🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 30 Sep 2000 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformDWLLD

Saturday 30 September 2000. Bidborough CC arrived at Linton Park, I lost the toss, and duly found myself leading us out into the field with the look of a man who'd rather have had a bat first. Still, the lads set about their work with real purpose. John Taylor was in excellent nick, running through the visitors' order for 4-22, while David Castle backed him up nicely with 3-10 and Michael Beeney bowled with the patience of a saint — 6 maidens in his 1-15. Bidborough limped to 133 all out from their 46 overs, R. Warner's 27 the highest of a modest bunch.

Chasing 134, we made harder work of it than perhaps we should have — 136/5 from our own 46 overs tells its own tale of a pursuit conducted at village pace rather than a gallop. David Castle continued his fine day with 32, I chipped in with 32 of my own, and Mike Elworthy (30 not out) and Daniel Thirkell (28 not out) saw us home with the calm of men who knew the job was in hand. Poor Stuart Cheesman departed for a golden duck, and Piers McDonald had a torrid time behind the stumps with 9 byes leaked — the standing joke of the innings, no doubt.

I even managed 3 wickets with the ball for good measure. A scrappy, occasionally comic affair, but two points are two points — and thoroughly earned by four wickets.

Sun 24 Sep 2000 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWDWLL

Sunday 24 September saw us welcome Anchorians CC to Linton Park, and for once the coin toss actually behaved itself — heads, and into the field went our visitors while I sent us in to bat, feeling uncharacteristically decisive for a man who usually agonises over these things for a full five minutes.

What followed was as brisk a knock as this reporter can remember. Russell Baldwin, whose season has been quietly magnificent (he now sits second in the 1st XI run charts with 575 for the year), batted with real authority for his unbeaten 37, and found an excellent ally in Clive Newman, calm and correct for his 25 not out. I managed to get a bat on a few myself for 25, more through good fortune than good technique, and between us we rattled along to 65 without loss in just 15.1 overs — the sort of over rate that would have had our openers of decades past reaching for the smelling salts.

Alas, the cricketing gods decided that was quite enough entertainment for one Sunday, and neither side could force matters to a conclusion. Honours were shared, the teas were good, and Anchorians departed none the worse for wear.

A draw, then — not the stuff of legend, but with Baldwin in this sort of form and the sun still out, I'll happily take it. Onwards.

Sat 23 Sep 2000 🧢 2nd XIv EC Elliotts CC · AwayformWWWLW

Saturday 23rd September saw us make the trip to Elliotts CC, and having won the toss I elected to bat — still convinced, whatever followed, that it was the right call. What followed, alas, was 108 all out from 48.5 overs, a total that told its own sorry tale. Richard Piper batted with real application for 35, and John Taylor chipped in nicely with 25, but beyond that the wheels came off in style — Simon Thirkell, Trevor Back and Dave Todd all contributing that most traditional of club cricket offerings, the golden duck. Three ducks in one innings is the sort of thing that has grown men reaching for the tea urn in despair.

With the ball, we gave ourselves a sniff. Dave Todd was excellent, 2-32, with John Taylor (1-19) and the ever-miserly Darren Styles (1-23, two maidens) squeezing things nicely in support — and we even managed to send Dave Gracey back for nought of his own, small mercies and all. But Gary Buckle (33) and Cliff Pegg (30) had other ideas, with Mike Ling seeing them home unbeaten on 23, and Elliotts cruised to 109/4 off 33 overs.

Down by six wickets, then, and no arguing with it. On the season charts Mike Elworthy continues to lead our 2nd XI run-scorers with 604, and John Taylor tops the wicket pile with 34 — proof, if nothing else, that not everyone left their game at home. For the rest of us: heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 17 Sep 2000 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformWWDWL

Sunday 17 September brought Dummy Site to Linton Park, and the coin — as it so often does when I'm calling it — let me down; they had first use of a wicket that, in fairness, looked worth batting on. Forty-seven overs and 153 for 8 later, we knew we'd been in a proper contest, Mike Tritton's 48 the backbone of it, K Stapley unbeaten on 40 and R Taylor chipping in 22. But it wasn't a one-man show with the ball either: Stuart Cheesman was magnificent, 4 for 38 to lead the attack, Nigel Thirkell chiselled away for 2 for 18, Russell Baldwin picked up one, and Darren Styles bowled three maidens that gave away nothing but frustration. R Swaisland and M Broome, mind you, will want the scorebook to forget them entirely — back in the hutch without so much as a single to their names.

A gettable target, we told ourselves, and for a while it looked it. David Castle led from the front with 45, Nigel Thirkell — clearly enjoying his season — added an unbeaten 36, Peter Whyte weighed in with 27, and I managed to contribute 45 of my own, more by luck than method, I suspect. But 155 for 6 from 36.5 overs wasn't quite enough, and we fell four wickets short.

Nigel continues to top the run charts with 647 for the season, and Stuart sits third among the wicket-takers with 22 — small consolation on a day that got away from us. Not our afternoon, but heads up, and back to the nets we go.

Wed 13 Sep 2000 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformWDDLD

It was one of those coin tosses that made me feel like a genius for about three overs — I put us in, and Mike Elworthy made sure I looked the part, cruising to 93 in an innings that had "hundred" written all over it before the cricketing gods intervened, as they always do. Stuart Cheesman's 37 and David Castle's unbeaten 30 filled in the gaps nicely, and we posted a very respectable 218/6 off our 41. Poor Russell Baldwin, meanwhile, will not be troubling the scorers or the highlight reel this week — a golden duck to file quietly away and never speak of again.

Defending it, we scrapped hard. Jon Harris was magnificent with the ball, 3-22 and, we're reliably informed, his 2300th career wicket into the bargain — a proper landmark for a proper bowler. Darren Styles chipped in with 1-38, and I even found some rhythm myself, snaring three. But their middle order had other ideas: Griffith-Jones (63) and Ives (53) both went past their fifties, with Cornwallis (35 not out) seeing them home to 211/5 off 39.

So honours shared, and perhaps that's fair — nobody quite had the last word. Mike Elworthy sits proudly atop our run charts this season with 230, and Jon Harris leads the wickets with 15 and now a very tidy career milestone besides. A draw, then, but a thoroughly entertaining one — and if Russell's listening, there's always next week.

Sun 10 Sep 2000 🧢 1st XIv CC Chelsfield Park CC · HomeformLWWDW

Sunday 10 September saw Chelsfield Park CC roll up the drive, the sun out and, rather unusually, the coin cooperating with me for once. I called correctly and had few doubts about batting first on what looked a decent track.

We posted 171/7 from our 44 overs, a total built on the sort of patient, unspectacular graft that wins games more often than it gets remembered. David Castle anchored things nicely with an unbeaten 37, Adam Pooley chipped in a breezy 30 and Stewart Morrison weighed in with 26. I added a modest 37 myself, which I shall be quietly pleased about and not mention again.

In the field, Chelsfield made a game of it, reaching 172/5 in 36.5 overs to win by five wickets — Nick Polkinhorne the chief architect with a fine 77, well supported by M Weeks (49) and Greg Snape (21). Russell Baldwin was superb, snapping up 3-21, with David Castle and Michael Beeney chipping in a wicket apiece. Poor Clive Newman had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping eight byes — the sort of thing that happens to the best of us and will doubtless be raised again at the bar.

One shaft of sunshine amid the gloom: Richard Piper brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved and thoroughly celebrated. But make no mistake — this was not our day. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Sat 09 Sep 2000 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDLWWD

It was a good toss to lose, as it turned out — asked to bowl first at Bearsted, and rarely have I been happier to hand over the coin. Ian Brattle set the tone with 3-21, Michael Beeney and Stuart Cheesman chipped in with two apiece, and Daniel Thirkell bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who simply refused to be hit, four maidens and all. Ian Sandwell's 28 was the only real resistance, and Bearsted were shovelled out for 106 in 45.5 overs — a total that never looked like troubling us.

And so it proved. Nigel Thirkell and I put on 88 for the first wicket before anything went wrong at all, and by the time I fell for 63 the job was all but done — David Castle saw us home unbeaten on 42, and we cruised to 108/2 in barely 25 overs. Only Daniel Thirkell had a quiet afternoon with the bat, departing for a golden duck, though he'd more than done his bit with the ball.

Quiet note for the scorebook: Michael Beeney's brace nudged him past Tony Snell into 21st on the club's all-time wicket list — these things matter more than we let on. Two points banked, eight wickets to spare, and a Saturday that asked very few questions of us. Chasing 107 with the ball already banked in the bag beforehand is, I'll admit, the easiest kind of cricket there is — and we weren't about to apologise for it.

Sat 09 Sep 2000 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWWWL

Rain looked threatened all week, but Bearsted's square held firm and so did our resolve, even after Skipper called wrong at the toss for what felt like the ninth time this summer. Put in to bowl, we found the outfield generous and the home side's progress fitful — 36 for 2 crumbled to 42 for 5 in the sort of collapse that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces, Mark Mills departing without troubling the scorers. John Taylor was the chief architect of the wobble, snapping up 3 for 13 with the sort of control that had the Bearsted middle order playing him from memory rather than sight, while Alan Boyns chipped in with 2 for 37 and Darren Styles bowled nine overs of maidens so tight you could have used them to seal a jam jar, finishing with 1 for 14. Only a defiant late stand of 51 for the seventh wicket, Rod Maloney unbeaten on 46 and well supported by Robin Cross's 21 and Alistair Mills's 21 not out, rescued the innings and got them to 132 for 7 off their 46 overs.

That total was never going to trouble us on a good day, and this was a good day. Brian Piper batted with the unhurried authority of a man who knows the tea urn isn't going anywhere, finishing 49 not out, Mike Elworthy made a handsome 42 en route to overtaking Paul Brattle into 14th on the club's all-time run charts, and Ron McCormick saw us home unbeaten on 27 as we cruised to 133 for 1 in 35.4 overs.

Nine wickets, two points, and a rather pleasant drive home. If every Saturday could be this obliging, I'd never complain about a lost toss again.

Sun 03 Sep 2000 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformLWLDT

It was one of those Sundays where the drive to Cornwall takes longer than the innings deserved, but Beacon CC gave us a proper game on Sunday 3rd September. I called correctly at the toss and had no hesitation electing to bat — a decision I shall now, quite immodestly, take full credit for. Nigel Thirkell set about proceedings with a well-crafted 66, Mike Elworthy purred to an unbeaten 62, and David Castle chipped in a tidy 36, the three of them steering us to a handsome 235/6 from our forty overs. My own contribution of 17 will not trouble the historians, but every run counts when you're the one totting up the scorebook afterwards.

Defending it, Beacon's Kevin Thomas gave us a proper fright with a chanceless 93, well backed by Guy Bennett's 24 and Simon Tripconey's 23, dragging them to 216/8. But Darren Styles was magnificent throughout — 3 for just 9 runs, two of them maidens, bowling with the kind of miserly discipline that makes captaincy easy. Daniel Thirkell (2-32) and Matt Large (1-44) chipped in dutifully, and we sent both Chris Terrill and Craig Thomas back without so much as a run to their name.

Nigel Thirkell now sits proudly atop the season's run charts and Darren Styles the wickets — form which held firm all the way to Cornwall. Nineteen runs the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly, gloriously earned.

Sat 02 Sep 2000 🧢 2nd XIv WC Wilmington CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday last, we took the short trip out to Dummy Site with the sun on our backs and, courtesy of a kind coin, first use of the pitch. I put us in, and Brian Piper set about proving that decision right with a fine 57, the backbone of our innings, with Ron McCormick chipping in a very handy 37 alongside him. Elsewhere in the order things were a touch more sporting for the opposition — poor Stewart Morrison contributed nothing more than a duck to the cause, bless him — and we were eventually all out for 165 off 51.3 overs, a total that felt about par, perhaps a few short of what the pitch owed us.

Defending it, we huffed and puffed but couldn't quite prise the game from the home side's grasp. M- Medhurst played beautifully for an unbeaten 80, well supported by - Raj's 53, and between them they steadied any nerves we might have induced. Credit where due — N- Grigg was sent packing without so much as a whimper, and Stewart Morrison, having made amends for his golden duck with the bat, ripped through with 2-25, Dave Todd chipping in with 2-47. But 168/6 in 37.4 overs told its own story, and we fell four wickets short.

Elsewhere, quiet satisfaction: Ron McCormick now sits 2nd in the 2000 2nd XI run charts on 317, and Dave Todd 4th in the wickets on 19 — small mercies on a day of near misses. Beaten, not battered — we'll be better for it next week.

Fri 01 Sep 2000 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformLLWLD

Left the toss at Mullion CC on 1 September 2000, and having watched enough of our seamers labour on flat surfaces this season, I fancied runs on the board and stuck us in ourselves. It was, if I say so, correct thinking. The Thirkell family firm did most of the heavy lifting — Simon unbeaten on 46 and Nigel with a fine 42 gave the innings its spine, Stuart Cheesman chipped in a handy 25, and I managed 42 of my own before getting out, as captains so often do, at precisely the wrong moment. Mike Elworthy and Christopher Thirkell will not want reminding of their ducks, but 183/8 from our forty overs felt like a defendable total on a good pitch.

And defend it we very nearly did. Mullion's J. Sammons played a proper captain's innings of 95, with Nigel Warbis (34) and Christian Bostock (30 not out) keeping him company, but our bowlers refused to let it become a procession. Darren Styles was magnificent, 4-46 with two miserly maidens thrown in, backed up nobly by Stuart Cheesman's 2-58 and a wicket for Daniel Thirkell. Three of their batsmen never troubled the scorers at all.

When the dust settled, 183 all out had met 183 all out — honours, quite literally, even. A tie after a full day's cricket is cricket's way of telling both sides they deserved better than a winner, and on this evidence, so we did.

Thu 31 Aug 2000 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformLLLWL

From the captain's chair — Thursday 31 August 2000. We travelled to Falmouth CC in reasonably good spirits, and reasonably good spirits, I've learned, are the most reliable thing club cricket ever provides you with. I won the toss and, without troubling myself much for alternatives, chose to bat. It seemed the right sort of morning for it.

What followed was, by any honest reckoning, a tale of restraint rather than romance. We laboured to 32 for 2 off our 15 overs — the sort of scoreline that makes the tea urn seem like the day's most exciting event. Poor Mike Elworthy will not thank me for recording it, but record it I must: a golden duck, gone without troubling the scorers, and I dare say without troubling the bowler much either. I did what I could at the other end, scratching together 15 of my own, more application than artistry. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our 2000 Tour XI run charts with 85 for the season, a fact that says rather more about his form than ours did today.

In the end, honours were shared — a draw, neither side able to force the issue, both perhaps quietly relieved to say so. Not a day for the ages, then, but an afternoon of cricket played, tea taken, and dignity, mostly, intact. We'll settle for that and live to bat again.

Wed 30 Aug 2000 🧢 Tour XIv TC Truro CC · AwayformDLLLW

Truro CC, Wednesday 30th August 2000.

Won the toss, called correctly for once, and decided we'd bat — mostly because it seemed rude not to after guessing right. Progress was steady rather than spectacular: 143/7 from our forty overs, the innings held together by Stuart Cheesman's unbeaten 29 and Mike Elworthy's tidy 26, the pair putting on 53 for the third wicket while the rest of us admired from the pavilion. I contributed a workmanlike 19, the sort of innings nobody remembers by teatime.

In the field we gave it everything. Russell Baldwin was superb, ripping through with 3-14, with Nigel Thirkell and Daniel Thirkell chipping in a wicket apiece. Daniel in particular bowled with real discipline — four maidens — though the scorebook's twelve byes suggest the wicketkeeper was having rather more fun diving about than he'd have liked. Truro's Andrew Heayn (33 not out) and Stephen Cockett (28), with Ryan Thomas adding 22, steadied their ship and eventually eased home at 144/5 with three overs to spare.

So, defeat by five wickets — the kind where you can't point to any single moment and curse it, just a slow accumulation of missed chances and byes that added up. Nigel Thirkell continues to top our Tour run charts with 70, and Daniel sits second in the wickets列 with three — small consolations on a long drive home. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Tue 29 Aug 2000 🧢 Tour XIv HC Helston CC · AwayformDDLLL

We rolled up to Helston on a fine Tuesday, the 29th of August, with the square looking as inviting as the cake table, and when I called correctly at the toss there was really only one decision to make — we'd bat.

It proved the right call, more or less, as we compiled 192 for 8 from our 45 overs, though it was a tale of two families out there. David Castle's 52 gave the innings its spine, and I don't mind admitting that particular half-century was mine — always satisfying to put bat to ball when the captain's reputation is quietly on the line. Nigel Thirkell matched it with an unbeaten 51, Simon Thirkell chipped in 22, while poor Daniel Thirkell trudged off for a golden duck, presumably muttering about the unfairness of cricket. Twenty-six extras rounded out a total that felt defendable, if not entirely daunting.

And so it proved. Helston were bowled out for 155 in 38.3 overs, S Pollard's brisk 81 the only real obstacle, well supported by N Dunstan's unbeaten 34. T Halladay and S Cullis both departed without troubling the scorers. Darren Styles was the chief tormentor, superb figures of 3 for 19 including four maidens, with Daniel Thirkell (2-19) making amends with the ball and Matt Large chipping in with one.

A win by 37 runs, then — Castle top of the run charts, Styles top of the wickets, and the Thirkell clan doing rather a lot of the heavy lifting between them. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Mon 28 Aug 2000 🧢 Midweek XIv KC Kenn CC · HomeformLWDDL

Skipper's Log, Monday 28th August 2000. Won the toss, and — perhaps rashly, given the state of the outfield — decided to have a bat.

It rather came off. 185 for 8 off our 41 overs was a tidy return, built around Mike Caddick's 39, with Steve Cheesman (30) and Stewart Morrison (26) chipping in nicely. The extras column added a generous 25 of its own, which I'm choosing to call clever running between the wickets rather than wide bowling from the visitors. Worth noting for the record books: those 39 runs eased Mike past Jon Harris into 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — the lad's arrow is pointing very much upward.

With the ball, the lads set about it with real purpose. Michael Beeney was superb, 3 for 22 with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure, and found willing company in Jon Harris (2-15) and Adrian Caddick (1-22), who between them saw off Dave Murfin and Rob Parsons without either troubling the scorers. Alas, Falk Koeller had other ideas, farming the strike beautifully for an unbeaten 66, with useful support from C. Beer (25) and Stuart Wonnacott (20 not out) to see Kenn home to 154 for 6. Steve Cheesman had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 14 byes slipping past him like eels.

In the end honours were shared, and on reflection a draw felt about right — a match nobody quite deserved to lose, on a day nobody quite deserved to win either.

Sun 27 Aug 2000 🧢 1st XIv SC Southfleet CC · HomeformLDLWW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 27 August 2000. A rare treat, this: sunshine, a full complement of lads, and the coin landing my way against Southfleet CC. I had no hesitation in putting us in, and the top order duly obliged. Clive Newman set about the bowling with real purpose for 69, Stewart Morrison kept him honest company with a classy 52, and Russell Baldwin finished unbeaten on 30 to see us to a handsome 189/3 from our thirty overs. Rather fittingly, Clive's innings also brought up 7,000 career runs for the club — a landmark that deserved the pot of tea it got, and then some.

With that total in the bank, defending it should have been the easy part, and for long stretches it was — Adrian Caddick was in irresistible form, plundering 4-29, with Michael Beeney and John Taylor (three miserly maidens to his name) chipping in a wicket apiece. Poor Harfield departed without so much as troubling the scorers. Yet Geoff Lane had other ideas, compiling a fine fifty of his own, and Southfleet dragged themselves to 121/8 from their forty, just enough to deny us.

So honours shared, a draw to file under "should have won it." Still, with Russell now second in our season's run charts and Michael leading the wicket-takers, the engine room is purring nicely. A point banked, a landmark toasted — I'll take that and the tea urn home happy.

Sat 26 Aug 2000 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformDLDLW

Here's the match report:

Saturday 26 August 2000 saw us take the road to West Farleigh, and for once the coin actually landed my way, which felt like the omens were in order. I had no hesitation putting us in, and the lads duly repaid my faith with a rather handsome 218 for 4 off our 40 overs. Nigel Thirkell led the charge with a fine 59, well supported by David Castle's 46 and Dave Charlton's 44 — and even the extras column got in on the act with a generous 31. All told, a total that felt like it might just be enough.

Enough it was. Setting West Farleigh 219 to chase, we watched them subside to 105 all out in 29.1 overs, Simon Phillips (36) and Neil Tillott (33) offering the only real resistance while Paul Baines, Matt Smith and E. Lowe departed without so much as a squeak off the bat. The afternoon, though, belonged to Daniel Thirkell, whose 7 for 19 was a spell of the highest order and thoroughly deserved its five-for billing. Michael Beeney chipped in with 1 for 24, miserly with two maidens thrown in, and Ian Brattle took 1 for 34. I even had the pleasure of contributing 46 with the bat myself, purely for the good of the cause, of course.

A comfortable win by 113 runs, then, and Nigel Thirkell and Michael Beeney continue to head the season's charts. Onwards indeed.

Sat 26 Aug 2000 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWWWW

Saturday 26 August 2000, home to West Farleigh CC, and for once the coin behaved itself in my favour. I had no hesitation sticking us in, and the lads repaid the faith in some style: 262 for 2 off 41.4 overs, built around a magnificent 150 from Mike Elworthy, with Roly Edwards (43 not out) and Richard Piper (36) offering the sort of support that suggested even the extras felt obliged to chip in — 33 of them, no less. It's the kind of total that makes the tea interval considerably more relaxed than usual.

Defending it should have been the easy part, and so it proved. West Farleigh subsided to 95 all out in 29 overs, M Weeden's battling 32 not out and Andy Starr's 27 the only real resistance, while William Norman, Terry Baines and J. Silverthorn all trudged off for ducks. Dave Todd was magnificent, 4 for 20 with three miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, ably backed by Darren Styles (2-11) and Trevor Back (2-15) — not a run given away lightly all afternoon.

Worth a line in the log: Elworthy's 150 nudges him past William Buck into 15th on the club's all-time run charts, and he now leads our 2nd XI scorers for the season with 561, with Styles second in the wickets column on 27.

A win by 167 runs, and not a nervous moment in it. Onwards.

Sun 20 Aug 2000 🧢 1st XIv UC Underriver CC · HomeformWDLDL

Sunday, 20 August, and Underriver rolled up to Linton Park under skies that, for once, allowed cricket rather than merely threatening it. Winning the toss, I did what any sensible captain does when the pitch looks decent and the tea urn is on — stuck us in. We rattled along to 179 for 6 off our forty, with Russell Baldwin the chief architect of the innings, an assured 63 that continued what has been a fine summer for him, and Richard Piper chipping in a handy 33 to keep the scoreboard honest.

Defending it was another matter, as Adrian Barr-Smith set about proving 179 is never quite enough, cruising to 73 and dragging Underriver back into a game they had no right to still be in. B- Piper's 27 and Andy Tong's 22 kept the required rate ticking along nicely for the visitors, and for a few overs there I confess my tea went cold in my hand. But Michael Beeney, quietly amassing one of the club's finer seasons with the ball, snared 2 for 19 to keep the brakes on, while Darren Styles bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who begrudges every run, taking 1 for 18 with two maidens thrown in for good measure.

In the end we held on by 17 runs — narrow enough to keep the nerves jangling, comfortable enough to enjoy the second pint. A proper club cricket afternoon, and a very good day indeed.

Sat 19 Aug 2000 🧢 1st XIv M Mersham · HomeformDWDLD

Off it goes down, choosing to bat first on winning the toss — a decision they clearly fancied on a good pitch, and one that always makes me wince a little as I trudge out to set the field. Meanley's unbeaten 42 and Brown's unbeaten 33 kept them ticking along nicely, with Stevens chipping in 20, and by the close of their 46 overs the visitors had built a total of 150/4 that felt just about par. Credit to the attack, mind: Rob Doick bowled with real purpose for 2-24, Ian Brattle backed him up with 2-32, and Daniel Thirkell was typically frugal, sending down three maidens to keep the scoreboard honest when it might have run away from us.

Chasing 151 is never quite the formality the arithmetic suggests, but Nigel Thirkell made it look tidier than it had any right to be, easing to a composed unbeaten 67 that anchored the innings from start to nearly-finish. Daniel Thirkell's 32 and Stuart Cheesman's 22 gave him good company along the way. Sadly, for all that good work, we came up short at 151/4 from 42.3 overs, going down by six wickets — the sort of afternoon where the tea was better than the result.

There was a silver lining worth raising a cup to, though: Nigel brought up 35,000 career runs for the club, a genuinely staggering landmark that puts the rest of us to shame. He now leads the 2000 first-team run charts with 489, while Brattle sits third in the wicket-takers with 18 — proof there's talent to build on even in defeat. Not our day, all told, but heads up and back to the nets we go.

Sat 19 Aug 2000 🧢 2nd XIv Mersham Sports CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday 19 August 2000, away to Mersham Sports CC, and my luck at the toss remains as dependable as an English summer. They batted first, and though 75 all out from 42 overs doesn't sound like much to write home about, Ollie Austen's 47 gave them the shape of a total before Dave Todd came steaming through the rest, 4-24 and looking like he meant every one of them. John Taylor bowled with the miserly patience of a man counting his pennies — six maidens and 2-16 — while Trevor Back chipped in with 2-18. Jim Hodges and Andy Burwell went back to the pavilion without so much as a run to their name, which is never a pleasant walk.

Chasing 76, we made a proper meal of the formality, crawling home at 76/4 from 37.3 overs — though "meal" is unfair on Brian Piper, whose unbeaten 32 was the innings that mattered, well supported by Todd's second act with the bat, 20 not out. Less happily, Richard Ellis and Richard Piper both made the walk of shame for ducks, and the Duck Club ledger grows fatter by the week.

Elsewhere in the season, Mike Elworthy continues to plunder runs for fun atop the 2nd XI charts on 411, with John Taylor's 30 wickets keeping him top of the bowling pile too — and after today's efforts, nobody's arguing with either of them.

A scratchy, unconvincing, thoroughly satisfactory six-wicket win. Onwards.

Fri 18 Aug 2000 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformLLWDD

Friday 18th August found us hosting Selsdon CC, and having lost the toss I was condemned to watch rather than bowl first — the traditional captain's fate on a day when everything felt slightly out of our hands. Selsdon batted with real purpose, racking up 242/7 from their 43 overs on the back of Marcus Robertson's excellent 77, with Darren Brame (48) and an unbeaten Adrian Melillo (36) filling their boots either side of him. Credit where due: Dave Todd toiled superbly for 2-27, and the Cheesman brothers both weighed in, Stuart with 1-29 and Fred with 1-33, though truth be told we were chasing shadows for most of the innings.

Chasing 243 was always going to ask questions of us, and for a while we asked them back with some conviction. Steve Pierce played beautifully for 72, Mike Elworthy supported handsomely with a well-made 50, and Stuart Cheesman chipped in again with 25 — as, modesty aside, did I. But 206 all out in 42.3 overs left us 36 runs shy, undone as much by the mounting overs as anything else. Spare a thought too for poor Elworthy, whose afternoon behind the stumps was rather blighted by nine byes — gloves clearly not his lucky charm that day, though his bat more than made amends.

Elworthy remains our leading run-scorer this season with 137, and Jon Harris tops the wickets with ten — small consolations on a day that, in truth, belonged to Selsdon. Not our afternoon, lads. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Wed 16 Aug 2000 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLLWD

Wednesday 16 August 2000, and off we trundled to The Mote CC in what I like to think was good spirits rather than blind optimism. Winning the toss, I did what any captain with a functioning brain does on a decent-looking pitch and stuck us in — a decision I was rather pleased with as the runs began to flow.

And flow they did, thanks in the main to Daniel Thirkell, who batted as though he'd read the script and decided to ignore the supporting cast entirely, motoring to a magnificent 104. David Castle chipped in nicely with 33, and even our extras column got in on the act with a generous 30, taking us to a healthy 202/6 from our 44 overs. Whether the extras were down to wayward bowling or canny running I couldn't possibly say, but we'll take them.

In reply, The Mote made a fair fist of it — Chris Back's 46, backed up by Thomas Harvey's 37 and Stephen Back's 27, kept them ticking along nicely. But Jon Harris had other ideas, scything through with 3-45, well supported by Darren Styles (2-54) and a handy contribution with the ball from David Castle (1-4), who'd clearly decided batting alone wasn't enough exercise for one afternoon. Poor Mike Elworthy had a torrid time behind the stumps, 8 byes escaping his clutches, though I shan't hold it against him — the ball was doing plenty.

In the end, honours shared: 202/6 to 178/7, and a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody. A fair result, all told, for an afternoon that gave us Thirkell's hundred and Harris's three-fer to savour on the drive home.

Sun 13 Aug 2000 🧢 1st XIv W Westgate · HomeformWDWDL

Sunday saw us welcome Dummy Site to Linton Park, and having lost the toss I did what any self-respecting captain does when handed the short straw — put a brave face on it and trotted out to the field, muttering something about "runs on the board" while secretly hoping we'd bowled well enough to matter.

We hadn't, not quite. A- Winch made merciless hay with a magnificent 101, well supported by N- Watford's fluent 77, and 240/3 off 43 overs was a total that had us checking our run rate with some trepidation. Fred Cheesman was the pick of a weary attack with 2-15, and Darren Styles chipped in usefully too — 1-28 with two miserly maidens to show he, at least, hadn't come to give it away.

Chasing 241, we made a fair fist of it without ever threatening to complete the job. Russell Baldwin led the way with a fine 63, John Taylor was unbeaten on a tidy 34, and Stewart Morrison added 30 — busy work behind the stumps notwithstanding, where 22 byes went begging on what was evidently a tricky afternoon with the gloves. I added a modest 29 of my own. Small consolation for Morrison: those 30 runs nudged him past Peter Whyte into 23rd on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Baldwin continues his fine season, now 2nd in the 2000 charts with 416 runs.

214/6 in the end, and honours shared. Nobody quite forced the issue — which, on reflection, felt about right for the day we'd had.

Sat 12 Aug 2000 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformLWDWD

Beaten by six wickets in the end, but let me start where the day started: I won the toss and put us in to bat, and I still say it was the right call — the pitch had "bowl first" written all over it, but I've never been one to overthink these things when a hunch is available instead.

We didn't exactly cover ourselves in glory with the willow, folding for 132 in 45.3 overs. Daniel Thirkell held things together nicely with 41, batting like a man who'd read the pitch report we hadn't. Special mention, if that's the word, to Ian Brattle, who contributed a duck to the club ledger and trudged off with the walk of shame reserved for such occasions — though he'd more than make amends later, as we'll come to.

Defending 132 against Meopham was always going to be a stern examination, and so it proved. Richard Saunders (39) and M Corden, unbeaten on 33, saw them home with something to spare, Mick Clark chipping in with 22. Credit where it's due: Ian Brattle bowled beautifully to redeem his morning with 2-30, well backed up by Thirkell (1-22) and Matt Large (1-42) — proof, if any were needed, that this club forgives quickly.

Six wickets the final margin, and no arguing with it. Russell Baldwin continues to sit handsomely 2nd in the season's run charts, and Brattle 4th among the wicket-takers, so the furniture of a decent campaign remains in place. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 12 Aug 2000 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWWWWW

Saturday 12 August 2000, and Meopham CC came calling at Linton Park. Won the toss, and with the sort of confidence that only deserts you the moment you need it most, I stuck us in. Jeff Todd played the anchor beautifully for 49, Dave Todd chipped in a tidy 27, and Roly Edwards finished unbeaten on 21 to see us to 173 all out from our 46 overs. Poor John Taylor, though, walked back for a duck — a blot on an otherwise respectable card, and one he'd make amends for soon enough.

Defending 173 is never a comfortable afternoon, and Meopham gave us a proper fright, closing on 163 for 7 from their 44. Roddy Campbell (38 not out) and S. Boswell (36 not out) threatened to spoil the party entirely, with I. Floyd's 22 adding to the nerves. But John Taylor, still smarting from his golden duck, turned executioner with the ball — 3 for 26, including four maidens, not a run given away lightly. John Coles (2-43) and Jeff Todd (1-25) did their bit too, while poor Mike Elworthy behind the stumps had his hands full, leaking 10 byes in the chase.

Ten runs the margin, in the end — the kind of finish that ages a captain by several years in the space of an over. Mike leads our run charts for the season on 403, John tops the wickets with 28, and on this evidence both are thoroughly earning their keep. A nervy one, but a good day for the club.

Sun 06 Aug 2000 🧢 1st XIv DC Downham & Bellingham CC · HomeformWLWDW

Sunday the sixth of August, and Downham & Bellingham rolled into Linton Park with the sun out and, rather less welcome, the toss going their way. They chose to bat, which on reflection tells you all you need to know about who fancied their chances first. Chris Mendham settled in for an unbeaten 69, David Powell chipped in with 43 and Jeff Barnes finished not out on 41, ushering the visitors to a healthy 199/3 from their 49 overs. Daniel Thirkell toiled hardest for 2-60, Jon Harris picked up one, and Darren Styles bowled two tidy maidens to keep some semblance of control on proceedings.

Chasing 200, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening to get there. Stewart Morrison led the reply with 43, Russell Baldwin weighed in with 39 and Michael Beeney added 27, but at 157/9 from 42 overs the last pair were left admiring the view rather than adding runs — Duncan Keene and Ollie Priestly both walking for ducks, poor lads. I did my humble bit with 15, more stubbornness than style.

So it finished all square, honours shared, neither side able to land the decisive blow. Small consolation that Russell sits second in the season's run charts and Jon leads the wicket-takers — the individual furniture is in good order even if the result wasn't. A draw, then: fair reflection of an afternoon where nobody quite deserved to lose, and nobody quite deserved to win either.

Sat 05 Aug 2000 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformDWLWD

Saturday last, and the sun deigned to shine on Linton Park as we welcomed Shipbourne CC. I won the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, stuck us in to bat — no clouds to hide behind, so no excuses if it went wrong.

It didn't. We compiled a handsome 223/6 from our 46 overs, built on the sturdy foundations of Daniel Thirkell's 41, Russell Baldwin's 41 and Mike Caddick's 39 — none of them threatening the record books individually, but between them enough to make the tea interval a pleasant one.

Shipbourne came out swinging in reply, and Peter Gray gave us a proper fright with a classy 58, well backed up by Edward Gelling's 34. For a while I feared my declaration-that-wasn't might come back to haunt me. But poor Neil Lee-Amies departed for a golden duck, and Matt Large — miserly as ever with two maidens to go with his 3-43 — did the real damage, with Daniel Thirkell chipping in a second time with 3-50 and Jon Harris picking up 1-42. Shipbourne fell short at 189/8 from their 44.

A 34-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. With Russell Baldwin now second in the season's run charts and Jon Harris leading the wicket-takers, this side is doing rather more than I deserve as captain. Onwards indeed.

Sat 05 Aug 2000 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformLWWWW

Here's the match report:

Saturday last saw us take the long road to Shipbourne, and having called correctly for once, I had no hesitation in sticking us in — a decision that, for once, I shan't be losing sleep over. The lads batted with real application: Ron McCormick led from the front with a well-crafted 54, Brian Piper chipped in handsomely with 49, and Alan Boyns weighed in with 30 to give the innings some proper backbone. It wasn't all plain sailing at the crease — Richard Piper and Richard Ellis both trudged back for ducks, as cricket occasionally insists on reminding us it can be a cruel game — but a generous 27 extras from the Shipbourne attack helped us to a very respectable 187 for 7 off our 46 overs.

Defending that total, it was our turn to make merry with the ball. John Coles was the chief tormentor, prising out four for 36, while Trevor Back and Darren Styles did their bit too, taking two apiece — Styles particularly miserly with three maidens and figures of 2 for 18. Peter Phillips and Neil Lee-Amies both departed without troubling the scorers, and the home side never got close, folding for 77 for 9 off 34.1 overs.

A comprehensive win by 110 runs, then, and a fine advert for both bat and ball. Ron McCormick continues to pile up the runs in the seconds this summer, and with John Taylor leading the wicket charts, the season has plenty still to offer. Onwards, as ever.

Sun 30 Jul 2000 🧢 1st XIv KC Knockers CC · HomeformWDWLW

Lost the toss on Sunday, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition — Knockers CC had us bowling first, and no doubt some among the lads with tea urns already lined up. Paul Seldon, blast him, made merry with 73, well marshalled by M. Thomas (34) and E. Irwin (30), and 217/7 from their 46 overs felt like a proper effort to chase. Credit to the attack, though — Michael Beeney worked hardest for his 3-57, Stuart Cheesman chipped away for 2-38 and Fred Cheesman for 1-28, while Darren Styles bowled with the meanness of a man who'd rather die than concede a run, three maidens to his name.

With the bat, one man made the day his own. Mike Caddick strode to three figures — 115, no less — an innings that also nudged him past Malcolm Pay and up to 21st on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which called for a small cheer and a large tea. Stuart Cheesman gave him fine support with 24, I managed the same, and between us we hauled the total to 215/7 from 43. Poor Russell Baldwin had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 8 byes leaking through, though he's still sat proudly 2nd in this year's run charts on 254 — with Jon Harris leading the wickets column on 21, a reminder of the talent we carry.

Two runs shy in the end, honours shared. Not the win we wanted, but with Caddick in this form, I'll happily settle for a draw and dream of the next one.

Sat 29 Jul 2000 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformDWDWL

Saturday 29 July 2000, and we trekked out to Headcorn with the coin refusing to cooperate as usual — they called correctly, elected to bat, and left us to toil in the field before we'd even had a cup of tea. To their credit, they built a steady if unspectacular 135/7 from their 46 overs, Peter Westrop the chief architect with 42, ably assisted by Kevin Richardson's 28. But it was Nigel Thirkell who did the real damage with the ball, 2-16 and three maidens of positively miserly proportions, backed up nicely by Michael Beeney's 2-22 and a wicket for Rob Doick. Not a run was gifted; every single of theirs felt earned in blood, sweat and the occasional muttered oath from the boundary.

Chasing 135 is never quite the formality the scoreboard suggests, and so it proved as we crawled — nervously, memorably — to 135/8 from 44 overs. David Castle led from the front with 42, Nigel Thirkell chipped in again with 35 with the bat having already done his bit with the ball, and I contributed a watchful 35 of my own, doing rather more scampering between the wickets than my knees would have preferred.

Two wickets in hand at the death, two points in the bag, and thoroughly earned they were too. Nigel Thirkell continues his imperious march up the 2000 run charts with 422 to his name, while Michael Beeney sits proudly second in the wicket standings on 16. A scrappy, nerve-shredding win, but a win nonetheless — and in this game, style points are entirely optional.

Sat 29 Jul 2000 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWLWWW

Saturday last saw Headcorn CC roll up the drive, and having called correctly at the toss I didn't dwell for a second on the decision — batting first, no arguments. The lads set about building something substantial, and 202/9 from our 46 overs was a fine platform, built chiefly on Mike Elworthy's 48, with Ron McCormick's 44 and Trevor Back's 33 keeping the scoreboard honest alongside him.

Defending it was always going to be the story of the day, and Headcorn made us work for every run of it. Nick Sparks played a proper captain's innings of 92, ably backed by Paul Millen's well-made fifty (53) and John Phipps's 22, and for a good while it looked like our total might not be quite enough. Steve Kingsmill and P Hughes, sadly, will remember little of their innings beyond the walk back. It was Dave Todd who turned the screw, 4-51 and worth every run of it, with Darren Styles chipping in for 1-34 — no small effort on the day he brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, and Todd's haul nudges him past Terry Donovan to 15th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Elworthy continues to lead the 2nd XI run charts this summer, with Styles second among the wicket-takers.

In the end Headcorn fell 19 runs short. A proper team effort, milestones and all — onwards.

Wed 26 Jul 2000 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformLDLLW

Wednesday 26 July 2000, and we found ourselves in the field first as the visitors elected to bat. What followed was an object lesson in obstinacy: X Hrowlec ground out a fine 56, well supported by X Archibald's equally fine 55, with R Manning chipping in 42 more, and by the time the innings closed at 225/5 from 38 overs, the bowling figures had begun to look distinctly worked-over. Trevor Back was the pick of the attack with 1-21, Stuart Cheesman and Adrian Caddick both took 1-28 and 1-26 respectively, and Darren Styles bowled with admirable meanness for his two maidens — proof that not every over need go for six just because the scoreboard suggests it should.

Chasing 226 was always going to be a stretch for this side, and so it proved. David Castle led the reply with a battling 34, I managed to match him with 34 of my own, and Adrian Caddick added a useful 22, but wickets fell steadily around us — poor S. Brennan's duck the low point of an otherwise honest 138/9 from our 47 overs.

There was, happily, one shaft of sunshine amid the toil: Adrian Caddick brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark that puts rather more gloss on the day than the scorecard alone. He also sits second in both our 2000 Midweek XI run and wicket charts — a thoroughly deserved distinction.

In the end, honours were shared. A draw, then — not the stuff of legend, but a fair reflection of an afternoon in which neither side quite had the stomach to finish the job.

Sun 23 Jul 2000 🧢 1st XIv MC Margate CC · HomeformWDWDW

From the captain's chair, Sunday the twenty-third of July, and Dummy Site were the visitors on a day when the toss felt like the most important decision I'd make all afternoon. I called correctly and elected to bat, which I still maintain was the right call, whatever anyone says over tea.

We laboured our way to 146 for 8 from 51.2 overs, a total that felt somewhere between defendable and hopeful. Stuart Cheesman led the way with 32, David Castle chipped in a tidy 30, and Stewart Morrison added 23 — solid, unspectacular stuff, very much in keeping with the club's ethos.

In the field we gave it everything. Cheesman, not content with his runs, took the ball and ran through with 3 for 38, well supported by Jon Harris's 1 for 36, while Michael Beeney bowled two maidens without so much as a stray full toss to his name. I even managed 30 with the ball myself, for what it's worth. But Perry's 29, Turner's unbeaten 28 and Baxter's 25 proved too much, and they got home at 147 for 4 with overs to spare, winning by six wickets.

Stuart Cheesman remains fourth in the season's run charts with 215, and Jon Harris still tops the wicket pile with 20 — small consolations on an afternoon that didn't go our way. We'll dust ourselves off, put the kettle on, and be better for it next week.

Sat 22 Jul 2000 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · HomeformWWDWD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 22 July 2000, and a good one to be sat in it. We had Milstead CC round for the afternoon, and by close of play we'd nudged them off their perch by 17 runs, which around here counts as high drama.

Put in first, we compiled a handsome 232/6 from our 46 overs. Dave Charlton was in imperious touch, cruising to 80, with David Castle right alongside him on 54 and Clive Newman chipping in a tidy 33. Not every card was blotted with glory, mind — poor Daniel Thirkell walked back for a duck, presumably muttering something about gloves and pads not mixing well on the same afternoon, for reasons that would become clear later.

Milstead gave chase and made a proper fist of it, closing on 215/7 from their 44, J Coupe the chief tormentor with a splendid 97, Gareth Chick (41) and N Fisher (23) offering support. Richard Moxon and M- Burnop departed without registering, which eased the nerves somewhat. Ian Brattle bowled beautifully for 3-57, backed superbly by Daniel Thirkell (2-27, four maidens no less) and Nigel Thirkell (2-36) — though Daniel's afternoon behind the stumps was rather less serene, 16 byes going begging.

The real story, though, was Dave Charlton reaching 4,000 career runs for the club — a mantelpiece moment if ever there was one. A fine win, a fine milestone. Onwards.

Sat 22 Jul 2000 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · AwayformWWLWW

Saturday 22 July saw us make the trip to Milstead, and any hopes of a straightforward afternoon evaporated the moment the coin came down wrong — we were put in to field on what looked a decent batting surface, which is never quite the plan.

Milstead ground their way to 146/6 from their 46 overs, built largely around A Wright's well-made fifty (51) with useful support from Gareth Chick (35). Credit where it's due to the bowlers for keeping them to a total that never quite got away from us — Trevor Back was superb, 3-33 with five overs sent down for nothing, tight enough to make the strokeless S Tyler's early duck feel like the least of Milstead's worries. Darren Styles (2-41) and John Taylor (1-35) chipped in nicely, and Taylor's solitary wicket brought up a rather lovely personal landmark — fifty career scalps, a milestone that deserved more of a fuss than we probably gave it in the field.

Chasing 147, we made rather light work of it in the end. Stewart Morrison anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 67, ably assisted by Mike Elworthy (32) and Ron McCormick (30), and we cantered home by eight wickets with overs to spare. Elworthy's knock keeps him top of the 2nd XI run charts for the season, while Taylor now leads the wicket-takers — the pair of them quietly doing the heavy lifting all summer.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a rare afternoon where the toss going against us barely seemed to matter.

Sun 16 Jul 2000 🧢 1st XIv RC Rainham (Kent) CC · AwayformDWWDW

Sunday 16 July, and we ventured into Kent to face Rainham CC, spirits high and, as ever, expectations carefully managed. Winning the toss and electing to bowl, we made a decent fist of restricting them to 185/9 from their 49 overs, Glen Cook (37) the chief architect of their innings with Dave Wood (23 not out) tidying up at the end. Nick Plumridge's golden duck for us was one small mercy 🦆, and it was Jon Harris who did the real damage — three for 23, two maidens thrown in for good miserly measure — with Rob Doick (3-33) and Fred Cheesman (2-22) chipping away either side of him.

Chasing 186, we settled instead for the comfort of a draw, closing on 152/5 from our 45. Stuart Cheesman anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten fifty (59 not out), Russell Baldwin (35) and Rob Doick (29) lending sturdy support around him. David Castle joined the Duck Club with a nought of his own 🦆, and I'm afraid your correspondent must confess to keeping him company — a duck best passed over in respectful silence.

Elsewhere, Russell Baldwin continues his fine season, third in the 1st XI run charts with 220, while Jon Harris sits proudly atop the wicket pile with 19.

A draw, then — honours shared, egos largely intact, and the tea, I'm reliably informed, was rather good.

Sat 15 Jul 2000 🧢 2nd XIv HK Halstead CC, Kent · AwayformWWWLW

Halstead CC, Kent, Saturday 15 July — the sun out, the ground firm, and me winning a toss I had absolutely no business overthinking: we batted. And how we batted. 270 for 3 off our 45 overs, built on the sort of innings you dream about from Mike Elworthy — 102 not out, three figures with the minimum of fuss — and gallantly supported by Stuart Cheesman's unbeaten 53 and Stewart Morrison's tidy 37. I merely had to stand at the non-striker's end looking captainly.

Defending 270 ought to have been a formality, and so it proved, though not without theatre. Halstead limped to 89 for 9 off 39.2 overs, Ashley Inwood's 40 the only real resistance, while D. Winson and R. Kelly both walked back for ducks. The afternoon, however, belonged entirely to Darren Styles — 5 for 5 off his overs, five maidens among them, bowling of a miserliness bordering on the cruel. Richard Ellis (2-3) and John Taylor (1-5) tidied up the rest.

A day for the club as much as the scoreline: Mike Elworthy reached 6,000 career runs in the same innings he made his hundred, and now leads our 2nd XI run charts for the season with 318, with John Taylor top of the wicket pile on 23.

Won by 181 runs, two points banked, and Darren Styles' figures the kind you frame rather than forget. A thoroughly satisfactory Saturday.

Wed 12 Jul 2000 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDLDLL

Wednesday 12 July saw us make the trip to Gravesend, and the coin toss decided to snub us entirely, sending us straight into the field. There are worse fates than bowling first on a pleasant afternoon, and Gravesend's 136/8 from their 49 overs suggests we made rather good use of it, Dave Bishop's 55 notwithstanding — the man clearly had other plans for our afternoon. The real story, though, was Jon Harris, who ran through them for 5-30, a five-for as richly deserved as it was ruthlessly taken, with Trevor Back (1-11) and the ever-parsimonious Fred Cheesman (1-12, two maidens) squeezing the runs out of anyone else who fancied their chances.

Chasing 137, we wobbled our way to victory in the manner English club cricket demands — never comfortably, always eventfully. Adrian Caddick's 33 was the innings' backbone, Stuart Cheesman's 30 the ballast, and Trevor Back's unbeaten 26 saw us home. Special mention, of course, to Richard Ellis, whose golden duck 🦆 we shall generously file under "sacrifice for the greater good."

As if the bowling figures with the ball weren't proof enough, I'll confess to rather enjoying myself too — five wickets for the skipper, which I promise not to mention again for at least a fortnight. With Caddick now second in the season's run charts and Harris leading the wickets, the campaign is shaping up nicely. Five wickets the winning margin, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying day out.

Sun 09 Jul 2000 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC Sparsholt CC · AwayformWWWWL

Sunday 09 July 2000, and the fixture list sent us out to Sparsholt CC — always a fine excuse for a coach trip and a suspicious-looking egg sandwich. I won the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, chose to bat.

We made a solid fist of it, closing on 131/7 from our 40 overs. Clive Newman was the rock of the innings, 48 not out and barely troubled, with Peter Whyte chipping in a handy 31 alongside him. Less happily, poor Daniel Thirkell endured the walk of shame for a duck — the Duck Club ledger duly updated, much to the lads' amusement.

In the field we gave it everything. Sparsholt got there in the end, 132/6 off 39.5 overs, with Jeremy Frith's well-crafted fifty the difference and a- Hayes unbeaten on 36 to see them home. Daniel, to his credit, put the earlier duck firmly behind him with a fine spell of 2-26, backed up nicely by Stuart Cheesman's 1-9 and Nigel Thirkell's 1-33 — Nigel keeps quietly topping our charts this season, 293 runs and 7 wickets now to his name.

In the end it slipped away by four wickets — not our day, and no use pretending otherwise. Heads up, though; it's back to the nets, and there'll be sunnier afternoons than this one before the summer's out.

Sat 08 Jul 2000 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformWDWWD

Saturday the 8th of July found us away at Leeds & Broomfield, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the sort of call that looks either shrewd or reckless depending entirely on what follows, and for once I'll claim shrewd. We batted our way to 152 for 6 off 46 overs, a total built largely around a rather fortunate afternoon of mine — 79 runs that I shan't pretend wasn't hugely satisfying — with Clive Newman chipping in a tidy 28 in support. Not every card is without blemish, mind: poor Stewart Morrison walked back for a duck, and I dare say he'll want that one forgotten by teatime.

In the field the lads did us proud defending it. John Hartshorn threatened to make a match of it with 33, well supported by Alan Nutten's 20, but wickets kept tumbling — M. Saul among them, gone for nought. I had the great pleasure of picking up 3 for 38 myself, Ian Brattle chipped in 2 for 27, and Daniel Thirkell took one. Michael Beeney bowled beautifully tight, six maidens to his name, though poor Russell Baldwin's 15 byes tell of a testing afternoon behind the stumps.

They finished on 129 for 7 from 44 overs — a win by 23 runs, and a thoroughly satisfying one at that. It rounds out a fine season so far, too: I find myself leading the 1st XI's run charts with 378, and Ian Brattle sits fourth in the wicket standings with 11. Onwards.

Sat 08 Jul 2000 🧢 2nd XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformWWWWL

Saturday 08 July 2000, and Leeds & Broomfield rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and the tea urn primed. I lost the toss – no great surprise this season – and we were sent out to field, which suited John Taylor rather nicely: he ran through their order like a fox in a henhouse, 5 for 33, with Darren Styles (3-27) and Tim Thirkell (1-2) mopping up, and Trevor Back miserly enough to bowl three maidens. Barry Roles (35), Peter Bowden (28) and John Fletcher (26) did what they could, but three of their number – David Wratten, J Swindell and M Hughes – walked back without troubling the scorer, and 144 all out was, frankly, generous of them.

Chasing 145, Mike Elworthy set about proceedings with a fine 46, Tim Thirkell chipped in with 27, Roly Edwards saw us home unbeaten on 25, and I contributed a workmanlike 27 of my own. Our wicketkeeper had a torrid afternoon of it, eight byes leaking through like the roof of the pavilion, but we got there with four wickets in hand and overs to spare.

A word before I put my feet up: Richard Piper brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth more than any of today's scorebook entries. Elworthy now leads our 2nd XI run charts, Taylor the wickets – both look in ominous form.

Verdict: a fine win, some ragged glovework aside. Onwards.

Sun 02 Jul 2000 🧢 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformLWDWW

Skipper's Log, Sunday 2 July 2000

Lost the toss, no great surprise the way this season's gone, and duly found myself leading the lads out into the field against Clarion CC. Richard Hilson had clearly had his Weetabix, cashing in for 78 while we tried everything short of the tea urn to shift him. B Hoffman chipped in with 40 and Andy Driver saw them home unbeaten on 28, and by the time they declared themselves satisfied at 199/6 off 47.5 overs, my bowling arm ached in sympathy. Adrian Caddick was the pick of us, 3-36 and full value for it, with Darren Styles (1-31, two tidy maidens) and Michael Beeney (1-31) rationing the runs as best they could.

Chasing 200, we never really got out of second gear. Richard Ellis top-scored with a battling 26, but wickets fell steadily and we closed on 86/5 from our 26 overs — closing the innings rather than the game, if you follow me. Not our finest afternoon behind the stumps either, with a generous 12 byes gifted through to the boundary; the wicketkeeper will be having quiet words with himself over the tea urn.

Elsewhere, credit where due — Russell Baldwin now sits third in the 1st XI run charts with 182 for the summer, and Michael Beeney second in the wickets with 13, so not all is gloom in the Linton Park camp.

In the end honours were shared, a draw that suited Clarion rather better than it suited us — but a point saved is a point saved, and the teas were, as ever, magnificent.

Sat 01 Jul 2000 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformWLWDW

We batted first, made 193 all out — Nigel Thirkell's 63 the spine of it, David Castle (34) and Daniel Thirkell (32) chipping in nicely — before Horton Kirby were bowled out for 171, giving us a 22-run win.

It fell to me to call correctly at the toss on a fine first of July, and with a pitch that looked good enough to bat on all day, there was never much debate in my mind — we batted. Nigel Thirkell set about proving me right in the most emphatic fashion, easing to a fine 63 that formed the backbone of our 193 all out from 45 overs, with David Castle (34) and my brother Daniel (32) lending sturdy support. Matt Large and Ian Brattle both fell without troubling the scorers, which even the most generous scorebook can only describe as a blot — though the ducks, mercifully, proved a footnote rather than a theme.

Defending 193 is always a nervous business, and Horton Kirby made us work for every run of it, reaching 171 all out in 42.1 overs on the back of Paul Evans's 39, well supported by J Thomas (30) and M Wray (26). But Matt Large, evidently keen to make amends with the ball, ripped through with 4-36, while Ian Brattle bowled with real discipline — 2-30 and six maidens to show for it — and Jon Harris chipped in with 2-41. Ryan Taylor departed for a duck at our hands, and slowly but surely the required rate got away from them.

I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at leading from the front with the bat as well as the toss call, and with Nigel now sitting proudly atop the season's run charts and Jon Harris leading the wickets, the engine room looks in good order. A twenty-two run win, earned rather than gifted — a very good day for the club indeed.

Sat 01 Jul 2000 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWWWWW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 1st July 2000: away to Horton Kirby, and the coin let me down again — they had first use of the good side of the square and took first knock, which by now feels like tradition rather than misfortune.

Credit where due, though: the lads dragged them back from what might have been a much bigger score. Keith Chaney threatened to bat all day with 41, but John Taylor was in irresistible form, mixing miserly lines with genuine menace to finish with 4-30, ably supported by Michael Beeney (2-16, five maidens of positively monastic discipline) and Darren Styles (2-23). James Scott and Marc Titler both went for ducks at our hands, a small mercy amid the 123 all out from 44.2 overs.

Alas, batting proved the harder art on the day. Ron McCormick's 22 was a lone beacon, while Mike Elworthy, Richard Piper and Stewart Morrison all contrived to add three ducks to the collection — evidently the feathered variety is contagious. We limped to 74/9 from our 45 overs, with poor Roly Edwards enduring a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 12 byes escaping his gloves like startled sheep.

Beaten by 49 runs, then, and no arguing with the arithmetic. Tim Thirkell continues his quiet, steady season (2nd in the run charts with 145) and John Taylor's bowling goes from strength to strength (17 wickets, top of the pile) — small consolations on a chastening day. We'll dust ourselves down and come back sharper next week.

Sun 25 Jun 2000 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC St Lawrence CC · AwayformLWWWW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 25 June 2000. We travelled to Dummy Site, won the toss, and I elected to bat. The right call, I felt, though I'd have said that whatever the scoreline.

We posted a handsome 217/6 from our forty overs, the innings built on a lovely knock of 75 from Nigel Thirkell, with Paul Gibson (44) and Daniel Thirkell (43) chipping in most usefully either side of him. Not every name covered itself in glory, mind — poor Peter Whyte contributed a duck to proceedings, and the walk back to the pavilion looked every bit as long as tradition demands.

With the ball, we were altogether more ruthless. Their reply folded for 98 in 30.2 overs, D. Ayling's 31 the only real resistance, while C. Leonard departed without so much as troubling the scorers. Nigel Thirkell, not content with his runs, turned his arm over for 3-14 and three miserly maidens besides, well backed by Stuart Cheesman (3-34) and Matt Large (2-19). Peter Whyte had a trickier time of it behind the stumps, leaking eight byes, though I daresay we've all had afternoons like that.

For my own part, 75 with the bat and 3 wickets made for a satisfying day's work, and with Nigel leading the season's run charts on 292 and Matt topping the wicket pile on 6, the engine room is clearly in good order.

Beaten by 119 runs in the end — no disgrace against a score like ours, just a wretched day with ball in hand for them and rather a good one for us. We'll be better for it next week, though I'm not sure how.

Sat 24 Jun 2000 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformWWLWD

We were asked to bowl first at Hollingbourne on Saturday, having lost the toss — which, given how the day unfolded, might just be the last thing to go wrong for us. Hollingbourne battled to 155 all out from their 45 overs, built on a well-made fifty from Steve Wilson (63) and useful support from Mike Donald (42) and an unbeaten 23 from Trevor Scrivens. It could have been worse for the openers, mind — Andy Golding, Andy Griffiths and Alan Ovenden were all back in the shed without so much as a look at the scorers, which tells its own tale. The real story, though, was Stuart Cheesman, who span his way through the order for a magnificent 5-28 — the kind of spell that has opposition batsmen muttering into their tea. Michael Beeney (2-33) and Jon Harris (2-44) chipped in handsomely, while Daniel Thirkell kept things suitably mean with two maidens.

With 156 needed, we strolled home at 158/1 from 41.4 overs, thanks in no small part to Nigel Thirkell, whose unbeaten 92 was a class above everything else on show, well supported by David Castle's 35 and Daniel Thirkell's unbeaten 24. A word too for David Castle, who brought up 17,000 career runs for the club along the way — not a bad afternoon's work by anyone's reckoning. Nigel now leads our 2000 run charts with 236, and Jon Harris tops the wicket pile with 14.

Nine wickets, two points, and barely a bead of sweat troubled — a thoroughly earned win, and one I'll happily take the credit for from the safety of the pavilion.

Sat 24 Jun 2000 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformWWWWW

Lost the toss on Saturday and asked to bowl first — not the news I wanted to hear, but Hollingbourne duly obliged us with something to chase. They ground their way to 154 for 9 off 46 overs, Ian Gutteridge top-scoring with 38, well supported by Geoff Griffiths's 34 and 20 from A W Ovenden. Keith Weller and Bob Dyer both departed without troubling the scorers — a brace of ducks to cheer the fielders. John Taylor was the chief tormentor with a fine 4 for 31, Tim Thirkell chipped in with 3 for 22, and Darren Styles, miserly as ever with two maidens, took 1 for 38. I found some rhythm myself, picking up three wickets, which I shall modestly mention only once.

Chasing 155, we made harder work of it than the target perhaps deserved, stumbling to 155 for 8 off 43.2 overs. Ron McCormick was the mainstay with 46, Simon Thirkell offering fine support with 28, though Dave Todd's blob on the card reminded us nothing in this game is ever straightforward. We scrambled over the line by two wickets, hearts firmly in mouths.

A quiet footnote worth raising a glass to: Darren Styles's solitary wicket edged him past Tony Snell into 20th on the club's all-time list. Add in Mike Elworthy's season-leading 170 runs and John Taylor's 13 wickets for the 2nd XI, and this felt very much a day where the whole squad had a hand. A scrappy, nerve-jangling win — but a win nonetheless, and we'll take it.

Wed 21 Jun 2000 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformWDLDL

After a fair fight at Sevenoaks & District Wednesday, we've come away on the wrong end of a 43-run defeat — but there was plenty to be cheerful about along the way.

Losing the toss on a Wednesday evening is never how you want to start, and so it proved as we found ourselves in the field. Sevenoaks batted with real application, posting 182/9 from their 48 overs, built around a fine 45 from B-v- Williams and useful contributions from Andrew Nutley (34) and P Reynolds Jnr, unbeaten on 31. To our credit, we never let the game drift entirely out of reach — Michael Beeney was superb with the ball, 2-12 from his overs including six maidens, tighter than a Yorkshireman's wallet, while Phillip Morrison (2-25) and Adrian Caddick (2-32) chipped in handsomely.

Chasing 183, we made a decent fist of it without ever quite threatening. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day with 44, well supported by Phillip Morrison (31) and Tim Thirkell (22), but three ducks in the order — Richard Piper, Trevor Back and Jon Harris all departing for nought — left too much to do, and we folded for 139 in 37 overs. Nine byes rather summed up Elworthy's afternoon behind the stumps, a testing day all round.

As for your captain, the least said the better — a golden blob is no way to lead from the front, though I like to think the example was more spiritual than practical. Elworthy leads our run charts for the season on 86, Caddick tops the wickets on three.

Beaten, but not disgraced. We'll regroup and come back stronger next week.

Mon 19 Jun 2000 🧢 Midweek XIv LK Leigh CC, Kent · AwayformDWDLD

Down by 34 runs at Leigh CC on a warm Monday evening in June, and if I'm honest, losing the toss set the tone — nothing quite says "welcome to Kent" like watching the opposition trot out to bat while you're still working out where the sun's going to be at four o'clock.

Leigh made themselves very much at home, racking up 209 for 2 in their forty overs, with James Linstead the chief architect of our discomfort — 67 not out, unhurried and unbothered, with Darren Flint (49) and Jason Lee (40) offering the sort of support that turns a decent score into a daunting one. Darren Styles did what he could with the ball, finishing with 1 for 33 and the wooden spoon of "pick of the bowlers" on a day when the wickets column simply refused to cooperate; Adrian Caddick chipped in alongside him with 1 for 36.

Chasing 210 was always going to want something special, and Mike Elworthy very nearly conjured it, top-scoring with 42 in an innings built on grit rather than fireworks, with Richard Piper's 32 keeping the required rate from running away entirely. In the end we fell away to 175 for 8, thirty-four runs shy and out of overs, out of partners, and rather out of ideas.

Not our day, then, and no use pretending otherwise. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets — Leigh have the bragging rights this time, but there's cricket yet to be played this season.

Sun 18 Jun 2000 🧢 1st XIv BC Blue Star CC · HomeformLWWLW

Sunday 18 June 2000 dawned fair enough for cricket, and having won the toss I did what any sensible captain does when the sun deigns to show itself — I stuck us in. Blue Star CC were the visitors, and I like to think the pitch knew it too, because Russell Baldwin proceeded to give it a proper working over, carrying his bat for a magnificent 118 not out as we posted 210/6 from our 44 overs. G- Stevens chipped in gamely with 27, and I did my bit with 17 — hardly the stuff of legend, but every run counts when you're captain and can't really complain about your own batting order. Poor Dave Charlton, though, won't want reminding of his duck.

With the ball, Blue Star made a fair fist of the chase, reaching 196/5 from their 43 as Martin Shuttle's fifty (64) did the early damage, with Gavin Hornby (44 not out) and Mike Peters (37) keeping them in it. Jon Harris was our pick with 3-63, Michael Beeney and G- Stevens chipping in a wicket apiece, and Darren Styles bowled with admirable meanness, four maidens to his name. Clive Newman had a torrid time behind the stumps — eleven byes is not a number one forgets in a hurry.

Elsewhere, Beeney's solitary wicket quietly nudged him past Frank Taylor into 22nd on the club's all-time list, while Baldwin sits second in this year's run charts and Harris still leads the wickets. All told, honours even — a draw that flattered no one and disappointed no one either.

Sat 17 Jun 2000 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformDLWWL

Skipper's Log — 17 June 2000. Won the toss against Southborough CC and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, elected to bat.

We made a fair fist of it, posting 213 for 5 off our 46 overs, Piers McDonald steering us home unbeaten on 47, with Nigel Thirkell (42) and Clive Newman (39) lending sturdy support. I'll admit to a modest 42 of my own further down the order, though the less said about Stewart Morrison's contribution the better — a golden duck, and a long, silent walk back to the pavilion that the rest of us were careful not to make eye contact with.

In the field, Southborough gave us a proper fright, closing on 193 for 8 from their 44 — Colin Ayres compiling a handsome fifty, backed by Simon Fisher's 46 and Chris Bass's 20. But Michael Beeney was magnificent, plundering 4 for 54 to keep us in the contest, with Ian Brattle (1-24, three tidy maidens) and Jon Harris (1-31) doing the honest graft either side of him. Piers, having done his bit with the bat, had a busier afternoon behind the stumps than he'd have liked, leaking 8 byes for his trouble.

Plenty to raise a glass to beyond the scoreline: Stuart Cheesman brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, Piers climbed to 11th on the club's all-time run charts, and Michael edged into 24th among our wicket-takers. We got over the line by 20 runs — a proper team effort, and a very good day for the club indeed.

Sat 17 Jun 2000 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformLWWWW

We lost the toss at Southborough and were put in to field — hardly the tonic for a warm June afternoon, but the lads set about it with purpose. Southborough were shepherded out for 133 in 44.4 overs, John Taylor the pick of the attack with a splendid 4-20 (five maidens of positively monastic discipline), Dave Todd chipping in with 3-38 and Trevor Back 2-23. Tom Carmichael's well-made fifty, ending on 86, was the one innings of substance against us, but with support like that from the bowlers it never felt beyond us.

Chasing 134, we made unnecessarily hard work of it. Jamie Brown, Phil Hobbs and Dave Fuller all departed without troubling the scorers, and the ledger shows further indignity for Stewart Roberts and Paul Croucher, both completing the walk of shame for nought. A brisk 52-run opening stand promised better, before wickets tumbled from 52-1 to 56-4 in a rush that had me reaching for something stronger than tea. Tim Thirkell's 28 held things together, well supported by Mike Elworthy (23), Ron McCormick (20) and, if I may say so with suitable modesty, my own 28 down the order. We scrambled home by two wickets from 43.2 overs.

A fine day was capped by Dave Todd bringing up his 200th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark earned through the kind of loyal service the club is built on. Mike Elworthy and Trevor Back continue to top the 2nd XI's run and wicket charts respectively. A nervy chase, more duck than diamond in places, but two points are two points — a good day for the club.

Sun 11 Jun 2000 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crockham Hill CC · HomeformWLWWW

Sunday 11 June saw Crockham Hill CC visit us, and the coin, mercifully, landed my way — with a pitch like that, batting first was never in doubt. What followed was as fine an innings as I can remember watching from the non-striker's end and, on one occasion, the middle of it myself. Nigel Thirkell simply couldn't be shifted, ambling to three figures with 102, while young Daniel chipped in a handsome 53 and Paul Gibson finished unbeaten on 45. Even our extras column, on 26, seemed to know it was a day for contributing. We closed on a hearty 279/3 from our forty, the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than gnaw at it.

In reply, Crockham Hill never quite got the required rate within reach. M Gill battled to a respectable 58 and M Worsley stayed unbeaten on 40, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end — poor Jim Cole departed without troubling the scorers. Matt Large was superb, plundering 3-23, with the Thirkell brothers doing their bit again with the ball (Daniel 1-2, Nigel 1-10) — evidently not content with merely doing the damage with the bat. They closed on 165/6.

As for my own 102, I shan't pretend it wasn't satisfying — every captain dreams of leading from the front, and for once I managed it. A fine win by 114 runs, then, and Nigel now sits proudly atop the season's run charts. Onwards, indeed.

Sat 10 Jun 2000 🧢 1st XIv M Marden · AwayformWDLWW

Beaten by 6 wickets at Dummy Site, I confess I lost the toss argument with myself and put us in — never let it be said I'm not a man of bold, questionable decisions. We rattled and rolled our way to 106 all out in 38 overs, with Daniel Thirkell the pick of the willow-wielders on 32, well supported by Stewart Morrison (25) and Stuart Cheesman (23). Elsewhere in the order, less was said and less was done: David Castle, Russell Baldwin and Piers McDonald all took that lonely walk back for nought, joining the club's increasingly well-populated Duck Club. 🦆

With the ball, though, we showed some real character. Matt Large led the line beautifully with 2-33, while Jon Harris and Michael Beeney chipped in with a wicket apiece — Harris in particular bowling with the miserly discipline of a man guarding his own allotment, delivering seven maidens for just 14 runs. Alas, Nigel Bardsley (41) and an unbeaten Steve Sunnucks (25) had other ideas, steering the opposition home to 110/4 in 42.3 overs. Piers, having already had his day at the crease to forget, then had a rather trying afternoon behind the stumps too, leaking 8 byes for his troubles.

Up in the season's ledger, Daniel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 159, and Jon Harris tops the wicket pile with 8 — proof there's real quality in this side, even when the scoreboard doesn't quite cooperate.

Six wickets the margin, then, but not, I think, six wickets' worth of difference in spirit. We'll dust ourselves off, have a stern word with the Duck Club members, and come back stronger next week.

Sat 10 Jun 2000 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformLLWWW

As it stands, when the coin fell my way I fancied a bat, and by close of that we were rather glad I did. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, a fluent 85 that carried us to 197/7 from our 46, with Ron McCormick (27) and Simon Thirkell (20 not out) chipping in nicely around him. Trevor Back's contribution with the bat was, shall we say, of the feathered variety — a golden duck to treasure, or perhaps quietly forget. The extras column did its patriotic duty too, weighing in with 27.

Marden CC gave chase with real intent, John Furminger and T Welton both bringing up polished half-centuries (53 apiece) to keep the required rate ticking, with Simon Day's 20 lending a hand. But Trevor Back, having done his penance with the willow, made handsome amends with the ball, snaring 2-24, backed up nicely by Thomas Beeney (1-7) and Dave Todd (1-28), while Darren Styles bowled two tidy maidens to keep the squeeze on. Marden fell short on 155/4 from their 44, and we came home 42 runs to the good.

A special mention today for two very fine milestones — Ron McCormick and Simon Thirkell both brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, which rather puts Trevor's duck in perspective. All in all, a thoroughly good day at the office: runs on the board, wickets in the book, and history quietly made in the outfield.

Sun 04 Jun 2000 🧢 Sunday NVKCv HC Harvel CC · HomeformWWLWW

Sunday 4 June saw Harvel CC roll into Linton Park, and having called correctly for once, I had no hesitation in sticking us in. It proved a shrewd bit of captaincy, or possibly blind luck, as our top order set about the visitors with real intent. Nigel Thirkell led the charge with a well-crafted 63, David Castle wasn't far behind with a classy 61, and Daniel Thirkell chipped in a brisk 42 — with extras throwing in a generous 27 for good measure, we posted a handsome 231/8 from our forty overs.

Defending that total, the ball did the talking. Chris Hunt's fifty was the only real resistance Harvel could muster, with Philip Darby and Robert Walker offering support that never quite threatened to derail us. Mark Whatman and Stephen Keast departed without so much as troubling the scorers, and Rob Doick was simply magnificent, ripping through the middle order for 5-38 — ably assisted by both Thirkells with the ball as well as the bat. Harvel were bowled out for 187, 44 runs shy of the target.

A special mention for Daniel Thirkell, who brought up 3,000 career runs for the club — a landmark years in the making. With Nigel topping the season's run charts and Rob leading the wickets, the old firm are in fine fettle. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work: comfortable, complete, and worthy of the teapot back at the pavilion.

Sat 03 Jun 2000 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLWDLW

Lost the toss, asked to bowl first — which on a Saturday like this feels less like tactics and more like fate deciding we hadn't suffered enough. Sheldwich set about building a total with Martin Mills the chief architect on 43, well backed by James Creed's 33 and Jon Shields's 31, and they eventually declared themselves satisfied at 169/9 from their 46 overs. Credit to the lads with the ball, mind — Ian Brattle did the heavy lifting with 3-56, Jon Harris chipped away miserly as ever for 2-31 with three maidens to his name, and Stuart Cheesman picked up 1-25. Poor Ron Brown departed for a golden duck at our hands, which felt like the one bit of justice going that morning.

Chasing 170, we made it look almost sensible. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, a proper fifty worth 56, and in doing so brought up his 1000th appearance in Linton colours — a milestone that deserves rather more fanfare than a single line in a gazette, but there it is, applause noted. Russell Baldwin (38 not out) and Daniel Thirkell (35) kept things ticking, I managed to contribute 56 leading from the front, and only Stewart Morrison left empty-handed with a duck of his own.

We got home by 6 wickets with overs to spare. Daniel Thirkell now tops our 2000 run charts on 127, Jon Harris the wickets on 7, and Linton Park sit rather pleased with themselves. A very good day for the club indeed.

Sat 03 Jun 2000 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformLLLWW

Saturday 3rd June saw us make the trip to Sheldwich, and I'll admit I fancied our chances the moment their innings began to wobble. Put into the field, we watched them stumble to 3-1 and never really find their feet, subsiding further to 17-4 as Simon Green, I- Peacock and Jon Voller all trooped back for ducks — a trio of golden eggs that would have made any self-respecting hen proud. Tom Janes battled hardest for 20, but Trevor Back was in irresistible form, scything through the order for 8-17 with four maidens thrown in for good measure — a five-for richly deserved and not one run given away cheaply. Simon Thirkell (1-3) and Darren Styles (1-20) tidied up the loose ends as Sheldwich folded for 79.

Chasing such a modest target ought to have been a formality, and true to Linton Park form we made it look anything but. An early loss at 6-1 set pulses racing, and Simon Thirkell's own duck did little to settle the nerves. Ron McCormick's watchful 20 was the innings' backbone as we edged, stumbled and finally staggered over the line at 81/7.

A red-letter day besides the result — Trevor Back brought up 8,000 career runs for the club, a landmark achieved in the same afternoon as his finest bowling figures. Nervy, scruffy, occasionally comic, but a win is a win: two wickets to spare, and a very good day for the club.

Sat 20 May 2000 🧢 1st XIv HC Horsmonden CC · HomeformLLWDL

We won the toss on Saturday and I had no hesitation in taking first knock against Horsmonden — and for once the captain's hunch paid off handsomely.

We settled to 187/8 from our 46 overs, built on a fine fifty from Daniel Thirkell (53), well supported by Piers McDonald's brisk 30. Elsewhere the innings had its usual comic subplot: Nigel Thirkell contributed a duck to the family ledger, doing his level best to make sure not every Thirkell had a good day at the office.

Horsmonden's reply never quite got going. D Smith's 21 was as good as it got for the visitors as they subsided to 102 all out in 38.5 overs, Graham Bateup joining the afternoon's growing band of ducks. Stuart Cheesman was magnificent, ripping through with 4-30, backed up nicely by Stewart Morrison (2-13) and Michael Beeney (2-16), while Matt Large simply refused to be scored off, sending down four maidens of pure stubbornness.

As for your correspondent — I too made a duck, and in the interest of dignity I shall leave it there.

Daniel Thirkell now leads our 2000 run charts with 92, and Stuart Cheesman tops the wickets with 5 — both men very much earning their keep. All told, a thumping 85-run win and two points banked. Not a bad afternoon's work, even for a captain who can't buy a run himself.

Sat 20 May 2000 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horsmonden CC · AwayformLLLLW

Onwards, indeed! Here's the report.

We won the toss — no, hang on, we didn't. Horsmonden called correctly and had first use of what looked, in the cold light of a Saturday morning, a decent surface. As it turned out, it mattered rather less than usual, because our bowlers proceeded to take the pitch entirely out of the equation.

Jon Harris was the story of the day, and by some distance. A five-for — 5-9 off his allotment — is the kind of spell you dine out on for a season, and richly deserved it was too. He had willing accomplices: Darren Styles chipped in with 2-7, Trevor Back with 1-3, and John Taylor bowled five maidens without so much as a scoring shot to show for it. Matt LeMoine, Mark McCulley and N Caddick all trudged off for ducks, and Horsmonden were bowled out for a paltry 47 in 39.2 overs. Batting first has rarely looked such a poisoned chalice.

Our reply was a formality, 50 for 1 knocked off inside 17 overs, Mike Elworthy anchoring things nicely with an unbeaten 39. Rather nice for Mike, too — those runs eased him past Jim Hall into 16th on the club's all-time run charts, a small piece of history amid the rout. Elsewhere in the second XI's season, Tim Thirkell (74 runs) and Darren Styles (6 wickets) continue to lead their respective charts, and Styles's afternoon's work will have done his tally no harm at all.

A nine-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly one-sided one. Onwards.

Sun 14 May 2000 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Milstead CC · HomeformWWWLW

Sunday 14 May 2000, Milstead CC visited, and after losing the toss the lads found themselves shuffled out to the field – never our preferred opening gambit, but such is the lottery of the coin.

Milstead made steady progress to 167/4 from their 40 overs, Mike Sellar leading the charge with 34, well supported by N Fisher (31) and Richard Annand (24). Just as things threatened to run away from us, Daniel Thirkell produced a spell to remember, 3-36, while Nigel Thirkell strangled the scoring with four maidens and Matt Large chipped in with a wicket for his trouble. A more than respectable total to chase, but by no means insurmountable.

And so it proved. Paul Gibson played the innings of the day, a fine 55, with yours truly rather chuffed to contribute 52 alongside him – a personal milestone that felt every bit as satisfying as it sounds. Rob Doick and Peter Whyte both fell for ducks, and eleven byes spoke volumes about a testing afternoon for whoever was standing behind the stumps, but 168/8 from 39.5 overs got us home by two wickets, with Gibson and Thirkell now sitting proudly atop the season's run and wicket charts respectively.

A nervy finish, a few home truths for the wicketkeeper, but a fine win nonetheless. Chalk this one up as a very good day for the club.

Sat 13 May 2000 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformLLLLL

Rumwood CC arrived on Saturday, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and, with the sun out and a decent-looking track underfoot, had no hesitation in putting us in. We laboured a touch to 134/7 from our 46 overs, a total that owed almost everything to Tim Thirkell, who batted with real patience for an unbeaten 61 while wickets fell around him. Poor Richard Ellis will not want reminding of his contribution — a duck to nil, and not the last of the day, as it turned out.

Still, 134 felt like it might be defendable on a pitch offering some help, and so it proved, spectacularly. Rumwood's reply disintegrated to 46 all out in 40 overs, undone by bowling of real discipline. John Taylor was magnificent, three wickets at a miserly two runs apiece, nine of his overs maidens — the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen counting the overs left rather than the runs required. Trevor Back and Tim Thirkell (yes, him again) chipped in with two apiece, and the innings folded around three golden ducks of our own making, Kevin Mullins, K. Banfield and Lee Marsh all sent back without troubling the scorers.

I confess a certain quiet satisfaction leading from the front with the bat and watching from mid-off as it all came together with the ball. Two points, eighty-eight runs to the good, and Tim Thirkell now sits proudly atop the run charts. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work.

Sun 07 May 2000 🧢 1st XIv WC Willesborough CC · AwayformWLLWD

Sunday 7th May found us at Willesborough, where I lost the toss — no great surprise, the coin has had it in for me all season — and we were put into the field.

Willesborough made themselves at home, grinding to 157 all out off 44.5 overs. D Legget led the charge with a composed 54, well supported by G White's 44, while Adam Pressland and M Green went the way of all flesh for ducks at our hands. The bowling, mind, was where we earned our corn: Jon Harris was superb with 4-37, Ian Brattle chipped away nicely for 3-10, and Darren Styles picked up 1-16. A performance with real backbone.

Chasing 158, we never quite found our stride, folding to 108 for 9 off 40.2 overs. Piers McDonald battled to 30, Stewart Morrison stayed unbeaten on a gritty 20, but Russell Baldwin, Jon Harris and Thomas Beeney all contributed ducks of their own — a positive plague of them today. As for your captain, I contributed precisely nought with the bat; the less said the better, though I did at least redeem myself with the ball, taking 4 wickets to keep some pride intact.

So, 49 runs short and another one to file under "character-building." Stewart Morrison sits proudly atop the season's run charts on 71, and Jon Harris leads the wickets with 5 — small consolations. Heads up, chins in, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 06 May 2000 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDWLLW

Since our last visit, we hosted Bearsted CC in glorious uncertainty, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat first — a decision I felt rather smug about at the time.

The lads batted with real application, closing on a handsome 203/6 from our 47.4 overs. Stewart Morrison led the charge with a well-crafted 51, finding capable company in Daniel Thirkell (39) and Nigel Thirkell, unbeaten on 35, the pair's second-wicket stand of 59 the platform on which the innings was built. And a word for the mantelpiece: Stewart brought up 4,000 career runs for the club along the way — the sort of milestone that deserves rather more than the tea-interval biscuit it got.

In the field, we scrapped hard but couldn't quite prise the game away from Bearsted, who replied with 152/4 from their 40. An early wobble at 8-1 had us dreaming, but Richard Luxton settled in for an unbeaten 65, well supported by Ian Sandwell (39) and Mick Clifton (24), their fourth-wicket pair adding a stubborn 74 to shut the door on us. Thomas Beeney did the early damage (1-13), with Stuart Cheesman (1-17, and miserly with three maidens) and Daniel Thirkell (1-24) chipping away without quite finishing the job.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could force it — frustrating in the moment, but with Morrison's runs and Cheesman's control, there's plenty here to build on.

Sat 06 May 2000 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLLLLL

Not our day at Bearsted, and looking back at the card I can't say the pitch conspired against us — we simply didn't turn up with either bat or ball for long enough.

Losing the toss set the tone, and though we'd have preferred a bowl in the abstract, Bearsted made hard work of their own innings, crawling to 115/9 from 51 overs with only Mark Mills (25) offering any real substance. Credit where due — Simon Thirkell was superb with the ball, 3-26 and looking like he might run through the lot of them, while Darren Styles bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who begrudges every run (2-25, six maidens!) and John Taylor chipped in with 1-57. Alistair Mills departed for a duck at our hands, which felt, briefly, like a mercy.

Then came our reply, and the less said the better. Simon Thirkell — clearly the form man of the day — top-scored with 23, but around him the innings imploded spectacularly, 12-1 becoming 23-4 before most of us had found our rhythm. Paul Croucher's duck was the low-water mark of a genuinely ragged display, and 74/9 from 33.1 overs was a limp, undignified surrender.

Forty-one runs down, then, and no way to dress it up. Simon Thirkell now tops both our run and wicket charts for the season, so at least someone's having a summer to remember. The rest of us have a date with the nets, and possibly with our consciences.