🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 28 Sep 2002 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformLLLWL

Saturday 28 September 2002 saw us welcome Bidborough CC, and having won the toss I elected to bat — the right call, if I say so myself, and for once I'll take the credit before the lads take it off me. We rattled along to a healthy 188/6 from our 40 overs, built on two handsome half-centuries: I was delighted to lead from the front with 66, while Clive Newman chipped in with a classy 65 alongside me. Not every innings can be a fairy tale, mind — poor Rob Jackson's duck was the one blot on an otherwise rosy scorecard, though he'd have his revenge later.

In the field we gave a good account of ourselves without quite closing the door. Bidborough's R. Warner played the innings of the day, an assured 58, well supported by G. Gask (29) and Gary Thorne (28), and they eventually got home at 191/6 with just five balls of their 40 overs to spare. Credit where it's due: Rob Jackson bowled beautifully for 2-15 — a fine riposte to his golden duck — with Jon Harris and Darren Styles picking up a wicket apiece, and Mark Christmas keeping things admirably tight with two maidens.

In the end, four wickets was the margin, and no amount of after-match cake could quite sweeten that one. Clive Newman continues to top our run charts for the season with 886, and Michael Beeney leads the wickets with 37 — reminders, at least, that the summer's been kinder to us than this particular Saturday. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 25 Sep 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv P Penshurst · AwayformDLWLW

Wednesday last, we took ourselves off to Dummy Site, and for once I won the toss — a rare enough event that I nearly forgot what to do with it. Batting first seemed the sensible course, and 217 for 7 from our forty overs was a tidy return. Michael Beeney played the anchor beautifully for a well-made 71, with Craig Sands (45 not out) and Trevor Back (32) lending sturdy support. Less gloriously, Mike Elworthy and Mark Christmas both took the long walk back for nought — the Duck Club welcomes two new members, and no doubt they'll hear about it over tea for weeks to come.

In the field we gave everything we had. Their innings closed on 203 for 8, with Connelly's 49 the backbone of the chase, backed by Mitchell (40) and Exton (30). Mark Christmas was excellent with the ball, 3 for 38, and found willing accomplices in Trevor Back (1-20) and Michael Beeney (1-24).

There was proper cause for cheer amid the disappointment: Michael Beeney brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to. Trevor Back and Mark Christmas continue to sit second in the Midweek XI's season charts for runs and wickets respectively — form that bodes well for the rest of the campaign.

In the end, though, we fell short by 14 runs. Honest effort, honestly beaten. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sun 22 Sep 2002 🧢 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformLLLLW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 22 September 2002, and it was Anchorians CC who made the trip to grace us with their presence. I lost the toss, as seems to have become something of a habit this season, and duly consigned the lads to the field for the afternoon.

They posted 170 all out from 37.5 overs, which felt like rather a lot of leather-chasing in the September sun. P Putland led the charge with a fine 67, well supported by Andy Tutt's 42 and a handy 28 from Mosey — the sort of middle-order graft that turns a modest total into a defendable one. Small mercies came in the shape of Gary Joyce, back in the hutch without troubling the scorers, and the bowling did us proud: Fred Cheesman was superb with 3-10, backed up nicely by Michael Beeney's 2-20 and Ian Brattle's 1-35.

Chasing 171, we made a fair fist of it, reaching 152/7 from our 40 overs. Craig Sands played the anchor role beautifully for 48, with Mark Christmas (22) and Richard Piper (21) chipping in when it mattered. In the end though, 18 runs short is 18 runs short, and Anchorians deserve credit for holding their nerve.

Elsewhere, the season rolls on regardless of our Sunday wobbles — Clive Newman continues to plunder runs at the top of the 1st XI charts with 821, and Michael Beeney's wicket haul climbs to 36. As for this one: a spirited effort, a whisker short, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 21 Sep 2002 🧢 1st XIv EC Elliotts CC · AwayformLLLLL

As it stands 21 August, the road took us to Elliotts CC, where I lost the toss and — much to my quiet dread — was invited to have a bowl first. As it turned out, I needn't have worried.

The lads were superb in the field. Elliotts were shepherded out for 129 in 48.2 overs, Dave Gracey (26) and Mark Jasper (21) the only ones to trouble the scorers much, while Dan Buckle and Cliff Pegg trudged off for ducks. Russell Baldwin was the pick of the attack with 3-18, Michael Beeney chipped in 3-20 with five miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, and David Castle took 1-12. Not a run given away lightly, as they say.

Chasing 130, we made harder work of it than perhaps we ought, limping to 133/5 from 34 overs — Mike Elworthy and Russell Baldwin both contributing golden ducks of their own, and Craig Sands having a torrid time behind the stumps with eight byes conceded. But David Castle stood firm for an unbeaten 42, Mike Redman kept him company with 35 not out, I managed 42 myself, and a generous 26 extras from our hosts did the rest.

A scrappy, nervy, thoroughly English sort of victory — four wickets to the good, and Michael Beeney and Clive Newman continuing to lead the way in the season's charts. We'll take it. Onwards.

Sun 15 Sep 2002 🧢 1st XIv OO Old Owens · HomeformDLLLL

Sunday 15 September saw Dummy Site roll into Linton Park, and my luck with the coin remained resolutely absent — they called correctly and had no hesitation in batting. Thirty-eight overs later we'd shipped 222/4, a total flattered considerably by Zuber, who ground out a magnificent 102 while we stood about admiring it. Nagarajo chipped in an unbeaten 38 and Foley 34, and frankly the total could have been embarrassing had Stuart Cheesman not bowled beautifully for 2-32, with Jon Harris (2-37) offering fine support and Ian Brattle keeping things tight with two maidens. Restricting them to 222 felt, at the time, like a job reasonably well done.

Then Russell Baldwin and Clive Newman decided to make a mockery of the target, and indeed of the rest of us. Baldwin finished unbeaten on a majestic 127, Newman keeping him company with an equally handsome 83 not out, and the pair simply batted Dummy Site out of the contest without so much as a alarm, reaching 225 without loss in 29 overs. It was less a run chase than a stroll round the boundary rope with the scoreboard doing all the hard work.

Newman continues to top the club's run charts with 798 for the season, and Harris sits second among the wicket-takers with 25 — both thoroughly deserved.

As for the result: well, some days you're the statistician, not the story. Ten wickets down, heads held reasonably high, and back to the nets we go.

Sat 14 Sep 2002 🧢 2nd XIv BC Borden CC · HomeformLWLWL

Saturday 14 September saw Borden CC visit us with the sun, remarkably, playing along. I called correctly and had no hesitation putting us in — a decision I was rather pleased with by tea, less so by the time the shadows lengthened.

Clive Newman was in imperious touch, compiling a magnificent 106 that carried the innings almost single-handedly, though Trevor Back's brisk 38 and Christopher Thirkell's unbeaten 22 played their part in a third-wicket stand of 94 that took the game away from Borden's bowlers entirely. We closed on 215 for 4 from our 40 overs, a total that felt, at the time, distinctly like a winning one.

Defending it proved a rather different afternoon's work. Peter Noakes anchored their reply with an unbeaten 30, well supported by David Hollands' 25, and between them they kept Borden in the hunt long enough to deny us. Trevor Back, having contributed with the bat, did the same with the ball, snaring 2 for 10, while Jon Harris chipped in with 2 for 29 and Mark Christmas, miserly as ever with three maidens, took 1 for 13. Poor Peter Bimson will want to forget his golden duck. Borden finished on 124 for 7 from their 47 — well short, but not quite short enough for us to prise out the last wickets.

A draw, then — honours shared, and perhaps a fair reflection of an afternoon where we did enough to win and not quite enough to finish the job.

Sat 14 Sep 2002 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · AwayformLDLLL

Skipper's Log — Saturday 14 September 2002, and the road took us to Dummy Site with the sun, against all meteorological expectation, actually out. Won the toss, and there being no earthly reason to do otherwise on a decent-looking track, I stuck us in.

It rather paid off. Kevin Presneill batted with real purpose for 71, sailing well past his fifty, while Nigel Thirkell's 36 and Craig Sands' 22 filled in the gaps nicely. 188/6 off our 40 felt like a total with enough about it to make the opposition think, even if none of us said so out loud in case we jinxed it.

Then came the small matter of defending it, and Joe Denly had other ideas, easing to an unbeaten 60 that never looked remotely troubled. Support from a- Bennett (43) and J- Clark (36) meant the required rate never bit as hard as we needed it to. Russell Baldwin was our pick of the attack with 1-22, tidy work from Rob Jackson (1-23) and Michael Beeney (1-30) besides, and I even chipped in with 36 myself, for what little consolation that offers a captain on the losing side.

190/4 in 38 overs, beaten by six wickets. No disgrace in it — Denly simply had the better afternoon — but there are lessons in there for us. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sat 07 Sep 2002 🧢 1st XIv M Mersham · HomeformLLDLL

As we won the toss on that Saturday, elected to bat, and were promptly rewarded for it with an opening pair who simply refused to get out. Daniel Thirkell made a magnificent 101 not out — three figures and not a chance offered that I saw — while David Castle purred along to 95 not out at the other end, the pair of them steering us to a handsome 206/1 from our 36 overs. Somewhere in the shade of the pavilion I allowed myself a small, smug smile at having got the toss decision right for once.

With the ball, the lads did their bit without ever needing to break sweat. The opposition were held to 115/6 from their 35, always behind the required rate and never quite able to find the momentum to trouble us. Russell Baldwin led the attack beautifully with 1-2, and there were useful contributions from Kevin Presneill (1-8) and Mark Christmas, whose 1-14 with three maidens thrown in was about as miserly as it gets — the batsmen must have wondered if the ball would ever arrive. K- Brown's 42 was the one obstacle, but it wasn't nearly enough. My own 95 with the ball felt a satisfying afternoon's work too.

A day of milestones, mind: Russell Baldwin brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, and Michael Beeney's solitary wicket eased him past Terry Donovan into 17th on the all-time list. Splendid stuff, even if the scoreboard doesn't show it.

Down by 91 runs, then — not our day. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sun 01 Sep 2002 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformLWLWD

Sunday the 1st of September saw us make the long haul down to Beacon CC in Cornwall, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the pitch looked one to bat on, and for once I was right about something.

We posted 150 for 9 off our 40 overs, a total that owed everything to Nigel Thirkell's excellent 58, with Stuart Cheesman (31) and Stewart Morrison (20) chipping in handsomely around him. Not a total to frighten anyone on paper, but cricket, like life, is rarely played on paper.

Defending it meant asking the bowlers to earn their tea, and earn it they did. Stuart Cheesman was the pick of the attack with 3 for 33, Darren Styles bowled beautifully tight for 2 for 14 including four maidens, and Daniel Thirkell weighed in with 2 for 32. Karl Turner threatened to spoil the party with a fighting 44, and Darren Hearley departed for nought at our hands, but Beacon fell 4 runs short, all out for 146 in 39.5 overs — as tense a finish as the gazette could wish for.

A word too for Stuart Cheesman, who brought up 4,000 career runs for the club — a landmark achieved with typically little fuss. Stewart Morrison continues to lead our Tour XI run-scorers with 255, and Darren Styles tops the wicket charts with 5. As for my own 58, I'll take the runs and the win over the runs alone any day. A very good day for the club.

Sat 31 Aug 2002 🧢 2nd XIv EC East Sutton CC · HomeformWLWLW

Saturday 31 August 2002 and East Sutton CC came calling on a day that promised more than it delivered. Batting first, we crawled and occasionally cantered to 169/7 from our 41 overs — Matthew Carter the rock, unbeaten on a well-crafted fifty, with Craig Sands (24) and Richard Piper (22) chipping in around him. That we owed 30 to extras tells its own story; not our tidiest effort with bat in hand, but a defendable total all the same, or so we told ourselves over the tea urn.

In the field we asked the question and, for a good long while, had the right answer. Richard Bradstock led their reply with 36, Paul Oliver made 31 and Darren Thompson finished unbeaten on 30, and between them East Sutton kept nudging the target within reach. Trevor Back was the pick of the attack with 2-30, well backed by Jon Harris (2-46) and Rob Jackson (1-18), while Michael Beeney bowled with admirable meanness, four maidens to his name. But it was the last-wicket pair who did for us, conjuring an infuriating unbeaten stand of 49 we simply had no answer to — the sort of last-gasp cricket that turns a captain's hair grey.

East Sutton got home by four wickets, and there's no dressing that up. Elsewhere in the season, Tim Thirkell continues to purr along nicely, second in the 2nd XI run charts on 341, and Jon Harris tops the wicket pile with 23 — small consolations on an afternoon that got away from us. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Fri 30 Aug 2002 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformWLWLW

As the honorary match reporter, I'll expand the facts into the club gazette report now.

Grahamstown — actually, Dummy Site, Friday 30 August 2002.

Winning the toss on a Friday away day is the sort of gift I try not to overthink, and with the outfield looking true I had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat. Nigel Thirkell played the innings of the day, 73 to his name, the sort of knock that makes a captain's decision look positively inspired in hindsight. David Castle chipped in handsomely with a well-made fifty of his own, and Mike Redman's 21 rounded things out nicely as we posted 172 for 7 from our forty overs — a total that felt, at the time, like something worth defending.

And defend it we did, though "defend" might be generous given the hosts never troubled the scorers unduly. Daniel Thirkell set the tone with the new ball, snaring 2 for 21 and sending J- Roue back for a golden duck, which never fails to raise a cheer from the boundary. B- Partridge dug in gamely at the other end, unbeaten on 22, but the required rate simply never materialised and they closed on 48 for 2 from their sixteen.

With bad light or simply good sense intervening, honours were shared — a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. Stewart Morrison, meanwhile, continues to top the Tour XI run charts with 235 for the season, a reminder that somewhere in this ramshackle outfit there lurks genuine class. A fair result, on reflection, and nobody went home disgraced — which, in this fixture, counts as a triumph in itself.

Thu 29 Aug 2002 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformLWLWL

Skipper's Log — Thursday 29 August 2002. We rocked up at Falmouth CC with the coin doing us a favour for once, and I duly stuck us in, more in hope than expertise. Batting first is a fine idea right up until you're bowled out for 152 in the 40th over, which is roughly what happened. Stewart Morrison held things together with a fine 34, Rob Doick chipped in a useful 27 and Christopher Thirkell finished unbeaten on 20 to give us something to bowl at. Less said the better about Mark Christmas and Simon Thirkell, both of whom took the long walk back for ducks — the gazette's Duck Club ledger grows fatter still. 🦆

With the ball, though, we found our mettle. Falmouth battled to 143/6 off their 40, Stefan Churcher leading the way with 36 and Antony Angove unbeaten on 31, but Rob Doick was in inspired form — 3-29 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, positively miserly. Ryan Boyns backed him up nicely with 2-25 and Mark Christmas nabbed one for 11.

Poor Steve Cheesman had an afternoon to forget behind the stumps, eight byes slipping past him like he'd left the back gate open, but no matter — we squeezed home by 9 runs. Stewart Morrison continues to top the Tour XI run charts and Ryan Boyns sits handsomely in second for wickets. All told: a scratchy batting effort rescued by a disciplined bowling performance, and a very good day for the club indeed.

Wed 28 Aug 2002 🧢 Tour XIv TC Truro CC · AwayformLLWLW

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 28 August 2002, away at Dummy Site.

Lost the toss, and with it any say in the matter — they had a look at the pitch, fancied their chances, and stuck us in the field. Bose was the chief architect of our afternoon's toil, motoring to 70, with Bridger chipping in a useful 36 to help them to 184 for 8 off their 45. Small mercies: Hazeldine went for a golden duck, which at least gave us something to smile about between overs. With the ball, though, we were rather good — Mark Christmas ran through them with 3 for 35, Darren Styles and Fred Cheesman both chipped in with two apiece, and Rob Doick bowled two maidens so mean the batsmen must have wondered if he'd brought his lunch out with him.

Chasing 185, we made light work of it. Doick, having bowled his heart out, then set about the bowling with 77, Morrison matched him stroke for stroke with a classy 68, and Thirkell saw us home unbeaten on 23 — 187 for 2 in just 33.2 overs. Worth a special mention for Morrison, whose 68 nudges him past Jim Hall into 18th on the all-time run charts, and who now leads our 2002 Tour XI scorers with 196 — with Cheesman topping the wicket pile on 5.

A fine batting performance in the field notwithstanding — this one's chalked up as a defeat by 8 wickets. Heads up, lads, back to the nets.

Tue 27 Aug 2002 🧢 Tour XIv HC Helston CC · AwayformLLLWL

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 27 August 2002. We travelled down to Helston CC, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation whatsoever in electing to bat, much to the visible dismay of the home side.

What followed was, if I say so myself, batting of the highest order. We piled up 262/1 from our 40 overs, built on a magnificent hundred from Stewart Morrison, who cashed in for 128 in a knock that simply took the game away from Helston. David Castle chipped in nicely too, unbeaten on 82, and Mark Christmas rounded things off with an unbeaten 31. Three men, one wicket lost — the sort of arithmetic that makes a captain's job rather easy.

With the ball, the lads were similarly ruthless. Helston were bowled out for a mere 98 in 17.2 overs, undone by some fine bowling all round. S Pollard battled to 34 and J Ludlam added 24, but three of their number departed without troubling the scorers at all. Ryan Boyns was pick of the attack with 3-9, well backed up by Fred Cheesman's 3-13 and Rob Doick's 1-12 — a proper bowling performance from start to finish.

Personally, I was rather chuffed to lead from the front with 82. Special mention too for David Castle, who brought up 20,000 career runs for the club — no mean feat — while Darren Styles's solitary wicket nudged him past Dave Todd into 15th on the all-time list.

We ran out winners by 164 runs. A thoroughly good day at the office.

Sun 25 Aug 2002 🧢 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformLLLDL

Sunday 25 August 2002, and off we trundled to Dummy Site, losing the toss and finding ourselves put out into the field — never the news you want to hear on a warm afternoon, but there we are.

With ball in hand we did rather well, restricting the opposition to 131 all out from their 37 overs. Stuart Cheesman was the pick of the attack by some margin, bowling with real discipline for figures of 3-22 including two maidens — not a run given away lightly. Darren Styles (2-5) and Adam Jackson (2-14) chipped in nicely, and there was a small measure of quiet satisfaction in seeing a- Hukins depart for a duck at our hands, whatever comfort that brings. W- Pillinger's 40 was the one score that troubled the scorebook.

131 should have been comfortable, and for a while it looked it. Clive Newman batted beautifully for an unbeaten 44, well supported by Russell Baldwin's 39, while I contributed 44 of my own and the extras column threw in a generous 27 besides. But 133/4 from 34.1 overs told its own story — we simply took too long about our business, and the opposition helped themselves to a six-wicket win in the end.

Credit where it's due: Clive continues to lead the run charts for the season with 715, and Michael Beeney tops the wicket-takers with 29 — the engine room keeps humming even when the result doesn't go our way. A frustrating one, all told, given how well we bowled, but there's no shortage of character in this side. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 24 Aug 2002 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWLLLD

Beaten but far from bowed – a report from Dummy Site, 24 August 2002.

Losing the toss and being asked to field is never how you'd script the day, but the lads dug in gamely and left us something to bowl at: 162 for 9 from our 46 overs, built patiently around Mark Christmas's unbeaten 24, with Dave Charlton (22) and David Castle (20) chipping in nicely, and even the skipper managing a workmanlike 20 of his own.

With the ball, we scrapped for every wicket. The opposition were eventually all out for 148 in 42.1 overs, though not before Powney (37), Dailly (34) and Goodwright (24) had threatened to bat us out of it. Small mercies came in the shape of Howarth and Plumb, both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers – ducks gratefully received. Jon Harris was superb, snaffling 3 for 32, while Mark Christmas followed his runs with the ball too, miserly through three maidens on his way to 2 for 34, and Daniel Thirkell weighed in with 2 for 40 as he continues his fine season, sitting second in the 1st XI run charts on 583. Michael Beeney, leading our wicket-takers with 28 this year, will no doubt have been itching to add to the tally from the boundary rope.

In the end it wasn't quite enough, beaten by 14 runs on a day when we asked plenty of questions but couldn't find the final answer. Heads up, though – there was real character in that display, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 24 Aug 2002 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · HomeformWWLWL

Meopham CC came to us on Saturday and left having discovered exactly why we don't often lose at home. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first use of what looked a good pitch, and it proved a sound piece of captaincy even if I do say so myself.

Graham Walker was the story of the innings, striding to 95 not out with the sort of unhurried authority that makes the rest of us look like we're playing a different sport, and he found a willing ally in Craig Sands, whose 70 was a proper half-century built the old-fashioned way. Between them, and a generous 42 extras from a Meopham attack clearly feeling charitable, we posted a formidable 230/7 from our 46 overs. Not everyone had a day to remember — poor Tim Thirkell departed for a golden duck, and I can offer him little sympathy, having contributed a duck of my own that we shall gloss over swiftly and never speak of again.

With the ball, Trevor Back turned in a spell of genuine class: 4-44 with five maidens thrown in, miserly enough to have Meopham's batsmen playing for their suppers rather than their averages. Darren Styles (2-9) and Matthew Carter (2-28) tidied up around him, and only Mick Clark and Liam Hogg, both with 33, offered any real resistance as the visitors folded for 106.

A 124-run victory, then — comfortable, thoroughly deserved, and a fine advert for the club. Walker continues to top our 2002 run charts, Back climbs the wicket standings, and your correspondent slinks back to the nets to work on his batting.

Wed 21 Aug 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv TC Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformDDLWL

Wednesday 21 August 2002. Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC into the ground, and me winning the toss for once in my captaincy career — no dithering on this occasion, straight into the field we went.

They battled to 162/5 off their fifty, with C. Churchley the chief architect of our discomfort with a well-made 41, P. Tourle unbeaten on 35 and Derek Smith weighing in with 32. Credit where it's due: Jon Harris ran in all afternoon for a fine 2-39, Fred Cheesman and Trevor Back chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Darren Styles bowled two maidens of the sort that make batsmen mutter to themselves.

A target of 163 looked entirely gettable, and so it proved. Stewart Morrison played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 83 struck with a calm that the rest of us can only aspire to, well supported by Daniel Thirkell's unbeaten 27 and Trevor Back's 21. We cantered home in 29.4 overs for the loss of just two wickets — eight-wicket margin, tea barely cold.

Morrison now sits proudly atop the season's run charts with 134, and Harris leads the wicket-takers with nine — the sort of form that has the rest of the dressing room quietly taking notes.

A thoroughly good day for the club: crisp fielding, disciplined bowling, and batting that made hard work look positively leisurely. If every Wednesday went like this one, I'd never complain about losing a toss again.

Sun 18 Aug 2002 🧢 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformWWLLL

Sunday 18 August 2002, and Benenden CC rolled up to find the coin falling kindly our way — in we went, and how we went.

Two hundred and fifty for two off our forty overs is the sort of total that makes a captain feel rather pleased with his coin-tossing arm, and it was built on something genuinely special: Daniel Thirkell ground out a majestic 119 not out, unbeaten from first ball to last, with Clive Newman purring along in support for 95. Somewhere in among all that, almost as an aside, Daniel brought up 6,000 career runs for the club — the sort of landmark you only notice was ticking over once it's gone past, like a milestone on a motorway you were too busy admiring the scenery to spot.

Defending 250 should have been a formality, and for long stretches it very nearly was. Benenden dug in gamely, Toby Cunliffe seeing them home to a well-made 52 not out, Steve Luckhurst chipping in with 45 and John Marshall 27, while Stephen Message and A Recsei both departed without troubling the scorers 🦆. Michael Beeney was miserly and menacing in equal measure, 2-16 with three maidens, ably backed by Adam Jackson's 2-40 and Rob Jackson's 1-19. But 188/8 off 53 overs wasn't quite enough wickets, and honours finished shared.

A draw, then — honest toil rewarded with nothing but a handshake, though with Clive now topping our 2002 run charts on 671 and Beeney leading the wickets on 26, this club is plainly not short of match-winners. Just, on this particular Sunday, short of one more wicket.

Sat 17 Aug 2002 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformLWWLL

The lads asked me to pop my head over the parapet at the toss on Saturday 17 August, and with a decent-looking strip beneath us, there was really only one call to make against Dummy Site: bat first, ask questions later. Nigel Thirkell led from the front with a well-made 77, Daniel Thirkell chipping in a tidy fifty of his own, and Russell Baldwin kept the board ticking with 39, as we rattled up 217/7 from our 46 overs. Poor Stuart Cheesman, meanwhile, will want the scorebook to develop a sudden bout of amnesia — a golden duck to file alongside the tea and biscuits.

With runs in the bank, it was over to the bowlers, and what a treat they served up. Dummy Site never really got going, subsiding to 111 all out in 37.3 overs despite a gutsy half-century from B. Hart. Three of their number — Gillam, Gelling and Wakeman — trooped off without so much as troubling the scorers, while Daniel Thirkell, not content with his runs, turned the screw with a magnificent 5-28. Jon Harris (2-15) and Rob Doick (1-19) mopped up nicely, and Mark Christmas strangled the life out of the innings with four maidens for good measure.

A word too for the record books: that five-for eases Daniel Thirkell past Tony Snell into 23rd on the club's all-time wicket-taking list, while David Castle and Michael Beeney continue to lead the charge in the season's run and wicket charts respectively.

Beaten by 106 runs, then, but only on paper — this was as complete a performance as we've put together all summer, and there's plenty to build on next week.

Sat 17 Aug 2002 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformLWWLW

Here we go again, then. Off to Shipbourne on the 17th, and true to form, the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they batted, and we spent the afternoon chasing leather. Bruce Goodwin rattled us to the tune of 52, with M. Harley (40 not out) and Bob Scott (33) keeping the scoreboard ticking along nicely on their behalf, and 207/5 off 46 overs felt like a fair old total by the time tea came round. Credit where due — Darren Styles bowled beautifully for 1-32 with two maidens, tight as a Sunday collection plate, ably backed up by Matthew Carter and Tim Thirkell with a wicket apiece. Mark Fenton, for the record, went first ball without so much as a nibble.

Chasing 208, we never quite got out of second gear. James Vincent's 39 and Trevor Back's 34 were the honourable exceptions in a reply that folded for 166 in 39.2 overs, with Matthew Carter enduring a golden duck to match Fenton's earlier misfortune, and 34 extras doing rather more for the cause than several of us managed with the bat in hand. Spare a thought, too, for Craig Sands, who had one of those afternoons behind the stumps — ten byes is not a number one puts on the mantelpiece.

There was a shaft of sunshine in the gloom: Trevor Back brought up 9,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to, whatever the scorebook said elsewhere. Graham Walker, meanwhile, continues to lead our 2nd XI charts with 351 runs for the season — some among us are clearly still in form. As for the rest of us, beaten by 41 runs, it's heads up and back to the nets.

Fri 16 Aug 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDDDLW

From the captain's chair — Friday 16 August 2002. We hosted the visitors on a day that promised much and, in the end, delivered a familiar sort of heartbreak.

Put into the field first, we watched the openers settle in a little too comfortably as they racked up 185 for 7 from their 43 overs. C. Churchley (44) and M. Robertson (41) did the early damage, with D. Shivmangal (25) chipping in, and it took some discipline from the bowlers to drag things back at all. Credit where it's due: Fred Cheesman was magnificent with 3 for 11, Darren Styles chipped away for 2 for 30, and Mark Christmas bowled with the meanness of a man guarding his allotment, 1 for 19 and two maidens to show for it. F. Robertson's golden duck was a small mercy amid the carnage.

Chasing 186, we never quite found our rhythm. Nigel Thirkell batted beautifully for 68, well past his fifty, and Mark Christmas added a useful 25, but three ducks — Stewart Morrison, Rob Jackson and Jon Harris all failing to trouble the scorers — undid the good work, and we folded for 159 in 39.4 overs. As for my own contribution, a duck at the top of the order: the less said the better.

Beaten by 26 runs, then, but not disgraced. There was real quality on show — Cheesman's spell, Thirkell's innings — and we'll take heart into next week.

Wed 14 Aug 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformLDDDL

Won the toss on a Wednesday evening down at The Mote and, in a fit of what I like to tell myself was tactical genius rather than habit, stuck them in. It looked shrewd for about an hour, then R. Daking decided otherwise, compiling a lovely 97 while John Fuggle ticked along to 52 and T. Harris chipped in with 36, the hosts closing on a healthy 201/5 from their 49 overs. Credit where it's due to the bowling unit for keeping us in the hunt throughout: Jon Harris did the real damage with 2-29, Mark Christmas backed him up nicely with 2-32, Stuart Cheesman picked up 1-18, and Darren Styles bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who begrudges every run, three maidens to his name.

Chasing 202, we got there with five wickets and six overs to spare, 203/5 in 43 overs, thanks in no small part to Russell Baldwin's classy 58, sturdy support from David Castle (45 not out) and a handy 29 from Stewart Morrison to see us home in comfort.

A special afternoon for one man above all: Stuart Cheesman brought up his 300th appearance in Linton colours and passed 200 career wickets on the same day, which rather puts the rest of us in the shade. He also sits second in this year's Midweek XI run charts with 84, while Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers on 6 — the old firm doing the business again.

A fine win by five wickets, then, and a fitting stage for Cheesman's landmarks. Onwards we go.

Sun 11 Aug 2002 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv PC Pembury CC · AwayformWLWLL

Sunday 11th August found us on the road to Pembury, and I'll confess I rather fancied our chances when I called it right at the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock. For once, the decision looked shrewd rather than merely lucky.

Mike Redman made the day his own, batting through to finish unbeaten on a magnificent 118, the sort of innings that makes captaincy look easy even when it isn't. Craig Sands chipped in with a handy 32, but elsewhere the card made for painful reading — Adam Pooley, James Piper and Ryan Boyns all departed for ducks, three feathers that rather took the shine off 188/7 from our 44 overs. Still, with Redman in that mood, we walked off reasonably satisfied.

Whatever satisfaction we'd banked evaporated in the field. Huw Collins simply took the game away from us, striding to a commanding 125 and finding a willing ally in David Collins, unbeaten on 38, as Pembury raced to 189/2 in just 24.2 overs — a scoring rate that left our bowlers looking thoroughly ordinary. Ryan Boyns did what he could, picking up 1-30 to go with his season's tally, and Alan Boyns weighed in with 1-42, but there was no answer to Collins on the day.

Redman's century keeps him top of the Sunday 2nd XI run charts for the season, and Boyns sits second among the wicket-takers — small consolations. Beaten by eight wickets, we trudged off with heads up but egos suitably dented. Back to the nets, then, and no arguments about it.

Sun 11 Aug 2002 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv ? · HomeformWLWWW

Sunday 11 August 2002 saw us play host, and if you'd told me beforehand we'd walk away with honours shared, I'd have taken it gladly — though the manner of getting there had all the usual Linton Park drama built in.

Batting first, we posted 165/8 from our 44 overs, a total built almost single-handedly by Stewart Morrison, whose composed 74 was the innings' backbone. Stuart Cheesman chipped in with a tidy 22, while at the other end Russell Baldwin and Rob Jackson both discovered that the walk back to the pavilion can feel considerably longer when you haven't troubled the scorers. Ducks happen to the best of us, lads — chins up.

Defending 165 is never a formality, and so it proved, though we gave ourselves every chance. The opposition were held to 99/5 from their 38, N- Johnstone and G- Sandwell both dismissed without scoring courtesy of our attack, while I- Sandwell's unbeaten 40, backed by contributions from K- Sandwell and C- Flint, kept them in the hunt. Daniel Thirkell was the pick of the bowlers by some distance — 2 for a miserly 7, with four maidens besides, proof that not every over need leak runs. Darren Styles (2-22) and Stuart Cheesman (1-5) tidied up the rest.

In the end, neither side could force the issue, and a draw was the fair, if slightly frustrating, result. Morrison now tops our season's run charts and Styles our wicket charts — a fine platform for the rest of the summer, and a result I'll happily file under "honest day's work."

Mon 05 Aug 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDLDDD

Beaten by 108 runs, but Bexley made us work for the privilege of losing well. We won first use of the ball but lost the toss and were sent in to field, which in hindsight was the polite version of what happened next. D Parmenter compiled a proper 78 for them, with Michael Ladbrook (49) and Chris Pinnock (33 not out) piling in to leave us chasing 211. Jon Harris gave the innings some spine with 1-17, Mark Christmas and Rob Jackson chipped in, and David Castle bowled three maidens with the miserliness of a man checking the round again after last orders.

Our reply never threatened. Fred Cheesman's 31 and useful contributions from Mark Christmas (22) and Mike Elworthy (21) were the only real resistance in a total of 102, and the Duck Club ledger swelled nicely — Adam Jackson and Jon Harris both walked back for nought. As for your captain, I can report a golden blob: out first ball, having presumably left my technique in the changing room. Leading from the front is meant to be inspirational; on this occasion it was merely brief.

There was one shaft of light amid the wreckage — Jon Harris brought up his 600th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark achieved, somewhat improbably, in the same match as a duck. Mike Elworthy continues to lead our Midweek run charts and Harris the wickets, so the engine room remains sound even when the top brass fails spectacularly. All told: outplayed, out-thought, and out for 102. We'll be better for it next week — we could scarcely be worse.

Sun 04 Aug 2002 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv ? · AwayformWLWL

Sunday 4th August, and off we trundled with high hopes and low expectations, as is the club way. Winning the toss, we opted to bowl first — never let it be said we don't relish a bit of leather-flinging before tea. Our attack did us proud: Ryan Boyns steamed in for a splendid 3-11, James Piper chipped away for 3-34, and Alan Boyns picked up a wicket for good measure. Mark Christmas, meanwhile, bowled with the parsimony of a man checking his own tab at the bar, sending down four maidens. C. Ince and F. Sage both departed for ducks at our hands, though D. Hammond dug in gamely for an unbeaten 30 to drag them to 112 all out from 37.4 overs — a total that felt, at the time, very much within our gift.

And so it should have been. Mark Christmas, having bowled like a miser, then batted like a man possessed, top-scoring with 43 not out, with Mike Redman (30) and Craig Sands (22 not out) lending fine support. Yet 113/3 from 22.5 overs somehow wasn't enough, and we contrived to lose by seven wickets — a scoreline that will raise eyebrows in the clubhouse and no mistake.

Christmas climbs to fourth in the season's run charts, and young Boyns to third among the wicket-takers, so all is not lost. A funny old game, cricket — we bowled and batted like champions and still found a way to lose. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 03 Aug 2002 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · HomeformDLWWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 3rd August 2002, and Dummy Site were the visitors on a day when losing the toss meant we were straight into the field. Never my favourite way to start a Saturday, but there are worse fates than watching your own bowlers earn their tea.

And what a way to earn it. Jon Harris simply ran riot, tearing through their order for 5-41 — the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen suddenly remembering pressing appointments elsewhere. Dave Charlton and Mark Christmas chipped in either side of him, Michael Beeney refused to leak a run with two tidy maidens, and poor P- West and C- Hogan departed without so much as troubling the scorers. For all that, M- Sellar's well-made fifty and useful support from K- Firminger dragged them to 137/8 from their 35 — respectable, but nowhere near enough given what had gone before.

Because our innings had been a different beast entirely. Russell Baldwin played an absolute blinder for his hundred, Daniel Thirkell wasn't far behind with a classy 78 not out, and David Castle weighed in with 25. I contributed a modest 25 of my own, mostly by staying out of the specialists' way. 225/3 from 36 overs was the finished article.

Beaten by 88 runs? No — the scorebook says we won at a canter, and rightly so. A afternoon to savour, and Harris in particular deserves a pint bought in his honour.

Wed 31 Jul 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDDLDD

Here's the club gazette report:

Wednesday 31 July, and the sun was kind enough to let us have a proper go at it on home soil. Winning the toss and electing to field looked a fine idea for about three overs, then Paul Mobbs and R Manning decided otherwise, putting together a stand of real substance — Mobbs racing to 81, Manning ticking along nicely to a well-earned 60, with K Banham chipping in 37 as they closed on a hearty 211 for 5 off their 44.4 overs. Credit where due: Rob Jackson was superb with the ball, snaring 3 for 36, and got fine backing from Stuart Cheesman (1-27) and Mark Christmas (1-38), or that total might have looked altogether more frightening.

Chasing 212, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening to get there. Mike Elworthy led the way with 36, Trevor Back weighed in with 35, and Jon Harris finished unbeaten on a composed 29. Your captain contributed a workmanlike 29 of his own. Less gloriously, poor Adam Pooley made his way to the crease and back again without troubling the scorers — a nought entered solemnly into the Duck Club ledger, quack and all. We closed on 185 for 9 from our 44 overs, short of the target but not disgraced.

A draw, then — honours shared, nobody quite deserving to lose. Trevor Back now leads our Midweek XI run charts and Stuart Cheesman the wickets, so the season ticks along nicely even if Wednesday's honours were shared rather than seized.

Sun 28 Jul 2002 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWLWW

Sunday 28 July 2002, and the lads travelled to Bearsted CC with the coin firmly against us — they called correctly and stuck us in the field, as is apparently traditional when I'm the one flipping it.

We couldn't have asked for a better start, with Bearsted stumbling to 6 for 1, and for a good while it looked like we'd have this wrapped up by tea. Jivan De Silva had other ideas, ground out a fifty and dragged them up to something respectable, and then, just as we thought the tail was safely dispatched, their last pair decided to have a proper go and put on 68 runs we really didn't need to see. Still, the bowling did its job in the end — Darren Styles led the way with 2 for 13, Chris Quirk matched him with 2 for 13 and three tidy maidens besides, and Mark Christmas chipped in with 2 for 15. All out for 141 in 40.2 overs felt like a job reasonably well done, tail notwithstanding.

Chasing it down was never going to be a stroll, and 145 for 7 off 38.2 overs tells you it wasn't. Adrian Caddick led from the front with 37, Clive Newman kept things ticking with 27, David Castle saw us home unbeaten on 20, and I contributed a workmanlike 20 of my own — captain's innings, if you're feeling generous.

Three wickets to spare, and a first-wicket stand of 53 to thank for making the rest possible. A scrappy, nervy, thoroughly enjoyable win — and on a good day for the club, I'll take scrappy every time.

Sun 28 Jul 2002 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv KC Knockers CC · HomeformWLW

As we lost the toss and were put in, credit to the lads that we made Knockers work hard from ball one. Stewart Morrison played the innings of a lifetime, a magnificent 105 that anchored everything, while Daniel Thirkell chipped in a classy 65 and Stuart Cheesman finished unbeaten on 24 to help us post a handsome 228/4 from our 38 overs. Tea was taken with more than a little swagger about the place.

The chase, though, had other ideas. Paul Seldon played the innings that mattered for them, an assured 86, well supported by Paul Styles (35) and a-Marshall (28), and though we did manage to send C Spencer Allen back for a duck, Knockers ground their way to 230/8 in 46.5 overs to sneak home by two wickets. Daniel Thirkell was magnificent with the ball too, following his runs with 4-35, while Michael Beeney (1-19, four maidens — not a run given away lightly) and Adam Jackson (1-19) held up their end. Ten byes conceded off Thirkell's glovework was the one blemish on an otherwise fine display behind the stumps.

There was a tidy footnote to the day: Thirkell's 65 eased him past Jim Hall into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he remains the man in form with bat and ball alike. Morrison still leads our 2002 Sunday 2nd XI run charts, Jon Harris the wickets.

Two wickets the wrong side of glory, then, but no shame in it. We'll dust ourselves off and come back stronger next week.

Sat 27 Jul 2002 🧢 2nd XIv GC Goodnestone Park CC · AwayformWLWWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 27 July 2002. Away at Goodnestone Park, and I lost the toss for the umpteenth time this season, which meant only one thing: pads off, boots on, and out into the field first.

They set about building a total, and it must be said Peter Higson batted beautifully for his 89, with Stuart Higson chipping in a handy 28 alongside him — the sort of stand that has captains pacing the boundary rope muttering to themselves. Credit to the lads, though: we kept our discipline. Mark Christmas was superb with the ball, 2-18 and full of purpose, Matthew Carter and Rob Jackson chipped in a wicket apiece, and Adam Jackson bowled two miserly maidens that gave nothing away. Rufus Hack, mercifully for our sake, was back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. They finished on 157/5 from their 44.2 overs — competitive, but not out of reach.

Chasing it down, Stewart Morrison played the innings of the day, a fine 67, well supported by Fred Cheesman's 43 and Michael Beeney's unbeaten 29 to see us home. We did lose Adam Jackson, Christopher Thirkell and Matthew Carter for ducks along the way — the walk of shame is never pretty — but the middle order held its nerve, getting us there on 158/7 in 35.1 overs.

Two lovely footnotes to record: Fred Cheesman brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, and Stewart Morrison's 67 nudged him past Keith Hatcher into 19th on our all-time run charts.

A fine win by three wickets, ducks and all. Onwards.

Sun 21 Jul 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv LC Langleybury CC · AwayformWDWWW

Beaten by seven wickets we may have been, but there was much to enjoy on the road to Langleybury, and I'll go to my grave insisting the toss decision was the right one.

Batting first, we assembled a workmanlike 154/7 from our forty overs, built on a fine platform from David Castle (46) and Daniel Thirkell (43), who put together the kind of partnership that makes a captain's job easy for once. Elsewhere the card told a sorrier tale — ducks for Russell Baldwin and Dave Charlton reminding us that cricket remains a game of humility as much as glory.

In the field, we gave it everything. Daniel Thirkell, not content with his runs, turned his arm over to devastating effect — 3-35 and four maidens, bowling with a miserliness that would make a Yorkshireman proud. I chipped in with 46 of my own, more through stubbornness than style. But Langleybury had other ideas: J. Crowther played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 76 that we simply couldn't dislodge, well supported by N. Ilott's 46 and C. Spinks' unbeaten 21. Small mercies came via M. Fry's duck at our hands, but it wasn't nearly enough to stem the tide, and they cantered home with three overs unused.

Pleasingly, the season charts offer some consolation — David Castle now sits second among the Sunday NVKC run-scorers, and Daniel Thirkell second among the wicket-takers. A defeat, then, but not a disaster. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sat 20 Jul 2002 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformLDLWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 20 July 2002, away at Dummy Site.

No luck with the coin, and they had first use of it — choosing to bat, which on another day might have been our undoing but at least meant we could get the shine off the ball early. Their innings ticked along nicely for them: 216/5 from 46 overs, built on D. Cook's fine 73, Geoff Hunt's well-made 53 and John Hartshorn's useful 42. Credit where due — John Taylor was the pick of our attack with 2-12, tidy support came from Michael Beeney (2-56) and Daniel Thirkell (1-14), and Rob Doick kept things honest with two maidens.

Chasing 217, we made a proper fist of it. David Castle's 57 anchored things beautifully, Clive Newman chipped in unbeaten on 55, and Russell Baldwin's 43 kept the required rate in check. Not everything gleamed, mind — Stewart Morrison and Piers McDonald both departed for ducks, and fifteen byes told their own tale of a testing day behind the stumps for young Piers. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at contributing 57 myself from the top of the order, for whatever that's worth on a losing scorecard.

In the end 218/7 from 43.3 overs wasn't quite enough, falling three wickets short. Clive Newman continues to lead our run charts for the season with 576, and Michael Beeney tops the wicket pile with 23 — small consolations. Not our day, then. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 20 Jul 2002 🧢 2nd XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformLWLWW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 20 July 2002, versus Leeds & Broomfield CC

Won the toss, and being a captain of unshakeable confidence (or possibly just habit), I stuck us in. 167 for 8 off our 46 overs was a respectable if unspectacular effort, built patiently by Richard Piper's 35, with James Vincent (31) and Trevor Back (21) chipping in to give the total some backbone. Not a total to frighten anyone, but enough, we felt, to defend on a used-up afternoon pitch.

We felt wrong. Jason Tharp had other ideas, cracking a fine 65 and finding an able ally in V J Ratanayake's 49, the pair simply refusing to let us settle. Credit where due — Matthew Carter was our pick of the bowlers with 2 for 20, well backed up by James Vincent (2-35, proving useful with both bat and ball) and Jon Harris (2-36). Steven Pike and Stephen Jupe departed without so much as a run to show for it, which was some consolation, but poor Mike Elworthy had an afternoon to forget behind the stumps, nine byes going begging past the gloves.

In the end they got there, 171 for 8 off 40.3, beating us by two wickets in a match that could easily have gone the other way with a touch more care. Graham Walker continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts with 336, and Jon Harris tops the wickets with 20 — small comforts on a day when the rest of us rather let the side down. A tight, honest scrap, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 14 Jul 2002 🧢 1st XIv Chestfield CC · HomeformLLDLW

Sunday 14 July brought Chestfield CC to Linton Park, and true to form the coin let us down — we spent the afternoon in the field wondering what might have been. Stephen Cox gave us the full village-square treatment with a polished 54, and once he'd departed Tim Jones (46 not out) and Steve Davies (34 not out) simply carried on the good work, steering Chestfield to 190/4 from their 45 overs. Wayne George at least gave us something to cheer, back in the hutch without troubling the scorers. Rob Jackson toiled hardest for 2-54, with Adam Jackson and Stuart Cheesman chipping in a wicket apiece, while Daniel Thirkell bowled two overs so tight you couldn't have got a tea urn through them.

Chasing 191, we might have feared the worst, but Clive Newman had other ideas, compiling a lovely fifty to anchor the reply, well backed by Stewart Morrison (34) and Daniel Thirkell, unbeaten on 34 after his good afternoon with the ball too. Steve Cheesman's duck was the one blot on an otherwise tidy scorecard, and we'll take the 45 extras gratefully, however they arrived. We eventually got home at 194/4 with overs to spare.

Newman continues to lead the 1st XI's run column for the season with 521, and Adam Jackson sits third in the wickets with 13 — both men doing their bit again here. All told, a thoroughly satisfying five-wicket win, and the kind of Sunday that makes the teas taste that bit sweeter.

Sat 13 Jul 2002 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformLLLDL

Saturday 13th July, and Horton Kirby came calling at home – lost the toss, put in, and off we trotted to the field with the sun (allegedly) on our backs.

They ground their way to 159/7 from their 46 overs, Paul Evans the chief architect with a well-made 61 and Alastair Scott tidying up nicely with an unbeaten 43. Credit where it's due – Mark Christmas ran through them with 3-25, Matt Large chipped in with 2-27, and Michael Beeney was positively miserly, 1-22 including four maidens that must have driven their middle order to quiet despair.

A target of 160 is never quite as simple as the scorebook suggests, but we made it look that way. Daniel Thirkell led the chase with a well-made 53, David Castle purred to an unbeaten fifty at the other end, and Russell Baldwin weighed in with 30. I'll confess to rather enjoying leading from the front myself with 50 – not something I'll be allowed to forget at the bar. We cantered home 7 wickets down the road, at 160/3 in 36.2 overs.

David Castle continues his fine season, now second in the 1st XI run charts on 438, while Michael Beeney sits proudly atop the wicket pile with 21. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a result that suggests the tea urn wasn't the only thing on song. A fine day's cricket, and one for the scrapbook.

Sat 13 Jul 2002 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformLLWLW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 13 July 2002. Off to Horton Kirby CC we trundled, and the coin, as ever, sided against us; they saw a green-tinged pitch and chose to bowl. No matter — 174/6 from our 46 overs was a tidy return, built on a proper captain's innings from Mike Elworthy, whose 52 anchored things nicely, with Tim Thirkell (40) and Graham Walker (36) chipping in to give us something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we needed to, because Horton Kirby had other ideas. Geoff Rameaux made a thorough nuisance of himself with an unbeaten 91, well supported by Keith Chaney's 27, and for long stretches it looked like their day. But this is where Jon Harris earns his place in the log: 3 for 35, three maidens squeezed in among them, absolute miserliness when we needed it most. Dave Todd chipped in too with 1 for 65, and I managed a useful 40 with the bat to help set the target in the first place — modesty be damned, a captain's allowed one line of self-congratulation a season.

In the end they fell agonisingly short at 173/5 from their 44 — one run short, in fact, which is either the width of a cigarette paper or the difference between a good Saturday and a miserable one, depending which changing room you're standing in. Graham Walker still leads our run charts with 330, Jon Harris tops the wickets with 18, and we, delightfully, top the result sheet. A fine win by the finest of margins. Onwards.

Wed 10 Jul 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDDDLD

Wednesday 10 July, and the road took us to Gravesend – always a fixture that promises a decent tea and a proper contest, and so it proved. We lost the toss (no change there, then) and were asked to field, which on a warm afternoon is either a blessing or a slow death by leather-chasing. Gravesend batted with real application, posting 188/7 from their 52 overs. L Mann anchored things with a fine 58, and got good support from G Watts, unbeaten on 29, and Chris Williams with 25. Credit to the bowlers for keeping us in the hunt throughout: Stuart Cheesman was the pick with 2-23, Jon Harris chipped in with 2-40, John Taylor took 1-18, and Michael Beeney bowled two tidy maidens to keep the scoring honest.

Chasing 189, we replied with 177/6 from our 44 overs – close enough to taste it, not quite close enough to swallow it. Piers McDonald played the innings of the day, 49 not out of pure good sense, well supported by Stuart Cheesman's 41 and Mike Elworthy's 30. Less said the better about Jim Hall and Fred Cheesman, both back in the pavilion for ducks before they'd troubled the scorers.

There was a silver lining amid the near-miss: Piers McDonald's 49 nudged him past John Ames into 11th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a fine bit of history-making on an otherwise frustrating afternoon.

In the end honours were shared, a draw that flattered neither side but shamed neither either. A fair result, all things considered, and the tea was very good.

Sun 07 Jul 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv GC Glynde & Beddingham CC · AwayformLWDWW

Sunday 7 July found us on the road to Glynde & Beddingham, and I confess the toss was one decision I made without a flicker of doubt — flat pitch, good outfield, bat first and ask questions later.

The lads didn't disappoint. David Castle played the innings of the day, a fine, watchful 69, while Daniel Thirkell matched him for stubbornness with 60 of his own — between them they did most of the heavy lifting. Paul Gibson chipped in a handy 20 and we closed on a healthy 204/7 from our forty overs, the kind of total that lets a captain sleep easy at tea.

In the field it was Rob Doick's afternoon and no mistake — 5-44 is a spell to frame on the clubhouse wall, and richly deserved. Paul Gibson backed him up nicely with 2-16, Daniel Thirkell chimed in again with 1-28, and John Taylor bowled two maidens' worth of pure discipline. Graham Baker's 32 was the only real resistance, while poor Robert Mouland trudged off for a golden duck. Glynde & Beddingham were all out for 141 in the 38th over, and the job was done.

A 63-run win, and I'll allow myself a quiet pat on the back for leading from the front with the bat. With Nigel Thirkell still topping the Sunday run charts and Rob Doick now surely tightening his grip on the wickets column, this was a proper team performance. Onwards indeed.

Sat 06 Jul 2002 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformLLLLD

Saturday 06 July 2002, and off we trundled to Hollingbourne CC with the sun out and hopes, as ever, higher than the evidence warranted. I called correctly at the toss and didn't dither for a second — into the field we went, fancying our chances of pegging them back early.

It didn't quite go to plan. Trevor Scrivens made merry with 51, well supported by Andy Golding's 40 and Neil Taylor's 35, and Hollingbourne eased their way to 203/6 from 46 overs. Small mercies: Mike Donald departed for a duck at our hands, and Matt Large was the pick of the attack by some distance, mixing two miserly maidens with figures of 3-51. John Taylor (1-31) and Daniel Thirkell (1-49) chipped in dutifully, though the total always felt a stretch too far.

And so it proved. Chasing 204, we were bowled out for a threadbare 75 in 32.1 overs — a card with precious little to celebrate bar Matt Large's battling 23, the only score of note. Stewart Morrison's duck rather summed up our afternoon. Elsewhere in the season, Clive Newman continues to lead the 1st XI run charts with 471 to his name — a rare bright spot to cling to.

A chastening day, then: beaten by 128 runs, comfortably outplayed with bat and ball alike. Heads up, though — it's back to the nets, and better days will come.

Sat 06 Jul 2002 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformLLLWL

Saturday 6 July 2002, and Hollingbourne were the visitors. I called correctly and, with the sun out and the outfield running quick, had no hesitation in sticking us in first.

We batted with real purpose, racking up 212 for 4 off our 46 overs. Graham Walker played the anchor beautifully for a classy 78, and I was delighted to chip in myself with 75 alongside him — the sort of stand that makes captaincy look easy, even when it isn't. Trevor Back finished things off nicely with an unbeaten 24, and 212 always looked a healthy total to defend on a ground where boundaries don't come cheap.

And so it proved. Hollingbourne never got going, bundled out for 114 in 35.1 overs. Mark Austin's 26 and useful contributions from Philip Morrison (22) and David Brown (21) were about the only resistance, while poor Joe Ring and Steve Wilson trudged off for ducks. The real story, though, was James Vincent, who bowled beautifully for figures of 4 for 22 with three maidens thrown in for good measure — the kind of spell that has the opposition muttering into their tea. Jon Harris (2-34) and Trevor Back (1-8) tidied up the rest.

A win by 98 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Graham Walker continues to top our run charts this season with 294, and Jon Harris leads the wickets with 15 — long may both continue. Onwards.

Sun 30 Jun 2002 🧢 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformDLLLL

Under a decent Sunday sky on 30 June, Clarion CC came calling, I called correctly, and elected to have a bat — a decision that felt considerably wiser by the time Stewart Morrison had ground his way to a magnificent 108. Three figures, no less, from our own captain's chair I can say without blushing too much: it was the innings of the day. Clive Newman chipped in with a tidy 22, while poor Christopher Thirkell will be buying the teas after his golden duck. We closed on a healthy 169/6 from 39.4 overs, which felt like something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did, though Clarion made us work for every wicket. Richard Hilson's 46 and Andy Driver's 39 kept them ticking nicely, with S Driver unbeaten on 34 to see them home to 156/5 — Steve Harris, meanwhile, joined the duck club without so much as a single. Russell Baldwin was the pick of our attack with a fine 3-35, well backed by Jon Harris's 2-48.

Beyond the scorecard, it was a day for milestones: Clive Newman brought up 8,000 runs for the club, Jon Harris passed 2,400 career wickets, and Morrison's ton lifted him past Frank Brattle into 20th on our all-time run list. With Newman now leading our 2002 run charts and Harris third among the wicket-takers, the old boys are still setting the pace.

In the end neither side could force it home, and honours were shared. A draw, then — but on a day like this, with milestones tumbling and Morrison in such imperious form, I'll happily settle for that.

Sat 29 Jun 2002 🧢 1st XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformWDLLL

Off two years, our Skipper's Log for 29 June 2002 against Dummy Site — here goes.

Winning the toss on a bright Saturday, I did what any self-respecting captain does with a good pitch underfoot and no clue what's coming later: I had a look at the sky, ignored it entirely, and stuck us in. The lads rewarded that flash of confidence handsomely, racking up 221 for 4 from our 46 overs. Clive Newman played the innings of the day, 74 of the finest, and was cheerfully backed up by Kevin Presneill (35 not out) and Stewart Morrison (34 not out) seeing us home in good order. A total to be proud of, and for once I felt like I'd made the right call at the toss rather than just guessing and hoping.

With the ball, though, the wheels came off just enough. The Grayland brothers — or at least L- and P- Grayland, who I can only assume share a surname and a talent for frustrating bowlers — put on 46 and 45 respectively, with M- Thomas chipping in 41, and between them they dragged the game away from us. Jon Harris was superb, 3 for 50 and a real threat throughout, well supported by Stuart Cheesman (2-46) and Piers McDonald (1-11), but 201 for 6 from 44 overs was enough to see them past us by 20 runs.

Not our day, then, but hardly a disgrace. Newman continues to lead our run charts with 446 for the season and Harris sits fourth among the wicket-takers with 10 — plenty to be cheerful about even in defeat. Heads up, back to the nets, and on to the next one.

Sat 29 Jun 2002 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · AwayformWLLLW

Saturday 29 June 2002, and we rolled up at Southborough having lost the toss – and, wouldn't you know it, they fancied batting. Fair enough, we thought, we'll winkle them out soon enough. Forty-six overs later we were still waiting, Paul Spencer (89 not out) and Geoff Brown (76) having put on 158 for the second wicket like a pair of old friends settling in for tea. Tom Carmichael chipped in with 20, and by the time Rob Jackson finally made the breakthrough (1-49) they'd posted a formidable 225/2.

Chasing 226, we lost an opener with the score on precisely nought – the kind of start that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces. But Graham Walker (43) and Ron McCormick (36) steadied things with a second-wicket stand of 61, James Vincent added 25, and I contributed a workmanlike 19. Poor Mike Elworthy departed for a duck, and our wicketkeeper had a torrid time of it, 15 byes escaping through the gate. Extras, generously, gave us 27. We closed on 188/8 from our 44, beaten by 37 runs.

Some solace amid the defeat: Simon Thirkell brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth more than any scorecard, and Graham Walker now leads the 2nd XI run charts for 2002 with 216. A losing afternoon, then, but hardly a wasted one – we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 23 Jun 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv EC Eynsford CC · HomeformLLWDW

Sunday 23rd June, and no finer omen for a captain than winning the toss. I elected to bat first against Eynsford CC — the right call, I felt, and one I shall be dining out on for weeks.

We set about building something substantial and duly reached 238 for 9 from our forty overs. Nigel Thirkell was in irresistible form, sailing past his fifty to 68, with Paul Gibson (43) and Dave Charlton (32) lending proper backbone to the innings. I chipped in with 31 of my own, more grateful than proud.

Eynsford's reply never found its feet. Paul Geear battled to 46 and Gary Atkins added 22, but the rest of the order rather withered around them — poor Paul Smyth departed without troubling the scorers at all. John Taylor was chief tormentor with 3 for 43, well supported by Daniel Thirkell (2-17) and Paul Gibson, whose 2 for 22 also nudged him past Frank Taylor into 25th on the club's all-time wicket-taking list — a quiet piece of history amid the din. Eynsford were all out for 142 in 34.2 overs.

With Nigel Thirkell now up to 296 runs and leading our 2002 Sunday NVKC run charts, and Rob Doick second in the wicket charts on seven, the season is shaping up rather nicely. A handsome win by 96 runs, and a thoroughly satisfactory afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sat 22 Jun 2002 🧢 1st XIv M Marden · AwayformLWDLL

Saturday 22 June saw us make the trip out to Dummy Site, and losing the toss meant an afternoon of leather on willow before we'd even had our tea. Asked to bat, we ground out a respectable 181/7 from our 46 overs, the innings built around a fine 70 from Daniel Thirkell, past his fifty and looking every inch the man in form, with Rob Doick chipping in a handy 42 alongside him. Nothing spectacular, perhaps, but enough to give the bowlers something to bowl at.

And bowl at it they did. The opposition were bundled out for 126 in 36.4 overs, despite a defiant 85 from Paul Sunnucks that threatened, briefly, to spoil our afternoon. Rob Doick was the chief tormentor with a superb 4-13, well supported by Daniel Thirkell's 4-19, while Michael Beeney bowled with the miserliness of a man counting pennies, four maidens and 1-34, and had R. Day, Steve Sunnucks and A. Betts all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Clive Newman had a torrid time behind the stumps, eight byes leaking away that we could ill afford.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Rob Doick brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to even in defeat. But arithmetic is a cruel mistress, and 126 wasn't enough to chase down 181 — we fell 55 runs short. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 22 Jun 2002 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformWWLLL

As a fine half-century opened Marden's innings and the lads' bats followed suit, this is a straightforward creative-writing task — I'll draft the report directly.

Captain's Log — Saturday 22 June 2002. Marden CC of Kent came calling, and true to Linton Park tradition, I lost the toss with the customary lack of ceremony. They elected to bat, which on reflection may not have done them many favours.

Marden posted 171 all out in 45.1 overs, built around a fine half-century from John Furminger (51) and solid support from Richard Thomas (48). Alan Boyns was in inspired form with the ball — 3-23, including two tight maidens, was as miserly as it gets — while Mark Christmas chipped in with 3-39. Harry Karim and Matthew Blythin both departed without troubling the scorers, which we won't dwell on too unkindly.

Chasing 172, we wobbled our way to 173/8 in 43.5 overs, which is either a triumph of nerve or simply how we do things at Linton Park. I'm rather pleased to report I led from the front with 55, with Tim Thirkell also posting a fine half-century of his own (55) and Mark Christmas (32) and Mike Elworthy (22) lending sturdy support. Alan Boyns, so parsimonious with the ball, returned the favour with a duck of his own — cricket's little joke. Poor Mike also had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping eight byes, though nobody's perfect with the gloves on a Saturday.

Two wickets down to the good, two points banked, and Tim Thirkell now sits proudly atop the season's run charts. A scrappy, nerve-jangling, thoroughly typical win — and we'll take it every time.

Wed 19 Jun 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · AwayformDDDDL

Off she came to bat, no waiting for the toss to talk itself out — I called it right and never doubted the decision on a Sevenoaks & District Wednesday pitch that looked made for runs. And so it proved, up to a point: 181/9 off our full 44.2 overs, with Adrian Caddick batting through unbeaten on 42, Daniel Thirkell chipping in a fine 38 and Trevor Back 20 to keep the innings honest. Jon Harris's duck was the only stain on an otherwise respectable card.

Defending it, we found Sevenoaks in no mood to be bowled out cheaply, grinding to 179/9 off their 49 — D. Close (45), Peter Day (36) and P. King (36) doing the damage before Caddick, not content with his runs, turned his arm over for 3-30. Thirkell backed him up with 2-11, and Darren Styles bowled the tightest of tight spells, 1-10 with two maidens, the sort of bowling that doesn't get you headlines but wins you matches. Pat Reynolds departed for nought at the other end, some small consolation for our own top-order wobble.

As for the skipper, the less said the better — a golden blob, and a captain is meant to lead by example, though presumably not this particular one. Small mercies: Thirkell's brace nudged him past Frank Taylor into 24th on the club's all-time wicket list, and Caddick now sits proudly atop both our run and wicket charts for the season.

In the end, honours were shared — a draw that flattered nobody and disappointed nobody, which, in truth, is rather how these midweek fixtures ought to go.

Sun 16 Jun 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv FC Farningham CC · AwayformLLLWD

There was a moment, somewhere around the tea interval, when I began to suspect the toss had been rigged against us. Asked to bat first at Farningham, I feared the worst, but the lads had other ideas. Nigel Thirkell set about the bowling with real purpose, ground his way to a fine 86, and along the way brought up 37,000 career runs for the club — a landmark that deserves rather more than a passing mention in these pages, and got a good cheer from the boundary. Daniel Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 60, David Castle added a tidy 36, and I contributed a workmanlike 36 of my own. Poor Russell Baldwin, meanwhile, walked back for a duck, and the Duck Club ledger duly records his shame. We closed on a formidable 252/7.

Farningham fought hard in reply, Mark Allison striking a classy 63 with support from Neal Pittman and Shaun Bensley, but Matt Large was in irresistible form, snaring 3-41 and further cementing his place atop the 2002 wicket charts, with Daniel Thirkell and Paul Gibson mopping up either end. Colin Fensom departed for nought at our hands — quackers all round today. Our discipline left something to be desired, 31 wides and a no-ball handed over rather too generously, but it mattered not.

A comfortable 30-run win, then, and Nigel's runs keep flowing like the Darent. Onwards to the next fixture with heads held high.

Sat 15 Jun 2002 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLLWDL

It was Dummy Site at home, and never let it be said the fixture list doesn't test a man's imagination as much as his batting. I won the toss and, with the sort of confidence I usually reserve for pub quiz answers I'm about to get wrong, put us in.

David Castle was the story of the innings, motoring to 80 with the kind of authority that makes a captain look wise rather than lucky. Daniel Thirkell chipped in with a handy 42 and Clive Newman saw us home unbeaten on 36, the pair of them stitching together the sort of middle-order graft that doesn't always make the highlight reel but wins matches. Poor Russell Baldwin will want the scorebook burned — a golden duck to file away and forget. We closed on 189/4 from our 46, a total I was rather pleased with as we took the field.

It wasn't enough. James Creed played the innings of the day, 92 of pure defiance, well supported by Dave Prior's 33 and a useful 24 from D- Ray. Rob Doick was excellent with the ball, 3-48 and, in doing so, nudged past Tony Snell into 22nd on the club's all-time wicket list — a nice personal footnote on an otherwise chastening afternoon. John Taylor took two, and Daniel Thirkell, five maidens and all, added to a genuinely tidy display that still couldn't quite stem the tide.

Five runs the difference in the end. My own 80 was satisfying in isolation, but a captain's runs count for little when the side comes up short. Heads up, back to the nets — there's cricket still to be played this season.

Sat 15 Jun 2002 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformLWWLL

Beaten by 64 runs at Sheldwich on Saturday, but there's plenty in this one for the gazette.

Skipper's Log — Saturday 15th June, 2002. Sheldwich away, and having elected to bowl first I confess there was a moment mid-innings when I wondered if I'd made a dreadful mistake, as David Knight ground us down to an unbeaten 55, with Gary Metcalfe (33) and Simon Harwood (22) chipping in around him. Small mercies: Matt Boyce came and went without so much as a squeak, and Jon Harris was excellent with the ball, 2 for 15, well backed by Rob Jackson (1-14) and a typically frugal Trevor Back, whose three maidens told their own story even as he picked up 1 for 26. Sheldwich closed on 175 for 8 from their 46 overs — competitive, and, as it turned out, just enough.

Chasing 176, we never quite got the platform, losing an early wicket with only 5 on the board and never entirely shaking off that nervy start. Graham Walker played the innings of the day with a fine 38, Ron McCormick supporting well with 21, but 111 for 9 from our 44 overs left us 64 runs short. Richard Piper and James Vincent will be keeping their heads down after twin ducks, but the day belonged, in truth, to Alan Boyns, who brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark to be properly toasted in the bar. Beaten, but not disgraced. We'll be better for it next week.

Thu 13 Jun 2002 🧢 2nd XIv PC Plaxtol CC · AwayformWLWWL

From the captain's chair — Thursday 13 June 2002, away at Dummy Site, and for once the coin didn't even give us the courtesy of a choice: they won the toss and had us out in the field before the tea urn had warmed up.

Pettitt gave us a proper fright, 68 of good, honest craftsmanship, with Williams (35) and Sapdar (28) chipping in to help them post 190 all out from their 45 overs. Small mercies, mind: P Taylorson departed for nought at our hands, and Michael Beeney bowled like a man auditioning for a testimonial, 2-43 with five maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly. Chris Newman and Matt Coles picked up a wicket apiece to keep the scoreboard honest.

Chasing 190, we made rather a meal of the arithmetic before Russell Baldwin decided enough was enough and played the innings of the day — 91, elegant and defiant in equal measure — with John Coles (27 not out) and Adam Pooley (23) offering handy support as we cruised home on 192 for 3 with overs to spare. Though quite what Baldwin was doing behind the stumps is anyone's guess, given the 12 byes leaked on his watch.

There was history in among it all — Alan Boyns passing 400 career wickets, and Michael Beeney's brace nudging him past John Taylor into 18th on the all-time list, while Richard Piper continues to purr along nicely in 3rd in this season's Second XI run charts.

All told: a comfortable win, wrapped up by seven wickets. Not a bad day's work for the old boys.

Sun 09 Jun 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv FC Farningham CC · HomeformLLLLW

Sunday 09 June, and Farningham CC rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, thanks to a coin toss that once again refused to fall my way, the bat firmly in our hands whether we liked it or not. We did our best to make it look intentional. David Castle led from the front with a tidy 36, and I'm reliably informed I matched him run for run with 36 of my own — purely coincidental, I assure you, no captain's privilege involved. Nigel Thirkell chipped in with 35 in his usual unfussy style, and between the three of us we nudged the total along to a respectable 116/3 from 27.2 overs, the innings closing more through good sense than any great urgency.

Farningham then set about chasing it down, and to their credit, and ours, neither side could quite land the decisive blow. The match drifted to a draw, honours shared, the kind of result that pleases nobody at the bar and everybody by breakfast the next morning.

Special mention must go to Nigel, who continues his quiet march through the 2002 Sunday NVKC run charts, now sitting on 142 for the season and showing no sign of slowing down while the rest of us catch our breath.

All told, a fair afternoon's cricket: nothing won, nothing lost, tea presumably very good, and Linton Park still very much on the map. Call it a score draw for the soul.

Sat 08 Jun 2002 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformLLLWD

Skipper's log, 8 June 2002 — off to Dummy Site, and the first setback of the day arrived before a ball was bowled: lost the toss, and they had us in. No matter — the lads batted with real purpose, racking up 218/5 from our 36 overs. Daniel Thirkell was the story of the innings, striking a magnificent unbeaten 107 to anchor everything around him, with Dave Charlton (42) and David Castle (38) chipping in handsomely. I'll modestly note my own 38 down the order, purely in a supporting role, you understand.

Defending 218 always promised a tense afternoon, and so it proved. The opposition got up to 164/8 from their 35, driven by C. Breed's 38, with L. Bull (34) and J. Robins (24) keeping the required rate ticking over. Michael Beeney was the pick of our attack with 3-35, John Taylor bowled tidily for 2-44 including two maidens, and Russell Baldwin picked up 1-4. Noblett departed without troubling the scorers — a duck to warm the cockles. Spare a thought for Kevin Presneill, whose afternoon behind the stumps proved a slippery one, 9 byes going begging.

In the end, 54 runs short — a defeat that stings rather more than the target suggested it might. Still, there was real cause for cheer: Daniel Thirkell's hundred lifted him past Keith Hatcher to 18th on the club's all-time run charts, while Clive Newman (321) and Michael Beeney (18 wickets) continue to lead the 2002 charts. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sat 08 Jun 2002 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformWWLWW

Saturday 8th June saw Staplehurst CC roll into Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any captain with a stubborn streak does and stuck us in. Whether that was tactical genius or simple habit I'll leave to the committee to decide, but 114/8 from our 46 overs suggested a pitch with a few secrets of its own. Tim Thirkell top-scored with a tidy 30, and Richard Piper chipped in nicely with 20, while the rest of us did our best impressions of men fighting off a wasp with a cricket bat.

Defending 114 was always going to ask questions of the bowling, and for a long while the lads answered them beautifully. Jon Harris was simply magnificent — 4-16 with eight maidens is the sort of spell that makes tea taste sweeter, and he had Aaron Davey back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Trevor Back and James Vincent both weighed in with two apiece, and for a good stretch it looked like our modest total might just be enough. But I Pullen's 34, backed up by G Wyatt's 29 and I Gosling's 27, gradually chipped away at the lead, and Staplehurst edged home by two wickets with 117/8 from their 41.

Not our day, then — beaten by the width of a bail, and precious little else. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets: there's a season still to be won, and Tim and Jon are both proving that in spades.

Sun 02 Jun 2002 🧢 1st XIv FC Fordcombe CC · AwayformWLLLW

We won the toss— sorry, lost it — and were sent in to field, which on a warm Sunday at Fordcombe always feels like the away side doing you a small favour before ruining your afternoon. Fordcombe ground their way to 166/8 off 46 overs, Colm Perry (31) and Hamish Anderson (27) the chief architects, though Bob Howard came and went for nought, presumably to file his excuse before lunch. Michael Beeney was in imperious form — 3-22 with four maidens, not so much bowling as landlord's terms — well supported by Jon Harris (3-32) and Matthew Carter (1-40). A tidy morning's graft in the field, and one to note in the club annals: those three wickets nudged Beeney past Ron Hickman into 19th on the all-time list, which I'm reliably told calls for a small sherry.

Chasing 167, we replied with 145/5 from our 38, never quite in danger but never quite home either. Trevor Back top-scored with a fine 38, Stuart Cheesman (33) and Fred Cheesman (26) lending sturdy support, while poor Adam Pooley spent the afternoon chasing leather behind the stumps to the tune of 16 byes — a keeper's lot, forever unglamorous. I allowed myself a quiet grin at 3 wickets with the ball, captain's privilege.

So honours shared, a draw manufactured by two sides equally unwilling to lose. Stuart continues his fine season, now 4th in our run charts, and Michael sits proudly atop the wicket pile with 15. All told, a thoroughly English afternoon — plenty done, nothing settled, and everyone home in time for tea.

Sat 01 Jun 2002 🧢 1st XIv HC Horsmonden CC · HomeformWWLLL

As we hosted Horsmonden on a fine Saturday, I lost the toss – no great surprise there, my coin-calling remains as reliable as the Test selectors' – and duly found myself watching from the boundary as they put us in.

Not that it mattered a jot. Clive Newman batted with real class, carrying his bat all the way to 96 not out, and had fine company from David Castle (38) and Nigel Thirkell (25), while even our extras column pitched in a generous 27 to help us to a commanding 198/3 from our 46 overs.

Defending that kind of total is always the pleasant half of the job, and so it proved. Horsmonden battled to 123/5 from their 44, with Tom Reynolds (33) and Mick Winner (32) doing the bulk of the resisting, but poor Stephen Brown will want to forget his afternoon entirely, back in the hutch without so much as a single to his name. Darren Styles was the chief destroyer, a superb 3-17 including three miserly maidens, with Michael Beeney (1-11) and Stuart Cheesman (1-20) chipping away either end. I even managed to get among the runs myself with 38 – don't let it go to my head.

A word of quiet pride: Clive's 96 nudges him past Basil Sears into 9th on the club's all-time run charts, and he now leads our 2002 run-scoring with 319, with Darren top of the wicket pile on 12. A fine win by 75 runs, and one to savour. Onwards.

Sat 01 Jun 2002 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horsmonden CC · AwayformLWWLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 1 June 2002. The road took us to Horsmonden CC, and having called correctly for once in my life, I saw no earthly reason to do anything but bat.

It proved the right call, in the end, though there were moments of anxiety along the way. Graham Walker played the innings of the day, 78 well past his fifty and the sort of knock that makes the rest of us look faintly ridiculous by comparison. Trevor Back chipped in with a tidy 26, while poor Matthew Carter and Rob Jackson were both back in the pavilion for golden ducks before their legs had properly warmed up — these things happen, and no doubt the tea urn heard about it. All told, 159/8 from our 46 overs felt like a competitive total, if not quite an unassailable one.

With ball in hand, we were rampant. Horsmonden never got going, folding for 91 in just 29.3 overs, with Nicholas Fairrie and C Insley both departing without troubling the scorers. Jon Harris was magnificent, 3-19 and thoroughly deserving his place second in the season's wicket charts, with Dave Todd (2-4) and Rob Jackson (2-25) mopping up admirably around him.

A 68-run victory, then, and Graham Walker continues to top our run charts with 134 for the season. A thoroughly good day for the club — and, dare I say, a fairly comfortable one for the captain.

Sun 26 May 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv FC Falconhurst CC · HomeformWLLLL

Sunday 26th May 2002, and Falconhurst CC rolled into Linton Park with the sun out and, no doubt, expectations of a decent afternoon's sport. I won the toss and, with barely a flicker of thought, stuck them in — a decision that, for once, I shall allow myself a small pat on the back for.

The lads in the field were in fine fettle. Falconhurst crawled to 146/8 from their forty overs, W Bellamy top-scoring with 46 and A Irens chipping in 21, but the rest never quite got going — D Irens departed without troubling the scorers at all. John Taylor was the chief tormentor, 2-22 with two miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, while Rob Doick (2-26) and Daniel Thirkell (1-25) kept the runs honest throughout.

Chasing 147, we barely broke sweat. Russell Baldwin batted like a man with somewhere better to be, 80 not out and an absolute joy to watch from the other end, with Daniel Thirkell an admirably composed 35 not out alongside him. I contributed a workmanlike 17 before making way, and we cantered home in 29.4 overs for the loss of a single wicket.

A nine-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one — Baldwin now sits proudly atop the Sunday run charts, and Matt Large leads the wickets, so the season's shaping up nicely. Onwards indeed.

Sat 25 May 2002 🧢 1st XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformLWWLL

Saturday 25th May, away at Dummy Site, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they won the toss and stuck us in the field. No complaints from me; sometimes you just have to get on with it.

And get on with it we did. Darren Styles was in a mood all afternoon, twirling away to figures of 6-67 and leaving their middle order in knots. James Vincent bowled with the sort of miserly discipline that makes captains purr — five maidens and 1-20 — while Michael Beeney chipped in with 1-23. Jeremy Chapman (39), S. Haugh (35) and Dave Latter (33) dragged them to 170/9 off 45.5 overs, though R. Feltham and S. Dawson never got off the mark, poor souls.

Chasing 171, I'll confess to rather enjoying myself, carrying on to 78 not out while Clive Newman played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 59 — the sort of innings that doesn't just win matches but writes itself into the record books, as Clive now finds himself 10th on the club's all-time run charts, leapfrogging John Ames in the process. With 25 useful extras thrown in for good measure, we cruised home 174/1 in just 36.3 overs, wrapping things up with overs and wickets to spare.

A thoroughly satisfying day out from a captain's chair I was rather pleased to occupy so productively. Russell Baldwin continues to lead our run charts this season and Michael Beeney sits second among the wicket-takers — the squad is in good heart, and long may it continue.

Sat 25 May 2002 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformDLWWL

Saturday 25 May 2002, and Rumwood CC came calling. I won the toss and, with what I like to think was captain's instinct rather than sheer bloody-mindedness, put us in the field.

It looked, for a while, a shrewd move gone slightly wrong, as Rod Bailey and Brian Aiston shared a pair of well-made fifties — 59 and 56 respectively — to steer the visitors to 159/4 off their 46 overs. But the bowlers kept us in the contest throughout: Trevor Back was miserly and menacing in equal measure, leading the attack with 1-17 and two maidens, while Jon Harris (1-26) and Dave Todd (1-46) chipped away dutifully around him. A target of 160 felt eminently gettable, and so it proved to be.

With the bat, Brian Piper played the innings of the day, 53 not out of proper substance, with Richard Piper's 25 lending sturdy support as we crept to 162/7 in 42.1 overs. The extras column did its bit too, 26 wides and no-balls contributing more than most of the top order. Less gloriously, Simon Thirkell's duck goes down in the Duck Club ledger for posterity — the walk of shame, immortalised in ink.

A word for the season charts: Tim Thirkell continues to lead the 2nd XI run-scoring with 93, and Jon Harris now sits third in the wicket-takers with four.

Two points, a three-wicket win, and a Saturday well spent. Thoroughly earned, and I'll take it.

Sun 19 May 2002 🧢 1st XIv MC Margate CC · AwayformWLWWL

Sunday 19 May 2002, away at Dummy Site, and the coin did us no favours whatsoever — they called correctly, took first knock, and left us to trudge out into the field wondering what we'd done to upset the cricketing gods this early in the season.

As it turned out, not much went wrong with the ball. Michael Beeney was in imperious form, tearing through their order with 3 for 2 off his allocation and tying up an end with three maidens for good measure — the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen muttering into their gloves. Rob Jackson (2-16) and Adam Jackson (2-19) chipped in dutifully, and between the lot of them we had the opposition bowled out for a distinctly modest 84 in 31 overs. A fine morning's work, and for a while there it looked like we might stroll it.

Cricket, being cricket, doesn't do "stroll." Chasing 85, we laboured our way to 85 for 4 off 35 overs — considerably more overs than the target strictly demanded — with Russell Baldwin's 23 the backbone of the innings and Richard Piper unbeaten on 23 seeing us... well, not quite home. Somehow we contrived to lose by 5 wickets with the target in sight, which takes a special sort of talent.

Baldwin continues to lead the run charts with 219 for the season, and Adam Jackson tops the wickets with 12 — small mercies amid the wreckage. Bowled them out for 84 and still lost: only in club cricket. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 18 May 2002 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDWLWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 18 May 2002. We hosted Bearsted CC, lost the toss, and were promptly invited to bat, which on a ground where the tea urn is more reliable than our top order always makes for interesting theatre.

It started badly and improved only slightly. Six for one had the look of a familiar horror before David Castle settled things with a fine 67, well supported by Kevin Presneill's 36 and Mike Elworthy's unbeaten 21, the pair adding a crucial 50 for the fifth wicket to give the innings some shape. Poor Michael Beeney contributed nought to the cause with the bat — 🦆 — though he'd more than make amends later. We closed on 143 for 7 from our 46 overs, a total that felt more like a starting point than a fortress.

And so it proved. Bearsted's openers put on 74 before the first fell, and from there Richard Luxton (63 not out) and Stephen Pearce (36 not out) eased them home, with Stephen Heap's 30 having laid useful groundwork. John Taylor toiled manfully — 2 for 40 with three tight maidens — and Michael Beeney chipped in with 1 for 27, but 145 for 3 in 38.2 overs told its own story.

Beaten by seven wickets, then, with Russell Baldwin still topping our run charts and Beeney lurking second among the wicket-takers despite his golden duck. We'll be better for it next week — we usually are, eventually.

Sat 18 May 2002 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWDLWW

Saturday 18 May 2002, and off we trundled to Bearsted CC with the sun out and hope, as ever, springing eternal. We lost the toss — no change there — and were put in to bat, which on reflection they may have rather enjoyed doing.

It did not go well. 78 for 9 from our 46 overs tells its own sorry tale, but the real horror lay in the detail: 32 for 3 became 34 for 6 with the kind of speed usually reserved for last orders at the bar. Richard Piper, Trevor Back and Simon Thirkell all took the long walk back for ducks, and the Duck Club ledger groans under the weight of new entries. Not our finest half-hour with the willow.

Somehow, defending 78 never quite felt as absurd as it should have. Bearsted stumbled to 5 for 1 early on — Tim Lush among our victims for nought, so at least the ducks weren't only ours — before Jason Preston-Reeves settled in for an unbeaten 30 to see them home at 83 for 5. James Vincent was magnificent throughout, 4 for 37 including four maidens, ably supported by Matthew Carter's 1 for 8, and between them they made Bearsted work harder than the scoreline suggests.

Tim Thirkell continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts with 80, and James Vincent sits second in the wickets with 5 — some consolation on an otherwise chastening afternoon. Beaten by five wickets, then. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 12 May 2002 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformWL

Away at Eynsford on the 12th of May, I won the toss and took the unusual step of actually knowing what I was doing — we fielded first. Eynsford battled to 110 all out in 45.3 overs, David Crawley (46 not out) doing the heavy lifting with Eric Linsell (34) keeping him company, while L Stacey, Gardner-Browne and Andy Claxton trooped back without so much as a run to their name. Jon Harris was magnificent with the ball, 4-39 to lead the attack, Fred Cheesman chipped in with 2-7, James Vincent 1-4, and Darren Styles simply refused to be scored off, four maidens to his name.

Chasing 111, we made harder work of it than perhaps we should — 111/6 from our 40 overs — but Fred Cheesman played the innings of the day, 57 to see us home, while poor Rob Jackson made his contribution in the form of a golden duck, for which he has my sympathy and nothing else. I even managed four wickets myself earlier in the day, which I mention here only because nobody else will.

Fred now leads our Sunday 2nd XI run charts for the season, Jon Harris tops the wickets — a proper team effort, then, dressed up as two men's personal glory. Two points, a four-wicket win, and a thoroughly deserved one at that. Not pretty, but then neither am I, and we both got the job done.

Sun 12 May 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv ? · HomeformLWLLL

Sunday 12th May, 2002, and a rare treat for those of us who like our afternoons long and our teas longer: a home fixture bathed in whatever passes for spring sunshine in these parts, and a genuine humdinger to boot.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first felt like the right call at the time, though R. Moxon rather made a mockery of our confidence, compiling a magnificent unbeaten 120 that had the boundary boards rattling more than the committee would like. With S. Burnop chipping in 33 and G. Rawson an unbeaten 24, the visitors declared themselves at a hefty 247/5 from their forty overs. Credit where due — Nigel Thirkell was miserly and menacing in equal measure, returning 3-20 with three maidens to show for his afternoon's toil, while Rob Doick chipped away for 2-59.

Chasing 248 looked a tall order over tea, but this is where club cricket does what it does best — refuses to read the script. Paul Gibson played the innings of the day, a wonderfully composed 97, while Nigel Thirkell followed his bowling heroics with 54 of the bat, and Rob Doick struck an unbeaten 52. I'll confess to allowing myself a quiet moment of pride leading from the front with 54, and finding some late rhythm with ball in hand for three wickets besides — a rare day when the old legs cooperated at both ends.

In the end we fell four wickets short, 249/6 simply not quite enough. A gallant effort, a match that deserved a bigger crowd, and — with Thirkell now sitting proudly atop the run charts and handily placed among the wickets — plenty to be cheerful about. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 11 May 2002 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWDWLW

Saturday 11 May 2002 saw us take the road to West Farleigh CC, and having called correctly at the toss I did what any captain with a decent forecast and a suspiciously flat-looking track does — I stuck us in. Whether it was sound judgement or blind optimism, the lads made it look the former. Nigel Thirkell led the charge with a fine 49, Rob Doick kept his composure to finish unbeaten on 33, and Russell Baldwin chipped in a tidy 24, steering us to 197/7 from our 46 overs — a total that felt like runs in the bank rather than mere runs on a board.

Defending it, though, was where the real fun started. West Farleigh never got going, subsiding to 79 all out in 41.1 overs, with only Paul Taylor's 22 offering any resistance. P- Cruz and P- Brickwood both departed without so much as troubling the scorers — quacking their way back to the pavilion. The destruction was largely down to Matt Large, whose 3-13 (five maidens, no less — not a run given away lightly) set the tone, backed up superbly by Adam Jackson's 3-14 and Michael Beeney's miserly 2-3. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction with my own 49 with the bat, though the bowlers thoroughly stole my thunder.

With Russell Baldwin now topping the season's run charts on 195 and Adam Jackson leading the wickets with 10, the side is purring nicely. A comfortable 118-run victory, and two points thoroughly, gloriously earned.

Sat 11 May 2002 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformLWDLW

Graham Walker's half-century sends West Farleigh packing at Linton Park

Saturday last, and West Farleigh CC rolled up the drive with the sun out and, rather unkindly, the coin against us — they had first say and elected to field, leaving us to bat first on what I'm reliably informed was a decent track.

I needn't have worried. Graham Walker played the innings of the day, a really fine half-century of 52 that set the tone, with Richard Piper chipping in a handy 31 alongside him. Even our extras column pulled its weight, contributing a generous 39 — not the prettiest runs on the board, but they count all the same. We closed on 181/6 from our 46 overs, a total that felt like it might just be enough, though you never quite know until the tea urn's been drained and the pads are back on.

As it turned out, we needn't have fretted. John Taylor was magnificent with the ball, ripping through with 4-12, while Darren Styles bowled with monastic discipline — 3-4 from his allocation, seven of his overs maidens, which is the sort of spell that makes a captain's job embarrassingly easy. Dave Todd chipped in with 3-30, and poor Lee Mellor departed for a duck. David Crouch's 29 was the lone bright spot for the visitors as they folded for 104 in 38.3 overs.

A 77-run win, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — the sort of afternoon that makes the teas taste that bit sweeter.

Sun 05 May 2002 🧢 1st XIv WC Willesborough CC · AwayformLWDWL

We won by 54 runs at Willesborough on Sunday, chasing down nothing and defending everything, in the finest tradition of a side that would rather bat first and sweat later. The toss went against us and Willesborough sent us in, which on another day might have been a trap; instead we walked out to 195 for 8 off 46.5 overs, built on the sort of top-order graft that makes a captain's job embarrassingly easy. David Castle led from the front with a well-made 59, Russell Baldwin matched him almost run for run with a fine 58, and Clive Newman chipped in a useful 36. Only poor Matthew Carter had a day to forget, dismissed without troubling the scorers — these things happen to the best of us, and he took the ribbing with good grace.

Defending 195 is never a formality, and Willesborough had their say through G- White's battling 61 and a- Pieris's 21, but the damage was done at the other end. Adam Jackson bowled beautifully for 3 for 14, including two maidens that strangled the run rate when it mattered, with David Castle (2-30) and Michael Beeney (2-35) mopping up either side. Willesborough folded to 141 for 9.

It was a red-letter day off the field too — Steve Cheesman brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours, and Michael Beeney sailed past 300 career wickets, milestones that put the result rather nicely in the shade. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one the lads will be dining out on for weeks.

Sat 04 May 2002 🧢 2nd XIv BC Borden CC · AwayformWLWDL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 04 May 2002. The road took us to Borden CC, and after calling correctly at the toss there was never any doubt in my mind: on we went to bat, and a fine decision it turned out to be.

We posted a healthy 171/7 from our 36 overs, built on a proper platform by Mike Elworthy (42) and Kevin Presneill (42), with James Vincent unbeaten on 29 to see us home to a total we could be proud of. Not everyone's afternoon went to plan, mind — poor Christopher Thirkell will be quietly binning the scorebook after a duck.

If batting was good, what followed with the ball was something rather special. Borden were bowled out for a threadbare 32 in 29.1 overs, undone chiefly by John Taylor, who span a web through their order for the frankly ridiculous figures of 5-8. Jon Harris (2-7) and Christopher Thirkell (1-0) — some redemption there — chipped in handsomely, while Darren Styles strangled the life out of proceedings with eight maidens. Philip Boyce and Kevin Jacques both departed for ducks of their own, which rather evens the ledger with poor Thirkell.

A landmark day too, as John Taylor brought up 100 career wickets — a thoroughly deserved milestone for a man now leading our 2002 2nd XI wicket charts with 7, while Simon Thirkell tops the run charts with 68.

Verdict: a 139-run thumping, two points banked, and about as complete a team performance as this captain could wish to write up.

Sun 28 Apr 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv ? · AwayformLLWLL

Sunday 28 April 2002, and off we went, unaware of quite what lay in wait for us. Winning the toss and choosing to bat felt like the right call at the time — and for a good while it looked it, too. Nigel Thirkell led the way with a well-crafted 53, batting with the sort of composure the rest of us can only aspire to, backed up nicely by Russell Baldwin's 38 and Clive Newman's 28. We closed on 154/7 from our forty overs, a total that felt like it had enough about it to trouble anyone.

As it turned out, it didn't quite trouble them enough. Their reply was built around an unbeaten 43 from a-Thompson, who simply refused to budge, while wickets fell around him steadily enough without ever coming quickly. Matt Large was the pick of our bowlers by some distance, snaring 3-10, with Michael Beeney chipping in (1-17) and Darren Styles bowling three tight maidens to keep the scoreboard honest. They reached 96/4 from their 29 overs and, in the end, that was that — beaten by 58 runs.

A personal 53 was pleasing enough on a difficult afternoon, and it was rather lovely to see Russell Baldwin bring up 2,000 career runs for the club along the way — some achievement, that. Nigel and Matt both sit atop the early-season charts, which is something to build on. Not our day, all told. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 27 Apr 2002 🧢 2nd XIv NC New Ash Green CC · AwayformDWLWD

Beaten before we'd started, really — losing the toss at New Ash Green and being put in to field on a shirtfront is not how any captain wants his Saturday to begin. Andy Mayers, though, made sure it was memorable for entirely the wrong reasons: an unbeaten century that we simply had no answer to, well supported by Alex Payne's 33 and Vic Mayers' 26 not out as they racked up 217 for 3 from their forty overs. John Taylor toiled manfully for his two wickets at no small cost, Jon Harris chipped in with one of his own, and honourable mention must go to Alan Boyns, who at least had the decency to bowl two maidens amid the carnage.

Chasing 218 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved, though not without pride intact. I was rather pleased to lead from the front with 52, while Tim Thirkell matched me stroke for stroke with a fine fifty of his own and Simon Thirkell's 48 kept the innings ticking nicely. Poor Richard Piper, alas, will want to forget his contribution entirely — a golden duck to file alongside the rest of the season's bloopers. We closed on 160 for 7, beaten by 57 runs.

A soft defeat, then, but not a shameful one. Tim leads our run charts and John our wicket charts as the season takes shape, and there's enough here to suggest the lads have more to give. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 21 Apr 2002 🧢 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformDLWDW

Sunday 21 April 2002, and Clarion CC came calling. Won the toss, elected to bat — I still maintain it was the right call, whatever the scorecard suggests by close.

We limped to 134/9 off 48.3 overs, which flattered us slightly. Russell Baldwin was the class act, a stylish 59 that carried the innings almost single-handed, with Clive Newman (26) and Christopher Thirkell (21) chipping in gamely around him. Below that, things went rather quiet — Adam Pooley, J Ferguson and Michael Beeney each contributed a golden duck apiece, three ducks in a row being the sort of thing one laughs about in the bar and not before.

In the field we made a proper fist of it. Clarion crept to 138/5 off 33.5, Richard Hilson leading them with 37, well supported by J Elks and P Elsden with 24 apiece. Darren Styles was superb, 2-35 with three maidens — not a run given away lightly — and found good company in Jon Harris (2-46) and Michael Beeney (1-51), the latter making amends nicely with the ball after his blob with the bat.

Season-wise, Russell Baldwin sits proudly atop the 1st XI run charts with 113, and Jon Harris leads the wickets with 3 — early days, but heartening signs.

In the end, five wickets the wrong way. Not our day, lads — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 20 Apr 2002 🧢 1st XIv SC Sidcup CC · HomeformWDLWD

Saturday 20 April 2002 — and Sidcup CC arrived to find us losing the toss, which, as ever, was the only thing that went against us all day.

Put in to field, we made light work of it. Tom Gittings ran through the middle order with a tidy 2-23, Adam Jackson chipped in with 2-31, and Michael Beeney kept things honest with 1-16, while Rob Doick bowled with the sort of miserly discipline (three maidens) that makes a captain's job dangerously easy. Sidcup had made a bright start of it, John Wilson (39) and company putting on 73 for the first wicket before Phil Robinson (34) and Matthew Harris (31) tried to build on it, but 194/7 from their 47.1 overs always felt a touch short on a good morning for bowling.

Chasing it, we barely broke sweat. Kevin Presneill played the innings of the season so far, an unbeaten 86 that had the tea urn boiling early, with Russell Baldwin (54) providing a fine supporting fifty and Nigel Thirkell finishing unbeaten on 47. I managed a workmanlike 47 of my own, mostly by standing at the other end admiring the view. We cantered home on 198/1 from just 30 overs, a nine-wicket victory that flattered nobody but pleased everybody.

A thoroughly good day for the club — the sort where the tea is remembered as fondly as the cricket, and where, for once, I can put my feet up and say the lads did all the hard work for me.