🧢 Captain's Log

Sun 23 Sep 2007 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv TC Tenterden CC · HomeformDDWDL

Here's the match report:

The coin fell my way and I had no hesitation putting us in — a decision that looked rather shrewd once the lads got going. We racked up a healthy 234 for 7 from our 45 overs, built on the sort of innings that makes a captain's job easy. Richard Piper led from the front with a well-made 91, and just when it looked like the innings might stall, Jim Hall came in to play a lovely unbeaten 53, with Nigel Thirkell chipping in 26. The two of them shared a magnificent 100-run stand for the seventh wicket that turned a decent total into a proper one.

Defending it, we made them work hard for every run. They stumbled early at 1 for 1 and never quite escaped the shadow of that start, C Hobbs battling to 39 with support from S Sims (23) and F Pearman (20) before the middle order simply fell apart — 127 for 6 became 129 for 9 in the blink of an eye, with C Young, I Hart and — Page all departing without troubling the scorers. Will Thirkell was outstanding with the ball, taking 4 for 26, backed up nicely by Matthew Carter (2-19) and Chris Newman (1-27), while I was rather pleased to bowl seven maidens of my own. They finished on 140 for 9 from their 46, just short of denying us.

A word too for Jim Hall, who brought up his 500th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark few of us will ever match. In the end honours were shared, a draw that felt, on balance, like the fairest result cricket could offer.

Sat 22 Sep 2007 🧢 1st XIv SC Sidcup CC · HomeformLLWLW

Lost the toss again — story of my season, that — and Sidcup CC wasted no time making themselves at home, racing to 219/5 from their 39.1 overs. We nabbed an early breakthrough at just 1 on the board, which felt promising, but Tim Dawes had other ideas, cruising to 89, with Paul Jenkins unbeaten on a tidy 56 and Daniel Corbett chipping in with 47. Their fourth-wicket pair put on a chastening 89 between them. Credit where due, though: we did for Stephen Shanks and Mark Amphlett without troubling the scorers at all, and I was pleased enough with my own contribution of 1-25, including a couple of maidens to keep things honest, while Tim Wright and Jack Jenner both weighed in with a wicket apiece.

Chasing 220 was always going to be a stretch, and so it proved. Richard Piper played the innings of the day, a gutsy 81, well backed by Kevin Presneill's 23, but we subsided to 179 all out in 43.5 overs, with Jack Jenner, Tim Thirkell and Carl Davis all completing the ignominious hat-trick of ducks. Even 29 extras couldn't paper over the cracks.

Beaten by 40 runs, then, and no arguing with the margin. On the bright side, Craig Sands continues to pile up runs for the season and my own wicket tally keeps ticking along nicely. Character-building stuff — we'll regroup and come back stronger next week.

Wed 19 Sep 2007 🧢 Midweek XIv Penshurst Park CC · AwayformLLDDD

Skipper's Log — Wednesday 19 September 2007. Away at Penshurst Park, and having lost the toss I was informed, in the traditional Penshurst manner, that we'd be doing the running about first. Their innings ticked along nicely without ever quite escaping us, closing on 226/7 from their forty overs. Rob Hunter was the chief architect at 76, with Ed Hill's well-crafted 71 doing plenty of the heavy lifting alongside him, and Peter Eames chipping in 29. Andy Eames and Michael Meade both fell for ducks, which I mention purely in the interests of completeness and not at all with relish. I had a happy afternoon with the ball, picking up 3-41, with Darren Styles miserly as ever — 2-30 and three maidens to show for his parsimony — and Stuart Cheesman weighing in with 1-16.

Chasing 227 is never a stroll, but Mike Elworthy made it look like one, striking a magnificent 120 that carried the innings almost single-handed, well supported by Trevor Back's 34. Chris Newman's contribution, sadly, rhymed with nothing. We scrambled home on 227/8 from 38.5 overs, winning by two wickets — the kind of finish that ages a captain rather more than the scorebook admits.

A note for the club archives: Elworthy's century pushes him past Clive Newman into 10th on the all-time run charts, a thoroughly deserved bit of history. In the 2007 table, Craig Sands leads the run-scoring with 332, while I find myself, not unhappily, out in front of the wicket charts on 9. A fine win, tightly earned. Onwards.

Sun 16 Sep 2007 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformDDDWD

Sunday 16 September, and Anchorians came to Linton Park with the sun out and, as it turned out, their eye thoroughly in. I lost the toss – no great surprise this season – and we were put into the field. James Hockley made us pay for it in style, cashing in with a majestic 195, while J Thompson (84 not out) and D Thompson (41) tucked in around him. The openers put on 132 before we so much as glimpsed a breakthrough, and a third-wicket stand of 142 buried us further. I did what I could with the ball, picking up 1-38, with Carl Davis (1-67) and Michael Beeney (1-85) chipping away without ever really checking the flow. 348/3 declared-in-all-but-name off 34.4 overs told its own story.

Chasing 349 was always a tall order, and so it proved, though not without a flicker of defiance. James Piper played beautifully for 71, with Chris Newman a composed 36 not out, and our openers laid a fine platform of 76. But from 99-2 we somehow contrived 107-5, and the middle order rather lost its nerve. As for the captain – a golden blob, first ball, out. Leadership by example is a fine principle; on this occasion I led only by the wrong sort of example, joining Richard Piper in the Duck Club for the week. All out 186 in 28.2 overs.

A 162-run defeat, then, no way of dressing that up. But James Piper's form (now 2nd in the club's Sunday run charts) and Beeney's growing wicket tally are real positives to bank. We'll regroup, dust down the pads, and come back sturdier next week.

Sat 15 Sep 2007 🧢 2nd XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformDWWWL

Here's the match report:

Not much luck at the toss on Saturday – Marden called correctly and stuck us in the field – but I can't say I was too disheartened, and so it proved. They ground their way to 189/3 from 45 overs, with Rupert Humphrey the chief architect of our discomfort, an unbeaten 79 that never looked remotely troubled, well supported by Jim Hall's 38 and, for what it's worth, 23 of my own. Credit where it's due: Tim Wright bowled beautifully for his 2-51, and Darren Styles was positively miserly, four maidens that must have felt like a personal insult to the Marden top order.

Chasing 190 is never a formality on a club afternoon, but Graham Walker set about it with a fine 75, and Richard Piper played the anchor role to perfection with an unbeaten 70 — the sort of innings that wins matches and, we later discovered, rather more than that. Clive Newman chipped in with 23, and if there was a blot on the card it was poor Christopher Thirkell's duck, though I daresay he'll dine out on the ignominy for a week or two yet.

We got home by five wickets with the 42nd over still breathing, which is about as good as club cricket gets. And there was a footnote worth savouring: Piper's 70 eased him past Paul Brattle into 18th on the club's all-time run-charts, while his season's tally now leads the 2nd XI for 2007. A thoroughly good day for Linton Park — the sort you cycle home from with the bat still smelling of linseed and a smile you can't quite shift.

Sun 09 Sep 2007 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WK Westgate-On-Sea CC, Kent · HomeformWDDDW

Lost the toss on a warm September Sunday and asked to bowl first against Westgate-On-Sea — never the news you want, but the lads set about it well enough. Keith Sandwell gave us a proper working-over with a well-made 74, and that fifth-wicket stand of 52 was the difference between a target and a formality. Small mercies: Ross Heathcote departed without so much as troubling the scorers, and Matthew Carter was superb, four for 27 with two tidy maidens thrown in — the sort of spell that keeps a captain's hair from greying further. I chipped in with 1 for 2, and Jon Harris backed it up nicely with 1 for 22. Westgate closed on 190 for 9 from their 45, which felt gettable, if not comfortable.

We replied with 152 for 5 off 40, James Piper leading the way with 32, Carl Davis unbeaten on 24, and Richard Piper adding 23 — that fourth-wicket stand of 54 the backbone of the innings. Twenty-eight extras did their bit too, though we were rather too generous ourselves in the field, gifting 24 wides and 4 no-balls we could scarcely afford.

One moment to savour amid it all: I brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, which softened the toss going against us no end.

A draw, then — honours shared, and on reflection a fair result: honest cricket, one poor session in the field the only real blemish.

Sat 08 Sep 2007 🧢 1st XIv EC Eynsford CC · HomeformLLLWL

As Mark Christmas, I put us in to bat on winning the toss, and it proved the shrewdest decision I've made all summer. Paul Gibson batted like a man possessed, cracking a magnificent 121, while Nigel Thirkell chipped in with a classy 58 and Richard Piper weighed in with 36 – the pair of them featuring in a 139-run stand for the fourth wicket that took the game clean away from Eynsford before we'd even bowled a ball. We closed on a hearty 247/5 from our 45 overs, and I confess I rather enjoyed watching from the boundary with a cup of tea rather than a bat in hand.

Eynsford's openers threatened to spoil the party, putting on 64 for the first wicket, but once the breakthrough came the innings unravelled with the gleeful inevitability of a deckchair collapsing. Gary Atkins (38), Phil Gay (27) and Howard Collins (26) all found some form, but wickets tumbled from 143-6 to 154-9 in a blur, poor Dominic Syres departing for a golden duck along the way. Richard Knowler was the architect of the collapse, bowling beautifully for 6-34, with Ryan Boyns (3-31) mopping up in support. I managed to prise out one for 40 myself, which I shall count as a contribution rather than a footnote.

Eynsford were bowled out for 176, and we ran out winners by 71 runs. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a fine advertisement for why we still turn up on a Saturday.

Sat 08 Sep 2007 🧢 2nd XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformWDWWW

Down to Staplehurst on a fine September Saturday, and for once the coin behaved itself — I called correctly and had no hesitation in taking first strike. Not that our innings was anything to write home about in isolation: 166/8 from our 45 overs, built almost entirely around Tim Wright's fine, well-paced fifty of 70. I chipped in with 29 down the order to nudge us past the 150 mark, though the less said about Mike Elworthy's contribution the better — a nought that earns him top billing in the Duck Club ledger this week, and no doubt a good deal of ribbing in the bar afterwards.

Defending 166 was always going to ask questions of our bowling, and for a long while we asked them well. Ian Brattle did the real damage with 3-45, backed up nicely by Gareth Davies and Trevor Back with a wicket apiece, while Tim Wright somehow found two maidens in an innings that otherwise leaked. Poor Jim Hall had one of those afternoons behind the stumps, 10 byes going begging, and Staplehurst's Colin Breed made hay with a chanceless 60, well supported by Trevor Cardon's 27, to see them home at 171/6 with half a dozen deliveries to spare.

There was, at least, real cause for cheer: Trevor Back brought up 11,000 career runs for the club, a landmark worth savouring even in defeat. Beaten by four wickets, then — no disgrace, but we'll want the extras count down before we travel again.

Sun 02 Sep 2007 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Cowdrey CC · HomeformLWDDD

It was Cowdrey CC at home on Sunday, and having lost the toss I found us asked to bowl first, which at least spared my nerves a little longer before having to pick up a bat. Cowdrey made their way to 174 all out in 38.2 overs, David Elliott ploughing a lone half-century furrow with 58, well supported by Richard Marsh's 36 and Jonathan Owen's 21, the pair putting on 89 for the sixth wicket that threatened to bat us out of the game entirely. Mercifully the tail folded in a hurry, 169 for 7 becoming 174 all out before we knew it, with Will Needham, Robert Hood and Ben Greehy all removed without scoring. Chris Newman was the chief architect with a superb 4-15, Iain Rawson chipped in with 3-53 and three tidy maidens besides, and I added 1-32 for good measure.

Chasing 175, we made hard work of it, as is our custom. An early wicket down for just one run set the tone of mild peril, and though a sixth-wicket stand of 55 steadied things, it was Tom Murphy who carried us home with a superb unbeaten 81, well supported by Joe Martin's 28 and, it must be said, a generous 28 extras from our hosts. Ray Dixon and your correspondent both walked for ducks — the less said about mine, the better. We scraped over the line, 176 for 9, winning by a single wicket. A thoroughly nerve-shredding, thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work.

Sat 01 Sep 2007 🧢 1st XIv SC Shipbourne CC · AwayformWLLLW

Saturday last took us away to Shipbourne, and winning the toss I opted to field first — the right call, I still maintain, whatever the scorebook now suggests. Ben Spokes had other ideas, though, compiling a chanceless century as Shipbourne posted 245 for 6 from their 45 overs, well supported by Neil Lee-Amies's 36 and Mark Fenton's unbeaten 23, with a stand of 68 for the third wicket doing much of the damage. Just when we sensed a foothold, their last pair cheekily added 42 we could frankly have done without. Jack Jenner was the pick of our attack with 1 for 14, Ian Hollingworth (1-38) and Richard Knowler (1-53) offering honest support without quite finding the rub of the green.

Chasing 246, Paul Gibson played the innings of the day, a fine 65 that kept our hopes alive, ably backed by Kevin Presneill's 26. But an early wicket for just 1 set the tone, and though the fifth-wicket pair rallied with a crucial 60, wickets fell around them. I contributed a golden duck to proceedings — the less said the better — and Ian Hollingworth kept me company in that particular club. We were bowled out for 131 in 38.4 overs.

Elsewhere, Paul Gibson continues to top our 2007 run charts with 570, and Ian Hollingworth sits second in the wicket standings with 19. As for Saturday: not our day, beaten by 114 runs. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 01 Sep 2007 🧢 2nd XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · HomeformLWDWW

We lost the toss on a bright Saturday at Linton Park and were duly asked to bowl first against Cobham CC — not the outcome I'd have chosen, but there are worse fates than losing a coin toss. The lads set about their work well enough, with Darren Styles pick of a well-shared attack on 3-53, Gareth Davies chipping in with 2-18, and Ian Brattle typically miserly with 1-27 and three maidens to his name — the sort of bowling that makes a captain's afternoon easy. Cobham crawled to 153/8 from their 45 overs, Les England anchoring the innings with 39, ably supported by Ashley Church's 32 and Peter Carter's 27 — competitive, but hardly out of reach.

Chasing 154, we did things the hard way, as is our custom. Mike Elworthy played the innings of the day, sailing past his fifty to finish on 69, with Christopher Thirkell adding a useful 30 to keep the board moving. Not everyone enjoyed the sunshine — Gareth Davies, having done his bit with the ball, returned to add his name to the Duck Club ledger with a golden nought. We stumbled and wobbled but got home at 155/8 with 41.2 overs gone.

Elsewhere, Richard Piper and Darren Styles continue to lead the 2nd XI's run and wicket charts respectively, showing no sign of slowing. As for us: two points, thoroughly earned, won by two wickets — not remotely elegant, but a win is a win, and we'll take it gladly.

Sun 26 Aug 2007 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv YC Yalding CC · HomeformLLWWD

Sunday 26 August, and Yalding CC came calling. I lost the toss, which these days feels less like bad luck and more like a personality trait, and we were sent into the field.

We couldn't complain with how we bowled. Thomas Beeney set the tone with 2-22, Ray Dixon chipped in an admirable 2-31, and Matthew Carter was positively miserly — 1-15 and three maidens, not a run given away lightly. Yalding still nudged their way to 133/8 from their forty, Davinder Aujla unbeaten on 35 the chief architect, with Bradley Ford's 25 lending a hand, and a stubborn 51-run stand for the sixth wicket the one passage of play that got away from us. We had them 8-1 at one point and let the door swing shut rather too gently after that.

Chasing 134 should have been well within our compass, but cricket has a way of humbling the presumptuous. Christopher Thirkell, Chris Newman and Jon Harris all fell without troubling the scorers — three ducks is not a look anyone wants on the card — and though I managed a steadying 17, and extras did sterling work with 29, we were bowled out for 108 in the 32nd over. Twenty-five runs short, and no way of dressing that up.

Chris Knope continues to lead our Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 125, and Jon Harris tops the wicket-takers with 17 — small consolations on a day when the top order rather let itself down. Not our day, then. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Sat 25 Aug 2007 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformWWLLL

Saturday 25 August, and Sheldwich CC came to Linton with the sun out and, worse for us, the coin siding with them — they had first use of the pitch and chose to bowl. Undeterred, we set about building something defensible, and Paul Gibson led the charge with a fine 39, Nigel Thirkell chipped in a tidy 30 and I managed 28 of my own down the order. Poor Matthew Carter's day with the bat lasted rather less time than it takes to describe it — a golden duck to remember, or rather forget. Still, 168/7 from our 45 overs felt a competitive total on a ground that doesn't always yield runs easily.

Sheldwich's reply began in the worst possible fashion for them, tumbling to 1-1, and James Harris followed shortly after without so much as troubling the scorers. Daniel Ray and Ian Hulks threatened to drag them back into it with 36 and 33 respectively, but the bowling stayed disciplined throughout — Ian Hollingworth was outstanding, three wickets for just 25 with three maidens showing how little width he offered, Matthew Carter atoned for his duck with 2-16, and I picked up 2-23 for good measure. All out for 156 from 44 overs, and the twelve-run margin was ours.

A day to savour twice over, too, with Kevin Presneill bringing up his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark that puts the rest of us firmly in the shade. A fine win, built on runs shared around and bowling that never let Sheldwich settle. Onwards.

Sat 25 Aug 2007 🧢 2nd XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformWLWDW

Saturday 25th August 2007, away at Leeds & Broomfield, and for once the coin actually did what I asked of it. Won the toss, stuck them in — the right call, I felt, and I'm allowed to say that when it comes off. Our bowlers made the decision look positively inspired: Leeds & Broomfield were bowled out for a modest 92 from 33 overs, with only Steven Pike (29) and Barry Roles (20) offering any real resistance. James Ingarfield, Nathan Canty and Ian Harrison all trooped back for ducks, which tells you rather a lot about the pitch and rather more about our bowling. Ryan Boyns was the pick of them by some distance, a superb 4-12, with Ian Brattle chipping in 3-14 including three miserly maidens, and Gareth Davies proving equally hard to get away with 2-0.

Chasing 93, we cruised home at 95/1 from 20 overs, Graham Walker leading the way with a fluent 47 and Richard Piper unbeaten on 40 to see us over the line in some comfort — nine wickets to spare, thank you very much. Eight byes did rather suggest a testing afternoon behind the stumps for poor Glen Rawson, but nobody was complaining. Worth noting too that Piper's innings edged him past William Buck into 19th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he continues to lead our 2007 Second XI run charts with 323, while Davies sits second in the wicket-takers with 13.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a rare afternoon where every decision I made looked like genius. I shall enjoy it while it lasts.

Sat 18 Aug 2007 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWWLL

Saturday 18 August took us down to Bearsted, where I lost the toss and we were duly sent out to field first — no choice in the matter, though I'd like to pretend it was tactics. Our turn with the bat brought a wobble early on, four on the board and a wicket already gone, the sort of start that has you reaching for the flask. But James Piper played beautifully for 74, and I found some rare rhythm of my own alongside him, finishing unbeaten on 70 as our sixth-wicket stand added a commanding 96. Craig Sands weighed in with 28, the extras column pitched in a generous 26, and we closed on a very respectable 246 for 7 from our 45 overs.

Defending it, alas, was another matter. Stephen Pearce simply would not be shifted, compiling a magnificent unbeaten 109, ably assisted by Richard Luxton's unbeaten 78 and Greg Laurenson's brisk 38. We had them 2 for 1 and allowed ourselves a flicker of hope, but a third-wicket stand of 65 snuffed that out, and Bearsted strolled home by seven wickets with overs unused. Michael Beeney bowled tidiest for 1 for 53, Ian Hollingworth backed him up nicely with 1 for 54 and three miserly maidens, and I picked up 1 for 66.

Plenty to raise a glass to nonetheless — James Piper reached 2,000 career runs for the club, and Michael Beeney made his 200th appearance in Linton colours. Paul Gibson leads our 1st XI run charts this season with 466, and I'm chuffed to head the wicket charts with 31. Not our day, but the nets await, and we'll be back stronger.

Sat 18 Aug 2007 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformLWLWD

Saturday 18 August 2007, and Headcorn CC rolled up for what turned out to be a proper old-fashioned tussle. I lost the toss — no great surprise, my coin-calling remains a work in progress — and we were sent into the field.

Headcorn made steady if unspectacular progress to 150/5 from their 45 overs, the innings built almost entirely around Nick Sparks, who stood firm for an excellent unbeaten 81 while Lance Grist (22) and Pete Sparks (20) chipped in dutifully around him. Credit to the bowling unit for keeping a lid on things throughout: Tim Wright was the pick of the attack with 2-30 and three tidy maidens, well backed up by Thomas Beeney (2-31) and Tim Thirkell (1-19). John Phipps departed for a duck at our hands, which I shan't pretend didn't raise a small cheer from the field.

Chasing 151, we made hard work of it before getting home, closing on 153/6 from 44 overs. David Castle top-scored with a fine 36, Trevor Back finished unbeaten on 35, and Mike Elworthy weighed in with 25 to see us over the line. Poor Simon Thirkell endured the walk of shame for a nought, and shall no doubt hear about it in the bar. I chipped in with the bat myself, glad to add a few to what remains a rather pleasing season tally.

A fine win by four wickets, then — scratchy in places, but a win is a win, and we'll take it gladly. Onwards.

Wed 15 Aug 2007 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDLLDD

Wednesday 15 August found us on the road to The Mote, and having called correctly at the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first knock on what looked a decent surface — the right call, I felt, and for once nobody in the changing room disagreed with me. Clive Newman set about proving the point, batting through to 86 not out with the sort of unhurried fifty-and-beyond that makes a captain's decision look positively inspired, while Craig Sands chipped in handsomely with 35. We closed on 170/5 from our 43 overs, a total with enough about it to make the tea urn taste that bit sweeter.

The Mote replied with intent, but never quite enough of it. I led the attack myself and was pleased to finish with 2-25, though it was very much a team effort with the ball — James Piper (1-7) and Chris Newman (1-18) both did their bit, and Gareth Davies bowled two maidens that gave the batsmen absolutely nothing to work with. Kraig Corke held firm for an unbeaten 36, ably supported by Mark Bristow's 30, and between them they steered their side to 136/6 from 45 overs — enough to deny us, not enough to beat us.

So honours shared, and on reflection a fair result: two sides who scrapped hard and could find no way through the other. With Craig Sands now leading our Midweek run charts and yours truly topping the wickets column, the season ticks along nicely. A draw, then — but a thoroughly honest one.

Sat 11 Aug 2007 🧢 2nd XIv HC Hadlow CC · HomeformLLWLW

Saturday 11 August 2007 and Hadlow CC came calling, with the toss lost and us sent out to field first – hardly the ideal start to a Saturday, but the tea urn was on and spirits were high nonetheless.

We eventually put 177/4 on the board from 44.3 overs, largely thanks to Richard Piper, who batted with real class for a magnificent unbeaten century, well supported by Glen Rawson's brisk 40. Mike Elworthy, alas, will not be troubling the scorers this week – a golden duck to file quietly away and never mention again. Still, a total to be proud of, and one that gave the lads something to bowl at.

In reply, Hadlow made a fair fist of it, reaching 175/7 from their 44 overs with Gopal Krishnan the chief architect of their resistance, a well-crafted 77. I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with 3-32, with Trevor Back (1-11) and Kevin Presneill (1-19) chipping in to keep the pressure on throughout. Nine byes crept into the total too – a small confession that it was a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Jim Hall, who I'm sure will want that one back.

In the end neither side could quite force it home, and honours were shared. With Piper now sitting proudly atop the 2nd XI run charts and yours truly third among the wicket-takers, the season ticks along nicely. A draw, then – not quite the win we wanted, but on a day like this, nobody really lost.

Thu 09 Aug 2007 🧢 Tour XIv CC Cleethorpes CC · AwayformWLLLW

Beaten by the toss? No, won it — and true to Linton Park tradition, I stuck us in to field, which in hindsight may have been the last sound decision I made all day.

Cleethorpes made themselves thoroughly at home, racking up 198/7 from their forty overs. Richard Woodward played the anchor role beautifully for an unbeaten 61, with Dan Tolson right behind him on 50 and Stuart Harvey chipping in a brisk 32. Credit where it's due: Chris Newman did the real damage with 2-25, while Darren Styles and Thomas Beeney took a wicket apiece — Beeney bowling with real discipline, two maidens and barely a run to be had off him.

Our reply never quite got out of second gear. Richard Piper battled hard for his 33, but the rest of us rather admired his effort from the other end, and we stumbled to 131/8 from our forty overs — 67 runs shy in the end.

Amid the wreckage, one moment worth toasting: Thomas Beeney brought up his 50th career wicket for the club, a landmark that deserved a rather better occasion but was no less deserved for it. He now leads the 2007 Tour XI wicket charts with 6, while James Piper continues to top the run charts on 238.

A long drive home, then, with more questions than answers about our batting. But these things build character, or so I keep telling the lads. We'll be better for it next week.

Tue 07 Aug 2007 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformLDLLD

Tuesday 7 August 2007 saw Bexley CC pay us a visit, and my call went begging at the toss — asked to field, I duly obliged, more out of necessity than choice. What followed was a lesson in patience as Michael Ladbrook set about our attack with a magnificent 122, the sort of innings that makes a captain reconsider his field settings roughly every over. Christopher Castleton kept him fine company with 67, and Christopher Thirkell chipped in with 22, as Bexley closed on a commanding 242 for 4 from their 42.4 overs.

I can't claim to have stemmed the tide single-handedly, though I did my bit with 2 for 45, while Desmond High's miserly 1 for 5 was rather more economical than my figures, and Michael Beeney toiled honestly for his 1 for 49.

Chasing that lot down in the time remaining was always a tall order, and so it proved. We limped, if respectably, to 103 for 3 from 25.3 overs, Craig Sands the mainstay with an unbeaten 27, anchoring the innings while the rest of us flapped about him.

Craig continues to lead our run charts this season with 289, and I'll modestly note I'm topping the wicket column with four — hardly Botham, but I'll take it. In the end honours were shared, a draw that flattered neither side, though after Ladbrook's onslaught I'd say we did rather well to escape with our pride, and our unbeaten batsman, intact.

Sat 04 Aug 2007 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · AwayformLWWWL

Saturday 4 August found us on the road to Meopham, where I lost the toss yet again and we were duly invited to have a bowl first — no change there. Meopham made themselves thoroughly at home, racing to 242 for 6 from their 45 overs on the back of three handsome fifties: Darren Deeks led the way with a commanding 80, C Beard chipped in with 66 and Andrew Powney weighed in with a further 52. Amid all that run-making I did manage to have Mark Burton and James Fotheringham back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, finishing with 5 for 53 and two maidens to keep the damage respectable, while Michael Beeney toiled manfully for his one wicket at a cost of 59.

Chasing their imposing total, we made a fair fist of it without ever quite getting there. Paul Gibson was magnificent, cruising to 91, well supported by Stewart Morrison's 39 and Nigel Thirkell's 29, and a sturdy 73-run stand for the fourth wicket rescued us from a wobbly start after losing an early wicket with just 6 on the board. I contributed a workmanlike 27 down the order, but ducks for Craig Sands and Kevin Presneill nibbled away at our platform, and we finished nine down on 230.

Gibson now leads our run charts for the season with 456, and I find myself, somewhat to my own surprise, top of the wicket-takers with 30 — small consolation on a day we fell 12 runs short. Not our day, then. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets.

Sat 04 Aug 2007 🧢 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWLLWL

Saturday the 4th of August, and Bearsted CC rolled up to Linton Park for what turned into a proper afternoon's cricket. I called correctly at the toss — a rare enough event to note in the log — and had no hesitation in sending us in to bat. Glen Rawson set about it in style, a well-made fifty carrying him to 62, and Richard Piper gave him fine support with 43 as the pair put on a hundred for the first wicket before Bearsted so much as looked like taking a wicket. Then, as is our custom, the wheels came off rather dramatically — 124 for 2 became 138 for 5 before anyone had time to reach for another cup of tea, and Trevor Back and Simon Thirkell both took the long walk back for ducks, joining the Duck Club's ever-growing membership. I chipped in with 15 down the order as we steadied things to close on 178 for 9 from our 45 overs.

With the ball, Tim Thirkell was magnificent, tearing through Bearsted's reply with 4 for 34, well backed by Gareth Davies's miserly 3 for 22 — three maidens included, not a run given away lightly — and Trevor Back's 1 for 15. Tim Lush's 36 and Mick Clifton's 33 were the only real resistance, and David Bracey departed without troubling the scorers. Bearsted were all out for 145.

A word for the season charts too: Glen Rawson now sits second in the 2nd XI's run tally with 217, and Darren Styles second among the wicket-takers with a dozen scalps.

Won by 33 runs, then — two points, and thoroughly earned.

Wed 01 Aug 2007 🧢 Midweek XIv IX Ipswich Greyhounds CC - Kent Tour XI · HomeformDLDLL

Skipper's log, Wednesday. Won the toss at home and, in a fit of what I like to tell myself was tactical genius, stuck them in. Whether it was genius or just habit is a question for wiser heads than mine, but it very nearly came off. They batted with real intent, closing on 217 for 6 from their 42 overs, Nathan Philpott and C Sadler both raising handsome half-centuries of 56 apiece, with R Manning chipping in a brisk 30. Rory High was the pick of our attack with 2 for 20, and I managed to lend a hand with 2 for 29 of my own, Gareth Davies keeping things tidy with 1 for 20 and Darren Styles positively parsimonious with two maidens.

Chasing 218 is no picnic on a club afternoon, and 213 for 8 from our 43 overs tells its own story — agonisingly close, never quite close enough. Craig Sands led the way in fine style with a well-made 57, Carl Davis added a solid 41 and James Piper 36, while poor Chris Newman departed for a golden duck, the sort of dismissal only cricket can inflict with such cruel efficiency. Clive Newman had a torrid time behind the stumps too, nine byes slipping through fingers that no doubt felt rather colder than the weather.

So, honours shared. Not the win we wanted, but with Sands now sitting proudly atop the season's run charts and the rest of us muddling along behind, there's plenty to be cheerful about. A draw, and no disgrace in it.

Sat 28 Jul 2007 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · HomeformLLWWW

Beaten by five wickets at home to Milstead on Saturday, and I'll admit the toss going against us set the tone before a ball was bowled. Asked to bat, we never quite found our rhythm, subsiding to 127 all out in the 43rd over. Paul Gibson batted with real application for his 47, and Kevin Presneill chipped in handsomely with 27 — the pair anchoring things after we'd lost our first wicket for the princely sum of 1. Credit too to the fifth-wicket stand, which added a much-needed 66, though the collapse either side of it (113 for 5 to 115 for 8 in the blink of an eye) rather undid the good work. Carl Davis and Michael Beeney both took the long walk back for ducks — the club ledger duly updated, quacks and all.

In the field we scrapped hard but couldn't quite defend it, Milstead cantering home on 128 for 5. Mike Sellar's unbeaten 46 did the bulk of the damage, well supported by Neil Burnop's unbeaten 24. Ian Hollingworth was our pick of the bowlers with 3 for 32, and honourable mentions to Michael Beeney (1 for 16, seven miserly maidens) and Richard Knowler (1 for 32) for keeping things tight even as the game slipped away.

Amid the gloom, one shaft of sunshine: Kevin Presneill brought up 2,000 career runs for the club, a landmark thoroughly deserved. Craig Sands continues to lead our 2007 run charts with 398, and Hollingworth sits second in the wickets column with 14.

All told, a losing afternoon but not a lifeless one. We'll regroup, dust off the ducks, and come back stronger next week.

Sat 28 Jul 2007 🧢 2nd XIv Mersham Sports CC · AwayformWWLLW

Down by 6 wickets and into the club gazette we go, from the captain's chair on Saturday 28 July 2007, off to Mersham Sports CC.

It began, as these things so often do, with the coin letting us down. They had first say and chose to field, which in hindsight was rather astute of them, because our innings resembled less a batting effort and more a group therapy session. Fifty-nine all out from 34.2 overs is not the sort of total you build a Sunday roast around, and when Ray Dixon, Gareth Davies and Thomas Beeney all contributed golden ducks 🦆 to the cause, one did wonder whether the club's collective bat had been left at home.

With the ball, though, we showed rather more spine. Jack Jenner was magnificent, ripping through them for 3-18, and en route reached the not inconsiderable landmark of 50 career wickets 🎯 — a round of applause in the clubhouse thoroughly deserved. Thomas Beeney chipped in with 1-7, redemption of sorts after his morning duck, while Ian Brattle bowled with the miserliness of a Yorkshireman checking a bar tab, three maidens to his name. Ollie Austen's unbeaten 22 nonetheless carried them home at 60/4 from 21.3 overs.

Trevor Back continues to purr along nicely at second in the 2007 2nd XI run charts on 169, and Jack Jenner sits proudly atop the wicket pile with 13. As for the rest of us — heads up, chins out, back to the nets. Not our day, but Linton Park has weathered worse storms than 59 all out.

Sun 22 Jul 2007 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Blue Star CC · HomeformWLLWW

Under a grey Sunday sky on 22 July, Blue Star arrived at Linton Park and the coin fell their way, leaving us to bat first — never quite the tonic for the collective nerves. We huffed and puffed our way to 120 all out from 43.3 overs, a total that felt about as sturdy as a garden shed in a gale, David Castle the honourable exception with a fighting 34 that at least gave us something to bowl at.

And bowl we did. Michael Beeney was in inspired, miserly form, snaffling 2 for 10 off a stack of overs that included five maidens — the sort of spell that has batsmen muttering into their gloves. Carl Davis (2-18) and Iain Rawson (2-25) chipped in handsomely, and between us we had Blue Star wobbling from 58 for 4 to a distinctly nervous 61 for 7. Poor Jordan Christy departed without so much as a sniff of the strike, off for a golden duck. Only Steve Chenery, unbeaten on 27, kept his side's hopes breathing, steering them to a final 111 for 9 from 39 overs — agonisingly short.

Thirteen byes crept through, and Craig Sands will know all about it behind the stumps; a word in his ear at nets, perhaps, though no malice meant. In the season's ledger, Chris Knope continues to lead our Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 110, while Carl Davis's efforts nudged him to second in the wickets table with seven. In the end, honours were shared — a draw that pleased nobody and disappointed nobody, which, in club cricket, is very often the truest result of all.

Wed 18 Jul 2007 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformDDLDL

Wednesday 18 July 2007, and Dummy Site rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, worse still, the toss in their pocket. They chose to bat, and for once I can't blame them — 250/8 off their 51 overs was a proper score, built on Claire Taylor's classy 59, C Gibbons' well-made 56 and J-D-Jefferson chipping in with 47. Darren Styles bowled his heart out for 3-54, three of those overs maidens for good measure, with Carl Davis (2-35) and Chris Newman (1-26) doing tidy work either side of him. Not a total we were thrilled to chase, but not out of reach either.

And for a while it looked like Craig Sands might drag us there almost single-handedly. A superb, unbeaten 110 — the kind of innings you tell your grandchildren about, assuming they'll sit still long enough — but wickets fell around him and we subsided to 189/9 from 42.5 overs. Chris Newman and Carl Davis both made ducks, which is either very unlucky or very funny depending which end of the bar you're standing at.

There was real reason for cheer regardless: Clive Newman brought up 10,000 career runs for the club, and Craig Sands reached 7,000 — milestones that don't come along every Wednesday. Sands also leads our season's run charts, Styles the wickets.

Beaten by 61 runs, then, but with enough to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 14 Jul 2007 🧢 1st XIv Mersham Sports CC · HomeformWLLWW

Saturday 14 July 2007 saw Mersham Sports CC roll into Linton Park, and having called correctly for once, I did what any captain with a decent batting line-up and a suspicious mind does on a good pitch — stuck them in the field. Craig Sands set about the bowling with real intent for a superb 86, while Paul Gibson chipped away serenely to 85 not out and Nigel Thirkell weighed in with a tidy fifty of his own. Their 143-run stand for the third wicket was the spine of the innings, and with 25 handy extras thrown in for good measure, we declared ourselves rather satisfied at 273/3 from our 45 overs. Whether the extras were bowled by us in a previous life or gifted by Mersham's attack, I couldn't possibly say.

Defending a total like that ought to be the easy part, and for a while Mersham made us sweat, Matt Wilson's well-crafted 56 anchoring things alongside Alan Stevens (49) and Rob Wilson (39) in an 82-run third-wicket stand that threatened to make a contest of it. But 159/3 became 173/6 in the blink of an eye as the floodgates opened, Dave Fagg and Kevin Wise both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Richard Knowler was the chief destroyer with a superb 4-35, Michael Beeney chimed in with 2-67, and I was pleased enough with 1-25 and three maidens to keep things honest at the other end. Mersham were all out for 203.

A 70-run win, two points banked, and a lovely footnote besides — Richard Piper reaching 6,000 career runs for the club. All told, a proper afternoon's cricket, and thoroughly, unarguably ours.

Sat 14 Jul 2007 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rumwood CC · AwayformWWWLL

Saturday 14 July saw us make the trip to Rumwood, where losing the toss meant an afternoon in the field first — never my preferred order of business, but there we are. To Rumwood's credit, or perhaps our top order's, they had little joy putting us in, as we posted a handsome 195/5 from our 45 overs. Graham Walker was the architect, a fine 95 that had the tea urn nearly boiling over in anticipation of the century that, agonisingly, never quite arrived. Jack Jenner chipped in nicely with 30, and I was happy enough to potter along to 24 not out myself, doing my bit to see the innings home. Spare a thought, though, for Matthew Carter, whose walk back for a duck earns him this week's unwanted spot in the club's ledger of shame.

Defending 195 is always a pleasant enough problem to have, and so it proved. Rumwood were bowled out for 110 in 42.1 overs, our attack sharing the spoils handsomely — Thomas Beeney the pick with 2-12, Darren Styles miserly as ever with 2-14 and three maidens, and Matthew Carter making amends for his batting with 1-8. Ben Powell's unbeaten 34 was about the only resistance on offer. Poor Glen Rawson had a trying time behind the stumps, 11 byes going begging, though nothing that troubled the final margin.

A comfortable 85-run win, then, and with Walker and Styles continuing to top the season's charts, the signs for the rest of the summer are decidedly encouraging. A thoroughly good day for the club.

Wed 11 Jul 2007 🧢 Midweek XIv Gravesend CC · AwayformLDDLD

Lost the toss again on a warm Wednesday down at Gravesend, and duly found myself watching from the field rather than putting my feet up in the pavilion. Not that fielding first did us any harm to begin with — Dave Todd steamed in for 2-20, Matthew Carter chipped in with 2-28, Darren Styles took one for 16, and Michael Beeney bowled with such miserly intent that five of his overs yielded nothing at all. But P Carter had other ideas, easing to a well-made fifty of 53, with Robert James giving him sturdy company for 42, and between them they dragged Gravesend to 178/7 off their 47 overs — a touch more than we'd have liked chasing on a midweek evening.

With the bat, Carl Davis set about the target in style, cruising past his own fifty to 59, and Richard Piper played his part with a tidy 33. I found some form of my own down the order, seeing us home to 27 not out, though "home" is doing some heavy lifting there, as we were all out for 153 in 35.4 overs — twenty-five runs shy of the target and rather short of the tea urn's optimism.

Craig Sands continues to lead our 2007 run charts with 95, and Dave Todd tops the wickets with three, so the season ledger at least has some cheer in it. As for Gravesend, we'll chalk this one up to experience — beaten, not disgraced, and better for it next week.

Tue 10 Jul 2007 🧢 Twenty20v Bearsted CC · HomeformLLLLD

Tuesday saw Bearsted CC roll up the drive, and having called correctly for once, I decided we'd bat first — a decision I stand by, whatever the scorebook says by the end of this report. Twenty overs brought us 120 for 5, a total built on Richard Piper's fine 35, sturdy support from Ray Dixon with 27, and I was happy enough to finish unbeaten on 23. A competitive score, we thought, and one with a bit of ballast to it.

Chasing it, Bearsted found the going tough early doors. Stephen Horrocks top-scored with 27, but wickets tumbled at the other end — 23 for 1 became 33 for 4 in the sort of collapse we dream about at Linton, and somewhere in there Andrew Dampier trudged off for a golden duck. Ian Brattle was magnificent, ripping through with 3 for 11, well backed by Matthew Carter's 2 for 38 and Thomas Beeney's 1 for 23. Alas, cricket has a way of humbling the smug, and Bearsted's last pair dug in for an infuriating stand of 36, sneaking home in 17.4 overs with three wickets still in hand.

It wasn't all grim news, mind — Craig Sands brought up his 200th appearance in Linton colours, a landmark that deserves rather more fanfare than a three-wicket defeat allows, and he continues to lead our Twenty20 run charts this summer, with Brattle's wickets haul now the pick of the bowling averages too.

A defeat, then, but not a disgrace — we gave as good as we got and were simply undone by two batters with more patience than sense. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 07 Jul 2007 🧢 1st XIv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformWWLLW

I elected to field after winning the toss down at Eynsford, and for a good while it looked the shrewder half of the decision. Ben Wise made a fine 48, well backed by Howard Collins (35) and Ian Playfoot (28), and when their second-wicket pair put on 75 there were mutterings among the lads that we'd let ourselves in for a long afternoon. But cricket has a way of turning on its head: 131 for 3 became 147 for 6 in a hurry, poor Greg Playfoot sent back without so much as a look at the scorers, and Eynsford were bowled out for 177 in 44.2 overs. Richard Knowler was the chief architect with 3 for 31, Carl Davis and Rob Doick chipping in two apiece, and Ian Hollingworth tying things down with a couple of miserly maidens.

Chasing 178, we made steadier if less spectacular progress, reaching 183 for 5 in 45 overs. Craig Sands played the innings of the day, a classy 63 that did the heavy lifting, and I was glad to lend a hand at the other end with an unbeaten 36 to see us home.

Five wickets and two points banked — a thoroughly satisfying day's work, and one that leaves Craig sitting proudly atop the 2007 run charts while I find myself, rather to my surprise, leading the wicket-takers with 24. A good toss call, a good team performance, and a good drive home. Can't ask for much more than that.

Sat 07 Jul 2007 🧢 2nd XIv Meopham CC · HomeformLWWWL

Saturday the seventh of July, and Meopham CC rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather less agreeably, the coin against us. Call went the wrong way, they had first use of the willow, and off we trooped into the field.

They made a fist of things, finishing on 204 for 9 from their 45 overs, built on a well-made fifty from Mick Clark (53) and another from Tony Pearce (52), with Darren Deeks chipping in 28. It was Iain Rawson who did the real damage, a splendid 4-46, ably backed up by Darren Styles (1-21) and Trevor Back (1-38). Sadly our ground fielding rather let the side down — twenty wides and five no-balls gifted away, and poor Mike Elworthy had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, thirteen byes conceded. Runs we simply couldn't afford to hand over.

Chasing 205, we never quite got going, closing on 138 for 9 from our 45. Trevor Back again top-scored with a battling 39, Tim Thirkell offering support with 21. As for the skipper, I can only report a first-baller — a golden blob, and precious little leadership by example that day.

Elsewhere in the 2007 second XI charts, Trevor Back sits proudly atop the run tally with 143, and Darren Styles is second in the wicket standings with 9. Small comfort, though, for a defeat by 66 runs. Not our day. Heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 23 Jun 2007 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformWWWLL

Sheldwich CC, Saturday 23rd of June, and I won the toss and stuck us in the field — the sort of decision that either looks inspired or catastrophic by tea, and for once I'll take the credit. Sheldwich made us work for it, posting 202 all out from their 45 overs, James Creed compiling a fine hundred and Andrew Carr chipping in 25, the pair putting on 55 for the fourth wicket while the rest of us stood about admiring it. Happily three of theirs departed without troubling the scorers, and Rob Doick was the chief tormentor with 4-39, well backed by Richard Knowler's 3-35 and Iain Rawson's 2-23. I contented myself with a couple of maidens, which in this company counts as heroism.

Chasing 203, we lost an early wicket with just 4 on the board and I confess my heart was somewhere near my boots. But Craig Sands and Paul Gibson steadied things beautifully, the second-wicket stand worth 83, before Sands went on to a well-made 67 and Gibson finished unbeaten on 66, Glen Rawson chipping in 25 to see us home. Rob Doick, having bowled like a dream, rather spoiled the ledger with a golden duck of his own — cricket's way of keeping a man humble.

We won by 5 wickets, Sands now tops our run charts for the season and Rawson sits second among the wicket-takers. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon, and I elected correctly for once — do write that down.

Sat 23 Jun 2007 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformWLWWW

Another Saturday, another decision that didn't go our way at the toss — Shipbourne won the call and, wisely as it turned out, chose to bat. What followed was a fairly chastening afternoon in the field. Paul Stovell made merry to the tune of 138, and Matt Tollworthy chipped in with an unbeaten 83 of his own, the pair of them putting our bowling attack through its paces as Shipbourne racked up 268/3 from their 45 overs. Trevor Back battled hardest for us, finishing with 1-22, while Darren Styles (1-38, and three tidy maidens to his name) and Jon Harris (1-39) kept things honest without ever quite stemming the tide. Fifteen byes crept into the total too — a testing day behind the stumps for Jim Hall, and no mistake.

Chasing 269 was always going to ask serious questions of our batting, and I'm rather pleased to say I found some answers, top-scoring with 86 not out and doing my best to bat through, with good support from Richard Piper's 27. We got to 204/6 from our 45 overs, which on another day might have been enough, but not against a total like that — we went down by 64 runs in the end.

Not all bad news, mind: Trevor Back's 15 runs saw him leapfrog Daniel Thirkell into 8th on the club's all-time run charts, which raised a smile in the bar afterwards. And with the season under way, I find myself leading the 2nd XI run charts on 137, with Darren Styles up to 2nd in the wickets列 on 8.

A defeat, certainly, but not a disgrace — we'll regroup, dust ourselves down, and come back stronger next week.

Wed 20 Jun 2007 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformLLDDL

Wednesday 20 June 2007, and Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC came calling. I won the toss, and there was never much debate in my head — the wicket looked a belter, so we batted, and I'm pleased to say the boys didn't make a liar of me.

182/4 off our 42 overs, built almost entirely off the bat of Craig Sands, who compiled a lovely 93 that had the tea urn boiling early in anticipation of three figures — sadly not to be, but no complaints from this captain. James Piper chipped in unbeaten on 41 and Richard Piper made a tidy 33, the latter innings quietly historic: it eased him past Jim Hall and into 20th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, which I'm reliably informed calls for a small plaque, or at the very least a pint bought in his honour.

Defending 182 is never a formality, and Sevenoaks made us work for every run, reaching 146/3 from their 46 overs. D Cotton played the innings of the day for them with 96, well supported by John Huntley's unbeaten 22, and try as we might we couldn't quite prise out the breakthrough that would have opened the game up. Dave Todd led the attack superbly, choking the runs for 1-1, with Chris Newman (1-18) and Michael Beeney (1-29) both doing their bit among the wickets.

In the end honours were shared — a draw when neither side could force the issue. On another day we might have snatched it, but with a knock like Sands' and a slice of club history for the Piper name, I'll happily call it a good day out.

Tue 19 Jun 2007 🧢 Twenty20v DC Detling CC · HomeformLLLLL

19th June, 2007 — Detling CC visited Linton Park, and for once the coin actually did what I asked of it. Heads, and into the field they went — a decision that felt bold at the time and merely reckless in retrospect, though as it turned out we needn't have worried.

The lads batted with a nice blend of application and impatience, racing to 98 for 2 off just 15.2 overs, which by our standards counts as positively breakneck. Paul Gibson anchored things beautifully for an unbeaten 32, the sort of innings that makes a captain look wiser than he has any right to be, while Craig Sands chipped in a brisk 26 to keep the scoreboard honest. Sands continues to have a season worth boasting about down the pub — he now leads our 2007 Twenty20 run charts with a tidy 100 for the summer, and on this evidence he shows no sign of slowing down.

What followed thereafter needn't detain the reader long, save to say that neither side could quite land the decisive blow, and honours finished shared. A draw, then — not the stuff of legend, but no disgrace either, and rather fitting for an evening where both teams seemed more interested in enjoying the sunshine than forcing a result.

Verdict: a tidy top-order effort, a rising star in Sands, and a result that pleased nobody and offended nobody in equal measure — which, in village cricket, is really rather the point.

Sat 16 Jun 2007 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWWWWL

Batting stumbled early — 0 for 1 was hardly the start we'd ordered — and though Craig Sands battled to a top score of 21, the rest of the card makes for grim reading in the ledger. Three ducks in a single innings (Stewart Morrison, James Piper and Ian Hollingworth all taking the long walk back) is the sort of thing a captain notices, and 87 all out from 35.5 overs is not a total anyone puts their feet up over.

Still, we had a go with the ball. Bearsted lost an early wicket at 5, and for a fleeting moment there was hope of something daft and heroic. Then Greg Laurenson and Noel Johnston put on 76 for the second wicket and quietly strangled the life out of any comeback — Laurenson finishing on 46, Johnston unbeaten on 41. Carl Davis was our pick of the bowlers, tidy figures of 1 for 0, with Ian Hollingworth chipping in at 1 for 29 having already had his own miserable afternoon with the bat. Stephen Pearce, at least, joined Morrison, Piper and Hollingworth in the duck club, so the batting order can console itself it wasn't lonely.

Bearsted got home by 8 wickets with overs to spare, and there's no dressing that up. Craig Sands remains our leading run-scorer for the season on 177, and Hollingworth sits third in the wicket charts on 9 — small mercies to cling to on the drive home. A chastening one, all told, but we'll dust ourselves off, have a stern word with the top order, and go again next Saturday.

Tue 12 Jun 2007 🧢 Twenty20v West Farleigh CC · HomeformWLLLL

Tuesday last, we welcomed West Farleigh CC to Linton Park for a Twenty20 that promised much and, in the end, delivered a familiar sort of heartache. I lost the toss — no great surprise there, my coin-calling remains a work in progress — and West Farleigh took first use of a pitch that looked, in fairness, rather good to bat on.

They made hay to the tune of 128/7, with young Jimmy Emmett a thorn in our side throughout for an unbeaten 47. Credit where it's due, though: Carl Davis bowled beautifully for 2-13, with Michael Beeney and Ian Brattle chipping in a wicket apiece to keep us in the hunt.

Chasing 129, we never quite found our rhythm, closing on 104/9. Both Beeney and Brattle will want to forget their afternoons with the bat, each departing for a golden duck, and honours were fairly even up and down the order thereafter — I did my modest bit with 17, more application than artistry. Elsewhere in the season, Adam Jackson continues to have a fine campaign, sitting top of the run charts with 76 and second among the wicket-takers with four.

In the end we fell 24 runs short, a defeat that owed more to our batting than our bowling. Heads up, chins up, and back to the nets — there are worse ways to spend a Tuesday evening than losing narrowly to good opposition, but we shan't make a habit of it.

Sun 10 Jun 2007 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv K Knockers · HomeformLLWDD

Sunday 10 June, and the tea urn was on early — a good job too, given what followed.

Winning the toss and batting, we set about our task with real intent, racing to a hundred before anyone so much as troubled the scorebook — the opening stand doing exactly what an opening stand should. From there it was the Stewart Morrison show: 169 not out, an innings of such quality it will have the club historians reaching for the record books, ably backed by James Piper's 35 and Paul Gibson's 22. We closed on a handsome 253/6 from 33.5 overs, though poor Mike Elworthy and Thomas Beeney will be nursing golden ducks over their pints tonight.

Defending it, we made life harder than it needed to be. G Millar played the innings of the day with a well-crafted 66, well supported by S Slater's 48 and a battling 37 from Styles, and when their fourth wicket added a stubborn 70, the total began to look uncomfortably gettable. A Foxall departed for nought, but that was scant consolation as they crept to 225/8 from their 56 overs. Ian Brattle led the attack with 3-62, Michael Beeney choked the runs beautifully — five maidens and 2-28 — with Carl Davis chipping in 2-45. Poor Craig Sands had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, ten byes going begging.

A draw, then — honours even, and on Morrison's day, perhaps fair enough. He climbs to 15th on the club's all-time run charts, past Stan Wratten, and leads our Sunday run-scoring for 2007. A good day's cricket, if not quite a winning one.

Sat 09 Jun 2007 🧢 2nd XIv RC Rusthall CC · HomeformDWLWW

It was Rusthall CC who came calling on Saturday 09 June, and by the end of a thoroughly decent afternoon's cricket we'd have every right to feel rather pleased with ourselves. In came the lads to bat first, and while I can't claim any credit for the runs — more on that shortly — James Piper set about proceedings in fine style, ambling to a well-made 76, with Graham Walker chipping in a useful 35 alongside him. Between them they hauled us to a respectable 168 for 6 from our 44 overs, which felt like a total with a bit of substance to it.

Then it was our turn to hold the fort, and hold it we did. Rusthall never quite got the ship steady: Sean Lloyd top-scored gamely with 48, Nigel Cheek dug in for an unbeaten 27, but three of their number — Justin Standen, Mark Lloyd and James Larkin — departed without troubling the scorers at all. Jack Jenner was the chief tormentor with a splendid 4 for 46, Tim Thirkell picked up a couple, and Darren Styles bowled three maidens that gave nothing away for love nor money. Eight byes did rather suggest poor Jim Hall was having one of those days behind the stumps. As for my own contribution with bat and ball — a golden duck to open, followed by a tidy 2 for 0 to make some small amends — well, I shall let the numbers speak for themselves.

Rusthall folded for 133 in 34.4 overs, and we walked off 35 runs to the good. A fine team win, and onwards we go.

Tue 05 Jun 2007 🧢 Twenty20v East Sutton CC · AwayformWWLLL

Beaten by 35 runs, but I confess there's a fair bit to smile about before we get to the scoreline. The toss went against us at East Sutton, and we were put into the field – not, on reflection, an unwelcome fate on a warm evening. They posted 144/9, with Rob Davies (34) and Robert Bray (28) doing the damage, and an eighth-wicket stand of 60 threatening to take the game clean away from us. But we scrapped back well: 21-2 became 30-5 in a blur, and poor Nick Worsfold departed without so much as a single to his name. Iain Rawson was magnificent, 4-15, with Darren Styles (2-7) and Ian Brattle (2-26) mopping up round him.

Chasing 145, we made 109/5 – a fair effort but not quite enough. Craig Sands played the innings of the night, an unbeaten 57 that kept us in touch throughout. As for my own contribution, the less said the better – I walked back for a duck, and no amount of purple prose will dress that up as anything other than what it was.

There was, though, a nicer landmark buried in the wreckage: my hundredth appearance in Linton colours, which is either a proud milestone or proof I simply refuse to take the hint. Beaten by 35 runs in the end, but with bowling like that and Sands batting like a man twice his experience, we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 03 Jun 2007 🧢 Sunday NVKCv High Halstow CC · AwayformLWLLW

Skipper's Log, High Halstow, 3rd June. Won the toss and, in a fit of optimism I'd later come to question, had no hesitation in sticking us in to bat.

We rattled along to a respectable 168 for 9 off our forty, though "rattled" flatters us — we lost our first wicket for just 8, and finished the innings shedding them like autumn leaves, tumbling from 153-6 to 167-9 in the time it takes to boil a kettle. In between, sanity prevailed: Craig Sands and I both brought up well-made fifties, 64 and 54 respectively, and a stand of 62 for the fourth wicket gave the innings its spine. Spare a thought for poor Chris Newman, who contributed a duck to the club ledger and the long walk back that goes with it. Small consolation that Craig's 64 nudged him past Paul Brattle into 17th on the club's all-time run-scorers list.

Defending 168 is never comfortable, and so it proved. High Halstow's Christopher Maurice played the innings of the day, 67 well past his fifty, ably supported by Steve Lapthorn unbeaten on 35 and Simon Morley's 21. They stumbled early at 0-1, but a 78-run fourth-wicket stand undid our good work. I found some consolation with the ball, 2 for 27, well backed by Paul Webber's 2 for 28, Iain Rawson's solitary strike, and Michael Beeney's two tidy maidens; Ben Phillips at least departed for nought at our hands.

In the end, five wickets the better side. Not our day — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sun 03 Jun 2007 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv LR Lord Raglan · AwayformLWLLW

I won the toss at Lord Raglan and had no hesitation putting them in — the right call, as it turned out. Rory High did the early damage with 3-27, I chipped in with 2-10, and Carl Davis was miserly as ever with 2-7 including two maidens. Poor P Crafter departed without troubling the scorers, and once 65-3 became 79-6 the innings was unravelling nicely, R Hancox's defiant 29 notwithstanding. All out for 115 in 31.4 overs — a total we felt we ought to chase down.

Ought to and did are, of course, two very different things in club cricket. Ollie Howarth and Jason Brooks both made handy 36s, and the fourth-wicket pair added a crucial 60 to give us something to build on. But 76-4 became 86-7 in the sort of rush that has opposition fielders sniffing blood and captains reaching for the antacids. Ryan Boyns, Ray Dixon and Ron McCormick all fell for nought, and nine byes — a testing day behind the stumps for Boyns — did little for the nerves. Carl Davis, unbeaten on 30, saw us home with calm authority.

Two wickets the margin, and not an inch to spare. A scruffy, nerve-shredding win is still a win, and with Davis second in the run charts and myself leading the wickets column this season, I'll happily take it and not ask too many questions.

Sat 02 Jun 2007 🧢 1st XIv Meopham CC · HomeformDWWWW

Here is the match report:

Saturday saw Meopham CC pitch up at Linton Park with the sun out and my luck, unfortunately, not — I lost the toss and we were sent out to field, which after last week felt like being asked to mark my own homework. Still, the lads set about it with purpose. An early wicket had them wobbling at 4-1, but Gary Howorth batted beautifully for his 58, and with Adam Roxburgh (31) and Andrew Powney (21) chipping in around a stubborn 76-run stand, Meopham hauled themselves to 168 all out. Iain Rawson was superb with the ball, 4-43, while I found some rhythm of my own — 3-25 with three maidens thrown in for good measure — and Carl Davis chipped in with 2-23. James Fotheringham and N Richardson went for ducks, which felt like fair reward for the effort in the field.

Chasing 169, Craig Sands played the innings of the day with a fine 51, well supported by Nigel Thirkell's 45 and James Piper's unbeaten 29, and a 71-run second-wicket stand had us dreaming. But 7-1 early and a horror collapse from 137-4 to 142-7 did for us, and we limped to 150-9. As for the captain — a golden blob, out without troubling the scorers, which rather undercuts any claims to leadership by example. Paul Gibson and Kevin Presneill kept me company in the duck club.

Beaten by 18 runs, then, and no arguing with the maths. Nigel Thirkell still leads our run charts and I'll happily take the wickets column, but a captain who can't buy a run has no business complaining about anyone else's collapse. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 02 Jun 2007 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformLDWLW

Ah, West Farleigh — never our happiest hunting ground, and having lost the toss on 2 June 2007 we were duly sent out to chase, which is club-cricket code for "have a bowl first, chaps." No complaints from me; the lads fancied it.

And how they delivered. West Farleigh were bundled out for a modest 89, with only Colin Fry (29) offering any real resistance. Ian Brattle was quite magnificent, 3-9 with five maidens thrown in for good measure — the sort of miserly spell that has opposition batsmen muttering into their tea. Jack Jenner (2-19) and Gareth Davies (2-20) provided sterling support, and between them they left West Farleigh's innings looking rather threadbare.

Chasing 90, we made harder work of it than the target strictly demanded, slipping to 90/5 before getting over the line — Tom McKellow and R Jackson both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, and poor Graham Walker contributing his golden duck to proceedings. Thankfully Glen Rawson played the innings of the day, 42 well-made runs that steadied what threatened to become a wobble into a comfortable stroll.

Rawson now leads our 2nd XI run charts for the season with 122, and Davies sits second in the wicket-takers' list with 6 — both men very much pulling their weight.

A five-wicket win, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work: professional with the ball, occasionally comical with the bat, but a win is a win. Onwards.

Sat 26 May 2007 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformDDWWW

Saturday 26 May 2007, away to Milstead CC, and for once the coin actually did what I asked of it. Won the toss, stuck them in — the sort of decision that looks either shrewd or daft by teatime, and happily it was the former. Milstead were bowled out for a modest 72 in 24.5 overs, Stuart Burnop's 21 the only real resistance as they slid from a wobbly 67-6 to a rather more comfortable-for-us 72-9. Mike Sellar, Andy Fenton and Kevin Pooke all trooped back without so much as a run to their names, which tells its own story.

I'll allow myself one boast and then move swiftly on: six for twenty-eight, with five maidens thrown in for good measure, the ball doing things I can only assume were down to skill rather than luck. Michael Beeney chipped in nicely with three for thirteen, and Ian Hollingworth picked up one for twenty-nine, so there was plenty of graft to go round even on a day when the figures rather flattered one bowler in particular.

Chasing 73 was never going to trouble us unduly, and so it proved — 73 for 2 in 17.5 overs, Nigel Thirkell top-scoring with a tidy 24 and David Castle seeing us home unbeaten on 20. Eight wickets to spare and two points safely banked.

A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, and with the season table showing Paul Gibson out in front with the bat and yours truly leading the wickets column, Linton Park find themselves in rather rude health. More of the same, please.

Sat 26 May 2007 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · HomeformLLDWL

Here's how it started, how it (very nearly) went wrong, and how it (just) came right.

Winning the toss on a fine Saturday against Horton Kirby, I had no hesitation in putting us in — a decision I was still quietly congratulating myself on some six hours later, though at the time it looked a good deal more inspired. Richard Piper set about the bowling with real purpose, his 68 the innings' cornerstone, while Trevor Back's 40 gave it substance and I chipped in with 28 not out to help us to a defendable-looking 175 for 5.

Defendable, it turned out, is a relative term. Darren Bridges played the innings of the day for the visitors, a classy 61 that had us checking the scorebook rather more often than the nerves would like, backed up by useful contributions from Alastair Scott and Andy Chapman. But this was where our attack earned its corn: Darren Styles was superb, three wickets and six maidens' worth of miserly, unrelenting probing, with Carl Davis and Trevor Back chipping in either side of him. Three Horton Kirby batsmen went back without so much as troubling the scorers, and it was that discipline, over 45 tense overs, that got us home.

A note for the club historians: Clive Newman's four runs quietly nudged him past Mike Elworthy and into 10th on the all-time run-scorers' list — these things matter more than they ought to on a Saturday evening. Piper leads our run charts this year, Styles the wickets, and on this evidence, deservedly so.

Won by a single run. One for the heart, and thoroughly, nervously earned.

Tue 22 May 2007 🧢 Twenty20v HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformLWWLL

Tuesday 22 May 2007, and off we trundled to Hollingbourne CC with the sun more or less behaving itself. I won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat — the right call, I felt, and I'll say no more about it in case fate was listening. Runs came at a fair old clip, and Adam Jackson batted with real authority, motoring to 61 not out and dragging us to a healthy-looking 125 for 4 from our twenty overs. I contributed a workmanlike 19 myself, more nudge than flourish, but every little helps.

Defending it proved a different matter entirely. Matthew Jones simply refused to be shifted, compiling a classy 58 that formed the spine of the chase, with Simon Jarrett (29) and D Ford, unbeaten on 25, filling in nicely around him. We did have our moments — Mike Palmer trudged back to the pavilion without so much as troubling the scorers, a small mercy in an otherwise chastening chase. Adam Jackson was again our chief tormentor with the ball, 2 for 22, and I managed some support of my own with 1 for 21, though it was rather like trying to stop a runaway milk float with a deckchair. They cantered home at 126 for 3.

Adam Jackson, then, sits proudly atop both our run and wicket charts for the season so far — one man doing the work of several. As for the rest of us: not our day, beaten by seven wickets, heads up and back to the nets we go.

Sun 20 May 2007 🧢 Sunday NVKCv LC Limpsfield Chart CC · AwayformWLWLL

Sunday 20 May 2007, and the road took us out to Limpsfield Chart, a fixture that promised sunshine, sandwiches, and the usual quiet dread of losing the toss. Which, naturally, we did — condemned to bowl first while the rest of the county apparently enjoyed a lie-in.

With bat in hand we ground out 135/7 from our forty overs, a total that owed everything to Tom Murphy's unbeaten 36, with James Piper (26) and Mark Christmas (22) chipping in to stop the innings looking too much like a collapse dressed up as a total. Not a score to frighten anyone over tea, but enough, as it turned out, to be getting on with.

Defending it looked a tall order until Iain Rawson steamed in and took an outstanding 4-32, ripping the heart out of their order while W. Wild's 25 kept us honest at the other end. Mark Christmas, not content with a fine 22 with the bat, then bowled two miserly maidens and picked up 2-16, with Richard Knowler chiming in at 2-19, as Limpsfield Chart folded for 112 in 38.4 overs. A red-letter day for Christmas besides — he brought up 200 career wickets, a landmark that deserves rather better than a passing mention in the club gazette, but there it is.

Twenty-three runs the margin, two points the reward, and thoroughly earned. Tom Murphy now leads our Sunday run charts, Rawson the wickets — early days yet, but on this evidence, a season worth watching.

Sun 20 May 2007 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC Nuxley CC · HomeformDLWLL

I put us in to field, fancying some early nibble against Nuxley on the twentieth of May, and for a while it looked a shrewd move — right up until B May decided he rather liked the look of our bowling and helped himself to an unbeaten 72, ably assisted by A Hudson's 35 in a fifth-wicket stand worth 67. Credit where it's due: I managed 2-30 to keep things honest, Paul Webber chipped in with 2-33, and Ian Brattle bowled two tidy maidens on his way to 1-26. Nuxley closed on 181/6 from their forty overs — competitive, but not out of reach.

Chasing 182, we wobbled and steadied in equal measure, eventually getting there on 182/7 with two balls to spare. Ryan Boyns played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 74, with Carl Davis a fine foil for 38 as the pair put on 56 for the fifth wicket. Boyns had rather less fun behind the stumps, though — 11 byes went astray, a reminder that no one's afternoon is entirely free of mishap in this game.

So we scrape home by three wickets, Boyns now sitting proudly atop the Sunday 2nd XI run charts and Webber leading the wickets column. Not pretty, not comfortable, but a win is a win — and on a sunny Sunday with tea in the offing, I'll take that every time.

Sat 19 May 2007 🧢 1st XIv HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformLDDWW

Saturday, 19 May 2007, and Hollingbourne CC arrived at Linton Park having generously allowed me to lose the toss and put us in the field — not my most cunning tactical hour, but there we are. They laboured to 135 for 9 off their 45, never quite escaping first gear after an early wobble to 8 for 1, with Neil Taylor gone without so much as a squeak from the scorebook. Steve Wilson's 22 top-scored, with Mark Styche and Trevor Scrivens both chipping in 21 apiece, but nothing ever threatened to run away from us. I found some rhythm with the ball and finished with 4 for 30, Iain Rawson chimed in with 2 for 30, and Michael Beeney bowled beautifully tight for 1 for 23, including four maidens that must have driven their middle order to distraction.

With 136 to chase, Paul Gibson simply took the game away from Hollingbourne, stroking a composed unbeaten 64, well backed up by Craig Sands (29 not out) and Nigel Thirkell (27), and we cantered home for the loss of a single wicket with overs to spare — the sort of chase that lets a captain enjoy his tea rather than chew through it.

A thoroughly one-sided nine-wicket victory, then, and one that keeps both our top run-scorer and leading wicket-taker (rather immodestly, the latter is yours truly, now up to 14 for the season) firmly on song. Onwards to the next one — I shall try losing the toss again, it seems to suit us.

Sat 19 May 2007 🧢 2nd XIv EC Eynsford CC · AwayformLLLDW

Beaten? Yes. Bowed? Not remotely.

Saturday took us to Eynsford, and the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they won the toss and, with the confidence of men who'd checked the forecast, elected to bat. We consoled ourselves with first use of the ball, and for a while it looked the wiser lot, Eynsford stumbling to 4-1 before a settling stand of 60 for the third wicket steadied their nerves rather more than ours. Phil Gay played the anchor beautifully for a fine 85, with Lindsay Hamill (33) and Colin Bruin (25) chipping in as the total crept towards respectability and then, in the last few overs, rather beyond it — 187-5 became 195-8 in the blink of an eye, and they closed on a stiff 221/8. Thomas Beeney was our shining light with the ball, 3-16 of real discipline, backed up by Jack Jenner (2-38) and Gareth Davies (1-31), without whom the target might have read considerably worse.

Chasing 222 was always going to ask questions of us, and Clive Newman answered most of them with a composed, well-earned 62, finding a willing partner in Trevor Back's 42. Between them — and a generous 33 extras, gratefully received — we hauled ourselves to 197/9 from our 45, but the equation never quite balanced and we fell 24 runs short.

A losing afternoon, then, but not a lifeless one — Gay's 85 will linger in Eynsford's memory, and Newman's 62 now has him third in our 2nd XI run charts, with Jenner third among the wicket-takers. We'll dust ourselves down, take the positives, and be better for it next week.

Sat 12 May 2007 🧢 1st XIv Mersham Sports CC · AwayformWLDDW

Down at Mersham Sports CC on a Saturday that threatened more rain than it delivered, I won the toss and, in a fit of either boldness or foolishness, stuck us in. The lads shuffled to 139/8 from our 45 overs — hardly a total to frighten the horses, though Craig Sands's watchful 27 and Nigel Thirkell's tidy 21 gave it some backbone, ably assisted by 32 extras, which I like to think of as our most reliable partnership of the season.

Defending that sort of total usually means an afternoon of nervous pacing at mid-off, but the bowlers had other ideas. Iain Rawson set the tone with a superb 3-19, Ian Hollingworth chipped in with 2-27, and I found some rhythm of my own, picking up 3-25 with five maidens thrown in for good measure — not a run given away lightly, even if Darren Pugh's defiant 34 threatened to spoil the party. Mersham were eventually bowled out for 115 in 44.4 overs, leaving us victors by 24 runs. Poor Craig Sands, having top-scored with the bat, then endured a torrid time behind the stumps, gifting 16 byes — cricket's way of keeping a man humble.

There was history made too: those 27 runs eased Sands past William Buck into 18th on the club's all-time run-scorers list, and he now tops our 2007 run charts with 76, while I find myself leading the wicket column with ten. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a result that will do very nicely indeed.

Sat 12 May 2007 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · HomeformDLLLD

Saturday 12 May 2007, and we welcomed Milstead CC to the ground on what I can only describe as a day of two distinct halves — one of them rather more comfortable than the other.

Winning the toss, I had no hesitation in taking first use of the pitch, and for a while it looked the right call. We laboured to 107 all out from our forty overs, Peter Davies the pick of the willow-wielders with a fine 37, though the innings rather came apart at the seams in the closing overs — 100 for 6 became 107 for 9 in the sort of collapse that makes a captain reach for the tea urn early. Spare a thought too for poor Carl Davis, whose duck will not trouble the highlights reel.

A modest total, then, and not one that had us brimming with confidence at the interval. But cricket is a funny old game, and Milstead's reply never quite got away from us. Darren Styles was magnificent, prising out four for 26 with two tidy maidens thrown in for good measure — and in doing so nudged past Trevor Back into tenth on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, a landmark worth raising a glass to. I chipped in with 2 for 1, Gareth Davies took 2 for 14, and between us we bowled Milstead out for 91, Neil Burnop's battling 35 and Paul Barton's 24 the only real resistance.

Sixteen runs the margin, two points banked, and a thoroughly deserved victory for the lads.

Sun 06 May 2007 🧢 Friendly XIv SC Selsdon CC · HomeformDWL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 6th May 2007, and a rare thing to report: everything went right.

Selsdon CC came to Linton Park and were sent packing, but it wasn't straightforward. Batting first, we crawled and cruised our way to 198/9 off 44.5 overs, with David Castle top-scoring on 42, well backed up by Craig Sands (38) and Clive Newman (23) — the pair of them putting on 61 for the second wicket to give the innings its spine. Poor Ollie Howarth departed for a golden duck, the sort of dismissal that gets you a pint bought for you in sympathy and a photo taken all the same.

With 198 on the board, it was always going to be a tall order for the visitors, and so it proved. Selsdon subsided to 113 all out in 35.2 overs, David Shivmangal's 34 and Marcus Robertson's 22 the only real resistance, while Trevor Cardew went the way of Ollie earlier — a duck to match. The day belonged to Thomas Beeney, whose 5-17 was a five-for of the highest quality, ably supported by Darren Styles (2-20, with two miserly maidens for good measure) and Michael Beeney (2-23). I contributed a watchful 15 with the bat, which I shall claim as captain's innings of substance.

An 85-run win, David Castle top of the season's run charts, Beeney top of the wickets. A very good day for the club indeed.

Sat 05 May 2007 🧢 2nd XIv BC Bidborough CC · HomeformWDLLL

It was no fault of the coin that decided things – lost the toss, and Bidborough, wasting no time in showing us who was boss for the afternoon, elected to bat. Openers padded up, umbrellas mercifully left in the car, and off we went.

They made themselves rather too comfortable, racking up 223 for 6 from their 44 overs. Andy Hollins was the chief architect, unbeaten on a commanding 87, with Paul W Eames providing sturdy company for a well-made 63 and Matthew White chipping in 26. Small mercies came in the shape of H Blamey, back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Ray Dixon toiled manfully for 3-53, Trevor Back and Jack Jenner picked up a wicket apiece, and Peter Davies bowled two maidens as tight as his top button.

Chasing 224, we mustered a respectable 172 for 9 off 43, Glen Rawson batting beautifully for 67 and Peter Davies a fine support act with 39. Less gloriously, Christopher Thirkell, Trevor Back and Ray Dixon all made ducks – a hat-trick of blobs to make the family name (mine included) wince rather. The extras column, generous as ever, added 26, while poor Jim Hall had a torrid time behind the stumps, 8 byes escaping his grasp like eels.

Up the season table Rawson and Dixon lead the way with bat and ball respectively. In the end, honours shared and a handshake draw – which, given the scoreboard arithmetic, felt about as fair a result as English weather allows.

Sat 05 May 2007 🧢 1st XIv Staplehurst CC · AwayformLWLDD

Saturday 5th May 2007, and off we trundled to Staplehurst full of the usual pre-season optimism that club cricket somehow never quite runs out of. Winning the toss, I put them in, and for a good while it looked a sound decision — until A Henson (46) and S Wavell, unbeaten on 42, reminded us why declaring victory before lunch is a fool's game. John Swannick chipped in with 24, and 171 all out from 44.4 overs felt like a total we'd let get away from us a touch. Ian Hollingworth was superb with 4-40, Michael Beeney picked up one, and I was pleased enough with 2-27 and seven maidens — not that I'm one to dwell on my own figures, you understand, just noting it for the record.

Chasing 172, we could easily have made a meal of it, but Paul Gibson played the innings of the day — a classy 70 — while Craig Sands anchored things beautifully with 43 not out, the pair putting on 94 for the second wicket and taking the sting out of the run chase entirely. James Piper and Stewart Morrison both fell for ducks, which nobody enjoys but everybody survives, and I added a steady 16 down the order. We got home with five wickets in hand from 39.5 overs, comfortable in the end without ever being flashy about it.

A good day for the club, all told — professional with the ball, calm with the bat, and home in time for tea. More of the same, please.

Sun 29 Apr 2007 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformDLLWD

As it stands, we made the trip to Bearsted on Sunday and posted 223 for 4 off our 36 overs — a total I'm rather proud of, if I'm allowed a moment of immodesty. The openers gave us the sort of platform captains dream of and rarely receive, putting on 88 for the first wicket before the breakthrough finally came, and from there the innings simply refused to wobble. Paul Gibson chipped in a well-made fifty of his own, Tom Murphy weighed in with a tidy 27, and even the extras column pulled its weight with 33 — generous of Bearsted, and we were happy to bank every one of them. I batted through for 66 not out, which felt like just reward for standing at the non-striker's end watching wickets fall around me rather earlier in the season than I'd have liked.

Defending it was another matter entirely. Yannick Oakland made a thorough nuisance of himself with 78 not out, ably backed by Murray Pennells (44) and Richard Piper (38), and a stand of 89 for the fourth wicket did the damage that threatened to undo our good work. Credit where it's due: Chris Newman was superb with the ball, 3 for 23, and Michael Beeney and Gareth Davies chipped in a wicket apiece, Davies bowling three miserly maidens that kept the scoreboard honest when it mattered.

In the end Bearsted closed on 206 for 8, twenty-odd runs shy, and honours were shared. A draw, then — the great English compromise, and on this occasion a fair one. We'll take it and go again next week.

Sat 28 Apr 2007 🧢 1st XIv The Mote CC · HomeformLLWLD

Saturday 28 April brought The Mote CC to Linton Park, and I sent them in, more from tradition than tactical genius. It rather backfired: Matthew White and Andy Barr set about us with real intent, the openers cantering to 120 before we prised out the first wicket. White finished unbeaten on 82, Barr made a polished 77, and The Mote reached a formidable 228 for 7 from their 42.5 overs. We did claw back some pride with the ball, though — Christopher Bell fell, Howard Waters departed for a duck, and I finished with 3 for 51, well supported by Jack Jenner's 2 for 47 and Michael Beeney's tidy 1 for 25, the latter's two maidens a lesson in patience the rest of us hadn't quite learned.

Chasing 229, we never really found our stride. Nigel Thirkell's 37 was the innings' backbone, and I chipped in an unbeaten 21, but three ducks — Craig Sands, Jack Jenner and Ian Hollingworth all departing without scoring — saw us slide from a respectable 124 for 6 to a distinctly wobblier 133 for 9 in a heartbeat. Forty-one extras kept the total honest when the bat wouldn't, and we closed on 141 for 9 from our 34 overs.

Two sides, then, who couldn't quite land the killer blow. Honours shared, a draw that flattered nobody and offended nobody, and after that middle-order collapse, I'll happily take it.

Sun 22 Apr 2007 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WC Wilmington CC · HomeformWDLLW

Sunday, and Wilmington CC came calling with the sun cooperating just enough to make batting look easy — a fact I intend to take zero credit for. In it, we made a rather handsome 186/2 from our 40 overs, built on a magnificent unbeaten century from Craig Sands, 102 not out, with Glen Rawson keeping him honest at the other end with a classy 56 not out. The only smudge on an otherwise gleaming scorecard was poor Ray Dixon, who fell for a duck and will no doubt be reminded of it at every opportunity between now and September.

Defending 186 is always a tale of two mindsets, and for a while it looked like Wilmington might make a match of it, Mark Barber compiling a determined 33 with Kevin Saunders (22) and Cj Nicholson (21) chipping in, and a sixth-wicket stand of 59 threatening to drag the game away from us. But we clicked through the gears — 35-2 became 50-5 before anyone had settled into their deckchair — Tim Wright doing the heavy lifting with 3-33 and three tidy maidens, while I chipped in with 2-7 and Ollie Howarth picked up 1-13 for good measure. My gloves, it must be said, let the side down rather more than my bowling, thirteen byes leaking through like a village fete raffle.

Wilmington closed on 140/9, and honours were shared. A draw, then — honest, hard-fought, and with Craig Sands and Tim Wright both sitting proudly atop our season's charts. Not a bad afternoon's work, all told.

Sat 21 Apr 2007 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformDLLWL

Saturday 21 April 2007, and Headcorn CC came to Linton Park with the sun very much on their side, if not entirely on ours. I put them in, always a bold call on a decent strip, and watched Mike Donnelly (42) and Pete Sparks (38) put on 58 for the fifth wicket like they had all afternoon to enjoy it — which, frustratingly, they very nearly did. They were bowled out for 186 off 42 overs in the end, which felt like a fair result for a pitch that gave everyone a bit of a chew. Jon Harris was the pick of us with 3-40, relentless and unrewarded for long spells before the wickets came; James Piper bowled two maidens on his way to 2-23, tight as you like; and I chipped in with 2-12, which I mention once and shall not mention again. Sakthivel Sureshkumar departed for a duck, no complaints from him.

Chasing 187, we never quite found our rhythm. Four for one early doors set the tone, and when both Tom Murphy and Matthew Carter contributed golden ducks, it looked grim. Enter James Piper, calm as a Sunday vicar, cracking a fine 52 to give the innings some backbone. We closed on 138 for 9 from 41 overs — short of the target, but with wickets in hand to at least deny them the win. Three wides and a positively generous 21 no-balls were handed over along the way, which our skipper (me) will be having quiet words about.

Honours shared, then — a draw when neither side could quite land the killer blow. Piper leads our run charts, Harris our wickets, and Headcorn go home no doubt as relieved as we are.