🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 27 Sep 1998 🧢 1st XIv Linton Park CC · HomeformWDLWW

Wound the toss, called it right, and never once doubted the decision to bat first on a fine Sunday at the end of September – 27th, if the diary's to be believed. What followed was 30 overs of proper, old-fashioned batting: Paul Gibson playing an innings of real substance for 78, Michael Beeney matching him stroke for stroke on the way to 56, and Clive Newman chipping in a tidy 45 alongside them. We finished on 235 for 7, which on any club pitch looks like a winning total, and for a good while it felt like one. Only poor Peter Whyte will want to forget the day in a hurry, done for a duck before he'd had time to take guard properly – these things happen to the best of us, and doubtless will again.

There was a moment worth savouring regardless of the result: Paul Gibson brought up 11,000 career runs for the club, a landmark that ought to be toasted properly in the bar rather than buried in a scorecard. Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Clive Newman continues his fine form, sitting second in the 1st XI run charts with 610, while Roly Edwards leads the Sunday 2nd XI standings with 70.

But 235 wasn't enough. We fell short by 26 runs, our bowlers unable to defend what looked, at tea, like a match-winning score. Not our day, then – heads up, chins out, and back to the nets for the lot of us.

Sat 26 Sep 1998 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformWWDLW

Saturday 26th September saw Bidborough CC visit Linton Park, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — a decision I'm rather pleased to say vindicated itself.

We were bowled out for 167 in 36.5 overs, a total built on Clive Newman's fine 42, with Brian Piper (37) and David Castle (21) chipping in nicely. Less said the better about Nigel Thirkell and Jon Harris, both departing for ducks, though every side needs its sacrificial lambs.

Bidborough replied with 160 all out in 39.4 overs, P Wood (39) and Mark Mitchell (33) doing the early damage before J Waller's 22 threatened to complicate matters. Stephen Towner and A Dobson joined the ducks club themselves, for what comfort that's worth. But the day belonged to Matt Large, whose 8 for 44 was a spell for the ages — a five-for and thoroughly deserved. Daniel Thirkell and John Taylor lent honest support with a wicket apiece, and Nigel Thirkell bowled three tight maidens to choke the runs. As for your captain, 16 with the bat and, happily, 8 wickets with the ball — not a bad afternoon's work, even if I say so myself.

With Piers McDonald still leading the season's run charts on 673 and Matt Large now second in the wickets列 on 26, the campaign continues in fine health. We got home by 7 runs — tight, tense, and thoroughly deserved. A good day for the club, and a very good day for the skipper's ego.

Sun 20 Sep 1998 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformLWWDL

Nigel Thirkell 105 not out, Piers McDonald 72 — a fine Sunday's work for the ledger.

Sunday last, Anchorians came to Linton Park, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — one of those rare captaincy decisions that actually looked clever by teatime. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the season, unbeaten on a majestic 105, while Piers McDonald wasn't far behind with a stylish 72. Between them they carried us to a handsome 220 for 5 off our 35 overs. Elsewhere in the order things were rather less romantic — Richard Piper and Trevor Back both fell for ducks, and the pair of them can expect to hear about it in the bar for some weeks yet.

With 220 on the board, defending it was always going to be the easier half of the job, and so it proved. Stuart Cheesman set the tone with 2 for 15, well backed up by Jon Harris (2 for 19) and Daniel Thirkell (1 for 1), while Trevor Back made amends for his batting with two tidy maidens. Anchorians were bowled out for 115 in 31 overs — though I must confess 11 byes crept into the total, and poor Adam Pooley behind the stumps had rather a testing afternoon of it.

A personal 105 not out was, I'll admit, thoroughly satisfying — though the real story was a total team performance, bat and ball alike. A fine win by 105 runs, and with Piers McDonald and Jon Harris both flying at the top of this season's charts, the 1st XI ship looks to be steering a very true course. Onwards.

Sat 19 Sep 1998 🧢 2nd XIv EC Elliotts CC · AwayformWLWWW

Ah, a proper away-day at Elliotts, and I shan't pretend it wasn't the sort of afternoon that has you staring into your tea afterwards. Losing the toss set the tone — asked to bowl, we did rather well to keep them to 186/8 from their 47, though young Crickmore had other ideas, compiling a splendid 98 that really ought to have been a hundred, well supported by Ricketts and Buckle with twenty apiece. Credit where due: Croucher was superb with 3-33, Boyns backed him up handsomely with 3-39, Brattle chipped in, and Taylor bowled two maidens as tight as his top button. Poor Max Wasson departed for a duck, at least giving the rest of the order something to feel superior about.

Chasing 187, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite convincing. McCormick played the innings of the day with 61, Edwards and Thirkell lending sturdy support with 39 and 30, and I managed a workmanlike 30 myself — more graft than grace, if I'm honest. But the lower order rather let the side down, with Taylor, Todd and Croucher all walking back for nought, and poor Elworthy had a torrid time behind the stumps, leaking twelve byes to go with the gloves he'd rather forget. All out for 170 in the 39th, sixteen runs shy.

Not our day, then, but no disgrace either — heads up, and back to the nets for a word with the wicketkeeping coach.

Sat 19 Sep 1998 🧢 1st XIv HC Hastings & St Leonards Priory CC · HomeformDLWWD

Saturday the nineteenth of September, and Hastings & St Leonards Priory rolled up as our final visitors before autumn set in properly. Won the toss, and with a decent look at the square I fancied runs first — in we went to bat.

175 for 8 off our forty overs was a fair total, built on a lovely half-century from Piers McDonald — 54, and the man's now sitting second in the season's run charts with 600 to his name, no less. Paul Gibson chipped in a handsome 48, Clive Newman 32, and between them they gave the innings a proper backbone even as wickets went down at the other end.

Defending it, though, was another matter entirely. B. Phillips simply had one of those days, unbeaten on 70, and with P. Lindfield (40) and B. Collins (36) offering sturdy support, they cantered home in 24.3 overs — 176 for 2. Fred Cheesman toiled manfully for his 1-19 and Daniel Thirkell picked up 1-26, but there was precious little else to trouble the scorers; the lads bowled with heart but the pitch, and Phillips in particular, had other ideas.

Seven wickets is a comprehensive beating by any measure, and there's no dressing it up as anything else. Heads up all the same — we scored well enough to win most weeks, we just met a man in irrepressible form. Back to the nets, and better luck next Saturday.

Wed 16 Sep 1998 🧢 Midweek XIv TC Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformWDDLD

Won the toss on a bright Wednesday afternoon and, with visions of a declaration bowl at Tunbridge Wells Wednesday, I had few qualms about batting first. As is traditional at Linton Park, our top order set about complicating matters unnecessarily: Trevor Back top-scored with a fluent 31, Peter Whyte chipped in a tidy 27, and Troy McConnell finished unbeaten on 25, while Piers McDonald and Fred Cheesman both trudged back for ducks, presumably having left their bats in the pavilion. All out for 163 in 41 overs, with extras contributing a generous 27 — bowled, I like to think, largely out of pity.

In the field we were rather better behaved. Withers (22) and Tedder (20) did the early damage for the visitors, but Ian Brattle turned in a splendid 4-27 to bring them back, ably backed up by Fred Cheesman's 2-27 and Jon Harris's 2-32 — the latter's five maidens suggesting the tea urn saw more action than his figures. Iain Barker departed without troubling the scorers, and their innings folded on 109/9 from 47 overs.

Happily, Brattle's four-for also nudges him past Gordon Fenner into 8th on the club's all-time wicket-takers' list — a moment for quiet pride amid the biscuits. Trevor Back (192) and Jon Harris (17) continue to lead the Midweek XI's season charts. A draw, then — honours shared, pride largely intact, and the urn safely defended for another week.

Sun 13 Sep 1998 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformWDLWW

From the captain's chair, Sunday 13th September 1998: Dummy Site were our visitors, and having lost the toss I could only watch as they chose to bat first — never our preferred script, but there we are.

They ground their way to a respectable 195 for 6 off their 46 overs, T Leach playing the innings of the day with a chanceless-looking 89, well supported by J Scamp's 42. Only D Bray troubled our attack not at all, departing without so much as a nudge to the scorers — the sort of duck that raises a wry cheer from the boundary rather than any real sympathy. Darren Styles was the pick of a disciplined bowling effort, 2 for 51 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, and he had capable company in Daniel Thirkell (1-20) and Stuart Cheesman (1-27). Not a side to concede runs lightly, and it showed.

Chasing 196, we mustered 104 for 7 from our 42 overs — a touch short of what was needed, if truth be told, though Adam Pooley's unbeaten 25 held things together admirably and spared our blushes.

Honours shared in the end, then — a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. Frustrating in the moment, perhaps, but with Stewart Morrison leading the run charts on 601 and Darren Styles second in the wickets on 23, the season's engine room is clearly in fine working order. A fair result, all told, and no disgrace in it.

Sun 06 Sep 1998 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformWLDDD

Sunday 6th September saw us make the long haul down to Beacon CC in Cornwall, and I lost the toss — never a good omen, and so it proved. They put us into the field first, and 180 all out from their thirty overs felt like a mid-table score at best on a decent morning. Simon Tripconey led the way with 41, well supported by Steve Proctor's 34 and David Weeks's unbeaten 22, though credit where it's due: Mike Elworthy was superb, 3 for 24, with Darren Styles (2-23) and Adam Pooley (1-22) chipping away throughout. Robert Bath and David Proctor went for nought apiece, so it wasn't all one-way traffic.

Chasing 180, we simply never got going. Ninety all out from our thirty overs tells its own sad story, with three ducks on the card — Richard Piper, Stuart Cheesman and Simon Thirkell all back in the pavilion before troubling the scorers. Stewart Morrison's 26 was the one innings with any real substance, and I managed a workmanlike 18 myself, though it was rather like rearranging deckchairs.

Elsewhere in the season, Brian Piper continues to sit second in the Tour XI run charts on 77, and Darren Styles leads the wicket-takers with four.

The verdict: beaten by 90 runs, and thoroughly outplayed on the day. Nothing for it but to dust ourselves down, get back to the nets, and try again next week.

Thu 03 Sep 1998 🧢 Tour XIv TW Trengilly Wartha · AwayformWWLDD

Thursday 03 September 1998. We travelled to Dummy Site with autumn very much in the air, and I did the sensible thing at the toss — called correctly, and elected to bat, which I still maintain was the right call.

The lads batted us to a respectable 214/9 from our fifty overs, built chiefly on a fine half-century from Brian Piper (61) and handsome support from Nigel Thirkell, whose well-made 56 also brought up a rather magnificent 33,000 career runs for the club — a genuine one for the mantelpiece, and about time someone told him to slow down. Alan Boyns chipped in a useful 25, while poor Stuart Cheesman's golden duck was the only blot on an otherwise sturdy scorecard.

In the field, we thought we had it shackled until a chap named J. Robertson decided otherwise, compiling a superb unbeaten 128 to drag them to 212/9 from 39 overs — R. Esses's 27 the only other contribution of note, with three more sent back for nought apiece. Alan Boyns was superb with the ball, 4-64 with two tidy maidens, well backed by Stewart Morrison's 3-49 and John Phipps's 1-23. Poor Adam Pooley had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 8 byes going begging, and I did my bit with the bat again, 56 to lead from the front.

A draw, then — honours shared, and probably a fair reflection of an afternoon in which nobody quite blinked first.

Tue 01 Sep 1998 🧢 Tour XIv HC Helston CC · AwayformLWWLD

We were away to Helston, I called it right at the toss, and elected to bat — for once, the decision looked sound rather than reckless. John Phipps played the innings of the day, a fine 75 that gave our total real backbone, with Darren Styles chipping in a handy 20 alongside him. Not every tale had a happy ending, mind — poor Stewart Morrison's duck will be the subject of some ribbing at the bar for weeks yet — but we closed on a respectable 169 for 9 from our 46 overs, a total with something to bowl at.

And bowl we did. Matt Large was the pick of the attack by some distance, ripping through with 3 for 5, while Darren Styles backed up his batting with 2 for 43 and Stuart Cheesman nabbed one for the princely cost of 2 runs. Michael Beeney bowled with real discipline, four maidens' worth, squeezing the life out of their innings, and I managed to get in on the act myself with three wickets — the old legs still have a bit left in them yet. Helston fought hard for their 116 for 9, N Akhtar top-scoring with 35 and S Pollard supporting with 20, but they couldn't quite chase us down, nor could we finish the job.

A draw, then — honours even, and probably a fair reflection of a tussle that gave neither side the final word. John Phipps tops our season's run charts and Matt Large the wickets, so the Tour XI has plenty to be cheerful about even without the win.

Sun 30 Aug 1998 🧢 1st XIv Town Malling CC · AwayformLWDLW

Sunday 30 August 1998 saw us make the trip to Town Malling CC, and for once I called the coin correctly at the toss. Never one to overthink a decision, I stuck us in to bat, and the lads repaid my confidence handsomely — 190/6 from our 37 overs, built on a fine 44 from Piers McDonald, sturdy support from Richard Ellis with 43, and Brian Piper unbeaten on 33 to see us to a total that felt, even by the tea interval, like rather a lot.

So it proved. Town Malling's reply never got out of second gear, subsiding to 96 all out in 31.3 overs. S. Thompson and Adam Nix both chipped in with 22 apiece, but beyond that it was three back-to-the-pavilion ducks for R. Palmer, Simon Uttridge and A. Thompson, who between them troubled the scorers not one jot. Darren Styles was the chief tormentor, a superb 4-5, with Fred Cheesman miserly and menacing in equal measure for 3-28 including two maidens, and Adam Pooley picking up 1-0 for good measure. I contributed a workmanlike 15 with the bat, more diligent than dashing.

With the season's run and wicket charts showing Piers McDonald and Darren Styles both sitting second in the club, it's clear the current form isn't a fluke. A 94-run win, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — onwards we go.

Sat 29 Aug 1998 🧢 1st XIv HC Herne Bay CC · AwayformWLWDL

Saturday 29 August 1998 saw us make the journey to Herne Bay CC, and for once the coin cooperated — heads it was, and into bat we went.

What followed was as handsome a batting effort as I can remember. Paul Gibson batted with the serenity of a man who knew exactly what he was about, carrying his bat to a magnificent hundred, while Mike Elworthy purred along at the other end to an unbeaten 67, and Nigel Thirkell chipped in with a spirited 27 to help us to 222 for 4 off our 44.2 overs. I shall draw a discreet veil over Stuart Cheesman's contribution, save to note that a diamond duck earns its place in the ledger whether we like it or not — the pond awaits, Stuart.

Herne Bay came out swinging in reply, and John Rose's well-crafted fifty, with Neil Hackshall and A Guy lending sturdy support, kept them in the hunt longer than was comfortable. But our bowlers had other ideas. Tim Thirkell was magnificent, prising out four for 31, with Brian Piper and Richard Ellis both claiming three apiece, and Darren Styles bowling with a miser's discipline for his four maidens. Poor Elworthy had a wretched time of it behind the stumps, 11 byes going begging, but nobody was going to hold that against a man who'd just made 67 not out — a knock that, pleasingly, also nudged him past Malcolm Pay into 20th on the club's all-time run-scoring list.

Herne Bay were bowled out for 209, and we held on by 13 runs. A thoroughly good day for Linton Park, and Gibson's ton keeps him purring along nicely in fifth place in this season's run charts.

Sat 22 Aug 1998 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformLWLWD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 22 August 1998. Away to Milstead, and I lost the toss, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like a personality trait. Asked to field first, we set about it with a will, and credit where due: Nigel Thirkell was miserly and magnificent in equal measure, 4-22 including four maidens, with Stuart Cheesman (2-63) and Matt Large (1-37) mopping up the rest. Even so, Richard Annand's well-made 54, backed by Mike Sellar's 33 and A Wright's 27, saw Milstead home to 184/8 from their 46 overs — a target that looked entirely gettable on a good morning.

Sadly N. Sloan and Robert Goodwin didn't trouble the scorers, ducks both, and 181/7 from 44 overs left us three runs light at the death — the cruellest sort of arithmetic. Piers McDonald batted beautifully for 57, a knock that also nudges him past Paul Brattle into 12th on the club's all-time run charts, which is some consolation on an otherwise chastening afternoon. Matt Large (40) and Nigel Thirkell (38) gave fine support, and I contributed 40 of my own, though nine byes told their own tale of a testing day behind the stumps for poor Adam Pooley.

Three runs. Three runs! Stewart Morrison continues to lord it over the 1998 run charts with 593, and Matt Large sits second among the wicket-takers with 18 — the season marches on regardless of our afternoon's misery. Not our day, lads. Heads up, back to the nets.

Sat 22 Aug 1998 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · HomeformDWLWW

A shocking thing happened at Linton Park last Saturday — I won the toss. Rarer still, I made the right call with it, sending Milstead in to field under a sky that, for once, wasn't plotting against us. And how the lads repaid the faith: 257 for 3 off our 46 overs, built around a magnificent unbeaten 129 from Mike Elworthy, the sort of innings that has opposition fielders quietly checking their watches. Tim Thirkell chipped in a tidy fifty and Paul Davey a brisk 30, and suddenly a total that looked ambitious at tea looked positively cruel by close of our innings.

Milstead, to their credit, did not lie down. Chris Rawson and G Youdale both brought up unbeaten half-centuries — 61 and 58 respectively — while Glen Rawson's 41 kept the required rate within dreaming distance, and 187 for 3 off 44 overs was no disgrace on their part. But the gap was simply too wide. Ian Brattle did the damage with 2 for 30, Alan Boyns chipped away for 1 for 43, and John Taylor bowled two maidens with the kind of miserliness normally reserved for a Yorkshireman's tea round. I even managed 50 myself, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for the rest of the season.

A word, too, for Mike, whose 129 nudges him past Mike Caddick to 21st on the club's all-time run charts — history quietly being rewritten while the tea urn boiled.

Seventy runs the margin, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards indeed.

Sun 16 Aug 1998 🧢 1st XIv PC Pembury CC · HomeformLLWLW

Sunday 16th August, Pembury CC visiting, and for once the coin fell my way — I called it right and put us in to bat, and I'll admit I felt rather pleased with myself for the rest of the afternoon.

The lads didn't let me down. Stewart Morrison played beautifully for 84, David Castle chipped in a well-crafted 61, and Daniel Thirkell finished unbeaten on 39 to carry us to a handsome 240/2 off our 38 overs. Declaring ourselves rather satisfied with that total, we took to the field with a spring in our step.

Pembury made a fight of it, mind — Robert Eaton led their reply with 41, with Colin Barden (29) and D. McLintock (28) offering support, and they crept to 191/8 from their 46 overs before running out of road. Darren Styles was the pick of the attack with 3-30, backed up superbly by Jon Harris, whose 3-55 came with four miserly maiden overs thrown in for good measure, and Richard Piper chipped in with 1-28. Poor Chris Buckle departed for a golden duck, which I shan't dwell on out of kindness. I was quietly chuffed to contribute 61 with the bat myself, and a special mention for Clive Newman, whose 38 runs saw him leapfrog Jim Hall into 15th on the club's all-time run-scoring list — a fine personal milestone on an afternoon of good things.

In the end neither side could force it home, and honours were shared. A draw, but a thoroughly good one — plenty of runs, plenty of wickets, and nobody going home disappointed. We'll take it.

Sat 15 Aug 1998 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformDLLWL

Saturday 15 August 1998 found us on the road at Shipbourne, and losing the toss on a warm afternoon told us all we needed to know about how the day would start — into the field we went, boots on before the tea urn had even boiled. Shipbourne set about building a total with quiet efficiency, Mick Johnson's 48 the backbone of their 204/7 from 46 overs, with Barry Hart unbeaten on 32 and Mike Cooper's 28 filling in the gaps we couldn't quite plug. Daniel Thirkell toiled manfully for his 2-61, and Stewart Morrison and Matt Large chipped in a wicket apiece, but eleven byes crept into the book — a number that speaks volumes about Piers McDonald's afternoon behind the stumps, and not kindly.

Chasing 205, we batted with the sort of nerveless application that makes a captain's job easy. Paul Gibson's 38 was the innings' spine, Clive Newman's 36 and David Castle's 35 either side of him, and between them the lads eased us home in 43.3 overs for the loss of six wickets.

Elsewhere in the season, Stewart Morrison continues to lord it over the 1st XI run charts with 498, and Matt Large sits second in the wickets table on 17 — both men very much pulling their weight for club and captain alike.

Four wickets, two points, and a thoroughly deserved away win. A few byes aside, we'll take that every day of the week.

Sat 15 Aug 1998 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformWDWLW

As it stands, when I called correctly on Saturday 15 August 1998 and elected to bat against Shipbourne, I confess it was more instinct than genius — though it turned out rather well. We laboured a touch to 144/9 from our 46 overs, with Brian Piper leading the way on 30, Alan Boyns chipping in 29 and Keith Hatcher 23. Mike Elworthy and Trevor Back both departed for golden ducks, which I shall put down to the sporting nature of the pitch rather than anything else.

Defending 144 always asks questions of a side, and Shipbourne set about answering them, reaching 126/7 from their 44 overs with Eddie May unbeaten on 39 and useful support from Edward Gelling (30) and G. Bone (23). But the day belonged to Ian Brattle, who bowled with real hostility and control to return 5-54, complete with four maidens — not a man in generous mood. Darren Styles chipped in admirably with 2-25 to squeeze the runs from the other end.

A word too for Roly Edwards, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a fine achievement and a reminder of what this club is built on. Ian Brattle now leads our 1998 Second XI wicket charts with 26, while Tim Thirkell sits second in the run charts with 197.

A fine win by 18 runs, then, and one to enjoy on the drive home. Onwards.

Tue 11 Aug 1998 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLWDDL

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 11 August 1998, and the road took us to The Mote CC.

No luck with the coin, and they had first say, choosing to bat on what turned out to be a decent surface for it. Paul Fuggle set about us for 49, Cameron Eve chipped in a handy 40, and Tom Harris saw them home unbeaten on 35, as they closed on 206/7 from their 52 overs. Small mercies came our way, mind — poor M- New back in the hutch without so much as a run to his name. Jon Harris did the heavy lifting up front with a fine 4-64, Gavin Saunders chipped away for 2-60, Fred Cheesman picked up one, and Trevor Back kept things miserly with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure.

Chasing 207, we made a proper fist of it. Brian Piper played the innings of the day, a well-made fifty that was the backbone of the reply, with Piers McDonald weighing in with 47 and Clive Newman a tidy 27. Poor Mike Elworthy, though, departed for the dreaded duck. I found a bit of rhythm myself with the ball earlier on, four wickets to show for it, which I shall modestly mention only once. In the end we fell short at 197/8 from 46 overs — nine runs shy, but honours even.

A draw, then, and on this occasion a fair one — neither side could quite force the door open, and we walked off with Trevor Back still topping the run charts and Jon Harris the wickets, both reputations rather enhanced by the afternoon's work.

Mon 10 Aug 1998 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformWLWDD

It was 1998, Selsdon CC at home, and — for once — I actually got a call right.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first strike, and the lads didn't let me down. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, an excellent 80 that gave our total its backbone, with Richard Ellis (33) and an unbeaten 26 from Mick Potter adding the necessary ballast. 211 for 7 off our 35 overs felt like a total we could defend — respectable, if not quite match-winning as it turned out.

And defend it we very nearly did. David Castle was the pick of the attack by some distance, 2 for 23 including three tidy maidens, with Adrian Caddick (2-47) and Potter, again useful with the ball as well as the bat (1-17), chipping in gamely. But Selsdon had other ideas in the shape of Marcus Robertson, unbeaten on 85, and Keith Exton, equally immovable on 52, who between them simply refused to give up their wickets. Twelve byes crept past poor Jim Hall behind the stumps too — the sort of statistic that tells its own quiet, damp story of a testing afternoon.

In the end, five wickets and 39.4 overs told the tale, and we came up short. Elsewhere in the club, Piers McDonald continues his solid contribution to the season, sitting second in the Midweek XI run charts with 99 to his name — some consolation on a day of few positives.

Verdict: a fighting total undone by two batsmen who simply wouldn't budge. We'll regroup, dry Jim's gloves out, and come back stronger next week.

Sun 09 Aug 1998 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformLDLLW

Sunday 9 August 1998, and Linton Park were at home with visitors in town. I called it right at the toss and, in a fit of front-foot optimism, stuck us in. Daniel Thirkell played the innings of the day, a proper well-made fifty that gave our 168 for 8 off 46 overs a bit of backbone — the sort of knock that makes the tea urn boil a little more contentedly.

Defending it, we bowled with real venom. Stuart Cheesman was magnificent, 4 for 12 and thoroughly unplayable, while Jon Harris matched him wicket for wicket at 4 for 14, nine of his overs maidens — the man barely let the scoreboard breathe. Darren Styles chipped in with 1 for 12, and I even found some rhythm myself with four wickets, which I shall be mentioning in the clubhouse for weeks to come. Poor J Bird and X Newton both went for ducks, though X Watson (31) and N Vest (20) at least gave their side something to build on before they folded for 91 in 38.1 overs.

And yet — cricket being cricket — we somehow contrived to lose by 77 runs. Quite how a side bowled out for 91 beats a total of 168 I shall leave to the statisticians and the scorers, and possibly a strongly worded letter to whoever does the arithmetic upstairs. Stewart Morrison and Jon Harris continue to lead our season's charts with bat and ball respectively, and rightly so. As for the rest of us: chastened, bemused, and rather looking forward to next Sunday.

Sat 08 Aug 1998 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDLDLL

What a corker of an afternoon it turned out to be. I called correctly on Saturday and, with the sun doing its best village-green impression, elected to bat first against Bearsted — a decision that for once didn't come back to haunt me. Dave Charlton and David Castle set about proceedings with real intent, the pair of them putting on 108 for the first wicket before either so much as looked troubled, and by the time Charlton fell for a handsome 70 the platform was well and truly laid. Castle chipped in with 42 and Stewart Morrison finished unbeaten on 40, though what came between was rather less serene — 155 for 3 became 162 for 6 in the time it takes to pour a tea, a collapse of the sort that keeps club cricket honest. Special mention, sadly, for Piers McDonald, whose golden duck earns him this week's walk of shame. We closed on a healthy 222 for 9 from our 46.

With the ball, Bearsted never quite got parity within reach. Jon Harris was magnificent, 2 for 25 studded with four maidens — not a run given away lightly, that man — with Daniel Thirkell (2-34) and Paul Gibson (1-4) offering fine support. Sarath Chandrasekera's 32 and useful knocks from Stephen Heap and Mick Clifton kept the visitors interested without ever threatening, and poor Peter Clark joined the duck club without troubling the scorers. They fell 62 runs short on 160 for 9.

A thoroughly good day for the club, and with Morrison and Harris both flying at the top of the season's charts, the omens for the rest of the summer look rosy indeed.

Sat 08 Aug 1998 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWDWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 08 August 1998. We travelled to Bearsted CC in good spirits, and, winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat. The right call, I felt, and for once I shall be permitted to say so without a chorus of groans from the boundary.

The lads batted with real application, posting 200 all out from 45.5 overs. Trevor Back led the way with a fine 70, ably supported by Keith Hatcher's equally fine 52, while Alan Boyns chipped in a tidy 20. The 87-run second-wicket stand was the spine of the innings, and a very good one it was too. Less gloriously, Richard Piper endured the walk of shame with a duck — the Duck Club ledger grows ever fatter, and I dare say he'll not live it down at teas.

In the field we defended with purpose, bowling Bearsted out for 162 in 41.4 overs despite Steve Heads' battling 41, supported by Rod Maloney and Alistair Mills with 25 apiece. Alan Marshall departed for a duck at our hands, some small consolation. Darren Styles was superb, leading the attack with 4-39, with Ian Brattle (3-43, four maidens no less) and Alan Boyns (2-28) tightening the screws throughout.

We got over the line by 38 runs. A good day for the club, and — Piper's blushes aside — one to savour on the drive home.

Tue 04 Aug 1998 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDWLWD

Tuesday 4th August found us hosting Bexley CC, and true to form the coin toss went against me — Bexley chose to bat, and I trudged back to the boundary wondering what I'd done to upset the cricketing gods this time. They ground their way to 212 for 6 off 46 overs, Stuart Ladbrook compiling a tidy fifty and brother Michael unbeaten on 41 to keep it in the family, with T Allen chipping in 38. Credit to the attack, mind — Daniel Thirkell was the pick with 2-24, and Fred Cheesman and Jon Harris both weighed in with two apiece to keep the visitors honest.

Chasing 213, we made a fair fist of it without quite getting there, closing on 200 for 7 from our 42 overs. Trevor Back anchored the innings beautifully, 48 not out and growing more immovable by the over, well supported by Mick Potter's 40 and Clive Newman's 34. A dozen runs short at the death, but nobody could say we didn't have a go.

Back continues to churn out the runs like clockwork, now top of our 1998 Midweek XI charts with 144, while Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers with 11 — the club's two quiet professionals doing their talking with bat and ball.

In the end honours were shared, and on reflection a draw felt about right — neither side deserved to lose, and neither quite deserved to win. A good, honest afternoon's cricket, and the tea, as ever, did more for club morale than the scorebook.

Sun 02 Aug 1998 🧢 1st XIv WC Wye CC · AwayformWDLDL

Wye had the better of the coin, but not much else on the day went our way once Colin Blaskett got going.

We lost the toss, took the field, and watched Wye compile a stately 189 for 6 off their 45.4 overs, built almost entirely around Colin Blaskett's fine 84 — a proper captain's-headache innings, well supported by Chris Hollins (32) and Spight (25). To our credit, the bowlers kept plugging away: Gavin Saunders was the pick with 2-19, Stuart Cheesman and Darren Styles chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Styles was miserliness personified with four maidens. Nine byes did rather give the game away about the state of things behind the stumps — a testing day for all concerned.

Chasing 190, we never really got going, folding for 109 in 47.1 overs. Stuart Cheesman battled hardest for his 33, but from there it was a familiar tale of collapse — Piers McDonald, David Castle and Ian Brattle all took the walk of shame for ducks, and your skipper, leading from the front in the worst possible sense, contributed a golden blob. Lead by example, they say; on this occasion I led by example of exactly how not to bat.

If there was a silver lining, it was a handsome one: Stuart Cheesman brought up 100 career wickets, a landmark thoroughly deserved and richly celebrated in the changing room, whatever the scoreline said.

In the end, beaten by 80 runs, fair and square. Not our day at Wye — heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Wed 29 Jul 1998 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDDWLW

Wednesday 29 July 1998, and a fine afternoon it was for cricket in front of the home crowd — the sort of day that reminds you why you volunteered for this captaincy in the first place, back before you'd read the fine print.

Winning the toss and bowling first looked a canny move right up until T Green settled in and helped himself to a magnificent 104, with T Gregory (42) and C Sadler (38) chipping in to haul the visitors to 221/8 off their 42.5 overs. Only poor N Parry departed without so much as a nibble at the strike bowling. Credit where due, though: Jon Harris was superb, snaring 4-41, Tom Judges bowled with real discipline for 2-27 and three maidens, and Fred Cheesman weighed in with 1-22. And your correspondent, rather pleased with himself, managed four wickets of his own — the sort of day you dine out on at the bar for weeks.

Chasing 222, we never quite found the gears to threaten it, closing on a respectable 136/6 from our 42. John Phipps anchored things nicely with an unbeaten 62, well supported by Fred Cheesman's undefeated 29 — Fred's day, all told, rather a good one.

So honours shared, and a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody. With Piers McDonald 2nd in the season's run charts and Jon Harris leading the wickets, there's plenty to be cheerful about even in stalemate. A fair result, if not quite the story we came for.

Sat 25 Jul 1998 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWWDLD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 25 July 1998, and we welcomed Sheldwich CC to Linton Park under conditions that, in hindsight, favoured the man with the bat rather more than the men without one. I lost the toss, they had no hesitation in batting first, and by the time their innings closed at 310 for 3 off 46 overs, I understood why. James Creed treated us to a magnificent, chanceless 183 not out, with Simon Green (54) and David Prior (42 not out) offering polite support in the demolition. Daniel Thirkell kept his dignity intact with 2 for 70, Rob Doick chipped in with 1 for 55, and poor Daniel Ray departed without troubling the scorers.

Chasing 311 was always going to be a tall order, and so it proved, though not without pride. Stewart Morrison's 47 was the innings' backbone, Dave Charlton (35) and Clive Newman (29 not out) lent good support, and I contributed a workmanlike 26 of my own. Rob Doick, alas, made amends for his bowling with a golden duck — cricket's way of keeping a man humble on the same afternoon. We closed on 216 for 8 from our 44 overs.

Beaten by 94 runs, then, against a Creed innings that will live long in the memory — mostly as a cautionary tale. Piers McDonald continues to lead our season's run charts with 431, a reminder that not all is lost. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 25 Jul 1998 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWWWDW

Down by 48 runs at Dummy Site, and this time the toss was the least of our problems.

I won the call on the Saturday and had no hesitation putting us in — the right decision, and I'll stand by it in print even if the scorebook argues otherwise. Brian Piper led the way with a tidy 33, Trevor Back chipped in 30 and Richard Ellis 26, the sort of solid, unspectacular contributions that ought to have seen us past 150 rather than stalling on 141 all out in the 45th over. Ian Brattle, so often the hero with the ball, gave us nothing at all with the bat — a golden duck to file away and forget.

And forget it we very nearly did, because the ball told a different story entirely. Brattle turned executioner with 4-33, backed superbly by Dave Todd's 3-14 and Alan Boyns's 2-15, the latter bowling five maidens that suggested the boundary rope was on strike alongside him. Voller and Taylor departed for nought without so much as troubling the scorers, and for a while 93 all out looked a formality in our favour. I managed a fighting 21 myself, for what little that was worth.

Still, 141 plays 93 should never end the wrong way round, and somehow it did — down by 48. Trevor Back remains our leading run-scorer this season and Dave Todd our leading wicket-taker, so the talent is plainly there. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets — this one stings, but it won't linger.

Sun 19 Jul 1998 🧢 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · HomeformWWWDL

Put Dummy Site in on winning the toss — sorry, put ourselves in, rather, having called correctly and elected to bat first on what looked a good Sunday strip. And how the lads repaid that faith: 244/5 from our 46 overs, built on a lovely half-century from Clive Newman, unbeaten on 52, with David Castle right alongside him on 51 and Piers McDonald chipping in a brisk 42. Tea was taken with considerable satisfaction and, I confess, one eye on the scorebook rather than the sandwiches.

Defending it proved a stiffer examination of the nerves. T Curties gave us a proper fright with a well-made 57, backed up by D- Prosser's 43 and N Upton's 32, and their 206/7 from 47 overs kept us honest to the very last over. David Castle, having done his bit with the bat, then did the damage with the ball too — 1-8 of the miserly variety — with Fred Cheesman (1-18) and Daniel Thirkell (1-21) offering fine support, and not a run given away lightly by Darren Styles, three maidens to his name. Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes finding their way through, for which I shall claim my share of captain's blame in setting the field.

A personal 51 was, I'll admit, rather satisfying. And a word for Piers McDonald, whose 42 sends him past William Buck and into 13th on the club's all-time run charts — a proper mantelpiece moment. In the end, honours shared: a draw that felt, on balance, entirely fair.

Sat 18 Jul 1998 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformDWWWD

Saturday last took us out to Hollingbourne, and it was not, I confess, a day that will live long in the affections. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling has been dismal all season — and we were put into the field. Mike Donald made merry to the tune of 88 not out, with Andy Golding right alongside him on 78, and between them they simply battered us into submission as Hollingbourne racked up 215 for 3 from their 46 overs. Ian Brattle, to his eternal credit, kept plugging away and finished with 3 for 49, the lone bright thread in a grim tapestry.

Then came our reply, and here I shall draw the curtain as gently as I can. Twenty-six all out in eighteen overs. Piers McDonald, David Castle and Stewart Morrison all departed for ducks, and your correspondent, rather less gloriously, joined them with a duck of his own — the less said, truly, the better.

Amid the wreckage there was cause for real pride: Matt Large brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours, and Ian Brattle passed 500 career wickets, his three today also easing him past Allan Cooper into 9th on the club's all-time list. Clive Newman, meanwhile, continues to purr along nicely, third in this season's 1st XI run charts with 328.

A hammering, then, by 189 runs — no dressing it up. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 18 Jul 1998 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformWWWWD

Saturday 18 July 1998, Hollingbourne CC the visitors, and having called it right at the toss I didn't linger over the decision — into the middle we went. It proved a sound instinct: Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, a fine 62, with Trevor Back's 36 and Tim Thirkell's 20 filling out a total of 178 all out from our 46 overs. Not every column made pleasant reading — Alan Boyns and Richard Ellis both departed for ducks — but the scoreboard had enough substance to work with.

And work with it we did. Jon Harris steamed in for a superb 3-22, Dave Todd matched him almost run for run with 3-29, and Darren Styles chipped in 2-33, while Alan Boyns tightened the screws with two maidens for good measure. Hollingbourne were bowled out for 119 from 43 overs, Matthew Jones's 25 the only real resistance. I even found time to contribute a workmanlike 20 with the bat earlier on.

A word too for Trevor Back, who brought up his 400th appearance in Linton colours — a milestone that rather puts my own modest efforts into perspective, and one the whole side raised a glass to. He continues to lead our 1998 runs charts with 321, with Dave Todd top of the wicket-takers on 18.

Fifty-nine runs the margin, two points the reward, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round.

Tue 14 Jul 1998 🧢 Midweek XIv IC Ingham CC · HomeformLDDWL

Ingham CC came to Linton Park on the fourteenth of July, and we lost the toss, which as any club cricketer will tell you is the first defeat of the day. Asked to chase, we at least had the ball first, and set about Ingham with some purpose. Graham Tufts gave us a proper working-over with a fine 65, and the Jessup twins (well, the same S Jessup twice over, if the card is to be believed) chipped in with 42 not out and 40 to push them to 233 for 9 off 41.3 overs. We did have our moments — R Whitlam back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, quacking all the way — and Trevor Back led the attack beautifully with 2 for 46, backed up gamely by Darren Styles and Jon Harris.

Chasing 234 is never a stroll, and it wasn't. Trevor Back, not content with his bowling, then carried the bat for a magnificent 76 not out, with Piers McDonald playing a proper captain's-innings fifty of his own (53) and Adrian Caddick a tidy 26. As for my own contribution — nought, and the less said the better; the scorebook will remember what my teammates are too polite to mention.

We scrambled home by the narrowest of margins, one wicket, off the very last overs, for a famous and thoroughly undeserved-looking victory that will read a great deal better in the gazette than it felt in the middle. Back is now top of our Midweek run charts, Harris top of the wickets, and the club, mercifully, top of the result. A very good day indeed.

Sat 11 Jul 1998 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformLWWWW

Linton Park hosted Southborough on a Saturday that will live long in the memory of anyone who enjoys a good stalemate. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation whatsoever in sticking us in to bat, a decision that owed rather more to gut instinct than any deep tactical genius, but one that paid off handsomely enough. Trevor Back set about the Southborough bowling with real purpose, compiling a fine 55 that anchored the innings, while Paul Davey played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 37 at the other end. Together they steered us to a healthy 119 for 3 from our 28 overs, and I confess I strolled off at the halfway mark feeling rather pleased with myself.

Then came our turn with the ball, and here the report grows a touch mysterious, for the scorebook simply records Southborough's innings as closed on "None all out" — a result so enigmatic it could have kept the clubhouse debating over pints long into the evening. Whatever the truth of it, neither side could force home the advantage, and honours were shared in a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody in equal measure.

Trevor's knock keeps him handsomely clear atop the 2nd XI's season run charts, now on 285 for the summer — the man is in irrepressible form. As for the match itself: a fair result, honestly earned, and precisely the kind of afternoon that reminds you why village cricket refuses to be rushed.

Wed 08 Jul 1998 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDLDDW

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 08 July 1998. The road took us to Gravesend CC, and true to form the coin let us down before a ball was bowled; they had first use of the bat, and we resigned ourselves to a long afternoon in the field.

To be fair, the lads didn't disgrace themselves with the ball. Gravesend built steadily to 208/6 off their 49, with S Dwimaj (58) and Dave Elliott (50) doing the bulk of the damage, well supported by Tony Reely's 47. Fred Cheesman was the pick of the attack with 2-23, Darren Styles chipped in 2-34 and bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who'd left his generosity at home — four maidens' worth — while Stuart Cheesman took 1-33. We did at least have Dave Bishop back in the hutch for a duck, small mercies and all that. Poor Piers McDonald had a torrid time behind the stumps too, 11 byes going begging.

Chasing 209 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. We were bowled out for 80 in 32.4 overs, a card blotted further by ducks for Phil Randall and Christian Gatehouse. Only Trevor Back, with a battling 20, offered any real resistance.

Beaten by 128 runs, then, and no arguing with the arithmetic. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets — Jon Harris and Fred Cheesman keep the season's charts ticking over, but this one's filed firmly under "character building."

Sun 05 Jul 1998 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformWDWWW

Sunday 5th July 1998, and Linton Park welcomed the visitors under skies that promised more than our bowling attack could quite deliver. Put into the field, we watched M Forte compile a majestic 104 not out, the sort of innings that makes a captain reach for the tea urn in quiet resignation, with M Gaskin (38) and A Broomes (23) offering sturdy support around him. Small mercies came our way when F Smith departed for a duck, and credit where it's due — Jon Harris toiled manfully for 4-56, backed up nicely by Darius Andrew's 3-31 and Darren Styles chipping in with 1-31. They closed on 247/9 from their 46 overs, a total that had "declaration of intent" written all over it.

Set that imposing target, we settled instead for defiance over glory. Piers McDonald played the innings of the day, a composed 63 not out that anchored us admirably and kept the scoreboard ticking without ever threatening the required rate. I contributed a modest 15 of my own, more useful for occupying the crease than troubling the bowlers. We finished on 113/5 from 35 overs, well short but unbowed.

Piers continues to lead our 1998 run charts with 364 to his name, while Jon Harris sits atop the wicket-takers with 33 — the pair of them quietly carrying the side through the season. As for Sunday's效果: honours shared, a draw wrought not from ambition but from stubbornness. We'll take it, dust off the whites, and go again next week.

Sat 04 Jul 1998 🧢 1st XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · AwayformWWDWW

Saturday 04 July saw us make the pilgrimage down to Cobham CC, and for once the coin actually landed the way I called it. I had no hesitation sticking us in, and the lads rewarded my confidence in style: 212 for 4 off our 46, built on a beautifully paced 89 from Stewart Morrison, with Mike Elworthy (34) and an unbeaten 24 from Rob Doick filling out the innings nicely. A total to bowl at, and bowl at it we did.

Cobham's reply never really got going. David Pearce, Ben Smith and John Jackson all trooped back without so much as a single to their names — harsh work on a Saturday afternoon — while Matt Waters (31) and Andrew Powney (30) offered the only real resistance in a total of 122 all out. Matt Large was the chief destroyer with 3 for 22, Michael Beeney (3 for 27, two miserly maidens) and Stuart Cheesman (3 for 31) all got among the wickets too, and I even managed to rustle up three of my own — must be all that pre-match encouragement paying off.

A special mention for Stewart Morrison, who brought up 3,000 career runs for the club along the way, and who now leads our 1998 first-team run charts with 341, with Matt Large second in the wicket column on 15. All told, a 90-run victory and two points thoroughly banked — the sort of afternoon that makes the drive to Kent, and indeed the whole season, feel worthwhile.

Sat 04 Jul 1998 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWLWWW

Saturday 4th July saw West Farleigh visit us, and having called correctly I did what any sensible captain does with a good pitch and nothing to lose — stuck us in to bat.

What followed was rather splendid. Brian Piper played the innings of the summer, a superb, chanceless hundred, and with Tim Thirkell (36) and Dave Todd (24) chipping in around him we posted a handsome 211/6 from our 46 overs. Not everyone had their day, mind — poor Alan Boyns walked back for nought, and the ducks were duly noted in the club ledger, as tradition demands.

With runs on the board, it was over to Ian Brattle to do the damage, and damage he did — 6-30, three of them maidens, an absolute beauty of a spell that had West Farleigh in all sorts of bother from the off. Dave Todd (2-10) and John Taylor (1-4) mopped up efficiently either side of him, and only Ian Prideaux (37), Martyn Brinklow (23) and Nathan Wise (20) offered any real resistance before the innings folded for 115. I even managed a workmanlike 36 myself, more decoration than necessity by that stage.

A comfortable 96-run win, then, and two points thoroughly banked. With Thirkell now second in the 2nd XI run charts and Todd top of the wicket pile, this was less a nail-biter than a statement of intent — the sort of afternoon that makes the teas taste that bit sweeter.

Sun 28 Jun 1998 🧢 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformWWWDW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 28 June 1998, and Clarion CC the visitors on a day that started, as these things so often do, with me losing the toss and being invited to go and stand in a field. Clarion made merry of the invitation, racking up 236/2 from their 42 overs, with Steve Harris compiling a serene 109 and S Cox chiming in with 101 not out — two centuries against us and precious little we could do about either. Carl Davis was our pick of the attack with 1-36, Matt Large chipped in with 1-47, and Darren Styles at least made them work for it with three tidy maidens. All told, a total that had the tea urn muttering darkly about our chances.

Chasing 237, though, the lads simply refused to read the script. Daniel Thirkell played the innings of the day, 90 not out and full of the sort of calm that makes a captain's job easy, with Clive Newman unbeaten on a well-crafted fifty (64) and Stewart Morrison adding a brisk 37. I managed to contribute 64 myself, which I shall modestly mention once and move swiftly on from. We cantered home on 238/2 with an over to spare.

Clive continues to lead our run charts for the season with 314, and Matt sits second among the wicket-takers with 12 — form both men can be rightly proud of. Two hundred-plus partnerships against us, and still we won by seven wickets. Cricket, eh. Onwards.

Sat 27 Jun 1998 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformDWWWD

Rumwood CC came to Linton Park on Saturday and left, I like to think, wondering what had hit them.

Winning the toss on a good-looking Saturday, I had no hesitation in batting first — one of those rare decisions that actually looked clever by close of play. Nigel Thirkell simply took the day away from everyone, ours and theirs, crafting a magnificent 138 that had the tea urn practically boiling with excitement. David Castle stayed unbeaten on a tidy 30 and Stewart Morrison chipped in a handy 25, and between them they hauled us to a thumping 261/5 from our 44 overs — the sort of total that makes the opposition's coach journey home feel rather longer than it needs to.

Defending it, we never quite let Rumwood settle. Mark Wellbelove (36) and Rod Bailey, unbeaten on 34, threatened to make a game of it, with G Appleby's 29 lending support, but our bowlers kept chipping away. Jon Harris led from the front with 2-30, Matt Large weighed in with 2-39, Keith Hatcher picked up one for a miserly 10, and Rob Doick bowled three maidens that must have felt like solitary confinement for the batsmen facing him. Rumwood limped to 159/6 from their 46, well short.

A tidy note in the log: Dave Charlton's 15 runs nudged him past Robert Murray into 25th on the all-time run list — quiet history, made in passing.

A fine win by 102 runs, then, and one Nigel Thirkell will remember fondly. Onwards.

Sun 21 Jun 1998 🧢 1st XIv BC Bromley Common CC · HomeformLDWWW

Sunday 21 June brought Bromley Common Common to our ground, and the coin, as is tradition, deserted us — they elected to bat, and off we trotted into the field with nothing but hope and Jon Harris.

Hope, it turned out, was not entirely misplaced, even if the scoreboard occasionally suggested otherwise. Bryan Kirby settled in for a fine 86 and Brett Walker chipped in with a stylish 67, the pair putting our attack through its paces while Simon Webb added a brisk 26. Steve Taylor, mercifully, departed for a duck at our hands — the sole small mercy of the afternoon. Jon Harris toiled away for a very respectable 2-58, with Carl Davis (1-23) and Ian Brattle (1-36) offering honest support, and Darren Styles bowled two maidens with the sort of miserliness the club treasurer would thoroughly approve of. All told, 211/5 from their 44 overs was a stiff enough target to be chasing sandwiches by tea.

With the bat, we set about it steadily rather than spectacularly. Clive Newman played the innings of the day, sailing past his fifty to 91 — a captain could ask for little more — ably supported by Stewart Morrison's 24. But 174/8 from our 44 overs left us short of the finish line, though not for want of trying.

So honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow — and frankly, after Newman's innings and Harris's toil, I'll happily settle for that. A fair result, fairly fought.

Sat 20 Jun 1998 🧢 1st XIv HC Horsmonden CC · AwayformWLDWW

Saturday 20 June saw us head to Horsmonden, and having called correctly I did what any captain with a suspicious mind about the pitch does — stuck us in and hoped for the best. It didn't look like genius early on, but 146 all out from our 46 overs will just about do, built on Clive Newman's watchful 38 and Dave Charlton's tidy 22 in support. Poor Piers McDonald will not be troubling the scorers this week — a golden duck to treasure and quietly forget — though we can't complain too loudly when extras (29 of them) very nearly matched our top scorer for effort.

With the ball, this is where the lads earned their tea. Jon Harris ran through them with a superb 4-34, Nigel Thirkell chipped away with 2-22, and Darren Styles picked up 1-7 for good measure. But the real story was Daniel Thirkell, who bowled five maidens and gave the Horsmonden batsmen absolutely nothing to work with — the sort of spell that doesn't always show up in the wickets column but wins matches all the same. G Dilton's 24 was the best they could muster as they subsided to 104/8 from their 44, my own 18 with the bat feeling almost superfluous by comparison.

We got home by 42 runs — a proper day out, and one that owed as much to Daniel Thirkell's parsimony as to anyone's fireworks. Not bad for a Saturday.

Sat 20 Jun 1998 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horsmonden CC · HomeformDWLWW

As the season 2 skipper, our club always kept every Saturday spinning yarn out of every match - and this called for no toss-luck flattery, just the tale.

The heavens smiled at Linton Park on Saturday 20th June, and, winning the toss, I did what any self-respecting skipper does on a decent-looking morning – had a look at the pitch, ignored my better instincts, and stuck us in. It very nearly backfired. We limped to 135 all out in 44.5 overs, rescued from something rather more embarrassing by Paul Davey's watchful 37 and Dave Todd's 35, with Tim Thirkell chipping in 29. Elsewhere the card made grim reading, with Mike Elworthy, Peter Dean and Roly Edwards all departing for ducks in a spell that had me studying my boots rather more than the game.

A modest total, then, and Horsmonden must have fancied their chances. They reckoned without Dave Todd, who turned his arm over and simply bamboozled them – 7 for 37 of pure witchcraft, the sort of spell that has grown men reaching for the scorebook to check they've added it up right. John Taylor did his bit too, tight as a drum with five maidens and 2 for 21, while Dean Larkin and Graham Bateup fell for ducks at our hands. Andy Bateup's 44 and useful contributions from Peter Bateup (26 not out) and N Fogg (25) threatened a wobble, but it wasn't quite enough. I added a watchful 29 with the bat earlier and enjoyed every minute of Todd's heroics from the safety of the field.

Horsmonden closed on 112 for 9. Twenty-three runs the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved.

Wed 17 Jun 1998 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformLDLDD

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 17 June 1998. We travelled to Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC, lost the toss, and were duly asked to have a bowl first, which on a warm midweek evening felt rather like being handed the washing-up before you'd even sat down to dinner.

Sevenoaks made themselves entirely at home, racking up 224/5 from their 39 overs. G. Styles led the charge with a handsomely made 65, with C. Simpson (47) and Paul Seldon (47) chipping in either side of him to keep the scoreboard humming along nicely. Mike Chapman toiled manfully for his 2-57, and got good company from Troy McConnell (1-35) and Jon Harris (1-42), though truth be told the lads were fighting a losing battle against a target that always felt a touch beyond us.

And so it proved. Our reply folded for 98 in 37.3 overs, Piers McDonald's 24 the only innings of any real substance. Spare a thought too for Adam Pooley and Christian Gatehouse, who both made the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club ledger duly updated. 🦆

Elsewhere, Jon Harris continues his fine season, topping our 1998 Midweek XI run charts with 71 and sitting second in the wickets column with three.

We got over the line by 0 wickets — which is captain's-speak for a comprehensive defeat, dressed up as gently as I can manage. Not our finest hour, but the tea was good and the sun stayed out, so we'll call it a day for the character-building file rather than the nightmares one.

Sun 14 Jun 1998 🧢 1st XIv SC St Lawrence CC · AwayformDWLDW

As the away captain, back at St Lawrence on a June afternoon with the coin landing the wrong way up, here's the report.

The toss went against us on Sunday, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like tradition, so we trooped into the field wondering what sort of afternoon lay ahead. St Lawrence made steady if unspectacular progress to 116/9 from their 38 overs, T. Jordan top-scoring with a well-made 32 and C. Leonard chipping in with 21. Jon Harris was the chief architect of the collapse, prising out four for 31, with Darren Styles (2-23) and Fred Cheesman (1-5) tidying up either end, while Stuart Cheesman bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding the tea urn, four maidens and barely a boundary in sight. Poor Paul Wood, meanwhile, will not want reminding that he departed for a duck.

A target of 117 looked gettable, and so it proved, though not without the usual quota of nervous glances at the scorebook. We eased home at 120/4 with 2.2 overs unused, the innings built entirely around Piers McDonald, who batted with real class for an unbeaten 65, comfortably clearing his fifty and doing the bulk of the chasing himself while the rest of us admired from the other end.

Six wickets, two points, and a season that keeps rewarding the same two men handsomely — McDonald now tops the run charts with 252, Harris the wickets with 21. On this evidence, long may it continue. A thoroughly deserved win, and one that owed everything to bowling discipline up front and one man's class with the bat.

Sun 07 Jun 1998 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Milstead CC · HomeformLWLWW

Beaten by 7, and the toss, and the coin — that's four things gone against us before we'd even bowled a ball, but that's Milstead for you. Sent in on a Sunday afternoon that had every right to owe us a favour, and instead we found ourselves chasing 195 to win. Fisher gave the visitors' innings its backbone with a tidy 53, and got rather too much help from Sellar (33) and Moxon (28) for our liking, but Ian Brattle kept plugging away for 2-54 and Large and Doick chipped in either side of him to peg Milstead to 194/5 off their forty.

Chasing it, Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day — a proper fifty, 55 well-made runs, the sort that makes you think you're going to get there. Doick backed him up nicely with 34 and Charlton added 28, and for a while it looked like honest toil might just see us home. It didn't. We folded for 187 with four balls of the forty unused, seven runs shy of the target, and poor Ian Brattle — hero with the ball a few hours earlier — went for a duck with the bat, which is the kind of joke only cricket thinks is funny.

There was a silver lining for the scorebook, if not the scoreline: Rob Doick's wicket nudged him past George Champion into 24th on the club's all-time list, while Thirkell and Large continue to lead the Sunday charts on runs and wickets respectively. Small mercies. We were beaten, fair and square, by seven runs — no more, no less — and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 06 Jun 1998 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformLDWLD

Here's the report:

We won the toss and, with the sort of confidence I'd later be quietly grateful for, had no hesitation whatsoever in choosing to bat. Down at Marden, that turned out to be the right call, though the process was rather more comfortable than the outcome deserved. David Castle led the way with a thoroughly well-made 78, the kind of innings that makes the rest of us look faintly amateurish, while Clive Newman batted sensibly through to 46 not out and Stewart Morrison chipped in with 31. We closed on 200 for 5 from our 46 overs — a total that felt, at the time, comfortably defendable and, by the end, rather less so.

Marden had other ideas. John Paul Sunnucks played a fine half-century, 58 well-struck runs, with Nigel Bardsley (23) and D. Tipples (22) offering support that had us checking our totals more than once. But the bowlers held their nerve. Rob Doick led from the front with 2 for 42 — and, in a moment for the mantelpiece, passed 200 career wickets along the way. Nigel Thirkell (2-56) and Jon Harris (1-34) chipped in, while Matt Large bowled with admirable discipline, three maidens and barely a run to be had. Marden fell 12 runs short on 188 for 8.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a reminder that in club cricket the narrow wins taste every bit as sweet as the thumping ones.

Sat 06 Jun 1998 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformWDWLW

It was a beautiful Saturday down at Linton Park, and when I called correctly against Marden CC I had no hesitation whatsoever — bat first, and let the runs do the arguing. Argue they did, though not perhaps as loudly as we'd hoped: 148/8 from our 46 overs, with Martin Mears the pick of the willow-wielders on 37, Trevor Back chipping in a tidy 22 and Dave Todd 21. Paul Davey and Tim Thirkell both departed for ducks, which is never a pleasant sight from the pavilion, and as for the skipper — well, we shall come to that.

Defending 148 is never a comfortable afternoon, but the lads set about it with real purpose. Marden were restricted to 130/9 from 42.2 overs, Stuart Milstead's fine 63 the only real obstacle in our path, while Ian Brattle accounted for the other Ian Brattle for a duck — cricket's little jokes. Trevor Back was magnificent, 4-17 and among the wickets all afternoon, well backed by Ian Brattle's 4-39 (two maidens besides) and a useful strike from Darren Styles, 1-25.

Of my own contribution, the least said the better — a golden blob, and a reminder that leading by example doesn't always extend to the scorebook. Happier news elsewhere: Roly Edwards brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, and Trevor Back's four wickets edged him past Tony Gauna into 12th on our all-time list. A fine, hard-fought win by 18 runs — two points thoroughly earned, and a captain thoroughly humbled.

Sun 31 May 1998 🧢 1st XIv Town Malling CC · HomeformLLDWL

We fielded — sorry, batted — first at home to Town Malling on a Sunday that will live long in the Linton Park memory, and for once winning the toss and choosing to bat looked less like habit and more like genuine cricketing insight. Stuart Cheesman set about proceedings in fine style, finishing unbeaten on 76, while Clive Newman kept him honest with a well-crafted 64 and Piers McDonald chipped in a brisk 40. Poor Daniel Thirkell will not want reminding of his golden duck, though he'd more than make amends later. Even the extras got in on the act with a generous 40, and 228/4 from our 35 overs felt like a total with a bit of everything in it.

Town Malling replied with 150/8 from their 47, never quite matching our tempo, with Simon Uttridge and Adam Nix both making tidy 38s to keep them in it. But the day belonged to Jon Harris, whose 5-40 — five maidens included — was bowling of real discipline and no little menace, well supported by Thirkell's 1-14 and Darren Styles' 1-21. Our 17 byes, it must be said, told their own tale of a keeper having rather a testing afternoon.

Amid the runs and wickets, two milestones deserve their moment: Piers McDonald reached 6,000 career runs for the club, and Clive Newman's 64 nudged him past Keith Hatcher into 16th on our all-time run charts. With McDonald now 2nd in this season's run standings and Harris leading the wicket-takers with 16, the engine room is purring nicely.

In the end neither side could force the issue, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but one that felt, on reflection, thoroughly earned by both.

Sat 30 May 1998 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformDLLDW

Saturday 30 May 1998 – Home to Staplehurst CC

Lost the toss again, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like a personal vendetta from the coin itself. Staplehurst had no hesitation in batting, and their openers set about proving why: J Wilson and A Henson both cashed in with fifties (59 and 58 respectively), steering them to a healthy 188/8 from their 46 overs. Full credit to the bowling unit for dragging things back from what might have been a real drubbing — Matt Large was superb with 3-35, well backed up by Nigel and Daniel Thirkell (2-38 and 2-40), while Michael Beeney kept things admirably tight with three maidens. A stiff but gettable target, we told ourselves.

We told ourselves wrong. Our reply limped to 96 all out in 32.5 overs, the kind of innings that makes you stare very hard at your tea and say nothing. Poor Paul Gibson departed for a golden duck, which is never a fun way to open the batting diary. I managed a spot of consolation with the ball, picking up three wickets myself, though by then the game was well beyond us.

Elsewhere in the season, Piers McDonald continues to sit second in the run charts with 147, and Matt Large is second among the wicket-takers with 8 — small mercies amid the wreckage. All told, a 92-run defeat and a long, quiet drive home. Heads up, chaps — back to the nets.

Sat 30 May 1998 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformWWDWL

Off with a good day for a batting collapse — theirs, thankfully. Staplehurst won the toss, chose to bat, and we spent Saturday afternoon reminding ourselves why that's not always the blessing visiting captains fear. They limped to 123 all out in 45.4 overs, D Roots doing the only substantial digging with 21. John Taylor was the chief architect of the demolition, 3-14 and metronomic with it, well backed by Alan Boyns (3-36) and Ian Brattle (2-29), while Darren Styles bowled like a man with a grudge against boundaries, four maidens and barely a run to be had.

Chasing 124, we were rather more sedate about it — no need to panic when the target's that modest, though I'll admit a few of us were quietly hoping someone would just get on with it. Mike Elworthy obliged in style, an excellent 72 that did the bulk of the carrying, with Trevor Back playing the perfect foil, 37 not out and unbeaten at the close. We eased home at 126/2 in 29.4 overs, eight wickets to the good.

Special mention, and rightly so, for Trevor Back, who along the way brought up 7,000 career runs for the club — a landmark that deserves rather more than a passing sentence, but he'd be the first to wave it off and ask what's for tea. He now leads our 1998 2nd XI run charts with 208, while John Taylor tops the wickets with 7.

A thoroughly satisfying eight-wicket win, professionally done from ball one to the last. Onwards.

Tue 26 May 1998 🧢 Midweek XIv KC Kenn CC · HomeformLLDLD

Kenn CC came to Linton Park last Tuesday and, having lost the toss, invited us to bat first — the coin, as ever, having its own agenda where I'm concerned.

We made a fair fist of it, posting 235/6 off 39.4 overs. Mike Elworthy led the way with a handsome 68, Jon Harris purred along to 60, and Stuart Cheesman chipped in a brisk 48. Poor Adam Pooley, meanwhile, contributed nothing at all to the cause — a golden duck to file away and forget, if only he could.

Defending that total, we found Kenn in no mood to surrender either, closing on 217/9 from their 42 overs. Pete Murfin (80) and Whiley (53) gave us plenty to think about, though we did at least see off Peter Chislett for a duck. The day belonged to Daniel Thirkell, whose 5-20 — two of them maidens — was as miserly and as deserved a five-for as you'll see on this ground, well supported by Jon Harris (2-56) and Michael Beeney (1-39). Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, shipping nine byes, while I was rather pleased to lead from the front with 60 of my own — and doubly pleased to see that innings carry Jon Harris past Malcolm Pay to 19th on the club's all-time run list.

Honours shared, then, and rightly so — two sides giving as good as they got, and nobody quite able to land the final blow. A draw that felt thoroughly earned.

Sun 24 May 1998 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crockham Hill CC · AwayformWLWLW

Here's the report:

Sunday, 24 May 1998, and the road took us out to Crockham Hill CC — a fixture that promised much and, for once, delivered handsomely. We lost the toss, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition, and were duly asked to bat. No complaints from this corner; runs on the board never hurt anyone.

Stewart Morrison set about proceedings with real purpose, compiling a fine unbeaten 68, while Nigel Thirkell chipped in with a sturdy 35 alongside him. Even our extras column pulled its weight with 29 — practically an opening partnership in its own right. All told, 203/6 from our forty overs felt like a total with some teeth in it, and so it proved.

Crockham Hill fought hard, with Stuart Seal notching a gutsy fifty, but the wheels came off around him. J- Bass and Chris Harding departed without scoring, and the bowling attack simply throttled the chase — Matt Large the pick of them with a superb 3-9 and two miserly maidens, backed magnificently by Daniel Thirkell's 3-18 and Nigel Thirkell's 2-12. All out for 125 in 36.2 overs told its own story.

As for your correspondent, the least said about my duck the better, though I did at least find some redemption with three wickets to my name later on.

A 78-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — Nigel Thirkell and Matt Large continuing to lead the charge at the top of this season's charts. More of the same, please, lads.

Sat 23 May 1998 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformDDLLD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 23 May 1998. We were away at Horton Kirby CC, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in electing to bat, which for once I can report was entirely the right call.

We posted 157/9 from our 46 overs, built around a fine half-century from Dave Charlton (66), with Stewart Morrison (25 not out) and Daniel Thirkell (22) chipping in nicely to give the total some backbone. Less gloriously, Nigel Thirkell, David Castle and Michael Beeney all took the long walk back for nought — a trio of ducks that will not be allowed to gather dust in the ledger.

In the field we set about defending it, and Horton Kirby were dismissed for 132 in 43.3 overs, M Wray (26) and J Thomas (23) doing most of the damage before the innings folded — with Paul Evans joining our own list of ducks for good measure. The bowling was a real team effort: Matt Large led from the front with 4-34, Jon Harris backed him up superbly with 3-34, and Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 2-32, while Michael Beeney kept things tight with three maidens. I even found a spot of rhythm myself for four wickets. A word too for Matt Large, who brought up 1000 career wickets on the day — no small feat.

We ran out winners by 25 runs. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 23 May 1998 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWWWDW

Saturday 23 May 1998 saw us make the pilgrimage to Horton Kirby, and having called correctly at the toss, I fancied our chances with the bat on what looked a decent surface. I needn't have looked so pleased with myself. Trevor Back played the anchor role beautifully for 36, with Ron McCormick chipping in a tidy 29 alongside him, but the rest of the card made grim reading — John Taylor and Roly Edwards both departed for golden ducks, and we were all out for 133 in the 42nd over. A total that, even as it was being posted, felt about twenty runs light of a defendable one.

So it proved. Horton Kirby set about the chase with an ease that had us checking our watches rather early. Geoff Rameaux made hay with a polished, unbeaten 55, and Ryan Taylor gave him fine company with 49 not out, the pair seeing their side home to 135-2 inside 30 overs without so much as breaking sweat. Ian Brattle toiled manfully for his 2-44 and deserved better luck, while John Taylor at least kept things honest with two tidy maidens.

Trevor Back continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts for the season on 171, and Brattle's efforts nudge him into fourth on the wicket-takers' list — small crumbs of comfort on an otherwise chastening afternoon. We went down by five wickets, well and truly outbatted at the death. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 17 May 1998 🧢 1st XIv HC Hadlow CC · HomeformDDDLL

Sunday 17 May 1998, Hadlow CC at home, and I won the toss and did what any self-respecting captain does with the sun out and the tea urn warming up — I stuck us in.

We batted first and made a proper fist of it: 231 for 6 off 41.5 overs, built around a lovely 90 from Stewart Morrison, who never looked in a hurry to give it back. Daniel Thirkell chipped in a handsome 61, Matt Large kept things ticking with 32, and poor Darius Andrew's contribution began and ended with the walk back to the pavilion — a golden duck to remind us cricket keeps everyone humble.

In the field we squeezed the life out of Hadlow, restricting them to 137 for 9 from their 45 overs. Andy Wren stood firm for 43 not out, but he had precious little company — Bill Foley departed for nought, and Jon Harris was in inspired form with 3 for 12, well backed by Darius Andrew's 3 for 30 (redemption of sorts with the ball) and Darren Styles's tidy 2 for 19, three maidens and all. Eleven byes, mind, told poor Piers McDonald it wasn't quite his day behind the stumps — though he can console himself sitting second in this season's run charts, while Jon Harris now leads the wickets column.

With 231 on the board and Hadlow well short, honours were shared rather than earned outright — a draw that, on the balance of the afternoon, felt like a point stolen from us as much as a point gained by them.

Sat 16 May 1998 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformDDDDL

Here's the match report:

There are days when the toss feels like a formality, and Saturday against Dummy Site was not one of them — I called correctly, elected to bat, and for once the decision looked shrewd from the very first ball. Paul Gibson set about proving the point emphatically, compiling a majestic 126 not out, and found a fine ally in Nigel Thirkell, whose well-crafted 62 gave the innings real backbone. We closed on a handsome 244 for 7 from our 46 overs — though poor Piers McDonald will want the scorebook burned before anyone spots his duck.

With the ball, we set about our work in good heart. Nigel Thirkell, evidently not content with his runs, turned his arm over to devastating effect, taking 3 for 15 with two miserly maidens thrown in for good measure. Jon Harris (3-22) and David Lines (2-25) lent excellent support, and between us we dismissed Fotheringham and Clark without so much as a single run to their names. Rigden (44) and Monk (28) threatened to make a match of it, but the visitors were skittled for 147 in 36.4 overs.

And yet — 97 runs is 97 runs, and the scoreboard does not lie. There was, at least, a silver lining to cling to: Gibson's innings carried him past Tim Thirkell and up to 5th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a landmark worth raising a glass to even in defeat. We were beaten, fair and square, but not disgraced. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 16 May 1998 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · HomeformDWWWD

Saturday 16 May 1998 saw Meopham CC arrive at Linton Park, and having won the toss I had few qualms about batting first — a decision I'm rather pleased to say vindicated itself over the course of the afternoon.

We were bowled out for 210 in 44.4 overs, a total built principally on Paul Davey's 49, with Tim Thirkell (42) and Trevor Back (35) lending sturdy support. Less said the better about Adam Pooley and John Taylor, who both departed for ducks — though every side needs someone to fall on their sword for the greater good, and today it was theirs to bear.

With the ball, the lads set about defending it in style. Meopham replied with 189 for 8 from their 45 overs, Tony Thatcher's 44 the backbone of their effort, well supported by Brian Sambrook (38 not out) and Barrie Lewis-Ranwell (38). But it was Dave Todd who did the real damage — 3 for 48, three of those overs maidens, tight enough to squeeze the breath out of any batting order — with Darren Styles (3-50) and John Taylor (2-23) chipping in handsomely. Poor Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, 13 byes going begging, and I did my bit with 42 of my own.

Trevor Back now leads our 1998 2nd XI run charts with 135, and Dave Todd tops the wicket pile with 6 — form both are entitled to be rather smug about. A 21-run victory, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved: not our prettiest cricket, but honest, hard-fought stuff of the very best village kind.

Sun 10 May 1998 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWWLWL

Sunday 10 May 1998, and off we trooped to Shipbourne CC with the sun more or less behaving itself. I called correctly at the toss — a rarer event than it ought to be — and, in a fit of uncharacteristic decisiveness, stuck us in to bat.

We made a proper fist of it: 169/4 from our 40 overs, built chiefly on Nigel Thirkell's unbeaten 67, a fine and watchful innings that sailed well past his fifty without so much as a wobble. Dave Charlton chipped in handsomely with 42, and Keith Hatcher finished unbeaten on 26 — runs that, as it turns out, will be remembered for more than just the scoreboard.

In the field we defended with real discipline. David Lines was superb, leading the attack with 3-29, well backed by Matt Large's 2-34 and Stuart Cheesman's 1-4, while Michael Beeney bowled with miserly precision — four maidens, not a run given away lightly. Edward Gelling threatened to spoil the party with a battling 35, but Shipbourne could only muster 124/9, Peter Gray departing for a golden duck along the way. A win by 45 runs, and a thoroughly deserved one.

A word too for the record books: Keith Hatcher's 26 nudged him past Frank Brattle into 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — quiet history made at deep mid-on while the rest of us weren't looking. Nigel leads our 1998 Sunday run charts, David leads the wickets. Onwards, then, with heads appropriately unbowed.

Sat 09 May 1998 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformLDWWW

Batting first at home to Staplehurst, we posted 203 for 8 from our 47 overs, the innings built almost single-handedly around Trevor Back's magnificent unbeaten century — a proper captain's-innings century, if he'll forgive me stealing the phrase — with Adam Pooley (21) and Dave Todd (20) chipping in useful support. I threw in a workmanlike 16 of my own, more filler than flourish.

Defending the total, we had Staplehurst on the ropes at various points but couldn't quite finish the job, restricting them to 152 for 9 from their 43 overs. M Potter played the innings of the day for them with a well-made 74, while M Roche departed without troubling the scorers. Dave Todd was outstanding with the ball, 3 for 49 and clearly the pick of our attack, John Taylor bowled a tidy, miserly spell for 2 for 18 with three maidens, and Peter Dean picked up a wicket for no runs at all. Eleven byes did rather give the game away about Roly Edwards's afternoon behind the stumps — we'll say no more, in the spirit of club charity.

In the end honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. With Back top of our 1998 run charts and Todd leading the wickets, the season's shaping up nicely even if today's effort fell just short of victory. A fair result, all told — Staplehurst will be as relieved as we are frustrated, and there are worse ways to spend a Saturday than watching a captain's ton go unrewarded by the scoreline.

Sat 09 May 1998 🧢 1st XIv RC Rainham (Kent) CC · AwayformLDDDD

Saturday 09 May 1998, away at Rainham (Kent) CC, and I lost the toss for the privilege of a leather hunt on what turned out to be a long afternoon. We were put in, and the lads did rather nicely by it: 204/6 from our 49 overs, with Piers McDonald the undisputed hero of the piece, striking a magnificent unbeaten 108. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with a tidy 27 and Paul Gibson 21, while poor Matt Large will want this one struck from the record — a golden duck to his name, complete with the traditional gazette waterfowl. I added my own modest 27 to the cause.

Two hundred and four looked a defendable total, and for a good while it was. But Geoff McCue had other ideas, easing to 58, well supported by James Austin and Keith Morris with 32 apiece, and a third-wicket stand of 61 that did the real damage to our hopes. Jon Harris was our pick with the ball, 2-29, backed up handsomely by Darius Andrew (2-38) and Ian Brattle (1-24), while Nigel Thirkell bowled two miserly maidens for good measure. Eight byes off Paul Gibson's gloves told their own tale of a testing day behind the stumps.

In the end Rainham got home by four wickets, and there's no dressing that up. But with Piers now sitting proudly atop the season's run charts and Michael Beeney lurking second among the wicket-takers, there's plenty to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

Mon 04 May 1998 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformWLDDD

I called it right at the toss and, with the sun doing its level best to behave, there was only ever one decision to make: we'd bat. Two hundred and six for five off our forty-four overs was a fine platform, built almost entirely on the back of some proper batting — I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction in contributing 75 myself, but it was Paul Gibson's well-crafted 71 that caught the eye, a knock that now sees him leapfrog Tim Thirkell into 5th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Not a bad afternoon's work for a Monday.

Defending it proved rather more nerve-jangling. Maidstone Dissidents dug in, with Steve Heap's 57 the backbone of their reply, well supported by Piers McDonald and Ian Sandwell, and for a while it looked like slipping from our grasp. Enter Darren Styles, spinning his way to a magnificent 5-43 and dragging us back into it, with Michael Beeney (2-41, two tidy maidens) and Darius Andrew (1-19) chipping in dutifully. Poor Peter Whyte, meanwhile, endured one of those afternoons behind the stumps that keepers dream about only in nightmares — 22 byes is not a number one puts on the mantelpiece.

In the end, 203/8 from their forty-six overs meant honours even. A draw, then — the great English compromise, satisfying absolutely no one and somehow entirely fitting.