🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 24 Sep 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformDWDLL

Sunday, 24 September 2006, and the road took us down to Tenterden – a fixture that always promises tea worth the journey and, on this occasion, delivered rather more besides. I lost the toss, we were asked to field, and I confess my heart sank slightly at the prospect of a long afternoon in the deep. As it turned out, we needn't have worried.

Tenterden battled to 192 all out in 47.5 overs, built around a solid top order – Paul Hope's 49 and Richard Pearman's 48 doing the heavy lifting, with Fred Pearman chipping in 34. But the bowling attack had other ideas: Tom Murphy was superb, finishing with 3-21, while Michael Beeney bowled with real discipline for 3-26 including three maidens, and Thomas Beeney weighed in with 1-30. Mark Kokkinos and Paul Brabon both departed without troubling the scorers – sorry, lads, that duck emoji was for you.

Chasing 193, I was fortunate enough to find some form early and kept finding the gaps all the way to 80, which I'll admit felt rather nice after a season of more modest returns. Richard Piper matched me stroke for stroke with a well-crafted 67, and between us we saw the side home at 195/5 in 38.2 overs, a five-wicket win.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a reminder of why we keep making that trip to Tenterden – for afternoons exactly like this one.

Sat 23 Sep 2006 🧢 1st XIv SC Sidcup CC · HomeformLDLLW

Lost the toss again — I'm beginning to think the coin has it in for me — and Sidcup elected to bat, which on a Saturday like this felt like the away side doing us a favour. They ground their way to 170 all out in 37.4 overs, Stephen Shanks the chief architect with 37, well supported by Rob Solway's unbeaten 27 and Barry Patey's 26. Credit to the lads with the ball, though: Tim Wright was the pick of the attack with 3-26, Jon Harris and Rory High chipped in with two apiece, and James Piper strangled the scoring with two tidy maidens. Richard Begg departed for a duck, which felt like the only unqualified good news of the morning.

Chasing 171, we made a decent fist of it without ever quite convincing ourselves. I found some form with 44, James Piper played nicely alongside me for 22, and the two of us put on 50 for the sixth wicket that briefly had me thinking we might actually get there. Then, as is tradition at Linton Park, the middle order decided enough was enough — we slid from 46-2 to 48-5 faster than you could say "collapse", with Tom Murphy, Daniel McCarthy and Ron McCormick all falling without troubling the scorers. All out for 102 in 38.5 overs.

A 68-run defeat, then, and no dressing it up. But there were enough green shoots — Wright's bowling, that sixth-wicket stand, my own 44 keeping me handily placed in the season's run charts — to suggest we'll be better for it next week.

Wed 20 Sep 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformLLLDD

There we were at Penshurst Park, losing the toss and being sent into the field on a Wednesday evening that promised more than it delivered. Batting first is never quite the same as choosing to bat first, but needs must. Ron McCormick played the anchor role beautifully for 47, and Mike Elworthy chipped in handsomely with 43, the pair of them dragging us to a respectable 162/7 from our forty overs. Elsewhere the card made for grimmer reading — Stuart Cheesman and Jim Hall both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, ducks that nobody puts in the club history books willingly.

In the field, we gave it everything. Stuart Cheesman atoned handsomely for his golden duck with the ball, ripping through with 3-23, while Darren Styles bowled a tidy 2-20 including two maidens, and Dave Todd picked up 1-31 for good measure. We even had David Smith back in the hutch without scoring. But K- Exton was immovable, unbeaten on 49, ably assisted by Andy Eames' 23, and between them they nudged Penshurst home on 163/7 with three overs and three wickets to spare. Twelve byes down the leg side told its own tale about Ron's day behind the stumps — swings and roundabouts, as ever.

So, beaten by three wickets, agonisingly close and no disgrace in it. Craig Sands and Darren Styles continue to lead our run and wicket charts respectively, which is some consolation. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sat 16 Sep 2006 🧢 1st XIv Holborough Anchorians CC · HomeformWLDLL

Skipper's Log — 16 September 2006. Holborough Anchorians the visitors, and a rare thing happened before a ball was bowled: I won the toss and, in a fit of uncharacteristic decisiveness, chose to bat. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

We settled in nicely, posting 227 for 7 from our forty overs. Graham Walker was in gloriously murderous form for 86, and Craig Sands kept him honest with a fine 59 of his own — the pair between them doing most of the damage while the rest of us tried not to get in the way. I chipped in an unbeaten 21, which I shall modestly describe as "tidy." Poor Jim Hall, alas, was undone for a duck, and was last seen studying the tea urn with great intensity.

With the ball, we were relentless. Jon Harris was quite magnificent — 3 for 12 with five maidens, bowling as if the runs were his own personal property and he wanted them back — well supported by Trevor Back and Kevin Presneill among the wickets. The Anchorians rallied gamely through Neville Reeves' unbeaten 41, Peter Blackman's 33 and Chris Skilton's 31, but 143 for 7 was never going to trouble our total, and poor Joe Bowles departed for a duck of his own.

An 84-run win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying Saturday. Craig Sands continues to top our season's run charts with 525 — the rest of us merely orbit him. Onwards.

Sun 10 Sep 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformDDWDL

Sunday 10th September, and the Anchorians rolled into Linton Park on a fine afternoon for what would prove a chastening reminder that cricket, like life, rarely goes to plan. We lost the toss, were put in the field, and settled for chasing leather rather than runs — never our preferred order of business, but there we are.

Their innings ran on rather longer than we'd have liked, closing at a hefty 273/7 from the full forty. J Thompson (92) and James Hockley (73) both played fine, well-made fifties, with D. Pask unbeaten on 44 to round things off nicely for them. We did have our moments — Thomas Beeney bowled with real purpose for 2-45, backed up admirably by Michael Beeney (2-49) and Gareth Davies (2-56) — and there was a small mercy in seeing off Neil Mobey for a duck. But 273 was always going to be a mountain.

And so it proved. Craig Sands gave it a proper go with a superb 102 — and en route brought up 6,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to regardless of the result — while Akash Pancholi chipped in with 53. Beyond that, though, the innings folded around them, Mike Elworthy, Howard and Peter Davies all making the sorry walk back for nought, and we were bowled out for 182.

Ninety-one runs the wrong side of the ledger, then. Chins up, boots cleaned, back to the nets — Sands's landmark is the one bright thread to carry into next week.

Sat 09 Sep 2006 🧢 1st XIv BC Betteshanger Colliery Welfare CC · HomeformLWLDL

Saturday the ninth of September found us hosting Betteshanger Colliery Welfare, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and had no hesitation in choosing to bat, the pitch looking far too good to leave sitting in the shed. Craig Sands set about proving me right with an innings of real substance, 80 not out and barely troubled, while Brian Piper (46 not out) and Paul Gibson (38) filled in around him with the sort of unfussed support that makes a captain's job look easy. We closed on 180 for 2 from our 41 overs, a total that felt, over tea, like quite enough to be getting on with.

It wasn't. Daniel Clark had other ideas, and a superb, unanswerable hundred — 106 of the finest — turned our attack inside out, Barry Clark chipping in with 37 to keep the scoreboard ticking along nicely. We had our moments: R Greenhill trudged off for a duck, Will Thirkell bowled with real venom for 2 for 10, and Paul Gibson (2-40) and Kevin Presneill (1-15, with two tidy maidens) all did their bit. But Betteshanger got home on 184 for 6 with overs to spare, winning by four wickets.

Craig Sands, for what it's worth, now sits second in the 2006 first-team run charts with 466 to his name — some consolation on an otherwise chastening afternoon. Not our day, then. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 09 Sep 2006 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWWDLL

The toss went against us at Horton Kirby, as it so often does, and we were put into the field beneath grey clubhouse skies with nothing but hope and a battered new ball. Horton Kirby made a useful 172 all out in 41.4 overs, Darren Bridges top-scoring with 37, well supported by Paul Evans's 36 and Darren Bull's 25. We did have our moments, though — Warren Bull, Dane Bull and Gordon Watts all fell for ducks at our hands, which cheered the field no end. Darren Styles led the attack beautifully with 3-31, and I was pleased enough with my own 3-31 and six maidens to feel I'd earned my tea.

Chasing 172 was never going to be a stroll, but James Piper played an innings for the ages — an unbeaten 101, an absolute joy to watch from the other end. I contributed 31 to the cause, though poor Richard Piper endured the walk of shame for a golden duck. We closed on 166 for 7 from our 48 overs, six agonising runs shy of the target.

Beaten by 6 runs, then — the cruellest of margins, and enough to make a captain stare rather too long into his tea. Matthew White continues to lead our run charts for the season with 403, and Darren Styles tops the wickets with 17. We'll dust ourselves down and be better for it next week.

Sun 03 Sep 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Cowdrey CC · HomeformWDLWL

The toss went against us and Cowdrey CC took first use of what turned out to be a batsman-friendly pitch, racking up 233 all out from their forty overs. Steve Smith set the tone with a well-made 71, Shayne Redden chipped in a fine half-century of his own with 62, and Sebastian Lewis added 20 for good measure — a proper examination for our attack. To our credit we didn't down tools: Jon Harris was the pick of the bowlers with 3-47, Thomas Beeney chimed in with 2-45, and I managed to prise out one for 28, including sending Ian Dipple back without troubling the scorers.

Chasing 234 was always going to ask serious questions of our top order, and honestly, we never quite found the answers. Richard Piper played beautifully for his 57 — the one bright light in a batting card that otherwise read like a cautionary tale — while Paul Webber and Thomas Beeney both departed for ducks. We were bowled out for 118 in 29.3 overs, and that was that.

One footnote worth savouring amid the wreckage: Piper's 57 nudges him past Stuart Cheesman into 22nd on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is more than can be said for the rest of us on the day.

All told, a chastening 115-run defeat. Heads up, though — it's back to the nets, and there'll be sunnier Sundays than this one.

Sat 02 Sep 2006 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWWDL

Bearsted, and the toss went against us before a ball was bowled — some things never change. Put into the field on a Saturday that promised more than it delivered, the lads did the honest thing and worked through their overs, restricting the hosts to 144/8 from their 35. An early wicket with just 2 on the board had us dreaming of a rout, but a stand of 67 for the second wicket dragged Bearsted back into contention, with Matthew Solomon compiling a watchful 58 to anchor the innings. Ian Hollingworth was magnificent, 4-24 and probing all afternoon, with Tim Thirkell and Jon Harris chipping in a wicket apiece, while Darren Styles bowled with the miserly discipline of a man guarding the tea urn — three maidens and barely a run given away.

Chasing 145, we set off steadily enough, and Trevor Back played the innings of the day, 52 not out, calm as you like while all about him lost their heads, ably assisted by Russell Baldwin's 20. But between 125 and 142 the wheels came off in glorious fashion — five wickets for seventeen runs, the sort of collapse that has spectators reaching for their flasks in disbelief. Simon Thirkell's duck will earn him the traditional walk of shame, and poor Jim Hall endured a torrid time behind the stumps, sixteen byes leaking through like a village hall roof in a downpour. Twenty-eight extras kept us respectable, but 142/8 left us two runs short.

Not our day, then — beaten by the barest of margins. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sun 27 Aug 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Edenbridge CC · AwayformDWDLW

Sunday, 27 August 2006, and the road took us to Edenbridge — a fine ground for a soaking of pride, as it turned out. We lost the toss, were asked to field, and I can't say I was sorry to have first use of the ball on a morning that promised runs for somebody.

Edenbridge got off to the shakiest of starts, losing a wicket with nought on the board, and for a few overs we allowed ourselves a little daydream. That dream was firmly put to bed by S Thurstan, who compiled a fine 68, ably assisted by Seb Goodhew's 31, and a 5th-wicket stand of 82 that did the real damage. They closed on 160 all out from their forty overs. Credit where it's due: Jon Harris bowled beautifully for 4-57, Gareth Davies chipped in with 3-19, and Matthew White took 2-14. I managed two maidens myself, which I shall count as my contribution to the cause and mention only the once.

Chasing 161, we never quite found our rhythm. Ollie Howarth batted nicely for 46 and shared a promising opening stand of 58, but wickets fell steadily around him and we subsided to 140 for 8 — 27 of those, rather tellingly, arriving as extras. Poor Tom Murphy will want this one struck from the record, departing without troubling the scorers.

Beaten by 20 runs, then, and fairly so. We'll dust ourselves down, learn our lessons, and be better for it next week.

Wed 23 Aug 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformLLLLD

As we lost the toss and were sent into the field, I'd hoped for a bit more sunshine on our fortunes than we got. Tunbridge Wells Wednesday ground their way to 137 all out in 46.3 overs, with Iain Barker (39) the chief architect and D. McClintock (33) his willing accomplice — though D Thompson will not be dining out on his contribution, departing for a golden duck at our hands. Credit to the bowling unit, though: Chris Newman was the pick with 2-13, Darren Styles chipped in with 2-16 (and four maidens of positively monastic discipline), and Michael Beeney weighed in with 2-22. A tidy, patient shift in the field, all told.

With 138 to chase, we made serene if unhurried progress, reaching 60/2 from our 12 overs before rain, light, or simple good sense brought proceedings to a close. Richard Piper led the way unbeaten on 23, quietly continuing his fine season — he now sits second in the Midweek XI run charts with 276 to his name, while Darren Styles, not content with his bowling figures on the day, tops the wicket charts with 16.

So honours shared, and a draw to show for our afternoon's work. Not the stuff of legend, but a fair result on a day when neither side could quite land the killer blow — and there are worse things in this life than tea, sunshine, and a job left unfinished.

Sun 20 Aug 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Chelsfield Park CC · HomeformWDDWD

Sunday 20 August, and Chelsfield Park CC came to Linton Park under skies that threatened more than they delivered. I won the toss and, in a fit of confidence I'd later question, put them in. For a while it looked shrewd: Darren Styles bowled beautifully for 4-36, four maidens included, with Mark Christmas (2-14) tidy in support and Iain Rawson picking up one. But Stuart Pinchin had other ideas, cracking a fine 60, well supported by Ian Walker's classy 54 and Peter Black's 23, and Chelsfield closed on 195/7 from 48.3 overs.

Our reply promised much and, in the end, fell agonisingly short. Craig Sands top-scored with a splendid 47 — enough, incidentally, to move him past Jim Hall into 19th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, a tidy bit of history amid the toil — while Ray Dixon chipped in 30 and I added 23. It wasn't enough: we subsided to 192 all out in 37.5 overs, not helped by ducks for Iain Rawson and Michael Beeney, nor by poor Mike Elworthy's afternoon behind the stumps, from which 14 byes slipped through. Twenty-five extras was rather too generous a donation to the scorebook's least glamorous column.

Three runs. Three wretched runs between triumph and despair, and despair duly arrived. Richard Piper carries the season's run charts (594) and Iain Rawson sits fifth among the wicket-takers (10) — the campaign motors on regardless. As for the rest of us: heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 20 Aug 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Benenden CC · AwayformWDWDL

Skipper's Log — Sunday 20 August 2006. Down to Benenden CC we went, and for once the coin behaved itself; I called correctly and had no hesitation in sticking us in. It proved a shrewd move, or at least I shall claim it did. We racked up 212 for 5 from our forty overs, built on a truly magnificent knock from Ollie Howarth, unbeaten on 101, with Tom Motum keeping him honest with a fine 58 of his own — the pair adding 95 for the third wicket and giving the innings a proper spine.

Defending it was another matter. Benenden gave it a real go, closing on 199 for 6, with Jon Message's classy 55 the backbone, well supported by Jonathan Stevenson (28) and Andrew Morrison (23), the second-wicket pair putting on 79 and threatening to make fools of us. I got some rhythm going with the ball and led the attack with 3 for 55, with Jon Harris chipping in nicely with 2 for 36 — two tidy maidens among them — and Joe Martin picking up 1 for 33.

It wasn't all sunshine behind the stumps, mind: poor Clive Newman had a torrid afternoon with the gloves, 13 byes going begging, and we were far too generous in the field, spraying 22 wides we could scarcely afford. Still, we hung on for a fine win by 13 runs. Onwards indeed — and with 12 wickets now to my name this season, I'm rather enjoying leading the charts.

Sat 19 Aug 2006 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformWLWLD

Called it right at the toss — elected to field, and for forty-four of the forty-five overs that looked like inspired captaincy. Justin Alward simply refused to get out, farming the strike to an unbeaten 80, with Edward Gelling's well-made 53 and Barry Hart's 37 filling in the gaps either side of him. Stuart Cheesman toiled hardest for his 2-70, Michael Beeney and Mark Christmas chipped in a wicket apiece, and I did what I could to keep the scoring honest, tucking away a couple of maidens while the total crept past 200. Shipbourne closed on 216/4 — a total that felt both beatable and, as it turned out, exactly one run too many.

Chasing 217, Craig Sands played the innings of the day, an imperious 90 that dragged us into contention almost single-handedly, well supported by Paul Gibson's 38 and James Piper's 23. There was a lovely footnote in there too — that innings eased Craig past Russell Baldwin and up to 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is the sort of thing that ought to earn a man a pint regardless of the result.

Alas, we fell agonisingly short, bowled out — or rather, run out of overs — one run shy at 215/7. Cruel arithmetic for a side that competed every inch of the way. I'll take some quiet consolation from sitting 2nd in this season's run charts with 402, and from Mark Christmas leading the wickets column with 34, but the truth is simple: we'll be better for this next week, even if it doesn't feel like it tonight.

Sat 19 Aug 2006 🧢 2nd XIv M Matfield · HomeformWWWWD

Beaten by nine wickets against Matfield, though the record books won't dwell on the manner of the thing.

I won the toss and, in a fit of optimism I now struggle to account for, chose to bat. Seventy-three all out in under thirty overs told its own story — a top score of 23 from yours truly being about the only thing standing between us and outright embarrassment. Gareth Davies and Iain Rawson both trudged off for ducks, joining me in what I can only call the club's least exclusive club, and by the time the last wicket fell we all knew we'd handed Matfield a target a decent egg-and-spoon team could have chased down.

And chase it down they duly did, cantering to 74 for the loss of just one wicket. There were bright spots, mind — Ian Hollingworth bowled beautifully for his 1 for 19, Matthew Carter was miserliness personified with three maidens, and we did at least have Peter Davies back in the hutch without a run to his name, which felt like a small victory amid the wreckage. It simply wasn't enough against a total that never looked in any danger.

Elsewhere, the season ticks on regardless of our Saturday afternoon travails — Trevor Back sits a creditable 5th in the 2nd XI's run charts, and Hollingworth's wicket-haul has him up to 2nd in the bowling table, so not everything is doom and gloom.

Nine wickets is a hiding by any measure, and 73 was never going to trouble anyone. We'll dust ourselves down, have a stern word about batting first on a green one, and come back stronger next week.

Wed 16 Aug 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLLLL

Wednesday 16 August, and the road took us to Dummy Site with the sun out and hopes reasonably high — hopes which took a small dent when the coin came down against us and we were put in the field. Still, no complaints; a captain accepts his lot with good grace, or at least pretends to.

They batted us hard, reaching 178/8 off their 49.2 overs, with R Coles compiling a fine 52 and getting sturdy support from M Bristow (35 not out) and J Crowhurst (29). But credit where it's due — James Piper was simply magnificent, ripping through with 3-1, backed up admirably by Matthew Carter (2-20, and miserly with three maidens to boot) and Darren Styles (2-32). K Corke and R Still both walked back for ducks, which is always a satisfying sight from the fielding side, even if one tries not to gloat.

Chasing 178, we never quite found our rhythm, closing on 117/6 from our 48 overs. James Piper, evidently keen to make it a proper all-round afternoon, top-scored with the bat too on 38. Poor Chris Newman, though, will want to forget his own duck in a hurry.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could force the issue — and with Craig Sands and Darren Styles both flying at the top of the season's charts, there's plenty still to play for. A fair result, if I'm honest, and one we'll happily take home.

Sat 12 Aug 2006 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday 12 August 2006 saw us take the road to Meopham, and I confess I fancied our chances enough to call correctly at the toss and stick us in to bowl first — sorry, in to bat, which in hindsight may say more about the weather than my tactical acumen. What followed was brisk, if not exactly Test-match fare: 9 without loss from 5.1 overs, the kind of innings that has the tea urn barely warm before you're out in the field again. Brief, unbeaten, and entirely to the point.

Then it was our turn with the ball, and here the lads produced something rather more remarkable — Meopham dismissed for precisely nought. All out for none is not a scoreline you see every season, and however it came about, it left the Meopham lads with rather more explaining to do in their own clubhouse than we had in ours.

Two innings, then, that between them barely troubled the scorer, and honours were duly shared — a draw when neither side could quite force the issue, which on a day of such curious arithmetic feels only fitting. Elsewhere in the season, Matthew White continues to lead our 2nd XI run charts with 401 to his name, a reminder that somebody in this club knows how to occupy the crease properly.

Verdict: a peculiar, faintly comic afternoon — no real victor, no real loser, but a scorecard we'll be quoting in the bar for weeks to come.

Sat 12 Aug 2006 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLWLWL

I hosted Sheldwich CC on Saturday the 12th of August, and if you'd told me beforehand that both sides would leave the field with honours shared, I'd have believed you — this had the shape of a funny one from the very first over.

Our knock was, let's say, unhurried. Thirty for two from our twelve overs is not the stuff of legend, and I won't pretend the scorebook makes for thrilling reading, but there was a stubbornness about it that I rather admired from the boundary. Nobody threw the bat in anger; nobody needed to.

Where we made our case was in the field. Sheldwich came, saw, and went home with nothing at all to show for it — none all out is the sort of line you don't often get to write in a match report, and I shan't be asked to explain quite how it happened, only that it did. Whatever conditions or misfortune conspired against them, our lads deserve the credit for not letting up.

Elsewhere in the club, the season table continues to make for happy reading, with Nigel Thirkell sitting proudly atop the 1st XI run charts on 479 for the year — a effort the rest of us can only tip our caps to.

In the end, neither side could quite force the door open, and a draw was a fair reflection of an afternoon where nobody deserved to lose. Honours shared, then — and on this evidence, no bad thing.

Tue 08 Aug 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformLDLLL

Tuesday 8th August, and Bexley CC rolled up to Linton Park under skies that gave nothing away. I called correctly at the toss and didn't hesitate for a second — bowl first, sort out the runs later. That was, in hindsight, the easy part.

Bexley made themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 229/8 from their 47 overs, with Daniel Haley the chief architect on 67, ushered along by Jack Wells (35) and Sandeep Bains (32). Full credit where it's due: Dave Todd was superb with the ball, 3-29, backed up nicely by Darren Styles (2-44) and Matthew Carter (1-30). Behind the stumps, poor Peter Davies had a torrid afternoon of it, 8 byes his reward for standing up to a wayward attack.

Chasing 230, we never quite found our rhythm, bundled out for 117 in 39.4 overs. James Piper batted with real application for 48, Richard Piper chipping in with 32, but around them the card told a sorrier tale — ducks for Daniel McCarthy and Matthew Carter, and, in the interests of full disclosure, your correspondent also contrived a golden one of his own. We shan't dwell on it.

Elsewhere in the season, Craig Sands continues to plunder runs at will (405 and counting) while Darren Styles leads the wickets column with 12. All rather academic on a day we finished 112 runs the wrong side of the result. Not our finest hour — heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Mon 07 Aug 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv TT The Dutch Uncles Team · HomeformDLDLL

Since we hosted the visitors and elected—well, had the toss go against us—into the field, I can report the day held all the ingredients of proper club cricket, and rather too many of them belonged to the opposition.

B Kuylman gave us a torrid afternoon, compiling a chanceless 104 not out that carried Dummy Site to a commanding 247/4 from their 35 overs. He was handsomely supported by R Weyl, whose 66 sailed past his fifty with room to spare, and B- Winters chipping in a brisk 31. Poor M- Verhdeven was the exception that proved the rule, back in the hutch without troubling the scorers — the first of our two ducks on the day. Brian Piper was the pick of our attack by some distance, snaffling 2-3 in miserly fashion, with Matthew Carter chipping in a wicket of his own, albeit at rather greater expense (1-57).

Chasing 248, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite threatening. Matthew White led the reply with a fine 61, well backed by Trevor Back's unbeaten 47 and Craig Sands' 30, but 190/5 from our 35 overs left us 57 runs shy at the close. Spare a thought for poor Brian Piper, whose golden afternoon with the ball was undone by a golden duck with the bat — the walk of shame indeed.

Not our day, then, and heads are duly hung. But with Craig Sands topping the Midweek XI run charts and Matthew Carter lurking in the wicket standings, there's substance in this side yet. Back to the nets, lads — normal service to resume shortly.

Sun 06 Aug 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformDWDDW

Sunday 6 August was a good toss to win, and with the sun out and Bearsted CC visiting, I had no hesitation putting us in to bat. It proved the right call: we ground our way to a handsome 230 for 4 from our 44 overs, built on the back of a superb 86 from Glen Rawson, well supported by Richard Piper's 56, with my own 44 chipping in down the order — the sort of contribution I'll happily take without troubling the highlights reel.

Defending that total is always the more nervous half of the day, and Bearsted made us work for it. We struck early, sending Stephen Pearce back for a golden duck with the score just 5 for 1, and from there Stuart Cheesman (2 for 7) and Jon Harris (2 for 18, three of those overs maidens — not a run given away lightly) kept the squeeze on, with Gareth Davies chipping in too. Suraj De Silva's 47 threatened to drag Bearsted home, but they could only manage 125 for 7 from their 46, leaving honours shared. Glen had a torrid time behind the stumps, mind — 12 byes is not a line he'll want framed for the clubhouse wall, though after that innings with the bat I daresay he's forgiven.

Off the field, a nice landmark: Richard Piper's 56 nudges him past Keith Hatcher into 23rd on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he continues to lead our 2006 Sunday charts with 581 runs, with Stuart Cheesman topping the bowling with 15 wickets. A draw, then — honours shared, and honestly, on a day like this, nobody much minded.

Sat 05 Aug 2006 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformWWWWW

Saturday 5th August, and I won the toss and put us in to bat — the right call, I felt at the time, and nothing that followed gave me cause to eat those words. We were bowled out for 133 in 44.4 overs, a total that flattered to deceive somewhat given the middle order's contribution. Glen Rawson top-scored with a fine 38, Gareth Davies chipped in nicely with 26, but Russell Baldwin and Peter Davies both departed for ducks, the kind of golden nothings that keep a captain reaching for the tea urn a little too eagerly.

Defending 133 always felt a stretch on paper, but West Farleigh clearly hadn't read the script. They were dismissed for 105 in 37.5 overs, Chris Mckellow's 36 and Wyn Barnardo's 20 the only real resistance, while Jamie Webb, Marley Nemane and S Spiers all trooped back without troubling the scorers. Iain Rawson was the chief destroyer with a superb 4-28, well backed up by Ian Hollingworth's 3-20, and I managed to get among the wickets myself with 1-10. Darren Styles bowled with real discipline, three maidens and not a run given away lightly.

A special word for Ian Hollingworth, who reached 50 career wickets in the process — a fine milestone, thoroughly deserved. Matthew White and Darren Styles continue to lead the 2nd XI's run and wicket charts respectively this season, and long may that healthy rivalry continue.

Two points banked, won by 28 runs — a scrappy total defended with real character. Not pretty, but thoroughly earned, and I'll take that every Saturday going.

Sat 05 Aug 2006 🧢 1st XIv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformTLWLW

The road to Eynsford on Saturday brought us up against a side who, frankly, batted rather better than our bowling figures deserved. I won the toss and put them in — the right call, I still maintain, even with the scoreboard showing 261 for 8 at the close of their innings. James Ashdown's well-made 71 was the backbone, with Howard Collins's fifty and Gary Atkins's 36 filling in the gaps rather too comfortably. The openers put on 69 before we made the breakthrough, and a stubborn 95-run stand for the second wicket did the real damage. Mark Christmas toiled hardest for 3-65, I chipped in with 2-53, and Stuart Cheesman took 2-57.

Chasing 262, we were always playing catch-up. Mark Christmas batted beautifully for an unbeaten 61, I added 28, and Adam Jackson made an unbeaten 28 of his own, with a useful 55-run stand along the way. Poor Richard Piper will not thank me for mentioning his golden duck, though a defiant last-wicket stand of 84 gave the final total of 215 for 7 a far more respectable look than it had any right to. Extras chipped in 30, and Craig Sands had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, conceding 9 byes for his trouble.

Beaten by 46 runs in the end, then — no disgrace against a side who batted us out of it early doors. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 30 Jul 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv DC Downham & Bellingham CC · HomeformWDWDD

Coin toss lost again — story of my season — and Downham & Bellingham had no hesitation sticking us in the field on a fine Sunday. They ground their way to 189/7 off 44.5 overs, Andrew Bruguier the chief architect with a fine 61, John Sawyer chipping in 30 and Gary Hopper unbeaten on 26 to give the total a bit of late gloss. Michael Beeney was the pick of our attack with 3-71, Stuart Cheesman weighed in with 2-74, and Matthew Carter bowled with real discipline, four maidens to his name — the sort of spell that doesn't always get the headlines but keeps a captain sane.

Chasing 190, we were made to work for it, eventually getting home on 190/5 with three overs unused. I found some form at the top of the order with 77, and it was a proper pleasure watching Richard Piper play beautifully for his 59 alongside me — the two of us doing most of the heavy lifting. Mark Christmas added a tidy 21, though the card wasn't without its blemishes: both Glen Rawson and Ray Dixon departed for ducks, proof that cricket retains its capacity for cruelty even on a good day.

Two points, four wickets to spare, and thoroughly earned. Piper continues to lead our Sunday run charts with 525 for the season, Cheesman tops the wickets with 13 — and on this evidence, neither shows any sign of slowing down. A satisfying afternoon's work, and a timely reminder of why we play the game.

Sun 30 Jul 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv WC Wilmington CC · AwayformWWDWD

Sunday took us out to face a side clearly intent on batting long, and bat long they did — 199 for 7 off their forty overs was a testing total to chase, built patiently by R Rampersad's 47 and E Greenhalgh's watchful 45, with T Cotton chipping in 29 more for good measure. I can't claim we tore through them, but we did our bit: I found some rhythm with the new ball for 2-24, including a couple of maidens that at least slowed the bleeding, while Lee Fawcett and Matthew White picked up a wicket apiece to keep things honest.

Chasing 200 was always going to ask questions of our top order, and frankly we answered most of them wrong. Tom Murphy stood firm for a battling 24, the clear top score and about the only thing resembling resistance, while the extras column embarrassingly outscored half the batting card with 33. As for your correspondent — I walked back for a golden duck, keeping Ollie Howarth company in the pavilion for the Duck Club photograph nobody wants to be in. All out for 111 in 27.2 overs told its own sorry story.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger there's cheer to be found: Tom Murphy sits second in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 173, and Paul Webber leads the wickets with 11 — proof the talent is there even when the collective effort isn't. Beaten by 88 runs, then. Not our day, lads — back to the nets, and perhaps a quiet word with the bat gods.

Sat 29 Jul 2006 🧢 1st XIv Mersham Sports CC · HomeformWTLWL

Saturday last, we welcomed Mersham Sports CC to Linton Park, and for once the pre-match tea urn proved a better omen than my team talk. Put in first, we ground our way to a handsome 237 for 8 from the 45, built on Craig Sands' fine 71 and Stuart Cheesman's equally polished 70 — the sort of stand that makes a captain look far cleverer than he is. James Piper chipped in a useful 32 down the order, while poor Glen Rawson will be pleased to know his golden duck has already been struck from the official record and quietly filed under "these things happen."

Defending 237 is always a nervous business, and Mersham didn't make it easy, Rob Wilson's watchful 49 anchoring things nicely with Darren Pugh (39) and Ian Fagg (23) keeping the required rate honest. But the day belonged to Mark Christmas, whose 5 for 40 — four of those overs maidens, mean as you like — throttled the chase at just the moment it threatened to breathe. I managed to prise out a wicket myself for 15, and Stuart Cheesman, not content with his runs, added two more with the ball.

A word too for the family firm: Nigel Thirkell brought up 40,000 career runs for the club, a staggering number that rather puts the rest of us in perspective, and continues to lead our 2006 run charts as Mark leads the wickets.

We got home by 29 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 29 Jul 2006 🧢 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformWWWWW

Saturday 29 July 2006 saw us make the journey to Sissinghurst CC, and after losing the toss — a coin that has developed a rather personal grudge against me this season — we were duly sent out into the field.

It proved a long, warm afternoon for the bowling attack, as Sissinghurst compiled a handsome 251 for 3 off 43.5 overs. Mike Burgess set about us with a superb unbeaten 109, and lest anyone think that a solo effort, Mark Simmons matched him almost stroke for stroke with a magnificent 105 not out. Between them they left our attack looking distinctly ordinary, save for Chris Marriott, whose 2 for 35 stood as the one real bright spot on an otherwise chastening scorecard.

Chasing 252 always promised to be a stern examination, and Ron McCormick had his own trial by fire behind the stumps, 16 byes going begging in what he'll no doubt describe as a tricky afternoon with the gloves. But the lads responded in style. Matthew White, who continues to lead our 2006 2nd XI run charts with 395 for the season, played the anchor's role beautifully for 88, while Chris Marriott — evidently not content with his bowling heroics — added a fine 80 with the bat. Trevor Back chipped in with 34, the extras column threw in a generous 34 of its own, and we cantered home on 252 for 4 with two full overs to spare.

Two centurions against us and still we won by six wickets — I shall take that every week of the season. A very good day for the club.

Wed 26 Jul 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sidcup CC · AwayformDDLDL

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 26 July 2006

The road took us to Sidcup, and having won the toss I fancied a bowl on a morning that felt built for it. Wisdom, alas, is easily mocked by cricket, and Sidcup's top order duly went about mocking it. We had them 4-1 and dreaming of a tidy afternoon, but Scott Bradshaw and Seetharam Krishnamurthy had other plans, and by the time the seventh wicket finally fell they'd added 196 priceless runs between them. Bradshaw's fifty was a proper counter-punch, Krishnamurthy finished unbeaten on 34, and Steve James chipped in a handy 28 as Sidcup racked up 210/7. Thomas Beeney was the pick of our attack with 2-27, Darren Styles and Matthew Carter chimed in with two and one respectively, and Gareth Davies bowled two tight maidens for his trouble — honest toil on an unforgiving day.

Chasing 211 was always going to ask questions of our batting, and we answered rather too many of them wrongly, bundled out for 85 in 27 overs. Michael Beeney's 22 was the innings' one real bright spark; I fell for a duck myself, as did Darren Styles, and the least said about that particular passage of play the better.

There was, at least, one thing to toast: Richard Piper's 11 runs eased him past Frank Brattle and up to 24th on the club's all-time run-scoring list — a small flag planted on an otherwise grim afternoon.

Down by 125 runs, no arguments and nowhere to hide. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 23 Jul 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Blue Star CC · HomeformDWDWD

Skipper's Log — Sunday 23 July 2006. We hosted Blue Star CC, and having called correctly at the toss I had no hesitation in choosing to bat, mainly on the grounds that it postponed the moment I'd have to field.

That decision turned out rather well. We piled up 252 for 2 from our 39 overs, and I'm delighted to say I led from the front with 132 — a proper hundred, the sort you dream about on the walk out and rarely deliver, but delivered it was. Richard Piper gave sterling support with a fine 66 not out, and James Piper finished things off in style with an unbeaten 26. It was, by common consent, as good a batting performance as we've put together all season, and I'm reliably informed it also nudged me past Trevor Back into 8th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which is the sort of thing a captain tries very hard not to mention twice and fails.

With 252 to defend, Blue Star set about us with Martin Shuttle compiling a watchful, well-made 55 not out, well supported by Colin Freestone (32) and Darren Wwhybrow (28). They pressed hard but never quite pressed hard enough, closing on 167 for 6 from their 48. Mark Christmas was outstanding with the ball, 2 for 28 including three tidy maidens, backed up nicely by Rory High (2-40) and Jon Harris (1-15) — Harris now sitting second in the season's wicket charts, with Richard Piper leading our run column.

In the end, honours were shared: a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. Frustrating, perhaps, but with batting like that, I'll take it.

Sun 23 Jul 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Harvel CC · AwayformDWWDW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 23 July 2006. Down to Harvel we went, sun more or less out, optimism cautiously packed alongside the tea urn. Batting first, we set about building something respectable, and 216 for 6 off our 44 overs was no bad return for an afternoon's work. I was fortunate enough to find some form and carried things through to 62 not out, though the innings really took shape thanks to Tom Murphy's classy 57 and Ollie Howarth's busy 44 — the two of them putting on a crucial 68 for the fifth wicket while I did rather less than my fair share of the running about.

With the ball, Harvel dug in and made us work for every wicket, eventually closing on 166 for 9 from their 45 overs. Geoff Goodwin was the chief obstacle with 45, given support by Ralph Petts (21) and James Marrable (20), but the damage was done elsewhere — Darren Styles bowled beautifully for 3 for 34, Paul Webber chipped in with 2 for 32, and Akash Pancholi struck with figures of 1 for 0. Chris Newman was tight as a drum with two maidens. Poor Dave Vidler and Joe Vidler will want to forget the whole affair, back in the pavilion without so much as a run to their names.

Behind the stumps I had one of those afternoons best described as character-building, 14 byes escaping my gloves like eels. Honours finished shared — a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow — which, given the state of my glovework, felt like a fair result for all concerned.

Sat 22 Jul 2006 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformLWTLW

Down by 18 runs at Staplehurst on 22 July 2006. What a topsy-turvy afternoon that turned out to be.

We lost the toss – no shock there, my coin-calling remains as reliable as an English summer – and were put into the field. Staplehurst piled up 266/6 from their 45 overs, built largely around Tim Watts, who made merry with a superb 111, and Mark Savage (49 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking with him, with A Henson chipping in 30. Adam Jackson was the pick of our attack with 2-37, well supported by Matthew Carter's 1-25, and I did my bit with 1-33 to keep things honest.

Chasing 267 was always going to test us, and 248/8 from our 45 tells its own story – agonisingly short. Craig Sands led the reply beautifully with 66, and Nigel Thirkell gave him fine company with 60 of his own, while Kevin Presneill's 35 kept the required rate within touching distance. James Piper and Adam Jackson both departed for golden ducks, which didn't help our cause, though a generous 26 extras did their best to paper over the cracks. Craig Sands then had a torrid time behind the stumps, 10 byes going begging – tough enough making runs without having to chase leather too. I contributed a modest 19 with the bat.

There was a silver lining amid the gloom: Stuart Cheesman's solitary wicket nudged him past Tony Snell into 24th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list – one for the mantelpiece, if not for the scorebook. Nigel Thirkell continues to lead our run charts for the season with 457, and Mark Christmas tops the wickets with 25.

Not our day, then – 18 runs the difference between pride and disappointment. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets we go.

Wed 19 Jul 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformWDDLD

The coin came down kindly and, with a pitch that looked made for batting, I had no hesitation in putting us in. It was the right call, at least for forty overs: Craig Sands played the innings of the season, reaching three figures and finishing unbeaten on 111, while James Piper (52) and Richard Piper (46) both got in and cashed in around him. We closed on 238 for 3, a total that felt, in the warm July sunshine, thoroughly match-winning.

It wasn't to be. Lord Cornwallis XI simply matched us shot for shot, O. Clarkson compiling a composed unbeaten 63 and finding fine support from A. Cornwallis (53) and J. D. Jefferson (44), and they eventually got home on 239 for 4 with four balls of their thirty-ninth over to spare. Matthew Carter did the early damage for us with 1 for 33, and Stuart Cheesman and Darren Styles both chipped in with a wicket apiece, but twelve byes slipping past Jim Hall's gloves told their own story of a tricky afternoon behind the stumps.

There was real cause for celebration amid the disappointment: James Piper brought up 1,000 career runs for the club, and Richard Piper's 46 eased him past me and into 25th on the all-time run-scorers list — happily overtaken in a good cause. Craig Sands now leads our 2006 Midweek XI run charts with 299, and Michael Beeney tops the wicket-takers with 9. As for the result, well — 238 wasn't enough, which tells you everything about the standard on show. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 16 Jul 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv LK Leigh CC, Kent · AwayformDDWDW

Sunday 16 July 2006, away at Leigh CC, and for once the coin did as it was told. I put us in, more in hope than expectation, and the lads repaid the faith handsomely: 253/3 off 39.4 overs, built around a magnificent unbeaten hundred from Stuart Cheesman (106 not out), with Richard Piper (45 not out) and Craig Sands (43) both playing their part. A total that felt, at tea, rather like a small fortress.

Leigh had other ideas, mind. Ian Bishop played beautifully for his 89, and with Luke Grayland (53) and Anthony Mills (41) chipping in around him, they gave us a proper fright, reaching 223/6 from their 47 overs. Credit where due — Jon Harris toiled hardest for his 2-75, Stuart Cheesman and Iain Rawson picked up a wicket apiece, and Rawson's two maidens were about the only real bargain going all afternoon. David Maslin, for what it's worth, departed for a duck without so much as troubling the scorers — small mercies.

There was more to celebrate than the cricket itself: Richard Piper brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth raising a glass to, while Craig Sands's 43 nudged him past Stuart Cheesman into 21st on the all-time run charts. Piper now leads our 2006 Sunday run-scoring, with Cheesman top of the wicket pile.

In the end, honours shared and nobody quite able to land the killer blow. A draw, then — but on a day of hundreds and milestones, nobody at Linton Park left feeling short-changed.

Sat 15 Jul 2006 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformLWWWW

Saturday brought Hollingbourne CC to Linton Park, the sun doing its level best to cooperate, and having won the toss I did what any captain of a certain vintage does with a decent-looking pitch under his feet — stuck us in. Two hundred and six for seven from our forty-five overs felt like a tidy platform, built chiefly on Richard Piper's well-crafted 67, with Matthew White (27) and Graham Walker (26) chipping in either side of him. Our extras column, meanwhile, continued its long and distinguished tradition of turning up uninvited and contributing 25 — one wonders if it shouldn't bat higher up the order.

Defending it was rather more nerve-shredding than the scorecard now suggests. Philip Morrison's unbeaten 47 and Ian Gutteridge's unbeaten 40, with Steve Wilson's 35 in support, dragged Hollingbourne to within sniffing distance at 194/4. I'll allow myself one line of self-congratulation: I picked up 1-14, the pick of our attack, with Darren Styles (1-27) and Gareth Davies (1-34, two tidy maidens) squeezing things just enough to keep the required rate honest.

We held on by 12 runs — closer than any of us would have liked, and rather more than the pre-match tea deserved. With Matthew White still leading the 2nd XI run charts and Darren Styles the wicket-takers, the season ticks along nicely. A good day for the club, if not entirely for the fingernails.

Sat 15 Jul 2006 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformLLWTL

A soft Saturday, 15 July, and the away swing took us down to Headcorn CC — the kind of ground that makes you glad you polished the boots.

Batting first, we posted 154 for 7 from our 45 overs, a total built on Nigel's watchful, well-made fifty — 55 in the book — with Mark Christmas fussing about at the other end for an unbeaten 28. I chipped in with 18 of my own, more grit than grace, but every run counted. It wasn't a score to make Headcorn tremble, but it was enough to defend, and defending is a game we rather enjoy.

And defend it we did. Their reply closed on 145 for 9 from their 45, Robert Sparks (27) and Ben Daking (25) the chief obstacles, while poor Peter Smith trudged off for a golden duck. The real story, though, was Michael Beeney, who ran through them for 4 for 33 — a spell good enough to lift him past Trevor Back and into 9th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, which is no small thing on a Saturday in Kent. Mark Christmas bowled with the meanness of a man protecting his own wicket tally (four maidens, 2 for 29), and Matthew Carter chipped in with one. Poor Craig Sands, meanwhile, spent the afternoon chasing byes — eleven of them slipping past for good measure.

We got home by 9 runs. Tight, twitchy, thoroughly typical — but a very good day for the club.

Wed 12 Jul 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · HomeformDWDDL

Lost the toss again — I'm starting to think that coin has a personal vendetta against me — and Gravesend CC duly took first use of a good-looking Linton Park track. Simran Mahon set about us with real intent, cruising to 70, with L Mann keeping him honourable company on 66 and Stuart Waterton chipping in a tidy 25. By the time they declared themselves satisfied at 209/5 off 44.5 overs, my bowling figures book was looking rather dog-eared. Thomas Beeney was the pick of a willing attack with 2-26, Michael Beeney and Darren Styles a wicket apiece, and Styles in particular bowled with the meanness of a man guarding his allotment, two maidens included.

Chasing 210, we set off with more application than panic. James Piper played the innings of the day, 75 full of the kind of clean hitting that makes captaincy look easy, ably backed up by Richard Piper's fifty-plus knock of 51 and a brisk 23 from Chris Newman. We closed on 194/6 from 41 overs — close enough to taste it, not quite close enough to swallow it.

So honours shared, and on reflection a fair result: two sides that gave as good as they got and neither could land the killer blow. With Craig Sands leading our run charts on 188 and Michael Beeney topping the wickets with 8, the season ticks along nicely. A draw, then — the cricketing equivalent of a firm handshake. No losers here, bar my nerves.

Sun 09 Jul 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Bekesbourne Sports CC · AwayformWDWWD

Sunday 9th July, and off we trundled to Bekesbourne Sports CC with the sun on our backs and no great certainty about what lay ahead. The toss went against us, they stuck us in, and for a while it looked like the sort of decision that wins matches by tea. But 145 all out from our 40 overs was a perfectly respectable effort in the circumstances, built on Akash Pancholi's 31, with Matthew White (28) and Tom Motum (22) chipping in nicely round him. Not a total to frighten anyone, but enough, as it turned out, to be going on with.

Bekesbourne's reply started disastrously for them and gloriously for us — 2 for 1 became 12 for 4 before some of their number had barely troubled the umpire, with P Vinton, M Rake and Alex Good all back in the pavilion for ducks. I managed to get among the wickets myself, finishing with 4-16, while Daniel McCarthy (2-16) and Jon Harris (2-28) kept the pressure on from the other end. Ben Good, to his great credit, dug in for an unbeaten 41 to give their innings some respectability, ably assisted by S Hadlow and M Good with 24 apiece, but the damage was done and they fell 10 runs short, all out for 135 in 37 overs.

A tense finish in the end, but a fine win by 10 runs, and one that keeps the season ticking along nicely. Onwards indeed.

Sun 09 Jul 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWDDWD

Sunday 9th July, and the coin toss abandoned us to fielding first against Bearsted — never the plan, but never mind, the plan rarely survives contact with the umpire's palm anyway.

The lads batted like they meant it, though. Richard and James Piper set about proving that keeping it in the family is a sound cricketing strategy, putting on 171 for the first wicket before either could be prised apart — Richard cruising to 90, James not far behind on 69, and Peter Davies tidying up with an unbeaten 22 to see us to a handsome 218/3. A rare afternoon where the top order simply refused to give it away.

Then out came the ball, and out came James Piper again, this time with figures of 3-26 to spearhead a collapse that had Bearsted reeling from 88-6 to 103-9 — Michael Beeney (2-15, three maiders of pure stinginess) and Rory High (2-32) doing the tidying. Three ducks fell to us along the way, which always feels a touch unsporting but we'll take it. Only a stubborn last-wicket stand of 56 kept the scoreboard respectable at 159/9, and poor Craig Sands had a torrid time behind the stumps, 21 byes disappearing past him like he wasn't there.

Still, 59 runs to the good at the close, and a thoroughly good day for the club — the sort of Sunday that makes the winter months bearable.

Sat 08 Jul 2006 🧢 2nd XIv Staplehurst CC · HomeformLLWWW

Saturday 08 July 2006 saw Staplehurst CC roll up to Linton Park, and I won the toss and elected to bat — a decision I shall now, with all appropriate modesty, claim entirely as my own genius. The lads duly repaid my confidence in style, racing to 228/3 from our 45 overs. James Piper was the architect-in-chief, compiling a magnificent 106 not out that had the teas committee reaching for extra scones, while Matthew White chipped in a fine 71 to make sure the innings never lost its shape. Two-hundred-and-twenty-eight felt like a proper score to defend, and rather more than I deserved credit for.

Defending it, as it turned out, was the easy part. Staplehurst never got comfortable, subsiding to 119 all out in 36.5 overs, G Hubbard's battling 22 the only real resistance offered. Peter Davies was magnificent with the ball, ripping through with 3-25, while Adam Jackson (2-17, including three maidens that must have tested the batsmen's patience as much as their technique) and Ian Hollingworth (2-26) tidied up what was left. Not a run was given away lightly.

A fine win by 109 runs, then, and one that keeps the season ticking along nicely — Matthew White continues to lead our 2006 2nd XI run charts with 280, and Darren Styles the wicket charts with 11. All told, a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Wed 05 Jul 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv DC Drifters CC · HomeformDDWDD

Wednesday the 5th of July found us with the visitors in town and, I'll admit, a certain trepidation about what the ball would face once it left my hand. First use of it was ours, and for a while the innings threatened to run clean away from us — T Bumby made a handsome 67, well backed by M Welford's 59 and W Earle's 35, and 235/8 from their 35 overs looked a fair way beyond us by tea. In fairness to the lads, we did chip away: W Tindall and J Richardson both departed without troubling the scorers, and I was fortunate enough to find some rhythm with the ball, finishing with 4-31. Darren Styles (2-31) and Matthew Carter (1-32) kept the pressure honest at the other end.

With the bat we made a proper fist of it without quite getting there. Craig Sands played the innings of the day, 78 not out and every run of it well made, with James Piper (37) and Stuart Cheesman (23) lending sturdy support — though Sands had a rather more trying time of it behind the stumps, ten byes going begging on his watch. 188/5 from our 35 overs left us 47 runs short in the end.

Some consolation amid the defeat: Sands's 78 nudges him up to 22nd on the club's all-time run charts, and he now leads our 2006 Midweek XI run-scorers with 173, while I find myself sitting second in the wicket-takers' list with 6. Beaten, then, but not disgraced — we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 02 Jul 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv CC Clarion CC · HomeformWWDDW

From the captain's chair — Sunday 02 July 2006, and a fine one it was to have Clarion CC round for tea and trouble.

Lost the toss, as is traditional in these parts, and found ourselves leathering away in the field while Clarion built a total. They closed on 244/5 from their 46, with Richard Hilson caressing 75 and Andy Driver a stylish 57 doing most of the damage, P Fowler chipping in with 36. Small mercies came in the shape of W Drew, back in the hutch for a duck at our hands. Jon Harris led our attack beautifully with 1-34, Michael Beeney and Matthew Carter both weighed in with 1-37 and 1-39 respectively, and Stuart Cheesman bowled with the meanness of a man guarding his allotment, three maidens to his name.

Chasing 245, we made a fair fist of it — 167/4 from our 40, Craig Sands compiling a lovely unbeaten 76, with Richard Piper's 30 and Mark Christmas's 23 keeping the innings ticking along. I contributed 20 of my own, modest but not entirely shameful. Sands had a mixed afternoon of it, mind — a superb knock rather undone behind the stumps, where 16 byes went scampering through like rabbits at dusk. Still, his 76 nudges him up to 24th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, past Jon Harris, and keeps him top of our 2006 Sunday charts on 305 runs, with Cheesman leading the wickets on 10.

In the end, honours shared and pride largely intact — a draw that flattered neither side, but insulted nobody either.

Sun 02 Jul 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv WC Wateringbury CC · AwayformWWDWW

I lost the toss, so no surprises there — Wateringbury chose to bat, and Martin O'Brien made us pay for it with a superb hundred, 102 well-crafted runs, with Roly Haley chipping in a handy 28 and the pair putting on 68 for the fifth wicket to give their innings some real backbone. They closed on 216/6 from their 38 overs. Credit to the bowlers for keeping it from getting away from us entirely — Paul Webber was the pick with 2-39, Tim Wright bowled beautifully for 2-62 including four maidens, and I managed 1-19 myself, though I'll admit the wicketkeeping was less tidy than the bowling, with 18 byes conceded that I'd rather forget.

Chasing 217, we made a fair fist of it. Daniel McCarthy top-scored with a well-made fifty, 53 in all, well supported by Thomas Beeney's unbeaten 30 and Jason Brooks' 27, the pair of McCarthy and whoever joined him putting on 74 for the second wicket to give the innings its shape. I contributed 23 down the order, and with 32 useful extras thrown in for good measure, we finished on 190/4 from our 39 overs — short of the target but never in real danger of losing.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force it home. Frustrating not to get over the line with wickets in hand, but on a day when O'Brien's hundred threatened to run away with the match, holding Wateringbury to a draw felt very much like a job well done. Tea, as ever, was the true highlight.

Sat 01 Jul 2006 🧢 2nd XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · HomeformLLLWW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 1st July 2006. Cobham CC away at Linton Park, and I won the toss with the sun out and a firm-looking track underfoot. Batting first felt like the obvious call, and for once the obvious call was the right one.

We made 203/4 from our 45 overs, which on that surface always looked a defendable total. I was fortunate enough to find some form myself, finishing 85 not out, though the innings owed just as much to Graham Walker's 37 and a composed 32 not out from Trevor Back at the death. Between us we gave the total a proper backbone.

Defending it was a different sort of afternoon — nervy in patches, as these things always are. Cobham never quite let go, with Martin Corden and Ben Smith both compiling well-made fifties of 62 apiece and threatening to drag the game away from us. But Darren Styles was in inspired form with the ball, snaring 4-26 including two maidens, well backed up by Peter Davies's 3-59 and a wicket for Jon Harris. Two Cobham batsmen, Lucas Marshall and Michael Foster, departed without troubling the scorers, and eventually the whole side folded for 173 in 43.1 overs.

A tidy note for the archives: those four wickets nudge Darren past Gordon Fenner into 11th on the club's all-time list — a thoroughly deserved piece of history chipping away at the record books.

Thirty runs the margin, two points the reward, and a thoroughly earned afternoon's work all round.

Sat 01 Jul 2006 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformWLLWT

Not our day at Meopham, but by heavens we made them work for it.

We won the toss and put ourselves in, and it was a day to make an old skipper misty-eyed. Nigel Thirkell simply took the game away from Meopham with a magnificent unbeaten 144, the sort of innings you talk about at the bar for weeks, while James Piper's 27 and my own 27 tidied things up around him, and the extras column threw in a generous 29 for good measure. Two hundred and fifty for three off our forty-five overs felt like a total to bowl at, and I fancied us to defend it comfortably enough on the drive home. Cricket, of course, had other ideas.

Meopham simply refused to read the script. James Fotheringham played a gem of an innings for 96, Andrew Powney matched him stroke for stroke with a fine 74, and Gary Howorth chipped in 31 as the required rate never quite got away from them. We did have our moments — Michael Beeney led the attack beautifully with 3-49, Matthew Carter picked up 2-48, Mark Christmas bowled three tidy maidens, and I managed 1-35 myself, with R Cutts back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. But 253/7 in 44.4 overs told the story: they got there by three wickets, and we were left rueing chances not quite taken.

Nigel Thirkell now sits proudly atop the season's run charts with 342, and Michael Beeney is second in the wickets column with 14 — reminders, if any were needed, that the talent is there. The result, though, is the result. Heads up, chins high, and back to the nets.

Tue 27 Jun 2006 🧢 Twenty20v HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformLLWWL

I fielded first when we won the toss — the right call, though the scoreboard didn't quite thank me for it. Hollingbourne CC set about building a total, and David Brown was the chief architect with a well-crafted 63, given handy support from Mark Styche (35) and Andy Griffiths (22). They closed on 160/7 from their twenty overs — a stiff ask, but not an impossible one, especially with Michael Beeney tidying things up nicely at the death with 2-12, and Gareth Davies (2-31) and Adam Jackson (2-32) both chipping away to keep it honest.

Chasing 161, we never quite found our rhythm. Ray Dixon batted with real application for 42 and looked, briefly, like he might drag us there on his own. Sadly the support cast let him down rather badly — Craig Sands departed for a duck, and I can't claim any moral high ground, having contributed a rather forgettable nought myself. We finished on 92/6, a good 68 runs shy, and the less said about my innings the better — some things are best left to the archives rather than the memory.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger there were crumbs of comfort: Ray sits fourth in the Twenty20 run charts with 49, and Gareth second in the wickets with five — proof the talent is there even when the collective effort isn't.

Verdict: a chastening Tuesday evening, well bowled but poorly batted. Back to the nets, heads up, and onward.

Sun 25 Jun 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv YC Yalding CC · HomeformWWWDD

It was our turn to host Yalding CC on Sunday 25 June, and the toss went against us yet again — I'm starting to think that coin has a grudge. Yalding chose to bat, and set about their innings with the quiet confidence of a side who fancied their chances on our outfield. Usman Pervaiz was the chief tormentor, an excellent 90 that fell agonisingly short of the ton, ably backed up by Shumshair Haider's unbeaten 45, the pair putting on a priceless 78 for the third wicket. We clawed our way back through the innings, mind: Jon Harris led the attack beautifully with 3-33, Matthew Carter and Iain Rawson chipped in with 3-48 and 2-29 respectively, and Michael Beeney kept things wonderfully mean with two maidens. Yalding finished on 192/9 from their 40 overs — a total that demanded respect without being beyond us.

In reply, I was fortunate enough to find some rhythm early and led from the front with a half-century of 65, while Craig Sands (34) and Glen Rawson (28) played their parts handsomely in support. We got home for the loss of five wickets, 198/5 from 39.5 overs, the sort of chase that looks tidier on paper than it felt in the middle. It also keeps me atop the Sunday 1st XI run charts on 256 for the season, with Matthew Carter lurking in second on the wickets list with 8.

Two points, and thoroughly deserved ones at that — a fine five-wicket win to send everyone home for their tea in good spirits.

Sat 24 Jun 2006 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformWLLLW

Saturday last took us down to Marden, and with the ball in hand first I was rather hoping for early wickets rather than the record-breaking net practice we were about to donate. Rupert Humphrey played beautifully for his 83, and with Richard Brewer chipping in 31 and Jon Jones 30, Marden cruised to 200 for 5. Darren Styles was our shining light with the ball, 3 for 33 and looking every inch the strike bowler, with Ian Hollingworth chipping in 2 for 62 in support. I managed a couple of maidens myself, small mercies in a total that felt rather larger than it should have. It has to be said we were generous hosts in the field — 19 wides and 3 no-balls is not the kind of hospitality any captain wants to be signing off on, and poor Daniel McCarthy had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 8 byes going begging.

Chasing 201, though, we found our man. Richard Piper played the innings of the season, an unbeaten 102 that carried us home practically single-handed, ably backed up by Brian Piper's 42 and Graham Walker's 24 — the latter now sitting proudly atop the 2nd XI run charts with 218 for the summer, while Darren Styles' three wickets nudge him up to second in the bowling table with six.

We got over the line by 6 wickets in the end, sloppy in the field but saved by two magnificent innings. A good day for the club, even if my heart rate didn't entirely agree.

Sat 24 Jun 2006 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformLWLLW

Line and length: we lost the toss, batted first to 203/6, I made 83, and then Hollingbourne matched us almost run for run to finish 203 all out — honours, if not the coin, shared entirely.

There's a peculiar cruelty to losing the toss on a good batting morning, but the lads set about repairing my error with real purpose. Two hundred and three for six from our forty-five overs was a fine total by anyone's reckoning, built on a third-wicket stand of 59 that gave the innings its spine. Nigel chipped in with 32 and James Piper with 31, both playing the perfect supporting cast to what I can, without excessive modesty, call one of my better afternoons with the bat — 83 runs that felt, at the time, like it might just win us the match outright.

It didn't, of course, because Hollingbourne had other ideas. Andy Griffiths played the innings of the day for them with a well-paced 51, backed up by Tom Osborne's 44 and David Brown's 25, and a seventh-wicket stand of 53 kept our bowlers honest long after we thought the game was won. Mark Christmas was the pick of the attack by some distance — four wickets, two of them maidens, thoroughly miserly throughout — with Stuart Cheesman and Matthew Carter chipping in either side of him, and poor Colin Gorridge collecting a duck for his troubles.

In the end 203 met 203, and cricket produced its most maddening, most magnificent result: nobody lost. A word too for Craig Sands, who brought up 5,000 career runs for the club — a landmark that rather puts my own afternoon in perspective. A tie, honestly, felt exactly right for a contest as even as this one.

Wed 21 Jun 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformLDDWD

Here is the match report.

The coin fell kindly for once, and with a wicket that looked full of runs I had no hesitation in putting Sevenoaks & District Wednesday in to field. It proved the right call. Trevor Back set about the bowling with real purpose for a fine 57, and once he departed Craig Sands simply carried on the good work, finishing unbeaten on 54 as we posted a healthy 162/6 from our 40 overs. Two half-centuries in the same innings doesn't happen every Wednesday, and I'll admit I was rather pleased with myself as we trooped off for tea.

Defending it was another matter entirely. Sevenoaks made a fair fist of the chase, with S Taylor top-scoring on 39 and P Styles chipping in with 32, and for a good while it looked as though our total might not be quite enough. But the bowlers kept plugging away — I managed 2-19 myself, Michael Beeney picked up a couple for 27, and Darren Styles was miserly and menacing in equal measure, his 2-12 including three maidens and the small mercy of a duck for A Gibson. Mike Elworthy had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, shipping eight byes, though nobody was cruel enough to mention it more than half a dozen times.

In the end Sevenoaks closed on 130/7, and honours were shared. A draw is a funny old result — not quite a win to celebrate, not quite a loss to mourn — but with bat and ball both doing their bit, I'd call this an afternoon Linton Park can be quietly proud of.

Mon 19 Jun 2006 🧢 Twenty20v East Sutton CC · HomeformWLLWW

Monday 19 June saw East Sutton CC roll up to Linton Park for a Twenty20 fixture, and — for once — I got the big call right at the toss, sending them in under grey club-cricket skies with the sort of confidence that usually deserts me by the second over.

They made a fair fist of it, 138 for 3 off their twenty, built on a brisk 39 from Simon Hammond and 37 from Steve Sunnucks, with Chris Back unbeaten on 27 to give the total some late gloss. Credit where due to the lads with the ball, though — Joe Martin the pick with 1 for 23, while Darren Styles and Gareth Davies chipped in a wicket apiece, Styles' effort keeping him handsomely clear at the top of our 2006 wicket charts with seven for the season.

Chasing 139, we never quite found the rhythm. Adam Jackson batted nicely for 30, Richard Piper — now up to third in the season's run charts with 52 — added a tidy 23, and Matthew White finished unbeaten on 20, but wickets fell around them at the wrong moments. Special mention, if that's the word, for poor Chris Newman, gone without troubling the scorers — these things happen to the best of us, and he'll have chances to make amends.

We closed on 97 for 5, beaten by 41 runs. Not our finest twenty overs, truth be told, but there was enough application in that batting order to suggest better days are close. We'll regroup, have a word about tightening the middle overs, and go again next week.

Sun 18 Jun 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv OC Otford CC · AwayformDWWWD

From the captain's chair — Sunday 18 June 2006, away at Otford CC. The coin fell our way for once, and with more optimism than science I put us in to bat.

It proved a sound punt. Stuart Cheesman set about the Otford bowling with a well-made 55, and Richard Piper played a fine hand of 42 alongside him — between them they did most of the heavy lifting, with extras chipping in a generous 31 besides. We closed on 187/6 from our 41 overs, a total that felt like it had a bit of substance to it, though I confess I'll never quite understand how a side manages 31 extras and still calls it batting.

Out in the field, the lads set about defending it with real purpose. Stuart Cheesman, not content with his runs, took the new ball and ran through with 3-20, well backed up by Michael Beeney's tidy 2-18 (two maidens included — not a run given away lightly) and Matthew Carter's 1-19. Roy Sinar and Piers Woods both departed without troubling the scorers. Otford dug in gamely though, John Boyden anchoring things with an unbeaten 37 and R. Allen chipping in 31, and they crept to 131/8 from their 41 — I even had a bowl myself and scratched together 19.

In the end neither side could quite force it home, and honours were shared. A draw, then — Richard Piper still leads our Sunday run charts on 217, Stuart Cheesman our wickets on 9, and Otford CC live to fight another day. Can't say we're complaining.

Sat 17 Jun 2006 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformDWLLL

Saturday the 17th of June brought Rumwood CC to Linton Park, and I'm delighted to report we sent them home with their tails between their legs. Batting first, we piled up a handsome 233 for 4, built on the sort of innings you dream about from Matthew White — 114 not out, an utterly magnificent century that had the boundary boards rattling. Graham Walker gave him fine company with 53, and Richard Piper chipped in a tidy 41. Spare a thought, though, for poor Mike Elworthy, who departed for a golden duck — these things happen to the best of us, and I've no doubt he'll make up for it with the gloves another day.

Defending 233 is always a tall order against a side determined to chase, and Rumwood gave it a proper go, reaching 201 for 5 on the back of a well-made fifty from C Keithson, with Rod Bailey (40) and David Day (35) keeping the scoreboard ticking. Ian Hollingworth was superb, 3 for 50 with two miserly maidens thrown in, and I was pleased to lend a hand myself with 2 for 55 — happily still enough to keep me atop the 2nd XI wicket charts this season with seven. Mike had a torrid time behind the stumps, 9 byes leaking away, but the runs held firm.

It was a landmark day too, with Richard Piper reaching his 300th appearance in Linton colours and David Castle his 700th — remarkable service to the club. We got over the line by 32 runs. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Sat 17 Jun 2006 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWLWLL

Saturday found us on the road at Shipbourne, and having won the toss I had no hesitation in taking first knock on a pitch that looked good for batting. It proved a shrewd call. We compiled 195 for 8, with real backbone to the innings — I found some form to make 99, and Kevin Presneill chipped in nobly with 44, the two of us stitching together a 101-run stand for the fourth wicket that set the platform. Not every duck story ends happily, mind: Stewart Morrison took the long walk back for nought, poor chap.

Out in the field, Shipbourne fought hard but were bowled out for 165, Simon Price leading their resistance with 42, well supported by Edward Gelling's 31 and George Pollard's 28. But the real story of their innings was written by our bowlers. Andy Thompson, Ben Pennells and George Willis all departed without troubling the scorers, victims of an attack in irresistible mood. Mark Christmas was simply magnificent, tearing through with 6 for 24 and four maidens to boot, ably backed up by Matthew Carter's 2 for 45 and my own tidy 1 for 17.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, then, and a 30-run victory to show for it. With 209 runs now to my name and Christmas sitting on 18 wickets for the season, both columns of the ledger are looking rather healthy. Onwards we go.

Sun 11 Jun 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Knockers CC · HomeformWDWWW

I elected to bat on winning the toss on Sunday, and for once the decision looked shrewd rather than stubborn. The lads built a proper total, 208 for 4 off our 41 overs, with Clive Newman the class act of the innings, ending unbeaten on a well-crafted 53. Stuart Cheesman chipped in with 39 and Richard Piper 35, while the extras column swelled by a generous 45 — Knockers' bowlers doing as much for our cause as our own bat at times. I shall draw the customary veil over my own contribution with the willow, which amounted to precisely nought.

Defending 208, we set about Knockers with real purpose. S. Slater gave us a fright with a fine 96 and Martin Goff supported him well with 38, but I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with 3 for 15, including T Cobb for a duck, to keep the innings honest. Iain Rawson (2-21) and Mark Christmas (1-33) chipped away either end, and Michael Beeney bowled two tidy maidens that let nothing through for free. In the end 186 for 7 wasn't quite enough for them, nor quite out of reach — honours shared.

A word for the record books: Stuart Cheesman's 39 eased him past Jon Harris into 23rd on the club's all-time run-scorers list, while Craig Sands continues to lead our 2006 Sunday run charts and Mark Christmas sits fifth among the wicket-takers. A draw, then — no losers, and on a day I contributed rather more with ball than bat, no complaints from me either.

Sat 10 Jun 2006 🧢 2nd XIv Mersham Sports CC · HomeformWDWLL

We welcomed Mersham Sports CC on a fine Saturday, and having lost the toss found ourselves out in the field first, which on reflection may have been the first small misfortune of the day. Ollie Austen and Garth Jones both compiled fine half-centuries of 58 apiece, with J. Sharp weighing in with 41, and between them they hauled Mersham up to a distinctly imposing 202/5. Ian Brattle was the pick of our attack, tidy and miserly with two maidens on his way to 2-37, well supported by Jon Harris's 2-53. I chipped in with 1-24 myself, and — rather more memorably — brought up my 800th appearance in Linton colours along the way, which is either a testament to longevity or simply proof that nobody else wanted the shirt.

Chasing 203, Graham Walker led the reply beautifully with 46, ably assisted by Richard Piper (37) and Matthew White (35), and for a while it looked very much on. But we fell agonisingly short, closing on 196/7 — six runs shy of the target, and six runs that will linger over more than one pint this week. Graham continues to lead our 2006 2nd XI run charts, and Jon Harris tops the wicket-takers, so there's plenty to be cheerful about even in defeat. Not our day, then — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 10 Jun 2006 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWWLWL

Beaten by 32 runs and, if I'm honest, we knew it before the toss even landed. Sheldwich asked us to bowl, and by close of their innings we'd learned the hard way that 189 for 9 is a fair total to be chasing on a Saturday. Andrew Carr set the tone with 35, and he had willing company from Daniel Ray (34) and Jonathan Heward (30). Credit where it's due: Mark Christmas bowled beautifully for his 4-53, Michael Beeney was a picture of discipline with 2-27 and four maidens to match, and Stuart Cheesman chipped in with 2-34 — a spell that, we later discovered, nudged him up to 25th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list. James McRae, mercifully for him, went first ball and nobody troubled the scorers on our behalf.

Chasing it down never quite happened. Nigel Thirkell led the way with a battling 37, well supported by Russell Baldwin's 37 — a knock worth savouring, coming as it did in his 200th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark that deserves a pint or two regardless of the result. James Piper added 21, and I did my bit with the bat too, though the middle order rather crumbled around us; Ray Dixon and Adam Jackson both made the long walk back for nought, and 157 all out told its own story.

So, 32 runs short, and the season charts remain unmoved at the top — Nigel Thirkell still leads our run-scoring, Mark Christmas our wicket-taking. Not our finest Saturday, but Russell's 200th cap was worth the trip alone, and we'll be sharper for it next week.

Tue 06 Jun 2006 🧢 Twenty20v DC Detling CC · AwayformWWLLW

Here's the match report:

I put us in at Detling on Tuesday, and for once the toss did exactly what it says on the tin. Russell Baldwin batted like a man with a train to catch, cantering to a magnificent 107 not out, while Craig Sands played the perfect foil with a crisp 74. I chipped in with 22 not out at the other end, mostly by staying out of the way, and we finished on a formidable 211/1 from our twenty overs. Detling's bowlers must have wondered what they'd done to deserve us.

Defending that sort of total ought to be the easy part, and so it largely proved. Paul Batchelor top-scored for the home side with 23, with Dickie Jarrett (20) and D McClean (20 not out) doing their best to keep the contest alive, but N Masters departed without so much as a run to his name. Ray Dixon was magnificent with the ball, taking 3-22, with Darren Styles (2-17) and Joe Martin (1-6) chipping in to keep the screw turned. Detling limped to 140/8 and we ran out winners by a comfortable 71 runs.

A word too for Craig Sands, whose 74 sees him leapfrog Mike Caddick into 25th on the club's all-time run-scorers list — a landmark worth raising a glass to. With Baldwin now topping the 2006 Twenty20 run charts and Dixon leading the wicket-takers, the season is shaping up rather nicely. A fine win, and onwards we go.

Sun 04 Jun 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv UC Underriver CC · HomeformWWWDW

Lost the toss on a bright Sunday afternoon, and Underriver duly stuck us in — the sort of decision that never quite fills a captain with joy, but there we are. We limped to 5-1 before finding our feet, and it was Ian Hollingworth who steadied things with a fine 32, well supported by Chris Newman's 21 and a watchful 21 of my own down the order. Ollie Howarth and Joe Martin both fell without troubling the scorers, but 126/9 from our 42 overs felt like a defendable total on a day when runs weren't coming easily to anyone.

And so it proved. Underriver stumbled to 6-1 themselves — funny how these things even out — and though Paul Garner played a lone hand of real substance with 45, wickets tumbled at the other end almost as fast as ours had. Ben Richards, R Hay and Matthew Pendered all departed for ducks, and Thomas Beeney was outstanding with the ball, 3-20 the pick of the bunch, Ian Hollingworth chipping in with 3-37 and Joe Martin 2-9. My afternoon behind the stumps was rather less distinguished — nine byes is not a figure I'll be framing — but the lads bowled and fielded with enough discipline to see Underriver dismissed for 111 in 27.1 overs.

A 15-run win, two points banked, and Chris Newman and Thomas Beeney continuing to top this season's run and wicket charts respectively. Untidy in places, but thoroughly earned — and I'll take that every Sunday.

Sun 04 Jun 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Wadhurst CC · AwayformWWDWW

Wadhurst on a fine Sunday, and the coin did us a favour — I called correctly and, with what passes for boldness in me, stuck us in. It proved the right call. Glen Rawson batted with real authority for his unbeaten 82, and I was fortunate enough to find some rhythm of my own alongside him, contributing 77 before Stuart Cheesman came in and finished things off in style with 22 not out. Between us we posted 219 for the loss of just two wickets in 38 overs — the sort of total that has opposition openers muttering into their tea before they've even padded up.

Wadhurst's reply never really got going. Ross Boorman battled hard for his 25, but he was fighting a lone and ultimately losing battle. Mark Christmas was the chief tormentor, wonderfully economical figures of 3 for 2 including three maidens — the kind of spell that makes the rest of us look distinctly ordinary — with useful support from a. Shafto and Iain Rawson chipping in either side of him. Wadhurst were bowled out for 108 in barely twenty overs, and the game was as good as done long before the last wicket fell.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, then, and two points banked with plenty to spare. It's pleasing, too, to see the runs keep coming for me this season — I now lead the Sunday 1st XI charts on 172 — while Matthew Carter continues to nag away with the ball and sits fourth in the wicket-takers. A 111-run win, and not a shred of luck required. We'll take that all day.

Sat 03 Jun 2006 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWWDWL

Saturday 03 June 2006 saw us pack the whites and head off to Shipbourne CC, ever hopeful and, as it turned out, ever punished for our optimism.

Batting first, we posted 133/7, a total that owed almost everything to Graham Walker's fine half-century of 50, with Matthew White chipping in a handy 25 to keep the innings ticking. Elsewhere the card made grimmer reading, not least poor Ray Dixon, whose afternoon began and ended without troubling the scorers — a duck to file away and never mention again (consider it mentioned).

In the field we huffed and puffed but found no real breakthrough. Gareth Davies was the pick of the attack with 1-10, while Darren Styles (1-23, and three miserly maidens to his name) and Tim Wright (1-29) chipped away without ever prising the game open. Mark Agate, unbeaten on a commanding 56, and Peter Gray, equally serene on 50 not out, simply batted us out of it, guiding Shipbourne home to 134/3. Trevor Back, meanwhile, endured a torrid time behind the stumps, ten byes escaping his gloves like they had trains to catch.

Up the season charts there are crumbs of comfort — Graham Walker now leads our 2nd XI run-scorers with 95, and Darren Styles sits second among the wicket-takers with 3 — but they were cold comfort on the day. Beaten by seven wickets, we trudged off, heads bowed, bound for the nets and a long, hard look at our glovework.

Sat 03 Jun 2006 🧢 1st XIv EC Eynsford CC · HomeformWWWLW

Winning the toss on a Saturday that looked made for batting first, I did what any self-respecting captain does when the sun's out and the outfield's damp underneath — I stuck Eynsford CC in, and spent the next 45 overs wondering if I'd made a terrible mistake. They ground their way to 182/9, Ben Wise the chief architect with 43, well supported by Jamie Wise's 37, while poor Dominic Syres trudged off for a golden duck at the other end. Credit to the attack, though — Mark Christmas was the pick with 3-57, Michael Beeney chipped in with 2-22, and I managed 2-15 with a couple of maidens thrown in, which I shall be mentioning at the bar for weeks.

Chasing 183, we made a fine fist of it. The openers put on 68 before the first wicket fell, and Nigel Thirkell batted beautifully for 86, well past his fifty and looking every inch the man in form. Russell Baldwin's 29 and James Piper's 22 kept the chase alive, but we folded to 176 all out in the 44th over, six agonising runs short.

So near, and yet the sort of defeat that leaves you replaying every dot ball on the walk to the car park. Nigel remains our leading run-scorer this season with 129, and Mark our leading wicket-taker with 8 — small consolations on a day we let one slip through our fingers. Chins up, lads. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 28 May 2006 🧢 Sunday NVKCv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformWWLWL

We travelled down to Eynsford on Sunday full of quiet optimism, and when I won the toss and elected to bat, I confess I felt rather pleased with myself. That confidence took an early knock when we lost our first wicket for just 1 run — but from there the day belonged to Paul Gibson, who peeled off a magnificent 125, the corks duly popping afterwards when we discovered he'd also brought up 13,000 career runs for the club. Remarkable stuff, and thoroughly deserved. Craig Sands chipped in handsomely with 82, the pair putting on 176 for the fourth wicket to drag us to a very handy 267/6 from our 40 overs, with your captain contributing a watchful 20 further down the order.

Defending that total should have been comfortable, and for long stretches it was — until Dominic Syres decided otherwise, carving out an unbeaten 117 that had us chasing our tails. Jamie Wise (41) and Dan Wise (30) lent useful support, and just when we sensed the finish line, their eighth pair put on a maddening 84, before the last pair rubbed salt in with a further 60 we could have done entirely without. Michael Beeney bowled beautifully for 3-55, and I managed 2-34 among the wickets, with Matthew Carter chipping in too, but Eynsford squeaked home at 268/8 in 38.4 overs.

Two wickets the wrong side of victory, then — heads up, chins up, and back to the nets. Gibson's ton, and his 13,000, are the abiding memory of an otherwise chastening afternoon.

Sat 27 May 2006 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLWWDW

Well, where to begin. Saturday brought Sheldwich CC to Linton Park, and I'll confess this is not one I'll be framing for the clubhouse wall. In came our lads, and out we went — all 116, with the innings collapsing in a manner that suggested some of us had left our bats, and possibly our nerve, in the car park. James Piper stood tall for 20, doing the heavy lifting almost single-handed, while poor Simon Thirkell and Ian Hollingworth both trudged back for ducks, contributing nothing but company to each other's misery.

Defending 116 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. We had our moments — Darren Styles bowled beautifully for 1-10, with James Piper chipping in behind him with 1-25 — but Sheldwich simply had too many runs to chase down and not nearly enough overs to worry about it. Marcus Hodges played the innings of the day, a composed 51, well backed up by Ian Hulks's unbeaten 32, and between them they eased their side home for the loss of just three wickets. I did my bit with the bat, though not nearly enough to trouble the scorers or save us.

There was a bright note amid the gloom: Darren Styles brought up 500 career wickets, a landmark that deserves rather more fanfare than a soggy Saturday defeat allows him. Beaten by seven wickets, then, and no arguing with the scoreboard. We'll dust ourselves down, raise a glass to Darren's milestone, and go again next week — hope, as ever, springing eternal in club cricket.

Wed 17 May 2006 🧢 Midweek XIv TC Tenterden CC · AwayformDLDDW

Wednesday 17 May 2006, and off we trundled to Tenterden CC in what I like to think was a spirit of quiet optimism. I won the toss — a rare enough event to merit its own line in the scorebook — and never seriously considered doing anything but batting first. We were rewarded with 210/7 from our 39 overs, built on a fine 46 from Mike Elworthy, a composed 41 not out from Craig Sands, and 39 from Stuart Cheesman, with the Tenterden bowlers kindly chipping in 35 extras of their own volition.

Defending it, we found Mr S- Balcombe in irritatingly good touch for his 55, well supported by Robert Featherstone (39) and Neil Billing (22), and the total crept to 169/9 from 37 overs before we finally shut the door. The real story, though, was Michael Beeney, who turned his arm over to devastating effect — 5-31 with two maidens thrown in for good measure — leaving Daniel Thirkell (2-27) and Trevor Back (1-4) to mop up what little was left. Poor Trevor had a torrid time behind the stumps too, 10 byes going begging, though nobody's holding it against him.

Two landmarks worth raising a glass to: Stuart Cheesman brought up 5,000 career runs for the club, and Michael Beeney's five-for eased him past Gordon Fenner into 10th on our all-time wicket list. Honours ended up shared, a draw that felt, on the whole, entirely fair — a good day's cricket, even if nobody quite had the final say.

Sun 14 May 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv CC Chevening Amblers CC · AwayformDWWDW

Won the toss on Sunday and, with the sun out and the tea urn already on, there was never any doubt — we'd bat. Batting first is always the braver call in front of one's own committee, but the lads repaid the faith handsomely, posting 168 for 7 from our 41 overs. I found some form at the top, easing past fifty to finish with 66, and was grateful for good company: Richard Piper chipped in a tidy 30, Craig Sands added 23. Not every card is spotless, mind — poor Ian Brattle departed for a duck, a small stain on an otherwise cheerful afternoon, though he'd more than make amends later.

Defending 168 against Chevening Amblers, we bowled and fielded with real discipline. They battled to 103 all out in 39.3 overs, David Franklin's 26 and Peter Rushbrook's 21 the only real resistance. Jon Harris was the chief destroyer with 3 for 27, well supported by Stuart Cheesman's miserly 2 for 8 and Matthew Carter's 2 for 23, while Ian Brattle bowled three maidens to redeem his morning entirely. Craig Sands had a trickier time behind the stumps, 8 byes slipping past him, but nobody begrudges the wicketkeeper a testing day when the runs are already banked.

A quiet word on the milestones, too — I was pleased to bring up 10,000 career runs for the club during my innings, which rather took the shine off any aches in the knees this morning. Craig Sands continues to lead our Sunday run charts with 154, and Stuart Cheesman tops the wickets with 6. A fine win by 65 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying way to spend a Sunday. Onwards.

Sun 14 May 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv CC Cranbrook CC · HomeformLWWWD

Sunday 14 May 2006 saw Cranbrook CC visit Linton Park, and having lost the toss I was told, in no uncertain terms, to go and pad up rather than field. We duly obliged with 161 all out in 33.2 overs, built around a lovely half-century from Chris Newman and thirty steady runs from Tom Murphy, the two of them putting on 97 for the third wicket while the rest of us rather admired the view. Paul Webber and Thomas Beeney contributed golden ducks apiece — the sort of innings best forgotten over a pint — and it was left to a generous 26 extras to prop up the total almost as much as the batsmen did.

Cranbrook's reply began promisingly enough for them at 1-1, before we tore through the middle order and had them wobbling from 1-1 to 19-4 in a spell that had everyone on the boundary grinning. Watney, Hancock and Donkin all departed without scoring, and Joe Martin was the chief tormentor with 3-12 and two miserly maidens, well supported by M Townsend's 3-12 and my own 2-34. Haroon's 46 and an unbeaten 35 from McKenzie gave Cranbrook a late flourish and a target of respectability, but 138 all out from 31.3 overs left them 23 runs short.

A thoroughly earned two points, then, and a result that owed as much to some golden ducks with the bat as to a golden spell with the ball — on this evidence, long may Chris Newman keep batting and Thomas Beeney keep bowling for the rest of the summer.

Sat 13 May 2006 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · AwayformWLWWD

Skipper's Log — Saturday 13 May 2006

We were away at Headcorn, the coin fell my way at the toss, and with the sun apparently promising something the bat looked the sensible option. It didn't disappoint. James Piper played the innings of the day, a thoroughly well-made fifty on his way to 70, and I was glad to lend a hand at the other end with 49 of my own before falling agonisingly short of the milestone he reached. Trevor Back chipped in with a useful 22, though poor Jack Jenner will want this page torn from the record book — a golden duck to nurse home on the coach. Even so, 194/8 felt like a total with some substance to it.

Defending it, we never really let Headcorn settle. James Barker's 27 and Paul Millen's 21 were the only real resistance, and Aidan Kingsmill departed without so much as a whisper on the scoreboard. Jack Jenner made emphatic amends with the ball, 3-35, well backed by Trevor Back (2-6) and Mike Elworthy (1-5), while Darren Styles bowled with the miserliness of a man protecting the last biscuit in the tin — five maidens. Twenty byes did rather give the game away for poor Jim Hall behind the stumps, a lesson no doubt filed away for next week.

A fine win in the end, by 71 runs, and one that leaves both the run charts and the wicket charts looking rather rosy. Onwards we go.

Sat 13 May 2006 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLWWWL

Saturday 13 May, and Headcorn CC visited us with the sun obliging and the outfield fast. I won the toss and, in a fit of optimism I can only describe as un-English, stuck us in.

It paid off handsomely. We raced to 61 before the first wicket fell, and from there Kevin Presneill batted with real class for an unbeaten 71, while Nigel Thirkell chipped in a sound 43. I managed 54 myself, and our stand added a crucial 102 for the fifth wicket — the sort of partnership that wins matches on its own. Poor Craig Sands will want to forget his duck, though the extras column did its bit too, chipping in a generous 28, and we declared satisfied at 234 for 5.

With the ball, Headcorn made a fight of it, openers Peter Westrop and Robert Sparks putting on 53 for the first wicket before Westrop went on to a fine 53, ably supported by Peter Smith's 30. But Mark Christmas was in inspired form, tearing through the middle order for 4-37, backed up nobly by Michael Beeney (2-39) and Stuart Cheesman (2-44); I did my bit too, holding it tight for a couple of maidens. Headcorn were all out for 191.

Forty-three runs the margin, two points banked, and a thoroughly deserved one at that. If we bat and bowl like this all season, Linton Park will be worth watching.

Sun 07 May 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv LC Lenham CC · AwayformDDWWD

Sunday 7 May saw us pitch up at Lenham, and I confess when the coin came down my way I fancied a bat before I'd even glanced at the square. As it turned out, I fancied right. Craig Sands played the innings of the summer so far, 89 not out and barely troubled throughout, with Richard Piper alongside him purring to a well-made 63 and Russell Baldwin chipping in a brisk 29. We declared, if the scorebook is to be believed, on a rather startling 225 for 4, and I allowed myself a small smile at tea.

Whatever confidence Lenham had brought with them evaporated once we took the ball. James Russell, Richard Cuckow and C Sharp were despatched back to the pavilion without so much as a run to their name — three ducks in a row is the sort of thing that tends to concentrate a batting order's mind, and not in a good way. Alan Barr fought a lone rearguard for 33, but there was little anyone could do against Tim Wright, who span a web through the middle order for a wonderful 5 for 17. Stuart Cheesman backed him up superbly with 4 for 7, and Darren Styles bowled two tidy maidens on his way to 1 for 15. Eighty-one all out was the final indignity.

A win by 144 runs, then, and Sands and Wright both sitting handsomely atop this season's run and wicket charts. A fine day out, and one for the scrapbook.

Sun 07 May 2006 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC Norton Sports CC · HomeformLLWWW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 07 May 2006. Norton Sports CC were the visitors, and for once the coin obliged me: I won the toss and, with the sky doing something vaguely encouraging, sent them in.

It looked a decent shout for a while. Chris Gaze got themselves in and made hay with 35, Doug Wood chipped in with 25, and Alex Tooke finished unbeaten on 24 as the middle order strung together a stand of 61 for the fourth wicket that did most of the damage. Norton closed on 185/6 from their 42 overs — a total that owed rather too much to our generosity, it must be said, with 36 wides and no-balls gifted down the leg side and beyond. Thomas Beeney was the pick of the attack by some distance, snaring 3-30, with Joe Martin and Samuel Harris chipping in with a wicket apiece.

Our reply never quite got out of second gear. I managed 29, which turned out to be the top score of the innings — hardly an innings for the ages, but it kept the scoreboard ticking when little else did. Paul Webber and Samuel Harris both fell for ducks, and from there it was a case of damage limitation, closing on 118/9 from our 45 overs.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the door open. Not our finest hour with the ball in terms of discipline, but Beeney's spell and a watchful 29 from the skipper kept us respectable. Two points on the board and lessons on line and length for next week — I'll take it.

Sat 06 May 2006 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · HomeformLWLWW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 6th May 2006. Rumwood CC visited, and I lost the toss for the umpteenth time this season, which meant we had first use of the ball while they trooped out to bat under grey club-cricket skies.

They batted with more patience than flair, grinding to 159 for 7 off 47.5 overs. M. White anchored things with a well-made fifty (53), well supported by R. Feltham's 45 and A. Reynolds' 23 — enough to keep our bowlers honest without ever threatening to run away from us. Jon Harris was superb, ripping through with 3 for 20, Jack Jenner chipped in with 2 for 32, Ian Brattle took 1 for 27, and Darren Styles bowled with real discipline, three maidens and not a run given away lightly. G. Marsh and R. Dixon departed without troubling the scorers, which felt like fair reward for a tidy team effort in the field.

Chasing 160, I was pleased to lead from the front, batting through for 69 not out — the sort of innings where you keep telling yourself "just one more over" until suddenly the overs have run out. Graham Walker played his part nicely with 31, and Tim Thirkell added a useful 20, but for the Duck Club ledger, poor Simon Thirkell suffered the walk of shame with a nought. We finished on 149 for 6 from 33.2 overs, agonisingly short with the light and the overs conspiring against us.

So honours shared, a draw when neither side could quite force the issue — not the win we wanted, but with bat and ball both earning their corn, no shame in that either.

Sun 30 Apr 2006 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv LR Lord Raglan · HomeformLDDWW

Sunday 30 April 2006 — a fine spring afternoon at home, and the sort of match that reminds you why draws get such a bad press when really they're the beating heart of this game.

Batting first, we posted a very respectable 195/6 off our 45, built on a brisk opening stand of 52 that set the tone nicely. Craig Sands anchored things beautifully for an unbeaten 42, with James Piper (31) and Richard Piper (30) chipping in either side of him — and I can't in good conscience leave out our extras column, a generous 27 that at times looked like our most reliable partnership of the day. I threw in my own modest 24, more workmanlike than watchable.

In the field we were relentless. The openers' dismissal for just 1 set the mood, and it was soon 1-1 as we sent L Hancox and R Hancox back without so much as troubling the scorers — two ducks to treasure. Gareth Davies was magnificent, 4-21 and, more significantly, ticking over his 50th career wicket, a lovely landmark on a lovely day. James Piper (2-19) and Ian Brattle (1-4) mopped up nicely, while Darren Styles bowled with such miserly discipline that six maidens went unrewarded. Poor Daniel Thirkell had a wretched time behind the stumps, 8 byes escaping his grasp, though he'll shrug it off by Tuesday nets.

The opposition, restricted to 69/8, simply couldn't be prised out for the win we craved. Honours shared, then — but with Sands and Davies both topping this year's charts, the season looks in rude health.

Sat 29 Apr 2006 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformDLWWW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 29 April 2006. We hosted The Mote CC, and I'd love to tell you it was a triumph, but this is an honest gazette, not a work of fiction.

Put in first, we crawled to 140/7 from our 45 overs, and it was a nervy watch from the boundary rope, I promise you. We lost our opener for the princely sum of 1, and from there it was a case of graft rather than glamour. I got stuck in for 48, with Paul Gibson chipping in nicely alongside me for 25, and when the middle order wobbled it was the fifth-wicket pair who steadied the ship with a priceless stand of 50. Special mention, as tradition demands, to Craig Sands, whose golden duck will no doubt follow him round the clubhouse bar for weeks to come.

With the ball, we simply couldn't find a way through. The Mote strolled home to 141/2 in 35.2 overs, with Glenn Critchley unbeaten on a classy 52 and Kraig Corke right behind him on 46, the pair adding 80 for the second wicket and taking the game away from us. Stuart Cheesman was our brightest spark, prising out one for just 7, while Michael Beeney bowled beautifully in a losing cause — four maidens and a wicket for 23, all discipline and no luck.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, and no hiding from it. But there was enough character out there to suggest we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 22 Apr 2006 🧢 1st XIv Holborough Anchorians CC · HomeformDDLWW

Saturday 22 April 2006, Holborough Anchorians CC visited Linton Park, and for once the toss actually went my way — I had no hesitation in sending them in.

It proved a shrewd call, if I say so myself. Chris Skilton battled to 43 and the second-wicket pair strung together a stubborn 56, but once that stand broke the innings rather fell apart around them — 75 for 2 became 92 for 5 in the blink of an eye, with Joe Bowles and Dean Heighes both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. I found some rhythm I didn't know I still had, finishing with 5 for 21 — enough, as it turns out, to top our 2006 wicket charts — while Matthew Carter chipped in with 3 for 28, James Piper picked up one, and Ian Brattle bowled beautifully tight, six maidens and barely a run to be had. Holborough were bowled out for 120 in 47.2 overs.

Chasing wasn't entirely serene — eight byes suggested poor Jim Hall was having one of those afternoons behind the stumps — but Craig Sands anchored things superbly with an unbeaten 45, well supported by Russell Baldwin's 38, and we cruised home on 121 for 5 in 38.4 overs.

Five wickets, two points, and a thoroughly deserved win to open the account. Not a bad way to start the season at all.