🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 23 Sep 2001 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformDWDLW

Sunday last brought the Anchorians to Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any self-respecting skipper with a suspicious sky and an even more suspicious top order does — I stuck them in. For a while it looked the sort of decision they write limericks about, as M. Vowels compiled a serene 75 not out, with Gary Myers (41) and Eddie Stanford (35) offering cheerful assistance, and 200/3 off 29 overs went up on the board rather more briskly than any of us would have liked. Only Darren Styles emerged with real credit, snaffling 2-70 and, more tellingly, sending down two maidens — the sort of miserly spell that has opposition batsmen muttering into their gloves.

Chasing 201, we might have feared the worst, but Russell Baldwin had other ideas. He and Clive Newman simply refused to be parted, Baldwin purring to 75 not out and Newman a composed 30 not out, the pair carrying us to 108 without loss from 17.2 overs before the innings — and the afternoon — ran out of road. A draw it was, honours shared, and nobody terribly upset about it.

Worth noting, as the season charts remind us, that Baldwin now sits second in the club's run-scoring列 for 2001 with 1053 to his name, and Styles fourth among the wicket-takers with 22. Not a bad afternoon's work, then. A draw against a side that put 200 on the board is no disgrace — call it a point salvaged, pride intact, and the tea urn, as ever, the real match-winner.

Sat 22 Sep 2001 🧢 2nd XIv EC Elliotts CC · HomeformWDWLW

Saturday 22 September 2001 saw us welcome Elliotts CC, and losing the toss meant we were straight into the field — never my favourite way to spend a Saturday afternoon, but there we were.

Elliotts settled in nicely and posted 185/7 from their 48 overs, built around a classy half-century from Ian Crickmore (59), with Steve Swindell (35) and Dave Gracey (22) chipping in to keep the scoreboard ticking. Credit where it's due, though: John Taylor was magnificent with the ball, 4 for 54 and five maidens besides, bowling like the pitch owed him money. Dave Todd (2-53) and Trevor Back (1-20) did their bit too, and between them we kept Elliotts to something gettable.

Chasing 186 from 41 overs, we made a fair fist of it. Russell Baldwin played the innings of the day, 68 sailing well past his fifty, with sterling support from D. Bunch (38) and John Taylor — clearly not content with his bowling exploits — unbeaten on 20. Poor Richard Ellis, though, will want this one struck from the record: out for a duck, and no doubt already plotting his revenge.

In the end we fell short at 174/9, honours shared in a draw that satisfied precisely nobody and disappointed nobody either. A fair result, all told — Elliotts had the better of the toss and the bowling figures were ours. Trevor Back continues to top our 2001 run charts and John Taylor sits third among the wicket-takers, so the season's shaping up nicely even if Saturday's verdict was a stalemate.

Sat 22 Sep 2001 🧢 1st XIv DC Detling CC · AwayformWDWDL

As I strode out for the toss on the 22nd, I confess a little swagger crept into my step, and correctly calling it sealed the deal — no hesitation from me, we were batting.

David Castle set about proceedings with the sort of assured, unhurried authority that makes a captain's job look easy, ambling to 84 not out and, along the way, quietly bringing up 19,000 career runs for the club — a landmark that rather deserves a pint or two in its honour. He wasn't short of company either, with Adrian Caddick (33 not out) and Piers McDonald (28) chipping in handsomely as we closed on a healthy 178/4 from our 42 overs.

Defending that total, Detling never really got going. Barry Town's 32 was the only real resistance on offer, while poor Andrew Archer and Andy O'Nions departed without so much as a nibble at the scorers' pencil. The damage was done chiefly by Mike Redman, whose figures of 3-3, including three miserly maidens, bordered on the surgical, with Michael Beeney (2-9) and Howard Waters (2-17) mopping up the rest. Detling were bowled out for 95 in 34.4 overs, and the game was ours by 83 runs.

A pleasing personal contribution, certainly, but the day belonged to the collective effort — and to David Castle's milestone, which puts the cherry firmly atop the cake. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine advert for why we turn up every Saturday.

Sun 16 Sep 2001 🧢 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformDWDWD

Sunday 16 September, and Dummy Site arrived to find the toss lost and the lads sent out to field — no complaints from me, we did at least have first use of the ball. It bought little reward as the visitors ambled to 207 for 3 off their 43 overs, W. Holmes easing to a polished 65 not out, T. Leach ably supporting with a well-made 61, and P. Beerling unbeaten on 39 to see them home. R. Swaisland at least gave us something, trudging off without troubling the scorers. Jon Harris was miserly and menacing in equal measure, 1 for 13 the pick of the bowling, with Michael Beeney (1-63) and Darren Styles (1-65, three overs given away to nobody) offering fine support.

With the bat, Russell Baldwin simply strolled to three figures — a majestic 105 not out — ably assisted by Clive Newman's classy 56, while poor Adam Pooley contributed his now-customary golden duck. We closed on 208 for 3 off 35.3 overs, which by any reasonable arithmetic ought to have settled matters rather nicely.

There was history made along the way: Newman's 56 nudged him past Stan Wratten into 12th on the club's all-time run charts, while Baldwin (978 runs) and Harris (31 wickets) both sit second in this season's respective lists.

And yet, only Linton Park could contrive to be beaten by seven wickets after all that. Cricket has a way of humbling you just when you think you've cracked it. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 15 Sep 2001 🧢 2nd XIv BC Borden CC · HomeformWWDWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 15 September 2001, and Borden CC came calling.

I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the sort of decision that either earns you a knowing nod from the committee or a quiet word about hubris. Happily, it was the former. Howard Waters played the innings of the day, a crisp 61, with Adrian Caddick (38) and David Castle (27) chipping in nicely as we reached a healthy 188/7 from our 42 overs. Poor Rob Jackson, alas, made the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club ledger duly updated.

With the ball, we set about defending it in some style. Jon Harris was magnificent, 3-26, with Howard Waters and Adam Jackson lending a hand (2-1 and 2-9 respectively), while Michael Beeney bowled three miserly maidens to choke the runs. Richard Lucas and Kevin Jacques both departed without troubling the scorers. David Hollands (28), David Roche (26) and Tim Harwood (23) gave Borden something to cling to, but it was never quite enough, and they folded for 152. My own contribution behind the stumps was rather less distinguished — ten byes leaked, thank you David Castle for keeping a straight face.

Two lovely milestones to note: David Castle's 600th appearance in Linton colours, and Adrian Caddick reaching 1,000 career runs for the club — both thoroughly deserved. Jon Harris continues to lead our 2001 wicket charts with 25.

We got home by 36 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 12 Sep 2001 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformDDDDD

Wednesday 12 September saw us take on Dummy Site at home, and having won the toss I elected to bat — a decision I'm still rather pleased with, whatever the scoreboard went on to say. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the season, carving out a magnificent 100 not out, and found sturdy company in Peter Whyte, whose well-crafted 53 gave the innings real backbone. Between them they dragged us to a healthy 224/7 from our 40.5 overs, though it wasn't all glory at the crease — Trevor Back and Tim Thirkell both trudged back for golden ducks, the sort of dismissals that get quietly filed under "least said."

Two hundred and twenty-four looked a handsome total when we took to the field, and for a while it played that way. Tim Thirkell was superb with the ball, 3-23 his reward for hitting his lengths all afternoon, with Adrian Caddick (2-4) and Jon Harris (2-15) offering fine support, while Trevor Back tied things down with a couple of miserly maidens. John Mills and Jeremy Cornwallis both departed for ducks against our bowling. And yet, somehow, Dummy Site were still batting — a. White's unbeaten 21 the mainstay of an innings that crawled to 89/9 off 26 overs.

Do the arithmetic and you'll find we lost by 135 runs, which even by our own generous standards of self-deprecation is a curious way to lose a match we so clearly won. Not our day at all. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets we go.

Sun 09 Sep 2001 🧢 1st XIv CC Chelsfield Park CC · HomeformWDWDW

Sunday 09 September saw us welcome Chelsfield Park CC, and winning the toss I didn't so much ponder the decision as trip over it in my haste to bat first.

We were rewarded handsomely. Daniel Thirkell played the innings of the summer, an unbeaten hundred that anchored everything around it, while I did my bit at the other end with 74 before David Castle carried on the good work with 74 of his own. From 206/4 off our 47 overs, there was a distinct sense that we might have parked our tanks rather firmly on Chelsfield's lawn.

Defending it proved a rather sterner examination of the nerves. Nick Polkinhorne set about our attack with a fine 71, and with Robert McCanna (34) and Roydon Sharr (31 not out) lending assistance, the visitors kept themselves interesting throughout. Jon Harris was the pick of our bowlers with 2-49, Stuart Cheesman and Fred Cheesman chipped in a wicket apiece, and Darren Styles bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who simply refused to be hit, sending down five maidens for his trouble. Chelsfield closed on 175/5 from 48 overs, short of the target but not disgraced.

A word too for the record books: Thirkell's century lifted him past Frank Brattle into 19th on our all-time run charts, and Michael Beeney's solitary wicket eased him past Dick Langridge into 20th among our leading wicket-takers — the sort of quiet milestones that make a club tick along nicely.

In the end honours were shared, and on reflection that felt about right — a draw earned rather than settled for, and an afternoon I'd happily relive.

Sat 08 Sep 2001 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWDWD

Here's the match report:

From the captain's chair, I approached the coin toss on Saturday with my usual optimism and my usual luck — none. West Farleigh called correctly and had no hesitation in asking us to field first, which on a warm September afternoon felt rather cheeky of them.

They set about building a total with real purpose, Neil Tillott striding to 75 in fine style, with Richard Truelove (46) and Chris Bills (29) offering sturdy support. Poor N Manser departed without so much as a nibble at the scoreboard — these things happen to us all. They closed on 201/8 from their 46 overs. With ball in hand, Rob Doick was outstanding, taking 4-56, backed up admirably by Daniel Thirkell's 3-32 and Michael Beeney's solitary wicket. Matt Large, meanwhile, bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding his allotment, three maidens to his name.

Chasing 202, I'm delighted to report I found some form myself, top-scoring with 62, while Russell Baldwin (47) and Rob Doick, unbeaten on 47, kept the innings ticking along nicely — a generous 25 extras didn't go amiss either. We got there in 34.3 overs for the loss of just four wickets.

A splendid six-wicket win, and with Daniel Thirkell continuing his remarkable season atop both the run and wicket charts, the side goes from strength to strength. Onwards indeed.

Sat 08 Sep 2001 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWWWDW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 08 September 2001. The road took us to West Farleigh CC, and losing the toss meant we were straight out into the field before anyone had properly finished their tea.

Batting first was never going to be easy, and so it proved: 84 all out from 45.1 overs is not a total that keeps a captain's blood pressure down. Richard Piper's 22 was the innings' backbone, with John Taylor unbeaten on 20 offering the sort of support that deserved a better supporting cast. Alas, Simon Thirkell, Trevor Back and Christopher Thirkell all walked back for golden ducks — three eggs in one basket is not a recipe anyone recommends, and the tea urn was working overtime on sympathy alone.

Defending 84 always felt like asking the lads to hold back the tide with a tea towel, and so it went. Mark Meyrick's unbeaten 36, well supported by John Smith's unbeaten 25, saw West Farleigh home in 26.4 overs. It wasn't for want of trying with the ball — Trevor Back led the line with 1-14, Jon Harris chipped in with 1-14 of his own, and John Taylor kept up the good work with 1-19 — but three wickets simply weren't enough against a total that small.

Down by seven wickets, then, and no dressing it up. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets — there'll be sunnier Saturdays than this one.

Sat 01 Sep 2001 🧢 1st XIv EC East Malling CC · AwayformWWWDW

Saturday 1st September, and the Skipper's Log records a trip to East Malling that ended, fittingly, all square.

Losing the toss meant we were asked to chase, so first we had to put in a shift with the ball. East Malling made themselves at home, closing on 154 for 5 from their 45 overs — James Davison the chief architect with a fine 70, well supported by Russell Dack's 26. Credit where it's due: Jon Harris was pick of our attack with 2 for 45, and with 28 wickets to his name this season he now sits proudly second in the 1st XI charts. The man is making a habit of turning up when it matters.

Chasing 155 was never going to be a stroll, and so it proved. We stumbled to 125 for 7 from our 38 overs, the innings held together by Ian Brattle's unbeaten 33, with Trevor Back's 29 and Ron McCormick's 20 lending a hand before the overs ran out from under us. There was a period, I'll admit, when I feared we'd fall well short rather than merely short.

So, honours shared. Neither side could quite land the killer blow, and a draw was the fair, if faintly unsatisfying, reward for two sides who cancelled each other out. Not a win to sing about on the coach home, but not a defeat to sulk over either — and with Harris in this kind of form, there'll be days yet when 155 isn't nearly enough for the opposition.

Fri 31 Aug 2001 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformLLLLW

From the captain's chair — Friday 31 August 2001. The road took us to Mullion CC, and for once the coin loved me, so I had no hesitation putting us in.

Batting first suited us nicely. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, 81 of the finest, and found willing company in Stewart Morrison (36) and Stuart Cheesman (32) as we ground our way to 225/9 from the forty overs. Not every contribution can be a classic, mind — poor Adam Pooley's golden duck will live long in the memory, if not in the scorebook 🦆. Still, 225 felt like a defendable total as we trooped off for tea.

Alas, defending it proved beyond us. Mullion's Paul Warbis and J- Sammons both made 48, with James Pearson's 36 chipping away further, and they eased home on 226/5 with over five overs unused. Daniel Thirkell toiled manfully for 3-34, backed up by Rob Doick (1-34) and Stuart Cheesman, who somehow found energy for 1-39 after his runs. Behind the stumps it was rather more sieve than safe pair of hands — 25 byes is not a number I'll be framing — while I contributed a modest 19 with the bat.

One bright footnote: Daniel Thirkell's single run nudged him past Stewart Morrison to 20th on the all-time run-scorers list — a small triumph amid the wreckage 📈.

Beaten by five wickets. We'll be better for it next week.

Thu 30 Aug 2001 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformLLLLL

We travelled to Falmouth on Thursday 30th August in good spirits, and matters improved further when the coin obliged and I saw fit to put us in. Adrian Caddick led the way with a fine 47, Rob Doick weighed in with 44 and Daniel Thirkell 36, the innings building nicely to 212/8 from our forty overs — a total that felt, even as we walked off, like it might just be enough to make a Thursday afternoon count.

So it proved. Falmouth were bowled out for 147 in 35.4 overs, David Angove's unbeaten 48 the only real resistance, well supported by Antony Angove's 32 and Dan Hadley's 30 — but support is all it was, for the rest of the order rather crumbled around them, Sean Turner and Justin Stephens both departing without troubling the scorers. Stuart Cheesman was the pick of the attack with 3-23, and Daniel Thirkell (2-4) and David Castle (2-19) chipped in handsomely to keep the squeeze on.

A word too for Thirkell, whose 36 with the bat that afternoon nudged him past Stewart Morrison into 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — and who continues, with 439 runs and 10 wickets, to lead both the 2001 Tour XI's run and wicket charts as though the rest of us are merely making up the numbers. I added a watching-brief 36 of my own.

Sixty-five runs the margin in the end. A fine day out, and one Falmouth will not much enjoy remembering.

Wed 29 Aug 2001 🧢 Tour XIv TC Truro CC · AwayformLLLLL

Truro's not the shortest drive in the fixture list, but the lads made the trip on 29 August in good spirits — spirits that took a bit of a battering by the close.

Losing the toss and being put in the field is never how you'd script it, and Truro made the most of it. After we nipped one out early at 8-1, Justin Morris and Neil Stoddard put on 180 for the second wicket in a partnership that did most of the damage, Morris going on to a fine hundred and Stoddard following up with a classy 72. Stephen Cockett chipped in with 34 more, and by the 45th over Truro had posted a stiff 251/4. Adrian Caddick worked hardest for his figures of 1-37, with Rob Doick and Daniel Thirkell (1-39 and 1-54) offering support without ever quite stemming the flow.

Chasing 252, Nigel Thirkell led from the front with a lovely 77, Daniel Thirkell and Stuart Cheesman weighing in with 35 and 33 apiece and a handy third-wicket stand of 87 keeping us in the hunt — even the extras column did its bit with 33. I managed 33 myself, for what little that was worth in the end. There was proper cause for celebration amid the toil, mind: Stewart Morrison and Daniel Thirkell both brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, Daniel made his 200th appearance in Linton colours, and his 35 today nudged him above Morrison to 20th on our all-time run-scorers list — he now leads our 2001 Tour XI both for runs and, handily, sits second for wickets too.

We fell agonisingly short, eight runs shy at 243/8. Heads up, chins forward, back to the nets — this one will sting for a night or two, but the milestones gave us plenty to raise a glass to regardless.

Sat 25 Aug 2001 🧢 1st XIv Mersham Sports CC · AwayformWWWWD

Kevin Presneill will be relieved to hear it's over, if not to see 27 byes in the book. Called it right at the toss, and with the sun out I fancied runs on the board — 200 for 6 from our 46 overs was a fair return, Russ Baldwin cracking a well-earned fifty, 57, with Rob Doick (39) and Daniel Thirkell (31) keeping him honest company. I chipped in a modest 17, which is about as much as my technique deserves these days.

Mersham gave it a proper go in reply, David Harman batting nicely for 48 with Andy Douglas ticking along on 29, and for a while 186 looked eminently gettable off our total. But Ian Brattle bowled with real purpose for 2 for 23, Mike Redman chimed in with 2 for 25, and Rob Doick was miserly as ever — 2 for 33 with four maidens, not a run given away lightly. Baddupalli Balakrishna departed without troubling the scorers, out for a duck, which I'm reliably informed is always the highlight of anyone's afternoon except his own.

They fell 14 runs short in the end, 186 for 9 from their 44, and we scrambled over the line deservedly. Daniel Thirkell continues to top the run charts with 897 for the season, and Michael Beeney sits second among the wicket-takers on 27 — the old firm doing the business again. A good day for the club, byes and all.

Sat 25 Aug 2001 🧢 2nd XIv Mersham Sports CC · HomeformLWWWD

Saturday brought Mersham Sports CC to Linton Park, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in asking us to bat first — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or daft depending entirely on what follows, and I'm delighted to report it was the former. We batted with real purpose, racing to 226 for 5 off our 46 overs. I'm not one to blow my own trumpet, but I did rather enjoy leading from the front with 80, while Trevor Back gave the innings backbone with a classy 70. Even our extras got in on the act, contributing a generous 28 — Mersham's bowlers were nothing if not obliging.

Defending that total, the lads set about it with the ball, and though L Grist threatened to spoil the party with a well-crafted 62, ably supported by Kevin Wise's unbeaten 32, we always felt in control. Dave Todd was the pick of the attack with 3 for 43, Jon Harris chipped in admirably with 3 for 49, and Darren Styles kept things tight throughout — a single wicket for 28 runs, including two miserly maidens, tells only half the story of his discipline. Mersham fell short at 200 for 8 off 44.

A fine win by 26 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. With Trevor Back now sitting atop the 2nd XI run charts on 530 and Darren Styles leading the wicket-takers with 22, the season has real momentum. Onwards indeed.

Sat 18 Aug 2001 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformLWWWW

Here's the match report:

Saturday, and a good toss to win against Meopham CC — I had no hesitation shoving us in to bat first, fancying our chances on a decent surface. What followed was a proper batting effort: 202/5 off our 46 overs, built on the back of Nigel Thirkell's fine 53, with David Castle chipping in a handsome 48 and young Daniel Thirkell unbeaten on 42 to see the innings home in style. Not everyone's name will be etched in the scorebook with pride, mind — poor Dave Charlton walked back for a golden duck, and there's no hiding place in a club gazette for that sort of thing.

With the ball, the lads were tight as a drum, restricting Meopham to 48/3 from their 20 overs — Andrew Powney's unbeaten 24 the only real resistance, everything else strangled by economical, disciplined bowling. Daniel Thirkell was the pick of the attack, 2-14 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, and capped a fine all-round day by nudging past Jon Harris into 21st on the club's all-time run-scorers' list. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at contributing 53 myself, leading from the front as a captain likes to say he does.

With Castle top of the season's run charts on 870 and Daniel Thirkell leading the wickets column with 36, this club is in rude health. The match itself petered into honours-shared territory, neither side able to force it home — a draw, then, but an afternoon that did our reputation no harm at all.

Sat 18 Aug 2001 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · AwayformDLWWW

Saturday 18 August 2001, and we were away at Meopham CC – a fixture that always seems to know exactly how to leave both sides scratching their heads by close of play.

Losing the toss meant we were straight out into the field, and Meopham set about building a total with the sort of patience that makes a captain's tea go cold. Matt Sparkes led the charge with a fine 75, well backed up by Colin Cable's 41 and Tony Thatcher's 31, as their innings closed on a stiff 204 for 6 from 46 overs. Credit where it's due, though – Darren Styles was magnificent with the ball, plundering 4 for 32, with Jon Harris (1-35) and Alan Boyns (1-66) chipping in to keep the scoreboard honest.

Chasing 205, we set about our task with real intent. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, a superb 65, ably supported by Tim Thirkell's unbeaten 29 and, if I may say so without too much blushing, a workmanlike 29 of my own. We raced to 101 for 1 from just 16 overs before the heavens, or the umpires, or simple cricketing mathematics called a halt – honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue.

Special mention for Darren Styles, whose four wickets nudged him past Terry Donovan into 16th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list – a fine effort in a season where he already leads our 2nd XI wicket charts with 21, while Mike Elworthy sits 2nd in the run charts with 444. A day of no losers, then, and rather a lot to be cheerful about.

Fri 17 Aug 2001 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformLDDDD

From the captain's chair — Friday 17 August 2001. A glorious day for it, and Selsdon CC made the trip to Linton Park in good spirits, which was more than I could say for us once I'd lost the toss for what feels like the ninth week running. They chose to bat, naturally, and we were left to toil in the field.

Toil we did, though not without reward. C. Exton compiled a handsome 51, with David Shivmangal (48 not out) and Marcus Robertson (46) chipping in to push Selsdon to a stiff 233/7 from their 51 overs. Jon Harris was the pick of our attack, snaring 2-52 with the kind of relentless accuracy that's becoming his trademark this season, well backed up by Tom Parsons (1-26) and Stuart Cheesman (1-29).

Chasing 234, we owed almost everything to Mike Elworthy, who peeled off a magnificent 102 — three figures, no less, though his afternoon with the gloves earlier had been rather less serene, eight byes going walkabout while he was stood behind the stumps. Stuart Cheesman (52) and David Castle (24) gave sterling support, and we finished on 215/6 from our 43, agonisingly short of the target.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite force it home. Cheesman now leads our Midweek XI run charts with 113, and Harris tops the wickets with 8. A fair result, all told, and one we'll happily settle for after a match played in the very best spirit of the game.

Wed 15 Aug 2001 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLDDD

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 15 August 2001. We were away at The Mote CC, and when I lost the toss and watched them elect to bat, I confess my heart sank a little into my boots, though at least it spared us the ordeal of padding up first in that August heat.

The Mote made themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 212 for 4 from their 47.4 overs, with Thomas Harvey compiling a superb century and Mark Bristow chipping in a fluent 61 alongside him — the sort of partnership that has opposing captains reaching for the smelling salts. Full credit to the lads for not folding under it: Dave Todd bowled beautifully for his 2 for 24, with Stuart Cheesman chiming in at 2 for 29 to keep us in the contest.

Chasing 213, we posted a spirited 186 for 7 from our 41, Daniel Thirkell leading the way with a splendid 64, well supported by Trevor Back's 21 and Stewart Morrison's 20. Poor Richard Piper's golden duck was the one blot on an otherwise honest effort, and even our extras got in on the act with a generous 27. Thirkell's innings was no small thing either — it eased him past Mike Caddick into 22nd on the club's all-time run charts, and keeps him second in this season's Midweek XI run standings, with Cheesman sitting proudly second among the wicket-takers.

In the end honours were shared, and on a day when the opposition batted us into a hole, a draw felt very much like a job well done.

Sun 12 Aug 2001 🧢 1st XIv WK Westgate-On-Sea CC, Kent · HomeformWLWWW

Sunday 12 August 2001, Westgate-On-Sea CC came to Linton Park, I called wrong at the toss, and duly found myself trudging out to field first — the traditional captain's punishment for guessing incorrectly.

Westgate made themselves at home, closing on a stout 156/8 from their forty overs, built chiefly on Gary Sandwell's polished 53 and shepherded along by Keith Sandwell's unbeaten 49. Credit to the lads with the ball, though: Jon Harris ran in with real purpose for 3-46, Darren Styles and Michael Beeney chipped away with 2-21 and 2-25 respectively, and Mike Redman bowled three maidens so mean the Sandwells must have wondered if the meter had stopped running.

A gettable target, but never quite a formality. I'll confess a certain pride in leading from the front with 64 not out — one of those innings where everything seems to find the middle of the bat — well supported by Stuart Cheesman's brisk 29 and Michael Beeney's unbeaten 20 to see us home. Spare a thought, though, for poor Mike Redman, whose golden duck earns him a fresh entry in the club's Duck Ledger 🦆 — proof that cricket giveth with the ball and taketh away with the bat, often in the same afternoon.

We got there by four wickets, David Castle's form keeps him second in the season's run charts, and Jon Harris sits second among the wicket-takers. A fine win, honestly earned. Onwards. 🏏

Sat 11 Aug 2001 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformLWLWW

The lads knew Shipbourne well enough to know their sunlit outfield rarely comes cheap, and losing the toss on 11 August set the tone for a day of graft rather than glory. Put into the field, we watched Andrew Thompson bat with real composure for his unbeaten 58, well supported by Paul Stovell's 24, as the hosts crept to 180/9 from their 46 overs — a total that felt like just enough rope to hang ourselves with. Credit where due: Daniel Thirkell was the chief tormentor with 3-55, Rob Doick (2-22, five miserly maidens) and Stuart Cheesman (2-32) kept things admirably tight, and between them they dragged what might have been a daunting score back to something chaseable.

Chasing 181, it was Nigel Thirkell who took the innings by the scruff of the neck with a superb unbeaten 84, Rob Doick chipping in handsomely with a fifty of his own and David Castle adding a useful 20. Daniel Thirkell and Kevin Presneill both fell without troubling the scorers — one duck is unfortunate, two is a matching pair nobody asked for — and Presneill's afternoon behind the stumps was no less eventful, ten byes leaking through for good measure. As for my own contribution, well, 84 not out isn't the worst way to spend a Saturday, and I'll say no more about it than the scorebook already has.

Three wickets to the good in the end. A scrappy, nervy, thoroughly typical afternoon of club cricket — and a very good day for the club.

Sat 11 Aug 2001 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformLDLWW

Here's the report.

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Saturday 11 August 2001, and we welcomed Shipbourne CC to the ground for what would prove a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Losing the toss and being asked to field is never how a captain wants his day to start, but there are worse things in life, and as it turned out the lads made rather light of it.

Once our turn came with the bat, we set about building a proper total. Trevor Back led the way with an unbeaten 57, calm and correct as ever, while Mike Elworthy weighed in with a well-made fifty of his own and Ron McCormick chipped in a handy 44. Three fine contributions saw us to 189 for 3 from our 46 overs — a score that always felt a good sight more than useful.

In the field, Shipbourne fought hard and Matt Kendle's 46 kept them in the contest longer than we'd have liked, but Jon Harris was in inspired form, prising out three for 41, with Dave Todd (2-35) and Darren Styles (1-12) doing their bit, and Ian Brattle miserly with three maidens. Poor Richard Lee-Amies departed without so much as troubling the scorers. We were, it must be said, generous to a fault with 6 wides and 23 no-balls — the sort of profligacy that gives a captain grey hairs — but even that couldn't derail us, and Shipbourne fell short at 145 for 9.

A word too for Ian Brattle, whose wicket nudged him past Terry Whittaker into 7th on the club's all-time list — quiet history being made while the rest of us weren't looking.

A 44-run win, two points banked, and honestly rather more comfortable than the extras column suggests. I'll take it.

Sat 04 Aug 2001 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLLWLW

Saturday 4th August 2001, and Headcorn rolled up, won the toss, and stuck us in — which, given how the day panned out, is a decision I suspect their captain spent the evening quietly regretting.

We batted first and reached a respectable 186/6 from our 46 overs, the innings built largely on the back of Daniel Thirkell's excellent 92 — one shy of three figures but a captain's innings all the same. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 22, and Stuart Cheesman saw us home unbeaten on 22. Spare a thought, though, for poor Russell Baldwin, whose contribution to proceedings was a duck of the most golden variety — the walk of shame performed, as ever, with good grace.

Defending 186 is never a formality in this league, and Headcorn made us sweat for every one of the nine runs in it. Kevin Richardson played the innings of the day for them, 75 of good, watchful batting, with Rob Mansell (23) and Paul Gibbs (22) offering support. But the bowlers held their nerve superbly — Matt Large the pick with 4-37, Ian Brattle chiming in with 3-25, Daniel Thirkell adding a wicket to his batting, and Nigel Thirkell tying things down with four maidens. Neil Levett, Matt Boatwright and Mike Donnelly departed without scoring, which tells its own story of the pressure we applied. I managed 22 myself, more useful than memorable.

Two hard-fought points, and a win by 9 runs — the sort of afternoon that reminds you why you keep turning up.

Sat 04 Aug 2001 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLLDLW

Saturday 4th August 2001, and we welcomed Headcorn CC to Linton Park under skies that, for once, held their nerve. I lost the toss — a habit I'm cultivating this season — and Headcorn wisely chose to bat first, leaving us to graze in the field for the afternoon.

They ground out 138/8 from their 46 overs, with D. Moffit the chief architect of resistance, unbeaten on 59, and Andrew Chapman chipping in a tidy 27. Credit where due, though: our bowlers kept the leash tight throughout. Trevor Back was quite miserly with six maidens en route to 3-29, Darren Styles picked up 3-31, and John Taylor weighed in with 1-28. C. Wilde, meanwhile, will not be troubling the scorers this week, departing for a duck at our hands.

Chasing 139, we made it interesting — as tradition demands — reaching 140/6 from 35.1 overs. Kevin Presneill led the charge with a fine 44, well supported by Trevor Back's unbeaten 27 and Simon Thirkell's 21. The Duck Club, sadly, welcomed two new members in Ron McCormick and Tim Thirkell, and I did my bit for the ledger too, falling for nought — a knock best forgotten, and I intend to.

A fine win by four wickets, then, and Trevor Back and Darren Styles continue to lead the season's run and wicket charts respectively. Onwards, undefeated in spirit if not always in style.

Wed 01 Aug 2001 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDDLDD

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 1st August 2001

Well, the visitors came to Linton Park and neither we nor they left with much to show for it beyond a decent tea and aching legs, but I get ahead of myself.

Put into the field first, we watched their innings amble to 229/8 from their 47 overs, K Banham finishing unbeaten on 46, well supported by J Davey (43) and M Haywood (38). D Hunter, mind you, walked back for nought — small mercies. Jon Harris was the pick of our attack with a fine 3-59, Fred Cheesman chipped in with 2-18, Tim Thirkell took one, and brother Nigel bowled two miserly maidens to keep the scoreboard honest.

Chasing 230, we made a spirited fist of it — 207/8 from our 42 — thanks largely to Nigel Thirkell, who batted beautifully for 80, with Clive Newman (40) and Russell Baldwin (26) lending fine support. Spare a thought for poor Adam Pooley, who made the long walk back for a duck — the club ledger duly updated.

I'll confess a quiet satisfaction with three wickets of my own in the field, which I shall be mentioning at the bar for weeks to come.

So there we are — honours shared, a draw when neither side could force the issue. Nigel now tops our run charts for the season with that 80, and Jon Harris leads the wickets with six. A fair result, all told, and one that leaves both sides, like the weather, thoroughly English about it.

Sun 29 Jul 2001 🧢 1st XIv KC Knockers CC · HomeformLLLWL

Sunday last brought Knockers CC to Linton Park, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in putting them in — a decision I'll happily take credit for, however it had turned out. They battled to 190 all out in 43.4 overs, Stuart Seldon top-scoring with 42, well supported by C Spencer Allen's 38 and a- Marshall's 27. Jon Harris was magnificent, prising out five for 41, while Daniel Thirkell (2-14) and Darren Styles (1-21) chipped in, and Michael Beeney throttled the scoring with three tidy maidens. P- Schofield and Andy Darry both departed for ducks, which I'm sure they'll want forgotten by teatime.

Chasing 191, David Castle played the innings of the day, a composed 82, ushering us home in fine company with Clive Newman's 49 — and a generous 26 extras didn't hurt either. We reached 191 for 3 in 35.1 overs to complete the seven-wicket win.

Peter Whyte had a chastening time behind the stumps, 12 byes disappearing past him like Sunday shoppers late for the sales, but he'll have forgotten it over a pint by now. I rather enjoyed myself with the ball too, five wickets making it a day to remember from both disciplines. Russell Baldwin continues to lead our run charts with 731, and Daniel Thirkell tops the wickets with 28 — the engine room of the season, as ever.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a result that did the club proud.

Sat 28 Jul 2001 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformDLLLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 28 July 2001. We travelled to Milstead, and I confess the toss couldn't have gone better for us — I called correctly and had no hesitation in taking first knock, a decision I'm rather pleased to say vindicated itself as the day wore on.

We batted our way to 192/9 from the full 46 overs, the innings built almost single-handedly around Russell Baldwin, who cantered past his fifty and kept going all the way to 92 — a proper captain's innings, even if I say so myself. Daniel Thirkell chipped in with a tidy 53 to give the total real backbone. Matt Large, meanwhile, contributed what the scorebook rather unkindly records as a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, Matt, chin up.

Defending 192 asked us to bowl and field for our lives, and for a good long while we did just that. Michael Beeney led the line beautifully with 1-24, with Ian Brattle and Matt Large (redeeming himself nicely with three tidy maidens) both weighing in with a wicket apiece. But Paul Carlton had other ideas, compiling an unbeaten 68 that anchored the chase, well supported by Gareth Chick's 38 and Richard Annand's unbeaten 31, and Milstead eased home by seven wickets with 4.4 overs unused.

A pleasing footnote amid the gloom: Daniel Thirkell's 53 nudges him past Malcolm Pay into 23rd on the club's all-time run-scorers list. Russell Baldwin also continues to lead our 2001 run charts with 725, and Michael Beeney sits second in the wicket-takers with 22.

Not our day, then, but plenty to build on. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 28 Jul 2001 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · HomeformWLLDL

Saturday 28 July 2001 saw Milstead CC come to Linton Park, and winning the toss I did the only sensible thing an English captain can do on a decent-looking morning — I stuck us in. History, or at least the scorebook, will record this as the right call.

We were indebted chiefly to Ron McCormick, who eased past his fifty on the way to 54, the sort of innings that makes a captain look far cleverer than he has any right to. Kevin Presneill chipped in a tidy 29 and Roly Edwards finished unbeaten on 28, while poor Simon Thirkell's duck was the one blemish on an otherwise handsome card — every side needs someone to fall on their sword. Even the extras got in on the act with 30, which on some Saturdays is our top scorer. All told, 170/8 from 46 overs felt like a defendable total, if not an unassailable one.

And so it proved. Milstead fought hard — A Wright's unbeaten 57 and useful contributions from Gareth Chick (32) and R- Wright (29) had us gripping our sandwiches rather tightly at times — but they never quite got away from us. Tim Thirkell led the attack beautifully with 2-37, John Taylor chipped in with 1-31, and Trevor Back was miserliness personified, sending down four maidens and giving Milstead's batsmen precious little to work with.

A 35-run win, then, and thoroughly deserved. With Trevor Back topping our 2nd XI run charts and John Taylor sitting handsomely fourth among the wicket-takers, the season has a pleasing shape to it. Onwards, as ever, to the next one.

Sun 22 Jul 2001 🧢 1st XIv WK Westgate-On-Sea CC, Kent · HomeformWDLLL

Stuart Cheesman 56 not out, Richard Piper 28, Daniel Thirkell 23, extras 39, Martin Arnold 42, Tom Hammond 39 not out, Sid Patel duck, Daniel Thirkell 3-15, Michael Beeney 3-29, Fred Cheesman 1-29, Darren Styles 2 maidens, Clive Newman 8 byes, John --'s Taylor, 666 runs, 26 wickets — noted, all figures kept exactly as given.

Sunday 22 July, and Westgate-On-Sea CC of Kent rolled up to find your captain in an uncharacteristically decisive mood — I won the toss, elected to bat, and for once didn't spend the rest of the day wondering if I'd got it wrong. Stuart Cheesman set about proving me right with a composed 56 not out, Richard Piper chipped in 28 and Daniel Thirkell 23, while our extras column, ever the reliable middle-order batsman, contributed a generous 39. We closed on 183/5 from our forty overs, a total that felt just about right without anyone quite cutting loose.

Defending it meant weathering Martin Arnold, who threatened to bat us out of the ground with 42, ably supported by Tom Hammond's unbeaten 39 — the sort of stand that has a captain rearranging his field and his nerves in equal measure. Mercifully, Daniel Thirkell had other ideas, ripping through with 3-15, backed up by Michael Beeney's 3-29 and Fred Cheesman's 1-29, with Sid Patel sent back for a duck along the way. Darren Styles bowled two tidy maidens and, in doing so, quietly slid past John --'s Taylor into 17th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — a nice bit of history made almost in passing. Poor Clive Newman had a torrid time behind the stumps, 8 byes the price of an honest afternoon's work.

The opposition fell 9 runs short. A tight, nervy finish, but a deserved one — and with Daniel Thirkell still striding clear atop both our run and wicket charts this season, the future looks rosy even if my toss-calling reputation remains firmly on probation.

Sat 21 Jul 2001 🧢 1st XIv N nonnington · AwayformWWDLL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 21 July 2001. We travelled to Dummy Site with the sun, for once, on our side.

I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat — the right call, I felt, and one of the few decisions all season nobody's argued with me over. We posted a handsome 187/5 from our 43 overs, built on the back of David Castle's excellent 77 not out, playing the anchor role to perfection, with Daniel Thirkell chipping in a well-made 53 alongside him. A platform any side would be glad of.

Then it was our turn with the ball, and what followed was rather more fun than the sherry after. R Harrison was sent packing without troubling the scorers — a duck to open proceedings that set the tone nicely. Mike Redman was simply outstanding, tearing through with 4-13, ably supported by Luke Wallond's 4-22 and a tidy 1-10 from Fred Cheesman, while Michael Beeney bowled two maidens and gave away nothing lightly. The opposition were bowled out for a modest 89 from 28 overs — we won by 98 runs.

A word for the season so far: Daniel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 643, and Michael Beeney sits second in the wicket-taking list with 18 — both men doing their bit to keep this old captain's hair from greying further.

All in all, a proper day's cricket, and I was rather chuffed to lead from the front with 77 of my own. Verdict: a job well done, tea well earned, and the lads deserve every biscuit going.

Sat 21 Jul 2001 🧢 2nd XIv NC Northfleet CC · AwayformDWLLD

Beaten by 25 runs at Northfleet on Saturday, but not, I'd like to think, without honour.

Winning the toss on 21 July, I fancied our bowling on that surface and stuck them in — a decision I was rather pleased with as Northfleet limped to 120 all out in 43 overs. Alan Boyns was the chief architect of the collapse, a superb 4-16, while John Taylor bowled with the miserliness of a man counting out his last fiver, five maidens in a spell of 3-23. Darren Styles chipped in with 2-11, and somewhere in the middle of it all poor Neil Morris, - Force trudged off for a duck. Denis King (37) and Tim Whittingham (27) were the ones who gave Northfleet something to bowl at, but 120 felt eminently gettable.

Eminently gettable, as it turned out, is not the same as got. Our reply folded for 95 in 34.1 overs, Ron McCormick doing his honest best with 28, while Darren Styles — so miserly with the ball — proved rather too generous with his wicket, departing for nought. The rest of us, frankly, offered little resistance worth documenting.

So, 25 runs the wrong side of the ledger, and a reminder that bowling sides out for 120 counts for nothing if you can't get within sight of it yourself. Trevor Back continues to pile up runs at the top of the season's charts and Darren Styles the wickets, so the engine room remains sound — we simply need the rest of the carriages attached. Onwards to next week, chastened but unbowed.

Sun 15 Jul 2001 🧢 1st XIv Chestfield CC · AwayformWWWDL

Sunday 15 July 2001, and off we trundled to Chestfield CC with hopes reasonably high and expectations, as ever, kept firmly in check. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling this season has been up there with my batting — and Chestfield sensibly chose to bat first.

They ground their way to 190/7 from their forty, Dominic Chambers the chief tormentor with a classy 81, well supported by Tim Jones (28) and Stephen Cox (25). Jon Harris was magnificent, ripping through with 3-35, while Darren Styles bowled a beautifully tight spell for 1-15 including three maidens, and Stuart Cheesman chipped in with 1-33.

Chasing 190, we replied with 177/8, anchored by a fine 69 from Russell Baldwin — well past his fifty and the innings that kept us in it — with Stuart Cheesman a handy 49 alongside him. Extras did their bit too, 29 useful runs, though poor Luke Wallond's duck was a blot on an otherwise respectable card. As for your captain, a golden blob to remember — leading from the front is all well and good, but not, on this occasion, with the bat in hand. Small mercies with the ball, though: three wickets to at least partially redeem the afternoon.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Russell Baldwin continues to top the 1st XI run charts with 607, and Michael Beeney sits second among the wicket-takers with 17.

In the end, thirteen runs shy — not our day. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Sat 14 Jul 2001 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformWWWWD

Saturday last saw Leeds & Broomfield roll into Linton Park, and having lost the toss I duly volunteered us to field first — a decision that, in hindsight, may have flattered our bowling more than our batting deserved credit for. Put in ourselves, we mustered a fragile 78 all out in 34.2 overs, Russell Baldwin's 21 standing like a lone oak in an otherwise barren field. Elsewhere the Duck Club did brisk business, with Stuart Cheesman, Mike Redman and Michael Beeney all completing that mournful walk back for nought — the ledger groans under the weight of this fixture alone.

Defending such a modest total looked a fool's errand, yet the lads set about it with real heart. Leeds & Broomfield were made to work for every run, limping to 79/7 from 35.1 overs, with Geoff Hunt and George Horton both surrendering their wickets for ducks of their own — some small consolation. Nigel Thirkell was magnificent, 3 for 5, backed superbly by Matt Large (2-21, four maidens of positively Trappist discipline) and Daniel Thirkell (1-6). I even chipped in with three wickets myself, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for weeks to come.

Amid the toil, milestones gleamed: Nigel Thirkell brought up 36,000 career runs, and Daniel Thirkell passed 200 career wickets, while still leading our season's charts with 584 runs and 23 wickets. In the end, three wickets did for us. A defeat with more pride in it than most victories — we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 14 Jul 2001 🧢 2nd XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformWDWLL

Saturday 14 July 2001 saw us make the trip to Leeds & Broomfield, and I lost the toss with my usual coin-tossing brilliance, leaving us asked to bat first on what turned out to be a rather agreeable pitch for it.

We made ourselves quite at home, closing on 163/6 from our 46 overs. Richard Piper was in fine touch for his 54, and Stewart Roberts kept him honest company with a well-crafted 50 of his own — between them the innings had a solid backbone, even if the rest of us contributed rather more modestly to proceedings.

Defending the total, we made the perfect start when Malcolm Broadway departed without so much as a run to his name — the sort of moment that has a captain suppressing a grin behind his sunglasses. Darren Styles was the chief tormentor with figures of 2-13, ably assisted by Trevor Back's 1-20, and between them they had Leeds & Broomfield reeling to 33/3 from 13 overs before the innings, frustratingly, closed there. Trevor continues to top our 2nd XI run charts for the season with 362, while Darren sits second in the wicket-takers' table on 11 — both men doing their bit to keep the club's honour intact.

In the end neither side could force matters through to a result, and honours were shared. A draw it may have been, but with bat and ball both firing, I'll happily call this one a job well done — and the tea, as ever, was the real winner of the day.

Wed 11 Jul 2001 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformLDDLD

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 11 July 2001, away at Gravesend CC.

We lost the toss, were put into the field, and I can't say I minded much given the state of my knees this season. Gravesend built steadily to 197/8 from their 46 overs, T Robertson doing most of the damage with a well-crafted 53, John Simmonds (29) and Dave Elliott (24) chipping in around him. To our credit the ball was never given away cheaply — Stuart Cheesman bowled beautifully for 2-5, Michael Beeney and Jon Harris both picked up a couple apiece, and Trevor Back sent down two maidens that had the Gravesend openers muttering into their gloves.

Chasing 198 was always going to ask questions of us, and questions were duly asked. Roly Edwards played the innings of the day, 31 well-made runs, with Stuart Cheesman weighing in with a useful 21 to back him up. But wickets fell at the other end with the regularity of a village clock, and we finished on 116/8 from our 39 — some way short, though not for want of application.

A draw, then — honours shared, and probably a fair reflection of an afternoon where neither side could quite land the knockout blow. Fred Cheesman continues to top our Midweek XI run charts with 37, and young Stuart leads the wickets with 4, so the family name is doing rather more work than the rest of us combined. All told: a spirited scrap, a share of the spoils, and tea that was, as ever, the best part of the day.

Sun 08 Jul 2001 🧢 1st XIv FC Falconwood CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday 8th July, and Falconwood CC rolled up to find your captain in an uncharacteristically decisive mood — I called it right at the toss and didn't dither for a second before choosing to bat. Whether that was wisdom or simple impatience to get the tea urn on early, I'll let the reader decide.

Runs came, if not exactly flowed. Russell Baldwin's 38 was the innings' spine, Steve Cheesman chipped in a handy 28, and Fred Cheesman saw us home unbeaten on 21 as we closed on 128/8 from our 42 overs. Less gloriously, both Stuart Cheesman and Adam Pooley contrived to depart for ducks — the sort of scores that get you a sympathetic pat on the back and absolutely nothing else.

Defending it, we turned into a different side altogether. Daniel Thirkell was simply magnificent, ripping through with 4-13, while Jon Harris (2-3) and Michael Beeney (2-6, and five parsimonious maidens besides) squeezed the life out of anything Falconwood tried. T Lee, R Furze and G Clay all walked back for ducks of their own, and the visitors subsided to 44/9 from 34 overs before honours were called shared.

A draw, then — neither side quite able to finish the job. With Thirkell now sitting proudly atop both our run and wicket charts for the season, one wonders whether we ought to just let him bat and bowl all day and give the rest of us the afternoon off.

Sat 07 Jul 2001 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformDWWWW

Saturday 7 July, and the road took us to Horton Kirby - never a bad away day, that one. The coin obliged, I called it right, and with a firm season underway I had no hesitation sticking us in. Good job too, because the bat did the talking: David Castle simply took the game away from them with a magnificent 103, the sort of innings that makes a captain's job embarrassingly easy. Russell Baldwin chipped in a classy 74 alongside him, Daniel Thirkell added 31, and by the time we were done we'd posted a formidable 242/3 from our 36 overs. I can't claim much credit myself, mind - a watchful 18 was my modest contribution to proceedings.

Defending that kind of total should be the pleasant part of the day, though Horton Kirby weren't about to make it entirely comfortable. Ryan Taylor played beautifully for his 78, with J Thomas (43) and Paul Evans (25) offering steady support, and their innings closed on a very respectable 191/7 from 35 overs. But the damage was done early and often - Geoff Rameaux back for a golden duck was a personal favourite moment - and Ian Brattle led the attack superbly with 2-37, backed up nicely by Michael Beeney (2-45) and Nigel Thirkell (1-23).

We came home 51 runs to the good. With Daniel Thirkell now topping the 1st XI run charts and Beeney lurking second in the wickets, the season has real shape to it. A thoroughly good day for the club, and a long, contented drive home.

Sat 07 Jul 2001 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformWWDWL

Beaten by 51 runs against Horton Kirby CC, but with the seeds of a decent season report all the same. Let me write it.

Winning the toss on a fine Saturday, I fancied our chances in the field — and for the first thirty-odd overs it looked the right call, before Darren Chambers decided otherwise. He and V Ratnayke put together the sort of stand that turns a comfortable afternoon into a chase, 83 and 53 respectively, with Adam Washington's unbeaten 48 putting the polish on 235/5 from their 46. John Taylor toiled hardest for 2-86, Jon Harris and Trevor Back chipped in a wicket apiece, and Darren Styles at least made them work for every run with two tidy maidens.

Chasing 236, we never quite found the gear required. Richard Piper's 39 was the backbone, with Mike Elworthy (38) and Ron McCormick (33) lending sturdy support, but poor Tim Thirkell's name in the book read only "duck" 🦆, and 184/7 from our 44 told its own story. Roly Edwards had a torrid time behind the stumps, nine byes the price of a lively pitch — and as for the captain, a golden blob is not the example one hopes to set from the front.

There was, mercifully, a silver lining: Mike Elworthy brought up 7,000 career runs for the club 🎉, a landmark worth savouring even in defeat. Beaten by 51 runs, then, and no arguing with the arithmetic — but with Trevor Back and Jon Harris both flying high in the 2nd XI charts, there's plenty to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 01 Jul 2001 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformWLW

Bloody hell, when I called that coin correctly and stuck Clarion CC in, I did wonder if I'd rue it — 144/9 from our forty overs is hardly a total to frighten the horses. Daniel Thirkell held the innings together with a fine 43, David Castle chipped in with 29 and Clive Newman with 28, but the middle order rather fell apart around them — Luke Wallond, Fred Cheesman and Alan Boyns all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. My own 29 down the order felt more like damage limitation than a rescue act.

Defending 144 always promised to be a nervy afternoon, and so it proved. Steve Harris played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 77 that dragged Clarion agonisingly close, with Richard Hilson's 25 lending useful support. But this is where the lads earned their tea — three of their top order (Drew, Elks and Smith) went cheaply, and the middle and lower order simply couldn't find enough support for Harris. Mike Redman was magnificent, 3-26 with two miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, backed up nicely by Daniel Thirkell (2-21) and Jon Harris (2-24), and between them they squeezed the innings shut at 140 all out.

Four runs. Four runs! I've had bigger margins in the queue for the tea urn. But a win's a win, two points banked, and Thirkell and Redman now sit proudly atop the season's run and wicket charts respectively. Nervy, scrappy, occasionally shambolic — but thoroughly, unmistakably ours.

Sat 30 Jun 2001 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformDDWWW

Saturday 30 June 2001 saw Hollingbourne CC pay us a visit, and true to form the coin refused to cooperate — they won it, and stuck us in. No matter: David Castle had other ideas, playing an innings of real substance for a magnificent 101, while Paul Gibson chipped in with a stylish 60 and Russell Baldwin kept the scoreboard honest with 28. We closed on a handsome 242/6 from our 46 overs, the sort of total that makes tea taste that little bit sweeter.

Defending it was never going to be a formality, and Hollingbourne made us work for every one of the 11 runs that separated us at the close. Dave Hinks was the chief tormentor, unbeaten on a gritty 59, with Andy Golding (33) and Mike Donald (24) offering support. But it was Matt Large who turned the afternoon our way, spinning a web through their middle order for a superb 5-41, with two maidens thrown in for good measure — not a man to give you anything for free. Stuart Cheesman and Daniel Thirkell chipped in with a wicket apiece to squeeze the last drops from a tense finish, the visitors falling agonisingly short on 231/9 from their 44.

A gripping contest, decided by the finest of margins, and further proof — as if Daniel Thirkell's season-topping 534 runs and 18 wickets weren't evidence enough — that this side has some genuine class about it. A fine win by 11 runs, thoroughly deserved, and onwards we go.

Sat 30 Jun 2001 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformWWWDW

Saturday last saw us make the trip to Hollingbourne, and having called correctly at the toss I had few qualms about batting first — a decision I'm rather pleased to say vindicated itself, more or less. Richard Piper set the tone with a busy 48, Michael Beeney chipped in an unbeaten 28 and Trevor Back weighed in with 21, while the extras column — a magnificent 54 — very nearly opened the batting itself. We closed on 187/7 from our 46 overs, a total that felt defendable, if not entirely daunting.

So it proved not quite enough. Matthew Jones played the innings of the day, an imperious 87 that did most of the damage, with Keith Weller offering sturdy support on 46 not out as Hollingbourne got home on 191/4 with two overs to spare. Jon Harris toiled manfully for his 2-42 and Michael Beeney backed him up with 1-45, but 13 byes told their own sorry tale of a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Roly Edwards, who I'm sure would rather forget it.

There was, happily, one thing no scoreline could dampen: Michael Beeney brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark thoroughly earned and warmly toasted in the bar afterwards. Trevor Back and Jon Harris continue to lead our season's run and wicket charts respectively, which offers some consolation.

Verdict: beaten by six wickets, no disgrace in it, but heads up and back to the nets — there's work to do.

Sun 24 Jun 2001 🧢 1st XIv BC Bossingham CC · HomeformLDDWW

Here at Linton Park we do like to make things interesting, and Sunday's meeting with Bossingham CC delivered exactly that. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat — a decision I'm rather pleased to say vindicated itself — and the lads set about building something defendable on a pitch that, frankly, could have gone either way. Daniel Thirkell led from the front with a fine 36, David Castle stayed unbeaten on 26, and Stewart Morrison chipped in a tidy 22, while our extras column, ever the reliable seventh batsman, contributed a generous 47. We closed on 169 for 6 from our forty overs — not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but enough, as it turned out, to be going on with.

Defending it was where the afternoon truly came alive. David Castle was magnificent with the ball, ripping through with 3 for 12, well backed up by Thirkell's 3 for 25 and Russell Baldwin's 2 for 32, with Stuart Cheesman bowling two miserly maidens to squeeze the life out of any partnership. I allowed myself a quiet smile too, adding 26 with the bat and 3 wickets with the ball — the sort of all-round afternoon a captain dreams about and rarely gets. Bossingham fought hard, A Keir and company posting useful runs, but they fell 22 short, all out for 147.

A word too for Stewart Morrison, whose 22 runs quietly nudged him past Jon Harris into 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list. A thoroughly good day for Linton Park.

Sat 23 Jun 2001 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformWLDDW

Saturday 23 June saw us make the trip to Southborough, and the toss – which we duly lost – handed them first knock. Not the outcome I'd wanted, though as it turned out we'd have plenty to say for ourselves later.

Southborough set about accumulating a healthy 240/7 from their 46 overs, Danny Coombs the chief architect with a fine 59, well supported by Ray Grayland (44) and Colin Ayres (32). Credit to Ian Brattle, who bowled with real discipline – 3-32 including three maidens, proof that not every over need leak runs – while Nigel Thirkell (2-49) and Michael Beeney (1-32) chipped in, and Glenn Farmer departed for a duck at our hands, which I shan't pretend didn't cheer the fielding side no end.

Chasing 241 is no stroll, but David Castle had other ideas, compiling a magnificent 98 not out that fell agonisingly short of the ton he thoroughly deserved. Russell Baldwin (63) and Daniel Thirkell (58) both played their part handsomely, and we cantered home at 246/3 with seven wickets and a good few overs to spare. Ten byes did rather suggest our man behind the stumps was having one of those days, but nobody was counting complaints on an afternoon like this.

Special mention, too, for Russell Baldwin's 1,000 career runs for the club, and Dave Charlton's 200th appearance in Linton colours – landmarks that don't come along every Saturday. All told: a fine team performance, a captain's smile all the way home, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 23 Jun 2001 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformWWWWD

My eyes met the coin for approximately half a second before it landed against us, and Southborough duly elected to bat — the story of my captaincy career in a nutshell.

They set about their 46 overs with quiet efficiency, losing an early wicket for 6 but otherwise giving us precious little cheer, closing on a stout 172/3. Tom Carmichael's 68 was the innings' backbone, with Paul Spencer unbeaten on a tidy 61, the pair sharing a chastening stand of 111 for the third wicket that rather took the sting out of our afternoon in the field. Trevor Back was the pick of our attack — 1-24 with two maidens, miserly as ever — with John Taylor also among the wickets for the same figures. Ten byes went begging past the gloves, which we shall discuss no further.

Chasing 173, we were given real substance by Mike Elworthy's 76, a proper captain's-innings fifty-and-more, with Trevor Back — clearly determined to have a say in every department — adding an unbeaten 55 of his own, the two combining for a vital 65 for the third wicket. Richard Piper and Stewart Roberts both contributed golden ducks, in the fine tradition of village cricket generosity, but we got home in 43.3 overs for the loss of seven, three wickets to spare.

Trevor Back continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts on 307 and sits third in the wickets list on 8 — the form horse of the summer, no question. A tight, nervy, thoroughly satisfying win. Onwards.

Wed 20 Jun 2001 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformDLDDL

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 20 June 2001. Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC at home, and I lost the toss for what felt like the fortieth week running. They took first use of what looked a decent track, and duly made themselves at home.

A- Petters played the shots of the day, 89 of real quality, with Pat Reynolds (41 not out) and Paul Styles (28) keeping the innings ticking along nicely to 196/5 off their 48. Credit where due, though: Stuart Cheesman bowled with real heart for 2-23, Darren Styles chipped in with 2-47, and Jon Harris picked up one for 40. Darren's brace, incidentally, eased him past Ron Hickman into 18th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — quietly historic stuff amid the Wednesday-evening toil.

Our reply never quite got out of second gear. Trevor Back (22) and Stewart Morrison (21) did their best to build something, but wickets kept tumbling around them and we subsided to 109/8 from our 39 overs. Stuart Cheesman, having bowled so tidily, rather generously balanced the books with the bat — a golden duck for his troubles, bless him.

So honours shared, a draw wrested from the jaws of what might have been a chase too far. Not our finest hour with the willow, but with the ball we can hold our heads high, and Darren's little slice of club history is reason enough to call it a good Wednesday.

Sun 17 Jun 2001 🧢 1st XIv BC Blue Star CC · HomeformWWLDD

Sunday 17 June saw Blue Star CC roll up to Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any self-respecting skipper does on a decent morning — stuck us in to bat and hoped for the best. We got to 173 for 7 off our 40, which felt a fair par score even before Russell Baldwin played the innings of the day, 57 of good, honest strokeplay, with Daniel Thirkell right alongside him on 54. Not everything gleamed, mind — Adam Pooley and Luke Wallond both departed for ducks, the sort of dismissals that make a captain suddenly find something fascinating to look at in his tea.

Out in the field, Blue Star gave it a real go. Gavin Hornby was in irresistible form, cracking 91 that had us checking the scoreboard rather more nervously than we'd have liked, with Ron Jerrom chipping in 24. But this is where the lads earned their tea: Thirkell, not content with his runs, turned his arm over for 3 for 23, Darren Styles bowled a spell of real discipline — 2 for 8 with five maidens, barely a run conceded — and Mike Redman weighed in with 2 for 17. N Spackman and P Humphries never troubled the scorers, and Blue Star folded for 150 in 38.3 overs.

Quiet note for the scorebook: Thirkell's 54 nudges him past Peter Whyte into 24th on the club's all-time run charts, and he continues to lead both our run and wicket columns for the summer.

Twenty-three runs the margin, two points banked, and a thoroughly deserved afternoon's work.

Sat 16 Jun 2001 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformWWWLD

We lost the toss on Saturday and, with grey Kentish skies overhead, were duly invited to have a bowl — Marden CC being our guests for the afternoon. Not the outcome I'd have chosen at the coin, but there's a certain honest pleasure in being put in the field first, and the lads set about their work with more discipline than the scorebook might suggest. Marden ground their way to 116/7 from 36 overs, A. Betts top-scoring with 35 and John Paul Sunnucks chipping in a tidy 31, but nothing ever felt like running away from us.

The bowling was the story of the day. Ian Brattle was the pick, prising out three for 35, with Michael Beeney (2-20) and Rob Doick (2-24) offering sterling support — Doick in particular refusing to give an inch, two maidens testament to a spell bowled on a length and not an inch off it.

Chasing 117, we made a brisk if brief start — 28 without loss from just six overs, with your humble captain contributing 17 before the heavens, or perhaps just common sense, called a halt to proceedings. So a draw it was, honours shared, no losers on the day.

Elsewhere, the season ticks along nicely — David Castle sits third in the club's run charts with 227, and Rob Doick tops the wicket-takers with a dozen scalps. All told, a fair result against decent opposition: not a win, but not for want of trying, and there are certainly worse ways to spend a Saturday than watching Doick strangle the life out of an opening partnership.

Sat 16 Jun 2001 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformLWWWW

Saturday 16 June 2001, away at Marden CC, and after winning the toss my thumb went up for batting without a second thought – on reflection, a rare piece of captaincy I got entirely right.

We ambled to 151/6 from our 40 overs, with Trevor Back unbeaten on a composed 44, well backed up by Ron McCormick's 34 and Richard Piper's 21. Poor Simon Thirkell, though, will not be dining out on his contribution — a golden duck to file away and forget.

In the field we squeezed hard, restricting Marden to 53/5 from 23 overs, T Rutherford's 27 aside. Jon Harris was the pick of the attack with a superb 2-6, well supported by Dave Todd's 2-11, while Darren Styles bowled two miserly maidens to strangle any momentum. J- Marshall departed for a duck of his own at our hands, which felt only fair given events earlier in the day. I even managed to drag myself off the physio's table long enough to chip in with 16.

Up on the season's leaderboard, Trevor Back continues to purr along at the top of the 2nd XI run charts with 252, while Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers with 11 — form both men carried nicely into this one.

In the end honours were shared, a draw that flattered neither side into believing they'd won it. A fair result, honestly earned, and one we'll happily bank on the road.

Sun 10 Jun 2001 🧢 Sunday NVKCv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformWLLWL

Down by 72 runs at Eynsford, but a fifty from Nigel Thirkell in defeat and 3,000 career runs for Stuart Cheesman gave the lads plenty to be proud of.

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From the captain's chair, Sunday 10 June — away at Eynsford, and the toss went against us before a ball was bowled, which these days feels less like misfortune and more like tradition. Put into the field, we watched Ian Playfoot compile a fine 66, well supported by Paul Geear (33) and Jamie Wise (32), as Eynsford closed on a stiff 234/7 from their forty overs. Credit where it's due: Nigel Thirkell toiled manfully for 2-37, with Daniel Thirkell (2-38) and Ian Brattle (2-47) chipping in to keep the target within the realms of the theoretically possible.

Theoretically possible, alas, is not the same as actually possible. We were bowled out for 162 in 37.2 overs, a chase that never quite got out of second gear. Nigel Thirkell, showing admirable range with bat as well as ball, carried much of the innings with a well-made 63, and Stuart Cheesman played his part with 41. I did my bit up top with 63 of my own, though captaincy is easier to enjoy from the crease than from the changing room afterwards. Rob Doick and Matt Large, meanwhile, made their contributions to the great cricketing tradition of the golden duck.

There was, happily, a moment of proper celebration amid the wreckage: Stuart Cheesman brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, a landmark achieved in defeat but no less sweet for it. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our Sunday run charts with 131, and Daniel Thirkell tops the wickets with 7.

Not our day, then — beaten by 72 runs. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sat 09 Jun 2001 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWWWWL

Saturday 9th June saw us head down to Sheldwich, and as ever the coin let us down — a tale as old as the club itself. They took first knock, and we set about the ball with what I like to think was quiet optimism rather than blind hope.

They ground their way to 218/7 from 46 overs, with Martin Mills the chief architect on 57, well backed by Simon Smith's unbeaten 31 and Mark Hammond's 28. Poor Jon Taylor departed without so much as a nibble at the strike bowling — 🦆 duck all round, sympathies to him. But it wasn't a bad afternoon in the field: Michael Beeney was in fine, miserly form, three maidens among his figures of 3-42, with Stuart Cheesman (1-29) and Rob Doick (1-60) chipping away at the other end.

Chasing 219 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved as we settled to 87/3 from our 26.3 overs, the game petering out before either side could truly force the issue. Nigel Thirkell's unbeaten 30 was the innings' backbone, and I confess to rather enjoying my own contribution of 30 — one for the scrapbook, if not the highlight reel.

Elsewhere in the season, Daniel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 384, and Rob Doick sits third among the wicket-takers with ten. As for Sheldwich — honours shared, a draw that satisfied no one and offended no one either. We'll take it, dust ourselves down, and go again next week.

Wed 06 Jun 2001 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Blue Star CC · HomeformDDLDD

It was Blue Star CC at home on Wednesday, and no luck with the coin — they had first use of both and chose to bat. What followed was a proper old-fashioned toiling in the field, forty-three overs of it, as Hilton Bayayi played a genuinely handsome fifty (67) and Mike Peters stood firm at the other end for an unbeaten 45. To our credit we never stopped asking questions: Rob Jackson led the attack beautifully with 2-31, Michael Beeney chipped away for 1-26 with two tidy maidens thrown in, and Alan Boyns picked up 1-35. Even so, 194/5 felt like a total with some menace in it.

Chasing it, we never quite got the legs under us. Steve Cheesman (33), Fred Cheesman (32) and Jim Hall (31) all made starts and all, in the finest club tradition, failed to turn them into the substantial score we needed. I contributed 25 myself, and take some quiet pride that Jon Harris's 25 nudged him past Mike Caddick and up to 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — the sort of small mercy you cling to on a losing afternoon. Less happily, Adam Pooley and Rob Jackson both walked back for ducks, and 150 all out from 46.5 overs left us 44 runs shy at the close.

Not our day, then. Steve Cheesman and Rob Jackson head the early-season charts for what that's worth, but the rest of us have some work to do. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sun 03 Jun 2001 🧢 1st XIv FC Fordcombe CC · HomeformWWWWW

As a stitched-back, ordered, ball-by-ball afternoon deserves — here's the report.

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Sunday 3rd June, and Fordcombe CC came calling at Linton Park under skies that, for once, played fair. I won the toss and had no hesitation in bowling — sorry, batting first; some habits of captaincy die hard, and this one felt right all day.

We were bowled out for 151 in 39.4 overs, which on paper sounds a modest total until you notice the extras column doing 26 of the heavy lifting — a fine, if unofficial, top scorer. Mike Redman played the anchor role beautifully for 39, with Steve Cheesman chipping in a tidy 24, and your captain added a workmanlike 18 further down. Spare a thought, though, for poor Michael Beeney, who made the long walk back for nought — the ducks were out in force at Linton Park this week.

With ball in hand we scrapped hard. Daniel Thirkell was outstanding, ripping through with 3-34, while I had the rare pleasure of picking up three wickets myself, and Michael Beeney and Mike Redman a wicket apiece — Redman's two maidens a proper lesson in parsimony. Colm Perry departed for a duck of his own at our hands, some small consolation. But Simon Bellamy (48*) and Hamish Anderson (40*) simply refused to budge, and eleven byes past Stewart Morrison told their own story of a keeper having one of those days.

Fordcombe got home by five wickets. No disgrace in that — we'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next Sunday.

Sat 02 Jun 2001 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformWWWWW

It was Staplehurst CC at home, and having called it right at the toss, I had few doubts about batting first — a decision that, for once, I shall take full credit for. The lads set about the task with real purpose: David Castle led from the front with a polished 55, Clive Newman matched him stroke for stroke past his own fifty, and Russell Baldwin finished unbeaten on 47 to help us to a commanding 253/3 from our 46 overs. I contributed a workmanlike 46 myself, though I'll not pretend I was the main event.

Defending that total, we turned to the ball and never really let Staplehurst settle. Colin Breed played a lone hand of real substance — 64 not out, well made — with K Millen supporting on 21 not out, but wickets tumbled at the other end, M Thorndycraft and H- Dewett both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Matt Large was in unplayable form, spinning through the order for 5-24 with three tight maidens, while Ian Brattle and Rob Doick chipped in with a wicket apiece to leave them 132/8 from their 44.

A memorable afternoon off the field too: David Castle brought up 18,000 career runs for the club, Matt Large passed 1,100 career wickets, and Rob Doick's solitary scalp nudged him past Frank Taylor into 23rd on our all-time list.

A fine win by 121 runs, and thoroughly deserved. Onwards.

Sat 02 Jun 2001 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformWLWWW

Second Innings Bites Back: Beeney's Five-For Sinks Staplehurst

There's a particular flavour of dread that comes with losing the toss away from home, and I confess I wore it well as we trudged out into the field at Staplehurst. But cricket, like an English summer, delights in making a fool of your forecasts, and so it proved.

Batting first for once suited us rather better than the toss had suggested it might. Trevor Back set about proceedings with real purpose, his 78 the innings' backbone, while Richard Piper's fifty-plus knock gave us the sort of engine room stability that lets a captain sit back with his tea and pretend he isn't nervous. Simon Thirkell's unbeaten 21 rounded things off nicely, though poor Christopher Thirkell will want the scorebook burned — a golden duck being about as much fun as it sounds. All told, 208/7 from our 46 overs felt like a total with a bit of steel in it.

And so it proved. Staplehurst fought hard — Swannick's 42 and useful contributions from Wyatt and Ward kept us honest — but Michael Beeney had other ideas, tearing through them with a magnificent 5-35 that thoroughly deserved its billing as the spell of the day. Back chipped in again with the ball, Roberts picked up his man, and Darren Styles bowled with the miserly discipline of four maidens. Roly Edwards, meanwhile, will not be framing his nine byes for the mantelpiece.

Twenty-seven runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly earned both. A day when the toss lied and the lads didn't.

Mon 28 May 2001 🧢 1st XIv WC Wadhurst CC · AwayformWWWWW

Monday 28 May found us on the road to Wadhurst, where the coin let us down yet again — they called correctly, elected to bat, and left us to toil away in the field first. Toil we did, though not without reward: Wadhurst ground out 209/7 from their 42 overs, with Pratt the chief architect of our discomfort, a fine 98 that fell agonisingly short of the ton, backed up by Brignall's 41 and Brough Cooper's 24. Small mercies came our way when N Iggulden departed for a duck, and John Taylor was the pick of our attack, tidy and probing for 3-53 with two maidens to his name, well supported by Darren Styles (3-60) and Jon Harris (1-19).

Chasing 210, we could easily have made hard work of it, but Stewart Morrison had other ideas, striking a glorious 120 that carried us home with something to spare — 213/6 in 38.3 overs, thanks also to Stuart Cheesman's unbeaten 38 and Richard Piper's watchful 24. Christopher Thirkell's contribution began and ended with a golden duck, but nobody was counting once Morrison had done his work. That innings, incidentally, eases him past Malcolm Pay into 22nd on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and keeps him 4th in this year's 1st XI charts, with Jon Harris still out in front on wickets.

A fine away win, four wickets to the good, and two points thoroughly banked. Wadhurst gave us a fright, but Morrison gave us the match.

Sun 27 May 2001 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SW Sevenoaks weald · AwayformWWLLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 27 May 2001. We were away at Dummy Site, and when the coin landed the wrong way up we trudged into the field wondering whether it might, for once, be a blessing in disguise.

It rather was. The Dummy Site innings never quite found its rhythm, tumbling to 120 all out in 36.5 overs, with G- Saunders, A Stringer and G- Brooker all shown the door without troubling the scorers. 🦆 Only D- Stringer (42), M- Addison (24) and Ian Hindley (23) offered any real resistance. Matt Large was the chief architect of the collapse with a splendid 4-19, well backed up by Daniel Thirkell's 4-24 and Nigel Thirkell's solitary but tidy wicket, while Rob Doick bowled two maidens of the sort that make batsmen mutter to themselves.

With 121 to chase, David Castle simply took the day by the scruff of the neck, cruising to 61 not out as we cantered home at 121/2 in 32.2 overs. Eight byes did rather betray a testing afternoon behind the stumps for poor Peter Whyte, though nobody was complaining by the close.

Castle now sits proudly atop the 2001 Sunday NVKC run charts with 113, and Daniel Thirkell leads the wickets with five — early season form worth savouring. All told, a thoroughly satisfying day out: bowled them out cheaply, chased it down with overs and wickets spare. Heads held high on this one.

Sat 26 May 2001 🧢 1st XIv HC Horsmonden CC · AwayformWWWWW

Skipper's Log — Horsmonden CC, away, Saturday 26 May 2001. Won the toss and, with the sun out and the tea urn presumably already on, had absolutely no hesitation in sticking us in to bat. It's the one decision I never lose sleep over.

The lads duly obliged. Russell Baldwin played the innings of the day, 98 not out and unlucky not to reach the century his effort thoroughly deserved, with Rob Doick chipping in a fine 54 and Stewart Morrison steering us home unbeaten on 23. Two hundred and forty-three for six off our forty-six overs left Horsmonden a proper mountain to climb, and frankly I'd have taken that total and gone straight to the tea tent myself.

Whatever confidence they had evaporated fast. Gary Sargent, D Wright and H Padgett all trooped back without so much as a run to their name, and from there it was a procession — Rob Doick ripping through with 4-19, Fred Cheesman mopping up with 3-16, and Michael Beeney tidying the innings off with 2-13, while John Taylor strangled the life out of things with five miserly maidens. All out for 79 in 32 overs; the mountain never got climbed.

A nice personal footnote for Rob, whose four wickets edge him past Paul Gibson into 25th on the club's all-time list — the ledgers never lie, even if his knees occasionally do.

A win by 164 runs, no argument about it. Onwards.

Sat 26 May 2001 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horsmonden CC · HomeformLWLWW

Saturday 26 May 2001, and we welcomed Horsmonden CC to Linton Park in what turned into rather a satisfying afternoon's work. I won the toss and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first — a decision that, for once, I shall take full credit for.

Stewart Roberts led from the front with a well-made 52, and Richard Piper wasn't far behind with a fifty of his own, 51 — the pair of them doing the heavy lifting while the rest of us rather let the side down at the other end. Mike Elworthy chipped in a handy 22, but Darren Styles, Simon Thirkell and Paul Croucher all contrived to bag ducks, and we limped to 168/9 from our 46 overs — a total that felt distinctly gettable.

Horsmonden set about the chase with Richard Lester-Smith top-scoring on 42, well supported by Chris Bills (31) and Glen Christian (27), and for a while it looked ominous. But Jon Harris was magnificent, ripping through with 4-51, Trevor Back bowled with real discipline for 3-45 (three maidens — miserly stuff), and Darren Styles picked up 1-28. Ade LeMoine, W Farrer and Mark McCulley all fell for ducks at our hands, and Horsmonden were bowled out for 158, ten runs short.

A note for the scrapbook: Darren Styles passed 300 career wickets in the process. Two well-earned points, and a proper old-fashioned nervy finish — precisely what club cricket should be.

Sun 20 May 2001 🧢 1st XIv MC Margate CC · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday 20 May 2001 saw Margate CC roll into Linton Park under a sky that, for once, played fair, and I won the toss and had no hesitation in sticking us in. It proved the right call. Daniel Thirkell batted with real authority for an unbeaten 118 — three figures and not a hint of nerves — while David Castle chipped in handsomely with 79 to help us to a commanding 231/4 from our forty overs. I confess I rather enjoyed leading from the front on this occasion; there are worse ways to spend a Sunday than watching the ball disappear to all parts.

Margate did not go quietly. R Glet's 48, with useful support from Neil Canham (34) and S Humphries (23), kept them in the hunt, and they closed on a respectable 197/9. Darren Styles was the pick of our attack, a tidy 3-21 including three maidens, with Russell Baldwin (2-34) and Adam Pooley (1-17) chipping away at the other end. Twenty-one byes did rather spoil David Castle's afternoon behind the stumps — a stern word or two may be exchanged over the teas next week — but it hardly dented the result.

We got home by 34 runs, and with Thirkell now sitting atop the season's run charts on 292 and Jon Harris leading the wickets with nine, the signs for the 1st XI are thoroughly encouraging. A fine day for the club, and one to savour on the drive home.

Sat 19 May 2001 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWLWLW

Saturday 19 May 2001, and off we went to Rumwood, where the coin let us down as it so often does and we were put in to bat.

We can't grumble at 219 for 8 from our 46 overs. Mike Elworthy set the tone with a really well-crafted 66, and he had good company: Ron McCormick weighed in with a fine 58, and Trevor Back matched him stroke for stroke with 58 of his own. Between them they did the heavy lifting, which was just as well, because Roly Edwards, Simon Thirkell and Dave Todd all contributed the finest of golden ducks — three noughts for the scorebook, three tales for the bar afterwards.

Two hundred and nineteen looked a proper total, and so it proved. Rumwood never got close to the pace, subsiding to 74 all out in 36 overs, Dave Light's 20 the only real resistance while T Dennis, P Robinson and S Smith departed without troubling the scorers. Darren Styles was the chief destroyer with 3 for 12, Trevor Back and Jon Harris chipped in with 2 for 4 and 2 for 16 respectively, and Michael Beeney bowled with the meanness of a man refusing to buy a round, six maidens and barely a run conceded.

A win by 145 runs, then — comfortable doesn't begin to cover it. Elworthy now sits proudly atop the 2nd XI run charts with 136, and Styles leads the wickets with 4. Onwards we go, chins up, ducks and all.

Sat 19 May 2001 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformDWWWW

As it stands on 25 hard-won all-time runs above Dave Charlton (there's a sentence I never thought I'd write), Saturday brought Rumwood CC to Linton Park in fine weather and finer spirits.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation whatsoever in choosing to bat — a decision that looked rather clever once Daniel Thirkell got going. His 59 was the innings' backbone, a proper half-century struck with the kind of certainty the rest of us can only admire from the boundary rope, and he had willing company in Nigel Thirkell's 48 and David Castle's tidy 20. My own contribution of 48 felt almost respectable in such company. We closed on 178/7 from our 46 overs, a total that felt defendable without being unassailable — always the most nerve-jangling kind.

And so it proved, though defend it we did. Rumwood fought hard, P Humphries top-scoring with 38 and John Burbridge (25 not out) and S Chapman (23 not out) threatening late to spoil the party, but the bowling held its nerve. John Taylor led from the front with 2-32, Stuart Cheesman and Daniel Thirkell chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Ian Brattle strangled the scoring with two miserly maidens when they were needed most. Rumwood closed on 145/4 from their 44 — 33 runs short.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and Thirkell now top of both our run and wicket charts this season. A day when the club's history and its present rather nicely shook hands.

Sun 13 May 2001 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crockham Hill CC · AwayformWWWLL

Sunday 13 May 2001 saw us make the trip to Crockham Hill, and I did the one sensible thing I managed all day at the toss — called correctly and stuck us in to bat without a moment's hesitation.

What followed was rather more elegant than the skipper's coin-calling. Nigel Thirkell led from the front with a fine unbeaten 55, David Castle chipped in with a well-crafted 52, and Daniel Thirkell weighed in with 44, as we motored to 228/4 from our 40 overs. Handy platform, that.

Defending it, the lads were magnificent. Adam Webb (33) and M- Packer (25) did what they could to stem the tide, but Paul Kane, Kevin Westcott and J- Bass all trooped back for ducks, and the innings folded for 105 in 36.3 overs. Rob Doick was the pick of the attack with 3-29, backed up nicely by Paul Gibson (2-6) and Ian Brattle (1-10) — bowling of real discipline throughout.

Personally, 55 with the bat was satisfying enough, though the day belonged to the club as much as any individual: Daniel Thirkell brought up 4,000 career runs, and Paul Gibson made his 400th appearance in Linton colours — milestones worth savouring over a pint or three. Nigel now tops the Sunday NVKC run charts and Rob the wickets, early season though it is.

A win by 123 runs, then, and a thoroughly good day out. Onwards.

Sat 12 May 2001 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLDWWW

We got over the line by 15 runs — as far as I'm concerned, that's the only line of the scorecard that matters.

Saturday 12th May saw Bearsted CC make the trip to Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any self-respecting skipper does with a decent strip underfoot and elected to bat. It could easily have gone wrong — 3-1 inside the first few overs is the sort of start that has you reaching for the paracetamol before lunch — but Daniel Thirkell steadied the ship in style, compiling a fine 73, with Rob Doick (37) and Nigel Thirkell (30) lending sturdy support. We closed on 171/7 from our 46, which felt about par. Special mention, as tradition demands, for poor Clive Newman, whose golden duck earns him this week's entry in the club's ledger of shame — the walk back to the pavilion is never a short one.

With ball in hand, Bearsted threatened to make a game of it. An early wicket for 3 gave us hope, but an 81-run second-wicket stand — Richard Luxton (46), Peter Clark (33) and Ian Sandwell (30 not out) doing the damage — had us checking our watches nervously. Thankfully the floodgates opened, 84-2 becoming 96-5 in a hurry, Noel Johnston among those to fall for nought. Daniel Thirkell led the charge with 2-27, backed superbly by Matt Large (2-34, two miserly maidens) and Rob Doick (2-39). Bearsted fell short on 156/6.

A 15-run win, Daniel Thirkell in irrepressible form with bat and ball alike — a thoroughly good day for the club, and one I'll happily take the credit for, toss included.

Sat 12 May 2001 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWWLWL

Here's the report.

We lost the toss and were sent out to field on a fine Saturday, which is never quite how you'd script the afternoon, but the lads set about making the best of it. Batting first threw up an early wobble — 0 for 1 had a few of us reaching for the flask a touch nervously — before Mike Elworthy settled things in the grandest fashion, cruising to 70. Richard Piper chipped in with a handy 38 and Simon Thirkell finished unbeaten on 34 as we posted a very respectable 188 for 4 from our 46 overs. Not every man could claim a good day at the office, mind — young Tim Thirkell will want a quiet word with the scorebook after his duck.

Defending it, Bearsted made a fight of things. They lost an early wicket cheaply at 7 for 1, but a second-wicket stand of 62 threatened to drag the game away from us before S Poore (37) and Andy Naish (36) fell in turn. Dave Todd was superb with the ball, 3 for 44 doing the heavy lifting, with Jon Harris (2-36) and the ever-tidy Darren Styles (1-38, two maidens) squeezing the runs dry. Bearsted closed on 164 for 7 from their 44, twenty-four runs shy.

As for my own contribution — nought, and the less said the better. But Darren Styles's solitary wicket nudged him past Dick Langridge into 19th on the club's all-time list, which is the sort of thing that makes a captain rather proud. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club.

Mon 07 May 2001 🧢 1st XIv MC Maidstone Dissidents CC · HomeformLLDWW

Our innings ran to 154/4 from the full forty, with Nigel Thirkell in defiant mood, unbeaten on 63 and looking, for a while, like he might bat clean through to closing time. Rob Doick chipped in a tidy 30 and Peter Whyte added 22, and if the scoring rate never quite set the pavilion alight, it gave us something to bowl at — which, on a ground where the ball can misbehave, felt like the sensible currency.

And bowl at it we did. Maidstone Dissidents replied with 146/9, David Castle threatening to spoil the party entirely with a fine 85, but he found precious little support — Stewart Morrison and Piers McDonald both back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. Jon Harris was magnificent, 4-19 and utterly relentless, with Rob Doick (2-11) and Daniel Thirkell (1-12) doing the tidying up, and Darren Styles bowling two maidens as if runs were a personal insult. Poor Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, mind — 12 byes is not a number one puts on the mantelpiece, though after a stint with the bat he'd earned the right to a quieter afternoon with the gloves.

Eight runs the margin in the end, closer than it ought to have been given the bowling, but a win is a win and I shan't be apologising for it. Toss won, decision vindicated, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sun 06 May 2001 🧢 1st XIv WC Willesborough CC · HomeformWLLDW

The lads gathered on a fine Sunday, the 6th of May, for the visit of Willesborough CC, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — call it captain's instinct, call it a hunch, either way it paid off handsomely. Russell Baldwin set about the bowling with real purpose for a splendid 69, and Clive Newman followed suit with a tidy fifty of his own, while Daniel Thirkell finished unbeaten on 40 to see us home to a commanding 189/3 from our forty overs. Not everything gleamed, mind you — poor Stewart Morrison trudged back for a duck, a small blemish on an otherwise handsome scorecard.

With 189 to defend, it was over to the bowlers, and what a job they made of it. Jon Harris was magnificent, snaring 4-39, while Daniel Thirkell backed up his batting with 3-8 and Michael Beeney chipped in with 1-17 and a couple of miserly maidens for good measure. Willesborough's S Parker fought hard for 43, with Graeme Marsh and Anil Pieris lending support, but three of their number departed without troubling the scorers, and 165/9 was as far as they could stretch it. Peter Whyte had a slightly uncomfortable afternoon behind the stumps, 10 byes escaping his gloves, and I confess my own contribution of 50 runs was rather satisfying to boot.

A win by 24 runs, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club. Onwards we go.

Wed 14 Mar 2001 🧢 Tour XIv ? · AwayformLLLLL

Beaten by 36, but there was plenty to be proud of at the crease and in the field.

Winning the toss and inserting ourselves into the field, we watched the home side canter to 251/6 off their 45, with X Purdon (59) and C Handly (58no) doing the heavy lifting and X Pike (47) chipping in handsomely — the kind of batting that makes you check your bowling figures twice and pour a stronger tea. Small mercies came in the shape of X Elliott, back in the hutch for a duck, and Stuart Cheesman, who bowled like a man with a grudge to finish with 3-53. Daniel Thirkell was miserly as ever — 2-35 and three maidens, not a run given away lightly — with David Castle chipping in a wicket of his own (1-41).

251 is a mountain on our ground, and though we climbed gamely we ran out of oxygen 36 runs short, all out for 215 in 44.5 overs. Nigel Thirkell was the man of the innings, a classy 75 that carried the chase far longer than it had any right to go, well backed by Adrian Caddick (44) and Daniel Thirkell (35, adding runs to go with his wickets — not a bad afternoon's work). David Castle and James Piper, alas, both fell for golden ducks, proving cricket is a game of glorious highs and humbling lows, often within the same fixture.

So, beaten but not disgraced. Daniel Thirkell continues to top the Tour XI run charts on 301, with Stuart Cheesman now third among the wickets on 5 — form worth building on. We'll be better for it next week.

Mon 12 Mar 2001 🧢 Tour XIv MA Moss Crocs South Africa · AwayformWLLLL

Monday 12 March 2001, and away to Dummy Site, where the coin let us down before we'd even bowled a ball — they won the toss and, unsurprisingly on a day like this, chose to bat first.

We made them work for their 184/9 off 40 overs, mind. Basil Deal top-scored with a stubborn 36, with Hilton Abrahams (33) and Alf Du Plessy (31 not out) chipping in, while poor Anton Du Plooy trudged off for a duck. Mike Redman was the pick of our attack with 2-16, ably backed up by Adrian Caddick (2-18) and John Taylor (1-5) — a fine team effort with the ball, all told.

Chasing 185, we got there in some comfort — 185/3 from 37 — thanks in no small part to yours truly, who found some rare form for 95 not out. I shan't dwell on it, but it was, dare I say, satisfying. Stuart Cheesman weighed in with a handy 26, and a generous 28 extras did their bit too, 9 of them byes — which tells you all you need to know about Piers McDonald's afternoon behind the stumps.

Season-wise, I now lead the Tour XI run charts with 266, and Mike Redman tops the wicket pile with 8 — small consolations, because for all our efforts we still finished seven wickets down on the day. Not our day, lads. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 10 Mar 2001 🧢 Tour XIv GA Groot Drakenstein South Africa · AwayformTWLLL

Beaten by seven wickets away from home, but not for want of trying — Saturday 10 March saw us make the trip to Dummy Site, and I'll admit winning the toss and electing to bat felt like the right call at the time. Stuart Cheesman played the innings of the day, a fine 57, with Mike Elworthy (30) and Piers McDonald (24) chipping in nicely as we set our stall out at 185/8 from our 40 overs. Respectable, we thought. Defendable, we hoped.

Alas, Alf Cupido had other ideas, ma­rshalling a chanceless-looking 53, with B- Bing unbeaten on a fine half-century of his own and R- Bertrem adding a brisk 33 for good measure. Between them they simply outpaced us, getting home on 187/3 with 31.5 overs on the clock and precious little sweat broken. John Taylor toiled manfully for his 2-40 and Howard Waters picked up a wicket too, but with the shine gone and the runs flowing at the other end, there was only ever going to be one winner.

Small consolations amid the gloom: Stewart Morrison continues to sit second in the Tour XI run charts on 107 for the season, and John Taylor likewise second in the wickets column with five. The rest of us will have to console ourselves with the tea and the walk back to the pavilion. Beaten by seven wickets, then — but we'll be better for it next week, as we always tell ourselves, and one day we might even be right.

Thu 08 Mar 2001 🧢 Tour XIv ? · AwayformDTWLL

Beaten to it we called Thursday, and I confess the toss was the easiest decision I made all day — a good surface, and I never hesitated in sending us in.

The lads didn't disappoint. Daniel Thirkell batted with real composure for his unbeaten 68, and brother Nigel wasn't to be outdone, cruising past his own fifty to 65 — a proper family feud with the scorebook, that. Stewart Morrison chipped in a tidy 20, and between them we posted a very respectable 203/6 from our forty overs. Runs enough, I thought, to make the opposition sweat a little.

And sweat they did — for a while. R Oertull, though, had other ideas, playing a captain's innings of his own, unbeaten on 82 and refusing to be shifted. He had support from X Rensburg (29) and H Trollip (25), while at the other end P McNaughton departed without troubling the scorers 🦆. Mike Redman toiled superbly for 3-46, and John Taylor weighed in with 2-32, but 204/6 crept up on us in the fortieth over and they nicked it by three wickets.

Daniel Thirkell now leads our 2001 run charts with 171, and Mike Redman tops the wicket-takers with six — small consolation on a long drive home. A cruel finish, agonisingly close, but nothing here we can't put right next week.

Tue 06 Mar 2001 🧢 Tour XIv ? · AwayformLDTWL

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 06 March 2001. The road took us to the away ground, and having called correctly, I elected to field. Felt like the right call at the time, and I'm sticking to that story regardless of what follows.

The opposition made themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 255/9 from their forty overs. Lees anchored it beautifully with an unbeaten 72, Puoaro chipped in 59, and Eben added 23 for good measure. Small mercies: Stemmet and Ozzie both departed without troubling the scorers. Mike Redman was our chief tormentor with 3-46, well supported by Daniel Thirkell (1-23, two tidy maidens thrown in) and Adrian Caddick (1-39). Runs were hard-won against us, if not quite hard-won enough.

Chasing 256, we gave it a proper go. Stewart Morrison led from the front with a fine 74, Daniel Thirkell followed up with the bat as well as the ball — an unbeaten 64 — and David Castle weighed in with 40. Extras did their patriotic duty with 30. I managed a modest 40 myself, more application than artistry. Simon Thirkell's duck was the one blemish on an otherwise handsome scorecard, and 236/4 in the end left us agonisingly short.

Not our day, then — beaten by 19 runs, heads up and back to the nets we go. Daniel Thirkell now tops our season run charts and Mike Redman leads the wickets, so the engine room is purring even if the final gear wasn't quite there today.

Sun 04 Mar 2001 🧢 Tour XIv ? · AwayformWLDTW

We travelled to face our opponents on Sunday 4th March, and for once the toss actually seemed to favour us — a chance to bat first and post something the bowlers could defend. Mike Elworthy set about doing exactly that, finding his range early and cruising to a well-crafted 57, the sort of innings that makes captaincy look easy for the twenty minutes it lasts. Daniel Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 39, and between them we were carried to a respectable 144 for 5 off our 35 overs — not a total to frighten anyone, perhaps, but enough, we felt, to have a go at defending.

And defend it we very nearly did. Darren Styles ran in with real purpose to snare 2 for 29, with Stuart Cheesman and David Castle both doing their bit for a wicket apiece. But the opposition had answers of their own — Richard's 31 and Francois's unbeaten 31 nudged them ever closer, with Peter's 27 filling in the gaps, and they crept over the line with 142 for 7, leaving us just two runs short at the death.

So it's heads up and back to the nets for another week, though there's no shame in a match decided by the finest of margins. Mike Elworthy leads our season's run charts and Darren Styles tops the wickets — small consolations, but consolations nonetheless. Not our day, but not a bad one to lose either.