🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 27 Sep 2003 🧢 1st XIv Sherwood CC, Kent · AwayformWWDLD

Sunny at the toss, and I'll admit "we'll have a bowl" felt more like hope than tactics — but sometimes the village magic works. Ian Brattle was relentless, tearing through Sherwood for 4-18 while Dennis Salisbury bowled as though he had personal business with the scoreboard, four maidens and barely a run to his name. Between them, Adam Jackson chipped in with a couple, I managed one for not very much at all, and poor Michael Hooker never troubled the umpires, back in the pavilion without scoring. All out for 66 in 27.3 overs — only Tim Newlyn, with a stubborn 20, seemed to have read a different script to the rest of his side.

Chasing such a modest total ought to be straightforward, and for once it was: Richard Piper and Rob Jackson simply strolled to the target, unbeaten on 27 and 23 respectively, and had the job wrapped up inside sixteen overs without so much as a hint of alarm. No wickets lost, no fuss, no nervous tail-enders required — just two lads batting like the pitch owed them money.

A word too for Dennis Salisbury, who continues his quiet march up the season's charts and now sits second in the 1st XI wicket-takers for 2003 with 23 to his name — remarkable consistency from a man who seems constitutionally incapable of bowling a bad over.

All told, a thoroughly professional afternoon's work: bowled with discipline, batted with ease, and the long trip to Kent repaid with two points and a comfortable nine-wicket win. Sherwood, I fear, never really got going.

Wed 24 Sep 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformDWDWD

Right, I'm the captain, and Wednesday brought us a run out to Penshurst Park CC — the sort of afternoon that makes you glad you bothered getting out of bed. We lost the toss, were sent out to field, and to be honest I feared the worst as Eames and Smith both cashed in with half-centuries of 68 apiece, with Hunter chipping in 45 to help them post a hefty 218/6 from their 38 overs. Credit where it's due, though — Darren Styles was magnificent with the ball, tearing through with 3-36, and I managed a tidy 2-21 myself, with Trevor Back weighing in with one more to keep the total from getting truly ugly.

Two hundred and nineteen looked a stiff ask on paper, but nobody told Richard Piper and Craig Sands. The pair simply took the game away from Penshurst, Piper compiling a superb unbeaten hundred of 107 and Sands matching him stroke for stroke with 100 not out of his own — the sort of murderous, chanceless batting that leaves the rest of us on the boundary shaking our heads in quiet admiration. Brian Piper's contribution began and ended with a duck, bless him, but with performances like that alongside it, nobody was counting against us.

We cruised home on 222/2 with overs and wickets to spare — an eight-wicket win, no less. Sands now sits proudly atop the season's run charts with 408, and I'm rather chuffed to lead the wicket-takers with 15 for the year. A thumping win, a fine team effort, and the tea urn has rarely tasted sweeter. Onwards.

Sun 21 Sep 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWWWDD

From the captain's chair — Sunday 21 September 2003, and we welcomed Anchorians CC to Linton Park on a fine Sunday for it. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat, and for once the decision looked every inch the masterstroke it felt like at the time. We closed on a handsome 224/5 from our 35 overs, built almost entirely around a magnificent century from Daniel Thirkell — 105 of the finest, and not a run of it undeserved. Stuart Cheesman chipped in nicely with 36 not out and Russell Baldwin added a brisk 30, while poor Paul Gibson will be filed under "these things happen" after departing for a golden duck. Small mercies: Thirkell's ton also nudged him past Stan Wratten and up to 14th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is the sort of thing that ought to earn a man a pint regardless of the result.

Sadly, 224 proved not quite enough armour. D. Raggett played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 82 that we simply couldn't shift, well supported by M. Vowels' fifty (68) and D. Pask's 36, and Anchorians strolled home on 225/2 with 32.5 overs gone. Michael Beeney did what he could up front with 1-34, John Taylor chipping in with 1-58, but the pitch offered little sympathy for honest toil.

Beaten by seven wickets, then, and no arguing with the placing. Thirkell's century was a joy, Beeney continues to lead our wicket charts and Sands the run charts, and we go again next week rather better for the lesson than the scoreline suggests.

Sat 20 Sep 2003 🧢 2nd XIv EC Elliotts CC · AwayformDLWWL

Saturday last took us out to Elliotts CC, and for once the coin fell kindly — I called it right and had few qualms about batting first on what looked a fair sort of pitch. Nigel carried the innings in some style, an excellent 69, with Kevin Presneill (45) and Richard Piper (30) chipping in handsomely around him. We closed on 200 for 7 from 37.4 overs, a total I was rather pleased to defend. Less pleased, one imagines, was M. Wood, whose contribution to proceedings was a golden duck and an early, red-faced trudge back to the pavilion for the Duck Club ledger.

If the batting was solid, the bowling that followed was something else entirely. Elliotts never got going, bundled out for a paltry 67 in 19.3 overs, with only Dan Buckle's 21 offering any real resistance. Keith Barrett departed for nought at our hands, and Darren Styles was simply magnificent, tearing through them with 5 for 34 including two miserly maidens, well backed by Jon Harris (3 for 11) and Ian Brattle (2 for 21). Fine milestones too — Jon passed 2,500 career wickets, while Ian's brace lifted him past John Ames into 6th on the club's all-time list. In the season charts, Kevin sits 2nd among the 2nd XI's runmakers on 435, with Jon top of the wicket pile on 22.

A victory by 133 runs and two points banked — the sort of afternoon that makes the drive home feel altogether shorter than the drive out.

Sat 20 Sep 2003 🧢 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformWWWDL

Saturday 20 September 2003, and the road took us to Bidborough — the sort of ground and afternoon that reminds you why you bother with the winter nets. I won the toss and, with a decent-looking strip underfoot, had no hesitation in batting first.

It proved the right call. Craig Sands set about the Bidborough attack with real intent, cruising to 91, and I was glad to play a supporting hand of my own, seeing us up to 245 for 4 from our 42 overs with an unbeaten 76 — one of those days when everything off the middle of the bat seemed to find the gaps. Bidborough's bowlers weren't blameless either, gifting us 52 extras, which I'll happily take without asking too many questions.

Defending 245 is never quite the formality the scorebook suggests, and so it proved. John Taylor was superb with the ball, ripping through with 3 for 23, well backed up by Adam Jackson's tidy 2 for 41 — three maidens included, proof he wasn't just containing but genuinely probing — and Michael Beeney chipping in with one. But Andy Healy played the innings of the day for them, 61 not out, with Peter Eames' 57 and D Walker's 38 keeping the required rate within reach, and Bidborough closed on 239 for 6.

A draw it was, then — honours shared, and probably a fair reflection of two sides who each had their moment in the sun. As for the season, I'll note I'm sitting second in the run charts with 358, and Taylor third among the wicket-takers with 14 — quiet satisfaction, not swagger.

Sun 14 Sep 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv NS Northend Sunday · HomeformWWWWD

Winning the toss on a bright Sunday at home, I had no hesitation in taking first use of the pitch — the right call, I felt, and the scoreboard soon agreed with me. Craig Sands played an innings for the ages, striding to an unbeaten 129 and looking, for long stretches, like he was batting on a different surface to everyone else. Stuart Cheesman gave him fine company with a well-crafted 52, and I was happy enough to potter along to 42 not out myself, more spectator than protagonist as we declared, sorry, ran out of overs at 242/1 from our 33. A total, I confess, that had me quietly rubbing my hands in the field.

Those hands grew rather less steady as the afternoon wore on. R Taylor set about our total with real relish, compiling a magnificent 102, ably backed by A Bray's fluent 55, and for a while it looked as though our declaration — sorry, total — might be chased down entirely. Michael Beeney, bowling with real heart, hauled us back into it with 3-50, Jon Harris chipped in with 2-30, and Rob Jackson snaffled one for the princely cost of 7, while Darren Styles's two maidens were worth their weight in gold. The opposition closed on 209/7 from 46, honours shared.

A draw, then — not the win our morning's batting promised, but a thoroughly good watch, and no shame whatsoever in that.

Sat 13 Sep 2003 🧢 2nd XIv Upchurch CC · AwayformWDLWW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 13 September 2003. Upchurch CC, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — Colin called wrong, they batted, and we spent the afternoon chasing leather. They ground their way to 189/8 off their forty, with Adam Hodder's 44 the backbone of it, Phil Danton (26) and Trevor Collis (22) chipping in to keep the scoreboard ticking uncomfortably.

With the ball, though, we scrapped hard. Michael Beeney was the pick, 3-27, with Rob Jackson (2-37) doing the honest donkey-work alongside him, and I managed to prise out one for 33 of my own — no bargains on offer, mind you, with Darren Styles proving positively miserly for two maidens.

Chasing 190, we fell agonisingly short on 184/8. Mike Elworthy sailed serenely past fifty, well supported by Kevin Presneill (43) and Ron McCormick (37), while poor Christopher Thirkell trudged back for a duck 🦆 — extras did rather better, contributing a generous 28. Behind the stumps Elworthy had a torrid time of it, ten byes leaking through, though nobody begrudged him a word given his innings.

One moment did lift the gloom: Ron McCormick brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours 🧢 — a landmark deserving of more than five runs' worth of misfortune. I note, not without quiet pride, that I now lead the 2nd XI wicket charts with 19, while Trevor Back sits proudly atop the run-scorers on 465.

Beaten by five runs. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 13 Sep 2003 🧢 1st XIv Whitstable CC · HomeformLWWWD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 13 September 2003. We hosted Whitstable CC, and I'm afraid I lost the toss for the umpteenth time this summer. They chose to bat, and we had first use of the ball, for all the good it did us.

Peter Eames set about our attack like a man who'd had a difficult week and needed to take it out on something, finishing unbeaten on a superb 137. Dean Brownlie kept him company with an equally chanceless 68 not out, and Joe Denly chipped in with 46 for good measure, as Whitstable racked up 276 for 3 from their forty overs. Dennis Salisbury led the attack manfully, finishing with 1-44, with John Taylor (1-44) and Daniel Thirkell (1-47) offering support that, in truth, the scoreboard rather makes light of.

Chasing 277 was always going to require something special, and what we produced instead was 95 all out in 21.3 overs — a batting collapse of such comprehensive misery that three of us, Clive Newman, Mike Redman and I, all fell for ducks. I shall not dwell on my own contribution beyond noting that nought is nought however you dress it up, and we shall draw a veil over the whole sorry business.

Elsewhere in the season, Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 447, and Daniel Thirkell tops the wickets with 26 — small comforts on a day when we were beaten by 181 runs. We'll be better for it next week. We'd have to be.

Sun 07 Sep 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv TC Tunbridge Wells CC · AwayformDWWWW

Sunday, 7 September 2003, and we made the trip down to Tunbridge Wells CC with the sun out and the coin, as usual, refusing to play ball. Lost the toss, put in to field, and watched Tunbridge Wells set about accumulating a very respectable 218/6 from their 35.2 overs. Nick Chambers led the charge with a well-made fifty of 58, with Elliott Hughes (36) and Alex Collier (35) filling their boots either side of him. I managed to have a decent afternoon with the ball myself, picking up 2-39, with Ian Brattle (1-42) and Michael Beeney (1-47) also among the wickets, while Stuart Cheesman kept things admirably tight with two maidens — not a run given away lightly, even as the total crept skywards.

Chasing 219 was always going to be a stretch in 43 overs, but I'm rather chuffed to report I found some form when it mattered, carrying my bat for an unbeaten hundred as we closed on 197/6. Craig Sands gave fine support with 36, though poor Clive Newman's day was rather spoiled by a golden duck — some consolation, at least, in reaching his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the scorebook.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue. Not a win, but with a century to my name and a club stalwart notching three hundred games, I'll happily call this one a good day at the office.

Sat 06 Sep 2003 🧢 2nd XIv HC Higham & Mockbeggar CC · HomeformDWDLW

Lost the toss again — I really must ask if the coin's rigged — and duly found myself leading the lads into the field on a Saturday that promised more effort than reward. Higham & Mockbeggar made themselves at home, David Hughes compiling a fine 90 and Mark Cunningham chipping in 25, before their innings finally expired at 207 in the 40th over. Credit to the bowlers for reeling them in: Jon Harris did the damage with 3-41, Russell Baldwin and Michael Beeney weighed in with 3-50 and 2-50 respectively, and Trevor Back tightened the screws with two maidens when nobody wanted to give an inch.

Chasing 208, I found some form at last, carrying my bat for 87 not out — a personal effort I shan't pretend wasn't rather satisfying. Mike Elworthy's 31 and Simon Thirkell's 22 gave the innings its spine, and our third-wicket stand of 77 was the platform that won it. Thirteen byes among our 31 extras suggested poor Kevin Presneill was having rather a trying afternoon behind the stumps — not that we were complaining.

Off the field, the day belonged to Ron McCormick, who brought up 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth raising a glass to. Elsewhere, Elworthy sits second in this year's Second XI run charts and Harris leads the wickets column, proof this side has substance beyond one good Saturday.

We got home by six wickets. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 06 Sep 2003 🧢 1st XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformDLWWW

I've been asked away to Sissinghurst on 6 September 2003, and here's the tale.

The coin let us down and we were put into the field, watching Sissinghurst compile a steady 196/2 from their 47 overs. Nick Chambers led the charge with a well-made 82, D. Bugge kept him honourable company with 71, and Mark Simmons stayed unbeaten on 26 to round things off. Our attack toiled manfully without quite finding the breakthroughs we needed — Rob Jackson picked up 1-24, John Taylor chipped in with 1-28, and Rob Doick was a model of miserliness, sending down four maidens without conceding a run for his trouble.

Chasing 197, Richard Piper played the innings of the day with a fine 59, well supported by Adam Jackson's 23 and Christopher Thirkell's 22, as we finished on 187/8 from our 42 overs — agonisingly short, but never disgraced. I managed to add my own small contribution along the way, and can report I now sit second in the 1st XI's 2003 run charts with 342 to my name, while John Taylor's efforts with the ball have him fourth in the wicket charts on ten.

The day's real headline, though, belonged to Christopher, who brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth far more than any individual scoreline, and one the whole side was proud to see.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. A draw feels like fair reward for a match played in good spirit — no fireworks, but plenty to be quietly pleased about.

Sun 31 Aug 2003 🧢 Tour XIv BC Beacon CC, Cornwall · AwayformWWLLL

Skipper's Log — Sunday 31 August 2003. We motored down to Beacon CC, Cornwall, with high hopes and, as ever, an underprepared team talk. I lost the toss — a run that's threatening to become a personality trait — and Beacon chose to bat, leaving us in the field under the Cornish sun wondering what the pitch would give up.

They batted with some purpose, posting 179/8 from their 35 overs, built around a tidy 42 from James Gool with useful support from David Proctor (36) and Robert Trembath (27). It could have been worse but for Daniel Thirkell, who bowled beautifully for 3-26 and, we later discovered, quietly slid past Dick Langridge into 21st on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — the sort of milestone that gets a nod in the bar rather than a fanfare. I did my bit with 2-38, John Taylor chipped in with 2-68, and between us we kept Beacon to a target that felt eminently gettable.

And gettable it proved. Daniel followed his bowling with an unbeaten 64, calm and correct, while I made 48 up the order and Mike Elworthy added a brisk 40, steering us home at 182/4 with overs to spare. Daniel now leads our 2003 Tour XI wicket charts with 7, and I'm rather pleased to be topping the run charts with 222 for the season.

Six wickets, two points, and a thoroughly satisfying day's work — Beacon should expect us back.

Sun 31 Aug 2003 🧢 Friendly XIv Boughton & Eastwell CC · HomeformDW

Lost the toss and dutifully offered Boughton & Eastwell first use of a decent surface — no complaints, since the alternative was rather worse than what befell us. They made hay for a while, Paul Sinden compiling a fine fifty (60) and Sam Jarvis matching him stroke for stroke with 56 of his own, Craig Mannering chipping in with 21. Credit to the attack for hauling them back from what looked ominous: Dennis Salisbury led from the front with 2-24, Adam Jackson weighed in with 2-28, and Darren Styles bowled with the patience of a saint — four maidens and 1-12 — as two of their batsmen trudged off for ducks. They closed on 164/6 from their 44, which felt gettable.

It wasn't. Richard Piper batted with real application for 41 and deserves every plaudit, and we could thank our extras column for a hearty 32, but the rest of the card made for grim reading, none more so than my own contribution — first ball, golden duck, the walk of shame in front of the whole ground. A captain is meant to lead by example; I led by example of exactly how not to do it. All out for 152 in 35.3 overs, twelve runs short.

So: beaten by 12, and no hiding from it. Richard Piper now tops our season's run charts and Adam Jackson sits second among the wicket-takers, which are the shafts of light in an otherwise cloudy afternoon. As for the skipper, the less said the better — we'll be back next week, and I'll try to trouble the scorers for longer than one ball.

Fri 29 Aug 2003 🧢 Tour XIv MC Mullion CC · AwayformDWWLL

Friday last saw us on the road to Mullion, and any hopes of easing gently into the weekend evaporated the moment I lost the toss and we were invited to field. Martin Von Allaman had other ideas about our afternoon, batting through to an unbeaten 159, while Danny Gillman (30) and James Pearson (29) played the supporting cast we could have done without. Poor I Laity was sent back without troubling the scorers, and by the close of their 40 overs the total stood at a formidable 232/6. Stewart Morrison worked hardest for his 2-49, with Daniel Thirkell (2-50, two tidy maidens) and Craig Sands (1-39) chipping away gamely alongside him.

Chasing 233 was always going to ask searching questions of our top order, and Daniel Thirkell answered them best with a fine 70. I was glad to lend a hand with 52 of my own — a personally satisfying knock, even if I say so myself — while Craig Sands added a further 32. Sadly John Taylor, Tom Thirkell and - Bishop all departed for ducks, and we subsided to 200/9 from our 40 overs, 32 runs shy of the target.

A losing effort, then, but not a lifeless one — Von Allaman's innings was simply too good for us on the day. On the season's honours board I remain top of the Tour XI run charts with 174, and Stewart Morrison leads the wicket-takers with seven. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Thu 28 Aug 2003 🧢 Tour XIv FC Falmouth CC · AwayformWDWWL

Lost the toss at Falmouth on Thursday, and there's rarely much joy in that on a good batting surface — sure enough, they took first use and made themselves at home. Sean Turner played the innings of the day, 67 not out, calm as you like, with Richard Kellow chipping in a useful 39 alongside him. Julian Osborne was the exception among our efforts with the ball, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, but otherwise we scrapped well: Stewart Morrison bowled beautifully for 3-25, with Craig Sands (2-43) and Andrew Varker (1-19) chipping away too. 176/8 from their 40 overs felt like a target within reach, if not a comfortable one.

It proved rather more than reach allowed. Mike Elworthy top-scored with 27, doing the bulk of the graft, and I managed to hang about for 21 alongside him, but wickets fell at the other end with the regularity of a village clock. Poor Andrew Varker, so useful with the ball, came away with nothing to show for his batting. All out for 123 in 35 overs — a chase that never quite got its boots on.

Craig Sands continues to lead our Tour XI run charts with 138, and Stewart Morrison sits proudly atop the wickets column with 5 — small consolations on a long drive home. Beaten by 53 runs in the end. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 27 Aug 2003 🧢 Tour XIv TC Truro CC · AwayformWWDWW

Wednesday last, we made the trip down to Truro, lost the toss, and were invited to field first — never the news you want to hear on a warm afternoon, but there we are. Truro made merry to the tune of 221 for 7 off their forty, built around a fine fifty from Jamie Bridger (53) and well supported by Julian Bose, who also brought up a tidy half-century with 51, while Nik Lewis chipped in a useful 35. To our credit the bowling never gave up the ghost: Stewart Morrison did the real damage with 2 for 44, and Craig Sands and Christopher Thirkell kept things honest with 2 for 49 and 1 for 19 respectively.

Chasing 222, we set about it with real purpose. Nigel Thirkell played a lovely, well-made fifty on his way to 72, and I was fortunate enough to find some form myself, finishing unbeaten on 72 — a personal contribution I shan't pretend wasn't satisfying. Craig Sands weighed in again with a brisk 26, and for a good while it looked very much on. In the end, though, we fell agonisingly short, closing on 216 for 4 and going down by just five runs — the kind of margin that has you replaying every dot ball on the drive home.

Craig Sands now leads our Tour XI run charts for the season with 135, and Stewart Morrison tops the wicket charts with 2. Not our day, but a match to be proud of losing. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Tue 26 Aug 2003 🧢 Tour XIv TC Troon CC · AwayformWWWDW

Lost the toss again on Tuesday down at Troon — I do wonder if that coin has it in for me — and duly found ourselves in the field as they chose to bat. Troon set about compiling a stiff 203 for 5 off their 41, with Jason Weeks purring to 80 not out and M Rowe keeping him tidy company with an unbeaten fifty of his own. It could have been grimmer: Tim Thirkell bowled beautifully for 2-32, Daniel Thirkell chipped away for 1-15, and I huffed and puffed my way to 1-56, which I shall generously describe as "expensive but effective."

Two hundred and four to win is no stroll for a Tuesday evening, but Craig Sands had other ideas, striding to a magnificent 109 — three figures and no mistake — while the rest of us did what we could around him. I managed a watchful 29, and B- Pascoe weighed in with a brisk 20, and between us we somehow scrambled home on 204 for 7 with three wickets and precious little else to spare, in 37.5 overs of mounting palpitations.

Sands now sits proudly atop the Tour XI run charts for the season with that innings, and Tim leads the wicket-takers with his two. As for the rest of us, we'll take the glory of the scoreboard and quietly forget the manner of getting there.

A fine win by three wickets. Onwards.

Sun 24 Aug 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformWDWWW

Sunday 24 August 2003, and the road took us down to Tenterden. I lost the toss – again – and duly watched the opposition elect to bat, which by teatime was looking like the least of their decisions.

Tenterden were bowled out for a modest 99 in 32.1 overs, Matthew Hukins battling to 22 not out while three of their number trooped back without so much as troubling the scorers. Jon Harris was magnificent, 3 for 7, ripping through the order with the kind of spell that has batsmen checking the fixture list for next year. Rob Jackson (2-12) and Michael Beeney (2-14) tidied up nicely, and Darren Styles bowled three maidens as though runs were rationed. Only our generosity let them off the hook slightly – 31 wides and no-balls gifted away, the sort of profligacy that would have my grandfather muttering into his tea.

With the bat, we made a mockery of the target: 101 without loss in a breezy 9 overs. Russell Baldwin, imperious, cracked a career-shaping 75 not out, ably supported by Clive Newman's unbeaten 21. Baldwin now sits proudly atop the season's run charts with 450, while Beeney leads the wicket-takers with 22 – form the rest of us can only admire from a respectful distance.

Ten wickets, two points, and barely a bead of sweat. A proper afternoon's work.

Sat 23 Aug 2003 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · HomeformLDWDL

Winning the toss against Meopham at home, I had no hesitation in taking first use of the pitch, and for once my judgement was vindicated rather than mocked in the bar afterwards. Kevin Presneill anchored things beautifully with a marvellous unbeaten 70, and I was delighted to chip in with a fifty of my own, 56 that felt rather better than my usual nurdle-and-hope approach. Trevor Back weighed in with a brisk 38, though poor Ron McCormick will want to forget his afternoon entirely, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. We closed on a healthy 212/6 from our 46 overs.

Meopham's reply never quite got away from us, despite a fine half-century from Roxburgh and useful contributions from Kirby and the unbeaten Thatcher. Hogg and Fuller both departed for ducks, and with Michael Beeney bowling beautifully for 3-36 including three miserly maidens, ably backed by Mike Redman's 2-33 and Darren Styles's 2-42, the visitors fell short on 171/9 from their 44 overs, 41 runs shy of our total.

Off the field there was plenty to celebrate too. Mike Elworthy brought up his 400th appearance in Linton colours, a fine landmark, while Darren Styles's two wickets nudged him past Tony Gauna into 13th on the club's all-time list. Trevor Back continues to lead the 2nd XI run charts on 464, with Mike Redman 4th among the wicket-takers on a dozen.

Two points banked, and thoroughly deserved. A proper team performance, and one to enjoy on the drive home.

Sat 23 Aug 2003 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWDLWW

Left arm quick and none too fast this year, I'll admit — but Saturday at Meopham reminded us why we bother.

Losing the toss on a warm August afternoon and being put in to bowl is rarely the tonic a captain hopes for, but the lads set about their work with real discipline. Daniel Thirkell was the pick of the attack, 2 for 34 and full of zip, while Dennis Salisbury bowled with the parsimony of a man checking the club's tea fund — 2 for 46 with four maidens to show for his patience. John Taylor chipped in with a wicket too. Powney's 48 and Fotheringham's unbeaten 28 dragged Meopham to a stiff 167 for 7, though poor Mick Clark will want his money back after departing without troubling the scorers.

Chasing it down was never going to be straightforward, but Nigel Thirkell had other ideas, compiling a composed unbeaten 62 that did the heavy lifting, well supported by Stewart Morrison's 34 and Paul Gibson's 27. We got there with five wickets in hand and 43.2 overs on the clock — comfortable enough in the end, if not without the odd nervous over.

Two milestones worth raising a glass to: Nigel's innings took him past 38,000 career runs for the club, while Daniel's brace nudged him past Rob Doick into 22nd on the all-time wicket-takers list. Both remain at the top of this season's charts, and on this evidence, long may that continue.

A five-wicket win, two points banked, and a job thoroughly well done.

Wed 20 Aug 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformWDWDW

Lost the toss on a fine Wednesday and, as is traditional at Linton Park, was invited to go and field instead. Tunbridge Wells Wednesday set about building an innings that took its time and then rather ran away from us, Derek Smith compiling a fine 92 while N Badman chipped in a brisk 63 and C Churchley 30 more for good measure — 213 for 6 off their 51.2 overs was a proper total. There was one small mercy: N Rogers departed without so much as troubling the scorers, a golden duck to cheer the fielding side. I managed to find some rhythm with the ball and finished with 3 for 62, the pick of our attack, with John Taylor a fine foil at 2 for 38.

Chasing 214, David Castle played the innings of the day with a composed 68, ably backed by Craig Sands's 59 and Stewart Morrison's watchful 33. Poor Mike Elworthy will not thank me for mentioning his golden duck, but the Ledger must be kept. We closed on 211 for 6 from 38 overs — agonisingly, gloriously two runs short, honours shared.

With the season ticking on, Craig Sands now leads our run charts with 308 and I find myself, somewhat improbably, top of the wicket pile with 13. A draw, then — no losers, plenty of tea, and everyone home in time for the football.

Sun 17 Aug 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformLWDWW

Sunday last took us out to Benenden, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, as it turned out, and I'll allow myself a small pat on the back for that one. Mark Christmas played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 62, and found the perfect foil in Daniel Thirkell, whose own well-crafted 59 helped haul us to a handsome 227/5 off 37.1 overs, Craig Sands chipping in with a brisk 29 along the way. It was the sort of total that has the tea urn boiling with quiet confidence rather than dread.

With the ball, Benenden never quite got going, Steve Luckhurst's 24 and Ben Collins's 20 the only real resistance before they folded for 124 in 38.1 overs. I had one of those days where everything you bowl seems to find the edge or the top of off, finishing with 3-25, and was delighted to have Michael Beeney (2-10) and John Taylor (2-29, with three tidy maidens thrown in for good measure) squeezing the life out of the other end.

Beyond the scoreline, there was real cause for celebration: Daniel Thirkell brought up 7,000 career runs for the club, a mighty landmark, while Darren Styles's solitary wicket nudged him past Alan Boyns into 14th on our all-time list. Craig Sands sits second in this season's run charts, Michael Beeney tops the wickets — the old firm going strong.

A comfortable win by 103 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work all round. Onwards.

Sat 16 Aug 2003 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformTLDWD

Lost the toss at Bearsted, called wrong as usual, and watched from the boundary as they racked up 308 for 5 off their 46. Their openers put on a stand that felt biblical — 258 for the first wicket before either fell, which is the sort of thing that makes a captain reconsider his life choices somewhere around over thirty. Mick Clifton made a magnificent 170, ably assisted by Jonathan Lee's fifty-plus, and by the time we finally prised the first wicket out the total already looked like a misprint. Credit where due — Adam Jackson kept plugging away for 3 for 64, and Mike Redman chipped in with 2 for 51, otherwise it could have been worse.

Chasing 309 was always more pride than prospect, and 154 for 6 off our 44 tells its own story. Kevin Presneill top-scored with a gutsy 48, Graham Walker gave him good company with 31, and I managed to hold up an end for an unbeaten 28. Poor Richard Piper endured the walk of shame for a duck — the Duck Club ledger groans under him again — while twelve byes leaked through suggested Kevin was having rather more fun behind the stumps than in front of them.

Beaten by 154 runs, no arguing with that scoreline. Elsewhere in the ledger, Trevor Back still tops our 2003 run charts with 426, and Adam Jackson sits second among the wicket-takers with 15 — small consolations on a long drive home. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 16 Aug 2003 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWWDLW

Saturday 16 August 2003, and Bearsted CC rolled up the drive looking rather too pleased with themselves for my liking. I won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first — the pitch looked a belter, and so it proved. We ground our way to a healthy 217/7 from our 46 overs, and I'll confess to no small satisfaction in getting among the runs myself, past fifty and on to 75 before I ran out of partners worth the name. Russell Baldwin batted beautifully for his 51, and Craig Sands chipped in a useful 29. Poor Rob Doick, though, will want this one struck from the record — a golden duck to remember him by.

Defending 217 always sounds comfortable until you're out there doing it, but the lads were magnificent. Bearsted lost an early wicket with just 6 on the board and never quite settled, though a stubborn fifth-wicket stand of 51 threatened to drag them back into it. Ian Sandwell battled hard for an unbeaten 39, with Jivan De Silva and Stephen Heap offering support, but Stephen Horrocks departed without so much as troubling the scorers. Daniel Thirkell led the attack superbly with 2-17, ably backed by Michael Beeney and Dennis Salisbury, while Mark Christmas bowled four miserly maidens that the tea urn will still be talking about.

We got home by 76 runs. A proper day's cricket, and a thoroughly satisfying one.

Fri 15 Aug 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformWWDWD

As the twelfth of August faded into the fifteenth of August, we welcomed Selsdon CC to Linton Park with the sun out and, briefly, our tactical wisdom entirely absent — I lost the toss and they sent us in, which after 209/8 from our 45 overs felt like a decision they'd rather forget by teatime. Brian Piper was magnificent, farming the strike to 77 not out, with Stuart Cheesman's 36 and Mike Elworthy's 29 giving the innings a proper spine. It was the sort of total that makes the tea urn taste sweeter.

Selsdon's reply began in farcical fashion when poor Jeff Douglas trudged back for a golden duck, and it never really recovered. I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with 3-11, and I'll allow myself that one boast before moving swiftly on — Trevor Back (2-9) and Darren Styles (2-26) kept the squeeze on beautifully, while Adam Jackson bowled two maidens that would have tested the patience of a saint. Poor Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps, 9 byes escaping his gloves like a runaway dog at the park, though he's atoning nicely at the top of our 2003 run charts with 249 to his name.

Selsdon folded for 98 in 25.2 overs, and we strolled off 111 runs to the good. A thoroughly good day for the club, and if my wickets nudge me a little further clear at the top of the bowling table, well — someone has to captain this shambles, and today it might as well be me.

Wed 13 Aug 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDWWDW

Wednesday 13th August saw us head to The Mote CC, and winning the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, I felt, and for once nobody in the changing room argued with me. Stewart Morrison led the way with a fine 70, an innings that also nudged him past Paul Brattle into 16th on the club's all-time run charts, which is the sort of thing that gets you a nod of approval from the more statistically minded members over tea. Daniel Thirkell provided sturdy support with an unbeaten 55, Stuart Cheesman chipped in with 32, and we closed on a healthy 221/5 from our 46.1 overs.

Defending that total, The Mote never quite let us close the door, though we gave it a fair rattle. Nathan Chapman's 45 was the backbone of their reply, with Thomas Harvey (37) and Adam Luscombe (23) offering support, while Herman and Matthew Coles departed without troubling the scorers — small mercies. I found some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 3-45 and a couple of maidens for good measure, ably backed up by Stuart Cheesman and David Castle, who each picked up a wicket for 11. Poor Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging — though he can console himself with 241 runs still leading our season's run charts, while I lead the wickets column with 7.

In the end The Mote crawled to 192/8 from their 45, and honours were shared. A draw, then — honest toil, no losers, and just enough drama to justify the tea urn working overtime.

Sun 10 Aug 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WK Westgate-On-Sea CC, Kent · HomeformDLWDW

We'd already had a good toss to win, and I'll admit I fancied a bat on it — happily, that gut feeling paid off in spades.

Russell Baldwin simply refused to get out, and quite right too: 130 not out is the sort of innings that gets talked about in the clubhouse for weeks, and he barely broke sweat doing it. Daniel Thirkell chipped in nicely with 20 at the other end, and between them we posted a very respectable 211 for 5 off our forty overs — the kind of total that lets a captain sleep easy at tea, or would have, if I hadn't spent the interval fretting about Westgate's top order.

They gave it a proper go. Keith Sandwell played a fine hand for 73, and Brian Andrews' 30 kept the required rate ticking along longer than any of us would have liked. But this was Michael Beeney's afternoon — he turned the ball square and mopped up five for 49, the sort of spell that has opposition batsmen muttering darkly into their tea. Mark Christmas backed him up handsomely with three for 28, and Darren Styles bowled with real discipline, two for 16 including three maidens, not a run given away lightly. Poor B- Godby never got off the mark, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. They folded for 161 in 36.3 overs.

Fifty runs the right side of the ledger, and with Baldwin and Beeney both sitting proudly atop the season's charts, this was as complete a team performance as you could wish for. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 09 Aug 2003 🧢 2nd XIv KK Kennington CC, Kent · AwayformLTLDW

The road to Kennington last Saturday brought us Kent hospitality, a flat pitch, and 87 overs of cricket that refused, stubbornly, to produce a winner.

Put in first, we made a fine fist of it. Graham Walker and Rob Jackson set about the Kennington attack with real intent, carting us to 105 before the first wicket finally fell — 105 for the pair, no less, and worth every round of applause it got in the bar afterwards. Walker went on to a handsome 68, Jackson chipped in 39, and Trevor Back finished unbeaten on 40 to steer us home to a highly respectable 225 for 5 off our 44. Not every cameo sparkled, mind — poor Kevin Presneill trudged off for a golden duck, the sort of dismissal that gets replayed in your head somewhere around 3am.

With the gloves on, Presneill had rather better luck banking runs than saving them, leaking 12 byes as Kennington replied with 218 for 9. Alan Hart's 48 and Chris Watts's 35 kept them in the hunt, but Adam Jackson was magnificent, 3 for 24 with four miserly maidens, and in doing so brought up his 50th career wicket — a landmark toasted properly at close of play. Graham Walker and James Piper chipped in a wicket apiece to keep the squeeze on.

In the end honours were shared, neither side able to force it home. A fair result, and with Trevor Back now topping our 2nd XI run charts on 417 and sitting second in the wickets, the lads have precious little to sulk about.

Sat 09 Aug 2003 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformWWWDL

Saturday last brought Shipbourne CC to Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any sensible captain does with a good pitch and a fair forecast — I put us in to bat, and for once the decision looked positively inspired rather than merely lucky.

We batted with real purpose, racking up 225 for 4 off our 46 overs. Paul Gibson was the class act of the afternoon, timing his way to 77 not out with the minimum of fuss, while I was rather chuffed to chip in with 69 of my own, and Daniel Thirkell's brisk 25 kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely. All told, a total that felt like runs in the bank rather than runs merely on the board.

Defending it was another matter, as it always is. Shipbourne fought hard and got themselves to 198 for 9 off 44 overs, with Paul Stovell playing a fine hand of 52, well supported by Mark Fenton's 37 and Andrew Gillam's 33 — enough to have a few of us checking our watches nervously. But John Taylor was superb with the ball, 3 for 20 of pure discipline, backed up by Michael Beeney's 3 for 49 and a tidy 1 for 25 from Mark Christmas, who also squeezed out two maidens for good measure. Worth a mention too that Michael's three wickets nudged him past Dave Todd and up to 16th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — the sort of trivia that means rather more to us than it should.

We got over the line by 27 runs. All in all, a proper day for the club, and I'll happily take more like it.

Tue 05 Aug 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformWDWWD

Bexley CC came to Linton Park on a Tuesday in early August and did rather more with the bat than we'd have liked, but this was one of those days that ended exactly the way the club gazette likes them to.

Losing the toss and being asked to field is rarely the tonic a captain wants, and Bexley made merry, closing on 211 for 3 from their 39 overs. Titaan Henning was the chief architect, motoring to 92 not out, with Babar Khan calmly compiling an unbeaten fifty of his own and Michael Ladbrook chipping in with 26. Credit where due to the bowlers who kept us in the hunt — Mark Christmas was miserly and menacing in equal measure for his 1 for 8, with Rob Jackson and Adam Jackson both prising out a wicket apiece.

Chasing 212 is no stroll, but Craig Sands had other ideas, playing an innings that will be talked about long after the teas have gone cold — 112 not out, a magnificent, chanceless century that hauled us home. Mark Christmas (41) and Trevor Back (32) gave him fine support, though Rob Jackson's golden duck reminded us cricket has a sense of humour. We reached 215 for 6 in the 39th over, home by four wickets.

Beyond the result, Craig brought up 1,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth more than any scorecard line — and continues to lead our 2003 run charts in some style. A thoroughly good day for Linton Park: tested, tested again, and not found wanting.

Sun 03 Aug 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv DC Downham & Bellingham CC · HomeformWDLWD

Sunday 3rd August, and we hosted Downham & Bellingham on what turned out to be a rather satisfying afternoon of cricket. The coin let us down, they chose to bat, and out we trooped into the field wondering just how many the good folk of Downham & Bellingham had in mind.

Chris Mendham gave us the answer, a polished 69 that did the heavy lifting, with Robin Bailey chipping in 33 to help them to 177/9 from their 47 overs. It could have been considerably worse had Michael Beeney not run thoroughly amok with the ball, 5-62 of pure menace, while Darren Styles kept things tight with a couple of maidens and 1-17, Mark Christmas weighing in with 1-28, and Jeff Barnes departing for a duck at our hands to round out a fine team bowling effort.

Chasing 178, I found some form with 42 of my own, though the real backbone came from Christopher Thirkell's unbeaten 38 and Russell Baldwin's 36, and between us we got the job done in 40.1 overs for the loss of five wickets. Poor Daniel Thirkell will not thank me for mentioning his nought, but the Duck Club ledger must be kept honest.

A five-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly deserved one. Beeney continues to lead our wicket charts and Sands the run charts this season, and on this evidence there's plenty more good cricket to come. Onwards.

Sat 02 Aug 2003 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWWWD

Skipper's Log, Saturday 2nd August 2003 — Headcorn CC visited, and rather rudely won the toss, sending us into the field first.

We can have no complaints about the leather, mind. Dennis Salisbury steamed in for a fine 2-41, with John Taylor (1-18) and the impossibly economical Daniel Thirkell (1-35, five maidens — five!) keeping things tight enough that a lesser side than Headcorn might have folded. Instead, Mike Donnelly's 44 and unbeaten fifties-in-waiting from Kevin Richardson (39no) and Ali Lee (39no) carried them to 168/5 from their 46 overs. Small mercy: Simon Phipps and Paul Millen both trudged back for ducks at our hands, which is always worth a quiet chuckle from the slip cordon.

Chasing 169, we made a decent fist of it. Nigel Thirkell — who continues to lead the club's run charts this season with 366 — batted beautifully for 63, well supported by his brother Daniel (32, clearly saving his best work for with the ball) and Stewart Morrison (22). Russell Baldwin, less fortunately, contributed nothing at all — out for a golden duck, bless him — and 160/6 from our 44 overs left us eight runs short at the close.

So, beaten by eight runs, and no arguing with the arithmetic. A game we probably ought to have nicked, but the effort was there in all departments, and we'll be considerably better for the experience next week.

Sat 02 Aug 2003 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLTLD

Saturday last took us down to Headcorn, and for once the coin actually did what I asked of it — I called correctly and had no hesitation in sticking us in... sorry, sticking them in, us in to bat, which is rather the point of winning the toss in the first place.

Christopher Thirkell set about compiling a superb 96 — cruelly denied the century by whatever quirk of scoring or nerve claims these things on a Saturday — while I chipped in with 43 to keep him honest at the other end, and the extras column added a further 30 for reasons nobody could quite explain. All told, 218 for 4 from our 46 overs represented a fine morning's work and a total Headcorn would have to work rather hard to chase down.

And work hard they did not. Pete Sparks and T. Whatman went back without troubling the scorers, which set the tone nicely, and from there Jon Harris ran through them with 3 for 9, Darren Styles strangled the innings with 2 for 3 and five maidens on his way to passing 400 career wickets, and Tom Thirkell picked up 2 for 13 for good measure. Only Kevin Presneill's 18 byes offered Headcorn any encouragement, bless him behind the stumps.

82 all out from 36 overs, and we strolled home by 136 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club, and Darren's milestone made it one to remember in the bar afterwards.

Wed 30 Jul 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv IX Ipswich Greyhounds CC - Kent Tour XI · HomeformWWDWW

Wednesday 30 July, and we welcomed the visitors to our own patch hoping for a proper tussle. Batting first, we compiled a workmanlike 172 for 9 from our 41 overs, built chiefly around Craig Sands, who played the innings of the day with a fine 90, ably supported by Steve Cheesman and Russell Baldwin, both weighing in with 25 apiece. Elsewhere the card made for grim reading, with Tim Thirkell, Mark Christmas and Jim Hall all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — the sort of collective batting hiccup that has a captain reaching for the tea urn rather than the scorebook.

Set 173 to chase, the opposition never quite got away from us, closing on 110 for 9 from their 41 overs despite a spirited 43 from K Banham. We had them under the pump early, sending Rick Jones and Gareth Thomas packing without so much as a run between them, and the bowling honours were shared around handsomely: Russell Baldwin the pick with 2 for 8, Mark Christmas chipping in with 2 for 17, and Michael Beeney matching him with 2 for 26, while Adam Jackson strangled the scoring with three miserly maidens.

On the season's charts, Craig Sands continues to lead the way with 122 runs for the Midweek XI, and I'm rather pleased to find myself sitting second in the wicket-takers' list with 4 to my name. In the end neither side could land the killer blow, and honours were shared — a draw that, on the balance of the afternoon's play, felt about right.

Sun 27 Jul 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv K Knockers · HomeformDWDLW

Sunday 27 July 2003, and the visitors arrived to find Linton Park in a batting mood, if not quite a hurrying one. Forty-seven overs brought us 165 for 7, built on a fine 45 from Russell Baldwin, with Stewart Morrison (26) and Craig Sands (24) chipping in handsomely either side of him. Nothing outrageous, nothing reckless — just a steady accumulation of the sort that leaves a captain quietly content over his tea.

Defending it, we discovered the visitors had come to graft rather than gallop. S Seldon dug in for 35 and looked, for a while, like he might see them home, but the middle order rather let the side down, and poor D Boreham departed for a duck without so much as troubling the scoreboard operator. Jon Harris was the chief tormentor with 3 for 16, backed superbly by Darren Styles (2-25) and Michael Beeney, who bowled with the meanness of a man who'd left his wallet at home — 2 for 28 and four maidens besides. In the end they closed on 110 for 9 from their 39, agonisingly short of what they needed and just as short of the time to get there.

So honours shared, and a draw neither side could quite force open. Frustrating for the purists, perhaps, but with Craig Sands leading our Sunday run charts on 303 and Michael Beeney sitting second among the wicket-takers on 8, there's rather more to smile about this season than to mourn. A fair result, fairly earned — and the tea, I'm reliably informed, was rather good too.

Sat 26 Jul 2003 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday 26 July 2003, and off we trundled to Sheldwich, where the coin obliged me for once and I sent us in — a decision I like to take credit for on the days it comes off.

208/7 from our 46 overs was a tidy return, built on the back of Nigel Thirkell's fifty and more, 75 in all, an innings of proper substance that had the boundary boards earning their keep. Paul Gibson chipped in a handy 41, and Mike Elworthy finished unbeaten on 23, shepherding the tail with the calm of a man who'd rather be having his tea. All told, a total we felt we could bowl at.

And bowl at it we did, though Sheldwich had other ideas about losing. James Creed dug in for an unbeaten 41 that did for our hopes of victory, and try as we might we could only prise out two wickets as they crept to 70 from their 14 overs before bad light, or good sense, or something in between brought proceedings to a close. Daniel Thirkell was the pick of a willing but ultimately toothless attack, 1-30 his reward for honest labour.

So honours shared, and Nigel Thirkell now sits proudly atop our season's run charts with 303, while Daniel Thirkell leads the wicket-takers with 20 — both men doing rather more for the cause than the rest of us combined. A draw, then: no shame in it, but no glory either. We'll take the point and the long drive home, and live to fight Sheldwich another day.

Sat 26 Jul 2003 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWWLTL

Saturday, 26 July 2003, and Sheldwich CC rolled up as our guests — though it was they who called correctly, or so it seemed, opting to field the moment the coin came down my way. I've long suspected the toss dislikes me personally, but no matter; there are worse things than batting first at Linton Park on a fine summer afternoon.

We set about it briskly enough, our openers finding the gaps in a field clearly better drilled at bowling than at chasing boundaries. Twenty-two without loss from 9.2 overs told its own modest story — nothing spectacular, but tidy, unhurried, the sort of platform a captain can build a plan around, even if the plan itself stayed stubbornly vague as I paced the boundary wondering what on earth to do with it.

Out we went then to defend, such as it was, and Sheldwich's reply simply never resolved itself into a finished innings — closed, in the end, without the formality of a full set of wickets falling. Honours, accordingly, were shared. A draw suits nobody's scorebook and everybody's Saturday, I find, and there are worse ways to send our visitors home than with handshakes rather than grievances.

Elsewhere in the club's ledger, credit where it's due: Christopher Thirkell continues his fine season for the 2nd XI, sitting fourth in the run charts with 209 to his name — a Thirkell worth watching, evidently, even if this one's chair remains rather more comfortable than his bat.

A draw, then. Nobody beaten, nobody quite triumphant — which, on reflection, is precisely the kind of afternoon village cricket was invented for.

Sun 20 Jul 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv SC Sidcup CC · HomeformWDWDL

From the captain's chair, Sunday 20 July, and no joy at all with the coin — Sidcup called correctly and sent us in, which after weeks of losing tosses is starting to feel like a personal vendetta from the cricketing gods. No matter: 253 for 5 off 35.5 overs is a fine way to answer back. Craig Sands played the innings of the summer, a magnificent 124, with Stewart Morrison giving him excellent company for a classy 61. I chipped in with 20 down the order, and thirty-seven extras rolled in almost apologetically, as if Sidcup's bowlers felt they owed us something. Only Richard Piper had a day to forget with the bat, back in the pavilion for a duck — though, as it turned out, that was very much not the story of his afternoon.

Defending 253 is the sort of task that lets a captain sit back and enjoy himself, and Sidcup never troubled us, losing an early wicket at 7 and collapsing to 116 all out in 39.3 overs. Steve Hobbs battled to 38, with Mark Avis and Faisal Zaman good for 20 apiece, but Mark Christmas was magnificent, ripping through them for 4-24 and, in doing so, reaching 50 career wickets. Darren Styles (2-33, with two tidy maidens) and Michael Beeney (1-12) tightened the noose beautifully. Fittingly, it was Richard Piper's 200th appearance in Linton colours — some way to mark the milestone. A thumping 137-run win, two points banked, and a thoroughly happy drive home.

Sat 19 Jul 2003 🧢 1st XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformLWWWW

The visitors from Horton Kirby arrived on a fine Saturday, and I duly lost the toss for us — Horton Kirby had few doubts about batting first, and we trooped out into the field wondering what the day held.

What it held, in the end, was Daniel Thirkell in irresistible touch with the ball. His 5-36, complete with two miserly maidens, dismantled the middle order and had Bradley Bull and Marc Titler back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Ryan Taylor's 36 and useful contributions from Darren Chambers (24) and Paul Love (22) gave the visitors some respectability, but with Dennis Salisbury chipping in three wickets and Michael Beeney one, Horton Kirby were all out for 142 in the 45th over — a total that, on reflection, always felt a little light for the pitch on offer.

Whatever weariness Thirkell might have carried from his exertions in the field, he showed no sign of it with bat in hand. An unbeaten 87, striking the ball with the sort of authority that leaves fielders standing and captains muttering into their tea, saw us home in some style, ably assisted by Nigel Thirkell's composed 33 not out. We reached 145 for the loss of only two wickets inside 34 overs, wrapping up an eight-wicket win with time to spare.

Two points banked, and not a soul in the clubhouse would begrudge us them. On this evidence, Daniel Thirkell — now top of both the run and wicket charts for the season — is fast becoming a one-man argument for never dropping him to the seconds. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's cricket.

Sat 19 Jul 2003 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWWWLT

Losing the toss at Horton Kirby on a Saturday that promised more from the weather than it delivered, I found us asked to bowl first — never my preferred start, but there we are. Credit where it's due: the lads did us proud with the ball. Matthew Carter was the pick of the attack, snaring 2-18, with Mike Redman (2-38) and Adam Jackson (1-9) chipping in, and Darren Styles bowling with the kind of miserly discipline that had their batsmen muttering into their gloves — three maidens is proper Yorkshire stuff, even in Kent. We even had the pleasure of seeing both Bulls, Darren and Dane, walk back for ducks. Still, S Brett's 39 and Duncan Taylor's 30 dragged Horton Kirby to a competitive 161/7 from their 46 overs.

Chasing it, Graham Walker (48) and Adam Jackson (40) gave us real hope, batting with a sense of occasion the rest of us struggled to match. I can't pretend otherwise — I contributed nothing but a walk out and a walk back, out for a duck alongside Mike Elworthy and Matthew Carter, three ducks in one innings being rather more ducks than any tea interval deserves. All out for 157 in 40.3 overs, we fell agonisingly short.

Beaten by four runs. It stings precisely because it needn't have — the bowling was there, the top order made a fist of it, and it was the middle and lower order, your captain included, who let the side down. We'll be better for it next week.

Wed 16 Jul 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformLWWDW

Wednesday 16 July, and I won the toss and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first — call it captain's instinct, call it not fancying our chances against the new ball on a green one. Whatever it was, it paid off handsomely. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, 83 well-constructed runs that gave the whole order something to build around, with Christopher Thirkell (45) and Piers McDonald (23) both chipping in nicely. Mark Christmas will be pleased to know his golden duck has been recorded for posterity in this very report. We closed on a healthy 184/6 from our 35.

Defending that kind of total ought to be the easy part, and for once it very nearly was straightforward. Charlotte Cornwallis top-scored gamely with 34 and J-D- Jefferson added 21, but beyond that our attack simply strangled the life out of the reply. Christopher Thirkell was magnificent with the ball, following his runs with 3-16, well backed up by Adam Jackson's 2-16 and Darren Styles's 1-23. W- Blockley and R- White departed without scoring, and the innings folded for 137 in 34.1 overs. I managed to make my own small contribution along the way too, for whatever that's worth in the grand scheme.

A special mention for Mike Elworthy, who brought up 8,000 career runs for the club today — a genuinely wonderful landmark, and typical of the man that he marked it with a matchwinning knock. He now sits third in this season's Midweek XI run charts, with Thirkell leading the wickets column.

Two points, forty-seven runs to the good, and thoroughly deserved. A proper team performance, and a very pleasant Wednesday evening indeed.

Sun 13 Jul 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Chestfield CC · AwayformDWDWD

With a coin toss lost and Chestfield first to bat, I knew we'd be graced with a long afternoon in the field, and so it proved. They ground their way to 148/9 from their allotted 49, Duncan Brown and Michael Brock both making tidy 24s, with Wayne George's 23 filling out a total that felt, at the time, entirely gettable. Mark Christmas was superb with the ball, 3-42 doing the heavy lifting, Russell Baldwin and Michael Beeney chipping in with two apiece, and I was rather pleased to keep things tight myself with three maidens. James Burnage departed for a duck, which was some small consolation for all that leather-chasing.

Chasing 149, we never quite found our rhythm. Russell Baldwin batted beautifully for his fifty, the one substantial innings of the day, and I added 24 in support, but around us the innings simply didn't hold together. Craig Sands, Adam Pooley and Stewart Morrison all fell without troubling the scorers, and 134 all out from 35.2 overs left us fourteen runs short.

A day that promised more than it delivered, then, and a batting effort that leaned far too heavily on one man's fifty and precious little else. Russell continues to lead from the front, now second in the season's run charts, and Mark Christmas tops the wicket-takers, so there's plenty to be proud of even in defeat. Heads up, though. It's back to the nets for the rest of us.

Sat 12 Jul 2003 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformWWWWL

The coin, as is tradition when it matters most, deserted me entirely, and Hollingbourne duly elected to bat on a Saturday that promised much and delivered rather more. They set about compiling 256/6 from their 46 overs, built chiefly around Mike Palmer's fine 93, with useful support from Gavin Fossey's well-made 58 and Andy Golding's 42. Our attack toiled honestly rather than heroically — Jon Harris the pick with 2-57, Adam Jackson chipping in with 2-71 and Rob Jackson taking 1-28, while Ian Brattle kept things admirably tight with two maidens, not a run given away lightly.

Chasing 256 is never a stroll after tea and a sandwich, but the lads set about it with real application. Nigel Thirkell was magnificent, unbeaten on 80, ably supported by Graham Walker's 44 and Trevor Back's 40, while the extras column did its bit with 34. I chipped in with 30 myself, and can report reaching 12,000 career runs for the club along the way — a personal landmark rather spoiled, in the nicest way, by the scoreboard refusing to budge in our favour at the death. Rob Jackson's duck was soon forgiven when news filtered through of his 50th career wicket. Spare a thought too for Trevor Back and Jon Harris, both riding high atop the 2nd XI's season charts.

And so, after a whole day's honest toil, 256 apiece — a tie, dead level, and utterly unable to be separated. Cricket, in its infinite mischief, occasionally refuses to pick a winner, and frankly, on this evidence, neither side deserved to lose.

Sat 12 Jul 2003 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformLLWWW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 12 July 2003. Away to Hollingbourne, and for once I won the toss and didn't spend the walk back to the pavilion wondering if I'd got it wrong. Bat first, I said, with all the confidence of a man who has occasionally got it very wrong indeed.

The lads obliged. Stewart Morrison played the innings of the day, 75 of good honest running and proper strokeplay, with Daniel Thirkell right alongside him on 62 and Rob Doick chipping in a tidy 27. We closed on 226/9 from our 46 — a total with a bit of backbone to it. Less said the better about Stuart Cheesman and Michael Beeney, who both made the long walk back for ducks; the Duck Club ledger grows ever fatter, and neither man will be allowed to forget it at teas.

With the ball, Hollingbourne fought hard — Mike Donald's 45, Andy Griffiths' 43 and Neil Taylor's 35 kept them in it — but Daniel Thirkell, not content with his runs, ran through them with a superb 6-56, ably backed by Michael Beeney (1-28) and Dennis Salisbury (1-39). Trevor Scrivens and Mark Styche joined the ducks' club without troubling the scorers, and Hollingbourne folded for 187.

A 39-run win, and a proper captain's day out. Thirkell with bat and ball, Morrison in irrepressible form atop the season's charts — onwards indeed.

Wed 09 Jul 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformWLWWD

Captain's Log, Gravesend, Wednesday the 9th of July. We lost the toss — no surprises there, my coin-calling remains a full-season failure — and were put in to field, which on another day might have felt like a chore but turned out rather to our liking.

Gravesend battled to 176 for 8 from their 43 overs, built on useful contributions from Bradley Bull (36), Jonathan Hinks (34) and an unbeaten 30 from Damien Spencer, while poor Timothy Cutler trudged off without so much as a nudge to leg. Trevor Back was magnificent with the ball, 3 for 22 of pure discipline, backed up nicely by Rob Jackson (2-35) and Christopher Thirkell (1-15) — between them they kept the total within reach.

Chasing 177, we got there in 38 overs for the loss of 7, thanks chiefly to Stuart Cheesman, whose glorious 89 carried the innings almost single-handedly, with Christopher Thirkell (26 not out) proving the perfect foil. Fred Cheesman, meanwhole, made his contribution to the Duck Club ledger with a golden nought — commiserations, and see you at the bar.

Stuart now tops our Midweek XI run charts, Trevor the wickets — a fitting reflection of a fine team effort. A three-wicket win, earned the hard way. Onwards, gentlemen.

Sun 06 Jul 2003 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLWDLW

Sunday 6th July saw Bearsted CC visit, and I won the toss and elected to bat — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the final scoreline suggests.

We didn't make old bones of it, all out for 147 in 38.2 overs, though it wasn't for want of trying at the top. Michael Beeney's 31 was the innings' backbone, well supported by Adam Jackson's 27, but 1-1 early on told its own story and we never quite shook off that early stumble. Fred Cheesman and Adam Pooley both departed for ducks, the sort of blot on the card that has grown men reaching for the shed and a cup of tea rather than watching the rest of the innings.

With the ball, we huffed and puffed but couldn't quite blow the house down. Jivan De Silva's fine 60, built on an opening stand of 80 with Rod Maloney (31), gave Bearsted the platform, though credit to the lads for hauling them from 80 without loss down to 135-2, then squeezing them from 135 to 141-5 when it mattered most. Michael Beeney bowled beautifully for 3-30, and I chipped in with 2-11 and four maidens, which I'm rather pleased with, plus 17 with the bat for good measure. Sadly 28 wides and 2 no-balls handed back exactly the sort of runs we couldn't spare.

Bearsted got there by five wickets. Not our day, and back to the nets we go — but there's plenty in that bowling and fielding to build on.

Sat 05 Jul 2003 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformLWWWW

Saturday 5th July saw us make the trip to Shipbourne, and if you're the sort who likes to know the ending before the beginning, I'll save you the suspense now: it wasn't our day. We lost the toss, were asked to bowl, and duly discovered why losing tosses on good Kent wickets is such a well-established club cricket tradition.

Shipbourne set about their task with the kind of certainty I associate with people who've read the pitch report and I haven't. Mark Fenton made a magnificent, chanceless-looking century, ably supported by Bob Scott's 48 and George Pollard's unbeaten 20, as the total climbed to 210 for 3 from their 46 overs. Jon Harris toiled manfully for 1-50, Trevor Back chipped in with 1-55, and Mike Redman at least had the decency to bowl two maidens amid the carnage — proof that not everyone had given up on containment.

Chasing 211, we never quite found the rhythm, subsiding to 152 all out in 39.2 overs. Kevin Presneill's 34 was the innings' backbone, and I was glad to weigh in with an unbeaten 34 of my own, though Trevor Back's golden duck rather summed up our afternoon with the bat.

There was, thankfully, real cause for celebration: Jon Harris brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, a landmark that deserves far more fanfare than a 58-run defeat allows it. Elsewhere, Mike Elworthy sits second in this season's Second XI run charts, with Trevor Back leading the wicket-takers on 12.

Verdict: outplayed, outscored, and thoroughly out-tossed. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 29 Jun 2003 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLLWDL

Sunday last took us to Headcorn, and when I lost the toss and watched their captain point us towards the field first, I confess my heart sank slightly less than usual — batting first at least meant I could get my own embarrassment out of the way early.

And embarrassment there was, though not before some proper application up top. Christopher Thirkell and Craig Sands put on 50 for the first wicket, Thirkell going on to top-score with 34 and Sands chipping in a fine 30, and for a while 142 looked a platform rather than a total. Then, as is our club's ancient and treasured custom, the wheels came off spectacularly — 105 for 4 became 113 for 7 in the time it takes to say "not out", and I did my bit for the collapse with a duck, ably accompanied into ignominy by Desmond High. All out for 142 in 38.2 overs, then, with rather more dignity lost than runs gained in that final stretch.

Defending it, though, we were a different side entirely. Headcorn lost a wicket with just 1 on the board and never truly recovered, subsiding to 87 all out in 38.1 overs, with Taylor, Bryer and S Parry all departing for ducks of their own — turnabout being fair play. John Haggart was magnificent, 3 for 13 with three maidens, backed superbly by Jon Harris (2 for 4) and Desmond High, redeeming his batting with 1 for 9.

A 55-run win, two points banked, and Christopher Thirkell's bat continuing to do the talking atop the run charts. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon, ducks and all.

Sun 29 Jun 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformWDWDW

Sunday 29 June, and Clarion CC rolled up looking rather pleased with themselves after winning the toss and sticking us in. As is customary, the coin did us no favours.

Steve Harris made us pay for it in full, compiling a magnificent 116 while Andy Driver (43) and S Cox (31) kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely. By the time they declared themselves finished at 246/8 from their 43 overs, I was rather glad of the support around me — Mark Christmas did the damage with 3-40, and I chipped in with 2-29, with Russell Baldwin picking up one for 47 in what felt, at times, like a one-man rearguard against Harris.

Chasing 247 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and to their great credit Stewart Morrison (64) and Daniel Thirkell (62) answered them with a pair of handsome fifties, Russell Baldwin adding a brisk 40 for good measure. Poor Richard Piper, meanwhile, contributed nothing but a duck to the cause — these things happen to the best of us, and he took it with the good grace the club has come to expect. Morrison's afternoon behind the stumps was rather less serene, ten byes finding their way past him, though nobody begrudges the wicketkeeper a difficult day when he's also top-scoring.

We closed on 222/7 from our 40, agonisingly short. Honours shared, then, and on reflection a draw feels the fair result — we simply couldn't quite bat out Harris's hundred, and neither side could land the final blow. A good, hard game, and no complaints from this captain.

Sat 28 Jun 2003 🧢 2nd XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformDLWWW

Saturday 28 June was Staplehurst CC at home, and the toss went against us for the umpteenth time this season — Staplehurst chose to bat, and I trudged off wondering if I'd ever win the blessed thing again.

They settled in nicely, reaching 195/5 from their 46 overs, with K Millen looking thoroughly at home for a fine 55, well supported by C Rogers (32) and Tom Davey (24). Credit to the lads with the ball, though — Trevor Back did real damage with 2-35, Adam Jackson and Mike Redman chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Ian Brattle bowled three tidy maidens, giving nothing away for love nor money. All told, a target that felt gettable rather than gruesome.

And gettable it proved. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 69 that anchored everything, with Trevor Back — not content with his bowling exertions — adding a fine unbeaten 58 of his own. Christopher Thirkell weighed in with a brisk 29, and I added 20 to the cause, more grateful than glorious. Between us we knocked off 196/3 in 38.3 overs, leaving plenty of tea to spare.

With Trevor Back now leading both the run charts (319) and the wicket charts (11) for the 2003 2nd XI, the man is fast becoming a one-club band. As for the rest of us: a fine win by 7 wickets, the toss forgiven, and the tea urn well and truly earned. Onwards.

Sat 28 Jun 2003 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformLLLWW

The coin, as ever, had it in for me — Shipbourne won the toss, chose to bat, and left us to trudge into the field on a Saturday that had promised better things. They ground their way to 149 all out in 45.2 overs, Andrew Gillam looking rather too pleased with himself for 56 and Mark Fenton chipping in with 24, but the middle order fell apart nicely for us, with Mike Cooper, Paul Stovell and Oliver Harris all walking back for ducks. Daniel Thirkell was the pick of the attack by some distance — 3 for 20 with four maidens thrown in for good measure, tight enough to make batsmen weep — well backed up by Dennis Salisbury's 2 for 22 and Mark Christmas's 2 for 25.

Chasing 150, we made harder work of it than the target really deserved, scrambling home at 150 for 6 from 38.4 overs. Daniel Thirkell again did the heavy lifting, batting through for a composed 65 not out, with Stewart Morrison a useful 23 alongside him. Russell Baldwin and Kevin Presneill both suffered the walk of shame for nought, proving the Duck Club ledger shows no favouritism. I managed a workmanlike 18 myself, more nudge than flourish, though I'm rather chuffed to report I now lead the 2003 first-team run charts with 195 — Dennis, meanwhile, tops the wicket pile with 10.

Four wickets in hand, two points banked, and honestly rather more comfortable than it felt out in the middle. A good day's work, thoroughly earned.

Sun 22 Jun 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Holborough Anchorians CC · HomeformWWDWD

Skipper's Log — 22 June 2003. Lose the toss on a Sunday and you know what's coming: leather-hunting duties before the tea urn's even warmed up. So it was against Holborough Anchorians, sent out to field with the sort of enthusiasm usually reserved for root-canal work.

We restricted them to 124 all out from 39.2 overs, which in the cold light of a scorebook looks tidier than it felt at the time — Barry Curtis top-scoring with 30 and doing his best to make a match of it. Jon Harris was superb, hooping it round for 4-29, with Michael Beeney chipping in 3-15 and Stuart Cheesman 1-7. I managed to keep things tight with the ball too, two maidens for my afternoon's toil, and we squeezed the innings shut with barely a run given away lightly.

With the bat we'd posted 164/8 from our 40, a total built rather than blazed. I had the pleasure of top-scoring with a well-made fifty, 62 in the end, and I'm reliably informed that knock nudged me past Paul Brattle into 15th on the club's all-time run-charts — quietly satisfying, whatever the scorebook says about my running between the wickets. Stewart Morrison's 33 and Steve Cheesman's 22 gave the innings its backbone, though the Duck Club secretary was rubbing his hands as Stuart Cheesman and Michael Beeney both walked back for nought.

Craig Sands continues to lead our season's run charts on 155, Harris now third among the wicket-takers. A fine win by 40 runs, and not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Onwards.

Sat 21 Jun 2003 🧢 2nd XIv M Marden · AwayformWDLWW

We travelled to Marden on a Saturday that, I'm pleased to report, went entirely to plan — which for this club is news in itself. Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in electing to bat, and for once the decision looked good rather than merely brave. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, 79 not out and still there at the close, with Graham Walker weighing in with a fine 58 and Trevor Back adding a brisk 44. Between them they hauled us to a formidable 272 for 4 off our 46 overs, and I confess my own small contribution felt rather like garnish on a very large plate.

Defending that kind of total ought to be the easy part, and so it proved. Marden never got going, bundled out for 90 in 27 overs, with only S Day showing any real resistance on 24. Three of their batsmen — R Thomas, T Brandreth and H Karim — never troubled the scorers at all. Adam Jackson was magnificent with the ball, 4 for 0 including three maidens, well backed up by Mike Redman's 3 for 17 and Rob Jackson's 2 for 24. Poor Kevin Presneill had a torrid time behind the stumps, 10 byes leaking through, but nobody was counting.

A special mention for Mike Elworthy, whose 79 eases him past Piers McDonald into 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a landmark earned in some style. A comfortable win by 182 runs, and long may it continue.

Sat 21 Jun 2003 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformDLLLW

Splendid summer's day, and Meopham won the toss, elected to bat, and duly put me in the field before I'd even had a proper chance to feel the sun on my neck. Still, no complaints — 141 all out from 44.2 overs was a fair reward for a disciplined shift in the field. Gary Howorth gave us the most trouble with a watchful 47, well supported by Tony Pearce's 25, but the rest never quite got going, not least poor Matt Simpson, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Mark Christmas was magnificent with the ball, 4 for 34 of relentless, probing stuff, while Dennis Salisbury bowled with the meanness of a man guarding his allotment, 2 for 20 and four maidens to show for it, and Daniel Thirkell chipped in with 2 for 29.

A target of 142 looked gettable, and so it proved, though not without the odd anxious glance at my watch as the overs ticked past 39. I managed 32 myself, which I shall modestly describe as timely rather than thrilling, and found good company in Russell Baldwin's equally solid 32 and Nigel Thirkell's 26 — between us we saw the total home at 143 for 4.

Nigel continues to lead our run charts this season with 177, and Dennis Salisbury tops the bowling with 8 wickets — both men rather making a habit of turning up when it matters. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a six-wicket win to send everyone home happy. Tea was, as ever, the real match-winner.

Wed 18 Jun 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformLWLWW

Lost the toss on a fine Wednesday, and duly found myself watching Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC take first knock — never my favourite way to start an afternoon. They settled in rather too comfortably, racking up 233 for 4 from their 46 overs, with S Selsdon compiling an unhurried 85 not out and a Gill purring along to 44 not out at the other end, P Styles chipping in with 22. Christopher Thirkell was the pick of our attack with 1 for 24, Daniel Thirkell weighed in with 1 for 34, and I took my customary wicket at rather more expense — 1 for 54, proof that enthusiasm and economy don't always travel together. Darren Styles, at least, kept things honest with two maidens.

Chasing 234 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and the answers were mixed. Daniel Thirkell batted beautifully for 84, the innings of the day by some distance, with Richard Piper offering steady support on 20. Elsewhere the card made grim reading — Christopher Thirkell and Rob Jackson both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, ducks that rather summed up our afternoon with the bat. We closed on 163 for 9 from 39 overs, undone as much by our own generosity in the field — 24 wides and no-balls gifted away — as by anything Sevenoaks did to us.

A draw, then, honours shared, neither side quite able to land the decisive blow. Given the extras we posted, I'd call that a fair result and a lucky escape in equal measure.

Sun 15 Jun 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Blue Star CC · HomeformWWWDW

I have I put us in to bat after winning the toss, and by close of that innings I was rather glad of the decision. Craig Sands played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 117 that took the shine off everything Blue Star tried, while Stewart Morrison chipped in a fine 59 and Piers McDonald cruised to an unbeaten 51. Add in 29 extras — generously donated, as ever, by our visitors' more wayward deliveries — and 256/1 from our 36 overs felt like a score to make the tea urn nervous.

With the ball, things were rather less serene. Hilton Bayayi set about us for 72, with Martin Shuttle's 44 and Mark Chenery's unbeaten 36 keeping the scoreboard ticking uncomfortably along. Mike Peters, at least, departed without so much as a nibble — a duck to warm the heart of any bowler. Rob Doick was the pick of us, 2 for 19 with a couple of tidy maidens thrown in, and Mike Redman weighed in with 2 for 60. I did my bit too, prising out one for 46, though I'll confess it cost rather more than I'd have liked. They closed on 216/5 from 46, honours even.

A word for the history books: Piers McDonald's 51 sees him leapfrog Mike Elworthy into 10th on the club's all-time run charts — quietly done, richly deserved. Craig Sands continues to lead our 2003 Sunday run charts with 153, and Rob Doick tops the wicket-takers with 5.

In the end, neither side could quite force it home, and a draw was the fair, if faintly frustrating, verdict — honours shared, and the tea, at least, undisputed.

Sat 14 Jun 2003 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformLDLLL

Saturday 14 June saw us on the road to Bearsted, and winning the toss I didn't so much ponder the decision as fall into it — on a day like that, you bat. The lads duly obliged, cantering to 270 for 5 off our 46 overs. Nigel Thirkell was in imperious touch, unbeaten on 98, with Paul Gibson (80) and Russell Baldwin (67) both purring through well-made fifties either side of him — the two of them building a stand of 122 for the third wicket that was really the innings in miniature. Poor Daniel Thirkell contributed rather less to proceedings, departing for a golden duck, though he'd more than make amends later.

Defending 270 always feels like the sort of task that ought to look after itself, and so it proved. Bearsted stumbled to 3 for 1 early and never really recovered their poise, eventually managing 142 for 6 from their 44. Daniel Thirkell, duck long forgotten, ran through them with a fine 2 for 20 including three miserly maidens, well backed by Dennis Salisbury (2-26) and John Taylor (1-12); Stephen Heap and Noel Johnston both fell without scoring. Only Stephen Pearce, unbeaten on a defiant 61, offered any real resistance. Craig Sands had a trickier time behind the stumps, twelve byes being the one blemish on an otherwise happy afternoon.

Nigel Thirkell now tops our season's run charts, Dennis Salisbury sits second among the wicket-takers, and we came away 128 runs to the good. All told, a thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 14 Jun 2003 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · HomeformWWDLW

I called it right at the toss and never doubted the decision — bat first, set a target, let the sunshine do the rest. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, a composed 53 that steadied things nicely, with Trevor Back chipping in a brisk 39 alongside him. Beyond that it was the usual village-green scrap for runs, with our extras column doing sterling service to the tune of 30, and poor Richard Piper enduring the walk of shame for a duck. All told, 197 all out from 45.3 overs felt like a total with a bit of bite to it.

And so it proved. Milstead CC gave it a real go — Paul West's 44 and Gareth Chick's 40 kept us honest for a while — but our bowling had other ideas. Rob Jackson was outstanding, tearing through with 4-28, while I had rather a lot of fun myself with the ball, picking up 3-5. Trevor Back backed it up with 1-11, and Michael Beeney strangled the scoring with four maidens. B Wright, Ken West and S. Brincat all trudged off for ducks, and Milstead's innings folded for 120 in 37.4 overs. With the bat I added a tidy 18 to the cause earlier in the day.

A fine day all round, with Mike Elworthy's fifty nudging him up to 10th on the club's all-time run charts. Seventy-seven runs to the good and two points banked — a proper win, comfortably and thoroughly earned.

Sun 08 Jun 2003 🧢 Sunday NVKCv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformWWLWW

Lost the toss again on Sunday and asked to have a bowl first at Shipbourne CC — not the worst fate on a fine June afternoon, though it did mean 40 overs on our feet before we'd troubled the tea urn. Mike Cooper gave us the full tour with a classy 59, well backed by Paul Stovell's 41 and Simon Price's 26, and by the time they declared themselves at 168/9 my legs had opinions about the outfield. Credit where due: Rob Doick was a menace with the ball, 3-30 and clearly not in the mood for pleasantries, while Paul Gibson (2-16) and Mark Christmas (2-27) chipped away nicely, sending Keith Willis, Barry Hart and George Pollard back without so much as a nibble. Less creditable was our generosity — 28 wides and no-balls handed over like door prizes, which in a match decided by six runs is precisely the sort of arithmetic that keeps a captain up at night.

Chasing 169, I was determined to lead from the front and managed to do just that, grinding out 80 before the rest of the order politely declined to join the party, and we closed on 162/9 — agonisingly, achingly short. Not our day, in the end, beaten by the width of a wide ball's ledger rather than any shortage of heart. Still top of the run charts with 114 for the season, and with Doick prowling the wicket table on seven, there's plenty to build on. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Sun 08 Jun 2003 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Speldhurst CC · AwayformWLLWD

Sunday last took us down to Speldhurst, and winning the toss I elected to field — the right call, I felt, and for a good long while it looked positively inspired. Speldhurst were bowled out for 117 in 46.1 overs, with only Peter K Eames threatening to make a match of it, 54 not out of pure obstinacy. The rest of their order rather fell over itself against Adam Jackson, who bowled like a man possessed for 5-16 with five maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly. Darren Styles chipped in handsomely with 3-10 and Simon Thirkell mopped up with 1-11. A thoroughly professional morning's work.

And then, as is so often the way with this club, we went and batted. Eighty-nine all out in 30.5 overs, a collapse of such comprehensive silliness that Will Long and Paul Wood's earlier ducks with the ball were matched at the crease by Fred Cheesman and Adam Pooley, who between them contributed a golden nothing. Only Simon Thirkell showed any sense, carrying his bat for 23 not out. Poor Mike Elworthy, meanwhile, endured a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 17 byes slipping past him like eels.

Beaten by 28 runs, then, having done the hard yards with the ball and thrown it all away with the bat. Simon Thirkell continues to climb the season's run charts and Darren Styles still leads the wickets — small consolations. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 07 Jun 2003 🧢 2nd XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformDWWDL

Saturday 7 June saw us welcome Leeds & Broomfield CC in fine early-summer conditions, and I lost the toss for my trouble — they had us in the field first, which around here usually means trouble is brewing for someone. As it turned out, that someone wasn't us.

With bat in hand we made ourselves thoroughly at home, racking up 219/4 from our 46 overs in a display of proper, unhurried batting. Ron McCormick anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 69, while Kevin Presneill matched him stroke for stroke with a fine 63 of his own, and Mike Elworthy chipped in a brisk 30 to round things off nicely. By tea we felt rather pleased with ourselves, and for once that feeling wasn't misplaced.

Then it was our turn to have some fun with the ball, and I'm delighted to report I found my rhythm early, finishing with 4-22 as Leeds & Broomfield's reply came apart at the seams. Christopher Thirkell (2-2) and Trevor Back (2-14) tidied up nicely either side of me, John Taylor bowled two miserly maidens to squeeze the life out of proceedings, and poor John Swindall departed without troubling the scorers. Barry Roles fought hardest for the visitors with 34, well supported by Jon Graham's 23 and Michael Tree's 20, but 122/9 from 38.4 overs was always going to fall well short.

A 97-run victory, then, and two points banked without much argument. Christopher Thirkell now sits second in our 2nd XI run charts this season, and I'm rather chuffed to find myself leading the wicket-takers with nine — though I suspect the tea urn deserves at least half the credit. All told, an afternoon we'll happily bottle and drink from again.

Sun 01 Jun 2003 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC New Ifield CC · HomeformLWLLW

Sunday last, and the toss went our way for once — I had no hesitation putting New Ifield in, fancying our chances with the ball on a morning that felt made for it. Whether the ball agreed with me is another matter. S Ellis had other ideas entirely, compiling a majestic 123 not out that we simply couldn't lay a glove on, while C Elliott purred along nicely to an unbeaten 68 at the other end. Adam Jackson toiled hardest for us and deserved better than 2-71, but by the time 41 overs were up and they'd racked up 226/2, the damage was done and the rest of us were largely spectators to Ellis's innings.

Chasing that sort of total was never really the plan for our nine overs — 23/1 was a token gesture more than a run chase, and I'll say no more about Fred Cheesman's golden duck than that ducks come in many colours and his was, on this occasion, entirely golden. 🦆

Elsewhere, the season ticks on nicely enough: Christopher Thirkell sits second in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 86, and Adam Jackson's graft was rewarded with fifth spot in the wicket charts on 3.

In the end, honours shared, a draw when neither side could force the other's hand — and against a century-maker like Ellis, I'll happily settle for that and buy the lads a pint on the way home.

Sun 01 Jun 2003 🧢 Sunday NVKCv FC Falconhurst CC · AwayformWWWLW

The road to Falconhurst is a pleasant enough drive, though considerably less pleasant once you've lost the toss and been asked to field first — except, of course, we weren't, they were, having elected to field themselves, which suited me fine as I fancied runs on the board. And runs we duly got: 193 for 5 off our forty overs, built on a fine unbeaten fifty from Rob Doick, well supported by Paul Gibson's 41 and a workmanlike 34 from me. A total to defend, we felt, if we held our nerve in the field.

Hold it we did. Falconhurst's reply never quite got away from us, R Rowan battling hard for 43 and Simon Knechtli chipping in with 22, but wickets fell steadily around them — S Leppard gone without troubling the scorers, much to his chagrin — and they were bowled out for 104 in 24.2 overs. Rob Doick, not content with his runs, ran through their order with 3 for 16, John Taylor picked up a useful 2 for 29, and Darren Styles weighed in with one.

A particularly happy footnote: Paul Gibson brought up 12,000 career runs for the club, a landmark that deserves rather more than the pat on the back it got in the changing room. And with Russell Baldwin leading our run charts this season and Rob Doick topping the wickets, the signs for the year ahead look thoroughly promising.

An 89-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards we go.

Sat 31 May 2003 🧢 2nd XIv SC Southborough CC · HomeformLDWWD

Won the toss on a fine Saturday for Southborough's visit, and with a green-looking square and a stiff breeze I fancied runs first. The lads didn't disappoint: 188 for 6 from our 46 overs, built around a marvellous 102-run stand for the fifth wicket. Christopher Thirkell was in imperious touch for an unbeaten 62, with Steve Cheesman right alongside him for a fine 52 of his own, and Trevor Back chipping in a brisk 45. Less gloriously, both Mike Elworthy and Richard Piper made the long walk back without troubling the scorers — the Duck Club welcomes two new members.

Defending 188 always felt a shade light, and so it proved. Southborough's openers set about us with real intent, putting on 95 before we prised the first one out, and from there Simon Fisher (49), Paul Spencer (47) and an unbeaten 40 from Graham Parker steered them home to 189 for 4 with three overs to spare. I did what I could with the ball, taking 2 for 28, and Trevor Back chipped in with 2 for 46, but it wasn't enough to arrest the flow.

Plenty to celebrate regardless: Trevor Back's 500th appearance in Linton colours, his 500th career wicket, and Steve Cheesman's 1,000th run for the club — a red-letter day dressed up as a defeat. Trevor still leads our 2nd XI run and wicket charts for the season. Not our day on the scoreboard, but a day the club will remember fondly. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 31 May 2003 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLLDLL

Beaten by 25 runs at Headcorn, but far from disgraced.

Losing the toss on a warm Saturday is never the tonic I'd have prescribed, and Headcorn duly made themselves at home, racking up 186/9 from their 46 overs. Peter Westrop was the chief architect, bringing up a fine century — three figures, no less — with useful support from Paul Millen's 23. Credit to the lads with the ball, mind: Jon Harris was outstanding, picking up 4-40, I chipped in with 3-32, Rob Doick took one, and Darren Styles bowled two tidy maidens to keep the scoring honest. Mike Donnelly, at least, departed for nought at our hands, which felt like a small victory amid the carnage.

Chasing 187, we made a decent fist of it without ever quite threatening. Craig Sands led the way with 40, Stewart Morrison chipped in with 27, and Kevin Presneill saw us home to 161/9 with an unbeaten 21. I contributed rather less usefully, falling for a duck — we shall draw a veil over it, as I said at the time, and I'll say no more here.

The day did have its warmth, though: Stewart Morrison brought up 6,000 career runs for the club and made his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark that puts our modest defeat firmly in the shade. He also leads our 2003 run charts, with Jon Harris topping the wickets column.

Beaten by 25 runs, then — but with enough good cricket in there to suggest we'll have the better of Headcorn before the season's out.

Sat 24 May 2003 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWLLDL

Skipper's Log — Saturday 24 May 2003. Sheldwich CC visitors, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled, so it was pads on and out into the field we went.

Batting first was never the plan, and 93 all out in 33.1 overs told its own story. Nigel Thirkell's 36 stood like a lone oak in a flattened field, and honourable mention must go to the ledger of shame — Stuart Cheesman, Daniel Thirkell and Kevin Presneill all took that long, lonely walk back for nought. Three ducks in one innings is the sort of thing that gets you bought a pint out of pity rather than celebration.

With the ball, we scrapped hard but Sheldwich strolled to 94/1 in just 21 overs, James Creed unbeaten on a chanceless 54 and Jim Ansley ticking along nicely on 23 not out. Dennis Salisbury was the pick of our attack with 1-22, toiling manfully while the rest of us watched the ball disappear to all corners. I contributed 18 with the bat, which felt like a small mercy on an otherwise chastening afternoon.

One shaft of real sunshine: Russell Baldwin brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, a landmark that deserves rather more fanfare than we could muster on the day. I sit second in the season's run charts with 57, Dennis tops the wicket-takers with four — small crumbs of comfort as we trudged off nine wickets down on the day. Beaten fair and square; we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 18 May 2003 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv AC Ash CC · HomeformWLWLL

Captain's Log, Sunday 18 May 2003. Ash CC in town, and for once the coin did what it was told – I called it right and had no hesitation shoving us in to bat first.

183/6 off our 41 overs was a tidy return, built on a proper captain's-innings from Paul Merwood, unbeaten on 54 and looking like he could have batted through tea and beyond. Richard Piper (29) and Christopher Thirkell (26) gave it the necessary backbone, and the tail wagged merrily enough at the end to add a frustrating 45 for the Ash fielders to chase leather on – exactly the sort of late mischief that makes umpires check their watches.

Out in the field, it was a different kind of carnage. Ash were bowled out for a modest 85 in 27.2 overs, with only C Graham (20) offering any real resistance. P Godfrey and D Bruton departed without so much as troubling the scorers – ducks apiece, poor souls. The story of the innings, though, was Rob Jackson, whose 5-6 was as ruthless a spell as you'll see on a Sunday afternoon, with Michael Beeney (2-5) tidying up nicely and I chipped in with 2-15 for good measure. Adam Jackson bowled two maidens without conceding a run to his name, miserly to the last. Spare a thought for Adam Pooley behind the stumps, who had a torrid time of it – 18 byes is not an afternoon he'll frame.

Verdict: a 98-run victory, and a very good day indeed for the club.

Sat 17 May 2003 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWLDWW

It was West Farleigh CC at home, and winning the toss on a Saturday afternoon at Linton Park, I elected to bat — the right call, I felt, and nothing that followed gave me cause to regret it.

We reached 161 for 7 from our 46 overs, a total built patiently rather than gloriously. Trevor Back was the mainstay, top-scoring with 44, and found an admirable ally in Ron McCormick, who compiled 43 of his own at the other end. Christopher Thirkell weighed in with a tidy 33 further down, and between the three of them the innings had a proper backbone to it — the sort of total that asks questions without shouting about it.

Then came our turn with the ball, and questions were about all West Farleigh got to answer. They had crept to 1 for 0 after a mere three balls when the match was taken out of everyone's hands, and that, in the end, was that. Honours shared, a draw when neither side could force the issue — which is cricket's way of telling you the scorebook doesn't always get the last word.

It was a frustrating one to have snatched away just as we'd got our noses in front, but no complaints from this corner — 161 stood untroubled, and Trevor Back's 44 keeps him proudly out in front of the 2003 2nd XI run charts with 133 for the season. A draw, then, but a contented one: we did our job: it was the match itself that couldn't finish its.

Sun 11 May 2003 🧢 Friendly XIv AC Ash Village CC · AwayformD

Sunday 11 May 2003, away at Ash Village CC, and the coin let us down as usual — we were put in to field... no, wait, they chose to field, which left us to bat first on a pitch that, on this evidence, rewarded patience.

Patience is exactly what Paul Merwood provided, farming the strike beautifully for an unbeaten 54, the innings' backbone, with Richard Piper (27) and Christopher Thirkell (26) lending sturdy support in the middle order. Even the tail got in on the act, cobbling together a frustrating final 44 that had the Ash fielders wondering when the fun would end. We closed on a handsome 183/6 from our 41 overs — a total with a bit of menace to it.

And menace it proved. Rob Jackson turned his arm over and simply bamboozled the home side, spinning his way to 5-7 and leaving Ash in ruins, while Michael Beeney (2-5) and Jon Harris (2-15, with two tidy maidens thrown in) mopped up what little resistance remained. Pip Godfrey and Dave Bristow trudged off for ducks without so much as a swing at the scoreboard. Ash were bowled out for a meagre 86 in 27.5 overs, Carl Graham's 20 the only real contribution. I'll confess our keeper Adam Pooley had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps — 14 byes rather gave the game away — and I chipped in with 19 of my own, more by accident than design.

A word too for Richard Piper, who brought up 2,000 career runs for the club — a landmark worth raising a glass to. A fine win by 97 runs. Onwards.

Sun 11 May 2003 🧢 Sunday NVKCv CC Crockham Hill CC · HomeformDWWWL

Sunday 11 May 2003, and Crockham Hill CC rolled up on our patch with the sun out and, rather less helpfully, the coin siding with them. They chose to bat, and we trudged into the field wondering what the pitch had against us. They battled to 170/5 from their forty, with Stuart Taylor (55) and Andy Brunt (53) both getting handsomely past their fifties and Phil Westcott chipping in 23 — though we did at least see off poor Chris Hogan for a duck, which felt like a small victory of its own. Darren Styles was the pick of the attack with 2-22, well backed up by Daniel Thirkell (2-25) and Rob Doick (1-27). Peter Whyte had a torrid time behind the stumps, leaking ten byes, but nobody's perfect on a Sunday.

Chasing 171, we made it look almost embarrassingly straightforward, cantering home on 110/1 in just 21.2 overs. Russell Baldwin batted with real composure for an unbeaten 49, Stewart Morrison played his part with 32, and Daniel Thirkell finished 23 not out — runs that also nudged him past William Buck into 16th on the club's all-time run charts, a nice personal footnote to a fine afternoon. Baldwin now tops our 2003 Sunday NVKC run charts and Styles the wickets, so the form book is looking rosy.

Nine wickets to the good, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club — the sort of Sunday that makes the long winter nets all worthwhile.

Sat 10 May 2003 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformWWLLD

Winning the toss is meant to be half the battle, so naturally it went against us, and Hollingbourne trotted out to bat under grey Linton skies with the smug air of a side who fancied their chances. Neil Taylor certainly did, ambling to a well-crafted 80 while Neville Smith weighed in with 41 and Dan Pritchard finished unbeaten on 20 to push them on to a rather stern 208/7 from their 46 overs. Credit where it's due: Dennis Salisbury toiled away for figures of 3-50 to lead our attack, Rob Doick chipped in with 2-65, and Daniel Thirkell bowled with the miserliness of a man guarding his allotment, going for just 29 with three maidens to show for it.

Chasing 209 was always going to want application, and for a while we had it. Russell Baldwin made a fighting 38, Daniel Thirkell added a tidy 21, and I chipped in with 39 to try to keep the innings ticking along in the right direction. But cricket has a cruel sense of humour, and it duly delivered a pair of ducks — Dave Charlton and Dennis Salisbury both departing for nought, the latter's dismissal drawing groans loud enough to be heard in the tea hut. All out for 141 in 36 overs, we fell 67 runs short.

A defeat, then, but not a disgraceful one — Hollingbourne simply had the better of the key moments. The lads will dust themselves down, and I've no doubt we'll be sharper next week.

Sat 10 May 2003 🧢 2nd XIv M Mersham · AwayformLWLDW

The road to Mersham on a bright May Saturday, and I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first knock — the right call, as it turned out. Clive Newman set the tone with a handsome fifty, 58 well-constructed runs, and found fine support from Mike Elworthy's 42 and Kevin Presneill's 30, while our extras column laboured manfully to the tune of 34. We closed on 213/6 from our 46 overs, a total that felt like runs enough to work with.

And work with it we did. Mersham's reply never got out of second gear, three of their batsmen trudging back for ducks, and it was Trevor Back who did the real damage with a superb 4-26, well backed by Darren Styles's 3-31 and a wicket apiece for Christopher Thirkell. I was happy to do my bit too, sending down five maidens to keep things tight at the other end. Kevin Presneill had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, conceding 20 byes, though nobody was counting by the close. They were all out for 126 in 41.4 overs.

Milestones all round: Mike Elworthy's 42 eased him past John Ames into 12th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and Trevor's four-for lifted him past Allan Cooper into 10th among the wicket-takers, while Trevor now tops the 2003 2nd XI run charts and Darren sits second among the wicket-takers. A fine win by 87 runs, and a very satisfactory day out.

Sun 04 May 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Willesborough CC · AwayformWWWWD

It was a fine Sunday, 4th May, for a trip out to Willesborough CC, and when the coin obliged I had no hesitation in sending us in first — a pitch and a morning that looked made for batting, and so it proved. Russell Baldwin set about proving me right with a fluent 65, and once he departed Rob Doick simply carried on the good work, finishing unbeaten on 55. I chipped in with 46 not out myself, more graft than grace if I'm honest, and between us we hauled the total up to a mighty 223 for 2 off 36.3 overs. Declaring wasn't really necessary — we'd simply run out of overs and, frankly, mercy for the home side.

Defending that sort of total ought to be the easy part, and so it was. Willesborough's innings had the feel of a house of cards in a stiff breeze: Adam Jackson blew through them with 4 for 8, Fred Cheesman chimed in at 3 for 1, and Rob Doick, not content with his heroics with the bat, took 3 for 10 including two miserly maidens. Three of their batsmen never troubled the scorers at all, and the whole innings folded for 57 in just 17 overs.

A win by 166 runs, then — the sort of result that makes the drive home feel shorter and the tea taste sweeter. Onwards we go.

Sat 03 May 2003 🧢 2nd XIv BC Borden CC · AwayformWLWLD

From the captain's chair — Saturday 3rd May, 2003, away at Borden CC.

Won the toss, and there was never much doubt what I'd do with it — up on a morning like that, you bat. And bat we did, to 190 for 7 off our forty overs, a total built almost single-handedly by Trevor Back, whose unbeaten 80 was the innings of the day and then some. Mike Redman chipped in with a tidy 41, Kevin Presneill added 22, and between them they gave the total real substance. Not every card is without its blemish, mind — poor James Piper walked back for a duck, and I dare say he'll not thank me for putting that in print.

Sixty-two runs was never going to get anywhere near us, and so it proved. David Hollands went first ball without so much as a whimper, and from there it was a procession. Jon Harris span his web beautifully for 5 for 16 — thoroughly unplayable by all accounts — with Mike Redman (2-5) and the ever-economical Darren Styles (1-11, four maidens to his name) squeezing the life out of anything that survived Harris. I will say those eight byes made for uncomfortable reading, and young Craig Sands behind the stumps will know exactly why.

Won by 128 runs, two points banked, and thoroughly deserved. Back leads our run charts, Harris tops the wickets — and on this evidence, long may both continue.

Sun 27 Apr 2003 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv GNG CC GRFC · HomeformWWLWL

Since Sunday last the toss went against us, GNG CC GRFC won it and stuck us into the field, and from there it rather told the story. Jason Allen was the man who did us damage, a fine 92 not out, well supported by Sukhpal Singh Rana's fifty and Miguel Dee's 23, the pair of them putting on 76 for the fourth wicket while I stood at mid-off wondering when the breakthrough might come. They closed on 230/9 from their 42 overs, and credit where it's due — Darren Styles bowled beautifully for 3-46 with two maidens thrown in, backed up nicely by Michael Beeney and John Haggart. Nigel Dee and Merv Allen went back without troubling the scorers, which tells you the standard of the day.

Chasing 231 was always going to want something special, and for a while Craig Sands looked like he might provide it — a lovely 54, well supported by Paul Merwood's 44, the two of them adding 79 for the second wicket after we'd lost an early one with just 8 on the board. But 132 for 7 became 133 all out in the blink of an eye, and I must confess my own contribution was a duck — the less said the better, as I told the lads afterwards, though Christopher Thirkell and Michael Beeney kept me company in that particular club.

Beaten by 97 runs in the end, no arguing with it. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 26 Apr 2003 🧢 1st XIv New Ash Green CC · HomeformLWWLL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 26 April 2003

New Ash Green were the visitors, and losing the toss meant we were straight into the field on what turned into a proper marathon of an afternoon. They batted first and made themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 218 for 9 off their 47 overs. K. Ginn led the charge with a superb 98 – agonisingly shy of the hundred, which I suspect he'll be dreaming about for a while yet – well supported by M. Quantrill's 52 and R. Jansen's 30. At the other end, J. Betts went for a golden duck at our hands, small mercies and all that. With the ball, Ian Brattle was the pick of the attack, 3 for 51, with Samuel Harris chipping in 2 for 32 and I added 2 for 49 myself for good measure.

Chasing 219 to win, we gave as good as we got. Stewart Morrison played beautifully for 70, well past his fifty and the innings' backbone, with Mark Christmas (42) and Christopher Thirkell (35) lending sturdy support. We closed on 218 for 7 from 41 overs – one run short, one wicket to spare, and not a jot between the sides at the death.

A word on the milestones: Ian Brattle brought up 600 career wickets today, a landmark that rather puts my own modest 2 for 49 in perspective.

Honours shared, then – a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. Frustrating to be so close, but with cricket like that on show, nobody left Linton Park feeling short-changed.