🧢 Captain's Log

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

Under leaden Kentish skies I won the toss and, with my usual reckless optimism, chose to bat first. It proved, for once, the correct decision. We posted a healthy 188/6 from our forty overs, built around a well-made fifty from yours truly (66) and handsomely supported by Clive Newman's fine 65. Not every innings sparkled — poor Rob Jackson trudged back for a duck, and I'll be buying him a consolatory pint for that one — but the total gave us something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did, though Bidborough had other ideas. R. Warner played the innings of the day, a fine half-century of 58, ably backed by G. Gask (29) and Gary Thorne (28), and between them they chased our total down with something to spare. It wasn't for want of effort in the field: Rob Jackson atoned handsomely with 2-15 to lead the attack, Jon Harris and Darren Styles chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Mark Christmas bowled with real discipline, sending down two maidens. In the end, though, Bidborough's batsmen simply had the better of us, closing out victory by four wickets with overs to spare.

A losing afternoon, then, but not a dispiriting one — there was plenty to admire in both our batting and our bowling, even if the sums didn't quite add up. We'll dust ourselves down, and we'll be better for it next week.

Wed 25 Sep 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv P Penshurst · AwayformDLWLW

Jon Harris again, and this time I get to write the good sort of report. Wednesday saw us travel to Penshurst, and having called correctly for once in my life, I stuck us in — a decision that looked considerably more inspired by close of play than it did at the toss. Michael Beeney set about proving why he's worth his corn with a classy 71, and with Craig Sands unbeaten on 45 and Trevor Back chipping in 32, we posted a healthy 217/7 from our forty overs. Less said the better about Mike Elworthy and Mark Christmas, who both trudged back for ducks — the Duck Club ledger groans under the weight of them, but such is village cricket.

With the ball, Penshurst's Connelly made a fight of it with 49, well supported by Mitchell (40) and Exton (30), but they could only manage 203/8 in reply. Mark Christmas atoned handsomely for his batting sins with a superb 3-38, backed up nicely by Back (1-20) and Beeney (1-24), and I was pleased enough with my own small part in proceedings to mention it just the once and move swiftly on.

A special mention, too, for Michael Beeney, who brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth raising a glass to. Back now sits second in the season's run charts, with Christmas second among the wicket-takers, and both look set to climb further yet.

A fine win by 14 runs. Onwards.

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

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 · AwayformWWWLW

Saturday, 21 September 2002 saw us make the trip to Elliotts CC, and losing the toss meant an afternoon in the field to open proceedings — hardly the worst sentence on a fine day, though the lads might disagree by the fortieth over. Elliotts battled to 129 all out in 48.2 overs, Dave Gracey top-scoring with 26 and Mark Jasper chipping in with 21, but there was little to trouble the scoreboard beyond that. Russell Baldwin was superb with the ball, 3-18, while Michael Beeney kept things miserly throughout with 3-20 and five maidens to his name — not a run given away lightly, as they say. I managed 1-12 myself, happy enough to play a supporting role, and both Dan Buckle and Cliff Pegg departed without troubling the scorers.

A target of 130 should never feel testing, and yet chasing it took us 34 overs and the loss of five wickets before we got there. I was fortunate enough to bat through and finish 42 not out, with Mike Redman a fine ally at the other end on 35 not out — between us we saw the side home, though Mike Elworthy and Russell Baldwin will want no reminder of their ducks with the bat. A generous 26 extras did no harm at all, while poor Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps, coughing up eight byes for his troubles.

A scrappy, occasionally comic, but thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Four wickets to the good, and the run chase safely negotiated — I'll take that every week of the season.

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

Lost the toss on a fine Sunday afternoon, watched Old Owens elect to bat, and settled in for what looked like a long stint in the field. It rather was. Zuber gave us a proper going-over, a magnificent 102 that had the lads chasing leather for long spells, with D. Nagarajo (38 not out) and J. Foley (34) chipping in to help the visitors post 222/4 from their 38 overs. We had our moments with the ball, mind — Stuart Cheesman was pick of the attack with 2-32, I managed to chip in with 2-37 myself, and Ian Brattle bowled a tidy, miserly spell including two maidens to keep things honest.

Two hundred and twenty-two looked a stiff enough target, but nobody told Russell Baldwin and Clive Newman. What followed was as ruthless a run chase as you could wish to see from the skipper's chair — Baldwin simply majestic on his way to 127 not out, Newman right alongside him with a classy 83 not out, and the pair knocked the target off without so much as a hint of alarm, 225/0 in just 29 overs.

Newman, incidentally, now sits proudly atop our 2002 run charts with 798 for the season, and I'm not too far behind the wicket-takers myself with 25. But today was Baldwin and Newman's day, and ours as a side. Two points, ten wickets in hand, and Old Owens sent home wondering what hit them. A thoroughly good afternoon's cricket.

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

Saturday 14 September saw Borden CC visit for what I'd hoped might be the last home win of the season, and having called correctly I had no hesitation putting us in — a decision that, for once, I shan't be quietly walking back on the drive home.

Clive Newman made the toast rack of a decision look positively inspired, striking a magnificent, unbeaten-in-all-but-name century of 106 that carried us to 215 for 4 from our 40 overs. Trevor Back chipped in handsomely with 38, and I was rather chuffed to see my own contribution of 22 not out help the middle order tick along nicely — the pair of us adding a stand of 94 for the third wicket that put real daylight between us and anything Borden might have fancied chasing.

Defending it, we set about our work with more discipline than usual. Peter Bimson departed for a golden duck, which felt like early justice, though Peter Noakes (30 not out) and David Hollands (25) dug in gamely to keep Borden interested longer than we'd have liked. Trevor Back, not content with his runs, turned his arm over for 2 for 10, Jon Harris picked up 2 for 29, and Mark Christmas bowled tidily for 1 for 13 including three maidens — not a run given away lightly. Borden closed on 124 for 7 from their 47, unable to force the win their overs suggested they were chasing.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Not the result the scorecard perhaps deserved, but an honest afternoon's cricket, and I'll take that.

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

Skipper's Log — Saturday 14 September 2002

The coin did us a favour for once, landing the right way up, and I had few qualms about batting first on a pitch that looked fit to reward some patience. Kevin Presneill certainly took the hint, motoring past his fifty on the way to a splendid 71 and giving the innings the sort of backbone it badly needed. I chipped in with 36 and Craig Sands added a tidy 22, and between us we nudged the total along to a respectable 188 for 6 from our forty overs — not a mountain, but a fair hill to defend.

Whitstable, however, had other ideas. Joe Denly played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 60 that never looked remotely troubled, and he had willing company in a- Bennett (43) and J- Clark (36) as the home side simply out-batted us. Our bowlers scrapped manfully — Russell Baldwin the pick with 1 for 22, Rob Jackson and Michael Beeney chipping in with a wicket apiece — but 190 for 4 in 38 overs told its own story, and we were beaten by six wickets with the light still good and our heads a little bowed.

As the season rumbles on, Daniel Thirkell continues to churn out runs for fun, second in the first XI's charts with 700, while Michael Beeney leads the wicket-takers with 31 — proof there's plenty of quality about, even on days like this. We were second best from ball one at Whitstable, fair and square, but there's no shame in it, only lessons. We'll be better for it next week.

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

Won the toss on a fine Saturday against Mersham and had no hesitation electing to bat — the sort of decision that looks a great deal wiser in hindsight than it felt at the time. Daniel Thirkell set about the bowling in magnificent fashion, farming three figures with a serene 101 not out, while I was fortunate enough to find some form of my own alongside him, easing to 95 not out as we piled up 206 for the loss of a single wicket from our 36 overs. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon at the crease, and one I shall allow myself to enjoy for rather longer than is strictly becoming.

With that total in the bank, the bowling attack simply had to turn up, and turn up it did. Mersham never got close, restricted to 115 for 6 from their 35 overs despite a spirited 42 from K. Brown. Russell Baldwin led from the front with 1 for 2, Kevin Presneill chipped in with 1 for 8, and Mark Christmas was miserliness personified, conceding just 14 for his wicket with three maidens to boot.

Special mention must go to Russell Baldwin, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark earned the hard way, over many a season. Michael Beeney's solitary wicket was itself historic, easing him past Terry Donovan into 17th on the club's all-time list, and he continues to lead our 2002 wicket charts with 30, with Daniel Thirkell second in the run charts on 684.

We ran out winners by 91 runs. A very good day for the club indeed.

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

Sunday last saw us make the long haul down to Beacon CC in Cornwall, and I'll admit I fancied our chances the moment I won the toss. I had no hesitation in batting first — the pitch looked a shade too good to leave for later, and a total on the board always settles the nerves more than it unsettles the opposition's.

We laboured a touch to 150 for 9 off our forty, though "laboured" undersells some of the strokeplay along the way. I was fortunate enough to find some form and get among the runs myself with 58, and I had good company: Stuart Cheesman chipped in a tidy 31 and Stewart Morrison a brisk 20. Nine down felt a little scratchy at the death, but 150 always looked a defendable score on that surface, and so it proved.

Beacon's reply never quite got away from us. Karl Turner threatened to bat us out of it with a fine 44, but Darren Hearley's golden duck set the tone for what became a proper collapse around him. Stuart Cheesman — clearly not content with runs alone — ran through the middle order with 3 for 33, while Darren Styles bowled with real discipline for 2 for 14 and four maidens, and Daniel Thirkell chipped in 2 for 32. They fell for 146, four agonising runs short, off 39.5 overs.

A word too for Stuart Cheesman, who brought up 4,000 career runs for the club — a landmark achieved, fittingly, on a winning afternoon. A tense finish, a fair few nerves in the field, but a thoroughly deserved victory: this was a good day for the club, and one we'll happily bank.

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

Saturday 31 August 2002, and we welcomed East Sutton CC to Linton Park for what promised to be a proper tussle. Winning the toss and choosing to bat, I can't pretend our progress was rapid, but 169 for 7 off 41 overs was a serviceable platform, built chiefly on Matthew Carter's watchful, well-constructed fifty — unbeaten at the close of the innings, no less. Craig Sands chipped in with 24 and Richard Piper 22, while our extras column ran to a distinctly generous 30, which I shall claim as evidence of disciplined running between the wickets rather than anything East Sutton's bowlers might say about their line.

Defending it, we made East Sutton work hard, and for a good while it looked our day. Richard Bradstock led their reply with 36, well supported by Paul Oliver's 31 and Darren Thompson's unbeaten 30, but it was Trevor Back who gave us real hope, prising out two for 30, backed up by Jon Harris (2-46), Rob Jackson (1-18), and Michael Beeney bowling four tidy maidens to choke the run rate when it mattered. I contributed my own small part with bat and ball along the way, part of a season in which I currently sit second in the 2nd XI run charts on 341, with Jon Harris top of the wicket pile on 23.

Alas, their last pair had other ideas, ferreting out an unwanted 49 runs between them to sneak home by four wickets. Not our day, then — heads up, and back to the nets.

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

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 · AwayformLWLWW

Skipper's Log — Thursday 29 August 2002. Falmouth away.

Won the toss and, with the sun out and the square looking true, I fancied runs first and put us in. It turned into one of those days where the scoreboard flatters nobody: 152 all out in 40 overs, built mainly on Stewart Morrison's typically watchful 34 and Rob Doick's 27, with Christopher Thirkell unbeaten on 20 to give the tail something to hide behind. Mark Christmas and Simon Thirkell both trudged off for ducks — the Duck Club ledger groaning under the weight of two more entries. Not our finest hour with the willow, but not disastrous either.

With the ball, though, we were a different animal. Falmouth got to 143 for 6 from their 40, Stefan Churcher top-scoring with 36 and Antony Angove unbeaten on 31, Brett Andrew chipping in 26, but they never quite broke free of us. Rob Doick was magnificent — 3 for 29 with four maidens, bowling with the kind of miserly discipline that strangles an innings rather than blows it away — backed superbly by Ryan Boyns (2-25) and Mark Christmas (1-11). Poor Steve Cheesman had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes going walkabout, but he'll take the nine-run win over a clean sheet any day.

A word, too, for Simon Thirkell, who brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours — duck notwithstanding, that's a landmark worth raising a glass to. I chipped in with the bat myself, nothing to trouble the record books, but every run counted in the end.

Verdict: scrappy with the bat, superb with the ball, and a nine-run win to show for it. I'll take that every week of the season.

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

I write the toss went against us; then we bowled, they set 184, we chased it down for the loss of two wickets. Here's the report.

The toss went against us at Truro on Wednesday, and their captain, sensing rain that never came, chose to bat. No matter — we've learned to make our peace with the field on days like this, and the lads set about their work with more patience than I sometimes manage from the boundary.

Truro's innings ran to 184 for 8 off their 45, built largely around a fine 70 from J- Bose, with J- Bridger chipping in 36 alongside him. We did at least manage to send a- Hazeldine back for a duck, which felt like a small mercy at the time. With the ball, Mark Christmas was superb, hurrying through the middle order for 3-35, with Darren Styles (2-31) and Fred Cheesman (2-36) keeping the pressure on throughout. Rob Doick, meanwhile, bowled two maidens of the sort that make batsmen mutter to themselves — proof that not every good spell needs a wicket to show for it.

Chasing 185, we made light work of it, romping home on 187 for 2 in just 33.2 overs. Rob Doick backed up his bowling with a fine 77, Stewart Morrison played beautifully for 68 — a knock that, pleasingly, also nudged him past Jim Hall into 18th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — and Daniel Thirkell saw us home unbeaten on 23. I managed to contribute a little with the ball earlier on, which I'll take gladly.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved. A day when everything just clicked — the sort you wish you could bottle for the leaner weeks ahead.

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

Tuesday 27 August 2002 took us to Helston CC, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation whatsoever in electing to bat — a decision that would prove rather sound.

Stewart Morrison set about the Helston bowling with real intent, cruising to a superb 128, while I was happy to play my part with 82 not out, and rather chuffed to learn afterwards that the innings had carried me past 20,000 career runs for the club — the sort of number that makes a man feel simultaneously proud and extremely old. Mark Christmas finished unbeaten on 31 as we posted 262 for 1 from our forty overs, a total that had the Helston lads looking distinctly queasy over the tea urn.

And so it proved. Ryan Boyns was magnificent with the ball, 3 for 9, backed superbly by Fred Cheesman's 3 for 13 and Rob Doick's 1 for 12, as Helston's innings folded for 98 in just 17.2 overs — S Pollard's defiant 34 and J Ludlam's 24 the only real resistance, with G Perry, X Sidney and D Bradford all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Elsewhere, Darren Styles's solitary wicket quietly nudged him past Dave Todd into 15th on the club's all-time list — history made almost in passing.

A 164-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day at the office. We'll take that all season long.

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

Sunday last took us down to Tenterden, and losing the toss turned out to be no bad thing at all, as we were asked to bowl first and duly discovered the ball was doing rather more than the pitch was letting on. Stuart Cheesman was the chief tormentor, prising out three for twenty-two including a pair of miserly maidens, with Darren Styles and Adam Jackson both weighing in for two apiece. Poor Hukins never troubled the scorers, back in the pavilion for a golden duck, though Pillinger held firm for a battling 40 to drag Tenterden up to 131 all out from their 37 overs. A fair total on paper, but one that felt, even as we trooped off, rather gettable.

So it proved. I found some form with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 44 to see the innings home, and had sterling company from Russell Baldwin, whose 39 kept the required rate honest throughout. Extras chipped in a generous 27 for good measure, and we cantered to 133 for 4 in 34.1 overs without ever looking especially troubled.

A comfortable six-wicket win, then, and a timely one, with the runs keeping me atop the season's charts on 715 and Michael Beeney still hoovering up wickets at the other end on 29. Onwards to the next one.

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

Skipper's musings, 24 August, away at Meopham CC

We lost the toss down at Meopham, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like a season-long conspiracy, and were duly invited to bat first on a morning that gave nothing away. It wasn't the prettiest of innings, truth be told, but 162/9 from our 46 overs was a decent scrap for it. Mark Christmas anchored things nicely with 24 not out, Dave Charlton chipped in with 22, and I managed 20 myself, proving once again that I'm far better at organising a batting order than gracing it for long.

Defending that kind of total always feels like walking a tightrope in wet boots, but the bowlers made sure the wobble never became a fall. Powney gave Meopham hope with 37, well supported by Dailly's 34 and Goodwright's 24, but Howarth and Plumb both departed without troubling the scorers, which cheered us up no end. Jon Harris was the pick of the attack with 3-32, Mark Christmas backed up his batting with 2-34 and three tidy maidens, and Daniel Thirkell weighed in with 2-40 to help bowl them out for 148 in 42.1 overs.

A fine win by 14 runs, then, earned the hard way rather than handed to us. Daniel Thirkell continues to churn out the runs and sits second in this season's charts, while Michael Beeney leads the wickets column with typical menace. Onwards we go, no doubt to conspire against the toss again next week.

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

Saturday 24 August 2002, Meopham CC at home, and for once the coin actually did what I asked of it. Heads, and I stuck them in — a decision I was rather pleased with by teatime.

Graham Walker set about the Meopham attack with real intent, cruising to 95 not out, while Craig Sands played the perfect foil with a classy 70. Between them, and with the extras column doing sterling work to the tune of 42, we posted a handsome 230 for 7 off our 46 overs. As for my own contribution, the less said the better — a golden duck, first ball, the walk back to the pavilion feeling rather longer than the one out.

With 230 to defend, the bowlers took the game by the scruff of the neck. Trevor Back was simply magnificent — 4 for 44 with five maidens thrown in for good measure, the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen playing for the close of play rather than the runs. Darren Styles (2-9) and Matthew Carter (2-28) chipped in handsomely, and between the lot of them Meopham were bowled out for 106, Mick Clark and Liam Hogg (33 apiece) the only ones to offer serious resistance.

A win by 124 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. Graham Walker continues to lead our run charts for the season, Trevor Back's wickets keep mounting — and I shall simply have to make up for my duck another day. A very good day for the club.

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

Right, we were unbeaten, we bowled first, and Morrison batted like a man who'd had words with the groundsman about the size of the boundary. Let me get this into shape.

I called it right at the toss and, with the sky doing that vaguely English thing of promising nothing either way, I stuck us in — a decision I'd like to claim was tactical genius, but was really just instinct and a reluctance to pad up first. Tunbridge Wells Wednesday settled in nicely and ground their way to 162/5 off the full fifty, Churchley top-scoring with a watchful 41, Tourle unbeaten on 35 and Smith weighing in with 32. I managed to lead from the front with the ball, picking up 2-39, while Fred Cheesman and Trevor Back chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Darren Styles bowled two maidens with the sort of miserly discipline that would make a Yorkshireman proud.

Chasing 163 should have been a formality, and for once it actually was. Stewart Morrison played the innings of the day — 83 not out, an assured and increasingly ruthless half-century that took the game away from the visitors — with Daniel Thirkell (27 not out) and Trevor Back (21) offering steady support. We cantered home in 29.4 overs for the loss of just two wickets, eight down with plenty to spare.

A tidy, professional win from start to finish — Morrison in irresistible form with bat in hand, and the bowling attack doing just enough to keep Tunbridge Wells honest. Eight wickets to the good and the run charts looking rosier by the week: a very good day for the club indeed.

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

18 August 2002 v Benenden CC

Won the toss on a fine Sunday and, with sunshine and a flat-looking track on offer, there was really only one decision to make: we batted. It's the kind of call that either looks inspired or leaves you eating a large slice of humble pie by teatime, and I'm delighted to say it was very much the former, as we cantered to 250 for 2 off our 40 overs. Daniel Thirkell was quite magnificent, ending unbeaten on 119, and I was fortunate enough to find some form of my own, chipping in with 95 — deeply satisfying, though I'll admit the nervous nineties are no less nerve-racking at club level than anywhere else.

Defending 250 always sounds simpler in the pavilion than out in the middle, and Benenden gave it a proper go. Toby Cunliffe played a fine, unbeaten knock of 52, well supported by Steve Luckhurst's 45 and John Marshall's 27, and for a while it looked as though our total might not be quite enough of a cushion. But Michael Beeney was in miserly, probing form — three maidens and figures of 2 for 16 — with Adam Jackson (2-40) and Rob Jackson (1-19) chipping in, and Stephen Message and A Recsei both departed without troubling the scorers. In the end Benenden closed on 188 for 8, and honours were shared.

A word away from the scoreline: Daniel Thirkell brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, a landmark that puts my own contributions rather in the shade. A draw, then — no losers on a day like this, and frankly, with batting and bowling both purring, we'll happily take it.

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

There are worse ways to start a Saturday than winning the toss and knowing the sun's out, the wicket's true, and Shipbourne are about to field first. I had no hesitation putting us in, and the lads didn't let me down — 217/7 from our 46 overs, built on a proper platform from the Thirkell brothers. Nigel led the way with a well-made 77, Daniel wasn't far behind with a composed fifty of his own, and Russell Baldwin chipped in a handy 39 to keep the scoreboard ticking. Special mention, as tradition demands, to Stuart Cheesman, who collected a duck for the club ledger — the walk of shame, immortalised once again.

With 217 to defend, our attack set about it in style. Shipbourne never got close, bowled out for 111 in 37.3 overs, their innings kept afloat only by B. Hart's fine half-century. Three of their batters — Gillam, Gelling and Wakeman — departed without troubling the scorers, which tells its own story. The day belonged to Daniel Thirkell, whose 5-28 was a thoroughly deserved five-for and, handily, enough to see him leapfrog Tony Snell into 23rd on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. Jon Harris (2-15) and Rob Doick (1-19) offered fine support, while Mark Christmas strangled the run rate with four maidens. I chipped in with the bat earlier in the day, and it was pleasing to see my own form holding up — I now sit second in the 2002 first XI run charts with 534 for the season, with Michael Beeney out in front of the bowling table on 24 wickets.

A comfortable 106-run win, and a thoroughly good day at the office. Onwards.

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

Lost the toss again on Saturday — really must start practising that coin flip — and found ourselves in the field at Shipbourne on a afternoon that promised runs for someone, and duly delivered them, just not to us. Bruce Goodwin was the chief architect of our discomfort, motoring to 52, with M- Harley unbeaten on 40 and Bob Scott chipping in 33 as they eased to 207 for 5 off their 46 overs. Darren Styles was easily the pick of the attack, prising out a wicket for just 32 and bowling two maidens that nobody else could manage, while Matthew Carter and I shared the bowling honours further down the card, both finishing with 1 for 38 — mine felt like harder work than the figures suggest, though don't they always. Mark Fenton, for his part, departed without so much as troubling the scorers.

With the bat, we never quite got going. James Vincent's 39 was the innings' backbone, Trevor Back lending fine support with 34, but wickets fell steadily around them and we were bowled out for 166 in 39.2 overs — Matthew Carter's golden duck a particularly cruel symmetry after his bowling efforts, and our extras column, generous as ever, contributing 34. Poor Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps, 10 byes escaping his grasp.

There was, at least, one shaft of sunshine: Trevor Back brought up 9,000 runs for the club, a landmark worth toasting in the bar regardless of the result. Graham Walker, meanwhile, continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts with 351 for the season.

Forty-one runs the wrong side of the ledger, then. Not our day — heads up, back to the nets.

Fri 16 Aug 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv S Selsdon · HomeformDDDLW

Beaten by 26 runs but not disgraced, and there's a story in that scorecard for anyone who cares to look.

Winning the toss and putting the opposition in felt like the right call at the time, and for long spells it looked it too. They crawled to 185/7 off their 43, propped up by Churchley's 44 and Robertson's 41, with Shivmangal chipping in 25. F. Robertson at least had the decency to depart for nought at our hands. Fred Cheesman was magnificent with the new ball, ripping out 3-11, while Darren Styles (2-30) backed him up nicely. Special mention to Mark Christmas, who bowled two maidens on his way to 1-19 — the sort of miserly spell that makes a captain's job easy.

Chasing 186, we never quite got going. Nigel Thirkell batted beautifully for his 68, well past his fifty and comfortably the innings of the day, with Mark Christmas chipping in 25 in support. But three ducks on the card — Stewart Morrison, Rob Jackson, and, I'm sorry to report, yours truly — told the real story, and we folded for 159 in 39.4 overs. I shan't dwell on my own dismissal beyond saying a veil has been drawn over it, and there it shall stay.

Twenty-six runs short in the end, and the truth is we bowled well enough to win and batted just far too thin around Thirkell. There's plenty to build on, and we'll be sharper for it next week.

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

Won the toss at The Mote on a Wednesday that promised sunshine and delivered rather more graft than that, I did what any captain with a nose for cricket weather does and stuck them in. It looked a reasonable notion until R. Daking settled in for what became a chanceless 97, ably supported by John Fuggle's fifty-plus 52 and T. Harris chipping in with 36. Their total of 201 for 5 off 49 overs had the makings of a tricky chase, though I'll allow myself one line of self-congratulation: figures of 2 for 29 kept things honest, with Mark Christmas (2-32) and Stuart Cheesman (1-18) doing likewise, while Darren Styles bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who begrudges every run, three maidens to his name.

With the bat we set about it sensibly rather than spectacularly. Russell Baldwin's fine 58 was the innings' backbone, David Castle finished unbeaten on 45 with the calm of a man who'd read the last page first, and Stewart Morrison's 29 kept the required rate honest. We crossed the line at 203 for 5 with six overs unused.

A special note for Stuart Cheesman, who marked his 300th appearance in Linton colours by sailing past 200 career wickets in the same afternoon — the sort of milestone that deserves rather more than a paragraph, but the tea urn was calling. A fine win by five wickets, and a thoroughly satisfying way to spend a Wednesday.

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

Won the toss at Pembury on Sunday and had no hesitation electing to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the final scoreline suggests. Mike Redman played an absolute blinder, 118 not out, an innings of real substance that carried us to 188 for 7 from our 44 overs, with Craig Sands chipping in nicely alongside him with 32. Less said the better about the rest of the card — Adam Pooley, James Piper and Ryan Boyns all fell without troubling the scorers, three ducks that rather took the shine off an otherwise handsome total.

Sadly 188 proved nowhere near enough. Huw Collins simply took the game away from us, a magnificent 125 that made light work of anything we could offer, well supported by David Collins's unbeaten 38. They raced to 189 for 2 in just 24.2 overs — a scoring rate that left the lads rather breathless in the field. Ryan Boyns was easily our pick of the bowlers with 1 for 30, and I chipped in for 1 for 42 myself, though in truth none of us laid a glove on Collins.

On the season charts there's some comfort — Mike Redman now leads the 2002 Sunday 2nd XI run-scoring, and Ryan Boyns sits second among the wicket-takers. But today belonged to Pembury. Beaten by eight wickets, heads understandably down. Back to the nets, and back to the drawing board on how to stop one man winning a match almost single-handed.

Sun 11 Aug 2002 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv W Westgate · HomeformWWWWW

Sunday 11th August 2002 saw us play host, and honours finished shared — a draw that, in truth, both sides could just about live with.

Batting first, we posted 165 for 8 from our 44 overs, a total built almost entirely off the bat of Stewart Morrison, whose fine 74 was the innings' backbone. Stuart Cheesman chipped in nicely with 22, but elsewhere the top order rather fancied a spot of early tea — Russell Baldwin and Rob Jackson both departed for golden ducks, the sort of dismissals that leave a captain studying his tea leaves rather more closely than usual.

In the field we set about defending it, and the bowlers did us proud. Daniel Thirkell was magnificent, 2 for 7 off his allocation with four maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly, and not much else besides. Darren Styles (2-22) and Stuart Cheesman (1-5) chipped in among the wickets, and we had N- Johnstone and G- Sandwell back in the pavilion without so much as a run to their names. Still, I- Sandwell's unbeaten 40, well supported by K- Sandwell's 22 and C- Flint's 20, steadied things enough to see the opposition home to 99 for 5 and a draw.

There was a personal landmark amid it all — I brought up my 600th appearance in Linton colours, and managed a few runs along the way for good measure. All told, a game with no losers, which in this fixture list is very nearly a result worth celebrating.

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

Monday 5th August 2002, and we welcomed Bexley CC for what the scorebook will remember rather unkindly. Losing the toss and being asked to field is never the dream start, but the lads set about it with intent. D Parmenter had other ideas, though, compiling a fine 78 that anchored Bexley's innings, with Michael Ladbrook (49) and Chris Pinnock (33 not out) chipping in handsomely as they closed on 210/5 from their 47 overs. I led the attack and picked up 1-17, with Mark Christmas and Rob Jackson a wicket apiece, while David Castle bowled with real discipline — three maidens, not a run given away lightly.

Chasing 211 was always going to ask serious questions of our batting, and Bexley's bowlers answered them emphatically. Fred Cheesman's 31 was the innings' one bright spark, well supported by Mark Christmas (22) and Mike Elworthy (21), but wickets tumbled around them and we were bowled out for 102 in 46.5 overs. Adam Jackson made his way back for a duck, and I can't claim any moral high ground — I too walked for nought, a golden blob to boot. A captain should lead by example; on this occasion I led only by example of how not to bat.

Elsewhere, the season ticks on regardless of our Monday miseries — Mike Elworthy tops the Midweek XI run charts with 87, and I'll happily take being top of the wicket charts on 4, small consolation as it is. Down by 108 runs in the end. Not our day. Heads up, chins up, back to the nets.

Sun 04 Aug 2002 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv R Ryarsh · AwayformWWWL

Alan Boyns here, filing from a slightly damp Ryarsh on Sunday, wondering as ever why the tea urn only starts boiling once you've lost the toss. We won it, mind, and put Ryarsh in, which on reflection was the shrewdest thing I did all afternoon. Ryan Boyns steamed in for 3-11 to lead the attack, James Piper chipped in with 3-34, and I managed a modest 1-10 myself, more through stubbornness than menace. Mark Christmas bowled with the kind of miserliness he usually reserves for the bar round, four maidens and not a run given away lightly, while D. Hammond battled hard for an unbeaten 30 to drag Ryarsh to 112 all out. C. Ince and F. Sage both walked back for ducks, which I'm reliably informed is nobody's favourite way to spend a Sunday.

Chasing 113, we made a steady fist of it without ever quite settling the nerves. Mark Christmas played the innings of the day, 43 not out, backed up nicely by Mike Redman's 30 and Craig Sands's unbeaten 22, and we got home in 22.5 overs for the loss of three wickets.

A seven-wicket win, then, and a tidy one at that. Christmas now sits fourth in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts and Ryan Boyns third among the wicket-takers, so the season's shaping up nicely. Onwards to the next one, tea urn permitting.

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

Well, we lost the toss on Saturday and were sent out to field, which is never quite how you want to start a home fixture against Milstead — but as it turned out, batting second suited us rather nicely once our turn came around.

Russell Baldwin was the story of the innings, striking a superb 102 to anchor us to 225/3 from our 36 overs, with Daniel Thirkell keeping him company in fine style on 78 not out. I chipped in with 25 down the order, which I'll happily take and say no more about.

Milstead's reply never quite got going. Jon Harris was simply unplayable, running through the order for 5-41, with Dave Charlton (1-8) and Mark Christmas (1-26) chipping in and Michael Beeney refusing to give anything away with two tidy maidens. M. Sellar made a well-made 51 and K. Firminger 28, but with P. West and C. Hogan back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, Milstead could only manage 137/8 from their 35 overs. Duck of the day, if you're keeping score at home.

We ran out winners by 88 runs — a thoroughly good day for the club, and further proof, if any were needed, that Jon Harris (now 2nd in the season's wicket charts with 17) and a certain opener sitting 2nd in the run charts with 520 are carrying more than their fair share of the load. A very good day indeed.

Wed 31 Jul 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv IX Ipswich Greyhounds CC - Kent Tour XI · HomeformDDWDD

It was honours even at home on Wednesday, and I'm not sure whether to file this one under "gripping cricket" or "a draw neither side deserved to lose." We won the toss, or lost it, or simply fancied a bowl — the details are hazy, but into the field we went, and stayed there for a good long while as Paul Mobbs made himself thoroughly at home, cruising to 81 and giving the bowling figures a proper working-over. R Manning chipped in with a fine 60 and K Banham added 37, ferrying them to 211 for 5 off 44.4 overs before Rob Jackson finally got a stranglehold with 3 for 36, well backed up by Stuart Cheesman's economical 1 for 27 and Mark Christmas's 1 for 38.

Chasing 212 with the tea urn still warm, we set about it in the time-honoured Linton Park fashion: solid, then a bit sticky. Mike Elworthy led the way with 36, Trevor Back added a handsome 35, and I was pleased to see us over the line for a not-out 29 of my own, steering us to a respectable 185 for 9 off our 44. Spare a thought, though, for poor Adam Pooley, whose contribution to the Duck Club ledger was a golden nought — the walk of shame duly noted, quacks and all.

With Trevor Back now heading the season's run charts on 68 and Stuart Cheesman topping the wicket pile with 3, the form guide is quietly promising. As for Wednesday — honours shared, pride intact, and a draw that felt, on reflection, rather fair.

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

Lost the toss again on Sunday — I'm beginning to think that coin has a personal vendetta against me — and Bearsted duly stuck us in the field on a used to be one of my favourite things. Early on it looked promising: they slipped to 6 for 1 and I allowed myself a quiet, premature smile. Jivan De Silva had other ideas, compiling a thoroughly well-made 62 to drag them back into the contest, and their last pair then added an irritating 68 runs we really could have done without — the sort of last-wicket stand that has opposing captains muttering into their tea. Still, all out for 141 from 40.2 overs was a fair result given the bowling on show. Darren Styles was excellent with 2 for 13, well supported by Chris Quirk, also 2 for 13 and miserly enough to bowl three maidens, and Mark Christmas chipped in with 2 for 15.

Chasing 142, we were true to form — never straightforward, always eventually alright. A first-wicket stand of 53 set us up nicely, Adrian Caddick top-scoring with 37 and Clive Newman playing his part with 27. I added an unbeaten 20 down the order to help see us home, and we scrambled over the line by 3 wickets from 38.2 overs.

A scratchy one, but a win's a win, and on a Sunday away from home I'll take that every time.

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

Beaten by two wickets. There are worse ways to spend a Sunday, but not many that sting quite so specifically, especially when you've done the hard yards to post 228.

The toss went against us, as it so often does when I really fancy batting first, so we were put in the field to start. Not that it mattered much once Stewart Morrison got going — a magnificent century, no less, the kind of innings that makes the tea urn feel like it's boiling in celebration. Daniel Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 65, and Stuart Cheesman finished unbeaten on 24 as we rattled along to 228/4 from our 38 overs. Games have been won with less.

They had other ideas. Paul Seldon's 86 was the sort of half-century-and-then-some that captains dread seeing from the boundary rope, well backed by Paul Styles (35) and Marshall (28), and between them they chased down 230/8 with half a wicket's breathing room. I'll allow myself one line of pride here: I lead our 2002 Sunday 2nd XI wicket charts with 5 for the summer, though today the damage belonged to others — Thirkell's 4-35 the pick of the bowling, with Beeney (1-19, four maidens and not a run given cheaply) and Jackson (1-19) tidy in support. C Spencer Allen departed for a duck, and poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes leaking away — though it's worth noting his 65 saw Thirkell leapfrog him into 17th on the all-time run list, so somebody's happy.

Two wickets is nothing. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

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

Right of reply to Goodnestone Park — down at their place on a warm Saturday, lost the toss, asked to bowl. Here's the piece for the gazette.

Lost the toss, put in the field, and off we trotted to make the best of it under a Kent sky that couldn't quite make its mind up. Goodnestone ground out 157 for 5 from their 44.2 overs, with Peter Higson doing most of the damage — 89 well-crafted runs — ably assisted by brother Stuart with 28. Rufus Hack, mercifully for us, went for a golden duck. Mark Christmas was the pick of the attack with 2-18, Matthew Carter and Rob Jackson chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Adam Jackson bowled two maidens that gave the batsmen precisely nothing to feed on. A fair total, but hardly out of reach.

And so it proved. We got there with 158 for 7 in 35.1 overs, Stewart Morrison playing the innings of the day with a composed 67, well supported by Fred Cheesman's 43 and Michael Beeney's unbeaten 29 seeing us home. Not everyone's afternoon went to plan — Adam Jackson, Christopher Thirkell and Matthew Carter all took the long walk back without troubling the scorers, ducks all round for the club ledger. I managed to chip in with the ball too, though I'll let the season's figures speak for themselves rather than dwell on it here.

Two things worth toasting in the bar afterwards: Fred brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, a proper landmark, and Stewart's 67 nudged him past Keith Hatcher into 19th on the all-time run charts. A fine win by 3 wickets — onwards we go.

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

Beaten by seven wickets on the road at Langleybury, and I can't say the venue owed us any favours – but I'll take responsibility for the good bit first: winning the toss and sticking us in to bat. Whether that was captaincy or just clean living, I still maintain it was the right call. We rattled along to 154/7 from our forty overs, and I was pleased enough with my own 46, well backed up by Daniel Thirkell's 43. Less pleasing was the sight of Russell Baldwin and Dave Charlton both trudging back without troubling the scorer – ducks are never a good look on the card, but such is cricket.

Defending 154 was always going to ask a lot of us, and so it proved. J. Crowther simply had one of those days, farming the strike to 76 not out, with N. Ilott's 46 and C. Spinks' unbeaten 21 doing the tidying up around him. Daniel Thirkell was magnificent with the ball – three for 35 and four maidens, not a run given away lightly, and he did at least have the satisfaction of removing M. Fry for a duck. But one man's afternoon can only do so much against a total like that, and Langleybury coasted home on 160/3.

So, seven wickets the wrong way, and a long drive home to reflect on it. Daniel sits second in the wicket charts and I'm pleased to be keeping him company at second in the run charts, which is some consolation. We'll be better for this next week – we usually are.

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

Saturday 20 July found us on the road to Leeds & Broomfield, and the coin did us no favours — they won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first, leaving us to toil away with the new ball. Toil we did, to some effect: John Taylor was the pick of the attack with 2-12, Michael Beeney chipped in with 2-56, Daniel Thirkell took one, and Rob Doick kept things admirably tight with a couple of maidens. Even so, D. Cook made merry with a fine 73, well supported by Geoff Hunt's classy 53 and John Hartshorn's 42, and the home side posted a stiff 216/5 from their 46 overs.

Chasing that lot down was never going to be a stroll, but the lads set about it in the right spirit. I was fortunate enough to find some form and led from the front with 57, while Clive Newman batted beautifully for an unbeaten 55 and Russell Baldwin weighed in with 43. Stewart Morrison and Piers McDonald both fell without troubling the scorers, and fifteen byes flew past poor Clive behind the stumps — a testing afternoon for the gloves, whatever the bat was doing.

Somehow, with hearts in mouths, we scrambled over the line by three wickets with 43.3 overs on the clock. Untidy in places, occasionally nerve-shredding, but three points is three points — a good day for the club.

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

As a fresh knock unfolds, here's the report:

Skipper's log, Saturday 20 July: a good toss to win, and with a firm-ish looking strip I had no hesitation sticking us in against Leeds & Broomfield. Confidence proved a fickle friend, mind, as we crawled to 167/8 from our 46 overs — respectable rather than commanding. Richard Piper led the way with a fine 35, well supported by James Vincent's 31 and Trevor Back's 21, but too many of us made starts and didn't go on. A par-ish score, we told ourselves, hoping the bowlers might make it look better than it was.

For a while they very nearly did. Steven Pike and Stephen Jupe both departed without troubling the scorers, and Matthew Carter was the pick of the attack with a tidy 2-20, backed up nicely by James Vincent's 2-35 and, if I may permit myself one boast for the whole afternoon, my own 2-36. Jason Tharp, though, had other ideas, cracking a fine 65 and finding an able ally in V J Ratanayake's 49 to drag the visitors home. Poor Mike Elworthy had a torrid time behind the stumps, nine byes going begging — the sort of afternoon that makes wicketkeeping look considerably harder than it is.

Beaten by two wickets in the end, then, and no disgrace in it. We gave ourselves too little with the bat and just enough with the ball to make a match of it. We'll be better for it next week.

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

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 · HomeformWWWDL

Horton Kirby arrived at ours on a fine Saturday, I lost the toss as is now tradition, and we were duly asked to field first — the sort of instruction one accepts with a resigned smile and a check of the sunscreen. Their innings ticked along to 159/7 from 46 overs, propelled chiefly by Paul Evans, whose well-made 61 did the real damage, with Alastair Scott unbeaten on 43 lending a steadying hand. Credit to the attack, though: Mark Christmas was outstanding with 3-25, Matt Large chipped in with 2-27, and Michael Beeney bowled with real discipline for 1-22, including four maidens that must have tested the patience of every Horton Kirby batsman looking to break free.

Chasing 160, we made handsome work of it, reaching the target for the loss of just three wickets in 36.2 overs. Daniel Thirkell led beautifully with a well-made 53, Russell Baldwin played his part with 30, and I was fortunate enough to see it through unbeaten on 50 — leading from the front, as I like to tell myself, rather than simply refusing to get out.

A comfortable seven-wicket win, two points banked, and a thoroughly pleasant afternoon's cricket. With the runs keeping me second in the season's charts and Michael Beeney still top of the wicket pile on 21, the engine room of this side is clearly firing nicely. More of the same, please.

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

Lost the toss again on Saturday, and Horton Kirby, sporting sorts that they are, sent us in to bat — which these days feels less like a tactical decision and more like a personal insult. Still, we knuckled down. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, motoring past fifty to 52, and I found some form of my own with 40, Graham Walker chipping in a tidy 36 alongside, as we limped — well, strode, let's say strode — to 174 for 6 off our 46 overs. Not a total to frighten anyone, but on our day it can be enough.

And so it proved, though not before my nerves were thoroughly wrung out. Geoff Rameaux batted like a man who'd read the script and decided he didn't like the ending, cruising to an unbeaten 91 with Keith Chaney's 27 for company, and for long stretches it looked like we'd handed Horton Kirby a gift. But Jon Harris had other ideas, bowling with a miser's precision — three maidens and 3 for 35 — while Dave Todd chipped away for 1 for 65 at the other end. When the last ball was bowled, they were 173 for 5. One run short. One.

A win margin thin enough to shave with, but a win nonetheless. Graham Walker still tops the 2nd XI run charts with 330, Jon Harris the wicket charts with 18 — and this old captain will happily take a nervy, undeserved, glorious victory over a comfortable defeat any Saturday of the week.

Wed 10 Jul 2002 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDDDWD

Wednesday the tenth of July found us on the road to Gravesend, a fixture I approached with the usual mix of hope and mild dread that comes with losing the toss. Lose it I did, and watched from the boundary as our hosts elected to bat first on what looked a fair old shirtfront of a pitch.

They made hay for a while, L Mann compiling a proper half-century — 58 of them — while G Watts and Chris Williams chipped in with 29 not out and 25 respectively to see them to 188 for 7 off their 52 overs. Credit where it's due: Stuart Cheesman bowled beautifully for his 2-23, and I managed to winkle out a couple myself, 2-40, while John Taylor snaffled one and Michael Beeney tied up an end with two miserly maidens. All told, a target that felt gettable rather than gettable-with-ease.

Our reply had its wobbles — Jim Hall and Fred Cheesman both departed for ducks, the sort of twin blow that makes a captain reach for the scorebook and sigh — but Piers McDonald anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 49, well backed by Stuart Cheesman's 41 and Mike Elworthy's 30, and we closed on 177 for 6 from our 44.

So honours shared, and not an unreasonable outcome given the tea and the traffic both flowed freely. Stuart Cheesman now tops our run charts for the season, and I find myself, rather to my own surprise, leading the wickets column. A draw, but a thoroughly cricketing one.

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

The road to Glynde & Beddingham is never a short one, and I confess the coin landed kindly for once — I called it right, and with barely a flicker of hesitation, decided we'd bat. It felt like a day for runs, and so it proved: 204 for 7 from our forty overs, built on a innings I'm rather proud to own up to, 69 that carried us along nicely, with Daniel Thirkell keeping pace superbly for 60 and Paul Gibson chipping in a brisk 20. A total that felt defendable, if not quite unassailable.

And defend it we did. Glynde & Beddingham were bowled out for 141 in 37.1 overs, Graham Baker's 32 the only real resistance of note, while poor Robert Mouland trudged off having troubled nobody but himself. The day belonged to Rob Doick, whose 5 for 44 was as fine a spell as you'll see on a Sunday afternoon, ably backed by Paul Gibson's 2 for 16, Daniel Thirkell's solitary wicket, and John Taylor bowling two maidens with the sort of miserliness the Inland Revenue would envy.

A comfortable win by 63 runs, then, and one to enjoy on the journey home. Nigel Thirkell continues to top our Sunday run charts with 301, and Doick now leads the wickets with a dozen — the lad's in the form of his life. Onwards indeed.

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

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 · HomeformLWLWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 06 July 2002, and Hollingbourne CC were our visitors.

The coin behaved itself for once, and I had few doubts about what to do with it: we batted. What followed was as handsome a display as I can remember calling from the boundary rope. Graham Walker set about the Hollingbourne attack with real relish for a fine 78, and I was fortunate enough to find some form of my own alongside him, chipping in with 75 as we put on the bulk of the runs between us. Trevor Back finished things off in style with an unbeaten 24, and 212 for 4 off our 46 overs left us more than happy with a good afternoon's batting.

If I was pleased to lead from the front with the bat, the bowlers made sure I didn't have to say much at the interval. Hollingbourne never got close, bundled out for 114 in 35.1 overs despite battling contributions from Mark Austin (26), Philip Morrison (22) and David Brown (21). James Vincent was quite magnificent, prising out 4 for 22 with three maidens to boot, while Jon Harris (2-34) and Trevor Back (1-8) tidied up the rest. Joe Ring and Steve Wilson departed without troubling the scorers.

A splendid personal landmark too, as Jon Harris passed 2400 career wickets — the sort of number that rather puts my own modest efforts in perspective. A comfortable win by 98 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Onwards we go.

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

Sunday, 30 June 2002, and Clarion CC arrived to find the coin falling kindly in our favour — I had no hesitation in putting them in the field first, more in hope than any great tactical genius. Stewart Morrison then proceeded to make an absolute mockery of my caution, striding to a magnificent 108 — three figures, no less, and worth every ovation it drew from the boundary rope. Clive Newman chipped in nicely with 22, and we closed on a healthy 169 for 6 from 39.4 overs. Spare a thought, though, for poor Christopher Thirkell, who endured the walk of shame for a golden duck — the Duck Club ledger duly updated.

In reply, Clarion set about our total with Richard Hilson's watchful 46 the backbone of their innings, well supported by Andy Driver's 39 and an unbeaten 34 from S Driver. Russell Baldwin bowled beautifully for his 3 for 35, and I did my modest bit with 2 for 48, though Steve Harris at least departed for nought to remind us the ledger cuts both ways. They finished on 156 for 5 from 41 overs, and honours were shared.

Off the field there was much to celebrate: Clive Newman brought up 8,000 career runs for the club, and Morrison's century vaulted him past Frank Brattle to 20th on our all-time run-scorers' list. A draw, then — honest, hard-fought, and entirely fitting for a Sunday when neither side could quite land the killer blow.

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

It was Southborough at home, and when the coin fell my way I didn't dither — batting first felt right on a good Saturday pitch, and so it proved. We racked up a handsome 221 for 4 from our 46 overs, built around a lovely half-century from Clive Newman, 74 in an innings that had the boundary boards earning their keep. Kevin Presneill chipped in with an unbeaten 35 and Stewart Morrison finished not out on 34, the pair of them shepherding us to a total that felt, even before tea, like a proper defendable one.

Southborough had other ideas and gave it a real go, the Graylands doing most of the damage between them — L- Grayland with 46, P- Grayland with 45 — and M- Thomas chiming in with 41, enough to keep our fielders honest and a few grey hairs sprouting under my cap. But we had the bowling to match the batting. Jon Harris was superb, taking 3 for 50 and thoroughly deserving his place, while Stuart Cheesman's 2 for 46 and Piers McDonald's 1 for 11 kept the squeeze on when it mattered. They fell short at 201 for 6 from their 44, and we walked off 20 runs to the good.

Two points banked, and not before time — Newman continues to lead our run charts for the season with 446, and Harris now sits fourth in the wickets column with ten. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and one the tea urn was rightly proud of.

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

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 · HomeformWWWDW

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 · AwayformWWDWW

The road took us to Marden on Saturday, and losing the toss to be put in to field is never how you want to start a day, but there's something rather bracing about it — like being told to eat your greens before pudding.

Batting first, we compiled a solid if unspectacular 181/7 from our 46 overs, built around a fine innings from Daniel Thirkell, who cruised past his fifty to finish on 70, well supported by Rob Doick's brisk 42. Not a total to have Marden quaking in their whites, perhaps, but enough to work with — and work with it we did.

Then came the bowling, and what bowling it was. Rob Doick, having already done his bit with the bat, turned his arm over to devastating effect, finishing with 4-13. Daniel Thirkell chipped in with 4-19, and Michael Beeney bowled with real discipline, four maidens and 1-34, keeping the pressure on throughout. Paul Sunnucks fought hard for Marden with a well-made 85, but wickets tumbled around him — three of their number departed without troubling the scorers — and the innings folded for 126. I managed to contribute a little to proceedings myself, though the real story was elsewhere. Poor Clive Newman had a torrid time behind the stumps, eight byes leaking away, but no lasting damage done.

A special mention, too, for Rob Doick, who brought up 3,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth raising a glass to.

Verdict: a 55-run win, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved.

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

Lost the toss again — Marden, up from Kent, had no hesitation in asking us to bowl, and so it was pads off, boots on, and out into the field we trooped. They battled to 171 all out in 45.1 overs, John Furminger playing the innings of the day with a polished 51, well backed up by Richard Thomas's 48. Credit to the bowling, mind: Alan Boyns was in miserly form, snaring Harry Karim and Matthew Blythin without either troubling the scorers, and finishing with 3-23 including two maidens that would have tested anyone's patience. Mark Christmas chipped in handsomely with 3-39, and between them they kept Marden's total to something distinctly chaseable.

Chasing 172, we edged home at 173/8 in 43.5 overs — never entirely comfortable, but never quite panicking either. I was pleased to lead from the front with 55, and found good company in Mark Christmas (32) and Mike Elworthy (22), though poor Alan Boyns endured the bowler's revenge with a golden duck of his own. Mike also had a trying afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes escaping his gloves like naughty schoolboys at half-term.

Two points banked, and thoroughly earned by two wickets. With the season charts showing me on 192 runs and Alan sitting fifth among the wicket-takers, there's much to be cheerful about — even if Mike's gloves might need a stern word before next Saturday.

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

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 19 June 2002. The road took us to Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC, and having called correctly at the toss, I fancied a bat on what looked a decent surface.

We were made to work for our 181/9 off 44.2 overs, though credit where it's due — Adrian Caddick's unbeaten 42 was the innings' backbone, with Daniel Thirkell (38) and Trevor Back (20) chipping in handsomely. As for the skipper, the less said the better: I departed for a duck, which is never the ideal way to demonstrate leadership from the front.

With the ball, we set about restricting the hosts, who replied with 179/9 from their 49 overs. D. Close (45) and Peter Day and P. King (36 apiece) threatened to take the game away from us, but Adrian Caddick was magnificent again, this time with the ball, snaring 3-30, well backed by Daniel Thirkell's 2-11 and Darren Styles' 1-10 — the latter also sending down two miserly maidens. Pat Reynolds departed without troubling the scorers, so at least I wasn't alone in the duck club that day — mine, sadly, came gold-plated, a captain's blob if ever there was one.

There was a footnote of genuine pride amid my batting misery: Daniel Thirkell's brace moved him past Frank Taylor into 24th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, a thoroughly deserved piece of history.

In the end honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Character-building stuff for the skipper, and a fair result for the side.

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

It was a proper away-day at Farningham, and losing the toss meant we had little say in how the afternoon would shape up. Still, cricket has a way of rewarding patience, and so it proved.

With the bat we set about building something substantial. Nigel Thirkell was in imperious touch, carrying the innings to a superb 86, while Daniel Thirkell gave him fine company with 60 of his own past the fifty mark. I chipped in with 36 down the order, glad to add a few useful runs to the total. Spare a thought, though, for poor Russell Baldwin, whose contribution amounted to the walk of shame — a duck to nobody's delight but his own. We closed on a handsome 252/7 from our 40 overs.

Farningham came at it hard in reply, Mark Allison striking a fine half-century of 63 and finding support from Neal Pittman's 32 and an unbeaten 27 from Shaun Bensley. But our attack held firm — Matt Large was pick of the bowlers with 3-41, Daniel Thirkell chipped in with 2-46, and Paul Gibson took 1-29. We did send Colin Fensom back without troubling the scorers, though I'll confess our discipline wandered rather too generously, 31 wides and a no-ball among the extras we gifted. Farningham finished 222/7.

There was a warm moment amid it all, too — Nigel Thirkell reached 37,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved from a man now leading our 2002 Sunday run charts, with Matt Large topping the wickets. A fine win by 30 runs. Onwards.

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

Saturday brought Sheldwich CC to Linton Park for a proper nerve-shredder. The coin behaved itself and I had no hesitation putting us in to bat, a call the top order repaid in full. We reached 189 for 4 from our 46 overs, and I confess to a quiet glow at getting to 80 myself, the sort of score that makes the walk back to the pavilion feel far too short. Daniel Thirkell chipped in with a busy 42, Clive Newman finished unbeaten on 36, and only Russell Baldwin will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry.

Defending 189 is never a formality, and Sheldwich made us sweat for every run. James Creed played an innings of real quality, 92 well worth the applause, ably backed by Dave Prior's 33 and a handy 24 from D. Ray. But our bowlers held their nerve: Rob Doick led the way with 3 for 48, John Taylor took 2 for 42, and Daniel Thirkell, having already done his bit with the bat, was miserly with the ball too, 1 for 30 including five maidens. M. Hammond went for nought, a small mercy gladly taken.

We scraped home by 5 runs, precisely the margin such a tight, twitchy contest deserved. Rob Doick's three wickets also nudged him past Tony Snell into 22nd on the club's all-time list, and with 370 runs now to my name this season I find myself atop the 1st XI run charts, while Michael Beeney leads the way for the bowlers on 19. A tense, scrappy, thoroughly satisfying win.

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

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

Lost the toss on a fine Thursday evening at Plaxtol, and dutifully we trooped into the field, as is tradition when the coin fails to cooperate. Plaxtol built steadily to 190 all out in their 45 overs, Pettitt the chief architect with a polished 68, well supported by Williams (35) and Sapdar (28), while poor Taylorson trudged off for nought. Michael Beeney was superb with the ball, 2-43 including five maidens that must have tested Plaxtol's patience as much as their scoreboard, with Chris Newman (1-8) and Matt Coles (1-17) chipping in tidily. I had the pleasure of bringing up 400 career wickets along the way, a landmark I shall allow myself one moment of quiet satisfaction over before getting back to the story.

Chasing 191, we made light work of it, cantering to 192 for 3 in 34.3 overs. Russell Baldwin played the innings of the evening, a commanding 91, with John Coles unbeaten on 27 and Adam Pooley a brisk 23 either side of him. Twelve byes crept into the total too, a reminder that even a fine day behind the stumps for Russell has its price.

A word for Michael Beeney, whose two wickets nudged him up to 18th on the club's all-time list, past John Taylor, and for Richard Piper, quietly building a fine season and sitting third in the 2nd XI run charts. All told, a comfortable seven-wicket win, two points banked, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening's work.

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

David Castle here, filing this week's despatch from the Linton Park scorebook.

We lost the toss on Sunday and Farningham, showing what I can only assume was tactical genius or sheer bloody-mindedness, sent us in. Whatever the reasoning, it suited us rather nicely. The lads set about their work with a pleasing lack of fuss, and 116 for 3 off 27.2 overs is the kind of scoreline that makes the tea afterwards taste that little bit sweeter.

I'll allow myself one boast and no more: 36 from the middle order, which felt rather good off the bat, though I'll happily share the credit with Nigel Thirkell, whose 35 kept things ticking along at the other end in fine style. Between us we did most of the heavy lifting, and it's no surprise Nigel continues to sit atop the Sunday NVKC run charts for the season with 142 — the man is quietly assembling a rather good summer while the rest of us potter along in his slipstream.

Farningham, for their part, refused to be shifted, and neither side could force home the advantage before stumps were drawn. A draw it was, then — honours shared, pride intact, and not a soul terribly upset about it over the biscuits.

Not a classic for the ages, but a thoroughly pleasant afternoon's cricket, and on a warm June Sunday with the tea urn going, you can't ask for a great deal more than that.

Sat 08 Jun 2002 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformLWWWD

Lost the toss at Staplehurst, and dutifully trudged off to bat when Barry Staplehurst — or whoever calls it there — sent us in. No complaints from this corner, mind, because Daniel Thirkell decided the afternoon belonged to him and simply refused to get out, carrying his bat all the way to a magnificent 107 not out. Dave Charlton chipped in handsomely with 42, and I managed a tidy 38 of my own before getting out, the sort of innings that looks better in the scorebook than it felt at the crease. All told, 218 for 5 from our 36 overs, which felt like a proper total to defend.

And defend it we did, though not without the odd wobble. Staplehurst got themselves to 164 for 8, with C. Breed the chief nuisance on 38, well supported by L. Bull's 34 and J. Robins' 24. Poor Noblett departed for a duck, which nobody enjoys but somebody has to. Michael Beeney was the destroyer in chief with 3 for 35, John Taylor tidied things up nicely with 2 for 44 including two maidens, and Russell Baldwin snaffled one for just 4 runs. Spare a thought for Kevin Presneill behind the stumps, who let through 9 byes in what he'll no doubt describe as character building.

Worth noting too that Thirkell's ton eased him past Keith Hatcher into 18th on the club's all-time run charts, while Clive Newman and Michael Beeney continue to lead the season's batting and bowling respectively. A fine win by 54 runs, and a very satisfactory afternoon's work.

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

Well, the coin at least knew what it was doing on Saturday, even if the rest of us took a while to catch up. Staplehurst CC came calling, I called it right at the toss, and — in a fit of optimism I may come to regret in print — sent us in to bat first.

It wasn't exactly a procession. We laboured to 114/8 from our 46 overs, a total that felt about as comfortable as a deckchair with a broken strut. I managed 30 at the top of the order, and Richard Piper chipped in gamely with 20, but beyond that the innings had the structural integrity of a Victoria sponge left out in the rain.

Defending it, we at least made a proper fight of it. Jon Harris was magnificent with the ball — 4-16 and eight maidens is the kind of spell that makes a captain look like he knew what he was doing all along — with Trevor Back (2-23) and James Vincent (2-33) mopping up admirably, and even the satisfaction of a Staplehurst duck along the way. But I Pullen's 34, backed by G Wyatt's 29 and I Gosling's 27, edged them home to 117/8 in 41 overs.

So: down by two wickets, and not our day. Still, I sit atop the 2nd XI run charts and Jon Harris is second in the wickets — small consolations for aching limbs and bruised pride. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets we go.

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

From the captain's chair — Sunday 2 June 2002. The road took us to Fordcombe CC, where the coin fell their way and we were asked to have a bowl first, which on a warm afternoon is either a kindness or a trap depending on your outlook.

They ground their way to 166 for 8 off their 46, Colm Perry the chief architect with 31, well supported by Hamish Anderson's 27. Bob Howard, it must be recorded, departed without so much as a squeak off the bat — these things happen to the best of us. The real story, though, was Michael Beeney, metronomic and miserly, returning 3 for 22 with four maidens thrown in for good measure. I chipped in with 3 for 32 myself, and Matthew Carter picked up one for 40, so between us the shine came off fairly briskly.

With 167 needed, Trevor Back led from the front with 38, Stuart Cheesman weighed in with 33 and Fred Cheesman 26, but at 145 for 5 off 38 overs the finish line stayed stubbornly out of reach — not helped by 16 byes that gave poor Adam Pooley behind the stumps a proper working afternoon.

One footnote for the scrapbook: Michael Beeney's three wickets nudged him past Ron Hickman into 19th on the club's all-time list, a fine achievement quietly earned. In the end, honours were shared — a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody, which, in village cricket, counts as a result of sorts.

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

As Skipper's Log, Linton Park CC, 1 June 2002

Lost the toss again, which these days I take as a personal insult from the coin rather than mere chance, and so it was out to field first against Horsmonden. No matter — the bat did the talking. Clive Newman played an innings of real substance, motoring to 96 not out and dragging us to a healthy 198/3 off our 46 overs. I chipped in with 38 alongside him, Nigel Thirkell added a tidy 25, and even the extras column pulled its weight with 27 — generous of Horsmonden, if nothing else.

In reply, the lads on the field made light work of defending it. Horsmonden limped to 123/5 from their 44, with only Tom Reynolds (33) and Mick Winner (32) offering any real resistance, while poor Stephen Brown trudged back for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers. Darren Styles was the star turn with the ball, a superb 3-17 including three miserly maidens, well backed up by Michael Beeney (1-11) and Stuart Cheesman (1-20).

A word too for Clive — that 96 has now nudged him past Basil Sears into 9th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is the sort of thing that ought to earn a man a pint on the house. He leads our season's run charts on 319, with Darren top of the wickets pile on 12.

A comfortable win by 75 runs. Onwards indeed.

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 · HomeformWWLWW

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 · AwayformLWWLW

Saturday 25 May 2002 found us on the road at Rumwood CC, and when I lost the toss and they elected to bat, I confess my heart sank a little — nobody enjoys a long afternoon in the field on a warm one. Jeremy Chapman set about compiling a watchful 39, with useful support from S. Haugh (35) and Dave Latter (33), and for a while it looked as though we might be chasing something stiffer than we'd have liked. But Darren Styles had other ideas, turning the ball square all afternoon to finish with a magnificent 6-67, while James Vincent bowled with real discipline for 1-20 and five maidens, and Michael Beeney chipped in with 1-23. R. Feltham and S. Dawson departed without troubling the scorers, and Rumwood were eventually shepherded out for 170/9 from 45.5 overs — a total that felt, by the end, rather generous to us.

Chasing it, I was fortunate enough to find some form early and carried my bat to 78 not out, though the real class was at the other end, where Clive Newman played a wonderfully composed innings of 59 not out to see us home. Twenty-five extras did their bit too, and we cantered to 174/1 in 36.3 overs for a comfortable nine-wicket win.

A word of note: Clive's 59 nudges him past Piers McDonald and into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a fine landmark on a fine day. Two points, thoroughly banked, and a rare afternoon where absolutely everything went our way.

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

Won the toss on a fine Saturday at home to Rumwood CC, and with the sky looking kind I fancied our chances in the field, so in they went. It proved a shrewd call, up to a point — Rod Bailey and Brian Aiston both compiled handsome half-centuries, 59 and 56 respectively, to steer the visitors to 159 for 4 from their 46 overs. Credit to the bowlers for keeping a lid on it: Trevor Back was miserly and menacing in equal measure, two maidens among his figures of 1 for 17, with Jon Harris (1-26) and Dave Todd (1-46) chipping in dutifully alongside him.

A gettable target, then, and Brian Piper made it look positively straightforward with an unbeaten 53, well supported by Richard Piper's 25. Not every innings sparkled, mind — poor Simon Thirkell walked back for a duck, the sort of dismissal that earns you a permanent entry in the club's Duck Ledger and no sympathy whatsoever in the tea room. The extras column did its bit too, a generous 26 helping us home to 162 for 7 in 42.1 overs, three wickets to spare and the win duly banked.

I'm rather chuffed to say I currently lead the 2nd XI's run charts this season with 93, while Jon Harris sits third among the wicket-takers with four. All told, two points earned the hard way, a proper club cricket scrap, and a result I'll happily sign off on.

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

Lost the toss again on Sunday 19 May, and away at Margate CC that's never the news you want, but there are worse fates than being asked to bowl first on a flat May pitch. As it turned out, this was rather the good news in disguise, because Margate never got themselves going. Michael Beeney was the chief architect, tearing through with 3-2 off a spell that included three maidens, mean enough to make you wonder if he was charging them for the overs. Rob Jackson (2-16) and Adam Jackson (2-19) chipped in dutifully either side of him, and by the time the innings folded at 84 all out in the 31st over, we knew we'd done the hard work already.

Chasing 85 is the sort of target that ought to be routine and almost never is, cricket being the game it is, but Russell Baldwin set about it sensibly for 23 and Richard Piper saw us home unbeaten on the same score, calm as you like. We got there at 85/4 from 35 overs, taking the scenic route but arriving all the same.

Season-long, the form guide continues to read the same way: Russell Baldwin sits atop the 2002 run charts with 219, and Adam Jackson leads the wickets with a dozen, both men doing their bit again here. A fine win by 5 wickets, then, and a thoroughly satisfactory afternoon by the seaside. Onwards.

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

From the captain's chair — Saturday 18 May 2002. We hosted Bearsted CC, and having lost the toss I watched them elect to field, which on a fine spring afternoon felt like handing us the harder end of the bargain.

We stumbled early, 6 for 1 inside the first exchanges, and for a moment I feared the worst. But cricket has a way of rewarding patience, and I was fortunate enough to find some rhythm, working my way to 67 before falling. Kevin Presneill chipped in handsomely with 36, and Mike Elworthy saw us home unbeaten on 21, with the fifth-wicket stand of 50 the innings' backbone. Spare a sympathetic thought for poor Michael Beeney, who departed for a duck — these things happen to the best of us, and he'd make amends with the ball later. We closed on 143 for 7 from our 46 overs, a total that felt competitive without being commanding.

In the field, Bearsted's openers laid a solid platform of 74 before the breakthrough came, and from there Richard Luxton played the innings of the day, 63 not out, well supported by Stephen Pearce's unbeaten 36 and Stephen Heap's 30. John Taylor toiled manfully for his 2 for 40, three tidy maidens among them, and Michael Beeney atoned for his golden duck with 1 for 27. But 145 for 3 came a touch too easily for our liking, and we were beaten by seven wickets.

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

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

We travelled up to Bearsted on Saturday 18 May full of the usual optimism, which lasted precisely as long as it took to lose the toss. They had first use of what looked a decent surface and put us in, and for a good while it seemed the sensible decision. We limped to 78 for 9 off our 46 overs, the innings unravelling in that peculiarly English way — 32 for 3 became 34 for 6 before anyone had quite worked out what was happening. The Duck Club welcomed three new members for the ledger, as Richard Piper, Trevor Back and Simon Thirkell all made the long walk back without troubling the scorers. I did at least manage to keep my own end up, and can report that it's kept me atop the 2nd XI run charts for the season, for whatever comfort that's worth on a day like this.

Defending 78 was always going to want a minor miracle, and for a while we almost conjured one. Tim Lush went for a duck of his own at 5 for 1, and James Vincent bowled beautifully — four maidens and figures of 4 for 37 to keep him second in our wicket charts — with Matthew Carter chipping in for 1 for 8. But Jason Preston-Reeves stood firm with an unbeaten 30, and Bearsted eased home at 83 for 5 in the 28th over.

Not our day, then, beaten by five wickets. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

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

Skipper's Log — Sunday 12 May 2002. Away at Eynsford CC.

I won the toss and, with barely a moment's deliberation, stuck us in — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or reckless depending entirely on what happens next. Happily for the diary, it fell on the shrewd side of the ledger. Eynsford were shot out for 110 in 45.3 overs, David Crawley unbeaten on 46 the chief obstacle, well backed up by Eric Linsell's 34. Three of theirs departed without so much as troubling the scorers — a proper procession — while Darren Styles bowled with the miserly discipline of a man who simply refused to hand out four maidens' worth of charity. I had the good fortune to finish with 4-39, Fred Cheesman chipped in with 2-7, and James Vincent took one for four — bowling figures a captain dreams about on the drive home.

Chasing 111 should, by rights, have been a formality, and in the end it very nearly wasn't one of the good kind. Fred Cheesman's fine 57 did the heavy lifting with the bat, though poor Rob Jackson's golden duck was a reminder that cricket delights in keeping you humble. We stumbled and wobbled our way to 111/6 off 40 overs, four wickets down at the death and rather more sweat on the brow than the scoreline suggests it warranted.

Still, a win by four wickets is a win by four wickets, two points banked, and I'll happily take an afternoon where the only thing that troubled us was our own nerves rather than the opposition.

Sun 12 May 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv Milstead CC · HomeformLWWLW

Sunday 12 May, and Milstead CC rolled up to Linton Park for what turned into a proper contest. We had first use of the ball, and on a fine outfield it looked the sensible option, right up until R. Moxon settled in at the crease.

Moxon made 120 not out, a genuinely superb hundred, and found willing company in S. Burnop's 33 and G. Rawson's unbeaten 24 as Milstead posted a stiff 247 for 5 off their forty overs. I kept things tight at my end, finishing with 3 for 20 including three maidens, and Rob Doick chipped in with 2 for 59 to stop the total getting completely out of hand.

Chasing 248 is never a stroll, but Paul Gibson made it look close to one, compiling a fine 97 at the top of the order. I found some rhythm of my own with the bat, adding 54, and Rob Doick finished the job in style with an unbeaten 52, seeing us home to 249 for 6 in 38.3 overs.

Season's shaping up nicely too, I'm told I'm leading the 2002 Sunday NVKC run charts with 107 and sitting second in the wicket charts on 3 — figures I shall enjoy for precisely as long as it takes someone else in the side to overtake them.

A fine win by four wickets, then, against a Milstead side who made us work for every run of it. Onwards.

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

The road to West Farleigh CC is never a quick one, and I'll confess a little of the drive was spent wondering whether my winter's resolutions about footwork would survive contact with an actual cricket ball. Winning the toss settled my nerves rather than my technique — no hesitation in taking first knock on a morning that looked made for batting.

And so it proved. We built steadily to 197 for 7 from our 46 overs, a total with a bit of everything in it: I got in and made a scratchy but useful 49 up top, Rob Doick played the anchor beautifully for an unbeaten 33, and Russell Baldwin chipped in with a breezy 24 to keep the scoreboard honest.

Defending it, though, was where the afternoon turned from pleasant to positively glorious. West Farleigh never got going, folding for 79 in 41.1 overs, Paul Taylor's 22 the only real resistance. Two poor souls, Cruz and Brickwood, trudged off without so much as troubling the scorers — harsh way to spend a Saturday. Matt Large was magnificent, 3 for 13 and five maidens to boot, miserly to the point of cruelty, with Adam Jackson (3-14) and Michael Beeney (2-3) mopping up either end.

Baldwin now leads our run charts for the season and Jackson the wickets, and on this evidence neither shows signs of slowing. A thumping 118-run win, and thoroughly, unarguably earned.

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

Lost the toss again — some captains have a knack for it, I apparently have the opposite — and West Farleigh, sensing an opportunity, sent us in. We made hay regardless, posting 181 for 6 off our 46, built around a lovely half-century from Graham Walker, 52 of the finest, with Richard Piper chipping in a handy 31 alongside him. Even the extras column pulled its weight with 39 — not the most elegant runs a side can score, but they count the same on the board, and I certainly wasn't complaining as I totted them up.

Defending it, we set about our work with real intent. West Farleigh never got comfortable and were bowled out for 104 in 38.3 overs, David Crouch's 29 the top score amid the wreckage. John Taylor was magnificent, tearing through with 4 for 12, while Darren Styles bowled with the kind of miserly discipline that squeezes the life out of a chase — 3 for 4 and seven maidens tells its own story — and Dave Todd weighed in with 3 for 30. Poor Lee Mellor departed without troubling the scorers at all.

A word for Mike Elworthy too, whose watchful 11 eased him past Stan Wratten into 13th on the club's all-time run list — these small milestones matter as much as any trophy. As for my own season, I'll modestly note I currently sit atop the 2nd XI run charts with 76, though John Taylor's 11 wickets rather outshine anything I've managed with the bat.

A comfortable 77-run win, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round.

Sun 05 May 2002 🧢 1st XIv Willesborough CC · AwayformWWDWL

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

Saturday 04 May 2002, and the road took us to Borden CC in fair spirits and, for once, in good order at the toss — which I duly won, and had no hesitation whatsoever in choosing to bat.

It proved the right call. Mike Elworthy set the tone with a fine 42, Kevin Presneill matched him run for run with 42 of his own, and James Vincent saw us home unbeaten on 29 to help us to 171 for 7 from our 36 overs. Not every name will want reprinting in the gazette, mind — young Christopher Thirkell's contribution with the bat amounted to a golden duck, and he will no doubt be reminding himself of it long before anyone else does.

If our batting had its wrinkles, our bowling had none. Borden's reply disintegrated into total disarray — 32 all out in 29.1 overs, with Philip Boyce and Kevin Jacques both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer. John Taylor was quite unplayable, ripping through the order for 5 for 8, and in doing so brought up his hundredth career wicket — a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly toasted afterwards. Jon Harris chipped in nicely with 2 for 7, Christopher Thirkell made amends with the ball for 1 for 0, and I'll happily own my own small hand in proceedings alongside them. Darren Styles, meanwhile, bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding the tea urn, sending down eight maidens.

A romp, in the end — 139 runs to the good, and two points banked. Simon Thirkell continues to lead our run charts this season, John Taylor now tops the wickets, and Borden will not remember this fixture fondly.

Sun 28 Apr 2002 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWLWWL

Fair warning to Shipbourne CC — never let them see me smile at the coin toss, because it invariably means trouble for the fielding side. Down went the coin, up went my hand, and in we went to bat, a decision I shall modestly claim as sound judgement rather than blind luck. The lads set about building something substantial, and by the close of forty overs we'd posted a healthy 154 for 7. I can't pretend I wasn't rather chuffed to bring up a well-made fifty of my own, finishing on 53, with Russell Baldwin ploughing a determined 38 alongside and Clive Newman chipping in a tidy 28.

With the ball, we set about defending it with real purpose. Matt Large was in destructive mood, ripping through their order for 3 for 10, Michael Beeney chipped in with a wicket for 17, and Darren Styles bowled with the kind of miserly discipline that makes tea taste sweeter, three maidens and barely a run to be had. Only A. Thompson, unbeaten on 43, threatened to spoil the party, but Shipbourne could only muster 96 for 4 from their 29.

Special mention, too, for Russell, who brought up 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark that deserves rather more than a passing pint. And with my 53 leading the Sunday NVKC run charts and Matt's three wickets topping the bowling table, the season is off to a rather promising start. A 58-run victory, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

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

I lost the toss at New Ash Green on Saturday and found myself asked to bowl first — never quite the news you want on a spring afternoon, but there we were, taking the field with the usual blend of optimism and dread.

Andy Mayers had rather different plans for our day out, carving a magnificent unbeaten century that carried the innings almost single-handed, well supported by Alex Payne's 33 and Vic Mayers' unbeaten 26, as New Ash Green closed on a formidable 217 for 3 from their 40 overs. John Taylor toiled hardest for his figures of 2-95, Jon Harris chipped in with 1-74, and credit to Alan Boyns for two admirably tidy maidens amid the carnage — not every ball was dispatched to the boundary, even if quite enough were.

Chasing that total was always going to be a stiff ask, and so it proved. I was pleased to lead from the front, well supported by Simon Thirkell's battling 48, though poor Richard Piper's afternoon ended without so much as troubling the scorers. We closed on 160 for 7 from our 40 — a battle fought honourably, if not won.

Beaten by 57 runs in the end, then, and no arguing with the gulf on the day. Early season as it is, I find myself atop the run charts for now, with John Taylor's brace enough to lead the wickets — for how long is anyone's guess. We'll be better for it next week.

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

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 · HomeformWDWWD

Saturday 20 April 2002, and Sidcup CC rolled up wanting cricket, which is more than could be said for our luck at the toss — lost it, and duly found ourselves leather-hunting under a grey club sky.

They made a fair fist of it too, their openers putting on 73 before Tom Gittings finally prised one loose, finishing with 2-23 for his troubles. Adam Jackson chipped away with 2-31 and Michael Beeney took 1-16, while Rob Doick bowled with the tightness of a man who simply did not fancy buying the teas, three maidens to his name. John Wilson's 39 was the innings' backbone, with Phil Robinson (34) and Matthew Harris (31) adding the timber, and Sidcup were eventually shepherded out for 194 for 7 off 47.1 overs — competitive, but not, as it transpired, quite competitive enough.

Because what followed was one of those afternoons that reminds you why you keep turning up. Kevin Presneill batted like a man who'd read the script and decided to improve on it, finishing unbeaten on a magnificent 86, with Russell Baldwin stroking a handsome 54 alongside him. I got in on the act myself with an unbeaten 47, more grateful than glorious, as we cantered home to 198 for 1 in just 30 overs — nine wickets and a good deal of dignity to spare.

A thumping win, then, and not before time. Presneill's innings alone was worth the entrance fee, and with the tea urn drained and pride restored, this was, in every sense, a very good day for the club.