🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 30 Sep 1995 🧢 2nd XIv YC Yalding CC · HomeformWWWWL

Here's the match report:

Saturday last saw us play host to Yalding CC, and after winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I'll happily take credit for, given how the afternoon unfolded. David Castle and our openers set about laying a proper platform, the pair adding 152 for the first wicket before the breakthrough finally came. Castle went on to a fine 81, Mike Caddick chipped in a well-made 70, and Mike Elworthy finished unbeaten on 29 as we declared ourselves satisfied with 226 for 4 from our 42 overs — a total that felt, even as we walked off, like more than enough.

So it proved. Yalding never recovered from losing their first wicket with just a single run on the board, and while Iain Cardew fought a lone rearguard for a gutsy 58 not out, wickets tumbled around him — Myers, Tony Shepherd and Simon Quirk all back in the pavilion without so much as troubling the scorers. Paul Bowles was superb with the ball, 3 for 28, backed up handsomely by Alan Boyns (2 for 0) and Jon Harris, whose 2 for 12 included five miserly maidens. Poor Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, 11 byes going begging, but it mattered little as Yalding folded for 107.

Two individual landmarks to toast: David Castle's 12,000th run for the club, and Mike Caddick's 70 easing him past Mike Iliffe into 25th on the all-time list. A 119-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying Saturday all round.

Sat 23 Sep 1995 🧢 2nd XIv HC Higham & Mockbeggar CC · HomeformWWWWW

Saturday last, and Higham & Mockbeggar came calling to Linton Park with the sun still holding and the square looking a picture. I called correctly at the toss and never once considered bowling first — some habits die harder than others, and putting the ball down before us on a good pitch has never sat easily with me.

We laboured to 130 all out in 37.3 overs, which tells its own story, though Mike Elworthy batted like a man who knew exactly why he was there, cruising past his fifty to 65 and dragging the total to something respectable almost single-handed. The rest of us, it must be said, offered rather less resistance.

In the field we started brightly enough — Jon Harris bowling five miserly maidens and Dave Todd striking first with 1-22 — but Colin Robson and P Davis put on 81 for the first wicket before we so much as sniffed a breakthrough, and by the time N Scudder finished unbeaten on 27 the game had long slipped from our grasp. Beaten by seven wickets, no arguing with that.

Still, a day with real cause for pride: Mike Elworthy brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark few of us will match, and sits second in the 2nd XI run charts with 354 to his name, with Dave Todd third among the bowlers on 14 wickets. The result stung, but the club goes on. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 10 Sep 1995 🧢 1st XIv CC Crowborough CC · HomeformLWDDD

Sunday last, we welcomed Crowborough CC on what turned out to be a proper afternoon of village cricket, and I have to say I called the coin rather better than I usually manage — heads it was, and bat it was too, without a flicker of hesitation on my part.

We made a fair fist of it, 155 for 5 off our 43, built on a splendid opening stand of 73 before Crowborough finally prised us apart. David Castle led from the front with a well-crafted fifty, the sort of innings that reminds you why he sits third in the club's run charts this season with 873 to his name, and he had good company: Mike Elworthy chipped in a handsome 42, while young Daniel Thirkell finished unbeaten on 29, playing the innings of a man in no rush to go anywhere. I'm told the captain also had a hand in matters with 50 of his own, though I shall let others do the boasting on my behalf. Spare a thought, though, for poor Richard Ellis, whose golden duck was the one blot on an otherwise sunny scorecard — these things happen to the best of us, and I dare say he'll have his revenge before the season's out.

In the end neither side could force the issue, and honours were shared. A draw it may have been, but with a start like ours and Castle in such rude form, I'll happily take it as a job well done.

Sat 09 Sep 1995 🧢 1st XIv HC Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC · AwayformWLWDD

We travelled down to Hastings & St Leonards Priory on a Saturday that promised more than it delivered, lost the toss, and were put in the field — never my favourite outcome, but there we were. Their openers set about us with real purpose, 62 on the board before we prised the first wicket loose, and from there Jim Chaplin (47), Ian Gillespie (44) and Nick Stretton (43) all had their say as the total climbed to a stern 211/8 off 40.4 overs. Credit where it's due: Jon Harris was superb, 4-38, with Nigel Thirkell tidy and miserly alongside him — 2-47 including three maidens, not a run given away lightly — and Darren Styles chipping in with 1-19.

Chasing 212, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening. Keith Hatcher led the way with 42, Nigel Thirkell backed up his bowling with 38 runs to go with it, David Castle made 23, and I contributed 38 of my own. All was steady enough at 166-6, and then, as is so often the way at this level, the wheels came off in a hurry — 170-9 before we knew what had hit us, poor Michael Beeney contributing a golden duck to the cause.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side had the legs or the luck to force it. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts for the season with 1386, and Michael Beeney sits second in the wickets — proof, if any were needed, that even a quiet afternoon for one man is a fine one for the season overall. A fair result, if not a thrilling one.

Sat 09 Sep 1995 🧢 2nd XIv BC Borden CC · HomeformLWWWW

We hosted Borden CC on Saturday and, having lost the toss, found ourselves in the field on a morning when a bit of bowling seemed no bad thing. Borden made a solid enough fist of it, 165 all out in 40.2 overs, with Roy King (43) and Martin Noakes (40) putting on 71 for the third wicket to give their innings a spine, and Steve Bicker chipping in with 25. But the middle order rather lost its head — 126 for four became 129 for seven in the blink of an eye, with Lee Mellor and Peter Noakes both back in the hutch without scoring. The architect of the collapse was Adrian Caddick, who ran through them like a man late for his tea, finishing with a magnificent 6 for 41, well backed up by B Powell and Simon Thirkell, while Stuart Cheesman kept things miserly with two maidens.

Chasing 166, we contrived to make it interesting, slipping to 6 for 1 before Stuart Cheesman played the innings of the day — a well-crafted 55 — with sound support from Ron McCormick (49) and Roly Edwards, unbeaten on 37. An 80-run stand for the seventh wicket was the making of the innings, even as Ollie Priestly and B Powell departed for ducks of their own. We stumbled to 166 for 8 off the full fifty, but stumbled over the line all the same.

Quiet mention, too, for Dave Todd, whose solitary wicket nudged him past George Champion into 23rd on the club's all-time list — history made almost apologetically. A tense, scrappy, thoroughly entertaining two-wicket win, and on days like this you take it and say nothing more.

Wed 06 Sep 1995 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDDLDD

Wednesday 6th September saw us make the trip to The Mote CC, and my luck with the coin held its now-traditional form: it landed the wrong way up and we were put into the field. No great hardship on a fine day, though watching Les Ferns compile a classy 85 rather took the edge off it. He had willing company from J Boreham, whose own well-made fifty (50) kept the scoreboard humming, while Brian Piper's unbeaten 24 added the polish. The Mote closed on a healthy 218/7 from their 47.3 overs. Credit where due — Jon Harris bowled beautifully for 3-41, Adrian Caddick chipped away for 2-9, and Michael Beeney, three maidens and all, toiled hard for his 2-84.

Chasing 219, we made a fair fist of it. Steve Pearce played the innings of the day, 62 full of good sense, with Nigel Thirkell (36 not out) and Clive Newman (30) lending sturdy support — their third-wicket stand of 65 the platform for everything that followed. I contributed 36 myself, which I shall claim credit for at the bar. Less fortunate was poor Richard Piper, whose duck earns him this week's unwanted feathers. We finished 186/6 from 43 overs, honours even.

A draw, then — the fielding-first curse softened by a batting effort we can be proud of. Not a win, but not a defeat either, and on a used pitch against Ferns and Boreham in full flow, I'll happily take a share of the spoils.

Sun 03 Sep 1995 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformLWTDD

As Skipper — I lost the toss on Sunday and Beacon CC put us in, which on a September afternoon in Cornwall felt like a mixed blessing at best.

We stumbled early, slipping to 8-1 before David Castle steadied the ship in the manner we've come to expect from him this season, compiling a fine unbeaten 53. Mike Elworthy chipped in nicely with 31, and between them they dragged us to a respectable, if not spectacular, 144-9 from our 45 overs. Special mention, sadly, to Daniel Thirkell, who marched out, had a look around, and marched back again for a golden duck 🦆 — these things happen to the best of us, Daniel, chin up.

With the ball we were rather better than with the bat, and for a while it looked like we might have pulled off a heist. Larry Martin's 37 and Simon Tripconey's unbeaten 23 had Beacon motoring, but Matt Large turned the screw superbly — 4-19 off his allocation, three of those overs maidens, bowling with real discipline. David Castle backed up his batting with 2-14, and John Phipps chipped in with 1-15, and suddenly it was 103-5 becoming 119-8 and we could smell it.

In the end Beacon held their nerve and got home by 2 wickets — heartbreakingly close. Not our day, but there was plenty to admire: a captain's fifty, a four-wicket haul, and a side that never stopped believing. Heads up, lads. Back to the nets.

Fri 01 Sep 1995 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformLLWTD

Friday the 1st of September saw us make the pilgrimage down to Mullion CC, and having lost the toss — no great surprise there, my coin-calling record remains stubbornly poor — we were put into the field. It began nervily for the opposition, an early wicket falling with just 4 on the board, but a solid 51-run stand for the third wicket steadied their ship, and they eventually posted a respectable 179/7 from their 45 overs, built on useful contributions from Nicholas Casley (38), Christian Bostock (37) and Phil Wheatley (30). Credit where it's due: Alan Boyns was excellent with the ball, 2-16, backed up nicely by Mike Caddick (1-5) and the ever-parsimonious Daniel Thirkell, whose 1-15 and two maidens kept the scoreboard honest. M Jilbert, meanwhile, made the walk back for a duck, which is never a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Our reply began in similarly jittery fashion, an early wicket down with only 5 to our name, but this is where the day turned into something rather special. Mike Caddick, playing the innings of the season, ground out an unbeaten 80, sharing a crucial 90-run stand for the fifth wicket with support from Adrian Caddick (30) and John Phipps (21), to bring us home to 170/5. Along the way Mike brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, while Simon Thirkell reached 50 career wickets — landmarks worth raising a glass to.

A draw, then, honours even — but with milestones like those in the bag, nobody left Mullion feeling short-changed.

Thu 31 Aug 1995 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformWLLWT

Here's the match report:

An early wicket for just 4 on the board rather set the tone of a nervy Thursday at Falmouth, but the lads showed the sort of stomach that this club likes to think it's built on. Having lost the toss and been sent in to field, we watched Falmouth compile a stern 240/6, with Keith Meneer's 82 and A Wyatt's 52 stitching together a partnership of 124 for the third wicket that threatened, for a while, to put the game beyond us. Credit where it's due — Stuart Cheesman was the chief tormentor with 3-38 and a couple of tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, well backed by Matt Large's 2-24 and Tim Thirkell's 1-28.

Chasing 241, and reeling early, we needed something rather special, and got it. Tim Thirkell top-scored gloriously with 76, David Castle chipped in a fine 49, and the pair of them anchored a 114-run stand for the fifth wicket that dragged us back into contention. I confess a certain fatherly pride in contributing 76 myself from the top of the order — leading from the front, as I like to tell anyone who'll listen. Ten byes did rather suggest Peter Whyte behind the stumps had one of those afternoons best forgotten.

In the end honours were shared, neither side quite able to land the killer blow, and 232/9 felt a fair reflection of a scrap well fought. A draw, then — not the stuff of legend, but an honest day's cricket, and nobody left Falmouth disgraced.

Mon 28 Aug 1995 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDWLWD

Off with No luck with the coin and it went a fine 6-31 from Paul Bowles at Bearsted CC in the year 1995, my duckclub-app, and the club gazette wants a match report on Monday 28 August 1995. Let me write it.

Monday 28 August, and Bearsted came calling. I lost the toss — I always lose the toss, it's practically a benefit match for the opposition by now — and duly found myself leading the lads into the field on what turned into a long, warm afternoon of leather-chasing.

Bearsted made themselves at home early on, their openers putting on a watchful 90 before the first wicket fell, and from there Mick Filmer took charge with a classy 87, well supported by Stephen Heap's 49, to push them on to 219 for 8 from their 48 overs. Just as it threatened to get away from us, Paul Bowles turned his arm over and simply bamboozled them — 6 for 31 of spin bowling as fine as anything seen on the ground this season — with Ian Brattle chipping in dutifully at the other end, 2 for 59 and two maidens of miserly containment. A word too for Brattle's afternoon in the wider sense: he passed 400 career wickets, a landmark that rather puts my own contributions in perspective.

Chasing 220, we made a fair fist of it. Paul Gibson's well-made 63 was the innings' backbone, David Castle weighed in with 46 and Nigel Thirkell finished unbeaten on 43, the pair adding a crucial 113 for the second wicket. I managed 43 myself, more by luck than method, but the 15 byes conceded made for uncomfortable viewing behind the stumps and a testing day for poor Clive Newman. We closed on 203 for 6 from our 40, agonisingly short.

A draw, then — honours shared, and on the balance of the afternoon's play, a fair result, though I suspect both dressing rooms will privately claim they were the better side.

Sun 27 Aug 1995 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDDWLW

Sunday 27 August 1995, and the visitors arrived to a Linton Park sky that promised more than it delivered — though on this occasion, so did we.

Put into the field, we watched them build steadily to 194/8 from their 47 overs, with S Smith's 49 the backbone of the innings and A Green (38) and A Conlin (25) lending sturdy support; the pair added a hearty 74 for the fourth wicket while we stood about admiring it. Poor S Thomas departed for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers, which was rather the highlight of an otherwise patient toil. Credit where due: Michael Beeney bowled beautifully for 3-34, Daniel Thirkell (2-19) and Rob Doick (1-13) chipped away nicely, and Matt Large, ever the miser, sent down four maidens that had the batsmen muttering into their gloves.

In reply, 156/6 from our 39 overs kept the game alive without ever quite winning it. Clive Newman played the anchor role to perfection with a composed 56, Rob Doick weighed in with 32, and their fourth-wicket stand of 62 was the making of the innings — aided, it must be said, by a generous 26 extras, courtesy in part of Peter Whyte's eventful afternoon behind the stumps (eight byes conceded, poor lad). Richard Ellis, meanwhile, took the walk of shame for nought, and joins the Duck Club ledger with my sympathies.

Honours shared, then — a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody, which in village cricket is as close to diplomacy as we get.

Sat 26 Aug 1995 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformDDDWL

Saturday 26 August 1995, away to Marden CC in the leafy heart of Kent, and I lost the toss for the umpteenth time this season — they had no hesitation in batting first, leaving us to toil away in the field on what felt like the hottest day of the summer.

Toil we did, though not without reward. Marden ground their way to 201 for 9 off 46 overs, built on a fifty apiece from Gary Marshall (72) and T Sunnucks (68), who put on 71 for the third wicket and threatened to bat us out of the game entirely, with John Paul Sunnucks chipping in 28. Mercifully the innings imploded from 194 for 6 to 201 for 9 in a hurry, S McHale and Harry Karim both trudging back for ducks at our hands. I found some rhythm with the ball and ran riot for 5 for 36, with Matt Large (2-52) and the ever-miserly Rob Doick (1-29, three maidens) tidying up the rest.

Chasing 202, we made rather more comfortable work of it, reaching 204 for 4 in 43.1 overs. Paul Gibson anchored proceedings beautifully with an unbeaten 57, ably supported by my own 56 and Paul Bowles's 52, a stand of 97 for the second wicket doing the heavy lifting — though poor Rob Doick made it a pair of ducks for the day.

A satisfying personal afternoon, and I'll happily take the run and wicket charts staying with me a while longer. A fine win by 6 wickets — onwards we go.

Sat 26 Aug 1995 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformWLWWW

Saturday 26 August 1995, and Marden CC of Kent were the visitors to Linton Park. I lost the toss, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition, and we were asked to chase — though happily we had first use of the ball, which suited the lads down to the ground.

Marden made a workmanlike 153 for 7 from their 46 overs, John Furminger the chief architect with 46, well supported by T Rutherford (29) and M Sunnucks (26). Chris Newport didn't trouble the scorers, departing for a duck, while I rather enjoyed myself with the ball, finishing with 3 for 31. Adrian Caddick (2-22) and Trevor Back (1-26) chipped in nicely, and Darren Styles bowled with real discipline, three maidens to his name.

With the bat we made light work of it. Stewart Morrison batted beautifully for an unbeaten 99, ably supported by Tim Thirkell's 28, the pair putting on 95 for the first wicket before the breakthrough finally came. We closed on 163 for 2 from 27 overs, cantering home by 8 wickets.

A tidy personal note too — those three wickets nudged me past John Taylor and into 15th on the club's all-time list, which I shall enjoy mentioning in the bar for weeks to come. Thirkell continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts this summer, and I lead the wickets. All told: a fine, comfortable win, and a very pleasant afternoon's cricket. Onwards.

Sun 20 Aug 1995 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · AwayformWDDDW

Sunday saw us on the road to Whitstable, and when I lost the toss – a coin I'm convinced has it in for me – there was little to do but pad up the fielders and hope. Whitstable batted us into the ground, recovering from a shaky 4-1 to post 198/7 from their 49 overs, Duncan Hardy the chief architect with a fine 80 not out, well supported by Andy Robertson's 47 and Keith Mount's 28. A third-wicket stand of 55 did the real damage, and just when we sensed the tail was ours, their last pair cheekily bolted on 49 we could have done without. Paul Gibson was superb with 3-39, Daniel Thirkell chipped in with 2-21, and Michael Beeney bowled with the miserly discipline of a man counting pennies – 1-19 and six maidens.

Chasing 199, we were bowled out for 192 in 43.5 overs, a defeat by the cruellest of margins. Clive Newman's 42 was the innings' backbone, Nigel Thirkell added 38, Paul Bowles finished unbeaten on 36, and I contributed a workmanlike 38 myself. Wickets clattered from 103-3 to 114-6 in a blur, with David Castle and Daniel Thirkell both undone for ducks, before a defiant ninth-wicket stand of 60 dragged us agonisingly close.

There was, at least, a silver lining: Clive's 42 nudged him past Ray Howard to 23rd on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our 1995 run charts on 1249, and Michael Beeney sits second in the wicket-takers on 51. Six runs, though – heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 19 Aug 1995 🧢 1st XIv HC Harrietsham CC · AwayformLWDDD

Saturday 19th August 1995, and off we trundled to Harrietsham CC in what turned out to be a rather splendid afternoon's work for Linton Park.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first — and for once my judgement wasn't found wanting. We lost our opener for just 4, which had the makings of a wobble, but the innings settled beautifully around Nigel Thirkell, who ground out an imperious 99 not out, agonisingly denied his century but not his dignity. The tail did its bit too, adding a stubborn 39 to vex the home side, and we closed on a handsome 184 for 7 from our 46 overs. Special mention, in the interests of honesty over flattery, must go to David Castle, who departed for a duck of the purest gold.

Defending that total, we simply ran riot. Harrietsham never got going, sliding from 36 for 2 to 44 for 5 in the blink of an eye, with Micky Tong, M Hughes and T Fittall all shown the door without so much as a run to their names. Michael Beeney was magnificent, claiming five for 17, while Matt Large chipped in with four for 24 and four maidens of positively miserly intent, and Ian Brattle picked up one for 20. All out for 67 in 31.5 overs — the margin, a thumping 117 runs.

A rare pleasure to captain on a day like this. Two points banked, Nigel's 99 a personal high point on his way to 1211 runs for the season, and Matt Large's wickets column ticking ever onward towards his 53. Verdict: a proper thrashing, handsomely deserved, and the sort of afternoon that makes the long drives home feel entirely worthwhile.

Sat 19 Aug 1995 🧢 2nd XIv HC Harrietsham CC · HomeformLWLWW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 19 August 1995. Harrietsham CC at home, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and had no hesitation putting us in, largely on the grounds that batting first means I don't have to field for quite as long.

We limped and occasionally strode to 200/9 from our 46 overs, which on this ground is a total with some teeth. Tim Thirkell was magnificent, 89 of the finest, and the man is now so far clear at the top of the 2nd XI run charts (465 for the season) that the rest of us are basically competing for silver. Stewart Morrison's 24 and Alan Boyns's unbeaten 21 filled in the gaps admirably. Special mention, as tradition demands, to Gavin Saunders, who contributed a duck to the ledger and will no doubt hear about it in the bar.

Defending it, Darren Styles was quite simply magnificent — 4-34, four maidens, and now 20 wickets on the season, top of the pile. Daniel Thirkell matched him wicket-for-wicket with 4-40, Simon Thirkell chipped in with 2-20, and between them Harrietsham's Dave Brooks (69) and John Prosser (24) were made to work desperately hard for 165 all out in 43.2 overs — M Reynard departing without troubling the scorers. I even found 21 runs myself, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity.

A fine win by 35 runs, then, built on Thirkell runs and Thirkell-and-Styles wickets in equal measure. Onwards.

Tue 15 Aug 1995 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformWDDLD

Here's my Skipper's Log for the club gazette:

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There are worse ways to spend a Tuesday than winning the toss, and having elected to bat first against Selsdon CC, I like to think the decision aged rather well. David Castle set the tone with a splendid 84, while Mike Elworthy and Steve Orchard both raised the fifty flag, Orchard seeing us home unbeaten on 55. The openers deserve a special mention too, putting on 97 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scorers — the kind of start that lets a captain sit back with a cup of tea and pretend he always knew it would go this well. We closed on a handsome 228/3 from our 48 overs.

Defending it proved rather more of an adventure. We struck early, with just 2 on the board, and for a moment I allowed myself a little smile. Selsdon, however, had other ideas: Deo Shivmangal played a genuinely magnificent innings of 105 not out, with Ken Shivmangal weighing in with 86, the pair adding 148 for the fifth wicket and rather spoiling my afternoon. Credit where it's due — Adrian Caddick was superb, 3-50 with three maidens to boot, well supported by Trevor Back's 2-44 and Stuart Cheesman's solitary but welcome wicket. Poor Marcus Robertson and Kieron Smith departed without troubling the scorers, which I'm told is character-building.

Selsdon finished on 227/6 — one run shy, honours even. A draw it was, and on this occasion I think both sides can walk off reasonably satisfied, if a little breathless.

Sun 13 Aug 1995 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformDLWDD

Well, Benenden always did have a rather smart tea spread, and Sunday was no exception — though I fear the lads' fielding late on would have benefited from rather less cake at the interval. Winning the toss and choosing to bat felt right the moment the coin landed, and by the close of our innings I was rather glad of my own boldness: 238 for 1 off 38.4 overs is not a total one apologises for. Nigel Thirkell was in imperious touch, cruising to a magnificent 108 not out, while David Castle offered watchful, elegant support with 93 not out of his own. A generous 28 extras from the home side rounded things off nicely — thank you, gentlemen, most obliging.

Defending it proved a stiffer examination. Gary Marshall and Andrew Cloke both raced past fifty — 54 and 53 respectively — and their fourth-wicket stand of 101 threatened to run away from us entirely, with B Carruthers chipping in a stubborn 31. It was Ian Brattle who dragged us back into it, spinning a web for 5 for 21 with four maidens of positively monastic discipline, well backed by Rob Doick's 2 for 40. My own afternoon behind the stumps was rather less distinguished — 33 byes is not a figure I shall be framing — and Benenden crawled to 221 for 7.

A draw, then, honours shared, and probably a fair reflection of a match that had everything but a finish. My 108 was pleasing personally, and with Nigel top of our run charts and Ian third among the wickets, the season has rather more shape to it than my glovework suggested.

Sat 12 Aug 1995 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLDLWD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 12 August 1995

Headcorn CC at home, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — asked to chase, which these days feels less like tactics and more like tradition. Out in the field we watched Simon Phipps play the innings of his life, 105 of pure quality, with Andrew Fordham a patient 29 not out alongside him; their sixth-wicket stand of 100 did most of the damage as Headcorn ground their way to 198/7. Credit where it's due — Matt Large hauled us back into it with 3-38, Adrian Caddick and Paul Gibson chipped in a wicket apiece, and Michael Beeney bowled two maidens as tight as his top button. Eight byes, mind you, told the story of a long afternoon behind the stumps for poor Jim Hall.

With 199 needed, Clive Newman played the innings that mattered — 61 well past his fifty — and found an ally in Paul Gibson, whose 44 built a 94-run second-wicket stand that gave us something to build on. Nigel Thirkell's unbeaten 25 kept us ticking, I managed a modest 25 of my own, and we closed on 171/6 — short of the target, but honours even in the end.

Two things worth raising a glass to: Rob Doick brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, and Gibson's runs eased him past Brian Piper into 6th on the club's all-time list. Thirkell and Large continue to lead the season's charts. A draw, then — no losers, but perhaps, with those byes, no clean winners either.

Wed 09 Aug 1995 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformLWDDL

It was Bexley CC who came calling on the ninth of August, and it was Bexley CC who won the toss and sent us into the field — a decision that, for a good long while, looked entirely sensible on their part. They compiled a stubborn 213/8 from their forty overs, Simon Williams the chief architect with a polished 60, well supported by A Burroughs (49) and Tom Appleby (37), the pair adding a vital 55 for the third wicket that threatened to bat us clean out of the game. Credit where it's due, however, to Nigel Thirkell, who turned his arm over to devastating effect — 5-59 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen muttering into their tea. Dave Todd (1-17) and Trevor Back (1-62) chipped in dutifully, and Stuart Hume departed for a duck, which I'm told he took with good grace.

Chasing 214, we never quite got the legs under us, subsiding to 146/9 from our forty-six. Trevor Back, clearly a man for all occasions, followed his bowling with an unbeaten 26, Adrian Caddick lending sturdy support with 24, while poor Paul Leandro fell for nought — extras (29) very nearly out-batted half the top order, which tells its own story. I managed five wickets myself, more by accident than design, though I shan't be turning down the figures.

In the end, honours shared, a draw when neither side had the wit or the weather to force it further. A fair result, all told — Bexley will feel they let one slip, and we shall simply be grateful the tea urn held out.

Sun 06 Aug 1995 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLDLW

Sunday the 6th of August found us hosting, and for once the toss actually went my way — I called correctly and elected to bat without a flicker of doubt, a decision I shall be taking full credit for at the bar. We began in style, the openers putting on 68 before the first wicket fell, and Mike Caddick then took charge in earnest, striding to 90 with David Castle (46) his able lieutenant in a stand of 96 for the second wicket. Nigel Thirkell finished unbeaten on 34, I chipped in with 34 of my own, and we closed on a thoroughly respectable 232 for 4 from our 46 overs.

Defending that total, we made early inroads — a stumble to 1 for 1 set the tone — though R Swainsland (68) and A Bray (39) then threatened to spoil the afternoon with a stubborn 97-run partnership for the second wicket. Credit to the lads for the collapse we engineered thereafter: 117 for 3 became 128 for 6, with D Bray, S Parkins and B Fairall all departing without troubling the scorers. Adrian Caddick was magnificent, claiming a richly deserved 6 for 58, well supported by Michael Beeney, Richard Ellis and the ever-miserly Matt Large, who bowled five maidens without conceding a run to his name. They finished 133 for 9 from their 40 overs, agonisingly short.

Up in the season's ledger, Nigel continues to lead our 1st XI run charts with 979, while Michael sits second among the wicket-takers with 44 for the year.

A draw, then — honours shared, and about as fair a verdict as a match like this deserves.

Sat 05 Aug 1995 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformLDLDL

Southborough CC came to Linton Park on Saturday and I lost the toss for my trouble — they took first knock without a second thought, and who could blame them on a day like that. Nigel Thirkell had other ideas, though, and proceeded to run absolutely amok with the ball: 9 for 32 off his allotment, nine of those overs maidens, the sort of spell that makes the rest of us look decidedly ornamental in the field. Martin Thomas's 51 and Peter Young's 22 were the only real resistance, and even that crumbled from a respectable 103 for 4 to a distinctly less respectable 107 for 7 as three of their number trooped off for ducks. Michael Beeney chipped in with a wicket of his own, and Southborough were all out for 110 in the 40th over.

Chasing it down was never going to be straightforward — it rarely is when 111 looks a country mile away with half the side back in the pavilion — but we scrapped to 111 for 7 in 39 overs, Nigel Thirkell top-scoring with 25 and yours truly matching him stroke for stroke with 25 of my own, more by luck than design.

Quite a day for Nigel all told — 9 wickets, 25 runs, and word reached us he'd sailed past 1,300 career wickets in the process, a milestone that rather puts my own contribution in perspective. Two points, three wickets to spare, and a captain who'll happily lose every toss going if it keeps producing afternoons like this one.

Sat 05 Aug 1995 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformWLWLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 05 August 1995. We travelled to Southborough, lost the toss, and were promptly invited to bat, which on reflection suited us rather nicely.

Keith Hatcher played the innings of the season, ploughing on to an unbeaten 105, while Tim Thirkell chipped in with a stylish 70 to bring up his own half-century along the way. We lost our first wicket for the princely sum of one run, which had the tea urn rattling with nerves in the pavilion, but Hatcher and Thirkell settled things with a magnificent 162-run stand for the third wicket that put the innings, and rather a lot of Southborough's bowling figures, to the sword. We closed on 203 for 3 from our 46 overs — a total that felt like it had some meat on its bones.

Defending it, Southborough gave us a fright through Stefan Knowles, who cruised past fifty to 52, with Steve Dann (26) and Glenn Farmer (25) offering support. Poor Thompson departed without troubling the scorers — these things happen to the best of us. But Alan Boyns was magnificent, tearing through the order with 5 for 26, and I managed to find some rhythm myself with five wickets of my own. Dave Todd and Chris Tymms chipped in too, Tymms especially miserly with two maidens, and Southborough folded for 152.

Splendid personal milestones besides — Tim Thirkell to 9,000 club runs, Dave Todd past 200 wickets. A 51-run win, and a very good day for the club indeed.

Mon 31 Jul 1995 🧢 Midweek XIv CC Cleethorpes CC · HomeformWLWDD

We hosted Cleethorpes CC on a fine Monday, 31 July, and having called correctly at the toss there was really only one decision to make — up went the bat first.

The lads made hay early doors, our openers putting on 76 before the first wicket went down, and from there Mike Caddick played the innings of the day, 78 of good, honest strokeplay, with Mike Elworthy (41) and Ron McCormick (41) both chipping in handsomely. The third-wicket stand of 88 was the innings' backbone, and we rattled along nicely to close on a healthy 196/5 from our 49 overs. Spare a thought, though, for poor David Castle, whose golden duck rather took the shine off proceedings — these things happen to the best of us, and no doubt he'll dine out on it in the clubhouse for weeks regardless.

Cleethorpes, chasing, had other ideas. I Drummond played a captain's innings of his own — a superb 93 — ably backed by Will Abe (33) and C Willerton, unbeaten on 22, with their fourth-wicket pair adding 73 to steadily wrestle the game away from us. Dave Todd toiled manfully for 2-37, David Castle made amends with 2-59, Trevor Back picked up one, and Darren Styles bowled with real discipline, three maidens to his name. But it wasn't quite enough, and we were beaten by five wickets.

A fine batting effort undone by a fine chase — no shame in that. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sun 30 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · AwayformWLDLD

From the captain's chair, Sunday 30th July 1995. The road took us to Clarion CC, and I'll admit I fancied our chances the moment I won the toss and elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and for once the day rewarded my confidence rather than my ego.

Nigel Thirkell and Clive Newman set about proceedings with real purpose, cracking 92 for the first wicket before Clarion found a breakthrough, and it was that platform that carried us to 167/9 from our 41 overs. Nigel's 74 was the innings' backbone, Clive's 37 no mere makeweight — indeed, it carried him past Terry Whittaker to 25th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and over the 3,000-run mark for his career, which is the sort of milestone that deserves a pint bought in his honour. Less gloriously, Michael Beeney and Ian Brattle both walked for ducks, and the ledger shall record it without mercy.

In the field, Clarion's Richard Hilson made a fine 83 and, with W Drew and Andy Driver chipping in, they chased us all the way, closing on 170/5 to win by three wickets. Michael Beeney atoned handsomely with 2-38, Rob Doick and Ian Brattle chipping in with a wicket apiece, Ian tying things down further with two maidens.

Not our day, then, but with Nigel top of the season's run charts and Michael second among the wickets, the engine room is purring nicely. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Sat 29 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformDWLDL

Saturday last saw us make the trip to Hollingbourne, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in sticking us in first — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or reckless by teatime, and I'm delighted to report it was the former. Paul Gibson led from the front with a handsome 61, David Castle chipped in a classy 45, and Dave Charlton finished unbeaten on 26 as we ground our way to 200/5 from 46 overs, the innings built on a stand of 80 for the third wicket that gave the whole thing its shape.

Defending 200 is always a nervous business, and Hollingbourne's openers made us sweat early, putting on 88 before the breakthrough finally came. Russell Baldwin's 48 was the backbone of their reply, with Dave Hinks (42) and Mike Palmer (38) keeping the required rate honest, and they closed on 198/8 from their 44 — agonisingly, tantalisingly short. Nigel Thirkell was superb with the ball, 3 for 53 including two tidy maidens, well backed by Matt Large (2-42) and Michael Beeney (2-45), while I managed to find a bit of rhythm myself for three wickets. A word too for Michael Beeney, who brought up 50 career wickets in the process — no small landmark.

Two runs in it at the death, honours even, and neither side quite able to land the killer blow. A draw, then — and on this occasion, a thoroughly deserved one for both sides.

Sat 29 Jul 1995 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformWWLWL

It was Hollingbourne CC who came calling to Linton Park on Saturday, and for once the toss gods smiled on the opposition rather than us — they won it and, with the confidence of men who fancied batting, chose to do exactly that. We took the new ball with intent, and inside a couple of overs the game had already tilted our way: 2 for 1, with P Bannister back in the pavilion for a duck before he'd had time to get comfortable. From there Hollingbourne never really recovered, subsiding to 79 all out in 34.2 overs.

I'll confess I found my rhythm early and kept finding it, finishing with 5 wickets and 7 maidens for 21 — the kind of spell you dream about on the walk out and rarely get. Darren Styles chipped in with a tidy 3 for 13 and Chris Tymms took 2 for 35, and between us we simply didn't let Hollingbourne breathe.

Chasing 80, Stewart Morrison and Tim Thirkell made an afternoon stroll of it, Morrison compiling a composed unbeaten 51 and Thirkell ticking along nicely to 26 not out, seeing us home at 83 without loss in just 18.3 overs.

A quiet aside for the club historians: those five wickets nudge me past Ron Hickman and into 16th on the all-time list — not something I set out chasing, but I shan't pretend it doesn't feel rather nice. A comfortable ten-wicket win, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Fri 28 Jul 1995 🧢 Midweek XIv HC Heffle Cuckoos CC · HomeformDWLWD

Friday 28th July, and Dummy Site made the trip to Linton Park under skies that – for once – seemed inclined to let cricket happen. I won the toss and never seriously entertained the idea of bowling first; the square looked too good to turn down.

The lads didn't need telling twice. Clive Newman and Nigel Thirkell put on 112 for the first wicket before anyone laid a glove on us, and when the breakthrough finally came it barely mattered – Mike Caddick strolled in and made 58 look routine, while Newman carried on serenely to 78 not out. Thirkell's 35 rounded things off nicely and we declared our efforts, if not our innings, at a handsome 187/2 from 39 overs. I even chipped in with 35 of my own, which for a captain who mostly does his talking at the toss counts as a triumph.

Defending it, Daniel Thirkell was the chief tormentor with 3-36, backed up admirably by Michael Beeney (2-17) and Ian Brattle (1-11), with Nigel Thirkell tying things down with three miserly maidens. Grayland (34), Massie (30) and Bowles (25) kept Dummy Site interested to the last, closing on 183/9 from their 40 overs – agonisingly, tantalisingly short. Poor Peter Whyte, meanwhile, endured a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 15 byes standing as silent testimony to a ball that clearly had ideas of its own.

In the end honours were shared, and rightly so – four runs and one over don't lie. A draw that felt, for once, entirely fair to both sides.

Wed 26 Jul 1995 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDDWLW

From the captain's chair, Wednesday 26 July 1995 — the visitors arrived, and mercifully so did the rain-free skies, for what turned into one of those honourable stalemates that keeps English cricket ticking over.

We took first use of the ball, and for a while it looked a tidy afternoon's work: the first wicket went down for just 2 runs, and among the fallen were B Newson and Paul Mobbs, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — quite the welcome. But David Goodchild had other ideas, compiling a fine 51, with I Croton (33 not out) and J Manning (25) lending sturdy support to drag the visitors to 188 all out from 43.5 overs. Dave Todd was magnificent with the ball, 4-23, ably backed by Matt Large (3-30) and the ever-miserly Michael Beeney (2-23, including three maidens that must have felt like a losing lottery ticket to face).

Our reply was steady rather than spectacular. Paul Bowles anchored things nicely with 39 not out, Clive Newman chipped in with 32 and Paul Gibson 20, though Matt Large and Trevor Back both fell for ducks — one of those days where the bat occasionally had other plans. A generous 31 extras rounded out our 153/8 from 40 overs, while poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, 12 byes the price of an eventful pitch.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could force the issue. Not the stuff of legend, but a thoroughly English afternoon all the same.

Tue 25 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv HC Hartley Country Club CC · AwayformWDWLD

Beaten? Yes. Bowed? Never. Tuesday found us on the road at Hartley Country Club, where I lost the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this season and duly watched the opposition trot out to bat. They posted 107/8 from their fifteen overs, built chiefly around a watchful 37 from Justin Crouch and 26 from O Senneck, the pair putting on 56 for the second wicket while we stood in the field wondering when our luck might turn. It turned, eventually — a flurry from 101-4 to 103-7 that had the shape of a proper collapse, Ben Carter and Colin Senneck both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. Rob Doick was magnificent, 3-28 of relentless, probing stuff, with Matt Large (2-25) and Ian Brattle (1-20) chipping in gamely.

Chasing 108, we made a manful hash of it. 80/9 tells its own story, and the middle of that innings — 44-2 crumbling to 53-5 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea — was not our finest hour. Poor Piers McDonald departed for a duck, joining the growing list of golden-duck sufferers this fixture seemed determined to produce.

There was, happily, real cause for cheer: Clive Newman brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark that puts our 27-run defeat rather into perspective. Nigel Thirkell (845 runs) and Matt Large (44 wickets) continue to lead the county from the front. As for us — beaten by 27, chastened, and already looking forward to putting it right next week.

Sun 23 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformWWDWL

Sunday 23 July 1995, and off we trundled to Tenterden with the toss to win and, mercifully, sense enough to take it. Batting first felt right, and though we lost the opener for next to nothing — 1-1 wasn't the start anyone ordered — the middle order set about repairing things with real purpose. Paul Gibson batted beautifully for 98, desperately unlucky not to reach three figures, with Rob Doick (41) and David Castle (38) lending sturdy support before the pair of them put on 131 for the fifth wicket to give the innings its spine. Even the tail joined the fun, rattling up a final 36 to leave Tenterden's fielders thoroughly fed up by the time we declared, so to speak, at 246/6 off 42.2. Special mention, if that's the word, for Clive Newman, whose duck earns him this week's walk of shame down Threadbare Lane.

Defending that total, we bowled with real discipline. Ian Brattle was superb, 3-61 with four maidens showing just how little he gave away, backed up nicely by Mike Caddick (2-34) and Michael Beeney (1-8) — Chris Hobbs falling to us for nought along the way. Tenterden battled to 174/8 off their 45, Nick Hall top-scoring with a fine 53 and Jason Matthews chipping in 27, but they never quite got within sight of us. Peter Whyte, meanwhile, will want a word with himself after 21 byes went astray — a testing afternoon behind the stumps. I added a watchful 26 with the bat earlier on.

With Nigel Thirkell still striding clear atop the run charts and Michael Beeney lurking second among the wicket-takers, the season ticks along nicely. In the end, honours were shared — a draw, and on this evidence, a fair one.

Sat 22 Jul 1995 🧢 2nd XIv Linden Park CC · HomeformWWWLW

Saturday 22nd July, and Linden Park arrived on a day that promised more than it eventually delivered for us. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — and for a good while it looked the shrewdest decision I'd made all season. Elworthy and Thirkell put on 56 for the first wicket to set us on our way, Elworthy going on to a fine 57 and Thirkell chipping in with 43. Morrison's 26 kept the innings ticking, though poor Chris Tymms will want this page torn out of the gazette — a golden duck to file alongside the rest of his season. We closed on 194/7 from our 46, a total I fancied would take some chasing.

And chase it they did. Neil Penfold played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 95 that our bowlers simply couldn't dislodge, with Harvey (26) and the equally immovable Gasking (22 not out) lending sturdy support — their fifth-wicket stand of 62 the innings that did for us. Beeney toiled manfully, 2-48 with three miserly maidens, and got good company from Todd (2-63) and a redemptive 1-30 from Tymms, but Penfold simply had too many answers. They got home by 5 wickets with an over to spare.

Not our day, then, though Elworthy's continued form atop the run charts and Tymms's bowling figures (duck notwithstanding) offer some consolation. Heads up, back to the nets — there are sunnier Saturdays ahead.

Fri 21 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDWWDW

Friday 21st, and off we trundled to The Mote, spirits high and kit bags heavier than our top order's confidence. I called correctly and, in a rare fit of boldness, stuck us in — a decision that looked shrewd for about four balls before we lost an early wicket with just 6 on the board and I began quietly rehearsing my resignation speech. Thankfully David Castle had other ideas, playing the innings of the day for a well-made 55, anchored by a stand of 52 for the second wicket that dragged us back to something respectable. We closed on 130/6 from our 16 overs — a total that felt like it had a chance, in the way village cricket totals always feel like they have a chance right up until they don't.

And so it proved. The Mote simply helped themselves. James Barr made merry with an unbeaten 70, ably assisted by James Hodgson's fine 56 not out, and between them they saw the target off in a brisk 12.2 overs for the loss of a single wicket. Michael Laurenson departed without troubling the scorers — small mercies — with Matt Large the one bright spark, toiling manfully for 1-51. Nine wickets the margin in the end, comfortable for them, chastening for us.

Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 808 for the season, and Large tops the wickets with 42 — proof there's method behind the madness. As for Friday: outplayed, outbowled, and thoroughly out-batted. We'll be better for it next week. We'll have to be.

Thu 20 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv BC Betteshanger Colliery Welfare CC · AwayformWDWWD

Skipper's Log — Thursday 20 July 1995, away to Betteshanger Colliery Welfare CC.

Won the toss, elected to bat, and for once I can say the decision looked sensible rather than reckless. We posted 143/5 from our fifteen overs, built around a really handsome half-century from Nigel Thirkell — 53 of the finest, the sort of innings that makes the tea taste better. Matt Large chipped in with 30 and David Castle with 27, the pair putting on 53 for the fifth wicket to give the innings a proper spine. Elsewhere in the ledger, poor Dave Charlton walked the walk of shame for a golden duck — the sort of humiliation only cricket can dish out with such precision, though as you'll see he had every intention of making amends.

And make amends he did. Betteshanger were bowled out for a modest 73, with D Reed's 20 the only real resistance, as they slid from 52-4 to 64-7 under the sort of pressure that makes a skipper's evening. Dave Charlton, redemption complete, ripped through them with 3-5 — from nought to hero inside a single afternoon. Ian Brattle (2-13) and Matt Large (2-24) mopped up the rest, and I even had a hand with the bat, contributing 30 earlier on.

A comfortable win by 70 runs, and with Thirkell still topping the season's run charts and Large the wickets, the engine room is purring nicely. Onwards.

Sun 16 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv FC Folkestone CC · HomeformWWDWW

Sunday 16th July, 1995, and Folkestone CC came calling under skies that, for once, played fair. The toss went against us — nothing new there — and we were put into the field. Steve Salisbury made us pay in full, an imperious 104 not out, well backed by Martin Daniels' fifty and Gary Waddup's unbeaten 39, the pair sharing a stand of 64 that took the game away from us just when we thought we'd got a grip on it. Matt Large toiled hardest for his solitary wicket at 1-64, Michael Beeney chipped in, and Ian Brattle bowled two maidens of such parsimony you'd have thought he was charging Folkestone rent. They closed on 245/2 from 44.2 overs — a total that had us doing sums on the walk back to the pavilion.

But the openers had other ideas. Mike Caddick and Piers McDonald simply refused to be parted, cantering to 184 before the first wicket finally fell — Caddick going on to a glorious 132, McDonald a classy 65, with Matt Large adding a brisk 20 to keep the arithmetic honest. We finished on 241/4 from 45 overs, agonisingly short, but with heads held rather higher than the scoreboard suggested.

A word too for McDonald, whose fifty nudged him past Malcolm Pay into 16th on the club's all-time run list — proof that even on a day we couldn't quite finish the job, history quietly kept moving.

Verdict: honours shared, and on the balance of the afternoon's cricket, a draw that flattered nobody and shamed nobody either.

Sat 15 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformWWWDW

Saturday 15 July 1995 saw Horton Kirby CC visit Linton Park, and having lost the toss, we were dispatched into the field first — never my favourite way to start a Saturday, but there we were. It began brightly enough: T Blain departed for a duck with the score on 8-1, and honestly I don't think he troubled the scoreboard operator for a moment. Matt Large was in imperious touch, tying the visitors down with six maidens on his way to 4-29, with Ian Brattle (2-32) and Michael Beeney (1-15) chipping in dutifully. Graham Connold played the innings of the day for the opposition, a stubborn 41, but 129 all out from 43.1 overs was always going to leave us with work to do rather than a mountain to climb.

And climb we did not need to — we simply strolled. David Castle and Paul Bowles opened up and never looked back, seeing us home to 130 without loss in 26 overs. Castle's 59 not out was polished and unhurried, Bowles matched him stroke for stroke with a fine 54 not out, and between them they didn't so much chase the target as tuck it away in a back pocket. Castle continues his fine season, now fifth in the 1st XI run charts, while Large's tally of 38 wickets keeps him top of the pile.

A ten-wicket win, bowled and batted with real authority — a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 15 Jul 1995 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWWWWL

Saturday 15 July 1995 took us down to Horton Kirby, where I duly lost the toss and, as ever, tried not to look too relieved when they chose to bat — first use of the ball being rather more up our street.

And what a street it proved. Sixteen for one soon became twenty-six for four, A Poole gone for a golden duck, and the innings never really recovered its composure, folding for 68 off 34.1 overs. Darren Styles was the chief architect of the collapse with a devastating 3-2, Chris Tymms chipped in with 3-30, and Alan Boyns bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding the last biscuit in the tin — 3-33 with four maidens to show for it. I even helped myself to three wickets, which I mention only because the skipper so rarely gets to boast in his own report.

Chasing 69, we were never troubled. Tim Thirkell top-scored with a brisk 21, Dave Todd offering fine support with 20, and we cantered home on 70/2 from 19.2 overs. Thirkell continues to lead the 2nd XI run charts with 237 for the season, while Styles now sits proudly atop the wicket pile with 13.

A seven-wicket win, two points banked, and honestly earned — the sort of afternoon that makes the long drive home feel rather shorter.

Wed 12 Jul 1995 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformDDDWL

Skipper's Log, Wednesday 12 July 1995. Gravesend CC the visitors, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first strike — a decision that felt braver at 3 for 1 than it did an hour later.

That early stumble threatened to set the tone for the afternoon, but Trevor Back and Paul Leandro steadied the ship with a crucial second-wicket stand of 75, Back going on to top-score with 44 and Leandro right behind him with 42. Mike Caddick chipped in a handy 32 as we pushed on to 198/7 from our 43 overs — a total with a bit of substance to it, even if poor Adam Pooley will remember the day chiefly for his golden duck. He has my sympathies and my thanks in equal measure for not letting it show.

Defending that total, the lads bowled and fielded like men who fancied their chances. Tony Reely made a fine, well-constructed 97 for the visitors and Peter Preston lent good support with 22, but wickets fell steadily around them, L Hart departing without troubling the scorers. Richard Piper was miserly and menacing in equal measure, his 1-7 the pick of the bowling, with Alan Boyns and Stuart Cheesman (1-38 apiece) chipping away and Michael Beeney tying things down with two maidens. Gravesend were bowled out for 170 from 33.3 overs.

A win by 28 runs, then, and a thoroughly deserved one. Onwards.

Tue 11 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWWWWD

As we hadn't won the toss in a fortnight, I made the most of it against Meopham, electing to bat first without a flicker of hesitation. Dave Charlton and David Castle set the tone with a first-wicket stand of 57 — the sort of foundation that makes a captain's job look easy — before Charlton pressed on to 37 and Clive Newman chipped in a tidy 30. Not everything gleamed, mind: poor Matt Large's afternoon began and ended with a duck, but 131/5 from our fifteen overs felt a defendable total, and so it proved.

With the ball, we were relentless. Meopham's top order simply couldn't get going — 7-1 became a procession, and by the time it read 68-7 the floodgates were positively Meopham's own. Ian Brattle was magnificent, ripping through with 4-9, well backed by Rob Doick's 3-13 and Michael Beeney's 3-24 — Beeney's third strike of the day nicely padding out a season that already has him second in the wicket charts. M Wabe and Laurence Hurley both departed without so much as a run to their names, and only S Beard, with a defiant 23, offered any real resistance. They were bowled out for 75 in 12.2 overs.

As for my own contribution with the bat — nought, and the less said the better; a veil, please, firmly drawn. But with Mike Caddick's season tally ticking along nicely too, this was very much a team performance. A 56-run victory, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying evening's work.

Sun 09 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv SC Sibton Park CC · AwayformWWWWW

Sunday 9 July 1995, and off we trotted to Sibton Park with sandwiches, sunhats and the customary lack of a decent toss result — call went against us, they had a bowl in mind for someone else's arms, and stuck us in the field. Fair enough; we've made worse of better starts.

Sibton posted 214 all out in 40.2 overs, a total that flattered a modest opening — 0-1 doesn't lie about anything — but Steve Hickmott (68) and Ian Betts (54) rebuilt with real purpose, Martyn Wren chipping in with 35, and a 7th-wicket stand of 89 did most of the damage to our afternoon. Matt Large was magnificent with the ball, 4-12 of pure discipline, Michael Beeney (3-23) and Adrian Caddick (2-60) kept honest company either side of him, and Nigel Thirkell's two maidens were the sort of parsimony that makes a captain sleep well.

Chasing 215, we closed on 158/7 from our 45 — never quite in the hunt, but never disgraced either. Nigel Thirkell, having bowled with such restraint, then batted with even more, carrying his fine unbeaten 58 through the innings; David Castle (30) and Mike Caddick (22) offered steady support, and I'll admit some quiet pride in contributing 58 myself from the top of the order. Poor Stuart Cheesman, meanwhile, walked the walk of shame for a duck — the Duck Club ledger grows ever fatter, as do Andy Laker and Simon Wren's entries from the first innings.

Honours shared, then — a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody, which in village cricket is very nearly a triumph.

Sat 08 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformLWWWW

Nigel Thirkell won us the toss on Saturday, and with a wicket that looked fit for runs, I had no hesitation in sending us in. It proved the right call — the openers put on 80 for the first wicket, and though we lost a couple in the middle, a lovely 98-run stand for the fourth wicket saw us home to 248/4 from our 46 overs. Nigel led from the front with a magnificent 82, Paul Bowles chipped in a fine 52, and Paul Gibson's 31 rounded off a proper batting performance. Special mention, too, for Paul, who brought up 28,000 career runs for the club along the way — not a milestone many of us will trouble in this lifetime.

With the ball, Staplehurst never quite got away from us. N Johnson batted well for his unbeaten 62, and M Wilson (32) and A Bourne (22) built a handy 51-run third-wicket stand, but it was all against the tide. Michael Beeney was the wrecker-in-chief with 4-71, while Matt Large bowled with real discipline — four maidens and 1-39 — and I managed a personal 82 with the bat, which I shan't pretend wasn't satisfying. Staplehurst closed on 168/5 from 44, poor I Henson departing without troubling the scorers.

An 80-run win, then, and Nigel and Matt both sitting proudly atop the season's run and wicket charts. A thoroughly good day's cricket — onwards we go.

Sat 08 Jul 1995 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformDWWWW

As pretty a Saturday as you'll find, the 8th of July, and the road took us out to Staplehurst with the sun on our backs and, thanks to a kindly coin, first use of the square.

170/9 from our 46 overs wasn't a total to frighten anyone, but it had its moments. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day for 48, with Roly Edwards weighing in handsomely alongside him for 42 — the pair of them doing most of the heavy lifting while the rest of us, Stuart Cheesman and Daniel Thirkell among them, offered up golden ducks for the cause. 🦆 Every side needs its martyrs.

In the field we did our bit and more. Darren Styles was superb, snaring 3-30 and continuing his fine season with the ball, ably backed up by Chris Tymms — two wickets, two maidens, not a run given away lightly — and Trevor Back chipping in with one. But Staplehurst had their own heroes: Q Hayward's 45 and a stand of 74 for the fourth wicket did the real damage, and then, just as we sniffed victory, their last pair added an infuriating unbeaten 50 to see them home on 172/6.

Beaten by four wickets, then, and no disgrace in it. Plenty to build on, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 01 Jul 1995 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWLWWW

As we hosted Meopham CC on Saturday 1 July, the toss fell my way and there was never any real debate in my mind — on a pitch like that, you bat. Paul Bowles set the tone with a fine 73, Nigel Thirkell weighed in with a well-made 57, and Mike Caddick chipped in 41, the openers laying a proper platform with 117 for the first wicket before things got, shall we say, a little untidy — 206-5 crumbling to 221-8 in the sort of collapse that keeps a captain's tea cup rattling. Poor Matt Large bagged a golden duck for his troubles, but 232-8 from our 46 overs was a total to be proud of.

If our batting had its wobble, our bowling had none. Meopham never got going, losing an early wicket with just 2 on the board, and from there it was one-way traffic. Matt Large was quite simply unplayable, ripping through them for 5-35 with three miserly maidens, well supported by Ian Brattle's 3-24 and a wicket apiece for Paul Bowles. S Beard's 29 was the best Meopham could muster, and they were bowled out for 141.

A personal 57 was pleasing enough, but the real story of the day belonged to Nigel Thirkell, who brought up 29,000 career runs for the club — a staggering landmark, and one the tea urn was raised to more than once. A fine win by 91 runs, and with Nigel topping the run charts and Matt leading the wickets, the season has plenty more in it yet. Onwards.

Sat 01 Jul 1995 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWDWWW

Saturday 01 July 1995 saw us take the road down to Meopham CC, and I'll admit to a small swell of pride when the coin fell my way — batting first felt right, and for once I wasn't wrong.

We stumbled early, 2-1 the sort of scoreline that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces, but the middle order steadied the ship handsomely. Dave Todd led the way with a fine 49, Tim Thirkell chipped in 37, and Alan Boyns finished unbeaten on 34. Poor Keith Hatcher will not be troubling the scorers this week — a golden duck to nurse home — but a stirring 59-run stand for the eighth wicket dragged us up to a very defendable 192/8 from our 46 overs.

If batting was solid, the bowling was a thing of beauty. Meopham were bowled out for a mere 85 in 36.5 overs, only Barrie Lewis-Ranwell threatening with 27. Three of their batsmen — Timothy Dyne, M Mayhew and D Payne — departed without troubling the scoreboard at all. Alan Boyns was simply magnificent, 4-21 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, and en route quietly brought up 300 career wickets — no small landmark, and one I hope he was allowed to enjoy before I dragged him back to his mark. Stuart Cheesman and Tim Thirkell picked up a wicket apiece, and I'll confess a quiet satisfaction at my own 34 with the bat and 4 wickets with the ball.

A comfortable 107-run win, then, and a thoroughly happy drive home.

Sun 25 Jun 1995 🧢 1st XIv HC Horsmonden CC · HomeformDWLWW

We won the toss for the coin, at least — though it counted for nothing, as Horsmonden asked us to field first at Linton Park on a fine June Sunday.

Truth be told, we did the hard work early. Horsmonden battled to 165 all out from 48.2 overs, Terry Tester giving them something to build around with a well-made 58, but our attack simply wouldn't let them cut loose. Rob Doick was the pick of a fine bowling effort, snaring 3-7 with four miserly maidens that strangled the middle overs, while Ian Brattle (2-14) and Piers McDonald (2-40) chipped away either side of him. All told, a proper team bowling performance — the kind that makes a captain's job easy.

With 166 to win, we made it look rather more straightforward than cricket usually allows. Clive Newman played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 58, and found the perfect foil in Paul Gibson (43) and David Castle (27), the pair putting on 94 for the second wicket to take the game away from Horsmonden almost before they'd settled into the field. I contributed a watchful 23 of my own, more spectator than protagonist as the top order did the damage. We cantered home 171-2 in 33.2 overs, eight wickets in hand.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved. Paul Gibson continues to top our season's run charts and Michael Beeney sits second among the wicket-takers — form that bodes well. All in all, a Sunday when everything clicked: tight bowling, calm batting, and tea tasted all the sweeter for it.

Sat 24 Jun 1995 🧢 1st XIv NC Norton Sports CC · HomeformLDWLW

Norton Sports CC came calling on a fine June Saturday, and having won the toss I did what any self-respecting skipper does with a decent strip underfoot — stuck us in and hoped for the best. For once the plan came off handsomely. We rattled along to 66 before the first stumps went, and from there Paul Bowles simply took the game away from everyone, driving and clipping his way to a majestic 136 not out — three figures and then some. Nigel Thirkell chipped in nicely with 43, Mike Caddick with 28, and the second-wicket stand of 124 did the real damage. Poor Stewart Morrison endured the walk of shame for a duck, but with 216/3 from 40.2 overs on the board, nobody was dwelling on it long.

In the field we had them in bother early doors, though Stuart Coulter's obdurate 77 not out, backed by R Godley's 24, threatened briefly to spoil the afternoon. Phil Randall, however, was in devastating touch, running through them with 5-28, with Adrian Caddick (3-47) and Jon Harris (1-9) tidying up either end, and Darren Styles bowling five miserly maidens to choke the life out of the innings. Three Norton batsmen departed without troubling the scorers, and the innings folded from 129-7 to 137 all out. I even found time to squeeze out 43 myself, mostly, I suspect, out of professional courtesy.

A fine win by 79 runs, then — the sort of afternoon that makes the teas taste sweeter and the drive home shorter. Onwards.

Sat 24 Jun 1995 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformDWDWW

Here's the match report:

We travelled down to West Farleigh on a fine Saturday, and the coin did the decent thing for once, so I had no hesitation in sticking us in. The lads set about their work with real application: Tim Thirkell led from the front with a fine 38, Alan Boyns played the anchor role beautifully for an unbeaten 37, and Phillip Morrison chipped in a handy 24. Not everything went to script — D Brown and Ollie Priestly both departed for ducks, the sort of thing that keeps a captain's hair greying — but 159 all out from 41 overs was a total worth defending.

And defend it we did. Guy Wilson's unbeaten 27 was the only real resistance West Farleigh could muster, because Richard Ellis simply took the game away from them, spinning his way to a magnificent 5-27. He had good company too, with Chris Tymms (2-5, two maidens and miserly as they come) and Ollie Priestly (2-20, making handsome amends for his earlier duck) squeezing the life out of the innings. They were bowled out for 96 in 26.2 overs, and I was happy enough to add my own 37 to proceedings along the way.

A quiet word for the record books: Thirkell's 38 sees him leapfrog Brian Piper into 5th on the club's all-time run list, and he now leads our 1995 2nd XI charts with 170 runs, with Ellis third among the bowlers on 6 wickets.

Sixty-three runs the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved.

Wed 21 Jun 1995 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformWDDDW

Wednesday 21st June brought Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC to Linton Park, and having lost the toss we were dispatched to bat first — the sort of afternoon that starts with the skipper studying his boots rather too closely. Early wobbles didn't help, the first wicket gone for a solitary run, and the Duck Club welcomed two new members as Mike Caddick and Stuart Cheesman both made the long walk back without troubling the scorers. Happily Jon Harris steadied the ship with a fine 33, well supported by Piers McDonald's 32 and Peter Whyte's 21, dragging us up to 137 all out in 35.4 overs — respectable, if not exactly imposing.

Defending it was always going to be a tall order, and so it proved. Styles played the innings of the day, a composed 52, while Ashdown (46 not out) and Hinds (26 not out) saw them home in ominously untroubled fashion, that opening stand of 52 setting the tone early. Jon Harris did what he could with the ball, 1 for 42 and clearly our man of the match with bat and ball alike, while Michael Beeney bowled a spell of real discipline — six maidens that gave away nothing but the time of day. I did my bit with 33 of my own, for what little comfort that provided.

138 for 2, six wickets in it, and no arguing with the result. Character-building stuff — we'll regroup, dust off the ducks, and come back stronger next week.

Tue 20 Jun 1995 🧢 1st XIv DC Ditton CC · HomeformWLDWL

From the captain's chair, Tuesday 20th June 1995: Ditton CC visited Linton Park, and for once the coin obliged me. I called correctly, had no hesitation in putting us in, and could not have asked more of the lads with the bat. Paul Gibson was in irresistible form, cracking a fine 85, while Piers McDonald played the perfect foil with 49 of his own — the two of them adding a positively indecent 136 for the third wicket. We closed on 153 for 4 from our fifteen overs, a total that had the tea urn practically boiling with anticipation.

Ditton's reply never quite got going. An early wicket at 4 for 1 set the tone, and though Mike Bains fought manfully for his 36, the middle order simply evaporated — 48 for 4 became 63 for 7 almost before anyone had finished their sandwich. Michael Beeney was the chief architect of the collapse with a superb 3 for 9, well backed up by Dave Charlton's 2 for 16 and Ian Brattle's 1 for 29. They limped to 84 for 8, and we were home by 69 runs.

As for the skipper — a golden blob, out without troubling the scorers. A captain should lead from the front; on this occasion I merely led from the pavilion steps back to the bench. No matter. With Gibson now top of the 1st XI run charts on 504 and Beeney second in the wickets on 21, the engine room is purring nicely. A thoroughly good day for the club, blob and all.

Sun 18 Jun 1995 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · HomeformWWLDW

Sunday 18 June 1995, and Bexhill CC rolled into Linton Park under skies that, for once, seemed to favour bat over bowler. I called it right at the toss and had no hesitation in batting first — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or reckless depending entirely on what follows, and for a while it looked shrewd enough.

We ground our way to 167/7 from 46 overs, built chiefly on Mike Elworthy's 30 and Trevor Back's 29, with the tail contributing a spirited late 37 that had the Bexhill fielders muttering into their sunhats. Not everyone's afternoon sparkled, mind — poor Michael Beeney departed for a golden duck, a fate I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, let alone a clubmate.

With the ball, we simply couldn't find the breakthroughs we needed. Andrew Wilson played the innings of the day, 80 not out and untroubled throughout, well supported by Brad Smith's 42 and Jason Wickenden's unbeaten 37, their second-wicket stand of 61 the platform from which Bexhill strolled home in just 31.5 overs. Trevor Back (1-19) and Alan Boyns (1-25) toiled honestly without reward to match their effort. Elsewhere, there's cheer to be had — Mike Caddick sits second in the 1995 run charts with 421 to his name.

Beaten by six wickets, then, and no arguing with it. We batted with enough application to give ourselves a chance and bowled without quite enough luck to take it. We'll be better for it next week.

Thu 15 Jun 1995 🧢 1st XIv LC Lashings World CC · HomeformWWWLD

Owing me nothing more than the toss and a fair wicket, I put Lashings World CC in to field first on what turned out to be a rather splendid Thursday evening for it. We rattled along nicely to 140/6 from our sixteen overs, with young David Castle the pick of the willow-wielders on 36, Piers McDonald keeping his head to finish unbeaten on 35, and Paul Gibson chipping in a handy 26. That opening stand of 57 set the tone rather beautifully, and I confess I allowed myself a small smile at tea, though experience has taught me never to trust a small smile at tea.

Defending it was, inevitably, a different matter entirely. B Greenway gave us a proper fright with a well-crafted fifty, ably assisted by Brad McNee's 29, and when their second pair put on 91 the wheels looked distinctly wobbly beneath our tea urn. But cricket has a habit of turning on its own axis, and so it did — 107/4 became 119/7 in the blink of an eye, poor C Walter departed without troubling the scorers, and Michael Beeney produced a spell for the ages, 5-26 of pure, unplayable magic. Sean Charlton (2-31) and Matt Large (1-27) tidied up admirably around him.

Ten runs the margin, two points the reward, and not a heart left unstirred. A word too for Piers McDonald, whose 35 nudged him past Jon Harris into 17th on the club's all-time run charts — quiet history, made loudly enough for me. All told: a nervy, joyous, thoroughly earned win, exactly as village cricket ought to be.

Sun 11 Jun 1995 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lawrence & Highland Court CC · AwayformLWWWL

On a bright June Sunday we made the trip out to St Lawrence & Highland Court, and for once the coin didn't fall our way — they had first knock, and we had to make do with the ball, which, in fairness, we didn't mind one bit.

Ian Brattle was in irresistible touch, tying up an end with five miserly maidens on his way to 3-33, with Michael Beeney (2-12) and Jon Harris (2-14) chipping away at the other. David Else went for a duck without so much as a sniff of the scorer's pencil, and by the close of their innings the hosts had crawled to 142/9, Guy Parker's 45 and Simon Luckhurst's unbeaten 45 doing the heavy lifting, with Ollie Hayward's 20 in support.

Chasing it down, we lost our first wicket for just 4 runs and looked, briefly, like men who'd rather be at the tea urn. But Mike Caddick (38 not out) and Michael Beeney (32) steadied the ship, and a fine sixth-wicket stand of 60 with Nigel Thirkell (28) dragged us back into calm waters. I contributed a workmanlike 28 myself, while at the other end of the ledger Piers McDonald and Ian Brattle both walked the walk of shame for ducks — the Duck Club membership swelling nicely. We closed on 136/7 from our 40.5 overs, agonisingly short but never quite in danger.

A draw, then — honours shared, tempers unfrayed, and the tea, I'm reliably informed, was rather good. Not a bad afternoon's work at all.

Sat 10 Jun 1995 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWLWWW

Saturday last took us out to Rumwood, and the coin, as is tradition this season, betrayed us again — they won it and had no hesitation in batting. We toiled hard for our 209/4 off 46 overs, though "toiled" undersells the punishment: their openers put on 63 before we prised the first one out, and the second pair then added a crucial 92 to bury us further. Peter Humphries was the chief architect, ghosting past fifty to finish unbeaten on 95, with Neville Smith (36) and Steve Martin (32) offering sturdy support. Small mercies: Michael Beeney took 1-30, Matt Large was miserliness personified with two maidens on the way to 1-48, and Ian Brattle chipped in 1-51, while poor Kevin Light departed for a golden duck.

Chasing 210, we made a proper fist of it early doors — 78 for the first wicket, Paul Gibson (42), Mike Caddick (40) and David Castle (36) all playing handsomely — before the middle order suffered one of those collapses that gives club cricket its flavour, 155-5 becoming 160-8 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea. Beeney and Brattle both fell without scoring, and we were bowled out for 169 in 43.2 overs.

Special mention, though, for Ian Brattle, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark no scorebook collapse can diminish. Nigel Thirkell (431 runs) and Matt Large (23 wickets) continue to lead our charts handsomely.

Forty runs the wrong side of the ledger. Not our day — back to the nets.

Mon 05 Jun 1995 🧢 1st XIv HC Hunton Wanderers CC · AwayformWWLWW

From the captain's chair — Monday 05 June 1995. We travelled to Hunton Wanderers CC, lost the toss, and were sent out to field, which on a Monday evening always feels like being handed the washing-up before you've even had your tea.

Hunton posted 80 all out from their fifteen overs, John Aldous doing the bulk of the graft with a well-made 39, though he found precious little support at the other end. Ian Brattle was the chief tormentor with 3 for 13, ably backed by Matt Large (2 for 18) and Jon Harris, who chipped in with the wicket of 1 for 5. Eighty from fifteen overs is never an insurmountable total, and so it proved.

Our reply began in familiar comic fashion — 2 for 1 inside the first over, the sort of start that has spectators reaching for their flasks and muttering knowingly. But Clive Newman settled the nerves beautifully, batting through unbeaten on 41 to steer us home at 84 for 4 with an over to spare. Gavin Lee and Andy Munsey will not want their contributions dwelt on this week, having gone back without troubling the scorers, but a win covers a multitude of ducks.

Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 430 for the season, and Matt Large tops the wickets with 22 — both men quietly building rather fine summers. As for Monday: a scrappy start, a composed finish, six wickets to spare, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Fri 02 Jun 1995 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWWWLW

Friday last took us out to Rumwood, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat first — the sort of decision that looks either visionary or daft depending entirely on what follows, and for once I'll take the credit. What followed was 152 for 2 from our sixteen overs, built on a splendid, well-made fifty from Nigel Thirkell, unbeaten on 83, with Mike Caddick playing the perfect foil for 47 not out at the other end. Not every man can say the same, mind — Paul Gibson took the long, lonely walk back for nought, and his name goes straight into the Duck Club ledger for his trouble. 🦆

Defending it, Rumwood gave us a proper contest, reaching 135 for 6 from their sixteen, Peter Humphries the chief nuisance with 36, well supported by C Keithson's 21 and Mark Styche's 20. It was Michael Beeney who did the heavy lifting with the ball, 2 for 40, while Matt Large and Ian Brattle chipped in a wicket apiece for 31 and 37 respectively — enough, in the end, to see us home.

Thirkell continues to purr along at the top of this season's run charts with 426, and Large leads the wicket-takers on 20 — the engine room of this side, no less. A fine win by 17 runs, and thoroughly deserved. Onwards. 🏏

Tue 30 May 1995 🧢 1st XIv OC Offham CC · AwayformWWWWL

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 30 May 1995, away at Offham CC.

Winning the toss and electing to bat is always a nice way to start a Tuesday, and for once the decision looked good rather than merely brave. We galloped to 197/2 from our fifteen overs, though it wasn't all plain sailing — the first wicket went for just 1, a properly nervy opening. From there Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the summer, 98 not out, and found willing company first in a crucial second-wicket stand of 82, then from Piers McDonald (47 not out) and David Castle, who made a handsome 43 and, more importantly, brought up 11,000 career runs for the club along the way — no small feat, and richly deserved. Poor Matt Large, meanwhile, was reminded that cricket is a cruel game, departing for a golden duck.

Defending 197 should have been the easy part, and so it proved. Offham never got going, losing an early wicket with just 7 on the board and never recovering, closing on 91/5. Trevor Wratten (24) and R- Woolley (20) offered the only real resistance. Matt Large, restored to good humour, ran through them with 4-21, backed up nicely by Michael Beeney's 1-21 — and by your humble captain, who managed four wickets with the ball to make up for a golden blob with the bat. A captain should lead from the front, but I'll settle for leading from the back given the runs on the board.

A fine win by 106 runs. Onwards.

Mon 29 May 1995 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWWWW

Skipper's Log — Monday 29 May 1995

Well, here's one for the scrapbook, though not perhaps for the reasons we'd have liked. Winning the toss and choosing to bat, we shuffled to the crease and promptly found ourselves 4 for 1 — the sort of start that has you studying your bootlaces rather awkwardly. Credit where it's due, though: Paul Brattle dug in magnificently for an unbeaten 67, watchful and unflustered, with Peter Whyte chipping in a handsome 36 to drag us up to a respectable 184 all out from 69.2 overs. Mike Caddick and Dave Charlton, alas, will find their names in this report only for the wrong reasons — a pair of golden ducks that even the tea urn seemed to wince at.

Then came the small matter of defending it, and here the story turns properly gloomy. Alex Tait treated our attack with the sort of disdain usually reserved for wasps at a picnic, cruising to an unbeaten 109, while Brad McNee kept him company with a breezy 61 not out. Between them they saw off the target inside 34 overs without so much as a second wicket falling. Rob Doick alone emerged with credit, his two maidens and a wicket for 40 the only real resistance we could muster. I paddled about for 19 myself, more spectator than skipper.

Down by eight wickets, then — heads up, chins up, and back to the nets. Some days the ducks fly in formation; this was one of them.

Sun 28 May 1995 🧢 1st XIv LC Lenham CC · AwayformWWWWW

Sunday 28th May, and the road took us to Lenham CC on a day when, for once, everything went rather beautifully to plan.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation putting us in, and the lads repaid the faith handsomely. We lost an early wicket cheaply at 5-1, which had me pacing the boundary rope with rather more concern than the scorebook eventually warranted, but a magnificent stand of 102 for the third wicket set things right. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day with a well-crafted 76, I managed to chip in with 76 of my own from the top, Piers McDonald struck a handsome 66, and Peter Whyte finished unbeaten on 27 to see us home to 231/5 from 46.4 overs. A total, I confess, that had the tea urn practically boiling with anticipation.

Lenham's reply never got going. Another early loss at 7-1 set the tone, and Mike Fraser was sent back without so much as a run to his name — my sympathies, old boy. Matt Large was the chief destroyer with a superb 4-26, well supported by Dave Todd's 3-12, Adrian Caddick's 2-24, and Alan Boyns bowling four miserly maidens to strangle any hope of a recovery. They were bowled out for 87 in 28.2 overs, Simon Beaney's 22 the only real resistance. Peter Whyte had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, 15 byes his one blemish on an otherwise triumphant day.

Special mention for Adrian Caddick, who brought up 50 career wickets — a fine landmark, warmly toasted in the bar afterwards.

A 144-run victory, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 27 May 1995 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday, 27th May, and off we trundled to Bearsted with the coin toss doing us no favours whatsoever – they had first use of a rather flat-looking track and took it without a second thought.

We toiled away in the field for the best part of the afternoon as Bearsted ground out 185 all out from their 46 overs, Richard Luxton (34) leading the way with Stephen Heap and Ian Sandwell (28 apiece) doing the tidying up around him. Small mercies: Tim Lush walked back for a duck at our hands, and the bowling attack more than earned its tea. Michael Beeney was the pick with 3-25, while Jon Harris (3-41, and four maidens besides – not a run given away lightly) and Ian Brattle (3-61) made sure nobody settled for long.

Chasing 186 is never a formality on a Saturday afternoon, and so it proved, though we scrambled home 186/8 from 40 overs thanks to a magnificent, faintly heroic 121 not out from Paul Gibson – three figures and the innings carried almost single-handedly on his shoulders. Nigel Thirkell chipped in usefully with 22, and I did my modest bit with 22 of my own. Less gloriously, the Duck Club welcomed two new members, Piers McDonald and Matt Large both trudging back for nought.

Paul Gibson now leads the season's run charts with 351, and Jon Harris sits second among the wicket-takers with 11 – form that bodes well. Two points, and thoroughly earned: a nervy, unglamorous, two-wicket win, but a win is a win, and we'll take it gladly.

Sat 27 May 1995 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLDWDW

Saturday 27 May 1995, and Bearsted CC came calling at Linton Park under skies that, for once, behaved themselves. Won the toss, had a look at the pitch, and stuck us in — sorry, put us in to bat. Right call, I felt, and I'll die on that hill regardless of what followed.

What followed, happily, was rather good. Paul Bowles played the innings of the day, 93 not out and unlucky not to reach three figures, while Stuart Cheesman's unbeaten 35 and Tim Thirkell's 33 gave the innings real backbone — that third-wicket stand of 61 was the making of us. Poor Trevor Back collected a duck for his troubles, though he'd more than make amends later. We closed on a handsome 214 for 4 from our 46 overs.

Defending it, Bearsted gave it a proper go. Andy Naish batted beautifully for his unbeaten 74, well supported by David Gibson's 29, and their second-wicket pair added 59 to keep us honest. But Trevor Back, duck forgotten, ran in and took 2 for 16, with Paul Bowles and Richard Ellis chipping in a wicket apiece, while Alan Boyns kept things miserly with three maidens. Ian Lambert departed for nought, and Bearsted fell away to 160 for 5.

A fine win by 54 runs, then — the sort of afternoon that makes the teas taste sweeter. Onwards.

Sat 20 May 1995 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformDWWWW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 20 May 1995. The road took us out to Headcorn, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they had first knock, and on a morning like that, who's to argue with the man calling tails badly.

Not that we minded overmuch, because our bowlers had other ideas. Matt Large was in imperious form, four wickets for 32 and five maidens besides — the sort of miserly spell that has batsmen playing shots in their heads they daren't play with the bat. Jon Harris (3-21) and Ian Brattle (2-33) tidied up round him, and there were three ducks among the wreckage as Headcorn slid from a rebuilding 103-7 to all out for 115 in 41.4 overs. Andrew Fordham's 25 and Matt Boatwright's 23 were about the only things standing between us and an even shorter afternoon.

Chasing 116, we made a proper job of it. Nigel Thirkell and Clive Newman put on a priceless 58 for the first wicket, and with Thirkell finishing unbeaten on 38, Newman contributing 37, and Mike Caddick chipping in 25, the target never looked in doubt. I managed a useful 38 myself, more by luck than design.

Eight wickets, two points, and a thoroughly deserved win. On this evidence, Linton Park are travelling rather nicely.

Sat 20 May 1995 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLLDWD

Here's the match report:

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Saturday 20 May 1995, and Headcorn CC rolled into Linton Park under skies that, for once, seemed to be on our side. I won the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, sent us in to bat.

It was Stewart Morrison who set the tone with a rock-solid 42, and he had good company — Trevor Back chipped in with 34 and Mike Elworthy with 32, the openers putting on 65 before Headcorn found a way through. We motored along nicely until, in the manner of these things, the innings developed a sudden and inexplicable wobble, tumbling from 157-4 to 165-7 as if the pavilion tea urn had gone off like a starting pistol. Poor Steve Masters had the misfortune of a golden duck amid the carnage. Still, 194/8 from our 46 overs was a total with some substance to it.

Headcorn's reply never quite got airborne. Lance Grist played a fine lone hand with 63, well supported by P Hughes's 22, but the middle order caved from 117-6 to 124-9 in a hurry, and they were all out for 142. Dave Todd was superb with 3-29 — a spell that, pleasingly, also carried him past Brian Fuller into 25th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — backed up nicely by Stuart Cheesman and Darren Styles, while Chris Tymms strangled the scoring with six miserly maidens.

A 52-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sun 14 May 1995 🧢 Sunday NVKCv LK Leigh CC, Kent · AwayformLWWLL

We travelled down to Leigh CC on a Sunday that started with the toss going the wrong way, as these things so often do, and us being asked to field. No great hardship, mind — Nigel Thirkell got amongst them early and finished with 1-18, Matt Large chipped in with 1-24 and three miserly maidens besides, and Jon Harris took 1-37 to keep things honest. Leigh's openers put on a stubborn 53 before Topliss (41) and Gordine (40) built further, with Wood's 28 rounding out a total of 163/7. Chris Van't Hoff departed for a golden duck, which at least gave the scorebook something to smile about.

Chasing 164, we stumbled early — 7 for 1 doesn't settle the nerves — and might have folded entirely but for Clive Newman, who batted with real composure for an unbeaten 59, the season's top score so far, ably assisted by Rob Doick (21) and Peter Whyte (20). Sadly Mike Caddick and Jon Harris both walked back for ducks, a rare double entry in the Duck Club ledger. We fell agonisingly short, five runs shy at 158/9.

A proud footnote amid the disappointment: Paul Gibson brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark that rather puts one bad Sunday into perspective.

Not our day, then — beaten by the width of a good tea interval. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sat 13 May 1995 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWDWWW

It was Rumwood CC at home, 13 May, and I lost the toss as reliably as ever — no choice but to put the pads away and stick us in the field. Rumwood made themselves comfortable at 190/3 off 45.5, though there was a flicker of hope when they stumbled to 6-1 early on. That flicker didn't last: Neville Smith and A Perks put on 152 for the third wicket, Smith cruising to 83 and Perks unbeaten on a well-made 77, and by the end of it our bowling figures were reading like a cautionary tale. Credit where due, though — Ian Brattle kept plugging away for 2-18, and Matt Large did the unglamorous graft, two maidens and 1-23, the kind of spell that doesn't win man of the match but wins matches all the same.

Chasing 191, we set off like the house was on fire — 72 for the first wicket before anyone so much as looked troubled. Paul Gibson led from the front with a fine 62, Mike Caddick chipped in a tidy 53, and David Castle's 28 kept the scoreboard honest. I contributed a modest 16, which in this company counted as a supporting role rather than a headline. Ten byes did rather give the game away for poor Clive Newman behind the stumps — a testing afternoon for him, though he remains our leading run-scorer this season with 231, and Matt Large tops the wicket charts with 7.

We got home by 5 wickets. A good day for the club, and — dare I say it — a rather satisfying one to write up.

Sat 13 May 1995 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformLLLDW

We travelled to Rumwood on a bright Saturday, and the coin - for once - obliged me, so I had no hesitation putting us in. Tim Thirkell led the way with a fine 45, Trevor Back weighed in with 44, and Roly Edwards saw us home unbeaten on 29, the pair sharing a sturdy 68 for the third wicket to give the innings its backbone. 187/6 from our 48 overs felt like a total with enough about it to trouble anyone, and I'll admit my own contribution of 19 was rather more agricultural than artistic, but every run counts on a slow Rumwood pitch.

With ball in hand the lads were tidy without being ruthless. Darren Styles was the pick of the attack, prising out three for 25, with Chris Tymms and Adrian Caddick chipping in with a wicket apiece - Caddick, true to form, bowling as though overs were rationed, four maidens and just 37 conceded. But John Burbridge had other ideas, batting through unbeaten on 38 and finding an able ally in Light for a stand of 53 that gradually took the sting out of our efforts. They closed on 117/5 from 43, short of our total but very much still in it.

So honours were shared, neither side quite able to land the decisive blow. Frustrating for a captain who fancied his side's chances at tea, but a fair result all told - and Trevor Back and Darren Styles both continue to lead the way in the season's run and wicket charts, which is some consolation as we pack the kit bags for home.

Sun 07 May 1995 🧢 1st XIv Chestfield CC · AwayformLWDWW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 07 May 1995. We travelled to Chestfield CC on a day when losing the toss and being asked to chase felt, at the time, like the natural order of village cricket reasserting itself.

In the field we were the tighter side by a distance. Chestfield laboured to 129 all out in 55.3 overs, Eddie Roberts top-scoring with 28 and Brian Melliard Sr chipping in 21, but nothing came easily against us. Jon Harris was magnificent, 3-17 with five maidens that strangled the innings at both ends, and he had fine company in Michael Beeney (3-27) and Alan Boyns (2-18). Not a run given away lightly, as they say.

With the target set, Piers McDonald and Mike Caddick simply took the game away from them, the openers putting on a serene 100 before the first wicket fell — McDonald composing a fine 59, Caddick unbeaten on 55, and we cantered home at 133/3 in 29.4 overs. Poor Matt Large contributed his golden nothing, though with the pair in that mood it barely registered.

Fitting milestones too: McDonald's 59 nudges him past Keith Hatcher into 18th on the club's all-time run charts, and Boyns's brace lifts him past Dick Langridge into 17th among the wicket-takers. Caddick now sits 2nd in this season's run charts, Large still tops the wickets despite his duck.

A fine win by 7 wickets. Onwards.

Sat 06 May 1995 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformLLWDW

Saturday 6th May 1995. Bidborough CC came to Linton Park, I lost the toss, and duly volunteered us into the field — never a hardship when the sun's out and there's tea to look forward to.

They rattled along nicely at first, M King making a fine 58 and Peter K Eames chipping in 36, and for a while 174 looked a modest platform on which to build a monster. But cricket has a wonderful habit of turning on its head: 49-1 became 57-4 in the blink of an eye, with P Wood, Ian Moore and J Codd all trudging back without so much as a run to their names. Matt Large was the chief tormentor, spinning his way to 5-32 with four maidens of positively miserly intent, well backed by Nigel Thirkell (2-5) and Paul Bowles (1-26). All out 174 from 46.5 overs — a total we fancied chasing over tea.

And chase it we did. Mike Caddick anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 70, Nigel Thirkell weighed in with 42 and Clive Newman with 22, a lovely 83-run stand for the second wicket doing most of the heavy lifting. I managed a workmanlike 42 myself, more by luck than method. We cantered home on 177-3 with seven wickets and a fair few overs to spare.

Two milestones to toast in the bar afterwards: Mike Caddick's 2,000th run for the club, and Matt Large's 800th wicket — not bad for an afternoon's work. A thoroughly deserved two points, and a result that does the season charts no harm at all.

Sat 06 May 1995 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horsmonden CC · AwayformWLLLD

Saturday the sixth of May found us on the road to Horsmonden, and for once the coin obliged me — I called correctly and had no hesitation in sticking us in. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, 77 of good, honest county-lane cricket, with Trevor Back ably keeping him company for 65 and Alan Boyns chipping in a tidy 36. Not that it was all plain sailing: we lost a wicket before troubling the scorers, then Elworthy and Back put on 137 for the third wicket to haul us back into respectability, only for the innings to wobble alarmingly from 151-3 to 161-6 as though the middle order had collectively remembered a prior engagement. The tail, bless them, wagged for a defiant 60 to leave us 221/7 from 41.3 overs — though Keith Hatcher and Roly Edwards will be quietly avoiding the clubhouse mirror after their ducks. I added a workmanlike 36 of my own, more for solidarity than style.

With ball in hand we were relentless. Horsmonden's 72-run second-wicket stand promised trouble, and Flemington's 52 and Brown's 42 kept them afloat, but their innings folded from 110-3 to 122-6 and they were done for 145. Dave Todd led the attack with 3-59, Hatcher and Thirkell chimed in with two apiece, and Michael Beeney bowled three tight maidens to strangle the life out of them.

A fine day all round — Trevor Back's 65 nudged him past Jim Hall into 13th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Elworthy and Todd continue to top the season's charts. We won by 76 runs. A jolly good day for the club.

Mon 01 May 1995 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformWLLWD

Skipper's Log, Monday 1st May 1995: won the toss and, against all sound cricketing instinct given the state of my knees, decided we'd bat.

It turned out rather a shrewd call, or so I shall claim in this report. Clive Newman and David Castle put on 132 for the first wicket before anyone in Maidstone colours so much as troubled the umpire, Newman eventually falling for a handsome 73 and Castle following close behind with 72 of his own — the sort of half-century that makes a captain feel he's rather good at this game, despite having contributed nothing himself except enthusiastic encouragement from the boundary. Paul Gibson chipped in with a tidy 53, and I confess my own 72 gave me quite a spring in my step, allowing us to close on a formidable 249/3 from our 44 overs.

Defending that kind of total is meant to be the easy part, though the Dissidents did their best to make us sweat, Steve Heap's watchful 43 and a second-wicket stand of 55 briefly suggesting otherwise. But once they slid from 93-3 to 108-6, the game was as good as up. Piers McDonald did the damage with 3-37, Rob Doick bowled with the miserliness of a man checking his round at the bar (2-11, five maidens), and Paul Bowles picked up 2-35 for good measure.

A comfortable 85-run win, then, and not a bad way to open the season. Onwards indeed.

Sun 30 Apr 1995 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLWLLW

Sunday 30 April brought Sheldwich CC to Linton Park, and having won the toss I fancied a look at that pitch and stuck us in. Wisest call I've made all season. Two down on the board and I was already composing my apology to the tea ladies, but Paul Gibson and Clive Newman had other ideas, stitching together 174 for the third wicket in the sort of partnership that makes a captain look far cleverer than he has any right to. Gibson farmed the strike beautifully for a majestic 104, Newman wasn't far behind with 84, and Peter Whyte's unbeaten 20 rounded us off nicely at 252/5 from our 48 overs.

Defending that total, Sheldwich never quite got away from us, though Graham Carter's 42 and a stubborn 52-run stand for the seventh wicket kept us honest deep into the innings. Rob Doick was the pick of the attack by a distance — three wickets, five maidens, miserly enough to make you wonder if he'd brought his own tea rather than drink ours — while Piers McDonald and Stuart Cheesman chipped in with two apiece. Sam Hill departed without troubling the scorers, which I'm reliably informed is what that little duck symbol means.

Eight byes did rather give the game away behind the stumps, and I suspect Peter Whyte will be finding leather in odd places for a week. In the end honours were shared, neither side able to force it home — which, given the way the afternoon had ebbed and flowed, felt about right. A draw, but a thoroughly good one.

Sat 29 Apr 1995 🧢 1st XIv Penshurst Park CC · HomeformWLWLL

Saturday last saw Penshurst Park CC roll up to Linton Park, and after losing the toss we were resigned to a spell of leather-chasing rather than tea-drinking. Not the worst fate on a fine April afternoon, mind you. They batted with some purpose, Ncholson compiling an unbeaten 55 with the quiet menace of a man who knows the tea interval is on his side, well backed by May's 42 and Simon Leegood's 31, their fifth-wicket pair putting on 74 to give the innings its spine. Paul Gibson did the honest toil up front, 2 for 44, with Jon Harris and Ian Brattle chipping in a wicket apiece — Brattle in particularly miserly form, three maidens testament to a line the batsmen simply couldn't get away. 168 for 6 off their 43 overs felt like a target, not a formality.

And so it proved. Mike Caddick set about it in style for 40, Clive Newman unbeaten on 37 and Nigel Thirkell's 32 keeping the scoreboard honest, their second-wicket stand of 76 doing the heavy lifting. I contributed a watchful 32 of my own, more mortar than masonry. We crossed the line at 169 for 6 with overs to spare.

A word too for Paul Gibson, who brought up 8,000 career runs for the club — a proper landmark — while Ian Brattle's solitary wicket nudged him past Trevor Back into 12th on the all-time list. Milestones and a win; you don't often get both on the same card. A fine victory by 4 wickets, and a thoroughly satisfactory way to start the season. Onwards.

Sat 29 Apr 1995 🧢 2nd XIv YC Yalding CC · AwayformDWLLL

29th April, Yalding CC, and yours truly won the toss with the sort of confidence that would prove entirely unearned by close of play. I put us in to bat, and Tim Thirkell decided he'd quite like to bat all afternoon, cruising to 54 with Dave Todd (27) and Mike Elworthy (25) offering sturdy company either side of him. The pick of the day was a fifth-wicket stand of 82 that gave our total some real backbone — before the middle order, with its usual sense of theatre, promptly threw it away, tumbling from 139-5 to 146-8 in the time it takes to pour a tea. Poor Don Dansie bagged a golden duck for his trouble. We closed on 152/9 from our 45, a total that felt like it had a story to tell rather than a knockout blow to land.

Defending it, we turned to Don Dansie to make amends with the ball, and amends he made in style — 4-16, easily the pick of the bowling, with Darren Styles (1-17) and Michael Beeney (1-19) chipping in loyally. Yalding built their reply around Kevin Shrimpton (42) and Iain Cardew (41), whose 79-run second-wicket stand looked ominous, but we clawed them back from 96-2 to 101-5 and sent two batsmen packing without so much as a run to their names. Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping 8 byes, while I did my bit with 25. In the end neither side could land the killer blow, and it finished 149/7 — honours shared, pride intact, and quite possibly the fairest result Yalding's tea urn has ever witnessed.