud of all the same.

Sat 14 Sep 1991 🧢 2nd XIv BK Beverley CC, Kent · AwayformDLLDD

Skipper's Log, Saturday 14th September 1991. The road took us to Beverley CC, Kent, and I lost the toss — a coin that has not liked me all season — so out into the field we trudged.

What followed was a lesson in watching someone else have a wonderful afternoon. P Martin made a superb hundred, 115 of pure discomfort for us, while M Collingwood purred along to 94 not out and M Foden chipped in an unbeaten 26 to leave them a mighty 245/1 from their 46 overs. Tim Thirkell toiled away for 1-58, a lone voice of resistance against the run tide, and by the close of their innings we were rather glad of the tea interval.

Chasing 246, we began in real style — the openers put on 77 before the first wicket fell, and for a while it looked like a proper game. Mike Elworthy's 44 and Malcolm Pay's 39 kept the innings ticking, and I was pleased enough with my own 51 not out, made the runs that mattered when it counted. A defiant last-wicket stand of 61 gave the total a respectability it probably didn't deserve, and 28 extras did their bit too, taking us to 194/6 from 47 overs — short of the target, but honours were shared in the end.

One line for the scrapbook: Tim's 5 runs eased him past Basil Sears into 5th on the club's all-time run list — quietly historic while everyone else was chasing leather.

Verdict: outgunned with the bat by two magnificent Beverley innings, but a draw earned with pride, and a captain's fifty is never a bad way to spend a Saturday.

Sat 14 Sep 1991 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformLLWWL

We won the toss on Saturday 14 September 1991, and with Southborough CC visiting on a good drying pitch I had no hesitation putting them in the field first. Paul Bowles led the way with a fine 43, Peter Whyte (36 not out) and Dave Charlton (34 not out) steadied things nicely, and their second-wicket stand of 63 was the innings' backbone. The tail wagged merrily to add a further 76 and leave the fielding side thoroughly out of sorts, though poor Piers McDonald will not thank me for mentioning his duck — the walk of shame, immortalised. A generous 28 extras rounded us out to 173 for 6 from our 46 overs, which felt about right for the conditions.

With the ball, Jon Harris was quite simply magnificent, ripping through with 3 for 8, while Matt Large (3 for 28, four maidens and miserly with it) and Ian Brattle (2 for 43) squeezed the life out of the rest. Simon Fisher's fifty was the lone bright spark for the visitors, but an early wobble to 7 for 1 set the tone, and the slide from 100 for 7 to all out for 109 in 37.5 overs told its own story — G Lanham and Steven Thomas both departed without troubling the scorers. I contributed a modest 17 with the bat and rather enjoyed watching from the field as Ian Brattle's two wickets nudged him past Tony Snell into 17th on the club's all-time list.

A comfortable 64-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. Onwards we go.

Wed 11 Sep 1991 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDDLDW

Sunday, 11th September 1991, and the road took us to The Mote CC — the kind of fixture that keeps a captain young, or at least tries to.

Winning the toss, I did what any self-respecting skipper does with sunshine overhead and sent us in. Early wobbles at 3-1 threatened one of those afternoons, but David Castle and Jeremy Chapman steadied the ship with 42 and 41 respectively, their third-wicket stand of 67 the innings' spine. Poor Fred Cheesman departed for a duck, bless him, and we folded for 141 in 42.5 overs — not a total to frighten anyone, on paper.

Paper, however, doesn't bowl. Jon Harris found something rather special with the ball — 5 for 42, a five-for as richly deserved as any I've seen from the boundary rope — while Ian Brattle chipped in with 4 for 50 and C Lambert strangled the scoring with four maidens. I even found some rhythm myself, five wickets to my name, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for the foreseeable. S Patel (37) and N Barr (30) threatened to see The Mote home, but we ran through the tail — 123-6 to 132-9 in a blur — sending Malcolm Bristow and Julian Taylor back without troubling the scorers, and closed them out at 136 all out.

Five runs. Two points. Thoroughly earned, and thoroughly nerve-shredding — just the way village cricket ought to be.

Sun 08 Sep 1991 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · HomeformLLLWW

Sunday 8th September saw Dummy Site roll into Linton Park, and having called correctly I fancied a bat first without a second thought.

We made a fair fist of it: 180 for 6 off our forty-five overs, built on a first-wicket stand of 75 that gave us the sort of start you dream about and rarely get. Piers McDonald was the architect, 75 to his name, with David Castle chipping in a tidy 35 alongside him. From there it was a case of consolidation rather than fireworks, but 180 felt a defendable total on a Sunday afternoon.

Defending it proved rather more fraught. Dummy Site stumbled early — 8 for 1 — and for a moment we allowed ourselves a little optimism, only for P Fox (62) and E Marden (43 not out) to stitch together a stand of 73 for the second wicket and drag the game away from us, with L Woods' 26 rubbing salt in. We did at least send back G Kirk and G Clarke without a run to their names, and the bowlers kept things honest throughout — Matt Large toiling manfully for 2-64, Paul Bowles and Trevor Back a wicket apiece, and Jon Harris tying an end down with two maidens. But 181 for 5 came with just over half a dozen balls to spare, and a four-wicket defeat was the harsh arithmetic of it.

Not our afternoon, then, but no disgrace in it either — plenty to build on, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 07 Sep 1991 🧢 1st XIv SC Sandwich Town CC · AwayformWLLLW

Saturday last took us down to Sandwich Town, where I duly lost the toss and was invited to spend the afternoon leather-hunting — never my favourite way to pass a September Saturday. Their openers made the most of the invitation too, putting on 126 before Jon Harris finally prised them apart, finishing with a excellent 3-47, with Paul Bowles chipping in for one. Kevin Beaumont (95) and S Smith (69) did most of the damage, with S Strickland's 26 rounding out a total of 244/4 that felt, at tea, like a good deal more than we fancied chasing.

Happily, the lads had other ideas. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, 93 of the finest, and with David Castle (62) and Paul Bowles (45) in support, and an opening stand of 98 to set us on our way, we got home with something to spare at 245/5. Not everything went to plan — poor Dave Charlton bagged a duck, and Bowles' afternoon behind the stumps cost 12 byes, so the gloves may want a look before next week.

As for my own 93 — I shan't pretend I wasn't rather pleased with it, though Thirkell's charge towards 848 runs for the season rather puts mine in the shade, as does Harris's 29 wickets. Three wickets, two points, and a thoroughly satisfying drive home. A fine day's work, and one we'll happily bank.

Sat 07 Sep 1991 🧢 2nd XIv PC Petts Wood CC · HomeformWDLLD

Right, we didn't win. We drew — and honestly, given the mud I'm still finding in my kitbag, honours shared feels about right. Petts Wood came to Linton Park on the 7th of September and gave us a proper afternoon's work.

Batting first, we scratched and nudged our way to 163/8 off our 45 overs — not a total to have Petts Wood quaking in their boots, but a workable one. Roly Edwards top-scored with a gritty 33, Fred Cheesman chipped in with 25, and Malcolm Pay weighed in with 23. I'll modestly report my own 22 and leave it there before anyone asks for further detail.

In the field, we set about defending it with rather more conviction than the batting suggested we might. Tim Thirkell was superb, prising out four for 43, while Rob Doick bowled with real discipline — three for 30, including three maidens, the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen muttering into their gloves. Colin Bentwood added one for 21. Poor Eddie Sharr departed without troubling the scorers, and at 4 for 1 we dared to dream. But Neil Speers had other ideas, compiling a thoroughly well-made 52 not out to see Petts Wood home to 128/9 off 39 overs and deny us the win our bowling probably deserved.

So, a draw — honours shared, tea presumably lukewarm by the time we got to it. A afternoon of honest toil rather than glory, but with Rob Doick still topping the wicket charts and Dave Todd lurking second in the run charts, the season ticks along nicely enough. Onwards.

Thu 05 Sep 1991 🧢 Midweek XIv MC Mullion CC · HomeformDDDLD

Thursday 5th September 1991, and Mullion CC came to visit us at Linton Park with the sun, mercifully, still shining on the season. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling record remains a source of ongoing club merriment — and we were asked to field first. Not the outcome I'd have chosen, but the lads set about it with good cheer regardless.

Mullion made themselves at home, racking up 208/6 from their 38 overs, built chiefly around J Chapman's polished 56 and Tim Baker's 46, with C Lambert unbeaten on 37 for good measure. Their fifth-wicket pair put on a rather inconvenient 75 that threatened to take the game away from us. It was Matt Large who dragged us back into it with a startling 2 for 1, while Ian Brattle bowled with real discipline — 2 for 46 and a couple of maidens to show for his patience — and Rob Doick chipped in with 1 for 24.

Chasing 209, we barely broke sweat. Paul Bowles played an innings of real class, 112 not out, and found a willing ally in Trevor Back, whose 81 kept the scoreboard humming along nicely — the pair seeing us home in 37.3 overs for the loss of a single wicket. Poor Piers McDonald had a trying afternoon behind the stumps, 8 byes leaking away, but nobody was counting once the runs were in.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a nine-wicket win to send everyone home happy. A fine day's cricket, and Bowles in particular will sleep well tonight.

Mon 02 Sep 1991 🧢 Tour XIv RC Redruth CC · AwayformWWWLW

Redruth CC, home turf and – as ever – happy to see us coming, since the toss went their way and they trotted out to bat while we trudged into the field on a Monday evening that promised more midge bites than glory. P Thomas played the anchor role rather better than any of our attempts to dislodge him, 30 to his name with Mike Leeson chipping in a useful 21, and between them they nudged Redruth to 116/7 off their twenty. Small mercy: S York departed for a duck, proof that even village cricket has its moments of instant justice. Mike Bains was the pick of us by some distance, 3-15 and bowling like a man with somewhere to be, while David Castle's 2-18 (two maidens, no less – the parsimony of a church-fete raffle organiser) and Simon Thirkell's 1-20 kept the total from ballooning further.

Chasing 117 to win, we made a proper fist of it. Dave Charlton batted with the calm of a man who knows the tea urn isn't going anywhere, finishing unbeaten on 42, Nigel Thirkell kept him company with 28 not out, and Bob Lines weighed in with 23 before the target was duly swallowed, 118/3 in 18.4 overs. Peter Whyte and Mike Bains continue to loiter, quite respectably, in second place in this season's Tour XI run and wicket charts – not front-runners, but not far off the pace either.

Five wickets in hand at the finish, and not a drop of sweat wasted that wasn't earned. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 01 Sep 1991 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformWWWWL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 01 September 1991, and the road took us to Beacon CC out in Cornwall, sun on our backs and the wife's sandwiches still warm in the boot. I lost the toss, as is customary, and they chose to bat, which suited us fine as it meant somebody else had to do the running about in the heat.

They ground their way to 165 all out in 43.4 overs, Larry Martin the chief architect with a fine 62, Kevin Gill chipping in with 25, and a stubborn 59-run stand for the fourth wicket that threatened to spoil our afternoon. But then, gloriously, the floodgates opened — 144 for 6 became 155 for 9 in the blink of an eye, and Darren Collick went for a duck at our hands, which I shan't pretend didn't cheer us all considerably. Matt Large was magnificent, 3 for 31 with five maidens thrown in for good measure, well backed by Jon Harris (2-33) and Alan Boyns (1-3) — the latter, incidentally, sliding past Ray Howard into 25th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, a quiet bit of history amid the mayhem.

With the bat we were altogether more serene. The openers put on 61 in fine style, David Castle went on to a classy 58, Dave Charlton (32) and Nigel Thirkell (30) lending sturdy support, and we cruised home at 166 for 3 in 43.3 overs. Seven wickets, two points, and a very pleasant drive home. Thoroughly earned, and not a sandwich wasted.

Sat 31 Aug 1991 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rainham (Kent) CC · HomeformWWDLL

Saturday 31st August, and Rainham (Kent) rolled up to Linton Park under skies that mercifully held. I won the toss and, in a rare moment of decisiveness, sent us in.

Runs came steadily rather than spectacularly, save for one glorious exception: Keith Hatcher, serene and untroubled, carried his bat all the way to a magnificent hundred not out. Malcolm Pay chipped in nicely with 29, the two of them putting on 68 for the second wicket while the rest of us admired from the pavilion, and the extras column swelled by a generous 28 — Rainham's bowlers evidently as keen to donate as our lads were to bat. We closed on 207 for 5 from our 46, a total that felt about right.

Out in the field, Chris Yates gave us a proper fright with a classy 63, well supported by Matthew Newton's unbeaten 41 and Ken Newton's 24 — though we did at least have the satisfaction of sending R Fisher back for a golden duck. Dave Todd was superb, tight as a drum with three maidens and the pick of the attack at 3 for 38, Richard Piper and Rob Doick chipping in with two apiece, and I even found some rhythm myself for three wickets. Rainham finished on 173 for 8, agonisingly short.

A draw, then — honours shared, and probably a fair reflection of an afternoon where nobody quite had the stomach to force the issue. Hatcher's hundred was worth the entry fee alone.

Fri 30 Aug 1991 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformWWWWW

Friday 30 August 1991, and the log book records a trip down to Mullion CC — always a fixture that promises more scenery than sympathy.

Winning the toss, I did what any captain with sunshine on his back and a suspicious glint in his eye does, and stuck us in. An early wobble at 7 for the first threatened to turn the afternoon sour, but Peter Whyte settled things with a wonderful 86, and once he and Tim Thirkell got together they put on 79 for the fourth wicket that changed the shape of the whole innings. Thirkell finished unbeaten on 40, Steve Cheesman chipped in with a brisk 21 not out, and we closed on a healthy 191/4 from our forty overs — the sort of total that has you feeling rather pleased with yourself over the tea urn.

Sadly, cricket has a habit of humbling the pleased. Gary Pollard simply refused to be parted from the crease, ploughing on to a magnificent 132 not out, ably assisted by Tim Baker's 26. We did have our moments — an early breakthrough at 4-1, and Paul Gibson bowling like a man possessed for 8-76, with Jon Harris weighing in at 1-31 — but that wretched last-wicket pair scraped together 42 runs we simply didn't need to gift them, and Mullion crept home by a single wicket at 192/9.

A cruel one to lose, in truth, but Peter Whyte now tops our 1991 run charts and Paul Gibson the wickets, so the season's engine is clearly turning over nicely even when the scoreboard isn't. We'll be better for it next week.

Thu 29 Aug 1991 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformWWWWW

We travelled down to Falmouth on Thursday, and the coin did us the favour of landing right — a rare enough treat that I put us in without a second thought.

The lads made handsome use of it. Paul Gibson led the charge with a fine 48, Tim Thirkell anchored things beautifully for an unbeaten 40, and Paul Bowles chipped in a useful 32, their fourth-wicket stand of 55 the platform on which the innings was built. The tail then had its say, cracking on for a final 37 that left the Falmouth fielders rather wearier than they'd hoped, and we closed on a healthy 223/7 from our 45.

Defending it, we set about them with the ball and never quite let go. N Barrington played a lovely hand of 77 with support from Scott Thompson's 28, and their sixth-wicket pair threatened to spoil the afternoon with 60 together — but Alan Boyns (3-30) had other ideas, backed up nicely by Tim Thirkell (2-25) and Mike Bains (2-28), while John Thompson and Mike Hoban both departed without troubling the scorers. Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, 14 byes going astray, and I did my modest bit with 22. All out for 190 in the 41st, and the job was done — a win by 33 runs.

A word for the mantelpiece: Tim's 40 sees him move past Brian Piper into sixth on the club's all-time run charts, which is no small thing. A satisfying day's work all round, and onwards we go.

Wed 28 Aug 1991 🧢 Tour XIv SC St Austell CC · AwayformWWWWW

St Austell CC, Wednesday 28th August 1991 — and I'm afraid the coin let us down again, the toss going their way and their skipper opting to bat, leaving us to trot out into the field on what was shaping up to be a proper afternoon's cricket.

They made a fair fist of it early on — 3 down and looking nervy at first, then a determined 62-run stand for the fourth wicket that threatened to bed them in for the day. But cricket has a wonderful way of humbling the settled, and the floodgates duly opened, 111 for 5 collapsing to 122 for 8 in short order, with poor Jeremy Grigg and G Furse both back in the pavilion without so much as a run to their names. Stephen Jarman's 47 and Matthew Nile's 25 had done the heavy lifting, but all out for 148 in 43.1 overs was a score we fancied chasing. Tim Thirkell led the bowling beautifully with 2 for 18, well backed by Mike Bains and Jon Harris (2 apiece), while Matt Large bowled with the miserly discipline of a man refusing to buy a round — three maidens and not a run given away lightly. Peter Whyte had a trickier time of it behind the stumps, eight byes going astray, but we'll say no more about that.

With the ball offering less menace than the bowlers had, David Castle and Andrew Hales made light work of the reply, cruising to 152 for 1 in just 33.2 overs — Castle's 72 the innings' backbone, Hales unbeaten on a well-crafted 58. Castle also brought up 8,000 career runs for the club along the way, a landmark worth raising a glass to.

An eight-wicket win, two points thoroughly earned, and a very happy coach home.

Mon 26 Aug 1991 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWWLLL

Right at the crease of Bank Holiday Monday, 26 August 1991, with Bearsted CC our guests for the day. We won the toss and I had no hesitation in taking first knock — and for once the skipper's judgement wasn't found wanting, even if his bat later would be.

We batted with real substance, posting 240/5 from our 62 overs. Brian Piper played the innings of the day, 82 not out and unbeaten at the close, with Sean Charlton (52 not out) keeping him fine company in a stand of 65 for the fifth wicket that gave the innings its backbone. David Castle chipped in handsomely with 39. Only poor Nigel Thirkell will remember the day less fondly, dismissed for a duck and enduring that lonely walk back to the pavilion.

Defending 240, the lads were magnificent. Bearsted never got going, losing their first wicket for just 6 and eventually folding for 161 in 45.3 overs — Martin Constable and Norman Bateman both departing for nought, much to their chagrin. Sean Charlton, so composed with the bat, was rather more violent with the ball, taking 4-36, well backed by Matt Large (3-42) and the miserly Dave Todd (2-25, four maidens). Poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping 13 byes, and as for your captain — a golden duck, proof that leading by example doesn't always extend to the scoreboard.

Happier milestones abounded: Dave Charlton reached 1,000 career runs for the club, and Brian Piper's 82 lifted him past John Ames into 6th on our all-time run list. A 79-run victory, and a thoroughly good day for Linton Park.

Sun 25 Aug 1991 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformWWWLL

We won the toss on a fine Sunday and, with the pitch looking true, I had no hesitation in choosing to bat. It rather blew up in our faces at 3-1, but Paul Gibson and Piers McDonald steadied the ship in some style, putting on 126 for the second wicket — Gibson eventually falling for a fine 68, McDonald for 55, with Keith Hatcher chipping in 39. Then, as is our club's custom, we contrived a proper collapse, 184-5 becoming 195-8 before you could look up from your tea, poor Dave Charlton bagging a duck along the way. Twenty-six extras did more for us than several of the specialist batsmen, which perhaps tells its own story. 195/8 all told — respectable, if hard-won.

In the field we asked questions early, having Dummy Site 6 down for not many, but M Heather (58) and R Bethell (41) shared 80 for the second wicket and, with S Langdon unbeaten on 39, they eased home by four wickets in the 40th over. Paul Gibson bowled beautifully for 3-43, with Matt Large (2-39, two maidens) and Nigel Thirkell (1-32) keeping things tight without quite finding the breakthroughs needed.

One moment of genuine celebration amid the rubble: Piers McDonald brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved. Beaten by four wickets, then — a case of runs made, chances missed, and lessons duly noted. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 24 Aug 1991 🧢 1st XIv PC Petts Wood CC · HomeformWWWWL

Saturday 24 August 1991. I won the toss against Petts Wood and, in a fit of optimism I may live to regret, stuck us in. We managed 169 all out from our 43 overs, Tim Thirkell playing the anchor role beautifully for 46, with Mike Bains chipping in a handy 25. Mind you, it wasn't all sweetness — we lost the first wicket without troubling the scorers, and from there it was 14-4 before we'd barely got our pads on. Poor Paul Bowles will want to forget his golden duck rather quickly.

Defending 169 always felt like asking a lot, and so it proved, though not without a scrap. Petts Wood also stumbled early at 2-1, and for a while we sniffed something special. But Peter Howard had other ideas, cruising to 82, and found a willing partner in Steve Lewis, unbeaten on 39 — the pair's 118 for the sixth wicket rather did for us. Credit where it's due: Rob Doick bowled his heart out for 3-29, Nigel Thirkell and Mike Bains chipped in, and Fred Cheesman's three maidens showed not every over was there for the taking.

A word for Keith Hatcher, whose unassuming 3 runs quietly nudged him past Ray Howard into 20th on the club's all-time run-charts — these things matter more than the scoreboard lets on.

Beaten by four wickets in the end, then, and no disgrace in it. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Wed 21 Aug 1991 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDDDDL

We travelled down to Gravesend on Wednesday last, lost the toss, and were duly invited to have a bowl — never the outcome I'd have chosen, but there's a certain honesty in getting the fielding done while the tea urn is still warming up. Gravesend batted with real purpose, racing to 191 all out in 40.3 overs, Glen Giddings top-scoring with a well-crafted fifty (65), Paul Putland chipping in 46 and Dave Elliott 31, the two of them putting on a stand of 96 that rather set the tone. From 180-7 it all rather came apart for them in a hurry, mind, which was some consolation. Jon Harris was the chief architect of the collapse with a splendid 4-24, well backed by Fred Cheesman's 3-29 and Rob Doick's tidy 1-26 off three maidens.

Chasing 191, we mustered 151-9 from our 44, Darren Brame the mainstay with 45, Kevin Mullins unbeaten on 31 in support. Fred Cheesman and D Bray both departed for ducks, which is never a comfortable pairing to explain in the clubhouse afterwards, and poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 11 byes going begging. As for your captain — nought, and the less said the better; I found rather more use for myself with the ball, taking four wickets to at least partially redeem the afternoon.

A draw, then — honours shared, and on reflection a fair one. Neither side quite had the stomach to force it home, and we return to the top table of the season with Piers McDonald still leading the run charts and Jon Harris the wickets, our own contribution to both intact if unspectacular.

Sun 18 Aug 1991 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · AwayformDWWWW

Sunday 18th August, and the road took us to Whitstable, where I won the toss and — with the sun out and the outfield quick — never seriously considered doing anything but batting first. A wicket down with just 2 on the board threatened one of those days, and Nigel Thirkell's golden duck did nothing to settle the nerves, but Paul Bowles simply refused to be moved, compiling a magnificent 101 not out, with Trevor Back purring along in support for an unbeaten 62 and Alan Boyns chipping in 22. We closed on a handsome 207/4 from our 47.1 overs — a total that felt like it ought to be enough.

It wasn't, quite. Whitstable's openers laid a solid platform of 76 before the first fell, and though Matt Large tore through the middle order with a superb 5-52 — four maidens of pure miserliness, and full support from Jon Harris's 2-55 — a defiant sixth-wicket stand of 77 kept the home side alive. Andy Simpson's unbeaten 59 saw them home, backed by useful runs from nick denly (41) and Andy Stroud (28). Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 16 byes leaking away, and I contributed my customary nothing with the bat — we shall, as ever, draw a veil over that.

Whitstable got home by 3 wickets, so not our day, though Bowles and Large continue to lead our season's charts in style. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 17 Aug 1991 🧢 2nd XIv BC Bethersden CC · AwayformLWWDL

Losing the toss at Bethersden on a Saturday in mid-August is never the ideal start to proceedings, and so it proved as we were asked to trot out into the field first. The home side made merry to the tune of 177 for 9 off 30.1 overs, built chiefly around R Banks' well-crafted 91 and R Wills' useful 34, the pair putting on 83 for the third wicket before I finally got among them — 5 for 69 down the leg-side spinner's alley, with Rob Doick (2-27) and Fred Cheesman (2-66) chipping away at the other end. Credit to us that they subsided from a healthy 164-5 to a rather more nervous 171-8, with Manktelow, Russell and Castle all departing for ducks.

With the bat, 145 all out in 42 overs was a touch scratchy for my liking, though I can't grumble too much having top-scored with 64 not out, ably backed by Stewart Morrison's 32. Davidson and Richard Piper both contributed golden ducks, and 8 byes told their own tale of a testing day behind the stumps for Rob Doick.

There was cheer amid the gloom: Fred Cheesman brought up 50 career wickets, and my 64 nudged me past Brian Piper into 7th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Stewart Morrison still leads our 1991 Second XI run charts on 259, with Doick second in the wickets on 21.

All told, though — not our day. Beaten by 32 runs. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 17 Aug 1991 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · AwayformWDWWW

Saturday 17 August 1991 saw us take the road to Harrietsham, and for once the coin behaved itself — heads, and I had no hesitation in putting us in. What followed was batting of the sort you dream about on the drive over and rarely get: Paul Bowles and Nigel Thirkell simply refused to be parted, adding 201 for the second wicket and both reaching three figures, Bowles 103 not out, Thirkell 102. I'll confess to a quiet pride watching from the boundary, extras chipping in a generous 27 as we closed on 254/2 from our 43 overs. A total, frankly, that felt less like a score and more like a small mountain range for Harrietsham to climb.

And climb it they could not. The first wicket fell for just 6, and though Keith Chaney played the lone hand of substance with 33, the middle order simply evaporated — 83/5 became 90/8 in the blink of an eye, with poor P Cooper and Michael Gear both back in the pavilion without so much as troubling the scorers. Paul Bowles, not content with his century, turned his arm over for a remarkable 4-7, with Ian Brattle (3-33) and Jon Harris (2-26, four maidens and not a run given away lightly) mopping up the rest. Harrietsham were bowled out for 90 in 36.4 overs.

Two points, 164 runs to the good, and a captain's innings of 102 I shall be dining out on for weeks. A thoroughly earned victory, and a thoroughly enjoyable Saturday.

Wed 14 Aug 1991 🧢 Midweek XIv LC Lashings World CC · AwayformDDDDD

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 14 August 1991. We travelled to Lashings World CC, lost the toss, and were put into the field, which on reflection might have been the shape of things to come.

Lashings posted 142 all out in 47.4 overs, though not without alarm — they were reeling at 0 for an early wicket before N Fairclough (26) and useful contributions from Alan Butcher (24) and D Howson (24) steadied matters. C Walter and J Thorpe both departed for ducks at our hands, which cheered the lads no end. Jon Harris was magnificent, 4 for 29 with six maidens — not a run given away lightly — with Paul Bowles (3-17) and Trevor Back (1-6) chipping in nicely. A tidy, disciplined effort in the field.

Chasing 142 should have been well within our compass, but 133 all out in 34.1 overs tells its own sorry tale. Rob Doick's 25 was the innings' backbone, well supported by Paul Bowles (24) and Stewart Morrison (21), but a horror collapse from 26-1 to 28-4 undid all the good work, and ducks for Fred Cheesman, Trevor Back and Steve Cheesman didn't help the cause. Poor Piers McDonald had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 22 byes going begging, though he leads our Midweek run charts with 203 for the season, while Rob Doick tops the wickets with 7. I managed 4 wickets myself, some small consolation.

Beaten by 9 runs in the end — a match we should have won, and knew it. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 11 Aug 1991 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformLWDWW

As it stands 11 August 1991, we were the away side at Benenden, and winning the toss on a Sunday is one of the few decisions I make with any real confidence — I had no hesitation in batting first. Nigel Thirkell then proceeded to bat as though the rest of us were merely there to keep him company, finishing unbeaten on a magnificent 97, with Paul Bowles chipping in a handsome 53 and Trevor Back adding 26 not out to see us to a commanding 211/2 from our 40 overs. The second-wicket stand of 51 gave the innings its backbone.

Defending that total, we made hard work of the start Andrew Cloke and company gave us — their first wicket fell for just 5, but a stubborn seventh-wicket pair dragged them back into it with 59 together, and Cloke himself made a well-crafted 60, ably supported by LeServe (36) and Toby Phelps (21). Poor Ed Holmes departed for a golden duck at our hands. In the end it was Paul Bowles who did the real damage with a splendid 5-38, Matt Large lending muscular support with 4-35 and Jon Harris chipping in a wicket for his 34, and Benenden were all out for 174 in the 32nd over.

A word for the mantelpiece: Nigel brought up 24,000 career runs for the club during his innings, a landmark worthy of considerably more than the tea-hut applause it received. He now leads our 1991 run charts with 647, while Matt Large tops the wickets with 39.

A fine win by 37 runs, and, dare I say, rather a good day to be captain. Onwards.

Sat 10 Aug 1991 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformDLWDW

There was a pleasing symmetry to this one, and for once even the toss went my way — I called it correctly and had no hesitation in batting first, a decision that looked rather shrewd by close of play.

Paul Bowles set the tone with a fine 48, and once Piers McDonald settled in for an unbeaten 38, ably backed up by Dave Charlton's 30, we had the makings of a proper total. That third-wicket stand of 61 was the innings' backbone, though I ought to mention Paul Gibson and Peter Whyte both departed for ducks — the less said about those, the kinder, though I'm sure the tea urn consoled them. We closed on a competitive 159 for 7 from our 42 overs.

Defending it, Headcorn never quite got their sea legs. Dave Harden's 25 and Simon Phipps's 22 gave them hope, but a slide from 48 for 3 to 60 for 6 did for them, poor G Wickens joining the duck club without troubling the scorers. Paul Bowles was magnificent, 5 for 18 with six miserly maidens, Matt Large chipping in with 2 for 13 and Paul Gibson 1 for 0. Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps — 17 byes is not an afternoon he'll frame — but no matter. Headcorn folded for 104, and we came home 55 runs to the good. A very good day for the club indeed.

Sat 10 Aug 1991 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLLWWD

Saturday 10 August 1991, and off we trundled down the Bearsted road with the sun out and, for once, my toss-calling instincts intact. Won the toss, elected to bat, and I still maintain it was the right call. Stewart Morrison (34) and Mike Elworthy (31) gave us something to build on, Tim Thirkell chipping in with 20, and 112/5 looked a perfectly respectable platform — until it wasn't. In the time it takes to pour a tea from the urn we were 119/8, with Simon Thirkell, Rob Doick and Nick Stephens all making twin-figure returns to the pavilion for nought. We limped to 130/9 off our 46, grateful for small mercies.

Defending it, we made a fair fist of things early on, but Martin Constable had other ideas, cracking a fine 61 and sharing a stubborn 66 for the second wicket with David Gibson (25 not out). Keith Hatcher was our pick of the bowlers with 1-15, Tim Thirkell chipping in again with 1-23, and I contributed my own 20 to proceedings, but 132/3 from 30 overs told its own story. Seven wickets the wrong way.

Not all doom, mind: Mike Elworthy raised his bat for 1,000 career runs for the club, and Keith Hatcher's 16 nudged him past Mike Iliffe into 21st on the all-time run charts — Stewart still tops our 1991 pile with 227, Tim sits fourth among the wicket-takers with 6. Small consolations. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Wed 07 Aug 1991 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformWDDDD

Wednesday 07 August 1991, and Bexley CC came calling with the sun out and, alas, the coin against us — lost the toss, asked to field. Not the afternoon we'd have chosen, but that's cricket.

They made themselves thoroughly at home. Paul Ladbrook and John Flaherty put on 118 for the first wicket as if they'd booked the crease for the season, Ladbrook finishing unbeaten on a serene 90 and Flaherty cashing in for 73. Stuart Hume chipped in a brisk 48 before Jeff Todd finally prised things open with 2-46, Ian Brattle lending a hand with 1-48, as Bexley closed on a hefty 225/3 from their 45 overs.

Chasing that lot in the time remaining was never really the plan, and so it proved. Trevor Back opened our reply and departed for a golden duck 🦆 — the sort of contribution best filed under "character building" — and we finished on 3/1 from 4.3 overs before honours were shared. A draw, then, with neither side able to force the issue, though it must be said Bexley did rather more of the forcing.

Still, Jeff Todd can take some quiet satisfaction sitting 5th in the Midweek XI wicket charts this season, and the rest of us can take the closing of the pavilion bar as consolation enough. A day for the scorebook rather than the highlight reel — we live to fight, and field, another Wednesday.

Sun 04 Aug 1991 🧢 1st XIv BC Battle CC · HomeformWDLWD

Battle CC arrived at Linton Park on Sunday, and by the time the tea urn had cooled we'd made it a very pleasant Sunday indeed. Put in to bat, we crept and occasionally cantered our way to 136 for 5 off 36.5 overs — the kind of total that owes more to application than fireworks, which rather suits our club's spirit. David Castle was the man of the hour, easing past his fifty to finish on 54, and he did it with the quiet authority of a man who's clearly been doing this all summer — he now sits third in the 1st XI's 1991 run charts with 497 to his name. He shared a 52-run stand for the second wicket that gave the innings its spine, ably backed up by Piers McDonald with a tidy 31 and Keith Hatcher, unbeaten on 27, mopping up the tail-end nerves with the calm of a man who knows the job is nearly done.

It wasn't a total to strike fear into anyone on paper, but cricket, as ever, had other ideas, and our bowlers and fielders made sure Battle never got comfortable chasing it. Five wickets in hand at the finish tells its own story — a win with something to spare, and two points banked without undue alarm.

All told, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work: Castle in fine touch, the middle order doing its duty, and the visitors sent home wondering quite where the game got away from them. Chalk this one up as job done, no fuss, no drama — just the way we like it.

Sat 03 Aug 1991 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWLLWW

Saturday 3 August 1991, and the sun did us the courtesy of turning out for Sheldwich's visit. Won the toss and, in a fit of confidence I can only hope was justified, stuck us in. Eight men down for 169 off our 58 overs told its own story of a pitch offering just enough for the bowlers to keep everyone honest, but Keith Hatcher played the innings of the day, 57 not out and unmoved by the collapse going on around him, with Tim Thirkell's 41 giving him some proper company for a while.

169 always felt a touch light chasing leather round Linton Park all afternoon, but Sheldwich never quite got the measure of it. Tony Marsh's 39 was the backbone of their reply, with useful support from A Creed and Nigel Mannouch, yet somehow it always felt like we had a sniff. Then came the spell that turned the afternoon on its head — 128 for 5 became 141 for 8 almost before the tea had gone cold, poor Will Brookes despatched for a golden duck in the melee. Keith, not content with his runs, took the ball and ran through them with 3 for 9, Dave Todd chipped in with 3 for 47, and Rob Doick bowled two tidy maidens on his way to 1 for 36. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at 3 wickets myself — the skipper doing his bit, for once.

In the end neither side could land the killer blow, and honours were shared. A draw that felt, by the finish, rather more like a shared triumph than a stalemate.

Wed 31 Jul 1991 🧢 Midweek XIv HC Hunton Wanderers CC · AwayformLWDDD

Wednesday 31st July found us on the road to Hunton Wanderers, and for once the coin actually smiled on me — I had no hesitation in putting us in, a decision that felt distinctly less brave by close of play than it did at the toss.

We batted with real purpose. Our openers gave us the platform every captain dreams of and precious few ever get, seventy runs on the board before the first wicket fell, and from there Piers McDonald played the innings of the day, a handsome fifty that leaves him top of the 1991 Midweek XI run charts with 186 for the season. Peter Whyte chipped in with 41 and Jeremy Chapman finished unbeaten on 27 as we closed on a healthy 149 for 3 from our 41 overs.

With the ball we were, dare I say it, rather good. Trevor Back was the pick of the attack by some distance, four for 15, while Paul Bowles and David Castle chipped away either end and Jon Harris bowled with the miserly discipline of a man auditing the tea fund, four maidens. We had them 96 for 4 before a flurry of ducks — D Mycroft, A Munsey and A Revell all back in the pavilion without scoring — took them to 105 for 7, though Alan Hawkins' 39 and a stubborn 66-run stand had earlier threatened to make a match of it. Poor Peter Whyte, having done his bit with the bat, then let through eight byes behind the stumps — the only blot on an otherwise tidy afternoon.

Hunton Wanderers closed on 121 for 8, and honours were shared. A draw, but one that felt, on the balance of the afternoon's play, rather more ours than theirs.

Sun 28 Jul 1991 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWWDLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 28 July 1991. We travelled to The Mote CC, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation in choosing to bat, a decision I stood by through the wobbles that followed.

Losing a wicket with nought on the board is never the tonic a captain hopes for, but the lads dug in and we recovered to post 174 all out from 52.5 overs. Keith Hatcher led from the front with a well-made 56, and Dave Charlton wasn't far behind with a fifty of his own — the pair either side of a crucial 52-run stand for the fifth wicket that really got us back on our feet. Paul Gibson and Steve Cheesman, alas, will remember the day for rather different reasons, both departing for golden ducks.

In the field we set about defending our total, and a heartening piece of work it was too. The Mote's openers gave us an early fright with 75 for the first wicket, but once that stand was broken we squeezed hard, with Paul Gibson doing the real damage — 2 for 7 — well supported by Matt Large's miserly 1 for 12 and Alan Boyns's 1 for 21. Matthew Dunk's 55 kept their hopes alive, but they closed on 131 for 7 from their 41, still short of the target.

A day of honours shared, then — but not without its landmark: Keith Hatcher's innings brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, moving him past Terry Whittaker to 22nd on our all-time run-scorers list. A draw, but one we'll happily toast.

Sat 27 Jul 1991 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformWWWDL

We beat Hollingbourne away by 40 runs on 27 July 1991.

I won the toss and, with the sun out and a firm-looking wicket, there was never much debate in my mind — we batted. Paul Gibson set about making the decision look a good one, playing the innings of the day for 93, and finding a willing ally in Brian Piper (27) as the pair put on a crucial 71 for the third wicket. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with a tidy 23 as we pushed on to 199/7 from our 46 overs — though poor Dave Charlton will not thank me for mentioning the golden duck he contributed to proceedings. Every side needs someone to fall on their sword.

In the field we made early inroads, the first wicket going for just 1 run, and it looked for a while like a comfortable stroll home. Ian Brattle was the pick of the attack with 3-33, backed up nicely by Sean Charlton and Jon Harris with a wicket apiece, while Matt Large bowled with real discipline, four maidens to his name. Mike Donald (53) and an unbeaten stand between Dave Kay (38*) and M Winters (25*) dragged Hollingbourne back into contention, and their last pair's defiant 57 gave a few of us grey hairs we didn't need. I did my bit with the bat too, 23 runs that I shall modestly describe as "useful."

A proud day off the field as well as on it: Paul Gibson brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, and continues to lead our 1991 run charts with 550, with Matt Large topping the wicket pile on 32. We held our nerve to get over the line by 40 runs — a thoroughly good day for the club, and tea was all the sweeter for it.

Sun 21 Jul 1991 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv ? · HomeformW

Sunday 21 July 1991, and for once the toss came off — I called correctly and, with the sun out and the outfield fast, elected to bat first. No regrets there. David Castle played the innings of the day, a chanceless 84, while Piers McDonald's 57 and Nigel Thirkell's 47 gave it real substance either side of him. The openers set the tone with 122 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scorers, and 279 for 6 off our 45 overs felt like a total with some bite to it.

Bite, alas, was rather the word for their reply too. Matt Large was magnificent with the new ball — 3 for 12 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure — and Jon Harris (2 for 34) and Paul Gibson (1 for 2) chipped in dutifully. I even had a bowl myself and picked up 47, though I shan't pretend that was the difference. L Hartong (26) and M Winters (20) did what they could, but 143 for 9 in their 45 overs was never going to get them close, and we came away beaten by 136 runs — which, reading it back, does raise the question of quite how we managed to lose from there. Best not to dwell.

One bright footnote amid the wreckage: David Castle's 84 eases him past Basil Sears into 4th on the club's all-time run charts, and he now sits proudly atop the 1991 Sunday averages, with Matt Large leading the wicket-takers. Individually, plenty to admire; collectively, a peculiar way to lose a cricket match. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 21 Jul 1991 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv ? · HomeformW

Sunday 21 July saw us host the visitors, and winning the toss I didn't need long to decide — with a good drying pitch underfoot, batting first felt like the only honest option.

We got to 162/7 from our 49 overs, which felt like a defendable total without ever quite feeling commanding. Ron McCormick led the way with a fine 36, and a 56-run opening stand gave us the platform, with Stewart Morrison (34) and Dave Todd, unbeaten on 25, keeping things ticking along nicely. I contributed a tidy 25 myself, for what that's worth. Special mention, alas, to poor Rob Doick, who departed for a duck — these things happen to the best of us, and he shan't be allowed to forget it in the bar afterwards.

In the field we scrapped hard. The visitors were bowled out for 131 in 37 overs, and for a while it looked genuinely close — B Nixon's 49 and a handy 51-run third-wicket stand kept them in the hunt, before they stumbled from 103-3 to 116-6 as the pressure told, three batsmen falling for ducks along the way. Tim Thirkell was outstanding, snaring 3-7, with Dave Todd (3-34) and the miserly Alan Boyns (2-32, three maidens) offering fine support. I even managed three wickets myself.

In the end we fell 31 runs short. Not our day, but plenty to build on — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 20 Jul 1991 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformWWLLW

I called correctly at the toss on Saturday and, with the sun out and Southborough CC our guests, there was never much debate in my mind — we were batting.

And bat we did. Dave Charlton played the innings of the day, a well-crafted 65, while Tim Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 49 and young Simon Thirkell saw us home unbeaten on 23. The two of them shared a third-wicket stand worth 131 that took the game away from Southborough before tea was even a thought, and with a generous 29 extras thrown in for good measure, we declared our innings closed at 216/5 from 46 overs feeling rather pleased with ourselves.

Defending it was another matter — Southborough don't come quietly, and David Thorpe's 59 and George Gilmour's 26 built a fourth-wicket stand of 67 that had a few of us checking our watches nervously. But Fred Cheesman, marking his 100th appearance in Linton colours in the most fitting style imaginable, ran through them with 4-36, ably backed by Paul Lines (2-44, two miserly maidens) and Rob Doick (2-50). Southborough fell short at 190/9 from their 44 overs.

Twenty-six runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly earned. A red-letter day all round — not least for Fred, who I suspect will be dining out on that ton-up for weeks. Tea, as ever, was the real MVP.

Thu 18 Jul 1991 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWWWWD

Beaten by 20 Runs at The Mote: A Captain's Tale

Thursday 18 July, and off we trundled to The Mote, coin toss lost before the match had barely begun. They elected to bat, which on a placid track is usually club-cricket code for "we fancy our chances," and fancy them they did — 154/4 off sixteen overs, built around S Pal's unbeaten 53 and handy contributions from Nigel Mullarkey (38) and Neil Tillott (36). Sean Charlton did the honest toil with 2-43, Alan Boyns and Nigel Thirkell chipping in a wicket apiece, but truth be told we were leaking runs like a colander with the lid off.

Chasing 155 in our sixteen was always going to want a bit of daring, and Nigel Thirkell set about it properly with 42, well supported by Dave Charlton's unbeaten 28 and David Castle's 24. I contributed 42 myself, which I mention purely in the interests of accuracy and not at all because I'm rather pleased with it. Alas, the middle order had one of those collective wobbles club cricket specialises in — 78-2 became 88-5 before we'd had time to put the kettle on — and 134/5 was where the innings, and our hopes, ran aground.

Special mention, and rightly so, for Piers McDonald, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark worth more than any scoreline, and one the tea urn should have toasted properly.

Beaten by 20 runs, then, honest defeat against a side who simply middled it better than us. We'll dust ourselves down and be the better for it next week.

Sun 14 Jul 1991 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformDWWWW

Sunday 14 July found us hosting Folkestone CC, and losing the toss meant losing the initiative too — into the field we trudged, resigned to our fate as chasers rather than setters. Roy Downey made merry at our expense, his 95 the innings' spine, with Peter Hodges (45) and Ian Hansen (36 not out) lending sturdy support and stitching together an 89-run stand for the third wicket that rather took the shine off our afternoon. Alan Boyns was our pick with the ball, 2-63 for his troubles, while Nigel Thirkell and Sean Charlton chipped in a wicket apiece — Charlton in particularly miserly form with three maidens, bowling as though runs were rationed.

Set 226 to win, we mustered 120/6 from our 41 overs, never quite threatening the target but never entirely capitulating either. An early stumble to 3 for one set the tone, and poor Trevor Back's duck won't trouble the highlights reel. Stewart Morrison (35 not out) and Dave Charlton (33) did the honest graft, while I contributed a workmanlike 17 — modest, but I'll take it. Piers McDonald had a torrid time behind the stumps, 12 byes testifying to a pitch with ideas of its own.

A word of cheer amid the toil: Tim Thirkell's 14 runs eased him past Stan Wratten into 8th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our 1991 run charts and Jon Harris sits second among the wicket-takers.

Honours shared, then — a draw that flattered neither side, but denied us nothing either. We live to fight another Sunday.

Sat 13 Jul 1991 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformDWWLL

We travelled to Horton Kirby CC on Saturday knowing the toss might mean everything, so when it fell our way I had no hesitation in putting us in — and for once the decision made me look rather clever. Brian Piper was in glorious touch, ending unbeaten on 78, and found the perfect foil in Stewart Morrison's 41, the pair adding a priceless 110 for the fourth wicket to haul us to a very handsome 176/5 from our 46 overs. Poor Dave Charlton will not want reminding of his duck, but with knocks like Piper's about, one blot on the card was easily forgiven.

If 176 felt useful, it turned out to be a small fortune. Horton Kirby stumbled to 5-1 early and never really recovered their footing, I Wise's battling 32 the only real resistance as we tore through the rest — 63-4 became 68-7 in the blink of an eye, with B Tester, K Tidmus and M Howard all sent back without so much as a run to their names. All the while Alan Boyns was quietly, then not so quietly, running amok, his 6-24 (three of them maidens) an outstanding return richly earned, backed up handsomely by Dave Todd's 2-8 and Rob Doick's 2-39. They were bowled out for 75 in 33.4 overs.

A hundred-and-one-run win, two points banked, and Stewart Morrison and Dave Todd continuing to lead the 2nd XI's run and wicket charts respectively. All told, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work.

Wed 10 Jul 1991 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformWLWDD

As a nervy start turned into a 112-run fifth-wicket stand can only mean, we somehow contrived a result that pleased and infuriated both dressing rooms in equal measure. Winning the toss would have been nice, but Gravesend's decision to bat first gave us a proper afternoon's work in the field. D Summerfield's 66 and Glen Giddings' handsome 51 did most of the damage, with L Mann's 42 filling in the gaps, and that third-wicket stand of 78 was the sort of partnership that has a captain rearranging his field for the tenth time and wondering why he bothered. Ian Wicks was the pick of our attack with 1-15, well backed up by Stewart Morrison and Fred Cheesman, while Rob Doick's two maidens suggested a man in no mood to be taken lightly. Gravesend closed on 232/6.

Chasing 233, we lost an early wicket with just 2 on the board and I confess the pavilion went rather quiet. Enter Jeremy Chapman, who proceeded to play the innings of the summer — a magnificent 141 — ably supported by Alan Pattenden's 45, the pair sharing a match-defining stand of 112 for the fifth wicket. We fell short at 225/8 from our 42, though not without a nod to the Duck Club, whose ledger swelled with entries for Stewart Morrison, Trevor Back and Jim Hall — the walk of shame duly performed. Poor Morrison also had his gloves given a working-over behind the stumps, ten byes the price of an eventful day's keeping.

A draw it was, then — honours shared, pride mostly intact, and Chapman's ton the talk of the tea interval. Given where we stood at 2 for 1, I'll happily take it.

Sun 07 Jul 1991 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformDDWWW

Captain's Log, Sunday 07 July: Hollingbourne CC came calling, and true to form the coin let me down again — up it went, down it came, and we were put into the field. Not that anyone was complaining once Jon Harris got going. The visitors were bowled out for 152 in 47.5 overs, Trevor Scrivens compiling a handsome fifty with useful support from Andrew Hales and Simon Hammond, both 22. Early wicket down for 3, a stand of 62 threatened to set the game beyond us, then it all rather came apart — 138 for 5 became 142 for 8 in a hurry, with K Vanns, Colin Pack and Dave Latter all making ducks. Jon Harris was the architect throughout, six for 32 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, Paul Bowles (2-31) and Rob Doick (1-37) tidying up nicely.

With 153 to chase, Paul Gibson led the reply with a well-crafted 57, Tim Thirkell (38) and Trevor Back (30) keeping him company, and a crucial second-wicket stand of 98 doing the heavy lifting after an early wicket fell cheap. Dave Charlton and Nick Stephens both walked back for nought, but no matter — we got home at 155 for 7 in 40.1 overs. Gibson had a lively afternoon behind the stumps too, leaking 11 byes, though nobody's holding that against the man who won us the match with the bat.

A tidy afternoon's work, then: two points, thoroughly earned, and a three-wicket win to bank.

Sat 06 Jul 1991 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformWDDWW

Saturday last, Staplehurst CC came calling, and for once the coin actually listened to me — I called correctly and, with a pitch that looked too good to leave to the bowlers, had no hesitation in batting first. Brian Piper played the anchor role to perfection, 52 not out, well made and worth every run, with Piers McDonald's 48 and Nigel Thirkell's 23 giving it proper backbone. That sixth-wicket stand of 88 was the innings, really — the rest of us merely decorated it, myself included with a modest 23. We closed on 178 for 6 from our 46, a total that felt defendable and, as it turned out, was.

So it proved with the ball. Staplehurst lost their opener cheaply at 7 for 1, and from there Ian Brattle simply took the game away from them, spinning his way to 5 for 33 with six maidens that strangled any hope of momentum — the sort of spell you buy the man a pint for. Nigel Thirkell and Matt Large chipped in with a wicket apiece to keep the squeeze on. John Robins battled to 32 not out and A Henson to 23, and an irritating last-wicket stand of 46 flattered them somewhat, but 127 for 7 from 44 overs was never going to be enough. Peter Whyte had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, 13 byes testament to some lively bowling rather than idle gloves.

A tidy footnote: Brian's fifty eased him past Stan Wratten into 7th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — the mantelpiece groans a little more. Two points, won by 51 runs, and thoroughly deserved.

Sat 06 Jul 1991 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformWDWWL

Saturday the sixth of July found us on the road to Staplehurst, and it was there, within moments of arrival, that the day's first misfortune struck: I lost the toss, and we were invited to field. Staplehurst made hay accordingly, racing to 198 for 4 from their 46 overs, the innings built almost entirely around L Bull's magnificent 117 not out, with M Robinson chipping in a handy 23. Credit where due — Dave Todd toiled manfully for 3 for 81, with two miserly maidens amid the carnage, and Tim Thirkell chimed in with 1 for 49.

Chasing 199, we contrived to lose our first wicket before we'd troubled the scorers, 0 for 1 setting an ominous tone. From there Dave Todd played the innings of a captain determined to salvage pride, top-scoring with a fine unbeaten 52, well supported by Paul Davey's 28. But cricket, as ever, delights in cruelty: 113 for 7 became 121 all out in the blink of an eye, with Stewart Morrison, A Jesshope and Richard Piper all taking the walk of shame for ducks. I was quietly proud to lead from the front with the bat, and happier still with three wickets to show for my bowling.

In the season's ledger, Paul Davey continues to top the run charts with 166, and I'm grateful to see my own name leading the wickets column with 18. But none of that softens today: beaten by 77 runs, heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 22 Jun 1991 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWDDW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 22 June 1991. We hosted West Farleigh CC, and having called correctly for once in my life, I had no hesitation in putting us in to bat, more out of hope than any tactical genius.

The lads did me proud. Paul Gibson led from the front with a well-made 62, and found a fine ally in Peter Whyte, whose 47 helped stitch together a 79-run stand for the third wicket that really was the innings' backbone. Keith Hatcher chipped in a handy 28 down the order, and we posted a satisfying 209 for 9 off our 46 overs. Not everything glittered, mind — Dave Charlton and A Stevens both departed for ducks, proof that not every man can be a hero on the same afternoon, but with that total on the board I fancied our chances.

And so it proved. West Farleigh's innings folded rather sorrily, from 71 for 4 to 79 for 7 in a hurry, and they were all out for 126 in 34.3 overs despite a well-made 55 from Mick Holness that threatened, briefly, to spoil the party. Matt Large was quite superb, 4 for 39 with two tight maidens, well backed by Paul Bowles (2-10) and Jon Harris (2-28), while I managed to rediscover some rhythm of my own with four wickets. Poor Paul Webster departed without troubling the scorers.

A splendid day all round, capped by Peter Whyte bringing up 2,000 career runs for the club. A fine win by 83 runs — onwards we go.

Sat 22 Jun 1991 🧢 2nd XIv SC St Lawrence CC · AwayformWWDWW

Saturday 22 June 1991, and off we trundled to Dummy Site with barely a groan of complaint, though the toss did nothing to lift the mood — lost again, and in they went to bat first. Still, needs must, and there's a certain stubborn pleasure in bowling a side out on turf not your own. Tim Thirkell set the tone with a snappy 3-22, Rob Doick chipped away for 3-26, five maidens of pure, miserly graft that had batsmen muttering into their gloves, and Dave Todd tidied up with 2-4. T Martin departed without troubling the scorers, and Sharp's defiant 46 was the only real resistance before the innings folded for 122 in 40.5 overs.

A gettable total, and Malcolm Pay made sure of it, farming the bowling to a composed, unbeaten 76 that did the bulk of the work while the rest of us fussed about at the other end — I managed a workmanlike 16, for what that's worth. We reached 125 for the loss of just three wickets in 30.2 overs, home with overs and wickets both to spare. Poor Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes slipping through like eels, though nobody begrudged him on a day when the bowlers and Malcolm did all the heavy lifting.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, then — bowled well, chased well, and home by seven wickets. Malcolm Pay continues to top our run charts this season with 141, and Dave Todd our wicket-takers with 15; long may both continue.

Thu 20 Jun 1991 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformWLWDD

From the captain's chair — Thursday 20 June 1991. Leeds & Broomfield CC were the visitors, and I lost the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this season. No matter — they chose to bat, and it turned out to be the shrewder decision for us than for them.

They never quite got going. An early wicket at 6-1 set the tone, and once we found our stride the innings simply unravelled — 33-4 collapsed to 45-7 before anyone could catch breath, with Geoff Hunt and B Williams both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. Only P Thomas, unbeaten on 39, showed any real defiance. Nigel Thirkell was the chief architect of the damage with a superb 4-9, well supported by Matt Large's 2-29 and Alan Boyns's solitary but useful wicket. They limped to 85/8 from their sixteen overs — a total that never looked like testing us.

And so it proved. Nigel, having done the business with the ball, carried on where he left off with bat in hand, a composed 40 not out steering us home. I found some form myself with 40 runs, and we cantered to 89/1 in just thirteen overs.

A nice footnote on the day: David Castle's 18 runs nudged him past John Ames into 5th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — the sort of thing that means rather more to us than it perhaps should.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved. Won by 5 wickets, and not before time.

Wed 19 Jun 1991 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformLWLWD

From the captain's chair, Wednesday 19 June 1991: we welcomed Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC, lost the toss as is customary these days, and were sent out to field on a pitch that gave away rather more than we'd have liked.

Sevenoaks made themselves at home to the tune of 219/6 from their 45 overs, B Angus compiling a handsome 62 and P Holdstock not far behind with 59, well supported by P Styles' 40 — their second-wicket pair adding a chunky 51 to set the tone. Rob Doick was the pick of our attack, miserly with three maidens and 2-30, ably backed by Jon Harris (2-45) and Ian Grognet (1-43); small consolation came in seeing P Tapper depart for a duck.

Chasing 220, we lost an early wicket with just 3 on the board and looked briefly in some peril, but Piers McDonald played the innings of the season — a magnificent 113 — steadying the ship alongside Darren Brame's useful 24, the two of them building a matchwinning fourth-wicket stand of 73. We closed on 178/6 from our 44, Fred Cheesman and Tim Thirkell both departing for ducks along the way.

So honours shared, and on this evidence not an unreasonable outcome — McDonald's ton keeps him top of our 1991 run charts on 136, with Doick leading the wickets on 4. A draw to nod at over a pint rather than celebrate, but no complaints from this captain.

Sat 15 Jun 1991 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformLWLWD

It was Saturday, 15th June, and I confess I rather fancied our chances against the Maidstone Dissidents on home turf. Winning the toss is one thing, but making the right call at it is quite another — I opted to bat, and for once the cricketing gods nodded in approval rather than smirking at my presumption.

We posted 221 for 5 off our 41 overs, which felt like a thoroughly respectable afternoon's work. Dave Charlton was in fine touch for his 69, and Paul Gibson chipped in handsomely with 56, the pair of them stitching together a 112-run stand for the third wicket that did most of the heavy lifting while the rest of us admired from the pavilion. Matt Large finished things off in style, unbeaten on 33, and I even managed a modest 33 of my own — enough to feel useful without troubling the record books.

With the ball, however, the Dissidents simply shut up shop, crawling to 19 without loss off just 4.3 overs before deciding that discretion, and a draw, was the better part of valour. Honours shared, then — no bad thing on a day when nobody could quite land the killer blow. Elsewhere, it's worth noting Paul Gibson now sits fifth in the club's 1991 run charts with 296 to his name, proof that his innings today was no fluke. All told, a good toss, a fine total, and a draw that satisfied nobody's thirst for a result — but then, that's village cricket for you.

Sat 08 Jun 1991 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformLLWLW

Saturday last, we welcomed Rumwood CC to Linton Park, and I duly lost the toss — no surprises there, my coin-calling remains as reliable as an English summer. They chose to bat, and set about compiling 180/7 from their 53 overs, built chiefly around Peter Humphries' polished 52, with useful support from P Smith (38) and Rod Bailey (31); their second-wicket pair put on 68 to give the innings its spine. To our credit the lads fought hard in the field: Keith Hatcher was the pick of the attack with 4-48, Alan Boyns chipped in with 2-26, and Jon Harris bowled with real discipline, three maidens to his name.

Chasing 181, we replied with 129/7 from our 39 overs, a total that owed almost everything to Brian Piper, whose unbeaten 61 was the innings in miniature — patient, watchful, and rather too lonely for comfort. Keith Hatcher weighed in usefully with 29, and the pair added 77 for the fourth wicket while the rest of us, shall we say, admired from the pavilion. Piers McDonald, Matt Large and Nick Stephens each contributed a golden duck, and as for the skipper — a golden blob of his own, proof that leading by example has its limits.

One bright note amid the wreckage: Piper's 61 sees him climb past Tim Thirkell into 8th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a fine achievement even in a losing cause with the bat. So it finished all square — honours shared, pride dented, and the tea urn, mercifully, unaffected.

Sat 08 Jun 1991 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformDWWDW

Saturday 8 June found us on the road to Rumwood, and winning the toss I did what any captain with a decent breakfast inside him does — I had a bat. The right call, as it turned out. Stewart Morrison played the innings of the day, a crisp fifty, with Mike Elworthy (46) and A Hayward (20) lending sturdy support; their fifth-wicket stand of 62 was the spine of the innings as we posted 188 for 7 off our 46 overs. Yours truly contributed a watchful 16, more nudge than dash, but every run counts when you're paying for the teas.

Defending a total like that, you dream of a start like the one we got — Rumwood two down before the board had barely opened, and from there the nerves never quite left them. Rob Doick was magnificent, four wickets for 32 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, hardly giving away a run let alone a boundary. Mike Elworthy backed him up superbly with 3 for 29, and Phillip Morrison chipped in too. Three ducks along the way didn't help Rumwood's cause, and though P Page fought hard for his 23, the innings folded for 89 in 30 overs — the middle order simply couldn't stem the collapse from 76 for 7 to all out.

Ninety-nine runs the margin, two points thoroughly banked, and Stewart Morrison and Rob Doick continue to sit proudly second in this season's run and wicket charts respectively. A fine day's work, and one the tea urn thoroughly deserved.

Thu 06 Jun 1991 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLLLWL

Thursday the 6th of June brought West Farleigh to Linton Park, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in asking my side to bat first — a decision I'm rather pleased to say vindicated itself, for once. We closed on 122/5 from our sixteen overs, the innings built squarely on Nigel Thirkell's magnificent 62 not out, cruising serenely past his fifty as though the bowling had personally wronged him, with David Castle's 26 lending sturdy support lower down. I contributed a modest 62 myself, which I mention only because someone has to write this report and vanity is a captain's privilege.

Defending 122 is never a formality, and West Farleigh made us work for it, reaching 102/8 from their sixteen overs. Adrian Smith led their reply with 35, well supported by Andy Golding's 23, but our bowlers kept chipping away — Tim Baker and Don Fermor both departed for ducks at our hands. Matt Large was the pick of the attack with 3-16, Sean Charlton chimed in with 3-26, and Alan Boyns picked up 1-8, between them squeezing the life out of the chase.

We got over the line by 20 runs — a thoroughly good day for the club. A special mention, too, for Keith Hatcher, who made his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark achievement worthy of the club's applause. Thirkell now sits second in the season's run charts with 389, while Large leads the wickets with 23 — the engine room is running nicely. A fine team performance, and a win we thoroughly deserved.

Tue 04 Jun 1991 🧢 1st XIv KH KCC Highways · HomeformWLLLW

Beaten by ten wickets, and I shan't pretend otherwise: a chastening afternoon for the Linton Park faithful.

Losing the toss on a Tuesday evening always feels like the day's second piece of bad luck, and being asked to chase suggested our hosts fancied a tidy stroll. Credit where it's due, though — we scrapped hard with the ball. Paul Lines was a menace with the new one, 3-16 in his figures, and poor John Woodhams departed for a duck without so much as glimpsing the scoreboard. Rob Doick (2-18) and Matt Large (1-8) kept up the pressure admirably, and restricting the opposition to 66/8 from their sixteen overs felt, briefly, like a job rather well done.

Then came the small matter of actually getting the runs, and here the away side reminded us why they'd asked us to bowl first. David Castle and Keith Hatcher strolled to 67 without loss in just eight overs — Castle unbeaten on 46, Hatcher a watchful 21 not out — but by then the damage on our side of the ledger was already irreversible. Castle continues his fine season, now second in the run charts with 333, while Matt Large's wicket tally of 20 keeps him top of that particular table — small consolations on a night short of them.

Ten wickets is about as comprehensive a beating as this game allows, and there's precious little dressing it up. We'll lick our wounds, raise a glass to Lines and Castle for their individual efforts, and live to fight another Tuesday.

Sun 02 Jun 1991 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CK Castle Hill CC, Kent · AwayformWWWLW

Here goes:

Sunday last saw us bowl our way across the county line to Castle Hill CC, and I'll confess to a small swell of pride at winning the toss and sticking us in to bat — for once, the decision looked good before a ball was bowled, let alone after. Nigel Thirkell set about the Castle Hill attack with real purpose, compiling a wonderful 88, while David Castle chipped in with 45 and the pair shared 81 for the fourth wicket to give the innings its backbone. Matt Large then finished things in style, an unbeaten 53, and even our tail found something to say for itself with a defiant 57 to push us on to a handsome 253/6. Castle Hill's bowlers, I imagine, were glad to see the back of us.

Defending a total like that ought to be the easy part, and so it proved. Two down for one told its own story, and by the time we'd reduced them to 57-6 and then 76-9 the floodgates were positively Niagara — poor O Rhys-Jones departed without so much as a run to his name. Paul Gibson span a web few could escape, finishing with 5-15, with Ian Brattle (3-5) and the tireless Nigel Thirkell (2-12, two maidens and 88 with the bat besides) doing the mopping up. All out for 76.

A word too for Ian Brattle, who crept past Frank Taylor into 18th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — quietly done, richly deserved.

Two points, 177 runs to the good, and a thoroughly satisfying day's work.

Sat 01 Jun 1991 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · HomeformWWLLL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 1 June 1991, and Milstead CC came calling at home. The coin let us down again, and Milstead had first use of the square, which is never quite the plan but rarely the disaster we make of it in our heads.

They batted through to 191 for 9 off their 46, N Fisher giving us a proper lesson with an unbeaten fifty, Mike Sellar (34) and S Chandler (32) chipping in gamely around him. Small mercy: P Savage went for nought, so not everything went their way either. Nigel Thirkell did the heavy lifting with the ball, 3 for 44, with Alan Boyns (2-39) and Matt Large (2-42) keeping things tight — Large in particular refusing to give an inch, three maidens to his name.

Chasing 192, we set about it in fine style. Paul Bowles and David Castle put on 96 for the first wicket before either fell, which is roughly 95 more than I usually manage before someone's shouting for a run I haven't agreed to. Bowles went on to 73, Castle a well-made 62, and Thirkell weighed in again with 41. I contributed a tidy-enough 41 myself and, rather pleased with my own cheek, found some rhythm to take 3 wickets earlier in the day.

We got home by 7 wickets with overs in hand — 194 for 3 off 41.1. Bowles now sits proudly atop the season's run charts, Large the wickets, and on this evidence neither shows much sign of slowing down. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 01 Jun 1991 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · AwayformDDWWD

We won the toss at Milstead and I had few qualms about batting first on a Saturday that promised runs. And runs there were — 168 for 7 off our 46, built on a first-wicket stand of 57 that gave us the platform every innings craves. Mike Elworthy's 36 was the innings' backbone, with Stewart Morrison and Malcolm Pay both weighing in with 28 apiece. Not every man's day was so glorious, mind — Fred Cheesman's duck earns him the walk of shame and a line in the Duck Club ledger, poor lad.

Defending 168 always feels a touch skinny, and Milstead didn't make it comfortable. Brian Spicer's 34, J Roberts' 32 and Ken West's unbeaten 30 kept them in the hunt, with a third-wicket stand of 53 the closest thing to a scare all afternoon — though a wicket falling for just 7 early on gave us hope from the off. Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, nine byes leaking away, but with the ball Dave Todd was magnificent — 5 for 46, a five-for thoroughly deserved and one that keeps him top of the 1991 2nd XI wicket charts with 13. I chipped in with five of my own, and Mike Elworthy and Rob Doick shared the rest, Doick metering out two tidy maidens along the way.

In the end Milstead fell 15 runs short, all out for 153. Two points, no fluke about it — a proper team performance, ducks, byes and all.

Wed 29 May 1991 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Burghill & Tillington CC · HomeformWLWLW

Splendid day for it — well, in theory. Wednesday 29th May, Burghill & Tillington the visitors, and I lost the toss for the umpteenth time this season, so out we trooped to bowl first, tea urn barely warm.

They made hay early doors, particularly through a punishing third-wicket stand of 106 — P Sparrow the chief architect with a fine 70, well supported by P Hinkley's 36 and S Wilton's unbeaten 36. We clawed some pride back through the middle overs, Trevor Back the pick of the attack with 2-28, Rob Doick toiling manfully for 2-67 and Jon Harris chipping in with 1-45, but a maddening last-pair stand of 55 we really could have lived without saw them close on a stiff 226/6 from their 39.

Chasing that lot, we never quite got in range, closing on 145/7 from 41. Dave Todd was the mainstay, unbeaten on 45 and, rather more importantly, bringing up 1,000 career runs for the club along the way — many congratulations to him. Trevor Back's 26 and Piers McDonald's 23 gave good support, and a defiant last-wicket dig added a scrappy but welcome 36 to lend the total some respectability. Special mention to Paul Brattle, who contributed a golden duck to proceedings — these things happen to the best of us, Paul.

With honours shared, it was, I suppose, a fair reflection of an afternoon where neither side could quite land the decisive blow. A draw, then — and on this evidence, a fair one.

Tue 28 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformWWWLL

Tuesday last, we welcomed The Mote CC and duly lost the toss, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition. Asked to bowl first, we made a decent fist of it, restricting them to 134/9 from their sixteen overs — though not before Micky Ruler helped himself to 48 and Nick Pitt chipped in a useful 29. Matt Large was the pick of the attack with 2-12, Nigel Thirkell backed him up nicely with 2-26, and Jon Harris took 1-8. Glynn Thompson and J Wood both departed for ducks at our hands, which I'm sure they'll want to forget quicker than we will.

A word first, though, on a proper milestone: David Castle reached 50 career wickets, a landmark that deserved better than the result we ultimately gave it.

Chasing 135, we never quite found the fluency to get there, closing on 97/3 from our sixteen overs. Nigel Thirkell led the way with 29, Keith Hatcher matched him with an unbeaten 29, and Piers McDonald finished not out on 20. I managed a workmanlike 29 myself, more application than artistry. Up in the season's charts, Thirkell now sits second in the 1st XI run standings with 286, while Large tops the wicket-takers with 17 — small consolations on a day we finished 37 runs short.

Beaten, then, but not disgraced. We'll dust ourselves down, raise a glass to Castle's half-century of scalps, and go again next week.

Mon 27 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformWWWWL

As Paul Bowles topped both charts and starred with bat and ball, here's the report.

Monday 27 May 1991, and Dummy Site rolled up looking rather too pleased with themselves after winning the toss and sending us out into the field. Fair enough — 246/7 from their fifty-nine overs suggested they knew what they were doing, chiefly one A. Pattenden, who compiled a thoroughly ill-mannered 145 not out and simply refused to get out. He had willing company from Hamish Anthony (22) and John Hartridge (20), the pair putting on 138 for the fifth wicket while the rest of us stood about admiring the scenery. Small mercies: Nigel Sharp departed for a golden duck at our hands, Paul Bowles toiled manfully for 2-86, Paul Gibson and Jon Harris chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Matt Large bowled four maidens of the sort that make a captain feel briefly competent again.

Chasing 247 looked a tall order on paper, but paper has never faced Paul Bowles in this kind of mood. He simply carried on where their Pattenden left off, compiling a magnificent 144 not out, and found the perfect foil in Keith Hatcher, whose fine 87 kept the scoreboard humming along nicely. Between them they saw us home to 249/1 with barely a flutter, though poor Peter Whyte had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, leaking ten byes for his trouble.

Beaten by nine wickets, and no arguments from this corner — Dummy Site were simply the better side on the day. Still, with Bowles now leading both our run and wicket charts for the season, we've plenty to be cheerful about. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 26 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformLWWWW

Sunday 26 May 1991 saw Benenden CC visit us in fine spirit, and having won the toss I elected to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever anyone says about the state of my captaincy record. An early wobble at 1-1 threatened to make a liar of me, but the lads dug in nicely thereafter. Tim Thirkell played the innings of the day with a classy 58, Dave Charlton chipped in handsomely with 46 and Brian Piper added 27, the pair of Thirkell and whoever joined him putting on a crucial 97 for the third wicket to give the innings its spine. Poor Piers McDonald will not thank me for mentioning his golden duck in print, but honesty is the reporter's curse. A generous 33 extras rounded us out to a respectable 197/8 from 46.4 overs.

Defending it, we simply couldn't find the breakthrough often enough. Ray Harding played a captain's innings of his own — 92, and a fine one at that — well supported by Nigel Phelps's unbeaten 48 and Gary Marshall's 25, their third-wicket stand of 91 doing the real damage. Matt Large was our pick with 1-42, continuing a fine season that now sees him leading the 1st XI wicket charts with 15, while Rob Doick and Mike Elworthy chipped in with one apiece. Benenden got home by five wickets with overs to spare.

Not our day, then, and no use pretending otherwise. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets — there's cricket yet to be won this summer.

Sat 25 May 1991 🧢 2nd XIv DC Ditton CC · HomeformDDWW

Saturday 25th May 1991 saw Ditton CC roll up to Linton Park, and having won the toss I fancied a bat on what looked a good surface. We weren't wrong: Paul Davey played the innings of the season, a majestic 121, while Bob Lines (39) and Stewart Morrison (21) filled in nicely around him. Not everyone's day, mind — Fred Cheesman and Rob Doick both took that lonely walk back for nought, and I'm told the Duck Club ledger has been updated accordingly. We closed on 214/6 from our 44 overs, a total I was rather pleased with as I took my cap off.

Ditton didn't fold quietly. X Field made a fine 69 and Roger Fowle chipped in with 45, and for a while it looked as though our declaration-that-wasn't might be chased down. Dave Todd, though, was magnificent — 4-41 with four maidens, miserly as a Yorkshireman with a bar tab — ably assisted by Fred Cheesman (3-50) and Rob Doick (1-32), while I managed to remember how to bowl and picked up four myself. S Field departed for a duck to remind us the ledger cuts both ways. Poor Roly Edwards had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 16 byes escaping him, and Ditton finished on 184/8 from their 47.

A draw, then — honours shared, and probably a fair reflection of an entertaining day's cricket.

Sat 25 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv CK Castle Hill CC, Kent · AwayformWLWWW

Following on that magnificent Nigel Thirkell knock, we made our way to Castle Hill on a fine Saturday, lost the toss, and duly found ourselves leathering the new Kentish grass rather earlier than we'd have chosen. Their number three, T Rudd, had clearly had his Weetabix, compiling a majestic 109 while N Bardsley (36) and Peter Beale (23) kept him company, the pair adding 113 for the second wicket in what I can only describe as a partnership we watched with growing resignation. Alan Boyns kept his head admirably amid the carnage, returning 1-23 with three maidens — parsimony bordering on the heroic — while Matt Large and Jon Harris chipped in a wicket apiece at rather steeper cost. 198/6 from their 46 overs left us a stiff but not impossible ask.

Chase we did, and chase we did rather well. I shan't be falsely modest: 85 not out from the captain felt like the least I could do after watching that Rudd innings from the boundary, though Piers McDonald's brisk 40 not out and David Castle's 35 did every bit as much of the heavy lifting. We eased home on 202/4 with three overs unused and six wickets intact.

Off the field, the day had a nice ring of history to it: Paul Bowles brought up 25,000 career runs for the club, and David Castle's 35 nudged him past Stan Wratten into sixth on the all-time run charts — not bad for an afternoon's work. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a very satisfactory drive home.

Thu 23 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Invicta CC · AwayformWWLWW

Thursday 23 May 1991, and off we trundled to Maidstone Invicta, losing the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this season and being invited to field. No complaints from me — early wickets are always a tonic for the soul, and a rather good one at that, with Invicta stumbling to 2 for 1 before they'd barely got their pads dry. G Lock and P Webster both walked back without troubling the scorers, and from there Matt Large ran through his overs like a man possessed, finishing with 2-11 to lead the attack, with Nigel Thirkell (2-32) and Paul Lines (1-18) chipping in nicely. Richard Feltham (22 not out) and B Reynolds (20 not out) steadied things late to get the hosts to 103/6 from their sixteen — a total that felt gettable, if not exactly daunting.

Chasing it, we made hard work of easy things, as is our custom. Poor Piers McDonald departed for a duck, but Paul Bowles played the innings of the day with 43, ably backed up by Keith Hatcher's unbeaten 20 — a knock that, rather splendidly, edges him past Robert Chance into 23rd on the club's all-time run list. Your captain contributed a workmanlike 19, more nudge than flourish, and we crossed the line at 104/4 with three wickets in hand.

A word too for Nigel Thirkell, who passed 1200 career wickets in the same afternoon — a mountain of a milestone delivered with typical understatement. A fine win by three wickets, then, and one to savour on the coach home. Onwards.

Tue 21 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv LC Leybourne CC · HomeformDWWLW

We lost the toss on Tuesday 21 May and were sent in to field, which on reflection may have been the least eventful decision of the day. Leybourne posted a brisk 123/5 from their sixteen overs, built around a stand of 51 for the fourth wicket as P Bridger (35) and P Rowe (25) did the heavy lifting. Rob Doick was the pick of our attack with 3-32, ably backed by Matt Large's 1-21, and there was some quiet satisfaction in seeing Mark Folkard back off without troubling the scorers. Twenty-three wides and no-balls, however, were a rather generous gift we could ill afford.

Chasing 124, Keith Hatcher played the innings of the day — 38 well-constructed runs, with Tim Thirkell chipping in 23 as the pair put on 53 for the second wicket and had us cruising. Then, as club cricket so loves to do, it all went briefly haywire: 77-2 became 84-5 in the blink of an eye, with David Castle, Nigel Thirkell and Martin Larkin all departing without scoring. As for your captain, I can only offer a golden blob by way of leadership from the front — not, on this occasion, the example I had in mind.

Still, the lads dug in and got us home by two wickets, thoroughly earned. A word too for Keith Hatcher, whose 38 eased him past Maurice Fenner into 24th on the club's all-time run charts, and who now sits fifth in this season's list behind Matt Large's league-leading eleven wickets. A scrappy, nerve-jangling win — but a win nonetheless, and I'll take it.

Sun 19 May 1991 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crockham Hill CC · HomeformWWWWL

As we all seem to be firmly of the toss-winning persuasion this season, I had no hesitation in taking first knock against Crockham Hill. It looked, for a while, like a fairly ordinary Sunday's toil, until Nigel Thirkell decided otherwise, farming the strike with the sort of quiet stubbornness normally reserved for tax returns, and finishing unbeaten on 94. David Castle (22) and Brian Piper (22) chipped in nicely, and the pair put on a vital 74 for the fourth wicket, hauling us up to a very defendable 183/6 from our 40 overs.

Defending it, mind, was never going to be a formality — this lot don't do formalities. Crockham Hill dug in behind P Holdstock's 43, with T Peters (34 not out) and T Bourke (27) refusing to be shifted, and a seventh-wicket stand of 56 threatened to turn the afternoon distinctly sour. But Paul Gibson kept plugging away for 2-24, Ian Brattle chimed in with 2-26, and Nigel — having already done quite enough with the bat, thank you — bowled three miserly maidens for good measure. Stuart Seal and T Reynolds went for ducks at the other end, which never hurts.

In the end we held our nerve and got home by 18 runs, with Nigel Thirkell now sitting proudly atop the Sunday NVKC run charts and Ian Brattle leading the wickets. A cracking team performance, one nervy stand from the visitors notwithstanding — and, if I may say so myself, not a bad day to lead from the front.

Sat 18 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformDDWWL

Saturday the 18th of May found us at Headcorn CC, and after losing the toss I was invited to do the only thing captains dread doing twice in a row — watch the opposition bat first. They ground their way to 177 for 9 off their 46 overs, built chiefly on a stubborn second-wicket stand of 102 between Simon Phipps, who passed his fifty and went on to 89, and Alastair Lee with a tidy 32. For a while it looked ominous, 141 for 3 with the shine long gone, but then the floodgates opened rather satisfyingly — 154 for 6 in a blink, Rob Mansell sent back without so much as troubling the scorers. Paul Bowles was the chief architect of the collapse, spinning through them for a superb 5 for 26, with Matt Large (2 for 64, two miserly maidens) and Nigel Thirkell (1 for 16) chipping in either side of him.

With 178 to chase, we made surprisingly serene work of it, cruising to 179 for 1 in 41.3 overs. I'll confess a personal contribution of 74 not out was rather satisfying from where I was standing, but the real craft came from Paul Bowles, following his five-wicket haul with an unbeaten 43, and Paul Gibson's composed 31 not out — the man simply cannot stop scoring runs this summer, and now leads our 1991 charts with 237, with Matt Large's wickets column reading a healthy 10.

A fine win by 9 wickets, then, and precious little to grumble about over tea. Onwards.

Sat 18 May 1991 🧢 2nd XIv BC Borden CC · AwayformDDW

We won the toss, chose to bat, and were duly rewarded with 185 all out from our 42 overs. Dave Todd led the way with a fine 62, well supported by Stewart Morrison and Rob Doick, 27 apiece — though poor Brian Piper will be buying the teas after his nought, the walk of shame observed by all with the usual sympathy of a village green. Still, 185 looked a defendable total on a day when runs were clearly there to be had.

And so it proved. Borden were bowled out for 134 from 29 overs, despite a battling 33 not out from Martin Clout and useful support from David Roche. Fred Cheesman was the chief tormentor with a superb 3 for 5, backed up nicely by Nick Stephens and Rob Doick, who chipped in a wicket apiece. Poor Roly Edwards had his work cut out behind the stumps, conceding 16 byes — the sort of afternoon that ages a wicketkeeper prematurely, though he bore it with good grace.

As for the skipper, I was rather pleased to lead from the front with that 62 — Dave Todd, that is, who now tops the 2nd XI run charts for the season, with Rob Doick heading the wicket-takers on 4. A 51-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying drive home. Not a bad day's work at all.

Sun 12 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv CP Canterbury Pilgrims · AwayformDDDWW

Sunday brought us to Dummy Site with sunshine, sandwiches, and the toss in my pocket — I called correctly and, with what I like to think was captain's instinct rather than blind optimism, elected to bat. Paul Gibson set about the bowling in fine style, cruising past his fifty to 64, while Keith Hatcher chipped in a handy 41 and David Castle a tidy 23. Gibson and Castle's third-wicket stand of 117 was the innings' backbone, and for a while 200-plus looked a formality. Then, as is our club's grand tradition, the wheels came clean off — 164 for 3 became 168 for 6 before anyone had finished their tea, and we limped home to 180 for 7 from 48 overs, saved from further embarrassment by the umpires calling last over.

Defending it, we simply couldn't find the breakthroughs. M Dobson played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 85, ushered along by G Bennett's 49 and P Henderson's unbeaten 36. Keith Hatcher, at least, had the satisfaction of a wicket for his 39 runs, and poor Peter Whyte behind the stumps had a torrid afternoon of it, coughing up 8 byes as the ball did its own thing off the seam.

Beaten by 8 wickets, then, and no arguing with it. Paul Gibson continues to bat like a man with 206 runs to his name this season and a point to prove — the rest of us will simply have to catch him up, starting next week.

Sat 11 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformDDDDW

Rumwood CC, Saturday 11th May 1991. Won the toss, no dithering — I stuck us in to bat, and for once nobody in the pavilion questioned the decision. We limped along at times, mind, with Tim Thirkell and Tom Whyte both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers, but David Castle played the innings of the day, 51 well made, and had the good sense to be joined early by a first-wicket stand of 51 that gave the whole thing some shape. Piers McDonald finished unbeaten on 38 and Matt Large chipped in 23 to see us to 164/9 off our 46 — not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but cricket, as ever, had other ideas.

And so it proved. Rumwood never got going. Alan Boyns bowled like a man possessed, 5-19, and thoroughly deserved every one of them, with Paul Gibson beavering away for 4-49 and Ian Brattle chipping in 1-16. Matt Large, meanwhile, was so miserly with the ball — six maidens — you'd think he was trying to avoid buying his round. D Hales, Kevin Mullins and G Hoile all departed without scoring, and only Peter Humphries, with a well-made 61, offered any real resistance. Our keeper, it must be said, had rather an afternoon of it — 22 byes is not a number one boasts about — but no matter.

A win by 49 runs, and Gibson now sits proudly atop the run charts and second in the wickets. Onwards indeed.

Sat 11 May 1991 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformDD

Rarely does the toss go against us and turn out to be a blessing, but here we are. Rumwood won the call, elected to bat, and for a while it looked like the sort of decision that pays off — until the ball started doing the talking. Curtis battled to 39 for the visitors, but around him wickets tumbled steadily, Dave Todd bowling with real menace to finish with 4-38, well backed by Rob Doick's miserly 3-18 (five maidens tells its own story) and Malcolm Pay's 2-19. All out for 115 in 45.1 overs — a total that never felt like enough, and one I was rather pleased to have restricted with a modest four wickets of my own in the mix.

Chasing it down, we made hardly heavy weather of things, reaching 116 for 4 in 40 overs. Malcolm Pay, in the form of his life, saw us home with an unbeaten 37, Nick Stephens playing the perfect foil with a fluent 33. Poor Darren Brame will want to forget his afternoon entirely, back in the hutch without troubling the scorers, and Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, generously gifting eight byes — the wicketkeeping equivalent of leaving the back door open.

Still, six wickets in it, and Malcolm and Dave now sit proudly atop the season's run and wicket charts respectively. A fine win, all told — the kind that makes the tea taste that little bit sweeter. Onwards.

Mon 06 May 1991 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWDDDD

Monday the 6th of May found us on the road to Bearsted, and for once the coin fell my way — I had no hesitation in asking Bearsted to field first, and I still think it was the right call. We lost an early wicket for nothing more than a whisker at 4-1, which had my tea going cold rather quicker than I'd have liked, but Paul Gibson and Keith Hatcher steadied things, and then Gibson and David Castle put on a magnificent 107 for the fourth wicket to drag us to respectability. Gibson finished unbeaten on 88, Castle chipping in 32 and Hatcher 32, as we closed on a handsome 193 for 4 from our 46 overs.

With the ball, we were rampant. Bearsted lost an early wicket at 4-1 of their own and briefly threatened to make a fist of it through Mark Stevens (69) and Andy Naish (27), the pair adding 96 for the fourth wicket — but from 130 for 6 to 141 for 9 they simply came apart at the seams. Matt Large was quite unplayable, spinning his way to 5 for 33, with Ian Brattle miserly and menacing in equal measure (3 for 22, seven maidens) and Paul Bowles chipping in with 1 for 7, despite a leaky afternoon behind the stumps that cost 12 byes. They folded for 149.

A word too for Peter Whyte, who made his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a proper milestone — while Castle's 32 nudged him past Tim Thirkell into 7th on the club's all-time run列表... I mean, run-scorers list. I managed 28 myself, more workmanlike than watchable. Gibson now leads our 1991 run charts with 133, Large the wickets with 8.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved: a 44-run win, and a very satisfactory afternoon's work.

Sun 28 Apr 1991 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformDWDDD

Sunday 28 April 1991, and Sheldwich CC rolled into Linton Park with the sun out and the covers, mercifully, staying in the shed. I called correctly and, in a fit of confidence I hope wasn't misplaced, sent us in.

We made a decent fist of it: 190 for 6 off 44.5 overs, built on a first-wicket stand of 50 that gave the innings its shape. Piers McDonald played the innings of the day, a well-crafted 51, with Paul Gibson (45) and David Castle (38) keeping him honest company. Respectable enough, though not so many that we could put our feet up.

And so it proved. Sheldwich chased hard, reaching 158 for 8 off their 46, with Martin Mills the chief nuisance — 37 not out and utterly immovable — backed by A Collard (29) and James Creed (27). Jon Harris did the heavy lifting with the ball, 3 for 49, well supported by Matt Large's tidy 2 for 12 (five maidens, not a run given away lightly) and Gibson's 2 for 19. Robert Heward and Phillip Stanford both departed without troubling the scorers 🦆, small mercies for poor Peter Whyte behind the stumps, who nonetheless shipped 9 byes for his trouble.

In the end neither side could quite land the killer blow, and honours were shared. A draw feels about right — David Castle now sits second in our season run charts, Matt Large tops the wicket-takers, and Linton Park lives to fight another Sunday.

Sat 27 Apr 1991 🧢 1st XIv Penshurst Park CC · HomeformWDWDD

Saturday 27 April 1991, and Penshurst Park CC came calling. I won the toss and, with the sky looking kind, had no hesitation in sending us in — a decision I shall be quietly smug about for at least a fortnight.

We batted with real purpose, romping to 207/3 off our 37 overs. Paul Bowles was in imperious touch, unbeaten on 90, and found a fine ally in Tim Thirkell, who finished 47 not out — the pair adding a priceless 58 for the third wicket after Nigel Thirkell's brisk 30 had set the tone. I contributed 30 myself, and the extras column chipped in a generous 27, though we shan't dwell too long on poor Piers McDonald, done for a duck and no doubt still hearing about it in the bar.

Defending 207 is never a formality, and so it proved. Penshurst lost Mark Jenner for nought early on, but Simon Leegood's classy 57 not out, backed by John Darby (42) and John Hicks (35), steadied the ship and carried them to 170/3 from their 44. Paul Bowles, not content with his runs, added the ball to his afternoon's work with 1-9, Matt Large and Dave Todd chipping in too — though 11 byes suggested poor Peter Whyte had rather a trying time behind the stumps.

A word of cheer amid the toil: Tim Thirkell's innings nudged him past David Castle into 7th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. In the end, honours were shared — a draw that satisfied nobody and disappointed nobody, which, on reflection, is rather good club cricket.