🧢 Captain's Log

Sat 26 Sep 2009 🧢 1st XIv Chelsfield CC · HomeformLWLLL

Saturday 26 September 2009, and Chelsfield CC rolled up for what turned out to be a proper day's cricket. I lost the toss — no great surprise there, my coin-calling remains as reliable as an English summer — and we were sent out to bowl.

Chelsfield made a fair fist of things, posting 181 all out from their 42 overs. Howard was the chief architect, an unbeaten 87 that did the bulk of the damage, with Robertson (32) and Ross (30) chipping in nicely. Credit to us, though: U Hassan and Miles Walker went back the visitors without troubling the scorers, and Tim Thirkell led the attack beautifully with 2-25. Sam Boyns backed him up with 2-26 and a couple of miserly maidens thrown in for good measure, while Michael Beeney weighed in with 2-37 — the sort of tidy, shared bowling effort that keeps a captain's blood pressure down.

Chasing 182, David Castle played the innings of the day — a lovely 87 that carried us home — well supported by Richard Piper (34) and Tom Murphy (27). We got there at 183/4 from 33.1 overs, six wickets in hand.

Castle now sits third in this season's 1st XI run charts with 372, and Beeney fourth in the wickets with 24 — both quietly building rather good seasons while the rest of us cheer from the boundary rope.

A thoroughly good day for the club, all told — the kind that makes the teas taste that bit sweeter.

Sat 19 Sep 2009 🧢 1st XIv Bearsted CC · HomeformWLWLL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 19 September 2009. A fine late-summer afternoon greeted us as we welcomed Bearsted CC, and winning the toss I sent them in, a decision that looked shakier by the over as their innings gathered pace to close on a healthy 208/4 from 40. The chief culprit was Mark Hodges, whose magnificent 108 not out did most of the damage, well backed by Steven Benjamin (32) and Stephen Pearce (20) — their fourth-wicket stand of 60 was the innings' backbone. Poor Ian Sandwell trudged back for a golden duck, which I'm sure he'll want struck from the record. Credit to the bowlers for keeping us in it: Joshua Knowler bowled beautifully for 2-23, with Tim Thirkell (1-20) and Mark Beeney (1-24) chipping in dutifully.

Chasing 209, we made a fair fist of it, reaching 193/6 from our 40 overs. Paul Gibson very nearly did the impossible, falling agonisingly short on 99, with Tim Wright a fine support act on 40, and extras contributing a handy 26 — the sundries column doing sterling work as ever. I did what I could from the top of the order, also finding my way to 99, though clearly neither of us fancied sharing the milestone that day.

So it wasn't to be — beaten by 15 runs, a match that slipped through our fingers rather than one we were outclassed in. Heads up, chins forward, and back to the nets: Paul Gibson's 1042 runs this season are some consolation, even if this particular ledger reads narrowly in Bearsted's favour.

Sun 13 Sep 2009 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv AC Anchorians CC · HomeformWWDDD

From the captain's chair — Sunday 13 September 2009. We hosted Anchorians CC, and the coin, as it so often does, let us down; they won the toss and chose to bat, leaving us to toil in the field on what turned into a long, chasing afternoon.

Anchorians made themselves thoroughly at home, posting 240/6 from their 37 overs. D Carter's 45 was the backbone of it, with D Pask (40) and S McKechnie (35) doing their bit to keep the scoreboard ticking uncomfortably along. To our credit, we didn't let them run away with it entirely — Michael Beeney bowled beautifully for 2-52, with Tim Wright (1-20) and Sam Boyns (1-32) chipping in. Poor Glen Rawson had a torrid time behind the stumps, nine byes going begging, the sort of afternoon best forgotten over a pint.

Chasing 241, we never quite got out of first gear. Tom Murphy top-scored with a spirited 39, well supported by Mark Christmas (28) and, modestly, by yours truly with 39 of my own. Sam Boyns, alas, made a golden duck for his troubles. All told we mustered 153/9 from our 40, falling 87 runs short.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Richard Piper continues to bat like a man possessed, leading the run charts with 349, while Tim Wright's 9 wickets keep him handily placed. As for us — beaten fair and square, but there was enough fight in there to suggest better days are coming. We'll regroup and go again next week.

Sat 12 Sep 2009 🧢 1st XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformDWLWL

Beaten by 43 runs on Saturday, but here's the thing about hosting Headcorn CC on a fine 12th of September — the toss went against us, they had first knock, and Kevin Richardson simply decided the afternoon belonged to him, an unbeaten 85 that our bowlers could rough up but never quite topple. Peter Westrop's 40 and Richard Munro's 22 kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely for them, and 193/4 from their forty overs was always going to take some chasing.

Credit where it's due in the field, mind. Joshua Knowler bowled with real purpose for his 2-23, Mark Christmas and Lee Tidey chipped away either side of him, and Michael Beeney's two maidens were the sort of tight, unglamorous overs that keep a captain sane. We just couldn't quite squeeze them shut.

With the bat, Mark Christmas was the story of our innings — a fine 51, well supported by Iain Cardew's 29 and Tim Wright's 20 — and I'll admit a personal 51 of my own was rather satisfying, small mercies and all that. Joshua Knowler's afternoon turned rather sourer with the bat than the ball, undone for a duck. 150/8 in the end, 43 runs shy.

Richard Piper sitting 5th in the season's run charts and Mark Christmas 3rd among the wickets are reminders that, individually, the lads are in good nick even when the team result doesn't follow. We were second best today, no argument — but there's enough here to suggest we'll have the last word before the season's out.

Sun 06 Sep 2009 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv WK Westgate-On-Sea CC, Kent · HomeformWWWDD

Losing the toss on a sunny 6 September, we were sent out to bowl — and after Nick Sandwell and Keith Sandwell put on 143 for the third wicket, both cashing in for well-made fifties (92 and 60), it looked rather ominous for the tea urn. Gary Sandwell chipped in with 37, and it seemed the Sandwell family had rather taken up residence at the crease. Small mercies, though: an early wicket for just 5 on the board had briefly given us hope, and poor Barney Lawson trudged off for a duck. Gareth Davies was magnificent throughout, snaring 4-37, with Sam Boyns (1-30, and two miserly maidens) and Matthew Carter (1-34) refusing to let the runs flow too freely. Westgate declared themselves happy with 236/7 from their 41 overs.

Chasing 237 was always going to test the resolve, and while I'd like to say I orchestrated a glorious pursuit, the truth is more modest — I top-scored with 55, ably assisted by Mark Christmas (also 55) and James Piper (24), with a third-wicket stand of 62 doing the heavy lifting. A generous 27 extras from our hosts didn't go amiss either. We closed on 173/6 from 39 overs, short of the target but very much still standing.

So honours were shared, and frankly a draw felt like the fairest result — nobody quite had the legs or the overs to finish the job. Richard Piper continues to lead our run charts with 341, and Matthew Carter tops the wickets with 19. A hard-fought stalemate, and no shame in that.

Sat 05 Sep 2009 🧢 2nd XIv Milstead CC · HomeformWWLLW

Saturday 05 September saw Milstead CC visit Linton Park, and having lost the toss we were put in the field — no bad thing, as it turned out we quite like bowling before elevenses. R Bartlett had other ideas, ghosting past his fifty to finish unbeaten on 87, with Adam Copping (29) and Peter Morrell (23) chipping in to see Milstead to a stiff 199/6 from their 45. Poor Ian Hollingworth trudged back without so much as a single to his name — these things happen to the best of us. Darren Styles was the pick of the attack, 2-40 with four maidens of positively monastic discipline, well supported by Tim Thirkell (1-29) and Hollingworth, who atoned with the ball for his golden duck (1-46).

Chasing 200 is never a stroll, and losing a wicket with just 7 on the board did nothing for the collective nerves. But Trevor Back, unbothered by the early wobble, compiled a composed 54 not out to anchor us home, with Glen Rawson (38) and Laurie Probert (35) providing sturdy company. I contributed a watchful 21, and nine byes crept through to remind our wicketkeeper that Saturdays are meant to be humbling.

We got there with three wickets in hand — two points, thoroughly earned, and a timely reminder that Kevin Presneill's runs and Ian Hollingworth's wickets aren't the only things keeping this season interesting. A scrappy win, but a win all the same, and I'll take that any day of the week.

Sat 05 Sep 2009 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · AwayformWDWLW

Beaten by 4 wickets at Marden, this one hurt because we'd done most things right.

Winning the toss on a September afternoon at Marden, I never gave a second thought to bowling first — this is a batting side, and I wanted us setting the target, not chasing it. Dave Charlton led from the front with a fine 39, and when Richard Knowler and Paul Gibson strung together a vital 50 for the fifth wicket, 169 felt like a total with some substance to it. Credit to the tail too, who wagged their way to a final 43 and left Marden's fielders thoroughly fed up by the 45th over.

Defending it, we made Marden work — Mark Christmas was superb, 2 for 34 with four maidens, the kind of spell that squeezes the life out of an innings, and Joshua Knowler and Richard Knowler chipped in either side of him. But John Paul Sunnucks had other ideas, motoring past his fifty to finish unbeaten on 56, well supported by Richard Hunter's 38, and between them they saw Marden home with four wickets and eight balls to spare. Ten byes did rather sum up David Castle's afternoon behind the stumps — not his finest hour, though we've all had one of those. I added a modest 18 with the bat, well short of Paul Gibson's season tally of 943, and Richard Knowler continues to lead our wicket charts with 31.

A fine effort, ultimately undone by one very good innings from the opposition. We'll be better for it next week.

Sun 30 Aug 2009 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv IC Irving Sports CC · HomeformDWWWD

We drew the toss and I gambled on batting first — the right call, as it turned out. David Castle played the innings of the summer, a magnificent 105, while Richard Piper stood alongside him with a beautifully constructed 74. Between them they put on 141 for the third wicket, the kind of stand that has the tea urn boiling early in anticipation, and we closed on a handsome 230/4 from our forty overs.

Defending that lot should, by rights, have been the easy part. Irving Sports made a fair fist of the chase, Stephen Wilkes top-scoring with 47, well supported by Chris Alsemgeest's 33 and Neil Alsemgeest's 30. Matthew Carter led from the front with the ball, snaring 2-28, with Chris Newman and Trevor Back each chipping in with 1-6 apiece, and Mark Christmas bowled with admirable discipline, extracting three maidens for his trouble. For all that, the visitors dug in gamely and closed on 137/5 from 42 overs, the innings running out of overs rather than wickets.

A word for the season's form guide: Richard Piper continues to top the 1st XI run charts with 328 for the summer, while Matthew Carter leads the wicket-takers with 18 — both men doing rather more than their fair share of the heavy lifting.

So, honours shared, and perhaps rightly so — we set a total we ought to have defended more emphatically, but a draw with a century to our name is no disaster. Chin up, lads; on to the next one.

Sat 29 Aug 2009 🧢 2nd XIv HC Horton Kirby CC · AwayformWWWLL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 29 August 2009, away at Horton Kirby CC.

Won the toss, elected to bat, and for once the decision looked shrewd before a ball had even swung. Lewis Burnham played the innings of the season, an unbeaten 115 that anchored everything around him, while James Piper (37) and Laurie Probert (27) put on a stand of 88 for the third wicket that did most of the heavy lifting. A generous 25 in extras rounded things off nicely — Horton Kirby's bowlers doing their bit for the cause, whether they meant to or not. We closed on 216/3 from our 40 overs, a total that had the look of trouble about it even before we'd taken the field.

And so it proved. Their reply never got out of first gear — Bradley Bull, Neil Samuels and Adam Groom all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers, ducks all round. Sam Boyns was the chief tormentor with 3-4, Gareth Davies (2-3, and four maidens besides — not a run given away lightly) and Tim Thirkell (2-17) tidied up what was left. All out for 76 in 28 overs, and the game was as good as done by tea.

A fine win by 140 runs, and a timely reminder — as if Tim Wright's 307 runs and Tim Thirkell's 17 wickets this season weren't reminder enough — that this side is not to be trifled with. Onwards.

Wed 26 Aug 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv HC Hartley Country Club CC · HomeformDLLDD

Losing the toss on a warm Wednesday and being asked to chase is never quite the tonic one hopes for, but there are worse fates than an afternoon in the field, and Hartley Country Club CC duly made us work for our tea. Lewis Hickford compiled a serene, unanswerable 105 not out, with Tim Clark ably supporting on 91 and Dale Clarkson chipping in with 25; the pair of Hickford and Clark put on 149 for the fourth wicket while we toiled away hoping for a miracle that never quite arrived. Chris Newman was pick of the attack with 2-31, Matthew Carter took 2-65, and Harry Bee weighed in with 1-18, as Hartley closed on a formidable 267/6 from 38.2 overs.

Set that mountain to climb, we made a fair fist of it. Ryan Boyns top-scored with a gritty 41, Laurie Probert made 39, and Tim Wright chipped in 21, with the fourth wicket adding a useful 62. Then, as so often happens in these fixtures, the wheels came off spectacularly — 173-6 became 185-9 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a pint. Poor Michael Beeney walked for a duck, and I did my modest bit with 15, but 197/9 from 41 overs left us short of the target with wickets still to spare.

Honours shared, then — a draw that flattered neither side but satisfied both. A fair result, and no shame in it.

Sat 22 Aug 2009 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformWWDWL

Well now, hats off to the lads on this one.

Winning the toss at Staplehurst on the 22nd, I fancied our chances with the bat first, and by the close of 45 overs we'd posted a very respectable 233/5. It could have gone rather differently after the openers left us wobbling at 8-1, but James Piper and Paul Gibson took matters firmly in hand, adding a priceless 138 for the second wicket. Piper finished unbeaten on 89, Gibson fell agonisingly short of the century on 87, and Ryan Boyns chipped in a tidy 20 further down. The extras column, meanwhile, quietly bowled in a very useful 31 of its own. Less gloriously, David Castle and Laurie Probert both trudged off for ducks — the walk of shame is never a pleasant one, but the scoreboard didn't much mind.

Defending 233 always looked a big ask for Staplehurst, and so it proved. Alexander Holmes and Chris Curran threatened briefly with 44 and 32 respectively, but Richard Knowler was in inspired form, tearing through the order for 5-31, with Boyns and Mark Christmas chipping in a wicket apiece and Matthew Carter refusing to concede an inch with two maidens. Poor David Castle had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, shipping 8 byes for his trouble. They folded for 140/9.

A landmark day too — Mark Christmas brought up 3,000 career runs and 300 career wickets for the club in the same afternoon, which rather puts the rest of us to shame. A 93-run victory, and a thoroughly good day out.

Wed 19 Aug 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv TC Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC · HomeformDDLLD

As it stands after our home date with Tunbridge Wells Wednesday CC, I won a toss I probably didn't deserve to win and, in a rare fit of positivity, stuck us in. For once the decision looked shrewd rather than reckless: David Castle set about the visitors with real intent, cruising past his fifty to finish on 68, while Ryan Boyns played the innings of a man entirely unbothered by pressure to end 40 not out, and Tim Wright chipped in a tidy 37. All told we posted 215/4 from our 42.3 overs, which felt like a total with a bit of menace to it.

Defending it proved a rather more sobering afternoon in the field. F Hulbert gave us a proper going-over with a fine 52, and just when we thought the door might close, Andy Rauf (36 not out) and Iain Barker (25 not out) calmly walked them home to 182/4 off 44 overs. Credit where it's due — Martin Harris was miserly and clever for 1-22, with Chris Newman (1-26) and Michael Beeney (1-30, two maidens to his name) doing everything asked of them and more. It simply wasn't quite enough to prise out the last of their middle order.

So honours shared, and on reflection a fair result — we set a total worth defending, bowled with real discipline, and were undone by two batsmen playing very good cricket. A draw that felt earned rather than escaped, and no bad way to spend a Wednesday.

Sun 16 Aug 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Benenden CC · HomeformWLWWL

The coin did us a favour on Sunday 16th August, and with Benenden CC the visitors I had no hesitation in sending us in — a decision that looked rather shrewd as the openers put on a handsome 89 for the first wicket. Ryan Boyns went on to compile a fine 84, with Mark Christmas (40) and Richard Piper (33) chipping in nicely, and 199/9 from 42.5 overs felt like a total with some substance to it. Substance, that is, until the middle order decided to test the nerves of everyone watching, 166-3 becoming 180-6 quicker than you could pour the tea. Special mention, of the unwanted sort, to Gareth Davies, whose golden duck was at least gleaming.

Defending it, we simply ran into a man in irresistible form. Peter Newman's superb hundred (106), backed by Laurie March (44) and an unbeaten 34 from Ben Collins, saw Benenden cruise to 202/2 in 40.4 overs, their own openers laying down a formidable 127 stand before we so much as glimpsed a breakthrough. Sam Boyns toiled honestly for 1-15 with two tidy maidens, Patrick Hill matching him with 1-15, but there was no stopping the tide.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, no arguing with that. Ryan Boyns and Sam Boyns continue to lead from the front in the season's charts, and there's plenty to build on. We'll be better for it next week.

Sat 15 Aug 2009 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · AwayformLWWDW

Skipper's Log — Saturday 15 August 2009, away to Leeds & Broomfield CC. I called correctly and, in a fit of what I told myself was tactical boldness, stuck us in. History will record this as optimistic.

We were bowled out for 97 in 35.4 overs, which is the sort of total that makes the tea urn feel like the highlight of the afternoon. Richard Piper's 27 was the innings' backbone, with James Piper's 23 lending sturdy support, but the rest of the card read rather thin — Craig Sands and Ryan Boyns both departed for golden ducks, proof that cricket remains a cruel and unforgiving mistress.

With the ball, we scrapped hard. Matthew Carter was superb, snaring 2-34, while Mark Christmas bowled three tight maidens and gave nothing away with the ball — though his afternoon with the gloves was rather less serene, eight byes going begging past him. Aaron Bailey, unbeaten on 37, calmly shepherded Leeds & Broomfield home as they reached 98/2 in 27.5 overs.

Elsewhere, the season ticks on regardless of our Saturday wobbles — Paul Gibson remains top of the 1st XI run charts on 836, and Matthew Carter leads the wickets column with 28, a reminder that not everything about this club is currently held together with string and hope.

Beaten by eight wickets, then, and no arguing with it. A day to file under "lessons learned" and move swiftly on — we'll be better for it next week.

Wed 12 Aug 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv The Mote CC · AwayformDDDLL

Won the toss at The Mote and stuck us in to bat — the right call, I felt, and for once I wasn't proved a fool by tea. David Castle set about proving it further with a fine 71, and Glen Rawson wasn't far behind with a well-crafted 65, the pair of them putting on 123 for the second wicket while the rest of us watched from the boundary with our pads on and our confidence rather lower. James Piper chipped in with 27, and I managed the same myself, as we wound our way to 212/8 from 53.5 overs. Special mention, of course, to Ryan Boyns, whose golden duck rather set the tone for his afternoon — though he'd make amends later, as these things tend to go in cricket.

Defending 212 against a side who fancied their chances, we chipped away without ever quite prising the door open. Rajeevan Raveendran played the innings of the day with 55, well supported by John Clark's 40 and Matthew White's unbeaten 26, and The Mote eased to 186/3 from their 35 overs. Tim Wright led the attack manfully for 1-18, with Lewis Burnham and Matthew Carter both picking up 1-49 and 1-31 apiece — and that man Boyns, duck forgotten, bowled two tidy maidens to keep the scoreboard honest.

A draw, then — honours shared, as neither side could land the decisive blow. Not the story we'd hoped to write, but a thoroughly good afternoon's cricket, and James Piper and Matthew Carter continue to lead our run and wicket charts respectively. We'll take it.

Mon 10 Aug 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv NI Northwood CC, IOW · HomeformDDDDL

From the captain's chair — Monday 10 August 2009. Northwood CC, Iow, came calling, and the coin didn't fall our way, which meant an afternoon of leather-chasing before we'd even had a chance to pad up. Forty overs later they'd posted a rather stern 240 for 9, built chiefly around Matt Heelan's fine 63 and Chris Hurrell's 58, with David Neal ticking along unbeaten on 36 to see the innings home. Small mercies: Ashley Goldsmith went for a duck at our hands, and Tim Wright was a genuine handful with 3 for 11, backed up nicely by Matthew Carter's 3 for 35 and a wicket apiece for Sam Boyns. Michael Beeney kept things tight with a couple of maidens, proof that not everything went for runs.

Chasing 241 was always going to want something special, and Laurie Probert very nearly provided it, cracking a splendid 67 that had us daring to dream. Trevor Back chipped in with 37 and Tim Wright, having already done his bit with the ball, added an unbeaten 30 for good measure. But 169 for 4 from our forty overs left us 71 runs shy, and poor Sam Boyns had a torrid time behind the stumps, leaking 10 byes for his troubles.

Elsewhere in the season, James Piper continues to lead our run charts with 186, and Matthew Carter tops the wickets with 10 — reminders that not all is doom and gloom in this Midweek XI. As for Monday, it simply wasn't our day. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sun 09 Aug 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv SC Speldhurst CC · AwayformLWLWW

Sunday saw us head over to Speldhurst, and losing the toss meant we were straight out into the field before the tea urn had even warmed up. Batting first is never our favourite trick, but 184/7 from our 40 overs was a fair old effort in the circumstances, especially after losing an early wicket with the scoreboard still reading nought — the sort of start that has you checking your watch and wondering about the drive home. Credit to Alan Boyns for a fine 42, with Jamie Ratcliffe (29) and Ryan Boyns (26) chipping in nicely, and the seventh-wicket pair deserve a special mention for stitching together 59 crucial runs when we needed them most. Extras chipped in a generous 27, which we'll gladly bank, while Jordan Austin and Matthew Taylor both took the long walk back for ducks — commiserations, gentlemen, the ledger doesn't lie.

With the ball, we simply couldn't find a way through. James Flemington batted beautifully for his unbeaten 87, ably assisted by Ben Brandt's composed 59 not out and Mark Flemington's 28, and between them they saw Speldhurst home in just 30.3 overs. Jon Harris toiled manfully for his 1-34, and I managed a personal 42 with the bat earlier, for what little consolation that offers.

Beaten by nine wickets in the end, no argument about it — they were simply too good on the day. Chins up, lads: we'll regroup, we'll learn, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sat 08 Aug 2009 🧢 2nd XIv SC Sheldwich CC · AwayformLWWWL

Saturday saw us make the trip to Sheldwich, and if there's a more time-honoured start to a losing afternoon than losing the toss and being put into the field, I've yet to hear of it. What followed was a lesson in application from the home side, none more so than Martin Mills, who ground out an unbeaten 109 while Maxine Blythin (40) and Jon Taylor (40 not out) played their supporting roles to the letter — the pair adding a stand of 107 that put the game well beyond our reach before tea was even a twinkle. Ian Hollingworth toiled manfully, three maidens and the solitary wicket to show for his honest 60 runs conceded, though on this pitch that felt like value for money.

Chasing 235, we made a decent fist of it without ever threatening to get there. Kevin Presneill led the way with 48, well supported by Glen Rawson's 41 and Richard Piper's 22, and I chipped in with 48 of my own for what it was worth. Less happily, the Duck Club welcomed two new members in Trevor Back and Ian Hollingworth, both departing for nought — the walk of shame performed with due solemnity. Behind the stumps it was one of those afternoons where the ball seemed to enjoy its own company, 11 byes going begging, and our extras column swelled to a generous 30.

In the end, 178/9 wasn't enough, and we fell 56 runs short. Kevin continues to lead our run charts and Ian our wicket charts for the season, which is some consolation — but not much. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sat 08 Aug 2009 🧢 1st XIv SC Selsted CC · HomeformWLWWD

Saturday 08 August 2009, and Selsted CC were our visitors. I won the toss, elected to bat, and for once the decision looked wise before I'd even reached the middle.

What followed was the sort of innings that makes captaincy feel less like an ordeal and more like a privilege. Paul Gibson and David Castle put on a magnificent 165 for the first wicket before anyone so much as troubled the scorers with a wicket, Gibson going on to an imperious 181 not out and Castle chipping in a fine 70. James Piper added a brisk 32, extras chipped in a generous 38, and we declared our innings closed, so to speak, at 321 for 2 from our 45 overs. I confess I spent most of the tea interval trying to look as though scores like that happen to us every week.

Selsted's reply never threatened to trouble the target. Peter Arter batted with real application for his unbeaten 58, and Rodney Kilbee's 23 was the only other score of note, but our bowlers strangled the innings throughout — Matthew Carter the pick with 2 for 30, Gareth Davies and Richard Knowler chipping in a wicket apiece, and Michael Beeney, tight as a drum, sending down three maidens. They closed on 159 for 6.

A win by 162 runs, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club. Gibson continues to plunder runs for fun atop the season's charts, Carter leads the wickets column, and I shall simply try to keep tossing well.

Thu 06 Aug 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv S Shebear · HomeformDDDDD

Thursday the sixth of August found Dummy Site as our visitors, and true to summer form the coin let us down again — they had first use of a good-looking track and took it without hesitation. Forty overs in the field is a long shift for any side, and for a while it looked ominous: 66 on the board before we so much as troubled the scorers, a stand that set the tone for the innings. M. Bray settled in for a fine 78 not out, R. Bryan chipped in a useful 43 and G. Knapman finished unbeaten on 21, while their last pair had the cheek to add 50 we could really have done without. Credit where due — Dave Todd led the attack beautifully with 2-19, Ryan Boyns was tidy and miserly with 2-44 and two maidens, and Darren Styles picked up 1-23. They closed on 208/8.

Chasing 209, David Castle played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 66 that held everything together, well supported by Tim Wright's 29 and Chris Newman's 21 — with the extras column doing its bit too, 39 of the useful sort. We closed on 199/5, nine runs shy of the target and, frankly, of ourselves.

Tim Wright continues to purr along nicely, now fourth in the season's run charts, while Matthew Carter sits proudly atop the wicket-takers without so much as bowling a ball today — such is cricket. Not our day, then; heads up, and back to the nets.

Tue 04 Aug 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv BC Bexley CC · HomeformLDDDD

As it stands, Tuesday brought Bexley CC to Linton Park, and I lost the toss - never a good omen, though I like to think I called it with real conviction. Put in to field, we watched Yavar Khan cruise to 75, with John Olufawo (39) and Adrian Wiltshire (37 not out) doing their bit, and an 80-run second-wicket stand that we simply couldn't prise apart. Their last pair then had the cheek to bolt on 47 runs we could have done without, seeing us finish on the wrong side of 257/6. Small mercy: Michael Ladbrook departed for a duck, and Jon Harris (2-33) led a tidy attack, well supported by Lewis Burnham (2-34) and Chris Newman (1-43).

With 258 to chase, we set about it properly - James Piper and Ryan Boyns put on 74 for the first wicket in fine style, Piper going on to a superb 86 and Boyns falling just short of a hundred with 60, Laurie Probert chipping in with 27. Alas, Tim Wright's afternoon lasted precisely no balls scored, a nought for the Duck Club ledger. We closed on 229/7 from our 45, agonisingly adrift.

So honours shared, and perhaps rightly so - two sides who gave everything and still couldn't be separated. Piper now tops our run charts for the season with 176, and Harris leads the wickets with 7; if the rest of us could just catch them up, we might start winning these things outright.

Sun 02 Aug 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv NC Nuxley CC · HomeformWLWLW

Sunday the 2nd of August found us hosting Nuxley CC, and after losing the toss I was handed the least welcome job in cricket — leather-chasing in the summer heat while somebody else decides how many we're meant to chase. Still, the lads dusted themselves off and set about building something respectable. Iain Cardew was the day's shining light, a fine 75 that anchored everything, with Glen Rawson (49) and Lewis Burnham, unbeaten on 36, lending sturdy support. The fifth-wicket pair added a crucial 81 to give the innings real backbone, and we closed on a handsome 205 for 5 from our 40 overs. Spare a thought, though, for poor Trevor Back, who contributed nothing more than a duck to the cause — these things happen to the best of us, Trevor, and no doubt there'll be a pint waiting with your name rather too pointedly attached to it.

Defending 205 is never a formality, and Nuxley had their moments, with Ali Wilkinson (40) and Adam Hudson (32) threatening to make a proper contest of it. But our bowling attack held its nerve beautifully. Ryan Boyns was magnificent, ripping through with 3 for 20, while Thomas Beeney (2-25) and Ben Wells (2-33, and two tidy maidens to boot) squeezed the life out of the innings from the other end. Nuxley were eventually shut out on 177 for 9.

A 28-run victory, then, and two points thoroughly banked. Cardew's bat and a disciplined bowling unit did the heavy lifting — the sort of all-round performance that makes the drive home feel considerably shorter.

Sat 01 Aug 2009 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · HomeformDWLWW

Saturday 01 August 2009, and I'll confess to no great agonising at the toss — winning it, I stuck us in without a second thought. Milstead CC made themselves at home, ticking along to 166/9 from their 45 overs, though we had them 8-1 at one stage before Russel Meyrick settled in for a composed 65 not out, well supported by Gareth Chick's 30 and Michael Annand's 23, and a stubborn third-wicket stand of 50 that undid our early good work. Richard Knowler was the pick of the attack by some margin, 3-31 and looking every inch the man who'd just brought up his hundredth career wicket for the club — a landmark worth raising a teacup to. Michael Beeney (2-34) and the ever-parsimonious Matthew Carter (2-50, two maidens) chipped in nicely alongside him.

With the bat we made brisk, untroubled work of 30 without loss from 8.1 overs before the players and the clock conspired to call it a day — Mike Sellar's golden duck the only blot on an otherwise tidy scorecard. Craig Sands continues to sit proudly second in our season's run charts, and Matthew Carter tops the wicket pile with 24 — form worth keeping.

A draw, then, honours shared and nobody quite able to force the issue. Milstead will feel they let one slip after being 8-1; we'll feel much the same about not pressing on with bat in hand. All told, a fair result for an afternoon where neither side deserved to lose.

Wed 29 Jul 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv ? · HomeformDLDDD

Off the field for six all square — Chris and Paul each fell for a duck, but 79 from Trevor Back and 51 not out from James Piper saw us home.

Wait, let me actually write this properly based on the facts given.

---

From the captain's chair, Wednesday 29 July, and a fine afternoon it was for it at home. Winning the toss, we had first use of the ball, and the visitors set about building a healthy total, closing on 230/5 from their 46 overs. Paul Mobbs led the way with a fine 79, well supported by M Jones with 59 of his own, while Ed Thorogood finished unbeaten on 37 to give the innings a bit of late polish. Chris Newman was pick of our attack with 2-46, Craig Sands and Michael Beeney chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Matthew Carter kept things admirably tight with two maidens — not a run given away lightly.

Chasing 231, we made a fair fist of it, reaching 181/7 from our 40 overs. Trevor Back was the man of the innings with a lovely 51, James Piper batted sensibly for 43, and Chris Newman added 24, the pair sharing a stand of 55 for the fifth wicket that held the innings together. Craig Sands, having bowled tidily earlier, endured the walk of shame for a golden duck — cricket's way of keeping a man humble.

Honours were shared in the end, neither side quite able to force it home. A word too on the milestones: Michael Beeney's wicket eased him past Ian Brattle into 6th on the club's all-time list, while James Piper and Chris Newman continue their fine seasons, third and fourth respectively in this year's Midweek XI charts. A draw, then — honest, hard-fought, and no bad way to spend a Wednesday.

Sun 26 Jul 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv CC Colemans Hatch CC · HomeformLWLWL

Lost the toss, asked to field — which these days feels less like a choice and more like a formality, since we never seem to win the blessed thing. Colemans Hatch made a watchful start of it, 15-1 becoming 25-4 as our attack found its rhythm; Joshua Knowler was pick of the bunch with 2-18, well supported by Sam Boyns (2-23) and Richard Knowler (2-36), while Chris Newman strangled the middle overs with three maidens. Three of theirs departed without troubling the scorers — quack, quack, quack. All told a highly satisfactory morning's work, rather spoiled by Steve Pollard's unbeaten 85 and an infuriating last-wicket stand of 75 that we really could have done without. They closed on 153/8 from 41 overs — a target made friendlier by our bowling, sourer by their tail.

Chasing it, we began in the sort of style that makes a captain feel briefly like a tactical genius: 66 for the first wicket before anyone troubled the umpire. Craig Sands anchored things beautifully for a fine 56, Trevor Back chipped in with 31 and Richard Piper's 20 also brought up 8,000 career runs for the club — a landmark rather lovelier than the collapse that followed, 144-5 crumbling to 153-8 in a rush of nerves and wild swishing. We scrambled home on 154/8 from 36.1 overs, two wickets and precisely no margin for further alarm to spare.

A scruffy, heart-in-mouth affair, but two points are two points — and we'll take the win, however untidily arrived at.

Sun 26 Jul 2009 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Bells Yew Green CC · AwayformLDWWW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 26 July 2009, away to Bells Yew Green CC.

Lost the toss, put in to field, and watched the sun go down on a good afternoon's work being undone by a very good opening stand. Ninety-one for the first wicket is the sort of start that makes a captain reach for the sun cream and reconsider his life choices, and by the time we finally prised them apart they were well on their way to 249/8 from their 45 overs. Dan McInerney played beautifully for his 87, George Lovell chipped in handsomely with 52, and full credit to Martin Harris for dragging us back into it with 3-40 — Tim Thirkell (2-23) and Tim Wright (1-17, two maidens and stingy as ever) kept the runs honest when they could. I'll confess the afternoon was a tricky one behind the stumps, and nine byes is nine more than I'd have liked — my apologies to the bowlers.

Needing 250 to win, we settled for the sensible option and simply batted well. Glen Rawson was the rock, 54 not out and calm as you like, with Tim Wright again to the fore, this time with the bat, for a fine 46. Finishing on 142/3 from 41 overs, honours were shared — a draw when neither side had the legs or the inclination to force it.

A fair result, all told, and pleasing to see Tom Murphy (2nd in the season's run charts) and Tim Wright (3rd among the bowlers) both keeping their names near the top of the pile. Nobody left Bells Yew Green disappointed — just pleasantly tired, and ready for tea.

Sat 25 Jul 2009 🧢 1st XIv LC Lenham CC · AwayformWDWLW

Saturday 25 July 2009 saw us take the road to Lenham, and when the coin fell kindly I did what any captain half-fancying his bowlers does on a fine morning — stuck them in. For a horrible moment it looked inspired, Lenham slipping to 1 for 1 and then, extraordinarily, 9 for 4 — the kind of collapse that has a captain trying to keep a straight face at mid-off. But cricket, being cricket, restored order in the shape of Dave Bunch, who simply refused to get out, carrying his bat to a magnificent unbeaten century while a stand of 56 for the eighth wicket dragged Lenham back to something resembling respectability at 137 for 9 off their 45. Mark Christmas was the chief tormentor with 4 for 19 — five maidens in there too, mean as you like — well supported by Matthew Carter's 3 for 29 and a wicket for Chris Newman, who along the way brought up a rather splendid 100 career wickets.

A target of 137 looked eminently gettable, and so it proved, Paul Gibson playing the anchor's part to perfection with 66 not out, helped along nicely by Craig Sands' 22 and Tim Wright's unbeaten 22, seeing us home at 139 for 3 with plenty of overs and, more importantly, plenty of wickets to spare. I'll confess to rather enjoying myself with the ball too, four wickets falling my way — the sort of day a captain doesn't mention modestly, only slightly less modestly.

A fine seven-wicket win, then, built on a wobble, a century, and a skipper in unusually good order. Onwards.

Sun 19 Jul 2009 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv BC Blue Star CC · HomeformWLDWW

Sunday 19th July, and Blue Star CC rolled up hoping for a nice afternoon in the Kent sunshine. We lost the toss, they put us in — and off we went.

What a knock it turned into. Daniel Thirkell played beautifully for an unbeaten 78, well marshalled by Craig Sands' 39 not out and Jamie Ratcliffe's brisk 29, as we motored to 212 for 6 off our 44. Your correspondent, meanwhile, contributed rather less to proceedings — a first-ball duck that I shall not dwell on, and neither, mercifully, will Tom Murphy's identical golden effort. Misery loves company.

With the ball, we set about them properly. Richard Pitt's 27 and useful contributions from Christopher Holman (25) and Andy Kidby (23) gave Blue Star some respectability, but it was never enough against Dan Barkaway, rampant with 3 for 24, well supported by Matthew Carter (2-36) and Jordan Austin (2-51), while Peter Davies kept things admirably tight with a couple of maidens. They folded for 153 in 38.4 overs.

A special word, too, for Daniel Thirkell, who brought up 11,000 career runs for the club during his innings — a landmark worth raising a glass to, and rather overshadowing my own personal nadir with the bat.

A fine win by 59 runs, then, ducks and all. Onwards.

Sun 19 Jul 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Boughton & Eastwell CC · AwayformWLWLW

Sunday 19 July 2009 saw us on the road to Boughton & Eastwell, and true to form the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — they had first use of it and chose to field. Nothing for it but to bat, and bat we did to the tune of 145/8 from our 36 overs, the innings carried almost single-handedly by Glen Rawson's fine 68. Elsewhere the scorebook made grimmer reading, with Ben Wells and Martin Harris both back in the pavilion without troubling the scorers — two ducks on a warm Sunday afternoon is never a comfortable sight for a skipper.

Defending 145 was always going to ask questions of us, and Boughton & Eastwell answered most of them, reaching 148/4 in 29 overs. Daniel Newman's 41 was the backbone of the chase, with Craig Mannering's unbeaten 32 and Edward Schryver's 29 doing the tidying up. We did have our moments — Ryan Boyns bowled beautifully for 3-38, Matthew Taylor chipped in with 1-32, and Carl Spencer walked back for a duck of his own at our hands — but nine byes past poor Alan Boyns behind the stumps told their own story of a day when little quite clicked.

Six wickets the margin in the end, and no arguing with it. Glen Rawson's fifty keeps him proudly atop the 2009 Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 373, which is some consolation. We'll dust ourselves down, have a word about those byes, and be better for it next week.

Sat 18 Jul 2009 🧢 2nd XIv Mersham Sports CC · AwayformLLWWW

Won the toss at Mersham Sports CC on a bright Saturday, and with visions of runs on the board I stuck us in. Visions, as it turned out, were about all we had, for we lost our first wicket without a run to our name — the kind of start that makes a captain suddenly very interested in his shoelaces. We rallied, only to stumble again from 19-2 to 38-5 in the sort of collapse that gives the tea urn something to talk about, and poor Glen Rawson, Will Thirkell and Jamie Ratcliffe all trudged back for ducks. Salvation arrived in the unlikely shape of a ninth-wicket stand worth 77, Kevin Presneill making 85 of the finest and Alan Boyns chipping in a sturdy 22, to drag us to 152 all out in 44.1 overs.

It never felt quite enough, and so it proved. Mersham lost an early wicket at 5, but Gavin Rogers (51) and Andy Douglas (32) put on 80 for the third wicket to take the sting out of the afternoon, with Chris Meanley (25 not out) seeing them home at 154-4. Iain Rawson toiled manfully for 2-23, Sam Boyns and Lee Tidey chipped in, and Ian Hollingworth bowled five miserly maidens for his trouble — all rather in vain.

My own 85 was pleasing, and Kevin's 3,000 career runs a lovely landmark amid the wreckage. But six wickets is six wickets — not our day, lads. Back to the nets.

Sat 18 Jul 2009 🧢 1st XIv WC Willesborough CC · HomeformLWDWL

Saturday 18 July 2009, Willesborough CC the visitors, and I won the toss — no dithering, straight into the field. On a day when everything I touched turned to gold, our attack simply strangled them: Richard Knowler was in unplayable mood, turning it square for 5-35, while Mark Christmas nagged away for 3-11 with three maidens to his name and Matthew Carter chipped in with 2-19. Darren Stear and John Scamp both departed for ducks before they'd got the pads dirty, and Willesborough were bowled out for a modest 107 in 39.3 overs. Not a bad afternoon's toil in the field.

Chasing such a total ought to be a formality, and so it proved, if not without the odd wobble — poor Richard Piper walked off for a golden duck, the one blot on an otherwise handsome scorecard. But Craig Sands made sure it barely registered, playing beautifully for an unbeaten 58, with James Piper a fine foil at the other end on 42 not out, and we cruised home at 108/1 in just 25.2 overs.

A word on the milestones: Mark Christmas's three wickets sent him past Dick Langridge into 23rd on the club's all-time list — welcome to the history books. Craig Sands continues to purr along in 2nd in this year's run charts on 339, and Richard Knowler now leads the wicket-takers with 21.

A thumping nine-wicket win, and I even managed three wickets myself for good measure. Onwards, indeed.

Wed 15 Jul 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv LX Lord Cornwallis XI · HomeformDDLDD

Wednesday the 15th of July found Linton Park playing host to Dummy Site, and with the coin falling my way I did what any self-respecting skipper does under a hopeful sky — stuck them in and hoped for the best. For a while it looked a bold call vindicated, with the first wicket tumbling for just one, but T. Coleman had other ideas, compiling a fine 78 while P. Rudd (38) and O. Clarkson (36) chipped in, and a stubborn 64-run fourth-wicket stand threatened to run away from us. Credit to poor E. Hoy, though, sent back without so much as a single to his name. Matthew Carter was the chief tormentor, a superb 4-34 studded with three maidens, ably backed by Tim Wright (2-41) and Chris Newman (2-62), and 220/8 from 42 overs felt like a total we could chase down over tea and biscuits.

In reply, Craig Sands played the innings of the day, 56 of good, old-fashioned application, with James Piper (35) and Tim Wright (28) lending sturdy support in a match-shaping 91-run third-wicket partnership. We closed on 214/7 from 38 overs — six runs short and two overs shy of glory, honours shared rather than won outright.

Sands now leads our 2009 run charts with 132, Wright the wickets with six — men in form, if not quite men of destiny this particular Wednesday. A draw, then: fair reflection of a match neither side deserved to lose, and neither, in truth, quite deserved to win.

Tue 14 Jul 2009 🧢 Twenty20v HC Hollingbourne CC · AwayformLWWWW

Skipper's Log, Tuesday 14 July 2009 — away at Hollingbourne, and for once the coin obliged me, so I sent them in with the sort of confidence that in hindsight looks rather like hubris. Steve Martin and Tom Osborne had other ideas, putting on 131 for the second wicket as if the bowling had been laid on especially for them — Martin cashing in for 76, Osborne a tidy 51 — and by the time Joe Martin finally prised them apart with 2-14, ably backed by Chris Newman's 1-14 and Mark Christmas's 1-31, the total had swelled to a distinctly awkward 170/6 from their twenty.

Chasing 171, we stumbled to 8-1 early doors and I confess I feared the worst, but Dave Charlton played the innings of the day, a composed 54, with Craig Sands (30) and Mark Christmas (26) chipping in nobly. We finished on 165/7 — five runs light, and cricket's cruellest arithmetic at work again.

Spare a thought for Joe Martin, whose golden duck earns him this week's entry in the Duck Club ledger 🦆 — though he can console himself with reaching 50 career wickets 🎯, a milestone worth more than any five runs. James Piper still tops our season's run charts with 169, and Mark Christmas leads the wickets with 8.

Beaten, not disgraced. We'll fancy our chances of putting this one right next week.

Sun 12 Jul 2009 🧢 Sunday NVKCv GC Glynde & Beddingham CC · HomeformLWDDW

Sunday 12 July 2009 saw Glynde & Beddingham CC visit Linton Park, and I lost the toss — they had a fielding fancy about them, and events would rather prove them right.

Batting first is a fine tradition when it works, and it did not really work. We limped to 8-1 before the sky fell in entirely, tumbling to 17-4 in what felt like the time it takes to pour a tea. James Piper, Paul Gibson and Chris Newman all walked back for ducks, a trio of blobs that will be the subject of some gentle ribbing in the bar. Only Ryan Boyns, with a battling 28, gave the scorebook anything to be proud of, and we were all out for 71 from 28.1 overs — respectable in overs faced, rather less so in runs accrued.

With the ball we at least made them work a little, though not nearly enough — Joe Adams cruised to an unbeaten 40 as the visitors knocked off the runs for the loss of a single wicket in just 11.85 overs. Nine wickets the margin in the end, a proper thumping.

One crumb of comfort: Craig Sands continues to churn out runs for fun and sits second in the Sunday NVKC charts with 78 to his name this season. The rest of us, meanwhile, must dust ourselves down. A chastening afternoon, honestly earned, and we'll be better for it next week.

Sun 12 Jul 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Bidborough CC · AwayformLWLWL

Sunday 12th July, Bidborough — away days always feel a little more like an occasion, and this one didn't disappoint, even if the toss did. Lost that, as is tradition, and were put straight into the field.

Bidborough compiled a respectable 194/9 from their forty overs, built around Will Sargent's 47, with Chris Wallington (34) and Alex Latham (25) chipping in dutifully. The bowling honours went to Jon Harris, whose 3-37 was the pick of a genuinely tidy effort, backed up nicely by Lewis Burnham (2-19) and Sam Boyns (1-23). Special mention, too, for the fielding gods smiling on A Steptoe and G Poulsom, both sent packing for ducks — the kind of small mercies that keep a captain sane in the field.

Chasing 195, we stumbled to 132/7 — a touch short, but not for want of trying. Iain Rawson held things together with an unbeaten 28, well supported by Tim Wright's 26, while Paul Ratcliffe's golden duck reminded us cricket has no time for sentiment. The extras column, meanwhile, had a field day of its own — 26 in total, 8 of them byes, which says rather more about our afternoon behind the stumps than any of us would like.

And yet — three wickets, two points, and a result that flatters us more than the scoreboard perhaps deserved. Glen Rawson and Jon Harris continue to lead the runs and wickets charts respectively, and on this evidence, deservedly so. A scrappy win, honestly earned, and all the sweeter for it.

Sat 11 Jul 2009 🧢 2nd XIv SC Shipbourne CC · HomeformWLLWW

Saturday 11 July 2009, and Shipbourne came calling at Linton Park. We lost the toss, were duly put into the field first, and I can't say I was entirely sorry — batting last on our own square rarely troubles us.

Set the task of building a total, we made a fine fist of it: 230/6 from our 45 overs. Yours truly enjoyed a rare purple patch, 93 not entirely undeserved, though the real backbone was a lovely fifth-wicket stand of 93 alongside Trevor Back (35) and Iain Rawson (26) chipping in nicely either side of it. A total that felt like something to bowl at.

And bowl at it we did. Shipbourne's openers had other ideas, putting on 72 before anyone so much as troubled the umpire, and Mark Basten's classy 62 threatened to make a real fist of the chase, ably assisted by David Bell (31) and Tom Kendle (28). But Will Thirkell had other plans, prising out three for 48, with Joshua Knowler and Ian Hollingworth chipping in either side of him — Hollingworth in particularly miserly mood, five maidens and 1-11 for his troubles. Poor Glen Rawson had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes going begging, but no matter — 167/5 was well short, and 63 runs was the margin.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and Kevin Presneill continues to top the run charts while Hollingworth leads the wickets. A proper club win, this — the sort you dream about on the drive home.

Sat 11 Jul 2009 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWLWDW

Under a July sky at West Farleigh, we lost the toss, were sent in to field, and spent the afternoon watching one man play a different sport to the rest of us. Senthil Muniyasamy strolled to 168 not out, and with Colin Fry (46) and Greg Snape (35) offering ballast, and that murderous 114-run fourth-wicket stand, the home side rattled up 293/5 from their 45. Tim Wright toiled honestly for 1-30, Matthew Carter and Michael Beeney chipped in either side of him, and Richard Knowler bowled two maidens as if daring anyone to actually score off him. Poor Martin Hoare had the misfortune of a golden duck for his troubles.

Chasing 294 was always a tall order, and 0-1 inside the first over set the tone rather too honestly. Richard Knowler's 30, backed up by Tim Wright's 29 and Paul Gibson's 24, gave us something to build on, and a spirited 50-run stand for the seventh wicket briefly had me dreaming of the improbable — I even got my head down for a scratchy 24 of my own. But David Castle, Ryan Boyns and Michael Beeney all fell for ducks, and 136 all out in the 43rd over was the sorry final word.

Beaten by 157 runs, then, and no amount of purple prose will dress that up as anything but a hiding. Paul Gibson continues to lead our run charts for the season and Matthew Carter the wickets, which at least gives us something to cling to on the drive home. Heads up, chin up, back to the nets — there's a season yet to save.

Sun 05 Jul 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv RC Reculver CC · HomeformLLWLW

Skipper's Log — Sunday 05 July 2009. Reculver CC visited us in what I'd optimistically pencilled in as a fine day for batting, and so it proved — just not, in the end, for us.

Put in first, we toiled through 40 overs as Reculver racked up 189/6, the innings anchored by Steve Lewis's classy 84 not out and given real backbone by Sam Hadlow's 35, the pair putting on 78 for the fifth wicket while I shuffled the field and tried to look like I had a plan. Tim Wright was the pick of the attack with 3-41, chipping away with the kind of persistence that deserves a better return, while Matthew Taylor and Alan Boyns picked up a wicket apiece to keep us in the contest longer than the scorebook perhaps suggests.

Chasing 190, we made a fair fist of it — Paul Gibson's 35 the innings' backbone, with good support from Tim Wright, whose 21 with the bat capped an admirable all-round shift, and a second-wicket stand of 57 giving us something to build on. But 144/8 from our 39 overs left us 45 runs shy, and the tail simply couldn't find the extra gear.

Elsewhere in the season's ledger, Ron McCormick continues to accumulate quietly — fourth in the Sunday 2nd XI run charts on 105 — while Jon Harris leads the wicket-takers with 13, proof there's genuine quality in the ranks even on days like this.

Not our day, then — outplayed rather than outclassed. Heads up, chins out, and back to the nets.

Sat 04 Jul 2009 🧢 2nd XIv SC Staplehurst CC · AwayformWWLLW

Off Straplehurst's own square we went on Saturday 4th July, having lost the toss and – with the sort of luck that has followed this side around all season – handed first use of the wicket to the opposition. They made hay to the tune of 141 all out, M Thorndycraft top-scoring with 33 and Gez Saunders chipping in a handy 28, the pair anchoring a stubborn 55-run stand for the sixth wicket that threatened to bat us out of the game entirely. Credit to the bowling unit, though: Lee Tidey was the pick with 3-24, Darren Styles snapped up 3-26, and Tim Thirkell bowled with real miserliness, 2-23 including three maidens, to peg them back. S Hammond and I Franklin departed without troubling the scorers.

Chasing 142, we stumbled early to 5-1 and for a moment the tea urn looked ominously close. But Glen Rawson played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 74, well supported by Kevin Presneill's 29 and a crucial third-wicket stand of 65 that steadied the ship. Trevor Back and Iain Rawson had less joy, both departing without scoring, and your correspondent contributed a workmanlike 29. Thirteen byes rather gave the game away behind the stumps – a testing afternoon for Glen Rawson with the gloves as well as the bat.

We scrambled home 144/7, a three-wicket win. Scrappy, occasionally chaotic, but a win is a win – onwards.

Sat 04 Jul 2009 🧢 1st XIv Marden CC, Kent · HomeformWWLWD

Saturday last, and Marden CC of Kent rolled up to Linton Park with the sun out and, rather cruelly, the toss going their way. They put us in, which some of the lads took as an insult and the rest of us as a chance to bat ourselves into a stupor. Two hundred and fifty for five off our forty-five overs later, honour was restored. James Piper played the innings of the day, 71 full of the sort of shots that make tea taste better, Stewart Morrison finished unbeaten on 49 and Craig Sands chipped in with 35; their fifth-wicket stand of 62 was the spine of the whole innings. I contributed a workmanlike 30 myself, which I shall be mentioning at every opportunity until Christmas.

Defending it, Marden never quite got away from us, despite John Paul Sunnucks (59) and Ben Tomkinson (57 not out) doing their level best to drag them back into it. An early wicket falling with just 1 on the board set the tone nicely, and poor Richard Brewer and Gareth Ward never troubled the scorers at our end. Ryan Boyns was magnificent, 3 for 12, with Mark Christmas (2-23, three miserly maidens) and Ian Hollingworth (2-54) doing sterling work either side of him — and a word for Hollingworth, who passed 100 career wickets in the process. Marden were done for 175.

A fine win by 75 runs, and not before time. Onwards.

Wed 01 Jul 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv HC Hartley Country Club CC · AwayformDDDLD

Wednesday took us to Hartley Country Club CC, where I lost the toss yet again and we were sent out to bowl — a fate I'm growing wearily accustomed to. Scott Mckechnie made us pay with a chanceless 125, well supported by Lewis Hickford (35) and Justin Raymond-Guillen (25), the pair adding 79 for the second wicket. Small mercies came via Russell Bennett and Graham Hutson, both back in the pavilion without scoring, while Jon Harris bowled beautifully for 4-37, Tim Wright and Michael Beeney chipped in with two apiece, and Chris Newman was miserly with three maidens. They closed on 248/9 from 36.5 overs — a total with some sting in its tail.

Our reply had real substance. Hal Pearson and Glen Rawson laid a proper platform, 98 for the first wicket, before Pearson went on to a fine 64 and Rawson cruised past fifty with 53. Richard Piper added 48, and I managed a matching 48 myself, though poor Craig Sands endured a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 11 byes escaping him. We finished on 239/6 from our 42 overs.

Milestones aplenty: Glen Rawson reached 2,000 career runs for the club, and Chris Newman brought up both 1,000 runs and his 100th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark day for a stalwart.

Honours were shared in the end, neither side quite able to force it home. A draw, then — and, all things considered, a fair and thoroughly enjoyable one.

Tue 30 Jun 2009 🧢 Twenty20v HC Hollingbourne CC · HomeformDLWWW

Tuesday 30 June saw Hollingbourne CC roll up the pavilion drive, and having won what passes for a coin toss in these parts, I sent them in — a decision I spent the next twenty overs quietly hoping wouldn't come back to haunt me. Tom Osborne played the anchor role rather too well for our liking, his 32 the backbone of their 142/7, with Colin Gorridge's 21 adding some late polish. But our attack had its say too: Mark Christmas was the pick, 2-15 and metronomic, while Matthew Carter (2-30) and Ryan Boyns (2-34) chipped away either side of him. Restricting them to 142 felt, at tea, like a job reasonably well done.

Chasing it, we were given the perfect platform by James Piper and Craig Sands, whose 69-run stand for the second wicket did most of the heavy lifting — Piper's 40 the cornerstone, Sands' 37 the perfect foil. I'll confess to enjoying my own small contribution of 40, though I'll leave others to judge whether that was captaincy or plain good fortune. We stumbled gloriously over the line at 143/6 with two balls to spare, four wickets in hand.

With Piper now top of the 2009 run charts on 168 and Christmas leading the wickets on 7, the form book is starting to make pleasant reading. A good day, a good win, and — dare I say it — a rather good season taking shape.

Sun 28 Jun 2009 🧢 Sunday NVKCv FC Fordham CC · HomeformLLWDD

Sunday 28 June saw Fordham CC descend upon Linton Park in fine weather, and having lost none of my usual boldness at the toss, I called it right and, in a fit of tactical genius or possibly just habit, stuck us in the field. Whether that decision looked clever depended entirely on which hour of the innings you asked me. Fordham compiled a stern 181/7 from their forty overs, built around a classy fifty from Mark Abbott (52) and useful support from Gavin Harding (39), but Richard Knowler had other ideas, ripping through with 3-36, backed up nicely by Mark Christmas (2-39) and Ryan Boyns (1-19).

Chasing 182, we set about it with more composure than usual. Paul Gibson played the innings of the day with a well-crafted 53, James Piper chipped in with 33, and Mark Christmas finished unbeaten on 30, the pair adding a crucial 83 for the fourth wicket that turned the match our way. I contributed 30 myself, more relieved than triumphant, while the extras column did its bit with 34. Spare a thought, though, for poor Ryan Boyns, whose golden duck earns him this week's unwanted spot in the Duck Club ledger — bowling heroics rather undone by a first-baller.

We got there with four wickets in hand, and two well-earned points banked. Paul Gibson now tops the Sunday run charts for the season, Mark Christmas sits second among the wicket-takers, and the skipper, for once, made a call at the toss that actually paid off. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work.

Sun 28 Jun 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv CC Chevening Amblers CC · AwayformWLLWL

Sunday 28 June saw us motor out to Chevening Amblers, and having won the toss I didn't so much as glance at the pitch before deciding we'd bat — some decisions make themselves. It proved a shrewd one, as Glen Rawson set about compiling a magnificent 93 not out, the innings of the day by some distance. Gareth Davies chipped in with 26 and Ron McCormick 20, the pair sharing a second-wicket stand of 64 that gave the innings its backbone. Not every man could find his range, mind — poor Tim Wright departed for a golden duck, though the extras column made up handsomely for him with 30 generously donated by our hosts. We closed on a healthy 198 for 5 from our 41 overs.

With the ball, the lads were positively rampant. Sam Boyns led the charge with a superb 3 for 7, well supported by Jon Harris (3 for 23) and the redoubtable Tim Wright, who atoned splendidly for his golden duck with 3 for 9 and three tidy maidens besides. Chris Barrett, William Fry and David Usher were all sent packing without troubling the scorers, and only Jason Draper (23) and David Franklin (20) offered any real resistance as Chevening folded for 128 in 33.1 overs. Ron McCormick had a trickier time behind the stumps, 16 byes going astray, but no matter.

A comfortable 70-run victory, two points banked, and Glen Rawson and Jon Harris continuing to top our season's charts. A thoroughly satisfactory afternoon's work.

Sat 27 Jun 2009 🧢 1st XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · AwayformWWWLW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 27 June 2009. The road took us to Cobham CC, Kent, and having called correctly at the toss I did what any self-respecting skipper does with sunshine overhead — elected to bat, and for once I shall allow myself a small pat on the back for it.

The lads set about building something respectable, and Paul Gibson led the charge in some style, sailing past his fifty to finish on 89, with David Castle chipping in a tidy 34 alongside him. Not everything gleamed, mind — Tom Murphy and Matthew Carter both trudged back for ducks, the sort of dismissals that draw a sympathetic hand on the shoulder in the pavilion rather than a word said aloud. Even so, 212/9 from our 45 overs was a total to be proud of and gave us something to bowl at.

Defending it, we turned to Richard Knowler, who made merry with the ball for figures of 4-22, backed superbly by Matthew Carter's 2-18 — three maidens and all, tight as you like — and Michael Beeney's 1-21. Simon Murray fell to us without troubling the scorers, but Adam Kidd dug in gamely for an unbeaten 30 to see Cobham to 98/7 from their 30 overs, safety secured. Poor Glen Rawson had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, eight byes leaking through, though nobody's perfect on a Saturday.

A tip of the cap, too, to Stewart Morrison, whose 9 runs today eased him past John Ames into 16th on the club's all-time run-scorers list.

A draw, then — honours shared, and honestly, given the bowling on show, we'll take it.

Tue 23 Jun 2009 🧢 Twenty20v EC East Sutton CC · HomeformLDLWW

From the captain's chair — Tuesday 23 June 2009. We hosted East Sutton CC, and for once the coin gods smiled on me: I called correctly and, in a fit of tactical daring, stuck us in the field.

It looked a shrewd move for about half an over, and then Chad Henderson decided he rather fancied batting, cracking a fine 55 to anchor their innings. He found willing company in Duncan McClintock (29) and Simon Hammond, unbeaten on 29, the pair putting on 63 for the second wicket while I shuffled the field with the air of a man who understood cricket. East Sutton closed on a brisk 146/2 from their 20 overs. Credit where due, though — Tim Thirkell chipped away for 1-22 and Mark Christmas picked up 1-29, keeping us in touching distance rather than out of sight.

Chasing 147, we simply cantered. Craig Sands played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 83, striking the ball with the sort of authority I can only admire from the non-striker's end, while James Piper offered brisk support with 36 not out. I did my modest bit with 36 of my own before getting out of the way of the real batting. We reached 150/1 in just 17 overs, home by nine wickets with plenty of tea left in the pot.

A thoroughly good day for the club. James Piper now leads our 2009 Twenty20 run charts with 128, and Mark Christmas sits second in the wickets column with 5 — both, on this evidence, thoroughly deserved.

Sun 21 Jun 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Bearsted CC · AwayformWWLLW

Sunday 21 June saw us make the trip to Bearsted, and after losing the toss and being asked to field first — sorry, bat first — we knew it would be one of those afternoons. A wicket down for just 2 had the tea urn already muttering about a collapse, but Mark Christmas played the innings of the day with a fine 45, Jon Harris chipped in an unbeaten 39, and Gareth Davies added 21 to drag us to 140 all out off 45.3 overs. Credit to the tail — the tenth-wicket pair put on a priceless 50 — though the club ledger will note Iain Rawson, Ron McCormick and Jamie Ratcliffe all took the long walk back for nought. 🦆

Defending 140 was always going to want early wickets and a bit of luck, and we got neither in real quantity. Bearsted stumbled to 4-1 and we did send Zak Morgan back without troubling the scorers, but Rod Maloney settled in for an unbeaten 66 and, with Abhishek Poddar unbeaten on 39 alongside him, the total was chased down at 141/4 in 36.2 overs. Jon Harris (1-11) and Jordan Austin (1-31) did what they could with the ball, and Gareth Davies bowled two tidy maidens, but eight byes through my own gloves didn't help matters — nor, in fairness, did my own 39 with the bat count for enough.

There was a silver lining: Jon Harris's 39 nudged him past Frank Brattle into 25th on the all-time run charts, a fine personal landmark on a losing day. But six wickets down is six wickets down. Not our day — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 20 Jun 2009 🧢 2nd XIv West Farleigh CC · AwayformWWWLL

From the captain's chair — Saturday 20 June 2009. Away at West Farleigh, the coin obliged and I had no hesitation in putting us in, which is always a decision one makes with great confidence right up until the moment it either looks like genius or folly.

As it turned out, genius. We were skittled for 183 all out, but there was real substance in there — Joe Martin, Kevin Presneill and Chris Newman all made 39 apiece, with the third-wicket pair contributing a vital stand of 55 that held the innings together while wickets fell around them. Less said the better about the Thirkell twins, Will and Tim, who both walked back for ducks — a family trait, evidently, best not dwelt upon over tea.

In the field, 183 looked defendable and so it proved, West Farleigh closing on 164 for 6 off their 45. Jack Crouch and John Scott threatened to bat us out of it with 49 and 47 respectively, and David Brown's unbeaten 21 kept them in the hunt to the last, but Darren Styles was magnificent — 2 for 8 with six miserly maidens, and along the way he brought up 600 career wickets, a landmark that deserves rather more fanfare than a modest line in the scorebook. Ian Hollingworth and Joe Martin chipped in with two apiece, and I even managed 39 with the bat for good measure.

A fine win by 19 runs, then, and Kevin Presneill and Ian Hollingworth continue to top the 2nd XI's season charts. Onwards, in good heart.

Sat 20 Jun 2009 🧢 1st XIv SC Staplehurst CC · HomeformWWWWL

Saturday 20 June 2009, and Staplehurst CC came calling on a day that would end, somewhat improbably, with two hard-won points in our pocket.

Lost the toss, put in to field — never my favourite start, but the lads knuckled down. An early breakthrough at 8-1 promised much, only for A Henson (65) and Tim Watts (61) to put on 122 for the third wicket and threaten to bat us out of the game entirely. Credit where due, though: Matthew Carter was superb with the ball, 4-49, with Mark Christmas (3-29, three maidens and not a run given away cheaply) and Richard Knowler (2-23) squeezing hard at the other end. Staplehurst were held to 189-9 from their 45 — a total that felt gettable, if we kept our nerve. Poor C Henderson departed for nought, the sort of afternoon best forgotten quickly.

Chasing 190, we made equally hard work of it — 3-1 was hardly the platform we wanted — but James Piper's 49 and Paul Gibson's 38, allied to a sturdy 72-run fourth-wicket stand, dragged us home with balls to spare, 190-8 off 42.3 overs, aided by a generous 33 extras from the visitors. I contributed a workmanlike 17 and found a little rhythm with the ball myself, three wickets to show for it.

The real story of the day, though, was Paul Gibson bringing up his 500th appearance in Linton colours — a landmark that rather puts my own modest 17 in perspective. A scrappy, nervy, thoroughly typical two-wicket win, and all the sweeter for it.

Wed 17 Jun 2009 🧢 Midweek XIv SC Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC · HomeformLDDDL

It was another instalment of the Sevenoaks & District Wednesday saga, and as ever the coin let us down before a ball was bowled — asked to field first, which on a Wednesday evening always feels less like tactics and more like fate.

Batting second suited us rather nicely in the end, mind, once we'd had our turn to set the target. Glen Rawson led from the front with a handsome 57, and found willing company in Daniel Thirkell (47) and Craig Sands (34), the pair putting on 80 for the third wicket to give our innings its backbone. We closed on a healthy 192/6 from 35 overs — the sort of total that makes the tea interval taste that bit sweeter.

Sevenoaks, though, are not a side to be brushed aside lightly, and Taylor set about proving it with a fine 74, well supported by S Cork's 48, the two of them stitching together 122 for the third wicket that threatened to bat us clean out of it. Credit where it's due — Tim Wright kept his nerve and his line to return 2-11, with Matthew Carter and Jon Harris chipping in a wicket apiece, and Michael Beeney tying things down with two miserly maidens. C Nightingale, for what it's worth, departed for a golden duck at our hands — small mercies. In the end Sevenoaks fell short at 150/4 from their 41, and honours were shared. A draw it is, then — not the win our third-wicket stand deserved, but on a Wednesday evening, with the light fading and the tea urn cooling, nobody was complaining too loudly.

Tue 16 Jun 2009 🧢 Twenty20v West Farleigh CC · AwayformWLDLW

Captain's Log, Tuesday 16 June 2009. Off to West Farleigh, and I called it right at the toss for once, sending them in — a decision I'd like to claim was tactical genius, but really I just fancied bowling first.

West Farleigh posted 122/9 off their twenty, with Jimmy Emmett the chief architect on 48 and Ryan Ravenscroft chipping in a handy 23. Credit where it's due: Mark Christmas was magnificent with the ball, ripping through with 3-10, while Michael Beeney (2-16) and Ryan Boyns (2-22) kept the pressure on throughout. Alan Smith, meanwhile, had a day to forget — back in the pavilion without so much as a run to his name. 🦆

Chasing 123, we made a proper meal of it, as is our custom. Dave Charlton held the innings together with a fine 37, James Piper (22) and Richard Piper (21) lending sturdy support, and I even managed to contribute 22 of my own — more by accident than design. It went right down to the wire, nine wickets down, nerves shredded, before we scrambled home by the barest of margins: one wicket.

Elsewhere, James Piper continues to top the season's run charts with 92, and Michael Beeney leads the wickets with 6 — form both men will want to keep bottling.

A day that threatened to end in embarrassment finished in glorious, undignified triumph. We'll take it — Linton Park 1, dignity 0.

Sun 14 Jun 2009 🧢 Sunday NVKCv EC Eynsford CC · HomeformWLLWD

Sunday 14 June saw Eynsford CC roll into Linton Park, and the coin — for once — did as it was told. I called it right and, feeling bullish, stuck them in.

It looked a stroke of genius early on, with the visitors wobbling to 1-1 before they'd barely taken guard. Howard Collins and Steve Allwright both walked back without troubling the scorers, and though Lindsay Hamill dug in for a fighting 41, Eynsford never really recovered, folding for 114 in 38.1 overs. Matthew Carter was magnificent, tearing through them with 4-19, while Iain Rawson (4-21, and two maidens for good measure — miserly barely covers it) and Mark Christmas (2-20) mopped up what was left. A proper team effort with the ball.

Chasing 115, we made distinctly harder work of it than the bowling suggested we should, stumbling to 118-4 from 35.4 overs. Paul Gibson anchored things beautifully for an unbeaten 49, with James Piper (36) alongside him in a fourth-wicket stand of 59 that, in truth, won us the game before it was lost. As for your captain — a golden blob. They say lead from the front; I merely led from the pavilion steps back to the changing room, rather sooner than planned.

Gibson continues to top our Sunday run charts with 127, Rawson the wickets with 9 — the two performances that, not coincidentally, kept us competitive today. Honours shared, then, and on reflection a draw that flattered nobody more than it flattered me.

Sun 14 Jun 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv BC Buckhurst CC · AwayformWWWLL

From the captain's chair, Sunday 14 June 2009: we made the trip to Buckhurst CC, and for once the coin obliged me — I put us in to bat, and thankfully nobody threw it back.

We were 8-1 inside a few overs, which is always a fine time for the captain to develop a sudden interest in his shoelaces, but a stout 73-run stand for the second wicket steadied the ship nicely. Glen Rawson batted beautifully for a well-made 64, with Tom Murphy (24) and Jordan Austin (20) chipping in, and even our extras column pulled its weight with 26. Special mention, as tradition demands, to Patrick Hill, who contributed a golden duck to the Duck Club ledger 🦆 — he'll be buying the teas for that one. All told, 176/7 from our 37 overs felt like a defendable total, if not an unassailable one.

And so it proved. Buckhurst fought hard — Andrew Sharp's 39 the backbone, with useful support from M McMorran (26) and Joe Drown (23) — but they fell agonisingly short, all out for 174 in 36.5 overs. Alan Boyns was superb with the ball, 4-49, Jon Harris chipped away with 3-56, and Patrick Hill made amends for his batting with 2-24. I even got in on the act myself with four wickets of my own — happy days.

Two runs. Two points. Thoroughly, nervously, gloriously earned.

Sat 13 Jun 2009 🧢 1st XIv Leeds & Broomfield CC · HomeformWWWWW

Beaten by five wickets at home to Leeds & Broomfield, and if I'm honest, the coin toss set the tone before a ball was bowled — they had first say, chose to field, and rather fancied their chances of chasing.

We huffed and puffed our way to 166/8 from our 45 overs, and thank heavens for David Castle, whose 75 was the innings' beating heart. Craig Sands weighed in with a tidy 40, and the pair added a crucial 68 for the second wicket after we'd lost the first for just 1. Poor Richard Piper will want this one struck from the record — a duck to forget — but there was better news buried in the scorecard: David Castle brought up 23,000 career runs for the club, a landmark that rather puts the rest of us to shame.

With the ball, we simply couldn't finish the job. Leeds & Broomfield lost an early wicket for nought and looked there for the taking, but Geoff Hunt (45 not out), Adrian Samson (44 not out) and Martin McCague (42) steadied and then sank us, reaching 169/5. Matthew Carter was superb, 4-33, and remains second in the season's wicket charts with 10, but eight byes off Mark Christmas told its own sorry tale, and Aaron Bailey and John Hartshorn joined Piper in the duck club.

A chastening afternoon, then, redeemed only by Castle's milestone. We'll regroup, tighten up behind the stumps, and come again next week.

Tue 09 Jun 2009 🧢 Twenty20v HC Hunton Wanderers CC · AwayformWWLDL

Tuesday 9 June saw us make the trip to Hunton Wanderers, and winning the toss on a morning that felt made for bowling, I didn't need asking twice — we fielded first.

It proved the right call. Hunton were bowled out for 138 in 19.1 overs, with only Stuart Slaughter (42) and John Adams (39) offering any real resistance. The rest came and went with alarming regularity — Frankie Pankhurst, Craig Dalton and Ashley Maguire all departed without so much as a run to their name, which I'm reliably informed constitutes a duck hat-trick of sorts. Michael Beeney was magnificent with the ball, tearing through the order for 4-21, with Matthew Carter (3-17) and Joe Martin (1-13) mopping up in support. A word too for Carter, who in the process brought up 200 career wickets — not a bad afternoon's work by anyone's reckoning.

Chasing 139, we made surprisingly hard work of what should have been a formality, though we were never truly troubled. Stewart Morrison (38) and James Piper (38 not out) shared a fine second-wicket stand of 60, Mark Christmas chipped in with 25, and I contributed 38 of my own — captaincy clearly agreeing with the bat that day. We came home at 142/4 with overs to spare, six wickets in hand.

A thoroughly satisfying day out: clinical in the field, comfortable if unspectacular with the bat, and a nice personal milestone for Carter to boot. We'll take that every week.

Sun 07 Jun 2009 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv KC Knockers CC · HomeformDWLDW

Sunday 7th June saw Knockers CC roll into Linton Park for what turned out to be a rather one-sided affair. I called correctly at the toss – a rare enough event in itself to note in the log – and had no hesitation in sticking the visitors in.

It proved a shrewd call, or possibly just a lucky one. With nothing on the board they lost their first wicket, and from there the innings rather fell apart at our feet, tumbling from 0-1 to 10-4 before anyone had properly settled into their deckchair. Paul Styles, T Watts and W Smith all trooped back for ducks, and only Stuart Seldon, with a battling 30, offered any real resistance. Chris Newman was magnificent with the ball, tearing through them for 4-25, ably supported by Matthew Carter's miserly 3-12 (five maidens, no less – the man barely let the bat breathe) and Dan Barkaway's 1-1. All out for 44 in 16.2 overs was a modest total by anyone's reckoning.

Chasing such a small target was never going to trouble us unduly, and so it proved: 45 for the loss of just one wicket in 14.1 overs, Craig Sands seeing us home in style with an unbeaten 28.

Two points banked, and thoroughly deserved. A tidy, professional victory by 9 wickets – the sort that makes the drive home feel a good deal shorter than the drive there.

Sat 06 Jun 2009 🧢 1st XIv SC Selsted CC · AwayformLWWWW

Won the toss down at Selsted, and with the sun out and the outfield fast, there was really only one decision to make: we batted. Paul Gibson made the day his own, striding to an unbeaten 163 that bordered on the indecent, with Iain Rawson (34 not out) and Mark Christmas (28) offering sturdy support and a 62-run stand for the sixth wicket doing the heavy lifting. Even the tail got in on the act, wagging merrily to add a frustrating final 169 for Selsted to chase leather for, while the extras column pitched in a generous 35. Spare a thought, though, for David Castle, whose walk to the crease and straight back again for a duck was the one blot on an otherwise glorious afternoon. 🦆

Defending 301/7, the bowlers made light work of it. Selsted's openers put on 81 before the breakthrough, and Stuart Green's well-made 63 and Gareth Hunt's 38 threatened briefly, but Iain Rawson (3-37) led the charge, with Richard Knowler (2-10), Mark Christmas (2-44) and a typically miserly Michael Beeney (three maidens) squeezing the life out of the innings. Howland, Jenopan and Norris all departed without scoring. 🦆 I chipped in with 28 myself, more useful than elegant.

Two milestones to toast: Craig Sands reached 9,000 career runs, and Paul Gibson, inevitably, sailed past 15,000 🎉 — he now leads our season's run charts with 393, while Beeney tops the wickets with 14.

Won by 120 runs. Two points, thoroughly earned, and a very pleasant drive home.

Tue 02 Jun 2009 🧢 Twenty20v Bearsted CC · HomeformLWWLD

Tuesday last saw Bearsted CC roll into Linton Park, and having won the toss I did what any captain does on a decent strip: elected to bat and hoped for the best. We crawled and cantered our way to 151/7 from the twenty, with Paul Gibson the pick of the lot for 49, Iain Cardew chipping in a handy 37, and James Piper unbeaten on 32 to give the total some respectability. Less gloriously, both Tom Murphy and Laurie Probert made the long walk back for ducks — the kind of pair that gets you a mention in the ledger whether you like it or not.

Defending 151 was always going to ask questions of our bowling, and Bearsted answered most of them themselves. G Cook simply refused to leave, cruising to 85 not out, with Greg Laurenson (41 not out) and Noel Johnston (21) offering cheerful company at the other end. Patrick Hill toiled manfully for his 1-43, and I did my bit with the ball for 32 runs, though "did my bit" is doing some heavy lifting there. They cantered home at 154/1 with two overs unused.

Beaten by nine wickets, then — no hiding from that scoreline. Gibson's 49 keeps him top of our run charts for the season, and Hill's lone scalp leads the wickets, which tells its own story about the summer so far. We'll dust ourselves off and be better for it next week.

Sun 31 May 2009 🧢 Sunday NVKCv YC Yalding CC · AwayformLWLLW

Sunday 31 May 2009 saw us make the trip to Yalding CC, and if you'd told me beforehand we'd walk away with a draw, I'd have taken it gladly, though not before losing the toss and being invited to field first, as is tradition round these parts.

Yalding built steadily to 177/8 from their 40 overs, with Muhammad Shahzad Rafiq's 43 the backbone of the innings, well supported by Shumshair Haider (28) and Adnan Pervaiz (22) — the pair adding 53 for the second wicket to give their innings some shape. Mark Christmas was the pick of our attack with 2-28, and Richard Knowler and Michael Beeney chipped in admirably with 2-31 and 2-38 respectively, keeping things respectable in the field.

With 178 to chase, our reply had its wobbles — an early wicket down for just 1, and the Rawson household enduring a shared duck between them, Glen and Iain both departing without troubling the scorers. But Paul Gibson played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 71 carrying us home in company with Craig Sands' useful 20, while the extras column did its bit with 37. I contributed a modest 17 of my own. Iain Rawson's day wasn't a total loss, mind — he brought up 100 career wickets, a fine milestone amid the ducks.

A draw, then, honours even — and on reflection, a fair result from a match that gave as good as it got.

Sun 31 May 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv LR Lord Raglan · AwayformWWWWL

From the captain's chair — Sunday 31 May 2009

Away at Dummy Site, and I won the toss and stuck us in the field, feeling rather pleased with myself for about the first fifty overs of the day. That confidence took a battering, mind, as their number three simply refused to get out — Davis compiling a chanceless 107 not out, the innings' one substantial stand worth 53 for the first wicket. Credit where due: Roberts and Smith went cheaply enough, ducks both, and Alan Boyns did his best to keep matters respectable with 2-15, well supported by Jon Harris and Joshua Knowler with 2-33 and 2-37 apiece. Even so, 198/7 from their forty overs always looked a stiffish ask.

And so it proved. Iain Cardew batted beautifully for his 64, the pick of the day with bat in hand, and found an admirable ally in Ron McCormick's 34 — the pair adding a priceless 82 for the third wicket, with Daniel Jackson chipping in an unbeaten 21. But three ducks in the order (Tim Wright, Michael Hogg, Chris Newman) and sixteen extras in byes — a testing afternoon behind the stumps for Ron McCormick, poor fellow — meant we limped to 161/8 and fell 37 runs short.

Small consolation: Alan Boyns's brace nudged him past Tony Gauna into fifteenth on the club's all-time wicket-takers list, and the season charts still smile on us. A defeat, then, but not a disgraceful one — we'll dust ourselves down and come back stronger next week.

Sat 30 May 2009 🧢 2nd XIv Headcorn CC · HomeformWWWWL

Saturday 30 May found us at home to Headcorn, and winning the toss I did the only sensible thing a captain can do on a green-looking morning: stuck them in without a flicker of doubt. For a while it looked shrewd enough — they crawled to 143 for 4 off 31.3 overs, Richard Quigley top-scoring with 38, Luke Mangold chipping in 37 and James Hopkins unbeaten on 21. Lewis Burnham was the pick of the attack with 1-9, Rory High and Will Thirkell both weighed in with 1-19 and 1-21 respectively, while Dan Barkaway bowled two maidens as tight as his trouser turn-ups.

Chasing 144, we made a fair fist of it, reaching 133 for 7 with the target within sniffing distance, before the innings did what English batting line-ups do best and imploded — seven runs later we were all out for 140 in 42 overs. Lewis Burnham, Jason White and Dan Barkaway each contributed a golden duck to proceedings 🦆, which rather undid the good work. Through it all Kevin Presneill stood firm, carrying his bat for a fine unbeaten 67 — a personal effort I was quietly rather pleased with, even in defeat. He now leads the 2nd XI run charts for the season with 231, with Tim Thirkell second in the wickets column on 9.

Beaten by 3 runs, then — heartbreakingly close, and entirely of our own making. Heads up, chins out, back to the nets.

Sat 30 May 2009 🧢 1st XIv Milstead CC · AwayformDLWWW

From the captain's chair — Saturday 30 May 2009, away at Milstead. I called it right at the toss and, with barely a flicker of hesitation, stuck us in to bat. That confidence looked rash when we lost our first wicket with just 1 on the board, but Paul Gibson and Nigel Thirkell steadied the ship magnificently, adding 168 for the fourth wicket to turn a jittery start into something rather grand.

Gibson went on to a superb 122, Thirkell a fine 61, and Iain Cardew chipped in with 33. Glen Rawson, Ryan Boyns and Chris Newman each contributed a golden nothing 🦆 — the sort of collective failure that only club cricket can render endearing rather than embarrassing — while the extras column, a healthy 25, did more for the total than some specialist batsmen manage. We closed on a formidable 296/7 from our 45 overs.

With the ball, Milstead fought hard through Tom Palmer's unbeaten 83 and James Beech's 60, the pair sharing 81 for the third wicket, but Ryan Boyns' 2-10 kept the brakes on throughout, well supported by Michael Beeney and Chris Newman. They fell short on 224/6.

Gibson now leads our 2009 run charts with 230, Beeney tops the wickets with 13 — form lines pointing nicely in our favour. A fine win by 72 runs. Onwards.

Sun 24 May 2009 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC · HomeformLDWLD

Since the toss was lost and we were put in to field, we made 113 all out with a nervy 1-run first wicket loss, recovered through a 66-run 7th-wicket stand, then collapsed from 106-7 to 113 all out — that's the opposition's innings, and we chased it down for 117/1.

Let me write the report now, keeping every figure exact.

---

There are certain phone calls a captain dreads on a Sunday morning, and "you've lost the toss, you're in the field" ranks somewhere between the dentist and the tax man. So it was on the 24th of May, with Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill CC arriving as our guests and us trudging out to bowl first, entirely against our better wishes.

Credit where it's due, though — we made a proper fist of it. Ian Hayward top-scored with a watchful 33, and Michael Hanson (25) and Sam Pepper (24) chipped in either side of him, but we had them rocking early with just 1 run on the board. A stubborn seventh-wicket stand of 66 threatened to drag things away from us, before we turned the screw magnificently: 106 for 7 became 113 all out in the blink of an eye, David Smith and Leigh Short both departing for ducks. Tim Wright led the charge with 3 for 43, Matthew Carter chipped in 2 for 15 with two tidy maidens, and Dan Barkaway took 2 for 35 — not a run given away lightly all afternoon.

Chasing 113 ought never to be described as comfortable in this sport, but we made it look positively leisurely. James Piper anchored proceedings with an unbeaten 41, Laurie Probert cracked a fine 36, and Tom Murphy saw us home unbeaten on 23 — I even managed to get my own eye in with 23, for what it was worth. 117 for 1 in 29.2 overs, job done.

Two points, thoroughly earned, and a nine-wicket win to send Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill home with plenty to think about.

Sun 24 May 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv Sissinghurst CC · AwayformWWWWW

Sunday 24th May, and off we trekked to Sissinghurst with the sun out and expectations modest. I won the toss and, in a rare moment of decisiveness, elected to bat — a decision that looked positively inspired once Ryan Boyns got going. He compiled a magnificent 131, the kind of innings that makes the rest of us wonder why we bother, with Ron McCormick (33) and Richard Piper (20 not out) chipping in nicely as we posted a healthy 226/5 from our 41 overs. Tea was taken with considerable optimism.

Optimism, alas, is a fragile commodity in this game. Sissinghurst set about the chase with real purpose, and Trevor Wright played the innings of the day, 91 of proper quality, well supported by Andrew Knowler's unbeaten 71 and Ian Wicks's 32. We did have our moments — Matthew Tatnell back in the hutch for a duck, and Chris Newman the pick of our attack with 1-31, ably backed by Jon Harris (1-48) and Joshua Knowler (1-53) — but 227/3 came up with overs to spare, and the lads trudged off seven wickets shy of victory.

Small consolations: Boyns now sits proudly atop the Sunday 2nd XI run charts with 182 for the season, and Joshua Knowler leads the wickets with five. But consolations butter no parsnips. Not our day, gentlemen — heads up, and back to the nets.

Sat 23 May 2009 🧢 1st XIv LC Lenham CC · HomeformDDLWW

Saturday 23 May 2009, and Lenham CC came calling at Linton Park. I lost the toss again — my record with the coin remains a source of quiet shame — and they sent us in, which suited us just fine.

The lads batted with real style. Our openers put on 119 before the first wicket fell, and from there Richard Piper simply carried on regardless, finishing 123 not out — a captain could ask for little more. Nigel Thirkell (70) and Glen Rawson (55) both cashed in handsomely either side of him, and we closed on a hefty 318/2 from our 45 overs. Tea was, I daresay, a rather cheerful affair.

Defending that sort of total does wonders for a captain's nerves, and Richard Knowler set the tone with the new ball, finishing with 3-34, well supported by Michael Beeney (3-44) and Matthew Carter (2-23), with Mark Christmas keeping things tight with a couple of maidens thrown in for good measure. Pete Humphries (51) and Dave Bunch (38) fought hard for Lenham, with Russell Gray chipping in 30, but poor Simon Beaney trudged off for a duck and the innings folded for 161 in the 35th over.

A word for the history books too — Piper's century nudges him up to 15th on the club's all-time run charts, past John Ames, and keeps him second in this year's 1st XI standings behind Beeney's leading wicket haul.

A win by 157 runs, then, and a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work. Onwards.

Sun 17 May 2009 🧢 Sunday NVKCv BC Brasted Invicta CC · HomeformLLWLL

Sunday 17 May 2009 saw Brasted Invicta CC visit Linton Park, and with the coin dropping kindly I did what any captain raised on damp English mornings does with a good toss — stuck them in.

It rather paid off. We tore through the visitors, who slid from 69-7 to all out for 79 in 34.4 overs before you could get the tea urn on. Mark Copley departed for a duck at our hands, and the bowling was a proper team effort: Iain Rawson the pick with 4-22, Matthew Carter miserly as ever with 2-9 and four maidens to his name, and Richard Knowler chipping in with 2-13. Not much width or width of generosity on show from our lads today.

Chasing 80 was never going to trouble us long, and so it proved — 83-4 in just 15 overs, Craig Sands leading the way with a brisk 34. A six-wicket win, tidy and unfussy, the sort you can enjoy over a pint without needing to relive every ball.

Worth a mention in dispatches: Mark Christmas took two wickets in the win, enough to nudge him past Stuart Cheesman and into 24th on the club's all-time wicket-takers list — a quiet bit of history made while the rest of us were admiring Rawson's figures. And as it stands this season, Craig Sands tops the run charts and Iain Rawson the wicket charts, both riding the crest of today's form.

All told: a fine win, ruthlessly professional with the ball, comfortable with the bat, and a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday. Onwards.

Sun 10 May 2009 🧢 Sunday 1st XIv Wingham CC · HomeformWLDWL

Sunday 10 May 2009, and Wingham CC came calling. The coin did us proud for once, and I had no hesitation in sending us in — a decision that looked positively inspired once Richard Piper and David Castle got stuck in. The pair put on 138 for the first wicket before anyone so much as troubled the scorers with a bowling change, and by the time we declared our innings closed at 219/3 off 35 overs, Piper had 63, Castle 62, and Craig Sands an unbeaten 59 to round things off in style. Only poor Tom Murphy let the side down, departing for a duck — the walk of shame performed, as ever, with quiet dignity.

Defending 219 should have been the easy part. Iain Rawson set the tone with 2-15, backed up nicely by Matthew Carter's 2-22 and a wicket for Joe Martin, and when Adam Cork went for nought with the score still on 0, we allowed ourselves a little smile. But Wingham dug in — Ross Griggs anchored things with an unbeaten 39, well supported by Jamie Watkins and David Clipstone, and they crept to 158/6 off their 45 overs without ever quite threatening, nor ever quite folding.

As for the skipper, I contributed a golden blob — leading from the front is all very well, but on this occasion I led us straight back to the pavilion. Piper now heads our Sunday run charts on 103, Carter our wickets on four.

A draw, then — honours even, and honestly, after that first-wicket stand, we'll take it.

Sat 09 May 2009 🧢 1st XIv West Farleigh CC · HomeformDDDLW

As we won the toss and I stuck them in, no wait — I stuck us in, batting first on a Saturday that promised much. Paul Gibson led the way with a fifty of real substance (53), Craig Sands chipped in a handy 35 and Richard Knowler weighed in with 32, dragging us to a respectable 190/9 from our 45 overs after an early wobble left us 7-1 and wondering. Special mention, as tradition demands, to Richard Piper, who walked back for a duck and can console himself with the knowledge that the club ledger never forgets.

With 190 on the board, it was over to the bowlers, and what a treat they served up. West Farleigh never got going, slumping from 46-3 to 58-6 as the pressure told, and eventually folding for 98 in 38.4 overs — Paul Taylor's unbeaten 31 and Senthil Muniyasamy's 20 the only real resistance. Michael Beeney was the chief tormentor with 4-31, Iain Rawson chimed in with 3-23, and Mark Christmas bowled with the meanness of a man guarding his allotment, 2-14 including five maidens. Ian Prideaux and Mick Goodrich both departed without troubling the scorers.

A 92-run victory, then, and a thoroughly good day for the club. Craig Sands continues to top our run charts this season and Michael Beeney the wickets — form that bodes well. As for Richard Piper's duck, I'm told the pond by the pavilion has room for one more.

Sun 03 May 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv CC Chelsfield Exiles CC · HomeformLWWWW

Sunday 3rd May 2009, and Chelsfield Exiles came calling. I won the toss and elected to bat, which I'm claiming full credit for, thank you very much — 225/3 from our forty overs is not a total that argues with the decision. Glen Rawson was magnificent, 116 not out and utterly serene throughout, while Ryan Boyns chipped in a handsome 51 and Jamie Ratcliffe 34 alongside him. The openers set the tone with 117 for the first wicket before anyone so much as troubled the scorers with a dismissal. Not every stroke was so silken, mind — Carl Davis's duck was the walk of shame it always is, and I dare say he'll not thank me for the mention.

With the ball, the lads made light work of restricting Chelsfield to 193 all out in 44.4 overs, though Alistair MacNab's unbeaten 57 gave them something to cling to, well supported by J Chapman's 35 and A Gray's 20. Joshua Knowler was the chief tormentor with 4-35, backed handsomely by Ryan Boyns (2-16, a fine all-round day) and Sam Boyns (2-32). K King, C King and W Parkinson all departed without scoring — three ducks in one innings is greedy even by our standards. Poor Craig Sands had a torrid afternoon behind the stumps, 8 byes leaking through, but no matter.

A win by 32 runs, and a thoroughly satisfying one. Rawson now tops our Sunday run charts, Knowler our wickets — long may both continue. Onwards.

Sat 02 May 2009 🧢 1st XIv CK Cobham CC, Kent · HomeformLDDDL

Cricket's a funny old game, and Saturday's was funnier than most. Winning the toss against Cobham CC and electing to bat felt like the easy part of my day — after that, all I had to do was watch. Craig Sands played the innings of a lifetime, a magnificent 131, while David Castle chipped in a tidy 31 and Richard Piper 20. The third-wicket stand of 160 was the real backbone of the innings, and with 39 extras thrown in for good measure, we declared our efforts complete at a hearty 244/4 from our 45 overs. I'll admit I rather enjoyed sitting back with the tea and sandwiches watching that one unfold.

If batting was the easy part, bowling turned into an outright procession. Cobham never got going — 3-1 after the first wicket, and by 44-5 the floodgates were positively Niagara. Poor Stewart Kidd and Ryan Chapman departed for ducks without so much as troubling the scorers, which I felt for them, briefly, before remembering whose side I'm on. Martin Corden's defiant 47 and useful contributions from Ryan Smith and Adam Kidd were the only real resistance, but it was never going to be enough against Matthew Carter's superb 3-31 (with three maidens to boot), backed up handsomely by Michael Beeney (3-38) and Richard Knowler (2-18). All out for 126 in 37.2 overs.

A win by 118 runs, two points thoroughly banked, and Craig Sands and Michael Beeney continuing to lead our season's run and wicket charts respectively. Not a bad afternoon's work — even for a captain who did little more than applaud from the boundary.

Sun 26 Apr 2009 🧢 Sunday 2nd XIv EC East Sutton CC · AwayformWLWWW

Sunday 26 April 2009 saw us make the trip to East Sutton, and for once I got the toss right and stuck us in without a second thought — some habits are worth keeping.

The lads did us proud with the ball. Mark Whitmill's 29 was the backbone of their innings, with John Edmed and Ben Tragett chipping in 21 apiece as the fourth wicket added a stubborn 68, but Daniel Jackson (3-23) kept probing away, well supported by Jon Harris (2-13) and a typically frugal Iain Rawson (2-27, five maidens), while poor Richard Kember never troubled the scorers. 159/9 from their 39 overs felt like a target within reach.

And reach it we did, in some style. Richard Piper played the innings of the day, an unbeaten 74 that carried us home, with Laurie Probert (44) and Glen Rawson (21) lending sturdy support — the openers put on 84 before we lost a wicket, which rather set the tone. Craig Sands had a busy afternoon behind the stumps, nine byes the only blemish on an otherwise cheerful outing, and as for your correspondent — a duck, and we'll leave it there.

A word for Richard Piper, whose 74 nudges him past Stan Wratten into 17th on the club's all-time run charts, and who now tops our 2009 Sunday 2nd XI run tally, with Daniel Jackson leading the wickets. A fine win by 6 wickets, and a very pleasant drive home.

Sat 25 Apr 2009 🧢 1st XIv SC Sheldwich CC · HomeformLLDDD

Saturday 25th April, and Linton Park welcomed Sheldwich CC under skies that at least allowed cricket. Winning the toss, I did what any self-respecting captain does when unsure of the pitch and his own bowling attack — stuck them in and hoped for the best. Sheldwich made themselves rather too comfortable, racking up 251/6 from their 40 overs. James Creed set about us for 97, with Daniel Ray (58) and Sam Harrison (38) offering cheerful support. Our one crumb of comfort was A Holmes departing without troubling the scorers. Michael Beeney was the pick of our bowlers with 2-28, ably backed by Tim Thirkell (1-35) and Richard Knowler (1-39), though none of it was quite enough to stem the tide.

Chasing 252, we made a fair fist of it without ever threatening the required rate, closing on 164/7. Mark Christmas top-scored with a tidy 40, with Richard Knowler unbeaten on 31 and Glen Rawson chipping in 28. I did my bit with 40 of my own, though the card was rather spoiled by ducks for Richard Piper and Matthew Carter. Mark Christmas now leads our 2009 run charts, Michael Beeney our wicket charts — small consolations on a chastening afternoon.

In the end we fell 87 runs short. Not our day, gentlemen — heads up, and back to the nets.