🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 24 Sep 2005 🧢 1st XIv Chelsfield CC · HomeformWDDLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 24 September 2005

No luck with the coin, and Chelsfield CC took first use of a good-looking pitch. Whether it was cricketing wisdom or force of habit I couldn't say, but it left us with the ball first and, for once, that suited us nicely. They battled to 161/5 from their 45 overs, with X Vaughan playing the innings of the day, 58 well-crafted runs, and H Abbett chipping in a useful 32 alongside him. Credit to the attack: Michael Beeney led from the front with 2-37, Jon Harris and Daniel Thirkell chimed in with a wicket apiece, and Darren Styles bowled two maidens with the kind of miserliness that makes batsmen mutter into their gloves.

Chasing 162, we made surprisingly serene work of it, reaching the target for the loss of just three wickets with eleven overs unused. Richard Piper was the architect, unbeaten on 58, calm as you like, with Mark Christmas lending real substance in support with 45. Daniel Thirkell finished not out on 25, continuing what has been a golden season for him — he already tops our 2005 run charts with 857 and sits second in the wicket-takers' list with 23. I managed a modest 25 myself, more nudge than nurdle, but every run counts.

Seven wickets the margin, and not a jangled nerve in sight. A thoroughly good day for the club, and one I shall enjoy retelling long after the finer details have conveniently blurred.

Wed 21 Sep 2005 🧢 Midweek XIv P Penshurst · AwayformDDLDD

The road to Dummy Site on a September Wednesday, and for once I got the coin to behave — correctly called, and no prizes for guessing what I chose. Batting first has always felt like the honest option, and 228/4 from our forty overs suggested I wasn't wrong. Daniel Thirkell purred to 69 not out, Richard Piper stroked a fine 52, and Craig Sands finished unbeaten on 45 — the sort of top order that makes a captain's job look easy, which it never actually is.

Defending it, though, proved rather more than we bargained for. They replied with 171 all out in 37 overs, K. Exel's half-century of 50 the backbone, with Rob Hunter (46) and C. Hill (24) chipping away at our lead. We did have our moments — D. Smith, J. Heaseman and M. Woolley all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, courtesy of Matthew Carter's excellent 3-16, Michael Beeney's 3-29 and Darren Styles's tidy 2-14 with two maidens besides. Just not quite enough of them.

Plenty to raise a glass to nonetheless: Piper past 4,000 career runs, Carter into three figures for wickets, and Thirkell's 69 easing him past Mike Elworthy into 9th on the all-time run charts. Sands and Beeney continue to lead the Midweek XI's season charts too. But the scoreboard doesn't do sentiment — beaten by 57 runs. Not our day. Heads up, back to the nets.

Sun 18 Sep 2005 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv ? · HomeformWLDDW

We were up against the visitors on Sunday 18 September, and I'll admit I fancied our chances when we posted 180 for 7 from our forty overs. Russell Baldwin led the way with a tidy 38, well backed up by Craig Sands with 37 and Jack Jenner chipping in 28 — a proper team effort with the bat, even if none of us could quite kick on to the big score that might have put the game out of reach.

Defending 180 always has the makings of a nervy afternoon, and so it proved. The visitors were closed out for 126 for 6 from their forty, with C Hobbs the chief nuisance on 31 and O Barnes unbeaten on 27 to give their innings some late steel. Michael Beeney was in inspired form with the ball, snaffling 2 for 10 and bowling three maidens for good measure — miserly doesn't begin to cover it. Jon Harris (2-16) and Tim Wright (1-15) both did their bit to squeeze the runs away.

And yet, for all that discipline, we came up 54 runs short. Not our day, as they say, and back to the nets it is. Small consolation that Daniel Thirkell continues to top our Sunday run charts with 383 for the season, and Michael Beeney the wickets column with 12 — proof there's plenty to build on, even after an afternoon like this.

Sat 17 Sep 2005 🧢 1st XIv WC Wateringbury CC · HomeformLWDDL

Saturday 17 September 2005 saw Wateringbury CC visit, and having lost the toss for the umpteenth time this season, we were put in — a decision that, for once, we made them regret.

Richard Piper set the tone with a fine 42, and a 50-run second-wicket stand with Daniel Thirkell (34) gave us the platform to build something substantial. Adam Jackson chipped in with 22 and I managed 34 myself, dragging us along to what felt like a healthy total. Then, as is tradition at Linton Park, the middle order decided the innings had gone on quite long enough without a collapse — 171-6 became 183-9 before anyone could reach for the smelling salts. Still, 188/9 from our forty overs was a score with a bit of bite to it.

And bite it did. Wateringbury never got close, subsiding to 112/8 despite Ian Hickmott's gutsy 22 and Les Blackburn's 20. Adam Jackson led the assault beautifully with 2-5, backed up by Gareth Davies (2-15) and Ian Hollingworth (1-16), while Darren Styles strangled the scoring with two maidens. Alan Gibson and David Burbridge were both sent back for ducks, which I'm sure they'll want no further mention of.

A nod, too, to Michael Beeney, who brought up 500 career wickets — a landmark to be properly toasted at the bar. With Thirkell topping the season's run charts and Jackson second among the wicket-takers, the shape of our summer is very much taking form.

Won by 76 runs, two points banked, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work — even if the middle order gave us all a small heart flutter along the way.

Sun 11 Sep 2005 🧢 1st XIv ? · HomeformDLWDD

Beaten by three wickets on Sunday, but by heaven we didn't half give them a game.

Winning the toss on a fine September afternoon, I had few doubts about batting first, and the lads didn't let me down. Richard Piper led the way with a well-crafted 58, and Christopher Thirkell wasn't far behind with 53 of his own — two fifties that gave our innings real backbone. Daniel Thirkell chipped in with 41, and I managed the same, as we posted a healthy 221/6 from our 40 overs. Respectable, I thought, watching from the pavilion with a cup of tea and a growing sense of optimism.

That optimism took something of a battering once Peter Whyte got going. He made a superb 87, and with Clive Newman (29) and Tim Thirkell (27) offering support, the visitors always looked to be matching us stride for stride. Matthew Carter did what he could with the ball, picking up 1-22, backed up gamely by Gareth Davies (1-25) and Jack Jenner (1-27) — but wickets were hard to come by, and 8 byes off poor Daniel Thirkell's gloves (a tricky afternoon behind the stumps, if ever there was one) certainly didn't help our cause. The opposition eventually got there with three wickets and two balls to spare.

Season honours, at least, remain firmly in the family — Daniel Thirkell top of the run charts with 798 and second among the wicket-takers with 22. As for the rest of us, we'll dust ourselves down, put the kettle back on, and be better for it next week.

Sat 10 Sep 2005 🧢 1st XIv HC Holborough Anchorians CC · HomeformWDLWD

Saturday 10 September 2005 saw Holborough Anchorians CC pay us a visit, and having lost the toss – some habits never change – we found ourselves inserted and duly set about repairing the damage to my pride with the bat. Richard Piper played the innings of a captain's dreams, 75 not out and still there at the close, while Russell Baldwin's 65 gave the innings real backbone. Kevin Presneill chipped in with 35, and the Anchorians' bowlers were kind enough to gift us 52 extras besides. All told, 267/4 from our 40 overs was a total that had me purring into my tea.

Defending it, we made early inroads that would have graced a highlights reel: David Sibley, Jack Kennard and Kevin Banfield all trooped back without so much as troubling the scorers, and Matthew Carter was magnificent, 3-19 to lead the attack, with Gareth Davies chipping in for 2-17. Only Chris Skilton, unbeaten on 44, stood between us and victory, and stand he did – the Anchorians closing on 75/5 from 17.1 overs before the umpires, sensing the game was up, called it a draw.

A word for the run-charts too: Baldwin now sits third in our 2005 averages with 379 for the season, and Carter fourth in the wickets with 17 – form both men can be rightly proud of.

So, honours shared in the end, though on the balance of the afternoon's play I'd say we were much the happier side driving home. A grand effort, a game short of a result, but never short of character.

Sat 03 Sep 2005 🧢 2nd XIv LR Lord Raglan · HomeformLLWLW

It was Dummy Site at home, and the coin did us a favour for once — heads it was, and I had no hesitation shoving the opposition into the field. What followed was as pleasant an afternoon as this diary has recorded in some time. We rattled along to 198 for 5 from our forty overs, with Nigel Thirkell playing the innings of the day — 59 not out, calm as you like, the sort of half-century that makes captaincy look easy even when it isn't. Trevor Back chipped in a handy 36 and young Tim Thirkell 28, though poor Chris Quirk will be quietly disposing of his scorebook after a golden duck. 🦆

Defending 198 always feels like a job half-done until the bowlers actually do it, and today they did it in style. They were bowled out for a paltry 89 in 28 overs, L- Handcox's 20 the only real resistance, while T- Hutchinson departed for nought at our hands. 🦆 Ross Brice was the pick of the attack with 2 for 5 — miserly stuff — well backed by Chris Quirk (2-11, redemption after his duck) and Dave Todd (2-11). I even had a bowl myself and managed 28.

A nod too to Jon Harris, who passed 2,600 career wickets today — a staggering number that puts the rest of us to shame — while Trevor Back and Dave Todd continue to sit third in the 2nd XI's season charts for runs and wickets respectively.

Verdict: a proper, satisfying win, the kind that reminds you why you bother turning up on a Saturday at all.

Sat 03 Sep 2005 🧢 1st XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformWWDLW

Craig Sands hit a fine 67 not out, well supported by Kevin Presneill (24) and Stuart Cheesman (22), plus a generous 26 extras (thank you, Sissinghurst), and we posted a healthy 197/5 from our 47 overs after I won the toss and had no hesitation batting first on what looked a decent track.

In reply, E- Bugge gave us a proper working-over with 63, and with M- Daley (23) and Andrew Knowler (20) chipping in, Sissinghurst always looked like they had enough wood to trouble us. But the bowlers kept plugging away — Michael Beeney the pick of them with 3-36, Matthew Carter tidy with 2-13, and Gareth Davies bowling with real discipline for his 2-55 and three maidens. Trevor Wright departed for a duck without so much as a nick to show for it, and my own 20 with the bat felt like a fair contribution to the cause. They closed on 178/9 from 41 overs, agonisingly short.

A word of pride amid the toil: Michael Beeney's haul nudges him past Darren Styles into 12th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — a fine spot to be in company with. Craig Sands, meanwhile, continues his rich vein sitting 2nd in this season's run charts on 381, while Mark Christmas leads the wickets column with 25.

In the end, honours shared, a draw with neither side quite able to land the killer blow — and on a warm September Saturday at Sissinghurst, that felt about right.

Sun 28 Aug 2005 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Sennocke CC · HomeformDLLWW

Sunday 28 August 2005, and Sennocke CC came to Linton Park in fine weather with, I'd like to think, no idea what was coming. I won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first strike — the sort of decision that looks either inspired or idiotic by teatime, and today, gladly, it was the former.

We batted with real purpose, posting 197/7 from our 48 overs. Clive Newman set the tone with a fine 48, Richard Piper matched him almost run for run with 47, and Craig Sands weighed in with 28. I even managed to contribute 48 of my own, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for the foreseeable.

Defending it, Sennocke gave us a proper fright through Martyn O'Neil, who compiled a well-made 69 that for a while threatened to spoil our afternoon entirely. But our bowlers had other ideas. Mark Christmas was magnificent — 3-13 with three maidens, not a run given away lightly — and en route brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved. Matthew Carter (2-22) and Jack Jenner (2-28) chipped in handsomely, Dan Callingham departed for a duck at our hands, and Sennocke were bowled out for 177 in 43.1 overs.

A twenty-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Craig Sands continues to lead our Sunday 2nd XI run charts, Jon Harris the wickets — the season ticks along nicely. Onwards to the next one.

Sat 27 Aug 2005 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWWWDL

Lost the toss at Shipbourne, asked to field first — never the news a captain wants on a warm August Saturday, but the lads took it in good spirit and made it count. Shipbourne were bowled out for exactly 100, Keith Willis top-scoring with 25, but the day belonged to Matthew Carter, who ran through them with a glorious 5-14, five maidens testament to a line and length they simply couldn't leave alone. Dennis Salisbury (2-18) and Mark Christmas (2-20) mopped up admirably in support — not a run given away lightly all afternoon.

Chasing 101, we barely broke sweat. Russell Baldwin and Mike Elworthy strolled us home unbeaten, Baldwin compiling a classy 53 and Elworthy a watchful 41, the pair never looking remotely troubled. Ten wickets down, none for us — the sort of chase that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew his fingernails.

Worth a special mention: Baldwin's 53 sees him leapfrog Keith Hatcher into 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he now sits third in this season's 1st XI run charts with 314 to his name. Mark Christmas, meanwhile, continues to lead our 2005 wicket-takers with 24 scalps and shows no sign of slowing down.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a ten-wicket win to boot. If every Saturday could go this smoothly, I'd never need my nerves settled by the clubhouse tea urn again.

Sun 21 Aug 2005 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv HC Harvel CC · HomeformLDLLW

Sunday 21st, sun out, coin down, and for once it landed our way — I had no hesitation putting Harvel in the field, a decision that by teatime looked rather clever, though I'll take no great credit for it now.

We batted with real purpose. The openers put on 79 before the first wicket went, and just when that platform threatened to go to waste, Craig Sands and Russell Baldwin added 103 for the second — Craig making a fine 89, Russell seeing us home unbeaten on 59, with James Piper chipping in 30 for good measure. Twenty-seven extras arrived gratis, which we accepted without complaint. 211 for 4 off our forty overs felt like a total with some steel in it.

And so it proved. Harvel never quite got going, Stewart Dimmick's 37 and Mark Dennis's 26 the only real resistance, and poor Richard Stevenson departed for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers. Michael Beeney was the chief destroyer with 3 for 12, Jon Harris and Matthew Carter took two apiece, and Tim Wright bowled three miserly maidens to squeeze the life out of any recovery. From 118 for 7 to 126 all out took no time at all — 33.1 overs of good, honest bowling.

An 85-run win, then, comfortable in the end though never won on paper alone. Craig Sands continues to top our Sunday run charts, Jon Harris the wickets — the engine room of the side, both of them. Onwards, in good heart.

Sat 20 Aug 2005 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformLWWWD

Off it went at the toss and, ball in hand, we made Hollingbourne work for every one of their 171/9 from 45 overs. Tom Osborne gave us the most trouble with 47, and he had good company in Mike Donald (33) and Trevor Scrivens (29), though credit where it's due — Mark Christmas bowled beautifully for 4-38, Michael Beeney chipped in with 2-36, and Daniel Thirkell was positively miserly, 1-12 from five maidens that must have felt like penance to face. Dave Hinks, at least, we sent packing without so much as a run to his name.

Which brings us, with a wince, to our reply. Fifty-nine all out in 34 overs is not a total one writes home about, and Kevin Presneill's nought — the full walk of shame, quack and all — rather summed up the afternoon's batting. Whatever demons possessed the willow that day, they showed no mercy.

Still, the season carries on regardless of one grim Saturday: Daniel Thirkell sits proudly atop the run charts with 757, and Mark Christmas leads the wicket-takers with 22 — reminders, if nothing else, that the lads know what they're doing when it counts.

As for this one — beaten by 112 runs, no way of dressing that up. A day to shrug off, chalk down to experience, and get ourselves back to the nets before someone starts a fresh chapter in the Duck Club ledger.

Wed 17 Aug 2005 🧢 Midweek XIv TC Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformWDDLD

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 17 August 2005. We hosted Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC at home, and I duly lost the toss, which meant an afternoon in the field before we'd so much as loosened up. Early jitters saw us lose a wicket with just 5 on the board, the sort of start that has a captain reaching for the flask before the tea interval has even been mentioned. But Daniel Thirkell and Trevor Back set about repairing things with real purpose, their third-wicket stand of 135 the backbone of the innings. Thirkell made a handsome 74, Back finished unbeaten on a well-crafted 55, and Craig Sands chipped in with 26 — with the extras column doing its bit too, 30 runs of miscellaneous generosity from our visitors. We closed on 212/4 from 43.3 overs, a total that felt like something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did. Jon Harris led from the front with 3-56, Thirkell followed his runs with the ball to take 2-8, and Tim Wright picked up 1-27 — while I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction at claiming three wickets myself. McClintock (36), Foskett (29) and Skinner (28) kept Tunbridge Wells in the hunt, their opening pair adding 54, and they closed on 190/8 from 43 overs, agonisingly short.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could force it, and on this evidence, a fair result all round. Craig Sands continues to lead our run charts this season, Michael Beeney the wickets, and the lads can be proud of an afternoon that had a bit of everything.

Sun 14 Aug 2005 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv HC Harvel CC · AwayformWWLDD

Sunday 14 August 2005, and off we trundled to Harvel, hearts sinking as I called it wrong and we were put straight into the field. Not the afternoon I'd planned, but the lads dug in gamely and 167/8 off our 40 overs was a total we could just about walk out to defend. Stuart Cheesman was the star of the show with a fine 52, Daniel Thirkell chipped in handsomely with 44 and Matthew Carter added 30 of the sturdier variety. Less gloriously, both Tom Motum and Jack Jenner departed for ducks — the sort of pair that has you avoiding eye contact at tea.

With the ball, though, we were a different animal. Harvel battled to 140/5 but never quite got away from us, Richard Stevenson's unbeaten 51 and Murray Saunders's 50 the only real resistance. Cheesman, not content with his runs, ran through them with the ball too — 2-19 of pure mischief — well supported by Carter (1-20) and Jon Harris (1-21). I even managed to get my name on the board with 44 of my own, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity.

A quiet word of pride: Thirkell's 44 nudged him past Clive Newman into 10th on the club's all-time run list, and he now leads our 2005 Sunday run charts with 370, Harris sitting 2nd among the wicket-takers with 6. We got home by 27 runs — a proper team performance, and a very good day indeed for Linton Park.

Sat 13 Aug 2005 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLWWW

Skipper's Log, Saturday 13 August 2005 — away at Headcorn CC.

Won the toss, and with a good pitch beneath our boots I had no hesitation putting us in. It proved the right call. Daniel Thirkell settled in and simply refused to leave, compiling a magnificent 119 — three figures, no less — the innings of the day by some distance. He didn't do it alone: Craig Sands chipped in with a watchful 41 and Stewart Morrison added a brisk 32, steering us to a healthy 224 for 6 from our 45 overs. Declarations were unnecessary; the runs did the talking.

Then it was our turn to bowl, and here I confess a certain pride in leading from the front myself with the ball — though for once I shall let the figures rest quietly rather than embarrass myself further in print. Headcorn's reply never quite resolved itself into a finished story, and honours ended up shared: a draw when neither side could quite force the door open.

A word, too, on the milestones — Craig Sands brought up 4,000 career runs for the club, a splendid achievement marked with the tea urn's warmest applause. And Daniel continues to lead the 2005 1st XI run charts with 749 for the season, a tally the rest of us can only admire from a respectful distance.

Verdict: honours even, but a day Linton Park will remember fondly — Thirkell's century the jewel in a solid team performance.

Wed 10 Aug 2005 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · HomeformLWDDL

Wednesday 10th August, and we welcomed The Mote CC in what promised to be a proper day's cricket — and duly delivered one.

Losing the toss, we were sent into the field, and if you're going to bowl first, this was the way to do it: tight, patient, and rewarding. Richard Coles gave us the full village-green treatment with a well-made 68, finding willing company in Howard Waters (38) and Matthew Coles (31), the pair adding a stubborn 62 for the third wicket. But Michael Beeney had other ideas, snaring 2-28 with two maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of spell that makes tea taste sweeter — well supported by Matthew Carter (2-34) and Mark Christmas (1-12). The Mote closed on 191/7 from their 49.2 overs, a target that felt very much gettable.

And so it nearly proved. David Castle played the innings of the day, an accomplished 73, with Craig Sands right alongside him on 59, the two of them stitching together 86 for the third wicket after we'd stumbled to 1-1 and rather wondered what we'd let ourselves in for. Sadly the middle order rather fancied a collective nap — Russell Baldwin, Adam Jackson and Mark Christmas all departed without troubling the scorers, and your captain, leading from the front as ever, managed a golden blob. We finished on 172/8 from 44 overs.

Honours shared, then — a draw that flattered neither side into complacency nor punished either into despair. Two good half-centuries, one wonderful spell of bowling, and one captain who really ought to stick to the toss-calling. All told, a fair result and a fine afternoon's cricket.

Sun 07 Aug 2005 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Cowdrey CC · HomeformLWWLD

Sunday, 7th August, and Cowdrey CC came calling on a day when the toss – as toss it did against us – set the tone. Put in to field, we watched Lewis Wright bat with the kind of ease that makes a captain check his watch and wonder if tea is still three hours off; his 74 was the innings' spine, with Gary Marshall unbeaten on 60 and Glen Warner's 32 filling in the gaps we couldn't quite plug. Cowdrey closed on 214 for 8 from their 43.5 overs, a total that felt entirely fair given how little we troubled their top order, though we did at least send Steve Thomas, Ian Dipple and Liam Blagg back for ducks – small mercies, gratefully received.

Michael Beeney was the pick of us by some distance, 4 for 61 with two maidens thrown in for good, miserly measure, backed up nicely by Mark Christmas (2-20) and Dennis Salisbury (2-34). It kept us in touch rather than in trouble.

With the bat, David Castle played the innings of the day – 44 that had the shape of a man enjoying himself – ably assisted by Mark Christmas's 22 and Craig Sands' unbeaten 20, and we finished on 130 for 3 from our 34, well short but never rattled.

A draw, then – honours shared, pride mostly intact, and the tea urn, as ever, the only thing to empty completely. Michael Beeney continues to lead our wicket charts and Daniel Thirkell the run charts; on this evidence, long may both reigns continue.

Sun 07 Aug 2005 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Selling CC · AwayformWLDLL

A rare thing happened at the toss on Sunday: I called wrong, as ever, and Selling elected to bat. No matter — we've made a habit this season of turning such setbacks into pleasant afternoons, and so it proved again.

Put into the field, we found Jon Harris in inspired mood, his 4-18 doing the real damage, while Russell Baldwin (2-3) and Bob Jenner (2-34) tidied up around him and Tim Wright bowled three maidens without so much as a raised eyebrow from the batsmen. H-a-R- Alexander's 22 and Leigh Cottrell's 21 gave Selling some shape, but a collapse from 103-6 to 116-9 told its own story, and poor Christopher Hambrook departed for a duck. All out for 122 — a total we felt, quietly, we could chase.

And chase it we did. Richard Piper and James Piper put on a breezy 62 for the first wicket before the first breakthrough, Richard going on to an unbeaten, well-crafted 56, ably backed by James's 31. Tom Motum's contribution was rather more modest — a golden duck to keep the top order honest — while our wicketkeeper had a lively afternoon of his own, shipping 8 byes. I even chipped in with 4 wickets myself, which I shall be mentioning at the bar for weeks to come.

A five-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Onwards we go.

Sat 06 Aug 2005 🧢 2nd XIv Town Malling CC · HomeformLLLWL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 06 August 2005, and Town Malling CC were the visitors on a day that will live long in Linton Park folklore.

We lost the toss, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like tradition, and were put into the field. No complaints on that score, mind, because the ball did rather nicely for us. Town Malling were shot out for 166 in 33 overs, Guy Kemsley's well-made 75 the only real blot on an otherwise disciplined bowling display. Dave Todd was magnificent, a thoroughly deserved 5-34, with Darren Styles (2-14, three tidy maidens) and Tim Thirkell (1-7) squeezing the life out of the rest of the order. Jack Wilkinson departed without so much as a nibble, bless him.

Chasing 167, we made rather harder work of it than the bowling figures suggested we might. Kevin Presneill's 56 was the innings' backbone, Mike Elworthy chipping in with 37, while Dave Todd — five wickets to his name an hour earlier — returned the compliment with a golden duck. Between the extras (a generous 29) and our own generosity in the field earlier (12 wides, 11 no-balls between the sides), it was scrappy, nervy stuff, limping home at 169/9 off 45.5 overs.

One wicket. That's how close it was — the sort of finish that ages a captain ten years and is worth every grey hair. Elworthy and Styles continue to lead the county averages in their respective disciplines, and on this evidence it's easy to see why. A scruffy win, but a win all the same, and we'll take those all day long.

Tue 02 Aug 2005 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformDLWDD

Tuesday brought Bexley CC to Linton Park, and my luck with the coin remains stubbornly absent — they called correctly, elected to bat, and left us to toil in the field first. Toil we did, though not without reward. George Wells set about us with a magnificent 109 not out, the sort of innings that makes a captain reconsider his career choices, well supported by Sandeep Bains (41) and James Rumbles (25). The openers gave themselves a platform of 75 for the first wicket, and an 84-run second-wicket stand did the real damage before Michael Beeney (2-53) and Mark Christmas (1-25) found a way through. They closed on 238/3 from their 42 overs.

Chasing that lot, we made a fair fist of it. Craig Sands top-scored with a classy 57, backed up nicely by James Piper (35) and Rob Jackson (33), with a 54-run sixth-wicket partnership keeping hope alive. Poor Michael Beeney, so busy with the ball, contributed a golden duck with the bat 🦆 — cricket's little joke. Extras chipped in a generous 26, and we were all out for 210 in 46.4 overs.

There was, however, one moment to savour amid the toil: David Castle brought up 22,000 career runs for the club 🎉 — a number worth raising a glass to, whatever the scoreboard said. Craig Sands now leads our 2005 run charts with 164, Michael Beeney the wickets with 5.

Twenty-eight runs short in the end. Not our day, lads — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 31 Jul 2005 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv DC Downham & Bellingham CC · HomeformWLWWL

Sunday 31 July 2005, Downham & Bellingham at home, and I won the toss with all the confidence of a man who'd forgotten how rarely that happens. Batted first, naturally — a green outfield and a nagging sense of duty rather than any great tactical insight.

We limped, then rallied, to 180/9 off our forty. Christopher Thirkell played the innings of the day with a classy 53, and his cousin Daniel wasn't far behind, finishing unbeaten on 48 to underline why he's been the season's model of consistency. Craig Sands chipped in a useful 34, while Richard Piper and Mark Christmas both departed for ducks, contributing nothing but moral support and, in Mark's case, presumably a long walk back to the pavilion.

180 felt defendable rather than daunting, and so it proved. Downham & Bellingham never got close, closing on 96/5 from 27.5 overs — Gary Hopper's 45 and Robin Bailey's 33 the only real resistance. James Piper was superb with the ball, 3-13 of pure control, backed up nicely by Michael Beeney and Jon Harris with a wicket apiece. I even found time to stroll to 48 myself, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity for the rest of the season.

A draw, then — honours shared, tea consumed, egos largely intact. Not a classic, but a thoroughly decent afternoon's cricket, and with Daniel Thirkell's runs and Michael Beeney's wickets both piling up nicely, the season's shaping up rather well.

Sat 23 Jul 2005 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformLLLLW

Beaten away at Sheldwich by 14 runs — a game that had us believing right up until the final reckoning.

Put into the field first, we watched Bert Andrews cash in with a fine half-century, 53 well-struck runs, with Ian Turton (36) and J. McCrea (21) chipping in to help the hosts to 171 all out. Credit where it's due: Darren Styles bowled beautifully for 3-22, Jon Harris toiled hard for 3-54, Ian Hollingworth chipped in with 1-20, and Dennis Salisbury was tighter than a Sheldwich sandwich with four maidens. As for the skipper, I'll allow myself a quiet smile — three wickets of my own, and no, I shan't be modest about it.

Chasing 172, James Piper batted with real class for a well-made 51, ably supported by Trevor Back's brisk 39. Sadly the middle order rather fancied a collective round of golf — Christopher Thirkell, Darren Styles and Gareth Davies all contributed the traditional duck 🦆 to proceedings, and it was left to twenty-five generous extras to do more for the cause than several of us managed with the bat. All out for 157, we fell agonisingly short.

Elsewhere in the season, Brian Piper continues his fine form, second in the 2nd XI run charts with 281, while Darren Styles leads the wicket-takers with 16 — clearly saving his best overs for when it mattered least today.

Fourteen runs the margin, pride largely intact, egos gently bruised. We'll regroup, we'll bat with rather more resolve, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 23 Jul 2005 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLWLWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 23 July 2005, and Sheldwich CC in for a visit. Won the toss, elected to bat, and for once my judgement wasn't the liability the lads have come to expect of it.

We posted 213/6 from our 45, built almost entirely on the back of a quite magnificent 123 not out from Daniel Thirkell, an innings that had no business being played on a club ground on a Saturday afternoon. Mike Elworthy (23) and Craig Sands (22) chipped in with the sort of sensible support acts that keep an innings honest, while Stuart Cheesman's golden duck reminded us all that cricket remains a game of humility, dished out impartially.

Sheldwich came at us hard in reply, closing on 202/9 with James Creed (47) and Simon Harwood (42 not out) doing their best to spoil the party, ably backed by Marcus Hodges (36). But Mark Christmas was in inspired form with 4-37, well supported by Adam Jackson (3-73) and, in a touch of redemption after his morning duck, Stuart Cheesman (2-20) — proof that cricket giveth as well as taketh away.

Eleven runs the margin in the end, and I confess a certain quiet satisfaction at leading from the front with the bat as well as from the field. With Thirkell now sitting proudly atop the season's run charts and Jackson leading the wickets, this side is building something rather special. A good day for the club, and, dare I say it, a very good toss to win.

Sun 17 Jul 2005 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Blue Star CC · HomeformWWLWW

Sunday 17 July 2005, Blue Star CC visiting, and for once the coin obliged me — down it came my way, and with a summer breeze and a look at the square, I had no hesitation in putting us in.

We limped rather than strode to 161/8 off our 35, and thank heavens for Craig Sands, whose obdurate 60 was the innings' backbone, with Stuart Cheesman's brisk 31 lending fine support. David Castle and Ian Hollingworth, bless them, both went for ducks — the kind of pair that has you suddenly very interested in your scorebook. We were grateful, not for the first time this season, for 28 extras doing an honest job of propping up the total.

Out we came with the ball, full of hope, and were made to look rather ordinary by Christopher Holman, who ground us down for an unbeaten 72, well backed by Andrew Harper's 39 and Mike Peters' unbeaten 29, as Blue Star cantered to 165/1 in 44.3 overs. Daniel Thirkell — now our leading run-scorer this season with 264 — did what damage there was to be done with 1-26, and Michael Beeney bowled tidily enough for three maidens, but it wasn't our afternoon with the ball. Eighteen byes, meanwhile, made for uncomfortable reading behind the stumps, and poor Jim Hall will not remember this one fondly.

Beaten by five wickets, then, and no arguing with it. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets — there are worse ways to spend a Sunday than losing to a fine innings.

Sat 16 Jul 2005 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWLWLW

Saturday 16 July 2005, and off we trotted to Bearsted CC with the sun out and, for once, my coin toss landing the right way up — I had no hesitation putting us in.

What followed was thoroughly satisfying stuff. Craig Sands set the tone with a fine 56, Daniel Thirkell chipped in a classy 47 and Mike Elworthy weighed in with 35, while our extras column ticked along nicely to 28 — practically an opening batsman in its own right. Not every contribution was quite so glorious: poor Stewart Morrison marched out, had a look around, and marched back in again for a golden duck, the sort of innings best forgotten over a pint. Still, 213/7 was a total with genuine substance.

In the field, Adam Jackson was magnificent, tearing through Bearsted's order for a richly deserved 5-52, with Mark Christmas (4-28) mopping up efficiently alongside him and Richard Knowler chipping in a wicket too. Stephen Heap's well-crafted 55 and useful knocks from Stephen Pearce and Ian Sandwell threatened briefly to make a match of it, but 176 all out left them well short. I even managed a tidy 47 myself, for what it's worth.

Thirkell continues to top our run charts for the season, Jackson sits second among the wicket-takers, and we came home 37 runs to the good. A very good day for the club — Morrison's duck notwithstanding.

Wed 13 Jul 2005 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformLDLWD

We won the toss on Wednesday and I had no hesitation electing to bat — the right call, as it turned out, though the lads made rather harder work of it than the pitch deserved. Craig Sands led the way with a fine 37, Trevor Back finished unbeaten on the same score, and Darren Styles chipped in with 33 to see us to a respectable 177/6 from our 47 overs. Not every man covered himself in glory, mind — poor Chris Newman endured the walk of shame for a duck, and I dare say he'll be buying the teas for a while yet.

With the ball in hand we set about defending it, and for long stretches looked the better side, but J Jefferson had other ideas, cruising past his fifty to finish on 70 and drag the visitors to 173/7 from their 40. Stuart Cheesman was superb, leading the attack with 3-39, with Matthew Carter and Jon Harris chipping in a wicket apiece, and Darren Styles bowling two tidy maidens to keep the scoreboard honest. P Clarkson and G Oliver both departed without troubling the scorers, which was some small consolation.

In the end honours were shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue — and with Craig Sands and Stuart Cheesman both sitting handsomely atop the season's charts, I'll happily call this one an honourable score-draw between two sides who deserved rather more than the weather and the clock allowed them to settle.

Sun 10 Jul 2005 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformLWWLW

Sunday 10 July saw us take the road to Bidborough CC, and my luck with the coin was as poor as ever – they called correctly, elected to bat, and settled in for what looked like a long afternoon in the field. It rather was. Andrew Redden compiled a fine 72, with Richard Larkin well-supported alongside him on 61 and A Gillett chipping in 38, as their innings ground its way to 237/7 from 47 overs. Credit where due, though – Jon Harris was magnificent, ripping through with 4-44, and Michael Beeney backed him up nicely with 3-43. Chris Wallington and Stephen Towner will want their names left out of this paragraph; both departed without a run to their credit, which is the sort of thing one doesn't mention twice.

Two hundred and thirty-eight to win is no formality, but the reply had a calm authority about it from the start. Craig Sands played the innings of the day, 81 not out and quite untroubled, with Daniel Thirkell right alongside him on 75 not out – and I'll confess a quiet personal satisfaction in that knock myself. Stuart Cheesman's 42 kept the middle order ticking, the extras added a generous 25, and we cantered home on 238/3 with overs to spare.

A fine win by six wickets, then – the sort that makes the drive home feel considerably shorter than the drive there. Onwards.

Sun 10 Jul 2005 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow CC · HomeformWWLDL

Skipper's Log, Sunday 10th July 2005: lost the toss, lost the initiative, and by close of play lost the match — though not, I hope, our sense of proportion.

Bobbing Court and Lower Halstow won the coin and, wouldn't you know it, decided to bat. Neil Epps (46) and Malcolm Stewart (43) put on a breezy 122 for the first wicket before Tim Wright finally prised one out (1-31), with Gareth Davies tying things down at the other end for a couple of tidy maidens. Martin Wood's unbeaten 33 saw them home to 202/4 off their forty — a total that had the look of trouble from about over three onwards.

Trouble it proved. Jack Jenner battled hard for his unbeaten 38, with Jason Brooks (25) and Chris Newman (24) chipping in gamely, but 156/8 was always going to leave us short. Ten byes and a positively generous 28 wides plus 12 no-balls suggest the wicketkeeper and bowlers were conducting their own private charity appeal for the visitors — runs we simply couldn't spare against a total like that.

Small consolations: Clive Newman continues to top the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 264 for the season, and Tim Wright's five wickets have him sitting comfortably in fourth among the bowlers.

Verdict: beaten by 46 runs, and fairly enough — we gave away as many in extras as Neil Epps managed off the bat. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets to remember where the stumps are.

Sat 09 Jul 2005 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWLLLL

Saturday 09 July 2005, and the road took us out to West Farleigh CC — always a fixture that demands you've had your Weetabix. We lost the toss, were duly put into the field, and set about building something defendable.

183/9 was the eventual total, and thank heavens for Brian Piper, whose unbeaten 55 was the innings' spine — a proper half-century, calm as you like. Tim Thirkell chipped in a valuable 43 and James Piper 25, while Christopher Thirkell, Roly Edwards and Gareth Davies all took the long walk back for ducks, bless them. Even the extras got in on the act with a generous 31 — practically an opening partnership in their own right.

Defending it looked a tall order when P Robinson (36), Martin Hoare (22) and Richard Horsman (20) threatened to make a game of it, but N Manser departed without troubling the scorers, and the bowlers did the rest. James Piper was magnificent with 3-9, Gareth Davies weighed in with 3-18, and Darren Styles — three maidens and all — took 2-24 to squeeze the life out of them. I managed 43 myself, which I shall mention only once, modestly, in passing.

West Farleigh fell 31 runs short in the end, 152/9 to our 183/9. A word too for Brian Piper, who brought up 11,000 career runs for the club — a monumental effort worthy of a standing ovation, or at least a second pint. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine day to be a Linton Park man.

Sat 09 Jul 2005 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformLWLWL

Saturday 9 July 2005, and Shipbourne CC came calling. I won the toss and, with barely a moment's deliberation, stuck us in the field — a decision that, for once, I got to enjoy rather than defend at the bar afterwards.

Shipbourne were bowled out for 112 in 44.2 overs, Andrew Gillam (33) and Mike Cooper (25) doing the bulk of the scoring against an attack that gave precious little away. Daniel Thirkell was magnificent with the ball, 3-15 including five maidens — the sort of spell that has batsmen playing for a living rather than a game — with Mark Christmas (3-25) and Michael Beeney (2-21) mopping up either end.

Chasing 113, we strolled home for the loss of three wickets in 23.4 overs, Matt Kendle and Mark Fenton departing without scoring but scarcely missed as Daniel Thirkell produced an imperious 76 not out, Stewart Morrison chipping in nicely with 24 not out to see us over the line. I'll confess to a quiet satisfaction with my own 3 for with the ball, though on a day like this the skipper's figures were very much the supporting act to Thirkell's, who now sits proudly atop both our run and wicket charts for the season — 460 runs and 20 wickets and counting.

Seven wickets to the good, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club. Shipbourne will go home wondering how 112 became so comfortably chased; we'll simply enjoy the tea and the scorebook.

Wed 06 Jul 2005 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformDLDLW

Wednesday 06 July 2005, and the road took us to Gravesend CC — the sort of fixture that reminds you why petrol money is worth it. I lost the toss, which by now feels less like bad luck and more like a personal vendetta from that coin, and we were asked to field. No complaints; a bowl in the Kent air never hurt anyone.

Gravesend batted with real purpose, posting 208/5 from their fifty overs. L Mann played the sort of chanceless fifty (54) that has opposition captains muttering into their tea, with Simran Mahon (47) and G Stearn (34) keeping the scoreboard ticking nicely around him. Credit to the lads with the ball, though — Jon Harris was excellent for his 2-29, Stuart Cheesman chipped in with 2-39, and Mark Christmas bowled two maidens so tight you'd have needed a crowbar to get a run off him.

Chasing 209, we made a fair fist of it. Craig Sands led from the front with a lovely 46, backed up by Mark Christmas (44, clearly not content with just bowling well) and Trevor Back (34), before we ran out of overs at 202/6 — seven runs shy with wickets in hand and, one suspects, a touch more patience than aggression at the death.

Sands now sits proudly atop our 2005 Midweek XI run charts with 70, and Harris is third in the wickets column. A draw, then — honours even, pride intact, and the tea was reportedly very good. We'll take it.

Sun 03 Jul 2005 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformDLWWL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 03 July 2005, and Clarion CC came calling. Won the toss, and with the sun out and a firm-looking track, there was really only one decision to make: we batted.

What a decision it turned out to be. Craig Sands and Christopher Thirkell both went unbeaten on half-centuries, 80 and 77 respectively, adding real substance while Daniel Thirkell chipped in a tidy 27 around them. Not every batter had his day — poor Mark Christmas departed for a golden duck, first ball and gone before he'd had time to take guard — but 205 for 3 off our forty overs was a total to be proud of, and one that gave the bowlers plenty to bowl at.

Christmas made ample amends with the ball, leading the attack superbly with 3 for 34, well supported by E- Gransden's 1 for 8 and Mike Redman's miserly 1 for 11 from three maiden overs. Andy Driver threatened to spoil the party with a well-made 74, and P Elsden stood firm for 52 not out, but R Wilson departed without troubling the scorers and Clarion fell short on 189 for 7. Jim Hall had a busy afternoon behind the stumps — 14 byes tells its own tale — and I managed a workmanlike 27 myself.

A day of milestones too: Daniel Thirkell brought up 9,000 runs for the club and made his 300th appearance in Linton colours — a heroic double for a man who now also tops our 2005 run charts. A fine win by 16 runs. Onwards.

Sat 02 Jul 2005 🧢 2nd XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformLWLLL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 02 July 2005. We hosted Leeds & Broomfield CC, lost the toss, and were asked to field first, which on reflection might have been the day's first and only sensible decision — and it wasn't ours.

With the bat we huffed and puffed our way to 136/8. Trevor Back led the charge with a fine 44, Graham Walker chipped in a tidy 22, and Richard Piper added 21 — proof that our top order can still hold a bat the right way up. Rather less proof came from Simon Thirkell and Rob Jackson, both back in the pavilion for golden ducks, quacking their way to the tea urn without troubling the scorers.

In the field we made a proper fist of it. Darren Styles was superb, snaring 2-22 with three miserly maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly, as they say. Jon Harris and Ian Hollingworth chipped in with a wicket apiece. But Barry Roles (52 not out) and James Ingarfield (51) both brought up well-made fifties and simply refused to be shifted, steering Leeds & Broomfield home with four overs and six wickets in hand.

Elsewhere in the season, there's cheer to be had: Richard Piper sits third in the 2nd XI run charts with 155, and Darren Styles tops the wicket pile with 11. Small mercies. As for Saturday, it wasn't our day — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 02 Jul 2005 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformLLWLW

Saturday took us down to Hollingbourne, and winning the toss I opted to field first — the right call, I still maintain, even if the numbers eventually disagreed with me. Trevor Scrivens ground out an unbeaten 80, well supported by Mike Donald's fifty of 75, while Mark Styche chipped in a useful 21, and between them they carried Hollingbourne to 215 for 6 from their 45 overs. Poor Neil Taylor never troubled the scorers, so the duck pond wasn't entirely empty on the day. Mark Christmas toiled manfully for his 4 for 82, Daniel Thirkell chimed in with 2 for 43, and Adam Jackson bowled two tidy maidens amid the carnage.

Chasing 216, we mustered a battling 152 all out in 36.1 overs. Stewart Morrison's 40 was the innings' backbone, with Mike Elworthy lending fine support with 29 — runs that, pleasingly, nudged him past Clive Newman and into 9th on the club's all-time run-scoring list, a small consolation prize amid the wreckage. Craig Sands, meanwhile, took the long walk back for nought, joining the ducks for the day.

Season-long, Daniel Thirkell continues to lead the 1st XI both with bat, on 384 runs, and ball, with 17 wickets — a one-man band holding the innings together while the rest of us make up the numbers.

Beaten by 63 runs, then, and no arguing with the arithmetic. We'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Tue 28 Jun 2005 🧢 Twenty20v EC East Sutton CC · HomeformWWWLL

Skipper's Log — Tuesday 28 June 2005, and a rare thing: I called it right at the toss. Naturally, with the sun out and a firm-looking track, there was only ever one decision to make, and we went in to bat.

The lads set about it nicely, posting 148/6 from our 20 overs. Russell Baldwin was in imperious touch, cracking a fine 71, with Craig Sands chipping in a handy 24 alongside him — their third-wicket stand of 74 was really the innings, and everything else was decoration.

Defending it, East Sutton wobbled early — 3 on the board and already a wicket down, which is always a pleasant sight from the pavilion. Both Skinners fell without troubling the scorers, and from there Mike Redman (2-12), Michael Beeney (2-22) and Mark Christmas (2-23) shared things out handsomely to keep the visitors pinned back to 126/9. I even found time to potter in with 17 of my own, for what little that's worth alongside such company.

Two landmarks to raise a glass to: Mike Redman brought up 50 career wickets, and Russell's 71 eased him past Jon Harris into 22nd on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a name he can now say he's overtaken rather than chased. He also sits atop this season's Twenty20 run charts with 184, with Darren Styles leading the wickets on 9.

A tidy 22-run win, and a thoroughly satisfying Tuesday evening's work. Onwards.

Sun 26 Jun 2005 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformLWWLD

Sunday 26th June, and Sheldwich CC it was — a proper away day, the kind where you check the M20 traffic twice and still leave late. Winning the toss, we sent them in, and watched James Creed play the innings of the day: a commanding 118, the sort of hundred that makes club bowlers reach for the record books rather than the beer fridge. Daniel Ray chipped in with 25 and Phillip Stanford an unbeaten 22 as they closed on a stiff 249/6. Credit where due — Mark Christmas was magnificent with the ball, 4-35 and a real thorn in their side, Michael Beeney chimed in with 1-50, and Tim Wright bowled two overs you simply couldn't score off.

Chasing 250 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved, though not for want of trying. Russell Baldwin led the way with a gutsy 45, Brian Piper made a tidy 35 and Craig Sands 31, but we stumbled to 194/7 and fell 55 runs short.

Two moments to raise a glass to, mind: Russell brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, and Mark Christmas passed 100 career wickets — milestones that don't come round often, and deserve rather more than a passing mention in the tea hut. Your skipper, meanwhile, enjoyed a rare purple patch with the ball, taking 4 wickets, for what little consolation that offers.

Not our day, in truth — outplayed by the better side on the day. Back to the nets, heads up, and on to the next one.

Tue 21 Jun 2005 🧢 Twenty20v West Farleigh CC · AwayformWWWWL

After a rain-threatened toss went against us, we trooped out to West Farleigh CC on Tuesday 21st June resigned to bowling first and chasing whatever the home side could conjure. And conjure they did enough — 127/8 from their twenty overs, built chiefly around a watchful 44 from Alan Smith with Greg Snape lending useful support on 23. To our credit, the attack kept plugging away: Michael Beeney was the pick with 2-20, Darren Styles chipped in with 2-28 (and had the satisfaction of seeing Richard Horsman walk back for a golden duck), while Mike Redman took 1-14. Nothing disgraceful in that total, but nothing to be sniffed at either.

Our reply never quite found its rhythm. David Castle top-scored with a gritty 31, and I'm rather pleased to report I matched him with 31 of my own, while Craig Sands weighed in with 24. But wickets tumbled around us with the regularity of a village bus timetable, and we limped to 99/9 — poor Adam Jackson enduring the walk of shame for a duck along the way. Twenty-eight runs short in the end.

So it's the season charts that offer the only real cheer: Craig Sands still leads the 2005 Twenty20 run-scoring with 128, and Darren Styles tops the wicket pile with 8. As for the rest of us — we batted like men queuing politely for a bus that never came. Beaten, but not disgraced; we'll dust ourselves down and come again next week.

Sun 19 Jun 2005 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv IC Ide Hill CC · HomeformWLWWL

Called it right at the toss on Sunday and, with Ide Hill in the visitors' changing room, there was never much debate in my head about what to do with it — up we went to bat. It proved the correct call, though I say that as a man who once put the opposition in on a shirt-front and lived to regret it. Clive Newman played the innings of the summer, farming the strike like a man who knew exactly what he was about, and brought up a superb unbeaten century inside our 202/3 from 43 overs. Richard Piper (37) and Craig Sands (36) chipped in handsomely either side of him, and I'll confess my own 105 not out gave me no small amount of quiet satisfaction — the sort you try not to grin about too visibly at tea.

Defending 202 is never quite the formality the scorebook suggests, and Ide Hill made us work for it, reaching 148/6 from their 41 overs on the back of Stefan Ronan's 43, with useful support from James Walkling (32) and Malcolm Boakes (24 not out). Jon Harris did the heavy lifting with the ball, 4-46 of skill and stubbornness, while Gareth Davies (1-15) and Ian Hollingworth (1-20, two tidy maidens) squeezed the game from the other end.

In the end neither side could force it, and honours were shared. Newman's century also nudged him past Mike Elworthy into 9th on the club's all-time run list — a fine day's work all round, and a draw we'll happily bank.

Sat 18 Jun 2005 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformLLWLL

Beaten by 43 runs at Staplehurst, but the sun was out and the tea was decent, so let's call it a fair Saturday.

Put in the field first, we watched Staplehurst compile a stubborn 175/6, C Rogers the chief tormentor with 46, well backed by I Gosling (35) and Darren Styles (29) — the latter clearly enjoying himself so much with the bat that he decided to do damage with the ball too, snaring 2-37 to lead our attack. Matthew Carter (2-54) and Gareth Davies (1-18) chipped in, and we did at least have the small mercy of removing J Bowers and G Hubbard without troubling the scorers.

In reply, 132 all out was never quite going to get us there, though Trevor Back's gutsy 42 gave us something to cheer, and the extras column laboured manfully to 28 — arguably our most consistent performer of the day. Less gloriously, Richard Piper, Gareth Davies and Jon Harris all took that long, lonely walk back for nought, and I'm sorry to report the skipper led from the front in the worst possible way: a golden blob, out first ball. They do say a captain must lead by example — I simply hadn't specified which kind.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Ron McCormick continues to purr along nicely, third in the 2nd XI run charts on 140, while Gareth Davies tops the wicket pile with 8 — some consolation for his own duck. As for Saturday's effort: a match of missed opportunities and one particularly regrettable golden one. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 18 Jun 2005 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWLLWL

Saturday 18 June 2005, and Headcorn CC rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather more importantly, the coin against us. They elected to bat, which after a summer of soggy tosses I've come to expect as my birthright, and so the lads trooped out to bowl on what looked a decent surface for it.

Peter Westrop gave us a proper working-over, a classy 64 that had our fielders chasing shadows, well backed up by C Silver's 24. But this is where Mark Christmas earns his paragraph — 3 for 31 of genuinely hostile, disciplined stuff that dragged us back into it, with Adam Jackson (2-45, four maidens of pure suffocation) and Michael Beeney (1-25) keeping the squeeze on. Headcorn closed on 158 for 8 off their 45, a total that felt gettable, if not entirely comfortable, over the tea urn.

And gettable it proved. Craig Sands played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 71 of real composure, ushered along nicely by David Castle's 20, and we cantered home on 162 for 4 with half an over in the bank — six wickets to spare. Elsewhere in the ledger, Daniel Thirkell continues to top the season's run-getters on 370, and Adam Jackson now sits second among the wicket-takers with 10 — the lad's becoming a nuisance for opposition batsmen, in the best possible way.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a Saturday well spent. We'll take that.

Wed 15 Jun 2005 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformLDLDL

From the captain's chair — Wednesday 15 June 2005, and a good day to have Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC round for tea.

Won the toss, and I confess I rather fancied a bowl on it, so in we went. Sevenoaks made a fair fist of things, posting 191 for 5 off their fifty overs, with I. Doby the chief architect at 57 not out, well backed up by A. Redden's 38 and R. Gorman's 29. Credit to the lads with the ball, though — Michael Beeney led from the front with 2 for 26, Darren Styles chipped in with 2 for 34 (and two maidens besides, tight as you like), and Christopher Thirkell picked up 1 for 17. A target of 192 always felt gettable, but never quite a formality.

And so it proved, though we made rather a habit of making it look routine. Stewart Morrison led the chase beautifully with 48, Stuart Cheesman weighed in with a typically composed 38, and Matthew Carter added a brisk 31, and we cantered home with 6 wickets and thirteen-odd overs to spare. Worth noting for posterity — Cheesman's 38 nudges him past Malcolm Pay and into 25th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which I'm reliably informed calls for a small round of applause at the bar. Morrison now tops our 2005 Midweek run charts, Styles the wickets.

A thoroughly satisfying win, six wickets to the good — onwards we go.

Tue 14 Jun 2005 🧢 Twenty20v HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformWWWWW

Skipper's log, Tuesday 14 June: won the toss at home to Hollingbourne and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first, this being the sort of pitch that rewards optimism and a full tea. Twenty overs brought us 162 for 2, a total I was rather pleased with until the small matter of the run chase. Paul Gibson set the tone with a crisp 60, Russell Baldwin ghosted along behind him for an unbeaten 54, and Craig Sands chipped in a tidy 35 to give the innings some backbone. All told, a score we felt was competitive without being so imposing as to make us complacent — which, as it turned out, was wise.

Hollingbourne had other ideas. Neil Taylor played the innings of the day, a fluent half-century of 54, with Matthew Jones (33) and Robert Clark (27 not out) refusing to let the required rate trouble them unduly. I did my bit with the ball, finishing with 2 for 18 and a personal contribution of 60 across the two disciplines that I'll allow myself a quiet smile about, while Darren Styles (1-27) and Richard Knowler (1-29) toiled honestly without quite stemming the tide.

In the end, beaten by 2 wickets — the sort of defeat that stings precisely because it was so nearly a victory. Russell Baldwin continues to top our 2020 run charts with 113, and Darren Styles leads the wickets with 6, so the season's form lines remain healthy even if Tuesday's result did not. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 11 Jun 2005 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformWLLWL

Saturday 11 June saw Horton Kirby CC visit us, and by the close I suspect they left rather happier than I did.

Batting first, we made 230/9 from our 45 overs — a total built almost entirely on the back of Brian Piper, who sailed past his fifty to finish on 72, with Christopher Thirkell chipping in a fine 58 and young James Piper adding a useful 24. Elsewhere the effort was, let's say, patchier: Tim Thirkell managed the long walk back for a golden duck, and I shan't be the one to let him forget it.

230 felt defendable on a good day, and for a while it looked it. But Horton Kirby had other ideas, cantering to 233/4 in 43.1 overs on the strength of half-centuries from Warren Bull (53) and Geoff Lane (unbeaten on 50), with Darren Chambers' 39 providing the finishing touch. Our bowling had its moments — Christopher Thirkell was tidiest with 1-8, Tim Thirkell and Darren Styles both picked up a wicket apiece, and Styles bowled two maidens that at least made them work for it — but it wasn't quite enough. As for my own contribution, a golden duck is best passed over in respectful silence.

Down by four wickets, then, and a reminder that on the season charts Mike Elworthy continues to lead our run-scoring with 211, while Darren Styles sits third among the wicket-takers on 5. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 11 Jun 2005 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformLWLLW

I called correctly at the toss on Saturday and had, I confess, precisely zero hesitation about batting first at Staplehurst. A knock of 208/8 from our 45 overs felt like a proper platform, built chiefly on Daniel Thirkell's well-made 64, with Russell Baldwin's 38 and David Castle's 25 filling in the gaps nicely. Twenty-nine extras crept in too — not the most glamorous line in the book, but runs all the same, and I'll take them gratefully.

With the ball, we simply couldn't quite close the door. Staplehurst progressed serenely to 213/4 from their 44, with S Hammond's fifty (70) and Colin Breed's fifty (66) doing most of the damage, Tim Watts seeing them home unbeaten on 35. Thirkell, bless him, was at it again — 2-46 with two tidy maidens thrown in for good measure — and Adam Jackson (1-33) and Michael Beeney (1-52) chipped in manfully, but it wasn't enough to arrest the flow.

My own 64 was some personal consolation amid the gloom, and it's hard to begrudge Thirkell topping both our run charts (360) and wicket charts (15) this season — the man is quietly carrying us.

Six wickets the wrong way, then. Not our day, heads up, back to the nets — there'll be sunnier Saturdays yet.

Tue 07 Jun 2005 🧢 Twenty20v Bearsted CC · HomeformWWWWW

Right, our club batted first at Bearsted's expense. Here's the report:

Tuesday the 7th of June, and Bearsted CC rolled up as our visitors for what turned into a proper afternoon of cricket. I won the toss and, in a rare moment of decisiveness, elected to bat without a flicker of hesitation — a call I was rather pleased with myself about by the close.

The lads put together 149 for 6 from our 20 overs, the innings built squarely on the shoulders of Craig Sands, who middled a fine 69, well supported by David Castle's brisk 20. Worth a line of its own: somewhere in that innings Craig quietly brought up 3,000 career runs for the club, which is the sort of milestone that deserves rather more fanfare than a chap gets at the tea interval.

In reply, Bearsted made a game of it — Stephen Pearce top-scored with 46, backed by Stephen Heap's 26 and an unbeaten 24 from Chris Norris, and their openers had put on 79 before the first wicket fell. But Michael Beeney did the damage with 2 for 21, Jonathan Lee departed for a duck, and I chipped in with 20 with the ball as their innings closed on 122 for 3.

A 27-run win, then, and two points thoroughly banked. Not a classic for the purists, perhaps, but a day where the top order fired, the bowlers held their nerve, and one of our own quietly wrote himself into the club's record books. I'll take that every time.

Sat 04 Jun 2005 🧢 2nd XIv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformLWLLW

We lost the toss on Saturday and were put in to field — never the ideal start to a June afternoon at Eynsford, but the lads squared up regardless. Eynsford made themselves thoroughly at home, racing to 293/3 from their 45 overs, built chiefly around a rollicking second-wicket stand of 98 between Tony Edwards (82) and the ever-reliable Toby Crisp (68), with Peter Gough seeing them home unbeaten on 69. Darren Styles toiled away nicely for 1-50, complete with two maidens that at least kept the bar bill down, while Rob Jackson and Dave Todd chipped in with a wicket apiece. It was, in short, a proper working-over.

Chasing 294, we gave ourselves a puncher's chance. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the summer — 145 of pure quality, the sort of knock that gets talked about in the clubhouse for months — ably assisted by Brian Piper's well-crafted 64, the pair adding a crucial 102 for the third wicket after a brisk opening stand of 64. Sadly Simon Thirkell and Dave Todd both departed for ducks, and poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 15 byes going begging. We finished on 288/9, five runs short.

Worth raising a glass, mind: Elworthy's 145 shoves him up to 9th on the club's all-time run charts, past Clive Newman, and he now leads our 2005 seconds' run-scoring, with Rob Jackson sitting handsomely second in the wickets column. A gallant failure, then — heartbreak by the width of a boundary rope. Back to the nets, heads high.

Sat 04 Jun 2005 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformLLWLL

Saturday the 4th of June saw Meopham CC roll up to Linton Park, and I'm delighted to say we gave them rather more than they bargained for. Batting first, we posted 231 for 4, a total built on some proper craftsmanship — I found rhythm early and rode my luck to 92, while David Castle anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 65 and Stewart Morrison chipped in a tidy 30 not out. Spare a sympathetic pat on the back for poor Russell Baldwin, who contributed nought but his good humour, departing for a golden duck.

Two hundred and thirty-one looked a mountain, and so it proved. Meopham's reply folded to 113 all out, G Rappley's 33 the only real resistance, with Charlie Penn (28) and Gary Howorth (21) offering support that never threatened. C Beard, M Daley and N Richardson all trooped off without troubling the scorers. Michael Beeney was magnificent with the ball — 3 for 18, including three maidens that strangled any hope of momentum — with Adam Jackson (3-32) and yours truly (3-33) mopping up the rest.

A rather satisfying afternoon, then, to lead from the front with bat and ball alike, and it keeps me handily placed atop both the run charts and wicket charts for the summer. But the real story is the team performance: a comprehensive, no-nonsense victory by 118 runs. Onwards indeed.

Tue 31 May 2005 🧢 Twenty20v RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWWWWW

Tuesday 31 May, and the coin did us proud for once — heads it was, and heads it stayed, so I had no hesitation shipping us in to bat first at Rumwood. Eighty-four for seven from our twenty overs was never going to have the neutrals gasping, but it was built on sound foundations: Mark Christmas anchored things nicely for 23 not out, with Richard Knowler chipping in a tidy 20 alongside him. Ian Hollingworth, meanwhile, gave the scorebook a golden duck to admire — these things happen to the best of us, and he shall doubtless dine out on the story rather less than we shall dine out on the wicket.

Eighty-four looked distinctly modest walking out to defend it, but Rumwood never quite got away from us, subsiding to 69 for nine — P- Brickfield gone for nought among the wreckage. Mark Christmas, having done the business with the bat, did it again with the ball, a superb 3-9 setting the tone, with Darren Styles (3-18) and Ian Brattle (2-11) mopping up the rest in fine style.

A word too for the season's leading lights — Russell Baldwin tops our 2005 Twenty20 run charts with 51, and Darren Styles the wickets with 5 — both men very much on this evidence.

A fine win by fifteen runs, and a thoroughly satisfactory evening's work. Onwards.

Mon 30 May 2005 🧢 1st XIv YC Yalding CC · AwayformDLLWL

Ten men and a golden duck between us — this was Yalding's day, not ours.

Winning the toss is half the battle in this game, and having lost it, we were put straight into the field. Yalding crawled to 133/9 off their forty, Martin Holmes leading the way with 32, Anthony Shepherd and Kevin Shrimpton chipping in 25 and 23 apiece. Credit where it's due: Matthew Carter was a menace with the ball, 4-15 and rising to second in the club's wicket charts this season, while Jon Harris and Gareth Davies mopped up nicely either side of him. Poor Paul Stevens departed for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers.

We fancied our chances chasing 134, and for a while Ron McCormick's 28 and Chris Newman's 23 kept us in it. But wickets tumbled — Graham Walker and Christopher Thirkell both walked back for golden ducks, and yours truly did likewise, out without scoring off the very first ball, which is a fine way to demonstrate leadership from the front if leadership means showing everyone exactly how not to do it. Extras top-scored with 27, eight of them byes, which tells you all you need to know about poor Mark Christmas's afternoon behind the stumps.

We fell 21 runs short in the end. A day to forget with the bat, and one for the skipper to reflect on rather more than most. Back to the nets, heads up, and onwards.

Sun 29 May 2005 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv MC Minster (Sheppey) CC · HomeformDWLWW

Sunday 29 May 2005 — Minster (Sheppey) CC came calling, and, in the great tradition of Linton toss luck, I called wrong. They batted.

We toiled honestly enough with the ball. Darren Constable (49) and Mike Rees (48) did the early damage, with Andy Hosken (41) chipping in, and their openers put on 77 before we prised the first one out — by which point the platform was well and truly laid. Minster closed on 200/5 from their forty. James Piper was the pick of us, 2-33, with Paul Motum (1-38) and Matthew Carter (1-40) chipping in, and Michael Beeney tight as a drum with three maidens — not a run given away lightly, even if the scoreboard rather got away from us.

Chasing 201, we never quite settled — a wicket down for nought had the tea urn rattling before we'd even sat down. Tom Motum (38) and Paul Motum (27) steadied things, with Clive Newman (21) and your correspondent (21) chipping in, and a stand of 59 for the fifth wicket the innings' one shaft of sunlight. Poor Christopher Thirkell, marking his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a wonderful landmark — was repaid with a golden duck for his trouble. Cricket's sense of humour, alive and well. We closed on 129/7, beaten by 71 runs.

Not our day, then — heads up, back to the nets. But with Clive topping the 2nd XI run charts and James leading the wickets, there's craft in this side yet.

Sat 28 May 2005 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · HomeformDLWLL

Saturday 28 May 2005, and Milstead CC came calling. We lost the toss — no change there, then — and were duly put into the field, which at least spared me the indignity of losing it and then explaining a batting collapse afterwards.

We toiled honestly enough. Paul Clunn set about us with an unbeaten 56, and got good support from Richard Cusworth (26) and Glen Rawson (20), as Milstead closed on a respectable 164 for 8 from their 45 overs. Credit where due: James Piper was the pick of the attack with 2 for 14, Gareth Davies and Darren Styles chipped in a wicket apiece, and Styles bowled with real discipline — four maidens, not a run given away cheaply.

Chasing it down, we made harder work of it than the target perhaps deserved, but got there in the end on 167 for 4 with two balls in hand. Simon Thirkell led the way with 38, Ron McCormick played the anchor role beautifully for an unbeaten 36, and Mike Elworthy weighed in with 27 — the pair's fourth-wicket stand of 78 was really the difference between a comfortable win and a nervy finish. The extras column also did its bit with 30, which I choose to count as a team effort rather than a bowling failure on Milstead's part.

Six wickets the margin, and a thoroughly good day for the club. Ron McCormick continues to top our 2nd XI run charts for the season, and Gareth Davies leads the wickets — the lads earning their teas, and no mistake.

Sat 28 May 2005 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWDLLW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 28th May, and the road took us to Sheldwich, sunshine on our backs and, for once, no excuses ready-made.

Batting first, we posted a very respectable 194/8, built largely on a lovely stand between the Thirkell boys — Nigel top-scoring with 83, a proper captain's-innings-in-all-but-name, and brother Daniel not far behind with 54, both cantering past their fifties in style. Russell Baldwin chipped in a handy 30 down the order. Not everyone's afternoon sparkled, mind — Kevin Presneill and Dennis Salisbury both took the long, lonely walk back for ducks, and the club ledger duly notes it with the customary quack. 🦆

Defending 194 always felt a stretch, and so it proved. James Creed simply refused to be parted from the crease, compiling a majestic unbeaten century — 102 not out, the sort of innings you applaud even as it does for you — with Daniel Ray offering fine support on 69. Adam Jackson toiled manfully and picked up the solitary wicket for 58, which on this pitch counted as heroism. I did my bit with the bat, 54 to my name, for whatever comfort that provided from the losing side.

Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our 2005 run charts with 209, and Adam Jackson sits fourth in the wickets column with four. But the scoreboard doesn't lie: beaten by nine wickets, comprehensively out-batted by a man in irresistible form. We'll dust ourselves down, have a pint, and be better for it next week.

Sun 22 May 2005 🧢 Sunday NVKCv EC Eynsford CC · HomeformWWWLW

Sunday 22 May 2005, and the sun did us the courtesy of showing up, even if fortune had other ideas. I won the toss and, against the better instincts of anyone who's watched us bowl in May, put Eynsford in.

For a while it looked the shrewdest call I'd made all season. Then Jamie Wise and Paul Geear got their heads down, put on 74 for the fourth wicket, and the game quietly slipped from our grasp. Wise made a fine 51, Geear 43, Dan Wise a brisk 30, and Eynsford closed on 175/9 from their forty. Daniel Thirkell was magnificent throughout — 3-8 with five maidens, bowling like the pitch owed him money — and Richard Knowler and Michael Beeney chipped in either side of him. Small mercies: Howard Collins departed for nought, which I shall treasure privately.

Chasing 176, Russell Baldwin and our openers gave us exactly the start we needed — 71 for the first wicket — before the innings settled into the familiar pattern of promise without quite enough steel. Baldwin's 40 anchored things nicely, Nigel Thirkell added 30, and Craig Sands finished unbeaten on 29, but 167/7 wasn't quite enough. Eight runs short in the end.

Small consolations abound: I took 3 with the ball myself, Baldwin's knock nudged him past Mike Caddick to 23rd on the club's all-time run list, and the Thirkell brothers continue to top both the season's run and wicket charts between them. A fine effort, honestly beaten — we'll sharpen up and come again next week.

Sat 21 May 2005 🧢 2nd XIv Mersham Sports CC · AwayformWDLWL

Under a sky that couldn't quite decide whether it was English cricket weather or English rain-delay weather, we made the trip to Mersham Sports on Saturday, and came home with a rueful shake of the head rather than the win we fancied.

Batting first, we limped rather than strode to 115/7. Brian Piper played the innings of the day with a fighting 45, propping up an order that otherwise found rather too many creative ways to get out. Spare a thought for Christopher Thirkell and Joe Martin, who both departed for ducks — the kind of scorecard blemish that gets you a knowing look from the tea urn and nothing more.

115 was never going to be a mountain, but we made Mersham work for the summit rather than handing it over. Darren Styles bowled beautifully in defeat, five maidens and 1-9 the reward for real discipline, while Simon Thirkell (1-5) and Brian Piper, useful again with the ball at 1-14, chipped away without quite making the breakthroughs we needed. Ollie Austen, though, was in no mood to be denied, cruising to an unbeaten 50 with Robert Hansen's 37 alongside him, and Mersham cantered home at 116/3.

A seven-wicket defeat, then, and no arguing with it. Ron McCormick continues to head the 2nd XI's run-scoring nicely from 2nd, and Simon Thirkell sits handily in the wicket charts, so all is not lost for the season. For now, though, it's heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets.

Sat 21 May 2005 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformLWDLL

From Bearsted's arrival to a comfortable evening in the clubhouse, this was one to savour.

Winning the toss on a fine Saturday, we put runs on the board with real intent, closing on 229/3. Russell Baldwin was the star turn — a magnificent 107, three figures achieved with minimal fuss, while Nigel Thirkell (53) and Daniel Thirkell (45) played their supporting roles to perfection. It was the sort of total that has the tea urn boiling with quiet confidence before a ball has even been bowled in reply.

Bearsted's innings never got going. An early wicket with just 7 on the board set the tone, and Stephen Pearce's 35 was the only real resistance. Ian Hollingworth was magnificent with the ball — 3-34 including three maidens, not a run given away lightly — with Adam Jackson (2-4) and Dennis Salisbury (2-21) squeezing the life out of the middle order. Poor Ian Sandwell will want to forget his golden duck in a hurry. From 54-2 to 61-5 in the blink of an eye, they were bowled out for 101. I even had a small hand in proceedings myself with 45.

A word too for Adam Jackson, who brought up his 100th career wicket — a landmark that deserved better than the modest crowd it got. Daniel Thirkell continues to top the season's run charts and Dennis Salisbury sits second among the wickets, both marks of a side in good heart.

A 128-run victory, then, and precious little to grumble about — even for an old pessimist like me.

Tue 17 May 2005 🧢 Twenty20v DC Detling CC · AwayformWWWWW

Tuesday 17 May 2005, and off we trundled to Detling CC with the sun out and expectations modest, as is traditional.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first strike — call it captain's instinct, call it luck, I'll happily take the credit either way. Twenty overs brought us 97/6, a total that felt distinctly middling until Russell Baldwin decided otherwise, farming the strike beautifully for an unbeaten 48. Not for the first time this season, Russell was doing the heavy lifting while the rest of us admired from the other end.

What followed with the ball was, frankly, a joy to watch. Detling's reply folded to 58 all out in just 16 overs, and three of their number — Gavin Wenborn, Barry Town and M Stevens — trooped off without so much as a run to their name. Michael Beeney was magnificent, ripping through with 3-6, well supported by Richard Knowler (2-5) and Darren Styles (2-10). Between them they hardly gave Detling a moment's peace.

A quiet word of pride, too: Russell's 48 nudges him past Malcolm Pay and up to 24th on the club's all-time run charts — a name added to the honours board of sorts. He now tops our 2005 Twenty20 run pile, with Michael leading the wickets column.

A comfortable win by 39 runs, then, and precisely the sort of evening that makes the drive to Detling worthwhile. Onwards indeed.

Sat 14 May 2005 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformLWDLW

Saturday 14 May 2005, away at Rumwood, and what began as a promising toss soon turned into one of those afternoons club cricket is built to test the soul with.

Put in the field first, we watched Rumwood settle nicely to 199 for 8. J. Chapman was the chief architect with a polished 52, well supported by G. Fernand's 31 and R. Feltham's 20. To our credit, we scrapped hard for it: Tim Thirkell led the way with 2 for 28, and Rob Jackson and Dave Todd chipped in a wicket apiece for 24 runs each. Eighteen byes crept onto the card too — a testing afternoon behind the stumps for poor Mike Elworthy, who I'm sure would rather forget it.

Chasing 199 was always going to want application, and we simply didn't find it, bundled out for a chastening 73. Christopher Thirkell, Tim Thirkell and Gareth Davies all fell without troubling the scorer, and as captain I led from the front in the worst possible way — a golden blob. They do say a skipper should lead by example; on this occasion I rather wish I hadn't.

There were bright spots elsewhere in the season's ledger — Ron McCormick sits second in the 2nd XI run charts on 96, and Gareth Davies tops the wicket pile with 6 — but none of that softened a 126-run defeat. Not our day, lads. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 14 May 2005 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformDLWDL

Saturday 14th May, 2005, and Staplehurst rolled up the drive for what would turn into one of those matches you file under "gallant".

Winning the toss and batting, we lost our first man for nought, which is never the tonic a captain hopes for over his morning tea. But Paul Gibson steadied the ship in fine style, ticking his way to a well-crafted 53, with Nigel Thirkell (42) and Daniel Thirkell (33) lending sturdy support and the pair adding 53 for the third wicket to give the innings its backbone. Russell Baldwin, alas, will be filing this one under "forgettable" — a golden duck to treasure for all the wrong reasons. We closed on a handsome 184 for 6.

Defending it, we had Staplehurst reeling early, but Tim Watts had other ideas, carving out a magnificent unbeaten century — 101 not out, no less — with A Henson (21) chipping in as the pair put on 82 for the fourth wicket and gradually prised the game away from us. Daniel Thirkell toiled heroically for 4-49, Ian Hollingworth (2-34, three tidy maidens) and Dennis Salisbury (1-44) did their bit, and I contributed a modest 42 with the bat earlier, but it wasn't quite enough — Staplehurst nudged home by the barest of margins, one wicket.

One bright note amid the gloom: Daniel Thirkell's four scalps eased him past Terry Donovan into 18th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and he continues to lead both our run and wicket charts this season. Small mercies. Heads up, back to the nets — we'll have our day again.

Sun 08 May 2005 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · AwayformWWWWL

Sunday last, the road took us to High Halstow, and with clouds doing their best village-green impression, I won the toss and sent them in — always a bold call when you're not entirely sure your bowlers have had breakfast. They battled to 184/7 from their forty overs, Luke Donnelly's 39 the backbone of it, with Daren Brumbaugh (37) and Tim Munday (30) chipping in gamely. Daniel Thirkell was the pick of our attack with 2-28, Matthew Carter and Michael Beeney chiming in with a wicket apiece, and Ian Hollingworth bowled two maidens so mean you could hear the batsmen sigh from the boundary. Poor Tom Hanman departed for a duck, which I'm sure will be mentioned to him at every future team lunch.

Chasing 185, we barely broke sweat. Daniel Thirkell, clearly not content with his bowling figures, carved out a magnificent 85 not out, while I had the great pleasure of contributing 75 not out myself alongside him — one of those rare days where the middle order simply wasn't required, and the tea urn stayed warm rather longer than usual. We cantered home at 185/1 in just 31 overs, a nine-wicket victory that barely troubled the scoreboard operator.

With Daniel now topping both the county's run and wicket charts for the season, the lad is in danger of becoming insufferable in the clubhouse. A thoroughly good day for Linton Park — professional with the ball, ruthless with the bat, and home in time for last orders.

Sat 07 May 2005 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformLLWDL

West Farleigh CC, Saturday 7th May, and Fortune — never one to favour us with the coin — sent us out into the field first. No great hardship, mind: better to bowl 'em out on a spring afternoon than stand about wondering when tea is.

And bowl we did, restricting the home side to 180/8 from their forty overs, though not without a few nervy stands from Snape (39) and Presneill (30, in his other capacity as our gloveman-in-chief) and Thirkell (24) — the man does get about. Gareth Davies was the pick of the attack, tight as a Sunday collection plate with three maidens and figures of 2-23, well backed up by Rob Jackson's 2-30 and Dave Todd's solitary but useful 1-32.

Chasing 181, we made rather harder work of it than the scoreboard suggests was necessary, but got there with four wickets and a modicum of dignity to spare. Ron McCormick played the innings of the day, 65 well past his fifty, with Presneill following his wicketkeeping shift with a fine half-century of his own (50) and Thirkell unbeaten on 39 to see us home. Spare a thought, though, for poor Gareth Davies, whose golden duck rather undid all his good work with the ball — the walk of shame indeed, though I'm told the ducks were queuing up to console him. Presneill, bless him, also shipped fourteen byes behind the stumps, proof that no man can do everything in one afternoon.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine advertisement for the art of making things unnecessarily interesting.

Sat 07 May 2005 🧢 1st XIv RC Rodmersham CC · HomeformWDLWD

Beaten again, but not without a fight, and there's rather more to say about that than the scoreline lets on. I called it right at the toss and, with the sun out and the outfield running quick, fielding first felt the sporting thing to do. Rodmersham had other ideas about being sporting back. Daniel Mason simply refused to get out, ambling to a magnificent hundred, with P Botha keeping him company for a classy 71 and David Cogger unbeaten on 29 as they racked up 225 for 2 off their thirty-five. Matthew Carter toiled manfully for 1-50 and Paul Gibson chipped in with 1-52, but really it was one of those days where the bowling figures tell you more about the batsmen than the bowlers.

Chasing 226 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. Paul Gibson batted with real intent for 42, James Piper (25) and Adam Jackson (22) gave him company, but wickets tumbled at the other end — Brian Piper and Richard Piper both departing for ducks — and we subsided to 121 for 8 from our thirty-three overs. Nine byes in the book, meanwhile, made for uncomfortable reading for poor Russell Baldwin behind the stumps; not his finest afternoon with the gloves.

Beaten by 104 runs, no arguing with that. But there were enough green shoots — Gibson's innings chief among them — to suggest we'll give a better account of ourselves next week.

Sun 01 May 2005 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv ? · HomeformLDLWW

Sunday 1st May, and we welcomed them to Linton Park under skies that, for once, threatened nothing worse than a bit of a breeze. Winning what passes for a toss decision in this business, we opted to field, and the lads set about their work with more discipline than the tea urn usually shows. Matthew Carter was the pick of the attack by some distance, prising out three for a miserly 15, while Darren Styles and Daniel Thirkell chipped in with two apiece, Styles adding a couple of maidens for good measure — not a run given away lightly, as they say. Kershad, Fiaz and Rahman all walked for ducks at our hands, though Shahshair, Adnan and Usman between them dragged the visitors to a stiffish 177 for 8 off their forty.

Chasing it down, we never quite found our stride. Graham Walker batted nicely for 49, well supported by Daniel Thirkell's 39, and I managed to potter along to 39 myself, but poor Christopher Thirkell's golden duck rather summed up our luck with the bat. We finished on 159 for 6 — eighteen runs shy and left to reflect on the ones that got away.

Daniel Thirkell now sits proudly atop our season's run charts with 148, and Matthew Carter leads the wickets with 4 — small consolations on a day that wasn't ours. Not our afternoon, all told: heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 01 May 2005 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv LK Leigh CC, Kent · AwayformLDWLW

Sunday 1st May, and the road took us east into Kent, to Leigh CC, with the sun making a rare and welcome club appearance. I lost the toss — no great surprise there, my coin-calling remains resolutely amateur — and we were asked to field. No complaints; there's nothing quite like an early bowl to blow away the cobwebs.

And blow away is exactly what we did. Leigh subsided to 103 all out in 37.2 overs, sliding from 44-2 to 51-5 as if someone had pulled a plug. Nick Weston's 23 was the innings' one moment of resistance. Will Martin and Adam Reeves both departed the crease without so much as troubling the scorer's pencil — ducks apiece, poor lambs. The day, though, belonged to Gareth Davies, whose 6-15 was a thing of real beauty, ably supported by James Piper and Brian Piper (1-13 each) and Joe Martin, tight as ever with three maidens.

Chasing 104, we made harder work of it than we ought, losing an early wicket with just 3 on the board — the sort of nervy stumble that has spectators reaching for their flasks. But Clive Newman's unbeaten 26 and Mike Elworthy's 23 steadied things, I chipped in with 26 myself, and the tail wagged handily to see us home on 105-6. Chris Newman, alas, joins the Duck Club with a golden nought — commiserations, old boy.

A fine win by four wickets, and Gareth's spell one to savour long into the winter. Onwards.

Sat 30 Apr 2005 🧢 2nd XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformWLLWD

Saturday 30th April found us on the road to Bidborough, and I must confess I fancied our chances enough to send them in the moment I won the toss. For a while that looked like inspired captaincy, but Peter Eames had other ideas, easing to 51 and steering Bidborough to a stiff 176/7 from their forty, with Rob Pritchard (34) and Steve Waller (32) chipping in dutifully. Gareth Davies toiled manfully for 3-46, well backed by Simon Thirkell and Ian Hollingworth, though poor Reichel's afternoon in the field will be remembered chiefly for the duck he carried back to the pavilion with him.

Chasing 177, we set about our task with more heart than most of the scorecard suggests. Kevin Presneill played the innings of the day, an assured 81 that for a while had us dreaming, ably assisted by Ron McCormick (28) and Simon Thirkell (20). Ron, it should be said, had a busy afternoon behind the stumps too, gifting ten byes in the process — the wicketkeeping equivalent of leaving the back door open. Richard Piper, meanwhile, made his way for a golden duck, joining the ledger of shame alongside Reichel.

In the end it came down to the barest of margins: 175 for 7 plays 176 for 7, beaten by a single, agonising run. Kevin's 81 tops our season's run charts and Gareth's three wickets lead the bowling — small consolations on a day that will haunt the tea urn for weeks. Heads up, chaps. Back to the nets.

Sat 30 Apr 2005 🧢 1st XIv CC Catford Wanderers CC · HomeformLWDLW

Saturday 30 April 2005 saw Catford Wanderers CC roll up to our place, and, as has become tediously customary, I lost the toss. They took first knock, which on a day like this felt like being handed the shorter straw and told to smile about it.

They battled to 169/7 off their 44, with Percy Drummond the chief architect on 42, well backed by M H Shaboodien (35) and Clinton Hibbert (25). But the lads with the ball had their say too — Daniel Thirkell was outstanding, snapping up 2-15, with Dennis Salisbury (2-25) and Jon Harris (1-7) keeping the pressure on throughout. A committed, disciplined shift in the field kept a total that could have run away from us to something eminently chaseable.

In reply we posted 142/5 from 34 overs, never quite finding the extra gear needed to get over the line but never disgracing ourselves either. Matthew Carter anchored things beautifully with an unbeaten 47, with Daniel Thirkell (31) and Russell Baldwin (23) chipping in handsomely — Thirkell in particular continuing his fine early-season form, and now sitting proudly atop both the run and wicket charts for the 2005 1st XI, the show-off.

In the end neither side could force the issue, and honours were shared. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and on this occasion, thoroughly deserved by both sides.

Sun 24 Apr 2005 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv SC Sidcup CC · HomeformDLDLW

Sunday 24 April 2005, and the sun rather kindly agreed to grace our fixture with Sidcup CC. I lost the toss — a habit I'm beginning to take personally — and duly found myself asked to bat, which as it turned out suited us rather nicely.

Daniel Thirkell set about the Sidcup bowling with real purpose, compiling a superb 109, while Russell Baldwin gave him fine company with 91 and Nigel Thirkell chipped in an unbeaten 47. The pair added a match-defining 186 for the second wicket, and by the time we declared our innings closed at 277/3 from the full forty overs, I confess I was already rather enjoying myself. A personal 109 is not something that happens every Sunday, and I shan't pretend otherwise.

Whatever we'd hoped for with the ball, what followed exceeded it wildly. Sidcup stumbled to 7-1 early and never recovered their poise, Peter Stevenson's battling 20 the only real resistance as 44-5 became 46-8 in the blink of an eye. Phil Major, David Bastin and John Wilson all trooped back without scoring, and the innings folded for 48 in 25.2 overs. Jack Jenner was the chief destroyer with 3-11, well backed by Ian Hollingworth's 3-20, Matthew Carter's solitary wicket, and Darren Styles's two tidy maidens.

A word, too, for Craig Sands, who brought up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark earned, not given.

Won by 229 runs, two points banked, and not a single argument required. A thoroughly satisfactory afternoon's work.

Sat 23 Apr 2005 🧢 1st XIv WC Wilmington CC · HomeformWLWDL

Skipper's Log, Saturday 23 April 2005. Lost the toss, no complaints from me since Wilmington fielded first anyway, and off we went.

Craig Sands set about the visitors' bowling in fine style, cruising past his fifty to finish on 67, with Daniel Thirkell (41) and David Castle (32) lending sturdy support down the order. Not every innings was a triumph — Richard Piper will be nursing a golden duck for a while yet — but a generous 31 extras from Wilmington helped us along nicely to a healthy 217/6 from our 40 overs.

Defending it fell to the bowlers, and what a job they made of it. Richy Wootten played a lone hand of real quality, 73 to his name, ably assisted by Kevin Saunders' 34, but round the other end Daniel Thirkell was in irresistible form, plundering 4-12 to end the contest as a spectacle. Gareth Davies (3-33) and Rob Jackson (1-35) chipped in handsomely, Adam Jackson kept things tight with two maidens, and Chris Laidlaw departed for nought at our hands. Wilmington were all out 188. Craig Sands had a trickier time behind the stumps, 10 byes conceded reminding us keeping is never as easy as it looks, while I did my bit with the bat for 32.

A fine win by 29 runs, then, and with Sands and Thirkell already topping our 2005 charts, the season is shaping up rather nicely. Onwards.