🧢 Captain's Log

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

Saturday last took us down to Sherwood CC, Kent, and I confess I won the toss and stuck us in without much agonising — the pitch had that look about it. Not for the first time, the decision paid handsomely. Sherwood huffed and puffed their way to just 66 all out in 27.3 overs, with only Tim Newlyn's watchful 20 giving the innings any shape, while poor Michael Hooker trudged off for a duck. Ian Brattle was the chief tormentor, a superb 4-18 that had their middle order in all sorts of trouble, with Adam Jackson (2-18) and Russell Baldwin (1-0) mopping up either end, and Dennis Salisbury bowling with the parsimony of a man checking every receipt — four maidens and barely a run conceded.

Chasing 67 was never going to trouble us on such a morning, and Richard Piper (27 not out) and Rob Jackson (23 not out) simply strolled to the target inside 16 overs without so much as a alarm, let alone a wicket lost.

Worth a mention in the clubhouse: Brattle's four-for eased him past John Ames into 6th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, while Dennis Salisbury continues his quietly ruthless season, now 2nd in the 1st XI's 2003 charts with 23 victims.

A comprehensive nine-wicket win, then, and precious little for me to do but applaud from the boundary. Onwards we go.

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

Wednesday last, the road took us to Penshurst Park, and the toss went the way tosses so often go for us this season — badly. Asked to bowl first, I can't say my heart sank, not with Darren Styles marking out his run. Penshurst posted a handsome 218/6 from their 38 overs, built on a fine half-century from P Eames (68) and matched stroke for stroke by David Smith, also 68, with R Hunter chipping in 45 further down. Darren was our chief tormentor with 3-36, well backed up by Jon Harris (2-21) and Trevor Back (1-33) — a proper team effort with the ball, even if the total looked a good one over tea.

Chasing 219, we could have been forgiven a few nerves, but Richard Piper had other ideas, compiling a magnificent unbeaten 107, with Craig Sands matching him run for run on an unbeaten hundred of his own. Between them they simply took the game away from Penshurst, ushering us home in 34.2 overs for the loss of just two wickets. The one blemish on an otherwise gleaming card was poor Brian Piper, undone for a duck — these things happen to the best of us, Brian, chin up.

Craig now leads our 2003 run charts with 408, and Jon Harris tops the wickets with 15 — form continuing nicely for both. An eight-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. 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 · AwayformDLLWL

Elliotts CC, Saturday last, and a rare afternoon where the toss actually mattered — I called it right and had few doubts about batting first on what looked a decent surface.

Nigel Thirkell set about proving me correct with a really fine 69, the kind of innings that gives a total its spine, and he found good company in Kevin Presneill (45) and Richard Piper (30) as we ground our way to 200/7 from 37.4 overs. Not everything went to plan, mind — M. Wood's contribution to proceedings was a golden duck, and the Duck Club ledger duly noted it with the usual lack of sympathy.

Two hundred looked a defendable total, and so it proved, spectacularly. Darren Styles simply ran amok, tearing through Elliotts with 5-34 (two maidens besides — nothing given away cheaply), backed up handsomely by Jon Harris (3-11) and Ian Brattle (2-21). Only Dan Buckle, with 21, offered any real resistance; Keith Barrett departed for a duck of his own, so at least M. Wood had company in ignominy. All out for 67 in barely twenty overs, a chastening afternoon for the home side.

A word too for Jon Harris, who brought up 2500 career wickets in the process — a landmark worth raising a glass to. Won by 133 runs, two points banked, and Kevin Presneill and Jon Harris continue to head the season's charts. A thoroughly satisfactory Saturday, all told.

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

Saturday last took us down the road to Bidborough, and for once the coin obliged me — I called correctly and had no hesitation in asking us to bat, a decision that felt considerably more astute once Craig Sands set about the bowling for a superb 91. I found some form of my own, 76 not out, though I'll happily admit the bowlers did me more favours than my footwork did. Extras chipped in a handy 52 — our openers in the deep clearly needed the practice — and we declared the innings closed at a healthy 245/4 from our 42 overs.

Defending that total is always the nervous part, and Bidborough refused to be shy about it. Andy Healy and Peter Eames both raced to well-made half-centuries, 61 not out and 57 respectively, with D Walker's 38 adding further discomfort to my afternoon in the field. Only John Taylor kept his composure throughout, snaring 3-23 with the sort of miserly control the rest of us could only admire, while Adam Jackson toiled away for 2-41 with three maidens to show for his patience, and Michael Beeney picked up one for 53.

In the end Bidborough closed on 239/6, five short of the mark but very much still in the fight — honours shared, a draw that satisfied nobody and disappointed nobody. A fair result, all told, for an afternoon that gave both sides plenty to be proud of.

Sun 14 Sep 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv ? · HomeformWWWWD

Sunday 14 September, and honours even at home — but what a way to share them.

Winning the toss, I fancied batting first, and for once the pitch didn't make a liar of me. Craig Sands played the innings of the summer, cracking a magnificent 129 not out to march us to 242 for 1 off our 33 overs — the kind of innings that has the tea urn boiling over in appreciation. Stuart Cheesman chipped in handsomely with 52, Clive Newman finished unbeaten on 42, and I managed a tidy little 42 myself, mostly by standing at the other end admiring the fireworks.

Two hundred and forty-two looked a mountain to climb, but R Taylor decided Everest was more his level, striding to a superb 102 while A Bray gave him fine company with 55. Between them they hauled the opposition to 209 for 7 off their 46 overs, and try as we might we couldn't quite prise out the last wickets to seal it. Michael Beeney bowled his heart out for 3-50, Jon Harris chimed in with 2-30, Rob Jackson snared one for a miserly 7, and Darren Styles's two maidens were about the only thing that slowed Taylor down.

So a draw it was — honours shared, pride intact. Craig Sands now sits proudly atop our season's run charts with 514, and Michael Beeney leads the wickets with 26, so the engine room is purring nicely. A result that pleased nobody and disappointed nobody in equal measure — which, in village cricket, is really just another word for a good afternoon out.

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

Saturday 13th September, and the Skipper's Log records a trip out to Upchurch CC — one of those grounds where you sense before a ball is bowled that it's going to be a tight one. I lost the toss, which by now feels less like bad luck and more like a season-long character arc, and we were asked to field first.

Upchurch built steadily to 189/8 from their forty, Adam Hodder the chief architect with 44, well supported by Phil Danton (26) and Trevor Collis (22). Our bowling had genuine bite though: Michael Beeney was superb with 3-27, Rob Jackson chipped in with 2-37, Jon Harris took one, and Darren Styles kept things admirably tight with two maidens. Trevor Back had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes the only real blemish.

Chasing 190, we fought hard and fell just short on 184/8. Mike Elworthy anchored things beautifully with a well-made fifty, Kevin Presneill (43) and Ron McCormick (37) lending sturdy support, though poor Christopher Thirkell will want to forget his duck in a hurry. Twenty-eight extras did their bit too.

Fittingly, it was Ron McCormick's day for the history books — his 100th appearance in Linton colours, a milestone that deserved a happier ending. Elsewhere, Trevor Back and Jon Harris continue to lead the season's run and wicket charts respectively.

Five runs the margin, heads held high but heavy. Back to the nets, lads — there's a story here, and it isn't finished yet.

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

Saturday 13 September 2003, and Whitstable CC came calling with the sun out and, sadly, so was Peter Eames's willow. The coin didn't fall our way, they chose to bat, and we spent the afternoon chasing leather. Eames set about us with an unanswerable 137 not out, Dean Brownlie kept him company with a fine unbeaten 68, and Joe Denly weighed in with 46 for good measure. Dennis Salisbury toiled hardest for 1-44, with John Taylor matching him and Daniel Thirkell not far behind on 1-47 — honest figures against a side determined to bat us into the ground. Whitstable declared themselves at 276/3 from their forty, which told its own story before we'd padded up.

Our reply, in the interests of accuracy, must be called brisk rather than brave — 95 all out in 21.3 overs, the innings collapsing like a badly pitched gazebo. David Castle, Clive Newman and Mike Redman all departed without troubling the scorers, and your captain, I'm obliged to report, joined them on nought. We shall draw a veil over that particular passage of play, as promised, and move swiftly on.

Beaten by 181 runs, then — no dressing it up. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts with 447 for the season and Daniel Thirkell tops the wickets with 26, so the engine room remains in good order even when the rest of us stall. A harsh lesson, but the tea was decent and the lads will be better for it next week.

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

Sunday 7th September, and off we trundled to Tunbridge Wells, where the coin let us down as it so often does and we found ourselves leather in hand from the first ball. Nick Chambers gave us the full tour with a well-crafted 58, Elliott Hughes chipped in 36 and Alex Collier 35, and between them they steered the hosts to a stiff 218/6 off their 35.2 overs. Daniel Thirkell was the pick of our attack with 2-39, Ian Brattle and Michael Beeney chipped in a wicket apiece, and Stuart Cheesman, tight as ever, squeezed out two maidens for good measure.

Chasing 219 always felt a stretch, but Daniel Thirkell, having done his bowling shift, decided to do the whole job himself and carried us home in spirit if not quite in fact with a magnificent unbeaten 100 — the innings of the season by some distance. Craig Sands supported nicely with 36, and I was rather chuffed to get among the runs myself with a hundred of my own from the top of the order. Poor Clive Newman, mind you, had rather less to celebrate with the bat, departing for a duck — though he more than made up for it by bringing up his 300th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark that deserves the warmest of applause regardless of the scorebook.

We closed on 197/6 off 43, agonisingly short, and a draw was the fair and honest result. Two centuries, a club legend's 300th cap, and honours even — I'll take that walking off any Sunday.

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

From the captain's chair — a Saturday in early September, and Higham & Mockbeggar came to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather cruelly, the coin against us. They won the toss, chose to bat, and we trooped into the field wondering what the pitch had in store.

David Hughes proceeded to answer that question at some length, compiling a fine 90 with Mark Cunningham (25) for company, and the visitors eventually settled on 207 all out from 39.5 overs — a total that felt like more than a few too many at tea. Credit to the bowlers for dragging it back: Jon Harris was superb with 3-41, Russell Baldwin chipped in 3-50, Michael Beeney took 2-50, and Trevor Back kept things honest with two maidens when boundaries were the fashion.

Chasing 208, we got there for the loss of only four wickets in 38.2 overs, and I'm rather pleased to say I had a hand in it — 87 not out felt like one of those days when everything comes off the middle. Mike Elworthy (31) and Simon Thirkell (22) built nicely around a match-defining stand of 77 for the third wicket, while our extras column swelled to a generous 31 — 13 of those byes, which was, if I'm honest, rather a testing afternoon for Kevin Presneill behind the stumps.

The cherry on top: Ron McCormick reached 2,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to. Six wickets the margin, a good day all round, and the tea urn has rarely tasted sweeter.

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

Here's my match report:

We travelled to Sissinghurst on Saturday last with the coin gods firmly against us — lost the toss, put in to field, and settled in for what proved a very long afternoon. Nick Chambers (82) and D. Bugge (71) put together the kind of stand that has opposition captains checking their watches and their sanity, with Mark Simmons (26 not out) rubbing salt in for good measure as they racked up 196/2 from their 47 overs. Credit where due: Rob Jackson (1-24) and John Taylor (1-28) kept things honest, and Rob Doick's four maidens suggested at least one of us remembered how to bowl a dot ball.

Chasing 196 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved — 187/8 from our 42 overs, agonisingly short. Richard Piper played the innings of the day with a well-crafted 59, well supported by Adam Jackson (23) and Christopher Thirkell (22). And a moment for the scrapbook: Christopher brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, which is rather more than most of us manage in a lifetime, let alone an afternoon.

Elsewhere in the season's tale, Daniel Thirkell sits proudly 2nd in the 1st XI run charts on 342, and John Taylor 4th in the wickets with 10 — both quietly getting on with it while the rest of us make the headlines for the wrong reasons.

In the end, honours shared and pride largely intact. A draw, then — cricket's way of telling both sides to go home and think about what they've done.

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

Beacon CC, Cornwall, on the last Sunday of August – and Poseidon himself must have had a hand in the coin toss, because it landed against us yet again. Put in to field, we watched the hosts assemble a respectable 179/8 from their 35 overs, James Gool the chief architect with 42, well supported by David Proctor's 36 and Robert Trembath's 27. Credit where it's due: Daniel Thirkell bowled beautifully for 3-26, with brother Nigel (2-38) and John Taylor (2-68) chipping away at the other end to keep things honest.

Chasing 180 away from home is never a doddle, but the lads set about it with real purpose. Daniel Thirkell, having done his bowling shift, then batted through unbeaten for a well-crafted 64 to top the innings, with Nigel Thirkell (48) and Mike Elworthy (40) lending sturdy support. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction with my own 48 in the middle of it all, though the Thirkell family firm rather stole the show, as is becoming a habit.

Speaking of which, Daniel's three wickets today nudged him past Dick Langridge and up to 21st on the club's all-time wicket-takers list – onwards and upwards. He now leads the 2003 Tour XI wicket charts with 7, while Nigel tops the run charts with 222; not a bad way to be related.

We got home by 6 wickets, two points banked, and thoroughly earned. A fine day's work down in Cornwall.

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

Boughton & Eastwell arrived on Sunday, won the toss, and – with the sort of confidence that ought to be illegal before lunch – stuck us into the field. We can't say fortune favoured us at the coin, but it favoured us little more in the middle: their innings ran to 164/6 off 44 overs, Paul Sinden (60) and Sam Jarvis (56) both bringing up well-made fifties while we toiled honestly rather than gloriously. Craig Mannering's 21 rounded things off, though we did at least prise out Daniel Chadwick for a golden duck, which is the sort of small mercy a struggling attack clings to. Dennis Salisbury led the way with 2-24, Adam Jackson chipped in with 2-28, and Darren Styles bowled with the miserly discipline of a man counting out his own tea money – 1-12 and four maidens.

With the bat we never quite got going, bundled out for 152 in 35.3 overs. Richard Piper again showed why he tops our run charts, top-scoring with 41, and a generous 32 in extras did more for us than several batsmen combined. David Castle joined the Duck Club with a nought, and as for your captain – a golden blob, the sort of innings that makes you very interested in the tea urn. Leadership by example, they say; on this occasion I led only by example of what not to do.

Beaten by 12 runs, then, in a match that had more chances than we took. Character wasn't lacking – runs and composure were. We'll regroup, and we'll be better for it next week.

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

Beaten by three figures. That's the sort of Friday afternoon that makes you question why you love this game, and yet here we are, still smiling — mostly.

Losing the toss at Mullion CC and being asked to field in late-August heat was never going to be the dream start, and Martin Von Allaman made sure it stayed a nightmare, ghosting to an unbeaten 159 while Danny Gillman (30) and James Pearson (29) tidied up around him. Poor I Laity departed without so much as a scratch on the scoreboard. Credit where it's due, though: Stewart Morrison toiled manfully for 2-49, Daniel Thirkell chipped in with 2-50 and a couple of miserly maidens, and Craig Sands weighed in with 1-39. Their 232/6 from the forty felt, at the time, merely daunting rather than fatal.

Chasing it down was always a tall order, and so it proved. Daniel Thirkell led from the front with a classy 70, Nigel Thirkell followed him home with a well-crafted fifty of his own (52), and Craig Sands added a spirited 32. Less said the better about John Taylor, Tom Thirkell and Bishop, who between them contributed nothing but ducks. I managed 52 myself, which I'll admit gave me a quiet, private satisfaction amid the wreckage. All told, 200/9 wasn't nearly enough.

Nigel Thirkell now heads the Tour XI run charts with 174, and Stewart Morrison leads the wickets with 7 — small consolations on a day we finished 32 runs short. We were outplayed by the better side, plain and simple, but there's enough fight in this lot to bounce back. We'll be better for it next week.

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

Skipper's Log — Thursday 28 August 2003, away at Falmouth CC.

Lost the toss, lost the choice, and found ourselves leathering the ball around in the field all afternoon while Falmouth compiled a fairly business-like 176 for 8 off their forty. Sean Turner played the long innings the situation demanded, 67 not out and barely troubled by anything we sent down, with Richard Kellow's 39 doing the tidying up alongside him. Small mercies: Julian Osborne walked back for a duck, and Stewart Morrison bowled beautifully for 3-25, well backed by Craig Sands (2-43) and Andrew Varker (1-19). Falmouth's total always felt a shade beyond gettable rather than out of sight.

So it proved. Chasing 177, we were bowled out for 123 in 35 overs, never quite finding the partnership to match Turner's effort at the other end. Mike Elworthy's 27 was the mainstay, Nigel Thirkell chipping in with 21, and I managed 21 myself, for what little that was worth. Andrew Varker's golden duck rather summed up our afternoon with the bat.

Beaten by 53 runs, then, and no arguing with the margin. Craig Sands and Stewart Morrison continue to lead the Tour XI's run and wicket charts respectively, which is some consolation on a day when the rest of us rather let the side down. We'll regroup, we'll bat with more application, and we'll be better for it next week.

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

Captain's Log — Wednesday 27 August 2003, away at Truro CC.

Lost the toss, no great surprise there this season, and Truro elected to bat, leaving us to toil first under the Cornish sun. They ground their way to 221/7 from their forty, with Jamie Bridger (53) and Julian Bose (51) both raising fifties and Nik Lewis chipping in a handy 35. Credit where due — Stewart Morrison bowled beautifully for his 2-44, with Craig Sands (2-49) and Christopher Thirkell (1-19) keeping things honest at the other end. A total we felt was gettable, if far from gentle.

And gettable it very nearly was. Nigel Thirkell and Daniel Thirkell — father and son, or brothers, or whatever the family tree dictates, it hardly matters when both are batting like that — put together twin fifties of 72 apiece, Daniel seeing us home unbeaten, while Craig Sands added a brisk 26. I confess a personal 72 was rather satisfying, the sort of innings one dines out on at the clubhouse bar regardless of the result.

We finished on 216/4, five agonising runs short. Not our day, but not for want of trying. Craig Sands continues to lead our Tour XI run charts with 135, and Stewart Morrison tops the wickets with 2 — small consolations to carry back on the coach.

Heads up, lads. Back to the nets, and better luck next time.

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

Skipper's Log — Tuesday 26 August 2003, away at Troon CC.

Lost the toss, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like tradition. Troon elected to bat, and their innings rather got away from us for long stretches, closing on a hearty 203/5 from their 41 overs. Jason Weeks made merry with an unbeaten 80, well supported by M Rowe's composed fifty of 60 not out — the sort of partnership that has fielders checking their watches and their consciences. Credit where due, though: Tim Thirkell kept plugging away for 2-32, with brother-in-arms Daniel chipping in 1-15 and Nigel 1-56, so it was very much a family affair with the ball.

Chasing 204 always looked a tall order on a used pitch, but Craig Sands had other ideas, striking a magnificent 109 — three figures, no less, and the sort of innings you talk about at the bar for weeks. Nigel Thirkell backed him up nicely with 29, B- Pascoe added a brisk 20, and I managed to scratch together 29 of my own, mostly through luck and stubbornness in equal measure.

We got there with three wickets in hand and 37.5 overs on the clock — a proper smash-and-grab. Sands now tops our 2003 Tour XI run charts, and Tim Thirkell leads the wickets. A fine win, thoroughly undeserved on the toss but thoroughly earned with the bat. 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

It was one of those Saturdays that promised much and delivered a lesson instead — Dummy Site at home, sun out, toss won, and I fancied our chances putting runs on the board first. My call to bat looked a good one for most of the day: 212/6 from our 46 overs, with Kevin Presneill unbeaten on a classy 70 and Tim Thirkell chipping in a tidy 56, Trevor Back adding a brisk 38. Poor Ron McCormick, though, walked back for nought — these things happen to the best of us, and he'll get no argument from me about it over a pint.

With the ball, we huffed and puffed but couldn't quite blow the door down. Their number four, a- Roxburgh, played the innings of the day with 54, well backed by M- Kirby's 22 and T- Thatcher's unbeaten 20, as they crept to 171/9 from 44 overs. Michael Beeney was the pick of our attack — 3-36 and three maidens of real discipline — with Mike Redman (2-33) and Darren Styles (2-42) chipping away too, the latter dismissing L- Hogg and D- Fuller for ducks along the way. I did my bit with the bat earlier, 56 to lead from the front, and there was a touch of history too: Darren's two wickets nudged him past Tony Gauna into 13th on the club's all-time list.

Forty-one runs short in the end. Not our day, but heads up — back to the nets, and next week's another go.

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 TC Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformLDWDW

We were unlucky at the toss, sent Tunbridge Wells Wednesday in, and watched them settle to 213/6 off 51.2 overs, Derek Smith carving out an assured 92 and Badman chipping in a fine 63, with Churchley's 30 filling out the total nicely. Poor N Rogers never got off the mark, which felt about right for the way our afternoon was going. With the ball, Jon Harris was superb, 3-62 of skill and stamina, John Taylor snapping up 2-38 in fine support — between them they kept us in the hunt when the total might have got away from us.

Chasing 214, we replied with 211/6 from 38 overs, falling agonisingly short. David Castle led from the front with a classy 68, Craig Sands matched him almost run for run with 59, and Stewart Morrison's 33 kept the middle order ticking along nicely. Spare a thought for poor Mike Elworthy, who marked the occasion with a golden duck — though in fairness, the occasion in question was rather bigger than the scorebook suggests, for it was his 400th appearance in Linton colours, a milestone no amount of ducks can tarnish. I managed to find a bit of rhythm myself with three wickets, for what pride that's worth on a day of shared honours.

So a draw it was — honours even, nobody quite able to land the killer blow. With Craig Sands topping our run charts for the season on 308 and Jon Harris leading the wickets with 13, the form is there; we just need the final twist of fate to go our way. A fair result, and, on reflection, rather a fitting one.

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

The coach turned in through the Benenden gates on Sunday and something about the ground just said "bat first" — so when the coin obliged, I didn't need asking twice. Mark Christmas played the innings of a man entirely unbothered by county-standard bowling, finishing unbeaten on 62, while Daniel Thirkell matched him stride for stride with a classy 59 of his own. Craig Sands chipped in with 29, and between them they hauled us to a thumping 227/5 off 37.1 overs — the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew through it.

With the ball, we were relentless. Steve Luckhurst's 24 and Ben Collins's 20 were about the only things Benenden could hang their hats on before it all unravelled to 124 all out in 38.1 overs. Jon Harris was magnificent, snaring 3-25, with Michael Beeney (2-10) and John Taylor (2-29, three maidens — not a run given away lightly) doing the honest graft either side of him. I even managed to sneak in 3 wickets myself, which I shall be mentioning at the bar for weeks.

Two notes for the scorebook to treasure: Daniel Thirkell brought up 7,000 career runs for the club, and Darren Styles's solitary wicket edged him past Alan Boyns into 14th on our all-time list. Craig Sands now sits second in the season's run charts, Michael Beeney top of the wicket pile.

A 103-run victory, and a very fine day's cricket indeed. Onwards.

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

Saturday the 16th of August found us on the road at Bearsted, where I lost the toss for what felt like the hundredth time this summer and duly found myself handed the ball rather than the bat. Bearsted's openers set about laying waste to that decision, compiling 258 for the first wicket before either of them had the decency to get out, and by the close of their 46 overs they'd racked up a mighty 308 for 5. Mick Clifton's 170 was the sort of innings that makes grown men reconsider their career choices, ably supported by Jonathan Lee's polished 65. Adam Jackson battled away superbly for 3 for 64, with Mike Redman chipping in at 2 for 51, though truthfully the pair of them were bailing out a rather leaky boat.

Chasing 309 was always a tall order, and 154 for 6 from our 44 overs told its own story. Kevin Presneill's gritty 48 and Graham Walker's 31 gave us something to cling to, Tim Thirkell finished unbeaten on 28, and I contributed 28 of my own before running out of partners and ideas. Poor Richard Piper's name goes into the Duck Club ledger for a nought, and 12 byes suggest our man behind the stumps had rather a testing afternoon.

Beaten by 154 runs, then — a proper hiding, but an instructive one. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

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

Here's my Saturday, 16 August 2003, when the lads hosted Bearsted CC.

Winning the toss on a day like this was never really a decision, more a formality, and I duly elected to bat. We rattled along nicely to 217/7 from our 46 overs, with David Castle in particularly fine touch for 75 and Russell Baldwin lending sterling support with 51 — both comfortably past their fifties and both, I daresay, rather pleased with themselves in the tea interval. Craig Sands chipped in a useful 29. The only smudge on an otherwise handsome scorecard was poor Rob Doick, back in the pavilion for a duck before he'd had time to take guard properly — these things happen to the best of us, and he took it on the chin.

Defending 217, we set about Bearsted with real purpose. They fought hard, Ian Sandwell unbeaten on 39 and Jivan De Silva (25) and Stephen Heap (23) offering stubborn resistance, but an early wicket at 6 and a Stephen Horrocks duck kept us on top throughout, even as that fifth-wicket stand of 51 threatened to make a match of it. Daniel Thirkell was outstanding with the ball, 2-17, well backed by Michael Beeney and Dennis Salisbury with matching returns, while Mark Christmas bowled four maidens of the tightest, meanest cricket you could wish to see.

We got home by 76 runs, and I'll confess a quiet satisfaction at leading from the front with the bat. A thoroughly good day for the club — the kind that makes the drive home feel considerably shorter.

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

From the captain's chair — Friday 15 August 2003. We hosted Selsdon CC, lost the toss, and were asked to field first, which around these parts usually means someone's forgotten their sun cream and will be made to pay for it in the afternoon sun. Instead it was our bowlers who did the paying-back, but that came later; first we had to put some runs on the board.

Brian Piper played the innings of the day, 77 not out and past his fifty with the minimum of fuss, while Stuart Cheesman (36) and Mike Elworthy (29) chipped in handsomely around him. 209/8 from our 45 overs felt like a total with some substance to it, and so it proved.

Selsdon's reply never got out of second gear. Jeff Douglas departed for a duck without troubling the scorers, and from there it was a procession, all out for 98 in 25.2 overs. Jon Harris was magnificent with the new ball, 3-11, with Trevor Back (2-9) and Darren Styles (2-26) squeezing the life out of the other end, and two tidy maidens from Adam Jackson for good measure. Craig Sands had a wobble behind the stumps — 9 byes is not a tally he'll frame — but more than made amends by leading the season's run charts on 249, while Jon Harris now tops the wicket pile with 10. I even helped myself to three wickets, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity until Christmas.

A comfortable 111-run victory, and a thoroughly good day for the club.

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

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 13 August 2003. We travelled to The Mote CC, and having called correctly and elected to bat, I confess I was rather pleased with myself before a ball had even been bowled.

The lads didn't let me down. 221/5 off 46.1 overs is the sort of total that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather more than usual, built around a fine 70 from Stewart Morrison and a composed 55 not out from Daniel Thirkell, with Stuart Cheesman's 32 adding useful ballast. Runs, as they say, in the bank.

Defending it was another matter. The Mote fought hard through Nathan Chapman's 45, Thomas Harvey's 37 and Adam Luscombe's 23, and for a while it looked like our lead might evaporate quicker than the biscuits at tea. Herman and Matthew Coles went back for ducks, which was some consolation. Jon Harris was the pick of the attack with 3-45 and a couple of miserly maidens, Stuart Cheesman and David Castle chipped in with a wicket apiece, and I managed to rediscover some rhythm with the ball myself for 3 wickets. Poor Craig Sands had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 9 byes going begging, though he can console himself with leading our season's run charts on 241, just as Jon Harris tops the wickets on 7.

Nice to note Stewart Morrison's 70 nudged him past Paul Brattle into 16th on the club's all-time run list.

In the end, honours shared — a draw, and on reflection, probably a fair one.

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

We turned up on Saturday 09 August 2003 to face Shipbourne CC in what proved a proper old-fashioned tussle, and I'll admit winning the toss and opting to bat felt like the right call before a ball was bowled — happily, events agreed with me. The top order set about building something substantial, and 225/4 from our 46 overs was a fine platform, built chiefly on Paul Gibson's unbeaten 77, a beautifully paced innings that carried us home, with David Castle's 69 lending stout support and Daniel Thirkell chipping in with 25 to round things out nicely.

Defending that total is always a different sort of afternoon — plenty of pacing about at mid-off, wondering if we'd left enough on the board — and Shipbourne made us work for every wicket, reaching 198/9 from their 44 overs. Paul Stovell's 52 was the innings that threatened to undo us, well supported by Mark Fenton's 37 and Andrew Gillam's 33, but the bowlers kept chipping away: John Taylor was pick of the attack with 3-20, Michael Beeney weighed in with 3-49, and Mark Christmas bowled a tidy 1-25 including two maidens that never let Shipbourne settle.

I was rather chuffed to lead from the front with 69 of my own, and there was extra cause for celebration off the field too — Michael Beeney's three wickets nudged him past Dave Todd into 16th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. We got over the line by 27 runs in the end. A good day for the club, and one we'll happily toast in the bar.

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

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

From the captain's chair — Sunday 03 August 2003. We hosted Downham & Bellingham CC, and true to form the coin let us down again, so it was pads off and boots on for a stint in the field.

Downham set about accumulating in that patient way that makes a captain check his watch, posting 177/9 from their 47 overs. Chris Mendham was the chief architect with a well-crafted 69, given sturdy support by Robin Bailey's 33, while at the other end Jeff Barnes trudged off for a duck at our hands — small mercies gratefully accepted. It was Michael Beeney who did the real damage, though, running through the order for a magnificent 5-62, with Darren Styles (1-17, and two tidy maidens to boot) and Mark Christmas (1-28) chipping away to keep things honest.

A target of 178 is never a formality on our ground, but the lads set about it sensibly. Clive Newman's 42 was the innings' backbone, well supported by Christopher Thirkell's unbeaten 38 and Russell Baldwin's 36, and I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction in contributing 42 of my own. Only Daniel Thirkell endured the walk of shame with a nought, but with runs flowing elsewhere it barely dented us, and we crossed the line at 178/5 in 40.1 overs.

A fine win by five wickets, then, and with Craig Sands and Michael Beeney both purring nicely atop the season's charts, the side's form looks every bit as good as the tea urn's timing. 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

From the captain's chair — Saturday 02 August 2003, and the road took us to Headcorn CC on what turned into a rather splendid afternoon for the club.

Winning the toss, I had few doubts about what to do with a good-looking morning overhead, and duly stuck us in to bat. Christopher Thirkell set about compiling a glorious 96 — cruelly denied his century, though not for want of trying — while brother Tim chipped in with a tidy 43 alongside my own modest 43. Even our extras column got in on the act with 30 gallantly gathered, taking us to a handsome 218/4 off our 46 overs. A total, I confess, I was rather pleased to be defending.

And defend it we did. Headcorn were undone by Jon Harris, steaming in for a superb 3-9, while Darren Styles bowled with such miserly discipline (2-3, five maidens!) that the batsmen must have wondered whether the boundary rope had been quietly removed. Tom Thirkell weighed in with 2-13 for good measure, and Headcorn subsided to 82 all out. Pete Sparks and T- Whatman departed for ducks, and poor Kevin Presneill had a torrid time behind the stumps, 18 byes the unfortunate price of an active pitch.

A word too for Darren Styles, who brought up 400 career wickets — a landmark worth raising a glass to. Christopher continues to sit handsomely in the season's run charts, Jon likewise among the wickets.

Victory by 136 runs. A very good day for the club indeed.

Wed 30 Jul 2003 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformWLDWL

It was a gloriously stubborn Wednesday at Linton Park, the sort where the scorebook tells you more about the day than the sky did.

Sent in against the visitors, we posted a respectable 172 for 9 off our 41 overs, and the innings had one man's fingerprints all over it. Craig Sands played the sort of innings captains dream about and rarely get, 90 well-constructed runs that dragged us to a defendable total, with Steve Cheesman and Russell Baldwin chipping in 25 apiece to keep the board ticking. Less gloriously, Tim Thirkell, Mark Christmas and Jim Hall all trooped back for ducks — a trio of blobs that will not trouble the highlights reel, though in fairness Christmas made ample amends with the ball later on.

And what a job the bowlers did of defending it. The visitors were held to 110 for 9, K Banham's watchful 43 the only real resistance, while at the other end Rick Jones and Gareth Thomas departed without so much as a nudge off the mark. Russell Baldwin was the pick of the attack with 2 for 8, backed superbly by Mark Christmas (2-17) and Michael Beeney (2-26), while Adam Jackson strangled the middle overs with three maidens of pure aggravation for the batsmen.

In the end, honours were shared — neither side quite had the wit or the will to force it home. A draw, then, but one earned rather than drifted into: Sands' fifty and a disciplined attack made sure we were never second best.

Sun 27 Jul 2003 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv ? · 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 · HomeformLWLTL

Lost the toss again — I'm beginning to suspect the coin has it in for me — and Sheldwich CC, our guests for the afternoon, wasted no time electing to field. Nothing for it but to pad up and get on with the job.

And get on with it we did, after a fashion. Twenty-two without loss from 9.2 overs is hardly the stuff of Gazette legend, but it was ours, unblemished, and delivered without alarm. Steady rather than spectacular — the sort of total that asks more questions of the opposition's patience than their bowling figures.

Questions Sheldwich, for whatever reason, could not answer. We turned to defend our modest total and watched their innings close all out — no runs to show for it, the whole thing over before anyone had quite settled into their deckchair. Quite how a side ends up all out for nothing while we still couldn't force a win is a mystery I shall leave to greater cricketing minds than mine, but there it is in black and white.

Honours shared, then — a draw that satisfied nobody and offended nobody, which is perhaps the most English result of all. Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Christopher Thirkell continues his quietly excellent campaign, sitting fourth in the 2nd XI run charts on 209 for the year — a reminder that somewhere in this club, someone knows what they're doing with a bat. As for the rest of us: tea was, as ever, the outstanding performance of the day.

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

Sunday 20 July 2003, and Sidcup CC arrived at Linton Park with the sun out and, rather less pleasingly, the toss going their way — they had first look and sent us in. No matter: we made 253/5 from our 35.5 overs, a total built on the broad shoulders of Craig Sands, whose magnificent 124 will have him buying nobody a pint for weeks. Stewart Morrison played a fine supporting hand with 61, Daniel Thirkell chipped in a brisk 20, and even the extras column got in on the act with a generous 37. Poor Richard Piper managed only a duck, though he'll have bigger things on his mind, of which more below.

In the field we were rampant. Sidcup subsided to 116 all out in 39.3 overs, losing an early wicket with just 7 on the board and never really recovering, Neil Bastin and Martin Rolls both back in the pavilion without scoring. Mark Christmas was the chief destroyer with a superb 4-24, backed handsomely by Darren Styles (2-33, two miserly maidens) and Michael Beeney (1-12). Steve Hobbs' 38 was the only real resistance. I even found time to potter to 20 myself.

A day of milestones too: Richard Piper's 200th appearance in Linton colours, Mark Christmas's 50th career wicket, and Stewart Morrison climbing to 17th on the all-time run charts. A 137-run victory, two points banked, and thoroughly, gloriously earned.

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 · AwayformWLWLT

From the captain's chair — Saturday 19 July 2003. We travelled to Horton Kirby CC in reasonably good heart, though that heart was somewhat dented at the toss, which we duly lost, condemning us to a spot of leather-chasing in the field.

Given first use of the ball, we made a fair fist of it. S Brett top-scored with a stubborn 39, well supported by Duncan Taylor's 30, and between them Horton Kirby ground their way to 161/7 from their 46 overs. Credit where it's due: Matthew Carter bowled beautifully for 2-18, Mike Redman chipped in with 2-38, and Adam Jackson took 1-9, while Darren Styles fairly strangled the scoring with three maidens. We did our bit for the Duck Club ledger too, seeing off both Darren Bull and Dane Bull for ducks apiece — a rare case of the Bulls being led quietly to slaughter.

Chasing 162, we never quite got the platform we needed. Graham Walker's 48 and Adam Jackson's 40 gave us hope, but wickets tumbled around them and we were bowled out for 157 in 40.3 overs — Mike Elworthy, Tim Thirkell and Matthew Carter all making the long walk back for nought. Your correspondent, I'm ashamed to report, also contributed a duck to proceedings; the less said, the better.

Beaten by just four runs in the end — the kind of margin that keeps you up replaying overs in your head. Trevor Back continues to lead the 2nd XI's charts with both bat (377) and ball (13), a beacon of consistency the rest of us can only admire from a respectful distance. We'll be better for it next week.

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

As it stands, we sent Dummy Site back to their journeys with a spring in our step even in defeat — no, scratch that, let me tell it properly.

Wednesday last saw us host Dummy Site, and having called correctly at the toss, I didn't hesitate for a second before sticking us in to bat — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or reckless depending entirely on what follows. What followed was rather good: 184/6 from our 35 overs, built on a proper captain's innings of 83 from Mike Elworthy, well supported by Christopher Thirkell's 45 and Piers McDonald's 23. Mark Christmas, meanwhile, made his contribution in the form of a duck, arriving and departing with the minimum of fuss.

With the ball, we scrapped hard. Charlotte Cornwallis top-scored for the visitors with 34, backed up by J-D- Jefferson's 21, but we had our own tale of ducks to tell as W- Blockley and R- White both departed without troubling the scorers. Christopher Thirkell was the chief destroyer with 3-16, Adam Jackson chipped in with 2-16, and Darren Styles took 1-23. For all that, their innings closed on 137 and, arithmetic being a cruel mistress, we still finished 47 runs short.

A happier footnote: Mike Elworthy brought up 8,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the result, and he now sits third in this season's Midweek run charts with Thirkell top of the wicket pile on 5.

Not our day, then — but heads up, and back to the nets.

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

Sunday, the 13th of July, saw us take the short trip to Chestfield, and as ever the coin remembered whose side it's on – theirs. They chose to bat, and we were left to spend the afternoon in the field wondering whether the tea would be worth the trouble.

To be fair, we didn't do badly at all. Chestfield crawled to 148 for 9 off their 49 overs, Duncan Brown top-scoring with 24, well supported by Michael Brock (24) and Wayne George (23), while poor James Burnage trudged off without so much as a nibble at the scorebook. Mark Christmas was the pick of the attack with a fine 3 for 42, Russell Baldwin and Michael Beeney chipped in with two apiece, and Stuart Cheesman bowled three tidy maidens that gave nothing away for love nor money.

Chasing 149, we made a proper fist of it without quite finishing the job, bowled out for 134 in 35.2 overs. Russell Baldwin batted beautifully for his fifty, the innings' clear highlight, with Stuart Cheesman lending sound support on 24. I managed a workmanlike 24 myself, though Craig Sands, Adam Pooley and Stewart Morrison all fell for ducks, which rather undid our good work with the ball.

Fourteen runs short in the end – close enough to torment us all the way home. Russell sits second in the season's run charts and Mark leads the wickets, so the ability is plainly there. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets we go.

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

From the captain's chair — Saturday 12 July 2003, and Hollingbourne CC were the visitors on a day that, in hindsight, deserved to end all square.

I lost the toss again — I'm beginning to suspect the coin itself has it in for me — and Hollingbourne chose to bat, posting a stiff 256/6 from their 46 overs. Mike Palmer gave us the full tour de force with 93, well supported by Gavin Fossey's tidy 58 and Andy Golding's 42. We fought for every one of those runs: Jon Harris was the pick of the attack with 2-57, Adam Jackson chipped in 2-71, Rob Jackson took 1-28, and Ian Brattle, tight as ever, bowled two maidens without so much as a loose smile from the batsmen.

Chasing 257, we matched them stride for stride to finish 256/5 from our 44 — Nigel Thirkell the rock at 80 not out, Graham Walker (44) and Trevor Back (40) lending sturdy support, and your captain contributing a modest 30. Rob Jackson, having bowled beautifully, rather spoiled the ledger with a golden duck — the walk of shame indeed 🦆 — though the extras column, generous as ever, chipped in 34 of its own.

Milestones abounded: Tim Thirkell reached 12,000 career runs for the club, and Rob Jackson 50 career wickets — fitting company for a day nobody quite lost. Trevor Back still leads our 2nd XI run charts and Jon Harris the wickets.

A tie, then — the fairest, most maddening result in cricket. Nobody left the ground disappointed, and nobody left entirely satisfied either. Verdict: honours even, and thoroughly deserved.

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 · AwayformWLWLD

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

We drew Bearsted CC on Sunday 06 July 2003, and having called correctly at the toss, I did the sensible thing and stuck us in. It was, if I say so myself, the right call — though you'd not have known it watching us stagger to 1-1 inside the first over. We rallied, after a fashion, to 147 all out from 38.2 overs, Michael Beeney top-scoring with 31 and Adam Jackson chipping in nicely with 27. Fred Cheesman and Adam Pooley both departed for ducks, which is never a pleasant addition to the tea-time scorebook, and I managed a workmanlike 17 myself.

Bearsted's reply began ominously — 80 on the board before we so much as troubled the umpire for a wicket, with Jivan De Silva (60) and Rod Maloney (31) putting on the lot for the first wicket. For a while it looked a formality. But cricket, bless it, rarely obliges, and they slid from 135-2 to 141-5 as Michael Beeney ran through them with 3-30 and Mark Christmas bowled beautifully for 2-11, four maidens included — not a run given away lightly, whatever the rest of us were doing. Unfortunately "the rest of us" ran to 28 wides and 2 no-balls, generosity we could scarcely afford, and Bearsted got home by five wickets from 46.1 overs.

Christopher Thirkell continues to top our Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 157, and Beeney sits fourth among the wicket-takers with 8 — small consolations. Not our day, all told. Heads up, and back to the nets.

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

We were beaten fairly and squarely by a rampant Fenton, but Jon's milestone gave the day some shine.

Down at Shipbourne on a Saturday that promised much, we lost the toss and were sent out to bowl — never the news you want, but the lads set about their work with good cheer regardless. Mark Fenton had other ideas, ghosting to a magnificent century while Bob Scott (48) and George Pollard, unbeaten on 20, offered him steady company. Jon Harris toiled manfully for his 1-50, Trevor Back chipped in with 1-55, and Mike Redman bowled two tidy maidens that at least kept the arithmetic honest. Shipbourne closed on 210/3 from their 46 overs — a total with a distinctly uphill look to it.

Chasing 211, we made a fight of it without ever threatening to land the knockout blow. Kevin Presneill (34) and Tim Thirkell, unbeaten on 34, both got in and did the hard yards, and I managed 34 myself, but wickets fell around us and we were all out for 152 in 39.2 overs — 58 runs shy. Poor Trevor Back, so industrious with the ball, had the ignominy of a duck to balance his ledger. There was, however, a moment to raise the tea-hut teacups for: Jon Harris brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved and warmly applauded by all.

Not our day, then, and back to the nets we go — but with Mike Elworthy 2nd in the 2nd XI run charts and Trevor Back topping the wicket charts, there's plenty to build on. Defeat, but a dignified one.

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

Sunday 29 June 2003 saw us on the road to Headcorn, and when I lost the toss and they sent us in, I confess my heart sank slightly — those are always the afternoons where you find out what you're really made of. And, in truth, we found out rather too much. A brisk opening stand of 50 gave us something to build on, and Christopher Thirkell's 34, well supported by Craig Sands's 30, dragged us to a respectable-looking 105 for 4. Then, as is the Linton Park way, the innings developed a sudden and violent allergy to the crease: 105-4 became 113-7 before anyone could reach for the scorebook, with Chris Newman and Desmond High both walking back for ducks. All out for 142 in 38.2 overs — not a total to frighten anyone on paper.

Headcorn, however, seemed determined to prove otherwise, losing a wicket with just 1 run on the board and never quite finding their feet again. John Haggart was magnificent, 3 for 13 with three maidens thrown in for good measure, ably backed by Jon Harris's 2 for 4 and Desmond High's 1 for 9 — redemption of sorts after his morning duck. Three Headcorn batsmen departed without troubling the scorers, and the innings folded for 87 in 38.1 overs.

A 55-run victory, two points banked, and a rather lopsided tale of two innings. Chaotic, occasionally comic, but thoroughly, unmistakably ours — we'll take it.

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

Sunday 29 June 2003, and Clarion CC rolled up as our visitors. I lost the toss for what felt like the hundredth time running, and they had no hesitation in sticking us into the field — a decision that looked shrewd once Steve Harris got going. He made a superb 116 that we simply couldn't shift, with Andy Driver (43) and S Cox (31) chipping in around him as Clarion motored to 246/8 off their 43 overs. Credit where due: Mark Christmas toiled manfully for 3-40, and Stuart Cheesman (2-29) and Russell Baldwin (1-47) kept the pressure honest when it might otherwise have got away from us entirely.

Chasing 247 was always going to ask questions, and for a while we answered them rather well. Stewart Morrison led from the front with a well-made 64, Daniel Thirkell matched him almost run for run with 62, and Russell Baldwin's 40 kept the required rate within touching distance. Alas, poor Richard Piper contributed nought but a duck to the cause 🦆, and we ran out of overs at 222/7 — agonisingly short. Spare a thought too for Morrison behind the stumps, who had a torrid afternoon with the gloves, shipping 10 byes on top of his runs with the bat.

So honours were shared, neither side quite able to force it home. A draw feels about right for an afternoon of fine individual efforts and small margins — frustrating in the moment, but the kind of result that reminds you why we keep coming back for more.

Sat 28 Jun 2003 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformDLWWL

Saturday 28 June 2003 saw Staplehurst CC pitch up on our home turf, and losing the toss meant we'd be leathering the ball around before troubling the scorers ourselves. Not that anyone was complaining too loudly, mind - it gave Trevor Back the chance to make early inroads with 2-35, while Adam Jackson and Mike Redman chipped in a wicket apiece, and Ian Brattle strangled the runs with three tidy maidens. Still, K Millen had other ideas, ticking along to a fine 55, well backed by C Rogers (32) and Tom Davey (24), and Staplehurst posted a distinctly workmanlike 195/5 from their 46 overs.

Chasing that down looked a proper afternoon's work, but Mike Elworthy had clearly had his Weetabix, striding to an unbeaten 69 and anchoring the innings from start to finish. Trevor Back, not content with his morning's bowling, added a rapid unbeaten 58 with the bat for good measure, and Christopher Thirkell weighed in with 29. I managed to scratch together 20 of my own, which I shall generously describe as "vital" in this report and nowhere else. We cantered home on 196/3 with 38.3 overs gone, wickets and dignity both intact.

Trevor Back, frankly, is having the sort of season the rest of us can only nod respectfully at from a distance - top of both the run and wicket charts for the 2nd XI, and showing no signs of easing off to let anyone else have a go.

A comfortable seven-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one at that. Onwards we go.

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

Saturday 28 June 2003 saw us take the road to Shipbourne, and my luck at the coin toss remains the stuff of comedy — they called correctly, elected to bat, and left us to toil in the field first. Toil we did, though not without reward: 149 all out from 45.2 overs was a fair effort on their part, built around Andrew Gillam's fifty (56) and useful support from Mark Fenton (24), but our attack kept a grip throughout. Daniel Thirkell was the pick with 3-20 and four miserly maidens, Dennis Salisbury chipped in with 2-22 and Mark Christmas 2-25, while Mike Cooper, Paul Stovell and Oliver Harris all trudged off for ducks at our hands.

Chasing 150, we made harder work of it than the target perhaps deserved, but Daniel Thirkell — clearly not content with his bowling exploits — carried on regardless with an unbeaten 65, well supported by Stewart Morrison's 23. I did my modest bit with 18. Russell Baldwin and Kevin Presneill both endured the walk of shame for ducks, but with Thirkell holding firm we crossed the line at 150/6 in 38.4 overs.

Four wickets the margin, two points banked, and thoroughly earned. Daniel Thirkell's all-round display — bat and ball both — was the difference, and with Nigel Thirkell and Dennis Salisbury still leading the season's charts, this club continues to punch rather above its modest weight. A fine day's work, and the tea, one imagines, tasted all the better for it.

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

Skipper's Log, Sunday 22 June 2003 — Holborough Anchorians CC visited, and having lost the toss we were sent into the field, which is never the news you want with the dew still on the boundary rope. Still, we've never let a bit of adversity spoil a Sunday.

With the bat we ground out 164/8 from our 40 overs, the innings anchored by a genuinely lovely fifty from Daniel Thirkell, who made 62 and looked in no particular hurry about it. Stewart Morrison chipped in a handy 33, Steve Cheesman added 22, and elsewhere the Duck Club took on two new members — Stuart Cheesman and Michael Beeney both departed for nought, walks of shame duly logged for posterity. 🦆

Defending 164 is always a nervy business, but the bowlers made light work of it. Jon Harris was magnificent, snaring 4-29, with Michael Beeney (3-15) and Stuart Cheesman (1-7) offering fine support, and Daniel Thirkell miserly with two maidens thrown in for good measure. Barry Curtis's 30 was the best Holborough could muster as they folded for 124 in 39.2 overs. I'll confess a quiet personal pride in my own 62 — one of those innings that reminds you why you keep turning up.

Note too that Daniel's 62 nudges him past Paul Brattle into 15th on the club's all-time run charts, while Craig Sands (155) and Jon Harris (4 wickets, 3rd) continue to lead this season's Sunday 1st XI charts. A fine win by 40 runs — the Ducks notwithstanding, onwards we go. 🏏

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

Saturday 21 June found us on the road to Dummy Site, and for once the coin toss went my way — I called it correctly and had no hesitation in taking first strike. It proved the right call, as we ground out a handsome 272 for 4 from our 46 overs. Mike Elworthy was in irrepressible form, finishing unbeaten on 79, with Graham Walker (58) and Trevor Back (44) both chipping in handsomely to give the total real substance.

With runs on the board, it fell to the bowlers to finish the job, and they duly obliged. The home side were bowled out for a paltry 90 in 27 overs, S Day's 24 the only real resistance, while R Thomas, T Brandreth and H Karim all trudged back without troubling the scorers. Adam Jackson was magnificent, 4 wickets from his spell including three maidens, well supported by Mike Redman (3-17) and Rob Jackson (2-24). Poor Kevin Presneill had a torrid time behind the stumps, 10 byes slipping past him, though nobody was counting too closely by then.

There was individual cause for celebration amid the carnage — Mike Elworthy's 79 nudged him past Piers McDonald into 10th on the club's all-time run-scoring list. Trevor Back continues to lead the 2nd XI's season run charts with 261, and Rob Jackson sits third among the wicket-takers with 7. In the end, the opposition were beaten by 182 runs — a proper trouncing, and precisely the tonic this side needed.

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

Meopham CC came calling on a bright Saturday, lost the toss, and made us bowl first — never one to complain, mind, though the tea urn had barely warmed up before I was flinging a cap out to the covers.

They rattled along to 141 all out in 44.2 overs, Gary Howorth doing the damage with a stylish 47 and Tony Pearce chipping in 25, but our attack kept its nerve. Mark Christmas was magnificent, 4 for 34, while Dennis Salisbury bowled with the miserly precision of a man checking everyone's homework — 2 for 20 and four maidens for good measure. Daniel Thirkell weighed in with 2 for 29, and Matt Simpson departed for nought at our hands, which I shan't dwell on further out of professional courtesy.

Chasing 142, we made rather a meal of the arithmetic but got there in good order — 143 for 4 off 39.4 overs. David Castle led from the front with 32, Russell Baldwin matched him stroke for stroke with 32 of his own, Nigel Thirkell added a handsome 26, and I managed to contribute 32 myself, mostly by refusing to get out through sheer stubbornness.

Nigel continues to top our season's run charts with 177, and Dennis now leads the wicket-takers with 8 — the old boy's clearly saving his best for when it matters. A six-wicket win, two points banked, and tea rather better earned than usual. Thoroughly satisfactory afternoon's work.

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

Sad news is the toss went against us, and Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC made hay while our lads chased leather in the June sunshine. They rattled on to 233 for 4 off their 46, with S Selsdon the chief tormentor — 85 not out, calm as you like — and well backed up by A Gill's unbeaten 44 and P Styles's 22. Christopher Thirkell was the pick of our attack with 1-24, Daniel Thirkell and Jon Harris each chipped in a wicket apiece, and Darren Styles bowled two tidy maidens, proving not everything was leaking runs — though 24 wides and no-balls rather suggested otherwise. A few too many freebies handed out at the tea urn, one might say.

With 234 to chase, we set about our reply with more heart than order. Daniel Thirkell was magnificent, striking a fine 84 to give the innings some real backbone, with Richard Piper's brisk 20 offering welcome support. Alas, not every name will want reminding of this one — Christopher Thirkell and Rob Jackson both departed for ducks, and we eventually stalled on 163 for 9 from our 39, some way short of the target.

So honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Daniel Thirkell now sits proudly atop our 2003 Midweek XI run charts, and Christopher Thirkell leads the wicket-takers — early season bragging rights, at least. As for the rest of us, we'll chalk this one up as a fair contest honestly fought, and console ourselves that a draw shared over tea and sandwiches beats a defeat any day of the week.

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

Sunday 15th June, and Blue Star CC rolled into Linton Park under skies that, for once, seemed to have read the fixture list. I won the toss and, in a rare fit of decisiveness, decided we should bat first.

It proved a shrewd call, or at least the batsmen made it look that way. Craig Sands played the innings of the summer, an unbeaten 117 that had the tea urn boiling over in appreciation, while Stewart Morrison chipped in a handsome 59 and Piers McDonald an unbeaten 51 to boot. Add a generous 29 in extras — Blue Star's contribution to the cause, however unintentional — and 256 for the loss of just one wicket from 36 overs felt like a mountain for the visitors to climb.

Climb it they very nearly did. Hilton Bayayi batted with real class for 72, Martin Shuttle chimed in with 44 and Mark Chenery finished unbeaten on 36, dragging Blue Star to 216 for 5 from their 46. Rob Doick was the pick of our attack, two for 19 with two maidens thrown in for good measure, well backed by Mike Redman and Stuart Cheesman among the wickets. Mike Peters, alas, departed for a golden duck.

In the end honours were shared, a draw with barely a cigarette paper between us. Fitting reward, I'd say, for two sides who gave their all and left the rest to the extras column.

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 · HomeformWLDLW

I called correctly at the toss on Saturday and, with the sun out over Linton Park, there was never much debate in my head — we were batting.

It didn't start smoothly, but Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, a well-crafted 53 that anchored us nicely, with Trevor Back chipping in a handy 39 alongside him. The extras column did us proud too, 30 runs of Milstead's generosity gratefully banked. Elsewhere, spare a thought for poor Richard Piper, whose duck earns him this week's entry in the Duck Club ledger — the walk of shame is never a short one. All told, 197 all out from 45.3 overs felt like a total with a bit of bite to it.

And so it proved. Rob Jackson was the chief destroyer with a fine 4-28, backed up superbly by Tim Thirkell's 3-5 and a wicket for Trevor Back, who was clearly determined to have a hand in everything today. Michael Beeney bowled with real discipline, four maidens keeping the shackles firmly on, and I even managed to get among the wickets myself with three, plus 18 useful runs with the bat earlier. Milstead's Paul West (44) and Gareth Chick (40) fought hard, but three further ducks at our hands told its own story, and 120 all out was the final word.

A special mention for Mike Elworthy, whose 53 today nudges him up to 10th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — no mean feat. Won by 77 runs, two points thoroughly earned, and a very happy captain heading to the tea urn.

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

Lost the toss on a warm Sunday down at Linton Park, and Shipbourne, sporting sorts that they are, sent us out to field first. Forty overs later they'd racked up 168 for 9, built chiefly around Mike Cooper's fine 59, with Paul Stovell (41) and Simon Price (26) chipping in nicely. Credit where due — Rob Doick was the chief architect of our comeback with 3 for 30, backed up handsomely by Paul Gibson's 2 for 16 and Mark Christmas's 2 for 27. Keith Willis, Barry Hart and George Pollard, meanwhile, made the walk back to the pavilion without so much as troubling the scorers — three ducks in a row is not a look any of us will be requesting for the club photograph.

Chasing 169, we set off in good heart and I'm rather pleased to report I led from the front with 80 of my own, though "led from the front" is perhaps generous when the rest of the order came to 162 for 9 all told. We simply couldn't get over the line, falling six runs short — and if I'm honest, the 28 wides and no-balls we gifted them with the ball did us no favours at all; you can't hand a team the best part of three overs' worth of freebies and expect to sleep easy.

Still, the season ledger has its bright spots — I'm leading the Sunday run charts with 114, and Rob leads the wickets with 7. But today wasn't our day. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

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

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 · HomeformDWLDL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 07 June 2003. We hosted Leeds & Broomfield CC, and I confess I lost the toss with all the tactical brilliance of a man calling heads and getting tails; they had us in the field.

No matter — the lads batted us into a position of considerable comfort. Ron McCormick anchored the innings beautifully, 69 not out, while Kevin Presneill matched him stroke for stroke with a fine 63, and Mike Elworthy chipped in a brisk 30. Forty-six overs later we stood at 219/4, which even by my cautious standards felt like a total worth defending twice over.

And defend it we did. Jon Harris was quite magnificent with the new ball, ripping through the top order for 4-22, with Christopher Thirkell (2-2) and Trevor Back (2-14) mopping up either end, and John Taylor bowling two tidy maidens to strangle the scoring. Poor John Swindall never troubled the scorers, departing for a duck, while Barry Roles (34), Jon Graham (23) and Michael Tree (20) offered the only real resistance before Leeds & Broomfield folded for 122/9 from 38.4 overs. I even managed to rediscover some rhythm of my own with four wickets — proof that even a captain who can't win a coin toss can occasionally find his line.

A word too for the season charts: Christopher Thirkell now sits second in our 2003 2nd XI run tally with 141, and Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers with 9. Two points, 97 runs to the good, and thoroughly, gloriously earned.

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

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

Sunday the first of June saw us take the road to Falconhurst CC, and I can report the excursion was thoroughly worth the petrol money. We lost the toss — no great shock, my coin-calling remains a standing joke in this club — and were put in to field first, waiting our turn with the bat.

When our innings came we made hay, racking up a handsome 193/5 from our 40 overs. Rob Doick was in irrepressible form, cracking a well-earned 50 not out, while Paul Gibson (41) and David Castle (34) gave the innings real backbone. I even chipped in with 34 myself, more by luck than judgement.

Defending 193 is never a formality, but Falconhurst never truly threatened, subsiding to 104/8 from 24.2 overs. R Rowan battled hard for his 43, well supported by Simon Knechtli's 22, but the rest of the order came and went — S Leppard, memorably, for a golden duck. Rob Doick, not content with his runs, ran through their middle order with a superb 3-16, while John Taylor (2-29) and Darren Styles (1-27) tidied up the rest.

A special mention, too, for Paul Gibson, who brought up 12,000 career runs for the club — a mantelpiece moment if ever there was one, and a reminder of the sort of loyal service that keeps a village club ticking over. Add in Russell Baldwin and Rob Doick sitting proudly atop this season's Sunday run and wicket charts respectively, and it all rather suggests a side hitting its stride.

A comfortable 89-run win, then, and a very fine afternoon's work. Onwards we go.

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

Saturday 31 May 2003 saw Southborough CC visit Linton Park, and for once the coin actually smiled on me — I called correctly and had no hesitation in sticking us in. The lads repaid the faith handsomely: 188 for 6 off our 46 overs, built on a lovely 102-run stand for the fifth wicket between Christopher Thirkell, unbeaten on a composed 62, and Steve Cheesman, whose 52 was every bit as classy. Trevor Back chipped in with 45 to round things out nicely. Less nicely, Mike Elworthy and Richard Piper both endured that lonely walk back for ducks — the Duck Club ledger swells again, gentlemen.

A total of 188 felt defendable, and for a while it was, but Southborough's openers had other ideas, putting on 95 before we prised the first breakthrough. Tim Thirkell (2-28) and Trevor Back (2-46) did the damage among the wickets, but Simon Fisher's 49, Paul Spencer's 47 and Graham Parker's unbeaten 40 saw them home at 189 for 4 with three overs unused.

Down by six wickets, then — not our day. But there was real cause for pride amid the defeat: Trevor Back made his 500th appearance in Linton colours, passed 500 career wickets, and leapfrogged Allan Cooper into tenth on the club's all-time list, while Steve Cheesman brought up 1,000 career runs. Back also tops both the 2nd XI's run and wicket charts this summer. Heads up, then — back to the nets, and no small pride in the milestones along the way.

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

Saturday 31st May, and the road took us to Headcorn – always a fixture that asks a question or two of a batting line-up, and today was no exception.

Losing the toss, we were put into the field, and watched Peter Westrop bring up a proper hundred against us – three figures, no less, the sort of innings that wins matches on its own, with Paul Millen chipping in a handy 23. Small mercies: Mike Donnelly went for a duck at our hands, and Jon Harris was in inspired form, mopping up four for 40. David Castle (3-32) and Rob Doick (1-56) kept the pressure on, while Darren Styles bowled two maidens that the batsmen will remember more fondly than we do. Headcorn closed on 186/9 – a target that always looked a shade too stiff.

In reply, Craig Sands led the way with a fine 40, Stewart Morrison added 27 and Kevin Presneill finished unbeaten on 21, but David Castle's duck with the bat cancelled out his good work with the ball, and yours truly contributed the traditional captain's blob – the less said, the better. I found some consolation with three wickets earlier in the day. We closed on 161/9.

The day did have its moment of proper club cricket magic: Stewart Morrison brought up 6,000 career runs and made his 300th appearance in Linton colours – numbers that put any duck of mine firmly in perspective.

Beaten by 25 runs. Character-building stuff, and we'll be better for it next week.

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

Skipper's Log, Saturday 24 May 2003. Sheldwich CC came calling, we lost the toss, and were sent out to field — never the ideal start to a Saturday, but we squared our shoulders and got on with it.

Batting, if we're honest, was a bit of a horror show. Ninety-three all out in 33.1 overs is not a total to frighten anyone, and the Duck Club ledger did brisk business, with Stuart Cheesman, Daniel Thirkell and Kevin Presneill all taking that lonely walk back for nought. Only Nigel Thirkell showed any real defiance, his 36 the one score that kept us from complete embarrassment.

With the ball we at least made a fist of it. Dennis Salisbury led the attack manfully, snaring 1-22, and I chipped in with 18 myself for whatever that's worth. But James Creed had other ideas, cruising to an unbeaten 54, well supported by Jim Ansley's composed 23 not out, and Sheldwich strolled home on 94/1 from just 21 overs — a nine-wicket win that flattered them rather less than it should have.

Amid the wreckage, one genuinely lovely moment: Russell Baldwin brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the scoreline. David Castle continues to sit second in the season's run charts on 57, and Dennis Salisbury tops the wicket pile with four.

Verdict: a chastening afternoon, but the sort that builds character — or so I keep telling the lads. We'll be better for it next week.

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

As the coin landed our way on a fine May Sunday, I confess my heart did a little skip: batting first at Linton Park always feels like the right kind of gamble, and so it proved. We settled to 183 for 6 from our 41 overs, the innings built on a lovely, unhurried half-century from Paul Merwood — 54 not out and worth every run — with Richard Piper (29) and Christopher Thirkell (26) lending sturdy support before the tail wagged handsomely for a final 45 that left Ash CC's fielders looking thoroughly fed up.

If 183 felt useful, what followed was rather more than that. Ash CC's reply folded to 85 all out in just 27.2 overs, C Graham's battling 20 the only real resistance, while P Godfrey and D Bruton departed without so much as troubling the scorers. The day, though, belonged unmistakably to Rob Jackson, whose 5 for 6 was the kind of spell bowlers dream about on the drive home. Michael Beeney (2-5) and Jon Harris (2-15) tidied up admirably, and Adam Jackson bowled two maidens with the quiet menace of a man not to be taken liberties with. Poor Adam Pooley had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 18 byes escaping his gloves, but even that couldn't dent the mood.

Paul Merwood now tops our Sunday 2nd XI run charts for the season with 104, and Rob Jackson leads the wickets with 6 — both thoroughly deserved. A 98-run victory, and a very good day for the club indeed.

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

Saturday 17 May 2003, and West Farleigh CC came calling at our place — a good day for the toss, and when I called it right I didn't hesitate: we'd bat. Occasionally captaincy is about deep tactical insight; this time it was mostly the pleasure of not having to field first with a dodgy back.

The lads settled in nicely. Trevor Back led from the front with a fine 44, Ron McCormick chipped in with 43 of good, honest running, and Christopher Thirkell weighed in with 33 — enough between them to see us to 161 for 7 off our 46 overs. Not a total to frighten anyone in the bar afterwards, but respectable enough, and it kept the tea interval conversation civil.

Then came our turn in the field, and here the afternoon rather ran away from us — or rather, didn't run away at all. West Farleigh had barely loosened their pads before someone somewhere decided enough was enough, and the innings closed at 1 for 0 off a token half-over. Whatever conspired to end things there — bad light, worse weather, or simple mutual agreement — a result was never really on the cards.

So, honours shared, a draw when neither side could force the issue. Trevor Back at least leaves with something concrete: his 44 keeps him top of our 2003 2nd XI run charts on 133 for the season. As for the rest of us — a fair toss, fair runs, and an afternoon nobody won. I'll take it, on reflection, as a point banked rather than two dropped.

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 · HomeformLWLLD

Beaten but not bowed at Linton Park this weekend, as Hollingbourne came, batted first (their choice, after I lost a toss I'd rather forget), and posted a healthy 208/7 off their 46 overs. Neil Taylor was the chief architect of our discomfort with a well-crafted 80, and he had willing accomplices in Neville Smith (41) and Dan Pritchard, unbeaten on 20. Credit where it's due: Dennis Salisbury toiled superbly for 3-50, with Rob Doick (2-65) chipping in and Daniel Thirkell keeping things admirably tight — 1-29 and three maidens to show for his parsimony.

Chasing 209 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and while a few of us answered well, too many left the room in silence. David Castle led the way with a tidy 39, well supported by Russell Baldwin (38) and Thirkell, showing his all-round credentials with 21. I managed to potter along to 39 myself, which felt like scant consolation as we folded for 141 in 36 overs. Less said the better about Dave Charlton and Dennis Salisbury both departing for ducks — two blots on an otherwise respectable card.

A 67-run defeat, then, and no way of dressing that up as anything other than a loss. Stewart Morrison continues to lead our run charts with 72 for the season, and Salisbury sits second among the wicket-takers — small crumbs of comfort. We'll dust ourselves down, have a pint, and come back better next week.

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

Beaten by a mile, and by the toss's own logic we've only ourselves to blame — I called it right at the toss, elected to bat, and for a while looked rather clever for it.

Two hundred and thirteen for six from our forty-six was a proper score, built the old-fashioned way: Clive Newman purring to a well-made fifty (58), Mike Elworthy busy and productive alongside him for 42, and Kevin Presneill chipping in 30 more. Even the extras got in on the act with a generous 34 — not quite a specialist innings, but we'll take the runs however they arrive. Worth a mention too: Mike's 42 nudged him past John Ames and up to twelfth on the club's all-time run-scoring list, which is the sort of thing that earns a nod at the bar even on a losing day.

With ball in hand we were, for one glorious afternoon, rather good. Trevor Back was the chief tormentor with 4-26, three of the opposition's top order departing without troubling the scorers at all, Darren Styles chipped in with 3-31, Christopher Thirkell picked up one, and Tim Thirkell bowled with the miserly discipline of a man refusing to buy a round, five maidens and all. Poor Kevin, having done his bit with the bat, then spent the afternoon chasing byes behind the stumps — twenty of them, which is not a number he'll want engraved anywhere.

And yet 126 all out should have been a stroll to victory, not an eighty-seven run defeat. Quite how we contrived that arithmetic I couldn't tell you. Trevor now leads the 2nd XI's season run charts with 89, Darren sits second in the wicket charts with four — bright spots amid the wreckage. We'll be better for it next week. We rather have to be.

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

Sunday 4th May 2003, and off we trooped to Willesborough CC with the sun (allegedly) on our side and a coin that, for once, agreed with me. I called it right and had no hesitation in batting first — a decision that made me look rather clever once Russell Baldwin got stuck in for a fine 65, with Rob Doick (55 not out) and Nigel Thirkell (46 not out) lending the innings some proper backbone. We closed on 223/2 from 36.3 overs, which even by our own generous standards of optimism felt like a tidy total to defend.

And defend it we did. Willesborough's reply never got out of first gear, subsiding to 57 all out in 17 overs, with only Garry White's 24 offering any resistance. Adam Jackson was positively rampant with the ball, snaffling 4-8, ably assisted by Fred Cheesman (3-1) and Rob Doick, who somehow found time between his 55 not out to bowl 3-10 with two maidens thrown in for good measure. Three unfortunate Willesborough batsmen — Robert Ades, Adam Pressland and Dom Andrews — departed without troubling the scorers at all. I even chipped in with 46 myself, mostly for appearances.

A win by 166 runs, then — the sort of margin that makes the drive home feel considerably shorter. 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 · HomeformLWLLL

It was Wembley or Wooden Spoon on Sunday 27 April, and by tea we knew which one we'd got. Losing the toss and being put in the field is never how you'd script it, and GNG CC GRFC made full use of the invitation, grinding us down to 230/9 off their 42. Jason Allen was the chief tormentor with 92 not out, Sukhpal Singh Rana chipped in a composed 50 and Miguel Dee 23, the pair of them building a stand of 76 for the fourth wicket that took the game away from us. Darren Styles kept his end tidy all afternoon — 3-46 and two maidens for his trouble — with honest support from Michael Beeney and John Haggart, but at the other end Nigel Dee and Merv Allen departed without so much as a squeak.

Our reply never quite got its boots on. Craig Sands played beautifully for his 54, well backed by Paul Merwood's 44, and the two of them put on 79 for the second wicket that briefly had us dreaming — before an early stumble at 8 for one, and then the familiar late-innings stampede, seven wickets tumbling from 132 to 133 all out. Christopher Thirkell, Clive Newman and Michael Beeney all made ducks, and I'm afraid your correspondent must own up to one as well — the less said, the better.

Beaten by 97 in the end, no arguing with that scoreline. Still, Craig Sands and Darren Styles now top the Sunday 2nd XI charts for runs and wickets respectively, which is something to cling to. We'll regroup, we'll rebuild the tea urn, and we'll be better for it next week.

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

From the captain's chair — Saturday 26 April 2003, and Dummy Site were the visitors on a day when the coin, as ever, betrayed us. They won the toss, took first knock, and settled in as if they owned the square.

Ginn was the chief architect of our discomfort, 98 that flirted cruelly with a century, well supported by Quantrill's fifty and Jansen's brisk 30, dragging them to 218/9 from their 47 overs. Small mercies came in the shape of J- Betts, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, and rather larger mercies from Ian Brattle, whose 3-51 did most of the damage, backed up nicely by Samuel Harris (2-32) and Jon Harris (2-49). Worth a line all its own: Brattle brought up 600 career wickets in the process — a landmark that deserves rather more than a passing mention over the teas.

Chasing 219, we replied in kind rather than in full — 218/7 from our 41, agonisingly one run shy, with Stewart Morrison the mainstay for 70, well supported by Mark Christmas's 42 and Christopher Thirkell's 35. Fittingly, Morrison and Brattle now sit atop our season's run and wicket charts respectively.

So honours shared, and a draw that felt like a match neither side quite deserved to lose. One run short of glory — but with Brattle's 600th safely banked, I'd call that a fair afternoon's work.