🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 28 Sep 1997 🧢 1st XIv M M.Large · HomeformDWLDD

Sunday 28th September, and the last home fixture of the '97 season saw us welcome Dummy Site, with the toss lost and the unwelcome sight of pads coming off before the tea urn had even boiled — we were put into the field.

They made hay early, closing on a stiff 152/7 from their 25 overs. Mike Elworthy top-scored with a fluent 44, well backed by Rob Doick's 29, and had it not been for Carl Davis (2-25) keeping his head while the boundaries flowed, and useful support from both Thirkells — Daniel (2-35) and Tim (1-16) — it might have got away from us altogether.

Chasing 153 is never a stroll on our ground, but the lads set about it with more composure than I had any right to expect from the pavilion steps. Daniel Thirkell, having already done his bit with the ball, then produced the innings of the day — an unbeaten, well-crafted 54 — while Roly Edwards chipped in handsomely with 37 and Nigel Thirkell added a tidy 20. We finished on 160/6, though not quite in time to snatch it outright.

Worth noting, amid all this, that Nigel continues his quietly magnificent season, now sitting second in the 1st XI's run charts with 827 to his name — a statistic rather better organised than my field placings.

In the end, honours were shared, neither side able to force the issue. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and on this evidence, a fair one.

Sun 28 Sep 1997 🧢 1st XIv T T.Thirkell · HomeformLDWLD

Sunday 28 September saw us welcome Dummy Site to Linton Park for what turned into a proper Sunday afternoon arm-wrestle, honours finishing share and share alike. Winning the toss and putting them in, we watched the visitors post a respectable 160/6 from their 25, Matt Large (37) the chief architect of that total before turning his hand to bowling duties with equal distinction. It was Stuart Cheesman who did the real damage though, 2-8 figures that had the tea urn talk turning admiring rather than anxious, with David Castle (1-19) and Large himself (1-23) chipping away at the other end.

With 161 needed off our own 25 overs, Michael Beeney played the innings of the day, 44 of good, honest running and clean hitting, well backed by Clive Newman (34) and Matt Large, who having already troubled their batsmen now troubled their bowlers to the tune of 29. I managed 29 of my own, more by accident than design, but 152/7 was where the innings ran out of road, eight short of the target and a draw the fairest result for two sides who'd matched each other stride for stride.

The real story of the day, though, belonged to David Castle, who brought up 15,000 career runs for the club — a landmark that rather puts my 29 in perspective, and one worth raising a glass to in the bar afterwards. With Castle leading our season's run charts on 1364 and Large topping the wickets on 49, the old firm remain in fine fettle. A draw, then, but one that felt like honest work rewarded — no complaints from this captain.

Sat 27 Sep 1997 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hunton Wanderers CC · AwayformDLDWW

Trevor Back stood at the crease like a man with a train to catch and no intention of hurrying, and 71 fine runs later I couldn't have called it better myself — winning the toss and batting first felt right the moment his bat started singing. Ron McCormick chipped in with a well-made 58 of his own, and between the two of them we had the makings of a proper total. Keith Francis kept his head down for an unbeaten 25, though the same couldn't be said for Mike Elworthy and Richard Ellis, who both departed for ducks — the sort of thing best filed under "character building" and never mentioned again. Even so, 181/5 off our 39 overs was a total with a bit of menace to it.

Defending it was another matter entirely, especially once A Munsey settled in and cruised past fifty to an unbeaten 78 — the sort of innings that makes a captain check his watch rather more than he'd like. Paul Matthewson's 26 kept the required rate honest, but Hunton simply ran out of partners: Jonathan Sceats, Dave Leppard and Thomas Matthewson all fell for ducks as the middle order crumbled around Munsey. Darren Styles led the charge beautifully with 2-30, Richard Ellis atoned for his blob with the ball (2-39), and P- Martin bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding his allotment, three maidens and 2-42 to show for it. All out for 145 in 34.3 overs.

A 36-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one — the top order laid the foundation, the bowlers refused to be bullied, and honour was well and truly upheld for Linton Park.

Sat 27 Sep 1997 🧢 1st XIv RC Rainham (Kent) CC · HomeformWLDWL

It was the sort of afternoon that reminds you why you keep turning up. Won the toss, no hesitation, put Rainham in — sorry, put us in to bat, I should say, and for once the decision looked positively shrewd as Clive Newman and our other opener put on 117 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scoreboard operator. Clive went on to 91, wonderfully well made, Brian Piper chipped in a composed fifty, and Daniel Thirkell's 31 rounded things off nicely as we declared the innings closed, so to speak, at 211/5 from 45.4 overs.

Rainham's reply was stern stuff. Glen Cook's 58 was the innings of the day, with Paul Newton and Kevin Waters lending real substance either side of a defiant 51-run stand for the sixth wicket that threatened to run away from us. Credit to the bowlers for hauling it back — Fred Cheesman's 2-15 led from the front, with Stuart Cheesman and Matt Large both weighing in with two apiece, and John Mitchell and Tom Waters were sent packing without scoring, which is always a tonic for a captain's nerves. They finished 189/9 from their 37, honours even.

As for your correspondent — a duck, and we'll leave it there in the interests of dignity. Rather better news: Clive Newman brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, and Daniel Thirkell reached 1,000 — landmarks worth far more than any individual afternoon's failure with the bat.

A draw, then, and a fair one. Nobody quite had the legs to force it, but there was enough craft and character on show to send us home content.

Wed 24 Sep 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformLLLDL

Wednesday, 24th September, and off we trotted to Penshurst Park with the season winding down and, as it turned out, one last twist of the tale still to come. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I felt, and I'll take the credit while it's on offer.

Things didn't begin promisingly: 2 for 1 had the tea urn already being eyed nervously, and poor Mike Elworthy's duck won't trouble the highlights reel. But a stand of 62 for the second wicket steadied the ship, and Paul Gibson batted on serenely through it all to finish 123 not out — a superb, chanceless hundred that dragged us to a very respectable 212 for 8 from our 47 overs.

Defending it, we had Penshurst in some bother early doors when we accounted for Clark for nought, and Michael Beeney bowled beautifully for 3 for 57, tight as you like with a couple of maidens thrown in, well backed up by Jon Harris's 3 for 67. I even managed three wickets myself, alongside a scratchy 19 with the bat — waste not, want not. But Andy Zaltzman's well-crafted fifty, with sturdy support from R. Good (48 not out) and R. Hunter (42), saw them home to safety at 207 for 7 from their 50.

So, honours shared. Neither side quite had the stomach to finish the job, and a draw it was — which, given Gibson's heroics, feels almost a shame, but that's village cricket for you.

Sun 21 Sep 1997 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWWLDW

Sunday last saw the Anchorians roll into Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss I elected to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scoreboard eventually had to say about it. We lost an early wicket at 7-1, which had me chewing my nails rather more than the tea urn, but Stewart Morrison and Piers McDonald steadied the ship magnificently, putting on 114 for the second wicket. Morrison's 61 was a proper well-made fifty, McDonald chipped in with 47, and Clive Newman's 31 kept things ticking before the tail wagged handsomely for a final 41 runs. Matt Large and Stuart Cheesman, meanwhile, contributed a golden nothing apiece — these things happen to the best of us, and indeed to me. We closed on 219/7 from our forty overs, a total I was rather pleased with.

In reply, Graham Siveyer produced a chanceless 60 not out, well supported by Neil Mobey (43) and Eddie Stanford (39), the openers laying a solid platform of 70 for the first wicket. Matt Large redeemed his morning with the bat by taking 3-35 with the ball, Stuart Cheesman and Jon Harris chipped in, and Michael Beeney bowled miserly, with three maidens to his name. As for the skipper — a golden blob followed by three wickets, so I led, if not by example, then at least by contradiction. The Anchorians got home by five wickets. Not our day, but heads up — back to the nets.

Sat 20 Sep 1997 🧢 1st XIv EC Elliotts CC · HomeformDWWLD

Elliotts CC came to Linton Park on Saturday 20 September 1997, and having won the toss I fancied a bat first — no dithering on that one. We were rewarded handsomely: 230 for 3 off our 43 overs, built around a magnificent unbeaten 115 from Paul Bowles, a proper captain's-innings hundred if ever there was one. Mike Elworthy chipped in with 42 and Trevor Back 36, and by the time we'd finished I was already mentally composing the tea-interval speech.

Defending that lot, our bowlers set about their work with real purpose. Elliotts were bundled out for 141 in 35.1 overs, Rod Moodley departing without troubling the scorers 🦆. Carl Davis was the pick of the attack with 3 for 28, well backed up by Dave Todd (3-38) and Ian Brattle (2-19), while Alan Boyns kept things admirably tight with three maidens. Gary Buckle's 21 and Max Wasson's 20 were the only real resistance, but it was never going to be enough. Worth noting, too, that Brattle's efforts keep him third in the 1997 first-team wicket charts with 35 — a fine season taking shape.

Two points banked, and won by 89 runs — as thorough a beating as you'll see on a Saturday afternoon. The lads batted with style, bowled with discipline, and I got to sit back and watch it all unfold. Can't complain about that.

Sat 20 Sep 1997 🧢 2nd XIv BC Borden CC · AwayformLDLDW

Saturday 20 September 1997, away at Borden CC, and having called correctly at the toss I never seriously considered doing anything but batting first. Paul Gibson set the tone with a fine 58, Nigel Thirkell chipped in a sturdy 40, and Stuart Cheesman's 31 kept the board ticking nicely — the three of them building a third-wicket stand of 68 that was very much the innings' backbone. But cricket has a way of humbling the complacent, and from 167-6 to 172-9 our lower order collapsed like a poorly pitched gazebo, with Daniel Thirkell, David Lines and Adrian Caddick all contributing golden ducks to the cause. Still, 195 all out from 38 overs was a total to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did. David Lines was magnificent, 4-34 with three miserly maidens, backed superbly by Daniel Thirkell (2-6) and Jon Harris (2-17) as Borden slid from 74-5 to 93-8 and were bowled out for 120, Richard Truelove's defiant 23 the only real resistance, John Truelove departing without troubling the scorers. I contributed 40 with the bat myself, which I shall mention only in passing, as captains ought.

Twenty byes behind the stumps tell their own tale of a testing day for the gloveman — but no matter. We got over the line by 75 runs, a thoroughly good day for the club, and Borden CC will have gone home wondering quite where it all went wrong.

Sun 14 Sep 1997 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformLDWWL

As the honorary match reporter, we won the toss and elected to bat — and I'll allow myself a small pat on the back for that one, as it turned out rather well. David Castle played the innings of the season, a magnificent 124, and found the perfect foil in Clive Newman's classy 52; between them the openers put on 165 for the first wicket, the sort of platform most captains only dream of over their Sunday tea. We closed on a handsome 225 for 6 from 43.3 overs. Poor Nigel Thirkell, meanwhile, will be quietly hoping the scorebook develops a smudge — a golden duck to remember, or rather forget.

Defending 225 looked a formality at tea, but Dummy Site had other ideas. R Swaisland played the innings back at us with a fine 88, well supported by T Leach's 31 and D Bray's unbeaten 24, and their own openers matched ours stride for stride with 75 for the first wicket. Our bowlers toiled honestly — Matt Large the pick with 1 for 23 and three tidy maidens, Michael Beeney and Darren Styles both chipping in with 1 for 29 apiece — but the visitors held firm to finish 187 for 5.

So honours were shared, neither side quite able to land the decisive blow. With Castle now top of the 1st XI run charts and Large leading the wicket-takers, the engine room of this side is clearly purring nicely — even if, on this occasion, it could only get us to a draw rather than a win.

Sat 13 Sep 1997 🧢 2nd XIv BC Betsham CC · AwayformLLDLD

Saturday 13th September saw us head to Betsham, and as ever the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they won the toss, elected to bat, and we were left to sweat it out in the field. They battled to 232/7 from their 48 overs, Simon Rasho compiling a composed unbeaten 51, with Roy Wilkinson (47) and Dennis Çuckow (36) chipping in nicely. Credit to Tim Thirkell, whose 2-35 kept the innings honest, with Trevor Back (2-78) and Mike Elworthy (1-39) doing their bit, while Darren Styles bowled a beautifully mean spell of three maidens — the sort of over that makes batsmen mutter to themselves.

Chasing 233, we might have feared the worst, but Brian Piper had other ideas, cracking a superb 93 not out that carried us home in style. Mike Elworthy, clearly not finished for the day, added a stylish 73 in support, and between them they made the run chase look rather more comfortable than it had any right to be. We got there with four wickets in hand from 47.5 overs — cutting it fine enough for the tea urn to run cold, but a win is a win.

A word too for Tim Thirkell, who brought up his 50th career wicket — a landmark thoroughly deserved after a fine display with the ball. Add in the season's form of Mike Elworthy (2nd in the 2nd XI run charts) and Trevor Back (4th in the wickets), and it's clear this was no fluke. All told, a proper day out at Betsham, and we'll take the four points and the long drive home with equal cheer.

Sat 13 Sep 1997 🧢 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformWLDWW

Saturday 13th September saw Clarion CC roll up for what turned into a proper old-fashioned nail-biter, and I have to say, calling correctly and putting them in felt like a masterstroke right up until it wasn't.

We set about building a total with more caution than flair, ambling to 162/7 from our 42 overs. Paul Gibson led from the front with a fine 50, and Clive Newman chipped in handsomely with 47 — the pair of them stitching together a 77-run stand for the third wicket that was, frankly, the innings. The rest of us contributed rather more modestly to proceedings, but a defendable total it was, and off we trooped to tea reasonably content.

Defending it, alas, proved another matter. Clarion got off to the shakiest of starts, losing an early wicket with just 6 on the board, and for a moment I allowed myself a quiet smile. That smile did not survive Richard Hilson, who anchored the chase with an unbeaten 74 and, ably assisted by R Lovell's 28, put on 62 for the second wicket to drag the game away from us. David Castle toiled magnificently for 3-27, with Michael Beeney (2-29) and Jon Harris (1-27) offering fine support, and Matt Large bowled three miserly maidens for good measure — but 164/6 came with half an over to spare, and Clarion had their four-wicket win.

Not our day, then. Clive Newman remains third in the 1st XI run charts with 581, and Michael Beeney second in the wickets with 35, which is some consolation. Heads up, chins forward, back to the nets.

Wed 10 Sep 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformLLLLD

Here's the report:

Captain's Log, Wednesday 10 September 1997. We hosted Dummy Site at home, and having called correctly at the toss, I fancied a bat first on what looked a decent surface — a decision I stand by, whatever the lads muttered under their breath at the time. We compiled a healthy 208/8 from our 44.2 overs, built on the back of a really rather splendid 101-run stand for the second wicket. Piers McDonald was in fine touch for his 71, and Mike Elworthy chipped in handsomely with 44, with David Castle's 26 rounding out a total that felt defendable, if not quite untouchable.

And so it proved, though not without a wobble or two from the visitors that had us purring. S- Ives played the anchor role beautifully for a well-crafted 50, with useful support from J Cornwallis (37) and P Carroll (30), and a 74-run fourth-wicket stand threatened to see them home. But cricket has a way of turning, and turn it did — 169/7 became 179 all out, P- Barnett departing without so much as a sniff at the strike. Jon Harris was magnificent, running riot with 6-54, Darren Styles chipped in with 4-22, and I managed to find some rhythm myself with 6 wickets of my own.

Piers still leads our run charts this season and Jon the wickets — and on this evidence, deservedly so. As for the result: beaten by 29 runs, agonisingly. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 07 Sep 1997 🧢 1st XIv SC Southfleet CC · HomeformWWLDW

Lost the toss on a Sunday that otherwise treated us rather kindly, and duly found ourselves in the field as Southfleet elected to bat. They ground their way to 150 for 8 from their 48 overs, built chiefly around Geoff Lane's fifty — 51 well-made runs — with useful support from S Waghorn's 38, the pair adding a crucial 81 for the fifth wicket. From there the innings rather fell apart in our favour, 139 for 5 becoming 150 for 8 in short order, with poor M. Howard sent back without so much as a sniff at the scorers. Jon Harris was the pick of a fine attack with 3 for 25, Darren Styles chipped in with 2 for 32, Daniel Thirkell took 1 for 5, and Matt Large bowled with admirable meanness, three maidens to his name.

Chasing 151, we made light work of it: 154 for 3 in just 30.3 overs, Peter Whyte leading the way with a lovely 59, David Castle right behind him with 51, and Daniel Thirkell unbeaten on 30. The openers put on 104 before the first wicket fell — by which point the game was as good as won.

A word beyond the scorecard: Peter Whyte brought up 4,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to. David Castle continues to lead our 1997 run charts with 1,193, and Matt Large tops the wickets with 40.

A fine win by 7 wickets, then, and precious little to grumble about over tea. Onwards.

Sat 06 Sep 1997 🧢 2nd XIv BC Borden CC · HomeformWLLDL

Skipper's Log — Saturday 06 September 1997. Borden CC visited, and I lost the toss, which by early September felt less like misfortune and more like tradition; they had no hesitation in putting us in the field.

We toiled honestly enough. Borden ground their way to 192 all out from 45.2 overs, propped up by Richard Truelove's fine 89, with John Whiskin (28) and Steve Bicker (26) chipping in and a stand of 56 for the third wicket doing most of the real damage. Credit where due — Adam Pooley bowled with real purpose for 3-21, Chris Tymms and Dave Todd chipped away either side of him with two apiece, and Trevor Back somehow found two maidens in a total that otherwise leaked like the clubhouse roof. At least Martin Noakes and David Hollands went for ducks against us, which is the sort of small mercy a captain learns to treasure.

Chasing 193, we never quite got out of second gear, subsiding to 140 for 7 from our 35 overs — though Richard Ellis stood firm throughout for an unbeaten 48, holding the innings together while wickets fell around him like early apples.

So, honours shared: a draw when neither side had quite enough about them to force the issue. Not the stuff of legend, but on a warm September Saturday, with Tim Thirkell still topping our run charts and Dave Todd our wickets, I'll happily settle for a point saved and the tea urn empty.

Fri 05 Sep 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv H HILLHEAD · HomeformLLLLL

Losing the toss on a fine Friday evening against Dummy Site, I did what any self-respecting captain does when confronted with bad luck — put a brave face on it and trotted off to marshal the troops in the field. They made the most of batting first, the openers putting on a breezy 85 before we managed to prise the first wicket loose, and from there G. Burns anchored things with a thoroughly well-made 83, ushering them to 237/6 from their 45 overs with useful late support from J. Moaker (31 not out) and G. Parmenter (23). Credit to the bowling unit for keeping us in the hunt throughout — Dave Todd was the pick with 2-48, Jon Harris chipped in with 2-60, and Fred Cheesman picked up 1-24.

With 238 to chase, Piers McDonald and Richard Piper set about it in style, laying a platform of 93 for the first wicket, and McDonald went on to a fine 57 before Nigel Thirkell's brisk 33 kept the required rate honest. We closed on 146/4 from 32.4 overs, unable to quite force matters home — honours shared, and neither side willing to blink first.

Off the field there was plenty to raise a glass to: Jon Harris brought up 2,100 career wickets, a number that still boggles the mind, while McDonald's 57 nudged him past Jim Hall into 14th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Daniel Thirkell continues to lead the season's run charts on 184, with Harris top of the wicket pile on 15.

A draw, then — honest, hard-fought, and entirely fair on both sides.

Fri 29 Aug 1997 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformLLWWL

A curious one this, from Mullion, on a Friday that promised more than it delivered. I won the toss — no hesitation, straight to the crease we went, for reasons that seemed sound at the time and considerably less so twenty overs later. We crawled and stumbled to 52 for 6 off our 22, the middle order deciding that 14 for 1 wasn't quite dramatic enough and obligingly turning it into 25 for 4 before anyone had settled into their deckchair. It was the sort of collapse that makes a captain suddenly very interested in the state of the outfield grass.

Still, cricket delights in making fools of pessimists, and having posted a total that a strong wind might have blown over, we turned to defend it with the sort of grim determination usually reserved for lost causes. And somehow, against all reasonable expectation, Mullion were bowled out for the lot — all out, no total to show for their trouble. Quite how a total as modest as ours proved so troublesome I couldn't honestly tell you, but I shan't be asking too many questions of a gift horse.

Honours shared in the end, a draw that flattered our batting and did rather more justice to our bowling. Elsewhere, Simon Thirkell continues his quiet climb up the Tour XI charts, now second with 19 runs for the season — modest company for a modest total, but modest seems to be rather the theme of the week. A funny old game, and a fair result, if not exactly a memorable one.

Thu 28 Aug 1997 🧢 Tour XIv TC Truro CC · AwayformDLLWW

From the captain's chair — Thursday 28 August 1997. We travelled down to Truro CC with high hopes and, as is traditional, promptly lost the toss, condemning us to a spell in the field on what turned out to be rather a hot afternoon for the shoulders.

Truro rattled along nicely to 228/6 from their 40 overs, though we did have them 5 for 1 at one stage before the innings got away from us. Martin Phillips was the chief architect with a fine 79, well supported by Justin Morris (40) and Chris Penhaligon (36), and their third-wicket pair put on a crucial 63 to really set the platform. Credit where due — Darren Styles bowled beautifully for his 3-29, including two tidy maidens, with Fred Cheesman (2-26) and Daniel Thirkell (1-41) chipping in gamely.

Chasing 229, we never quite got going and were bowled out for 135 in 39.5 overs. David Castle top-scored with a battling 48, but beyond that the innings rather fell away — Fred Cheesman and Darren Styles both walked back for ducks, joining the club's less illustrious ledger. Twenty-seven extras was scant consolation, and poor Mike Elworthy had a torrid time behind the stumps, 15 byes escaping his gloves.

Beaten by 93 runs, no arguing with that. David Castle leads our 1997 run charts and Darren Styles the wickets — small crumbs from a chastening day. We'll regroup, dust ourselves down, and be better for it next week.

Sat 23 Aug 1997 🧢 2nd XIv M Marden · HomeformLWLLD

Saturday 23 August 1997, and Dummy Site rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and no excuses left for anyone. Won the toss, chose to bat — the right call, I felt, and I'll go to my grave saying so. We compiled 216/8 from our 46 overs, built around Richard Piper's classy 47, with Tim Thirkell (45) and Chris Tymms (40) chipping in handsomely. Paul Bowles and Adam Pooley both departed for ducks, proof that even a good day has its casualties.

Out we came with the ball, sensing something in the air, and Dave Todd duly produced it — 5-49 of proper, teasing spin that had them in knots from the middle overs on. Chris Tymms backed him up nicely with 2-37 (two maidens, tight as you like), and Trevor Back weighed in with 1-17. For all that, I- Taylor's defiant 34, with S- Appleton (29) and S- Andrews (24) alongside, dragged them to 147 all out in 40.2 overs — three of theirs went for ducks too, so it wasn't entirely one-sided misery. I added a tidy 45 with the bat myself, for what it's worth.

The one bit of proper history: Todd's five-for eased him past Tony Snell into 19th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — the old boys shuffling up nervously, no doubt. Thirkell still leads our 2nd XI run charts this summer, Todd the wickets.

For all that good work, we lost by 69 runs. Beaten, not disgraced. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 23 Aug 1997 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformLWWLD

Won the toss, chose to bat, and never really looked back. David Castle and the top of the order set the tone straight away, the openers putting on 151 before anyone troubled the scorers with a dismissal — that sort of start does wonders for a captain's blood pressure. Castle went on to a magnificent 109, Clive Newman chipped in a tidy fifty with 60, and Stewart Morrison's 31 rounded out a total of 247/8 from our 46 overs that always felt a good few runs ahead of the game.

Marden made a fist of the chase, with I. Scott's fifty (50) the backbone of the innings, well supported by T. Rutherford (46) and R. Day (42), and a stubborn 82-run stand for the third wicket threatening to drag things back our way. But cricket has a habit of unravelling quickly, and theirs did: five for one early on, then 143 for 4 crumbling to 151 for 7 as McHale, Buck and Humphrey all departed without scoring. Matt Large was the chief architect of the collapse with a rampaging 6-42, David Lines chipped in with 3-55, and Darren Styles bowled three tidy maidens without giving an inch. I'll confess to rather enjoying my own contribution too — six wickets for the skipper is not a bad way to spend a Saturday. Marden were all out for 159 in 30.4 overs.

An 88-run win, two points banked, and Castle and Large continuing to top the season's run and wicket charts respectively. A thoroughly satisfying day's work — the sort of result that makes the tea urn taste that little bit sweeter.

Sun 17 Aug 1997 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · AwayformWLWWL

Sunday 17th August found us on the road to Whitstable, where the coin let us down and we were put into the field — never the outcome one hopes for on a warm summer's afternoon, but there we were. Stuart Sinclair had clearly had his Weetabix, compiling a chanceless 107 not out, with J Coope (82) and Peter Carey (50) lending stout support as the home side rattled to 282/4 from their 37 overs. Michael Beeney toiled away for 2-64 to lead our attack, with David Castle and Daniel Thirkell chipping in a wicket apiece — honest, unspectacular graft on what looked a belter of a pitch.

Chasing 283 is no picnic, but Stewart Morrison had other ideas, batting through for a magnificent 113 not out that kept the required rate honest and the tea urn boiling. Daniel Thirkell's unbeaten 43 and Paul Gibson's 31 added the necessary ballast, and a generous 33 extras suggested Whitstable's bowlers were feeling the pressure too. Poor Clive Newman, meanwhile, will not be troubling the scorers this week — a golden duck to file quietly in the club ledger.

In the end we finished on 253/6 from our 55, agonisingly short but honours even. With David Castle topping the season's run charts and Beeney lurking second among the wicket-takers, the engine room is clearly purring. A draw, then — not the stuff of legend, but a fair reflection of two sides giving as good as they got.

Sat 16 Aug 1997 🧢 2nd XIv Addington Village CC · AwayformLLWLL

Saturday 16 August 1997, and off we trotted to Addington Village, where the coin obliged and I sent us in — a decision I'd have to stand behind for the next few hours.

Half-centuries don't grow on trees at Linton Park, so Dave Todd's fine 50 was gratefully received, with Richard Ellis chipping in a tidy 25 to see us to 138/8 from our 47 overs. Darren Styles, meanwhile, contributed rather less to the scorebook — a golden duck that I'm sure he'll dine out on for years to come, in the wrong sort of way.

Out in the field, Addington set about chasing it down with M Francis making the sort of unhurried half-century that has visiting captains reaching for the calculator, well supported by M Harvey (26) and Steve Gunner (20). But we had answers of our own: Trevor Back led from the front with 2-22, Dave Todd doubled up with bat and ball to add 2-50, and Tim Thirkell picked up a wicket for a frugal 16. Darren Styles, redeeming himself nicely after his afternoon duck, bowled six maidens of pure parsimony. Jim Paulett departed for nought at our hands, which was some small consolation.

In the end neither side could quite land the killer blow, and Addington closed on 132/6 — honours even. With Tim Thirkell topping our season's run charts and Dave Todd our leading wicket-taker, the engine room is clearly in good working order. A draw, then — not a win to sing about, but no disgrace either, and the tea was, as ever, the real result of the day.

Sat 16 Aug 1997 🧢 1st XIv DC Downham & Bellingham CC · HomeformWWLWW

Saturday 16th August 1997 dawned fine, and against Downham & Bellingham I did what any sensible captain does when the coin falls kindly — I put us in, and for once nobody in the pavilion muttered about it afterwards.

We batted our full 43 overs and finished on a healthy 193/6, the innings built almost entirely on the shoulders of Nigel Thirkell, who ground out a magnificent 119 not out — the sort of innings that makes the tea urn taste sweeter. Mike Caddick chipped in with a tidy 22, and the pair's 61-run stand for the sixth wicket was the spine of the whole effort. Nigel, incidentally, now sits second in our 1st XI run charts for the season with 764 runs, which tells you rather a lot about how often we've been leaning on him.

With the ball, we fought hard but couldn't quite land the killer blow. Downham & Bellingham raced to 83 without loss before we so much as looked at the wicket column, and Doug Eaton's 69 anchored their reply beautifully, well supported by Chris Mendham's 38 and Keith McCann's 33. Jon Harris (2-31) and Adrian Caddick (2-31) bowled with real heart, and Matt Large — our leading wicket-taker this summer with 33 — kept things admirably tight with two maidens and a wicket of his own, but 197/5 came up in 38.5 overs and the game slipped from our grasp.

Beaten by five wickets, then, but not disgraced. There's a good side in there somewhere, and I'd wager we'll be better for this next Saturday.

Fri 15 Aug 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformLLLLL

As we tossed a fair Selsdon coin over on the 15th, I confess I felt uncommonly clever putting them in the field — and for once the cricketing gods agreed with me. Dave Todd and our openers put on a breezy 60 before the first wicket fell, and from there the innings simply refused to slow down. Todd made a handsome 63, Daniel Thirkell purred to an unbeaten 59, and Piers McDonald chipped in a brisk 35, hauling us to a thoroughly respectable 223/4 from our 41 overs. Special mention, as tradition demands, for Phil Randall, who contributed a golden duck and the accompanying walk of shame — the ledger, and the lads, will not let him forget it.

Defending it should have been the easy part. Matt Churchley had other ideas, striking a fine 68, with David Shivmangal (48 not out) and Deo Shivmangal (38) providing the sort of support we could have done without, their fourth-wicket stand of 75 doing the real damage. Trevor Back toiled away superbly for 2-14 with three tidy maidens, and Colin Bentwood and Fred Cheesman picked up a wicket apiece, but Selsdon crept home at 224/7 with just three balls of the 45th over unused, sneaking it by three wickets.

Daniel Thirkell continues to lead our Midweek XI run charts with 171, and Jon Harris tops the bowling with 13 — small consolations on a day the batting did its job and the bowling, honourably, just fell short. A cracking contest, honours to the visitors, and we'll be sharper with the ball next week.

Tue 12 Aug 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLLLL

We travelled to The Mote on Tuesday 12 August 1997 with the sun more or less behaving itself, and the coin, for once, did as it was told — I called correctly and had no hesitation in taking first knock. Brian Piper set about the bowling with real purpose for 44, and with Piers McDonald weighing in with 35 and Daniel Thirkell 30, we assembled a respectable 181/5 from our 53 overs. Not a total to frighten anyone into early retirement, perhaps, but enough to feel we'd given ourselves something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did, for a while at least. Nigel Thirkell toiled manfully for his 2-61 and Jon Harris chipped in with 2-62, and there were moments when the lads sensed a chance. But cricket has a habit of producing one man who simply decides the day belongs to him, and on this occasion it was Geraint Hughes, who ground out an unbeaten 118 — three figures, no less — ably assisted by Adam Luscombe's 23, to see The Mote home with four overs and six wickets to spare.

Brian's runs keep him top of our Midweek XI charts with 130 for the season, and Jon's wickets have him leading there too with 12, so the individual form lines remain healthy even if the collective one took a knock. All told, a fine total undone by one man having the game of his life. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sun 10 Aug 1997 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformWWWLW

Sunday 10 August 1997 saw us make the trip to Benenden, and the coin — for once — smiled on me. I had no hesitation in taking first knock, and how the lads repaid that confidence. David Castle produced an innings of real substance, 109 to his name, with Clive Newman weighing in handsomely alongside him with 64. Even the extras got in on the act with a generous 26 to help us to a formidable 233/4 from our forty overs.

Defending that sort of total is the pleasant end of captaincy, and so it proved. Ben Fowler played the lone hand of real quality for the home side with 40, with support from Andrew Cloke and Roger Lake, both 22, but our bowlers were not to be denied. Darren Styles was at his relentless best, 3-21, with the Thirkell brothers doing sterling supporting work — Nigel with 2-4, Daniel with 2-12 — and three Benenden batsmen trooped off for ducks along the way. All out for 149 in 37.4 overs, and the job was done, 84 runs to the good.

I confess a personal note of satisfaction in that century — one doesn't get many, and one savours the ones that come. But the day belonged just as much to Piers McDonald, turning out for his 300th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark achieved by very few, and toasted heartily in the bar afterwards.

A thoroughly earned two points, and a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday. We'll take that all season long.

Sat 09 Aug 1997 🧢 2nd XIv HC Higham & Mockbeggar CC · AwayformLLLWL

As it stands, Saturday the 9th of August found us on the road to Higham & Mockbeggar, and winning the toss I did what any self-respecting captain does on a fine morning – had a look at the strip, nodded sagely, and stuck us in to bat. The right call, I still maintain, whatever anyone tells you in the bar afterwards.

We compiled a tidy 176/6 from our 45 overs, the innings owing everything to Brian Piper, whose unbeaten 68 was the sort of well-made fifty-and-more that makes a captain's job easy. Paul Bowles chipped in nicely with 39 not out and Roly Edwards weighed in with 25, while poor Adam Pooley walked back for a golden duck, the sort of thing that happens to the best of us and, on the evidence of Saturday, to him first.

Defending it, we simply ran into a force of nature. N Scudder made merry with an unbeaten 129 – the kind of innings you applaud through gritted teeth – ably assisted by P Davies' unbeaten 21, and between them they saw the home side home at 180/2 from 42 overs. Dave Todd toiled honestly for his 1-26, Alan Boyns picked up 1-50, and Darren Styles bowled with real discipline, three maidens to his name for his trouble. Tim Thirkell continues to lead our run charts this season with 526, and Todd sits second in the wickets with 17 – small consolations on a chastening afternoon.

Beaten by six wickets, then, and no arguing with it. Heads up, chins forward, back to the nets.

Sat 09 Aug 1997 🧢 1st XIv Mersham Le Hatch CC · AwayformDWWWL

A grey Saturday, the 9th of August, saw us venture out to Mersham Le Hatch, and for once the coin obliged me — I called correctly and, with the sky looking none too promising, sent us in to bat. It proved the right call, more or less, as we posted 188 all out from our forty overs. Daniel Thirkell played the innings of the day with a fine 62, and got sound support from Dave Charlton (24) and Paul Gibson (22), while the seventh-wicket pair chipped in a priceless 54 when the innings threatened to stall. Not everyone had their day, mind — David Castle, Jim Hall and Ian Brattle all made their way back for ducks, joining me in that most exclusive of clubs, for I too contributed nought to the cause. Say no more about that. Twenty-seven extras rounded out a total we felt we could defend.

And defend it we did. Mersham Le Hatch subsided to 97 all out in 36.4 overs, C Childs's battling 28 the only real resistance before the floodgates swung open — 75-4 became 78-7 in the blink of an eye, and G Timmins, Garfield and Carrington all departed without scoring. Ian Brattle was quite magnificent, running through them with 5-25 including three miserly maidens, well backed by Adrian Caddick (3-27) and Gavin Saunders (2-10).

Ninety-one runs the margin in the end. My duck notwithstanding, a thoroughly good day for the club.

Tue 05 Aug 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDDLLL

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 05 August 1997

Bexley CC rolled up as our visitors, and matters got off to their liking straight away when the coin betrayed us and they elected to bat. What followed was a lesson in patience, or the lack of it, as Ross Lupton played the innings of a lifetime, an unbeaten 172 that had us checking the scorebook more than once, well supported by Steve Rudduck's composed 60 not out and Gregory Playfoot's brisk 24. They closed on 268/4 from their 38 overs, a total that rather put paid to any quiet afternoon in the field. Credit where due — Daniel Thirkell kept plugging away for 2-27, with Matt Large and Darren Styles chipping in a wicket apiece, and we did at least send Gary Joyce and A Towers back for ducks.

Chasing 269 was always going to be a tall order, and so it proved. Daniel Thirkell, having bowled his heart out, then top-scored with 44, with useful support from J- Knot (21) and Jon Harris (20). I managed 20 myself, though Piers McDonald, Richard Piper and Matt Large all had afternoons to forget with the bat. All out for 144 in 31.1 overs told its own story.

One shaft of sunshine amid the wreckage: Daniel Thirkell brought up his 50th career wicket, a fine personal landmark on an otherwise chastening day.

Beaten by 124 runs, then — no dressing it up. But there's character in this side yet, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 03 Aug 1997 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone YMCA CC · HomeformLDWWW

Not our best Sunday, but let's put it on paper properly. The toss went against us and there was never any doubt what the visitors would do with it — they had a bat, and Dummy Site's R. Hunter made us pay with a chanceless 66, well backed by T. Shaw's 32, as they compiled 149 all out in 44.3 overs. Full credit to the bowling unit though: Fred Cheesman was superb with 4-49, Darren Styles bowled a positively miserly spell (2-13 with five maidens — barely a run for free all afternoon), and Michael Beeney chipped in with 2-21. D. Warboys and P. Ecclestone were both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, so it wasn't all one-way traffic.

Chasing 150, we made surprisingly serene work of it — 150/3 in 27.4 overs, with Piers McDonald batting beautifully for an unbeaten 68 and Daniel Thirkell a fine 45 alongside him, the pair adding 107 for the second wicket to settle any nerves in the tearoom. Spare a thought, though, for poor Peter Whyte, who contrived a golden duck and must now do the walk of shame into the club's ledger of shame.

McDonald continues to purr along nicely, now fourth in the 1st XI's season run charts with 355, while Beeney sits second in the wickets column with 31 — form worth toasting even in defeat.

The scoreboard, alas, tells the true story: beaten by seven wickets. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets — there's work to do before next Sunday.

Sat 02 Aug 1997 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformWLLLW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 2nd August 1997, away at Dummy Site.

Won the toss, elected to bat — the right call, I said at the time, and I'll die on that particular hill. A tidy 203/6 off our 46 overs, built on a fine platform from Richard Piper (43), Chris Tymms (42) and Tim Thirkell (33), with your correspondent chipping in a workmanlike 33 of his own — more graft than grace, but they all count the same in the book.

Defending it, though, is where the afternoon unravelled. The opposition were given a torrid start — D. Thorpe and P. Spencer both back in the shed without so much as a run to their name, Alan Boyns finding some early magic to finish with 4-24, well supported by Darren Styles (3-22) and Paul Bowles (2-5), while Chris Tymms bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding his allotment, three maidens to his name. But S. Dann had other ideas, playing the innings of the day for a well-made 61 that dragged the total to 133/9 off 44 and, in the end, out of our reach.

Beaten by 70 runs, then — a scoreline that flatters the gap rather less than the cricket did, and one that owed everything to a single defiant knock we simply couldn't shift. Tim Thirkell continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts with 517, Darren Styles tops the wickets with 17, and there's no shortage of form to draw on. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 02 Aug 1997 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformLLDWW

Southborough came to Linton Park on the 2nd of August 1997, we lost the toss, and they had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking us out in the field on what I can only assume they judged a belter of a batting deck. Colin Ayres set about proving them right, compiling a fine 54, with Glenn Farmer (42) and Steve Hebditch (35) chipping in handsomely and a stubborn 78-run fourth-wicket stand doing the real damage. They closed on a hefty 194 all out from 46 overs. Credit where due, though — Matt Large was superb, snaring 4-32, David Lines bowled with real discipline for 2-37 (five maidens, not a run given away lightly), and Michael Beeney chimed in with 1-16. Small mercy: their first wicket fell for just 3.

Chasing 195, we made light work of it. Dave Charlton led from the front with a classy 64, Clive Newman anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 59, and Nigel Thirkell weighed in with 39 — a second-wicket stand of 72 setting the tone. We coasted home on 197 for 3 with 7.3 overs unused, a seven-wicket win. I'll confess a quiet word of pride in taking 4 wickets myself, and rather lovely to note Clive's 59 eased him past Malcolm Pay into 18th on the club's all-time run列表 — sorry, run-scorers list. David Castle and Matt Large continue to lead the charge atop this season's run and wicket charts respectively.

Poor John Pickett departed without troubling the scorers, but nobody will remember that by teatime. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine advert for why we still turn up on a Saturday.

Wed 30 Jul 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformLDDLL

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 30 July 1997, at home.

Winning what passes for the toss in these parts, I sent us into the field first, a decision that looked shrewd for about twenty overs and considerably less shrewd thereafter. Their innings rolled on to 206 for 8 off the full 45, built chiefly around a handsome 67 from T Gregory, with Paul Mobbs (25) and David Goodchild (24) both getting stuck in around him. Gavin Saunders was the pick of our attack by some distance, tearing through with 4-47, Jon Harris (2-38) and Daniel Thirkell (1-19) chipping in nicely, while Michael Beeney bowled two maidens with the quiet discipline of a man who clearly disapproves of boundaries on principle.

Chasing 207 was always going to ask questions of us, and we answered rather too many of them incorrectly. Richard Piper's 41 was the innings' backbone, well supported by Thirkell's 38 and Beeney's 20 with the bat as well as the ball, but a horrible collapse from 112 for 4 to 128 for 7 did for us in short order. Poor Fred Cheesman collected a duck for his troubles — these things happen to the best of us, Fred, and quite often to the rest of us too.

All out for 165, beaten by 41 runs. Not our finest Wednesday, but there was enough grit in that middle order to suggest better is coming — we'll regroup and be sharper next week.

Sun 27 Jul 1997 🧢 1st XIv KC Knockers CC · HomeformWLLDW

Sunday 27 July 1997, and Knockers CC rolled into Linton Park with the sun out and my luck, as ever, staying firmly in my pocket — lost the toss again, and they had no hesitation in batting first. Still, we had the ball in hand, and that's usually where the fun starts. They ground their way to 197/9 from their 45 overs, Stuart Seldon top-scoring with a composed 52, well supported by S. Pask (31) and Rawlings (25). C Spencer Allen went for a duck, which always raises a cheer from the boundary. Matt Large was the chief tormentor, 3-34 and four maidens of pure miserliness, backed up nicely by Adrian Caddick (3-64) and Fred Cheesman (2-27) — and a word for Fred, who ticked over 100 career wickets today, a proper landmark.

Chasing 198, we lost our first wicket for just 1 run and I feared the worst, but Daniel Thirkell (55) and David Castle (54, well past his fifty) put together a marvellous 102 for the fourth wicket to drag us back into it. Three ducks along the way — Newman, McDonald and Cheesman all failing to trouble the scorers — kept things nervy, but Matt Large saw us home unbeaten on 29, and I chipped in with 29 of my own plus three wickets for good measure.

Castle now leads our run charts with 905 for the season, Large the wickets with 28. A scrappy, nervy, thoroughly entertaining afternoon — won by three wickets, two points banked, and the tea urn well earned.

Sat 26 Jul 1997 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformLWLLL

Skipper's Log, Saturday 26 July 1997. Hollingbourne CC visited Linton Park, and having lost the toss, we found ourselves put in the field first — never quite the afternoon one plans for, but there we were.

Credit where it's due: the lads bowled beautifully. Hollingbourne limped to 108 all out in 38 overs, with only Ian Gutteridge showing any real defiance for his 45. Chris Tymms was the chief architect of the collapse, a wonderfully miserly 4-43 with five maidens thrown in for good measure, and he had willing lieutenants in Trevor Back (2-22) and Darren Styles (1-27). A word, too, on Trevor's afternoon — he brought up 400 career wickets, a landmark achieved with typically little fuss.

Chasing 109 should never trouble a side of our pedigree, though Mark Austin and C Findlay both departed without so much as a run to show for it — sympathies to them both. No matter: Stewart Morrison (59 not out) and Tim Thirkell (45 not out) simply strolled us home, and I'll modestly note my own 45 kept things ticking along nicely. We reached the target in 22.2 overs for the loss of no further wickets.

With Thirkell now top of the 2nd XI run charts on 484 and Tymms second among the wicket-takers on 15, the season has a pleasing symmetry to it. All told: a comfortable 8-wicket win, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 26 Jul 1997 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformDWLLD

Off we went to Hollingbourne on Saturday, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat first — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or daft depending entirely on what follows, and I'm delighted to report it fell firmly into the former camp. Paul Gibson led the charge with a superb 90, well supported by Dave Charlton's fine 63 and Keith Hatcher's tidy 36, hauling us to a really rather handsome 251/7 from our 46 overs. Nigel Thirkell and Piers McDonald both contributed ducks, in the fine and time-honoured tradition of giving the rest of the order something to laugh about over tea.

Two hundred and fifty-one looked a stiff ask, and so it proved, though Mike Donald did his level best to spoil the party with an excellent 95, ably backed by Dave Kay's 34 and Andy Griffiths' unbeaten 20. Hollingbourne battled to 218/8 from their 44, but it wasn't quite enough. Matt Large was superb with the ball, picking up 3-35, Ian Brattle chipped in with 2-57 (and two miserly maidens to boot), Michael Beeney claimed one, and I even managed to rediscover some rhythm of my own with 3 wickets — file that one under "captain's privilege."

A word too for Paul Gibson, who brought up 10,000 career runs for the club — a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly toasted afterwards. Add it all up — a 33-run win, two points banked, and Gibson's milestone alongside — and this was as satisfying a Saturday as club cricket serves up.

Fri 25 Jul 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv HC Heffle Cuckoos CC · HomeformLLDDL

Off with them, Skipper's Log — Friday 25 July.

We lost the toss to Heffle Cuckoos, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like a season-long conspiracy, and duly found ourselves leather in hand under a sky that promised nothing but hard work. And hard work it was. Russell Domingo made merry with a fine 73, Tim Gold chipped in 49 and Martin Blake 48, the pair of them putting on a chastening 95 for the third wicket after the openers had already given them 78 to build on. Jon Harris toiled manfully for 3-60, with Trevor Back lending a hand at 1-45, but 240/4 from 40.3 overs was a mountain, not a molehill, and we knew it.

The reply never quite got going. Eight for one had the early alarm bells ringing, and though Brian Piper battled to 43 and Phil Randall supported nicely with 32, we were all out for 140 in 34.1 overs. As for my own contribution — nought, and the least said the better; we shall draw the veil as promised and let the nets take the blame. I found some consolation with the ball, taking 3 wickets, and there was real cause for cheer amid the gloom: Brian Piper brought up 9,000 career runs for the club, a landmark achieved on an otherwise chastening afternoon, and he continues to lead our 1997 Midweek run charts with 86, with Jon Harris top of the wicket pile on 8.

A hundred-run defeat, then — no dressing it up. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Wed 23 Jul 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv HC Heffle Cuckoos CC · HomeformLLLDD

Wednesday 23 July 1997, and we welcomed Dummy Site to Linton Park under skies that, for once, matched our mood before a ball was bowled: bright with the promise of hidden clouds. Losing the toss, we were put into the field — never our preferred order of business, but there we were.

Their innings rolled on rather more comfortably than we'd have liked, closing at 240/4 from 40.3 overs. R- Domingo's 73 was the stuff of nightmares for our bowling figures, well supported by T- Gold's 49 and M- Blake's 48. Credit where due: Jon Harris toiled manfully for 3-52, with Trevor Back chipping in at 1-39. Your correspondent, meanwhile, was rather more successful with ball in hand than bat — three wickets for the skipper, thank you very much.

Chasing 241 was always going to ask serious questions of the top order, and at 8-1 those questions came early and unkindly. Brian Piper's 43 and Phil Randall's 32 were valiant rearguards against the inevitable, but we subsided to 140 all out in 34.1 overs. As for my own contribution with the willow — a duck, and the less said the better.

Beaten by 100 runs, then, and no dressing that up. Phil Randall sits third in this season's run charts, Jon Harris leads the wickets — small consolations on a chastening afternoon. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 20 Jul 1997 🧢 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformWDWLL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 20 July 1997. We travelled to Tenterden CC, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock, a decision that for once made me look faintly clever rather than merely stubborn.

The lads batted with real conviction, racking up 257/3 from our 43 overs. David Castle was in imperious touch, farming the bowling all the way to 121 not out, with Clive Newman (57 not out) and Piers McDonald (a tidy fifty) offering fine support around him — their 85-run stand for the third wicket the innings' backbone. Only Matt Large's golden duck spoiled an otherwise handsome scorecard.

Defending 257 should have been the comfortable part of the day, but Tenterden had other ideas, replying with a stubborn 249/4 from 53 overs built around Will Pillinger's unbeaten century and useful contributions from Nick Upton and Nick Daynes. Darren Styles toiled admirably for his 1-25 with two tight maidens, ably backed by Jon Harris and Richard Piper, and we did at least prise out Nick Rundell for nought. Poor David Castle had a torrid time behind the stumps, 15 byes escaping his gloves, while your skipper contributed precisely nothing with the bat — a golden blob that rather undercuts any claims to leading from the front.

There was cheer amid the chaos: Clive Newman's runs eased him past Jon Harris into 19th on the club's all-time list, and David Castle continues to lead our 1997 run-charts handsomely. In the end honours were shared — a draw that felt, on balance, entirely fair.

Sat 19 Jul 1997 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformLLWLL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 19 July 1997. We travelled to Dummy Site, lost the toss and, rather predictably, watched our opponents choose to bat.

Forty-six overs of honest toil in the field yielded 195/8, with D. Bell's well-made fifty (51) the backbone of their innings, ably supported by A. Grove (47) and G. Bone (40). At least Brooks and N. Lee-Amies had the decency to depart for ducks 🦆 at our hands. Trevor Back was pick of the attack with 3-43, Dave Todd (3-56) and Chris Tymms (2-37) chipping in handsomely, while Darren Styles kept things miserly with two maidens — not a run given away lightly.

Chasing 196, we made a fair fist of it, reaching 167/7 from our 44 overs. Tim Thirkell's fifty (51) was the innings that mattered, well supported by Chris Tymms (44) and Mike Elworthy (20), though poor Stuart Cheesman's duck 🦆 will need some consoling over a pint. I'm rather pleased to say I led from the front with 51 of my own — first among equals, if I do say so myself.

Season-wise, Tim Thirkell continues to top the 2nd XI run charts with 439, and Dave Todd leads the wickets with 16 — the club's two workhorses showing no sign of tiring.

In the end, beaten by 28 runs — a touch short, but no disgrace. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 19 Jul 1997 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformWWDWL

Saturday 19 July 1997 — Shipbourne CC in town, and I lost the toss for my trouble, condemned to a life in the field before a ball was bowled. Not that the lads seemed to mind; there was plenty of purpose about us as Shipbourne set to work, Mike Cooper the chief tormentor with a well-crafted 56, and Paul Stovell (33) and Chris Winning (31) lending sturdy support in a fourth-wicket stand worth 91 that really got away from us. To our credit we kept plugging away — Matt Large the pick of the attack with 3-31 and four maidens of real discipline, David Lines chipping in with 3-53 and Daniel Thirkell 1-21 — but 219/8 from their 46 overs left us a proper mountain to climb.

Climb it we very nearly did. David Castle played the innings of a captain's dreams, 78 of the best, and found fine company in Nigel Thirkell (36) and Paul Gibson (23), the two of them putting on 75 for the second wicket to give us real hope. I even found some rhythm myself, three wickets to the good, though I shan't pretend that's why we came close. In the end 201/9 from our 44 wasn't quite enough, and we fell 18 runs short.

A word before the verdict: Nigel Thirkell brought up 32,000 career runs for the club — a staggering number that rather puts my own contributions in perspective. Castle, meanwhile, continues to lead our 1997 run charts with 720, and Large sits third in the wickets with 21. As for the match itself — a battling effort, a whisker away, but ultimately beaten fair and square. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 16 Jul 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv IC Ingham CC · HomeformDLLLD

16th July, 1997 — a Wednesday, which is to say a proper midweek fixture, and Ingham CC came to Linton Park in no mood to be trifled with. I lost the toss, was invited to field, and spent the afternoon watching a rather good batting side do rather well.

They rattled up 243 for 5 from their 47.4 overs, built around T Youngs' fine 72 and handsomely topped up by S Jessup (48) and R Wagner (38) — the sort of middle-order partnership that turns a respectable score into a demanding one. Credit where due: John Woodhams bowled beautifully for his 2 for 24, Richard Ellis and Jon Harris chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Trevor Back, bless him, bowled two maidens while the rest of us leaked runs like a colander.

Chasing 244, we made a fair fist of it. Peter Whyte batted with real class for 77, and got sound support from Darren Styles (31) and Piers McDonald (26), dragging us to 213 for 9 from our 51 overs before the overs ran out on us. Poor John Woodhams, having bowled like a dream, then bagged a duck with the bat — cricket's little joke, and one he wore with good grace.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride intact, and Peter Whyte's name duly inked atop our run charts for the season. Not a win, but not a defeat either, and on a day when Ingham held most of the good cards, I'll happily settle for that.

Tue 15 Jul 1997 🧢 1st XIv S Snodland · HomeformLWWDW

Tuesday 15 July 1997, and Dummy Site rolled up as our visitors for what promised to be a proper contest. The coin did its duty and landed my way, and with the sun out and the tea urn warming, I had no hesitation in putting us in.

We made a fair fist of it, 109 for 6 off our sixteen overs, with Daniel Thirkell playing the innings of the day for 36 and David Castle unbeaten on 27 to shore things up nicely. Not every man in the order can hold his head quite so high, mind you — poor Piers McDonald walked back for a golden duck, and I dare say the tea-hut wags haven't let him forget it.

With the ball in hand we fancied our chances, and for a while we had them rattled. Michael Beeney was magnificent, 3 for 24, backed up handsomely by Darren Styles (2 for 10) and Fred Cheesman (2 for 33), while M. Goodger departed for nought without so much as a nibble. But T. Fermor (29) and K. Shrimpton (24) had other ideas, dragging Dummy Site to 99 for 7 and, agonisingly, past our total. I chipped in with 27 myself, for what little comfort that provided.

David Castle continues to lead our run charts for the season with 642, and Michael Beeney tops the wicket pile with 27 — small consolations on a day we fell 10 runs short. A tight, honourable defeat, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 12 Jul 1997 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformLLLWL

Saturday 12 July found us on the road to Horton Kirby, and losing the toss meant we were sent in to field first – never the news you want on a warm Saturday with the tea urn already on. Still, the lads set about it with real purpose: Darren Styles was superb, 4-34 with three tidy maidens thrown in for good measure, ably backed by Jon Harris (3-48) and Alan Boyns (2-7). Between them they had Horton Kirby all out for 114 in 43.1 overs, Ryan Taylor's 37 the only real resistance. A fine shift with the ball, and I'd have taken 114 to chase before a ball was bowled.

Sadly, chasing proved rather the operative word, and not in a good way. Tim Thirkell battled to 30 and I chipped in with the same, but wickets tumbled around us and we were bowled out for 104 in 43.4 overs – ten runs short of the mark. The Duck Club ledger, that most unforgiving of institutions, gained two new members as David Hayman and Roly Edwards both made the long walk back for nought, quacks ringing in their ears.

Small mercies: Thirkell continues to lead the 2nd XI run charts with 388 for the season, and Styles now sits atop the wicket pile with 13. But mercies were all we had today. Ten runs is nothing and everything in this game, and we let it slip through our fingers. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets.

Sat 12 Jul 1997 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformDLWWD

Twelfth of July, and Horton Kirby made the trip to Linton Park with the sun kind enough to stay for the afternoon. I called it right for once and stuck us in — a decision I like to take credit for, even when the lads do all the actual work.

And work they did. Paul Bowles set about the Horton Kirby attack with real intent for his 78, David Castle chipped in a tidy 40, and Clive Newman saw us home unbeaten on 40 — the sort of top-order performance that makes captaincy look easy. That opening stand of 117 before the first wicket fell rather set the tone; we finished on a handsome 220 for 7 from our 46 overs, and I confess I allowed myself a small smile at tea.

Defending it, we were made to work harder than the scoreboard perhaps suggests. Geoff Rameaux dug in for an unbeaten 50, with Alastair Scott and P Smith offering support, and a 5th-wicket stand of 62 threatened briefly to give us palpitations. But Ian Brattle was in no mood to be denied, snaring 3 for 26, Michael Beeney chipped away with 2 for 37, David Lines picked up one, and Matt Large kept things admirably tight with three maidens. Chris Williams and Warren Bull departed without troubling the scorers at all.

A 71-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards we go.

Wed 09 Jul 1997 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformDDLLL

Here's the report:

Wednesday 09 July 1997 saw Gravesend CC roll into Linton Park, and true to form the coin let me down again — I called wrong, and they had no hesitation sticking us in the field first. Not that the lads minded overly; there's a certain honest pleasure in bowling on a fine summer's afternoon, even when the visitors' middle order has other ideas. Farouk Qureshi and T Rowell put on 162 for the third wicket, 93 and 75 respectively, and for a good while it looked like we might be chasing something rather steep. Credit where it's due, though — Ian Brattle kept plugging away for 3-46, Stuart Cheesman was miserly as ever with 2-8 and two maidens, and Jon Harris chipped in with 1-45. Gravesend closed on 212/6 from their 47, a total that asked serious questions.

We lost an early wicket with just 2 on the board, which is never the ideal way to settle the nerves, but Stuart Cheesman — clearly saving his best for both disciplines — top-scored with a splendid 58, well backed by D Warren's 46 and Nigel Thirkell's 39. The sixth-wicket pair's 79 dragged us back into calm waters, though nine byes down the leg side gave the wicketkeeper a thoroughly uncomfortable afternoon. We finished on 208/7 from 40 overs — agonisingly short, honours even.

A word for Mike Elworthy, who quietly brought up 4,000 career runs for the club — the sort of milestone that deserves more fuss than a scorebook footnote. A draw, then, and a fair one: nobody quite deserved to lose, and nobody quite managed to win.

Sun 06 Jul 1997 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWDLWW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 06 July 1997

Won the toss, elected to bat, and for once the decision looked good the moment I made it. David Castle played the innings of the summer — 108, a proper hundred, the kind that has you leaning on the boundary rope grinning like a fool — while Clive Newman ground out a very tidy 50 alongside him, and Stuart Cheesman chipped in with 20. The openers set the tone with 132 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the scorers, and by the time we declared our innings closed at 222/3 off 41.1 overs, I confess I was already composing the celebratory tea-hut speech.

Defending it proved rather less straightforward. M Gaskin gave us a torrid time with a well-made 62, backed up by F Smith's unbeaten 38 and T Forte's 29, and their own openers matched ours for application with 60 before the breakthrough came. To our credit, the bowling attack refused to be cowed — Nigel Thirkell was superb with 3-9, Paul Gibson and Richard Ellis chipped in with two apiece, and Darren Styles bowled three tight maidens that the batsmen simply couldn't get away. Paul had a trickier time with the gloves, shipping nine byes, but nobody's perfect on a Sunday. They finished on 208/9 — agonisingly short, honours even.

A word of cheer amid the toil: Clive's fifty nudged him past Mike Caddick into 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is the sort of thing that makes the long drive home feel worthwhile. David, meanwhile, continues to lead our 1997 run charts with 575, and Nigel sits fourth in the wickets column with 15.

A draw, then — honours shared, pride intact, and not a bad afternoon's work.

Sat 05 Jul 1997 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformWLLLW

Saturday 5th July, away at Dummy Site, and the coin let us down again — they had first use of the bat, and frankly I'm starting to wonder if I should just start calling tails every time out of spite.

Not that it mattered much, mind. Whatever the toss gods take away, they occasionally give back, and today they gave us David Lines, who simply ran riot with the ball — 5 for 22 as their innings folded for 111 in 42.4 overs. J. Ward's 30 and D. Roots' 20 were the only real resistance; everyone else fell about the pitch like nine-pins in front of a well-oiled Darren Styles (2-30) and a positively miserly Chris Tymms, five maidens and just 1-39 to show for a spell of proper, patient nagging. T. Cardon and M. Apps departed without so much as a run to their name — ducks both, and no doubt a quiet word for each other in the changing room afterwards.

Chasing 112, we made harder work of it than the target deserved, crawling home at 112/4 from 36.5 overs. Stewart Morrison anchored things nicely with an unbeaten 39, well supported by Trevor Back's 32, while Daniel Thirkell contributed rather more style than runs — a golden duck to file alongside the openers' pair from earlier in the day.

Beaten by six wickets in the end, and no arguing with that scoreline. Tim Thirkell continues to lead our run charts for the summer with 358, and Darren Styles now sits second among the wicket-takers with nine — small consolations on a day that got away from us. We'll regroup, dust off the whites, and be better for it next week.

Sat 05 Jul 1997 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformLWDLW

Skipper's log — Saturday, 5th July. Staplehurst rolled up looking dangerous, I won the toss, and didn't think twice: on a good day, you bat.

And bat we did, ambling to 179/5 off our 46. Lost the opener cheap enough at 4-1 to remind us this wasn't going to be a stroll, but Clive Newman settled things beautifully with a well-crafted 61, and he and Nigel Thirkell (35) put on a priceless 89 for the second wicket while I chewed my nails in the pavilion. Dave Charlton finished unbeaten on 24 — and in doing so brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, which called for rather more tea than usual. A generous 30 extras from our visitors didn't hurt either.

Staplehurst replied in kind, racing to 73 before we so much as glimpsed a breakthrough, N Johnson (75) and J Wilson (41) looking horribly at home. But cricket, thankfully, is a game of collapses, and theirs was a thing of beauty — 155/4 crumbling to 160/7 as the ducks piled up for John Robins, A Bourne and S Berry. Nigel Thirkell, not content with his runs, turned his arm over to devastating effect, 5-46 of pure witchcraft, with Ian Brattle (3-47) and Matt Large (2-29) mopping up, and Michael Beeney refusing to leak a single boundary through four maidens. All out 165 off 43.3.

A fine win by 14 runs, then — batted with sense, bowled with menace, and Dave's 3,000 runs the cherry on top. Onwards.

Sat 21 Jun 1997 🧢 1st XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · AwayformWLWDL

Saturday 21 June 1997 saw us make the journey to Cobham CC, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they won the toss and chose to bat, leaving us to see what damage could be done with the new ball. Damage there duly was. Cobham crawled to 129 all out from 46 overs, A Lane's 26 the top score, with Jim Jackson (23) and Colin Knight (22) chipping in before the innings rather came apart at the seams, tumbling from 117-6 to 129-9 in short order. Poor T Mitchell departed for a golden duck, his afternoon over before it began. The architect of the collapse was Michael Beeney, spinning his way to a magnificent 5-33, with Matt Large (2-19) and Ian Brattle (2-34) mopping up the rest, while Nigel Thirkell simply refused to be scored off, sending down six maidens.

With 130 to win, we made harder work of it than the bowling perhaps deserved, but got there in the end on 135-5 from 36.1 overs. Keith Hatcher was the mainstay with a fine 46, supported nobly by Nigel Thirkell's 35, the pair adding 54 for the fourth wicket to see us home. Thirkell continues to lead the 1st XI run charts with 506 for the season, and Beeney the wickets with 22 — small wonder, on this evidence.

Five wickets the margin, and a thoroughly satisfying day out for Linton Park. Cobham won the toss; we won the match — I'll take that trade every time.

Sat 21 Jun 1997 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWLLL

Saturday 21 June saw West Farleigh CC come to Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss I didn't so much ponder the decision as fall gratefully into it — batting first, no hesitation, no false modesty required.

The lads did us proud with 174/5 from our 46 overs. Paul Bowles was the picture of serenity at 81 not out, a proper well-made fifty and then some, with Dave Todd chipping in a tidy 27 alongside him. Not every entry in the ledger was so flattering, mind — Richard Ellis endured the walk of shame for a duck, and I shan't let him forget it before next season's dinner.

Defending 174 against West Farleigh was never going to be a formality, and so it proved as they battled to 157/7 from their 44. Simon Phillips led their reply with 34, well supported by Paul Edwards' unbeaten 32 and Paul Baines' 27, but our bowlers kept squeezing. David Lines was the pick of them with 2-26, Dave Todd backed up his batting with 2-56, and Darren Styles bowled with the miserliness of a true club stalwart — 1-22 studded with four maidens, barely a run given away lightly. Matt Smith departed for a duck of his own, which at least evened the ledger somewhat.

A fine win by 17 runs, then, and one to savour. Tim Thirkell continues to top the 2nd XI run charts and Dave Todd the wickets — the engine room of our season rumbles on. Onwards.

Tue 17 Jun 1997 🧢 1st XIv MT Maidstone Teachers · HomeformLWLWD

Skipper's Log — Tuesday 17th June 1997, and we had Dummy Site round for a spot of village hospitality.

Won the toss, and there was never a flicker of doubt in my mind — we were batting. 124/7 from our sixteen overs was a tidy return, built on Troy McConnell's fine 47 and a second-wicket stand of 59 that gave the innings its spine. David Castle chipped in an unbeaten 22 and Matt Large 21 to see us to a total we felt we could defend. Less gloriously, the Duck Club welcomed two new members — Adrian Caddick and Michael Beeney both making that lonely walk back for nought. Chin up, lads.

With the ball, alas, we simply couldn't find a way through. R McCormick made merry with an unbeaten 54 and Richard Gardner an equally composed 42 not out, the pair seeing their side home in just 15.1 overs. Darren Styles toiled honestly for his 1-18, and I did my modest bit with the bat, well, ball, contributing 21 — though on this evidence a captain's runs count for little when the openers won't budge.

There was a shaft of real sunshine amid the gloom: David Castle brought up 14,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth far more than any single afternoon's result, and one that keeps him second in this year's run charts with 454, with Styles fourth among the wicket-takers on 12.

Nine wickets is a hiding by anyone's arithmetic. We'll dust ourselves off, have a pint, and come back better next week.

Sun 15 Jun 1997 🧢 1st XIv BC Bexhill CC · HomeformDLWLW

Sunday 15 June 1997, and Bexhill CC rolled up as our visitors under a sky that, for once, looked like it might behave itself. I won the toss and, with the pitch looking obliging, had no hesitation in putting us in — a decision I was rather pleased with by teatime.

We posted 195/9 from our 42 overs, built chiefly around a fine, unbeaten 66 from Stuart Cheesman, who timed his innings to perfection. Phil Randall chipped in a solid 34 and Piers McDonald 26, with a 79-run stand for the seventh wicket the real spine of the innings — proof, if any were needed, that the tail can wag when it must. Extras weighed in with a generous 28, for which we are always quietly grateful. Poor Richard Ellis, meanwhile, made the long walk back for a duck, and the Duck Club ledger duly noted his contribution.

Defending 195, our attack held firm without ever quite finishing the job. Bexhill closed on 195/6 from 44 overs, Peter King (45), Matthew Blackman (42) and Ian Cox (35) doing the damage. Piers McDonald led from the front with 2-48, backed up nicely by Stuart Cheesman and Michael Beeney with a wicket apiece, while Matt Large bowled two tidy maidens to keep things honest.

The real story of the day was Stuart's, who brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark thoroughly earned. A hard-fought draw, then, and honours shared: nobody quite deserved to lose this one.

Sat 14 Jun 1997 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformDLWLL

Saturday 14 June 1997, and I won the toss against Dummy Site at home and didn't think twice about batting first — a decision the lads rewarded handsomely. We rattled along to 238/2 from our 46 overs, with Tim Thirkell the star of the show, cracking a lovely 95 that fell agonisingly short of the century he thoroughly deserved. Clive Newman gave him fine company with 92 not out, and Ron McCormick chipped in an unbeaten 22 to round things off nicely. Even the extras got in on the act, contributing a generous 28.

With the ball, we couldn't quite close it out. Dummy Site fought back to 185/7 from their 44, built around a fine 75 from a- Christensen and 42 from B- Newman, while poor J- Taylor departed for a golden duck at our hands. Alan Boyns was the pick of the attack with a superb 3-23, and David Lines bowled beautifully — a wicket, six maidens, and barely a run to be had off him — with Jon Harris also among the wickets.

A personal 95 was some consolation from the skipper's chair, and it's pleasing to see Tim Thirkell now leading the 2nd XI run charts for the season with 341, Dave Todd topping the wickets column with 11.

In the end, though, it wasn't our day — beaten by 53 runs. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 14 Jun 1997 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWDLWL

Saturday 14 June 1997, away at Sheldwich, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and had no hesitation in sticking us in. Whether that was tactical genius or simply fancying a sit-down in the pavilion, history will have to decide, but 152 all out from 45.3 overs was a fair reward for the punt. David Castle played the innings of the day, 69 well-crafted runs anchoring a 67-run second-wicket stand that gave the total some backbone. Less gloriously, Ian Brattle took the long walk back for a duck — the Club ledger duly updated, quacks and all.

Out in the field, though, we were relentless. Sheldwich never recovered from an early wobble at 7 for 1, and Daniel Ray and Simon Green both departed for ducks at our hands to compound the misery. Martin Mills fought hard for his 44, but it was a lone effort against a bowling attack in irresistible form — Michael Beeney the pick with 3 for 36, well backed by Ian Brattle's 2 for 13 and Matt Large's miserly 2 for 19, the latter grinding out four maidens as if runs were rationed.

All out for 113 in 38.2 overs, and we'd done it — a 39-run victory built on Castle's runs and a bowling unit that gave nothing away. Castle now sits second in the season's run charts, Brattle top of the wicket pile, and the club well pleased with a job done properly. A fine win, and rightly so. Onwards to Sheldwich's next lot of misfortune, whoever that may be.

Sun 08 Jun 1997 🧢 1st XIv R roserate · HomeformLWDLW

Sunday the eighth of June found us at home to Dummy Site, and, having lost the toss, we found ourselves put in to field first — never my favourite start to a Sunday, but ours not to reason why.

They battled to 153 all out in 42.1 overs, Usman's 34 the backbone of the innings, well supported by Adnan's 27 and Amanjit's unbeaten 24. We had them wobbling at 8 for 1 early on, and Paul, Parm and Zeeshan each claimed a wicket for a duck, which always raises a cheer from the boundary. Darren Styles was the pick of the attack with a fine 4 for 31, Michael Beeney chipped in with 2 for 17 and three tidy maidens, and Jon Harris took 2 for 40 for good measure.

In reply we made a fair fist of it, reaching 157 for 4 from our 37 overs. Piers McDonald sailed past fifty to finish with 56, and Mike Elworthy's 39 gave him fine support, the pair adding a crucial 87 for the second wicket. Extras chipped in a generous 29, and I did my modest bit with 16 — more graft than grace, as usual.

For all that effort with bat and ball, we were undone by 6 wickets in the end — proof, if any were needed, that cricket has a way of humbling even our better days. David Castle continues to build a fine season, sitting second in the 1st XI run charts on 358, while Ian Brattle leads the wicket-takers with 15. As for the rest of us — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 07 Jun 1997 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformWDLWL

We won the toss at home to Dummy Site, and with a wicket that looked fit for runs I had no hesitation putting us in to bat — the right call, I'll say that much for myself before the rest of this report humbles me. Piers McDonald played the innings of the day, 54 well-crafted runs, with Tim Thirkell (40) and Trevor Back (30) building sturdily around him. We closed on a handsome-looking 199/9 from our 46 overs. Special mention, as ever, to Roly Edwards, who continued his personal tradition of finding new and inventive ways to be out for nought — the walk of shame duly logged in the Duck Club ledger. 🦆

With the ball, it started promisingly enough. Chris Tymms was in miserly, probing form — 4-14 with three maidens, the kind of spell that makes batsmen reconsider their life choices — well supported by Dave Todd (2-18) and Darren Styles (1-24), and D- Light joined the ducks' parade for us. But G- Appleby had other ideas, compiling a fine 57 that dragged the game away from us, and their total of 105/7 from 44 overs proved, in the end, more than enough. I chipped in with 40 myself, for what little consolation that offers.

Beaten by 94 runs, then — a scoreline that flatters neither the effort nor the sunshine. Tim Thirkell continues to lead the 2nd XI run charts and Dave Todd the wickets, so the season's silver linings remain intact even where Saturday's did not. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 07 Jun 1997 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformLLWDL

Skipper's Log — Saturday 07 June 1997, away to Rumwood CC. Won the toss, and with the sort of confidence that generally precedes a soggy collapse, I stuck us in. For once it paid off. We slipped to 6-1 and I permitted myself a small wince, but Nigel Thirkell had other ideas, playing beautifully for 83, while Keith Hatcher farmed the tail with an unbeaten 61 and David Castle chipped in a tidy 24. The fourth wicket added a match-defining 107, and we closed on a handsome 203/5 from our 46 overs — proof, if any were needed, that early stumbles needn't set the day.

Defending 203 against Rumwood, I fancied our chances, though not perhaps quite this much. Ian Brattle simply could not be got away, spinning his way to 5-16 with five maidens that strangled any hope of momentum, while I found some rhythm myself for five wickets and Matt Large mopped up with 5-22. Rumwood's top order departed with alarming regularity — Mark Wellbelove, Kevin Mullins and John Pearson all back in the hutch without scoring — and they subsided from 0-1 to 10-4 before being bowled out for a paltry 43 in 22.3 overs.

A rout, then — 160 runs the margin — but the day belonged as much to the ledger as the scoreboard: Keith Hatcher reaching 5,000 career runs for the club is the sort of milestone that deserves a pint and a proper round of applause. Nigel keeps top spot in the run charts, Ian in the wickets. A very good day for Linton Park.

Tue 03 Jun 1997 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLLLWD

Not our finest afternoon at The Mote, and I'll say it plainly before anyone else does: we were beaten by 89 runs, and the skipper contributed rather less to the cause than he'd have liked.

Losing the toss on a Tuesday evening in June set the tone — asked to field first, we watched The Mote crack on to a brisk 181/6 from their sixteen overs. Jared Barr, unbeaten on 59, and Stephen Fuggle, with a tidy fifty of his own on 56, did most of the damage, with Glen Aukett's 25 filling in the gaps. Credit where it's due, though: Rob Doick fought hard for his 2-56, and Jon Harris and Darren Styles chipped in usefully with a wicket apiece.

Chasing 182 was always going to want a fair wind, and we never really found one. Dave Charlton battled manfully for his 35, but wickets tumbled around him — including the first, gone for a solitary run — and we subsided to 92/7. Special mention must go to David Castle, who walked for a duck and duly joins the club's ledger of shame, and to your captain, who produced what can only be described as a golden blob — leadership by example, just not the example one hopes for. Elsewhere in the season, Michael Beeney continues to lead the wicket-takers' table with 11 to his name, a rare bright spot to cling to.

All told, a chastening 89-run defeat. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets — there's work to be done.

Sun 01 Jun 1997 🧢 1st XIv BC Broadstairs CC · HomeformWLLLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 01 June 1997. Broadstairs CC at home.

No luck with the coin — they called correctly and stuck us in the field, which on a Sunday morning always feels like the toss gods having a laugh at our expense. Broadstairs settled in nicely and posted 214/9 from their 49 overs, built chiefly around a fine 76 from Terence Bond, with Neil Brennan (42) and Ben Futter (30) chipping in either side of a third-wicket stand worth 93 that rather took the game away from us for a spell. To our credit we kept plugging away: David Lines was the pick with 2-38, Michael Beeney and Jon Harris both took 2 apiece, and Darren Styles bowled five miserly maidens that at least kept the scoreboard honest.

Chasing 215, we never quite got the legs under us, closing on 162/5 from our 49. Stuart Cheesman anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 53, well supported by David Castle (36) and Steve Cheesman (29), while I contributed a workmanlike 36 of my own. Andrew Marshall and Piers McDonald both departed without troubling the scorers, and ten byes off Steve Cheesman's glovework suggested a trickier afternoon behind the stumps than anyone would have liked.

So honours shared, and on reflection a draw felt about right — neither side could quite land the killer blow. David Castle continues to purr along nicely in the season's run charts, and Michael Beeney leads the wicket-takers; the rest of us will just have to catch up.

Sat 31 May 1997 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · AwayformLWDLW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 31 May 1997, away at Dummy Site.

We lost the toss, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like a settled fixture of the universe, and were put in the field. Not the worst outcome for a side that treats its top order as an endangered species. They rattled along to 159/9 from their 46 overs, G. Chick compiling a tidy half-century and A. Douglas chipping in with 39, but our bowlers kept honest company throughout — Trevor Back the pick of them with 3-12, Chris Tymms weighing in at 3-37, Darren Styles taking one, and Alan Boyns's two maidens the sort of parsimony that would make a Yorkshireman weep with pride.

Chasing 160, we set about it with more purpose than usual. Tim Thirkell led from the front with 44, Mike Elworthy supported handsomely with 38, and Chris Tymms saw us home in spirit if not in fact with an unbeaten 23. I managed 44 myself, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for the rest of the season. Sadly M. Ivory and I. Rawson departed without troubling the scorers, and we finished 165/6 from 38.3 overs — beaten by four wickets.

Plenty to raise a glass to regardless: Tim's 10,000th career run for the club, Chris's 100th career wicket, and Mike's 38 nudging him past Peter Whyte into 22nd on the all-time run list. Not our day on the scoreboard, but a day worth remembering all the same. Back to the nets, heads up.

Sat 31 May 1997 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · HomeformLWLLL

From the captain's chair, then — a rare treat to report a Saturday that went entirely to plan. Milstead CC were the visitors on the last day of May, the coin obliged, and I had no hesitation putting us in under a sky that, for once, behaved itself.

We rattled to 223/7 from our 46, though "rattled" rather papers over losing a wicket before the board had troubled the scorers. Credit to whoever followed for steadying things with an 80-run stand for the second wicket, and almighty credit to Nigel Thirkell, who simply refused to get out, compiling a magnificent 123. David Castle's 35 and Clive Newman's 30 gave the innings proper backbone. Poor Paul Bowles will have to make do with the pavilion sympathy for his golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, usually at the worst of times.

In the field, Milstead never quite let go of the game, closing on 194/7 from their 44 — Chris Annand unbeaten on 80 and Mike Sellar's fifty-plus keeping them interested, their fourth-wicket pair adding a stubborn 82. But Michael Beeney (2-36) chipped away, Ian Brattle (2-56) did his bit, and Matt Large bowled with the patience of a saint, three maidens and 1-23, while Richard Annand fell for a duck at our hands.

A 29-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket. Thirkell now leads our run charts, Beeney the wickets — long may both continue. Onwards.

Sun 25 May 1997 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Milstead CC · AwayformWWWLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 25 May 1997. We travelled to Milstead CC, lost the toss, and were asked to chase — which, given how the afternoon unfolded, feels like the toss coin had already read the script and was chuckling to itself.

Put into the field, the lads did us proud with the ball. Milstead posted a stern 177/9 from their forty overs, N Fisher (35) and Stuart Burnop (34) doing the early graft, Chris Annand chipping in 20. But Michael Beeney was in inspired form, tearing through with 3-21, backed up nicely by Ian Brattle (2-23) and Daniel Thirkell (2-42), while Nigel Thirkell refused to give an inch, three maidens and not a run gifted.

Chasing 178 should have been within our compass, and Paul Gibson certainly thought so, compiling a fine 51 with David Castle keeping him honest on 25. But cricket, as ever, delights in cruelty — we lost the first wicket for just 1, and having steadied to 104-5, promptly imploded to 116-8 as if the wickets had been greased. Poor Stewart Morrison walked, looked, and departed without troubling the scorers — a golden duck to remember, if not to celebrate.

All out for 127, we fell fifty runs short. Gibson's form continues to shine, now topping the 1997 Sunday run charts on 145, and Brattle sits second among the wicket-takers with 3 — small mercies on a chastening day. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets: character, like a good cover drive, is best built under pressure.

Sat 24 May 1997 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWLWLL

We were beaten by 8 runs at Bearsted, having lost the toss and been sent in to field — the usual damp start to proceedings, and the usual case of Sod's Law when you'd rather have had a bat.

Bearsted made hay early, racing to 96 without loss before we finally prised out an opener, and finished on a healthy 198/6 from their 46 overs, with Stephen Heap (55) the chief architect, well supported by Stephen Pearce (43) and Richard Luxton (34). Stuart Cheesman was the pick of our attack with 2-39, and Nigel Thirkell bowled with real discipline — three maidens and 1-35 — while Jon Harris chipped in with 1-44. A competitive total, but not, we felt, an insurmountable one.

Our reply had all the hallmarks of a classic Linton Park innings: an early wicket down cheaply at 6-1 threatening to unravel the whole afternoon, before Nigel Thirkell (56) and David Castle (52) steadied the ship with a fine 97-run stand for the second wicket. Paul Gibson weighed in with 25 and I managed a watchful 20, but three ducks on the card — for Stewart Morrison, Mike Elworthy and Jon Harris — told their own story, and we subsided to 190 all out from 44 overs.

Eight runs short in the end, close enough to torment us on the drive home. Thirkell continues to lead the season's run charts with 265, and Cheesman the wickets with 7 — proof there's real quality in this side, even when the scoreboard doesn't quite agree. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 24 May 1997 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWLWDL

Bearsted CC came to Linton Park on a Saturday made for cricket, and I confess I didn't much fancy our chances when we slipped to 3-1 with the ball hardly warm. But this is why you never leave the pavilion early. Dave Todd steamed in like a man with a grudge, finishing with 4-29, and found willing accomplices in Alan Boyns (2-12) and Chris Tymms (1-16), while Darren Styles refused to let anyone settle, tucking away two maidens for good measure. Adrian Dawson departed without troubling the scorers, and Bearsted subsided from a wobbly 92-7 to 94 all out in the 35th over. A fine collective effort, and not a run given away lightly.

Chasing 94 is the sort of target that ought to be routine and never quite is — ask any club cricketer who's watched a low score turn sticky. No such alarms here, though. Tim Thirkell played the anchor role to perfection, cruising to 53 not out, and I was rather chuffed to chip in with 53 of my own as our third-wicket stand of fifty did the heavy lifting. We eased home at 98-3 with seven wickets in hand and overs to spare.

A word too for Trevor Back, whose unassuming 13 nudged him past Paul Brattle and into 11th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — quietly rewriting history while the rest of us were watching the scoreboard. Add in Thirkell's climb to 2nd in this season's run charts and Todd's 2nd in the wickets, and it all rather sums up the day: a team performance with individual garlands scattered about it. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Tue 20 May 1997 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformLWLWL

Beaten in the field or beaten by the sun — Hollingbourne's ground always has a knack for exposing a batting side, and Tuesday was no exception. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in batting first; on reflection I still think it was the right call, even if the scorebook doesn't entirely back me up. A first-ball wicket at 1-1 gave us all a nasty jolt before we'd got our pads dry, and poor Rob Doick's golden duck won't be troubling the highlights reel any time soon. Thankfully David Castle steadied the ship with a fine 39, and we limped home to 99/6 from our sixteen overs — a total that felt, at the time, like something to bowl at.

It wasn't to be. Hollingbourne's openers put on a breezy 50 for the first wicket and never really let us back into it, chasing down 102/2 with overs to spare. Matthew Jones's 32 did the early damage, and Mike Palmer's unbeaten 26 finished the job with a minimum of fuss. Daniel Thirkell (1-15) and Michael Beeney (1-17) at least gave us something to cheer, prising out the two wickets we did manage — and Beeney continues his fine season, now second in the club's wicket charts.

Five wickets the margin, and no arguments from me. Castle's runs keep the season ledger respectable, but as a batting effort it was thin gruel. We'll regroup, dust off the pads, and be better for it next week.

Sun 18 May 1997 🧢 1st XIv DC Downham & Bellingham CC · HomeformWLWLW

It was Downham & Bellingham away swing that undid us on a bright Sunday, though not before Douglas Eaton had reminded us why the toss matters — losing the coin toss and being put in, they set about compiling a chunky 212/7 from their 46.1 overs, Eaton's 76 the backbone of it, with Nick Goddard's fine fifty (51) and Christopher Goddard's 36 filling out a partnership-heavy innings built on a stubborn 98-run stand for the second wicket. Adrian Caddick did what Adrian Caddick does, snaring John Warman for a duck among his 2-22, while Michael Beeney bowled with real discipline — 2-24 including four maidens — and Stuart Cheesman chipped in with 1-29. Not a total we could ignore, but not one beyond us either.

Our reply had promise written all over it. Stewart Morrison's 38 was the innings of substance, Rob Doick (35) and Alan Boyns (27) lending good support, and a second-wicket stand of 64 briefly had us dreaming. But 26 extras — 16 of them byes — told the tale of a day when Piers McDonald was fighting a losing battle behind the stumps, and when Adrian Caddick, so miserly with ball in hand, returned the raw end of the deal with a golden duck. I did my modest bit with 19, but 189 all out from 36.1 overs left us 23 runs shy at the death.

A defeat, then, but not a disgraceful one — David Castle continues his quiet march up the season's run charts, sitting second on 156, and Caddick leads the wicket-takers with six, so the engine room is purring even if the chassis rattled today. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 17 May 1997 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWLWD

Saturday 17th May 1997, and Dummy Site, our very own patch, played host to what turned into a proper afternoon of two halves. Winning the toss, I had little hesitation in electing to bat — and for once the captain's judgement was vindicated by the scoreboard rather than merely his own ego. Stewart Morrison took the game by the scruff of the neck with a magnificent 135, the sort of innings that has the tea urn boiling with excitement, while Paul Bowles chipped in an unbeaten 52 and Tim Thirkell a tidy 36. I even found time to contribute 36 of my own, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity between now and Christmas. All told, 244/3 from our 45 overs felt like a total to defend rather than merely survive.

Alas, the opposition had other ideas. P- Hughes played the innings of his life, 42 not out, well supported by L- Grist (32) and J- Phipps (24), and they ground their way to 157/7 before the overs ran out — enough, in the end, for an 87-run victory their way. Not for want of trying with the ball: Jon Harris was superb with 3-32, Dave Todd chipped in 2-34 (a landmark performance that sees him leapfrog Frank Taylor into 20th on the club's all-time wicket list — congratulations, Dave), and Alan Boyns bowled with real discipline, 1-21 including two maidens. N- Deacon, sadly, departed for a duck.

A defeat, then, but not a disgrace — plenty to build on, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 17 May 1997 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLWLWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 17 May 1997, and the road took us out to Headcorn.

We lost the toss, were put in to bowl, and for once that seemed to suit us rather nicely. Headcorn were shepherded out for 137 in the 45th over, with Neil Levett top-scoring on 44, but the story of the innings was Nigel Thirkell, who span a web through their middle and lower order for a quite magnificent 5-18, five of his overs going for nothing at all. Ian Brattle chipped in handsomely with 4-20, which left precious little for Headcorn's batsmen to enjoy and even less for their scorebook.

Chasing 138, we made harder work of it than the bowling perhaps deserved, edging to 139/5 from 42 overs. David Castle led the way with a watchful 42, Paul Gibson saw us home unbeaten on 30, and Nigel Thirkell, not content with his heroics in the field, added 29 more with the bat for good measure. Poor Mike Elworthy had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging, but even that couldn't dent the mood.

Five wickets to the good, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Nigel Thirkell continues to top our 1997 run charts with 209, and Ian Brattle now leads the wicket-takers with 6 — on this evidence, long may both continue. A good day for the club, and a very good day for the tea urn.

Tue 13 May 1997 🧢 1st XIv LC Lashings World CC · HomeformLLWLW

Here's the match report:

We lost the toss on Tuesday and, as is tradition here at Linton Park, were duly put out into the field first. Lashings World CC set about their innings with real purpose, and after a wobble at 8-1 that briefly had us thinking this might be our afternoon after all, Harrigan and McNee simply took the game away from us — 97 not out and 56 respectively, with a stand of 136 for the second wicket that did most of the damage. Daniel Thirkell and Ian Brattle both chipped in with a wicket apiece, but 168 from their 16 overs always looked a stiff ask on a ground where boundaries don't come easy.

And so it proved. We battled to 86/7 in reply, with Dave Charlton's 22 the innings' backbone, well supported by Matt Large's unbeaten 22, and your captain adding a further 22 for good measure — proof, if nothing else, that we can all bat to roughly the same modest standard. Poor Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes finding their way through to remind us all that gloves are trickier than they look from the boundary.

A words on the season so far: Piers McDonald continues his quiet rise up the 1st XI run charts, now sitting fifth with 25 to his name.

In the end, beaten by 82 runs and no arguments from this corner. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets — there's work to do before the next one.

Sun 11 May 1997 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Chestfield CC · HomeformLWWWL

As we pitched up on Sunday 11th May against Chestfield CC, the sun was out and, for once, my toss-calling arm knew exactly what to do — heads it was, and bat we would.

What followed was as fine an afternoon's batting as I can remember. Nigel Thirkell simply refused to get out, carving out a magnificent unbeaten 113, while Paul Gibson strode in alongside him and rattled up a classy 94. Between them the pair put on 173 for the third wicket after the top order had rather let the side down with the first wicket down for just 1 run — and David Castle and Mike Elworthy both trudged back for ducks, bless them. Still, 235/4 from our 40 overs was a total to be proud of, and I confess I did enjoy watching it go up on the board.

With ball in hand we were relentless. Chestfield never got going, and 42-1 became 50-4 before they knew what had hit them — quite literally, in Daniel Patching and E Boaler's case, both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. David Fields' 25 and useful knocks from C Tully and D Briley were the only real resistance. I had rather a purple patch myself with 4-12, Stuart Cheesman and Chris Tymms chipped in handsomely, and Michael Beeney bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who begrudges every run. All out for 92 in 36.2 overs.

A 143-run victory, then, and a day when the skipper's luck was well and truly in — bat and ball both behaving for once. Thoroughly good day for the club.

Mon 05 May 1997 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformLLLWL

Skipper's Log — Monday 5th May 1997. Maidstone Dissidents CC came calling, the coin came down against us, and the visitors elected to bat, leaving us to spend the afternoon toiling in the field before we could get our pads on. Not that any of us minded much once things got going — a bowling performance like this doesn't come along every week.

Adrian Caddick was the star of the show, prising out 3-20 with the kind of nagging accuracy that has opposition batsmen muttering into their tea. Chris Tymms (2-8) and Stuart Cheesman (2-27) chipped in handsomely, and Darren Styles bowled with such miserly discipline that four maidens went unrewarded by the scorers but not unnoticed by anyone watching. Richard Filmer walked back for a duck, and the Dissidents were shot out for 139 in 46.1 overs — Piers McDonald's 37, with support from Mike Redman (30) and Mike Bains (23), the only real resistance.

Chasing 140, we made comfortably heavy weather of what should have been straightforward, in the fine tradition of village cricket everywhere — though in truth it never looked in serious doubt. Paul Gibson played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 56, well supported by David Castle's unbeaten 30. Poor Phil Randall's contribution began and ended with a duck, but with Gibson and Castle in such fluent form it mattered not a jot. We reached 145-4 in 39.2 overs, wrapping up victory by six wickets.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine day's work all round.

Sat 03 May 1997 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horsmonden CC · AwayformWWWLW

As it stands, we headed to Horsmonden on the 3rd of May full of quiet optimism, and for once it wasn't misplaced. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation putting us in, and Mike Elworthy proceeded to remind everyone why: a magnificent 104, the kind of innings that has the tea urn gossiping for weeks. Paul Bowles chipped in an unbeaten 40 and Trevor Back a tidy 32 as we sailed to 219/3 from our 41 overs — a total with a bit of menace to it.

Defending it, though, proved harder graft. Dominic Warren played a lovely hand of 54 to keep Horsmonden interested, well supported by D Colborne (24) and Dean Larkin (21), and they pushed us all the way to 147/8. Credit to the lads with the ball — Trevor Back was superb, 2 for just 5, with Darren Styles (2-14, five miserly maidens) and Mike Elworthy (1-3) squeezing the life out of the scoring. A Jones departed for a duck, poor soul. Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, 8 byes going astray, and I stumbled to 15 with the bat, more useful than pretty. The real story, though, was Darren Styles quietly bringing up 100 career wickets — a proper landmark, and about time we bought him a pint for it.

In the end honours were shared, a draw that flattered neither side but satisfied both. On this evidence, we're a side worth watching this season.

Sat 03 May 1997 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformLLLLW

Down by three wickets against Bidborough, a fair way past three figures for Nigel Thirkell but not quite enough to see us home.

Saturday last, 3rd May, and the coin did us the courtesy of landing our way. Naturally I chose to bat first — one of my better decisions this season, if I'm allowed to say so myself. Not that it looked that way at 0-1, when the top order rather set the tone by losing an early wicket before anyone had troubled the scorers. But Nigel Thirkell had other ideas, ploughing on to a magnificent 119, and with Clive Newman chipping in a fine 51, the pair put on 172 for the third wicket to drag us to a very defendable 212/6 from our 43 overs. Elsewhere the card made grim reading — David Castle, Piers McDonald and Adam Pooley all back in the pavilion without scoring — but a generous 27 extras from the visitors' bowlers did no harm at all.

Bidborough set about the chase with M Knoth unbeaten on 55 the chief culprit, well supported by M Tolhurst's 39 and Steve Waller's 25, their own fourth-wicket stand of 73 doing the damage our lower order had done for us. Stuart Cheesman toiled superbly for 2-24, with Matt Large (2-59, three tidy maidens among them) and Michael Beeney (1-37) chipping away too — but 26 byes past poor Adam Pooley behind the stumps proved a costly gift, and they scraped home 213/6 with three wickets and precious little else to spare.

Not our day, then. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets — Thirkell's bat and Large's ball remain our best hope of putting this right.

Sun 27 Apr 1997 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformDLLLL

We won the toss on a fine Sunday and I had no hesitation in electing to bat — one of those decisions that looks a good deal cleverer with 233 runs on the board than it did at the time. David Castle led the way with a well-crafted 66, and once he'd shown the way Nigel Thirkell (61 not out) and Paul Gibson (55 not out) simply carried on the good work, the pair of them seeing us home to 233/3 off our 44.3 overs without so much as a raised eyebrow from the Sheldwich attack.

Defending that sort of total is meant to be the easy part, and so it proved. Sheldwich never really got a foothold, subsiding to 139 all out in 41.2 overs despite a spirited 44 from Jamie Rickard, with Daniel Ray (23) and James Creed (20) offering support that came to nothing in the end. Poor Jon Taylor departed for a golden duck, which I mention only because someone has to. Darren Styles was the pick of our bowlers with a fine 3-13, Matt Large and Michael Beeney chipped in with three and two respectively, and Stuart Cheesman bowled tidily enough to bank two maidens. I rather enjoyed leading from the front myself with 61.

The real story of the day, though, belonged to Peter Whyte, who brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark achieved by rather more patience and loyalty than most of us can claim. A 94-run win, two points banked, and a thoroughly good afternoon's cricket. We'll take it.

Sat 26 Apr 1997 🧢 2nd XIv YC Yalding CC · AwayformLWWWL

Saturday 26th April found us on the road to Yalding, where we lost the toss and were invited to have a bowl first — never our first choice, but there are worse ways to spend an afternoon than watching Jon Harris steam in.

And steam in he did, 3-31 to lead the attack, with Adrian Caddick chipping in for 2-36 and Darren Styles bowling as tight as his aunt's Sunday purse strings, 1-12 and six maidens to show for it. Nigel Niblett gave us the runaround with a well-made 53, and Anthony Shepherd stood firm to 51 not out, with M Myers' 29 filling out the total nicely. Graham Walker and Richard Gardner, however, will not be troubling the scorers this week, both back in the pavilion for ducks courtesy of our attack. Yalding closed on 178/6 from their 45 overs — competitive, respectable, but not, as it turned out, quite enough.

Chasing it down, we barely broke sweat. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, 64 in fine touch, with Tim Thirkell adding a handsome 58 and Keith Hatcher unbeaten on 49 to see us home. We reached 182/2 in just 31 overs, cantering over the line by 8 wickets with time to spare for a proper pint.

A thoroughly good day for the club — bowled with discipline, chased with class, and home well before last orders.