🧢 Captain's Log

Wed 28 Sep 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformDWDDD

We won by five runs at Penshurst Park, batting first to 213/5 and defending it despite a nervy finish.

Here's the report:

Wednesday last saw us motoring down to Penshurst Park with the sun out and, rather more importantly, the coin landing my way. I had no hesitation in sticking us in, and for once the boys made me look like a genius rather than a fool. Mike Caddick played the innings of a man determined to remind the league who tops the run charts, cracking a fine 71, while Nigel Thirkell chipped in a classy 54 and Peter Whyte a tidy 27. The 104-run stand for the second wicket was the platform on which the whole innings was built, and 213/5 from our 47 overs felt like a total with a bit of bite to it.

Defending it proved rather more of a white-knuckle affair than any of us fancied. Penshurst were reduced to 4-1 early doors, which was promising, but a stubborn 69-run third-wicket stand threatened to drag the game away from us, John Boyden (71 not out) and R Hunter (51) doing most of the damage. Step forward Ian Brattle, whose 5-66 — three of those overs maidens, no less — was the difference between a comfortable evening and a nail-biting one. Alan Boyns backed him up admirably with 2-19, though his afternoon with the gloves was less serene, nine byes going astray. My own 54 kept me honest, and three ducks — Webb, Banks and Lock — kept the scorebook cheerful.

Five runs. That'll do nicely.

Sat 24 Sep 1994 🧢 1st XIv HC Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC · HomeformWWLWL

The toss deserted us before a ball was bowled, and so it was into the field we trooped on a Saturday that promised more than it delivered. Hastings & St Leonards Priory made themselves at home, riding a first-wicket stand of 59 before Jim Chaplin's 49 and useful contributions from N Phillips (39) and S Tibble (24) carried them to 187 all out in 37.2 overs — a total that felt a good deal larger by the time we'd finished chasing it. Credit where due: Matt Large was superb with 3-26, and Don Dansie and Nigel Thirkell chipped in a couple apiece (2-20 and 2-24) to keep the visitors honest.

Our reply began in the sort of fashion that has grown men reaching for the biscuit tin — 3-1 and already wobbling. Piers McDonald then played the innings of the day, 79 of real substance, and found the perfect foil in Mike Caddick, who eased past his own fifty to make 54, the pair adding 111 for the second wicket and hauling us back into contention. But cricket, and this club in particular, does love a twist: from a healthy 155-3 we contrived to stumble to 170-6 in the blink of an eye, Don Dansie's unbeaten 28 the only calm in the chaos. We fell short on 175-6, twelve runs shy.

Not our day, then. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets — Thirkell's runs and Harris's wickets keep the season charts glowing even when the results don't.

Sat 24 Sep 1994 🧢 2nd XIv YC Yalding CC · AwayformWDWLL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 24 September 1994. Off we trundled to Yalding CC, lost the toss, and were asked to chase; not the day for it, as it turned out.

With ball in hand first, the lads did us proud. Yalding built steadily to 181/8 from their 48 overs, Kevin Shrimpton unbeaten on 37, Graham Walker chipping in 35 and Iain Cardew 31 — K Brady back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. But the story of the innings was Trevor Back, hooping it round in figures of 5-29 — a five-for, thoroughly deserved, three of his overs maidens into the bargain. Alan Boyns (2-27) and Adrian Caddick (1-27) tidied up nicely round him. Not a lot of width on offer today.

Chasing 182 should never have felt beyond us, but 82 all out in 45.2 overs tells its own tale. Two on the board when the first wicket fell set the tone, and only Trevor Back, following his bowling heroics with 34 of the bat, gave the innings any shape. As for your skipper — a golden blob. They do say a captain must lead by example; today I led rather too enthusiastically back to the pavilion.

One shaft of light: Trevor's five-for nudges him past Ian Brattle into 12th on the club's all-time wicket list, while Mike Elworthy and Alan Boyns continue to lead the 2nd XI's season charts. Small mercies. Beaten by 99 runs — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 17 Sep 1994 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWWLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 17 September 1994, and a home fixture against West Farleigh CC on a day that, in the end, did us proud, whatever the scorebook's closing line might suggest.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in asking the lads to bat first, and it very nearly went swimmingly. The first wicket fell for a solitary run, which had me reaching for the hip flask rather earlier than I'd have liked, and poor Clive Newman contributed a golden duck to the club's ever-growing ledger of shame — the walk back must have felt like a mile. But cometh the hour, cometh Paul Bowles, who compiled a magnificent unbeaten century, and in tandem with Nigel Thirkell's fine 36 put on 115 for the second wicket to drag us to a highly respectable 163 for 2 off our 44.2 overs. Don Dansie's brisk 20 not out rounded things off nicely.

Alas, defending it proved beyond us. West Farleigh lost an early wicket cheaply enough to raise hopes, but R Peterson and Dave Latter shared 84 for the second wicket and never looked back, Peterson finishing unbeaten on a splendid 71 and Latter falling just short of his own century of hospitality with 58. Darren Styles and Chris Gray toiled honestly — Gray's two maidens a small mercy in a chase that reached 166 for 2 with overs to spare. I did my modest bit with 36, and Nigel Thirkell continues to top the season's run charts regardless.

Beaten by eight wickets, then — but with Bowles in this sort of form, we'll take some stopping yet.

Sat 17 Sep 1994 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rainham (Kent) CC · AwayformLWDWL

Saturday last took us down to Rainham (Kent), and having lost the toss we were invited to field first — which, with hindsight, might have been the more comfortable half of the day. Batting proved a trial: seven on the board and we'd already lost our first man, and though Trevor Back held things together nobly for 38, the middle order rather fell apart around him, 85 for 6 becoming 97 for 9 before you could finish your tea. Poor Paul Leandro and R Waite will want the scorebook burned before anyone sees their ducks. All out 98 in 41.4 overs — not a total to frighten anyone.

With the ball, though, we gave a proper account of ourselves. Daniel Thirkell was superb, 4 for 53, well backed by Alan Boyns's tidy 3 for 19 and Trevor Back, who having top-scored then bowled five overs' worth of maidens for just 1 for 12 — a fine shift with bat and ball both. I even chipped in with 3 wickets myself, which I shall be mentioning at the bar for some weeks. Tom Kearney, Steve Cooper and Mick Pay all departed without scoring, but Rainham's Kenny Kemmenoe (38) and Stewart Macfarlane, unbeaten on 28, put on a vital 61 for the sixth wicket and saw them home at 102 for 8.

Beaten by 2 wickets, then, in a match that felt tighter than our total deserved. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 11 Sep 1994 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformWWWWL

I called correctly at the toss on Sunday and, with a pitch that looked fit for batting, there was never much doubt I'd have first use of it. So it proved. We racked up 179 for 3 from our 46 overs, and the platform was laid by an opening stand of 111 before the first breakthrough came — the sort of start that lets a captain sit back in his deckchair with a cup of tea and pretend it's all under control. David Castle was the architect, ninety-three not out and never troubled, with Clive Newman weighing in with a tidy 48 and Mike Caddick finishing unbeaten on 20 to see us home to a total that already had the look of a match-winner about it.

And so it proved with the ball too. Whatever confidence the visitors had evaporated in short order as N Taylor, I. Nightingale and S Parkins all trooped back without so much as a run to their names — three ducks before the innings had properly got going. Matt Large was magnificent, 3 for 14 with five maidens thrown in for good measure, miserly enough to make a Yorkshireman proud, while Daniel Thirkell (3-19) and Adrian Caddick (2-4) mopped up what was left. They were bowled out for 56 in 37.2 overs, and the game was won by 123 runs before the tea urn had properly cooled.

A word too for Jon Harris, who passed 2000 career wickets in the process — a landmark that rather puts the rest of us in the shade. All told, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work: two points banked, pride intact, and not a soul on the away side spared our attack's mercy.

Sat 10 Sep 1994 🧢 1st XIv High Halstow CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday 10 September 1994 saw us make the trip to High Halstow, and the toss went against us before a ball was bowled — chasing was to be our lot for the day.

Put into the field, we watched High Halstow settle in nicely, running up 163/3 from their 32 overs. Paul Whelan led the charge with a fine unbeaten 59, and D Bovis kept him company with 54, the pair putting on a crucial 95 for the third wicket while J Goodhind chipped in with 21. To our credit the bowling never quite gave up the ghost — Phillip Morrison was the pick with 1-22, Ian Brattle and Darren Styles both chimed in with a wicket apiece, and Chris Gray bowled two miserly maidens to keep the scoring honest, if not quiet enough.

With 164 needed, we never remotely threatened it. A wicket down for just one run set the tone, and it never really lifted — Stewart Morrison's name went down for a painful duck, and the innings folded for 90 in 30.4 overs, leaving us beaten by 73 runs.

Not all was gloom, mind: Ian Brattle's solitary wicket nudged him past Trevor Back into 12th on the club's all-time list, a tidy bit of history amid the wreckage. Elsewhere, Nigel Thirkell continues to plunder runs at the top of our season charts, and Brattle himself sits third among the wicket-takers.

A chastening afternoon, all told, but we'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sun 04 Sep 1994 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformWWLLW

Sunday 4th September brought us to Beacon CC in Cornwall, a fixture that always promises sea air, cream teas, and the possibility of losing all sense of the scoreboard. I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first — a decision I felt rather smug about at the time, and one the lads didn't let me forget either way, whatever happened.

We posted 152 for 7 from our forty overs, a total built almost single-handedly by Nigel Thirkell, whose 69 was the innings' backbone — a proper well-made fifty and then some. A useful 59-run stand for the fourth wicket gave the innings some spine, though I'll confess it never quite felt like enough as we walked off.

It nearly wasn't. Beacon replied with real intent, Chris Bennett top-scoring with a brisk 46, but our attack found its rhythm: David Castle was superb with 2 for 21, Nigel Thirkell chipped in again with 2 for 26 — a fine all-round day's work — and Richard Ashby snaffled one for the princely cost of a single run. They were bowled out for exactly 152 in 23.3 overs.

Level. Dead level. Twenty-two men, a whole day's toil, and not a run between us. You couldn't script it, and frankly I wouldn't want to — some results are better left as they fell. A tie is nobody's triumph and everybody's story, and that's precisely how it should stay down at Beacon.

Fri 02 Sep 1994 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformLWWLL

Skipper's Log — Friday 2nd September 1994, away at Mullion CC, and for once the coin toss actually went my way. I had few doubts about batting first, and while 172/6 from our 40 overs wasn't quite the fortress I'd hoped for after losing our first wicket for just 7, a sturdy 74-run stand for the second wicket steadied the ship nicely. I'll confess a certain proprietorial pride in top-scoring myself with 87 — the sort of innings a captain dines out on for weeks — with Mike Caddick (27) and Nigel Thirkell (26) chipping in handsomely. Poor Steve Cheesman, however, departed for a duck, and was left to contemplate his sins in the pavilion while the rest of us got on with it.

Defending 172 always feels like a tightrope walk, but Alan Boyns made it look like a stroll along the boundary rope, scything through Mullion with a magnificent 4-8 including three maidens — miserly doesn't begin to cover it. Nigel Thirkell (2-7) and Matt Large (2-16) tidied up the rest, and Pingree joined Cheesman in the golden-duck club for good measure. Philip Burslem's defiant 37 was the only real resistance, but it was never enough, and Mullion folded for 118 in 41.5 overs.

A 54-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. With Caddick and Boyns now leading the Tour XI's run and wicket charts respectively, the omens for the rest of the season look rather promising. Tea was, I'm reliably informed, excellent.

Thu 01 Sep 1994 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformDLWWL

Beaten by 11 runs at Falmouth on Thursday, but not before we gave the sun a run for its money. Losing the toss and being asked to chase is never the tonic a captain dreams of, but the lads set about their overs with good cheer. Mark Render made hay for the hosts, an assured 86 that did the bulk of the damage, well supported by P Thomas's 40 as their second-wicket pair put on 88 that proved rather too crucial for our liking. Credit where due — Simon Thirkell toiled superbly for 2-37, Daniel Thirkell and Adrian Caddick chipped in either side of him, and Alan Boyns bowled three maidens that gave away nothing but pride.

174/5 is always a tall order from 42 overs, and for a good while we looked equal to it. Mike Caddick played the innings of the day, 72 well made, with Nigel Thirkell purring along to 52 alongside him — their stand of 75 had us dreaming. Then, as club cricket so loves to remind us, the wheels came off: 146-4 became 148-7 before anyone could reach for another custard cream. Poor Alan Boyns, so miserly with the ball, suffered the ignominy of a golden duck with the bat — cricket's idea of a joke. For my own part, 52 runs felt a fair afternoon's work, even in a losing cause.

Eleven runs short in the end. Character shown, lesson learned — we'll be sharper next week.

Mon 29 Aug 1994 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLWWWW

As Skipper, one that afternoon at Bearsted deserved a rousing pint.

We lost the toss – no great surprise, my coin-calling remains as reliable as an English summer – and were asked to field. Bearsted made themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 272/7 from their 58.4 overs, with Mick Filmer the chief architect of our afternoon's toil: a magnificent, chanceless-looking century of 116, well supported by Stephen Heap's crisp 61 and Stephen Horrocks' 24, the pair adding an ominous 85 for the fifth wicket. Credit where due, though: Adrian Caddick worked hard for his 3-56, Ian Brattle chipped away for 3-84, Stuart Cheesman picked up one, and Nigel Thirkell bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding his allotment, sending down four maidens.

Chasing 273 looked a tall order on paper, and losing an early wicket with just 1 on the board did nothing for the nerves in the pavilion. But David Castle had other ideas, playing an innings of real substance – 141 not out, an absolute gem – and finding an ideal foil in Paul Gibson's fluent 70, the two adding a match-defining 122 for the fourth wicket. Nigel Thirkell weighed in with 27, I scratched about for my own 27, and – less gloriously – Mike Caddick and Piers McDonald both trudged back for ducks, joining the club's less celebrated ledger.

A five-wicket win, then, snatched from the jaws of a very good Bearsted total. Onwards.

Sun 28 Aug 1994 🧢 1st XIv SC Southfleet CC · HomeformWLWWW

Here's the match report:

There are moments in a captain's life when winning the toss and deciding to bat feels like sound cricketing judgement, and moments when it feels like signing your own innings' death warrant. On this occasion, against Southfleet, I'm pleased to report it was the former — eventually, and not without a fair bit of self-inflicted drama along the way.

Six on the board and we'd already lost a wicket, which set the tone for a nervy, stop-start knock. Jon Harris top-scored with a fine 28, Piers McDonald chipped in handsomely with 25, but between them the middle order rather lost the plot, subsiding from a respectable 48-3 to a distinctly wobbly 60-6. Stewart Morrison and Adam Pooley both made the long walk back without troubling the scorers — the Duck Club welcomes two new members. All out for 112 in 33.4 overs felt like a total we'd need to bowl out of our skins to defend.

Which, remarkably, is exactly what we did. Southfleet lost an early wicket of their own at 4, and never really recovered their poise, eventually bowled out for 99 despite W Hayes's stubborn 33. Jon Harris was simply magnificent, tearing through them with 5-25, backed superbly by Matt Large's miserly 4-26 (five maidens!) and Rob Doick's 1-22 — I even found some rhythm myself with 4 wickets. A lovely footnote: Matt Large brought up 2,000 career runs for the club along the way.

Thirteen runs the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved — a proper club cricket win, warts, ducks and all.

Sat 27 Aug 1994 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWWLWW

Saturday 27 August 1994, and the toss finally went my way against Sheldwich CC — a novelty I chose not to squander, sending us in to bat under skies that felt promising enough for once. Piers McDonald led the charge with a fine 40, and found excellent company in Matt Large's 34 and Brian Piper's 29, the two of them stitching together a fourth-wicket stand of 59 that gave our innings its spine. I contributed a workmanlike 34 myself, more accident than architecture, and we closed on a respectable 181/7 from our 46 overs — enough, I hoped, to give the bowlers something to bowl at.

And bowl at it they did. Sheldwich never quite recovered from losing an early wicket with just 6 on the board, and the middle order's best efforts — Graham Carter's 22, Brian Martin's 20 — couldn't stem the tide. Matt Large, having already done his bit with the bat, turned the screw with 4-45, while Ian Brattle bowled with a miser's discipline (3-26, five maidens) and Jon Harris chipped in with 3-34. I even managed to rediscover some rhythm of my own, taking 4 wickets, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for weeks to come. Sheldwich were all out for 125 in 43 overs.

A 56-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — the kind of afternoon that reminds you why you keep turning up, rain or shine, aching knees and all.

Sat 27 Aug 1994 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformDLWDW

Beaten by a boiling-hot Bank Holiday over of complacency and 6 wickets, we drove home from Sheldwich on Saturday nursing bruised pride but not, I think, bruised prospects.

Losing the toss and being asked to field first is never how you'd script a Saturday, but the lads batted with more grit than the scoreboard suggests. 127 all out from 36.3 overs isn't a total to send Sheldwich quaking, though Mike Elworthy's typically classy 56 kept us respectable and reminded everyone why he's cantering away with the 2nd XI run charts this year — 414 and counting. At the other end of the ledger, poor Chris Tymms endured the walk of shame for a duck; I shall be sending the Duck Club committee his membership renewal personally.

In the field we scrapped hard without quite landing the killer blow. Sheldwich's openers made a mockery of our new-ball hopes, putting on 62 before we prised the first wicket loose, and from there K Voller's watchful 41, with support from Barry Hulks (27) and Brian Newman (26), eased them home at 130/4. Alan Boyns was again the pick of the attack — 2-19, and a very respectable 17 wickets on the season — while Stuart Cheesman chipped in with 1-30 and Chris Tymms atoned for his duck with two tidy maidens. I added a watchful 19 with the bat for what it was worth.

All told, a fair beating by 6 wickets, no disgrace against a side that simply started better than we finished. We'll dust ourselves down, have a word about first-wicket stands, and come back stronger next week.

Wed 24 Aug 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv CW Coleshill CC, Warks · HomeformLDWDD

Wednesday 24 August 1994, and Coleshill CC rolled into Linton Park for a midweek fixture that had everything except a result. I called correctly at the toss — a rare enough event to note in itself — and had no hesitation in batting.

We began in some style, Piers McDonald and Rob Doick putting on 119 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scorers with a dismissal. McDonald went on to a fine 76, Doick a well-made 54, and Mike Caddick chipped in with 37 to see us to 184-4 and looking rather pleased with ourselves. Then, as village cricket so loves to remind us, the wheels came off in short order — 184-4 became 191-7 almost before the tea urn had cooled, with poor Ian Brattle contributing a golden duck to the collapse. We steadied to close on 208-9 from our 40.3 overs.

In the field, Jon Harris was superb — 3-31 with four maidens, not a run given away lightly — well backed by Stuart Cheesman (2-9) and Adrian Caddick (2-20), and I even found some rhythm myself with three wickets. Coleshill stumbled to 5-1 but Brian Piper's fighting 69, with support from Giddings and Mortimer, and a defiant 80-run fifth-wicket stand, dragged them to 166-9 from their 47 — short of the target but enough to deny us.

Honours shared, then. A draw when neither side could force it — and Peter Whyte's unassuming 5 runs quietly moved him up the all-time run charts, which felt about right for an afternoon where the numbers, not the result, told the story.

Sun 21 Aug 1994 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Anchorians CC · HomeformLWWLW

Sunday 21 August 1994, Dummy Site, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — we lost the toss and were sent out to chase. Not that it stopped us doing the job properly with the ball first: their innings ran to a stout 210/6 off 51 overs, built chiefly around P Whyte's fine 90, with R Smith (32) and T Waite (24) lending sturdy support and a stand of 81 for the fourth wicket the platform for it all. Credit where due — Stuart Cheesman was the chief tormentor with 3-49, Jon Harris probed away for 2-31 with four maidens to show he wasn't giving anything away, and Dave Charlton chipped in with 1-42.

Chasing 211, we got there in some style — 213/4 off 41.1 overs, though not without an early wobble, slipping to 5-1 before order was restored. From there Clive Newman batted quite beautifully for an unbeaten 106, ably supported by Paul Gibson's unbeaten 71. Less gloriously, your captain contributed a rather forgettable nought, and poor Matt Large joined him in the duck club — though he can console himself with a rather grander landmark, his 200th appearance in Linton colours, achieved in the same innings as his dismissal for none. Fitting, in its way.

Two points, six wickets to spare, and Clive now sitting third in the season's run charts with Jon leading the wickets — a fine afternoon's work, chase and all.

Sat 20 Aug 1994 🧢 1st XIv RC Rusthall CC · AwayformLLWWL

Saturday 20th of August 1994, and off we trundled to Rusthall, spirits high and kit bags heavier than our collective bowling averages suggest they should be. Winning the toss and choosing to bat felt like the correct call at the time, and I'll stand by it — even if the scorebook took us on rather more of a rollercoaster than any of us fancied. Chris Gray played beautifully for his 75, Matt Large chipped in with a well-made 60, and Paul Gibson's 37 kept things ticking, the fourth-wicket pair adding a crucial 73 before we somehow contrived to slide from 130-4 to 149-7 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea. Still, 224/9 from our 43 overs was a total with some substance to it.

Then out with the ball, and what fun it turned into. Rusthall's Dominic Walker batted superbly for 93, with Richard Wild and Ian Wright lending sturdy support, and their third-wicket pair put on a hefty 133 that had us searching our pockets for inspiration. Happily the middle order obliged, subsiding from 202-5 to 206-8 as the pressure told, with Des Joyner and T. Chowdhury both back in the hutch without scoring. The day belonged unmistakably to Jon Harris, whose 6-27 — three of them maidens — was as miserly as it was magnificent, well backed by Matt Large's 2-24 and Adam Pooley's solitary but valuable wicket. I was rather chuffed to lead from the front with 60 of my own.

A word too for Paul Gibson, whose 37 eased him past Basil Sears into 7th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a quiet piece of history amid the drama.

A fine win by 17 runs. Onwards.

Sat 20 Aug 1994 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hadlow CC · HomeformWDLWD

Steve Cheesman, 49 not out, top-scores as we post 215/3 against Hadlow CC and go on to win by 127 runs

Well, the toss went against us, as it so often does — Hadlow won the call and stuck us in, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition. No matter. Steve Cheesman and Stewart Morrison set about repairing the club's pride with a brisk opening stand of 67 before the first wicket finally fell, and from there the innings simply refused to misbehave. Trevor Back chipped in with a tidy 42, Morrison made 45, and Steve Cheesman carried his bat all the way to an unbeaten 49, steering us to a thoroughly handsome 215 for 3 off our 39.2 overs. Not a bad afternoon's work with the willow, even if I say so myself.

Then it was Hadlow's turn to discover what a good bowling day looks like. They lost their first wicket for the princely sum of 1, and things rather unravelled from there — 16 for 2 became 23 for 5 as three of their number, Axton, William Machtus and Andy Portlock, all trudged off for ducks. Stuart Cheesman was the chief tormentor, a superb 4 for 18 including four maidens — not a run given away lightly, as they say — with able support from Phillip Morrison's 3 for 9 and a wicket for Chris Tymms. Dominic Boulle's defiant 40 was the only real resistance, but Hadlow subsided for 88.

A 127-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly deserved pint for the bowlers. This was club cricket at its most one-sided and, frankly, most enjoyable.

Wed 17 Aug 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDLDWD

Wednesday 17 August 1994 saw us on the road to Gravesend CC, and the coin, as ever, took no notice of my captaincy credentials — they called it right and settled in to bat first, leaving us first use of the ball on a day when everything felt finely poised.

Jon Harris set the tone with the new ball, prising out 3-27 and bowling four maidens that ought to be framed and hung in the pavilion, while Stuart Cheesman (2-28) and Mike Caddick (1-10) chipped away at the other end. Even so, Dave Bishop's well-made 54 and a composed 48 not out from Peter Preston carried Gravesend to 186/7 from their 51 overs — a total that felt like a proper afternoon's work for us to chase.

We set off steadily enough before losing our first wicket for next to nothing, but Bob Dyer played the innings of the day, 72 to his name, with Mike Caddick (40) and Matt Large (27) lending sturdy support and a third-wicket stand of 78 doing the heavy lifting. Then, as club cricket so loves to do, the wheels came off spectacularly — 155-4 became 161-7 in the blink of an eye, with Piers McDonald, Stuart Cheesman and Ian Brattle all departing without troubling the scorer. I did my best to steady things with three wickets of my own, but we closed on 173/8 from our 43.

A draw, then — honours even, and probably a fair reflection of a match that gave, then took, then gave again. Mike Caddick continues to top our run charts and Jon Harris our wicket charts, and on this evidence, long may both reigns continue.

Sun 14 Aug 1994 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · HomeformWLLWW

Sunday last brought Whitstable CC to Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any captain in his right mind does with a decent strip and a nervous stomach — put them in to bowl at us. The lads didn't hang about. Our openers set a fine tone with 74 before the first wicket went, and Mike Caddick then simply refused to get out, compiling a magnificent unbeaten 101 while Piers McDonald (35) and Clive Newman (32) kept the scoreboard humming along nicely — the pair adding 76 for the second wicket. We closed on a handsome 216/3 from our 43 overs, and I confess I allowed myself a quiet cup of tea and a moment of optimism at the interval.

That optimism, I'm sorry to report, was misplaced. Ali Murrell and Andy Simpson strolled to 128 for the first wicket as though our bowlers were mere scenery, Murrell going on to an unbeaten 95 and Simpson chipping in a well-made 60, with Liam Scales adding 25 for good measure. Matt Large (1-41) and Jon Harris (1-44) toiled honestly without ever quite landing the blow we needed, and Whitstable cantered home on 217/2 with more than an over to spare.

There was, at least, one bright light amid the gloom: Piers McDonald brought up 4,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly applauded even as the rest of us trudged off in defeat.

Beaten by eight wickets, then — heads up, chins high, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 13 Aug 1994 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · HomeformDWLLW

It was Harrietsham at home, and having called correctly I had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking us in — the right call, if I say so myself. We stumbled at 1-1, the sort of start that has a captain reaching for the pavilion biscuits early, but Clive Newman and David Castle steadied the ship magnificently with 150 for the second wicket. Clive went on to a superb unbeaten 125, David chipped in a well-made 53, and Matt Large added 24 lower down. I managed 24 myself, thank you very much. Paul Gibson and Keith Hatcher both departed for golden ducks, proof that even on a good day the game finds someone to humble. We closed on a handsome 238/8 from our 46.

Harrietsham gave it a proper go in reply, Dave Brooks (60) and Keith Chaney (54) putting on a stubborn 67 for the fourth wicket after an early loss at 0-1, with D Southern chipping in 31. But Keith Hatcher, having made amends for his duck with the bat, ran through them with 3-28, Piers McDonald snapped up 2-6, and Matt Large — three tidy maidens and all — took 2-48 as D Passey, Robin Mayes and T Fittall all fell for nought. They were bowled out for 175 from 44 overs.

A fine day all round, capped by Clive Newman reaching 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark thoroughly deserved from a man now third in this season's run charts with 475. Won by 63 runs, two points banked, and not a drop of tea spilt in anger. Thoroughly earned, and thoroughly enjoyed.

Sat 13 Aug 1994 🧢 2nd XIv HC Higham & Mockbeggar CC · AwayformWWDLW

Saturday 13th August, and off we trotted to Higham & Mockbeggar with the coin gods smiling on us for once — heads it was, and I had no hesitation in sending us in.

What a start we had. Stewart Morrison and his opening partner put on 80 before Higham & Mockbeggar so much as glimpsed a wicket, and from there Morrison went on to a thoroughly fine 67, with Mike Elworthy chipping in a handsome 44 and Stuart Cheesman unbeaten on 24 to see us home to a healthy 207/4 off our 48. Declaration-worthy stuff, even if we didn't need to declare.

Defending it, we had them wobbling nicely — 155/4 became 159/7 in the blink of an eye, with J Bailey and R Bailey both back in the pavilion without so much as a single to their name (ducks all round, poor lads). Chris Tymms was the chief tormentor with a superb 4-26, backed up admirably by Adrian Caddick's 3-70, three of those overs maidens and not a run given away cheaply. But Richard Shackleton had other ideas, standing firm for a well-made 82, with Allan Twitchett (31) and N Scudder (26) lending sturdy support in an87-run stand that dragged the visitors to 165/7 off 41 and out of our clutches.

So honours shared, and a draw to show for a day's honest toil. Mike Elworthy continues to lead our run charts this season with 358, and Tymms sits second among the wicket-takers with 16 — the numbers, at least, are marching in the right direction, even if the result wasn't.

Sun 07 Aug 1994 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformLDWLL

I called correctly at the toss on Sunday and, with the sun out and Benenden watching on, there was never much doubt what I'd do with it — we batted.

What followed was as fine a display as I can remember. Nigel Thirkell set about the bowling for a classy 75, and found the perfect foil in Mike Caddick, whose own well-crafted 73 saw the pair put on 123 for the second wicket and take the game clean away from anyone's control. Rob Doick came in and finished unbeaten on 38, the extras column even chipped in a generous 28 of its own, and we closed on a formidable 229 for 3 from our 44.4 overs. A total, I confess, that had me feeling rather pleased with myself at tea.

Defending it was another matter entirely. Andrew Cloke made a real fist of it with 81, well supported by James Steed (42) and Alex Presnall (34), and for a while their innings threatened to make fools of us all. But an early wicket at 5 for 1 set the tone, and though the third pair added a stubborn 68, the middle and lower order — Byrom, Fowler, Chambers — went back without troubling the scorers. Matt Large was the pick of our attack with 4 for 34, Alan Boyns miserly as ever with 2 for 24 and five maidens, Don Dansie chipping in with 2 for 28. They fell 222 all out from 43.1 overs.

Seven runs the margin, and I'll happily take it — my own 75 a pleasant personal footnote to a proper team effort. Onwards indeed.

Sat 06 Aug 1994 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLDWL

Wonderful news travels fast around Linton Park, and so, I fear, does the other sort. I won the toss on Saturday and, ever the optimist, stuck us in to bat first at Headcorn. We got to 145 all out, a total that flattered to deceive somewhat in its making. Sean Charlton led from the front with 40, and Clive Newman chipped in a tidy 34, the pair putting on a crucial 60 for the fourth wicket that had us dreaming of something more substantial. Alas, from 138 for 6 we somehow contrived to lose three more for six runs, with Piers McDonald, Chris Gray and Ian Brattle all completing the rare feat of a golden duck apiece — a collapse so swift you'd have missed it blinking.

In the field, Chris Gray was magnificent with the ball, 3 for 46 including two maidens, well backed up by Jon Harris (3 for 48) and Nigel Thirkell (1 for 17). Poor Peter Whyte, however, endured a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 11 byes finding their way past him, while I did my modest bit with the bat earlier for 15.

Headcorn got home on 146 for 7, Pete Gibbs (34), Andrew Fordham (24) and Ali Lee (20) seeing them past us with three wickets in hand. Nigel Thirkell continues to top our run charts this season with 887, and Jon Harris leads the wickets with 42 — small consolations on an afternoon that was, in truth, not our day. Heads up, lads. Back to the nets.

Sat 06 Aug 1994 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLWWDL

It was heads I called, and heads it duly was — an easy decision followed, for on a morning like that you bat first and ask questions later. Trevor Back led the way with a stylish 35, backed up nicely by Chris Tymms (25) and Mike Elworthy (20), and with the openers putting on a useful 58 for the first wicket, 134 looked a par-plus total in the making. Then, as only Linton Park can, we contrived to turn 93 for 5 into 105 for 8 in the time it takes to put the kettle on — poor Dave Charlton's afternoon summed up neatly by a golden duck. All out for 134 from our 43 overs; the committee, I suspect, had words ready for the tea interval.

Bearsted's reply never quite got away from us. Christopher Filmer batted with some class for his 31, but Robin Cross and P Martin both departed without troubling the scorers, and the middle order found Alan Boyns a thoroughly unwelcome sight — 4 for 20 off eight miserly maiden-strewn overs. Dave Todd (3 for 54) and Trevor Back (2 for 17) mopped up nicely either side of him, and I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at chipping in with 4 wickets myself. Bearsted were bowled out for 115 in 45.1 overs, and we held on by 19 runs.

A wobble with the bat, redeemed handsomely with the ball — the very essence of village cricket, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 03 Aug 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDDLDW

I chip in with 47, we get the whole XI out for 182, and — for once — it's all going swimmingly. Then I remember I still have to face Bexley's bowlers myself.

Wednesday brought Bexley CC to Linton Park, and losing the toss was, on reflection, the least of my worries. Sent in to bowl, we made a fair fist of it. Robert Clark's 47 was the innings' backbone, with Phil Owen (32) and Steve Rudduck (24) chipping in around him, and though they lost an early wicket for nought, it took them until 172-7 before the nerve properly went and the last three wickets tumbled for ten. Jon Harris was magnificent, 4-27, with Richard Ellis (2-42) and the ever-parsimonious Ian Brattle (1-19, three maidens) squeezing the rest. Gary Joyce departed without so much as a whisper of a run — the first of the day's ducks.

Chasing 183, we never quite got there, closing on 149-9 from our 43. Mike Caddick led the way with a fine 40, Jon Harris carried on his good day unbeaten on 26, and I contributed a modest 26 of my own. Richard Ellis, having bowled so tidily, endured a golden duck for his troubles — cricket's little cruelty.

So, honours shared, and a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody. With Caddick now top of the season's run charts and Rob Doick leading the wickets, the Midweek XI is shaping up nicely — even if my own bowling figures (4 wickets, thank you very much) suggest I ought to bat lower and bowl more.

Mon 01 Aug 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv CC Cleethorpes CC · HomeformLDDLD

We won the toss on Monday and, with the sun doing its level best over the ground, I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat first — the right call, I felt, and for once I shall take the credit before anyone else claims it.

Keith Hatcher was the man of the afternoon, compiling a handsome 92 that anchored the innings from the front, with Mike Caddick's 36 and Rob Doick's 22 lending fine support and a stand of 72 for the third wicket doing the heavy lifting. Not every innings was a triumph — poor Roly Edwards contributed his golden nothing to the cause, and one hopes the scorebook is kinder to him next week. We closed on a healthy 189 for 6 from our 49.3 overs, a total that felt like it had enough about it.

So it proved. Cleethorpes made a fair fist of the chase, with Bob Leafe's 42 the backbone and useful runs from X Wheeler (34) and X Irving (28), but once the floodgates opened at 156 for 7 the innings unravelled in a hurry, tumbling to 172 all out in 46.4 overs — X Threapleton departing without troubling the scorers along the way. Rob Doick was quite magnificent, running riot with 5 for 38, well backed by Dave Todd (3-45), Jon Harris (2-46) and the ever-miserly Paul Lines, who bowled three maidens and barely let Cleethorpes breathe.

A fine win by 17 runs, then, and with Caddick leading our run charts on 240 and Doick our wicket charts on 9, the season has plenty still to say. Onwards.

Sun 31 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv BC Battle CC · AwayformWWLDW

We travelled down to Battle full of quiet optimism, and when the coin obliged, I had no hesitation in taking first knock. It proved a shrewd call, or at least a lucky one, as the lads piled up 236 for 2 from our 36 overs. Mike Caddick was the architect, a truly magnificent 105 not out, while I managed to potter along to 76 myself in support — I shan't pretend I wasn't rather pleased with that. Brian Piper finished unbeaten on 26, and the pair of us at one stage put on 138 for the second wicket, which is the sort of stand that makes the tea taste sweeter.

Defending 236 always feels like a tightrope walk, and so it proved. Andy Lawrence and Tony Boardman put together a hundred for the third wicket between them — 85 apiece, Boardman unbeaten — and steadily hauled Battle towards our total. Rob Doick toiled manfully for his 3 for 94, I chipped in with 2 for 41, and at least poor Ben Southworth trudged off for nought, which was some small consolation. In the end Battle got home with four wickets to spare, and there's no dressing that up.

Amid the disappointment, one moment stood proud: bringing up 28,000 career runs for the club was a landmark I shall treasure long after this scoreline is forgotten. I sit top of our 1994 run charts with 872, and Rob's 16 wickets have him fourth among the bowlers — small comforts, but comforts nonetheless. Not our day, then. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 30 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformWWWLD

Saturday last we made the short trip to Southborough, and losing the toss was never on the cards – I called it right and had no hesitation sticking us in to bat. What a decision it turned out to be. Clive Newman and Paul Gibson simply refused to get out, sailing to 92 and 82 not out respectively, and their 96-run stand for the second wicket did all the heavy lifting after a flying start of 77 without loss. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with a brisk 49 and I managed a tidy 49 of my own, as we racked up a formidable 281/2 from our 46 overs.

Southborough made a fair fist of the chase, with Adam Hookway (42) and Simon Fisher (37) building a useful platform, but 181/7 was never going to trouble us. Matt Large was the pick of the attack, miserly as ever with three maidens on his way to 2-27, while Jon Harris and Ian Brattle both weighed in with two apiece – and poor Ray Grayland will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry.

A word on the milestones: Paul Gibson's innings sees him leapfrog John Ames into 8th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a fine achievement. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead the season's run charts on 796, with Jon Harris top of the wicket pile on 39.

Two points, a hundred-run margin, and the tea urn earned its keep. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work.

Sat 30 Jul 1994 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformWLWWD

Saturday 30th July, and Southborough CC rolled up for what turned into a proper afternoon of cricket – the kind that gives you plenty to chew over on the drive home. I won the toss and, in a fit of optimism I may have lived to regret, sent us in.

It was a scratchy old innings, truth be told. We limped to 136/9 from our 46 overs, with a nasty little collapse from 66-2 to 74-5 that had me chewing my nails in the pavilion. Three of the lads – Steve Cheesman, Trevor Back and Simon Thirkell – went for ducks, which is never a fun page to sign off on. Thankfully Keith Hatcher held things together with a fine 37, Dave Todd chipped in with 24 and Alan Boyns added 20, dragging us to something at least defensible.

Defending it, though, proved beyond us. Southborough eased to 137/4 in 42.2 overs, David Thorpe leading the chase with a classy unbeaten 62 and Kevin Parkinson lending good support with 22. Alan Boyns was our pick of the bowlers with 2-40, Dave Todd chipped in with 1-32, and Trevor Back bowled tidily for his two maidens. I even had a little dig with the ball myself for 20 runs, for what that's worth.

Elsewhere in the season, Mike Elworthy continues to lord it over the 2nd XI run charts with 294, while Dave Todd leads the wicket-takers with 17 – small consolation on a day we went down by six wickets. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets.

Fri 29 Jul 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv HC Heffle Cuckoos CC · HomeformLLDDL

Skipper's Log — Friday 29 July 1994. A fine summer's evening for it, and we welcomed Heffle Cuckoos CC to Linton Park with the sun out and the tea urn primed. Lost the toss, as is tradition, and were duly invited to field first — never let it be said we get an easy afternoon.

The Cuckoos batted with real purpose, racking up 226/4 from their 43.2 overs, Lee Grayland the chief tormentor with a classy 88, well backed by Nigel Keess (43) and Mark Taylor (41). Credit where due, though — Ian Brattle bowled beautifully for his 2-12, with Alan Boyns (1-20) and Matt Large (1-35, and stingier than a Yorkshireman at the bar with four maidens) keeping things respectable.

Chasing 227, David Gibson and Nigel Thirkell gave us exactly the platform we needed, both cracking fifties (75 apiece) and putting on 62 for the first wicket before the breakthrough finally came — a personal 75 that I'll admit was rather satisfying to bank. Poor Rob Doick, meanwhile, made his way back for a duck, joining the club's more infamous ledger. We laboured to 201/7 from our 41, not helped by nine byes that slipped past me behind the stumps — a tricky evening with the gloves, and one I shan't be dining out on.

In the end, honours shared, a draw with neither side quite able to land the killer blow. A fair result, and Alan Boyns can console himself climbing the season's charts on both bat and ball. All told, a proper contest, and we'll take a draw against that total any day of the week.

Wed 27 Jul 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDLLDD

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 27 July 1994. We hosted them, and having called correctly at the toss, I had few doubts about our business: bat first, and bat well.

Which, for once, we duly did. Two hundred and one for five off our forty-four overs is a total with a bit of backbone to it, built largely on Dave Todd's unbeaten 71 — a fine, unhurried innings that anchored things nicely — with Mike Caddick's well-struck 55 giving it real substance in support. A total to defend, we felt, with something to spare.

As it transpired, spare is exactly what we didn't have. Jon Harris toiled beautifully for his 2-20, backed up by Sean Charlton (2-39, two maidens squeezed in for good measure) and Matt Large (1-16), but R Shurety's unbeaten 59 and L Rayner's 56 proved too stubborn to shift, with Malcolm Newson's 28 chipping in along the way. They got home on 204/6 with five balls to spare in the 42nd, four wickets in hand — the sort of chase that leaves a captain replaying fields in his head over a pint afterwards.

One moment of proper club pride amid the disappointment: Dave Todd brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly applauded by all. Mike Caddick continues to lead the Midweek XI run charts on 204, and Alan Boyns sits third among the wicket-takers with three.

Beaten by four wickets, then, but not disgraced — we gave a good side a proper game and were undone more by their class than our failings. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Tue 26 Jul 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv OC Old Fullerians CC · HomeformWDLLD

Piers McDonald 91, one hell of a supporting cast, and a soggy handshake of a draw. Tuesday, 26 July 1994, and Old Fullerians came to Linton Park to find me winning the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, opting to bat. The lads did me proud: 207 for 6 off our 36, built on a wonderful 107-run second-wicket stand between Piers McDonald, who missed his century by nine agonising runs, and Mike Bains, whose 43 was the very model of quiet efficiency. Peter Whyte's 25 rounded things off nicely, and I retired to the boundary rope rather pleased with myself for once having called the coin correctly.

Old Fullerians, however, are not a side that reads the script. Their openers put on 96 before we so much as troubled the scorers, and A Gould's fine 54 — with K Manzoor (47) and A Walters (38) keeping him honourable company — dragged them to within sniffing distance of our total. It was Chris Gray who dragged us back into it, 3 for 44 of genuine craft, well backed by Matt Large's 2 for 33, Phil Randall's solitary wicket, and Rob Doick, who bowled as though maidens were going out of fashion. They finished 186 for 6 off 45, short of the target but not for want of trying.

I chipped in with 18 of my own — modest, but I'll take it. In the end honours were shared, which felt about right: two sides too stubborn to lose, and neither quite good enough to win. A thoroughly English afternoon.

Sun 24 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformLWWWL

Brian Piper 123 not out, Mike Caddick 72 — 211/4 declared confidence from the top order, only Piers McDonald's golden duck spoiling the party at the fall of the first wicket. That 154-run stand for the second wicket was the innings, really; the rest of us were mere spectators with pads on.

Sunday saw The Mote CC roll up to Linton Park under skies that, for once, looked kindly on us. I called correctly and, with no great originality, chose to bat — a captain's prerogative I exercise mainly so I can watch from the comfort of a deckchair rather than the discomfort of the covers. We lost an early wicket at 1-1, which had me reaching for the flask rather earlier than planned, but Brian Piper and Mike Caddick put that right in spectacular fashion, adding 154 together before Caddick fell for a fine 72. Piper simply carried on, finishing unbeaten on 123 — a magnificent effort that, we later discovered, carries him past Tim Thirkell into fifth on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Poor Piers McDonald contributed rather less, departing for a golden duck, but nobody's perfect.

Defending 211 from 40 overs, we asked plenty of questions but The Mote had answers of their own, Malcolm Bristow (79) and Mark Bristow (66) sharing a stubborn 150 for the fifth wicket after an early wobble at 6-1. Matt Large was superb — 3-41 with three maidens, backed handsomely by Alan Boyns (2-10) and Nigel Thirkell (2-22) — but they held out for 197/7. Eight byes gave poor Jim Hall behind the stumps a day to forget.

In the end, honours shared, and on reflection a draw felt about right — a match with individual brilliance enough for two sides, but no knockout blow from either.

Sat 23 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformDLWWW

It was a good toss to win, and for once I trusted my own judgement — asking Hollingbourne to bowl first felt like the right call as I trudged out with David Castle on Saturday. We never quite motored, subsiding to 144 all out in 44.3 overs, but Castle's 35 gave the innings its spine, with Brian Piper's 20 the only other real resistance. Elsewhere it was a day for the Duck Club treasurer to rub his hands together — Paul Gibson and Ian Brattle both walked back for nought, and I shall say no more about it out of Christian charity.

Defending 144 always felt a stretch, and so it proved, though not without a scrap. Hollingbourne's Mike Palmer played the innings of the day with 44, well supported by Mike Donald's 33 and Ted Holloway's 30, their second-wicket pair putting on 62 to take the game away from us. Chris Gray at least gave us something to cheer, snaring 3-34 with real hostility, backed up by Ian Brattle and Sean Charlton with a wicket apiece, while Matt Large bowled beautifully in defeat, four maidens and barely a run to be had off him. Geoff Griffiths, for what it's worth, joined our ducklings without troubling the scorers.

In the end Hollingbourne got there by three wickets, and I can have no complaints — we simply didn't post enough. Nigel Thirkell continues to plunder runs for fun at the top of our charts, and Matt Large's bowling this afternoon shows exactly why he sits second in the wicket-takers. We'll regroup, we'll bat with more resolve, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 23 Jul 1994 🧢 2nd XIv AK Ashford CC, Kent · AwayformWWLWW

Saturday 23 July 1994 saw us wend our way down to Ashford CC, Kent, and for once I actually won a toss — a novelty I greeted by putting us in to bat, largely so I could keep my pads dry a bit longer.

We rattled along nicely to 196/7 off 41.4 overs, the innings built on a handy 53-run stand for the second wicket. Mike Elworthy played the anchor role beautifully for 64, with Ron McCormick giving him fine company on 53, and Don Dansie chipping in a brisk 25. Not a total to frighten anyone, perhaps, but a defendable one — or so we hoped.

Defending it proved a nervier business than it should have been. Ashford crawled to 142/7 from their 42, with Steve Hoad batting on serenely for an unbeaten 81 while wickets fell around him. Adrian Caddick did the heavy lifting with 2-52, well supported by Alan Boyns (1-16) and Simon Thirkell (1-19), while Chris Tymms bowled tidily enough for three maidens to earn his keep. Poor Paul Brann trudged off for a golden duck, which felt like some small justice. But their last pair, showing the sort of stubbornness one usually reserves for in-laws, added an unwanted 36 to see the match out.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could force the issue. Elworthy continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts with 290 for the season, and Tymms sits second in the wicket-takers with a dozen scalps. Frustrating, but no disgrace.

Sun 17 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformWDLWW

Sunday 17 July 1994, and we ventured out to Tenterden CC with the toss lost and the captain's mood duly dampened — put in to field on a pitch that, by the end of the afternoon, would prove rather too kind to batsmen of both persuasions.

Tenterden set about building an innings with irritating patience, 69 on the board before we prised out an opener, and Duncan Purves (48) and Adam Taylor (45) steering things along nicely, with Clive Styles (35) chipping in too, as they eventually settled on 252 for 9 from their 55 overs. Credit where due: Adrian Caddick was magnificent, tearing through with 5 for 61, Jon Harris (2-57) and Trevor Back (1-31) offering handy support, and David Castle bowling two maidens of admirable meanness. Our own David Peachey, alas, made his way back to the pavilion without so much as troubling the scorers — a duck to file quietly away.

Chasing 253 looked a tall order, until Paul Bowles decided otherwise, compiling a magnificent hundred while Nigel Thirkell (61) and Mike Caddick (46) kept him company in an opening stand of 145 that took the game clean away from our hosts. I'll confess a quiet satisfaction at contributing 61 myself. We cantered home on 255 for 3 in 44.2 overs.

Two points, thoroughly earned, seven wickets to spare — Tenterden will wonder how a score of 252 disappeared quite so briskly.

Sat 16 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv KK Kennington CC, Kent · HomeformDWDLW

Well, Saturday 16th July saw Kennington CC, Kent roll into Linton Park under a sky that, for once, played fair, and I won the toss and elected to bat — the right call, I still maintain, and I'll hear no argument on it. Nigel Thirkell set about proving me right with a fine 55, ably supported by Piers McDonald's 32 and Sean Charlton's unbeaten 29, the two of them building a crucial 75 for the fourth wicket while I did my bit up top with a modest 55 of my own. A defiant last-wicket stand added a handy 35 to take us to a respectable 203/6 from 43.4 overs. Spare a thought, though, for Chris Gray, who walked the long walk of shame for a duck — the Duck Club ledger duly updated.

With the ball, we turned in a proper team performance. Kennington fought through Neil Tegg's 35 and contributions from Andrew Austen and Jeremy Grove, their second-wicket pair adding 71, but once we got amongst them — 159/5 to 171/8 in a blur — the innings unravelled fast, Grant, Glossop and Deary all ducking out without troubling the scorers. Sean Charlton was magnificent, 5-21, while Chris Gray bowled six miserly maidens for figures of 1-17, and poor Peter Whyte will want a word with himself after 13 byes went begging.

We got over the line by 32 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 16 Jul 1994 🧢 2nd XIv KK Kennington CC, Kent · AwayformWWWLW

Stuart Holden's men — I mean my men — trooped out to Kennington CC on Saturday 16 July in the sort of mood that says "let's just see what happens," which, looking back, was about right.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first, a decision that looked shaky within minutes as we slipped to 4 for the loss of an early wicket — the sort of start that has a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces. Credit to Stuart Cheesman, who steadied the ship and carried the innings to an unbeaten 54, though the middle order rather let the side down, with both Mike Elworthy and Adrian Caddick departing for ducks. It took a defiant last-wicket stand worth 37 to drag us up to a respectable-ish 124 for 9 from our fifty overs — hardly a total to frighten anyone, but enough, as it turned out, to be going on with.

And how it turned out. Adrian Caddick, having contributed precisely nothing with the bat, made emphatic amends with the ball, ripping through Kennington for 3 for 18, well supported by Dave Todd's 3 for 34 and Alan Boyns' 2 for 8, while Chris Tymms bowled with the miserliness of a man checking his own tab, five maidens and all. Stuart Holden's 20 was the best the home side could muster as they folded from 57 for 3 to 75 for 6 and were all out for 98 in 38.4 overs. A nice personal note too: Chris Tymms brought up his 50th career wicket along the way.

Twenty-six runs the margin, two points banked, and a defence built on a total we had no right to feel confident about. I'll take it.

Sun 10 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv BC Broadstairs CC · AwayformLDWDL

Sunday 10th July found us on the road to Broadstairs, where the coin let us down and we were put straight into the field. Not that any of us minded much — there's a particular pleasure in watching an opposition innings unravel, and unravel it did. From 148-7 to all out for 156 in the space of a few overs, with Lee Hewit and A Gompertz both trudging back for ducks, was the kind of collapse village cricket dreams are made of. Jon Harris was the chief architect with a superb 4-21, backed up handsomely by Adrian Caddick's 2-6 and Sean Charlton's 2-19, while Matt Large simply refused to be scored off, sending down three maidens for good measure. Geoff Pine's 45 and Paul Ogburn's 36 had threatened something more substantial, but our bowlers had other ideas.

Chasing 157, Clive Newman played the innings of the day, cruising to 61, with Mike Caddick's 37 and an unbeaten 30 from Paul Gibson steering us home in good order. The openers set the tone with an assured stand of 86 for the first wicket, and from there it was really just a matter of seeing it through, which we did with three wickets and no little comfort, wrapping up at 160/3.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and with Mike Caddick now second in the season's run charts and Jon Harris leading the wickets column, the form is clearly with us. Seven wickets to the good — I'll take that every Sunday of the summer.

Sat 09 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWLDWD

We travelled down to Horton Kirby on the ninth of July with the coin doing us the courtesy of falling our way, and I opted to bat first — a decision the top order duly justified, if not entirely with conviction. David Castle led the charge with a fine 47, well supported by Paul Gibson's 30 and Paul Bowles's 26, but the tail rather let itself down, and 162 all out from 37.5 overs felt like a score we'd left something out on the field for. Mike Caddick and Iain Cardew both made the lonely walk back for ducks, and I daresay the Duck Club treasurer had a busy afternoon logging entries.

Defending 162 was always going to ask questions of us, and Horton Kirby set about answering them with a stand of 74 for the fifth wicket between Graham Connold (49) and Alan Powell, who finished unbeaten on 40. David Ferguson's 23 kept the innings ticking along nicely for them. Chris Gray was the pick of our attack by some distance — 3 for 36 with four maidens thrown in for good measure — and found excellent support from Jon Harris (3-43) and Matt Large (1-60). We did at least send Alastair Scott back without troubling the scorers, small mercies and all that.

In the end they got home by three wickets, and there's no dressing that up as anything other than a defeat. But there was enough heart in the bowling, and enough application from Castle and company with the bat, to suggest this side has more good afternoons in it than bad. We'll regroup, we'll learn, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 09 Jul 1994 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformDWWWL

It was a golden afternoon at the ground on Saturday and, having called correctly for once, I had no hesitation in sticking us in against Horton Kirby. Mike Elworthy set about proving me right with a lovely 81, and Keith Hatcher wasn't far behind with 68, the pair adding 154 for the first wicket before either of them could be shifted — the sort of platform captains dream of and rarely get. Alas, what the openers built, the middle order set about dismantling with enthusiasm, and 169-2 became 179-5 in the time it takes to say "shot selection." Poor Simon Thirkell contributed his obligatory duck to proceedings. Still, 203/5 from our 46 overs was a total with a bit of bite to it.

Defending it, Keith Saunderson threatened to spoil the party with a determined 54, well supported by Rob Ovenden's 26 and Gordon Watts's 21, their fourth-wicket stand of 51 the closest thing to resistance we faced. But Trevor Back was in inspired form, 3-20, while Alan Boyns toiled away miserly as ever for 3-51 with four maidens to his name, Chris Tymms chipping in with 1-25, and I even managed to rediscover some rhythm of my own with three wickets. Bradley Bull departed without so much as a look at the scorers. Horton Kirby folded for 170 in 42.2 overs.

A fine win by 33 runs, then — the openers laid the foundations, the bowlers knocked the walls down, and I merely stood at slip looking wise. Onwards.

Wed 06 Jul 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformLWDLL

As the toss went against us and Gravesend elected to bat, we spent the morning chasing leather while Dave Elliott made batting look distressingly easy, cruising to a magnificent 102. R Bowden chipped in with a fine 86, and with the pair adding 136 for the second wicket, plus A Whiteford's unbeaten 22, Gravesend closed on a hefty 229/3. Credit where due — Adrian Caddick fought hardest with 2-38, and Alan Boyns weighed in with 1-22, but on a day like this even our best work felt like bailing out a rowing boat with a teacup.

Chasing 230, we set about our reply with more determination than method, Mike Caddick anchoring things beautifully with 68, well supported by Rob Doick's 36 and Iain Cardew's 35, the openers laying a solid platform with 53 for the first wicket. The tail, bless them, added a defiant 44 to keep the required rate an irritant rather than a certainty, and we finished on a respectable 212/7 from our 45. Special mention, as ever, to Trevor Back, who continues his season-long feud with the scorebook by bagging another duck for the ledger.

Amid the toil, a proper moment of club history: Mike Caddick brought up 1,000 career runs for Linton Park — a landmark worth more than any individual scoreline, and one the tea urn should really have acknowledged with something stronger than tea.

So, honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Not the win we wanted, but with milestones like Mike's, you'd struggle to call it anything but a good day out.

Tue 05 Jul 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDLWDL

Here's the report — no facts or figures added beyond what was supplied.

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Tuesday brought us a home fixture, and having won the toss I opted to bowl first, fancying we might make early inroads. For a while it looked a masterstroke — the visitors slumped to 5-1 and I allowed myself a quiet smile. Alas, cricket has a way of humbling the smug, and a monumental 126 runs for the third wicket rather took the shine off proceedings. Lockyer made merry with a fine 82, well supported by M Heal's 45, and they closed on a stiff 152/4 from their sixteen overs. Credit where due — Darren Styles toiled manfully for 2-34, with Phillip Morrison (1-8) and Rob Doick (1-12) keeping things respectably tight given the carnage around them.

Chasing 153 was always going to want application, discipline, and probably a small miracle. We supplied none of the three. The first wicket fell for a single run, and from there the innings simply imploded — 17-3 became 24-6 before most of us had finished our tea. Stuart Cheesman, Trevor Back and Adrian Caddick all contributed golden ducks to a genuinely woeful batting card, and 76 all out told its own sorry story.

A word of cheer amid the wreckage: Rob Doick continues to have a season worth talking about, sitting fifth in the run charts and leading the wicket-takers outright — one man doing rather more than his share.

Beaten by 76 runs, then, and no dressing it up. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets — there's clearly work to be done.

Sun 03 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformLWLDW

As it stands, the toss went against us at Hollingbourne and we were sent in to field on a fine Sunday — never quite the plan, but there we are. Scrivens (66 not out) and Holloway (54) put on 95 for the second wicket and dragged the hosts to a hearty 246/4 off their 43.2, with Pawley chipping in an unbeaten fifty for good measure. Poor Geoff Griffiths trudged off for a golden duck, though Jon Harris kept us in the contest with a tidy 2-42, Styles and Large lending honest support with a wicket apiece.

Chasing 247, I'll confess to a spot of pride: 115 not out, my first hundred of note this season, though I'd be a fraud to claim it alone — Rob Doick's 45 and Peter Whyte's 27 built the platform, and a stand of 87 for the seventh wicket with Whyte kept the required rate honest. Matt Large and Stuart Cheesman both fell without troubling the scorers, and fifteen byes will have Peter Whyte wincing behind the stumps for a week yet. We closed on 236/7 from our 43, agonisingly shy of the target.

So honours shared, and on reflection a fair result — neither side quite had the legs to force it home. With 611 runs to my name and Harris on 25 wickets for the summer, the old campaign ticks along nicely. A draw is no defeat, and against a score like that, I'll take it with both hands and a cup of tea.

Sat 02 Jul 1994 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformLLWLD

We won the toss, chose to bat, and it paid off handsomely, so I'll wear the tactical genius tag for at least a week.

Winning the toss at Staplehurst, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision that looked rather clever once Nigel Thirkell settled in and played the innings of the day, 71 well-struck runs that gave everything else a platform to build from. He and David Castle put on 118 for the second wicket, which is the sort of stand that makes the tea taste better, and Castle's own well-made fifty was backed up nicely by Paul Gibson's unbeaten 55 to push us on to a handsome 227 for 5 off our 46 overs. I confess I rather enjoyed leading from the front with that 71 — the sort of innings one mentions unprompted for weeks afterwards.

With the ball, Staplehurst threatened for a while — R Johnston made a fine 55 and A Henson an unbeaten fifty, with N Pullen chipping in 20 and a third-wicket stand of 62 keeping our lads honest — but it was never quite enough. Ian Brattle was the pick of the attack, two wickets for just 23 with a couple of tidy maidens thrown in, ably supported by Matt Large and Thirkell (again) with the ball. H Haywood departed without troubling the scorers, which always raises a cheer.

We got over the line by 51 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club — and one more rung up the all-time wicket-takers' ladder for Brattle, who now sits 13th, past Terry Donovan. Onwards.

Sat 02 Jul 1994 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformWDWWW

Saturday 2nd July 1994, and Staplehurst CC rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather unsportingly, the toss going their way too. They put us in, which in hindsight showed admirable foresight on their part.

Batting first is meant to be the easy bit. We mustered a modest 79 all out in 38.4 overs, and only Keith Hatcher, with a battling 36, seemed to remember what the bat was for. We'd crept to 54-5 and were looking merely wobbly, then in the time it takes to put the kettle on we were 59-8, with Mike Elworthy, Stuart Cheesman and Chris Tymms all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer. Three ducks in a heap is the sort of thing that gets you talked about at the bar, and not kindly.

With the ball we scrapped harder than we'd batted. Alan Boyns was superb, 2-18 with three maidens — not a run given away lightly — and Paul Lines chipped in with 1-15. But J Wilson's 34 and an unbeaten 27 from Trevor Cardon put on 58 for the third wicket and steadied Staplehurst home to 80-3 in 29.3 overs.

Small consolation: Keith Hatcher still leads our 1994 run charts on 164, and Paul Lines sits second in the wickets list with 9. As for the match — beaten by five wickets, heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 26 Jun 1994 🧢 1st XIv HC Hadlow CC · HomeformDLLWL

Skipper's Log — Sunday 26 June 1994. We hosted Hadlow CC, and having called correctly at the toss I elected to bat, which I shall modestly remind you was the right call.

The lads set about their work in fine style. Mike Caddick played the innings of the summer, 115 not out, the sort of century that has you quietly nodding into your tea rather than shouting anything so vulgar. Clive Newman weighed in with an unbeaten 46 and David Castle chipped in 23 as we declared the innings closed at a healthy 200/3 from 40.5 overs. A total, I felt, with a bit of everything about it.

In the field we asked the questions but couldn't quite land the killer blow. Jon Harris was miserly and menacing in equal measure, 4-31 with seven maidens to torment the Hadlow order, well backed by Rob Doick (2-35) and Paul Lines (1-15). I even found some rhythm myself with four wickets, which the lads were kind enough not to mention was overdue. Gavin Large and A Moore went back for ducks, but Neil Williams' well-made fifty (54) and N O'Connell's unbeaten 34 steadied things, and Hadlow closed on 140/7 from their 44.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. With Caddick now second in our season's run charts and Harris top of the wicket pile, there's a great deal to be cheerful about — even if, on this occasion, the tea and the two sides' obstinacy proved evenly matched.

Sat 25 Jun 1994 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWDLLW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 25 June 1994, away to Meopham CC. Lost the toss, put in to bowl, which some of the lads seemed rather pleased about until it became apparent we'd have to chase leather round the ground for the best part of 46 overs.

Meopham made themselves at home to the tune of 191 all out, built on a stubborn 124-run stand for the second wicket — R Turner top-scoring with a fine 82, C Beard chipping in a well-made 50, J Ward 25. Just as we wondered if the innings would ever end, we ripped through the tail, 140 for 2 becoming 145 for 5 in the blink of an eye. Matt Large was the chief destroyer with 5 for 52, Ian Brattle mopped up 3 for 53, and Nigel Thirkell — three maidens and all — bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who begrudges every run personally, finishing with 1 for 22. Poor Mick Daily fell for a duck at our hands, which is either a fielding compliment or a batting insult depending which side of the boundary you're stood.

Chasing 192, we never quite found our rhythm. David Castle's 27 and Mike Caddick's 24 were the backbone, but 87 for 5 unravelled to 97 for 8 with alarming speed, and ducks for both Piers McDonald and Matt Large did nothing to help the cause. All out for 139 in 42.1 overs — 52 runs short.

Not our day, then, but Nigel Thirkell continues to top the season's run charts and Ian Brattle sits second among the wicket-takers, so the engine room is purring even if the chassis rattled today. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 18 Jun 1994 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformLWDLL

From the captain's chair, Saturday 18 June 1994, and a rare pleasure — winning the toss and getting the decision right for once. Off to West Farleigh we went, and in I elected to bat, a call that looked shakier still when we shipped our first wicket for just 1 run. But cricket, like the club raffle, rewards patience: Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, 61 not out, with Peter Whyte right alongside him for 56, the pair putting on a mighty 100 for the sixth wicket to drag us to 179 for 6 from our 46 overs. Nigel Thirkell chipped in a handy 27, and I'll confess to matching him with 27 of my own. Less fortunate was poor Piers McDonald, who made the long walk back for a duck — the Duck Club ledger duly updated.

With the ball, Paul Gibson turned in a spell to make the grown men of West Farleigh weep, 5 for 36 of teasing spin, well supported by Jon Harris's 3 for 44 and Nigel Thirkell's 1 for 15. Ed DeLucy (33) and Glen Aukett (33) threatened briefly, Dave Latter added 22, but they were all out for 139 in 42.2 overs — R Woolley joining the ducks without troubling the scorers.

A 40-run win, and a thoroughly good day for the club. With Thirkell now sitting atop the season's run charts on 417 and Harris leading the wickets on 18, this Linton Park side is very much the business.

Sat 18 Jun 1994 🧢 2nd XIv YC Yalding CC · HomeformDWDWW

Saturday 18 June 1994, and Yalding CC were our visitors — lost the toss, no complaints, they fancied a bat first.

They rattled up 173 all out from their 48 overs, Liam Hawkins the chief nuisance with 46, Iain Cardew (34) and Tony Shepherd (20) filling in the rest of the damage. But we had our moments: Kidner and Myers Snr both walked back for ducks, and Dave Todd was magnificent with the ball, 3-19 and hardly a bad delivery in the spell. Don Dansie (2-20) and Paul Lines (1-22, two maidens, tight as you like) kept the squeeze on throughout.

Chasing 174, we wobbled early — 8 on the board and a wicket down, the sort of start that has you reaching for the flask — but recovered nicely. I'm rather pleased to report I led from the front with 52, with Tim Thirkell (26) and Steve Cheesman (26) playing their part, and Mike Elworthy's 52 the innings that really mattered. Don Dansie's day of milestones was tempered by a duck of his own — cricket's little joke.

And what a day for the record books: Mike Elworthy passed 2,000 career runs for the club, Don Dansie reached 50 career wickets, and Tim Thirkell's 26 nudged him past Brian Piper into 5th on the all-time run list. Elworthy leads the 1994 2nd XI run charts, Todd the wickets.

We got home by 2 wickets. Ragged at times, but a good day for the club, and no mistake.

Thu 16 Jun 1994 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWLWDL

Beaten by 8 wickets, but honestly, I'd bat first in this weather every time — and 104/6 off our sixteen overs wasn't a bad return, even if I say so myself. David Castle was the whole innings really, unbeaten on 56 while wickets clattered about him at the other end; the rest of us contributed what might charitably be called "support." I stand by the toss decision. I'll die on that hill.

With the ball, we simply couldn't find a way through. Jon Harris did his bit, 2-18 and leading by example as ever, but West Farleigh had other ideas, cruising to 105/2 in just 14.4 overs. Glen Aukett played the innings that mattered, 44 not out, calmly seeing them home with Ed DeLucy alongside him on 25 not out, and by the time they got there it felt less like a chase and more like a stroll to the tea urn.

Season-wise the form book still makes pleasant reading — Nigel Thirkell sits proudly atop the 1st XI run charts on 390, and Jon Harris leads the wickets with 15, so the engine room is ticking along nicely even when the scoreboard doesn't cooperate on the day.

Eight wickets is eight wickets, no dressing it up. But there was enough here — Castle's fifty, Harris's control with the ball — to suggest the lads aren't far off. We'll regroup, we'll learn, and next week we come back stronger. Onwards.

Wed 15 Jun 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformDDLWD

The coin let us down at Sevenoaks & District Wednesday on Wednesday 15 June, and Sevenoaks duly won it and stuck us into the field. We had them 7-1 inside the first over and allowed ourselves a quiet smile — premature, as it turned out, because a third-wicket stand of 216 put paid to any further optimism. G Styles helped himself to a superb 154, with R Lewis unbeaten on 60 for cheerful company, and Sevenoaks closed on a daunting 257/4 from their 37.5 overs. Rob Doick toiled hardest for 2-64, with Nick Froom (1-39) and Adrian Caddick (1-46) chipping away gamely.

In reply, Keith Hatcher and the openers gave us exactly the platform we needed — 119 without loss felt like a proper foothold on the chase. Then, as is traditional at this club, the wheels came off in spectacular fashion: 119-1 became 129-4 in the blink of an eye, with Peter Whyte, Iain Cardew and Stuart Cheesman all walking back for ducks, and I led from the front by contributing precisely nothing myself — the less said, the better. Hatcher (71) and Mike Caddick (60) fought hard, Alan Boyns chipped in 41 despite conceding 13 byes behind the stumps, and we were bowled out for 192/9 in the 53rd over.

One bright note amid the wreckage: Keith Hatcher brought up 4,000 career runs for the club, and still leads our 1994 run charts with 110, with Doick top of the wickets on 3. But 65 runs is 65 runs — not our day, and it's back to the nets.

Tue 14 Jun 1994 🧢 1st XIv MT Maidstone Teachers · HomeformWWLWD

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 14 June 1994. We hosted Dummy Site, and I must confess I've called tosses better than this one; it went against us, and they took not a moment's hesitation in choosing to bat.

We had first use of the ball, and for a while it looked a reasonable arrangement, but John Coles had other ideas, ticking along to a well-made 63, with P Davey chipping in a handy 33 alongside him. Jon Harris was the pick of our attack, working through them for 3-44 with the sort of relentless probing that deserved rather better company. Dummy Site closed on 135/3 from their sixteen overs — competitive, if not quite daunting.

Chasing 136, we never quite found our rhythm. The first wicket fell for the princely sum of one run, which set something of a tone, and although Piers McDonald played the innings of the day with a fighting 33, the middle order rather lost the plot — from a respectable-ish 85-6 we contrived to stumble to 96-9 in the blink of an eye. Spare a thought, too, for David Castle and C- Pitchers, both departing for ducks and duly inducted into the club's ledger of shame. We were bowled out for 103.

Beaten by 32 runs in the end — no disgrace against a side that batted with sense, but a chase we really ought to have made a better fist of. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our season's run charts and Jon Harris the wickets, so the engine room is sound even if the coachwork rattled today. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 12 Jun 1994 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · AwayformDWWLW

Here's the report:

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Skipper's Log, Sunday 12th June 1994 — away at Bexhill CC, and a wet toss lost meant we were straight out into the field, which suited nobody's Sunday-morning constitution but there we were, all willing. Bexhill's openers set about us with real intent, putting on 65 before we so much as saw a wicket, and for a while it looked like a long afternoon in the deep beckoned. But patience paid off: Rob Doick, bowling like a man with a grudge, took 3-23, Alan Boyns chipped in with 3-36, and Matt Large kept things admirably tight with 1-26 and two maidens to his name. Mark Nightingale departed for a golden duck at our hands, which I shan't let him forget. Richard Thomas (37), John Holland (35) and Jason Wickenden (20) did the bulk of the building, and Bexhill closed their innings unbeaten — a proper grind for us in the field.

Chasing the shadows of that total, Mike Caddick played the innings of the day, an excellent 79, ushered along by Brian Piper's typically busy 27 and Rob Doick's 20, as we finished on 169 for 7 from our 45. Piper's runs, incidentally, edge him past Tim Thirkell into 5th on the club's all-time run-scoring list — quietly historic stuff for a Sunday fixture.

Honours shared in the end, and rightly so — neither side could quite land the knockout blow. A draw that felt, on reflection, like fair reward for two sides who gave as good as they got.

Sat 11 Jun 1994 🧢 1st XIv OC Old Brockleians CC · HomeformWDWWL

I turned to my batting order on the morning of Saturday 11 June with the sun out and, for once, a coin that agreed with me — I called correctly and never seriously considered anything but batting first. 198/7 from our 35 overs was a total we were rather pleased with, built around a lovely unbeaten 76 from Peter Whyte, who simply refused to get out, with Paul Gibson's 38 and Sean Charlton's 24 doing the donkey work around him and a 70-run second-wicket stand giving the innings its spine. Poor Nick Froom will not want reminding of his duck, but the extras column did its bit with 33, which on our ground counts as a proper all-rounder.

Defending it, we found Old Brockleians in bother from the off — 7-1 set the tone, and though Tony Peart's 40 threatened to drag them back into it, we simply kept coming. From 61-3 to 61-6 in the blink of an eye, with S. Brady, T. Burrows and L. Brady all sent back without so much as a run to show for it. Jon Harris was magnificent, 3-16 with eight maidens — the sort of spell that makes batsmen doubt their life choices — well supported by Adrian Caddick's 3-28 and Paul Lines' 1-3. All out for 82 in 38 overs.

A 116-run win, and worth noting Peter Whyte's innings nudges him up to 22nd on the all-time run list. A very good day for the club indeed.

Sat 11 Jun 1994 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformDDWDW

Saturday 11 June 1994 saw us make the trip to Sheldwich CC, and for once the coin fell kindly — I called correctly and, without much hesitation, elected to bat. It felt like the right call at the time, and by close of play I'd not been talked out of that view. Keith Hatcher played the innings of the day, 77 not out and never looking remotely troubled, with Don Dansie chipping in a handy 48 and Steve Cheesman finishing unbeaten on 31. The third-wicket stand of 73 was the platform for the lot, and 220/4 from our 46 overs felt like a total with some teeth in it.

Defending it, the lads set about their work with real purpose. Dave Todd was magnificent, 4-38, and found able support from Don Dansie (2-12) and Trevor Back (1-9), while Alan Boyns kept things tight enough to squeeze out two maidens. Sheldwich's David Sanderson batted beautifully for his unbeaten 84, well past his fifty, and Tony Marsh (26) and K Voller (20) offered resistance, but wickets fell at the other end — A Sweeting and A Christensen both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. In the end 152/9 from their 44 overs left them a comfortable 68 runs short.

Two points banked, and thoroughly deserved. Hatcher now leads our 2nd XI run-scorers for the season with 128, and Todd tops the wicket charts with 10 — long may that friendly rivalry continue. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket, and one I'll happily take the credit for calling right at the toss.

Wed 01 Jun 1994 🧢 Midweek XIv AK Ashford CC, Kent · AwayformWDDLW

Wednesday 01 June saw us on the road to Ashford CC, a fixture that always seems to fall on the sunniest afternoon of the calendar and duly did so again. I lost the toss – no great surprise, my coin-calling remains as reliable as the Kent weather forecast – and we were put into the field.

Ashford made hay early, racing to 74 without loss before Alan Boyns finally prised one out for 1-26, with Adrian Caddick and Rob Doick chipping in a wicket apiece and Jon Harris tying things down with a couple of tidy maidens. Simon Taylor made merry with a well-crafted 71, and useful late-order cameos from Lee Castledine (44 not out) and James Creed (29 not out) pushed the total on to a stiff 205/3 from their 46 overs. Nothing careless was on offer from our attack, but nor was there quite enough to stem the flow.

In reply, Darren Brame batted with real class for a well-made 50, well supported by Keith Hatcher's unbeaten 39 and Mike Caddick's 21, but 140/8 from 49 overs left us short of the target. The Duck Club ledger, alas, gained two new members – Adrian Caddick and Alan Boyns both walking back for nought, quacking all the way.

A draw, then – honours shared, pride mostly intact, and Brame's bat doing the early talking in this season's run charts. Not victory, but on a day like that, not the worst way to spend an afternoon in Kent.

Mon 30 May 1994 🧢 1st XIv XM XII Men · HomeformWWDWW

From the captain's chair — Monday 30 May 1994, Dummy Site (H)

Lost the toss again — I'm beginning to think there's a hex on that coin — and duly found ourselves put into the field, which is never how one wants to start the week. Alex Tait made us pay for it in full, a superb 118 that had the boundary boards rattling, with D. Curran (54) and John Hartridge (48) offering the kind of support acts that would headline most tours. Their openers put on 79 before we prised one out, and then the third-wicket pair strung together a rather cruel 114. Jon Harris was our chief tormentor with 1-29, Stuart Cheesman and Adrian Caddick chipped in a wicket apiece, and Nigel Thirkell bowled with the miserly discipline of a man counting his pennies — five maidens and not a run given away lightly. They closed on 267/5, a total with genuine menace in it.

Chasing 267 is never a stroll, and so it proved. Nigel Thirkell led the reply beautifully with 85, well supported by Rob Doick (45) and Paul Bowles (33), and a fourth-wicket stand of 80 briefly had us dreaming. I did my bit up top with 85 of my own, though I'd trade every one of those runs for a touch more support at the other end — Mike Caddick, Don Dansie and Jim Hall all departed for golden ducks, and 219 all out told its own story.

Beaten by 48 runs, then, and no arguing with the scoreboard. Nigel Thirkell continues to strut about at the top of the run charts and Don Dansie leads the wickets, so the talent is plainly there — we simply need eleven men rowing the boat at once. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 29 May 1994 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lawrence CC · HomeformLWWDW

Sunday 29 May 1994, and Linton Park welcomed St Lawrence CC on what turned out to be a rather satisfying afternoon for the home side. The toss went against us — no great surprise, my luck with the coin remains as reliable as an English summer — and we were asked to field. St Lawrence built steadily to 132 for 9 off their 39.2 overs, Mark Evans top-scoring with 38 and Mitchell chipping in with 29, but our attack never let them cut loose. Chris Tymms was magnificent, ripping through with 4 for 21, Rob Doick backed him up nicely with 3 for 34, Alan Boyns took one, and Ian Brattle bowled with such miserly discipline that four maidens told their own story. Pip Burrows, alas, departed for a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us.

With 133 to chase, we made light work of it, cruising to 133 for 2 in 31.4 overs. Mike Caddick anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 56, Rob Doick played his part with 37 not out, and Piers McDonald's 30 set the tone with a solid 57-run opening stand. Piers did have a slightly trickier time behind the stumps, shipping 8 byes — though nobody was counting too closely given it was his 200th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark the whole side was delighted to see.

An eight-wicket win, then, and a fine one at that. Onwards we go.

Sat 28 May 1994 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformWLWWD

Saturday 28 May 1994, and it was off to Milstead CC in fine spirits, coin won, and the obvious call made — have a bat.

It didn't look clever at 8-1, an early stumble that had me wondering if I'd made a rod for my own back. But a fine 92-run stand for the second wicket settled the nerves nicely, and from there the innings rather took off. Nigel Thirkell was in irresistible form, farming the strike and the bowling in equal measure on his way to a magnificent 113 not out, with David Castle chipping in a tidy 26. We closed on 182/4 from our 46 overs — a total that felt like runs on the board and then some.

Defending it, Matt Large set the tone at once, bowling with real discipline for figures of 4-18 including five maidens — not a run given away lightly. Sean Charlton (2-8) and Jon Harris (1-28) kept the squeeze on, and we had them reeling from 48-3 to 61-6 before their last pair had the cheek to add 40 runs we really didn't need. P Sloan's unbeaten 22 was the best Milstead could muster, and M Baxter departed without troubling the scorers. Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, 8 byes going begging, but no lasting damage done — we won by 61 runs.

A day to savour, then: two points, thoroughly earned, and Nigel's hundred sends him past Paul Bowles to the top of the club's all-time run charts. Not bad for a Saturday's work.

Sat 28 May 1994 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · HomeformWDDWD

Milstead CC were our visitors on Saturday, and the coin obliged me by landing the right way up — never one to look a gift toss in the mouth, I sent us in.

It was, in truth, a batting effort best described as "eventful." An early wobble to 4-1 had me reaching for the smelling salts, but Don Dansie's 25 gave the innings some spine, with Trevor Back and Steve Cheesman weighing in with 21 apiece to drag us to something respectable. Then, as is tradition round these parts, the middle order decided 100-5 wasn't precarious enough and gifted us 112-8 before you could say "cup of tea." Young Stuart Cheesman contributed a duck of the purest gold. All told, 126 all out from 46 overs — not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but paper doesn't bowl.

And bowl is exactly what we did. Milstead's reply never found its feet, three of their batsmen departing without troubling the scorers, while Chris Tymms was in miserly, metronomic form — 3-15 with five maidens, the sort of spell that makes a captain's job embarrassingly easy. Paul Lines and Trevor Back mopped up either end, and Milstead were bowled out for 81.

A word too for Tim Thirkell, who brought up his 600th appearance in Linton colours and, with a tidy 11, climbed past Brian Piper into 5th on the all-time run-scorers' list — not a bad afternoon's work for a man who's seen a few of these.

A fine win by 45 runs. Onwards.

Sun 15 May 1994 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · AwayformWLWWL

From the captain's chair, Sunday 15 May 1994. We rolled out to High Halstow CC in optimistic mood, lost the toss, and duly found ourselves out in the field before we'd even loosened up properly.

To our credit the lads bowled with real discipline. High Halstow ground their way to 110 all out in 39.4 overs, Daren Brumbaugh's 39 and J Goodhind's watchful 22 doing the damage via a third-wicket stand of 53, but once that partnership broke the innings folded like a deckchair — 95 for 5 became 103 for 8 in no time, with poor Bill Esterson walking back for a duck. Ian Brattle was the pick of the attack with 3 for 19, well backed by Jon Harris (3 for 25) and Nigel Thirkell (2 for 23), while Matt Large simply refused to be got away, sending down two maidens.

A hundred and eleven to win looked gettable. It was not gotten. We subsided to 82 all out in 37.5 overs, the innings unravelling from a respectable 79 for 7 to all out for 82 with startling haste, and the Duck Club welcomed three new members in Matt Large, Peter Whyte and Jon Harris, each completing the walk of shame for a nought.

Small mercies: Clive Newman still tops our 1994 Sunday run charts with 16, and Ian Brattle leads the wickets column with 3. But 28 runs is 28 runs. Not our day — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 08 May 1994 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLWLWW

Sunday 8th May 1994, and Linton Park welcomed the visitors with first use of the ball, which felt like the right call until McCall settled in for 48 and Gammons chipped away for 41, the pair combining with Martin's 33 to see the opposition post a hearty 204/5 from their 46.1 overs. That fourth-wicket stand of 88 did the real damage, though credit where due — Thirkell toiled superbly for 3-51, Doick and Harris chipped in, and Large bowled three maidens as tidy as you like. Poor Redman departed without so much as troubling the scorers, a duck that summed up our afternoon in the field rather neatly.

Chasing 205, we crawled and occasionally sprinted to 162/7 from our 42, never quite getting there but never quite embarrassing ourselves either. Yours truly made 59 not out, which I shall modestly describe as satisfying and immodestly mention twice given the chance, with Large's 35 and Hall's unbeaten 21 lending proper support. The tail wagged handsomely for a final 68 runs, much to the fielding side's irritation, though Doick's golden duck rather spoiled the family photo. Piers McDonald had a torrid time behind the stumps — ten byes is the sort of number that gets mentioned at the bar for weeks.

A draw, then — honours shared, nobody quite brave or daft enough to force the issue. With 3-51 to go with my 59, I'll allow myself a quiet smile on the walk to the pavilion. Not a win, but a thoroughly decent way to spend a Sunday.

Mon 02 May 1994 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLLWLW

After a toss lost and a spell in the field, we found ourselves chasing 185 against Bearsted CC on a Bank Holiday Monday that, for once, went entirely to plan.

Put in first, Bearsted made a brisk start — 62 on the board before we found a breakthrough, which rather had the look of a long afternoon in prospect. But Jon Harris settled things down superbly, snaring 3-41, with Ian Brattle (2-56) and Matt Large (1-61) chipping away either end, while Nigel Thirkell squeezed the life out of the middle overs with three maidens. Stephen Pearce's fifty (56) was the innings' backbone, well supported by Stephen Heap's 31 and Tim Lush's unbeaten 28, leaving them 184/6 from their 46 — gettable, but not gifted. David Gibson, meanwhile, endured the walk of shame without troubling the scorers.

With the bat, Paul Gibson played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 62 that carried us home and, we're reliably informed, eased him past Stan Wratten into 9th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — the sort of statistical nugget that will keep the scorers happily occupied over the winter. Matt Large's 41 and Mike Caddick's 27 built nicely around him, with a crucial stand of 63 for the sixth wicket steadying any nerves, and I was glad to contribute a watchful 23 of my own. We got there on 188/6 with a few overs to spare.

A thoroughly deserved four-wicket win, two points banked, and Nigel Thirkell and Ian Brattle continuing to top the season's charts. Bearsted will wonder how a flying start yielded so little; we, happily, won't ask too many questions.

Sun 01 May 1994 🧢 1st XIv Chestfield CC · HomeformWLLWL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 1 May 1994, and Chestfield CC in town for what turned into a very satisfactory afternoon's work. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock, and for once the decision looked as good three hours later as it did at the moment of choosing.

Mike Caddick was the star of the show, farming the strike beautifully for an unbeaten 82, while Piers McDonald gave him fine company with 69 before departing, and Paul Gibson finished things off with a brisk unbeaten 42. The engine room of it all was that second-wicket stand of 100, which took the game away from Chestfield before they'd really got into it, and 219/2 off our 42 overs left us more than happy to go out and defend it.

Chestfield's reply never found its rhythm. An early wicket with just 8 on the board set the tone, and though Brian Melliard Sr fought hard for his 60, he had precious little support — Keith Patching and C Smith both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. Don Dansie was the chief architect of the collapse, spinning a web for 6-23, with Stuart Cheesman (2-25, three tidy maidens) and Rob Doick (2-37) tying up the other end. All out for 118 in 30.5 overs told its own story.

A fine win by 101 runs, and a thoroughly deserved one. Onwards.

Sat 30 Apr 1994 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformDWLLW

Saturday 30th April, 1994. Away to Bidborough, and the sun on our backs as I won the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, chose to bat. I still think it was the right call.

We settled in nicely and closed on 163 for 4 from our 48 overs, the innings built almost entirely around Nigel Thirkell, who compiled a wonderfully composed 89 not out and dragged us to a competitive total virtually single-handed. Stewart Morrison played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 29, and the pair put on 57 for the fourth wicket while the rest of us admired proceedings from the boundary. A personal contribution of 89 — ahem, Nigel's, though I shan't pretend I wasn't rather pleased with it too — leaves him proudly atop the season's run charts.

In the field we fought tooth and nail. Ian Brattle bowled beautifully for 4 for 31, seven of his overs going for nothing at all, and leads the club's wicket-takers for his trouble, with Don Dansie and Phillip Morrison chipping in either side of him. We even had R Davis back for a duck. But A Steptoe made a determined 56, well supported by P Teubler and Brian Wood, and — with poor Clive Newman having an afternoon to forget behind the stumps, 24 byes going begging — Bidborough crept home on 164 for 8, snatching it by the narrowest of margins: one solitary wicket.

A cruel result after a fine team effort. We shall lick our wounds and come back stronger next week.

Sat 30 Apr 1994 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horsmonden CC · HomeformWWDDW

Saturday 30 April 1994, and we welcomed Horsmonden CC to Linton Park with sunshine on our side, if precious little else — I lost the toss and duly found myself leading the side out to field.

We made early inroads that suggested a short afternoon's work, sending Chris Bills, Stephen Brown and A Pantrey back to the pavilion without so much as troubling the scorers. Horsmonden steadied through Andy Watts, whose well-made fifty (54) anchored the innings, with Mark Flemington's 27 lending sturdy support, and between them they nudged the total to 152 all out in 42.5 overs. Chris Tymms was the story of the day, though — five wickets for 39, three of his overs maidens, bowling with the kind of miserly control that has batsmen muttering into their gloves. Dave Todd chipped in handsomely with 3-26.

With 152 to chase, we set about it sensibly enough. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the match, 76 well past his fifty, with Dave Todd again among the runs on 25, and the pair put on 87 for the second wicket to give the innings its spine. Then, as club cricket so loves to do, it all went briefly berserk — 117-2 became 127-5 in a blur, with Fred Cheesman, Richard Ellis and Stuart Cheesman all walking back for ducks. We closed on 152-9 from 39 overs.

Honours even, then — a draw that flattered neither side but insulted nobody either. A fair result, and, all things considered, a thoroughly entertaining way to lose an afternoon.

Sat 23 Apr 1994 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformDWWDD

Saturday 23 April 1994, and Hollingbourne CC were our visitors — though not, alas, at our invitation where the coin was concerned, which duly let them choose to field while we were left to bat. No matter; we made rather a good fist of it. Dave Todd led the way with a fine 61, and there were handsome fifties too from Keith Hatcher (51) and Alan Boyns (51), the pair putting on 85 for the fifth wicket in what was, in truth, the innings. I chipped in with 51 of my own, happy enough to lead from the front, though poor Simon Thirkell will not thank me for mentioning his golden duck. We closed on 215 for 7 from our 46 overs, a total with a bit of menace about it.

Hollingbourne made a promising fist of the reply, racing to 63 without loss before the roof fell in — 63 for 1 became 71 for 4 in the blink of an eye, with S Edwards, Mark Austin and T Francis all back in the pavilion without scoring. Andrew Hales's defiant 44 held things together, but Paul Lines was in irresistible form, a five-for of 5 for 18 with four miserly maidens, well backed by Dave Todd (2-14) and Simon Thirkell (1-11), as they were skittled for 120 in 44 overs.

A word too for Alan Boyns, whose solitary wicket eased him past Tony Snell into 18th on the club's all-time list — Dave Todd and Paul Lines currently head this season's run and wicket charts respectively. Two points, and a 95-run win, thoroughly and unmistakably earned.