🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 11 Oct 1992 🧢 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformWDWWW

Called it right at the toss on a bright Sunday down at Tenterden, and with a pitch that looked made for batting I didn't think twice — we'd bat first and worry about the consequences later, in the traditional captain's fashion.

And for once the plan actually worked. Clive Newman played the innings of the day, unbeaten on a well-crafted 54, while Paul Bowles chipped in handsomely with 45. I managed 40 myself, which I mention here once and shall resist the urge to bring up again over tea. The foundation was a flying start — 70 on the board before Tenterden so much as troubled us, built on a first-wicket stand worth 70 — and we finished a healthy 169 for 3 from our 39 overs, the sort of total that lets a captain sleep easy at the interval.

Sleep, as it turned out, was misplaced. Tenterden's P Knight decided 87 not out sounded like a nice round number and set about making it happen, well supported by John Oliver's 21 and Spencer Gray's unbeaten 20, with a fifth-wicket stand of 60 doing the real damage. Rob Doick was our pick with 2 for 36, Ian Brattle chipped in with 2 for 45, and Alan Boyns bowled tight as ever — 1 for 29 with two maidens to show for his parsimony — but it wasn't quite enough, Tenterden getting home for the loss of four wickets.

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

Sun 20 Sep 1992 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformDWDWW

Sunday 20 September saw Anchorians CC visit Linton Park, and with the coin obliging I had no hesitation in taking first use of what looked a decent strip. Dave Charlton set about proving me right, cruising past his fifty to finish on a splendid 78, while David Castle's 37 gave the innings real backbone. I chipped in with 25 as part of a 91-run stand for the fourth wicket that took the sting out of any early jitters, and we closed on a healthy 215/9 from our 37 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than gnaw at the biscuits.

Anchorians' reply never quite found its rhythm. An early wobble to 1-1, with D Roberts back in the pavilion for a golden duck, set the tone, and though J. Bacon battled to 34 with support from Keith Wooding (27) and D Stubbs (25), the innings had the feel of a side chasing shadows. Trevor Back was the chief tormentor with a fine 4-40, Rob Doick bowled with real discipline for 2-23 including three maidens, and Jon Harris weighed in with 2-27 as Anchorians folded for 151 in 40.2 overs.

A comfortable 64-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round — bat, ball and the tea urn all pulling their weight. Onwards we go.

Sat 19 Sep 1992 🧢 2nd XIv Rainham (Kent) CC · AwayformLDWLW

I'll be right back with the report.

We won the toss at Rainham and, with the sun out and a decent-looking track, there was never much debate in my mind — we batted. Keith Hatcher played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 98 that had the whole side willing every remaining run home, and he found the perfect foil in Brian Piper, whose composed 64 not only kept the scoreboard ticking but nudged him past Tim Thirkell into 5th on the club's all-time run charts — a proper day for the mantelpiece. We'd wobbled early, losing a wicket with just 6 on the board and threatening to make a nervous afternoon of it, but the pair's 133-run stand for the third wicket put paid to any anxiety, and 213 for 6 off our 48 overs felt like a total with something in it.

Defending it, Rainham never quite got away from us, though S McFarlane and Paul Loader threatened to make a game of it with 32 and an unbeaten 30 respectively. Stuart Cheesman was superb, prising out three for 36, with Fred Cheesman weighing in with two and Rob Doick one, while I did my bit with the ball, sending down four maidens as tight as my trouser waistband after tea. Rainham crawled to 139 for 8 off their 41 and, honours even, we shared the points.

A draw, then — honest reward for honest toil, and with Mike Elworthy still setting the pace atop the season's run charts and me happily lodged second among the wicket-takers, there's no complaint from this captain's chair.

Wed 16 Sep 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformDWDLD

I lost the toss, wrong side of it were Lord Cornwallis XI, and I invited them to bat first — or rather, they invited themselves, and I merely nodded. They settled in for the long haul, closing on a healthy 223/6 from 43.5 overs. M Brooks led the charge with a fine 68, well supported by M Fleming's well-made 56, and Sir M- S- Dunnington-Jefferson weighed in with 33 as the pair put on 84 for the sixth wicket, the stand of the innings and the difference between a total we could chase and one that might have buried us. I took the new ball and finished with 2-41, with good support from Alan Boyns (1-30) and Ian Brattle (1-42), while Matt Large bowled two maidens and gave nothing away lightly.

Chasing 224 in a midweek fixture is never a stroll, but Mark Stevenson made it look almost civilised with a well-made 87, ably backed by Peter Whyte's 25 and Piers McDonald's 22. When the top order thinned out, the tail wagged handsomely, adding a nerve-jangling final 37 that had the fielders muttering into their tea. Ian Brattle's afternoon was rounded off with a golden duck, which he will no doubt hear about at the bar.

A word of pride for Alan Boyns, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a proper servant of the club. We scraped home by two wickets, hearts firmly in mouths, but home all the same. A good day for the club, and a satisfying line in the log book.

Sat 12 Sep 1992 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformDDWDW

Nigel Thirkell's Match Report — Saturday 12th September 1992 Linton Park CC v Southborough CC (away)

Well, the toss went against us again — I really must have a word with whoever's in charge of coin karma at this club — and Southborough elected to bat, no doubt fancying their chances on what looked a decent surface. As it turned out, they'd have been better off chasing. Matt Large was in a spinning mood, twisting through their order for a magnificent 5-26, ably backed up by Paul Gibson, whose 4-18 (three of them maidens — not a run given away lightly) squeezed the life out of any partnership before it could breathe. I chipped in myself with 1-12, which I shall modestly describe as "tidy" and leave it at that. From 52-4 they slid to 52-7, and by the time the dust settled they were all out for a distinctly gettable 87 in 31.4 overs, Ray Grayland's 20 the only real resistance. Danny Coombs and Robert "Bob" Steadman departed without troubling the scorers, which is one way to keep an innings brisk.

Chasing 88, we made light work of it, getting home by 8 wickets in 21.4 overs. I found some form with the bat, seeing us home unbeaten on 50 — a personal contribution I was rather satisfied with, and one I shall enjoy remembering longer than is strictly dignified. Elsewhere, Brian Piper's useful 15 nudged him past Tim Thirkell into 5th on the club's all-time run charts, while Matt Large's five-for lifted him above Alan Wilkes into 4th on the all-time wicket list — a fine day for the record books as well as the result.

All told: a professional bowling display, a comfortable chase, and two names etched a little higher into club history. Verdict: routine on the scorecard, thoroughly satisfying in the clubhouse afterwards.

Sat 12 Sep 1992 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformWLDWL

Saturday 12 September 1992, and Southborough CC arrived to find me feeling uncharacteristically bullish at the toss — I called it right and had no hesitation in batting first. It wasn't always pretty: we crawled to 159/7 from our 46 overs, propped up by yours truly with an unbeaten 40, decent support from Keith Hatcher (30) and Mike Elworthy (20), and a thoroughly defiant last-wicket stand that bolted on 58 priceless runs when respectability looked a distant hope. Poor Tim Thirkell contributed the traditional golden duck, for which he will no doubt never be allowed to forget.

Southborough's reply never quite got going, despite Andrew Hinds playing a lone hand of real substance for 59. They lost a wicket before troubling the scorers, steadied briefly with a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket, then simply fell apart in front of us — 91-4 became 95-7 in the blink of an eye, with David Thorpe, P Minihae and Lee Thorpe all trooping back for ducks. Alan Boyns was the chief tormentor, a superb 4-38 with five miserly maidens, well backed by Trevor Back (2-40) and a tidy 1-1 from me. They folded for 106.

A comfortable 53-run win, then, and a fine advert for Mike Elworthy's season-leading 363 runs and Alan Boyns's 37 wickets. All in all, a jolly good day for the club.

Wed 09 Sep 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformWDWDL

Wednesday, 09 September, away at The Mote, and for once the coin behaved itself. I called correctly, elected to bat, and allowed myself a small satisfied nod as we walked out — vindicated, as it turned out, by an opening flurry that had 67 on the board before The Mote so much as troubled us. Paul Gibson set the tone with a fine 63, Clive Newman chipped in a tidy 37 and Paul Bowles 34, the pair adding 75 for the fourth wicket to give our 225 for 6 off 44 overs a proper backbone. Declaring ourselves reasonably pleased with that, we took the field with lunch sitting rather heavily.

The Mote made us work for every run of their reply. Two early wickets down for next to nothing promised much, but Adrian Smith (66) and Malcolm Bristow (63) rebuilt with a stand of 121 for the third wicket that threatened to bury us entirely, before Brian Piper's unbeaten 23 saw them home to 192 for 5. I found some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 3 wickets, while Matt Large was a model of miserliness — 2 for 34 and four maidens to show for his afternoon's toil. Jim Hall, meanwhile, will not thank me for mentioning the eight byes.

A draw, then — honours shared, neither side quite able to land the killer blow. Frustrating in the moment, but on reflection a fair result for two sides who gave as good as they got.

Sun 06 Sep 1992 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformWWLWL

Down in Cornwall on a fine September Sunday, Beacon CC did us no favours at the toss, and we found ourselves in the field before we'd properly finished our tea. Ralph Williams and Kevin Thomas both raised handsome fifties, 51 apiece, with Larry Martin not far behind on 49, and the pair of openers set the tone with 66 for the first wicket before we managed to prise one out. Beacon closed on a stout 218/5 from their forty overs — the sort of total that makes a captain rub his chin rather more than he'd like. Credit where due: Stuart Cheesman toiled manfully for 2-33, with Nigel Thirkell and Jon Harris chipping in a wicket apiece.

Chasing that lot, we lost an opener for just 6 and I confess a few of us reached for the biscuit tin in resignation. But Nigel Thirkell, having the game of his season, played an innings of real class — 97, agonisingly shy of the century he thoroughly deserved — and found a willing ally in Mark Stevenson, unbeaten on 36, the pair adding 95 for the third wicket to drag us back into contention. Poor Rob Doick contributed his customary golden duck, bless him, but by then the platform was well and truly laid, and we finished a creditable 168/3 from 30.4 overs.

Honours shared, then, and on this evidence entirely fair — Beacon had the runs, we had the momentum, and neither side quite had the minutes to finish the job. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run and wicket charts this tour, and long may it continue.

Sat 05 Sep 1992 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hunton Wanderers CC · HomeformDWLDW

Saturday brought Hunton Wanderers CC to our ground, and winning the toss I opted to bat first, a decision I stood by right up until tea and only mildly regretted after. We limped, rallied, then limped again to 151 for 6 from our 49 overs. Keith Hatcher led the way with a fine 43, Tim Thirkell chipped in with 30, and Piers McDonald added a useful 21 — enough runs to be respectable, not quite enough to feel entirely safe.

And so it proved. Alan Hawkins settled in for an unbeaten 59 and A Revell struck a handsome 52, the pair doing most of the damage to our attack while we chipped away where we could. There was some consolation in sending T Stevens back without troubling the scorers, and I managed to nab 2 for 32 myself, with Phil Randall and R Andrews picking up a wicket apiece and Keith Hatcher bowling four tidy maidens to keep things honest. It wasn't quite enough, and Hunton Wanderers got home by 5 wickets.

One bright note amid the defeat: Tim Thirkell's 30 eased him past Brian Piper into 5th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he now sits 2nd in this season's 2nd XI run charts with 257, while I find myself 2nd in the wicket-takers with 21. Plenty to build on, then, even if the result itself goes down as one to learn from. We'll regroup and come back sharper next week.

Fri 04 Sep 1992 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformLWWLW

Skipper's log, Friday the 4th of September, and we were away at Mullion, where I contrived to lose the toss and duly found us stuck out in the field. They ground their way to 170/6 off their forty, and while an early wobble had them 1 for 1, Gary Pollard's fifty-one anchored the innings nicely, with M Coupland's 47 and Philip Burslem's unbeaten 22 filling in the gaps either side of a hefty 73-run third-wicket stand. Their last pair then had the cheek to bolt on 39 more, which we could all have lived without. Nigel Thirkell did the heavy lifting with 3-43, Rob Doick chipped in miserly figures of 2-46 including three maidens, and Stuart Cheesman took 1-10.

Chasing 171, we were never quite serene about it. Nigel Thirkell batted beautifully for 69, and I was glad to lend a hand with 37 not out, the two of us putting on 70 for the eighth wicket after the top order had contrived a proper collapse, 25-1 becoming 30-4 before you could finish your tea. Rob Doick and Richard Piper both departed for ducks, and we limped to 156/9. Beaten by 14 runs, then — Thirkell now sits proudly atop both the runs and wickets charts for the Tour XI, which is some consolation. We'll be better for it next week.

Thu 03 Sep 1992 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformWLWWL

Thursday the third of September found us on the road to Falmouth, and having called correctly at the toss I did what any self-respecting skipper does with a decent strip underfoot — I stuck us in to bat. Whether that counts as tactical genius or blind luck I shall leave to the committee, but I still maintain it was the right call. We laboured our way to 117 for 9 off 35 overs, rescued from mediocrity by Nigel Thirkell's watchful 42 and Peter Whyte's 31, the pair stitching together a priceless 63 for the fourth wicket while the rest of us rather let the side down — Steve Cheesman and Simon Thirkell both departed for ducks, presumably studying their bootlaces on the way back.

It never looked quite enough, but cricket is a game of glorious surprises. Falmouth were bowled out for 107 in 33.4 overs, Scott Thompson's 36 and Ben Lilly's 23 the only real resistance before the innings folded in a heap — 63 for 2 became 81 for 5 in the blink of an eye, with David Angove and D Pascoe sent packing without troubling the scorers. Simon Thirkell atoned handsomely for his golden duck with 4 for 30, Nigel Thirkell chipped in 3 for 25, and Nick Froom, miserly as ever with three maidens, took 2 for 32.

Ten runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly earned all round.

Wed 02 Sep 1992 🧢 Tour XIv TC Truro CC · AwayformWWLWW

Wednesday 2nd September saw us head down to Truro, and having lost the toss I found myself leading the lads into the field first — never my preferred script, but you play the hand you're dealt.

We slipped to 6-1 early doors, which had me chewing my nails behind the boundary rope, but the middle order steadied the ship nicely. Peter Whyte's 30 and Fred Cheesman's 27 gave the innings some backbone, and I was happy to still be there at the close, unbeaten on 40, as we crawled our way to 171/9 from the full 45 overs. Not a total to strike fear into anyone, but respectable enough to defend on a good day.

Sadly, this wasn't quite a good day. Truro's Nigel Thomas played the anchor role beautifully with 37, well backed by Jonathan Kent's 32 and Graham Stephens's unbeaten 29, and a stubborn fourth-wicket stand of fifty took the game away from us just when we needed a breakthrough. Jon Harris toiled manfully for his 2-70, with Rob Doick and Nick Froom chipping in a wicket apiece, and Nigel Thirkell bowled with real discipline — three maidens when boundaries were flowing everywhere else. In the end Truro got home with five wickets and half a dozen balls to spare.

Not our day, then, and no amount of gazette prose will dress that up as anything other than a defeat. Heads up all the same — back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Sat 29 Aug 1992 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformDDDWD

Saturday 29th of August dealt us the usual courtesy of losing the toss, and Sheldwich, sniffing early moisture that wasn't really there, sent us out into the field. Forty-six overs later they'd posted a hefty 188 for 4, with John Gannon making merry to the tune of 77 not out and Martin Mills chipping in a handsome 48, the pair putting on 98 for the third wicket while our bowlers politely queued up to be hit. Ian Brattle was the pick of us with 2 for 32, Sean Charlton chimed in with one, and I did my bit too, one for 58 with four maidens to show I wasn't just there for the tea.

A target of 189 is no formality, but Brian Piper batted as though the scoreboard owed him money, cruising to 81 not out and, in the process, easing past Tim Thirkell into fifth on the club's all-time run-scorers list — no small thing, and entirely deserved. Paul Gibson gave him fine support with an unbeaten 49, Dave Charlton weighed in with 30, and a crucial second-wicket stand of 54 set the platform. We got home in 41.5 overs for the loss of just two wickets, with time and dignity to spare.

Two points, then, and thoroughly earned — eight wickets to the good, a landmark for Brian, and a rare afternoon where everything, remarkably, went to plan.

Sat 29 Aug 1992 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformLDWLD

Skipper's Log — Saturday 29 August 1992. The road took us to Sheldwich CC, and having lost the toss I was informed, in no uncertain terms, that we'd be fielding first — never my favourite way to start a day, but there we are.

Batting first came round the long way, and we made proper hay of it: 229 all out from 44.2 overs, built on a splendid opening stand of 92 before the first wicket finally fell. Mike Elworthy led the charge with a well-crafted 58, Mark Stevenson chipped in a fine half-century of his own with 51, and Trevor Back added a brisk 41. Not everything glittered, mind — Stuart Cheesman, Richard Piper and Fred Cheesman all trooped back for ducks, proof that Sheldwich's bowlers hadn't entirely lost the plot.

Defending 229 is always a mixed blessing, and Sheldwich gave it a proper go, reaching 157 for 9 off 46.1 overs before running out of partners. Brian Newman played beautifully for his 63, well supported by K Voller's 25, while Brooks and J Sandys both departed without troubling the scorers. But the day belonged to my own left-arm spin — I turned it prodigiously for 5 for 34, including three maidens, with Trevor Back (2 for 17) and Keith Hatcher (2 for 25) mopping up admirably around me. A word too for Trevor, who passed 300 career wickets — a landmark for the mantelpiece if ever there was one.

We ran out winners by 72 runs. Mike Elworthy now tops our 1992 run charts, and I find myself, rather pleasingly, second in the wicket-taking table. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 23 Aug 1992 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformDDDDW

There are worse ways to spend a Sunday than losing the toss to Old Anchorians and being sent straight into the field, but it does rather set the tone for the day. Michael Heather made sure of that early doors, batting through for a chanceless hundred while Terry Mahood chipped in with 48 and Brian Goddard 20, the pair adding a stubborn 90 for the sixth wicket that took the game well out of reach. I managed 2-44 with the ball for what it's worth, with Nick Froom matching me stride for stride and Jon Harris tying an end down with a couple of maidens on his way to 1-50. Their 234/6 from 44 overs always felt a par score on a good pitch, and so it proved.

Chasing it down, or rather not chasing it at all, we settled for damage limitation. Brian Piper's unbeaten 48 was the innings of the day, ably supported by Keith Hatcher's watchful 29 not out, but the middle order rather let the side down — Clive Newman, Rob Doick and yours truly all departed for ducks, mine included, and we shall draw a discreet veil over the manner of it. Peter Whyte had an uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps too, 10 byes finding their way through.

So 104/5 from our 34 overs, and a draw shared by mutual inability to force the issue. Given the position at tea, honours even feels like rather a good result — we live to fight another Sunday.

Sat 22 Aug 1992 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hadlow CC · HomeformWLDWL

Winning the toss on a bright Saturday against Hadlow, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — and for once my judgement was vindicated rather than merely tolerated. We limped, then galloped, then limped again to 146 for 7 off 42.2 overs, Brian Piper the rock of the innings with a serene 62 not out, ably supported by Mike Elworthy (30) and Tony Armstrong (28), their sixth-wicket stand of 52 the difference between a total and a tally. In between we contrived to go from 34 for 1 to 42 for 4 as though someone had switched the lights off, and poor Steve Cheesman, Rob Doick and Trevor Back all trudged back without troubling the scorers — three ducks lined up like a shooting gallery.

Defending it, we bowled with rather more discipline than we'd batted. Hadlow reached 120 for 7 off their 33 overs, Phil Large's 30 and Andy Wren's 28 the backbone, with a third-wicket stand worth 52 threatening to get away from us. But we hauled them back, tumbling them from 81 for 3 to 97 for 6 in a spell that did my captaincy no harm at all — I finished with 3 for 21, Fred Cheesman chipped in with 3 for 42, and Trevor Back bowled two tidy maidens on his way to 1 for 21.

A fine afternoon too for Brian Piper, who brought up 8,000 runs for the club — a landmark reached with the minimum of fuss, as ever. In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, then, but an honest one — earned rather than escaped.

Wed 19 Aug 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformWWDWD

Wednesday 19 August 1992, and off we trundled to Gravesend CC with the coin gods firmly against us — they called it right and had no hesitation in batting first. On another day I might have grumbled about that longer, but truth be told it hardly mattered: Colin Myers played beautifully for 58, with Tony Howard (41) and Eddie Stanford (27) chipping in, and a rock-solid fourth-wicket stand of 75 dragged them to 201 all out from 49 overs. We did strike early, removing their opener with the score on 1, but Gravesend steadied and we couldn't quite prise them apart again until the close. Dave Todd was superb with 4-43, Tagg and Bowles picked up a wicket apiece, and I was happy enough to keep things tight with a couple of maidens myself.

Chasing 202, we never quite found our rhythm — an early wicket at 0-1 set an ominous tone, and though Steve Cheesman played a lovely fifty and Rob Doick (39) and Keith Hatcher (24) gave it a real go, wickets kept tumbling around them. Spare a thought, meanwhile, for Kevin Mullins and Paul Bowles, both of whom made the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club ledger duly updated. We were bowled out for 177 in the 39th over, 24 runs shy of the target.

Doick continues to top our Midweek XI run charts this season with 183, and I'll modestly note I'm leading the wicket charts with 17 — small consolations on a losing afternoon. All told, a battling effort but not quite enough; we'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sat 15 Aug 1992 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · HomeformWDDDD

Nigel Thirkell's Skipper's Log — Saturday 15 August 1992, Harrietsham CC at home.

Won the toss, and with the sun out and the tea urn already on, there was only one call to make — I stuck us in. It proved a shrewd one, even if the openers didn't see it that way, one back in the hutch for nought before some of us had found our seats. From there, though, David Castle simply refused to be moved, compiling a magnificent 110 and carrying the innings almost single-handed, with Paul Gibson a fine foil for 77 as the pair added 140 for the third wicket — the kind of stand that turns a nervy afternoon into a comfortable one. I chipped in with 35 down the order, and poor Paul Bowles collected a duck for his trouble, though he'd have his say later. We closed on a handsome 260 for 7 from 46 overs.

Harrietsham never really got going in reply. Jon Harris was in irresistible mood, prising out three for 20, with Matt Large (3-39, four maidens of pure stinginess) and the redeemed Paul Bowles (2-40) mopping up the rest. Kevin Grebbell and D Shipton departed without so much as a run to their names, and though D Passey (34) and Michael Massey (28) offered some resistance, 136 all out from 42.1 overs was never going to trouble us.

A particular word for David Castle, who brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours in some style. A fine win by 124 runs — onwards indeed.

Sat 15 Aug 1992 🧢 2nd XIv HC Higham & Mockbeggar CC · AwayformDWLDW

Saturday 15 August 1992, and the road took us to Higham & Mockbeggar CC — the kind of fixture where you check the forecast twice and the tea urn once. I won the toss and, against every ancestral instinct telling me to bat, put them in.

It rather paid off. Restricting the hosts to 106/9 from their 44 overs was tidy work, with only Richard Shackleton (26) threatening to make it awkward. The real story was with the ball: Keith Hatcher was a menace, 2-2 off six miserly maidens — the sort of spell that makes the opposition openers reconsider their life choices — while Alan Boyns (2-10) and R Batchelor (2-22) kept the pressure on from the other end. A fine, disciplined effort in the field.

And then we batted. Oh dear. Bowled out for 83 in 37.2 overs, we contrived to turn a perfectly gettable target into a horror show. Keith Hatcher, having already done his bit with the ball, top-scored with 27 and was left rather isolated as Stewart Morrison, Alan Boyns and Richard Piper all trooped back for golden ducks — three of them, no less, which even by our standards takes some doing.

Beaten by 23 runs in the end, and we really did bowl ourselves into a winning position only to bat ourselves out of one. Rob Doick continues to purr along nicely in the 2nd XI run charts, and Alan Boyns leads the wickets — small consolations on a day the bat let the ball down badly. We'll be better for it next week. We'll have to be.

Wed 12 Aug 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv LC Lashings World CC · HomeformDWWDW

Twelfth of August, and a rare treat it was — Lashings World CC gracing our little corner of the county. I won the toss and had no hesitation putting us in to bat, and I'll say now, whatever follows, that I still think it was the right call.

We didn't exactly cut loose. Eighty-two for four off eighteen-and-a-bit overs is the sort of total that has spectators checking their watches rather than their scorecards, but there was substance in it. Trevor Back played the innings of the day, 27 well-considered runs that gave us something to bowl at, and Sean Charlton stuck around unbeaten on 21 to see us through to a total we could at least defend with a straight face. Not fireworks, but honest toil — the kind of batting that wins you nods from the boundary rather than gasps.

Then came our turn in the field, and here the tale takes a curious twist: Lashings' innings closed with them none all out. Whatever conspired out there — bad light, bad luck, or simply a match that ran clean out of overs before conclusions could be drawn — neither side managed to force the issue.

So it finished all square, honours shared, both teams left to ponder what might have been. A draw, then — not the stuff of legend, but a fair reflection of an afternoon where nobody quite seized the day. We'll take it, and we'll be back for more.

Sun 09 Aug 1992 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformDWDDD

Won the toss on a fine Sunday and, with visions of a declaration somewhere in the back of my mind, I had no hesitation in asking Benenden to have a bowl at us first. It proved a shrewd move, or at least I shall claim it was. David Castle set about the bowling with real purpose, motoring to an unbeaten 114 — three figures and not so much as a raised eyebrow of concern along the way. I was happy to play the supporting role, contributing a half-century of my own as we put on 92 for the third wicket, and 219 for 4 from our forty overs felt like a total with genuine teeth. Not every man's day, mind — poor Piers McDonald managed the ignominious walk back for nought, and I shall say no more about it than the ledger already does.

Benenden replied gamely. Their openers gave themselves a proper platform, 64 for the first wicket, and Peter Newman's well-struck fifty kept them in the hunt, ably backed by Kevin Draper and Nigel Phelps. Paul Bowles was magnificent with the ball — four wickets, three maidens, barely a run given away — with Jon Harris and Nick Froom chipping in behind him. A last-wicket stand of 53 we could have done without dragged them to 156 for 6, and honours finished shared.

Elsewhere, a landmark afternoon: David Castle brought up 9,000 runs for the club, and Peter Whyte's 18 eased him past Robert Chance on the all-time list. A draw, then, but one worth savouring.

Sat 08 Aug 1992 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDDWLD

Lost the toss, as is traditional round these parts, and duly found myself leading the lads into the field on a Saturday that Bearsted CC had clearly circled as their day out. It didn't quite work out that way. Keith Filmer batted nicely for his fifty, but around him Bearsted rather fell apart — 8-1 early, then a proper collapse from 82-6 to 94-9, with poor Glyn Parham sent back without so much as a look at the scoreboard. I had one of those afternoons where everything came out right, finishing with 4-25 and four maidens to boot, well supported by Alan Boyns (3-45) and Rob Doick (2-25). All out for 101 in 43.5 overs — a fair reward for a disciplined shift in the field.

Chasing 102, we made surprisingly serene work of it. Tim Thirkell anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 42, and got good company from Mike Elworthy (25) and Stewart Morrison (22) as we cruised home to 105-2 in 30 overs — five wickets and two points in the bag, no alarms required.

A word too for Alan Boyns, who quietly passed 200 career wickets and leapfrogged George Champion into 21st on the club's all-time list — the sort of landmark that deserves more than a passing mention in the tea hut. He also leads our 1992 second-team wicket charts with 28, while Mike Elworthy heads the run charts on 255. All in all, a thoroughly satisfying day's work — comfortably won, and worth the walk home in the evening sun.

Sat 08 Aug 1992 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWDWDD

I called it right at the toss on a Saturday that promised more than it delivered, and elected to bat first away at Headcorn. It proved a sound instinct rewarded only fitfully - we crawled and prospered by turns to 131 all out from our 45 overs. Clive Newman was the mainstay with a fine 41, well supported by Paul Gibson's 29 and David Castle's 22, the pair adding a stout 51 for the fourth wicket that looked, for a while, like the platform for something substantial. Then, as club cricket so loves to remind us, the wheels came off spectacularly - 128 for 7 became 131 all out in the time it takes to read this sentence, with Paul Bowles and Jon Harris both walking back for ducks to keep the Duck Club treasurer busy.

In the field we set about defending our modest total with more conviction than the scorecard suggests we deserved. Headcorn stumbled early to 3 for 1, and when 40 for 2 became 47 for 5 in a hurry - Ian Pullen among the fallen without troubling the scorers - we sensed something special. Matt Large was quite unplayable, spinning his way to 5 for 54 with five miserly maidens, while Paul Gibson chipped in with 2 for 23 and I took 1 for 19 for my afternoon's toil. Simon Phipps' 27, Rob Parnham's 25 and Graham Mackman's unbeaten 22 steadied them to 128 for 9 from their 38, just short of the line.

Honours shared, then - a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. With the season's run charts still mine to lead and Large keeping the wickets column ticking over nicely, there's life in this old side yet.

Wed 05 Aug 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformLDWWD

Bexley CC arrived on a fine Wednesday, I lost the toss as is traditional, and duly found myself leading the lads into the field rather than out to bat. They made themselves at home to the tune of 232/6 from their 47 overs, John Flaherty and Richard Melbourne both making handsome half-centuries of 75 apiece, adding a chunky 75 together for the fourth wicket while the rest of us wondered when the tea urn might mercifully intervene. Michael Ladbrook chipped in with 29. I managed to prise out a couple for 58 of my own, Dave Todd and P Tagg offered honest support, and Nick Froom bowled two maidens with the quiet menace of a man who simply does not believe in giving runs away.

Chasing 233, we contrived to lose our first wicket without troubling the scorers — 0-1, textbook Linton Park nerves. Peter Whyte then played the innings of the day, 69 well-crafted runs, helped along by Stewart Morrison's 38 and Fred Cheesman's unbeaten 33, the pair sharing a vital 82 for the fifth wicket before we somehow conspired to lose three more between 167 and 171. Piers McDonald, David Cook and P Tagg all walked back for ducks, bless them.

Fred brought up 1,000 career runs, and Peter's 69 nudged him past John Taylor into 25th on the all-time list — no small thing on a night when we scrambled home by just one wicket. Nervy, chaotic, thoroughly deserved. A win's a win.

Sun 02 Aug 1992 🧢 1st XIv BC Battle CC · AwayformWWDWD

Sunday 2 August 1992, and off we trundled to Battle CC with the sun on our backs and, for once, a plan. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in sticking us in — and the lads rewarded my faith handsomely, posting 245/6 from 41.4 overs. Dave Charlton was the star of the show with a glorious 97, while Clive Newman chipped in a tidy 30. I'll allow myself one boast: I chanced my arm to a well-made 67, and a third-wicket stand of 94 with Dave gave the innings its backbone. All told, a total that felt like runs in the bank.

Defending it, though, proved rather more of a nervy afternoon than the scoreboard suggests. Battle's openers put on a rollicking 111 before we prised the first wicket loose, and Tim Eldridge's fine 72 kept them in the hunt throughout, well supported by N Hacking and Bill Mozley. Credit where it's due — Paul Bowles bowled beautifully for 4-26, Jon Harris toiled away for 3-65 with five miserly maidens, and Matt Large picked up one for his troubles. Poor Stewart Morrison had a torrid time behind the stumps, 19 byes bearing witness to a pitch that clearly had ideas of its own, though Mike Yardy did at least depart for a duck at our hands.

In the end, honours shared: 180/8 wasn't quite enough for Battle, and we couldn't quite force the extra breakthrough. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and on this evidence, entirely fair.

Sat 01 Aug 1992 🧢 2nd XIv YC Yalding CC · AwayformWDDWL

Saturday the first of August found us on the road to Yalding, and I won the toss with what I like to think was the quiet confidence of a man who actually knew what he was doing, rather than his usual coin-flip luck. No hesitation at all — we batted.

It was Mike Elworthy who made the day his own, a really fine 62 that gave the innings its spine, with Ron McCormick's 29 and Fred Cheesman's 22 keeping the scoreboard honest either side of him. We closed on 169/9 from our forty overs, which felt about right on a used-looking pitch. Less said the better about poor Rob Doick's contribution — a golden duck, and another entry in the club's ever-growing ledger of shame.

Defending it, we set about Yalding with real discipline. Alan Boyns was magnificent, four wickets for 41 and four maidens besides — not a run given away lightly, as I like to say, and he now leads our 1992 wicket charts with 25 for the season. Trevor Back chipped in with two for 10, and I managed one for 27 myself, more through persistence than menace. Crabtree's 28 was the best of their resistance, but we had them wobbling from 96-5 to 110-8 before the overs ran out, leaving them on 114/8.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. Frustrating in the moment, but with Elworthy now topping our run charts too, there's plenty to be cheerful about as the season rolls on.

Wed 29 Jul 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv IX Ipswich Greyhounds CC - Kent Tour XI · HomeformDLDWW

I called correctly at the toss and, with the sun out and a good track underfoot, there was never much doubt about our intentions — we batted. And how it paid off. Paul Brattle played the innings of the day, 76 not out of pure quality, while Rob Doick chipped in a brisk 39 and Darren Brame stayed unbeaten on 31. Between them Brattle and Brame put on 115 for the third wicket, the sort of stand that wins matches on its own, and even our extras column got in on the act with a generous 38. We closed on 196 for 3 from our 38 overs — a total that gave us licence to bowl with a bit of swagger.

And bowl we did. Their reply never quite got away from us, an early wicket at 1 for 1 setting a nervy tone, though R Shurety (55), G Howlett (39) and S Thew (37) all found ways to make the game interesting, with Shurety and his partner adding a stubborn 94 for the third wicket. But the middle order simply couldn't hold firm — 96 for 3 became 107 for 6 in the blink of an eye, and poor R Manning departed without so much as a run to his name. Matt Large was the pick of the attack with a fine 4 for 22, Paul Bowles chipped in with 2 for 41, and I did my bit too, 2 for 50 with three tidy maidens thrown in.

In the end they held on at 170 for 9, and honours were shared. A draw, then — honest, hard-fought, and thoroughly deserved by both sides.

Sun 26 Jul 1992 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformDWWDW

Sunday 26 July 1992, and we welcomed The Mote CC to Linton Park under skies that, for once, seemed to have no strong opinion about the day's play. I won the toss and elected to bat, which I still maintain was the right call, though 170 all out from 48.2 overs is the sort of total that leaves a captain simultaneously satisfied and faintly apologetic. I made 45 myself, Brian Piper chipped in a fine 40, and David Castle's 23 rounded out the substance of the innings, with a 7th-wicket stand of 54 the highlight of an otherwise slightly wobbly effort. Piers McDonald and Fred Cheesman both endured the walk of shame for ducks — commiserations, gentlemen, the tea urn awaits.

Out in the field, The Mote replied with 133 for 7 from their 40 overs, and honestly, after they slumped to 3 for 1 we allowed ourselves a flicker of ambition. Mike Foster had other ideas, compiling a stylish 66 to keep them afloat, while John Rayner and Matthew Dunk both departed for ducks at our hands. I was fortunate enough to take the pick of the bowling figures with 2 for 13, well supported by Nick Froom (2-24) and Paul Gibson (1-14), while David Lines bowled with real discipline for his three maidens — not a run given away lightly.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and not the worst way to spend a Sunday.

Sat 25 Jul 1992 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformDDWWD

Lost the toss again — I'm beginning to suspect the coin has it in for me — and Hollingbourne elected to bat, leaving us to toil away in the field on what turned into rather a good afternoon's work. They ground out 163 all out in 45.4 overs, built chiefly around Mike Donald's fine 67 and a watchful 26 from Trevor Scrivens, the pair putting on 70 for the third wicket and threatening to bat us out of the game entirely.

Then, as so often in this funny old sport, the wheels came off for them rather suddenly — 109 for 3 became 115 for 6 in the blink of an eye, with poor Bob Dyer, Geoff Griffiths and Dave Hales all trooping back without so much as troubling the scorers. Matt Large was magnificent, bowling with real discipline for 5 for 75 and six maidens along the way — a thoroughly deserved five-for — with Jon Harris chipping in admirably at 4 for 49 to finish the innings off.

Chasing 164, we got there for the loss of six wickets in 40.4 overs, David Castle (27) and Piers McDonald (21) both playing their part in a solid 51-run second-wicket stand. I rather enjoyed getting among the runs myself, leading from the front with 73 — my highest of the summer and enough to keep me atop the run charts on 579 for the season, with Matt now the leading wicket-taker too on 45.

A fine all-round team effort, won by four wickets. Two points banked, tea thoroughly earned.

Sat 25 Jul 1992 🧢 2nd XIv AK Ashford CC, Kent · AwayformDWDDW

Whichever brave soul drew the short straw and lost the toss at Ashford, it was, of course, me — and so it was pads on, into the field we trooped, wondering what fresh indignities Kent had in store.

Batting first (whether we liked it or not), we mustered 82 all out from our thirty overs, and it has to be said the middle order rather fell out of the tree in unison — 74 for 7 became 82 all out with the kind of haste usually reserved for last orders at the bar. Tim Thirkell, Roly Edwards and Richard Piper all contributed handsome, matching ducks, which at least gave the scorebook a pleasing symmetry, if nothing else.

Defending 82 was always going to be a case of bowl tight and pray, and for a while we did just that — I was pleased enough with the ball, taking 1 for 23 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure, while Alan Boyns chipped in with 1 for 26. But Ashford's Matthew Barlow (37 not out) and D Kendal (30 not out) simply had too much petrol in the tank, cruising home at 83 for 2 in the 23rd over.

One bright note amid the wreckage: Trevor Back's watchful 11 nudged him past Malcolm Pay into 15th on the club's all-time run charts — a small piece of history on an otherwise chastening afternoon. Beaten by eight wickets, then, and fairly so. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Wed 22 Jul 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv HH Hibs Zami - Holland · HomeformWDLDW

Well, we lost the toss, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like tradition, and Hibs Zami - Holland duly stuck us in the field for the afternoon. They battled to 178 all out from 44.2 overs, F Geurse the chief architect with a fine 54, well supported by A Bijlstra's 27 and a watchful 25 from D Laan, the pair adding 52 for the fourth wicket to give their innings some backbone. R Goldman, mercifully for us, departed for a golden duck. I managed to find some rhythm with the ball and finished with 4-42, while Fred Cheesman (2-6) and Rob Doick (2-21, including two miserly maidens) made sure nothing came easily. Steve Cheesman had a trickier time of it behind the stumps, 9 byes going astray, but nobody was counting too closely by the close.

Chasing 179, we barely broke a sweat, racing home on 179/1 from 32.4 overs. Peter Whyte was the story of the day, an imperious 104 not out, ably assisted by Brian Piper's 49 and a generous 26 in extras from the visitors. A nine-wicket win, no less, and the sort of afternoon that makes the drive home feel shorter.

Elsewhere, Trevor Back's two wickets nudged him past Dick Langridge and into 15th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, a quiet milestone worth raising a glass to. In the season's charts, Peter Whyte now sits third among the 1992 Midweek XI's run-scorers, and I find myself, somewhat improbably, leading the wicket charts with a dozen so far. A fine win, and long may it continue.

Sun 19 Jul 1992 🧢 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · AwayformLDDWW

Sunday 19 July 1992 saw us head to Clarion CC in fine spirits, and having called correctly at the toss, I didn't so much as blink before choosing to bat. It proved the right call. Paul Bowles and I put on 136 for the second wicket, a stand that set the tone for the whole afternoon, and I was fortunate enough to find some form, going on to make 128 — I shan't dwell on it further than to say it was a great pleasure to lead from the front, and to later discover it had brought up 25,000 career runs for the club. A little something for the mantelpiece, and not a bad way to mark it. Bowles himself made a handsome 68, and between us we steered the innings to a healthy 241/4 from our 41 overs.

Clarion's reply was a stern test of our discipline in the field. Richard Hilson and Keith Elsden built things nicely with 38 and 31, and B Hoffman held firm at the end with an unbeaten 22, but Jon Harris was magnificent, prising out four for 30 and keeping the game interesting throughout, well backed by Matt Large, Fred Cheesman and the metronomic Rob Doick. Poor Bowles, having done such fine work with the bat, then endured a torrid time behind the stumps, 26 byes escaping his grasp — I shall be gentle with him about it, if only because his season's tally of 562 runs, and Matt Large's 40 wickets, remain the envy of the rest of us.

In the end Clarion closed on 207/7, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but on a day featuring a century, a milestone, and a great deal of running about, nobody could call it a dull one.

Sat 18 Jul 1992 🧢 1st XIv KK Kennington CC, Kent · HomeformLLDDW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 18 July 1992: Kennington CC, Kent

I lost the toss — no great surprise, my record in that department remains steadfastly mediocre — and Kennington chose to bat, which suited us fine once Trevor Bridger and Russell Lancaster (21 apiece) had done their steadying work. An early wicket for 8 promised drama that never quite arrived, though the middle order did their best to keep us interested, slumping from 34-2 to 40-5 as the pressure told. Andrew Austen and James Callow both departed without so much as troubling the scorers, and I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction watching the wickets column fill up under my own name — 4-29 in the end, with Sean Charlton (3-17, four maidens of positively Victorian meanness) and Paul Bowles (3-24) doing the rest of the demolition. Ninety-six all out in 38.2 overs was a modest target, and modest targets are the ones that go wrong if you're not careful.

We were careful enough. An early stumble at 0 threatened another nervy afternoon, but Peter Whyte's fifty (59) and a watchful 28 not out from Tim Thirkell put that right with an 81-run stand that took the sting out of the chase entirely. Poor Dave Charlton contributed his golden duck to the cause, but nobody much minded by the time we reached 98-2.

A five-wicket win, then, and a personal landmark to bank alongside it — 1800 career wickets passed almost as an afterthought. Onwards, as ever, to the teas and the inquest at the bar.

Sat 18 Jul 1992 🧢 2nd XIv KK Kennington CC, Kent · AwayformWDWDD

Saturday 18 July 1992 found us on the road at Kennington CC, and having won the toss I didn't dither long — on a day like that, you bat. It proved the right call. Trevor Back played the innings of the day, a really fine 61, while I chipped in with 49 and Fred Cheesman weighed in with 31; the two of us put on 91 for the seventh wicket to give the innings its spine. Poor D Cooke will want to forget his contribution — out for a duck — but 201/9 from our 56 overs left us more than happy as we trooped off for tea.

Kennington's reply never got going. They lost their first wicket without a run on the board, and from there the innings simply disintegrated — 29-4 became 32-7 almost before anyone had settled into their deckchair, with Stuart Lancaster, A 'Chippy' Chandler and Andrew Standing all failing to trouble the scorers. Simon Thirkell was quite magnificent, ripping through with 5-18, while Fred Cheesman (2-5) and I (2-15, four maidens) tidied up what was left. All out for 47 in 34 overs — a rout, pure and simple.

A personal landmark too, as I brought up my hundredth career wicket along the way — not a bad afternoon's work in anyone's book.

Verdict: a 154-run victory, thoroughly deserved, and about as complete a team performance as this club is ever likely to produce. Home, tea, and thoroughly content.

Sun 12 Jul 1992 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · AwayformLLLDD

Lost the toss at Folkestone, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like tradition, so out we trooped into the field on a Sunday that promised runs for someone. Gary Waddup duly obliged, ghosting to 146 while we toiled, aided and abetted by Steve Salisbury's unbeaten 49 and Lawrence Po-Ba's brisk 21, the two of them stitching together a 177-run stand for the second wicket that had me checking my watch and my captaincy in equal measure. David Castle kept his head best of the attack, 2-51, with Matt Large chipping away for 1-73. We did at least have the satisfaction of sending Kevin Allon back for nought, small mercies and all that. Folkestone closed on 230/3 from their 45.

Chasing 231 is the sort of target that either flatters your batting or exposes it, and for once it flattered ours. Our openers put on 65 before the first wicket went, Steve Masters undone for a duck along the way, but the innings never lost its shape. Piers McDonald made a tidy 40 and David Castle followed his bowling with 28, while I was fortunate enough to bat through for 114 not out and see us home.

232/5 from 49.3 overs, a win by three wickets, and a very satisfactory drive back up the A20. David Castle now sits second in the season's run charts, Matt Large leads the wickets, and I shall simply enjoy this one before reality resumes next week.

Sat 11 Jul 1992 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformWWDWD

Skipper's Log — Saturday 11th July 1992. Horton Kirby CC visitors at Linton Park.

Won the toss, and for once didn't dither about it – flat pitch, decent outfield, in we went. Mike Elworthy took it upon himself to give the bowlers a torrid afternoon, cracking 81 that had the tea urn rattling with every boundary, while Paul Davey played the perfect supporting hand with an unbeaten 42, calm as you like while wickets fell around him at the other end. Between them they hauled us to a handsome 141 for the loss of just one wicket off 21 overs – the sort of scoring rate that makes a captain look considerably cleverer than he actually is.

Alas, cricket has a way of humbling even the best-laid declarations, and despite our efforts with bat in hand, Horton Kirby proved stubborn enough to see the match out level – honours shared, a draw that satisfied nobody and disappointed nobody in equal measure. There's a certain English poetry in that.

Elsewhere in the season's proceedings, Rob Doick continues to quietly plunder runs for fun, sitting proudly atop the 1992 Second XI charts with 203 to his name – a man building a very tidy summer indeed.

As for the verdict on the day itself: a draw shared is a draw earned, and with knocks like Elworthy's and Davey's in the bank, we'll take it and toast the tea urn regardless.

Wed 08 Jul 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformWWDLD

Wednesday 8th July 1992, and Gravesend CC came to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather less helpfully for us, the coin against me from the off. They won the toss, chose to bat, and I trudged back to the boundary already composing my excuses.

As it turned out, we barely needed them. Tony Howard was the one man who looked to have brought his proper kit, top-scoring with 46, but around him Gravesend's innings never found its feet — 5-1 early on told its own story, and Tony Calvo departed for a golden duck at our hands, which is always a small mercy for the fielding side's morale. I had the ball doing enough to pick up 2-18, while Alan Boyns bowled with the miserly discipline of a man checking everyone's expenses (2-21 and four maidens), and N-E Armstrong chipped in handsomely with 2-26. All out for 112 in 39.4 overs — a total that never looked like troubling us.

And so it proved. Rob Doick played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 68 full of the shots I only manage in daydreams, ably supported by Darren Brame's composed 31 not out, and we cruised home at 114/2 with plenty of overs unused. Seven wickets to the good, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — the kind of result that makes the drive home feel a good deal shorter than the drive there.

Sat 04 Jul 1992 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformLLLLD

Saturday the fourth of July found us on the road to Staplehurst, boots polished and optimism, as ever, rather ahead of the evidence. The coin obliged me for once, and with a rare glint of tactical confidence I put us in to bat, reasoning that runs on the board never hurt anyone. Whether the lads entirely shared my enthusiasm for the decision is a matter I shall leave to the tea-hut gossips.

We limped rather than galloped to 55 for 4 off 17.5 overs, the sort of total that has opposition bowlers dreaming and your captain reaching for excuses. I did my modest bit with 15, more graft than grace, and was grateful enough to still be standing at the end of it. It is not a score that will trouble the record books, but it is, at least, a score.

Out we went to defend it, braced for the worst, and somehow the worst never quite arrived — their innings closed without troubling the scorers further, and honours were shared. A draw, then, snatched from what looked for all the world like a lost afternoon, which in this game counts as a minor triumph of stubbornness over sense.

Elsewhere in the season, Paul Bowles continues to bat like a man with somewhere better to be, his 494 runs leading the 1st XI table by some distance, and putting the rest of us rather in the shade. A curious, scrappy draw at Staplehurst — not our finest cricket, but honest cricket, and we'll take it.

Sat 04 Jul 1992 🧢 2nd XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformWWWDW

Saturday 04 July 1992, and Staplehurst CC came calling. I lost the toss and we were put in – never quite my favourite way to start a Saturday, but there we are.

Batting first, we ground our way to a respectable 156 for 7 from 46 overs, the innings held together nicely by Paul Davey's 29. I was fortunate enough to be unbeaten at the close on 35, which felt like some small compensation for the toss going the wrong way. Spare a thought, though, for poor Steve Cheesman, who departed for a duck – the walk of shame performed with all the dignity a nought allows, which is none whatsoever.

In the field, Staplehurst set about their chase in businesslike fashion, reaching 69 for 1 from their 22 overs before bad light or good sense brought proceedings to a close. Longfield stood firm on 39 not out, well supported by I Gosling's 22, and try as we might we couldn't quite prise them further open – Trevor Back did manage to strike, finishing with 1 for 0, tidy as you like.

A quiet personal landmark amid it all: I brought up 8,000 career runs for the club, which rather took the sting out of losing the toss. Honours were shared in the end, neither side able to force the issue. A draw, then – not the stuff of legend, but an afternoon of good cricket and good company, and you can't ask for a great deal more than that.

Wed 01 Jul 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Shebbear College · HomeformWWWDL

Wednesday 1st July saw us welcome the visitors to Linton Park, and having called correctly for once, I had no hesitation in sticking us in — a decision I stood by right up until the scoreboard read 0-1 and Stewart Morrison trudged back for a duck without so much as troubling the umpire's finger. Cricket, as ever, has a sense of humour. But the middle order steadied the ship handsomely: D Cooke played the anchor role with a fine 35, while Rob Doick chipped in a brisk 28, and between them we hauled our way to a respectable 129/8 from our 24 overs.

Out in the field, the lads set about defending it with real purpose. Paul Davey was magnificent, ripping through with 2-8, and found excellent company in Ron McCormick (2-22) and Stuart Cheesman (1-24) — a proper team effort with the ball. R Barnes departed without scoring, a small mercy, though J Way had other ideas and played the innings of the day with a chanceless 44 to drag them to 100/5 from their 17 overs.

Neither side could quite land the killer blow, and honours were shared in the end. Pleasing, too, to see Rob Doick and Paul Davey both climbing the season's charts — fourth and fifth respectively. All in all, a draw that felt fair, and a fine afternoon's cricket for all that Stewart might disagree.

Sun 28 Jun 1992 🧢 1st XIv HC Hadlow CC · HomeformWLLLL

Sunday 28 June found Hadlow CC pitching up at Linton Park under skies that, for once, behaved themselves, and having called correctly I did what any captain raised on optimism and a groundsman's assurances does — I stuck us in. Piers McDonald, who now sits fourth in our 1992 run charts with 356 to his name, set about proving the point with a fine 68, while Dave Charlton and yours truly chipped in twenty apiece as part of a sturdy 53-run stand for the third wicket. We closed on a respectable 185 for 6 from our 39 overs — not a total to frighten anyone outright, but enough, I fancied, to have Hadlow working for it.

And work they did. Phil Large (47) and C Griggs (37) built the innings' backbone with a stand of 65 for the fourth wicket, though we struck early to have the first wicket down for just 1. Andy Portlock departed without troubling the scorers, and I had the great pleasure of picking up 2 for 6 — figures I shall be dining out on for some weeks yet — while Jon Harris and Tim Thirkell chipped in with two apiece. Matt Large, who leads our 1992 wicket charts with 38 to his name, bowled four miserly maidens, and poor Roly Edwards had his gloves worked hard behind the stumps, conceding eight byes for his troubles. Hadlow finished on 139 for 7 from their 38.

Honours shared, then, and a draw that felt entirely fair — a proper afternoon's cricket in which nobody quite deserved to lose.

Sat 27 Jun 1992 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformLWLLL

Saturday 27 June 1992, and off we trundled to Meopham CC with the sun out and, as it turned out, our luck firmly packed away in someone else's kitbag. I lost the toss — no great surprise there, my coin-calling remains a standing joke in the pavilion — and we were put into the field. Meopham made themselves thoroughly at home, the openers stitching together 112 before we so much as glimpsed a breakthrough, and young C Beard went on to bring up a chanceless hundred, 117 of pure certainty, well supported by Wellbelove (35) and S Beard (27). They declared us weary at 246/4 from their 46 overs. I'll allow myself one boast: 3-46 was some small consolation, with Harris chipping in a wicket and Ian Brattle bowling two tidy maidens to at least slow the bleeding.

Chasing 247 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and for a while it looked grim until Peter Whyte (43) and I found some rhythm together, putting on 107 for the seventh wicket — my 76 the best I've managed in a good while, though it wasn't enough on its own. Paul Gibson chipped in 20, the extras column did us proud with 27, but three ducks in the book (Piper, McDonald and Large all walking back for nought) told their own sad story, and we folded on 187/9.

Fifty-nine runs the wrong side of the ledger, then — no shame in the manner of it, plenty in the batting card. Heads up, chins likewise, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 27 Jun 1992 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · HomeformLWWWD

Todd here — and let me tell you, winning the toss on 27 June and electing to bat felt like the right call before a ball was bowled, and by close of play I was rather pleased with myself for saying so. Dave Charlton batted like a man possessed, carrying his bat for a magnificent 116 not out, with Alan Boyns playing the perfect foil for 39 not out. It wasn't all glory, mind — we shipped out for 1 with the very first wicket down, and the top order rather queued up to get back in the pavilion, myself included. Trevor Back and Steve Masters joined me in the club's least wanted club, three ducks in a single innings, which even by our modest standards takes some doing. Happily a defiant last-wicket stand of 112 dragged us to a respectable 187/7 from 46 overs.

Defending that total, we were magnificent. Meopham were bowled out for a paltry 63 in 21.5 overs, with Dennis Smart and Roddy Campbell dismissed without scoring in reply — misery loves company, apparently. Alan Boyns was simply unplayable, spinning his way to 5-24, well backed up by Rob Doick's 4-27, three of those overs maidens and not a run given away cheaply. My own contribution with the bat, in the interests of full disclosure, was a duck — the less said the better.

A word of proper celebration: Alan Boyns brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved on a day when he also ran through their batting line-up. Two points, and 124 runs to the good — a result we'll happily bank and quietly forget my own scorecard entirely.

Sun 21 Jun 1992 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformLLWLL

Sunday 21 June saw Maidstone Dissidents CC visit, and for once the coin obliged me — I called correctly and had no hesitation putting us in.

We made 182 all out from our 38 overs, a total that flattered to deceive at times. Paul Gibson set the tone with a well-crafted 70, well supported by Matt Large and Paul Bishop, both good for 26 apiece. But the middle order rather lost the plot — 34 for 3 became 44 for 6 in the blink of an eye, with Alan Boyns and Mark Stevens both departing for ducks. Credit, then, to the last pair, who dug in for a priceless 63 to drag us to something defendable.

Defending it proved another matter entirely. The Dissidents replied with 185 for 9 from 42.3 overs, Piers McDonald the chief architect with a fine 71, backed up by David Castle and R Dearden. A crucial third-wicket stand of 54 kept them in the hunt throughout. Paul Gibson, not content with his runs, then ran through them with 5 for 63 — a thoroughly deserved five-for that also nudged him up both the club's all-time run and wicket charts, a fine day's work by any measure. I chipped in with 2 for 29, Jon Harris bowled tidily for 1 for 48 with two maidens, and poor Clive Newman's afternoon behind the stumps is best summed up by nine byes.

In the end it slipped away by a single wicket — the cruellest of margins. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 20 Jun 1992 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWLLWL

Saturday 20th June found us on the road to West Farleigh, and my luck was out before a ball was bowled — I lost the toss, and duly found myself leading the lads into the field. Their innings rolled on to 200 for 8 off 46 overs, built chiefly around Adrian Smith's fine unbeaten 75, well supported by Andy Golding's 30, the pair adding a crucial 59 for the fourth wicket. We did have our moments — Tim Baker back in the hutch without troubling the scorers — and Matt Large toiled manfully for 4 for 101, with Ian Brattle (3 for 36, two tidy maidens) and Sean Charlton (1 for 16) chipping away at the other end. Peter Whyte had a trying afternoon behind the stumps, twelve byes slipping past him like eels.

Chasing 200 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. David Castle again shone with 47, anchoring an opening stand of 57, but from a respectable 82 for 4 we contrived to lurch to 97 for 7 in the blink of an eye, and were all out for 111 in 37.4 overs. The Duck Club welcomed three new members — Dave Charlton and Ian Brattle, and, I confess with weary resignation, your correspondent, who trudged off for nought without troubling the scoreboard operator.

Beaten by 89 runs, then, and no arguing with it. David Castle remains second in the season's run charts, Matt Large tops the wickets — small consolations. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 20 Jun 1992 🧢 2nd XIv YC Yalding CC · HomeformWLWWW

Saturday the twentieth of June, Yalding CC visited us at home, and for once I called correctly at the toss – a small miracle in itself, and one I wasted no time capitalising on by sending us in to bat.

It proved the right call. Rob Doick played beautifully for an unbeaten 67, sailing serenely past his fifty and giving the innings its backbone, while I chipped in with 36 not out and Fred Cheesman added a brisk 21. We closed on 183 for 5 from our 44 overs, a total that felt defendable without being wholly comfortable – the sort of score that has a captain pacing the boundary rope rather than relaxing with the tea urn.

Defending it, we asked plenty of questions early doors, and Trevor Back in particular found the answers, prising out 3 for 27 with real hostility. Jon Harris was every bit as parsimonious at the other end, choking the scoring with four maidens on his way to 3 for 36, and between them they had Cattermole back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. But Alan Snowden had other ideas, batting serenely to an unbeaten 53, well supported by Richard Gardner's 43 and Chris Quirk's 23, and Yalding crept to 172 for 7 from their 43 overs before the overs ran out on both sides.

Honours shared, then – a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Rob Doick continues to lead our 1992 run charts with 174, and Trevor Back sits proudly fourth among the wicket-takers. A fair result, fairly fought, and tea was very good indeed.

Wed 17 Jun 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformDWWWD

Wednesday 17 June, and out we trooped to Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC, where the toss went against us and we were sent straight into the field, our willow held in reserve for later. We slipped to 5 for 1 almost before the tea urn had boiled, and though Jeremy Chapman fought hard for 36 and Paul Spencer chipped in a sound 32, the rest of the order could not build on their good work, and we were all out for 147 in the 54th over.

Defending that total was always going to ask a great deal of our bowlers, and in truth G Styles and J Bowden simply had other ideas. Styles carried his bat to an unbeaten 81, Bowden matched him stroke for stroke with a polished 62 not out, and between them they steered their side home to 149 for 1 in a brisk 24.1 overs. There were flashes of resistance — Rob Doick prised out P Day for a duck to show for his 1 for 59, and Alan Boyns bowled two tidy maidens amid the carnage — but two batsmen in murderous touch is a hard thing to legislate for from the boundary.

Jeremy Chapman's 36 keeps him top of our 1992 Midweek XI run charts with 136 for the season, which is about the only crumb of comfort on offer. Beaten by eight wickets, no arguing with the scoreline. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Tue 16 Jun 1992 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWLLW

Tuesday 16 June 1992, and West Farleigh CC rolled into Linton Park with the sun out and, sadly, the coin against us — no luck there, they had first say and chose to bat, so off we trotted into the field like men who'd rather have been anywhere else.

Credit where due: we struck early, seeing off Adrian Smith without troubling the scorers, but West Farleigh steadied and rather ran away with things thereafter. Don Fermor and Brian Aiston both finished unbeaten, on 46 and 39 respectively, with Andy Golding chipping in 30, and by the close of their sixteen overs they'd posted a distinctly awkward 158 for 4. Paul Gibson toiled manfully for 3-34, well backed by Rob Doick's 1-27, but it wasn't quite enough to stem the tide.

Chasing 159 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. We lost our opener for next to nothing, then Piers McDonald and I put together the best of the innings — he made 36, I made 39, and along the way I brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, which was rather nice amid the gloom. But from a respectable 92 for 5 we contrived to lose three more in a heartbeat, Paul Gibson and Jeremy Thorpe both departing for golden ducks, and we subsided to 116 for 9.

Forty-two runs the wrong side of the ledger, then — not our finest afternoon, though Clive Newman continues to purr along nicely in second place in this season's run charts, and Rob Doick sits third among the wicket-takers with eleven to his name. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 14 Jun 1992 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · AwayformWWWLL

I proposed to Bexhill on the coin and, as ever this season, lost—so we spent Sunday afternoon in the field wondering whether the toss fairy has simply blacklisted me. Blackman and Wickenden made themselves thoroughly at home, both cruising to unbeaten fifties (64 and 60 respectively) while Richard Matthews chipped in with 31, and between them they steered Bexhill to a hearty 204/3 off their 42.3 overs. I did what I could with the ball, picking up 2-51, and Rob Doick was miserly as ever—four maidens and 1-25, the sort of spell that makes batsmen reconsider their life choices, even if the rest of us leaked a bit more than we'd have liked.

Chasing 205, we could easily have folded, but Clive Newman played the innings of the day, a composed 52 that gave the chase its backbone, well supported by Steve Masters (30) and Fred Cheesman (28). The fifth-wicket pair put on a vital 71 to drag us back into the contest, I added a watchful 27 along the way, and a generous 32 extras from our hosts didn't go amiss either. It came right down to the wire—208/7 off 42.4 overs—but we scrambled over the line by three wickets.

A proper nerve-jangler, the sort that ages a captain faster than the sun does. But a win at Bexhill is a win at Bexhill, and we'll take it gladly, extras and all.

Sat 13 Jun 1992 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformDWLWW

I elected to field on winning the toss at Sheldwich CC, and for once the decision looked shrewd rather than reckless. Sheldwich crumbled to 108 all out in 34.5 overs, sliding from a semi-respectable 93-6 to 102-9 as the pressure told. Tony Marsh's 29 and David Sanderson's 20 were the only real resistance, while Robert Heward, Sam Hill and Graham Carter all trooped back for ducks. Alan Boyns was in irresistible form, spinning his way to 5-43 with three tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, and I chipped in with 3-10 while Rob Doick mopped up with 2-48. A thoroughly satisfying morning's work in the field.

Chasing 109 was never going to be straightforward for us — it rarely is once the openers have had their say — and we stumbled to 109/7 from 34.2 overs, rather more alarming than the scoreboard suggests. Tim Thirkell held the innings together beautifully with an unbeaten 55, while Stewart Morrison's contribution began and ended at nought.

A word too for Alan Boyns, whose five-for eased him past Brian Fuller and up to 23rd on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — a fine personal landmark on top of a fine team performance. He remains well clear at the top of this season's wicket charts, with Tim Thirkell setting the pace with the bat.

A scrappy chase, but a win is a win — three wickets to the good, and the lads will take it gladly.

Thu 11 Jun 1992 🧢 1st XIv LC Loose CC · HomeformWWWWL

Won the toss on a fine Thursday evening and elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and for once I wasn't just saying that to convince myself. David Castle set about proving me right in some style, easing to 54 not out with the minimum of fuss, while Peter Whyte matched him stroke for stroke with an equally polished fifty. Between them they carried us to 126/1 from our sixteen overs, which left the rest of us in the shed feeling rather surplus to requirements — never an unwelcome sensation in this game.

Loose CC came out swinging in reply, and Chris Cooper's 29 gave their innings its backbone, well supported by Peter Austen's 28 and Dave Arter's unbeaten 26. Sean Charlton was the pick of our attack with a excellent 3-28, Rob Doick chipped in with 2-66, and I managed to prise out one for 18 myself — a modest addition to what I'm rather chuffed to say is now 31 wickets for the season, top of the 1st XI charts, though I promise I'm not one to mention it twice. Poor M McLaren departed for a golden duck, which I'm sure will sting more than our defeat.

For in the end they got home by three wickets, chasing it down with the calm of men who fancied their tea afterwards. Credit where it's due — a scrap well fought, and we'll be better for it next week.

Tue 09 Jun 1992 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformWWWWW

Tuesday last, and we trundled over to Hollingbourne with the toss lost and the unwelcome task of chasing set before us. Still, fielding first has its charms — namely, putting off the moment you have to bat.

Hollingbourne posted 139/5 from their sixteen overs, built largely on the back of Trevor Scrivens' unbeaten 49 and useful support from Geoff Griffiths' 37. I can't complain about my own afternoon with the ball, though — I found some rhythm and picked up 3-13, with Paul Gibson and David Castle chipping in a wicket apiece for 34 runs each. A decent shift in the field, all told, even if 139 always looked a stretch too far for us on a 16-over pitch.

And so it proved. Our reply limped to 75/9, P Kirsten's 21 the only real resistance, while your correspondent contributed precisely nothing — bowled, caught, or however it happened, the details are mercifully vanished from memory, but the duck stands for the record. The walk back was every bit as long as you'd imagine.

One shaft of sunshine amid the gloom: Brian Piper's unregarded 5 runs quietly nudged him past Basil Sears into 6th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a footnote worth toasting, even in defeat. And with Clive Newman sat second in this year's run charts and yours truly leading the wicket-takers with 30, the season overall remains in reasonable shape.

Defeat by 64 runs, then — not our day, and my bat had rather less to say for itself than my bowling arm. Back to the nets, heads up, and onward to the next one.

Sat 06 Jun 1992 🧢 2nd XIv PC Petts Wood CC · AwayformDDWLW

Lost the toss on a grey Saturday down at Petts Wood, and the inevitable words "we'll have a bowl" sent us out into the field before I'd so much as loosened my shoulder. Still, cricket has a way of rewarding patience, and when our turn came with the bat we ground out a respectable 175 for 6 from our 51 overs. Stewart Morrison was the mainstay with a fine 48, and he had good company — Tim Thirkell chipping in with 30 and Roly Edwards adding 29 in support. Not a total to make Petts Wood tremble, perhaps, but enough to give the lads something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we duly did. Petts Wood threatened to make a game of it, Andy Symonds batting nicely for 37 with Greg Snape (22) and Eddie Sharr (21) chipping in, and a stubborn 53-run stand for the seventh wicket had us checking our watches more than once. But I found some early rhythm with the ball, picking up 3 for 36, while Rob Doick toiled away miserly through three maiden overs on his way to 3 for 48, and Tim Thirkell backed it all up with 2 for 24. Bit by bit, the resistance was worn down and Petts Wood folded for 171 in 45 overs.

Four runs. That was the margin in the end — enough to have the pavilion tea taste that little bit sweeter. A proper squeaker, a proper team effort, and a very good day for the club.

Wed 03 Jun 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv AK Ashford CC, Kent · AwayformLDWWW

Wednesday 3rd June, and off we trundled to Ashford CC, hopes modestly high and the coin, as ever, unpersuaded by my calling. They won the toss, elected to bat, and settled in for the afternoon while we had first use of the new ball.

Credit where it's due: Peter Westrop compiled a handsome 63, and Vincent Tyrrell purred along to an unbeaten 57, the pair putting on a chastening 100 for the fourth wicket while we searched increasingly hopefully for inspiration. That inspiration arrived, eventually, in the shape of Daryl Gregory, whose 4-48 (three of those overs maidens, mind you — not a run given away lightly) dragged us back into things, with Alan Boyns (2-20) and Fred Cheesman (1-11) chipping in for good measure. Ashford were bowled out, though not before they'd made us work rather harder than the scorebook perhaps suggests.

Chasing was never quite our forte on the day. We limped to 113 for 8 from our 37 overs, Alan Boyns again to the fore with an unbeaten 21, your captain contributing a workmanlike 15, and poor Fred Cheesman completing a chastening pair with a golden duck to round off his afternoon.

So: honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. Elsewhere, Jeremy Chapman continues to top our run charts with 100 for the season, and Daryl Gregory's efforts today lift him to second in the wickets column. A fair result, all told — Ashford will feel they let one slip; we'll take the point and the sandwiches gladly.

Tue 02 Jun 1992 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformWWWWW

Tuesday last brought The Mote CC down to Linton Park, and having lost the toss I watched them elect to bat, which after sixteen overs of honest endeavour left them wobbling on 98/8. It could have been carnage after we had them 5-1, but Nigel Mullarkey (35) and Matthew Dunk (29 not out) stitched together a stubborn 59-run stand for the seventh wicket to drag them back to respectability. Then the floodgates opened again, 22-4 in a blur, with R Moore, Neil Tillott and M Howie all back in the pavilion without so much as a run to their name. I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with 3-6 and a couple of maidens for good measure, while Rob Doick (3-16) and David Castle (1-16) tidied up the rest.

Chasing 99, we made harder work of it than the target deserved, slipping to 0-1 before Clive Newman anchored things with a fine 31. I chipped in with 30 of my own, and though David Castle's golden duck was a blot on an otherwise tidy card, we got home on 102/5 with overs to spare — 14.4 of them, to be precise.

Clive continues his fine season, now second in the club's run charts with 267, and I'll admit to a quiet satisfaction at leading the wicket-takers with 27. A thoroughly satisfying five-wicket win, and if we can keep finding partnerships like Clive's and bowling like that opening spell, this could be rather a good summer. Onwards.

Sun 31 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday 31 May 1992 saw us play host to Leeds & Broomfield CC, and having called it right at the toss, I sent us in to bat — a decision I stood by even as it went spectacularly wrong. Piers McDonald's 42 and Jon Harris's 21 were the only things standing between us and total embarrassment, and even they couldn't stop us stumbling to 3-1 early doors before the middle order simply vanished, 57-4 crumbling to 65-7 in the time it takes to say "shot selection." Paul Gibson, David Cook and I all contributed ducks to the cause — I fell for nought myself, and we shall draw a veil over it. All out for 113 in 44.4 overs felt, at the time, like a score to apologise for rather than defend.

Then the ball came out, and something rather lovely happened. Leeds & Broomfield lost their first wicket for nought, and though A Lewis's 20 threatened to make a match of it, we bowled them out for 85 in 36.2 overs, tearing through the tail from 79-7 to all out with John Hartshorn and C Bradbury both departing for ducks. Paul Gibson was magnificent with 4-7, I chipped in with 3-21 and four maidens, and Ian Brattle took 2-34.

A 28-run win from a total that looked, for a good hour, like a lost cause. We shall take it, gladly, and say no more about the batting.

Sat 30 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday 30 May 1992, away at Milstead, and I called it right at the toss — put them in, sorry, put us in to bat, on what looked a decent surface for runs.

We made 159 all out from our 46 overs, anchored by a fine 63-run stand for the second wicket. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, a really well-constructed 53, while Matt Large chipped in with 22 and I added a tidy 21 of my own. Not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but enough, as it turned out, to give the bowlers something to defend.

And defend it they did. Milstead battled to 145 for 8 from their 44, with Stuart Burnop the chief obstacle on 39, well supported by Chris Rawson's 27 and N Fisher's 21 — but we never let them settle. Losing their first wicket for just 8 set the tone, and Sean Charlton was magnificent throughout, finishing with figures of 3 for 9 that any club bowler would frame. Matt Large did the unglamorous graft at the other end, three wickets and three maidens for his 75, keeping the screws tight when it mattered.

Fourteen runs the margin in the end — tight enough to keep the tea urn conversation lively, comfortable enough that nobody's fingernails suffered too badly. Bowles continues to churn out runs for fun this season, Large the wickets to match, and if the rest of us can keep offering the odd useful contribution, 1992 might yet be a summer to remember. Two points, thoroughly earned, and the better side won.

Sat 30 May 1992 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · HomeformDDDWL

We were sent in to field on Saturday, and heaven knows the toss had never done us a bigger favour. Milstead CC huddled together over 30 overs and mustered a paltry 46 all out, undone by an opening burst that saw them slide from 26-4 to 34-7 before most of us had finished our second cup of tea. R Bartlett, Ken West and Glen Rawson all trooped back for ducks, victims of a Linton Park attack that showed no mercy whatsoever.

The architect of the collapse was Alan Boyns, who spun a web of pure devilry to finish with 6-25 — the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen quietly reconsidering their technique on the walk home. Rob Doick played the perfect foil, tight as a drum with 8 maidens on his way to 3-21, and between the two of them Milstead simply had nowhere to hide.

Chasing such a modest total was, frankly, the easy part, and we knocked it off for the loss of no wickets in just 12.5 overs, Mike Elworthy anchoring things with a composed 36 not out. He's now up to second in the season's run charts, while Boyns, unsurprisingly, sits proudly atop the wicket pile with 10 to his name.

A seven-wicket win, two points banked, and not a single alarming moment along the way — the sort of afternoon that makes captaincy feel almost too easy.

Mon 25 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformLWWWW

The coin, as ever, had other ideas. Xii Men called correctly, elected to bat, and left us to trudge into the field on what turned out to be a rather long Monday afternoon — 59.1 overs of it, in fact. They ground their way to 194 all out, Mark Skinner the chief architect with a tidy 46, well supported by Andrew Baker's 24 and Martin Ballands' 21. I can't claim much modesty about my own afternoon's work: four for 39, with eight maidens thrown in for good measure, which even by my own generous self-assessment counts as a decent shift. Jon Harris chipped in with three for 18 and Alan Boyns two for 51, so the runs, when they came, came hard.

Chasing 195, we barely broke sweat. Paul Bowles produced an innings of real class, 104 not out and worth every one of its runs, while Brian Piper (39 not out) and Piers McDonald (37) gave him company as we cantered home in 42.3 overs for the loss of a single wicket. Peter Whyte had a busier day behind the stumps than he'd have liked, ten byes going begging, but nobody was counting too closely by the end.

Paul continues to lead our 1992 run charts with 414, and Jon Harris tops the wickets with 20 — the engine room is in good order. Eight wickets and two points: a proper win, thoroughly earned.

Sun 24 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv EC Elliotts CC · AwayformWLWWW

Won the toss at Elliotts on Sunday and stuck them in — I do like to think I have a nose for these things, though the truth is I just fancied a bowl before the tea urn got going. Elliotts made 163 all out from 51 overs, built around a handsome fifty from Ian Crickmore and useful support from Alan Ricketts, the pair putting on 72 for the second wicket while the rest of us stood about admiring the scenery. But the middle order folded like a deckchair in a gale — 141 for 5 became 149 for 8 in a hurry, Justin Hodge back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. I helped myself to 3 for 24, with Rob Doick (2-23) and Alan Boyns (1-7) doing the damage either side of me, and Paul Bowles bowling three maidens as tight as his waistcoat.

Chasing 164, we lost an early wicket with just one run up — the sort of nervy start that has grown men reaching for the flask — before Paul Bowles played beautifully for an unbeaten 77, Alan Boyns keeping him company with 42 not out, and we cruised home at 165 for 3. Fifteen byes tells you Trevor Back had rather a lively afternoon behind the stumps, bless him. Special mention too for Alan Boyns, whose single wicket nudged him past Michael Morton into 24th on the all-time list — a quiet sort of immortality.

Six wickets to the good, and a thoroughly satisfying day out for Linton Park.

Sat 23 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv Castle Hill CC, Kent · HomeformWWLWW

Saturday last saw Castle Hill CC roll into Linton Park, and true to the traditions of the game, the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they had first use of what looked a good pitch. Watching from the field for 46 overs while T Rudd compiled a classy 67 is not how I'd choose to spend a Saturday afternoon, but Bardsley (48) and Wheeler (28) chipped in handsomely, and their fourth-wicket pair put on a stand of 61 that threatened to bat us out of it altogether. Ian Brattle kept his head and his line throughout — 2-42 with three maidens was proper miserly stuff — while Matt Large (2-67) and Jon Harris (1-30) did their bit to drag things back to 200/5. Respectable, if a touch more than we'd have liked.

Chasing 201, we set about it with real intent. Paul Bowles was magnificent, unbeaten on 85, and I was fortunate enough to find some form myself, getting past fifty on the way to 58 before falling — happy to lead from the front, even if the innings didn't need much leading. Piers McDonald's unbeaten 31 saw us home in style, and it was the 96-run third-wicket stand between Bowles and myself that really put the game to bed, getting us there in 34.1 overs.

A word too for Matt Large, whose two wickets nudged him past John Ames into fifth on the club's all-time list — a fine achievement quietly earned amid the day's bigger headlines.

Five wickets to the good, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. A good day for the club, and, dare I say, a rather good one for the captain too.

Sat 23 May 1992 🧢 2nd XIv SC Stockbury CC · AwayformLDDDW

Not a bad toss to win, and I'll confess I rather fancied batting first at Stockbury — the right call, I felt, even if the scorebook needed a nervous glance early on when we lost a wicket with just 6 on the board. Roly Edwards settled things down beautifully, compiling a composed 58 not out, with Fred Cheesman's 41 and Steve Masters's unbeaten 40 giving the innings real backbone. The tail wagged handsomely too, an aggravating final 87 runs for the fielding side to chase down in the field, though poor D Cooke will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry. We finished on a very respectable 207 for 6 from our 45.1 overs.

With the ball, we simply couldn't find a way through a stubborn stand of 127 for the second wicket, Nigel Sharp (72) and I Sharp (61) both passing fifty and doing the real damage. Trevor Back was excellent for us, 2 for 16 and picking up his usual share of the wickets, well backed by Paul Bishop and Paul Spencer with a wicket apiece, while Rob Doick — miserly as ever with two maidens — refused to give anything away cheaply. I contributed a modest 27 with the bat when my turn came round again.

In the end Stockbury got home by 5 wickets, and there's no dressing that up. But with Roly's fifty, Rob's season-leading run tally ticking along nicely, and Trevor now up to third in the wicket charts, there's plenty to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 20 May 1992 🧢 Midweek XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformDLDWW

Wednesday 20 May 1992 saw us make the trip to Tenterden, and for once the coin obliged me — I called correctly and had no hesitation in putting the opposition in. Whether that was captaincy or cowardice can be debated over a pint, but it certainly paid off. Jeremy Chapman played the innings of the season, an emphatic 85, while Nigel Thirkell purred along to an unbeaten fifty of his own, the pair sharing a magnificent stand of 159 for the fourth wicket that took the game clean away from Tenterden before it had properly begun. We finished on a handsome 214/5 from our 36 overs, the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than gnaw on it.

Defending it should have been the formality the scorebook suggests, though Tenterden's Mike Pearman and P Hill did their best to make an afternoon of it with 48 and 36 respectively. But I was in generous mood with the ball myself, finding real turn to finish with 6-23 — the sort of spell every off-spinner dreams about and precious few actually get. Fred Cheesman toiled away miserly as ever for 1-32 with five maidens, and Paul Bowles chipped in with 1-37, while poor Piers McDonald had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping 13 byes for his trouble. B Chinning departed for a golden duck, which tells its own story. Tenterden folded for 143.

A 71-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Chapman and I now sit proudly atop the season's run and wicket charts. More of the same, please.

Tue 19 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv Offham CC · AwayformDWWLW

We travelled down to Offham on a bright Tuesday in May, the nineteenth if the diary is to be believed, and I lost the toss for my trouble, which meant a spell in the field to open our afternoon. The lads made handsome amends for that setback. Offham were bowled out for a modest 114 in just 14.4 overs, M. Bowen leading their effort with 29 and Mervyn Brooker chipping in with 25, while M. Chapman trudged back without so much as troubling the scorer. I had one of those days where everything comes off the seam just so, finishing with 4-22, and Jon Harris (2-31) and David Castle (1-28) mopped up admirably around me.

Chasing 115 for victory, we made a lively fist of it, reaching 116 for 5 in 15.3 overs. Piers McDonald played the innings of the day with a splendid 46, well supported by David Castle's 20, though poor Fred Cheesman will want to forget his golden duck. I chipped in with 19 down the order, happy enough to contribute with both bat and ball on the same afternoon.

David Castle continues to lead our 1992 run charts with 227, and Jon Harris sits proudly atop the wicket-takers with 13, which tells its own tale of a side pulling well together this season.

Two points, and thoroughly earned, won by 5 wickets. A grand day out for Linton Park, and one that will keep the winter conversation cheerful.

Sun 17 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv CC Crockham Hill CC · AwayformWDWWL

I lost the toss again, which meant an afternoon leathering the ball around Crockham Hill's outfield before I'd had a cup of tea. S Keith made 64 to anchor their innings, capably backed up by T Burke, unbeaten on 47, and J Hitchens with 45, while a crucial third-wicket stand of 70 gave the innings its spine. A cheeky last-wicket stand of 45 runs we could well have done without saw them reach 229 for 8 from their 49 overs, a total that flattered them rather more than the cricket deserved.

We had our say with the ball, though. G Moir and S Smith went cheaply, Smith for a duck, and I found some rhythm to finish with 4 for 46, pick of the attack, with Ian Brattle (2 for 22) and Sean Cook (1 for 30) offering fine support. It was, as it turned out, the sort of spell that carried me past 600 career wickets for the club, which is not the kind of number a man expects to reach on an ordinary Sunday in May.

Set 230, we batted with real purpose. The openers put on 95 before the first wicket fell, and David Castle went serenely on to three figures, 102 no less, ably supported by Clive Newman with 46 and Paul Bowles with 36, an innings that also brought up 26,000 career runs for the club. We got home at 230 for 5 from 41 overs with room to spare.

Elsewhere, Clive Newman still leads our 1992 run charts with 218, and Jon Harris tops the wickets with 11. A fine win by 5 wickets, and a thoroughly satisfactory way to spend a Sunday.

Sat 16 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformDWDWW

It was Headcorn CC at home on the sixteenth of May, and I won the toss with the sort of confidence that usually precedes a batting collapse — though for once, gentle reader, I was right to bat first.

The lads set about it steadily, closing on 193 for 5 from our 46 overs. Clive Newman was the innings' backbone, unbeaten on 60, with Brian Piper (35 not out) and Paul Gibson (33) chipping in handsomely — the pair of them stitching together a vital 55 for the fifth wicket when things could easily have unravelled. A total to be quietly pleased with, if not one to have Headcorn quaking in their whites.

And quake they did not. Simon Phipps played the innings of the day with 46, well backed by Ian Pullen (36) and Rob Mansell (27), the two of them putting on 65 for the fourth wicket while our lead evaporated like the tea urn on a hot afternoon. Matt Large toiled manfully for 3 for 67, and Ian Brattle was typically parsimonious — 2 for 56 with five maidens to his name, bowling as though each run conceded caused him personal offence. It wasn't quite enough. They got home by two wickets, and there's no dressing that up.

Not our day, then, but there's no shame in a match this tight. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Sat 16 May 1992 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLLDDD

Off the Headcorn coach and into memory: 16 May 1992, and a fine day for it.

The coin behaved itself for once, and I had no hesitation in sending us in on winning the toss. What followed was as handsome an innings as the 2nd XI have played all season. Rob Doick set about the Headcorn bowling with real intent, cruising to 64, while Tim Thirkell settled in alongside him for a composed 58 of his own — the pair adding a magnificent 121 for the fourth wicket, the kind of stand that decides matches before tea is even poured. Mike Elworthy chipped in with a brisk 28, and 191/6 from our 46 overs had the look of a total to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did. G Wickens threatened to spoil the party with a well-crafted 57 not out, but he had precious little support — R Woolley won't want reminding of his golden duck — and Headcorn were mopped up for 131/7. Alan Boyns was quite magnificent, four wickets and five maidens of proper miserly bowling, with Rob Doick weighing in with three more to complete a splendid all-round day, his fiftieth career wicket to boot.

Sixty runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly deserved. A red-letter Saturday for Linton Park — long may the season continue in this vein.

Tue 12 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv KH KCC Highways · HomeformDDWDW

Tuesday last, we welcomed Kcc Highways, and won the toss — I had no hesitation in electing to bat, and for once a hunch paid off handsomely. David Castle set about the bowling with real authority, finishing unbeaten on a fine 57, while I chipped in with 46 and Paul Gibson added a brisk 37 alongside him. Sixteen overs later we'd posted a formidable 176 for 3, the sort of total that has the fielding side eyeing the boundary ropes with some trepidation.

Set that mountain to climb, Kcc Highways never really got going. P Moore was sent back to the pavilion without so much as a single to his name, and from there the innings simply unravelled. Sean Cook was the chief tormentor with a wonderfully economical 2 for 5, Jon Harris chipped away with 2 for 15, and Rob Doick weighed in with 1 for 13. All told they could only manage 71 for 7 from their sixteen overs — a good forty overs' worth of batting short of the target, if you'll allow the arithmetic some licence.

Elsewhere in the season's reckoning, David Castle now sits third in the 1st XI run charts with 95, and Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers with 10 — both thoroughly deserved, on this evidence. A comfortable 105-run victory, then, and two points banked without much argument. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round.

Mon 04 May 1992 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWDDWD

I'll bat first, thanks — no hesitation there.

We put 192 for 5 from our 46 overs, thanks in the main to Paul Bowles, whose 103 was the sort of innings that makes tea taste sweeter, and Clive Newman, unbeaten on 43 and quietly efficient as ever. Between them they strung together 91 for the fourth wicket, which is really just the whole innings dressed up in a partnership.

Bearsted made a fair fist of the chase, 65 without loss from their opening pair before we finally prised one out, and for a while it looked like a proper contest. But the middle order folded like a deckchair in a breeze — 103 for 5 became 111 for 8 before anyone had finished their egg sandwich — and Jon Harris was the chief architect, running riot with 5 for 38. I chipped in with 2 for 34 myself, more honest toil than genius, while Matt Large strangled the scoring with four maidens and poor Peter Whyte's nine byes told their own sorry tale behind the stumps. Ray Dines went for a duck at our hands, which I mention only because he won't thank me for it.

Bearsted were bowled out for 144 in 44 overs, Mark Stevens top-scoring with 31. I added a workmanlike 16 with the bat earlier on, nothing to trouble the scorers unduly.

Forty-eight runs the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly earned. A fine day to be captain — even if I say so myself.

Sun 03 May 1992 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · AwayformWWLWW

Beaten by 57 runs at High Halstow, and I still can't work out where it went wrong on the toss front — heads, tails, it never seems to fall our way. Put in to field, we made a fair fist of it early on with the top of their order back in the hut cheaply at 0-1, but Paul Whelan settled in for 41 and S Johnson chipped in with 24 to drag them to 152 all out. I managed 3-22 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure, Paul Gibson chipped away nicely for 3-38, and Matt Large picked up 2-26 — figures that, rather splendidly, also nudged him past Terry Whittaker into 6th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Not bad going for an afternoon that otherwise ended in defeat.

With the bat, though, we never quite got going. Tim Munday and Carl Dockwray both departed without troubling the scorers, and while Paul Bowles held things together with a battling 26, the rest of the card made grim reading — Matt Large's golden duck among the low points. All out for 95 in 34 overs tells its own story, and fifteen byes conceded rather sums up a testing day behind the stumps for Peter Whyte.

So, 57 runs the wrong side of the ledger, and no hiding from it. There were individual crumbs of comfort — my own bowling found some rhythm, and Bowles and I currently top the Sunday run and wicket charts respectively — but as a team performance this was more perspiration than inspiration. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sat 25 Apr 1992 🧢 1st XIv Penshurst Park CC · HomeformLWDDW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 25th April 1992. Penshurst Park CC visited, and I won the toss with the sort of luck that rarely follows me to the bar afterwards. Batting first seemed the sensible course, and for once sense prevailed: 195 for 3 off our 41 overs, built around a lovely 66-run stand for the second wicket. Clive Newman was in commanding touch for his 69, and Paul Gibson matched him stroke for stroke on his way to an unbeaten 51 — a knock which, we later discovered, eases him past Paul Brattle into 11th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a statistic I expect he will mention at every opportunity for the rest of the season. I chipped in with 31 of my own, more by application than artistry.

In the field we asked Penshurst to chase it down, and they gave it a fair go, reaching 126 for 6 off their 42 overs on the back of a defiant 67-run fifth-wicket stand between G Higgs, whose 55 was the innings' one genuine highlight, and V Widgery's supporting 22. Jon Harris did the damage with a probing 3 for 25, with Ian Brattle and Matt Large chipping in a wicket apiece — Large's four maidens were the sort of miserly bowling that makes a captain's job easy. My one regret was behind the stumps, where Clive Newman's afternoon was rather spoiled by 14 byes escaping his gloves.

In the end, honours were shared. A draw, then — not the story any of us came for, but on a pitch that gave little away, a fair and honest result for both sides.